Bottom And Back Interconnected For Relative Concurrent Movement Patents (Class 297/216.15)
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Patent number: 11597301Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for a vehicle seat weight detection system utilizing a metal deformation type energy attenuating device disposed in a load path between a seat and a vehicle structure. The energy attenuating device includes a weight sensing portion with a first end connected to one of the seat or vehicle structure, and a second end configured to transfer the seat weight load to a deformable portion of the energy attenuating device connected to the other of the seat and vehicle structure. An aperture in the weight sensing portion between the first and second ends divides a region adjacent the aperture into first and second sides. A slot intersecting the aperture and lying on a plane generally perpendicular to the load path divides the second side into upper and lower halves. A sensor on a surface of the first side of the weight sensing portion is configured to detect strain variations in the surface and produce a calibrated weight signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: ArmorWorks Holdings, Inc.Inventors: David A. Bosen, Nicholas M. Fulton-Manders
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Patent number: 10986924Abstract: To provide a chair in which the seated person can perceive a comfortable sitting feeling even if sitting for a long time, and furthermore a high work efficiency can stably be maintained, a chair according to the present invention includes a support mechanism 2 interposed between a leg 1 and a seat 3, wherein the support mechanism 2 includes: a seat inclining mechanism Q as a seat inclining function configured to downwardly incline a tip side in an operation direction of the seat 3 when the seat 3 operates from a predetermined reference position (S), and further includes: a return-force generation mechanism configured to generate, in accordance with an amount of movement, a return force in a direction of returning the seat 3 having moved from a reference position (S) in a front-rear or left-right direction, to the reference position (S).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2016Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: KOKUYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiro Shibamoto, Fei Xu, Toshiki Yajima
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Patent number: 10875431Abstract: A lumbar support apparatus for a vehicle seat includes: a seatback frame having an adjustable inclination angle; an operating mechanism disposed at an upper portion of the seatback frame, the operating mechanism including a connector generating an operating force in a vertical direction by being in contact with a fixture fixed to a vehicle body when the inclination angle of the seatback frame is adjusted; and a support mechanism disposed at a lower portion of the seatback frame, connected to the connector, receiving the operating force generated from the connecting mechanism, and configured to slide in a front and rear direction depending on an application direction of the operating force, such that when the inclination angle of the seatback frame is adjusted to be directed rearward, the support mechanism receives the operating force of the operating mechanism and is advanced forward to support a waist of an occupant.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Suk Won Hong, Jun Yong Kim, Seon Chae Na, Ji Sun Lee, Chan Ho Jung
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Patent number: 9701221Abstract: A vehicle seat, which adjusts an inclination angle of a seat back with respect to a seat cushion through a recliner, includes a base member, a bracket, which supports the seat back so that the seat back is able to move, and is fixed to a rotation side of the recliner, a connecting member that connects the seat cushion and the seat back with each other, a first guide mechanism that guides the seat back with respect to the bracket, and a second guide mechanism that guides the seat cushion with respect to the base member. The seat back and the seat cushion are guided by the first guide mechanism and the second guide mechanism, respectively, so that the seat back and the seat cushion move rotationally about a position corresponding to a hip-point of a seated occupant.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hidetaka Nagayasu
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Patent number: 9539920Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises an inclination adjustment mechanism for the backrest of the vehicle seat. The inclination adjustment mechanism comprises a first rocker which is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
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Patent number: 9434280Abstract: A seat assembly can include a base, a linkage assembly, a seat, and an energy-management assembly. The linkage assembly can be supported by the base and include a return plate supported by the base for rotation about a first axis of rotation. The seat can be supported by the linkage assembly for movement relative to the base along a generally arcuate path. The return plate can be operable to rotate relative to the seat about a second axis of rotation. The energy-management assembly can be supported by the base for rotation about a third axis of rotation and supported by the return plate for rotation about a fourth axis of rotation. The energy-management assembly can include a biasing member configured to resist the movement of the seat relative to the base along the generally arcuate path.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Tobias Keller, Walton H. Shurtleff
