Bottom Slides Forwardly While Tilting Patents (Class 297/317)
  • Patent number: 7007965
    Abstract: A center-of-gravity tilt-in-space wheelchair includes a base, a seat for supporting an occupant, and tracks supporting the seat for selective seat movement relative to the base. Wheels are adapted to support the base relative to a supporting surface. The tracks serve as rolling or sliding surfaces that allow the seat to rotate with respect to the base. Each track has a constant-radius arc with a focal point that is adapted to be coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. A low-friction supports the base relative to the seat. The low-friction support may include low friction elements that mate with the tracks to support for the tracks. The support can be adjustable to permit the overall tilt angle range of the tracks to be adjusted. The wheelchair seat can be adjusted to maintain the focal point of the constant-radius arc of the tracks coincident with the center of gravity of the wheelchair occupant. The front and rear wheels can be adjusted fore and aft relative to the focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Bernatsky, Philip Schreiber, Tom Whelan, Wayne Hanson, Steven L. Lindquist, Jerry Houtart, Richard Schneider, Allen B. Killebrew, Mike Nordquist
  • Patent number: 6945605
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat portion 1(1B), a seat support 2(2B) supporting the seat portion 1, a rear seat support 3(3B) extending rearwardly upwardly relative to the seat support 2(2B), and a slide mechanism X1 (moving mechanism XB) for causing the seat portion 1(1B) to slide back and forth relative to the seat support 2 (2B). The chair is provided with a locking mechanism 100C for locking the seat portion 6C at a desired position in the fore-and-aft direction selectively, and a lever 110C for operating the locking mechanism 100C, the lever 110C being located at a position allowing the lever 110C to move together with the seat portion 6C in the fore-and-aft direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignees: Kokuyo Co., Ltd., Takano Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Nobuyuki Ueda, Toshiyuki Horiki, Kazuyuki Itoh, Hiroyuki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6899392
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for a vehicle. The seat moveable into a stadium position in which a seat cushion assembly and a seat back assembly are substantially upright. The seat can also include incline and recline features which allow the seat back to fold forward to kneel on the seat cushion and to recline backward to a flat position. The stadium positioning provides, amongst other benefits, easier access to an area behind the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammad Saberan, Kyle Calvert
  • Patent number: 6824219
    Abstract: An ergonomic chair having an extending foot and the possibility of swiveling with tilting of the chair backrest synchronized with horizontal movement of the chair seat. It is intended for the linkage system to be installed on a swivel chair. With this (office) chair, it is intended to synchronize the tilt of the backrest with the forward movement of the seat in such a way that the distance of the seat occupant's hands relative to the work equipment on the desk top remains virtually constant at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Hans Rückstädter
  • Patent number: 6805406
    Abstract: A seat (10) for a wheeled carriage or chair for children or disabled people, the seat having a multipart seat surface (11) and a pivotable backrest (12) connected to at least one part of the seat surface (11), such that with the pivoting of backrest (12) the position of at least one part of the seat surface is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Thomas Hilfen HILBEG GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Jansen
  • Patent number: 6769739
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, especially for aircraft, includes a seat part (10) and a backrest (12) displaceable relative to each other by at least one adjustment device (14). The adjustment device (14) is provided with a plurality of articulation points (16) interconnected via a bar-type supporting frame (18) with individual bar elements (26, 30, 32, 36, and 40). The frame raises and supports the seat part (10) relative to the vehicle or cabin floor and effects a displacement movement by an actuator (28). The seat part (10) can be brought from an initial position (1) into at least one further position (II, III) and back. Depending on the number of articulation points and bar elements of the frame, the number of possible movements and the degree of freedom of movement of the seat part is substantially higher than in known systems. The seat part and the backrest can be safely positioned within a very wide range of adjustable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Uwe Salzer, Hans-Dieter Abt
  • Publication number: 20040108761
