Plural Related Seats Patents (Class 297/232)
  • Patent number: 5575533
    Abstract: A blow molded vehicle seat frame system with integral restraint safety belt comprises a blow molded full bench, split bench or high back seat frame with discrete, strategically-placed, insert tubular beams to provide seat and seat belt mounting and load carrying capacity. A molded back contains tubular side cavities housing non-circular reinforcing beams therein. A telescoping tube at the top of the beam provides a shoulder belt height adjustment mechanism. The reinforcement beams provide an efficiently designed load path wherein the belt forces resulting from a crash situation are directed through super-high strength roll form metal tubular beams directly to the vehicle seat track or pedestal mounts. The primary load carrying seat component members are designed structurally to create discrete displacement occupant energy absorption to provide safe occupant crash kinematics and deceleration forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Concept Analysis Corp.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Glance
  • Patent number: 5570928
    Abstract: A multiple folding chair arrangement particularly concerned with 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 chair multiples and comprising three or more rigid vertical support frames defining the sides of two or more chairs and having front and rear edges, two pairs of diagonally crossed members located, respectively, between the front and rear edge regions of each frame, each one of the pair of members being pivotally connected adjacent a lower end to a separate one of an adjacent frame and being pivotally joined to the other member at or near its midpoint, the upper ends of said two pairs of members defining a plane for a seat when the chair arrangement is in an erected seating configuration, and a brace pivotally connected adjacent to the upper ends of each member and pivotally connected to the adjacent support frame, the arrangement including hand grips associated with the upper end of one or more of each pair of members located at the rear of the chairs to enable the chairs to be folded whereby the frames are brought together int
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Bermere Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bryan F. Staunton, Rick J. Maynard
  • Patent number: 5558309
    Abstract: A structure comprising a plurality of adjacent seats for a public passenger vehicle, in particular an airliner, the structure being convertible and of variable size along a sliding axis (100), and comprising:a fixed portion (2) comprising at least two transverse underframes (4) that are spaced apart from each other, fixed to the floor of the passenger cabin, and rigidly connected to one another by longitudinal underframe elements (5) having an axis that is generally parallel to the sliding axis;at least one moving portion (3) that is movable relative to the fixed portion between two extreme positions, namely a maximum-size first position and a minimum-size second position, the moving portion (3) including an end transverse seat side member (6) rigidly associated with longitudinal support elements (7), and intermediate transverse seat side members (8) parallel to the end transverse seat side member (6) and associated with the longitudinal support elements (6), and serving to mount seat backs and arms; andlocki
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle et Commerciale de Materiel Aeronautique
    Inventor: Robert R. L. Marechal
  • Patent number: 5558401
    Abstract: They improve the passenger's passive safety and comfort. They are comprised of a deformable frame to absorb the energy transmitted in the presence of an impact, without any portion of the same becoming detached. The design thereof has no sharp angles or edges and in the back there are perfectly inserted accessories. The footrest is also hidden without projecting, having blunt forms.The frame has two crossbars (6) secured to the side feet (4.) The chassis or bed of the seat is formed by two triangular side plates (8, 9) braced by two cylindrical bars (13) passing through cross members (7) welded to the crossbars (6.) The back (3) is hinged to the top angular area of these plates (8, 9) and is adjustable as its frame (12) has an extension (17) connected to an adjustment mechanism (19) with an automatic instant blocking system.Optionally, the seat on the aisle is shiftable.The headrest is cushioned in the back since the rear frame remains lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Fabricacion Asientos Vehiculos Industriales, S.A. (Fainsa)
    Inventor: Juan Singla Casasayas
  • Patent number: 5559411
    Abstract: A power system is provided for extending and retracting telescopic seating. The power system includes a frame, a drum operably mounted on the frame for rotational and translational movement, and an extendable chain having a first end operably attached to the telescopic seating and a second end operably attached to the drum. A power mechanism is configured to rotate the drum to wrap the extendable chain onto the drum and further is configured to raise the drum as the extendable chain is wound onto the .drum and takes up space thereon. Still further, the power mechanism is configured to lower the drum as the extendable chain is unwound from the drum and takes up less space thereon. The extendable chain includes interconnected links with wheels that mateably nest adjacent each other in alternating positions as the chain is wound onto the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Irwin Seating Company
    Inventor: David W. Winship
  • Patent number: 5553551
    Abstract: An interlocking modular bench system provides an inexpensive stable structure which can quickly be assembled to any desired size and a variety of configurations with minimal effort. Each basic bench unit requires only four fasteners for assembly and interlocks with adjacent bench units whose features can be varied as required. The system is particularly useful for commercial displays such as nursery stock and supplies. It is a further feature that two parallel rows of interlocking benches can form the side walls of an easily assembled covered structure with an interconnected frame supporting a light weight roofing material such as fabric or rigid, structural plastic sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Terry Crombie
  • Patent number: 5553923
    Abstract: A spreader and leg assembly for the base frame of an aircraft passenger seat including spaced saddles on the spreader and spaced stirrups on the leg assemblies that encircle a plurality of quadrants of the stretcher tubes to form a base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Weber Aircraft, Inc.
