Movable To Inoperative Position Patents (Class 297/331)
  • Patent number: 11872910
    Abstract: A stationary vehicle seating system, including: a hanger bracket assembly configured to engage at least one hinge assembly of a stationary vehicle; and a seat structure that hangs from the hanger bracket assembly when the hanger bracket assembly is engaged with the at least one hinge assembly. A seat structure supporting method includes hanging a seat structure from a hanger bracket assembly that is engaged with at least one hinge assembly of a stationary vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Adrian Aguirre, Dustin Shedlarski, Micah Jones, Hussein H. Berry, David Brian Glickman
  • Patent number: 11865954
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat includes a backrest portion, a first body, a second body and a mechanism configured to coupled the backrest portion to the first body in a movable manner between a first position, in which the backrest portion is arranged between the first and the second body, the latter defining a base extending crosswise to the backrest portion in order to support a passenger seating with the back resting against the backrest portion on a first surface of the backrest portion, and a second position, in which the backrest portion has a second surface opposite the first surface and facing the second body; wherein the first surface, in the second position of the backrest portion, defines a wind deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Rubens Curatola, Salvatore Sedda
  • Patent number: 11780587
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a passenger aircraft. The seat system may include at least one passenger seat and a seat back tray assembly mounted onto the back of the passenger seat and movable between a first storage position and a second deployed position. The tray assembly may include (i) a tray having a first and second attachment arm mounted onto the tray for installing the tray onto the back of a seat system; (ii) a sliding mechanism installed on the first and second attachment arms adapted for providing movement between a first forward position and a second aft position to a seated passenger parallel to the first and second attachment arms; and (iii) an alignment mechanism attached to the sliding mechanism for maintaining the tray in a horizontally aligned relationship during the movement. The seat system may further include a PED holder adapted to hold a personal electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: HAECO Cabin Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Dasanayaka Vipula
  • Patent number: 11701277
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for seat elevation includes a base and a horizontal seat portion. Vertical supports attached to the seat portion include multiple lift angle holes that allow the seat to be elevated to different lifted angles. Elongate members pivotally connect to vertical supports. The elongate members attach via one of the multiple lift angle holes. The elongate members are able to attach to different lift angle holes. The lifted angle is determined by the first one of the at least two seat position holes. A lift generator is attached to the base and extends to lift the horizontal seat portion into the lifted position. The lift generator contracts to return the horizontal seat portion to the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Liftseat Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Cogan Nelson
  • Patent number: 11691546
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back and a mounting bracket assembly. The seat back may have a pivot pin that may be rotatable about an axis. The mounting bracket assembly may be adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and may have a hole that may receive a bushing. The bushing may receive the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory Pistilli, Florian Gerbl, Alexej Niederhaus, Mathias Busch, Tino Schneider, Rajdeep Rajput, Michael Schuhbauer, Arunkumar Boda
  • Patent number: 11672342
    Abstract: Proposed is a folding seat that is capable of being folding to various positions by controlling a lever and the folding seat is capable of improving utilization of space around the folding seat. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the folding seat includes: a seat frame; a seat back frame cross-arranged in back of the seat frame, the seat back frame having a first side rotatably coupled to the seat frame; and a locking portion coupled at a first side thereof to the seat back frame and rotatably coupled at a second side thereof to the seat frame at a position between the seat frame and the seat back frame, wherein the locking portion is configured to be inserted into a rear portion of the seat frame or to be separated from the seat frame according to an operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: DAECHANG SEAT CO., LTD-DONGTAN
    Inventors: Jae Kwang Shin, Myung Soo Lee, Chan Ki Cho
  • Patent number: 11439548
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for seat elevation includes a base and a horizontal seat portion. Vertical supports attached to the seat portion include multiple lift angle holes that allow the seat to be elevated to different lifted angles. Elongate members pivotally connect to vertical supports. The elongate members attach via one of the multiple lift angle holes. The elongate members are able to attach to different lift angle holes. The lifted angle is determined by the first one of the at least two seat position holes. A lift generator is attached to the base and extends to lift the horizontal seat portion into the lifted position. The lift generator contracts to return the horizontal seat portion to the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Liftseal Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Cogan Nelson
