Motor Actuated Patents (Class 297/330)
  • Patent number: 6217115
    Abstract: A linkage assembly is used to vertically adjust the position of a seat. The linkage assembly includes a first link that is connected to a second link without the use of fasteners. The first link has a first mounting portion and the second link has a second mounting portion. The first mounting portion is deformed into engagement with the second mounting portion to rotatably connect the first link to the second link. In one embodiment, the first mounting portion is an extrusion that extends through an aperture in the second link. An end of the extrusion is deformed into engagement with the second link to form a lip to lock the first link to the second link and allow relative rotational movement between the first and second links while eliminating relative linear movement therebetween. In an alternative embodiment, portions of the first and second links are deformed into locking engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Downey, Trajan Quinn, Pascal Garrido, Nils O. Olsson
  • Patent number: 6213554
    Abstract: A lift chair includes a chair frame, a stationary base section, and a motorized lift mechanism. Engagement of the motorized lift mechanism causes movement of a lift frame which is connected to the chair frame to cause movement from a first recumbent position to a second tilted position and allowing the user to be assisted to a standing position. Preferably, the chair can be rocked back and forth longitudinally, with the rocking motion being disabled while the lift mechanism is engaged. According to another preferred aspect, the chair can include a reclining back section which operates independently of the lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Groupe Myca
    Inventors: Yvan Marcoux, André Veilleux
  • Patent number: 6203107
    Abstract: A chair that includes a frame and a seat disposed there above, and an upwardly protruding back support that is located in an area behind the seat. A front part of the back support has a lumbar support device that is disposed a certain level above the seat to support the lumbar spine and/or pelvis rim of the user. The seat is movable relative to the frame between the forward starting position, on the one hand, in which the seat is remote from the back support and is the normal position when the seat is not used by a sitting person and a rear end position, on the other hand, has a lumbar support in which the seat has moved closer to the back support. More particularly, it is closer for the purpose of bringing the pelvis of the person sitting on the seat to partially shift in against or below the lumbar support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Jonber, Inc.
    Inventor: Bertil Jonsson
  • Patent number: 6158808
    Abstract: A fully adjustable lounge chair with an independently adjustable back support member, thigh support member and foot support member. A support pole for each of the support members attaches at its lower end to a horizontally disposed push bar. A rolling pinion gear is rigidly attached to each end of a shaft supported within the push bar so that the pinion gears reside at each end of the push bar. A pair of parallel rack type gears mate with the rolling pinion gears. A motorized screw type linear translation mechanism pivotally attached to each of the push bars causes the support members to raise and lower. "U" bracket type hinge members attach each support pole to the underside of each of the back support, thigh support and foot support members. A pair of shafts and associated pivotal hinge points attachs the back and thigh support members to a pair of vertically disposed support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: Meg Margolis, Kenneth Tarlow, Rhoda Colen, August Colenbrander, Jeanne Colenbrander
  • Patent number: 6158811
    Abstract: An adjusting device for an automobile seat having a back, a seating part formed by a seat substructure and a seat cushion, and with a side part that is guided horizontally by means of rails. The adjusting device can selectively regulate the seating part with respect to height, leaning or longitudinal distance. The adjusting device is formed by at least one fixed planetary gear system with a rotation drive device associated with, for example the seat substructure, the side part or seat rail and placed in a gear box casing. The planetary gear system has at least one sun wheel, one planet wheel and one ring gear respectively. The sun wheel interacts with the rotation driving device to operate the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignees: IMS Morat Soehne GmbH, Burger Soehne GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wolfram-N. Hofschulte, Uwe Breitfeld, Joerg Burger
  • Patent number: 6152478
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a base with two pairs of wheels connected to two sides of the base. A seat is connected to the base and a backrest is connected to the rear end of the seat. A seat shaft is located below the seat and a backrest supports the backrest. Two identical transmitting systems are connected between the seat shaft and the backrest shaft, wherein the seat shaft is driven by a motor. Each of the seat shaft and the backrest shaft has a rotatable member and a fixed member co-axially mounted to one of two ends thereof. A connecting tube is connected between the rotatable member on the seat shaft and the fixed member on the backrest shaft. Each of the rotatable member and the fixed member has arciform slots defined therein so that a chain is engaged with the arciform slots and passing through the connecting tube. The seat can be pivoted to an upright position to assist the disable person to stand up by rotating the rotatable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Chin-Lien Hung
