Bottom Tilts With Concurrent Horizontal Movement Patents (Class 297/322)
  • Patent number: 11866176
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a backrest that is configured to recline over a reclination range, and a variable reclination range limiter that is configured to selectively adjust a limit of the reclination range limit. A variable reclination range limiting method for a seat assembly includes allowing a backrest of the seat assembly to recline over a reclination range, and selectively adjusting a limit of the reclination range by a variable reclination range limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark L. Cloud, Christopher Edward Plass, Raymond Roeder, Dean Hettick, Anis Noorani
  • Patent number: 11259637
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a base, a back arrangement and a seat arrangement each supported by the base, the back arrangement movable between an upright position and reclined position, the seat arrangement including a stop member, a shell supported on the base and forming at least a portion of the seat arrangement, the shell including a first portion and second portion movable relative to the first portion, the shell configured such that a downward force exerted on the first portion by a seated user forces the back arrangement from the reclined position toward the upright position, and a tilt limiter coupled to the base and configured to engage the stop member at both the upright position and the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Ludwig, Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, William Thomas Johnson, Bruce M. Smith, Mark William Spoelhof
  • Patent number: 11197548
    Abstract: A reclining control system for a chair having a back and a seat including a rigid seat member having a bottom surface and a first rigid link having a first end and second end. The first end of the first rigid link may be adapted to engage the back and the second end of the first rigid link may be positioned proximally adjacent to the bottom surface of the rigid seat member. A rigid link may have a first end and a second end, where the first end of the rigid link may engage the bottom surface of the rigid seat member at an engagement point. The second end of rigid link may engage the second end of the first rigid link in an aft position. The reclining control system for a chair may further include a pivoting link having a first end and a second end. The first end of the pivoting link may engage the bottom surface of the rigid seat member at the engagement point and the second end of the pivoting link may engage the second end of the first rigid link in a fore position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffery T. Theesfeld, Shaun J. Smith, Timothy J. Weaver, Aaron Duke
  • Patent number: 11130426
    Abstract: Provided is a seatback rotating device. The seatback rotating device includes an electric motor and an application mechanism. The electric motor generates a rotational force that is used to rotationally displace a seatback of a vehicle seat. The application mechanism enables application of the rotational force to the seatback. The application mechanism has a configuration that enables the seatback to be self-rotatable with gravity applied to the seatback in response to the rotational force being applied to the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Takezaki, Masatoshi Mori, Kenji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10993536
    Abstract: A chair assembly includes a supporting frame disposed above a base and including a first guiding groove. A seat is pivotably connected to a backrest. Lower and front guiding wheels are mounted to rear and front ends of the seat, respectively. At least one operating board includes rear and front ends respectively having second and third guiding grooves. The lower guiding wheel is movably received in the first and second guiding grooves. The front guiding wheel is movably received in the third guiding groove. A first operating rod is pivotably connected between the supporting frame and the seat. When the operating rod retracts, the lower guiding wheel is located in rear ends of the first and second guiding grooves, and the front guiding wheel is located in a rear end of the third guiding groove. The seat moves downwards and rearwards, and the front end of the seat inclines upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 10827842
    Abstract: There is described a seat module for use in furniture for sitting, the seat module comprising a backrest (1) and a seat (2) and a coupling element (3), the backrest (1) being adapted to run along rear grooves (7) arranged in respective sides of the coupling element at its rear edge, a rear portion of the seat (2) is connected to the backrest (1) and a front portion of the seat (2) is adapted to run along front grooves (9) arranged in respective sides of the coupling element in its leading edge. The seat module further comprises a tilting mechanism (15-19) connecting the coupling element with a support member or base (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ekornes ASA
    Inventor: Webjørn Jarnes
  • Patent number: 10383445
    Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat, a backrest and a mounting assembly mounting the seat in a near horizontal orientation for movement along an upwardly concaved arcuate seat path having a center of curvature proximate the center of mass of a person seated on the seat, and mounting assembly further mounting the backrest in a near vertical orientation for movement independently of the seat along a forwardly concaved arcuate path having a center curvature proximate the center of mass of the person. An adjustment assembly is provided for adjusting the radius of curvature of the path of motion of the backrest. Also provided are a backrest tilt adjustment assembly, an armrest adjustment assembly, a seat biasing assembly and a seat motion latching assembly. A method of self-adjusting support and alignment of a backrest also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Hector Serber
  • Patent number: 9986832
    Abstract: A furniture member may include a base frame, a seat assembly, a drive rod, a legrest mechanism, and a wall-proximity mechanism. The seat assembly is supported by the base frame and includes a seat frame, a seat bottom, a seatback and a legrest. The legrest is movable relative to the base frame and seat frame between a retracted position and an extended position. The seatback is movable relative to the base frame and seat frame between an upright position and a reclined position. The drive rod is rotatably mounted to the seat frame. The legrest mechanism is attached to the legrest and the seat frame and is driven by the drive rod. The wall-proximity mechanism is connected to the base frame and to the seat assembly and tilts the seat frame rearward relative to the base frame and translates the seat frame forward relative to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Richard E. Marshall
  • Patent number: 9820578
    Abstract: A power leisure reclining chair includes a seat structure having a seat portion and a backrest portion, a support assembly having two wooden leg assemblies connected by a wooden cross beam, and a main push rod positioned between the seat structure and the cross beam to push the seat structure to swing. A metal frame and an armrest are arranged on the leg assembly. The support assembly has metal bars extending from a pivot pin on each leg assembly and connecting the seat portion. The metal bar is pivoted to the metal frame. The backrest portion is held at the rear of the leg assemblies by a rail guide system. The rail guide system has guide elements fixed to the leg assembly, and rail member fixed to the backrest portion. The guide element has an under and a top bearing against the bottom and side of the rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Jianhan Zou
  • Patent number: 9713381
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a chair having a base frame, a seat support, and a backrest support. The seat support is connected to the backrest support. The backrest support is rotatably connected to a rear part of the base frame such that a pivot axis is defined about which the backrest support is pivotable. The seat support is connected to a front part of the base frame by at least one four-joint coupling mechanism, whereby the seat support is moved on a defined movement path in the chair longitudinal direction during a pivoting movement of the backrest support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Davis Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Davis, William R. Easton, Jonathan Prestwich, Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 9399517
    Abstract: A seating device with reduced bulk, for example for an aircraft. This seating device comprises a backrest which describes a circular translational movement towards the front and upwards of the device when the seating device is brought to the retracted configuration. A seating structure is provided comprising a bearing piece on which are fixed, side by side, a plurality of seating devices with reduced bulk. An aircraft is provided comprising a seating device with reduced bulk mounted in its cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventor: Bernard Guering
  • Patent number: 9386857
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to adjust between closed, extended, and reclined positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a back-mounting link and a rear bellcrank both rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, an activator bar that controls a footrest drive link, and a linear actuator for carrying out automated adjustment of the linkage assembly. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a torque on the activator bar. The footrest drive link converts the torque into a laterally-directed force that pushes the footrest assembly into the extended position. A stroke in the second phase acts to push the activator bar forward and translate the seat-mounting plate forward at a consistent inclination angle. The forward translation causes the rear bellcrank to rotate, thereby biasing the back-mounting link rearward into the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M. Lawson, Stephen Lake
  • Patent number: 9308142
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a chassis; first and second wheels coupled to the opposites sides of the chassis; a front caster; and a rear caster. The chassis includes a base plate; a back plate; first and second side plates; a rear plate; and a seat coupled to the back plate and the first and second side plates opposite the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: VRD Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William V Harding
