Having Elongated Flexible Free-end Securing Means Patents (Class 297/228.12)
  • Patent number: 11395781
    Abstract: A transfer assist board apparatus to facilitate the transfer of a physically challenged person from one location to another has a foot plate rotably connected to a base plate. The perimeter shape of the apparatus is non-circular and has an indentation to provide a space for a care giver to place a foot to step close to the person to assist the transfer. The base plate provides a stop feature to constrain the rotation of the foot plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Anna Taylor
  • Patent number: 10842277
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are assembled and unassembled items of furniture and methods of fabricating the components of items of furniture, methods of packaging the components of items of furniture, and methods of assembling items of furniture. The disclosed items of furniture have at least two legs and a working portion comprising two overhangs and a top with an upper surface and a lower surface. Some embodiments also include a back portion. Each leg has a lower portion and an upper portion that meet at an interface. The lower portion resides below the lower surface, and the upper portion resides above the lower surface. Each leg extends through the top through a hole that has a perimeter that is smaller than the perimeter of the lower portion at the interface and larger than the perimeter of the upper portion at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Daniel Kendall Harden
  • Patent number: 10836285
    Abstract: A seat cover for a seat includes a seat portion formed from a flexible material; a back portion formed from the flexible material and joined to the seat portion, a bottom end of the back portion joined to a rear end of the seat portion, a seat cover open angle between the seat portion and the back portion being adjustable; and a removable strap configured to secure the back portion of the seat cover to a headrest of the seat, the removable strap formed from the flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Run's Done, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry K. Anchors, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10112515
    Abstract: A flex shield operatively coupled to a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle for concealing a portion of the seat assembly. The flex shield comprising a flexible planar body portion extending laterally between a front edge and a rear edge and vertically between an upper edge and a lower edge. A plurality of elastic straps are fixedly secured to the body portion and adapted to be coupled to the seat assembly for maintaining tension on the flexible body portion. A plurality of pre-formed fold lines are formed in the body portion and extend between at least one of the front edge and rear edge for consistently controlling folding motion of the body portion between an unfolded position defining a generally planar body portion and a folded position wherein the body portion is collapsed along the fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J Brush, Whitney Jones, Gary Kopec, Alan Proulx, Tyler Bandurski
  • Patent number: 9809138
    Abstract: A seat device includes a seat part on which an occupant is seated, a support part for supporting the seat part, and a front cover made of soft material, which is fitted between front parts of the seat part and the support part. The front cover includes a seat connection end part joined with the front part of the seat part, a detachable first fixture attached to an end of the front cover opposite to the seat connection end part for attachment to the support part, an elastic member having one end disposed between the seat connection end part and the first fixture, and a detachable second fixture attached to the other end of the elastic member for attachment to a seat lower surface as a lower surface of the seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: TACHI-S CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Hirofumi Fuwa, Yusuke Ogata, Sugiaki Yamazato, Muneatsu Minato, Masakazu Koganei, Toshinari Mitsumoto
  • Patent number: 9789409
    Abstract: A recreational swing having a seating member to support one or more users thereon, and a suspension system that includes one or more bungee cords that permit the base seating portion to be suspended from a suspension point so as to dually function as a swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Plow & Hearth, LLC
    Inventors: David Yakos, Kirk Turner, Beverly Fries, Ting Xu
  • Patent number: 9661934
    Abstract: A foam mattress in which a layer of latex or latex-like foam placed above a layer of memory foam is described. This construction of the mattress provides the contouring pressure relief that a visco-elastic foam provides with a top surface with quick recovery (a latex-like “bounce”) that prevents people from getting “stuck” in the visco-elastic foam and improves the springiness of the mattress. The mattress may also include straps and cinches to aid in transportation of the mattress. The mattress may also include removable covers that aid in keeping the mattress clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Casper Sleep Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Krim, Neil Parikh, Jeff Chapin
  • Patent number: 9573492
