Including A Rigid Panel Patents (Class 297/230.12)
  • Patent number: 10882432
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a modular vehicle seating system. In one embodiment the seating system has a universal center module that is mountable to a seating position in a vehicle and includes seat pan and seat back portions. The seating system may further include a matched pair of modular side bolsters selectable from an assortment of matched pairs of side bolsters, where each matched pair has a particular physical property defined by a unique value in a range of values of the physical property in the assortment. The side bolsters are detachably connectable to the to left and right sides of the universal center module with fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Armorworks Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Bosen, Jason Weed, Valent Horvatich
  • Patent number: 9445692
    Abstract: A bathing facility cushion device protects a person from impact damage in the event of an accident incident to bathing. The device includes an elongated resilient retainer and an elongated pad. An inner section and an outer section of the retainer define a channel therebetween. The channel tapers extending away from a medial section of the retainer. A first section and a second section of the pad define a passage therebetween. The pad is enageable to the retainer wherein the retainer is configured for securing the pad over a top surface of a side wall of a bathtub such that the first section and the second section extend downwardly along the side wall of the bathtub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Derwin Hunt
  • Patent number: 8876206
    Abstract: A vehicle seatback including a seatback frame provided with a pair of seatback side frame portions and a seatback upper frame portion that connects together upper end portions of the pair of seatback upper frame portions along the seat width direction, and a support member attached to the seatback frame. The support member is provided with a lower neck bearing portion covering the seatback upper frame portion, and a shoulder bearing portion disposed further towards the front than the seatback upper frame portion in the seat front-rear direction. When a load of a specific value or greater acts on the occupant towards the rear in the seat front-rear direction, the shoulder regions of the occupant are pressed against the shoulder bearing portion, suppressing movement of the occupant towards the rear in the seat front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Yamaguchi, Makoto Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8585141
    Abstract: Disclosed is a back supporting device for use with seating apparatuses. The back support device includes a bag containing at least one compartment holding a predetermined amount of fluid, liquid or gel, a flexible cover encasing the bag, and fastening elements for securing the device to the seating apparatus. The device is secured to a seating apparatus to secure the device in place. The fluid, liquid or gel inside the compartment is able to move in response to an application of pressure. When seated, the person's back presses against the device, in particular, the fluid, liquid or gel in the bag, causing the substance inside the bag to move in multiple directions in response to the movement of the person, thereby providing support and at the same time inducing muscle movement and reducing muscle fatigue in the back of the person, in particular in the lumbar region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Srithai Autoseats Industry Company Limited
    Inventor: Tongchai Limpaitoon
  • Patent number: 8459737
    Abstract: A portable back support device is provided for increasing the spinal support experienced by a user of a low-back chair. The present invention comprises a winged headrest, a back support, a pair of removably attachable armrests, and an adjustable chair strap. The winged head rest and back support may be separatable and removably secured to one another, or alternatively may be may be one piece. The device has cushions of varying contour and firmness and is covered with an upholstery material. Cushioned armrests may be attached at the sides of the back support according to the preference of a user. The device is removably secured to a chair by means of an adjustable strap that fits around the back of a chair and may be tightened or loosened as necessary to affix the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Brenda Brotsch
  • Patent number: 8459738
    Abstract: A portable backrest gives upper body support to a person sitting sideways on a sofa or like furniture, the portable backrest placed and retained on the sofa through a cushion of the sofa on which the person eventually sits. A lower, support or base portion of the portable backrest forming a bracket that is received under and around a part of the cushion that is adjacent an armrest of the sofa while an upper portion of the portable backrest extends upwardly and outwardly from the lower portion and armrest to support the upper body, neck and head of a sitting person. In one form, a back portion of the backrest is pivotally connected to a lower portion of the backrest while in another form, the back portion is integral with the lower portion. The upper portion may have back, neck and head cushioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Kyle Downey
  • Patent number: 8328278
    Abstract: A child positioning insert including a frame with a first column and a second column, where the first and second columns are positioned vertically. The first column has a first guide and the second column has a second guide, where the first and second guides extend along a portion of the length of each column. A shoulder roll connects to the frame via the first column and the second column, so that the shoulder roll is perpendicular to the first column and the second column. The shoulder roll has a backing that connects to the first guide and to the second guide such that the backing can move vertically along the first and second guides. A head support member connects to the frame in a position above the frame and above the shoulder roll, so that the head support member includes a first support member to substantially prevent lateral motion of a person's head in a first direction and a second support member to substantially prevent lateral motion of the person's head in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Beth G. Rumack
