Movement Of One Seat Effects Storage Of Either Seat Patents (Class 297/234)
  • Patent number: 10478367
    Abstract: A therapeutic massage chair is reclinable between a horizontal and inclined position. The chair includes an upper back support member and a lower support member that is axially movable along a support frame and is also rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the upper back support member. Electric linear actuators are provided to both axially move and oscillate the lower body support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ergo-Flex Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: J. T. Anderson, Linda C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10264885
    Abstract: An apparatus that supports a person in a variety of positions so that a tattoo artist can comfortably apply a tattoo to the skin of the supported person is herein disclosed. The apparatus can be articulated to cause a person's legs and arms to be optimally positioned and supported to receive a tattoo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: InkBed, Inc.
    Inventors: Cosmo J. Andoloro, Kevin Richardson
  • Patent number: 9693634
    Abstract: An expandable chair includes an extendable seat section which materially extends the width of the main seat section of the chair. When the width of the seat needs to be lengthened, lateral sections are provided which are rotated up from beneath the main center section of the seat and then locked adjacent to the center section. The lateral sections can be rotated down and locked beneath the center section when chair expansion is not desired. Extendable support arms, adjustable outward from the back section of the chair, are provided when the width of the seat's center section is lengthened. These support arms are located behind the back support section and are configured to be slid outward when needed. A unique rack and pinion gear system allows the support arms to be extended and locked in a plurality of lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Charles Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 8950814
    Abstract: A backrest for a vehicle includes a head restraint which can be adjusted to a higher position. The head restraint includes a head part and a support, which is guided displaceably in the backrest, for the head part being transferable from a use region, which is delimited by an upper use position and a lower use position, into a lower not-in-use position in which the backrest is blocked by an interfering structure against use, wherein the support triggers the interfering structure upon transfer of the head restraint into the lower not-in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marcus Lohmann
  • 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: 8894138
    Abstract: A collapsible mobile furniture frame is provided that includes a center frame, a left frame and a right frame. The left and right frames each include a seat base and a seat back. The left and right seat backs are pivotally connected to the left and right seat bases, respectively, such that the left and right seat backs are capable of pivoting downwardly to a collapsed position against the left seat base. Likewise, the right seat back is pivotally connected to the right seat base by right back hinges such that the right back is capable of pivoting downwardly about the right back hinges to a collapsed position against the right seat base. The left and right frames are pivotally connected to the center seat base such that they are capable of pivoting upwardly to a collapsed position against the center seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Better Off Clever LLC
    Inventor: Dustin Monahan
  • Patent number: 8801095
    Abstract: A chair including a fold down seat which is closed against the side or rear of a stroller or wheelchair for transit or storage, but which is deployable to rotate outwardly therefrom for sitting upon when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Philip D Moody
  • Patent number: 8777305
    Abstract: A multifunction chair with a floor rocker detachable from a base that is usable as a stool. The floor rocker and base are readily attached and detached by means of a quick-release mechanism having first and second couplers on the floor rocker and the seat plate of the base, respectively. The first coupler includes a rearward projection from a cross-member on the rocker and has left and right side latch mechanisms below the rear portion of the seat of the rocker, the latch mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch bolt. The second coupler is an integral part of the seat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: J Squared, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Jannetides, Adam Anderson
  • Patent number: 8708410
    Abstract: An aircraft seat set is provided that allows for providing extra room for passengers and/or allow for selectively increasing the width of an aircraft aisle during enplaning and deplaning and/or increasing the width of some seats during flight. In one embodiment, the aisle seat of the seat set is movably connected to the seat frame of the seat set to allow the aisle seat to be disposed above and in front of the middle seat of the seat set for enplaning and deplaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Molon Labe LLC
    Inventors: Frank Matthew Scott, Kevin Lee Van Liere
  • Patent number: 8579351
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device capable of providing a space in which a large sized load can be disposed. A seat device is provided with a left rear seat and a right rear seat arranged next to each other in the vehicle width direction, and also with a left front movement device for moving the left rear seat to a left foot space located in front of the left rear seat. The left rear seat having been moved to the left foot space is moved through a lateral slide rail up to a right foot space located in front of the right rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takakura, Kazutomo Isonaga, Toshihiko Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8434820
    Abstract: The invention discloses a vehicle seat with a stowable central segment seat part. The central segment seat part is supported by means of a support element on an additional seat part and is adjustable in a longitudinal direction relative to said additional seat part. The support element is thereby secured against unwanted movement by means of at least one securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Stuart Woolston, Stefan Flucht, Peter Szegeny
  • Patent number: 8393677
