Abstract: A power lifting and tilting device is more universally adaptable for economic retrofitting to most types of chairs as assists for the infirm. Little or no floor clearance requirements are achieved with power driven rollers traveling oppositely inclined surfaces of the device to produce lifting and tilting action for alighting from and occupying the chair.

Abstract: A conversion kit for standard wheelchairs whereby a wheelchair with a stationary fixed seat can be retrofitted with a tiltable seat having a reclinable back. The seat and back may be separately infinitely variably adjusted by extendible lockable adjusters and the seat and back apparatus is readily mountable upon conventional wheelchair constructions.

Abstract: A stand-assist chair has a base, front and back wheels on the base normally supporting it rollably on a floor, a seat having a front edge and a back edge, a back extending upward from the back edge of the seat, and a pair of lever systems engaged between the seat and the base operable to displace the seat between a normal sitting position with the seat front edge somewhat above the seat rear edge and a stand-assist position with the seat rear edge somewhat above the seat front edge and the entire seat elevated above the level it occupies relative to the base in the normal sitting position. A drive motor is engaged with the lever system for displacing the seat between its positions. A pair of respective feet are movable on the base between a retracted position above a plane defined by lowermost surfaces of the wheels and an extended position projecting downward past the plane and lifting at least one of the wheels off the floor.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle which includes a seat, a seat back, and mounting means mounting the seat for movement in fore and aft directions in the vehicle along an upwardly concaved arcuate path. The arcuate path has a radius of curvature which is sufficiently large to timely move in front of and to contain the person's buttocks, to significantly slow the rate of deceleration of the person seated on said seat, and being sufficiently small to convert a portion of the linear momentum of the person's buttocks to angular momentum thus maintaining frictional contact of the person's buttocks with the seat during stopping at a high rate of deceleration. A seat assembly which includes a lower lumbar support member that is coupled from movement in response to pelvic tilting movement of the seat also is shown.

Abstract: A wheelchair comprises a base frame section with four wheels and a seat frame section for supporting a seat and a back rest. At both sides of the wheelchair front and back rods are pivotably connected with the base frame section and the seat frame section, wherein an adjusting means is mounted between both said frame sections for adjusting the seat angle between minimum and maximum values. The front and back rods are directed obliquely towards each other at the minimum seat angle. At the minimum seat angle the back rods enclose an angle with the vertical which is substantially greater than the angle enclosed between the front rods and the vertical, wherein the front rods pass the vertical when adjusting the seat angle from the minimum value to the maximum value.

Abstract: The chair includes a first inverted U-shaped frame which has two arms defining a back portion and two extensions respectively extending from the two arms to define a seat portion. The two arms have a pair of tabs each with a notch. A first connecting rod is attached to the free ends of the two extensions. Two spaced second U-shaped frames each include a front leg and a rear leg with a threaded bolt provided at the topmost portion thereof. The first connecting rod is mortised to the front legs while a second connecting rod is mortised to the rear legs below the threaded bolt when the chair is assembled. At that configuration, the notch of the tab rests on the threaded bolt.

Abstract: In providing wheelchairs with a central suspension, which comprises a funicular quadrangle and parallelogram hinges, less effort is needed to adjust the position of the chair with respect to the chassis and, moreover, the danger of tumbling is considerably reduced.

Abstract: The chair of the present invention includes a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a modified nut or "cam guide" which is linearly moveable upon rotation of the power screw for selectively actuating the lift and tilt linkage mechanism for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when the motor is operated in a first direction. Rotation of the screw shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to the normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes sequential operative extension of the leg rest assembly followed by angular reclining movement of the chair. This sequential operation of the leg rest assembly and the reclining linkage are independent and may be easily disabled to selectively eliminate either of the features.

Abstract: The portable case which can be converted into a chair comprises two separable half-shells (1, 2) capable of being fitted back-to-back in an adjustable manner by complementary assembly structure. One of the half-shells (2) comprises two articulated elements (7, 8) mounted about parallel hinges situated on two opposite sides of the half-shell so as to form, in the folded-out position, support surfaces of the chair thus assembled.