    Inventor: Vahe Bilezikjian
  • Patent number: 5553813
    Abstract: An airplane passenger seat row is disclosed which comprises a seat frame, which is common to all seats and which includes cross members and feet that are fixed to said cross members. Seat cushion carriers and backrests can be adjusted in their position of inclination. A section of the seat cushion carriers and a section of the backrests are designed as components which can be moved in at least two positions in the longitudinal direction of the cross members. A backrest of a center seat includes a center section located between two side sections. Each side section is assigned a locking mechanism, by means of which in the one position of the moveable components both side sections can be connected shape-lockingly to the center section, in order to form sections of the center seat, and in the second position the side sections can be connected shape-lockingly to the seats backrest which adjoin laterally the center seat, in order to form sections of both side seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Harald Merensky
  • Patent number: 5529265
    Abstract: A video signal display system is provided at a back of each of a number of seats arranged in rows and columns. A recess is formed in the rear portion of the back of each seat and spherical-shaped support units for pivotally supporting a picture display unit of the display system are provided on the bottom of the recess and at a mid portion of the back surface of the picture display unit for assembling the picture display unit in the recess. The spherical-shaped supporting units are rotated for varying the position of the screen of the picture display unit built in the rear portion of the back of the seat to an easy-to-view position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Bunkichi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 5527092
    Abstract: A modular furniture seating section having a pair of side rails that define a base for the section and a pair of reclining mechanisms, one mounted on each of the side rails. Each of the mechanisms includes a seat mounting link which together carry a seat frame that in turn carries the seat of the chair. An ottoman linkage is mounted on the front of the seat mounting link in each mechanism and together they carry the ottoman which moves between retracted and extended positions. The mechanisms also include a backrest linkage which carries the backrest frame that, in turn, carries the backrest. On one side only of the chair an arm panel is secured to the seat frame and moves together with the seat in fixed relationship thereto as the chair moves between upright and reclined positions. On the same side as the arm panel, a backrest side wing is mounted on the backrest frame so as to move with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: L&P Property Managment
    Inventors: Robert E. Cook, Charles J. Tidwell, Jr., Donald Shutiok, William Tacker, Gregory M. Lawson, Terry Johnson
  • Patent number: 5509722
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly convertible between a first two-seat configuration, and a second two-seat configuration having increased seating space between seat armrests and spacing between seats. The seat assembly includes a seat assembly base with first and second seats mounted on the seat assembly base for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions. The first seat is slidably mounted on the seat assembly base. The first seat includes first and second armrest assemblies positioned on opposite sides of the first seat. The second seat mounted in fixed relation on the seat assembly base, the second seat having a third armrest assembly positioned in fixed relation on the side of the second seat opposite the second armrest assembly of the first seat. The first armrest assembly is mounted in slidable relation to both the first seat and the second seat. The second armrest assembly is mounted in slidable relation to the first seat and in fixed relation to the second seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Burns Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Beroth
  • Patent number: 5492068
    Abstract: A desk system for use in a van type vehicle includes a pedestal having a floor engaging base and an upper mounting surface for releasably retaining a portable desk structure. The pedestal has a pair of fingers for contacting a front corner of each of a pair of spaced apart seat risers, a pair of adjusting screws for contacting sides of each of the seat risers and a pair of clamps for contacting a rear corner of each of the seat risers. An upwardly extending wall formed about a periphery of the upper mounting surface, a pair of depressions are formed in a lower surface of the portable desk structure and a pair of posts are formed in the upper mounting surface to retain the portable desk structure on the pedestal. The pedestal can have storage compartments formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Carl B. McKee
  • Patent number: 5480213
    Abstract: A sectional sofa having one sofa section that includes a pair of reclining seats that are separated by a console on which push button controls are mounted that separately control the movement of the reclining seats from the upright to the reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Gentry Gallery, Inc.