  • Patent number: 8186756
    Abstract: An adjustable body support, including a number of mutually displaceable members, where a first plate-shaped basic member includes means for releasable fastening on a piece of furniture, a second plate-shaped basic member includes means for releasable fastening to the first basic member at varying positions, and a number of support members that may be releasably fastened to the second basic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: R82 A/S
    Inventor: Knud Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 8113582
    Abstract: A cushion for a chair includes a cushion body (20) having a mediate position provided with a convex waist support portion (21), an upper end provided with an inclined backrest support portion (22) and a lower end provided with a concave resting portion (24). Thus, the backrest support portion and the waist support portion of the cushion body are designed to fit the user's back and waist ergonomically so that the cushion body can support the user's back and waist smoothly and exactly. In addition, the upper buffering space (202) and the lower buffering space (201) of the cushion body provide a buffering effect to allow deformation of the cushion body so as to regulate the user's seating posture and to provide a comfortable sensation to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Huang Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 8113581
    Abstract: A supportive back rest for attachment to an original equipment back rest of a wheelchair to enhance the supportive characteristics of the wheelchair back rest. The supportive back rest includes a cushion, a suspension element and a cover. The cushion and one side of the suspension element are positioned in the cover. An opposed side of the suspension element is exposed and defines a space between it and the cushion. The suspension element slips over the upper edge of the original equipment back rest of the wheelchair to suspend the supportive back rest in position behind a seated user. The suspension element can be attached to the cover or can be attached to the cushion by molding or through attachment anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Roho, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Goeckel
  • Patent number: 8061771
    Abstract: A supportive back rest for attachment to an original equipment back rest of a wheelchair to enhance the supportive characteristics of the wheelchair back rest. The supportive back rest includes a cushion, a suspension element and a cover. The cushion and one side of the suspension element are positioned in the cover. An opposed side of the suspension element is exposed and defines a space between it and the cushion. The suspension element slips over the upper edge of the original equipment back rest of the wheelchair to suspend the supportive back rest in position behind a seated user. The suspension element can be attached to the cover or can be attached to the cushion by molding or through attachment anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Roho, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Goeckel
  • Patent number: 7992935
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a back support device (60) for use in a children's chair (1) wherein the children's chair comprises at least one backrest, two side pieces (5), one seat plate (2) and one safety bow (100) with ends (101), wherein the safety bow (100) is detachably fastened to the side pieces (5) and wherein the backrest or the side pieces have at least one opening or groove each, wherein the back support device (60) comprises: a top part (61) stretching beyond the backrest in height; left and right arms (63) for at least partly inlay in the opening(s) or groove(s) in the backrest or the side pieces; wherein parts of the arms (63) are locked in said opening(s) or groove(s) by the safety bow (100). The invention also concerns the use of the back support device, and a children's set comprising the back support device and use of the children's set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Peter Opsvik AS
    Inventor: Peter Opsvik
  • Publication number: 20110101745
    Abstract: A back supporting board includes a hard board, a buffering material, a filling material and an enclosure portion. The front surface of the hard board curves outwards longitudinally and curves inwards transversely. The buffering material and filling material are fitted to the front surface of the hard board. As we rest on the board, our back sinks into the concave region of the hard board and our waist, chest and neck may be supported by the convex region, buffering material and filling material. The sudden motion of our back at the moment we sit and lie back on the board may be buffered by the filling material and buffering material. Therefore, injuries to our back and body may be avoided and discomfort may be alleviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Fu-Chieng CHEN
  • Patent number: 7926881
    Abstract: A support braces and secures an infant or small child in a seated position. A rigid padded upright back is flanked by a pair of rigid padded side wings. A belt encircles the back and wings drawing the wings toward the back to surround the child. The wings reach just under the armpits of the small child providing support to the torso and allowing even those children not old enough to sit up on their own to attain a seated position. A padded strap, attached to the bottom of the upright back runs between the child's legs and is also secured with the belt. When secured to a high chair by the belt, the support braces the child in a seated position and prevents the child from slipping from the high chair or from climbing out of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Neva Youreman
  • Publication number: 20110031790
    Abstract: A selective stabilization seatback support assembly includes a back plate member or generally rigid back plate member having a plurality of adjustable, positionable cushion elements attachable to the inside surface thereof to provide unique and selective cushioning of a person positioned in the seat. The device is attachable to pre-existing seatbacks such as provided for chairs, wheelchairs, automobile seats and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Louis Voigt Smith, SR.
