Interconnected With Back For Relative Concurrent Movement Patents (Class 297/316)
  • Patent number: 8444223
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle which provides easy access to a third row of passenger seating and folds to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly includes a base frame operatively attached to the floor of the vehicle. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the base frame about a first pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A proximate end of a sub frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back about a second pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a folded position. A seat cushion is pivotally coupled to the sub frame at a third pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A first end of a link member is pivotally coupled to the base frame and a second opposite end of the link member is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the sub frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Todd Rupert Muck
  • Patent number: 8439435
    Abstract: Described are passenger seats having a seat pan assembly with reclining and tilting mechanisms, a seat back pivotally coupled to the aft end of the seat pan assembly, and a lumbar mechanism coupled to the seat back and the seat pan assembly. The reclining mechanism is configured to adjust a forward position of the seat pan assembly and the rotation of the seat back between upright and reclining positions. The tilting mechanism is configured to rotate an aft end of the seat pan relative to the pan frame and deploy the lumbar mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Larry Richard Gaither, Timothy W. Terleski, Chirag Patel
  • Patent number: 8434822
    Abstract: A device for an adjustable piece of seating and reclining furniture with an adjustable angle between the seat and the back of the piece of furniture, wherein on each side of the piece of furniture there is located a fitting projecting upwards from its base, the seat being tiltable about a forward suspension point on the fitting, and the back being tiltable about a rear suspension point on the fitting, wherein the back upon tilting backwards causes the seat to tilt backwards in that a link is pivotally fastened to a rear part of the seat frame and pivotally fastened to a lower part of the back frame, the pivotal connection of the link to the back frame being located behind and below said rear suspension point. On an increase in the angle between the seat and the back, the angle that the neck rest of the piece of furniture forms with the back is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: SAPDesign AS
    Inventor: Svein Asbjørnsen
  • Patent number: 8419130
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seat tilt apparatus (3) for an electric wheelchair, which wheelchair comprises a chassis (1) and a seat (2). The seat tilt apparatus comprises; a base member (11), which is fixable to the chassis and provided with at least one first guide slot (16); a seat supporting member (40) which is arranged to supportably receive the seat, movable in relation to the base member and guided by the first guide slot; and a linear drive means (17) which is connected to the base member and to the seat supporting member, for moving the seat supporting member along a motion path, in relation to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Permobil AB
    Inventor: Hakan Bergman
  • Patent number: 8403352
    Abstract: The stand-up unit (10) comprises a support (21), a stand-up frame (13), which is articulated on the support (21) and has a seat carrier (23) carrying a seat (17), and a backrest carrier (25) carrying a backrest (19). Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram (27) is provided in order to maintain the backrest (19) upright in any position. The backrest (19) can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram (27) by means of a rod (30), in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest (19) and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram (29) controls the movement of the seat (17) when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat (17) and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Levo AG Wohlen
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Patent number: 8388065
    Abstract: A vehicle seat movable between a seating mode, an ingress/egress mode, and a cargo mode includes a vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus. The vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus allows a seat back to be rotated toward a seat bottom into the ingress/egress mode while holding the seat bottom in an elevated position. Further, the vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus allows the seat back to be rotated further toward the seat bottom into the cargo mode while rotating the seat bottom into a lowered position. When the vehicle seat is moved from the cargo mode to the seating mode, the seat back is rotated away from the seat bottom while the vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus causes the seat bottom to rotate into the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Harden
  • Publication number: 20130009436
    Abstract: Dynamic furniture having platforms in dynamic attachment to an actuator assembly that in turn is in dynamic attachment to a base. Use of motional platforms supported by a motional actuator assembly permits an article of the furniture to conform to the many and varied body positions a user wants, and allows a user to more easily change body positions while remaining within the furniture, and in medical scenarios may obviate most needs to transfer a patient from one article of furniture to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Scott ERB, Mark ERB
