Tiltably Patents (Class 297/216.19)
  • Patent number: 11952126
    Abstract: Described are passenger seats having a seat frame and a seat bottom slidingly and pivotally attached to the seat frame that, when the passenger seats are reclined, are configured to articulate forward from an upright configuration of the passenger seat to a second seat position corresponding to a reclined configuration of the passenger seat. The seat bottom can include an aft articulating mechanism that defines a declining first path in an aft-to-forward direction to cause the aft end of the seat bottom to drop when the seat bottom articulates forward; and a forward articulating mechanism connected with the seat bottom near a forward end of the seat bottom that defines a second path shaped to cause the forward end of the seat bottom to move upward when the seat bottom articulates forward, such that the seat bottom tilts aft in response to articulating forward when the passenger seat is reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Ty Parker, Christopher D. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11926247
    Abstract: An anti-skipping device including: a pair of fixed bases, symmetrically disposed on both sides, having slide rails extending along a longitudinal direction, and having two side walls facing each other along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; an extension member, movably inserted on the fixed bases, and being slidable along the slide rail to move between an extended position and a retracted position in respect to the fixed bases; a locking member for coupling the fixed bases and the extension member, so as to lock a position of the extension member in respect to the fixed bases; and a crossbar, disposed on the two side walls to prevent the two side walls from being laterally displaced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Xiaohong Xiao
  • Patent number: 11827172
    Abstract: A vehicle seat mountable in a vehicle, in accordance with a non-limiting example includes a seat back and a seat base connected to the seat back. The seat base includes a first side bolster and a second side bolster, and a selectively deployable air bag mounted in one of the first side bolster and the second side bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Marcelo Ferreira Gomes
  • Patent number: 11807141
    Abstract: A seat base includes a base pan and a base lid secured to the base pan. The base lid and the base plan together define a cavity therebetween. An energy absorber is disposed within the cavity and includes an impactor piston provided on the base lid and an energy absorbing member supported by the base pan. The energy absorbing member is configured to translate away from the base pan and towards the base lid during a deceleration of the safety base. The impactor piston is configured to deform the energy absorbing member and to dissipate impact forces imposed on the seat base during the deceleration of the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Clek Inc.
    Inventors: Iuliu Dinescu, Giuseppe Rotiroti, Quinn Hu
  • Patent number: 10518674
    Abstract: A passive safety system includes a seat support structure, a seat that is connected to the seat support structure, a motion control device operable to control motion of the seat relative to the seat support structure, a sensor that provides an output signal, and a controller. The output signal is indicative of an imminent collision. The controller causes the motion control device to move the seat relative to the seat support structure in response to the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Randol W. Aikin, Malcolm J. Northcott
  • Patent number: 9907713
    Abstract: An exemplary wheelchair comprises a main frame and a seat frame. Drive wheels and pivoting caster wheels are affixed to and support the main frame. The seat frame is connected to the main frame via left and right rear linkage arms, each rear linkage arm having a first end pivotally connected to the main frame and a second end pivotally connected to the seat frame, thereby allowing the seat frame to pivot relative to the main frame around a virtual pivot point. A seat plate having right, left, front, and rear sides is supported by the seat frame. A backrest frame is also connected to the seat frame. Left and right guide slots of the seat frame receive left and right guide rollers rotationally arranged at each end of a laterally oriented shaft connected to the main frame. The rear linkage arms and guide slots are configured so the virtual pivot point of the seat frame moves rearward when the seat frame is moved from an upright position to a tilted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INVACARE INTERNATIONAL SARL
    Inventors: Edward Dahlin, Mats Feldt
  • Patent number: 9352669
    Abstract: An adjustable child seat base includes a seat base housing having first and second distal ends, a movable foot movably mounted to the seat base housing for movement between extended and retracted positions for adjusting the angle of the seat base, and a control handle and release positioned between the first and second distal ends of the seat base housing. The control handle and release is adapted for effecting one-handed control of the movement of the movable foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Scott R. Spence, Jacob Sclare, Michael A. Dotsey, Noah E. Dingler, Patrick B. Nolan
  • Patent number: 8998325
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Tony Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8960789
