Motor Actuated Patents (Class 297/330)
  • Patent number: 5586740
    Abstract: A powered seat adjuster slide unit is providing including a top rail for mounting a vehicle seat; a bottom rail for supporting the top rail; a guide rail pivotally joined to the top and bottom rails along generally opposite ends to stabilize the top rail; a first forward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the first jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails; and a second rearward jack screw unit with a powered extendable jack screw, the second jack screw unit having pivotal axes in positions fixed with respect to the top and bottom rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hans J. Borlinghaus, James P. Nini, Thomas B. Blake
  • Patent number: 5556163
    Abstract: A cordless, power-adjustable office or task chair comprising: a seat height adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, the upper and lower members of the adjustable column relative to each other to raise and lower the height of the seat. A seat tilt adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the top plate relative to the bottom plate to adjust the angle of tilt of the seat. A seat position adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the seat relative to the top plate. A back tilt adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the back support strap to tilt the chair back forwardly and rearwardly. A back height adjustment mechanism, including an electric motor, moves the back axially with respect to the back support strap. A seat height switch controls the seat height adjustment mechanism. A seat tilt switch controls the seat tilt adjustment mechanism. A seat position switch controls the seat position adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: EAC Corporation
    Inventors: M. Weldon Rogers, III, Bruce E. Bogart, David L. Gerke, Robert A. Eberle, Craig Thomas
  • Patent number: 5542744
    Abstract: A linear drive for articulated furniture having pre-determined extended and retracted positions. These devices heretofore have been designed to be adjustable, but customer adjustment frequently causes costly damage to the drive and furniture. The drive includes a motor-driven rotary screw and a cooperating nut carrying drive tube which is rotationally fixed to a drive housing to prevent customer adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: C.E.B. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Leeland M. Bathrick
  • Patent number: 5528782
    Abstract: A support column for holding a patient support means of an operating table has a foot portion (18) and a head portion (46), which head portion is adapted for connection with the patient support means and by means of an adjusting mechanism located inside of the support column is adjustable relative to the foot portion (18) and pivotal about horizontal axes. The adjusting mechanism includes a lifting column standing on the foot portion (18), which lifting column at its upper end is connected with a lifting mount (30,32,34) carrying a number of linear drives (36) arranged parallel to the lifting column (20). Each linear drive at one of its ends is cardanically connected to the lifting mount (30,32,34) and at its other end is cardanically connected to the head portion (46), with the head portion (46) through at least one other cardanic joint (48) being connected with the lifting mount (30,32,34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Stierlen-Maquet AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Pfeuffer, Klaus Bock
  • Patent number: 5528959
    Abstract: A multi-driving assembly of a vehicle power seat for adjusting forward and backward movement and height of the front and rear portions of the seat. At a left side of the motor shaft of an electric motor (central portion of a vehicle) where no wide space is secured, a first tightening member having no clutch is screwed to a first rotating screw shaft, which is provided with a first clutch to adjust forward and backward movement of the seat. At a right side (door side), second tightening members each having a second clutch provided therein are screwed to a second rotating screw shaft to adjust the height of the front and rear portions of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gensaku Yamakami
  • Patent number: 5520439
    Abstract: A reclinable, lift chair is provided being movable between a fully reclined and forward lifted positions, comprising a chair portion, a back portion, and a base member having front and rear portions, a lower ground engaging surface that defines a first plane, and an upper surface that defines a first mating surface. A sub-frame assembly supports the chair portion and includes a front, rear, and side portions and a second mating surface that is engageable with the first mating surface. The sub-frame assembly is rotatably connected to the base at the front portion thereof wherein the sub-frame assembly further comprises a rotatable beam having a back support member to which the back portion is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Eric D. Blount
  • Patent number: 5513867
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat that pivots forward to assist the user in exiting and entering the chair. The seat is biased toward its forward or up-right position by mechanical springs having force adjustments for user adjustment of the seat-lift force. One embodiment includes a cam mechanism for varying this seat-lift force as the seat is being raised. A closed-loop hydraulic cylinder and piston actuator system is provided to (1) damp the spring action as the seat is raised and lowered, (2) control the rate of seat ascent and descent, and (3) permit the user to stop and lock the seat in any position between the horizontal and up-right positions. This closed-loop hydraulic system includes a manual control valve for user-control of the seat raising and lowering, and a user-adjustable flow rate control valve for limiting seat ascent and descent speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventors: Donald S. Bloswick, Ben D. Shirley, Eric M. King