    Inventor: James Sproule
  • Patent number: 5474359
    Abstract: A sofa or love seat that is convertible to a bed and includes at least one inclining seat section, and optional footrests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: James V. Muffi
  • Patent number: 5470128
    Abstract: An arrangement of linking modular furniture is disclosed. There is a spine (10) supported by-spaced apart stands (6). On each spine are located a number of seat frames (12). The seat frames are supported by at least one arm (18,20) and preferably by arm rests (26) which together with the arms (18,20) form a truss. A table (30) is also provided. A large number of different configurations can be formed by assembly of the above components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Sebel Furniture Limited
    Inventor: Katrina A. Kerkham
  • Patent number: 5464273
    Abstract: A seat construction including a composite inner/outer frame to which at least two seat pans are secured. The composite frame includes three horizontal cross members, located at the front ends of bottom portions of the seat pans, at the junctions of the bottom portions and back portions of the seat pans, and at the top ends of the back portions of the seat pans. A pair of boomerang-shaped side members are fixed at their distal ends and their bent centers to the opposing ends of the cross members and an intermediate member is fixed to the mid-ways of the cross members, so that an inner frame is formed by the side members, cross members, and intermediate member. The side members the front cross member and the intermediate frame member are covered by their corresponding outer frame members to construct the composite inner/outer frame which is light in weight but rigid in construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Kotobuki Seating Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Sera Makoto
  • Patent number: 5456518
    Abstract: A seating system capable of being put into a variety of configurations which include wheelchair locations. The seating arrangement is made up of two-chair and three-chair units in which at least one fixed chair is included within each unit. Stowable chairs are attached by hinges to the fixed chairs and can be moved from stowed positions behind the fixed chairs to use positions between the fixed chairs. Latches are used to hold the stowable and fixed chairs in a row while in their use positions. Hinges allow planar horizontal rotation of the stowable chairs to their stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Interkal, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Kemppainen, Kristen M. Sigourney, Melvin J. Guiles, Masanori Karita
  • Patent number: 5435614
    Abstract: An automobile assist transfer seat for the physically challenged, consisting of, a removable seat assembly (70), that slips into a door sill assembly (80), affixed to automobile door sill (90R) and (90L). Automobile used is a standard coupe or sedan body style, having a seat, door, door frame and door sill on driver and passenger side. The seat assembly (70) is interchangeable for use on either side of the automobile. Height of seat assembly (70), installed, is the height of most wheelchair seats and automobile manufacturers installed seats, and parallel to the ground. Seat assembly (70), is stored in the automobile passenger seating area or trunk of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Paul R. Nordberg
  • Patent number: 5431479
    Abstract: A tandem chair assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of seating units, and an optional integral table. The frame comprises a pair of opposed legs and a horizontal beam extending between and attached to the end legs. Rigid seating units comprising a seat support section and a back support section are positioned side-by-side between the legs with their fronts supported on the beam. Seat connection plates secure the front of the seat support section of each seating unit to the horizontal beam. In addition brackets are used for rigidly connection each leg to the back support section of the seating unit next to the leg. Further, the back support sections of each adjacent pair of seating units are rigidly connected together, and the seat support section and back support section are maintained at right angles by means of right angle struts that double as arm rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Roger K. Leib
  • Patent number: 5395156
    Abstract: An attractive and versatile storage table which can be interposed between seating units at several angles. It can serve as an arm rest to seating units. The ability to shift between several different angles allows reconfiguration of a seating arrangement to adjust to different room dimensions and focal points. The adjustable storage table includes a generally wedged shaped base and a top surface having a front edge, a back edge, a right edge and a left edge, the right and left edge of which define about a 15 degree angle, a right leaf having a left edge hingedly connected near the right edge of the top surface and having a right leaf edge defining about a 15 degree angle with respect to the left hingedly connected edge is provided on the right side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Alan H. Friedman
  • Patent number: 5360255