    Abstract: A child vehicle safety seat may include a seat base, a first side frame, a second side frame, a strap and belt assembly, and a compressible piece. The seat base is pivotally coupled to the first and second side frames. The strap and belt assembly is coupled to the side frames and to the compressible piece. Upon an exerted force, the seat base swings about a pivot axis defined by its pivotal coupling to the side frames. The compressible piece is compressed by the strap and belt assembly and the swinging movement of the seat base is dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: F Delta T LLC
    Inventor: Starla Jones
  • Patent number: 8926012
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle seat for a vehicle with a seating surface (10), a back rest (12) and at least one foot (14) supporting the seating surface (10), wherein the foot (14) is formed by a connecting means assembly (16) comprising two connecting means (18, 20), namely a first connecting means (18) and a second connecting means (20), each running/extending substantially horizontally, which are each coupled and held spaced in the vertical direction by means of two further connecting means (22, 24), namely a third connecting means (22) and a fourth connecting means (24), such that these four connecting means (18, 20, 22, 24) form a frame (26) which can be connected with the vehicle, and that at least one fifth connecting means is a deformation device (36), wherein the first connecting means (18) is arranged in the vertical direction above the second connecting means (20) and the third connecting means (22) is arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction in front of the fourth connecting means (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Dirk Kaessner
  • Patent number: 8894143
    Abstract: In a drive device for a vehicle seat (1), having a frame (10) which belongs to the vehicle seat (1), an output (14a, 14b) which belongs to the vehicle seat (1), is hinged to the frame (10) and is pivotable relative to the latter about an axis (A), and a geared fitting (16), the two fitting parts (16a, 16b) of which perform a relative rotational movement with superposed tumbling movement in a drive situation. One fitting part (16a) acts on the output (14a, 14b) and the other fitting part (16b) is supported on the frame (10). A transmission element (25, 35, 37) is provided between the fitting part (16a) which acts on the output (14a, 14b) and the output (14a, 14b). The transmission element (25, 35, 37) is torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis (A) and simultaneously flexible in the radial direction of the axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rolf Schüler, Bernd Bossmanns
  • Publication number: 20140333103
    Abstract: A seat assistance method includes obtaining the inclined angle of a vehicle detected by a gyroscope. The method then determines if the obtained inclined angle of the vehicle is greater than a preset value. Next, the method controls a driving device to drive a seat to rotate towards a center of the vehicle when the obtained inclined angle of the vehicle is greater than the preset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HOU-HSIEN LEE, CHANG-JUNG LEE, CHIH-PING LO
  • Patent number: 8882195
    Abstract: A seat base having a first pair of U-shaped tubular elements capable of being deformed, the upper end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on a lower surface of the seat part and the lower end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on an upper surface of a region of the vehicle floor, and a second pair of S-shaped tubular elements capable of being deformed, the upper end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on the lower surface of the seat part and the lower end portion is arranged in a torsionally rigid manner in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the region of the vehicle floor, wherein the first pair of elements is arranged substantially in front of the second pair of elements in the direction of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Dirk Kaessner, Wolfgang Beier, Andreas Vogl, Alfred Weidinger
  • Patent number: 8641140
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
  • Patent number: 8641141
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular commercial vehicle seat, is provided with a framework, in particular scissors-type framework (3), a seat frame (10) which is articulated thereon via a pivot axis (B), and a backrest (20) which is attached to the seat frame (10) and by means of which a torque acts about the pivot axis (B) on the seat frame (10) in the event of a crash or misuse. The framework (3) has a first catch element (31) and the seat frame (10) has a second catch element (32) which normally do not interact. In the event of a crash or misuse, the catch elements approach each other and then interact creating a further path for the force flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hassler, Rüdiger Nissen, Thorsten Schweizer, Thomas Gundall, Harald Klein, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 8632124