    Abstract: A chair having a synchronously moving seat bottom and seat back includes a frame having a seat bottom support portion and a seatback support portion and a seat assembly having a seat bottom and a seat back interconnected by a flexible intermediate portion. The seat bottom is slidably mounted to side support members in the bottom frame providing forward and aft movement of the seat bottom. The seat back is pivotably engaged to the seat back support portion of the frame. The flexible intermediate portion provides for cooperative movement of the seat bottom and seat back between an upright seating position and a reclined position. Preferably, the seat assembly is a one piece molded plastic shell having a flexible intermediate portion interconnecting the seat bottom and seat back. In one embodiment of the invention, the chair can be provided with legs to enable stacking of the chairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Roberto Lucci, Paolo Orlandini
  • Patent number: 6742840
    Abstract: Adjustable seats and components thereof are detailed. The seats, particularly (although not exclusively) useful in commercial aircraft, permit substantial angular recline without the corresponding rearward linear movement necessarily occurring in conventional seats. The seats additionally may have discontinuous, or non-integral, seat bottoms, with the heights of the forward portions of the bottoms being adjustable mechanically. Tray tables optionally associated with the seats further omit any central slot and may define one or more pivot axes in locations different than exist in conventional seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Weber Aircraft LP
    Inventor: Paul Bentley
  • Patent number: 6739665
    Abstract: A motion chair includes a pair of side frames, each of which has a front leg, a rear leg and a side rail brace member interconnected therebetween. A seat is located between the side frames, and includes a pair of resilient spring-type seat frames. A seat mounting arrangement interconnects each seat frame with one of the side frames. The seat mounting arrangement includes a bracket-type mounting member to which the seat frame is secured. A seat support member is interconnected with the side rail member, and the seat mounting member is secured to the support member. In one form, the seat support member is a metal reinforcement member connected to the side rail member, which is preferably formed of a wood material. The reinforcement member distributes loads and stresses applied to the seat mounting member to and throughout the length of the brace member. In another form, the seat support member is a planar side member that spans across a joint between the leg and the side rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Krueger International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger K. Leib, Danny R. Hankins
  • Patent number: 6688690
    Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: JSJ Seating Company Texas, L.P.
    Inventors: Ronnie K. Watson, Anthony K. Chapman, Matthew E. Chrostowski, Randall C. Lewis, Timothy P. Coffield, James W. Bach, David F. Bach, Christopher G. Inman, Scott M. Ebenstein
  • Patent number: 6688691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1) for an aircraft comprising a squab (2), a backrest (3), a leg rest (4), a support structure (5) for the squab (2) and the backrest (3), and a fixed rear separation shell (13). The support structure (5) or the squab (2) moveable in translation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the backrest (3) in the vertical position. The seat (1) is situated in a space lying between a fixed front separation shell (12) and a fixed rear separation shell (13). The movements of each of the components (2, 3, 4) of the seat are independent of each other and the fixed separation shells (12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle et Commerciale de Materiael Aeronautique
    Inventors: Robert Marechal, Guy Mercier
  • Patent number: 6685267
    Abstract: A synchrotilt chair mechanism and a chair are provided. The synchrotilt chair mechanism is for use on a chair that has a base assembly with an extending pedestal, a seat and a back. The mechanism includes a chassis that is coupled to the pedestal and a seat plate that is coupled to the chassis and to the chair seat. The seat plate can slide relative to the chassis. The mechanism further includes a back support bar that is coupled on one end to the chassis. The support bar extends upwardly from the chassis. A pair of arm supports are further included that can be coupled to the chair. Each arm support extends upwardly adjacent one side of the chair seat. The mechanism further includes a back bracket having a pair of ends that extend adjacent a side of the chair. Each end is pivotally coupled to the adjacent arm support. The back bracket further includes a guide plate that mounts to the chair back and that has at least one guide slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: LeRoy Johnson, Philip Crossman
  • Patent number: 6679556
    Abstract: In an adjustable arrangement for reclining or seating furniture, where the furniture has two or more mutually adjustable articulated members (R, S, F), which together form an adjustable frame for support of a mattress, cushion, upholstery or the like, where the adjustable frame is mounted in a support member (A) by means of horizontal axles/dowels, stays/sliding elements or the like, which constitute fulcrums (2, 3, 5) for the mutually adjustable, articulated members (R, S, F), where the back member (R) has a fixed fulcrum (2) in relation to the support member (A), located at a distance from the linkage (1) to the seat member, and where the adjustment of the furniture's respective articulated members is performed by means of a spring mechanism (17) which is arranged between an arm (6) on the underside of the back member (R) and a point on the support member (A), the furniture's seat member (S) is designed with an extension member (T, 8, 12) preferably arranged between the seat member and the back me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Kjartan Alvestad