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Patent number: 9168848Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a panel movable to a reclined position and a cushion slidably coupled with the panel to slide down in the reclined position. A base is pivotally supporting the panel and has a concave portion. A seat has a bottom portion slidably coupled with the concave portion for sliding the seat to an upward angle when the panel moves to the reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, Gunnar Groesbeck, John W. Jaranson, Dumitru Dan Nae
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Patent number: 8998325Abstract: A vehicle seat carrier for a vehicle seat comprises a position adjustment arrangement adapted to enable the vehicle seat carrier to be displaced between a plurality of different positions and a position lock adapted to retain the vehicle seat carrier at a selected position. The position lock is adapted to be disabled as a response to a detected crash, or a detected imminent crash, so that the vehicle seat carrier is permitted to be displaced along a first path at least partly defined by the position adjustment arrangement, to provide for a passenger protective function. The passenger protective function utilizes the existing position adjustment arrangement to provide for a controlled displacement during a collision.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Tony Jonsson
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Publication number: 20140339865Abstract: A vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest structure is provided. The seat part includes a first seat component, at which a second seat component connected with the backrest structure is fixed, when the backrest structure is present in a proper position of use. A deformation device with at least one deformation element fixed at one of the seat components is provided, which in the case of a crash upon exceedance of a specified threshold value of a force acting on the backrest structure permits a displacement of the second seat component relative to the first seat component by deforming the at least one deformation element. The deformation device includes at least one oblong hole which specifies a deformation path along which a displacement of the second seat component is effected after exceedance of the threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Peter Schwarze, Joern Reinecke
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Patent number: 8800977Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension device for vehicle seats and/or vehicle cabins for applying a spring force to a vibratory motion of a first component relative to a second component, preferably in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the vehicle, wherein at least one elongate spring member extending at least in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction of the vehicle is connected in at least one end region to the first component and in the central region thereof to the second component, wherein the elongate spring member is made from a flexible elastomer material that is formed to be rod-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Grammer AGInventor: Jens Kolb
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Patent number: 8783771Abstract: An extendable seat pan assembly configured to be supported on spaced side walls of a seat frame and including a seat pan frame having spaced frame rails retained longitudinally parallel to and adjacent the side walls, and a seat pan slidably supported on the frame rails and defining an opening therethough spanned by a spring assembly including a plurality of springs. An aircraft passenger seat including an extendable seat pan assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Michael L. Oleson
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Patent number: 8678510Abstract: An anchor plate (12) and an inner lap anchor (14) disposed at left and right sides of a vehicle seat are connected to an inner side cable (20A) and an outer side cable (20B), respectively. The anchor plate (12) and the inner lap anchor (14) are pulled substantially at the same time by a pretensioner device (21) when acceleration of a predetermined degree or more is applied to a seat (1). A support device (40) is provided between the inner lap anchor (14) and the inner side cable (20A) so as to support load applied to the inner lap anchor (14) in a distributed manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8641140Abstract: A vehicle safety seat (104, 202, 302, 502, 802) includes a seat bottom (120, 210, 310, 504, 810) that is movable substantially instantly from a substantially horizontal normal orientation for normal traveling to a deployed angled orientation contemporaneously with a vehicle crash. The deployed safety seat shifts a seat occupant (102) into a protective posture to reduce accelerations, loads and moments of force on various parts of the occupant's body. In preferred embodiments, the seat bottom is deployed into its angled orientation by lowering the rear (124, 312, 507, 812) of the seat bottom, causing the seat bottom to pivot about a front pivot (174, 220, 320, 518, 820) at the front of the seat bottom. Typically, a vehicle safety seat includes a backrest (130, 240, 360, 550, 840). In some embodiments, a backrest (130, 240, 360, 550) is movable downwards and/or rearwards simultaneously with movement of the seat bottom.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
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Patent number: 8616637Abstract: Described are seat support assemblies comprising at least one of a pitch reducer assembly, a fitting assembly, an energy absorption assembly, and an integrated leg assembly. The pitch reducer assembly may include a pitch reducer housing, at least one pitch riser, and at least one pitch stop. The integrated leg assembly may include a forward leg and an aft leg, where the forward leg is coupled to the pitch reducer assembly. The fitting assembly may include a pair of forward housing mating components and a pair of aft housing mating components, where the pairs of mating components are coupled to the forward and aft legs, respectively. The energy absorption assembly may include a tubular member, a die slidingly coupled to the tubular member, and a die holder coupled to the die, wherein the die holder has a hemispherical outer surface that is configured to pivotally mate with a passenger seat housing and rotate about an arc of rotation relative to the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLCInventors: Robert W. Trimble, Rakibul Islam