    Abstract: Vehicle seat (1) having a seat part (2) and a backrest (3), wherein the supporting structure (44) of the seat part or the backrest, in particular the side part thereof, integrally has at least one spring element (40, 31) a pivot point (P) and/or a safety belt connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technolgy Company
    Inventors: Jorg Linnenbrink, Ingo Kienke, Ulrich Riedel
  • Patent number: 9403462
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat portion and an attached seat back portion and an attached uniform including a uniform top fitted over the seat back portion and a uniform bottom fitted over the seat portion. The uniform top and the uniform bottom support uniform adornment that identifies the members of a group, profession, organization, or establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Shawn D. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 9340134
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat cover with an underlay, a cover and an upholstered element which is provided between the cover and the underlay, wherein the underlay, the cover and/or the upholstered element are connected to one another by means of at least one longitudinal seam and at least one transverse seam. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a seat cover, and to a vehicle seat having the seat cover according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Axel Posnien
  • Patent number: 9187018
    Abstract: A vehicle protective seat cover for use under a child safety car seat. The cover includes at least a seat cover bottom panel having upper and lower opposed surfaces. Frictional grip pads are attached to the lower protective panel. In one form. the frictional grip pads include four upper grippers protruding above the upper surface, sized and positioned so that child safety car seats of various sizes overlap all four of the upper grippers at least in part, as well as four lower grippers protruding below the lower surface. In another form, four apertures are formed in the seat cover bottom panel. The apertures are sized and positioned so that child safety car seats of various sizes overlap all four of the apertures at least in part. Correspondingly, four frictional grip pads are configured so as to be retained in respective ones of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventor: Richard A. Daley
  • Patent number: 8936313
    Abstract: A removable protective cover for a bicycle saddle that is convertible to a carrying case that can be clipped onto a bicycle frame, a bicycle basket/rack, cable, seat frame, belt loop, backpack, etc., for later use is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventors: Brian A. Skarvan, Jean C Ringwalt, Erik Skarvan
  • Patent number: 8870283
    Abstract: A vehicle protective seat cover for use under a child safety car seat. The cover includes at least a seat cover bottom panel having upper and lower opposed surfaces. Frictional grip pads are attached to the lower protective panel. In one form, the frictional grip pads include four upper grippers protruding above the upper surface, sized and positioned so that child safety car seats of various sizes overlap all four of the upper grippers at least in part, as well as four lower grippers protruding below the lower surface. In another form, four apertures are formed in the seat cover bottom panel. The apertures are sized and positioned so that child safety car seats of various sizes overlap all four of the apertures at least in part. Correspondingly, four frictional grip pads are configured so as to be retained in respective ones of the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brica, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Daley
  • Publication number: 20140265483
    Abstract: A cover is provided for covering a furniture item having a seat and a back. The cover has a seat portion configured to cover the seat of the furniture item. The seat portion has a width generally corresponding to a depth of the furniture item seat and a length transverse to the width. The cover has a back portion configured to cover the back of the furniture item. The cover back portion extends from the seat portion a distance greater than a height of the furniture item back. The cover back portion extends along a length of the seat portion with side edges of the back portion generally transverse to the seat portion length. The cover has a strap operatively connected to the cover and having a length sufficient to extend around the furniture item back. The strap operatively engages the back portion in attaching the cover to the furniture item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sure Fit Inc.
    Inventor: Brenda K. Miller
  • Patent number: 8814267
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to securing a trim cover to a vehicle seat cushion. In at least one embodiment, a seat cushion assembly comprises a foam cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, and at least one slot extending therebetween, a trim cover extending over the foam cushion, and a trim cover attachment assembly secured to the trim cover for securing the trim cover adjacent the foam cushion. In at least one embodiment, the trim cover attachment assembly comprises a flexible sheet having a first end attached to the trim cover and a second end having a paddle that sits adjacent the “B” surface of the foam cushion, the fabric extending through the slot of the foam cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Welch, Sr., William Paruszkiewicz, James Clauser, Jeffrey Joseph Frelich, Paul S. Severinski, Louella Patterson
  • Patent number: 8770348