  • Patent number: 6644743
    Abstract: A chair includes a chair base, a seat mounted on top of the chair base, a backrest pivotally attached to a rear of the seat, and a chassis mounted below the seat. When the backrest is tilted rearward, the seat moves forward and urges a movable member of the chassis to shift. The chassis further has a positioning mechanism with at least one positioning plate for retaining the backrest in a desired inclination angle. The positioning plate carries a rear end of the seat upward when the backrest is tilted rearward, thereby further improving the sitting stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 6641214
    Abstract: Chairs employed in economy-class aircraft seating often incline by rotation of the back about a fixed point, usually the rear edge of the fixed seat. While increasing the comfort of one passenger, this form of seat inclination reduces the space available for the passenger seated in the aft seat. A chair with improved cradle motion, particularly for use in aircraft, is described in which inclination may occur with little or no reduction in the space available to surrounding passengers. Inclination is achieved by the contemporaneous forward sliding of the back portion and the seat portion of the chair relative to the fixed seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Aviointeriors S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Veneruso
  • Publication number: 20030173808
    Abstract: A known advantage of the different dynamic seating positions on a chair is obtained with a novel combination of several known parts which nonetheless depend on each other for their movement capacities through a logical coupling. The position of the outstretched hand of a user in relation to the table hardly changes, while the seat moves back and forth on the chair and the backrest tilts. The chair retains its normal function as long as the back is not extensively tilted. If the coupling can be completely decoupled and the back tills without the seal moving, the chair behaves like a normal chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Ruckstadter
  • Patent number: 6578917
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seat (1) with at least one seat base part (2) and at least one backrest part (3) which seat is supported on a seat carrier (4) and is movable in relation to said carrier by positioning drive (5, 6). Considering one of possibly multiple seats (1) it is of advantage, that the positioning drive (5, 6), is in controlling connection with at least one body position sensor (12, 13) to enable the advancing or retracting of a seat base part (2) and/or a backrest part (3) in accord with the bodily position assumed by a person on said seat (1), or, for the retraction of the seat base part (2) and or backrest part (3) in accord with a bodily movement of a person on the seat (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Girsberger Holding AG
    Inventors: Thierry Aubert, Phillip Anget
  • Patent number: 6575531
    Abstract: A reclining chair comprises a telescopic tube assembly connected to a seat for adjusting the inclination of the seat and a backrest, and a lock unit mounted on the telescopic tube assembly for locking releasably an inner tube against an outer tube of the telescopic tube assembly. The lock unit includes a torsion spring which has a coiled portion tightly sleeved around the inner tube to lock it against the outer tube adjacent an opening provided on the outer tube, and two arms extending out of the outer tube through the opening from two ends of the coiled portion. An operating unit is connected to the arms for moving the arms so as to unwind the coiled portion and unlock the inner tube, thereby the seat may be pushed forwardly or rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 6488332
    Abstract: Described herein is a traveling seat, such as a wheelchair, for physically handicapped persons. The seat has a seat shell mounted on a frame, where the shell includes a backrest and a seat surface, connected with one another with articulation, with a footrest being articulated pivotably to the forward end of the seat surface. In order to provide a seat that can follow the bodily movements caused by spasms of the person seated in the seat, the seat surface and backrest are connected, freely pivotably, with one another. A tensioning device generating a tensioning force that holds the seat surface and the backrest in the bent sitting position relative to one another is provided. In addition, the footrest is articulated in a freely pivotable fashion to the seat surface, with a tensioning device generating the tensioning force that holds the footrest in the bent sitting position relative to the seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Interco Gesellschaft fur die Planung und den Vertrieb von Reha Hilfen mbH
    Inventor: Michael Markwald
