Located At The Front Of The Seat Bottom Patents (Class 297/284.11)
  • Patent number: 8393681
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle seat comprising a seat part and to a restraint device and a corresponding method of manufacture. The vehicle seat comprises an anti-submarining restraint device for preventing an occupant from slipping through on the vehicle seat when decelerated due to a crash, said restraint device being settable to a retracted inactive position and said restraint device being settable to an extended active position. The seat part, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, has lateral seat parts on both sides of the seat, a padding defining a seat area and a padding support below said padding. The restraint device is arranged between the padding support and the padding and spaced apart from the lateral parts by means of a locking element provided for locking the restraint device in the active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Harald Mund
  • Patent number: 8366194
    Abstract: A vehicle seat can include a seat cushion having a main portion and a tiltable portion, and a drive mechanism having a small gear and a large gear. The small and large gears are respectively attached to the main portion while meshing with each other. The tiltable portion is arranged and constructed to vertically move when the large gear is rotated upwardly and downwardly with respect to a rotationally reference position based on rotation of the small gear. The small gear and the large gear are positioned such that rotation centers thereof are vertically offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8308235
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seat back. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. At least one wire frame section is secured to the first foam member and extends rearwardly therefrom toward a rear of the seat base for mounting the seat base to an associated vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co.
    Inventors: Terrie Ellison, Trenton Hobbs, Derek Shane Lindsay, William J. Gross
  • Patent number: 8297697
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle seat comprising a seat part and to a restraint device and a corresponding method of manufacture. The vehicle seat comprises an anti-submarining restraint device for preventing an occupant from slipping through on the vehicle seat when decelerated due to a crash, said restraint device being settable to an extended inactive position and said restraint device being settable to an extended active position. The seat part, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, has a padding defining a seat area, and a padding support below said padding. The restraint device is arranged between the padding support and the padding and spaced apart from the lateral parts by means of a locking element (e.g. detent recesses (28) or the like) provided for locking the restraint device in the active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Harald Mund
  • Patent number: 8272687
    Abstract: The invention relates to vehicle seat comprising a seat part and to a restraint device and a corresponding method of manufacture. The vehicle seat comprises an anti-submarining restraint device for preventing an occupant from slipping through on the vehicle seat when decelerated due to a crash, said restraint device being settable to a retracted inactive position and said restraint device being settable to an extended active position. The seat part, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, has lateral seat parts on both sides of the seat, a padding defining a seat area and a padding support (34) below said padding. The restraint device also comprises a tilting element (24) between the padding support and the padding and spaced apart from the lateral parts, said tilting element having at least one deformable element (24) as an energy dissipation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Gross, Harald Mund
  • Patent number: 8231174
    Abstract: When a seat (10) is to be stowed, a seat pad (28) is moved toward a seat (10) reverse side, pad side portions (32) are rotated toward the seat (10) reverse side with respect to a pad center portion (30), and a center portion (12) and side portions (14) of the seat (10) are contracted. Here, interlockingly with contraction of the side portions (14), a skin (42) is bent and folded in at portions covering distal ends of vertical walls (22) of a wall panel (18) and at second fixing portions (42B). Due thereto, slack of the skin (42) at seat (10) lateral direction end surfaces can be taken in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamada, Hideki Kobayashi, Takeshi Tokai, Masaki Mori, Keisuke Onoda, Makoto Itou
  • Patent number: 8210611
    Abstract: A seat with an adjustable seat depth is also provided, along with various methods for operating the different aspects and embodiments of the seating structure. In one embodiment, a seating structure includes a support structure and a carriage moveably supported by the support structure. The carriage is moveable relative to the support structure in opposite first and second longitudinal directions. A flexible body support member has a first portion coupled to the support structure, a second portion coupled to the carriage, and a third curved portion positioned between the first and second portions. The third portion is moveable toward and away from the support structure as the carriage is moved relative to the support structure in the first and second directions respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, James D. Slagh, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Patent number: 8167370
    Abstract: A seat cushion adjusting apparatus includes a support member configuring a frame of a seat cushion, a seating member supported by the support member and configuring an outer shape of the seat cushion, an adjustment member fastening a front end portion of the seating member in a longitudinal direction of a seat, and a movement mechanism rotatably connecting the adjustment member and moving the adjustment member relative to the support member in the longitudinal direction, the movement mechanism including a transmission member extending in a width direction of the seat at a front side of the support member, a lever rotatably connected to the support member, a first gear plate rotatably connected to the lever and the transmission member and having a first gear, and a second gear plate rotatably connected to the transmission member and the adjustment member and having a second gear meshing with the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Arakawa, Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 8162397