    Abstract: A sling-type seat that can be used by hunters as a replacement for conventional treestand seats. The seat is attachable to an external support and/or frame, such as a tree trunk and treestand frame. The attachment is not limited to predefined attachment points and is thereby adjustable. The seat can be attached to a wide range of supports and/or frames and is therefore universal. Further, the seat is portable and may be rolled up and easily carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Charles G. Springs, Nicholas Mullinax
  • Patent number: 8770662
    Abstract: A seat cover for use with vehicle seats with or without side deployed airbags. In an example, the seat cover is made of a uni-body construction with upper and lower sections for respectively covering a seat back and seat cushion. Openings are provided in the upper and lower sections for insertion of the seat back and seat cushion. A side panel is disposed on each lateral side of the upper section that aligns with an expected path of the airbag when deployed. A frangible seam couples the panel to the remaining portion of the seat cover. The frangible seam fails at a force sufficiently less than the force of a deploying airbag. Thus when the airbag is deployed the force consumed by cleaving the frangible seam panel does not impede airbag deployment. Also included is an alignment member to position the panel in the expected path of the deploying airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Auto Expressions, LLC
    Inventors: Christine Mount, Jonathan Johnson, Erika Sheppard, Glenn Jendrycki
  • Patent number: 8733836
    Abstract: A strap-tightening structure for a furniture item having a frame that supports an elongate strap. The elongate strap includes a rearward section that overlies the back rest of the furniture and a forward section that overlies the seat section. A rearward end of the elongate strap overlies a transversely disposed rearward end of the frame and is secured against longitudinal displacement when the forward end of the elongate strap is pulled taut at the forward end of the furniture. A pair of tensioning belts are secured to a forward end of the elongate strap. Each of the tensioning belts is disposed in overlying relation to a transversely disposed forward end of the frame. A pair of releasable buckles is secured to a bottom side of the elongate strap and adjustably engages the tensioning belts so that the elongate strap can be pulled taut whenever it develops a sag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Jan S. Gross
  • Publication number: 20140077543
    Abstract: A chair component includes a first chair member adapted to support a seated user, a second chair member movable between a first position, wherein the second chair member is substantially coplanar with the first chair member, and a second position, wherein the second chair member is substantially parallel with the first chair member, a cover member wrapped about at least a portion of the first chair member and at least a portion of the second chair member, and a single-piece drawstring operably coupled with the cover member to draw the cover member about the at least a portion of the first chair member and the at least a portion of the second chair member when the second chair member is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Dale M. Groendal
  • Patent number: 8556343
    Abstract: A seat liner is provided that includes a cushion within the seat liner, the cushion includes a body of memory foam and a soft, flexible, and washable material located upon said body of memory foam. In a preferred embodiment, the seat liner may be folded into a folded position, or it may be rolled into a rolled position in order to ensure maximum portability. Further, said seat liner may also includes one or more means for attaching various accessories, such as toys, bottles, blankets, and pacifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Stella Rubinshteyn
  • Patent number: 8500197
    Abstract: A seat cover apparatus comprising: a nylon stretch portion; a terry cloth towel portion, where said terry cloth towel portion extends over the nylon stretch portion; and an attachment means, where said attachment means enables the attachment of the nylon stretch portion to a seat portion. In one particular embodiment, the attachment means includes at least four Velcro straps, wherein the Velcro straps are used to secure the seat cover over a boating seat. The nylon stretch portion covers the seat and the terry cloth towel portion extends downwardly beyond the seat. The terry cloth portion supplies a means to wipe one's hands while enjoying boating activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Susan Keyton
  • Patent number: 8495808
    Abstract: Method for replacing a seat cover, comprising said method the following steps: a) removing screws from underside of chair; b) removing the padded seat (with the upholstery to be replaced) from the chair frame; c) placing a new cover over the old padded seat stretching all around the cover edge of the new cover to fit firmly to the padded seat; d) locating four reinforced corners on the new cover; e) attaching elasticized band provided top right to bottom left, top left to bottom right; f) replacing the reupholstered seat to the chair frame, and g) re-fasten the reupholstered chair seat to the chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Charles W. Darby
  • Publication number: 20130187415
