Movable To Inoperative Position Patents (Class 297/331)
  • Patent number: 7252337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat arrangement for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat base that defines a seat surface for a vehicle passenger and extends in the longitudinal direction of the seat, and a back rest. According to the invention, the back rest can be adjusted in relation to the seat base in the longitudinal direction of the seat by means of a lever arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Hofmann, Jürgen Angermüller, Thomas Haagen, Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 7246857
    Abstract: The seat folding device of a vehicle includes a seat frame that linearly slides along an anteroposterior direction of the vehicle on a guide rail fixed to a floor panel of the vehicle. Two folding brackets are pivotally coupled at a front middle portion of the seat frame. A tilting bracket is coupled at the lower surface thereof to one end of the folding bracket by a hinge. A seat cushion is disposed at an upper side of the tilting bracket. The present invention thus constructed prevents deterioration of the appearance of the seat device and optimizes the stability of the vehicle, convenience of the user and marketability of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7219960
    Abstract: A lifting chair, having a seat which is pivoted upward, being hinged along its front edge to help lift an individual who has trouble rising from an ordinary chair, also has arms which move upward during this pivoting process. Similarly, the seat and arms are moved downward to help the individual sit down. The linkage preferably is a parallelogram type preventing rotation of the arms as they are moved upward and downward along arcuate paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Mohammed A. Hajianpour
  • Patent number: 7213861
    Abstract: A retractable seat device includes a seat body having first and second ends rotatably connected to rear and front legs, respectively, first and second arms, and a link. When the first arm is rotated in a second direction, the rear leg and the front leg connected to the rear leg with the link are unfolded, a rear lock mechanism provided on the rear leg becomes engaged with a first striker provided on the vehicle floor, and then a front lock mechanism provided on the front leg becomes engaged with a second striker provided on the vehicle floor, so that the seat body is supported on the vehicle floor by the rear leg and the front leg. The rear lock mechanism has an interlock structure including a ratchet and a pawl, and the front lock mechanism has a hook lock structure including a hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yokoyama, Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Patent number: 7172245
    Abstract: A removable seats system includes a number of vertically movable platforms supported by a platform support and displacement device which engages the platforms and which positions the platforms in a horizontally successively spaced configuration defining a gap between each two successive platforms having selective independent vertical displacement of the platforms. The removable seats system further includes a number of seat elements each associated with a corresponding platform and each including: a row of seats including at least one seat; and a seat supporting structure carried by a platform and supporting the row of seats. Each one of the seat members is movable relative to its corresponding platform between an operative position in which the row of seats is located above its corresponding platform, and a concealed position in which the row of seats is located under a platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gestion Laforest Inc.
    Inventors: Paul-Andre Bouchard, Pierre Laforest, Pierre Gagnon
  • Patent number: 7156460
    Abstract: The locking device provides for double folding of a detachable vehicle seat, and in particular provides for double folding of a detachable vehicle seat capable of achieving an easier engaging and disengaging of a double folding detachable vehicle seat by providing a stopper and a strap for an unlocking operation of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chan Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 7152925
    Abstract: A detachable seat for automobiles that folds and tumbles in a single operation while being firmly maintained in a desired position via a seat slide unit. The seat slide unit is fastened along a central line of a lower end thereof to an automobile body and includes an inside long slide rail and an outside long slide rail. The detachable seat also includes a seat detachment unit having a seat frame with rotatably mounted front and rear locks that are coupled to the inside long slide rail such that the front and rear locks rotate simultaneously. The detachable seat further includes a seat tumbling unit coupled to the rear lock of the seat detachment unit for simultaneously folding the detachable seat and unlocking the rear lock. The seat tumbling unit both folds a seat back part of the detachable seat and tumbles the detachable seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dae Won San Up Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae-Myung Hur, Do-Kywn Kim
  • Patent number: 7147286
    Abstract: A versatile chair having a back assembly, a seat assembly and a leg assembly. Two brackets are formed on the leg assembly and create an axis of rotation for the back assembly and for the seat assembly independent of the back assembly. The back assembly rotates due to a user's weight. The seat assembly is rotated manually. The chair is stackable and nestable with identically structured chairs. A tension system is aligned on an oblique axis to bias the back assembly to an upright position. The tension system is mounted within front legs of the leg assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William Cesaroni, Shawn Barrett, Curtis Cruver, Joseph Keitel, James Groulx, Randall E. Green, Ronald Lewis