Abstract: A "three-way" recliner mechanism for use in reclinable articles of furniture is disclosed. The recliner mechanism is operative for "tilting" the entire seating unit, "reclining" the seat back relative to the seat frame and for selectively extending and retracting a leg rest assembly. The recliner mechanism of the present invention incorporates separate bearing link assemblies for directly supporting the chair frame for translation movement relative to the base.

Abstract: A portable seat especially adapted for use as a baby seat has a portable base with means for releasably attaching the base to the seat of a vehicle and a seat supported by the base, connected between the portable base and the seat by which the seat can move relative to the base in a controlled manner to elevate the front and the rear of the seat in the same action as the seat moves forward such as occurs by inertia upon a sudden deceleration, the entire apparatus being self-contained and portable so that the apparatus can be removed or installed as desired.

Abstract: A reclining chair that meets requirements of chair design promoting occupant comfort: The chair, suitable for use as a bed, provides a means whereby when the seat moves forwardly, the backrest reclines and vice versa, thereby controlling the position of the center of gravity in all backrest positions, and thereby also maintaining approximately the same seat height in all backrest positions. The chair provides a means for adjustably positioning ground engaging components such as wheel assemblies, rocker arms, and other ground engaging devices to alter seat angle. The rocking function also has therapeutic advantages. The use of wheel assemblies, which may be motorized, permits use as a wheelchair. The chair supports the occupant via a plurality of closely spaced springably supported transverse slats. Such support is designed to provide approximately constant average spring deflection in the backrest, seat, and legrest segments at an intermediate backrest angle.

Abstract: A child's seat, which is possible to position and fix onto a motor vehicle seat, including a frame covered with a padding including two lateral edges forming, together with the seat, a bucket seat, the lateral frame elements defining the lateral edges being articulated relative to the main frame elements defining the seat and the backrest so as to be able to modify the width of the bucket seat.

Abstract: A chaise lounge, usable for sunbathing and other recreational purposes, comprises a stationary base having a normally upright hood-like canopy pivotally mounted rearwardly thereon. The canopy is adapted to be pivoted between a normal upright position to form a seating arrangement and a lowered position placing a back of the canopy in alignment with a top of the base. A combined moving, holding and locking control system includes an electric motor and an actuating mechanism for releasably holding and locking the canopy in a selected position between its upright and lowered positions in response to selective activation of the motor.

Abstract: The chair of the present invention includes a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a modified nut or "cam guide" which is linearly moveable upon rotation of the power screw for selectively actuating the lift and tilt linkage mechanism for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when the motor is operated in a first direction. Rotation of the screw shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to the normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes sequential operative extension of the leg rest assembly followed by angular reclining movement of the chair. This sequential operation of the leg rest assembly and the reclining linkage are independent and may be easily disabled to selectively eliminate either of the features.

Abstract: An auxiliary chair for use in restraining young children in vehicles. The chair is capable of either frontward or backward orientation and in each case the portion thereof that engages the seat belt of the vehicle remains in the same relative position. The engagement portion is on an engagement arm that is movable between a frontward and a rearward position, and in each position locks both the chair body and the chair base thereto for security. The chair is tiltable to several orientations and is locked into several tilt positions via a shaft through the body that rides in a slot within locking plates in the base. The locking plate locks the position due to springs forcing the plates upward. The lock is easily released by handles on the sides of the base.

Abstract: Baby seat having a seat part and a back part, the baby seat being provided with a support which can be put in at least four positionswith a first underlying position, in which the baby seat can rest with its support on an underlying supporting surface in the sleeping position,with a second underlying position, in which the baby seat can rest with its support on an underlying supporting surface in the sitting position,with a third lateral position, in which the baby seat can rest with its support against a lateral supporting surface, located opposite the back part, during transport, andwith a fourth lateral position, in which the baby seat can be carried by hand, by the structure of the support.