    Abstract: A self-storable portable padding device is provided. The padding device comprises a member capable of providing padding, and securing means provided at an end portion. The securing means are structured to secure the member to a seating arrangement. The member is structured and dimensioned to fold or roll up into a compact state, and the securing means are able to retain the member in the compact state. Preferably the securing means are cuffs that span the width of the member, thereby providing pockets. The pocket(s) envelop the top of a chair back and/or the front of a chair seat in order to secure the padding device to the seating arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Mark SHELLEY
  • Patent number: 8454085
    Abstract: A seat or seat cover having an integral or detachable upwardly extending wall subassembly particularly advantageous for use on a vehicle seat to prevent items from falling into the gap defined by the seat and console of a vehicle and the gap defined by the seat and door of the vehicle. The seat preferably has a flap installed thereon to which the wall assembly may be attached and detached. In another embodiment, the flap may conceal an area on the seat adapted to secure to the wall assembly. A seat cover may have an integral wall subassembly on one or both sides secured to its seams. In another embodiment, a conversion kit for seats which do not have flaps is provided wherein a securement means may be attached to one or both sides of a vehicle seat and said wall assembly attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Wei K. Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130119731
    Abstract: A fixing unit includes: an attachment member attached to a seat body; an engaging member engaged with an opening provided to the seat body; and a string member connecting the attachment member and the engaging member the string member being engaged with a cover. The engaging member includes: a body to which the string member is attached; a first contact portion provided to the body to be in contact with a first periphery of the opening and an insert portion provided on the body at a position spaced apart from the first contact portion, the insert portion being inserted into the opening. The insert portion includes a first restricting portion to be in contact with a second periphery of the opening opposite the first periphery to restrict the insert portion from being detached from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Yuichi Masuda, Eiichi Sasada
  • Patent number: 8414071
    Abstract: Seat covers for protecting furniture such as upholstered chairs and methods of their use are disclosed in the present application. In some instances, the seat covers are designed to provide resistance to water and other liquids, while providing an attractive, binding, protective cover that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. The seat covers can include a liquid-resistant, soft to the touch, fabric and straps oriented at corners with connectors for allowing the straps to connect with one another without the need to tie straps to one another or to a chair leg. The length of the straps and the shape of the fabric area can also be configured to provide additional functionalities which are advantageous relative to previous seat covers. Methods of using seat covers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: pb&j Discoveries, LLC
    Inventors: Rebecca Rabson, Jeremy Rabson, Daryl Twitchell, Birgit Leitner
  • Patent number: 8403412
    Abstract: A seating pad assembly is provided for use by travelers to increase the comfort for a seat on a public transportation vehicle or at a public transit terminal. A system and method for ordering the seating pad assembly for a transportation seat includes at least one terminal configured for entering an identifier indicative of a type of transportation seat purchased, e.g., a class of service; a server configured for receiving the identifier, determining dimensions of the seating pad assembly based on the identifier, and generating an order to acquire the determined seating pad assembly; and a communications network for coupling the at least one terminal and the server. The terminal may be configured in the form of a computer, a kiosk or a mobile terminal. The system will allow a purchaser of a transportation seat to either purchase or rent the seating pad assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nightgear LLC.
    Inventor: Richard M. Leeds
  • Publication number: 20120242126
    Abstract: Towels usable on chairs are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus usable on a chair includes a towel, and a plurality of band pockets on the towel. The apparatus also includes a plurality of bands. Each of the plurality of bands has a first end coupled to the towel and a second end. Each of the plurality of bands is retractable into one of the plurality of band pockets. The second ends of at least two bands in the plurality of bands are adapted to be coupled to one another such that the towel and the at least two bands surround a portion of a chair. Any one or more of the bands may have an adjustable length, and hook-and-loop fastener may be used to close openable ends of the band pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Lindsay Cherylan Burns
  • Patent number: 8245668