    Abstract: The child safety seat includes a seat body having a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat bottom is slidably connected to a first portion of the base and the seat back is slidably connected to a second portion of the base. The seat body is movable relative to the base, namely, between a resting position and ride down position. A dampening member is connected between the seat body and the base for dampening/retarding the movement of the seat body from the resting position to the ride down position. The dampening member is preferably partially oriented yarn that is no longer usable after use, such as in the event of an accident. The recline angle of the seat body relative to the base is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SKJP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David Clement, Russell Berger
  • Patent number: 8616637
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Trimble, Rakibul Islam
  • Patent number: 8579371
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a reclinable seatback (2), a seat bottom (3) movable in a front-and-rear direction, a pretensioner (41) for moving the seat bottom (3) rearward, and brackets (21, 21) attached to a vehicle body. The seat bottom is attached to the brackets so as to move in the front-and-rear direction, the seatback is rotatably attached to the brackets, and the pretensioner moves the seat bottom relatively rearward with respect to the brackets. When the seat bottom is moved rearward by the pretensioner, a front portion of the seat bottom is moved upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Publication number: 20130113247
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment device for motor vehicle seats, in particular a height adjustment device, comprising a length-adjustable control unit which is suitable for adjusting and supporting a seat structure with respect to a seat base assembly and which can be articulated at one end to the seat structure and at the other end to the seat base assembly. In order to provide an adjustment device and a motor vehicle seat comprising an adjustment device, in which a bending direction of the adjustment device is predetermined in the event of a crash, the control unit is designed at least one of at one end and at both ends to be a pivotable and, in the event of a crash, slidable mounting with respect to at least one of the seat structure and the seat base assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Nils Magnus, Markus Gumbrich
  • Patent number: 8348337
    Abstract: A child safety seat configured for installation in a vehicle may include a base and a seat that includes a bottom, whereby the seat is connected to the base along an axis. The base and the seat together define a cavity that is disposed therebetween and the seat bottom is configured to rotate about the axis that connects the seat to the base during a frontal impact such that the seat bottom advances into the cavity. The safety seat may include energy absorbing member disposed within the cavity wherein the energy absorbing member is configured to be deformed as the seat bottom advances into the cavity during frontal impact. The energy absorbing member may be deformed by substantially vertical movement of the seat bottom into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Britax Child Safety, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Franck, L. Curtis Strong
  • Patent number: 8317263
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system and method in which a seat belt restraint assembly is secured directly to the seat. The vehicle seat system includes a seat frame and a seat base that supports the seat frame. The system includes a first stop operating at rear portions of the seat base and seat frame to couple the seat base and seat frame and to limit forward pivoting movement of the seat frame upon sudden deceleration. The system may also include a second stop to limit rearward pivoting movement of the seat frame. The coupling of the seat base and seat frame provides the seat system with sufficient strength to satisfy load testing requirements and to provide comfort to the occupant. The vehicle system may include a tilt adjustment mechanism that allows tilting of the seat frame and that may also form part of a cushion slide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: CVG Management Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Patrick Telesco
  • Patent number: 8303034
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a front and a back and adapted to be attached to a floor comprises a seat base and a seat back attached to the seat base, a seat belt mechanism attached to the seat base and free of the floor, a blast mitigation device attached to the seat base and adapted to be secured to the floor, wherein the blast mitigation device has a crumple zone which absorbs energy in the event of a blast, and a front impact dislocation resistance device mounted on the blast mitigation device with a pair of brackets. The front impact dislocation resistance device acts to resist separation of the seat base from the blast mitigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: USSC Group, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew C. Gross, Christian U. Hammarskjold, Vincent P. Galie
  • Patent number: 8240758
    Abstract: A tiltable vehicle seat has a tiltable metallic seat pan that tilts upon rapid vehicle deceleration. The metallic seat pan is supported for movement between a normal seating position and a tilted or deployed position. The seat pan includes a deformable anti-submarining beam that extends laterally across the seat pan. The deformable anti-submarining beam is deformable in response to a prescribed deformation force exerted from the general direction of a buttocks supporting end thereof with the seat pan in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John Combest