  • Patent number: 11427113
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a frame that has an arc-shaped structure configured to create a space between the wrap-around shield and a child safety seat arranged inward from the frame. A first end of the frame is configured to curve toward a second end of the frame. The second end of the frame is also configured to curve toward the first end of the frame, and the first end and the second end having a respective profile that has a height which increases as the first end and the second end curve toward each other. A first connecting member connected to the first end of the frame, the first connecting member comprising a tether for connecting to a first latch of a rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: INSTITUTE FOR INJURY RESEARCH
    Inventor: David C. Viano
  • Patent number: 11383619
    Abstract: An internal variable vehicle may include instrument panels provided on a side of an internal space of the vehicle, having a structure in which a portion thereof overlaps, configuring an embedding portion of the internal space when being developed, and forming an opening through which the internal space of the vehicle is externally exposed out of the vehicle when the portion thereof overlaps; a seat movable from the internal space of the vehicle to the outside; a guide provided on a floor of the internal space of the vehicle, and providing a path in which the seat is movable from the internal space of the vehicle to an opening side of the instrument panels; and a fixing module configured of fixing the seat to one point of the guide and releasing the fixing of the seat from the point of the guide when the seat is required to move to the outside of the vehicle through the opening of the instrument panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Jin Ho Hwang, Sang Heon Lee
  • Patent number: 11332042
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a lift mechanism disposed at a forward portion of a seat and a latch assembly disposed at a rearward portion of the seat and rotatably coupled to the seat. A mechanical link has a first end rotatably coupled to the forward portion of the seat and a second end rotatably coupled to the latch assembly. The vehicle seating assembly is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the latch assembly is positionable in a latched position or an unlatched position relative to a mount assembly. The mechanical link is disposed in an initial position when the seating assembly is in the first position, and the mechanical link is disposed in a final position when the seating assembly is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Paul D. Peterson, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Patent number: 11279260
    Abstract: A seat cushion tilting apparatus may include a fold-and-dive seat for vehicles in which tilting of a seat cushion is independently adjusted regardless of the position of a seat back, and thus, a passenger may realize a desired relaxation posture, where both reclining of the seat back of the fold-and-dive seat and tilting of the seat cushion, in which the front end portion of the seat cushion is raised or lowered regardless of the reclining position of the seat back, are enabled, and thus, body pressure may be easily distributed to the passenger's hips and thighs and fatigue to the passenger's lower body may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mu Young Kim, Sang Do Park, Jun Young Yun, Chan Ho Jung, Ho Suk Jung
  • Patent number: 11273737
    Abstract: A removable vehicle seat convertible from a seat configuration into a platform configuration. In the seat configuration, the seat may include a cushion having a front end and a back end removably engaged with a floor of an interior of the vehicle. In the platform configuration, the front end may be positioned on the ground at a non-parallel direction to the ground. The seat may includer a back having a top end, a bottom end, and a rear surface pivotally attached to the cushion. The bottom end may be oriented towards the back end. The rear surface may be usable as a load-bearing utility surface. The cushion may support the back from the bottom end. The seat may include a headrest removably attached to the top end. The headrest may be engaged with a bumper or a tailgate of the vehicle and support the back from the top end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Hamshivraj Singh Dhamrat, Lindsay A. Babian
  • Patent number: 11110886
    Abstract: A vehicular passenger restraint device including a seatbelt capable of restraining a passenger seated in a rear seat 10 includes a belt guide 50 disposed on the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, of an upper portion of a seat back 12, and the belt guide 50 is configured such that an inner longitudinal surface portion 52 is tiltable toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction by a load applied from the seatbelt at the time of collision. A lock release switch 14 for the seat back 12 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the belt guide 50. A regulation member 55 regulating the inner longitudinal surface portion 52 between the belt guide 50 and the lock release switch 14, not to be incline toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction by a predetermined angle or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 11091065