  • Patent number: 8272692
    Abstract: A chair that includes a support module, a seat carrier, an initially forwardly declined seat member articulated to the seat carrier such as by being pivotal along a front, and an initially rearwardly angled backrest carrier having a backrest member, the carrier articulated to the seat carrier such as by being pivotal along a lower end. The angular positions of the seat and backrest member are largely controlled via an actuator arm and adjustable spring arrangement, wherein the actuator arm directly links the seat member to the backrest carrier and the spring arrangement returns the backrest carrier and seat member to initial positions when a weighted load is lessened or removed from the rear of the seat member. A pneumatic cylinder to provide resistance to the seat member, a limiter to limit a maximum and minimum angular position of the seat member, adjustable arm rests, and casters may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald B. Epperson
  • Publication number: 20120217779
    Abstract: Describes are passenger seats including a seat pan assembly with a reclining mechanism, a seat back pivotally coupled to the aft end of the seat pan assembly, and a lumbar mechanism coupled to the seat back and/or the seat pan assembly. As examples, the seat pan assembly includes at least one track having a reclining path and a sleeper path, and a sleeper selection control configured to pull a diverter into a position substantially blocking the opening to the reclining path and to push the diverter into a position substantially blocking the opening to the sleeper path. In certain cases, the seat pan assembly also includes a tilting mechanism with a fixed component and a variable component adjustably engaged with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Larry Richard Gaither, Timothy W. Terleski, Chirag Patel
  • Publication number: 20120193961
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a chair, comprising a seat, a backrest and a chair base, wherein the backrest and the chair base are connected through a first connector that comprises a base holder rigidly connected to the chair base, a back holder secured to the backrest, a rotation holder, a first linkage bar, a second linkage bar and a third linkage bar. The present technical solution solves the problem caused in using a traditional chair which is pulling up of a user's clothes when the backrest of the chair is inclined backward. The present design of a linkage movement not only makes a user feel more comfortable, but also is more user-friendly, thereby avoiding the damage of the user's clothes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: JIANHUA FU
  • Patent number: 8215710
    Abstract: A seat (10) having a seat panel (12) and a backrest (14) is described. The seat panel (12) is connected to a base device (16) by means of a first connecting device (18). The backrest (14) is connected to the seat panel (12) by means of a second correcting device (20). The first connecting device (18) comprises a pair of front and a pair of rear connecting levers (22, 24). The front connecting levers (22) are longer than the rear connecting levers (24). The rear connecting levers (24) are designed with an angled extension (34) so as to form toggle levers. The second connecting device (20) comprises a pair of rod elements (36) which are mounted in a pivotable and linearly movable manner on the seat panel (12) by way of their front end (38) and which are connected in a pivotable manner to the angled extension (34) of the rear connecting levers (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sato Office GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Erker
  • Patent number: 8215695
    Abstract: A removable vehicle seat includes a base, a removable seat main body, and a first attachment mechanism and a second attachment mechanism configured to removably attach the removable seat main body to the base. The first attachment mechanism includes a pin provided to the removable seat main body; and an attachment member provided to the base, and provided with a groove to which the pin is inserted. A disengagement prevention structure is provided between the pin and the attachment member, the disengagement prevention structure being configured to prevent the pin from disengaging from the groove. The second attachment mechanism includes a striker provided to the removable seat main body; and a lock device provided to the base and configured to releasably engage with the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Ida, Mikihito Muramatsu, Brian Thiel, Trevor Delanoy, Louis Vetere
  • Publication number: 20120104818
    Abstract: A portable, powered lifting chair provides a means with which to easily lift and transport a fallen person, with safety for both the fallen person and the attendant. A single attendant can operate the present invention, negating the need for multiple attendants to lift a single person. The lifting seat is battery powered allowing for remote operation and, when combined with a variable speed hand controller, allows for an adjustable lifting speed suitable for any scenario. The seat lifts to a height of 39?, allowing it to be used to not only transport patients to a bed or a chair, but also to transition them from a prone position to a standing position. The combination of linear bearings, linear rail, and a linear actuator attached directly between the lifting seat and the seat frame serve to ensure the lifting seat does not become misaligned or improperly tilted during use. With the frame on casters, it is highly maneuverable and able to be used in tight confines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Dennis Kimble Morris