  • Patent number: 8172318
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a pad carrier with a wire frame and a seat cushion that rests on the pad carrier. The seat cushion structure is connected to the pad carrier and absorbs energy by deformation in the event of high forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Kruger, Markus-Claus Kubler, Roland Traub
  • Patent number: 8138908
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also safety devices and arrangements for head-on collision protection that protect the passenger. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 8113575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8100471
    Abstract: An adjustable seat ramp adapted for use with a seat base and defining a first angle of inclination, includes a structure translatably disposed within or integrally formed with the base and presenting a first position, and further includes an actuator employing a shape memory material element and configured to cause the structure to translate to a second position, wherein a second angle of inclination is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer P. Lawall, Steven E. Morris, Diane K. McQueen, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Patent number: 8061770
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having an underframe comprising at least one base and at least one rear rocker, which is connected to the base through a rear pivot axis, a seat carrier carried by the underframe, a seat back connected to the seat carrier, and a drive device. A crash sensor controls the drive device. In the event of a crash, the drive device pivots the seat carrier inclusive of the seat back about the rear pivot axis, and a seat front edge of the seat carrier is raised at least 10 mm relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG, Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Tony Phillip
  • Publication number: 20110278887
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Robert W. Trimble, Rakibul Islam
  • Patent number: 8038210
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system and method in which a seat belt restraint assembly is secured directly to the seat. The vehicle seat system includes a seat frame and a seat base that supports the seat frame. The system includes a first stop operating at rear portions of the seat base and seat frame to couple the seat base and seat frame and to limit forward pivoting movement of the seat frame upon sudden deceleration. The system may also include a second stop to limit rearward pivoting movement of the seat frame. The coupling of the seat base and seat frame provides the seat system with sufficient strength to satisfy load testing requirements and to provide comfort to the occupant. The vehicle system may include a tilt adjustment mechanism that allows tilting of the seat frame and that may also form part of a cushion slide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: CVG Management Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Patrick Telesco
  • Patent number: 7963603
    Abstract: A vehicle seat stabilization system configured for minimizing downward displacement of a seat cushion upon vehicle impact includes a vehicle seat and a stabilization device. The seat has a first and second vertical position and includes the cushion, a torque tube, mounting arrangement, slide assembly, and lift linkage. The device is configured for minimizing downward displacement of the cushion upon vehicle impact and includes a piston, rod, first cylinder, and a second cylinder disposed entirely within and cooperating with the first cylinder to define a conduit. The piston divides the second cylinder and defines a first and second chamber in fluid communication via the conduit. The device includes fluid and a member disposed within the second cylinder moveable upon vehicle impact to seal off fluid communication between the conduit and the second chamber to minimize downward displacement of the cushion upon impact when the seat is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: James F. Pywell
  • Patent number: 7854478
    Abstract: 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 and a second threshold value relating to the amount of the rear collision is not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Gumprecht, Rudiger Deppe
  • Patent number: 7823970
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Okuda, Osamu Fujimoto, Masatoshi Handa
  • Publication number: 20100270836
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that strokes during an energy absorption process is able to reset. The seat can therefore stroke again, in the same stroking volume, for example during a secondary ground impact after a mine blast. An energy absorber associated with the seat is operative to absorb energy once during the first stroke and is also operative to absorb energy a second time when the seat strokes a second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: BAE Systems Aerospace and Defense Group Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Alan Mowry, Marvin Kent Richards, Gregory Brian Grace, Curtis Phillip Parsons
  • Patent number: 7780230
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Hector Serber
  • Patent number: 7753442