  • Patent number: 6142568
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a means of providing an individual with increased ambulatory function through the use of a wheeled chair. The chair includes a lift mechanism, which is comprised of a linkage and an actuation means that can be operated by the user without assistance from another individual. The combination enables a user of compromised physical capabilities, to locomote from one place to another and perform daily tasks that would require bending or reaching. The chair is lightweight and very mobile, thereby minimizing restrictions to the user. The lift mechanism linkage and actuation means minimizes torque on the motor of the actuation means, eliminating current draw spikes which would stall the motor when the battery is low. The lightweight and low friction linkage design maximizes the function of the invention by keeping the battery and actuation means small, thereby reducing the weight and increasing the mobility of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Lyle Allred
    Inventors: Kevin Abelbeck, Lyle Allred
  • Patent number: 6139095
    Abstract: A split-seat chair includes a mechanism for stimulation of a person's hips while seated in the chair, by generally simulating the hip motion which occurs during walking, or by allowing such movement by the user. Two platforms under the respective buttocks of the person preferably move in orbital motions about a horizontal axis transverse to the chair, the two pads orbiting 180.degree. out of phase relative to one another. The speed of orbital motion is preferably coordinated with the rate of circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull as it travels down into the sacrum. The chair moves the pelvis in a gliding motion that partially mimics walking while the person is seated, thus reducing posturally caused lower back pain and stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Richard C. Robertshaw
  • Patent number: 6138974
    Abstract: A seat slide device for seat position adjustment, comprising: a lower rail arranged on an installing portion of a vehicle body; an upper rail retaining the seat and adapted to move along the lower rail; and an electric motor, so that the position of the seat may be adjusted by the lower rail, the upper rail and the electric motor through a drive unit. Further comprised is a bracket which has the drive unit arranged and is retained by the upper rail while retaining one end of a screw member arranged movably in the lower rail. The bracket includes an abutment face for abutting against a shoulder portion of one end of the upper rail below the top face of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Okada, Toshihiro Kimura, Yoshitaka Koga
  • Patent number: 6129420
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a base, a seat proper, and a seat back pivotally mounted on the base about an axis which is situated above the seat proper and in front of the seat back. The rear end of the seat proper is pivotally mounted on the seat back and the front end of the seat proper is mounted on the base via a linkage adapted to impose angular displacements on the seat proper that are less than half the angular displacements to which the seat back is subjected when the inclination of the seat back is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipments SA
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Judic
  • Patent number: 6119980
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat for a passenger vehicle, particularly an aircraft, which seat comprises a first fixed part for supporting the seat adjacent a floor of a vehicle; a second movable part comprising a seat pan component, a back-rest component and a leg-rest component. A guiding device between the first fixed and second movable part for guiding movement of the movable parts relative to the fixed part between an upright position and a fully reclined position, such that as the movable part is moved towards the fully reclined position, said back-rest component is lowered translationally towards the floor. A reclining device for reclining the back-rest component from an upright orientation to a fully reclined orientation as the movable portion is moved from the upright to the fully reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Reynard Aviation Limited
    Inventor: David Ferry
  • Patent number: 6106065
    Abstract: A lift and tilt chair including both motorized lift capability and motorized tilting capability. A hydraulic lift cylinder is provided and operates in conjunction with a motorized tilting system. A seat support is provided having rollers affixed thereto for providing the tilting motion and having the lift cylinder attached thereto for allowing raising and lowering of a patient seated within the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Reliance Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6105706