    Abstract: An apparatus to deter pets from lying on a seat portion which extends between opposite arms each on an end of a piece of furniture comprising: i) a large spring having an extended length sufficient to extend across a width of the seat portion of the piece of furniture, the spring having a sufficient diameter to extend across a substantial depth of the seat portion; ii) a fabric sleeve loosely surrounding the large spring, the sleeve also having a length sufficient to extend across a width of the seat portion of the furniture; iii) two end panels, each attached to an opposite end portion of the large spring and an end portion of the fabric sleeve; and, iv) end panel attachment mechanism spaced around a periphery of the end panels to attach the end panels together in a storage position with the spring compressed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Gordon R. Alberti, Kathryn L. Alberti, Nancy C. Alberti
  • Patent number: 8128166
    Abstract: A pull-in recess is formed in a seat pad (30). The pull-in recess is partly formed as a through hole penetrating to a back surface of the seat pad. A seat cover (40) is formed into a bag shape. A string-shaped member (50) for drawing the seat cover (40) and attaching the same to the seat pad (30) is disposed along an opening of the seat cover. The seat cover (40) is provided with a pull-in portion at a position corresponding to the pull-in recess of the seat pad (30). The pull-in portion is inserted into the through hole of the seat pad (30). A distal end of the pull-in portion is provided with a retainer portion (47a and 47b) that is capable of engaging the string-shaped member (50). The retainer portions (47a and 47b) inserted into the through holes (34a and 34b) of the seat pad (30) are engaged with the string-shaped member (50) while the drawing action force of the string-shaped member (50) is applied thereto, which force can be produced when the seat cover is attached by drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Hoshina, Kazukimi Shinohara, Seiji Chaza
  • Patent number: 8113580
    Abstract: A disposable child seat cover formed of a single sheet of preferably plastic material, which can be dispensed from a continuous web of material forming multiple disposable child seat covers, is provided. The disposable child seat cover has two central expandable leg openings and two opposing longitudinal perforations divided by bisecting perforations. The perforations allow the user to easily create two front ties and two back ties from the longitudinal sides of the single sheet. The ties are utilized to secure the disposable child seat cover to a public child seat, such as a shopping cart seat or high chair. The disposable child seat cover is designed to effectively protect the child from germs and grime, while being sufficiently economical to allow retail establishments to provide complimentary disposable child seat covers to their customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Nancy Pusateri
  • Patent number: 8042870
    Abstract: A device for fixing a car seat mat or cover to the backrest part, which is composed of a hollow tubular member (4) of ‘open’ circular section, having at least two slots (5) formed at a certain distance from the axis of such tubular member (4). Two enlarged parts (11) with a thread (10) integrated, inserted or threaded therein are received in each of the slots (5) to form a loop that closes upon the tubular member: one of the headrest rods will pass through the loop. A second device (20) for holding the car seat cover or mat fixed to the seating surface of the seat namely attachment thereof to the seating surface of the car seat uses a pair of such devices (20) with respective ropes (C), which are hooked and fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: Giovanni Cortellazzi
  • Publication number: 20110198904
    Abstract: An impervious wheelchair seat cover used to substantially ensure that every patient or individual that is transported through a facility has a clean and sanitary wheelchair. The impervious wheelchair seat cover comprises a seat cover made from impervious materials and cut so that the impervious wheelchair seat cover lines a seat portion, a back portion and an arm portion of the wheelchair. The top and bottom corners have hook and loop fastener securing ties to hold the impervious wheelchair seat cover in place. There also are numerous pieces of adhesive material on the underside of the impervious wheelchair seat cover providing further cohesion to the chair. The arm covers are designed so as not to cover the sides of the wheelchair chair and to accommodate urine bags and other medical attachments. The impervious wheelchair seat cover is disposable or is washable and reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Teena Thomas, William Barnette
  • Patent number: 7959227
    Abstract: A knit form-fit cover for a recliner chair having a base, a backrest, a seat, a pair of armrests and a footrest. The cover includes panels for covering the backrest, left and right armrests, the seat and the footrest. A seat panel includes a fastener having ends attached to lateral edges of the seat panel for positioning near a front edge of the seat of the recliner chair, which may be engaged to resistively fix a portion of the seat panel at the front edge of the seat. The seat panel is formed from an elasticized yarn material, and has pleated corners at lateral ends of a front edge of the seat panel for further securing the seat panel to the footrest. The seat panel also preferably has loops affixed to rear corners of the seat panel for securing a rear portion of the seat panel to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sure Fit Inc.