  • Publication number: 20020163235
    Abstract: The seat comprises means for controlling movement of the seating plate (7) between a first extreme position (A) adapted to for small passengers, a second extreme position (B) adapted to tall passengers so that in all the positions, the distance d1, d2, d3 between the seatback (6) and the front edge (7a) of the seating plate (7) corresponds to the distance between the base of the back and the hollow portion of the knee of the passengers, and simultaneously the distance (a1, a2, a3) between the front edge (7a) of the seat plate and the floor (5) corresponds to the distance between the hollow portion of the knee and the sole of the foot of the passengers
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE ET COMMERCIALE DE MATERIEL AERONAUTIQUE
    Inventor: Joel Marais
  • Patent number: 6467842
    Abstract: A reclining leisure chair includes a main body, a locating member mounted in the rear edge of the main body, and two sliding members mounted in the front edge of the main body. The locating member is formed of a U-shaped frame seat, an action member, a resilient member, an auxiliary piece, a clamping piece, an arresting member, a bolt, and an action rod. The locating member works with ease and without jamming the sliding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Aur Hann Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieh-Tsung Lu
  • Patent number: 6394548
    Abstract: A seating unit is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. The seat includes a front section adjustably and/or flexibly supported on a rear section for optimal comfort while supporting a seated adult user's thighs, With the rear section being configured to carry a majority of the weight of a typical seated adult user. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Glenn A. Knoblock, Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michelle R. Johnson, Robert M. Scheper
  • Patent number: 6394549
    Abstract: A seating unit is provided having a base assembly with a particularly shaped housing and rigid upright side arms, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame. The moment arm shift adjuster is readily adjustable and includes an overtorque device to prevent damage to components of the energy mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Glenn A. Knoblock, David S. Teppo
  • Patent number: 6390554
    Abstract: A kit for adding a reclining seat to a wheelchair, comprising a stationary seat frame for mounting to a base frame of the wheelchair, a seat for mounting to the stationary seat frame, the seat having a seat portion and a back portion pivotally mounted to said seat portion, and an actuator mounted on the seat for causing the back portion of said seat to change angle relative to said stationary seat frame, a sliding connector for slidably mounting said seat portion to said stationary seat frame, and means for sliding said seat on said stationary seat frame along said sliding connector without changing height as the actuator causes the angle of the back portion to change, wherein said kit, when mounted on a wheelchair, compensates for a change in an occupant's center of gravity by sliding said seat portion on said stationary seat frame as said back portion changes angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: 1239907 Ontario Limited
    Inventors: Richard Eakins, David Harding, Son Ma
  • Patent number: 6318800
    Abstract: A seating unit is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. The pivots for connecting the back frame to the base assembly and for connecting the seat to the back frame permit quick fastenerless assembly by flexing the back frame during assembly. The pivots include rubber elements that permit flexing of a bearing element to prevent binding during rotation when the bearing element is not fully aligned with a pivot axis. A method of assembly including flexing the configured end sections of the back frame, positioning the configured ends adjacent opposite sides of the seat, and releasing the configured end sections so that they engage the seat, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventor: Larry DeKraker
  • Patent number: 6247753
    Abstract: A piece of reclining or seating furniture is designed with two or more mutually adjustable articulated members (R, S, F), which together form an adjustable frame for support of a mattress, cushion, upholstery or the like. The adjustable frame is mounted in a support member (A) by means of horizontal axles/dowels, stays, sliding elements or the like, which constitute fulcrums (2, 3, 5) for the mutually adjustable, articulated members (R, S, F). The back member (R) has a fixed fulcrum (2) in relation to the support member (A), located at a distance from the linkage (1) to the seat member. The adjustment of the furniture's respective articulated members is performed via a fixed, downwardly projecting arm (6) mounted on the underside of the back member (R), in the area below the back member's fulcrum (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Kjartan Alvestad
  • Patent number: 6244659