  • Publication number: 20120056459
    Abstract: A vehicle seat movable between a seating mode, an ingress/egress mode, and a cargo mode includes a vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus. The vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus allows a seat back to be rotated toward a seat bottom into the ingress/egress mode while holding the seat bottom in an elevated position. Further, the vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus allows the seat back to be rotated further toward the seat bottom into the cargo mode while rotating the seat bottom into a lowered position. When the vehicle seat is moved from the cargo mode to the seating mode, the seat back is rotated away from the seat bottom while the vehicle seat rotation controlling apparatus causes the seat bottom to rotate into the elevated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Harden
  • Publication number: 20120025574
    Abstract: A chair has a seat support (101), a seat portion (13), a back portion (15), and a supporting frame. The supporting frame is formed by a castored base (11), a height adjustment mechanism (17), and a main transom (21). The seat portion (13) is selectively moveable relative to the supporting frame, with the seat portion having a locked configuration and a released configuration. The back portion has a back frame (25) and a compliant cover (61). The back frame has hook features for receiving a portion of the compliant cover (61). The back portion (15) is reclinable relative to the supporting frame between an upright position and a reclined position. A recline mechanism has deformable members operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. A recline resistance mechanism is selectively engageable to resist movement of the back portion toward the reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Paul Michael Wilkinson, Kent Wallace Parker, Peter Tierney, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Gregory William Baum
  • Patent number: 8104834
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle which includes a locking mechanism is provided. The seat assembly has a base frame mounted to the floor of the vehicle. A seat cushion is pivotally mounted to the base frame for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. A locking mechanism operable to lock the seat cushion in the seated position is mounted to the base frame. The locking mechanism is capable of engaging the seat cushion at an intermediate position between the stowed position and the seated position. Upon engagement of the locking mechanism with the seat cushion at the intermediate position, movement of the seat cushion towards the stowed position is prevented while movement of the seat cushion towards the seated position is unimpeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Moegling, Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Todd Rupert Muck
  • Patent number: 8087727
    Abstract: A chair 2010 has a supporting frame 2011, a seat portion 2013, a back portion 2015, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion 2013 upon a reclining action of the back portion 2015. The mechanism has a rear deformable member 2351 and a front deformable member 2353 operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member 2361 above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion 2015 is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member 2361 applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion 2013 to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Paul Michael Wilkinson, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Daryl Owen Neal, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Peter Alan Tierney
  • Publication number: 20110298261
    Abstract: An upper portion of the back is pivotable relative to the lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, with the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion independent of the tilt position of the back. In one aspect, an adjustment mechanism is coupled between lower and upper back support members and pivots the upper support member between at least first and second support positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Jason Holt, Jeffrey A. Weber, Christopher C. Hill, John F. Aldrich, Douglas M. VanDeRiet
  • Publication number: 20110266840
    Abstract: A foldable assistive stand-up chair includes a base support, a chair mechanism and a driving component, and the base support includes a back frame, a chair frame, a leg frame and two armrests, wherein the chair mechanism is pivotally mounted onto the base support through the chair frame, and the driving component installed between the base support and the chair mechanism is provided for driving the chair mechanism to move the four link rods with respect to the base support for assisting a user to stand up through the support of the chair frame and the back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: STRENGTH MASTER FITNESS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHU-YAO WU