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle or powered wheelchair comprising a seat operatively mounted to a carriage by a seat positioning assembly including a linear positioning assembly to selectively position the seat longitudinally relative to the carriage to maintain the weight distribution of the personal mobility vehicle and occupant between the front and rear of the personal mobility vehicle within a predetermined weight distribution pattern during operation of the personal mobility vehicle to enhance the static and dynamic stability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Hoveround Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley C. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6068280
    Abstract: A wheelchair provides a seat mounted to a base preferably through use of a universal joint to provide for selective orientation of the seat. A pair of actuators are interposed between the seat and base so that selective extension and retraction of the actuators orients the seat as desired. A level sensing device(s) provides suitable output signals to control the extension and retraction of the actuators, and thus the final orientation of the seat. This allows a wheelchair occupant to remain level while the chair traverses uneven ground or to selectively reposition the seat to relieve pressure points without the assistance of an attendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Hank G. Torres
  • Patent number: 6056363
    Abstract: An apparatus which will largely prevent irritated ligaments, and sore necks and backs arising from spending long hours at a computer terminal by allowing the user to position themselves in multiple comfortable positions is disclosed. The apparatus for use with a monitor and keyboard comprises: a base; a carriage slidably mounted on the base; a seat member having rear, and front side portions, said seat member carried on the carriage; a back member having a lower side portion pivoted to the rear portion of the seat member; a leg member having an upper side portion pivoted to the front side portion of the seat member; an arm member carried by the carriage, said arm member having a front end portion adapted to carry the keyboard; a monitor arm carried by the carriage; and motorized threaded screws used to move the carriage on the base, and move the back and leg members relative to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Lee W. Maddox
  • Patent number: 6055877
    Abstract: A power seat track motor assembly controls motion of a seat in a vehicle. The power seat track motor assembly has a motor that has a first axis of rotation, a gear box having gears that turn in response to rotation of the motor, and a threaded screw that turns in response to turning of the gears in the gear box. The threaded screw has a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the motor so that forces imposed on the screw substantially by-pass the motor and gear box. The assembly also has a threaded structure including a threaded hole through which the threaded screw is threadably inserted. Either the threaded screw or the threaded structure is integral with or mechanically linked to the seat, so that rotation of the threaded screw relative to the threaded hole causes the seat to move. The threaded screw is in compression during normal operation so as to bear the forces that are imposed on the screw to substantially by-pass the motor and gear box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Buehler Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Welterlin, Douglas R. Hilliard, Thomas K. Peterreins
  • Patent number: 6033021
    Abstract: A chair with an automatic seat which cyclically inclines is configured with a forward/backward cyclically inclining mechanism (8) which supports the seat (6) supplied separate from and independent of the backrest (2) so that the seat can be inclined forward and backward and driven mechanically to incline by continuously changing its inclining angle. The inclination direction of the seat can be automatically reversed within a specified angle range. In addition, the chair is equipped with a rightward/leftward cyclically inclining mechanism (13) which is rectangularly installed beneath the forward/backward cyclically mechanism (8) to support it along with seat 6 to allow and drive inclination in the rightward and leftward directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Hiroshi Udo, Akihiro Udo, Stephan Konz
  • Patent number: 6003891
    Abstract: A wheelchair incorporates a tilt mechanism with a center of gravity compensation by employing a rotary actuator. The actuator is secured to the underside of the seat and has an arm pivotally secured to the frame. A seat pivot axis is located on a movable member that allows the axis to shift from a rear portion of the wheelchair toward a front portion as the seat is tilted from its upright position to a tilted position. This assures that the center of gravity of the user is maintained within the wheelbase of the chair, i.e., compensates for center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas Broadhead
  • Patent number: 6000757
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjuster having a single rail and an integral recliner mechanism on each side of the seat. The rails are secured to the floor by generally conventional floor supports. The recliner mechanisms each include rollers positioned both above and below the corresponding rail. Forward and rearward adjustment of the seat is obtained by moving the recliner mechanisms along the rails. In addition, each integral recliner mechanism includes upper arms that form the upright portions of the seat back frame. A seat back, preferably a molded seat back, is attached directly to the upper arms of the integral recliner mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Track Corp.