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Patent number: 8573691Abstract: The present vehicle seat includes a seat bottom 3 and a seat back 2 rotatably mounted to the seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a support frame 10 mounted to a vehicle body 7 and a bottom cushion 15 supported by a support frame. The support frame has a configuration not to move in a front-and-back direction with respect to the vehicle body by unfavorable external force that abruptly moves a seat occupant forward. The seat bottom has a configuration to be movable in the front-and-back direction with respect to the support frame. Between the bottom cushion and the support frame, a pretensioner 21 that moves the bottom cushion backward with respect to the support frame is located when the unfavorable external force occurs.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2007Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8528986Abstract: A seatbelt mechanism (S) comprises a chip anchor (12) disposed to one of right and left sides of a seat bottom (3) of the vehicle seat (1) and coupled to a tip end of the seatbelt (10), and a tongue anchor (14) disposed to the other of the right and left sides of the seat bottom (3) and engaged with a tongue plate (13) disposed to an intermediate portion of the seatbelt (10). A pretensioner mechanism (21) moves both the chip anchor (12) and the tongue anchor (14) substantially at the same time to actively tenses the seatbelt (10) when the vehicle collision occurs. A moving distance of the chip anchor (12) is substantially equal to a moving distance of the tongue anchor (14).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8500196Abstract: A child safety seat is provided. The safety seat includes a generally L-shaped shell having a seat bottom and a seat back, a harness assembly carried by the shell for restraining an occupant in the seat, a restraining member for receiving a latching assembly for securing the safety seat into a support position on a vehicle seat in a manner, and at least one area of predetermined reduced material thickness formed into the shell in the rearward portion of the seat bottom. The area of reduce material thickness defines a crush zone of reduced capacity to resist a downward movement-induced load on the seat bottom indicative of the sudden forward travel deceleration of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.Inventors: L. Curtis Strong, Christopher Glenn Franck, Ronald M. Marsilio
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Patent number: 8434819Abstract: An occupant safety system for protecting the occupant of a vehicle seat, the system comprising a movable seat supporting member located under the vehicle seat, the supporting member being operatively connected to the vehicle seat so that the seat moves with the supporting member; and a driving member connected to the supporting member by an elongated linking member; wherein the driving member includes a movable actuator connected to the linking member; wherein the driving member is configured to drive the actuator in a rearward direction causing a corresponding rearward movement of the linking member, wherein movement of the linking member in the rearward direction pulls the supporting member and the vehicle seat in the rearward direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Guerrero
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Patent number: 8371655Abstract: A seat cushion frame structure of a seat for a vehicle has a seat cushion frame structure, a rear end of which is connected to a lower end of a seat back frame structure in such a way that the seat back frame structure can be inclined relative to the seat cushion frame structure, the seat cushion frame structure includes a pair of side frames, each of which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and an oblique wire on at least one of the pair of side frames, an upper end of which is fixed to a side portion of the at least one of pair of side frames and a lower end of which is fixed to the seat cushion frame structure at a position forward of the upper end.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaaki Nonomiya
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Patent number: 8371647Abstract: Disclosed are various seats for vehicles particularly military vehicles that are susceptible to attack by road-bed explosive devices such as land mines or improvised explosive devices. The seats often have rigid seat shells and may include rigid bracing for rigidly securing the seat to the chassis of the vehicle. Typically embodiments include channels and particulate media such as sand disposed in the channels. A gas distribution system is generally employed to pump a gas through the channels and in some embodiments the gas is provided at a pressure sufficient to fluidize the particulate media when an occupant is sitting on the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLCInventor: Edward B. Ripley
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Patent number: 8297698Abstract: The mechatronic vehicle safety seat described transforms the geometry of the bottom frame and backrest frame associated with a head restraint when a collision is imminent. On a signal from a pre-crash detection device, or a manual or verbal indication, an energized solenoid instantly releases the forces of torsion springs and triggers the seat bottom and backrest for concurrent movement in sufficient time to mitigate excessive accelerations, loads and moments of forces acting upon seated occupants in response to impact modes. The distorted geometry of the bottom frame and backrest with head restraint enhances the safety performance of the seat belt and reduces the aggressiveness of airbags.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