    Inventor: Brenda Kay Miller
  • Patent number: 7947356
    Abstract: A molded foam containing no voids and a mold for forming such a molded foam are provided. A molded foam 5 has an external corner 5a where a small rib 10 is formed and a recessed step 7 where thin plate-like ribs 11 are formed. The rib 10 has a triangular cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recessed step 7. The rib 10 is tapered from the base to an end thereof in a direction in which the rib 10 protrudes. The ribs 11 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the recessed step 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Hirata, Masahito Niitu
  • Patent number: 7931335
    Abstract: A car seat protector for covering and protecting a car seat from becoming soiled, where the car seat has a sitting area and a back rest, where the back rest has sides and a top, and where the car seat is mounted to a chassis such that the back rest is attached to the chassis and a gap is formed between the chassis and the back rest along the sides and the top of the back rest; and where the car seat protector comprises: a seat portion, comprising fabric of sufficient size and shape to cover the sitting area of the car seat; a back portion, comprising fabric of sufficient size and shape to cover the back rest of the car seat, where the back portion has sides and a top; a back side portion, comprising fabric extending from the sides and top of the back portion, where the back side portion is of sufficient size and shape to cover the sides and top of the back rest and extend beyond the gap formed between the chassis and the back rest; and a plurality of retention parts encased within the back side portion, such
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Bergan, LLC
    Inventors: Tibor Siklosi, David Price
  • Patent number: 7862116
    Abstract: A seat cushion for an aircraft seat includes a plurality of rear edge securing straps attached to the lower surface of the seat cushion. The rear edge securing straps each have a free end that includes a pull-the-dot fastener that engages a corresponding pull-the-dot fastener at the rear edge of the seat pan. The length of the rear edge securing straps is selected so that when the seat cushion is installed, the rear edge securing straps are pulled substantially flat so that the seat cushion is firmly held in place. The seat cushion is easily removable because the pull-the-dot fasteners are at the ends of the rear edge securing straps rather than affixed directly to the bottom of the seat cushion. Therefore, when the front edge of the seat cushion is released, the seat cushion can be lifted up enough to allow the cushion to be released without pulling at the bottom of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: AMI Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Bredl
  • Publication number: 20100237667
    Abstract: A portable folding seat including a back support, a seat portion and a pair of laterally-spaced mounting assemblies extending between and operatively connecting the back support to the seat portion so as to allow reciprocal rotational movement of the back support with respect to the seat portion between a carrying mode wherein the back support is positioned over and adjacent to the seat portion and a storage mode wherein the back support is positioned adjacent to and coplanar with the seat portion and from a storage mode to a seating mode wherein the back support is disposed at an angular orientation with respect to the seat portion and the mounting assemblies support the back support in selectively variable angles of rearward inclination in the seating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: PICNIC TIME, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Guy, Guang Zhan, Sufang Tong, Siyuan Zhan
  • Patent number: 7735927
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes an anti-backlash mechanism in the seat adjustment gearing to reduce or eliminate gaps that cause looseness in the gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7686392
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a bucket seat cover, which permits the functionality of seat-integrated seat belts and seat-attached armrests, which comprises: a vehicle seat cover of a type and size adequate to cover both the front of a vehicle seat and the back of a vehicle seat, characterized by elastic lined pass-through openings in the shoulder and hip area, connected by a zipper or other separation means to permit the transverse of seat-integrated seat belts, and, optionally incorporating additional openings on side panels, behind zipper, for transverse of seat-attached armrests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Kevin Brian Kenny
  • Patent number: 7677662
    Abstract: The illustrative exemplary non-limiting embodiments relate to a seat cover that may include such features as a protective first side, multiple front securing straps arranged on a leading edge, and multiple rear securing straps arranged on a trailing edge. The protective cover can be held in place by securing the straps to headrests in the car. Additionally, the cover may include multiple pockets, accessible through an upwards facing side of the cover, and capable of being slid into a gap between an upper portion lower portion of the rear seats of a vehicle. One or more objects, placed within the pockets when the pockets are in position, help to hold the cover in place. The cover may also be reversible, machine-washable, and easy to remove and install.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin Thompson
  • Patent number: 7614689
    Abstract: A seat integrated tether system for use in a vehicle for the secure placement of an article on a vehicle seat. One or more retractable or extendable tethers are adapted for attachment to the side of the vehicle seat. By use of the system with the front passenger seat of a vehicle the driver may have ready access to the contents of the retained article, which may be an item storage article such as an open top bag, case or storage net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Hugh Fowler, Kelly Michael Kohlstrand, Heidi Ann Dibble, Bari William Brown
  • Patent number: 7607732