Abstract: An adjustable sitting device, e.g. a chair with the mutual angle between the seat and the back rest being adjustable, if desired, with simultaneous adjustment of the level of the seat and the back rest, said seat and/or back rest being turnable about an axis that is essentially coincident with an imaginary axis through the hip joints of the user. The lower portion of the back rest has a circle sector shaped cross section and the rear portion of said seat has a correcponding circle sector shaped cross section with a circle sector shaped mounting plate inserted between said portions for a sliding support of said back seat and seat portions.

Abstract: A vehicle safety device designed to respond to a sudden stopping of a vehicle by controlling movement of both the front and the rear of a vehicle seat in forward and upward directions. In various embodiments the movement is controlled by ramps and linkages and by various combinations of ramps and links. The linkage may be a single component link or a linkage of two components pivotally connected together. The ramp may be defined by a straight slot or by an arcuate slot or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A lift base assembly for an upholstered recliner chair or the like comprises upper and lower frames with wooden outer surfaces and an electric motor operated linkage mechanism for elevating and tilting the upper frame on which a chair may be mounted.

Abstract: A support apparatus for selectively supporting a human being in one of a plurality of positions includes a support structure and a seat assembly having a frame and a seat mounted on the frame for movement therewith. The seat assembly is positionable relative to support structure along an arcuate path defined by an arcuate guide track provided on one of the frame and support structure. A plurality of rollers are rotatably supported on the other of the frame and support structure, the rollers engaging the guide track to support the seat assembly on the support structure and being movable relative to the guide track to permit movement of the seat assembly relative to the support structure. A back support member may be pivotally mounted on the frame to permit selective positioning of the back support member in one of a plurality of positions relative to the seat while moving with the seat during movement of the seat assembly relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A power-assisted lift platform for a chair includes a base, a lift frame, left and right side lift linkages and an electrically powered linear actuator connected between the base and the lift frame. The chair may be mounted to the lift frame. The lift linkages are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the base and at their rear ends to the lift frame. The lift linkages are arranged so that when the actuator is extended, the lift frame and chair are raised in a generally vertical path to reduce the fore-to-aft motion of the occupant's feet from the rest or seated position. While raising the occupant, the mechanism also tilts the occupant forwardly and transfers the occupant's center of gravity forwardly, more directly over his or her ankles to provide greater stability to the occupant in alighting from or entering the chair.

Abstract: An examination chair for placing a patient in desired positions for e.g. radiological examination, especially of the lungs and pleurae, comprises an underframe (10) having an arm (12) which is pivotable in the vertical plane and two parallel arcuate sections (17) which are rigidly interconnected and longitudinally displaceably mounted in holders (16) on opposite sides of the end of said arm (12) facing away from the underframe (10) and can be locked in the adjusted position. The arcuate members (17) carry the seat and back-rest assembly (19, 20, 21) of the chair on their side facing the arc center (0) in a manner such that the center of gravity of a person sitting in the chair will lie slightly in front of and below the arc center (0). By pivoting the arm and longitudinally displacing the arcuate members (17), the patient carried by said seat and back-rest assembly (19, 20, 21) is readily positionable in the desired positions.

Abstract: An auxiliary chair is to be removably mounted on an automotive seat. The chair comprises a seat portion having a front edge and a rear edge, a backrest extending from said rear edge of the seat portion, and an adjuster a slant angle of the seat portion. The adjuster includes a pair of adjusting bars each of which pivotally attached at its proximal end to a lower portion of the seat portion, so that the adjusting bar may take a forward portion and a rearward position. A fixing mechanism includes a pair of engaging levers each of which is pivotally attached at its proximal end portion to a side surface of the seat portion so that its distal end portion may freely be angularly moved. The fixing mechanism further includes associated engagement mechanisms each of which is provided at the side of the seat portion and is engagable with the proximal end portion of the engaging lever.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suspension mechanism (10) utilized to interconnect the seating portion (16) as well as the back supporting portion (18) of a chair assembly (12) to a pedestal assembly (14). A spring support (30) is fastened to the upper end portion of the pedestal assembly (14). At least one primary seat spring (40) is secured to the spring support (30) and extends generally upwardly and rearwardly therefrom to be secured to the underside of a seating portion (16). Preferably, the primary seat spring (40) comprises a pair of laterally spaced, leaf springs (40). Also secured to the spring support (30), and preferably between the pair of laterally spaced primary seat springs (40), is an interactive spring (60). The interactive spring (60) extends outwardly from the spring support (30) in generally parallel relation with the primary seat springs (40) to be disposed in a cantilevered fashion therebetween.

