Combinable To Form Single Seat Patents (Class 297/233)
  • Patent number: 11534002
    Abstract: A piano bench includes a base and a seat moveably mounted to the base. The seat may slide on the base via a rail positioned along the longitudinal length of the base. The rail may be positioned within an internal cavity of the base and the seat may be attached to the rail by mounting brackets that extend through elongated slots in a top cover of the base. Bumpers may be placed on or at the ends of the rails to restrict the sliding distance of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Steve Perillo, David Geil
  • Patent number: 11432657
    Abstract: A piece of furniture including a frame with a seat portion, and a console assembly at least partially received within the seat portion of the frame. The console assembly is movable along an axis between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Raffel Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Malinowski, Bailey Schuetz
  • Patent number: 11375816
    Abstract: An adjustable chair, belonging to the field of office furniture, comprising a base frame. A chair back is disposed at the rear end of the base frame. A lifting assembly is disposed on the base frame and provided with a seat, and comprises a bottom frame and a top frame formed with sliding slots. The seat is disposed on the top frame and the seat angle can be adjusted. By adjusting the height of the chair through the lifting assembly and adjusting the rotation angle of the seat, users not only can stand and lean against the chair, but also can normally sit on the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Jianbo Deng
  • Patent number: 11344124
    Abstract: A sliding lounger comprises a seating portion having seating slats and seating spaces between the seating slats, a back support portion having back slats and back spaces between the back slats, the back slats being receivable within the seating spaces and the seating slats being receivable within the back spaces, and a foot support portion having foot slats and foot spaces between the foot slats, the foot slats being receivable within the seating spaces, and the seating slats being receivable within the foot spaces. The back portion and foot support portion move between an open position where the back and foot slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position where the back and foot slats are received within the seating spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NOBLE HOUSE HOME FURNISHINGS LLC
    Inventor: Siew Kin Tham
  • Patent number: 11007400
    Abstract: Various embodiments of convertible furniture are disclosed. The convertible furniture can have one or more benches with one or more platforms. The convertible furniture can have a work mode and an exercise mode. In the work mode, the convertible furniture can be configured to function as a workstation and/or work cubicle for an office worker, or furniture items in a home or office. In the exercise mode, the convertible furniture can be converted to a substantially flat work-out surface formed by surfaces of the benches and platforms. The workout surface can be configured for exercising, such as stretching, yoga, Pilates, and/or otherwise. In some embodiments, the work-out surface is adapted to receive, support, and configure a variety of exercise equipment attachment assemblies and related exercise related items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: James Stoddard
  • Patent number: 10499745
    Abstract: A furniture member may include first and second seat assemblies and an auxiliary assembly. The first seat assembly includes a first seat bottom and a first seatback. The second seat assembly includes a second seat bottom and a second seatback. The second seat assembly may be movable relative to the first seat assembly between a retracted position in which the first seat bottom and the first seatback portion are adjacent to the second seat bottom and the second seatback, and an extended position in which the first seat bottom and the first seatback are spaced apart from the second seat bottom and the second seatback. The auxiliary assembly is movable between a stowed position in which the auxiliary assembly is disposed below the first and second seat assemblies and a deployed position in which at least a portion of the auxiliary assembly is vertically higher than in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Chad E. Adams, Larry P. Lapointe, Jason Bryson, Ericka K. Norling, Jason D. Rains, Mark D. McClung, Tahir Ahmad
  • Patent number: 10299583
    Abstract: An improved locker seat includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding sidewalls having a pair of front edges. A generally horizontal seat extends between and at least partially forward of the front edges of the sidewalls. A lower seatback is connected at a lower extent by a hinge between the sidewalls and extending above the seat, the lower seatback is movable about the hinge between an open position and a closed position. An upper seatback is connected at an upper extent by a hinge between the sidewalls and above the lower seatback, the upper seatback being movable about the hinge between an open and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Sam Allen