  • Patent number: 5489142
    Abstract: An astronomy console includes various features which provide greater comfort and convenience for a user thereof. The console includes a seat which may include heating and/or cooling systems therein, as well as attachment for a telescope or other optical equipment to be aligned with the eye of the viewer or user. The console includes a horizontal and a vertical axis, which axes are motorized in order to provide for the tracking of celestial objects. The tracking process may be automated, or may be manually controlled by a switch panel or keyboard, as desired. Additional comfort and convenience features may be incorporated, such as audio systems for the enjoyment of the observer, and/or computer driven graphics displays of star charts and the like. The present astronomy console will be seen to be of great value particularly to ardent amateur astronomers who enjoy the hobby, but by its nature would be otherwise required to partake of the hobby in whatever ambient conditions might randomly occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Gerald N. Mathieu
  • Patent number: 5483853
    Abstract: A system for adjusting a vehicle seat comprises a plurality of adjustment mechanisms that are selectively driven by a common adjustment electric motor via gear units that are distributed within the seat, each gear unit being in the vicinity of a corresponding adjustment mechanism, and being capable of being connected to the adjustment motor by at least one transmission member that rotates at the same speed as the adjustment motor, the system further including clutches and means for controlling the clutches. Each gear unit is permanently coupled to the adjustment motor via one of the transmission members, and is coupled to an adjustment mechanism via a clutch installed between the gear unit and the corresponding adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure France
    Inventors: Pierre G. R. Moradell, Paul J. G. Jaudouin
  • Patent number: 5470129
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat wherein the frame supporting the seat portion is defined by two sides, each presenting a bottom portion sliding along a respective horizontal longitudinal guide, and a top portion integral with the seat portion and connected to the respective bottom portion so as to travel, in relation to the bottom portion, along a fixed vertical guide integral with the bottom portion and by virtue of two actuating devices located on either side of the fixed guide and each of which provides for rocking the respective top portion in relation to the respective bottom portion and about a respective axis perpendicular to the fixed guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ferrero Giulio, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ferruccio Ferrero
  • Patent number: 5467002
    Abstract: An adjustable chair including a control system based around a microprocessor and operated by way of switches preferably located on each side of the seat back. The switches are low voltage flat membrane switches by which the operator moves the chair to a desired position. The switches present a low voltage and sterile environment for both the operator and the patient. The switches can also be easily programmed by the operator to act either in a "momentary" fashion to cause movement of the chair only as long as they are depressed or in a "maintaining" fashion whereby a single depression of a switch causes selected movement of the chair until such movement is stopped by, for example, a limit switch. In addition, one of the switches can also easily be programmed by the operator to alternatively act as either a recline switch or an "auto up" switch. The auto up switch causes the chair to assume a raised and reclined position suitable for performing a specific medical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Reliance Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5466046
    Abstract: The chair of the present disclosure includes a power-assisted linear actuation drive mechanism having a lead screw nut which is linearly movable upon rotation of a 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 a first cam block pivotably mounted to the lead screw nut to engage a first follower assembly for causing extension of the leg rest assembly. Further rotation in the second direction causes a second cam block pivotably mounted to the lead screw nut 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: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair Co.
    Inventors: Karl J. Komorowski, Jonathan R. Saul, Larry P. LaPointe, Richard E. Marshall
  • Patent number: 5390979
    Abstract: In a chair having a seat which is adjustable in both height and tilt, there is provided a simplified adjustment mechanism over prior art document 2226756-A, in which a first adjustment mechanism is provided to tilt the seat of the chair to suit the physique of a particular user, which mechanism is compatible, and used in conjunction with a second adjustment mechanism which is used to vary both height and tilt of the seat cooperatively to suit the specific requirements of said particular user for being in a seated, or semi-standing position at various heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: British Technology Group Ltd.