  • Publication number: 20110204670
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seatback movable between an upright position and a horizontal position, a seat bottom movable between a use position perpendicular to the seatback and a stowage position parallel to the seatback, and a lock mechanism for holding the seat bottom at the stowage position when the seat bottom is moved to the stowage position. When the seatback is moved to the horizontal position, the vehicle seat has a dive-down state where the seatback and the seat bottom are stacked on top of the other. The seat bottom has a detection lever that, when the seat bottom becomes the dive-down state, comes into contact with a floor panel and is displaced. In the lock mechanism, when the detection lever is displaced, the function of holding the seat bottom at the stowage position becomes ineffective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Hirohisa Abe, Toshiyuki Tsujibayashi, Toshihiko Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20110193386
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a passenger seat comprising a seat pan assembly, a seat back pivotally coupled to the aft end of the seat pan assembly, and a lumbar mechanism coupled to the seat back and the seat pan assembly. The seat pan assembly comprises a reclining mechanism and a tilting mechanism. The reclining mechanism is configured to adjust a forward position of the seat pan assembly and the rotation of the seat back between upright and reclining positions. The tilting mechanism is configured to rotate an aft end of the seat pan relative to the pan frame and deploy the lumbar mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Larry Richard Gaither, Timothy W. Terleski, Chirag Patel
  • Publication number: 20110193387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tillable chair. Specifically, the present invention relates to a tilting chair that enables tilting by combining the left plate body (110) and back plate body (120) with a tilt (130), wherein said back plate body (120) comprises a back plate backbone (122) and a back plate (124) that is combined with a moving means (150) to allow movement in up and down directions with respect to said back plate backbone (122), the front part of said left plate body (110) is combined with one side of said tilt (130), said back plate backbone (122) is combined with another side of said tilt (130), and the rear part of said left plate body (110) is combined with said back plate body (120). According to such configuration, slippage between the human body and back plate does not take place upon tilting so that the comfort level of a user may be enhanced, and a spinal cord may be effectively protected by maintaining a state of lordosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SIDIZ, INC.
    Inventor: Joonyeob Kim
  • Patent number: 7992937
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a body support member and a base having an upper component coupled to the body support member and a lower component adapted to be supported on a floor. An adjustable spring mechanism biases the body support member. A weighing mechanism is coupled to the adjustable spring mechanism. The weighing mechanism includes a height adjustment device disposed between the upper and lower components of the base. The height adjustment device includes a pneumatic spring having a pressure tube coupled to the lower component and a piston rod extending upwardly from and moveable relative to the pressure tube. A housing is disposed around the pneumatic spring and is coupled to the upper component. An adapter is coupled to the piston rod. A weighing spring is disposed between the adapter and the housing, with the housing moveable relative to the adapter between first and second weighing positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Robert Friedrich Laux
  • Publication number: 20110127824
    Abstract: An upholstered recliner chair includes a base, a seat unit disposed on the base, a backrest frame pivotably mounted on the base and hingedly mounted to the seat unit to be displacedable between upright and tilted positions, a sidewise towing bar extending radially from the backrest frame to be movable with the backrest frame, a backrest padding disposed to be slidable relative to the backrest frame in a lengthwise direction, and a pulling unit coupled to the backrest padding, the backrest frame, the sidewise towing bar, and the seat unit such that the backrest padding is moved with the sidewise towing bar during displacement of the backrest frame between the upright and tilted position to thereby vary a distance between the backrest padding and the seat unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Chieh-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 7922248
    Abstract: A seating structure has an articulated seat and back. A rear portion of the seat is automatically pivotable relative to a forward portion of the seat as the seat is tilted between upright and reclined tilt positions. An upper portion of the back is pivotable relative to the lower portion between a neutral position and an extended position, with the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion independent of the tilt position of the back. In one aspect, an adjustment mechanism is coupled between lower and upper back support members and pivots the upper support member between at least first and second support positions. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Aldrich, Ryan S. Brill, Elindo G. Castro, Jr., Christopher C. Hill, James D. Slagh, Troy Roark, Douglas M. VanDeRiet, Jeffrey A. Weber