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Patent number: 8118361Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
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Patent number: 8113575Abstract: A seat frame 51 is mounted on a body freely movably back and forth. The frame 51 moves backward by leaving a backrest seat 2 by a pretensioner device 10. A front portion of a spring material 71 supporting a cushion material 62 of the seat 3 is arranged on the front portion of the seat frame 51. A rear-side portion of the spring material 71 is mounted on a rear-side spring mounting member 72 below the backrest seat 2. The mounting member 72 is immovable and extends in a lateral direction. A rear position of a cushion material 62 does not move even if the seat moves backward.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8109568Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom, a seat back pivotably attached to the seat bottom, a seat belt. The seat bottom has a support frame to be attached to a vehicle body, and a bottom cushion supported by the support frame. A pretensioner is disposed between the bottom cushion and the support frame to move the bottom cushion rearward with respect to the support frame when the unpreferable external force is generated. When the pretensioner is actuated, the bottom cushion moves rearward, and a moving distance S of a tip anchor and a tongue anchor is set larger than a moving distance T of the bottom cushion.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Masutani
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Patent number: 8046944Abstract: An automobile interior exhibit is configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief. In the automobile interior exhibit, the relief is provided with a simulative three-dimensional form in perspective so that the relief provides a view from a predetermined viewpoint even when the relief is viewed from the front.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tokuyuki Nishikawa
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Patent number: 8042867Abstract: A chair having an adjustable seat pan is disclosed. The chair includes a seat frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat back attached to the rear end of the seat frame, a seat pan pivotally connected to the seat frame, and a seat drop down link having a first end attached to the seat frame and a second end in contact with a catch member located beneath the seat pan so that the seat pan can be raised and lowered from a flat position to approximately a 6° angle with respect to the seat frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Peter Meister, Larry Hazbun
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Patent number: 8033600Abstract: A seat system has separate air bladders in the seat bottom and seat back. The seat bottom bladder is in fluid communication with the seat back bladder through a plurality of rigid interconnecting tubes, and valves in the tubes or orifice size can control flow rate of air exchange between the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. A panel of resilient, compressible open cell foam extends in each of the seat bottom bladder and the seat back bladder. Through-holes in the foam panel permit accelerated air evacuation to the other bladder when the seat withstands a significant shock event. The vibration and shock attenuation characteristics of the seat are jointly provided by the panel spring force and the bladder air pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: ErgoAir, Inc.Inventors: Douglas D. Reynolds, Erik Wolf
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Publication number: 20110227378Abstract: A vehicle safety seat (104, 202, 302, 502, 802) includes a seat bottom (120, 210, 310, 504, 810) that is movable substantially instantly from a substantially horizontal normal orientation for normal traveling to a deployed angled orientation contemporaneously with a vehicle crash. The deployed safety seat shifts a seat occupant (102) into a protective posture to reduce accelerations, loads and moments of force on various parts of the occupant's body. In preferred embodiments, the seat bottom is deployed into its angled orientation by lowering the rear (124, 312, 507, 812) of the seat bottom, causing the seat bottom to pivot about a front pivot (172, 220, 320, 518, 820) at the front of the seat bottom. Typically, a vehicle safety seat includes a backrest (130, 240, 360, 550, 840). In some embodiments, a backrest (130, 240, 360, 550) is movable downwards and/or rearwards simultaneously with movement of the seat bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
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Publication number: 20110227377Abstract: The mechatronic vehicle safety seat described transforms the geometry of the bottom frame and backrest frame associated with a head restraint when a collision is imminent. On a signal from a pre-crash detection device, or a manual or verbal indication, an energized solenoid instantly releases the forces of torsion springs and triggers the seat bottom and backrest for concurrent movement in sufficient time to mitigate excessive accelerations, loads and moments of forces acting upon seated occupants in response to impact modes. The distorted geometry of the bottom frame and backrest with head restraint enhances the safety performance of the seat belt and reduces the aggressiveness of airbags.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
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Patent number: 7896434Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