  • Patent number: 7134725
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat including a foldable backrest and a lowerable seat part, wherein the backrest is foldable toward the seat part and a mechanism is provided so the seat part is lowerable from a use position into a forward position, wherein a coupling element is provided to couple folding-down of the backrest to forward movement and lowering of the seat part, and a locking mechanism is provided to lock the seat part in the use position. The coupling element may unlock the locking mechanism as the backrest is folded forward toward the seat part at a predefined angle of inclination, so that inclination of the backrest can be changed while the seat part is locked by folding the backrest forward to the predefined angle of inclination and the unlocked seat part is lowered into the forward position by folding the backrest further forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Hofmann, Olaf Göbel
  • Patent number: 7121624
    Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom supported by the vehicle and a seatback coupled to the seat bottom is provided. The seat adjustment mechanism includes a first kneel mechanism connected to the vehicle seat and a powered motor operably connected to the first kneel mechanism. The powered motor drives the first kneel mechanism to translate the seatback and seat bottom relative the vehicle to manipulate the seat assembly into a desired configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Srinivas Pejathaya, Jeffery T Bonk, Christopher J Ryan, David L Robinson
  • Patent number: 7109677
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized barrier operator after detecting an obstruction includes the steps of providing a motorized barrier operator that moves a barrier between limit positions and providing at least one control switch that upon actuation moves the barrier in a direction toward one of the limit positions. Actuation of the at least one control switch during movement of the barriers at least causes the barrier to stop. If an obstruction is detected by the motorized barrier operator during movement of the barrier, the operator allows only uni-directional movement of the barrier, regardless of actuation of the at least one control switch, after the detecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Richard E Gagnon, James S Murray
  • Patent number: 7083146
    Abstract: A seating arrangement in an aircraft passenger cabin includes rows of seats, one behind another at a prescribed seat pitch. A wider transverse aisle is formed between successive seat rows at a normal exit or an emergency exit. At least one seat row bordering on and facing the transverse aisle is equipped with foldable passenger seats that each have an upwardly tiltable seat bottom and armrests. By tilting up the seat bottom and the armrests, an enlarged width of the transverse aisle is provided in the event of an emergency evacuation. In normal operation, the prescribed transverse aisle width does not need to be maintained, i.e. can be reduced, so the seat bottom and armrests are tilted down into the normal-use position for a passenger to be seated on the seat. Thereby the seat pitch of this seat row can be reduced and the total seating capacity can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hiesener
  • Patent number: 7077463
    Abstract: Disclosed is a folding split seat which is easy to move from a seating position to a cargo position and back and which accomplishes this by moving the seat cushion forward and downward out of the way of the folded seat back without the need to fold or flip the seat cushion. Also disclosed is a embodiment of the folding split seat that also provides for a reclining seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Simon Sun, Zorn Kojic
  • Patent number: 7073862
    Abstract: A seat assembly is adapted to be mounted along a floor of a motor vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion frame having a forward end and a rearward end for supporting an occupant on the seat assembly. The seat assembly also includes a front support structure pivotally coupled to the forward end of the seat cushion frame. The front support structure pivots the seat assembly between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally upright tumbled position. In addition, the seat assembly includes a locking strut extending between a first end, which is coupled to the front support structure, and an opposite second end, which is coupled to the rearward end of the seat cushion frame. The locking strut locks and retains the seat assembly in any location between the seating position and the tumbled position in response to an acceleration force exerted on the seat assembly above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Lavoie
  • Patent number: 7066539
    Abstract: Vehicle seat of retractable type having a rotary support link mechanism, which is displaceable between upper use position and lower storage position. The rotary support link mechanism comprises a forward link element and a backward link element smaller in length than the forward link element, wherein the forward link element has upper and lower pivotal support points between the seat and a vehicle floor, while the backward link element has upper and lower pivotal support points between the seat and vehicle floor. The lower pivotal support point of the backward link element is disposed backwardly of and above the lower pivotal support point of the forward link element, and the backward link element is inclined more backwardly than the forward link element. With this arrangement, the seat can be displaced by operation of motor between the upper use position and lower storage position in a manner analogous to a manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Hatta, Mitsuru Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7040702