    Abstract: A base for fixing the safety seating system in a passenger car has an external guiding member that more than equatorially encompasses an internal guiding member for a direct spherical guiding of a removable seated newly born infant. The infant is seated with respect to the geometrical pivoting center and an overall mass axis of the rotating portions such that neck bending and head whip lashing are minimized during a vehicle crash. The encompassing spherical and direct guiding provides for a free impact aligned reorientation of the seated infant unimpeded by adjacent elements of the car that are eventually forced into contact during crash. The direct spherical guiding provides also for a lightweight construction of the rotating portions with low momentum of inertia and consequently high responsiveness of the safety seating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Anecia LLC
    Inventor: Janusz Liberkowski
  • Patent number: 7731281
    Abstract: An impact absorbing plate 31 is disposed between a front part 31z of the impact absorbing plate 31 and a vehicle body 11 so that a rupture generating part 44 ruptured by impact is extended in the front and rear direction of the vehicle, and the impact absorbing plate 31 is fixed to a front part 13a and a rear part 13b of the front seat bracket 13 provided in the vehicle body by rivets 33 and 33. A portion of front part 31z of the impact absorbing plate 31 is cut to form a cutoff part 45, and a front end 17a of a rail 17 provided in a seat section is attached to a convex part 35, which is molded so as to expand upward an inner side of the cutoff part 45, by a rivet 34.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Imasen Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Kurita, Koji Uno, Yukio Hiruta, Yoshiaki Morita, Masaru Ueda, Nobukatsu Masuda, Hideyuki Kito
  • Publication number: 20100072797
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system and method in which a seat belt restraint assembly is secured directly to the seat. The vehicle seat system includes a seat frame and a seat base that supports the seat frame. The system includes a first stop operating at rear portions of the seat base and seat frame to couple the seat base and seat frame and to limit forward pivoting movement of the seat frame upon sudden deceleration. The system may also include a second stop to limit rearward pivoting movement of the seat frame. The coupling of the seat base and seat frame provides the seat system with sufficient strength to satisfy load testing requirements and to provide comfort to the occupant. The vehicle system may include a tilt adjustment mechanism that allows tilting of the seat frame and that may also form part of a cushion slide mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Patrick Telesco
  • Publication number: 20100019555
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system in one embodiment includes a control device disposed in a front portion of a vehicle body; a plurality of first sensors mounted in the front portion of the vehicle body; two first actuators each mounted under a front seat equipped with a first seat belt; and a second actuator mounted under a rear seat equipped with a plurality of second seat belts; wherein each of the first sensors is adapted to detect a vehicle crash and send an activation signal to the control device when it occurs, and the activated control device is adapted to activate the first and second actuators to pivot the front and rear seats upward a predetermined angle to push seated vehicle occupants rearward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Chien-Chung Feng
  • Publication number: 20090256405
    Abstract: A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle includes a first and a second substantially planar region. The seat is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first region is horizontal and acts as the seat, and the second region is vertical and acts as the seat back, such that the passenger is facing forward. In the second position, the first region is vertical and acts as the seat back, and the second region is horizontal and acts as the seat, such that the passenger is facing backward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH
    Inventors: Classen Peter, Hofer Carsten
  • Patent number: 7510240
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system in which a seat belt restraint assembly may be secured directly to the seat. The vehicle seating system includes generally a seat and a base assembly that supports the seat. The base assembly may be a suspension base assembly or a pedestal base assembly. The construction of the base assembly provides the vehicle seating system with sufficient strength so that the system satisfies load testing requirements and provides comfort to the occupant. The base assembly includes a stop operating at the forward portions of the base assembly to limit forward pivoting movement of the seat upon sudden deceleration. The suspension base assembly may also include dual thickness arms, internal tethers, and vertical supports at the rear of the assembly to strengthen the assembly. The pedestal base assembly may also include telescoped tubes to strengthen the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: CVG Management Corporation
    Inventors: Davey J. Jones, William D. Ruth, David Lyscas
  • Patent number: 7316442