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat including a side bracket, a seatback, a displaceable bracket extending between the seatback and the side bracket, a pivotable seatback coupling between the displaceable bracket and the seatback, and a movement assembly operably coupling the displaceable bracket to the side bracket. The movement assembly is positionable between a design position and a fully deployed position to move the displaceable bracket between a first position and a second position, respectively, and to move the pivotable seatback coupling between a primary positon and a secondary position, respectively, wherein, when the pivotable seatback coupling is in a secondary position, the seatback is movable between a forward inclined position and a substantially flat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Deeptej Kudav, Keith Allen Godin
  • Patent number: 11045379
    Abstract: A seat including: a seat surface portion having first and second support surfaces; and a switching mechanism, wherein the seat surface portion is switched by the switching mechanism between: a first posture in which the seat surface portion is brought down to the front side such that the first support surface is in a low position where a seated person is capable of sitting thereon by lowering a hip, and a second posture in which the seat surface portion is brought up to the rear side from the first posture such that the second support surface is in a high position where the seated person in a standing posture is capable of sitting thereon, and wherein a vibration device which is configured to apply vibration corresponding to music to a body of the seated person is disposed at an inner side of the second support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhito Yamauchi, Nobuki Hayashi, Tokuyuki Nishikawa, Takeshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10772433
    Abstract: An elevation hinge where one of the parts moves in connection to a guiding means on another part, and wherein a supporting effect is achieved on an elevation of said moving part. The elevation hinge comprises a first part including at least one guiding means, and a second part including at least one connection element for guiding the second part along the at least one guiding means. The guiding means includes a second portion adapted for guiding the connection element to and from a first portion. Guidance is performed in a linear manner or in a rotational and linear manner, in relation to the first part. A spring is fixed between a connection element and an anchor pin on the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TO3DESIGN Torbjørn Østrem
    Inventor: Torbjørn Østrem
  • Patent number: 10568790
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tilt assembly (1) for a powered wheelchair (15), comprising: an elongated base member (3) provided with an axial channel, a lifting member (5) configured to be received by the base member (3) and to move rectilinearly in the channel, between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the base member (3), a tilt frame (7) pivotally connected to the lifting member (5), the tilt frame (7) being configured for mounting a seat assembly (21) thereto, and an arm (9) pivotally connected to the base member (5) and to the tilt frame (7), wherein the tilt frame (7) is configured to obtain a perpendicular orientation relative to a central axis (11) of the lifting member (5) when the lifting member (5) is in the retracted position and to be inclined relative to the central axis (11) when the lifting member (5) is in the extended position, to thereby provide a tilt functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: PERMOBIL AB
    Inventors: Jonas Jahkel, Mehdi Mirzaie
  • Patent number: 10518672
    Abstract: A vehicle seat capable of housing a seat main body includes a seat pivot shaft to which the seat main body is connected to be pivotable, and a detachable leg whose upper end is mounted to the seat main body and whose lower end is detachably held onto a leg holding member on a vehicle body floor. When the seat main body moves from a housed state side to a usage state side, a leg guide portion causes a cushion abutting portion to abut a base abutting portion in advance, thereby guiding the detachable leg moving together with the seat main body to pass above a leg movement inhibiting portion which is a portion of a support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Akutsu, Taro Murayama
  • Patent number: 10155454
    Abstract: A seat surface part is switchable by a switching mechanism between a forward-unfolded posture in which the seat surface part is forwardly unfolded down so that a first support surface comes into a state at a low position where the seated person lowers his or her body to sit, and a second support surface comes into a state of forming a backwardly inclined surface that is inclined backwardly downward, and a folded-up posture in which the seat surface part is folded up backward from the forward-unfolded posture so that the second support surface is lifted up at a higher position than a position of the first support surface in the forward-unfolded posture, and an upper surface inclined forwardly downward is formed by the backwardly inclined surface so that the second support surface comes into a state at a high position where the seated person perches in a standing posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhito Yamauchi, Nobuki Hayashi, Tokuyuki Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10150388