    Abstract: An automotive seat system includes a first seat having a back portion and a bottom portion, and a second seat movably attached with the first seat. The second seat moveable between an extended and folded position. One of the back portion and bottom portion of the first seat configured to receive and stow the second seat if in the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Stanislaw Andrzej Wieclawski
  • Patent number: 8313146
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, particularly for a center seat in a row of seats. The seat includes a back part swivel connected to a seat part so that the back part and seat part swivel away from each other in a seating position and swivel toward one another in a first stowage position. The seat back may be altered in its longitudinal extent between the first stowage position and a second stowage position such that the seat back has a seat length and a shorter stowage length. The seat further includes a traveling mechanism which automatically moves the back part longitudinally from the seat length to the shorter stowage length when the back part is folded into the first stowage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Wagner, Carsten Schauf, Herbert Tiefert, Robert Spahl
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8251427
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a row of seats in a vehicle includes a right seat connected with a vehicle body of the vehicle, a left seat connected with the vehicle body, and a middle seat positioned between the right seat and the left seat. At least one of the right seat and the left seat is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the other seat and the vehicle body. Movement of the at least one seat toward the other seat can collapse the middle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8246114
    Abstract: A utility seat encompasses a length of fabric of a tear-resistant, flexible material that can be secured to two spaced apart vehicle seats in a row of seats between the two vehicle seats to form the utility seat. A backrest section and a seat section are arranged thereupon. The length of fabric can be refracted into a cassette to be arranged between the vehicle seats when the utility seat is not in use, and extended from the cassette when using the utility seat. The cassette has a width configured to accommodate the length of fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jens Winter, Jürgen Maier
  • 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: 8128103
    Abstract: An optionally deployable side seat for a baby stroller, to seat a second child, is secured by hand-operated connectors to nearly any baby or child stroller, without tools. The side seat faces to the side of the stroller and has a deployed position in which two wheels mounted in tandem on the side seat frame contact the pavement. For stowing the side seat remains on the stroller, and two quick-release lockable joints, in the position of arms on the side seat, are released and raised upwardly, which folds the seat bottom up against the seat back and raises up a lower frame portion that supports the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Marie Schutzendorf, Corbett Griffith
  • Publication number: 20110304179
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device capable of providing a space in which a large sized load can be disposed. A seat device is provided with a left rear seat and a right rear seat arranged next to each other in the vehicle width direction, and also with a left front movement device for moving the left rear seat to a left foot space located in front of the left rear seat. The left rear seat having been moved to the left foot space is moved through a lateral slide rail up to a right foot space located in front of the right rear seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takakura, Kazutomo Isonaga, Toshihiko Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20110187146
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a row of seats in a vehicle includes a right seat connected with a vehicle body of the vehicle, a left seat connected with the vehicle body, and a middle seat positioned between the right seat and the left seat. At least one of the right seat and the left seat is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the other seat and the vehicle body. Movement of the at least one seat toward the other seat can collapse the middle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20110175406
    Abstract: An infant carrier apparatus having multiple seating positions comprises a support frame, a seat assembly connected with the support frame, and a backrest assembly including a backrest frame. The seat assembly includes a first seat frame and a second seat frame, and the second seat frame is operable to rotate relative to the first seat frame between an unfolded position and a folded position. The backrest frame is operable to rotate about a pivot axle relative to the support frame, wherein the folded position of the second seat frame is substantially parallel and adjacent to the backrest frame. Because the second seat frame can be conveniently folded to a disabled state adjacent to the backrest frame, erroneous use of the second seat frame can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Xiang Yong ZENG
  • Patent number: 7918503
    Abstract: An adjustable seat (1) incorporates a moveable squab element (4). The squab element may be moved from an initial position in which the squab element is flush with the remaining parts of the vehicle seat to a first intermediate position and then to a subsequent second position. The squab is mounted on a first linkage (7) which carries an intermediate support. A second linkage (10) extends from the intermediate support to a seat mount (9) incorporated with the squab element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Anders Ahlqvist, Lars Carlstedt, Lennart Haglund, Per-Olof Svensson, Björn Jansson, Carin Stenmark, Ulrika Landelius
  • Patent number: 7871124
    Abstract: The invention is an improved child safety seat that is integrated into a vehicle seat back. The seat back rotates vertically to allow the child safety seat to be revealed and integrated into the back of the vehicle seat. The child safety seat is capable of facing either forward or rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Shakir Hinds
  • Patent number: 7726730
    Abstract: A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle includes a first and a second substantially planar region. The seat is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first region is horizontal and acts as the seat, and the second region is vertical and acts as the seat back, such that the passenger is facing forward. In the second position, the first region is vertical and acts as the seat back, and the second region is horizontal and acts as the seat, such that the passenger is facing backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH
