Combinable To Form Single Seat Patents (Class 297/233)
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Patent number: 6488333Abstract: A vehicle seat allowing an occupant to either face in a first direction or a second opposed direction is provided. The seat comprises a base that allows for the back rest of the seat to be moved, alternatively, forward or back on a cushion such that the user may select whether he will ride facing towards the direction of the automobile's movement or facing away from the direction of movement. The seat further comprises a pop-up seat cushion which allows the occupant to open up the seat cushion to sit more securely within the seat cushion while having side cushions for added support and impact resistance. The present apparatus provides better security for small children and pregnant, elderly or otherwise more fragile adults. The seat allows children to be placed such that they do not face the direction of oncoming traffic and instead ride in the more generally agreed to be secure direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Inventor: Hoon Y. Kim
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Patent number: 6454358Abstract: A modular chair including a pair of upper components each having a generally U-shaped configuration. Each upper component has a horizontal segment having opposed ends. The opposed ends each have a rounded segment secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom in an outwardly angular orientation. A pair of lower components are adapted for coupling with the pair of upper components. The pair of lower components each have a generally U-shaped configuration. Each lower component has a horizontal segment having opposed ends. The opposed ends each have a vertical segment extending upwardly therefrom. Each vertical segment has an arcuate recess formed on upper and inner surfaces thereof. The pair of upper components are receivable between the vertical segments whereby the rounded segments are seated within the arcuate recesses and the horizontal segments are in an abutting relationship in a fully assembled configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Inventor: Michael Benincasa
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Patent number: 6364412Abstract: Disclosed is a hanging chair that is capable of accommodating more than one individual. Also provided is a hanging chair that includes a suspension structure that distributes the increased load that is associated with having more than one person in the chair over a length of the overhead support. By distributing the load, the possibility of the overhead support or the suspension structure failing is, inmost situations, reduced. The present invention further provides a hanging chair that is capable of rotating about a vertical axis without causing binding or twisting of the suspension structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Inventor: David H. Crawford
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Patent number: 6357827Abstract: A portable seat provides improved comfort and includes a single, pair, or multiple numbers of moving seating assemblies. A motion mechanism provides each seating assembly with at least one of total rocking, vertical, lateral, and 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. The amount of rocking movement and/or vertical movement is based on the neutral angle. In concert, the neutral angle orientation, rocking movement, and vertical movement cause the weight supported by an occupant's seat bones, posterior, and thighs to be optimally distributed on the seating assembly, improving seating comfort as applied to a given seating environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Dual Seat Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen T. Brightbill, David W. Flesner, Paul A. Repicky, Eric Lai Sai Cheong, Tony Wong Hing Leung, Wesley Yau Tze Ming, Albert Poon Wai Tong
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Patent number: 6340207Abstract: A seat providing improved comfort includes a pair of moving seating assemblies. A motion mechanism provides each seating assembly with rocking movement and vertical movement. The seating assemblies are provided at a neutral angle that corresponds to the particular application of the seat. The amount of rocking movement and vertical movement is based on the neutral angle. In concert, the neutral angle orientation, rocking movement, and vertical movement cause the weight supported by an occupant's seat bones, posterior, and thighs to be optimally distributed on the seating assembly, improving seating comfort as applied to a given seating environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignee: Dual Seat TechnologiesInventors: Stephen T. Brightbill, David W. Flesner
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Patent number: 6209956Abstract: 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 cooperate 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 cooperate 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 1998Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: British Airways PLCInventors: Ian Dryburgh, Simon Lunn, Russel Mulchansingh
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Patent number: 6135545Abstract: A furniture assembly includes four furniture units that can be assembled to form a bed, a table, or a chair. First and second furniture units are mounted juxtaposed to other yet allowing sliding movement relative to each other. Third and fourth furniture units are mounted juxtaposed to each other and behind the first and second furniture units, respectively. The third and fourth furniture units are also slidable relative to each other. The third and fourth furniture units may be pivoted relative to the first and second furniture units and then positioned to form a length-adjustable chair.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Inventor: Chin-Hsi Liao
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Patent number: 6059364Abstract: 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 cooperate 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 cooperate 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: British Airways PLCInventors: Ian Dryburgh, Simon Lunn, Russel Mulchansingh
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Patent number: 5913568Abstract: A seat providing improved comfort includes a pair of moving seating assemblies. A motion mechanism provides each seating assembly with rocking movement and vertical movement. The seating assemblies are provided at a neutral angle that corresponds to the particular application of the seat. The amount of rocking movement and vertical movement is based on the neutral angle. In concert, the neutral angle orientation, rocking movement, and vertical movement cause the weight supported by an occupant's seat bones, posterior, and thighs to be optimally distributed on the seating assembly, improving seating comfort as applied to a given seating environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Inventors: Stephen T. Brightbill, David W. Flesner