    Abstract: A modular furniture seating section having a pair of side rails that define a base for the section and a pair of reclining mechanisms, one mounted on each of the side rails. Each of the mechanisms includes a seat mounting link which together carry a seat frame that in turn carries the seat of the chair. An ottoman linkage is mounted on the front of the seat mounting link in each mechanism and together they carry the ottoman which moves between retracted and extended positions. The mechanisms also include a backrest linkage which carries the backrest frame that, in turn, carries the backrest. On one side only of the chair an arm panel is secured to the seat frame and moves together with the seat in fixed relationship thereto as the chair moves between upright and reclined positions. On the same side as the arm panel, a backrest side wing is mounted on the backrest frame so as to move with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Super Sagless Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Cook, Charles J. Tidwell, Jr., Donald Shutiok, William Tacker, Gregory M. Lawson, Terry Johnson
  • Patent number: 5342111
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary seat is provided for spanning the space between first and second adjacent structures. In a preferred embodiment, the seat includes a sheet providing a seating surface, the sheet having a first free end; a roll for storing the sheet, the roll being rotatively mounted with the first structure; a connector to removably attach the sheet with the second structure; and a ratchet to tension the sheet to a desired tension by rotating the roll, the ratchet having a telescopically extended ratchet arm and wherein the ratchet can only be adjusted to a position tensioning the roll or adjusted to release the tension in the roll when the ratchet handle is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Harlan W. Charles
  • Patent number: 5342110
    Abstract: A one-piece rotationally molded plastic stadium seating chair module for assembly in side-by-side relationship in rows with each said chair module attached to a common supporting understructure. The chair module has a hollow, double wall construction and integrally formed seat, back, and armrest portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Dant Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Merrick
  • Patent number: 5340193
    Abstract: A foldable portable chair provides users with two side-by-side seats. The supporting framework of the chair includes four support members. The first and second support members are hingeably attached to each other at their upper ends to forman inverted V-shape. The third and fourth support members are hingeably attached to each other at their lower ends to form a V-shape. The first and third support members and the second and fourth support members are then pivotally attached to each other so as to fold in a scissors fashion. A first seat member extends between the first support member and the third support member. A second seat member extends between the second support member and the fourth support member. In the preferred embodiment, the support members are U-shaped, and a storage compartment is suspended between the two seat members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: Henry W. Wolf
  • Patent number: 5335963
    Abstract: An attendant-passenger seat row is disclosed comprising at least one passenger seat and one flight attendant seat. At least one adapter is in the region of the flight attendant seat and is connectable with a junction coupling in the region of the passenger seat. The flight attendant seat comprises generally a frame, an adapter, a back rest connected to the frame, as well as a seating area or seat cushion pivotable with respect to the back rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Deutsche Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Muller, Wilfried Sprenger
  • Patent number: 5335962
    Abstract: A modular upholstered sofa arrangement includes a plurality of seating units (e.g. chairs, recliners) and one or more wedge-shaped modular furniture units between adjacent seating units. The wedge shaped units extend upwardly to a maximum elevation of about the top elevation of the seating units. The wedge shaped members provide multiple table surfaces for storing or displaying articles. The lower table is movable between open and closed positions to provide access/closure to a storage compartment under the lower table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Universal Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Gera
  • Patent number: 5330252
    Abstract: An elongated device which may be strapped centrally of the rear seat of an automobile against relative movement by means of the usual seat belts that are attached to the rear seat, and to the central area of which device two small children may be strapped by means of a pair of seat belts attached to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Edmund A. Kutauskas
  • Patent number: 5329716
    Abstract: An outdoor advertising bench to be used as a medium upon which advertising indicia may be displayed and be clearly visible during the day and night, including a bench having a pair of spaced support members, a seating platform supportably disposed therebetween, and a seat back assembly supportably disposed between the support members, the seat back assembly having a pair of opposite side panels, and a back panel, mid panel, and front panel, disposed between the side panels. The front panel is transparent so as to make an exposed face of the mid panel visible therethrough, the exposed face of the mid panel having advertising indicia and high visibility lights thereon to draw attention to the advertising indicia and to provide an attractive appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: James H. Fite
  • Patent number: 5330247
    Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing, monolithic cast concrete picnic table (10) is provided which presents a generally horizontal table section (12), horizontal bench sections (14,16) generally along and below the side margins of the table section (12), and a central connecting section and base (18,20) joining the table and bench sections (12,14,16) and permitting placement of the table (10) on a support surface. Preferably, the table (10) presents a generally H-shaped footprint, with unobstructed spaces (117) beneath the bench sections (14,16) on either side of the connecting section (18). The table (10) can be rapidly cast using a form (118) permitting easy separation of the table (10) via jacks (126).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Kansas State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Obed M. Fricke
  • Patent number: 5328231
    Abstract: A compactible, storable seating apparatus of the type which yields way to accommodate a wheelchair user. The apparatus has a seat bottom and seat back which rotate about a common axis to compact in a vertical position. The seat bottom and back are mounted to a common cantilevered beam which is pivotal about a single stanchion. The seating apparatus can be used in a conventional manner or can be easily pivoted about the stanchion to yield way to a wheelchair user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: American Seating Company
    Inventor: David W. Raymond
  • Patent number: 5326153
    Abstract: A sofa, love seat, sectional or modular furniture arrangement that includes a glider/rocker recliner as an integral part of the sofa or love seat, or as a portion of a sectional or modular furniture arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: James V. Muffi
  • Patent number: 5318340
    Abstract: A conference center is provided which includes a circular or polygonal arrangement of seating elements having a center. Each seating element faces outward from the center, and a device is provided for rotating the arrangement about a vertical axis through its center. This conference center provides a setting for group meetings which eliminates many of the distractions involved in face-to-face meetings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Yorkshire Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Henry
  • Patent number: 5306072
    Abstract: A modular article of furniture which has a right hand element and a left hand element, each being a rigid U-shaped arch with a pair of downwardly-extending legs, and a bight joining the legs. A pair of parallel shear members are integrally and rigidly connected to each of the legs, the members of each pair being one above the other. The shear members are joined by a splice, and an interconnecting member joins them for in-plane stability against tilting of the right hand element and left hand element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: John Caldwell
  • Patent number: 5303976
    Abstract: A multi-functional furniture component has a frame, with a seat portion and a backrest portion, first motion means connected to the frame and connected to a conversion member. The conversion member has a first upholstered side and a second substantially planar side. Actuation of the first motion means enable arcuate movement of the conversion member between a first orientation to service a backrest and a second orientation in which the planar side is generally horizontal. The conversion member may also include a container member with a top panel, a bottom panel spaced apart from the top panel, and at least one side panel interconnecting the top and bottom panels and defining an interior storage region. Preferably, access to the interior storage region is provided by arcuate motion of the top of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Mohasco Upholstered Furniture Corporation
    Inventors: Charles B. Nobile, Robert E. Cook
  • Patent number: 5299852
    Abstract: A storable seating unit for access by an individual in a wheelchair to seating in a stadium or arena which includes a pedestal, a seat bottom pivotally connected to the pedestal, a seat back pivotally mounted to one of the seat back and the pedestal, the pedestal including a mechanism for pivoting the seat bottom and seat back so as to define an open area for positioning of the wheelchair in a position occupied by the seat bottom and seat back prior to pivoting. The pedestal may include a longitudinal slot and a slide pivotally and slidably positioned therein and connected to said seat bottom and seat back for pivoting of the seat bottom and seat back and lowering thereof along the length of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Paralyzed Veterans of America
    Inventor: Kim A. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5292177
    Abstract: A modular seating system in which at least two supporting elements serve a dual function including that of providing a seat support and an additional function. Each such supporting element includes a hollow shape having vertical supporting walls and is formed from a cured organic polymer reinforced by an inert fibrous filler such as glass fibers. The elements support a seating component that includes a beam provided with a first plate affixed at each end in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the beam. The beam is affixed at each end and suspended by one of the supporting elements. Mechanical fasteners extend through the plates and through a vertical wall of said hollow shapes. A second reinforcing plate is provided on the inside of said vertical wall, and the mechanical fasteners also extend through the second reinforcing plates, causing the first and second plates to apply compressive force on the supporting wall. One or more seating units are attached to and supported by the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicola Balderi, David R. Funk
  • Patent number: 5286086