    Abstract: A chair ergonomically designed to cause its occupant to assume a sitting posture that acts to distribute the load imposed by the sitter's upper body weight so as to relieve stress on the musculature of the lower back, thereby obviating lower back pain. The seat of the chair is slidable along a track that is upwardly inclined at a fixed angle relative to the structure on which the chair is supported. Hinged to the seat is a backrest that is supported at the rear of the chair. When an individual sits down to place his buttocks on the seat, he then slides the seat along the track until the backrest assumes an angle with respect to the seat at which it is comfortable to the sitter, and the seat is then latched to maintain this orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Herbert A. Knapp
  • Patent number: 6022076
    Abstract: A reclining chair having a base frame (1) supporting a reclining unit (2) by a mechanism having downwardly converging swing links (15 and 16) pivoted at their upper ends at (22 and 23) respectively to the frame, a rigid member (14) pivotally connected to the lower ends of the swing links (15 and 16 at 20 and 21). The rigid member (14) has a link (13) rigidly connected to it which in turn is rigidly connected to the reclining unit (2). The center of gravity of the reclining unit with its occupant is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane as the unit moves from upright to reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Ilan Samson
  • Patent number: 5996716
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new wheelchair that is adjustable in length, width and height in order to be adapted to different users of different sizes or to a child growing up. The wheelchair comprises a T-shaped rear frame, a T-shaped front frame and a seat assembly. Each T-shaped frame is made of a long arm and two short arms. The rear frame and the front frame are telescopically connected together in such a manner so as to articulate both frame together and to allow to adjust the distance between the front and rear wheels. The two rear wheels are adjustably mounted to the rear frame so that the distance separating the wheels may be adjusted. The seat assembly is mounted on the rear frame and is adjustable in height. The front wheels are mounted on the front frame at each end of the two short arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Orthofab
    Inventors: Michel Montiglio, Bruno Martel
  • Patent number: 5961183
    Abstract: A tumble forward seat for a van or the like includes a device to automatically unlatch the seat adjuster, return the seat from any forwardly adjusted position to its rearwardmost position, and relatch the seat adjuster, during the forward rotation. A specially designed cam and lift lever push the pivoting release handle of the seat adjuster up and open and hold it open while a wedging surface and pusher block react against one another to shift the seat cushion frame back. The lift lever resets itself as the seat is rotated back. The cam, lift lever, and wedging surface are coordinated to one another so as to always provide the correct degree of opening and shifting motion, regardless of initial seat adjusted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Nile Smith, Carmen Leigh Markstrom
  • Patent number: 5909923
    Abstract: A task chair is provided having a base frame, a back assembly pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base assembly and pivoted to the back frame so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. The pivots for connecting the back frame to the base frame and for connecting the seat to the back frame permit quick fastenerless assembly by flexing the back frame during assembly. The pivots include rubber elements that permit flexing of a bearing element to prevent binding during rotation when the bearing element is not fully aligned with a pivot axis. A method of assembly including flexing apart the configured end sections of the back frame positioning the configured ends adjacent opposite sides of the seat, and releasing the configured end sections so that they engage the seat, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: Larry DeKraker
  • Patent number: 5871258
    Abstract: A chair is provided having a base assembly, a back frame pivoted to the base assembly for movement between upright and reclined positions, and a seat slidably supported on the base frame and pivoted to the back assembly so that the seat moves forwardly and its rear moves forwardly and downwardly with the back frame upon recline. A flexible back is connected to the back frame at top and bottom locations and is provided with lumbar adjustment for improved lumbar force/support and shape. A seat is provided with seat depth adjustment and with active and passive thigh flex support. The seat includes a front section adjustably and/or flexibly supported on a rear section for optimal comfort while supporting a seated adult user's thighs, with the rear section being configured to carry a majority of the weight of a typical seated adult user. A novel energy mechanism is provided that includes a moment arm shift adjuster for adjusting the spring tension on the back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Glenn A. Knoblock, Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michelle R. Johnson, Robert M. Scheper
  • Patent number: 5868467