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Patent number: 5810430Abstract: There is provided a portable seating apparatus having multiple seating tiers and an understructure system that operates to extend the seating for use and to retract the seating for storage and transport. In the storage arrangement, the lower seating and understructure is capable of being substantially retracted into a portable housing. The housing is fitted with a system of rollers that operate between an extended condition to support the housing for transport and to a retracted position to lower the housing onto stationary foot pads for use by spectators. The seating apparatus is also provided with an anti-tipping mechanism which operates to limit tipping movement of the housing during use by spectators.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Greenwhich Industries, L.P.Inventors: John Jack Bryjak, Arthur Hergott, Troy W. Livingston
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Patent number: 5660436Abstract: A laterally extendable furniture device includes a primary support section and a supplemental support section slidably connected to the primary support section for movement between a retracted position and an expanded position. At the retracted position the supplemental support section is stored within the primary support section, and at the expanded position the supplemental support section extends laterally from the primary support section to provide an expanded support surface. The laterally extendable furniture design can readily be adapted to a variety of furniture pieces including chairs, tables, desks and shelves. The furniture device is manufactured from molded plastic components, making it easy and economical to manufacture and durable.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Inventor: Michael Wilson
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Patent number: 5632524Abstract: A combination chair including a plurality of chairs which can be separately used or can be combined together as one to be used. Each of the plurality of chairs comprises a seat portion supported by legs and a backrest provided on the seat portion. These chairs are designed so that the backrests thereof are jointed to be adjacent to each other at one side in the width direction when the seat portions of the chairs are stacked up in the up-and-down direction, and the lengths of the legs are set so that the lower ends thereof coincide when the chairs are combined together.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: France Bed Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Ikeda, Hisao Matsumoto, Natsuko Hiramatsu, Hideki Iwashita, Hisaya Umemoto, Shin Takagi
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Patent number: 5601334Abstract: An integral child seat having a detachable booster seat in which one panel of a child seat is removable from the child seat and can be placed at another seating position on the seat assembly and attached thereto to provide a raised seating surface for a child who is too large to use the integrated child seat. This eliminates the need to purchase an after market booster seat for use after the integrated child seat has been outgrown. The integrated child seat remains usable by a child with the booster seat is in use at another seating position.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.Inventor: William D. Marks
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Patent number: 5520437Abstract: A mounting apparatus for securing a plurality of independent seating sections together to form a modular sofa assembly. The independent seating sections have lower front and rear end portions with either front and rear cross bars substantially parallel to the front and rear end portions or side frame members substantially perpendicular to the front and rear end portions. A first elongated frame rail is secured to the front and rear of each seating unit having side frame members, and connecting feet are secured to seating units having front and rear cross bars. The seating units are aligned in close side-by-side proximity and connecting links are used to secure the frame members or connecting feet of adjacent seating units to form a sofa or loveseat. The sofa or loveseat is easily disassembled by removing the connecting links from the frame members and connecting feet.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1993Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair CompanyInventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jonathan R. Saul, Karl J. Komorowski
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Patent number: 5308146Abstract: A combination chair is provided which includes a top chair stacked on a base chair and releasably coupled thereto by respective male and female fasteners. A first back chair and a second back chair, releasably coupled together are respectively fastened to the top chair and the base chair through sleeve joints. Therefore, the top chair, the base chair, the first back chair and the second back chair may be disconnected from one another for use separately, or connected together, to form a single chair, thereby reducing storage space requirements.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1992Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Inventor: Shin C. Chou
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Patent number: 5102192Abstract: A detachable anchoring device for a seat assembly which is attached through a support member to a substantially planar sled support base having a quick release connector assembly capable of releasably connecting the planar base in a desired position with respect to a fixed station. The quick release connector assembly includes a bracket connected to a machine or service counter and a connecting member for releasably connecting a first portion of the planar base to the bracket, the planar base remaining substantially in contact with a portion of a planar floor surface during connecting to the bracket. Locking means may be included to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the anchoring device.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1990Date of Patent: April 7, 1992Assignee: Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.Inventor: Peter Barile, Sr.