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for a vehicle includes a frame and a covering. The covering has a first portion and a second portion. A flexure region, having an arched shape, is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The covering at least partially extends over the frame to the first portion. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the covering, at the first portion. The first portion and the second portion define a linear distance therebetween. The adjustment mechanism is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion such that the flexure region moves to change the linear distance between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Robert L. Demick
  • Patent number: 8128167
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seat base. An extension member is operably connected to the seat base. A seat cover partially extends over the extension member and seat base and partially stored on a roller below the seat pan. A bladder is disposed between the seat base and the extension member. Inflation of the bladder forces the extension member forward relative to the seat base and unroll a portion of the seat cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Zhong, Dumitru Dan Nae
  • Patent number: 8100471
    Abstract: An adjustable seat ramp adapted for use with a seat base and defining a first angle of inclination, includes a structure translatably disposed within or integrally formed with the base and presenting a first position, and further includes an actuator employing a shape memory material element and configured to cause the structure to translate to a second position, wherein a second angle of inclination is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer P. Lawall, Steven E. Morris, Diane K. McQueen, Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Nilesh D. Mankame
  • Patent number: 8042867
    Abstract: A chair having an adjustable seat pan is disclosed. The chair includes a seat frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat back attached to the rear end of the seat frame, a seat pan pivotally connected to the seat frame, and a seat drop down link having a first end attached to the seat frame and a second end in contact with a catch member located beneath the seat pan so that the seat pan can be raised and lowered from a flat position to approximately a 6° angle with respect to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Meister, Larry Hazbun
  • Publication number: 20110254335
    Abstract: A seat base length adjustment device including a seat nose plate assembled on a carriage movable with respect to the seating frame, means for slidably guiding the carriage, and means for maintaining the carriage in position with respect to said frame. The sliding guide means comprises a guide rail located in a middle portion of the carriage, the carriage supports a toothed wheel, rotatably assembled on the carriage along an axis perpendicular to the seating frame and to the sliding direction, and meshing with a rack arranged close to the guide rail, and the means for maintaining the carriage in position comprises a lock acting on the rotation of the toothed wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile
    Inventors: Bernard PRADIER, Jérôme Planson
  • Patent number: 8025335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chair with a seat, a base support and a backrest, wherein the seat is pivotably mounted on the base support and the backrest is pivotably mounted on the seat, and a first spring system is provided between the base support and the seat and a second spring system is provided between the seat and the backrest. Furthermore, means are provided for adjusting the spring behavior of the two spring systems so that the pivotability of the seat in relation to the base support and the pivotability of the backrest in relation to the seat can be adapted to different requirements, especially to users of different weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Wilkhahn Wilkening + Hahne GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Gehner
  • Patent number: 8016355
    Abstract: A seat cushion adjusting apparatus includes: a supporting member, forming a frame of a seat cushion; a seat member and forming an outer shape of the seat cushion; an adjusting member, engaging with an end portion of the seat member; a moving mechanism, rotatably connected to the adjusting member and moving the adjusting member in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the supporting member; and an adjusting lever, one end thereof rotatably connected to the supporting member and the other end thereof rotatably connected to the adjusting member. The adjusting lever moves the end portion of the seat member by rotating the adjusting member around an axis to adjust the outer shape of the seat cushion in accordance with, a movement of the adjusting member in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the supporting member by a means of the moving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadao Ito, Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8011728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat having a backrest and a seat surface device that forms a seat surface and that is provided with a pad cover, in particular an outer pad cover, wherein the seat depth of the seat surface is adjustable. A seat depth adjustment device facilitates seat depth adjustment, the seat depth adjustment device including a first deflection device for deflecting the seat pad cover in the end region of the seat surface remote from the backrest, a flexible part that is coupled to the pad cover, and at least one second deflection device for deflecting the flexible part, the second deflection device being arranged at a distance from the first deflection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Josef Kohl, Christian Erker
