Mounted On Support Legs Patents (Class 297/216.2)
  • Patent number: 11912179
    Abstract: A seat rail module for a vehicle seat, comprising two longitudinal adjustment rails (10) arranged parallel to each other for guiding the vehicle seat (1) and adjusting its position in longitudinal direction, deformation units (18) which can be fastened or are fastened to the longitudinal adjustment rails (10), and fastening members (25) for fastening the seat rail module to the floor of a vehicle body, wherein the vehicle seat (1) can be fastened to the longitudinal adjustment rails (10) and the deformation units (18) are configured for deforming deformation members (19) when the vehicle seat is displaced in a main direction of travel, in order to decelerate the vehicle seat in the event of a crash, characterized in that the fastening members (25) are configured to fasten the seat rail module to the floor of the vehicle body by means of locking, and in that the fastening members (25) are mechanically unlocked when the vehicle seat (1) is displaced in longitudinal direction in the direction opposite to the mai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventor: Andreas Höpfner
  • Patent number: 11767119
    Abstract: A seat system for a passenger aircraft. The seat system includes a passenger seat frame (i) a plurality of spreader bars and (ii) a plurality of laterally extending spar tubes connecting the plurality of spreader bars to one another and at least one canted leg assembly connected to the seat frame for attachment to fixed, spaced apart attachment points on a supporting surface of the passenger aircraft. The canted leg assembly includes: (i) a front leg portion including a front joint clamp for receiving one of the plurality of laterally extending spar tubes in a non-perpendicular attachment point; and (ii) an aft leg portion including an aft joint clamp for receiving another one of the plurality of laterally extending spar tubes in a non-perpendicular attachment point, whereby the seat system is adapted to be laterally positioned and attached to provide different spaced apart passenger seating configurations. A seat back tray table may be attached to the back of the passenger seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: HAECO Americas, LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Salzer
  • Patent number: 11738872
    Abstract: A passenger seat having a frame is proposed, wherein the frame is intended for securing to a floor of a passenger cabin, wherein the frame comprises a seat divider and beams that run transverse to the seat direction, wherein the seat divider is held by the beams, wherein a housing is disposed on the seat divider, wherein the housing at least partly surrounds a backrest. According to the invention, a structure component is disposed on the seat divider, with an attachment unit for a safety belt for a passenger disposed on the structure component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ZIM Aircraft Seating GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11279274
    Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a lattice matrix having a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) cells. Each 3D cell of includes a node and a plurality of links outwardly extending from the node. The lattice matrix includes a plurality of sections including a first section having a first overall elastic modulus, a second section positioned adjacent to the first section and having a second overall elastic modulus that is higher than the first overall elastic modulus of the first section, and a third section positioned adjacent to the second section and having a third overall elastic modulus that is higher than the second overall elastic modulus of the second section. The lattice matrix is integrally constructed using an additive manufacturing technique, wherein the 3D cells of each section are provided in various patterns and cured to varying degrees to provide the varying overall elastic moduli of each section of the lattice matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Siddharthan Selvasekar, Chris Fredriksson, Patrick Maloney, Sangram Tamhankar, Kevin VanNieulande
  • Patent number: 11208213
    Abstract: A fuselage is described that includes a plurality of frames and a plurality of seat rows spaced apart according to a seat pitch. Each frame includes a lateral floor beam, and each seat row of the plurality of seat rows includes a load-bearing structural base with a plurality of legs attached to a proximal lateral floor beam and a distal lateral floor beam. Each seat row also includes a seat or bank of seats attached to the load-bearing structural base, where the seat or bank of seats includes at least one seat bottom and at least one seat back. Further, each seat row includes an interface between (i) the load-bearing structural base and (ii) the seat or bank of seats to allow for attachment and detachment of the seat or bank of seats relative to the load-bearing structural base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mithra M. K. V. Sankrithi, Max Urban Kismarton, James A. Fullerton, Gary Lee Senechal, Sergey D. Barmichev
  • Patent number: 11027630
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a pair of left and right side frames, a webbing including a lap webbing portion, and a buckle. The vehicle seat also includes a first link bracket that is connected to the webbing, and a second link bracket that is connected to the buckle and that is tilted toward one side together with the first link bracket by pulling on the lap webbing portion. The vehicle seat also includes a restriction bar that links the first link bracket and the second link bracket together in a seat width direction, that is moved toward a seat upper side by tilting of the first link bracket and the second link bracket toward the one side, and that restricts movement of an occupant seated on the seat cushion toward a seat front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Mori
  • Patent number: 10857906