  • Patent number: 9084488
    Abstract: In various embodiments, self-adjusting reclinable seating is disclosed. When the user applies a force to the seating by shifting his or her center of gravity, the backrest and seat portions of the seating move in response to the force to recline the seating. The user can return the seating to an upright position by again shifting his or her center of gravity. Such a configuration eliminates the need for manual recline controls. The seating is further configured to continuously vary the angle of the seat and backrest portions relative to the ground as the user moves. In particular, vertical distance between the front of the seat and the ground increases as the backrest reclines. Continuously varying the angle of both the seat and the backrest portions of the seating relative to the ground may improve a user's seating comfort, for example, by decreasing or eliminating the user's need to shift position on the seat when reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tropitone Furniture Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Rivera
  • Patent number: 8973996
    Abstract: The congregational prayer chair is designed to provide needed support for certain worshipers participating in Muslim prayer services. The chair is constructed with a seat and seat-back supported between two connecting arms. The connecting arms are mounted on chair legs. Grooves and tracks are provided on the arms that permit the seat and the seat-back to be moved in a predetermined manner so that a worshiper can attain the required prayer positions without disturbing the alignment of the prayer rows and the other worshippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventor: Farouk Fouad Daghistani
  • Patent number: 8888182
    Abstract: In the specification and drawings a chair is described and shown with a resiliently flexible frame having a front seat support; a seat slidably engaged to the front seat support; and a back rotatably engaged to the frame, the back being rotatably engaged to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Synergy Product Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Dragomir Ivicevic
  • Publication number: 20140197669
    Abstract: The congregational prayer chair is designed to provide needed support for certain worshipers participating in Muslim prayer services. The chair is constructed with a seat and seat-back supported between two connecting arms. The connecting arms are mounted on chair legs. Grooves and tracks are provided on the arms that permit the seat and the seat-back to be moved in a predetermined manner so that a worshiper can attain the required prayer positions without disturbing the alignment of the prayer rows and the other worshippers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: FAROUK FOUAD DAGHISTANI
  • Patent number: 8752897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat which may be adjusted forward and back along a seat rail arranged on both sides, and in which both the inclination of a seat surface and a back surface and a height thereof may be adjusted. Such a vehicle seat is intended to be adapted very easily and in an uncomplicated manner to the different body sizes of drivers. This is achieved in that a common adjustment mechanism is provided for all seat adjustment sequences, which coordinates the individual adjustment sequences, in that the coordination of the adjustment sequences produces seat adjustments in which the seating position of the respective driver is optimized irrespective of body size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Igor Fischbein
  • Patent number: 8733840
    Abstract: Described are seat pan assemblies for a passenger seat having a pan frame pivotally coupled to a seat back, a seat pan pivotally coupled to the pan frame, a tilting mechanism coupled to the seat pan and the pan frame, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to rotate the seat pan between an upright position and a sleeper position, and an automatic release mechanism, wherein the automatic release mechanism is configured to return the seat pan to an upright position when the seat back is in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Armando Valdes, Chirag Patel, Timothy W. Terleski
  • Patent number: 8657376
    Abstract: The present document describes a link member for providing an interface between an actuator and a seat base. The link member has a translational degree of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. The link member comprises: a joint member having a spherical surface, the joint member for attachment to one of the actuator and the seat base; a housing for attachment to the other one of the actuator and the seat base; and a slider mounted on the spherical surface and within the housing. The slider is free to move in a direction of a translational plane within the housing thereby providing the translational degree of freedom. Furthermore, the slider is free to slide on the spherical surface and to pivot about a first axis and a second axis thereby providing the at least two rotational degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: D-Box Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Stéphane Gagnon, Jean-François Ménard, Steve Boulais, Sylvain Trottier
  • Patent number: 8544955
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Sidiz, Inc.