    Abstract: An actuating device (100) has a first part (5a; 334; 434) and a second part (5b; 310; 412) which can be pivoted about a first axis (A) relative to the first part (5a). A first segment (140) can be coupled to the first part. A second segment (150) can be rotated about the first axis (A) relative to the first segment (140) and can be connected to a locking device of a component (20) and/or to a locking device (350; 450) of another component (330; 430). Rotation of a deflecting element (120) moves a transfer element (130) such that the second segment (150) is not rotated about the first axis (A). Changing a distance between the first axis (A) and a second axis © allows the second segment (150) to be rotated about the first axis by the transfer element (130). A vehicle seat includes such an actuating device (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Rolf Schueler, Juergen Otto
  • Patent number: 10112504
    Abstract: Vehicle seat comprising a backrest, a seat part and a seat part substructure, the seat part substructure being mounted such that it can swivel about a first swivel axis arranged in the width direction of the seat in order to move the seat part substructure together with the seat part from a sitting position into an upright position, a lower region of the backrest with respect to a height direction of the seat and a rear region of the seat part and/or of the seat part substructure with respect to a longitudinal direction of the seat being interconnected in the sitting position by at least one releasable connection means and not being interconnected in the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Roland Uebelacker
  • Patent number: 10029587
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a slide lock mechanism which is configured to lock a locked part provided to a second rail side to a locking part provided to a first rail side or release the locking of the locked part and the locking part, and a walk-in mechanism including a shifting preparation mechanism part which is provided to the first rail side, a holding mechanism part which is provided to the second rail side and holds a locking released state of the slide lock mechanism, and a holding release mechanism part which is provided to the second rail side and shifts the locking released state of the slide lock mechanism to a state where the slide lock mechanism is capable of shifting to the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hattori, Tomio Matsufuji
  • Patent number: 9987955
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat comprising a seating part and a back rest, in which said seat part and the back rest can be adjusted from a user position into an access position and into a loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Roman Ecker, Dirk Dubois, Jürgen Naßhan
  • Patent number: 9914371
    Abstract: A seat system for use in a vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a seat mover system. The vehicle seat is arranged to support an occupant above a vehicle floor included in the vehicle. The seat mover system is configured to vary a tilt, height, and longitudinal position of the vehicle seat relative to the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C Fitzpatrick, Jeffery T Bonk, Timothy L Moulton, Jared A Judson
  • Patent number: 9808085
    Abstract: Beam mounted chair assemblies may include at least two standards supported on a floor, a beam secured to, and supported by, the standards, and a plurality of chair assemblies secured to, and supported by, the beam. Chair assemblies may be secured to a beam via associated chair brackets. Chair brackets may include chair seat pivots that pivotally secure a chair seat in proximity to a chair back such that the chair seat may pivot between an up and a down position. Chair brackets and standards may be secured to a beam such that the chair brackets and standards may be linearly positioned along a full length of the beam without interfering with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick D. Jacobs, Matthew D. Jacobs, Michiel VandeVen
  • Patent number: 9481267
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a reclining mechanism that is provided to make the angle of a seat back relative to a seat cushion adjustable; a biasing member that biases the seat back in such a direction as to decrease the angle of the seat back relative to the seat cushion; and an assist member that applies a force in a direction opposite to the biasing force of the biasing member to the seat back, and generates a force that is smaller than the total of the weight of the seat back and the biasing force of the biasing member when the seat back is lifted up from a forwardly folded position in which the seat back has a small angle relative to the seat cushion toward a sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Furukawa, Yoshiyuki Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 9408470
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a loose-cushion seat with improved lower-back support. At least one connector is applied to a loose-cushion seating unit that joins a portion of the peripheral surface of the seat cushion to a portion of the rear surface of the back cushion. The connector is removably attached to at least one of the seat cushion and the back cushion so the cushions can be detached from one another. The connector joins the cushions in such a manner that at least a portion the back cushion is pulled down to remain in close proximity with the top surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is depressed under the weight of a user, thereby providing improved lower-back support to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Willem Smith & Company, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9370248
    Abstract: A seating system for improved user comfort and convenience while maximizing auditorium floor space utilization. The seating system is composed of two modular components: (1) a reclining theater seat assembly and (2) a comfort divider. The reclining theater seat assembly is comprised of a seating surface, a reclining back, armrests and a support base. The comfort divider is comprised of foot rest assemblies and recliner backstop assemblies arranged in an alternating fashion. The comfort divider is placed between each row of theater seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Enrique Ramirez Magaña