    Abstract: A riser for a seat of a vehicle includes a first leg, a second leg, a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. The first leg includes a first end and a second end. The second leg is substantially parallel to the first leg and has a first end and a second end. The third arm includes a first end and a second end, where the second end of the third arm extends from the first end of the second leg. The first arm extends from the first end of the first leg to the first end of the third arm. The second arm extends from the second end of the first leg to the first end of the third arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Pitr Jameson, Reid M. Olsen, David Eduardo Banales Cano, Nathan Paul Di Giusto, Sekhar Reddy Biddala Reddy
  • Patent number: 10787265
    Abstract: A support structure for a flight attendant seat, the support structure having supporting elements arranged at an upper and a lower end of the support structure. The supporting elements connect the support structure to an aircraft structure via fastening points, the support structure having receiving elements for receiving the flight attendant seat. The support structure has at least two substantially vertical elements and at least one substantially horizontal element. The vertical elements have at least one upper and one lower end, the supporting elements being attached to respective ends of the vertical elements and forming lattice struts. The support elements are designed to be connected to the aircraft structure at at least two attachment positions, at least two upper and two lower fastening points being selectable in their respective attachment position to the aircraft structure, at least one cabin element being adaptively attached to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Jan-Ole Jedraszczyk
  • Patent number: 10569676
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat frame having a lower part for supporting a posterior and thighs of an occupant and a rear part for supporting the posterior and back of the occupant. The seating system also includes a hinge connecting the seat frame to the vehicle such that, in the event of an impact to the vehicle from the rear of the occupant, the weight of the occupant urges the seat frame to rotate in a direction that results in a top portion of the rear part being urged to move in a rearward direction relative to the occupant. The seating system also includes a first structure fixed to the rear part and configured to cooperate with a second structure fixed to the vehicle to reduce forces transmitted to the occupant in the event of an impact to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Michael K. Wilson, James F. Szatkowski
  • Patent number: 10406948
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat for installation in a vehicle. The vehicle seat comprises a side frame, a rod, a first lifter link that comprises an upper end pivotably coupled to the side frame through the rod and a lower end pivotably coupled to the vehicle, a second lifter link that is provided in a position shifted in a seat front-rear direction relative to the first lifter link and comprises an upper end pivotably coupled to the side frame and a lower end pivotably coupled to the vehicle, and a restriction member configured to restrict downward displacement of the rod below a specified position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Furukawa, Teruyuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10010182
    Abstract: An adjustment device for vertically adjusting a chair headrest is revealed and is installed on a seat back frame while in use. The adjustment device includes a sliding member, a fixing member and a button set. A vertical toothed part of the button set is moved and separated from a first rack of the sliding member when the button set is pressed. Then the sliding member is moved vertically relative to the fixing member for synchronous adjustment of vertical position of the headrest. After the button set being released, the vertical toothed part of the button set is turned back and engaged with the first rack of the sliding member. Thus the sliding member and the headrest are positioned at a new position after the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Atec International Team Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Te-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 9682643
    Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies including spreaders (18) with a transitional region having a forward surface with a radius of curvature of about 3.5 to 3.7 inches and an aft surface with an angular profile configured so that the aft surface is located forward of a plane formed by a surface of the at least one seat back (12) in a fully upright position. The passenger seat assemblies also include leg assemblies (22 with a forward leg portion having a forward surface that is substantially aligned with a forward base frame tube, and an aft surface with an angular profile having a shape of an “r.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Wegenka, Allen Shirey, Aram Krikorian, Shreyas Krishna
  • Patent number: 9434281
    Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle. The seat comprises a seating frame member for providing a surface to support the occupant and a back frame member extending away from the seating frame member. The back frame member has a first side member and a second side member. A first cross member and a second cross member extend horizontally between the first and second side members. Each of the first and second cross members have a central region flanked on both sides by bent portions with the first and second cross members folded back upon themselves within the bent portions. The bent portions straighten out when a force above a predetermined value is applied to the first and second cross members. The central region plastically deforms once the bent portions straighten out for reducing an impact force transferred from the seat to the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Jonathan Evans
  • Patent number: 9126507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal seat adjuster for a vehicle seat having easy entry functionality and folding functionality, comprising a rail system for longitudinal seat adjustment having a lower rail and an upper rail and an unlocking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Markus Radermacher, Jeevan Sooda, Harshal Deshmukh, Stuart Woolston
  • Patent number: 8973987