    Inventor: Joonyeob Kim
  • Patent number: 8523280
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion that are placed in one of a normal position and a reclining position that is more reclined than the normal position, a link mechanism is operable to change the positions of the seat back and the seat cushion by moving the seat back and the seat cushion in relation to each other, so that a back contact point of the seat back, where a predetermined portion of the back of the seated person contacts the seat back, contacts the predetermined portion of the back of the seated person in both the normal position and the reclining position, and so that an ischial contact point of the seat cushion, where a tuber-of-ischium of the seated person contacts the seat cushion, contacts the tuber-of-ischium of the seated person in both the normal position and the reclining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Kuno
  • 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: 8403415
    Abstract: An adjustable passenger seat having a seat recline mechanism and including a seat base having first and second non-intersecting seat path guide slots for guiding the travel of a translation guide assembly interconnected to a linear translating seat pan drive rail through the seat pan such that translational movement of the drive rail with respect to the seat base causes movement of the seat pan and the seat back between upright and flat seating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Bobby Wayne Lawson
  • Patent number: 8303036
    Abstract: An aircraft seat having a movable squab and backrest, and a fixed seat chassis is presented. A mechanism for moving the squab and backrest has a linear runner mounted on the seat chassis and includes a linear drive for extending (and retracting) the assembly between a retracted position and an extended position. A first cam track allows adjustment the height of the back edge of the seat squab, the first cam track being generally parallel to the linear runner through the majority of its length and having a rearmost substantially vertical portion. A first cam follower mechanism interconnects a back edge of the seat squab, the first cam track and the linear drive, for motion of the seal squab. A second cam track is provided for adjusting the inclination of the backrest and a second follower is connected to the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Contour Aerospace Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Hankinson, Michael Roy Hudswell
  • Patent number: 8272694
    Abstract: A passenger seat, having a seat back, and a seat bottom, including a seat pan, supported by a frame mounted on laterally spaced-apart legs for being mounted to the deck of the aircraft by track fittings. A seat back frame assembly and a seat bottom assembly are joined for articulating movement such that when the seat back is reclined, the seat pan is shifted forward and the forward end of the seat pan and thus the seat bottom is raised in order to maintain an appropriate passenger seating angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hawkins, Dennis Hedrick, Jeremy Green
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8047610
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that includes a support base, a seat back tiltably supported on the support base, a seat cushion, a first link and a second link. Each of the first and second links is pivotally coupled to the support base and the seat cushion, so that a multi-link mechanism is formed by the support base, the seat cushion, the first link and the second link. A coupling device couples the seat back to the first link, so that the first link can pivot relative to the support base and the seat cushion in response to the tilting movement of the seat back. The tilting movement of the seat back causes the seat cushion to shift toward the support base, while a coupling point between the first link and the seat cushion and a coupling point between the second link and the seat cushion move substantially in the same direction relative to the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20110109140
    Abstract: A reclining seat comprising a seat base (10) and a backrest (11), wherein the seat base is mounted on a support structure moveable along at least one guide path (16, 17) whereby the seat base is moveable between upright and reclined use or seating positions and a retracted state, control means being provided for controlling movement of the seat base along said at least one guide path, preferably with infinite adjustment, between said upright and reclined seating positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: James Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100295351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronizing mechanism for a correlated seat-backrest movement of an office chair, said mechanism including a base support (1) that can be placed on a chair column, a seat support (3) and a backrest support (4). In order to provide a synchronizing mechanism, by means of which a high level of seating comfort can be achieved in an inexpensive manner, a mechanism is proposed where the backrest support (4) is connected to the base support (3) so as to be pivotable about a transverse axis (8) and has an entrainment means (9) that is in operative connection with the seat support (3) in such a manner that when the backrest carries out a pivoting movement (6) backward, the seat support (3) also performs a movement (13) backward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: BOCK 1 GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 7735924
    Abstract: A positioning device includes a clamping seat having two clamping members having clamping portions mounted around a fixed rod of a chair having an inclinable seat to which one of the clamping members is fixed. An adjusting rod includes a coupling seat and a handle fixed to the coupling seat. The coupling seat includes a positioning groove having a low-profile section and a high-profile section. A positioning block is mounted to the other clamping member and includes a protrusion received in the positioning groove. When the protrusion is engaged with the low-profile section, the clamping portions are not clamped on the fixed rod, allowing movement of the clamping seat along the fixed rod. When the handle is moved to a clamping position, the protrusion is engaged with the high-profile section, the clamping portions are clamped on the fixed rod, not allowing movement of the clamping seat along the fixed rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 7735925