  • Patent number: 7997648
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a seat depth adjustment of a motor vehicle seat that has (a) a seat pan comprising a seat part and a supporting plate, the supporting plate being slidably connected to the seat part via a guide in a longitudinal direction and (b) an electric gear motor comprising a pinion. The seat part comprises a first gear plate. The supporting plate comprises a second gear plate. The guide has a left and a right profile and a left and a right counterprofile. A toothed rack extending in the same direction is associated with each counterprofile. The teeth of the two toothed racks face each other. Each toothed rack engages a gear wheel. One of the gear wheels engages an idler gear. The other gear wheel and the idler gear engage the pinion of the gear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker, Frank Peters
  • Patent number: 7946972
    Abstract: A seating is provided that is adapted for imparting at least partial body support to a user in multiple positions. The seating apparatus has a support structure holding a body supporting assembly that includes one member defining a seating surface and another member that can be configured to form an auxiliary body support surface essentially parallel to and at a different level than the seating surface. The different level preferably includes at least one level that is below that of the seating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Gayo Labs Ltd.
    Inventors: Rami Guissin, Yonatan Arnon
  • Patent number: 7938488
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the seat depth of a motor vehicle seat includes a base element to be arranged in a manner fixed on the seat framework, a supporting element which is mounted in a longitudinally movable manner on the base element and is intended for supporting a seat user and guide device by means of which the supporting element is guided movably on the base element along an adjustment direction. The guide device includes a first guide mechanism, in the vicinity of which the supporting element is supported on the base element and at which the supporting element and the base element interact with play in a direction perpendicular to the adjustment direction and to the supporting direction, and a second guide mechanism with which the supporting element is guided on the base element in an essentially play-free manner perpendicular to the adjustment direction and to the supporting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Heiko Thiel, Jochen Hofmann, Gregor Kröner
  • Patent number: 7918506
    Abstract: A padding structure for a chair includes a back support, a seat plate, a foam disposed on the back support, two guiding lines mounted on the back support, and two guiding lines mounted on the seat plate. Each guiding line of the back support and the seat plate is connected with a resilient member to control flexibility of the resilient member. An adjustable member is used to control the expansion and retraction of the guiding lines to drive the resilient members to change their radii of curvature, correcting the user's improper posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Chern Shing Top Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsueh-Sheng Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7909401
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the seat depth of a motor vehicle seat includes a seat depth adjustment part which is movable relative to a seat lower part of the motor vehicle seat substantially in the direction of travel, an adjusting unit for the seat depth adjustment part as well as a guide device for cushion material covering the seat depth adjustment part. The adjustment unit for the seat depth adjustment part as well as the guide device for the cushion material form one unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Hofmann, Gregor Kröner
  • Patent number: 7878589
    Abstract: An occupant restraint device having a high degree of freedom in attachment of an airbag is provided. A retainer 16 is applied to the inner surface of a lower portion of an airbag 12. A stub bolt 20 projecting downward from the lower surface of the retainer 16 is inserted in a bolt insertion hole 12a of the airbag 12, and a first nut 24 is screwed on the stud bolt 20 via a backing plate 22 from outside the airbag 12. Thereby, the airbag 12 is connected to the retainer 16. A gas generator 14 is connected to the retainer 16 by a bracket 30. The stud bolt 20 is disposed on the rear side from a center line of the airbag 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiki Murakami, Masayoshi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7874621
    Abstract: The seat depth adjustable motor vehicle seat comprises a first seat part, a second seat part and a longitudinal adjustment device interposed between the first seat part and the second seat part and allowing for displacement movement in a first seat direction of the first seat part relative to the second seat part. The seat further comprises a toothed rack connected to the second seat part and extending substantially in the first seat direction. A primary gear meshes with the toothed rack. A secondary gear is in rotating communication with the primary gear. A toothed bar extends substantially in a second seat direction and engages the secondary gear. A third seat part is slidably disposed in the second seat direction and is connected to the toothed bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Gumbrich, Stefan Gebauer, Nils Magnus
  • Patent number: 7871126
    Abstract: The seat depth adjustable vehicle seat has a seat frame that has an adjustable front edge and a padding carried by a seat frame. The padding extends about the front edge and adopts different positions with respect to the front edge. The padding has at least two layers. There is provided one inner and one outer layer. The inner layer is located between the front edge and the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammererstein & GmbH & Co. K.G.