  • Patent number: 8979206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a seat back frame of a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has a seat back main body configured to support the back of an occupant and an extension portion extending from a side of the seat back main body. The seat back frame has a main body frame, an extension frame, and a connection member. The main body frame may form a framework of the seat back main body and may be mounted on a base. The extension frame may form a framework of the extension portion. The connection member connects the extension frame to a side of the main body frame. The connection member has a rear support portion and a front support portion. The rear support portion contacts the main body frame and the extension frame from the rear so that the rear support portion integrally couples the main body frame and the extension frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 8967723
    Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly including multiple seats together having a total seating area. The aircraft seat assembly also includes an armrest separating a first seat of the multiple seats from a second seat of the multiple seats and a sliding mechanism coupled to the armrest. The sliding mechanism enables movement of the armrest to change a portion of the total seating area that is associated with at least one seat of the multiple seats. The aircraft seat assembly also includes a controller that controls movement of the armrest responsive to a control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kelly L. Boren
  • Patent number: 8955909
    Abstract: A vehicle has a seat on which a passenger sits, wherein the seat is bench-shaped and has a sitting portion, a backrest portion, and a supporting portion which supports the sitting portion and the backrest portion, wherein at least one of the sitting portion and the backrest portion is detachable from the supporting portion, wherein when the sitting portion is detachable, the sitting portion has a plurality of sitting regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the up-down direction, and wherein when the backrest portion is detachable, the backrest portion has a plurality of backrest regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hisada, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8936306
    Abstract: A composite chair includes a stationary seat and a movable portion installed on the stationary seat. The stationary seat includes at least one first carrying portion and two first tracks. The movable portion includes a second carrying portion and a linkage mechanism connected to the stationary seat and second carrying portion to allow the second carrying portion to proceed a lift movement against the stationary seat. The second carrying portion includes two second tracks. The linkage mechanism includes two first linkage bars and two second linkage bars. Through the first and second linkage bars sliding in the first and second tracks, the second carrying portion can be lifted and switched to become a tabletop or a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Keysheen Industry (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu, Shopo Hsin Tsu Liu, Fibro Tsu Kun Liu
  • Patent number: 8931846
    Abstract: A seat for a transport vehicle includes a seat surface, an armrest, and a child armrest. The child armrest is configured to adopt an adult position and a child position. In the adult position the child armrest is arranged in a stowed position in which the child armrest is incorporated in a contour of the armrest. In the child position the child armrest is arranged in a use position in which the child armrest has a reduced spacing from the seat surface in the vertical direction and a reduced spacing from an opposing armrest in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
    Inventor: Harald Merensky
  • Patent number: 8919854
    Abstract: A bench for a vehicle is provided, which bench comprises at least two seats that are arranged next to one another and are connected to one another. Provision is made for one of the at least two seats to act as a base seat that has at least one locking unit for the purpose of connection to a vehicle floor of a vehicle body, while the at least one other seat hovers above a vehicle floor since the other seat is reversibly connected solely to the base seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Sitech Sitztechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Breyvogel, Hans Rohlfing, Tobias Woynowski, Ole Stollreiter, Robert Sulowski, Jaroslaw Szydlo
  • Patent number: 8911016