    Inventor: Esmond N. Corlett
  • Patent number: 5375913
    Abstract: A power lifting device to attach to a conventional wheelchair (12) includes a lift seat (10) positioned on seat rails of the wheelchair and a tray attached to the runners of the wheelchair below the wheelchair seat rails and stabilized by a stabilizing wheel (6) to hold a power source (15) and (16) and a hydraulic cylinder (17). A hinge (9) on each side of the lift seat enables the back of the lift seat (10) to be raised by a piston of the hydraulic cylinder (17) activated by the power source when a switch (13) is engaged. The power lifting device moves an occupant from a seated position to a substantially upright position enabling the occupant to be moved by a second person with a minimum of lifting by the second person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: James E. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 5372404
    Abstract: Adjustment device for tiltable sitting furniture with a stand (1) and a seat board (9) pivoting at the front side of the stand, as well as a driving device (16) arranged to convey the seat board (9) its tilt motion, where the seat board (9) at the front is pivotally arranged at the front edge of a fork (7) articulatedly suspended via arms (5) at the front part of the stand, which fork is in rear the part of the stand and at the rear is guided slidably against a slide rail (10), and the driving device (16) of which via a pressure arm (12) pivotally arranged at the stand transfers motion to the seat board, in addition to the pressure arm (12) is pivotally connected a control bar (19) between its pivot point and its end with the seat board, which control bar during work of the driving device (16) with its front part first is brought to bearing on a position adjustable backing roller (21) connected to the arms (5) of the fork (7) and subsequently with its rear part (23) in different positions adjustable against a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: Roger Bratell, Ingemar Persson
  • Patent number: 5349878
    Abstract: A mechanism used to control the vertical height as well as fore-aft position of a vehicle seat while presenting a minimum height profile when adjusted to minimum vertical elevation. The seat is connected to a pair of rails, one stationary and one reciprocable. A seat is affixed to an attachment bracket which is connected to the reciprocable rail by a vertical height adjuster comprising a vertically oriented screw jack which may be positioned to selectable heights by a motor. The fore-aft relationship of the rails may also be selectively adjusted by a motor driving a horizontally oriented screw jack. Both screw jacks incorporate a screw connected to a helical gear engaged to a worm gear. The worm gear is driven by a remote motor through a flexible drive cable. Both screw jacks present a structure which offers a minimum height profile when the seat is positioned at minimum vertical height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. White, Roger Freund
  • Patent number: 5346280
    Abstract: A chair with an automatic standing aid and a wheelchair which incorporates these features are provided. These chairs can raise or lower an occupant automatically while compensating for the change in the center of gravity with stabilizers. The stabilizers allow the chairs to be lightweight, small in size, and independent of heavy supporting bases. The chairs can be used to replace those on existing wheelchair power bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Norman A. Deumite
  • Patent number: 5340953
    Abstract: A switch controller having a housing cover with a central ridge and opposed top surfaces which incline downwardly away from the central ridge. The top surfaces also incline on progressing from one end of the housing to the opposite end. A pair of footpads are mounted on the upper surface of the housing and incline consistently with their associated portions of the housing surfaces. The under surfaces of the footpads have spaced apart contact points thereon. Underlying the contact points are associated switches which are actuated by pressing downwardly on selected regions of the footpads. Fulcrum means are disposed between the associated pairs of contact points and switches to inhibit simultaneous actuation of adjacent switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Krebs, Shawn R. Irwin
  • Patent number: 5320412