Abstract: A reclining chair is provided comprising a tubular frame and a seating secured to said frame by a flexible member. The flexible member slides over a raceway positioned lengthwise inside said tubular frame, whereby the seating is suspended from the frame. Means are provided to guide the motions of the flexible member and those of the seating.

Abstract: A work station for ergonometrically supporting a human operator in a seated position while the human operates equipment located on the work station. A chair (12) has a first portion (12b) contactable by a thigh of the seated operator and a second portion (12c) contactable by the operator's back. The chair (12) is rockable about a horizontal axis of a main pivot shaft (28). A carriage (14) is secured proximate the front edge of the first portion (12b) of the chair (12). A surface for supporting an input device (16) and a surface for supporting a visual display device (18) are attached to the carriage (14). As the seated operator rocks about the horizontal axis of the shaft (28), the spatial distance between the surface for supporting an input device (16) and the seated operator remain essentially constant, as does the spatial distance between the surface for supporting the visual display (18) and the seated operator.

Abstract: An improved pivot assembly comprising a pivot mechanism upon which a seat adjuster pivots, a bracket mechanism having an elongated slot in which a fastening mechanism for the pivot mechanism is contained, a lining portion affixed to the bracket mechanism the lining portion having flanges extending through the elongated slot laterally away from the lining portion, the flanges having a predetermined curvature, a fastening mechanism passing through the lining portion, bracket mechanism and pivot mechanism, whereby when the fastening mechanism is affixed to the pivot mechanism through the bracket mechanism the flanges of the lining portion are biased against the fastening mechanism, thereby the tolerance of the improved pivot assembly are optimized to allow a minimum of play or chuck amongst the components therefor.

Abstract: A seat lifting apparatus comprises a seat lifting device disposed between a base frame and a seat frame attached onto a seat side, and independently moving up or down the front and rear sides of the seat frame; front and rear shafts disposed in the seat lifting device and respectively disposed on the front and rear sides of the seat to support the seat; front and rear engaging devices respectively disposed in the front and rear shafts; and a resilient device connected between the front and rear engaging device and balancing the lifting operation of the seat on the front and rear sides thereof.

Abstract: A pedestal chair has a chassis with a mounting block (16) mounted on the pedestal, a main frame (18) supporting the upholstered seat and back and an intermediate member (20). The block (16) and the intermediate member (20) are pivotally connected about a transverse horizontal axis (22), and the intermediate member (20) is pivotally connected to the main frame (18) about a transverse horizontal axis (28). Blocks of resiliant material (26,32) urge the main frame (18) to a datum position from which it can pivot either forwardly about the rear axis (22) or rearwardly about the forward axis (28), on dependence upon the weight distribution on the chair. (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A seat structure for automobiles includes a pair of seat hinges provided at both side of the seat and a connecting member disposed between the seat hinges for connecting them. The seat structure further includes a support member on the connecting member for securing seat cushion to the seat hinges.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to furniture of the chair, loveseat and couch type which includes a frame, first and second members linked with one another and generally parallel to one another, one or more spring members coupling the first and second members with the frame and permitting partial rotation of the first and second members about an axis perpendicular to the first and second members and biasing the members back to an initial orientation when rotated, a cushion received by and supported by the first pair of members, a latch mechanism within the cushion for latching the cushion to at least one of the first and second members receiving the cushion, a mating element on at least one of the members for engaging with the latch and an actuator within the cushion coupled with the latch for disengaging the latch mechanism from the mating element of the members.

Abstract: A reclining chair is provided comprising a frame and a seating secured to said frame by a flexible member. The flexible member passes over and is captured by rolls whereby the seating is suspended from the frame. The flexible member may be affixed at its ends to the frame or the seating and the rolls are affixed to the other of the frame and seating. The frame may be hollow and the flexible members and/or rolls may be positioned within the frame.