    Inventors: Classen Peter, Hofer Carsten
  • Patent number: 7712829
    Abstract: A seat structure for a vehicle includes front and rear seat bodies each including a seat cushion and a back rest. Each seat cushion has a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion. Each back rest has an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The seat structure also includes first slide rails supporting the front and rear seat bodies in a fore and aft arrangement respectively. The front and rear seat bodies are configured to move backward and forward along the first slide rails. The seat structure further includes a lock member coupled to the front seat body for selectively securing the front seat body relative to the first slide rails. The lock member is movable between a locked position and a released position. The seat structure further includes a push member coupled to the rear seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Gilsam Park
  • Patent number: 7578551
    Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly comprises a continuous row of a plurality of seats including a convertible aisle seat at one end of the row and one or more other seats. The seats are moveable between (i) a first configuration in which all of the seats are positioned in a useable position and a second configuration in which (a) the convertible seat is positioned in an unusable position in the row, (b) said one or more other seats are positioned in a useable position, and (c) the row of seats has a length, along the row, that is less than the length of the row in the first configuration for example by a distance of more than half the width of the convertible seat in the first configuration. The width of said one or more other seats may remain unchanged as between the first and second configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Airbus UK Limited
    Inventor: Luis Gonzalez Liñero
  • Patent number: 7497514
    Abstract: A portable bench includes a first seat member, a first back rest member attached to the first seat member, a second seat member attached to the first seat member, and a second back rest member attached to the second seat member. The first back rest member attaches to the first seat member such that at least one of the first seat member and the first back rest member pivots about a first axis. The second seat member attaches to the first seat member such that at least one of the first seat member and the second seat member pivots about a second axis that is at least substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The second back rest member attaches to the second seat member such that at least one of the second seat member and the second back rest member pivots about a third axis that is at least substantially parallel to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Ramkoh, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Ramsey, Emanuel Kohelis, Aaron Marshall
  • 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: 6663174
    Abstract: A passenger chair which can be converted into a child chair, including a floor frame, a passenger back rest with side members which are linked with rear side portions of the frame for tilting the passenger back rest backwards and forwards, the passenger back rest having a first flap the top of which is linked with an upper portion of the passenger back rest and a second flap with a first end portion which is linked with a lower end portion of the first flap. The passenger chair has a mechanism which, when the passenger back rest is moved forwards, effects a forcible rotation of the second flap to an approximately horizontal position, while at the same time the first flap is moved forwards. The first flap thereby forms a back rest and the second flap a seat of a child chair which faces in the opposite direction relative to the passenger chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Sit Safe AS
    Inventors: Thorbjørn Drage, Erlend Langsrud
  • Patent number: 6488333
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Hoon Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6406094
    Abstract: A combination stiffener and ganger bracket is designed for a stackable chair of the type having a generally horizontal seating surface and four downwardly extending legs. The bracket has a generally planar body with an attachment tab at both of its ends. Two edges of the bracket extend between the ends of the bracket. A hook member extends from one of the edges while an engagement tab extends from the other edge. A stacking tab projects from the plane of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Lohness, R. Duane Ware
  • Patent number: 6386629
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a console pivotally mounted on a seat back and a booster seat movable between a stowed positioned and an upright position. The seat includes a seat bottom having first and second portions which define a generally horizontal seating surface. A console is selectively disposed in a recess formed in one of the first and second portions. A first side of the console defines a console seating surface. The console is pivotable between a first position, wherein the console seating surface is generally co-planar with the seating surface of the first and second portions, and a second position, wherein the console is pivoted outwardly from a front edge exposing the second side of the console. A second recess is formed in the seating surface of the seat bottom between the front and rear edges to define a second rear support area located between the rear edge and the second recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Severinski, Mark E. Rodgers, Don H. Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 6106060
    Abstract: A seating arrangement comprising two seats mounted to a single support pole, each seat capable of being rotated about the support pole and stowed independently of the other. The seating arrangement may also include a single seat slidably and rotatably mounted to a support pole. In one embodiment, the seat may changed from the stowed to the in-use position, or vice versa, by rotating the seat about the support pole, without requiring any upward or downward movement of the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Volunteers for Medical Engineering
    Inventor: John H. Staehlin
  • Patent number: 5810430
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Greenwhich Industries, L.P.