    Abstract: A seating furniture component, especially an upholstered furniture component with coupled backrest and seat adjustment, with a support chassis (2), with a backrest (4) adjustably attached to the support chassis (2), and with a seat (5) adjustably attached to the support chassis (2), as well as connection mechanism (6) for synchronous adjustment of the backrest (4) and seat (5) relative to the support chassis (2). The backrest (4) executes a tiltback and lowering motion relative to the support chassis (2) essentially as a pivoting motion around a pivot axis which is in the angle formed by the backrest (4) and seat (5) in front of the backrest (4) and above the seat (5). The seat (5) executes a corresponding but minor movement in the form of a superimposed sliding and lifting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas Jungjohann
    Inventor: Reiner Moll
  • Patent number: 5860701
    Abstract: A seating furniture component with coupled backrest and seat adjustment, having a support chassis (1), a backrest (2) and a seat (3) adjustably attached to the support chassis (1), with the backrest (2) and seat (3) being movably joined to one another in the area of the vertex of the angle between them, the backrest (2) being coupled to a pivot axis (4) on the support chassis (1) at a distance above the vertex of the angle, and the seat (3) being movably attached to the support chassis (1) near the front edge of the seat (3) by a support mechanism (5, 6). The backrest (2) executes a superimposed tiltback and lowering motion from a sitting position into a reclining position, relative to the support chassis (1), while the seat (3) executes a slight superimposed sliding and lifting motion in a synchronized manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas Jungjohann
    Inventors: Thomas Jungjohann, Helge Fedderke, Christoph Hartmann
  • Patent number: 5785384
    Abstract: A device for an adjustable chair, where the back of the chair, at a first mounting site on each side thereof, is pivotally connected to respective side members of the chair, and at a second mounting site forms a hinged connection with a rear part of the chair set frame, where the chair seat frame, at a front mounting site on each side thereof, is slidably connected to a respective side member along a front guide which forms a part of the side member. The first mounting site on the chair back is designed to slide along a rear, forward and downward inclining guide in the side member, and the seat frame has on each side a rear mounting site between said front mounting site and said second mounting site for the chair back, said rear mounting site forming a slidable connection with a guide in each respective side member, which is located between the front and rear guides when seen in the longitudinal direction of the side member which is either horizontal or inclines slightly forward and upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Handicare Industri A/S
    Inventor: Morten Sagstuen
  • Patent number: 5624159
    Abstract: A narrow seating device or chair including a support caddy having lockable ground engaging caster wheels and a seat portion for a patient undergoing a medical test. The seat portion is mounted on the support caddy and tiltable to a plurality of tilt positions. The seat portion has a convexly curved surface which rests on spaced apart rollers on the upper side of the support caddy to enable tilting. A linear actuator having a first end attached to the support caddy and a second end connected to the seat portion provides for tiltable movement of the seat relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Vess Chairs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Celoni, Judith I. Kulpa, Michael F. Conmy
  • Patent number: 5597206
    Abstract: A manually-adjustable seat assembly for use in motor vehicles is disclosed as having a manual seat adjuster equipped with a seat latch mechanism and an easy entry latch release mechanism. The seat latch mechanism can be manually shifted from a latched mode into an unlatched mode via actuation of a release handle to permit selective adjustment of the fore/aft position of the seat assembly. The east entry latch mechanism is operably connected to the seat latch mechanism and is normally maintained in a non-actuated mode. Pivotal movement of the seatback to a forwardly dumped position causes the easy entry latch release mechanism to be shifted into an actuated mode for causing the seat latch mechanism to be automatically shifted into its unlatched mode. Upon return of the seatback from its formally dumped position, the east entry latch release mechanism is maintained in this non-actuated mode until the seat assembly is slid rearwardly to a predetermined memory position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Douglas & Lomason Company
    Inventors: Dean R. Ainsworth, Russell D. Bartling
  • Patent number: 5499861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a load-bearing frame for a chair, in particular for an office chair, which can be adjusted in terms of its height and inclination and comprises a seat carrier (1), a backrest carrier (2), a load-bearing and pivoting device (80) and a standing column (5). By means of struts (46, 32) arranged on the knee side and backrest side and supported on a spindle body, the seat carrier and backrest carrier (1, 2) are mounted on a spindle body such that they can pivot about a horizontal axis (X), oriented transversely to the seat direction, against the restoring force at least of a first spring element (40, 40'), and, in any position, can be fixed, and released again, by a second spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Giroflex-Entwicklungs-AG