    Abstract: An auxiliary child seat unit for a vehicle which has seat belt holes provided in sides of a lower rear part of the auxiliary child seat unit, through which seat belts are placed to allow the auxiliary child seat unit to be stably fastened to an interior of the vehicle. A seat belt connection opening is provided within the auxiliary child seat unit between the seat belt holes wherein the seat belts are attached by an engagement mechanism provided on the seat belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventor: Rikimasa Gunji
  • Patent number: 5284379
    Abstract: An improved convertible aircraft seating arrangement that is adapted to convert a row of seven economy class seats into a row of six business class seats, and vice versa. A pair of outboard seats (12, 20) are positioned on opposite sides of the passenger cabin (16), and a central set of seats (18) is positioned in between. In the economy class configuration, the central set consists of three seats (36, 38, 48), but is converted to two seats for the business class configuration. When making the conversion, the outboard pairs (12, 20) are slid inwardly a certain distance, and their inboard armrests (32) are extended further into the aisleway (22, 24) on each side of the central set (18). The outer, aisle seats (36, 38) against the centermost seat (48). There, they are joined to lateral sections of the centermost seat (78a, 78b), which are split apart from such seat to form wider, business class seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Arnold, Lek H. Thixton
  • Patent number: 5282665
    Abstract: A passenger seat leg assembly with an energy absorbing zone. The seat includes fore and aft located legs for being fastened to a seating track mounted on a floor and fore and aft located seat-bottom support for supporting a seat bottom assembly including a cushion. The seat legs and the seat bottom supports are integrally formed with each other to define a unitary seat leg assembly. The seat leg assembly is characterized in that the fore located leg and the fore located seat bottom support diverge from each other to define an intermediate concavity and includes an integrally-formed, peripherally enclosed and laterally-extending through chamber formed in the area of the concavity to define an energy-absorbing zone. An auxiliary crush-resisting member having predetermined magnitude of resistance to crushing cooperates with the chamber to provide additional resistance to crushing. The member may be a cover plate positioned over the chamber, inserts of various designs positioned within the chamber, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Burns Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Beroth
  • Patent number: 5275454
    Abstract: An article of twig furniture, such as a rocker, a loveseat, a chair or a loveseat rocker, is a composite of finished wood and natural wood twigs retaining at least a portion of their natural bark outer layer. A solid seat of finished wood is supported by a pair of twig front legs which extend upwardly to form a pair of arm support columns. A pair of forked twig rear legs extend upwardly from the seat to form a pair of back support columns to which are attached a plurality of finished wood slats. A single forked tree twig forms each rear leg and back support column. The smaller limb or branch of the rear leg fork extends rearwardly of the larger portion of the fork to provide a secure support for the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Out of the Woods Furniture Co.
    Inventor: James C. Deardorff
  • Patent number: 5273336
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a rear seat that comprises a bench seat and a seat back that is split. Each seat back part is pivotally mounted so that it folds down onto the bench seat to extend the load floor. Each seat back part is pivotally supported by a fixed pivot at the vehicle body or outboard side and a spring biased pivot at the inboard or center side that retracts to facilitate installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Schubring, Donald W. Kulish
  • Patent number: 5267776
    Abstract: Two tetrahedrons are fixed together at a common joint and provided with a seat fixed between faces of respective tetrahedrons and parallel to a support plane formed by two joints meeting the common joint at the common joint. For equilateral tetrahedrons which meet at an angle of 109.degree.30' between faces, plural seating can be provided by fixing three or more tetrahedrons together in a variety of configurations having a common support plane and seats parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Howard A. Fromson
  • Patent number: 5255958
    Abstract: A struggling barrier for children includes a semirigid wall for blocking struggling movements which is attached to a flexible sheet for receiving sitting body weight of children. The method of sitting on the flexible sheet transfers body weight force to the attached wall thereby causing the flexible and movable device to become a semirigid and difficult to move barrier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Inventor: Thomas G. Frischmann
  • Patent number: 5246270
    Abstract: In a passenger seat arrangement a passenger seat with backrest is arranged movably on a support structure including two side support bases and a mounting beam structure extending across the support bases and having spaced box frame members including T-shaped grooves, the seat is mounted on bearing structures disposed in the grooves of the box frame members thereby providing for the movability of the seat relative to an adjacent seat mounted on the same support structure for adjustability of the seat spacing without obstruction of the leg room underneath the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Ignaz Vogel GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ignaz Vogel