  • Patent number: 9039078
    Abstract: A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Gregory M Lawson, Jason Allan Bryant
  • Patent number: 9033422
    Abstract: One lower end portion of a belt anchor bracket is supported on a lock unit rotatably in a front-rear direction, the other lower end portion of the belt anchor bracket is fixed to a leg, and a seatbelt anchor is supported on an upper end portion of the belt anchor bracket rotatably in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Masaaki Miyazawa, Ikuo Kondo
  • Patent number: 8985691
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an operating link rotatably mounted to a base, a bracket that is provided on a seat back, and is arranged to be pressed against the operating link due to rotation of the seat back, so as to push and rotate the operating link, and an operating mechanism arranged to be operated by the operating link when the operating link is pushed and rotated. The bracket and the operating link are engaged with each other such that one of the bracket and the operating link sandwiches the other of the bracket and the operating link in rotational directions thereof, so that the above-indicated one of the bracket and the operating link abuts on the other thereof in both of the rotational directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mari Tsuruta, Yoshiyuki Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 8960795
    Abstract: A foldaway passenger seat (20) for a utility vehicle (10) is provided. The seat (20) comprises a seat tray (22) which pivots around a single axis (X) between a substantially horizontal seating position and a substantially vertical stowed position. The axis is oriented so that a forward facing edge (22c) of the seat tray in the seating position becomes the lower-most edge in the stowed position and is longitudinally aligned with respect to the forward direction of travel. Advantageously, the seat tray pivots from the seating position to the stowed position in a single fluid movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO SA
    Inventor: Bruno Sap
  • Publication number: 20150048662
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat (car seat 1) including a first seat portion (seat cushion 10) movable between a use position and a retracted position, and a second seat portion (seat back 20) movable between a use position and a retracted position, an actuator mechanism is configured to cause the second seat portion to start moving toward its retracted position at a time when the first seat portion passes a predetermined intermediate position that is on a way from the use position toward the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hideki KOBAYASHI, Tetsuya ISHIKAWA, Kazuhisa NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20150035333
    Abstract: An apparatus to lift persons includes: a base; wheels attached to the base; a vertical assembly including a fixed subassembly and a traveling subassembly; a mechanism such as an actuator that powers vertical movement of the traveling subassembly; a fork system attached to the traveling subassembly and comprises a pair of forks; and a substantially flat seat plate that is removably attached to the fork system and includes a pair of channels along opposite sides of the seat plate. The seat plate is removed from the fork system, placed onto the floor, and is then mounted by a person. The seat plate is reattached to the fork system by inserting the forks into the channels, and the actuator is activated to lift the person from the floor. The base and fork system may be pivotally attached to the fixed subassembly and traveling subassembly, respectively, so that the apparatus is collapsible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: ROBERT SCHY
  • Patent number: 8944505
    Abstract: Described are passenger seat assemblies having a seat back support, a seat pan coupled to the seat back support, a seat support structure coupled to the seat pan, wherein the seat support structure comprises a mounting channel, and a mounting bar inserted through the mounting channel and coupled to the seat support structure. The mounting bar is configured to pivotally couple to a passenger cabin. The mounting bar may also be configured to rotate the passenger seat assembly between an upright position and a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Franghie Rubio Khalil, Raul Daniel Flores Aguirre, Sahira Villalobos Gonzalez, Carla Cristina Gonzalez Salitrero, Jose Angel Vilchis Dominguez
  • Patent number: 8944506
    Abstract: A clock spring assembly includes a first member pivotally coupled to a second member about a pivot axis. The first member defines an inner space and the second member also defines an inner space. At least a portion of the second member is disposed within the inner space of the first member. A support member is disposed within the inner space of the second member and is coupled thereto. A pivot shaft is coaxial with the pivot axis and pivotally couples the first and second members together. A clock spring is disposed within the inner space of the second member and is wound around the support member. The clock spring extends between a first end engaged with the support member and a second end engaged with the first member. The clock spring biases the first member to pivot relative to the second member about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Paul Zeimis, III
  • Publication number: 20150021964