    Abstract: A tip-up vehicle seat comprises a seat back (11) attached to a vehicle body, a seat bottom (14) displaceable between a retracted position and a available position, a leg member (17) displaceable between a retracted position and a support position, a lock mechanism (18) arranged to hold the seat bottom at the retracted position. The lock mechanism (18) is connected to the leg member (17) through a wire cable (43) so that the lock mechanism (18) is unlocked by rotational movement of the leg member (17) from the retracted position toward the support position to release the restriction to the seat bottom (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takurou Yamada, Masayuki Takakura, Takahiro Ito, Seiji Waku
  • Patent number: 7040684
    Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion and a seat hack pivotally connected to the seat cushion by a recliner mechanism for providing pivotal movement of the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a forwardly folded position against the seat cushion. A front link supports the scat cushion above the floor of the vehicle in the seating position and lowers the seat cushion to a flat position with the seat back in the folded position. A rear floor latch releasably secures the seat cushion to the floor of the vehicle in the seating position and unlocks the seat cushion and the seat back for pivotal movement about the front link from the seating position to an upright tilted position with each of the seat cushion and the seat back extending generally upright from the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Omar D. Tame, Alexander Victor Kaytser
  • Patent number: 6964452
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat (1), in particular an automobile seat, having an understructure (3) which can be connected with the vehicle structure, and a middle structure (5) carrying a seat cushion (19) and a backrest (23), the understructure (3) and the middle structure (5) constituting two links of a first four-bar linkage (11) on either side of the vehicle seat, and the vehicle seat (1) being able to be brought from a sitting utilization position to a boarding position, the four-bar linkage (11), in order to bring the vehicle seat (1) from the utilization position to the boarding position, swings the vehicle seat (1) free as a whole, while the backrest (23) maintains its position relative to the middle structure (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Joachim Kämmerer
  • Patent number: 6935691
    Abstract: Vehicle seat with seat cushion tip-up structure and lock mechanism for slide rail comprising upper and lower rails, wherein the upper rail fixed to the seat is locked and unlocked to the lower rail through the lock mechanism. An unlocking lever provided to the seat cushion is operatively connected via a first connecting link with a first arm element, wherein the first connecting link and first arm element are disposed at the seat cushion. The first arm element is connected with a second arm element disposed outwardly of the seat cushion, the second arm element being operatively connected via a second connecting link with the lock mechanism, wherein the second connecting link is disposed outwardly of the seat cushion. Operating the unlocking lever actuates the lock mechanism to unlock and lock the seat from and to the lower rail, irrespective of whether the seat cushion is tipped up or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Sasaki, Takao Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 6916057
    Abstract: A folding vehicle passenger seat for agricultural or industrial utility vehicles, includes a seat member which can be pivoted from a seated position to a position folded upward. A sliding bearing mechanism is coupled to the rear portion of the seat member so that the seat member can be guided in a sliding motion and so that the seat member can pivot about an axis. When the seat member is folded upward the sliding bearing mechanism slides downward from an upper position along the guide and simultaneously rotates relative to the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Michael Teich
  • Patent number: 6902236
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back (11), a generally horizontal seat cushion (14), and a recliner mechanism (20) allowing for pivotal adjustment of the seat back about a first pivot axis (21) relative to the seat cushion and displacement of the first pivot axis about a second pivot axis (22) between forward and rearward positions. With the first pivot axis (21) in the forward position, the seat back is adjustable about the first pivot axis (21) between a plurality of reclined seating positions. With the first pivot axis in the rearward position, the seat back is adjustable about the first pivot axis between one of the reclined seating positions and a stowed position generally aligned against the seat cushion. The seat cushion is pivotally adjustable about a four bar linkage (17, 18) between a seating position and a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Magna Seating Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Omar D. Tame
  • Patent number: 6890032
    Abstract: A pivotal mounting mechanism and a method of mounting an axle in an axle mount. A plug is inserted in a receptacle such as the open end of a tube which has at least one J-shaped track. The axle is held in its final position by inter-engagement of the plug and tube. The mounting mechanism is easily assembled and substantially vandal resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Andrew Fewchuk