    Abstract: A seat structure is configured to allow three passengers to be seated, respectively, in a left seat (1L), a right seat (1R), and a region striding across a boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). The left seat (1L) can be slid leftward to create a walk-through space (S) between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). A headrest (1c) for a middle seat passenger seated between the right and left seats (1R, 1L) is split into right and left split headrests each supported on a top of a seat back of a corresponding seat. The middle seat passenger's left split headrest (1c-L) is moved with the left seat (1L) when sliding the left seat (1L) to allow the right and left seats (1R, 1L) to become spaced apart from each other so as to unblock the walk-through space (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8899687
    Abstract: A seating assembly with a base, a seat and a back which have interlocking features, and a strap latch removeably securing the back to the base with a portion of the seat sandwiched therebetween. The strap latch comprises a strap affixed to one component, with a latch attached to its free end, and a catch member affixed to another component. The seat may also be configured to appear horizontal but to have a rearward incline when occupied, by affixing the seat webbing to a fixed forward member and a floating rear member, and attaching the floating member to a fixed rear member via straps, wherein the straps and the seat webbing have sufficient elasticity to allow the floating member to be depressed when a downward force is applied to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Martin Krause, Donald Newfer, Steven Stieglitz
  • Patent number: 8840182
    Abstract: A seat structure has a right seat (1R) and a left seat (1L) configured to allow three passengers to be seated, respectively, in the left seat (1L), the right seat (1R), and a region striding across a boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). The left seat (1L) can be slid leftward (L) to allow the right and left seats (1R, 1L) to become spaced apart to create a walk-through space (S) therebetween. A headrest (1c) for a middle seat passenger seated in the region striding the boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L) is supported on a top of a seat back of the left seat (1L). The middle seat passenger's headrest (1c) can be slid leftward to unblock the walk-through space (S) when the right and left seats (1R, 1L) are in spaced-apart relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Atsushi Onji
  • Patent number: 8727439
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for integrated, single and multiple person vehicle car seats, modular car seat systems, dual person car seats, variable base height and width car seats, car seat-inserts inserted into another car seat, foldable, for use in a land, sea or air vehicle, mounted onto the vehicle's built-in seat and used for securing a car seat user within a vehicle's regular seating positions. Car seat systems include components enabling addition or removal of seating positions for a desired number of car seat users as needed, limited only by available width and height space of the vehicle seat onto which it is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Louis Paul Herzberg
  • Publication number: 20140008950
    Abstract: A bench for a vehicle is provided, which bench comprises at least two seats that are arranged next to one another and are connected to one another. Provision is made for one of the at least two seats to act as a base seat that has at least one locking unit for the purpose of connection to a vehicle floor of a vehicle body, while the at least one other seat hovers above a vehicle floor since the other seat is reversibly connected solely to the base seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicants: SITECH SITZTECHNIK GMBH, VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Joerg BREYVOGEL, Hans ROHLFING, Tobias WOYNOWSKI, Ole STOLLREITER, Robert SULOWSKI, Jaroslaw SZYDLO
  • Publication number: 20130313866
    Abstract: A seating unit (1) comprises a fixed housing (10) containing a primary seat with a reclinable back arranged to recline in such a manner that it remains within the housing. The seating unit is suitable for a aircraft cabin and may further comprise a leg-rest arranged to cooporate with the seating portion to form part of a substantially flat surface when the back is reclined in a substantially horizontal position. The seating unit may further comprise a secondary seat (3) positioned to face the primary seat, the secondary seat having a seating portion positioned to cooporate with the leg-rest of the primary seat to form a portion of the substantially flat surface when the back of the primary seat is reclined in the substantially, horizontal position. Privacy between seats and use of available space within an aircraft cabin may be optimised by arranging at least some of the seats in an echelon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: British Airways PLC
    Inventors: Ian DRYBURGH, Simon LUNN, Russel MULCHANSINGH