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Patent number: 7837261Abstract: A seat arrangement for an aircraft seat includes a seat frame for mounting the seat on a cabin floor and a seat region. The seat arrangement has a backrest unit and is designed to improve stiffness of the backrest unit against one-sided torsional load. The backrest unit is coupled to the seat frame by a kinematic unit having at least first and second kinematic parts coupled to a first side and a second side of the backrest unit, respectively. A stiffening member is located in the seat region that couples the first and second kinematic parts and is provided for transmitting a torsional moment from the first side of the backrest unit to the second side of the backrest unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Jürgen Baumann
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Patent number: 7823970Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat cushion, a seat bag, a lock mechanism and a belt anchor. The seat cushion has a cushion frame. The seat bag has a back frame that is rotatably connected to the cushion frame. The lock mechanism is provided on each of the frames, and latch-connected to a striker at a vehicle side. The belt anchor is provided on one of the two frames, and is fastened with a seat belt. A force transmission structure is provided between the two frames, in which when the seat belt is pulled forward, so that a member between the belt anchor and the striker is deformed, a member at a side of the one frame pushes a member at a side of the other frame, thereby force is transmitted from the one frame side to the other frame side.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Okuda, Osamu Fujimoto, Masatoshi Handa
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Patent number: 7810881Abstract: A frame of a motor vehicle seat for a motor vehicle including a hinge mounting having a hinge arm, and further including a structure part, said structure part being connected to the hinge arm in a connection region, the connection region being rigid when subjected to a load below a threshold value that occurs at accelerations in a normal driving condition of the motor vehicle and the connection region being compliant when subjected to bending loads at values occurring at accelerations of the motor vehicle occurring in an event of an accident, whereby the connection region includes a tongue that projects from one of the hinge arm and the structure part, and further includes a holding device that is provided on the one of the hinge arm and the structure part on which the holding device is not provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Wilfried Beneker, Nils Magnus
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Patent number: 7789460Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat bottom and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame and is selectively rotatable relative to the seat bottom from an upright position to a forward position. A seatbelt assembly includes a retractor coupled to the seatback frame and a belt selectively extendable from and retractable to the retractor. A first end of the belt is disposed in the retractor. A guide is coupled to the seatback frame and defines an orifice with the belt slideably extending through the orifice. The retractor and the guide are fixed relative to the seatback frame and the second end of the belt is fixed to the seatback frame. The retractor, the guide, and both ends of the belt rotate from the upright position to the forward position in response to a force exerted on the seatback frame during rapid deceleration of the seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions, LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Patrick M. Glance
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Patent number: 7780230Abstract: A seat assembly (21) for a vehicle including a seat (22), a seat mounting assembly (20) mounting the seat (22) for movement along an upwardly concaved arcuate path, a backrest (25) assembly with a backrest member (23) having a lower portion (18) coupled for arcuate motion with the seat (22) and an upper portion mounted for movement in a vertically extending direction. The backrest assembly (25) further includes a recliner frame and mechanism (32, 33). A method of providing a seat assembly also is disclosed including the steps of mounting the seat (22) for movement along an upwardly arcuate path, mounting the backrest (25) proximate the seat, coupling a lower portion (18) of the backrest for movement with the seat (22) and mounting the upper portion of the backrest (23) for vertically extending movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Inventor: Hector Serber
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Patent number: 7673937Abstract: The present invention relates to a side airbag module intended for holding back, in the event of an impact, the occupant (13) of the seat (15) of an automotive vehicle with a reclining backrest (19) by means of suitable means including an adjustment knob (31), comprising a cushion (11) configured for being vertically deployed between the protection area required for the occupant (13) and the body of the vehicle when inflated with the gas provided by a gas generator and a distance piece (21) joined at one of its ends (23) to the cushion (11) and at the other end (25) to the reclining means of the backrest (19) such that its length is reduced when the inclination of the backrest (19) is increased so that the deployed cushion (11) can be properly positioned no matter what the required inclination of the backrest (19) of the seat (15) may be.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Dalphi Metal Espana S.A.Inventors: Emiliano Core Almarza, María Díez Barbero