  • Patent number: 6883868
    Abstract: A tip-up, slidable automotive seat comprises a seat cushion, a seat back, a tipping-up mechanism for allowing the seat cushion to be tipped up relative to the seat back, and an interlocking mechanism for preventing the seat from being moved forward unless the seat cushion is tipped up relative to the seat back and for allowing the seat to be moved forward when the seat cushion is tipped up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6860562
    Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism includes at least one recliner mechanism, a latch mechanism, and a kneel mechanism. The recliner mechanism serves to articulate a seatback relative to a seat while the floor latch and kneel mechanisms provide for dumping and pivoting of a seat assembly respectively. In addition, a second recliner mechanism, second floor latch mechanism, and second kneel mechanism may be provided on an opposite side of the seat assembly. A first interlock mechanism operably couples the first recliner mechanism and first latch mechanism while a second interlock mechanism couples the second recliner mechanism and second kneel mechanism. The first and second interlock mechanisms prevent the first and second recliner mechanisms from rotating to a usable position if either the first floor latch mechanism or second kneel mechanism is not securely latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery T. Bonk
  • Patent number: 6857703
    Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism includes at least one recliner mechanism, a latch mechanism, and a kneel mechanism. The recliner mechanism serves to articulate a seatback relative to a seat while the floor latch and kneel mechanisms provide for dumping and pivoting of a seat assembly respectively. In addition, a second recliner mechanism, second floor latch mechanism, and second kneel mechanism may be provided on an opposite side of the seat assembly. A first interlock mechanism operably couples the first recliner mechanism and first latch mechanism while a second interlock mechanism couples the second recliner mechanism and second kneel mechanism. The first and second interlock mechanisms prevent the first and second recliner mechanisms from rotating to a usable position if either the first floor latch mechanism or second kneel mechanism is not securely latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery T. Bonk
  • Patent number: 6851751
    Abstract: An apparatus adaptable to a wheelchair, for assisting a person seated in the wheelchair to move to a standing position. The apparatus includes opposing pivoting rods as a mechanical leverage lift attached to the bottom of a hinged seat. The action of stepping on the leverage lift device either at the front or at the rear of the chair results in the seated person being lifted. The leverage device lifts the seat from a sitting position to a substantially raised flat position, so that a person sitting in the seat is likewise lifted from a seated position to a partially standing position. The lift mechanism is located at the front and the rear of the wheelchair, depending on whether the person would be assisted by one or two persons in front and/or behind the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventors: Clifford J. Romero, Linda R. Borel, Joseph Clint Borel
  • Patent number: 6830295
    Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a seat to a vehicle floor, the device comprising firstly a base designed to support a seat proper of the seat, and secondly a rear coupling and a front coupling that are secured to the base. The front coupling comprises an anchoring fork provided with first and second notches designed to co-operate respectively with a rear rod and with a front rod, and first and second hooks mounted on the anchoring fork to move between an unlocked position and a locked position, the first hook being adapted to be in its locked position while holding the rear rod captive, and the seat proper pivoting about the rear rod only, between its tilted-forwards position and its in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'automobile S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles Duquesnay, Gilles Sourdillon, Farid Senhadji, Didier Gallienne
  • Publication number: 20040239167
    Abstract: A seating arrangement, for a motor vehicle, with a lower upholstered seating part comprising a seating surface and a seating section with a top side which is arranged opposite an under-side. Said seating section can be guided in a displaceable manner by guiding means between a first position, wherein said seating section is lowered into the upholstered seating part and forms a section of the seating surface with the top side, and between a second position, wherein said section protrudes from the seating surface in relation to the upholstered seating part. The guiding elements are configured in such a way that when the seating section is lifted between both positions they enable a turning movement of approximately 180°, in addition to adjustment of said height so that in the raised second position, the seating section with the underside thereof is raised upwards away from the upholstered seating part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Siegfried Fisher, Rudolf Hemmelrath
  • Publication number: 20040227386
    Abstract: A detachable seat for a vehicle, includes a seat cushion, a seat leg mechanism for supporting the seat cushion, the seat leg mechanism including a base member on which the seat cushion is carried, and first and second spaced apart leg members pivotally connected to the base member, a seat back pivotally mounted to the base member of the seat leg mechanism, a first cooperating mechanism on the first and second leg members and a vehicle floor for causing the seat to be releasably locked with the vehicle floor, and a second cooperating mechanism on the base member and the seat cushion for causing the seat cushion to be removably or detachably mounted with respect to the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tsujibayashi, Kiyoshi Yajima, Tamotsu Oishi, Koji Kamida