  • Patent number: 8528972
    Abstract: A furniture unit for building a furniture assembly together with another furniture unit comprises a first magnetic coupling member for interaction with a second magnetic coupling member of said another furniture unit. The first magnetic coupling member is movable between an inner position, in which it is retained by a retaining means, and an outer coupling position, to which it is movable from said inner position against a force from said retaining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lammhults Mobel AB
    Inventor: Per-Evert Johnsson
  • Patent number: 8308238
    Abstract: In a seatbelt device for a sub seat, a retractor to wind up a webbing is attached to a sub-seat back support member. A buckle to detachably hold a tongue provided at the webbing is provided on a side of the sub-seat cushion which is opposite to a disposition side of the main seat in a vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the seat device for a vehicle which can ensure the sufficient sitting rigidity of the sub seat and the proper support rigidity of the retractor can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Naohiro Imaoka
  • Publication number: 20120200125
    Abstract: A passenger seat device, in particular an air passenger seat device, including a seat surface unit that is assigned to a first row of seats having a plurality of passenger seats, a comfort unit, which, in addition to the seat surface unit, in at least one usage position forms at least one first support surface that is provided for supporting at least one body part of a reclined passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Sven Achilles
  • Patent number: 8162396
    Abstract: A modular, multiple-seat chair includes a main chair having a primary seat and a back. The main chair is adapted to support a single person thereon. Secondary seats are conveniently stowed beneath the primary seat and are removable therefrom to provide additional seating when desired. Each secondary seat incorporates a foldable leg and has structure for removably attaching each secondary seat to the primary seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Michelle M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8152233
    Abstract: A transfer bench and methods for using same to facilitate movement of a person into and out of an enclosure are disclosed. The transfer bench comprises a first seating section that at least partially lies in a horizontal plane. A second seating section rotatably coupled to the first seating section is configured to rotate between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. Each seating section can be supported by one or more legs. The transfer bench can be positioned in the enclosure. A user sits on the second seating section, moves to the first seating section, and can rotate the second seating section to a vertical position such that the transfer bench is disposed within the enclosure. The enclosure may be a wet/dry environment and can be enclosed by means such as a shower curtain, door, or other enclosure means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Brian J. Wechter
  • Publication number: 20120043792
    Abstract: A 60/40 bench seat is provided allowing for increased sliding travel along a set of tracks to allow for easier ingress and egress of a vehicle passenger accessing the rear of a bench seat. The 60/40 bench seat assembly allows for increased travel along the tracks without adding significant increases in assembly parts, cost, or weight. The 60/40 bench seat assembly is provided including a profile member and a buckle. The 60/40 bench seat assembly is divided into a 40% section seat and a 60% section seat. The 60/40 seat assembly further includes a profile member operable to push down the buckle to allow for increased travel of the 60% seat. The buckle includes a first surface and the profile includes a second surface contacting the buckle first surface thereby pushing the buckle towards a vehicle floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Vasudeva Sankarshana Murthy
  • Patent number: 8047608
    Abstract: A method for implementing a supporting base (1) of a car seat, the latter including said base apt to rest onto a seat of such vehicle and apt to support an upper structure (16) apt to receive and retain a child, the base comprising a first (2) and a second (3) portion, the first sitting portion (2) being apt to rest onto the seat sitting and the second backrest portion (3) being apt to rest onto the backrest of such seat. It is provided to implement such base in at least two sections (20, 21), each section (20, 21) comprising a portion of the base portion and a portion of the sitting portion of the base, said sections being then coupled therebetween and constrained so as to implement the above-mentioned base. The so-obtained base and the seat equipped with such base are also claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Artsana S.p.A.