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Publication number: 20110006573
    Abstract: A seat cushion adjusting apparatus includes a support member configuring a frame of a seat cushion, a seating member supported by the support member and configuring an outer shape of the seat cushion, an adjustment member fastening a front end portion of the seating member in a longitudinal direction of a seat, and a movement mechanism rotatably connecting the adjustment member and moving the adjustment member relative to the support member in the longitudinal direction, the movement mechanism including a transmission member extending in a width direction of the seat at a front side of the support member, a lever rotatably connected to the support member, a first gear plate rotatably connected to the lever and the transmission member and having a first gear, and a second gear plate rotatably connected to the transmission member and the adjustment member and having a second gear meshing with the first gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji ARAKAWA, Sadao ITO
  • Patent number: 7866696
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a lower seat portion and a seatback portion. The seatback portion is selectively movable to vary the reclination angle of the seatback portion. The seat assembly is configured so that a first part of the lower seat portion rises relative to a second part of the lower seat portion so that the lower seat portion acts as an occupant restraint when a predetermined condition exists. Exemplary predetermined conditions include the reclination angle changing, the reclination angle exceeding a predetermined amount, and conditions indicative of an elevated risk of vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Bing Deng, Margaret M. Andreen, Janet S. Goings, Dorel M. Sala, Daniel Shakespear, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Gary L. Jones
  • Patent number: 7806476
    Abstract: A seat, especially an airplane or vehicle seat, has a seat part placed on the stand-type seat structure (12) in relation to a base and provided with a bearing part (18) on its front side. The bearing part (18) is embodied in a flexible manner and can move in the direction of the seat structure (12) when a predefined seating load is exerted on it. When the load is discharged, it can move back into its initial position in the opposite direction from the seat structure (12). This arrangement creates a seat whose front part is maintained in a flexible manner such that the front area of the seat part yields according to the seating load exerted by the seat user. The pressure forces are limited to the lower side of the upper thighs of the seat user. As a result, the cross-sections of the veins in that region are not reduced, but are maintained such that the circulation of the blood is not impeded, significantly reducing the risk of thrombosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Forgatsch, Hartmut Schürg, Sven Achilles
  • Patent number: 7770973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chair with a seat, a base support and a backrest, wherein the seat is mounted on the base support so as to be pivotable about a first pivoting axis and the backrest is mounted on the seat so as to be pivotable about a second pivoting axis. The two pivoting axes are arranged so as to be displaceable relative to one another in order to be able to change the seat depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Wilkhahn Wilkening + Hahne GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Gehner, Michael Englisch
  • Patent number: 7758121
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Pablo D. Zavattieri, Ukpai I. Ukpai, John C. Ulicny, John A. Cafeo, Rainer A. Glaser, Gary L. Jones, James Y. Khoury, Carol Ann Perelli, William R. Rodgers, Xiujie Gao
  • Patent number: 7753446
    Abstract: A seat which may be adjusted in its longitudinal direction, in particular a vehicle seat, contains a seat cushion with a front part and a rear part. The front part may be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the seat and in its height relative to the rear part. The front part is guided for adjustment in two rails which are arranged obliquely to a seat surface of the rear part of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus-Claus Kübler, Joerg Dittus
  • Patent number: 7740311
    Abstract: In a front part inside a seat cushion are arranged a catching member extending in a widthwise direction of the seat cushion and movable up and down, and inertial force transmission means for moving the catching member upward by the inertial force that acts on an inertial mass at the time of rapid deceleration. When a passenger sits on the seat cushion, the catching member moves down so as not to deteriorate the seat comfort, and at the time of rapid deceleration, the catching member moves up and stops the passenger's hips from moving forward. Thus it is reliably prevented that the passenger moves forward, without deteriorating the seat comfort, and the design is simple, lightweight, and low-cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Taoka, Tetsurou Ushijima
  • Patent number: 7735922