  • Publication number: 20110080028
    Abstract: Dynamic furniture having platforms in dynamic attachment to an actuator assembly that in turn is in dynamic attachment to a base. Use of motional platforms supported by a motional actuator assembly permits an article of the furniture to conform to the many and varied body positions a user wants, and allows a user to more easily change body positions while remaining within the furniture, and in medical scenarios may obviate most needs to transfer a patient from one article of furniture to another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Erb, Mark Erb
  • Patent number: 7914076
    Abstract: Dental devices with cylinders, trunnions, and limit switches, and a method are provided. The dental devices include a cylinder and a trunnion having a cavity and an outer surface. A portion of the cylinder is slidably mounted within the cavity of the trunnion, and a portion of the cylinder protrudes out of the trunnion. The limit switch is coupled to the outer surface of the trunnion, with the limit switch is operable to contact the cylinder. Separation of the limit switch and the cylinder causes actuation of the limit switch, and the actuation of the limit switch inhibits a downward movement of the device. Alternatively, the limit switch may be coupled to the portion of the cylinder that protrudes out of the trunnion, with the limit switch operable to contact the trunnion. As such, separation of the limit switch and the trunnion causes actuation of the limit switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob E. Broering, David C. Edelmann
  • Publication number: 20110006574
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion. A front leg is pivotally coupled between the cushion and a floor for providing pivotal movement of the seat cushion between a seating position and a kneel position. A front link is pivotally coupled to the cushion and includes a hook for selectively engaging a striker mounted to the floor. A seat back bracket includes an upper portion operatively coupled to the seat back allowing pivotal movement of the seat back between upright and folded positions, and a lower portion releasably coupled to the floor. The hook is engaged with the striker in the seating position to secure the seat assembly to the floor and released from the striker in response to moving the seat cushion to the kneel position to allow pivotal movement of the seat cushion between the kneel position and a tumble position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Carroll, Peter Paul Zeimis, III, Matthew J. McLaughlin
  • Patent number: 7798573
    Abstract: A chair includes a supporting frame and a seat portion which is foldable about a transverse fold to define a rearward portion behind the transverse fold and a forward portion, forward of the transverse fold. The seat portion is supported above the supporting frame by its rearward portion. The chair also includes a reclinable back portion and a recline mechanism with which the back portion is connected for reclining action of the back portion. The recline mechanism is operably linked to the rearward portion of the seat portion such that on reclining action of the back portion, the rearward portion is moved to increase in rearward tilt angle and to obtain a net increase in height above the supporting frame, with a consequent folding of the seat portion about the transverse fold line under the weight of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Mark Rundle Pennington, Jon Leonard Fifield, Robert Bruce Stewart
  • Publication number: 20100207354
    Abstract: The stand-up unit (10) comprises a support (21), a stand-up frame (13), which is articulated on the support (21) and has a seat carrier (23) carrying a seat (17), and a backrest carrier (25) carrying a backrest (19). Furthermore, a first lever parallelogram (27) is provided in order to maintain the backrest (19) upright in any position. The backrest (19) can be displaced by the first lever parallelogram (27) by means of a rod (30), in order to ensure that no undesirable relative movement occurs between the backrest (19) and the back of the user when getting up or sitting down. A second lever parallelogram (29) controls the movement of the seat (17) when getting up and sitting down to ensure that no relative movement develops between the seat (17) and buttocks of the user. The stand-up unit may be provided with a base to serve as a chair, particularly a therapy chair. The stand-up unit, however, may also serve as a stand-up wheelchair, when connected to an undercarriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Levo AG Wohlen
    Inventor: Kurt Hunziker
  • Patent number: 7717515
    Abstract: A chair having an automatically adjusting resistance to tilt. The chair includes a back support, a frame, a base and a back pivot member, which is pivotally mounted to the frame, and a seat, which is also pivotally mounted to the frame, such that an occupant of the chair adjusts resistance to tilt or reclining of the chair by applying a rearward force to the back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel Saez, Lachezar Tsvetanov
  • Publication number: 20100117423