    Inventor: Hermann Locher
  • Patent number: 5494331
    Abstract: A seat body forming a backrest and a seat section is made to move along an arcuate guide with respect to a base by a relative movement guiding mechanism which is formed by combination of an arcuate guide rail and a guide member moving along the guide rail. A seat section is rotatably mounted on the seat body and a coupling member is caused to engage a linear section of the guide rail, thereby maintaining the seat section at a substantially constant inclination regardless of any movement of the seat body. Thus, it is possible to maintain the seat section in a substantially horizontal state also when the angle of the backrest is adjusted, whereby the backrest can recline without interfering with a backrest of the car seat in an automobile. Thus, an uncomfortable position is avoided when a child sits in the safety seat the backrest of which is in an inclined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Onishi, Kenzou Kassai
  • Patent number: 5487589
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat plate, a backrest pivotably movably connected to the seat plate, and an L-shaped base formed by a horizontal portion on which the seat plate is disposed and a vertical portion on which the backrest is mounted. The seat plate is provided at the underside of its front edge with retaining members which are spaced from each other in the longitudinal direct ion of the seat. The horizontal portion carries a stationary mounting support having a further retaining member for selective latching engagement with a retaining member on the seat plate, to secure the seat plate in an adjusted position on the horizontal portion of the base. Projecting from the underside of the seat plate are spring elements which are spaced from each other in the transverse direction of the seat and which slidably movably bear on the horizontal portion of the base by way of sliding shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Hermann Meiller, Wolfgang Beier
  • Patent number: 5358308
    Abstract: The vehicle front seat comprises a seat proper (12) mounted on a base (10) by means of two oblique rods (14 and 15) and a back (13) pivotally mounted firstly about an inclination adjusting axis (6) and secondly about an axis (7) for folding the back down forwards, which axis is secured to the base. The bottom axis (4) of the front rod is connected to an axis (5) secured to the base via the short side (16) of a rigid triangle (T), a long rod (20) is pivotally mounted firstly about an axle (8) secured to the triangle and secondly about an axis (9) secured to the back, and a fourth rod (19) interconnects the two hinge axes (6 and 7) of the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Automobile "BFA"
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Judic, Joel Canteleux
  • Patent number: 5246266
    Abstract: Chair comprising an underframe, a back being pivotally connected to the underframe, a seat being pivotally connected to the back, the seat at its front edge also being pivotally connected to a foot rest which by a guide is so connected to the underframe that the angle which the foot rest forms with the seat varies with displacement of the seat. The control consist of sliding device being pivotally connected to the underframe and spring which impart a force impacting in the longitudinal direction to the sliding device in dependence on the position of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Chairworks Taiwan Limited
    Inventor: Steen Ostergaard
  • Patent number: 5215352
    Abstract: An adjustable chair seat, of which the angle of the back frame, the seat width, and the seat depth may be adjusted; the arm rest assemblies can also be turned backwards at an angle of 120.degree.; the side frames can also be turned outwards at a horizontal position so as to provide a user with comfortable and convenient operation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Bean-Shung Yeh, Wu-Yaw Wei, Bee Su, Lin-Yun Wu
  • Patent number: 5211444
    Abstract: The present device is a locking mechanism for a piece of seating furniture that is continuously foldable, comprising a cylindrical bushing (3), which is fixed to the frame of the piece of seating furniture and which is provided with a pair of diagonally arranged holes (4) for an upwards inclined carrier bar (6), which is fixed to the seat part, and comprising a locking member (7) jointly operative with the carrier bar (6) as well as a control member (8) acting upon the locking member (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignees: Ab BD Produkt Oy, Mekrapid
    Inventor: Fredrik Kjellman
  • Patent number: 5154472
    Abstract: A chair having a seating unit and two pairs of legs made slidably integral by couplings attached to the seating unit and designed to engage the relevant inserts located in such first pair of legs, which are made to slide in relation to the second pair of legs by further couplings located in further inserts provided on the second pair of legs, so as the couplings are designed to allow substantially continuous tilt adjustment of the seat and of the backrest relative to the seat, as a result of the relevant pushing action exerted by the user while assuming various positions that are balanced by the push up action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Yaacov Kaufman