    Abstract: A passenger seat, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, has seat components such as a seat frame (20), a backrest (12), and a seat cushion carrier (30) with seat cushion (16). The seat depth between backrest (12) and a seat front edge (26) can be varied by an adjustment mechanism (32) with an energy accumulator, such that the seat depth is adjustable and fastenable in desired adjustment positions. The adjustment mechanism has at least one variable-volume energy accumulator. An adjustment position of the seat depth may be associated with each volume level. The seat depth adjustment may be effected essentially free of mechanical components such as sets of levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Andreas Frey, Jurgen Bauer
  • Patent number: 7726739
    Abstract: A seat structure comprises a base (1), a back and a bolster (2) located on at least one edge of the base or back. The bolster (2) includes an upholstered cover (3) and a support structure (4) for controlling the position of the upholstered cover (3). The support structure (4) comprises: a support member (11) pivotally mounted for pivotal movement between a raised position in which the support member (11) supports the upholstered cover (3) in a raised state, and a lowered position in which the upholstered cover (3) is no longer supported in the raised state, a first strut member (14) pivotally connected to the support member (11) and a second strut member (16) pivotally connected to the first strut member (14) to form with the first strut member (14) an over-centre strut (13) which, when in its over-centre configuration, holds the support member in its raised state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Wain
  • Publication number: 20100109401
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for a vehicle includes a frame and a covering. The covering has a first portion and a second portion. A flexure region, having an arched shape, is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The covering at least partially extends over the frame to the first portion. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the covering, at the first portion. The first portion and the second portion define a linear distance therebetween. The adjustment mechanism is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion such that the flexure region moves to change the linear distance between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Robert L. Demick
  • Publication number: 20100060058
    Abstract: The seat depth adjustable vehicle seat has a seat frame that has an adjustable front edge and a padding carried by a seat frame. The padding extends about the front edge and adopts different positions with respect to the front edge. The padding has at least two layers. There is provided one inner and one outer layer. The inner layer is located between the front edge and the outer layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 7669928
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adjustable thigh support, the vehicle seat comprising an adjustable thigh-support component, wherein the component is an adjustment plate that is moveable in the fore and aft directions of the vehicle; and wherein the adjustment plate is positioned generally toward the front edge of the seat; a motor-driven vertical power screw for rotatably moving the adjustment plate in the fore and aft direction of the vehicle, wherein tile seat length is increased when the screw rotatably causes the adjustment plate to move in the fore direction of the vehicle, and wherein the seat length is decreased when the screw rotatably causes the adjustment plate to move in the aft direction of the vehicle; and a seat cushion having an underside that contacts at least a portion of the front face of the adjustment plate, wherein the surface area of the seat-cushion underside that contacts the front face of the adjustment plate varies as a function of the adjust-plate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Melinda Snyder
  • Patent number: 7669929
    Abstract: An adjustable motor vehicle seat with an underframe (20), a seat carrier (28) carried by the underframe (20), a cushion shell (34), a first longitudinal guide (44) being disposed between the seat carrier (28) and the cushion shell (34), and a first drive being provided for adjusting the cushion shell (34) relative to said seat carrier (28). The seat includes a front transverse beam (65) associated with a front edge (72) of the seat. A second longitudinal guide (64) is interposed between the cushion shell (34) and the transverse beam (65). A second drive is responsible for adjusting the seat carrier (28) relative to the cushion shell (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Simon, Nils Magnus, Waldemar Luft
  • Publication number: 20090302652
    Abstract: When a seat (10) is to be stowed, a seat pad (28) is moved toward a seat (10) reverse side, pad side portions (32) are rotated toward the seat (10) reverse side with respect to a pad center portion (30), and a center portion (12) and side portions (14) of the seat (10) are contracted. Here, interlockingly with contraction of the side portions (14), a skin (42) is bent and folded in at portions covering distal ends of vertical walls (22) of a wall panel (18) and at second fixing portions (42B). Due thereto, slack of the skin (42) at seat (10) lateral direction end surfaces can be taken in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamada, Hideki Kobayashi, Takeshi Tokai, Masaki Mori, Keisuke Onoda, Makoto Itou