    Inventor: David M. Sovis
  • Patent number: 5992931
    Abstract: A modular power reclining chair is disclosed which includes a unibody chair frame supported on a power base assembly. A power-assisted linear drive mechanism is operably coupled to an actuation mechanism of the reclining chair to provide power assistance in positioning of a leg rest assembly, a tilt control mechanism and a swing linkage mechanism for moving the reclining chair through its various ranges of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Jonathon R. Saul, Dennis W. Wright
  • Patent number: 5992934
    Abstract: A mechanism is presented for the constraint-coupled adjustment of seat and backrest of a dental patient chair, whereby the seat-side end of the backrest is guided in a curved guide of the seat carrier, and whereby the seat carrier is pivotably connected to an upper part around a backrest-proximate tilting axis that, given an inclination of the backrest, the seat carrier with seat and leg support is tilted back around the tilting axis and, conversely, is tilted forward when the backrest is raised up. Inventively, a flexible, bendable force transmission element is provided for the constraint-coupling that has its one end secured to the upper part and has its other end secured to the seat-side end of the backrest. The force transmission element is guided over at least one roller in the fashion of a block and pulley and thus produces an adjustment motion effected by constraint-coupling of backrest and seat. A chain that is guided over chain rollers is advantageously provided as force transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hermann Gehrig, Gunther Moritz
  • Patent number: 5984411
    Abstract: The elevator chair has a seat assembly mounted on a support frame which includes an occupant supporting seat having a rear seat section, a seat back connected to and extending upwardly from the rear seat section and a front seat section which extends substantially across the extent of the rear seat section and which is pivoted to the rear seat section. A seat drive unit drives the seat assembly from a first position where the front and rear seat sections extend in the same first plane to a second position where the rear seat section remains in a second plane parallel to said first plane while the front seat section angles downwardly and outwardly. Subsequently the seat drive unit drives the seat assembly to a third position where the rear seat section tilts forwardly toward the front seat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Michael H. Galumbeck
  • Patent number: 5976097
    Abstract: A device for motioning selected body portions and supporting other body portions of a user seated thereon is provided. The device comprises a base member, a peripheral member, and an ischial pad. The ischial pad is operably connected to the body member and at least partially surrounded by the peripheral member. The ischial pad undulates about two orthogonal axes and relative to the peripheral member. The ischial pad isolates and engages the right and left ischial tuberosities of the user seated on the device for simulating the natural motion of the user's spine. The peripheral member supports the user's body portions proximate the ischium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Robert J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5971482
    Abstract: A wheelchair frame has a guide member operatively and slidably connected thereto. A chair is pivotally attached to the slidable guide member. An actuator for moving the chair forward and backward is connected at one end to the slidable guide member and at the other end to the wheelchair frame. A link arm has one end operatively connected to the frame and the other end pivotally connected to the seat of the integral wheelchair. Upon actuation of the actuator, the guide member moves the chair forward or backwards and as a consequence thereof, the seat is tilted backward or forward by the link arm to substantially maintain the center of gravity of a person seated in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Gerold G. Goertzen, Adrian J. Setacci
  • Patent number: 5931532
    Abstract: A power operated lift recliner which includes a safety system which senses the presence of an object located between a raised chair and the base frame and deactivates the power lift mechanism to prevent the mechanism from lowering the chair toward the base onto the object located therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: Kenneth Kemmerer, Kenneth Casey
  • Patent number: 5927144
    Abstract: A drive for adjusting parts of seating and reclining furniture, preferably for adjustable chairs, consisting of a basic housing for accepting a mechanism for driving a spindle fixed in position in the basic housing in a rotating manner, and a motor flanged to the side of the basic housing and connected to the mechanism, an accepting device for connection to a holding device and an adjuster for adjusting the movable part of the seating or reclining furniture being provided on the basic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Dietmar Koch
  • Patent number: 5926877
    Abstract: An adjustable supporting table generally comprises a basic frame, a first moveable bracket, a first pulley assembly, and a first driving device. The basic frame includes a main traverse rod. The first moveable bracket is pivotally attached to the basic frame and is provided with a traverse rod. The first pulley assembly is configured with a plurality of basic frame pulleys, a plurality of first pulleys, and a first cable. The basic pulley assembly is rotationally disposed at the main traverse rod of the basic frame. The first pulleys are rotationally disposed at a traverse rod of the first moveable bracket. The first cable is routed along those plurality of basic pulleys and first pulleys. The first driving device is fixedly disposed on the basic frame for extending or rewinding the first cable. Wherein when the first driving device is actuated, the first cable can be extended or wound such that the first moveable bracket can be disposed at a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Joe Lin