    Abstract: The present assembly relates to a wheel chair having a base frame, a seat frame and a back frame, and a control device for rotating the back frame relative to the seat frame. The back frame includes a back support to receive a trunk portion of a user, the back support being displaceable by another control device relative to the back frame. A control unit communicates with the control devices for rotating and for displacing, the control unit being adjustable to vary the displacement of the back support according to the rotation of the back frame to minimize shear forces between the user's trunk and the back support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Genus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Eakins, Czeslaw Cimachowski, Brian Bentley, Joe Krommenhoek, Son Ma, David Harding, Nelson Pang
  • Patent number: 5314238
    Abstract: A power-assisted chair is disclosed having a linear actuation drive mechanism. A cam member is linearly moveable upon rotation of a power screw for selectively actuating a lift and tilt 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 a 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. In addition, an adjustment mechanism is provided for permitting the extended position of the leg rest assembly to be easily and simply adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair Company
    Inventors: Karl J. Komorowski, Jonathan R. Saul, Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 5294179
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Hand Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold H. Rudes, Robert F. Hand
  • Patent number: 5267778
    Abstract: The chair includes a movable seat and back that are configured to enhance the patient's comfort by providing lumbar support when the chair is in the recumbent position and by minimizing patient sliding within a moving chair. Chair movement is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system that includes sensing mechanisms for precisely monitoring the chair position. The sensing mechanisms are employed in conjunction with a memory device to permit the user to define a particular position into which the chair will move any time the appropriate switch is closed by the user. The chair control system diagnoses malfunctioning chair components and generates and displays data indicating the particular malfunctioning component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Krebs, Bradley A. Rice, El Don L. Hoven
  • Patent number: 5265689
    Abstract: A prosthetic device operable by a handicapped user of the device for physically lifting and lowering the user's body to and supporting the user's body in an upright standing position and a sitting position. The disclosed prosthetic embodiments are motorized wheel chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Ricardo M. Kauffmann
  • Patent number: 5265935
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Stanzwerk Wetter Sichelschmidt & Co.
    Inventors: Gerhard Geisler, Klaus Hausherr
  • Patent number: 5232264
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having seat cushion portion and seat back portion comprises a main frame including main back frame for the seat back portion and a main cushion frame for the seat cushion portion connected to the main back frame, a sub frame including sub back frame for the seat back portion and sub cushion frame for the seat cushion portion pivotally connected to the sub back frame, the sub frame having a seat cover on which an occupant of the seat sits. The vehicle seat further includes a raising and lowering device provided at the main frame and operatively connected to the sub frame to raise or lower the sub frame with respect to the main frame secured to vehicle body so that the position of main frame may be unchanged even when the position of the sub frame is adjusted for the proper position of the occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Patent number: 5222402
    Abstract: A mechanism used to control the vertical height as well as fore-aft position of a vehicle seat while presenting a minimum height profile when adjusted to minimum vertical elevation. The seat is connected to a pair of rails, one stationary and one reciprocable. A seat is affixed to an attachment bracket which is connected to the reciprocable rail by a vertical height adjuster comprising a vertically oriented screw jack which may be positioned to selectable heights by a motor. The fore-aft relationship of the rails may also be selectively adjusted by a motor driving a horizontally oriented screw jack. Both screw jacks incorporate a screw connected to a helical gear engaged to a worm gear. The worm gear is driven by a remote motor through a flexible drive cable. Both screw jacks present a structure which offers a minimum height profile when the seat is positioned at minimum vertical height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. White, Roger Freund
  • Patent number: 5215351
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Chair Co.