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Patent number: 7640090Abstract: A headrest control apparatus includes: a headrest moving mechanism that supports a headrest in such a manner that at least one of a rotation of the headrest about an axis of the headrest, which extends in the vehicle-height direction, and a movement of the headrest in the vehicle-width direction is permitted; a drive unit that causes at least one of the rotation and the movement of the headrest; and a control unit that controls the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kiyoyuki Uchida, Yuichi Tanaka
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Patent number: 7527334Abstract: A cross member assembly for adjusting a reclinable vehicle seat includes a joint. The joint permits the cross member assembly to deflect during a vehicle impact if the reclinable vehicle seat is occupied.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher James Kiehler, Min Weng, Karl Otto Sonnenberg, Thomas H. Overbeck, Paul Gerard Ferraiuolo
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Patent number: 7497517Abstract: Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, with a seat part (3) that is linked to a support via a cushion-four-joint (42), a backrest that can be tilted and locked by at least one fitting and which is linked to the cushion-four-joint (42) through a link-four-joint (48), in which a linking member (41) is a common component of both four-joints (42, 48), wherein the vehicle seat at a minimum can be converted from at least one in-use position that is suited for passenger transport, to a folded together, not-in-use position, and between the seat part (3) and the support an additional securing device with leeway (53) is provided in the in-use position, wherein the leeway (53) defines the mobility of the cushion-four-joint (42) in the case of a crash and during a forward tilt adjustment of the backrest.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Gundall, Andreas Closset, Klaus Hassler
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Patent number: 7496457Abstract: A load body state is judged from time series data of an emphasis displacement inclination obtained by collecting displacement signal data of the load body state using a displacement signal collection sensor, determining a rate of change for every arbitrary interval of an original waveform as an original waveform displacement inclination at an operating unit, and at the same time, determining time series data of an average displacement inclination for every prescribed time period range from a plurality of original waveform displacement inclinations, and by determining an emphasis displacement inclination through slide calculation of time series data of the average displacement inclination for every prescribed sampling time.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Masato Enokizono
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Publication number: 20090045659Abstract: The protection system is used especially for the protection against a fatal effect of vertical accelerations triggered by a landmine on the passengers of an armoured vehicle. For this, the sitting unit consisting of a seat body (7) and a backrest (8) is held movable in vertical direction and is coupled with an end area (15) of a longitudinally variable damping device (11), whose other end (13) is connected to the roof (4) of the vehicle (2) through a carrying equipment (6). In addition, the sitting unit is carried with vertical distance from the vertical guide (18) in a lower guide path (19) transversally directed so that the sitting unit executes both a downward as well as a tilting movement relative to the vehicle together with a passenger (3) during loading through vertical acceleration. In this way, an improved usage of the constructively limited effective length of the damping device (11) occurs so that the effect of the protection system is essentially improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Hans-Jorg LIST, Uwe Fehr, Kai-Uwe Keller, Michael Bieniek
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Publication number: 20080258521Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1), particularly a motor vehicle (1), comprising a vehicle seat (2), wherein the vehicle (1) comprises an actuator (25) for generating a load reducing movement of the vehicle seat (2) in case of a rear collision and a control means (10) for actuating the actuator (25) when a first threshold value relating to the amount of the rear collision is exceeded und a second threshold value relating to the amount of the rear collision is not exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: FAURECIA AUTOSITZE GMBHInventors: Michael Gumprecht, Rudiger Deppe
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Publication number: 20080252114Abstract: A seat for heavy equipment having a buffer means in forward and backward directions is provided, which can protect an operator by attenuating impact and vibration generated in a cab in forward and backward directions of an excavator in accordance with the driving of the buffer means in a main working mode of the excavator. The seat for heavy equipment is mounted on a suspension plate and is located between left and right console boxes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventor: Hak Shin Kim
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Patent number: 7229133Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat. The system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a primary activation system for operating the hydraulic actuator and adjusting the seat position, and a secondary activation system for the hydraulic actuator. The secondary activation system is arranged to be activated in the event of a detected crash, to provide for movement of the hydraulic actuator to automatically adjust the position of a portion of the seat towards a predetermined position. The secondary activation system comprises a chamber to allow fluid to be displaced from the hydraulic actuator into the chamber. The secondary activation system may additionally comprise a fluid injection unit which supplies a quantity of fluid, preferably gas, to the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Michael G. Maddelein, Hugh H. Christopher