Abstract: The chair has a seat or seat portion equipped with a balance and its linkage structure has links fixed in articulated manner to a support arm and to which there is articulated a balance device in parallelogram-like manner. A slide is slidingly guided on the balance device and is connected by means of a thrust rod to an extension arm of the backrest-side link. The slide is also connected to one end of a spring element, the other end of which is supported on the balance device. The linkage structure is supported on the backrest by means of a backrest strut articulated to the slide. The seat and backrest portions of the chair frame can be constructed as a plastic shell with a knee-side bending joint and a further bending joint between the seat portion and the backrest portion.

Abstract: The device enables a trim adjustment of the vehicle seat. An upper side of each upper section of a slide member carries two square members having vertical wings. The vertical wings maintain, at their upper ends either frontwardly or rearwardly of the seat, spindles on which is articulated a shoe-square. One of the two square members carries an articulation iron fitting enabling, by means of a reduction lever rotating with the mobile flange of each articulation, to raise a rear or front shoe-square in order that a seat frame fixed on the shoe-squares is displaceable by a clearance angle delimited according to needs either for a rear part of the seat or for a front part of the seat between a lower dead point and an upper dead point.

Abstract: A camping and fishing chair is provided which includes means at the rear of the chair for shortening the distance between the bottom of the chair and the surface on which it rests whereby the same may be adapted for use on an incline and the chair also includes means for selectively adjusting the front of the chair so that the chair may also be used on an incline by raising or lowering the front portion.

Abstract: A chair comprising a seat (12,19) having an upstanding backrest (11,20) and a depending leg structure (13,14), with the leg structure terminating in front and rear friction-producing formations (17,18) normally engaged with the ground in a stable disposition for the chair, and the chair additionally having a roller assembly (22,23) in a configuration which extends rearwardly of and across the chair, and which is elevated from the ground with a front-to-rear upward inclination in the normal disposition, whereby the chair can adopt a stable mobile disposition by rearward tilting to engage the roller elements with the ground.

Abstract: Wheelchair comprising an underframe with front and rear wheels, and a seat part (1) which is adjustable relative to the underframe, which seat part (1) can be tilted forward and backward relative to the underframe in such a way that the overall center of gravity (6) of seat part (1) and wheelchair user (5) essentially assumes a fixed position relative to the underframe.

Abstract: The seat structure comprises a seat framework (2) and a backrest framework (6) which are pivotally interconnected by a pivot pin (4) which is movable in a substantially vertical curved opening (40). The framework of the backrest is extended by tabs (34) which are connected in their lower part by a link (32) to an element pivotally mounted on a pin (18) which is movable in a vertical opening (20). Owing to the fact that the pin (18) is carried by the seat, the adjustments in height and in inclination are strictly independent.

Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat having means providing for fore and aft adjustment, vertical adjustment with tilting, and a recliner back with full adjustment.

Abstract: A child's seat assembly securable, preferably within the seat back of the backseat of a vehicle. This invention includes a molded seal and frame which is interconnectable between the vehicle's seat back support structure. The molded seat is releasably positionable, generally within the perimeter of the frame, which is preferably tubular. The frame fits either between two seat back portions or at one end of a seat back portion when installed as original vehicle equipment. When installed as an after-market accessory, the vehicle's existing seat back must be modified to accommodate installation of the frame to the support structure of the vehicle. This assembly includes two lateral head support panels, a torso containment panel, and, preferably, a foot support panel. The two head support panels are generally vertically hinged, the hinges mounted along either upper portion of the frame, while the foot support is hinged along a lower transverse cross member of the frame.

Abstract: A mechanism for connection to a chair and to a base for allowing the chair to tilt forward and backward and from side-to-side relative to the base when the base is supported on a floor. The mechanism includes a support in the form of a housing mounted on a base by horizontal pin for forward and backward tilting movement on the base. A plate is mounted on the support for pivotal movement from side-to-side, the plate adapted to be coupled to the underside of the chair. A pair of torsion bars is carried by the support and serves to exert a spring bias force on the support when the chair is tilted backwardly relative to the base. The two torsion bars can be coupled in a manner to limit the spring bias effect of one of the torsion bars so that adjustments in the spring loading can be made as to the size and weight of a person sitting in the chair.