    Inventor: Larry P. Lapointe
  • Patent number: 5214360
    Abstract: A position programmable adjustable chair particularly useful in dental and medical procedures. The chair is hydraulically powered and controlled by microprocessors which enable chair seat and back positions to be memorized and automatically captured upon command by use of a single control button. The control button may be located either on the chair or on a footswitch. A sealed omnidirectionally operable footswitch is provided which is particularly suited for use in combination with the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Den-Tal-Ez, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald I. Gonser, Michael J. Butchko
  • Patent number: 5203609
    Abstract: A dental patient chair has a seat, backrest and headrest which are adjustable in both the horizontal and vertical directions relative to a base part to establish a given chair position for treatment. The patient chair includes a controllable positioning arrangement which enables positioning a reference point or "mouth point" in a particular position in both the vertical and horizontal directions and enables varying this point in view of changes either in the size of the patient, the size of the attending person, or a change between a sitting and standing position for the attending person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Stoeckl
  • Patent number: 5203608
    Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed with an articulating seat cushion rotatable about a transverse axis near the front end of the seat cushion. The seat back is reclinable and is coupled to the rear of the seat cushion so as to raise the rear end of the seat cushion in response to rearward reclining of the seat back whereby the seat occupant's hip point is raised as the seat back is reclined to provide a more comfortable recliner. The recliner drive mechanism includes a lead screw with a motor/transmission assembly to drive the lead screw and includes a thrust washer carried by the lead screw to transfer axial loads on the lead screw directly to the motor mount rather than allowing the lead screw loads to be transferred to the internal components of the motor/transmission assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Omar D. Tame
  • Patent number: 5199763
    Abstract: A standing aid for use with a checkout counter to assist an operator of the checkout counter while standing above a floor, comprising a base frame adapted to be mounted above the floor adjacent the checkout counter, a buttocks cushion adapted for engaging the buttocks of the operator of the checkout counter while standing, and support structure mounted to the base frame for movably supporting the buttocks cushion above the floor in a plurality of vertical positions and in a plurality of lateral positions, the buttocks cushion being pivotally mounted to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Madix, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Wilder, Roger D. Brown
  • Patent number: 5190349
    Abstract: The chair includes a movable seat and back that are configured to enhance the patient's comfort by providing lumbar support when the chair is in the recumbent position and by minimizing patient sliding within a moving chair. Chair movement is controlled by a microprocessor-based control system that includes sensing mechanisms for precisely monitoring the chair position. The sensing mechanisms are employed in conjunction with a memory device to permit the user to define a particular position into which the chair will move any time the appropriate switch is closed by the user. The chair control system diagnoses malfunctioning chair components and generates and displays data indicating the particular malfunctioning component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: George K. Austin, Jr., El Don L. Hoven, Tony J. Tewell, Shawn R. Irwin, Paul B. Krebs, Bradley A. Rice
  • Patent number: 5181762
    Abstract: The apparatus is a biomechanical body support including a substructure, a seat which is supported by said substructure and is tiltable relative to said substructure, a backrest which is coupled to said seat and is tiltable relative to said seat, the tilting axis of the backrest approximately coinciding with the pivotal point of the hip joint of a person resting on said seat, as well as a leg support also tiltably connected to said seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Revab B.V.
    Inventor: Anton H. Beumer
  • Patent number: 5174167
    Abstract: An improvement to a linear actuator (9) having a lead screw (15) received in a drive tube assembly (17) is provided in the form of a bushing (41) mounted on the end of the screw. The outer dimension of the bushing generally corresponds to the inner dimension of the tube. The bushing has a recess (53) formed in one face to accommodate a washer (55). A retaining ring (59) holds the bushing in place. The bushing serves both to prevent contact between the lead screw and tube to reduce noise during actuator operation, and as a positive stop to prevent disengagement of the lead screw from the drive tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jason J. Hill, Mark S. Amalfitano
  • Patent number: 5172601
    Abstract: A seat adjuster for a vehicle seat assembly is disclosed in which a drive nut and drive screw are provided with the drive nut lugs and mounting bracket configured to enable assembly of the seat adjuster after the drive screw has been threaded onto the drive nut. The drive screw is a four start screw enabling the speed of rotation of the screw to be reduced while maintaining the operating speed of the seat adjuster. The reduced rotating speeds reduces sound emission during operation of the seat adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Siegrist, William M. Huffman
  • Patent number: 5165753