    Inventors: John Jack Bryjak, Arthur Hergott, Troy W. Livingston
  • Patent number: 5806926
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle child safety seat that permits the seat to be safely used by a child as well as by an adult without any modification of the seat. The convertible vehicle child safety seat is easily operated by any adult passenger of a vehicle without any special training or instructions. The convertible vehicle child safety seat automatically converts to a seat for an adult when it is not in use by a child. The convertible vehicle child safety seat is particularly suited for use in public transportation vehicles such as buses, railway passenger cars and the like, particularly since such vehicles have no provisions for protecting young children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: David A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5775642
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly convertible between a two-seat configuration and a three-seat configuration, including a seat assembly base and first, second and third seats for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions. The first and third seats defining outboard seats are moveable on the seat assembly base and the second seat defines a center seat carried in a fixed position on the seat assembly base. A gear drive is carried by the seat assembly base and interconnects the first and third seats for simultaneous movement relative to each other and to the second seat. The first and third seats move towards each other into the two-seat configuration wherein the first and third seats encroach upon the second seat and define a dead zone between the first and third seat. The first and third seats are moveable away from each other into the three-seat configuration wherein the second seat defines a center seat having the same seating width as the first and third seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Beroth
  • Patent number: 5720514
    Abstract: A console assembly for use with a pair of seats in the forward passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle including a seatback portion that may be positioned in a contiguous fashion between the seatbacks of the front seat assemblies and pivoted to a generally horizontal position to provide an armrest, and an auxiliary seat having a second lower portion normally positioned below the seatback portion when the latter assumes a generally horizontal position, the second lower portion being pivotally mounted on a housing member secured to the vehicle body structure and adjustable forward to an inverted position, the second lower portion having a cup retaining portion and a storage bin portion arranged in transverse, side-by-side relationship whereby the cup retaining portion and the storage bin are located for easy access by a vehicle driver or passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Carlsen, Daniel E. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 5690381
    Abstract: A folding spare seat for a vehicle, adapted to be arranged in a space about a side of a seat cushion of a main seat and adapted to be accommodated vertically in the space about the side of the seat cushion of the main seat after use of the spare seat, the spare seat comprising a seat cushion, a seat back foldably supported to the seat cushion of the spare seat, a support mechanism for pivotally supporting the seat cushion of the spare seat, the seat cushion of the spare seat pivotally supported to the support mechanism at points thereof which are spaced laterally from the side of the seat cushion of the main seat at an interval which is longer than a total width of the seat cushion and seat back of the spare seat in a folded state, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the seat cushion of the spare seat to keep the seat cushion of the spare seat horizontal or vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignees: Tokyo Seat Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hasegawa, Naohiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5609392
    Abstract: An integrated child seat includes a movable cushion insert (16) that is supported on a seat frame (12) for movement between a lower position, wherein the cushion insert is aligned with a seating surface (15), and a raised position, wherein the cushion insert is disposed above the seating surface. When the cushion insert is in the raised position, it is available for use by a small child. The cushion insert is supported in the raised position by a foldable support assembly (18). A latch member (20) engages the support assembly and maintains the cushion insert in the raised position. A locking member (22) locks the cushion insert in a lower position. A release (24) releases the locking member when the cushion insert is to be moved from the lower position and releases the latch member when the cushion insert is to be moved from the raised position. A single push button actuator (26) provides simple operation of the release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Lear Seating Corporation
    Inventor: Tomas Stigson
  • Patent number: 5597139
    Abstract: A passenger seat assembly convertible between a two-seat configuration and a three-seat configuration, including a seat assembly base and first, second and third seats for carrying respective seat bottom and seat back cushions. The first and third seats defining outboard seats are moveable on the seat assembly base and the second seat defines a center seat carried in a fixed position on the seat assembly base. A gear drive is carried by the seat assembly base and interconnects the first and third seats for simultaneous movement relative to each other and to the second seat. The first and third seats move towards each other into the two-seat configuration wherein the first and third seats encroach upon the second seat and define a dead zone between the first and third seat. The first and third seats are moveable away from each other into the three-seat configuration wherein the second seat defines a center seat having the same seating width as the first and third seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Burns Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Beroth
  • 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: 5390976
    Abstract: A console assembly for use in an automotive vehicle body passenger compartment is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing member interposed between a pair of seats in the vehicle, an armrest member and a bottom member pivotally secured to the housing member. The armrest member and bottom member pivot from a first position defining an auxiliary seat to a second position defining a console assembly in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John F. Doughty, Christopher S. Clements, Jospeh M. Naujokas, Shabbir A. Kathiria
  • Patent number: 4883318
    Abstract: An improved vehicle seat comprising a cushion member formed of foam material is disclosed which is provided with a frame-like shape-retaining member of a wire material embedded within the cushion member. The shape-retaining member includes a buttocks support element to which a peripheral element is pivotably connected for up and down rotation with respect to the buttocks support section to provide a continuous top sitting surface for the buttocks support element and the movable peripheral support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Tachikawa Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Adachi
  • Patent number: 4883320
    Abstract: Resin-made support panels for supporting the ischium torus, lumbar and shoulder blade portions of a person seated are molded integral onto sheet-like springs which are plain-woven by resin fibers, and side rims of the sheet-like springs are connected to frames by means of hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Izumida, Katsumi Kitamura