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Patent number: 5096258Abstract: Interfitting furniture formed by the coupling together of a least two elementary pieces of furniture, each of which comprises a supporting portion and all the supporting portions are at the same height above floor level and each of them is formed by a plurality of elongated members, each of which defines with the adjacent ones a space which is substantially occupied by the corresponding elongated members of the supporting portion of other elementary pieces of furniture. Each of the elementary pieces, when slid apart for separate use, provides a furniture article having the same type of functionality as the more massive composite furniture article of which it, when reversibly assembled with one or more like or similar elementary pieces, forms a part.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Inventor: Luis Mestre Boix
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Patent number: 4917436Abstract: A picnic table having attached bench seats around the periphery thereof with one segment of the bench seat being removable to enable access to the periphery of the table by a person occupying a wheelchair or a conventional chair. The picnic table surface is provided with an extension in the access area to extend the edge of the table radially outwardly to render it more accessible to a person occupying a wheelchair or chair. The bench seat component along a portion of the periphery of the chair is attached by bracket structures which enable it to be removed as a unit and stored in a convenient location to enable the wheelchair or chair to be inserted between the end portions of the bench seats that define an open area around the periphery of the table with the extension on the table surface being aligned with the open space defined by removal of the segment of the bench seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1989Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Thom's Inc.Inventor: Howard L. Thom
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Patent number: 4768827Abstract: A seat assembly for vehicles such as automobiles or passenger trains comprises a child-sized seat which is shiftable between an extended position for use atop an adult-sized chair, and a retracted position recessed within a chamber of the adult chair when use of the latter is instead desired. The child seat is comprised of a molded, generally U-shaped base and back which are pivotally interconnected to enable the child seat to assume a low profile, folded disposition when the child seat is recessed within the chamber of the adult chair. A cushioned panel, pivotally coupled to the back of the adult chair, rests on the folded child seat when the latter is in its retracted, non-use position for comfortable support of an adult using the adult chair. A lever mechanism and guide track arrangement provide proper movement of the child seat between its extended position for use and its recessed, non-use position.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: September 6, 1988Inventor: Marcia A. Musgrove
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Patent number: 4596420Abstract: A child's seat assembly securable, preferably within the seat back of the backseat of a vehicle. This invention includes a molded seal and frame which is interconnectable between the vehicle's seat back support structure. The molded seat is releasably positionable, generally within the perimeter of the frame, which is preferably tubular. The frame fits either between two seat back portions or at one end of a seat back portion when installed as original vehicle equipment. When installed as an after-market accessory, the vehicle's existing seat back must be modified to accommodate installation of the frame to the support structure of the vehicle. This assembly includes two lateral head support panels, a torso containment panel, and, preferably, a foot support panel. The two head support panels are generally vertically hinged, the hinges mounted along either upper portion of the frame, while the foot support is hinged along a lower transverse cross member of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1984Date of Patent: June 24, 1986Inventor: Rohit Vaidya
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Patent number: 4496189Abstract: A seat device comprises a pair of main seat portions which can be turned backwards and arranged close to each other, a pair of main seat back portions projecting upwardly from the main seat portions, respectively, a pair of auxiliary seat portions attached to both sides of each main seat portion, and a pair of auxiliary seat back portion attached to both sides of each main seat back portion. All the auxiliary seat back portions and the seat portions are movable between an extended position and an unextended position. The seat device is suitable for use in a van type automotive vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1982Date of Patent: January 29, 1985Assignees: Nissan Motor Company, Limited, Aichi Machine Industry Company, Limited, Ikeda Bussan Company LimitedInventors: Hiroyuki Tanizaki, Sakae Ebihara, Akimitsu Hatanaka, Takayoshi Ogawa, Yuzo Kanazawa
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Patent number: 4381870Abstract: An improved versatile cart (20) structure is the subject of this invention. The cart (20) has a lower frame structure (20) for supporting bulky objects, a pair of spaced upright supports (30) extending from the lower frame (22) and an upper frame structure (30.1a) extending rearwardly from the upright support (30) and over the lower frame (22) in spaced relationship, for carrying objects and also forming a guide handle (32) for the cart (20). In preferred form, the cart (20) is configured for nesting engagement with similarly styled carts and for use for automatic cart vending systems. A unique wheel structure supports the cart (20) in a manner that enables stable positioning of the cart (20) on escalators. In one configuration, the cart (20) forms a luggage carrier having a child seat convertible to an adult seat for use as a temporary wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1981Date of Patent: May 3, 1983Assignee: Smarte Carte, Inc.Inventor: James M. Muellner
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Patent number: 4288124Abstract: A transfer stool for use with and carrying by a wheelchair is disclosed. The transfer stool includes a relatively narrow seat, a plurality of legs foldably secured to the seat for movement to and from a collapsed condition and an extended condition, wheels rotatably mounted to the legs, and a mounting structure for carrying of the transfer stool by the wheelchair in a collapsed condition, preferably in the same location as the conventional armrest structure of the wheelchair. In order to deploy the stool, the user slides the collapsed transfer stool forwardly from its stored position along the side of the chair, rotates the stool to a horizontal position, and extends the legs of the stool. The user can then shift from the chair to the stool, raise the folding back of the stool and move the stool independently of the chair to afford access to areas having relatively narrow passageways that would not accommodate a conventional wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1979Date of Patent: September 8, 1981Inventor: Rex Hamilton
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Patent number: 4074919Abstract: Disclosed is a chair frame unit adaptable to provide sectional furniture comprising a solid base having a solid type seat sectional frame resting upon it, a back frame unit resting atop the seat sectional frame and arm frames are arranged to rest atop the base unit adjacent to the side portions of the seat section and against the side portions of the back frame. The units are readily adaptable to be rigidly affixed to one another to form sofas comprising a number of the units in alignment.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1975Date of Patent: February 21, 1978Inventor: William R. Watts