    Abstract: A one-piece upholstery cover that covers all the visible surfaces of a typical seat such as seatback cushion, seat pan cushion, seat pan extension cushion, leg rest cushion, and leg rest extension cushion. A seat covering system is also disclosed. The seat covering system includes a single elongated piece of upholstery having a first end and a second end and a loop portion intermediate the first and second ends. A first attachment portion is adjacent to the first end of the upholstery, and at least one spring mechanism attached to the second end. A first and second pivot member are attached to opposite sides of a seat back of a reclining chair. These first and second pivot members are also fixed to a seat pedestal while a connecting member having a first end attached to the first pivot member and a second end attached to the second pivot member extends through the loop portion of the elongated piece of upholstery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Beroth, Sean Hames, Catalin Bunea, Daniel I. Udriste
  • Patent number: 7591506
    Abstract: A seat for a child that is engageable to an edge portion of a table and that is tuckable to an out-of-the-way position under the edge of the table. The seat includes jaws for engaging a base of the seat to the table. The seat includes a child seat frame on which the fabric of a child seat is engaged. Between the base and the child seat frame is provided a slide and a pivot. The slide permits the child seat frame to be drawn to and away from the table. The pivot permits the child seat frame to drop down in a swinging fashion and then, beyond the ninety degree bottommost point of the swing, continue its swinging so as to swing upwardly to a position underneath the table where the child seat frame is engaged in an out-of-the-way position underneath the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Regale International, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A Flannery
  • Publication number: 20090121529
    Abstract: A seating pad assembly is provided for use by travelers to increase the comfort for a seat on a public transportation vehicle or at a public transit terminal. The seating pad assembly includes a cushion formed from a viscoelastic foam and having dimensions substantially conforming to the dimensions of at least the hip/thigh support and the back support of the seat. Thus, the viscoelastic foam will bridge hard points and pinch points of the seat and will efficiently support the traveler across the gap. The seating pad assembly further includes a removable cover, straps for holding the pad in a coiled condition and a carrying bag for transporting the pad assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: NIGHTGEAR LLC
    Inventor: Richard M. Leeds
  • Patent number: 7530635
    Abstract: An application for a foldable child safety seat includes a foldable sheet for supporting the child and a set of straps for removably fastening the head area of the foldable sheet around a first anchoring object such as an airplane tray table. Another set of straps are provided for removably fastening the foot area of the foldable sheet around a second anchoring object such as a parent and a system is provided for restraining the child into the foldable sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Kadie M. Schramek-Flye
  • Publication number: 20090091165
    Abstract: The illustrative exemplary non-limiting embodiments relate to a seat cover that may include such features as a protective first side, multiple front securing straps arranged on a leading edge, and multiple rear securing straps arranged on a trailing edge. The protective cover can be held in place by securing the straps to headrests in the car. Additionally, the cover may include multiple pockets, accessible through an upwards facing side of the cover, and capable of being slid into a gap between an upper portion lower portion of the rear seats of a vehicle. One or more objects, placed within the pockets when the pockets are in position, help to hold the cover in place. The cover may also be reversible, machine-washable, and easy to remove and install.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 7481491
    Abstract: A reversible chair pad includes a cover comprising first and second fabrics forming respective first and second surfaces of the pad that are mutually attached at the pad perimeter, and where the first and second fabrics also form a two-ply skirt member extending from the pad perimeter. The perimeter of the skirt member is less than the pad perimeter and disposed to one side of the pad such that the pad displays only one of said first or second fabrics. The pad comprises anti-slip means secured to the skirt perimeter such that said anti-slip means is operable to contact a chair seat surface independent of pad display. The pad also includes a first set of securing ties for securing said pad to chair spindles when the pad is configured to display the first fabric attached to an edge of the pad perimeter intermediate the skirt member and the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventor: Erica Jane Diamantis
  • Patent number: 7404589
    Abstract: A convertible and drapable fabric article for use in a vehicle. The fabric includes a first fabric half and a second fabric half separated by an intermediate section exhibiting a plurality of parallel spaced fold lines. The intermediate section supports the fabric article upon a ledge associated with a door window opening of the vehicle in a first configuration, and such that the first half drapes over an exterior of the vehicle adjacent the window opening. At least one element is associated with at least one of the first and second fabric halves, these typically being releasably attachable magnets to support the paws of a canine perched upon the door window opening and extending across an open window. The fabric article is further converted to a second configuration whereby hook-and-loop fasteners associated with extending straps secure the fabric halves to seat back and seat bottom interior locations of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth Carter
  • Publication number: 20080122274
    Abstract: An aircraft seat cover assembly includes a seat portion and a back portion. The seat portion includes a cover. Under that portion of the cover which is under the back of the pilot's legs and the pilot's buttocks are layers of deformable foam. Under that portion of the cover which is behind the pilot's back is a positionable inflatable air bladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Trevor Edwards