    Inventors: Osvaldo Damiani, Gianluca Merli
  • Publication number: 20110226900
    Abstract: A row of a plurality of adjacent seats supported by a support frame. The seat includes a seat back, a seat pan and a leg rest. The leg rest of each seat includes a leg support surface and is mounted relative to the seat frame in a manner to allow it to move between (a) a stored condition and (b) a fully deployed condition where the seat pan and the leg rest support surface are substantially coplanar. The leg rest and seat pan of each seat in the row can cooperate to define a reconfigurable horizontal support surface for at least one passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Victoria Anne Bamford, Glen Wilson Porter, James Dominic France, Geoffrey Glen Suvalko
  • Patent number: 7988229
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement (1) is provided including a seat structure divided, in a transversal direction, into an outer first seat (11), a middle second seat (12), and an outer third seat (13), which can all be moved in a longitudinal direction in relation to the vehicle structure and can be locked therewith. The arrangement is provided with a coupling device (20) which couples the second seat (12) to one of the two outer seats (11, 13), forming a pair, when the other of the two outer seats (11, 13) is moved in relation to the pair in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Dill, Ingo Teufel, Ulf Schaeffling, Kai Schumann, Heinrich Hammann
  • Publication number: 20110101747
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sofa which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home. The furniture set described can be assembled so the major piece is either to the left of the secondary piece or to the right of the secondary piece. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Lionel T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20110012386
    Abstract: A vehicle seat unit includes a left-side passenger seat, a right-side passenger seat, and a middle passenger seat positioned to lie therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Faurecia Automotive Seating, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Brncick, Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 7823950
    Abstract: There is provided a seat device for a vehicle comprising a pair of main seats disposed in the vehicle width direction including respectively a main seat cushion and main seat back, and a sub seat back disposed between the main seat backs, wherein the sub seat back is configured so as to be in an arranged position in which the sub seat back is located above the main seat cushion and before the main seat back, and the main seat backs are configured so as to be moved inward when the sub seat back is in the arranged position. Accordingly, the width of the seat can be adjusted variably, without improperly affecting spaces behind or before the seat, thereby attaining both the movement of seat and the improvement of space utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Toyota, Akira Ito, Kazue Sumida
  • Patent number: 7784867
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle, such as a school bus, accommodates two or three passengers, depending on the size and stature of the passengers. The seat assembly is equipped with three seatbelts and five buckles spaced along a seatback. When three passengers are utilizing the seat assembly, each of the three seatbelts and three of the buckles are utilized. When two passengers are utilizing the seat assembly, two of the seatbelts and the remaining two buckles are utilized. The seatbelts and buckles are visually coded and/or keyed to prevent improper use. When the buckles are not being utilized, they are housed in cavities formed in the seatback to avoid interference with the passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Syntec Seating Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald C. Lamparter
  • Patent number: 7594701
    Abstract: Aircrafts troop seating is lightweight and minimizes protruding features on which gear might snag. High strength webbing straps are added to a light weight seat fabric to add strength where strength is required, thus reducing the overall weight. The webbing is of a type used for seatbelts and meets fire regardant requirements. Seat belt style tension adjusters allow adjustment of the seating stretch to improve comfort and crash protection. Internal hardware attachment points are provided to reduce protruding features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Conax Florida Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Kawabata, Charlie VanDruff, Michael Duran
  • Patent number: 7562934
    Abstract: A configurable vehicle seat having at least two configurations is disclosed. The configurable vehicle seat has a seat base, a seat bottom supported by the seat base, and a seat back coupled to the seat base. The seat back or seat bottom has one or more adjustable profile members, wherein the adjustable profile members may be adjusted such that the seat is adjusted from at least a first configuration to a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Schukra of North America, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Swan, Thomas Heinz-Gerd Preiss, Robert J. McMillen
  • Patent number: 7523989
    Abstract: A corner unit for an article of sectional furniture. In an exemplary embodiment, the corner unit includes a frame having a plurality of frame members. The frame may include two internal frame members which are disposed substantially perpendicular to each other. The internal frame members provide rigidity and strength to the frame without requiring other angled cuts and connections for the frame. The frame may also include a cover assembly which provides a seat and at least one storage compartment. The frame members may be interconnected by interlocking protrusions and cutout portions, as well as by threaded fasteners received in push-in connector elements which are held in recesses within the frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Home Reserve, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine L. Wieland, Byron T. Shank, Wesley S. Anspach, Randolph Brown
  • Patent number: 7445285
    Abstract: Presented herein is an article of furniture for play and education, comprising a set of attachable cushions, each of which has at least one concave surface. When the set of cushions is arranged with the concave surfaces creating a substantially concentric interior surface, the article of furniture forms a substantially spherical shape with the substantially concentric interior surface forming a hollow core in the middle of the article of furniture. This hollow core provides an area in which a child may stand, hide, sit, or roll and the like. The cushions may also be configured into a variety of other shapes, such as a rocking chair, a crib, a ball with a large inner cavity for rolling or hiding, a down-turned hemisphere on which a child may sit, and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Jessica Beth Cohen
  • Patent number: 7347493
    Abstract: A composite assembly of furniture units each have a solo utilization, which can be seating surface area or table top surface area. The furniture units are made with an irregular contoured surface. When the irregular surface of a first furniture unit is brought in proximity to the irregular surface of a second furniture unit, the composite assembly assumes a joint utilization which differentiates from the solo utilization of the furniture units. The joint utilization of the composite assembly enlarges seating surface area or the table top surface area over the solo utilization. The furniture units are versatile because each can be used in its solo configuration or combined into the composite assembly for other uses. A mechanical coupling mechanism is used to secure the furniture units in the composite assembly configuration. The mechanical coupling can be a latch, magnetic plate, bracket, or rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Dodaz, Inc.