  • Patent number: 5224755
    Abstract: A passenger seat leg assembly with an energy absorbing zone. The seat includes fore and aft located legs for being fastened to a seating track mounted on a floor and fore and aft located seat-bottom support for supporting a seat bottom assembly including a cushion. The seat legs and the seat bottom supports are integrally formed with each other to define a unitary seat leg assembly. The seat leg assembly is characterized in that the fore located leg and the fore located seat bottom support diverge from each other to define an intermediate concavity and includes an integrally-formed, peripherally enclosed and laterally-extending through chamber formed in the area of the concavity to define an energy-absorbing zone. An auxiliary crush-resisting member having predetermined magnitude of resistance to crushing cooperates with the chamber to provide additional resistance to crushing. The member may be a cover plate positioned over the chamber, inserts of various designs positioned within the chamber, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Burns Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Beroth
  • Patent number: 5201567
    Abstract: A storable seating unit for access by an individual in a wheelchair to seating in a stadium or arena. The storable seating unit includes a pedestal, a seat bottom pivotally connected to the pedestal, and a seat back pivotally mounted to one of the seat back and the pedestal. The pedestal includes a mechanism for pivoting the seat bottom and the seat back so as to define an open area for positioning of the wheelchair in a position occupied by the seat bottom and the seat back prior to pivoting. The pedestal may include a longitudinal slot and a slide pivotally and slidably positioned therein and connected to the seat bottom and the seat back for pivoting of the seat bottom and the seat back and lowering thereof along the length of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Paralyzed Veterans of America
    Inventor: Kim A. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5180120
    Abstract: A main seat support frame includes slidable seat sections to allow the overall length of the seat and the number of sitting positions to be varied as required. The frame is provided with fixing positions for arm dividers which allow delimitation of a predetermined number of sitting positions when the seat is fully expanded corresponding to an economy class configuration and a fewer number of sitting positions of greater sitting width when the seat is contracted corresponding to a business class configuration. Since the width of the seat backs remains constant, bolsters may be attached to them when the seat is contracted for business class usage allowing for rapid conversion of the seating arrangement as between economy and business class usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Inventors: Leslie J. Simpson, Brian S. Bayliss
  • Patent number: 5178345
    Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly (14) is convertible between three seats (LA, LM, LW) with a first seat width and two seats (LA, W) with a second wider seat width. The seat assembly includes a tube-in-tube support frame for the seats which allows the conversion to be accomplished by a simple sliding movement of the aisle and middle seat frames towards and away from the window seat frame which is fixed in position. Movement of the aisle and middle seat frames automatically changes the position of the two inside armrests (22, 24). The middle seat back frame (66) is vertically split into parts (66A, 66B). Movement of the seat frames from the three-seat configuration to the two-seat configuration disconnects seat back parts (66A, 66B) from each other and locks one part (66A) to the window seat back frame (64) and the other part (66B) to the aisle seat back frame (68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Wallace A. Peltola, Peter J. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5163733
    Abstract: A seating cluster for airport and similar seating areas which includes a table for being positioned on a supporting surface, and eight seats attached to and supported by the table in spaced-apart relation to each other about the perimeter of the table in spaced-apart relation above the supporting surface thereby by defining a luggage storage area underneath the seat bottom. Each of the seats has a seat bottom having a front edge, opposed sides and a seat back. Each of the eight seats is attached to the table adjacent its respective inner side with the front of their respective seat bottoms positioned at an obtuse angle to the front of a seat bottom of a side adjacent seat whereby each seat and its respective side adjacent seat is angled slightly to each other to facilitate conversation by occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: Joseph A. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 5133587
    Abstract: An improved adjustable seat having a supporting frame, a seat bucket type removable seat, and a connect-disconnect member disconnectably attaching the removable seat to the frame. The seat bucket and frame are provided with slides which permit relative change in attitude between the seat bucket and the frame in response to manipulation of seat reclining controls by the seat occupant. Included in the base frame are legs which are deformable under high acceleration-deceleration forces to absorb a portion of the energy resulting from the application of such excessive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: James R. Hadden, Jr.