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Patent number: 7195311Abstract: Safety device for a vehicle seat which is fixed inside a vehicle including lateral guides. The safety device consists of at least one safety rail fixed in the vehicle, in the region between the guides, and comprises associated securing mechanisms which are connected to the vehicle seat, and co-operate with the safety rail in a non-contact manner for regular loads applied to the seat, and in the event of irregular, especially accident-related deformations and/or movements in the region of the vehicle seat, engage with the safety rail in such a way that they block further deformation/displacements. The securing mechanisms and the safety rail are embodied in such a way that, during the engagement, reaction forces which act in the direction of axes (X, Y, Z) of a standard vehicle co-ordinates system are applied in a distributed manner to at least two different engagement regions of the safety rail.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbHInventors: Norbert Kuliha, Uwe Schmale, Bernd Engels
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Patent number: 7192087Abstract: An adjustable seat cushion thigh support system 10 for the use of a seat and method for providing same. The seat has a cushion pan 12 that is fixed in relation to a vehicle. A pair of side rails 14 and a rear cross member 16 form the fixed cushion pan 12. The thigh support system 10 has fixed anchor brackets 18 that extend inwardly from side rails 14. Slider brackets 20 are adapted to move forwardly and rearwardly in relation to the anchor brackets 18. A cushion ramp 22 is supported by the slider brackets 20 so as to permit forward and rearward motion of the cushion ramp 22 when the slider brackets 20 move in relation to the cushion pan 12. The cushion ramp 22 underlies the seat cushion thigh support.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Vincent Adragna, Paul Wier, Mohammad Saberan, Eric Beaulieu
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Patent number: 7134718Abstract: An upper end portion of a seat backrest and a lower end portion of a head rest are superposed together. A rear end portion of an upper portion cushion member and a lower end portion of the seat backrest are superposed together. These superposed portions are sewn together by thin threads which break when pressing force of a predetermined value or greater is applied to the seat backrest. Thus, when pressing force of the predetermined value or greater is applied to the seat backrest, the thin threads break. A portion of the seat backrest which a shoulder portion of a seated occupant contacts, and a portion of the seat backrest which buttocks of the seated occupant contact, are enlarged, and impact force can be damped.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eiichi Yasuda, Shunichi Doi, Katsuya Ibaraki, Etsunori Fujita, Yumi Ogura, Seiji Kawasaki
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Patent number: 7073855Abstract: A vehicle seat has seating components, such as a seat piece (20), a backrest (22) and a leg-rest (24), which are adjustable as to their positions, particularly in their relative inclination, by at least one operating device (26, 44). A monitoring device monitors all the boundary geometries (50, 52) of the moving seat components which may cause collisions and which have given spatial constraints (54). The monitoring device controls the operating devices (26, 44) at all points to guarantee a collision-free movement of all seat components within the spatial constraints. The vehicle seat considered as a total system can undergo adjustment processes without a damaging collision occurring.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co.Inventors: Wolfgang Wagner, Jürgen Baumann
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Patent number: 6921133Abstract: A catch member (14) extending in the width direction of a seat cushion (1) is arranged inside a front portion of the seat cushion (1) and is supported so as to be vertically movable. There are also provided a torsion spring (16) for urging the catch member (14) to move upward and a pendulum member (18) for operating with an inertial force upon an abrupt deceleration to inhibit vertical movement of the catch part. When a passenger sits on the seat cushion (1), the catch member (14) moves downward to preclude deterioration in seating comfort. When the passenger's rear end (22) starts to move forward upon an abrupt deceleration, the catch member (14) is locked and the rear end (22) is caught by the catch member (14). This makes it possible to suppressed the forward movement of the passenger with reliability, and allow lightweight and low-cost configuration with simple configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshifumi Taoka, Tetsurou Ushijima
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Patent number: 6851505Abstract: The present occupant protective apparatus includes a vehicle body in which a portion to be deformed on receiving a collision load (in the illustrated embodiment, the front side frames) is formed at least in front of a vehicle room (3), a structure made of a rigid body supported on the vehicle body in such a manner that it is movable backward on receiving the collision load (in the illustrated embodiment, the engine 6), seats (8) each including a seat belt (9) for constraining an occupant seated on the seat (8) and supported on the vehicle body so as to be movable in the back-and-forth direction of the vehicle body, and a power transmission mechanism for transmitting the backward movement of the structure to thereby move the seats (8) backward (in the illustrated embodiment, the cable 13).Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Hondo Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yasuki Motozawa, Kazuya Yoshida