    Abstract: A detachment prevention device of a seat rail for a vehicle, designed to allow an outer side wall of a lower rail to be extended in the event of a crash and to suppress bent portions from being deformed, thereby ensuring passenger safety. The seat rail comprises a lower rail fixed to a bottom surface of a vehicle body by means of fixing means, an upper rail located on the lower rail and coupled thereto, bent portions formed at both sides of the lower rail and the upper rail, respectively, such that the lower rail is hooked to the upper rail by means of the bent portions, a bracket extended from a center of the upper rail to an upper portion thereof in order to fix a vehicle seat to the upper rail, and a buckle fixed to the bracket to fasten a seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Das Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Chul Jung, Masao Nihei
  • Patent number: 7229133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Maddelein, Hugh H. Christopher
  • Patent number: 7159923
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that harnesses the inertial loading caused by acceleration of occupants to reorient and relocate the occupants and enable shock absorbtion mechanisms to reduce the peak acceleration and reduce crush injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 7044543
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, has a multi-bar linkage (4) which is defined by at least four link mechanisms (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) and is intended for setting the seat height, and a crash locking unit (21). The link mechanisms include a frame (5), which is fixed on the vehicle structure, and a rocker (8). In the event of a crash, the crash locking unit (21) locks the frame (5) and the rocker (8) to each other. An additional link mechanism (7) is provided between the frame (5) and the rocker (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kai Schumann, Ingo Teufel, Dieter Braun, Heinrich Hammann
  • Patent number: 6921133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Taoka, Tetsurou Ushijima
  • Patent number: 6896325
    Abstract: An occupant protection apparatus protects an occupant sitting on a seat adjacent to a side door of a vehicle when a side collision or a rollover occurs. The occupant protection apparatus includes a push-up device for pushing up a part of a hip portion of the occupant adjacent to the side door when the side collision or the rollover occurs. In the occupant protection apparatus, when the side collision of the vehicle occurs, the push-up device pushes up the part of the occupant's hip to tilt an upper body of the occupant away from the side door. It is preferable that the push-up device includes an inflatable bag and a gas generator for inflating the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Akifumi Takedomi, Tadashi Tanaka, Masayoshi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 6851747
    Abstract: A collapsible vehicle safety seat is essentially designed to restrain movement of the occupant especially at the time of frontal, rear-end and lateral collisions in high and low speed or when an impact becomes inevitable. The seat includes an actuator controlled and operated electronically or manually. The onset of the collision sequences the car crash sensor or collision avoidance devices including occupant voice activated actuator. The trigger release forces of a biasing member or equivalently devices electromagnetic or pyrotechnic to deploys instantly pivot frame incorporated with movable seat cushion, seat back and headrest. The alteration of the movable seat assembly from a normal stationary position creates a safety zone that allows occupants to lower their center of gravity to an optimum seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
  • Patent number: 6786543
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat bottom. The vehicle seat also has a recliner mechanism for adjusting the angle between the seat back and the seat bottom. The recliner is capable of substantially supporting the seat back relative to the seat bottom below a threshold force acting on said seat back during normal operating loads. The operating loads are below a threshold level. The seat also has an impact control mechanism operatively connected to the seat back and the seat bottom. The impact control mechanism is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the seat back is permitted to move relative to said seat bottom. In an engaged position, the impact control mechanism restrains the seat back from moving relative to the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Christer Andersson, Odd Jaegtnes
  • Patent number: 6776454
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seat (1) with a seat support (2) which has a seating surface (3) as well as a backrest (4) connected pivotable with it, which seating surface (3) and backrest (4) are mounted adjustably and fixably on a seat bracket (7) for adjusting the position of the seat support (2). For the seat (1) of the invention, it is characteristic that back inclination of the backrest (4) is adjustable in connection with a fixed seating angle (&agr;) between backrest (4) and seating surface (3) by pivoting the seat support (2) relative to the seat bracket (7), and that the seating angle of the seating surface (3) is adjustable in connection with a pivotal point (9) fixed in the longitudinal direction of the seat by pivoting the seating surface (3) relative to the backrest (4). The seat (1) of the invention is distinguished by a comparatively short adjustment pathway through a large back inclination adjustment of the backrest (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Girsberger Holding AG
    Inventors: Thierry Aubert, Philipp Angst, Michael Rickli