  • Patent number: 5150948
    Abstract: A chair which is provided with a seat having an adjustable inclination comprises a seat carrier, which is pivoted by a first pivot to a link arrangement which carry the seat, a back rest, which is carried by a back rest carrier, which is pivoted to the link arrangement by a second pivot, and a device for shifting the chair from a position for work, in which the seat is approximately horizontal and includes with the back rest an angle of about 90 degrees, to a position for reclining, in which the seat is rearwardly inclined and includes an obtuse angle with the back rest. The shift from the position for reclining to the position for work is effected by movements of the body of the occupant and is assisted by springs. The seat carrier is provided with slide bearings and slots, in which the first pivot is displaceable away from the column as the chair is shifted to its position for reclining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Rolf Volkle
  • Patent number: 5108148
    Abstract: An essentially self-balancing reclining chair is provided. The invention may be adapted to for use by any individual, regardless of size, shape or weight. The chair has a base and two parallelogram linkages spaced apart from and facing each other in parallel vertical planes. Each parallelogram linkage has upper, lower, front and rear linkage arms pivotally connected to each other to define the parallelogram. A back support is mounted behind and between the rear linkage arms, a seat support is suspended below and between the lower linkage arms, and a leg support is suspended below and between the front linkage arms. The upper linkage arms are pivotally connected to the base, such that the chair may be balanced by positioning the pivotal connection at a position corresponding to the approximate center of gravity of the chair and an average person. The pivoting points between the back support and the seat support are aligned with the person's hip joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Franz J. Henke
  • Patent number: 5058954
    Abstract: A body contour support structure is supporting a human body in space. A bottom plate and a back plate are interhinged and supported by a base. The bottom and back plates rotating and sliding simultaneously in the guided directions are constituted by the orientations of the guides and pins, and a moveable pivot moves in an angled guide to maximize useable spaces in horizontal and vertical directions. The angle between the bottom and back plates is functioning from 90 degrees to 180 degrees providing a most comfortable reading, relaxing or sleeping environment within one seat's spacing. The present invention maximizes the useable spaces and achieves a significant economic value without compromising any space or comfort of the travelers or audiences. As a result of maximizing the useable spaces by ten (10) percent, a ten (10) percent additional gross income will go to the provider's profit or this profit will be shared between the travelers or audiences and provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Inventor: Lee Kan-Chee
  • Patent number: 5044647
    Abstract: A kit or assemble is provided which can be used in the manufacture of a new wheelchair or to retrofit an existing wheelchair. The basic wheelchair structure includes a base portion having a pair of cross members mounted in the rear half of the upper portion of the wheelchair base structure. A pair of parallel guide rails are mounted between the cross members with a seat support bar attached to a pair of pillow blocks mounted on the guide rails. A linear actuator is centrally positioned within the wheelchair base structure to longitudinally move the seat support bar forwardly or rearwardly within the wheel base of the wheelchair. A rear edge of a wheelchair seat unit is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the seat support bar. Cam plates, each having a curved cam slot, are provided on each side of the seat unit with the cam slots engaging cam followers mounted on a pair of stanchions provided on each side of the rear portion of the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Folio Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Patterson
  • Patent number: 4984846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device in a chair, especially an adjustable chair (1aa) having an articulation means (7) between a seat member (3) a back rest member (8a), so as to allow an alteration of the angular position therebetween, the alteration taking place by a pivoting said back rest member (8a) around a pivoting point (8) whilst said seat member (3) is displaced along a predetermined sliding path. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises one or more curved sliding means (1), the radius of curvature (R) of said sliding means (1) or the center (4) thereof being arranged in accordance with given functional properties of said chair (1aa), which in turn means that for example an increase of the tangential angle (.alpha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: J. E. Ekornes A/S
    Inventor: Jostein Ekornes