    Abstract: A lift chair or elevator chair apparatus for invalids provides a base portion having an inclined upper surface and a sub-frame pivotally attached thereto along a forward edge. A mechanical ram powered by an electric motor pivots the sub-frame with respect to the base and about the forward pivot. The inclined upper surface of the base receives the sub-frame thereon in a fully downward position which defines a reclined position for the user. Pivotal rotation of the sub-frame with respect to the base and upon the pivot to an uppermost position defines the forward most lifting position which aids the invalid in moving from a sitting to a standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Eldred D. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5163734
    Abstract: Device for controlling adjustable objects around a driver in a vehicle. The device comprises a common control device for controlling at least one of the adjustment objects, and includes at least one primary gear wheel and at least one adjusting mechanism operably connected to the adjustable objects. The control device has a corresponding position for each one of the adjusting mechanisms, at least some of the adjusting mechanisms provided with a flexible rotatable shaft extending from the control device to the adjusting mechanisms, the flexible shaft corresponding to a respective adjusting mechanism and rotatable by the control device when the control device is adjusted in a position corresponding to the adjustment object. Each one of the flexible shafts has a secondary gear wheel operably engageable with the primary gear wheel. The secondary gear wheels are arranged in a star configuration which has a center coincident with the central axis of the primary gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Inventor: William Hakansson
  • Patent number: 5155873
    Abstract: A lift stool for use in conjunction with removable pot or a stationary toilet bowl is provided to assist disabled person in being lowered toward a seated position and elevated back up to a standing position and the lift stool includes elevated arms rests which may be swung upwardly to out of the way positions to enable a person to assist a more seriously disabled person in using the lift stool, a control for raising and lowering the associated toilet seat being mounted from one of the free swinging ends of the upwardly swingable arms rests and the lift stool including support wheels normally spaced slightly above a horizontal surface upon which the lift stool rests and over and onto which the lift stool may be rearwardly tilted to a position in which the raised armrests may be used as handlebars for manually rolling the lift stool over a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Bobby L. Bridges
  • Patent number: 5145232
    Abstract: The squab of the seat is supported at its front and rear regions and by responsive support arms. The lower ends of the arms are mounted on the free ends of respective pivoted elements whose positions are adjustable selectively so as to enable the seat to be adjusted more precisely to the anthropometric characteristics of its occupant, the whole considerably reducing the vertical bulk of the squab and of the seat as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Fiat Auto SpA
    Inventor: Antonio Dal Monte
  • Patent number: 5144849
    Abstract: A reduction gear is shown, which is designed to facilitate assembly of essential parts in a case. The reduction gear comprises a worm; a worm wheel meshed with the worm; a lower case part having a semicylindrical recess which rotatably receives the worm, and an upper case part to be mounted on the lower case part to close the semicylindrical recess. The semicylindrical recess has an opening which is so sized as to permit insertion of the worm into the semicylindrical recess therethrough. A threaded bore is formed in the lower case part, which is merged and aligned with the semicylindrical recess. A bolt is screwed into the threaded bore having its inside end pressed against one axial end of the worm for achieving a stable rotation of the worm in the semicylindrical recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Aihara, Akihiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 5143421
    Abstract: A vehicle seat which is adjustable both with regard to its height and angle of inclination has front and rear height mechanisms which can be operated independently of one another. Each of the height adjustment mechanisms has at least one lever, which levers are pivotable about an axis running in the lateral direction of the seat. The upholstery support of the seat is supported on support points of these levers, which lie at a distance from their pivot axes. The front and rear height adjustment mechanisms are connected with a coupling drive, which, when the front height adjustment mechanism is activated limits the height adjustment of this front height adjustment mechanism, and when the rear height adjustment mechanism is activated, the height adjustment of the support point thereof is transferred to the support point of the front height adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans W. Voss, Heinz P. Cremer, Harald Cwiertnia, Peter-Ulrich Putsch
  • Patent number: 5137102
    Abstract: A wheelchair or walker apparatus is disclosed and includes a frame having a base portion and spaced side portions to define a space for receiving an operator's body. A device is provided for supporting the frame above a ground surface for movement therealong and includes a mechanism for moving the apparatus over the ground surface. The movement mechanism includes a device for maintaining contact with a ground surface when moving over uneven terrain. The movement mechanism can be maintained in a preferred alignment. A device is provided to permit an operator within the space to control movement of the apparatus along the ground surface. A seat assembly supports and selectively moves an operator between a seated position and a substantially upright position within the apparatus and permits the operator to control and move the apparatus over the ground surface from both the fully seated position as well as the substantially upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Retec PR, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas T. Houston, Sr., Raymond H. Metzger