  • Patent number: 5895093
    Abstract: An electrically operated lift chair/recliner which includes a swivel base having a power drive that permits an occupant to turn the chair to the left or right as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventors: Kenneth Casey, Kenneth Kemmerer
  • Patent number: 5884970
    Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the spatial relationship between the bottom and the back of a chair which may be subjected to severe mechanical stress, as in the case of a vehicle crash, the seat and the back being operatively connected respectively to two oppositely threaded portions of a rotatable shaft which is adapted to be rotated in one direction or the other to produce the desired change in spatial relationship, the arrangement providing the combination of exceptional strength in the event of a crash and reduced cost. The operative connection between the chair parts and the shaft includes two non-rotatable parts engaged respectively with the oppositely threaded shaft portions so as to move in and out with respect to the shaft as the latter is rotated, and a housing which permits those parts to thus move while preventing their rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: CounterBalance Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy L. Howard
  • Patent number: 5884350
    Abstract: This invention relates to the supporting of a patient in a proper position for a treatment, particularly for a dental and/or orosurgical and/or orthodontic treatment. A patient to be treated is supported in a certain position on a treating chair or a treating couch (1) and the treating chair or the treating couch (1) moves that region in which the patient is to be treated, particularly the tooth or jaw region, to a spatial position which is defined by the height of the treating physician and which has previously been stored for a given treating physician or is stored by the treating physician. In dependence on previously determined stored parameters that region in which the patient is to be treated is located at that spatial position for different treatments, particularly of the tooth and/or jaw regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Kurze
  • Patent number: 5882075
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for an automobile comprises a seat portion which is slidably mounted for movement between fore and aft adjusted positions within a passenger compartment of the automobile. A pair of elongated power screws under the seat portion adjust the fore and aft position of the seat assembly in response to a reversible rotary input from a universal motor. The seat portion includes a pair of internal air bladders which independently inflate and deflate to adjust the height and tilt of the seat portion. A backrest portion extends upwardly from the seat portion, and may include a pneumatic lumbar adjustment device and other contour-adjusting air bladders. The universal motor operates both the power screws and the pneumatic adjustment devices. A transmission is operatively connected to the universal motor for selectively transmitting reversible rotary input to the power screws and pressurized fluid to any one of the pneumatic adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Partington, Andrew Massara, James Masters, David Fu
  • Patent number: 5806920
    Abstract: A lift chair being movable between reclining and forward lifting positions. The lift chair comprises a chair portion and a back portion, a base member having an upper surface that defines a first mating surface and sub-frame assembly, supporting the chair portion, having a front portion, a rear portion, and a second mating surface that is engagable with the first mating surface. The sub-frame assembly being movably connected to the base member proximate to the front thereof and further comprising a rotatable beam rotatably connected to the rear thereof having a back support member to which is attached the back portion. A n ottoman, movable between extended and retracted positions, is provided and is associated with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Eric D. Blount
  • Patent number: 5803545
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a chair, especially a chair for the handicapped, in which the backrest and seat are jointly angularly adjustable by only one motor, with the motor and a gas spring being articulated on only one movable pivot axis. This results in a very simple and compact design that has few individual parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Le Couviour Mobilier specialise sante
    Inventor: Pascal Guguin
  • Patent number: 5803547
    Abstract: A reclining support (10) suitable for astronomy observation has three sub-assemblies which can be readily connected together or dismantled. A base sub-assembly (11) has legs (12) which support a turntable (13, 14) and the turntable (13, 14) supports a chassis sub-assembly (17) which can rotate about a central pin (15) upstanding from the base (11), and further is coupled to the base (11) by an elevational tilt central link (70) which can be easily and quickly disconnected. The chassis carries on it a pair of upwardly facing "U" supports (19) by which a chair frame sub-assembly can be supported for ready removal, and the chair frame (21) itself carries a binocular frame (32, 33) in an adjustable and slidable binocular carrier sub-assembly which is coupled by simple telescopic frame members (35, 36) which can be removed from the chassis sub-assembly by sliding action of the telescopic members. This arrangement can achieve a simple lightweight observation support which is readily transported and erected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Christopher Andrew Brown
  • Patent number: 5797293
    Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a rotatable threaded shaft disposed between a first member movably mounted with respect to a stationary second member. A housing having a freely movable leg is fixedly mounted to the second member, with the free leg movably extending into an aperture in the second member. A plastic drive block threadingly engaged with the threaded shaft is mounted within the housing. A cushion member is coupled to the drive nut and resiliently supports the drive nut in the housing. Axial forces exerted on the threaded shaft cause deformation of the side leg of the housing into direct contact with the lead screw to form a metal to metal path between the lead screw and the second member through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Philip A. Chaban
  • Patent number: 5790997
    Abstract: A table including an articulated deck having a head section, a seat section, a foot section and at least one of the sections is coupled to the frame for movement between a generally horizontal position and a tilted position about a first effective axis above a patient support surface of a mattress of the deck. Pivoting and translation of the deck section extends and contracts the deck sections relative to each other to match the expansion and contraction of the skin of patient as the deck sections move between their horizontal and tilted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Ruehl
  • Patent number: 5775661
    Abstract: A seat lifter comprises a lifter shaft having a sector gear and rotated by a center gear to vertically move a seat frame with respect to a base frame through a link mechanism. The sector gear is formed with a stopper arm protruding from one side thereof, whereas the base frame is formed with a long arc-shaped hole with which a pointed end of the stopper arm is engaged. The long arc-shaped hole is partly covered by a vertical wall of the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Eiichi Kawai
  • Patent number: 5765840
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adjusting mechanism including a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to lock the adjusting mechanism to prevent adjusting movement and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit manual movement in one direction and return movement in the opposite direction. The adjusting mechanism includes a power operated assembly constructed and arranged to enable the locking and releasing device to be moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof, and a manually actuated remote control constructed and arranged to operate the power operated assembly to enable the locking and releasing device to be selectively moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Omar D. Tame
  • Patent number: 5765798
    Abstract: In order to neatly locate an electric drive mechanism under a seat, a unique measure is applied to a power seat slide device. An upper rail has an upper vertical flange through which the seat is secured to the upper rail. The vertical upper flange has a part mounting portion which extends forward beyond a front end of the upper rail. A recess is formed in the part mounting portion, which faces downward. A speed reduction gear box is neatly received in the recess and secured to the part mounting portion through a locking pin. An electric motor has one end secured to the gear box and the other end projected in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the upper rail runs. A screw shaft extends from the gear box and extends in and along the upper rail. A nut member is secured to the lower rail and operatively engaged with the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Isomura
  • Patent number: 5762309
    Abstract: A restraining end clip is mounted on a component of a vehicle power seat adjuster and has a portion coupled to and rotatably supporting the free end of a rotatable drive shaft for minimizing resonance of the free end of the drive screw. The end clip has a first end detachably mountable in an aperture on one of the seat adjuster components. A second end depends from the first end and carries a receiver having an internal recess conformed to the shape of the free end of the drive screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Peter S. Zhou, Harry Chuck Buchanan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5751129
    Abstract: An electronic memory seat module having integrated sensors is disclosed. The module is mounted on a seat frame which, in turn, is mounted on a fixed base member. Position sensors are mounted in or on the module. Mechanical linkages are provided between adjustable members belonging to the seat frame and the sensors. The linkages translate movement of the structural members into a motion which can be sensed by the sensors. This sensed position can then be stored by an electronic memory unit for later recall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Invotronics Manufacturing
    Inventor: William E. Vergin
  • Patent number: 5738327
    Abstract: A seat adjuster of a vehicular seat is provided with a seat lifting mechanism which includes front and rear shafts which are supported to vertically extending walls of a pair of seat rails for sliding a vehicular seat. One end portion of each shaft has a bulged portion for receiving the wall and a groove for setting a stop ring. The end portion is inserted to a through-hole of the wall and limitingly connected thereto by means of the bulged portion and the stop pin set in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Tanaka, Koichi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 5735573
    Abstract: A home seating furnishing having one or more power driven adjustable seats, where each seat offers movement independent from all other seats in the furnishing is disclosed. The furnishing includes an armrest lid which is moveable between open and closed positions while remaining horizontal at all times, thereby allowing exposure of the interior of the arm rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Jon D. Vredevoogd