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Zhongshan Kemi Commodity Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 7530637
    Abstract: A chair assembly has a chassis connected between a backrest frame and a pneumatic foot rod. The backrest frame has a pivotal hole and has an elongated slot to receive a sliding pivotal rod pushed by a spring so that the backrest frame is controlled by the sliding pivotal rod when the backrest frame pivotally moves relative to the chassis. Because the incline of backrest frame is controlled by an adjusting wheel pushing the spring and because the seat frame has a rocking board to support the backrest frame, the chair assembly is able to change the inclined angles of the backrest frame. Moreover, the seat frame has a sliding base for attaching a pad. Thereby, the chair assembly has adjustable functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 7488040
    Abstract: A servo mechanism for a seat part arranged on a support frame for travel in a longitudinal direction in synchronism with an adjustment of a back rest part from a normal position to several predetermined reclined positions, includes a scissor-type articulated lever assembly which is connected to the seat part and the support frame. The articulated lever assembly includes several articulated lever elements. A spring assembly progressively applies a spring force upon the scissor-type articulated lever assembly such that a relative change in angular disposition between the lever elements applies a substantially constant force upon the seat part in every position of the seat part, whereby a relatively great longitudinal travel distance of the seat part is accompanied by a short spring travel during the spring force application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: OMP S.R.L
    Inventor: Andras Dozsa-Farkas
  • Patent number: 7455362
    Abstract: An adjustable motion wheel chair having a mobility base for supporting a back panel and a seat panel. A pair of control plates are mounted to the mobility base and positioned laterally across the mobility base in spaced apart parallel relation. The back panel includes a pair of pivot pins located on opposite lateral edges of the back panel which are pivotally received by a respective control plate. A linkage member hingedly connects the seat panel to the back panel. Each control plate includes a forwardly extending stop for limiting the downward movement of a front edge of the seat panel. A latch member is attached to each control plate and is operable between a first position where the back panel is fixed in angular relation with the seat panel and a second position where the back panel is rotatable with respect to the seat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kids Up, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Hanson, Dale A. Mandeville, William B. Phelps, Stephen M. Sanford, Edward D. Urband, Gregor Horacek
  • Patent number: 7427105
    Abstract: A back construction includes a base with a yoke formed by a cross member and upright side arms that define a U-shape, armrests supported by the side arms, and a seat and back also supported by the side arms for synchronized motion upon recline of the back. Specifically, the side arms define a back tilt axis about which the back rotates upon recline. The back includes a back structure with configured ends that engage the side arms for rotation about the back tilt axis, and further define a seat tilt axis for supporting rotation/movement of the seat upon recline of the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl Knoblock, legal representative, Arnold B. Dammermann, Larry DeKraker, Kurt R. Heidmann, Gordon J. Peterson, Charles P. Roossien, David S. Teppo, Glenn A. Knoblock
  • Patent number: 7380881
    Abstract: An apparatus—which could be a chair (10), but could also be an apparatus that supports a person in other than a seated position—comprising a moveable platform (including a seat (12) in case of a chair) urged always toward a neutral position when a person is seated or otherwise positioned on the apparatus (10). The motion of the platform/seat (12) toward and away from the neutral position is constrained so that the platform/seat (12) remains at least approximately horizontal in its orientation relative to the floor on which the apparatus/chair (10) is positioned even when traveling along a path not horizontal to the floor, i.e. e.g. along a path inclined to the floor. A method is also provided in which the apparatus/chair (10) is used to provide lower-back therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: William L. Freed, Seth Foster Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 7234774
    Abstract: A seating unit includes a seat, a back, a base, and a motion control having a plurality of flexible supports for operably supporting the seat and back on the base. The flexible supports are movable in a generally fore-to-aft direction but stiff in a generally vertical direction, and further the flexible supports have end sections projecting generally outward from said base for operably engaging the seat and/or back, so that when the flexible supports flex in the fore-to-aft direction, they provide for directed movement of the seat and/or the back. In one form, the flexible supports are integrally molded with the center section of the motion control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt R. Heidmann, Renard G. Tubergen
  • Patent number: 7219946
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending laterally between spaced apart side members. The seat cushion includes a front cross member extending between the side members. Front legs are pivotally assembled at one end to the front cross member for pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front leg between a seating position and a forwardly dumped positions. A rod is connected at a first end to a spaced side member and at a second end to the front leg. The seat cushion is automatically laterally displaced relative to the front legs in response to pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front legs due to changes in the effective length of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Omar D. Tame, Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7131154