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat base having shell body, and a support leg connected with the shell body. The support leg includes a tubular segment, a support portion, a fastener connected with the tubular segment and the support portion, and a cushioning structure disposed adjacent to the fastener, wherein the cushioning structure is configured to block displacement of the fastener so that the support portion is locked in position relative to the tubular segment, and to deform or break as a result of a displacement of the fastener into the cushioning structure when a substantial force is applied that forces the tubular segment to move relative to the support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: BP Children's Products HK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao Long Mo
  • Patent number: 8955914
    Abstract: A leg restraint is provided for side-seated vehicle occupants, such as aircraft passengers, and includes a leg-restraining member mounted in proximity to a side-facing vehicle seat and is selectively moveable between a deployed, laterally-extending leg-protecting position and a retracted, non-leg interfering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete C. Meister, Michael J. Farvet
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8894144
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • 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: 8878553
    Abstract: A headrest position adjusting device 100 includes a distance measuring device 10 and a drive motor unit 30. The distance measuring device 10 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and a detecting circuit 20. The detecting circuit 20 includes a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits 21 to 25 connected one-to-one to the sensing electrodes 11 to 15, and an arithmetic processing circuit 28. The drive motor unit 30 includes a motor driving circuit and a drive motor. Based on the detected capacitance values, the detecting circuit 20 calculates a difference value between a capacitance value of the sensing electrode which shows the largest capacitance value and the capacitance value of the sensing electrode which shows the lowest capacitance value, and thereby measures an electrode-head distance L. A position adjusting operation for a headrest 43 is performed based on the measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Takuya Osaki, Yuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8807508
    Abstract: A seat raiser for spacing a seat rail of a motor vehicle seat from a vehicle floor is provided. The seat raiser comprising a welding portion which includes at least one specified welding point and is formed and provided to weld the seat rail to the seat raiser at the welding point and a fastening portion which includes at least one specified fastening point and is formed and provided to fasten the seat raiser to the vehicle floor at the fastening point. The seat raiser is formed substantially L-shaped in cross-section and the welding portion and the fastening portion each form a leg of the L-shape. The welding portion includes exactly two specified welding points spaced from each other, via which the seat raiser is to be welded to the seat rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Anthony Ferenc, Anil Bhat
  • Patent number: 8714643
    Abstract: A swiveling folding chair is provided. The chair swivels independently of the legs of the chair. The chair includes audio speakers exterior of the back support of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Revolve, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Obolewicz, Craig A Hills
  • Patent number: 8653835
    Abstract: A headrest position adjusting device 100 includes a distance measuring device 10 and a drive motor unit 30, and the distance measuring device 10 includes a plurality of sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and a detecting circuit 20. The detecting circuit 20 includes a plurality of capacitance sensing circuits 21 to 25 connected one-to-one to the sensing electrodes 11 to 15 and an arithmetic processing circuit 28, and the drive motor unit 30 includes a motor driving circuit and a drive motor. Based on the detected capacitance values, the detecting circuit 20 calculates a distance calculation angle ? formed by points representing the positions and output values of the sensing electrodes 15 and 11 located at the highest and lowest positions and a point representing the position and output value of the largest output value, and thereby measures an electrode-head distance L. A position adjusting operation for a headrest 43 is performed based on the measurement result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yamaguchi, Takuya Osaki, Yuki Noguchi
  • 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: 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: 8590126
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat includes one or more lightweight composite support legs, a lightweight composite seat pan, and a lightweight composite seat back structure. The support legs are coupled to the seat pan, which is in turn coupled to the seat back structure. The support legs utilize composite frame elements that are formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The seat pan includes composite fore and aft cross beams that are also formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The aft cross beam includes a rear flange that serves as a flexible “hinge” for the seat back structure. The seat can leverage producible and relatively inexpensive composite manufacturing techniques such that the seat can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, James A. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 8585139
    Abstract: A seat bottom of a vehicle seat includes a base portion, a movable frame configured to be movable in a front-rear direction relative to the base portion, a tension generator and a tension transmission member. The tension transmission member connected at one end of its first portion with the tension generator is bifurcated at another end of a first portion into a second portion connected with a seat belt anchor or a seat belt buckle and a third portion connected with the movable frame. Upon activation of the tension generator, the third portion pulls the movable frame rearward and at the same time the second portion pulls the seat belt anchor or the seat belt buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8550554