    Abstract: A positioning device includes a clamping seat having first and second clamping members with clamping portions mounted around a fixed rod of a chair having an inclinable seat to which the first clamping member is fixed. An adjusting rod includes a coupling seat having a positioning groove with a low-profile section and a high-profile section. A positioning block is mounted to the second clamping member and includes a protrusion received in the positioning groove. The protrusion is engagable with one of the low-profile section and the high-profile section, so that the clamping portions can be clamp on or disengage from the fixed rod, allowing controlling of movement of the clamping seat along the fixed rod. The first clamping member includes a sidewall having a hole slideably receiving the fixed rod and in slight tight coupling with the fixed rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Publication number: 20100052389
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back and seat cushion. A forward link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and base. A control bracket has a pair of pivotal links forming a four bar connection with the base. A control link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and control bracket. A seat back operatively coupled to the control bracket has a recliner mechanism for selectively pivoting the seat back between a forwardly folded position and a plurality of reclined seating positions. A guide link pivotally extends between the seat back and control link. Forward rotational movement of the seat cushion urges the seat back to rotate relative to the seat cushion moving the seat assembly to a stand-up position. Pivoting the seat back to the forwardly folded position urges the seat cushion to move forwardly and lower relative to the base moving the seat assembly to a kneeling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20090256379
    Abstract: A vehicular seat device assumes, as seat arrangements, a seating state and in which an occupant can sit, an entry/exit state in which the seat cushion (12) is in a standing state, and a retracted state in which a seatback (14) is superimposed on an upper side of the seat cushion (12). The vehicular seat device has a first linking member (21), a second linking member (22) and a drive mechanism (16) that are capable of changing the posture of the seat cushion (12) synchronously with the tilting of the seatback (14). Since the seat arrangement is changed synchronously with the tilting of the seatback (14), it is possible to reduce the burden of operation on an occupant in changing the seat arrangement, while allowing various seat arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Masayuki Yamada, Makoto Ito, Kenji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090218864
    Abstract: A chair 2010 has a supporting frame 2011, a seat portion 2013, a back portion 2015, and a recline mechanism. The mechanism moves the seat portion 2013 upon a reclining action of the back portion 2015. The mechanism has a rear deformable member 2351 and a front deformable member 2353 operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. The recline mechanism also has a lower deformable member operatively connecting a lower part of the back portion and the supporting frame, and a puller member 2361 above the lower deformable member. The recline mechanism is configured such that as the back portion 2015 is reclined, the lower deformable member deforms and the puller member 2361 applies a rearward pulling action which causes the seat portion 2013 to move and the front and rear deformable members to deform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: FORMWAY FURNITURE LIMITED
    Inventors: Kent Wallace Parker, Paul Michael Wilkinson, Lyall Douglas Stewart, Daryl Owen Neal, Martyn Walter Goodwin Collings, Peter Alan Tierney
  • Publication number: 20090212617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chair or armchair, in particular a rotatable office chair, comprising: at least two seat carriers, each further comprising an upper arched guide and a lower arched guide, and at least two back rest carriers, each further comprising a restrictedly guided region, and a back rest arranged on back rest carriers, wherein the restrictedly guided region of the at least one back rest carrier is guided between the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide of the at least one seat carrier, thus allowing the at least one back rest carrier to be inclined relative to the seat carrier, wherein the upper arched guide and the lower arched guide are embodied at least in certain regions as an arc of a circle portion and wherein the arc of a circle portion of the upper arched guide and the arc of a circle portion of the lower arched guide have the same centre of a circle H.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Andreas Krob, Joachim Bruske
  • Publication number: 20090195040
    Abstract: A variable chair (10) features variable displacement between a back-to-seat pivot or slide pivot interconnection (14) and a back sliding pivot (15), to compensate for occupant weight in tilt moment in a weight responsive action; a particular construction features opposed pairs of intercoupled seat and back crank arm frames (111, 113) mounted upon a carrier or ground frame (114) by which the chair is supported, to achieve a back tilt, seat slide action; with the option of frame flex for restorative action; and with combined back and seat action about a virtual pivot which can approximate to a natural occupant body spine lumbar pivot and associated pivot movement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Hilary Rolf Birkbeck