    Abstract: The telescopic seating systems, and foldable chairs and related components for use within telescopic seating systems, of the present disclosure may incorporate occupant support elements within a space between a top surface of a seat frame structure and a bottom surface of the seat frame structure. Springs may be attached to the top surface of the chair frame structure and configured to extend into the space. Alternatively, or additionally, a chair cushion may extend into the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick Jacobs, Matthew Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8905469
    Abstract: A leg (50) is pivotably supported by a cushion frame (16) such that part of the leg (50) is accommodated in a space (S) surrounded by the cushion frame (16). When the leg (50) is folded, part of the leg (50) is accommodated in the space (S) surrounded by the cushion frame (16). Thus, when the seat cushion (12) is flipped up to a storage position along a side wall (34) of the passenger compartment, part of the leg (50) is accommodated in the space (S) surrounded by the cushion frame (16). This prevents the leg (50) from projecting from the cushion frame (16) by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the accommodated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kurachi, Ryou Hattori, Toshihiko Maeta, Akira Konagai
  • Publication number: 20140346825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a double folding seat for a vehicle, particularly a public transportation vehicle such as a bus or a train, with a bench seat positioned in the direction of travel of the vehicle that has a backrest and a seating surface that can be folded between a home position and a sitting position, with a retaining device for holding a wheelchair or the like that has at least two hooks arranged in extension of the backrest and mounted on a wall supported on a floor of the vehicle, which hooks can be tightened by means of respective tightening members and loosened by respective loosening members, with a safety belt for the wheelchair user and with a covering for the tightening members and loosening members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Franz Kiel GmbH
    Inventor: JUERGEN MILL
  • Patent number: 8882197
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a track assembly having a rail and a base member slidably engaged with the rail and supporting a seatback. A bracket is coupled to the rail and supports a seat with an articulation feature. A linkage couples the seat with the seatback. A coupler is engaged with the articulation feature. Movement of the coupler relative to the articulation feature translates the seating assembly between a deployed position, wherein the seat is generally orthogonal to the seatback, and a stowed position, wherein the seatback abuts the seat and is generally parallel to the rail. A hinge in the linkage causes translation from the deployed position to an access position. The seat is generally orthogonal to the rail and the seatback is slid to a forward segment of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Dumitru Dan Nae, Steven McInally, Ammeswara Rao Sajja, Curtis D. Stanhope, Gornique'Ka Mo'Nya Heath, Daniel Ferretti, Kurt Kormos
  • Publication number: 20140306061
    Abstract: A folding passenger seat and a corresponding passenger seating system for means of passenger transport are provided. The folding passenger seat comprises a seat frame, on which a front seat leg having a first fastening element and a rear seat leg having a second fastening element are arranged. The first fastening element and the second fastening element are configured to be connected to rails on a cabin floor of the means of passenger transport and to be displaced in the rails. A first joint element is arranged between the first fastening element and the second fastening element such that a spacing between the first fastening element and the second fastening element is variable. In particular, the first joint element may be arranged between the front seat leg and the seat frame or between the rear seat leg and the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Lars SCHOMACKER, Frank QUATMANN
  • Patent number: 8851564
    Abstract: A chair with a foldable desk includes a support leg having a crossbar. A seat plate installed above said support leg includes an upper seat, a lower cover and a coupler into which the crossbar is rotatably inserted. The seat plate rotates between a vertical position and a horizontal position. A back installed above a rear side of the seat plate is capable of tilting forward and rearward with tilting means. A desk installed above a side of the support leg includes an upper plate with an attachment member on its bottom. The upper plate may swing between an upper position and a lower position within an angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Won ho Seo
  • Publication number: 20140284980
    Abstract: A bolster seat design for providing a standing position (FIG. 1) or leaning/sitting position (FIG. 2). In the standing position the arms (items 2, 3) are rotated to the vertical position. In the leaning/sitting position the arms are rotated to the horizontal position. In addition, a pedestal (item 1) has been designed to change the height of the seat or other devices. By pressing down on a foot lever, the height can be changed quickly and easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Edward Francis Dick, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140284970