    Inventor: Theresa A. Mulmed
  • Patent number: 7281760
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for adjusting a vehicle reclining seat which can be moved together into a resting position, the backrest of a front passenger seat being able to be folded downward to the rear and forming a resting surface together with a backseat. Provision is made for the front passenger seat and the rear seat to be movable automatically into a resting position and back into the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Braitmaier, Hans-Dieter Multhaupt, Bernd Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7237845
    Abstract: An article of furniture has a sitting portion inner core assembly. The inner core assembly has a frame for providing structural support. Vertical bars connect lower and upper portions of the frame. Horizontal bars connect opposite sides of an upper portion of the frame. Alternative, the upper support structure of the frame uses box springs, free-floating horizontal bars with springs, or a mesh pattern for the structural support of the top portion of the inner core assembly. A cloth or foam pad covering is disposed along a side portion and top portion of the inner core assembly. A fabric material is disposed over at least the side and top coverings and inner core assembly. A back support inner core assembly with back support bars connect to the sitting portion inner core assembly and provide structure support of the back support portion of the furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Dodaz, Inc.
    Inventor: Theresa A. Mulmed
  • Patent number: 7137670
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with first and second wall portions (14,16), and which may include an integrated reinforcement structure (18). The seating system is capable of either or both of withstanding without rupture at least about 11000 Newtons in the direction in which the seat back (12) faces in a plane, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or, upon rapid acceleration up to at least about 20 g, substantially no fragmentation of the seat back with at least a 30 kg mass placed behind the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Jane M. Palmieri, Mick F. Heckert, Gregory J. Korchnak, Eric R. Kurtycz, Gregory P. Reny
  • Patent number: 7077474
    Abstract: An automobile 1 is provided with a second seat row 20. The second seat row 20 is constituted by a first independent side seat 21, a second independent side seat 22, and an auxiliary seat 23 including an auxiliary seat cushion 23b. A projection 24 is mounted to the left side of a left side sidewall frame member 21f located on the left side of the first independent side seat 21 to project leftward. The auxiliary seat cushion 23b has a leg 27 mounted to the bottom of the cushion body 23h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Satani
  • Patent number: 6997515
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with first and second wall portions (14,16), and which may include an integrated reinforcement structure (18). The seating system is capable of either or both of withstanding without rupture at least about 11000 Newtons in the direction in which the seat back (12) faces in a plane, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or, upon rapid acceleration up to at least about 20 g, substantially no fragmentation of the seat back with at least a 30 kg mass placed behind the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Jane M. Palmieri, Mick F. Heckert, Gregory J. Korchnak, Eric R. Kurtycz, Gregory P. Reny
  • Publication number: 20040239164
    Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle having a plurality of seat spaced longitudinally of the vehicle in a row. A first seat of the plurality of seats having a passive passenger restraint for restraining a passenger occupying a second seat located behind the first seat and having an active passenger restraint comprising a seat belt system mounted on a movable frame mounted to a frame of the seat for restraining a passenger occupying the first seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Charles G. Vits, Christopher W. Foye, Larry E. Gray, Donald C. Boyle, John David Scelsi
  • Patent number: 6824220