  • Patent number: 7802848
    Abstract: A seat module that forms a seat portion and an upright lumbar and thoracic support portion in one piece as a commercial grade seat that can be retro-fitted to any stadium bleacher easily to conform with building safety codes and provide comfortable seating to the patrons of the stadium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Scott Suprina
  • Patent number: 7758119
    Abstract: A auxiliary sofa backrest system includes a sofa with a seat and a backrest that is attached to and extends upwardly from the seat. The seat includes a pair of laterally positioned armrests. A plurality of seat cushions is positioned on the seat. A bottom panel has a rear edge. A vertical panel has a bottom edge, a top edge, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front side and a back side. The bottom edge is hingedly coupled to the rear edge. The bottom panel is removably positioned under one of the seat cushions and the back side of the vertical panel abuts one of the armrests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventor: Muhammed N. Baterdouk
  • Patent number: 7562938
    Abstract: A device for supporting a person in a sitting position has a substantially horizontally extending supporting element placeable on a supporting surface substantially at a level of a person's pelvis when the person is in a sitting position, and two substantially vertically extending elements each having a lower end connected with the horizontally extending supporting element and an upper end extendable to an area of person's armpits so that the upper ends of the substantially vertically extending elements are placeable under the person's armpits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Inventor: Mikhail Lakhman
  • Patent number: 7488041
    Abstract: A legless chair includes a seat, a seatback having its bottom side connected to the seat, and a flexible member backwardly extending from a rear side of the seat. When the user sitting on the seat forces his/her back against the seatback to tilt the legless chair backwards, the flexible member is bendable to impart a damping force against the backwardly tilting motion of the legless chair so as to prevent the backward falling of the legless chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Pyramat LLC
    Inventors: Yury Pokrishevsky, Michael Feldman, Joey C. Huang
  • Patent number: 7416257
    Abstract: A device for supporting a person in a sitting position has a substantially horizontally extending supporting element placeable on a supporting surface substantially at a level of a person's pelvis when the person is in a sitting position, and two substantially vertically extending elements each having a lower end connected with the horizontally extending supporting element and an upper end extendable to an area of person's armpits so that the upper ends of the substantially vertically extending elements are placeable under the person's armpits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Mikhail Lakhman
  • Patent number: 7261380
    Abstract: A pelvis remedial seating device is provided having a seat including a seat cushion on which an occupant is to be seated and left/right seat sides provided uprightly at each side end of the seat cushion; a pair of air bags nested to a height of the pelvis portion of an occupant on an inner side of each side for enabling themselves to be expanded or contracted by air supplied into or discharged from the inside of the air bag; air injector for providing air pressure to the air bags; and a controller for controlling running time, level, and direction of air flow supplied through the air injection means, wherein the expanding air pressure in the air bags presses the pelvis portion of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Jeon Ho Ha
  • Patent number: 7237844
    Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: The Idea People LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G Stewart, III, Thomas Sweeney
  • Patent number: 7156465
    Abstract: A light-weight portable vertebrae decompression support device comprising a pair of arm rests with selectively adjustable members connecting the arm rests and a base member. The base member is adapted to rest on a seat. The selective adjustment raises and lowers the height of the arm rests with respect to the base. The support device provides arm support sufficient to decompress the vertebrae and aids persons recovering from back surgery or those with chronic back problems. The support device can be made adjustable to fit different girth persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Idea People LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Stewart, III, Thomas Sweeney
  • Patent number: 7114775
    Abstract: A sacroiliac joint support mechanism for installing to a seat of a golf vehicle, having a sacroiliac joint support cushion for abutting to the posterior wall region of the sacroiliac joint, angling elements for creating an angle of support and an attachment elements for fixedly installing the sacroiliac joint support mechanism to an open span between a golf vehicle seat bottom and a golf vehicle seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Scott Hanson
  • Patent number: 6959964
    Abstract: A portable backrest structure includes a base section adjustably fitted onto a piece of seating furniture, and an upright section for elevating a pivot axis above a seat part of the furniture. The backrest structure is easily movable to and installed on another piece of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Otto Zapf
  • Patent number: 6935685
    Abstract: A seat forming member is mounted on a child-care instrument which can be changed between a chair state and a bed state, to form a seat and comprises a backrest wall and a top wall flexibly connected to an upper part of the backrest wall. In the bed state, the top wall bends forward so as to form an angle with the backrest wall. The seat forming member comprises a pair of side protecting members extending sideward from both sides of the top wall. Each of side protecting members is guided by a side wall of the seat and bends forward from the top wall so as to be positioned over the backrest wall in the bed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Kenzou Kassai, Ichiro Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 6652027
    Abstract: A backrest device for use with a tree trunk. A rigid backing exhibits a substantially rectangular and planar shape and includes a first side and a second side. A foam cushion is secured to the first side of the rigid backing. A plurality of stand-off spacers extend from the second side of the rigid backing, each of the spacers further having a projecting end surface. First and second elongated strap fasteners extend from each of first and second side edges of the rigid backing and, upon positioning the rigid backing with the spacers in abutting contact with the tree trunk and inter-engaging the fasteners about a circumference of the tree trunk, the rigid backing and secured cushion are spaced an incremental distance from the surface of the tree trunk and in order to prevent water running down the trunk from contacting the padded backrest or the back of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Pardonnet