  • Publication number: 20090174251
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between extended and reclined positions, and a chassis is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting link, a base plate fixedly mounted to the chassis, a back-mounting bracket rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting link, a back drive link in generally laterally-spaced relation to the seat-mounting link, and a front-lift assembly that is rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting link. In operation, a rearward occupant force on the back-mounting bracket generates a rearward bias that is converted to a laterally-directed force through the back drive link to the front-lift assembly. Upon receiving this force, the front-lift assembly translates the seat-mounting link forward and upward in relation to the base plate, such that, the seat-mounting link is consistently biased in a particular inclination angle with respect to the base plate throughout adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Mark Lawson, Robert Dean Donovan
  • Publication number: 20090102260
    Abstract: A lift-recliner chair includes a base portion and a seat portion pivotally connected to the base portion about a first pivot axis. The chair also includes a back portion pivotally connected to the seat portion about a second pivot axis and an actuator assembly for moving the seat portion with respect to the base and back portions with respect to the seat portion to alter the chair configuration. The base portion includes a pair of substantially vertical side panels and a rear panel extending between the side panels. The seat portion includes a seat frame having a pair of substantially vertical side panels arranged substantially parallel with and adjacent to the respective side panels of the base portion and a curved rear panel extending between the side panels of the base portion. The center of curvature of the curved rear panel is substantially coincident with the first pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: ROBCO DESIGNS, LTD.
    Inventor: Dale Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090102259
    Abstract: A lift-recliner chair includes a base portion including a load bearing structural support frame having a pair of upstanding rigid side panels. The chair also includes a seat portion pivotally connected to and at least partially supported by the side panels. Moreover, the chair includes a back portion pivotally connected to the seat portion and an actuator assembly for moving the seat portion with respect to the base portion and the back portion with respect to the seat portion for altering the configuration of the chair. The actuator assembly is enclosed, at least partially, by the side panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: ROBCO DESIGNS, LTD.
    Inventor: Dale Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090096255
    Abstract: A lift-recliner chair includes a base portion, a seat portion pivotally connected to the base portion, and a back portion pivotally connected to the seat portion. The chair further includes an actuator assembly for altering the configuration of the chair including a first actuator for moving the seat portion with respect to the base portion and second actuator for moving the back portion with respect to the seat portion. The actuator assembly is substantially enclosed on an underside of the chair, the first actuator is fixed in relation to the base portion, and the second actuator is fixed in relation to the seat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: ROBCO DESIGNS, LTD.
    Inventor: Dale Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090088930
    Abstract: Disclosed is a driving posture adjusting apparatus comprising: a seat-position adjusting mechanism (2) adapted to move a seat cushion (1a) of a driver seat (1) in a longitudinal direction so as to adjust a longitudinal position of the driver seat (1); a seated-posture adjusting mechanism (3) adapted to adjust a seated posture of a driver seated in the driver seat (1); a controllability adjusting mechanism (7) adapted to adjust controllability for an operation section (4) to be operated by the driver; a seat slide switch (91) adapted to issue an instruction for actuating the seat-position adjusting mechanism (2) to move the seat cushion (1a) of the driver seat (1) in the longitudinal direction; and control unit (95) operable to actuate the seated-posture adjusting mechanism (3) and the controllability adjusting mechanism (7), in correlation with the longitudinal position of the driver seat (1) adjusted according to an input signal through the seat slide switch (91), so as to obtain a driving posture correspond
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonori OHTSUBO, Hiroki UEMURA, Yusaku TAKEDA, Asami IWAMOTO, Hirokazu YAMASAKI, Toshikazu MAEDA
  • Patent number: 7481494
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat and a back that are pivotally supported in two side members and are kinematically interconnected in such manner that an angle between the seat and the back will increase when the back is swivelled backwards about its pivotal support in the side members, which kinematic connection comprises a link connection between the seat and the back. The link connection is in the form of a link arm arranged under the respective pivot supports of the seat and the back so that the distance between the back pivot support and the back link arm connection is less than the distance between the seat pivot support and the seat link arm connection, and that the axis of rotation of the seat through the seat's pivot support in the side members passes essentially through or close to the user's center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Handicare Produksjon AS