    Abstract: A modular furniture retaining system for maintaining a static relationship between multiple related pieces of furniture. The modular furniture retaining system includes a first piece of modular furniture, a second piece of modular furniture, a first magnetic coupling assembly and a second magnetic coupling assembly. The first piece of modular furniture includes a first side and a second side. Similarly the second piece of modular furniture includes a third side and a fourth side. The first magnetic coupling assembly has a first polarity, and is positioned on the first side of the first piece of modular furniture. Similarly, the second magnetic coupling assembly has a second polarity complimentary to the first polarity of the first magnetic coupling assembly. The second magnetic coupling assembly is positioned to align with the first magnetic coupling assembly when the third side abuts the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory P. Davison
  • Patent number: 6773059
    Abstract: A convertible device for seating has a back; a seat, wheels for rolling the device, walls forming a receptacle for storing goods under the seat, the seat being turnable between a sitting position in which it is located substantially horizontally and covers the receptacle from above so that a person can sit on the seat, and a loading position in which the seat is turned and located substantially vertically at a distance from back so that goods can be loaded into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Dmitriy Volotsenko
  • Patent number: 6739673
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Hein J. Koelman, Steve J. Rogers, Eric Kurtycz, Ravi Ramanathan
  • Patent number: 6688700
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with first and second wall portions (14,16), and which may include an integrated reinforcement structure (18). The seating system is capable of either or both of withstanding without rupture at least about 11000 Newtons in the direction in which the seat back (12) faces in a plane, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or, upon rapid acceleration up to at least about 20 g, substantially no fragmentation of the seat back with at least a 30 kg mass placed behind the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Jane M. Palmieri, Mick F. Heckert, Gregory J. Korchnak, Eric R. Kurtycz, Gregory P. Reny
  • Publication number: 20030189364
    Abstract: A sectional sofa and a convertible unit is disclosed. The sectional sofa includes a stationary portion and a moving portion. The moving portion is adjacent to the stationary portion and the moving portion is capable of moving relative to the stationary portion. The moving portion and the stationary portion are also connected to one another by a common base. The sofa also includes provisions for joining the moving portion with the stationary portion and for facilitating and accommodating the motion of the moving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Alan Friedman
  • Patent number: 6595586
    Abstract: a seating structure provides improved comfort and includes a single, pair, or multiple numbers of moving seating assemblies with independent platforms, especially suited for the automotive or aircraft seating environments. A motion mechanism provides each seating assembly with at least one of total rocking, vertical up and down movement, lateral, and limited slight turning movement and in one embodiment generally constrains the seat members of the seat assemblies from interference with each other. The seating assemblies are provided at a neutral angle that corresponds to the particular application of the seat. Independent up and down movement, and rocking, improves seating comfort health, and safety especially as applied to a seating environment, where a user is likely to be seated for an extended period, such as in an automobile or aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Seat Revolution, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Brightbill, David W. Flesner, Eric Lai Sai Cheong, Tony Wong Hing Leung, Wesley Yau Tze Ming, Albert Poon Wai Tong, Paul A. Repicky, David M. Hensel
  • Patent number: 6491346
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with first and second wall portions (14,16), and which may include an integrated reinforcement structure (18). The seating system is capable of either or both of withstanding without rupture at least about 11000 Newtons in the direction in which the seat back (12) faces in a plane, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or, upon rapid acceleration up to at least about 20 g, substantially no fragmentation of the seat back with at least a 30 kg mass placed behind the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Jane M. Palmieri, Mick F. Heckert, Gregory J. Korchnak, Eric R. Kurtycz, Gregory P. Reny