  • Patent number: 7614693
    Abstract: A seating area adjuster for a seat of a vehicle includes a seating member having a seating surface, a support portion supporting the seating member, an adjustment mechanism connected with the seating member and supported by the support portion to be movable in an adjustment direction in which a length of the seating surface is adjusted and rotatable about a shaft extending perpendicular to the adjustment direction and to an up and down direction of the adjustment mechanism, a movement mechanism moving the adjustment mechanism in the adjustment direction relative to the support portion, and a rotation control mechanism controlling the adjustment mechanism to a predetermined rotational position corresponding an amount of a movement of the adjustment mechanism in the adjustment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 7597398
    Abstract: A seat for installation in a vehicle that is adjustable to support an occupant's thighs. The seat includes a generally-horizontal seat frame supporting a seat cushion including a front edge that at least partially extends outwardly beyond the seat frame, a seatback coupled to the seat frame for providing back support to the occupant while seated, and a seat bracket coupled to the seat frame and compatible with a floor bracket supported above a floor of a vehicle cabin for coupling the seat to the vehicle. The seat further includes an adjustable thigh support adjacent to a front portion of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7581789
    Abstract: A seat adjuster device for setting a first part of a motor vehicle seat relative to a second part comprising a curved piece connected to the first part and having a center and a regular front face; and a support piece connected to the second part and mounted to rotate about the center, and having a first and second clamping bevel. A first clamping body is arranged between the first clamping bevel and the front face; a second clamping body is arranged between the second clamping bevel and the front face. Two elastic means are arranged between the first clamping body and the support and the second clamping body and the support piece, respectively. The first and second clamping bodies are tensioned in first and a second rotational directions, respectively, to enable them to be pressed into their corresponding clamping gap in a clamped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Alexander Mishuris, Wilfried Beneker
  • Patent number: 7578554
    Abstract: A system configured to allow adjustment of a vehicle seat includes a securing bracket, an extension bracket, and a latching member. The securing bracket is configured to be secured to structure within a vehicle, and includes an adjustment guide track having a plurality of recessed grooves separated by a plurality of teeth or ribs. The extension bracket is movably secured to the securing bracket and includes a fixed arm track, a lever engaging arm positioned within the arm track, and a lever operatively connected to the lever engaging arm. The engaging arm includes a curved channel. The latching member includes a boss or knob and a protuberance. The boss is positioned within the curved channel. The protuberance is configured to be retained within each of the recessed grooves. Movement of the lever engaging arm in a first linear direction causes the latching member to move in a second linear direction that is perpendicular to the first linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joel R. Lee, Jordan M. Mackey, Peter A. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20090200848
    Abstract: A seat which may be adjusted in its longitudinal direction, in particular a vehicle seat, contains a seat cushion with a front part and a rear part. The front part may be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the seat and in its height relative to the rear part. The front part is guided for adjustment in two rails which are arranged obliquely to a seat surface of the rear part of the seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Markus-Claus Kubler, Joerg Dittus
  • Patent number: 7571964
    Abstract: An electric telescopic apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a base body provided at one of the vehicle seat or an ottoman, a movable body provided at a movable portion, the movable body assembled to the base body so as to extend or retract relative to the base body, a rack fixed on one of a top surface or a bottom surface of the base body or the movable body, the rack being formed in a plate shape which extends in the extending and retracting direction of the movable body and having teeth, a pinion housed in the other of the base body or the movable body and engaged with the rack, a drive unit for driving the pinion, and a guide mechanism provided at the base body and the movable body to guide the movable body in the extending and retracting direction of the movable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Taniguchi, Takuya Mizuno, Masaki Okada, Yukifumi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090174242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat having a backrest and a seat surface device that forms a seat surface and that is provided with a pad cover, in particular an outer pad cover, wherein the seat depth of the seat surface is adjustable. A seat depth adjustment device facilitates seat depth adjustment, the seat depth adjustment device including a first deflection device for deflecting the seat pad cover in the end region of the seat surface remote from the backrest, a flexible part that is coupled to the pad cover, and at least one second deflection device for deflecting the flexible part, the second deflection device being arranged at a distance from the first deflection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Grammar AG