    Abstract: A convertible wheeled chair is easily changed by an attendant into a gurney of the same height as a patient bed. During the process of transferring a patient from an upright position to a reclining position, convertible wheeled chair shifts the center of gravity of the patient rearwardly, and therefore does not give the patient a sensation of sliding from the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Wood Lark Circle, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Davis, Robert Novack
  • Patent number: 6942296
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating, in handicapped patients, undressing, dressing and access to body parts between the waist and knees of the patient. The apparatus includes a seat (20) and a back support (10) which between them form an open region (11) in which a person located in the apparatus is not supported. The seat and the back support are disposed to be displaced between positions in which the person is placed in positions where the major proportion of the patient's weight is carried by the seat or in which the major proportion of the patient's weight is carried by the back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Arjo Hospital Equipment AB
    Inventors: Hans Lingegård, Bo Persson, Håkan Hagström, Deni Dimovski
  • Patent number: 6896329
    Abstract: The chair, particularly an office chair, has a backrest articulated to a seat support by way of a rest support. A seat surface is movable synchronously with the backrest. A front region of the seat surface is connected to the seat support via a sliding guide and a rear region is connected to the seat support via a seat link. A distance from an upper pivot point, which connects the seat link to the seat surface, to the backrest is shorter than the distance from a lower pivot point, which connects the seat link to the seat support, to the backrest. The movements of the backrest and of the seat surface are synchronized by a sliding guide provided between the seat link and the rest support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Armin Sander
    Inventors: Armin Sander, Martin Potrykus
  • Patent number: 6863346
    Abstract: A chair, in particular an office chair, comprising a pedestal, a seat support supported thereon, a seat plate supported on said seat support, and a backrest secured on said seat support. Said seat support comprises a rear supporting and guiding unit facing said backrest on which said seat plate is supported, and on which said seat plate is guided obliquely relative to the horizontal line against at least one spring element. Said seat support comprises further a front supporting and guiding unit on which said seat plate is supported, and on which said seat plate is displaceably guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dauphin Entwicklungs-u. Beteiligungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Zünd
  • Patent number: 6820935
    Abstract: The invention discloses an armchair (1) with variable position comprising a support structure (2) having a post (3) defining a first vertical axis (Z), a first frame (8) comprising a first pivot (9) defining a second horizontal axis (X), a second frame (12) swinging at one end (11) around the first pivot (9), thrust means (14) connected to the first frame (8) and acting against the end (11) of frame (12) to resist its swinging movement around the axis (X), a seat (10) supported by the first frame (8) and a backrest (13) supported by the second frame (12). The seat (10) is connected at least to the first frame (8) through first elastic means (15) adapted to allow a rotary translatory motion to the seat (10). The backrest (13) is connected to the second frame (12) through second elastic means (22) to allow a further rotary translatory motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Enrico Cioncada
  • Patent number: 6789847
    Abstract: A reclining chair has a control switch and a control device. The control device has a tube connected to a support frame, a joint disposed on a seat, a rod inserted through the tube and connected to the joint, a control thread connected to the control switch and a cylindrical block, an inner threaded socket disposed on the tube, a hollow cylinder disposed on a positioning mount, a compression spring inserted in the hollow cylinder, a positioning pin passing through the compression spring and the hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder engaging with the inner threaded socket, a connector clamping a tail of the positioning pin, the control thread passing through an angle plate of the positioning mount, and the cylindrical block inserted in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Sung-Tsun Tsai
  • Patent number: 6776454
    Abstract: The invention concerns a seat (1) with a seat support (2) which has a seating surface (3) as well as a backrest (4) connected pivotable with it, which seating surface (3) and backrest (4) are mounted adjustably and fixably on a seat bracket (7) for adjusting the position of the seat support (2). For the seat (1) of the invention, it is characteristic that back inclination of the backrest (4) is adjustable in connection with a fixed seating angle (&agr;) between backrest (4) and seating surface (3) by pivoting the seat support (2) relative to the seat bracket (7), and that the seating angle of the seating surface (3) is adjustable in connection with a pivotal point (9) fixed in the longitudinal direction of the seat by pivoting the seating surface (3) relative to the backrest (4). The seat (1) of the invention is distinguished by a comparatively short adjustment pathway through a large back inclination adjustment of the backrest (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Girsberger Holding AG
    Inventors: Thierry Aubert, Philipp Angst, Michael Rickli
  • 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
  • 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