Abstract: A seat includes a device for adjusting the position of a seat part relative o its support. The device is operated by a rotary knob which rotates a pinned disc of a lantern wheel gearing arrangement. The pins of the disc cooperate with teeth of a gear wheel which is connected to a pinion that rolls on a toothed segment articulated to the seat support. The teeth of the gear wheel are constructed so that reaction forces due to contact between the flanks and the pins are directed so as to pass through the rotational axis of the disc. Therefore no torque is applied to the disc and it remains stable.

Abstract: A vertical seat adjuster for vehicle seats includes a seat support bracket. The rear portion of the bracket is supported on the vehicle by a lever which is rotatable through a screwjack mechanism to raise and lower the rear portion of the bracket. The front portion of the bracket is likewise supported on the vehicle by a rotatable lever. The front portion of the bracket mounts a pair of lock plates which are movable between engaged and released positions with respect to a detent mounted to the vehicle in order to lock the front portion of the bracket against movement. Each lock plate includes a series of alternating notches and abutments, with the notches and abutments of the locking plates being offset with respect to the other whereby the notch of one lock plate engages the detent to lock the bracket against movement while the abutment of the other engages the detent to maintain the other lock plate in released position.

Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat construction adapted to adjust the seat vertically, horizontally, and tilting in opposite directions about a transverse axis. The adjustments are effected or controlled by forces applied to the vehicle seat by an occupant, and are permitted by disengaging latch means which permits selective tilting of the seat by raising or lowering the front or rear edges of the seat in a pivoting motion about transverse axes adjacent the rear or front seat edges, respectively. Rearward tilting, resulting from raising the front edge or lowering the rear edge by the seat occupant, is facilitated by forces applied to the seat back. Counter-balance means apply forces tending to tilt the seat forwardly.

Abstract: A vertical seat adjuster arrangement for vehicle seats includes spaced opposite hand mechanisms, each of which includes a seat support bracket. The rear portions of the brackets are supported to the vehicle by levers which are conjointly rotatable through a screwjack mechanism to raise and lower the rear portions of the brackets. The front portions of the brackets are likewise supported to the vehicle by conjointly rotatable levers. Each bracket mounts a lock plate which is movable between engaged and released positions with respect to a detent mounted to the vehicle in order to lock the front portions of the brackets against movement. Each lock plate includes a series of alternating notches and abutments, with the notches of one locking plate being offset with respect to the other to thereby obtain an increased number of adjusted positions of the brackets relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vertical seat adjuster for vehicle seats includes a seat support bracket fixed to the seat and having front and rear arcuate slots. Front and rear levers are pivotally mounted on the vehicle and pivotally secured to the seat support bracket. The pivotal mountings of the levers are received through the slots of the bracket. A lock plate for each lever is slidably mounted on the bracket for movement between an engaged position wherein it engages the pivot means projecting through the slot of the seat support bracket to lock the bracket in a vertical adjusted position, and a released position, wherein the bracket is movable relative to the pivot means upon rotation of the lever thereabout. A manually operable release mechanism selectively and alternately moves the lock plates to released position and such plates are biased to engaged position.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a fitting element which is adjustable relative to a support element to various positions, particularly a fitting element for vehicle seats is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locking device which is self-arresting under a load from the return force and having at least two locking elements which engage each other by teeth means which prevent movement of the fitting element, one of said locking elements positioned on the fitting element and the other of said locking elements being movably guided on the support element and movable forcibly only into the locking position against a return force by means of said activating member.

Abstract: A rockingly movable chair includes a leg portion, a seat portion mounted on the leg portion and a circular arc surface provided on either of the leg portion or the seat portion for cooperating with an element which is provided on the other of the leg portion or the seat portion and which is displaceable along the circular arc surface so that the seat portion can rockingly move relative to the leg portion. A spring is provided between the leg portion and the seat portion to bias the seat portion with respect to the seat portion in one direction during the rocking movement. A locking device is provided to lock the rocking movement at a desired position.