    Inventors: Josef Kohl, Christian Erker
  • Patent number: 7556312
    Abstract: A technology is provided effective for aiming at improving workability when in the assembling operation in a motor vehicle seat with an airbag module having a construction in which the airbag is developed and expanded from a down side to an upside of a seat cushion against movement of a motor vehicle occupant toward a front side of the motor vehicle, which is in a condition seated in the motor vehicle seat when in occurrence of an accident. In one form, the motor vehicle seat according to the present invention is constructed to house an airbag module in a housing portion provided in a seat pan, and to be provided with an airbag cover that intercepts a housing opening of the housing portion and that covers a housing opening side of the airbag. In addition, the motor vehicle seat has a positioning mechanism for positioning the airbag cover and the seat pan to each other in the mounted condition of the airbag cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromichi Yoshikawa, Teruhiko Hiruta
  • Publication number: 20090085387
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the seat depth of a motor vehicle seat includes a base element to be arranged in a manner fixed on the seat framework, a supporting element which is mounted in a longitudinally movable manner on the base element and is intended for supporting a seat user and guide device by means of which the supporting element is guided movably on the base element along an adjustment direction. The guide device includes a first guide mechanism, in the vicinity of which the supporting element is supported on the base element and at which the supporting element and the base element interact with play in a direction perpendicular to the adjustment direction and to the supporting direction, and a second guide mechanism with which the supporting element is guided on the base element in an essentially play-free manner perpendicular to the adjustment direction and to the supporting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Heiko Thiel, Jochen Hofmann, Gregor Kroner
  • Patent number: 7506930
    Abstract: A seat bottom assembly for a passenger seat includes a flexible support panel having a left portion and a separate right portion, and a structural support member underlying the support panel. The structural support member is selectively moveable between a first, forward position in which the seat bottom assembly has a nominal length in a longitudinal direction, and a second, rearward position in which a forward portion of the support panel folds downward over the structural support member such that at least a portion of the seat bottom assembly has an effective length less than the nominal length. The effective length of the left portion and the right portion of the seat bottom assembly can be independently varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: James Randy Penley, Lars Kroeplin, Joachim Gustav Voigt
  • Patent number: 7478879
    Abstract: A seat, which provides an enhanced level of comfort, by the use of dual independently supported seat cushions is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an inner seat cushion and an outer seat cushion, each of which is independently supported by a compressed air pneumatic device to control vertical movement, and by parallelogram linkages control lateral movement, and allow for vertical transition of the seats while maintaining them horizontal. The occupant of this seat can independently adjust the distribution of body weight shared by the inner seat cushion and the outer seat cushion from time to time, in order to change the pressure pattern against body parts and to provide optimum ergonomic seating posture. Furthermore, by adjusting the air supply, the occupant can increase or decrease the seat's effective spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Inventor: Garry Robinson
  • Patent number: 7478873
    Abstract: The disclosed safety device for a motor vehicle seat may include a seat surface extending in a longitudinal direction of the seat, a securing element assigned to the seat surface; and an adjustment device operatively connected to the securing element for adjusting the securing element from a reclining position into a securing position in an event of a crash. The adjustment device is configured to reset the securing element from the securing position into the reclining position. The securing element is configured to act on the seat surface in the securing position such that the seat surface and the securing element counteract forward movement of a pelvic area of a person sitting on the seat surface in the longitudinal direction of the seat, without changing a spatial location of said seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Sami Al-Samarae, Koshan Mahdi