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat, two front links and two rear links are pivotally connected between a seat cushion frame and a floor of vehicle. One of the two front links is of a sector shape having an arcuate gear region meshed with a drive pinion. Or alternatively, both of the two front links may be of such sector gear configuration, such that one front link is engaged with the drive pinion and the other front link engaged with a free-to-rotate pinion. Hence, both two front links are robust enough to withstand an excessive great load in the case of rear-end collision. By contrast, the two rear links are simply prone to deformation by the excessive great load. Accordingly, the excessive great load is to be intensively exerted upon those two rear links which will in turn be deformed quickly to absorb a corresponding excessive great impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Asakura
  • Patent number: 8393574
    Abstract: A lightweight leg assembly for an aircraft seat assembly includes a leg frame comprising at least one leg attachment bracket and a main frame member carried by the at least one leg attachment bracket and comprising a thermoplastic material. At least one track fitting may be carried by the leg frame. A method of fabricating a leg assembly for an aircraft seat assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Max Kismarton
  • Patent number: 8226163
    Abstract: An extendable leg for use in an aircraft seat can be coupled to an individual seat or a divan or bench. The extendable leg includes an exterior leg and an interior leg that are coupled together through a slot in the interior leg that is traversed by a bolt or cross member that is integrally formed with or sits through a set of holes defined by the exterior leg. The slot tapers towards the upper end. When the leg to extends and the bolt or cross member travels up the slot, the materials of the interior leg deform as the slot narrows until the stop or bushing is reached. The extendable leg may also have a mounting mechanism at the bottom that couples the leg to a cabin floor and enables one or two arcs of rotation to further diminish the sheering forces on the cabin floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Pearson, Kurt F. Breuer
  • Patent number: 8205833
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat includes one or more lightweight composite support legs, a lightweight composite seat pan, and a lightweight composite seat back structure. The support legs are coupled to the seat pan, which is in turn coupled to the seat back structure. The support legs utilize composite frame elements that are formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The seat pan includes composite fore and aft cross beams that are also formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The aft cross beam includes a rear flange that serves as a flexible “hinge” for the seat back structure. The seat can leverage producible and relatively inexpensive composite manufacturing techniques such that the seat can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, James A. Fullerton
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7918501
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with that is movable in response to a collision that automatically shifts the position of an individual sitting the seat while having minimal change in the space behind the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: Dennis Hawkins Hanson, Jennifer Lynn Hanson
  • Patent number: 7862114
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a vehicle seat assembly that is coupled to a floor of a vehicle. The assembly comprises a seat back frame, a seat cushion frame, at least one leg and at least one blocking member. The seat cushion frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. The leg is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion frame and pivotally coupled to the floor of the vehicle. The blocking member is coupled to the seat cushion frame and capable of moving into engagement with the leg as the assembly moves from the folded position to the upright seating position. The blocking member is adapted to block movement of the leg and to stabilize the seat assembly in the event of a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis David Kalina, Richard Edward Ruthinowski, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Brian Robert Spahn, Joseph Robert Brown
  • Patent number: 7717509
    Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes a pair of vehicle-width spaced lower arms attached to a seat cushion, each of the lower arms having a rear portion; a connecting member fixed to the rear portion of each of the lower arms; a pair of vehicle-width spaced upper arms attached to a seat back, each of the upper arms being pivoted by a rotational shaft to the rear portion of the corresponding lower arm to rotate relative thereto; a reclining apparatus provided at one of the connecting member and serving for restricting and allowing the upper arms to rotate; and a load receiving portion provided at one of the lower arms for receiving a downward load, when the downward load is transmitted from the connecting member to the rear portion of one of the lower arms, by being brought into engagement with at least one of the upper arm, the reclining apparatus, and the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7658443
    Abstract: The inboard buckle for a four-way seat is attached to the seat through a variable buckle guide. Attaching the inboard buckle to the seat allows the buckle to move with the seat and obviates the need for a long buckle which introduces undesirable slack into the seat belt system during a crash event. Since the buckle moves with the seat, it remains in a location that is convenient for the occupant and provides the maximum occupant protection. The variable buckle guide is attached to the upper rail supporting the seat, and in a crash event, the variable buckle guide transfers the occupant load on the belt to the upper rail, avoiding distortion of the seat or the height adjusting levers supporting the seat, and thus precludes slack in the belt caused by such distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Gopal Musale