  • Patent number: 5136889
    Abstract: An improvement to a linear actuator (9) having a lead screw (15) received in a drive tube assembly (17) is provided in the form of a bushing (41) mounted on the end of the screw. The outer dimension of the bushing generally corresponds to the inner dimension of the tube. The bushing has a recess (53) formed in one face to accommodate a washer (55). A retaining ring (59) holds the bushing in place. The bushing serves both to prevent contact between the lead screw and tube to reduce noise during actuator operation, and as a positive stop to prevent disengagement of the lead screw from the drive tube assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jason J. Hill, Mark S. Amalfitano
  • Patent number: 5123622
    Abstract: A power seat lifter device for an automotive seat assembly has electrically powered servo systems for adjusting height position at a front end portion and a rear end portion of the vehicular seat. The servo systems are concentrically arranged along one side of the vehicular seat so as to form enough space for permitting lowering of the seat cushion height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Isao Ikegaya, Kuniyuki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 5116101
    Abstract: A seat discomfort preventive device includes: a seat back capable of inclining in the fore-and-aft direction; a seat cushion capable of inclining in the fore-and-aft direction; a rocking control unit; and a drive mechanism for rocking at least one of the seat back and the seat cushion. The rocking control unit delivers a control signal in response to a start signal. In accordance with this control signal, the drive mechanism repeatedly rocks at least one of the seat back and the seat cushion with respect to a standard position depending on a sense of discomfort. The rocking control unit may include an inclining control unit. Additionally, a foot plate on which the feet of a passenger are rested is attached to the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Tatsuya Sekido
  • Patent number: 5113851
    Abstract: A chair, comprising a chair seat which automatically and continuously swings in such a way as to change the position of the body of the seated person. As compared with the known chairs, the chair of the present invention has the advantage of breaking or interrupting the body immobility and the rigidity of muscles. The regular and continuous swinging movement of the chair seat induces the back to move and the muscles of the vertebral column to work. Circulatory activity is thus enhanced and the consciousness of the vertebral column is increased in the seated position of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Eugenio Gamba
  • Patent number: 5108202
    Abstract: A wheelchair with a seat on which a patient can sit, a back rest for the patient when sitting on the seat, and a lifting device for lifting a patient in the wheel chair into a standing position. The lifting device being a jack with manually operable mechanism for extending said jack and a linkage connecting the jack to the seat and to the backrest and including a parallel movement link means. The arrangement being such that on extension of the jack, the seat and back rest will be moved with the back rest carrying out movement in a substantially parallel direction so that the patient will be moved from a sitting position to substantially a standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Smith
  • Patent number: 5098158
    Abstract: An electrically operated relaxation chair has a floor engaging base, a padded seat-thigh rest member pivotally secured to the top of the base, and a padded back and head rest assembly pivotally secured to the top of the base at the rear of the seat-thigh rest. A calf rest is pivotally secured to the front of the seat-thigh rest. Padded arm rests are pivotally secured to each side of the back rest member. Controls in the arm rest control the operation of electric screw jack mechanisms to selectively move and position the seat-thigh rest, the calf rest, the back and head rest, and each arm rest relative to one another and to the base independently or as units. The arm rest members may have separate upper and forearm members pivotally connected and powered by electric screw jack mechanisms whereby the members pivot relative to one another and to the back and head rest assembly independently or as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Timothy D. Palarski
  • Patent number: 5094508
    Abstract: An elevator chair for assisting entry and exit including a vertically telescopic back frame raised and lowered by a motor driven vertical threaded screw and tube assembly. The back frame raises and lowers a rear portion of a seat and movement of the front of the seat is controlled by forward links that are positioned to raise the forward portion of the seat as the chair lifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: C.E.B. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Leeland M. Bathrick, Glenn Brittain
  • Patent number: 5092197
    Abstract: In a device for adjusting various parts of an automobile seat, such as its backrest, headrest, etc., there is a switch mechanism (41) with central gearwheel (61) which can be driven by an electric motor. Further gearwheels (101) are arranged distributed at equal distances around the central wheel (61) and can drive the driveshaft for each part to be adjusted. A planetary gearwheel (86) is constantly in engagement with the central gearwheel (61) and is brought selectively into engagement with one of the further gearwheels (101). Only a single electric motor is required for adjusting a plurality of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rolf Hauger