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat, a back rest, a frame having a curved rail, and a runner moveable along the rail. The seat and back rest are carried by the runner such that the seat and back rest can be moved together along the rail, and the position of the back rest relative to the seat changes in a horizontal direction as the seat and the back rest move along the rail. Additionally, the height-adjustable seat can be folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Simon Radclyffe
  • Publication number: 20140265498
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having an upwardly-foldable seat cushion that includes an engagement piece projecting from the rear end of the seat cushion and an under cover below the seat having an upper panel portion having an upwardly sloped surface. A forwardly-and-rearwardly extending guide groove formed in that upper panel portion which allows the engagement piece to be moved therein, without its contact with the upwardly sloped surface of the upper panel portion, when the rear end of the seat cushion is slidingly brought to a lower end of a set back. Ribs are formed in a bottom surface of the guide groove. The guide groove allows forward-and-rearward movement of the engagement piece therein, so that the engagement piece can be pressed against and frictionally engaged with the lower end of the seat back, without being caught by the upwardly sloped surface of the upper panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Hideya Shiotani, Yoshikazu Kijima, Hiroshi Nakao, Taichi Yokoyama
  • Publication number: 20140265516
    Abstract: A movable seat for a transit vehicle has a folding seat cushion that moves between a use position oriented to support a passenger and a storage position. The seat is supported by at least one pedestal that can be mounted in a vehicle for movement with respect to said vehicle, for example to provide space for a mobility aid. The pedestal has a locking mechanism and a lock activator that places the locking mechanism in a locked position to prevent movement the seat. The seat also has a release mechanism that in one orientation maintains the locking mechanism in a locked position and in a second orientation unlocks the locking mechanism and also prevents placement of the folding seat cushion to the use position when unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: American Seating Company
    Inventor: Randy P. PHINNEY
  • Patent number: 8801101
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system including a seat back, a seat bottom, a track arrangement, a first carriage, and a second carriage is for use within a vehicle. The seat bottom is coupled to the seat back. The track arrangement is configured to be coupled to the vehicle. The first carriage is coupled to the seat bottom and is moveable within the track arrangement. The second carriage is coupled to the seat back and is moveable within the track arrangement. The second carriage and the first carriage are releasably coupled to one another so the second carriage is moveable relative to the first carriage when the coupling of the first carriage and the second carriage is released. The position of the second carriage relative to the first carriage is substantially fixed when the coupling of the first carriage and the second carriage is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: M. Omer Dagcioglu, Ioan Ghergheli, Michael B. Clor, Ram Gopal, Kyle Doxey, Paul A. Gilmore, Timothy A. Brademeyer, John Newberry, Stephen P. Telesco
  • Patent number: 8770646
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a support base. A seat is supported on the support base and cantilevered forwardly therefrom. The support base includes a first brace operably connecting the frame with a first slide assembly disposed on a rocker panel of the vehicle. A second brace operably connects the frame with a second slide assembly disposed on a transmission tunnel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Kendrick Alden Harper, John W. Jaranson, Michael John Kitti, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 8763537
    Abstract: A vertically foldable frame is disclosed. The frame comprises: a base; a first fixing post; a second fixing post; a sliding frame; at least one table surface; wherein the first fixing post and the second fixing post are respectively fixed on both ends of the base; a first guide rail and a second guide rail are provided on the first fixing post and the second fixing post respectively and opposite to each other, the sliding frame is provided between the first guide rail and the second guide rail and adapted to slide up and down along the first guide rail and the second guide rail; the table surface is horizontally connected to a side of the sliding frame and adapted to be rotated in a vertical plane around a joint between the table surface and the sliding frame, the table surface is adapted to be horizontally positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Kin Chung Ng
  • Patent number: 8757719
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat, a first slide mechanism disposed on a side wall side of the vehicle compartment is provided with a hinge mechanism having a biasing member that flips up a seat body toward the side wall, and a second slide mechanism disposed on the inner side of the vehicle compartment is provided with a coupling/decoupling switching mechanism for locking or unlocking the mutually coupled second slide mechanism and seat body. The seat body is flipped up by the biasing member when the coupling/decoupling switching mechanism is in the unlocking position. A flip-up position detecting unit is provided for detecting a predetermined flip-up position of the seat body within a slidable range of the seat body, and the coupling/decoupling switching mechanism is switched to the unlocking position when the flip-up position detecting unit detects the flip-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshikuni Hayakawa