  • Patent number: 7640090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Uchida, Yuichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7604293
    Abstract: A vehicle seat structure, which comprises a seat cushion (10), a seat back (20) connected to a rear end of the seat cushion (10), and a downward displacement suppression device (70, 80, 90, 100) operable, when a rearward load is input into the seat back (20), to suppress a downward displacement of the seat cushion (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Matsuhashi
  • Patent number: 7588115
    Abstract: System and method for preventing whiplash injuries to an occupant, in particular, during rear impacts, includes a movable headrest associated with the seat and a system for positioning the headrest adjacent a head of the occupant in an impact involving the vehicle. This latter system includes an anticipatory crash sensor system arranged to produce an output signal when an external object is approaching a rear of the vehicle at a velocity above a predetermined velocity, a headrest movement system arranged to move the headrest and a sensor system arranged to determine when the headrest contacts or is proximate the occupant's head. Upon the determination of a pending rear impact between the object and the vehicle, the output signal is produced by the crash sensor system and the headrest is moved into a position in contact with or proximate the occupant's head as determined by the sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: David S. Breed
  • Publication number: 20090160228
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Houston, Tony Phillip
  • Patent number: 7407226
    Abstract: A car seat for several children and to sit on top of a regular car seat has leg assemblies arranged to absorb energy and reduce pitching in the event of a car crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin Scott Macliver
  • Patent number: 7338118
    Abstract: A seat having a collision stopper (51) activated in a short time period in collision. The seat is constituted of a supporting link (23), a stopper link (55), a recess/ridge surface (61), a stopper (65), and urging means (67). The supporting link (23) is installed at its upper portion to the floor side and at its lower portion to the seat cushion side, supporting a seat cushion, and adjusts the height of the seat cushion by inclination in the forward and backward directions in the vertical plane. The stopper link (55) is attached at its base end section to the floor side such that a rotation end section is rotatable in the forward and backward directions in a vertical plane. The stopper link (55) has, on its rotation end section side, a projection (57) projecting sideward. The recess/ridge surface (61) is provided on the supporting link (23) side, extending in the direction intersecting the movement path of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Shiroki Kogyo Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Ichikawa, Masaharu Tanino, Masato Ohchi
  • Publication number: 20070284922
    Abstract: A vehicle seat structure, which comprises a seat cushion (10), a seat back (20) connected to a rear end of the seat cushion (10), and a downward displacement suppression device (70, 80, 90, 100) operable, when a rearward load is input into the seat back (20), to suppress a downward displacement of the seat cushion (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Matsuhashi
  • Patent number: 7080881
    Abstract: A support frame for a seat, in particular an aircraft seat, where the support frame includes a seat support member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of leg members that each have a first end and a second end, with the first end attached to the lower surface of the seat support member. An angled flexible leg brace capable of stretching to absorb a dynamic load on the frame extends between at least two of the plurality of leg members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: John Williamson, Pawan Gaikwad
  • Patent number: 7077467
    Abstract: A cable raceway assembly includes an elongated raceway adapted for being mounted to a supporting structure. The raceway defines an open, upward-facing trough for receiving a cable and includes a mounting structure for attaching the raceway to the supporting structure. A fluid-resistant cover is attached to the raceway. The cover encloses at least a portion of the trough and forms a flowpath for directing fluid over and away from the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred W. Wenzler
  • 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: 6902234
    Abstract: The motor vehicle seat of a motor vehicle comprises an underframe and a seat carrier that is height-adjustably connected to the underframe through rear oscillating cranks. A catch device is directly assigned to one of the two rear oscillating cranks. A non-rotatable tie bar joins the two rear oscillating cranks so that they are parallel when the vehicle seat is subjected to normal load. A retaining device has a sector gear firmly connected to the other one of the two rear oscillating cranks. An engaging piece which is movably disposed on the seat carrier or on the underframe, is provided with teeth devised for engagement with the sector gear and is disengaged from the sector gear as long as the vehicle seat is subjected to normal load. When the associated motor vehicle is subjected to a crash load an actuator is activated and causes the engaging piece to move into positive mesh with the sector gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: C. Rob Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 6755469
    Abstract: Seat lifting devices disposed between a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support are taught that comprise a linking mechanism movably interconnecting the seat support and the seat mount, so that the seat cushion is vertically adjusted when the linking mechanism is operated, and a seat support pulling means connected to the seat support and the seat mount. The seat support pulling means is adapted to be shortened when the seat support is subjected to an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Akaike, Kazuhisa Tatematsu, Seiichiro Inadome, Seiya Nishimura