  • Patent number: 5730494
    Abstract: A chair including a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a cam guide which is linearly movable upon rotation of a shaft for selectively actuating a lift and tilt linkage mechanism, and for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when a motor of the mechanism is operated in a first direction. Rotation of a shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to a normal seating position. Continued rotation in the second direction causes a first cam block pivotably mounted to the cam guide to engage a first follower assembly for causing extension of a leg rest assembly and for causing a rearward tilt of the chair frame. Further rotation in the second direction causes a second cam block pivotably mounted to the cam guide to engage a second follower assembly for causing reclining movement of the chair and for causing an additional rearward tilt of the chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Ken K. Finzel, Jonathan R. Saul, Karl J. Komorowski, Richard E. Marshall, Dennis W. Wright
  • Patent number: 5712625
    Abstract: A vehicle operator identification verification system that correlates an operator identification code with certain vehicle conditions such as seat position and side mirror position. A personalization command system receives the operator identification code from a key fob transmitter, and correlates the identification code with stored identification codes. The command system will then initiate various adapting systems that correspond to the received identification code. Further, the command system will cause various personalization devices, such as seats and mirror positioning devices, to be actuated to a position corresponding to a stored position associated with the received operator identification code. If one or more of the various personalization devices are adjusted by the vehicle operator a certain percentage beyond the settings that correspond to the received operator identification code, system will prevent the adapting systems from adapting to the current vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Morgan Daniel Murphy
  • Patent number: 5709363
    Abstract: A structure of powered seat including a main bracket provided at a forward point of seat fore-and-aft adjustment device, and in that main bracket, a motor of the seat fore-and aft adjustment device is secured. Further, the structure has a sub bracket in which drive mechanisms of forward and backward seat height adjustment devices are secured, to thereby provide one unit of seat height adjustment device. The sub bracket is detachably secured to the main bracket, whereby such unit of seat height adjustment device may be connected to the seat fore-and-aft adjustment device, permitting thus use in a driver's seat, or may be removed from the same seat fore-and-aft adjustment device, permitting use in a assistant or navigator's seat which does not require height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Matsuhashi
  • Patent number: 5651580
    Abstract: A chair including a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a cam guide which is linearly movable upon retraction of a shaft for selectively actuating a lift and tilt linkage mechanism, and for causing forward lifting and tilting movement of the chair when a motor of the mechanism is operated in a first direction. Extension of a shaft in a second opposite direction acts to lower the chair to a normal seating position. Continued extension in the second direction causes a first cam block pivotably mounted to the cam guide to engage a first follower assembly for causing extension of a leg rest assembly. Further extension in the second direction causes a second cam block pivotably mounted to the cam guide to engage a second follower assembly for causing 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair Company
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Bryan P. Brettschneider
  • Patent number: 5645313
    Abstract: A dentist's or other chair has a reclining mechanism interlinking the back rest (36), the chair seat (34) and a leg or foot rest (38) for raising and reclining the back rest (36), for tilting the chair seat (34), and for lowering and raising the leg or foot rest (38) together. In order to be able to recline the chair so that its seat (34), back rest (36) and leg or foot rest (38) are both flat and horizontal, the mechanism includes means for disengaging the chair seat so that with the chair seat disengaged and horizontal, the back rest (36) can be reclined and the leg or foot rest (38) can be raised both also to horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventors: Robert Edward Best, Gordon Allen Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5628546
    Abstract: A dental patient's chair which is fully and completely adjustable which includes a foot control system that eliminates the need to manipulate any hand-operated control knobs or levers. The dental patient's chair includes a linkage assembly which allows the seat to pivot and move in the same manner as the human body when the human body articulates about the complex pivot created at the pelvic bone, the upper legs, and the lower part of the backbone. The dental patient's chair allows the patient's body to remain in the same position relative to the backrest and the seat of the patient's chair as the chair is articulated in a variety of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Dentech Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Boetzkes
  • Patent number: 5588704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for periodically and rhythmically lifting one hip of a seated person and then the other, thereby simulating the muscle stimulation and relaxation imparted to a person by walking. A rotatable support panel is provided for alternately lifting and moving backward and forward each hip of a seated person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Richard D. Harza