    Inventor: Morten Sagstuen
  • Publication number: 20090021063
    Abstract: The invention provides a chair-type massage machine comprising a backrest and a seat which can be reclined by a single drive source while permitting the user to hold a relaxed posture. The chair-type massage machine comprises a backrest (20) for the back of the user to bear on, a seat (30) for the user to sit in, and a reclining mechanism (40) for pivotally moving the backrest (20) and the seat (30). The reclining mechanism (40) comprises a single drive source (42), the drive source being coupled to the backrest (20) and the seat (30) by a link assembly (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshitoshi Morita, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Hidefumi Nomura
  • Publication number: 20090021062
    Abstract: In the case of a transmission device (5) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, with at least one hub (7, 27, 27?, 27?) and a shaft (10) which interact in a form-fitting manner in order to transmit a torque, wherein the shaft (10) has a profile with m teeth (12) and the hub (7, 27, 27?, 27?) has a profile with a central opening with n receptacles (15, 15?), and wherein each receptacle (15, 15?) is designed for interaction with a tooth (12), the hub (7, 27, 27?, 27?) has n=2m receptacles (15, 15?) or n=2m?1 receptacles (15, 15?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Ulrich Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20080272638
    Abstract: A synchronization mechanism for a correlated movement of a seat and a backrest of an office chair contains a basic support placeable on a chair post, a seat support and a backrest support. To provide a synchronization mechanism for which an adjustment of a spring tension to change the “tilting resistance” of the backrest is not required, a mechanism is proposed whereby the backrest support that is pivotable around a swivel axis is directly linked in a pivotable manner to the basic support, and to the rear end section of the seat support, such that a backward tilt of the backrest induces a lifting of the rear area of the seat support. The seat support is so linked to the basic support as to cause a lifting of the front area of the seat support when the user of the office chair “lifts” him/herself up by leaning against the backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: BOCK 1 GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 7441839
    Abstract: A chair includes a supporting frame and a seat portion which is foldable about a transverse fold to define a rearward portion behind the transverse fold and a forward portion, forward of the transverse fold. The seat portion is supported above the supporting frame by its rearward portion. The chair also includes a reclinable back portion and a recline mechanism with which the back portion is connected for reclining action of the back portion. The recline mechanism is operably linked to the rearward portion of the seat portion such that on reclining action of the back portion, the rearward portion is moved to increase in rearward tilt angle and to obtain a net increase in height above the supporting frame, with a consequent folding of the seat portion about the transverse fold line under the weight of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Formway Furniture Limited
    Inventors: Mark Rundle Pennington, Jon Leonard Fifield, Robert Bruce Stewart
  • Publication number: 20080191525
    Abstract: A pivoting joint for use in a task chair or the like provides an adjustable elastomeric coupling that permits multi-axis rocking of the seat pan with a restoring force that provides controlled stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Hans R. Jensen, Robert J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7410215
    Abstract: An articulating massaging chair is provided that includes a support frame; a seat pivotally connected to the support frame by a seat pivot; and a backrest pivotally connected to the support frame by a backrest pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Human Touch, LLC.
    Inventor: Hans Dehli
  • Patent number: 7401858
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for discovering mobile collaborators on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Each collaborator is identified on the P2P network by a unique ID. Each collaborator may also be identified by an identity file posted on the P2P network. Collaboration applications may include any of a variety of applications involving the exchange of information between 2 or more collaborators, such as voice over IP (VoIP). Dynamic file querying can be performed to filter the identity files most relevant to a particular peer partner. Web services are used end-to-end between P2P mobile devices and also between devices and third party service providers. Search engines use self-provisioning concepts for searches and WEB services querying. End-user devices register their personal information on P2P networks using identity self-provisioning and WEB services templates for a variety of uses, such as personal, gaming or business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Manplus Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Lee