  • Patent number: 6817660
    Abstract: A vehicle rear structure is provided in which, when a seatback is tilted forward and folded, an upper surface of the seatback and a rear floor positioned behind the seat form a flat surface. A bridge plate is extended between the folded seatback and the rear floor. The bridge plate is rotatably attached to the front edge of the rear floor. A portion for lifting a front edge portion of the bridge plate in conjunction with the uprising movement of the seatback is provided at the rear of the seatback to prevent the seatback from getting stuck on the front edge portion of the bridge plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Ito, Ryosuke Nakashima, Hirobumi Kikuchi, Masami Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6811219
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a base frame including front and rear transverse support members, a backrest, and a seat pan. The seat pan has a rear part mounted on the transverse support members adjacent to the backrest for angular movement about a transverse horizontal axis and a front part which is mounted for angular movement relative to the rear part between a position in which its top surface is co-planar with the top surface of the rear part and a position in which the front edge of the front part is lower than its rear edge when the rear part is substantially horizontal. The distance between the front transverse support member and the rear edge of the rear part of the seat pan is less than two thirds (preferably less that half) of the distance between the front edge of the front part of the seat pan and the rear edge of the rear part of the seat pan, in order to leave room for a seat occupant to stand upright when the seat pan is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Britax Excelsior Limited
    Inventors: Michael Hudswell, Robert George Lovell
  • Publication number: 20040212237
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a runner made up of a fixed rail fixed to a vehicle floor, and of a moving rail mounted to slide relative to the fixed rail, a front leg having a top end and a bottom end mounted to pivot relative to the vehicle floor, a seat back mounted to pivot relative to the moving rail of the runner, and a seat proper having a front end mounted to pivot on the top end of the front leg. The seat back is mounted to pivot relative to the seat proper, and the seat further comprises at least one locking device adapted to selectively preventing the seat back from pivoting or allowing said seat back to pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: David Epaud, Francois Fourrey, Fabrice Lesbats, Christian Couasnon
  • Patent number: 6805407
    Abstract: A latch assembly secures a striker of a seat cushion to a floor of a motor vehicle. The latch assembly includes a hinge bracket fixedly secured to the floor. The hinge bracket defines an elongated slot for receiving the striker therethrough. The latch assembly also includes a retainer mechanism coupled to the hinge bracket. The retainer mechanism selectively locks the striker within the elongated slot to secure the seat cushion in a passenger supporting position generally horizontal relative to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Virgil A. Iliscu
  • Patent number: 6796608
    Abstract: A tennis teaching seat assembly for attachment to a vertical tennis net support post for the instruction and recordation of a tennis match. The assembly comprises a tennis net post attachable shaft having an upper first bracket and a lower second bracket thereon. A hinged seat and seat support bracket is attached to the tennis post attachable shaft. The first bracket and the second has a tennis post gripping arrangement therein to permit the seat assembly to securely be attached to any tennis post. The gripping arrangment comprises an insert matable within one of each of the first and second brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ventimiglia, Bruce McGrath
  • Patent number: 6789494
    Abstract: A fold out seat assembly is attached to a support structure having a substantially vertical mounting surface. The seat assembly comprises two sections: a backrest that is fixedly attached to the mounting surface above the seat assembly, and a seat unit that is movable from a vertical stored position against the mounting surface to a horizontal seating position the major portions of which are detachable from the mounting surface when not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Grady-White Boats, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Neese, Drexel K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6786549
    Abstract: A seat connection mechanism includes a saddle bracket portion having an upper channel and a rearward channel and a protective cap hingedly connected thereto adjacent the upper channel, and a pin portion having an upper pin and a rearward pin protruding therefrom. The upper pin and the rearward pin are positioned such that, and are spaced apart by a distance such that, when the rearward pin is inserted into the rearward channel with the pin portion being tilted upwardly, the pin portion is pivotable downwardly such that the upper pin is insertable into the upper channel. The protective cap is movable from an open position wherein the upper pin is insertable into the upper channel to a dosed position wherein the protective cap inhibits objects from falling into the upper channel and inhibits removal of the upper pin from the upper channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Multiple LLC
    Inventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
  • Patent number: 6783179
    Abstract: An elevation chair having a seat which is elevated by a driving mechanism, provided with a seat frame and a seat main body attached to the frame as to incline forward, the seat main body has an oscillation mechanism to automatically incline the seat main body forward at a predetermined height, and an angle detecting means to stop the driving mechanism when the seat main body reaches a predetermined inclination angle. And, the elevation chair has an automatic braking mechanism which releases wheels when a footrest attached to a position above a front wheel is laid to be horizontal, and brakes the wheel when the footrest is standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Komura Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Komura, Takashi Kaneda, Katuhiko Yamashita, Kazuya Adachi, Isamu Mizuseki
  • Patent number: 6776457
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, more particularly aircraft seat, includes a seat bottom and a seat back disposed in a seat frame. The seat bottom can be folded down from a first near vertical position (I) into a second near horizontal position (II). This results in a comparatively simple, lightweight construction featuring good accessibility to several vehicle seats configured abreast and/or in rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew Muin, Markus Schumacher, Frank-Heinrich Schoenenberg, Christian Majunke
  • Patent number: 6773068
    Abstract: In a seat in which the seat is placed so as to be freely moved by a slide rail 4, a striker lock 7 retained and mounted to a striker 8 standing up from a vehicle body floor F is provided in a lower portion close to a rear end of a lower rail 4b, and the seat is placed so as to be freely kicked up from a rear portion side to an upper side in a folded state around a supporting shaft 6 axially supporting and pivoting a front end side of the lower rail 4b corresponding to a supporting point, there is provided a switching mechanism 10 which makes it impossible to unlock the striker lock 7 by an operation lever when the seat is kept at a front seated position, and makes it possible to lock the striker lock 7 by the operation lever when the seat is moved to a predetermined rear position, whereby it is possible to mechanically execute a step of moving the seat to the predetermined position in the rear side within the vehicle, thereafter unlocking the striker lock 7 and kicking up the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6767061
    Abstract: A seat for vehicle use, the front portion of which is capable of tipping up. The seat includes a seat back, a seat cushion, a tip-up unit which tips up a forward end side of the seat cushion from a base position to an upward tip-up position, and a rock unit which holds the seat cushion at at least one position between the base position and the tip-up position. The seat cushion includes a front seat cushion positioned at a front side of a vehicle and a rear seat cushion positioned at the rear of the front seat cushion. The front seat cushion is provided with the tip-up unit. The rock unit includes a first gear and a second gear both mutually engaged so as to permit tip-up motion of the seat cushion and restrict the tip-down motion of the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ogino, Shingo Kutomi, Katsuhiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20040124682
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for storage in a floor tub within a vehicle floor. The seat assembly includes a seat frame defining a translational axis and a longitudinal axis. The seat assembly also includes a mounting system for mounting the seat frame to the floor tub for selective rotation between a deployed design configuration and a fully tumbled stored-in-floor configuration, with the seat frame being inside the floor tub in the stored-in-floor configuration. Notably, the seat assembly further includes a lateral translation system for positive inboard displacement of the seat frame along the translational axis during the selective rotation of the seat frame from the design configuration towards the stored-in-floor configuration. In the design configuration, the medial seat axis is laterally off-set from a central tub axis defined by the floor tub. In the stored-in-floor configuration, the medial seat axis is aligned with the central tub axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Faurecia Automotive Seating Canada Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Daniel
  • Patent number: 6755468
    Abstract: A folding chair includes two pairs of intersected legs. A traverse pivot rail interconnects the intersections of the two pairs of legs. Two support mechanisms are spaced along the pivot rail, each support mechanism comprising an upper hole. Two cylinder pads are anchored in the upper holes. Two fastening mechanisms each include an upper section and a lower section, each section having a half tube mating and coupled to each other with the pivot rail passed therethrough. A seat is pivotably secured to the pivot rail by fasteners threaded through the upper and the lower sections and into the seat. In a use position, the seat is adapted to exhibit an elastic, downward movement as buffered by the cylinder pads. In a folding operation, the seat is turned about the pivot rail until being stopped by a chair back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Oasyschair Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toung-Chun Pan
  • Publication number: 20040113410
    Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle comprising at least a seat, and a recess which is formed receding downwardly in a floor of the vehicle immediately behind the seat. A cross member extends across the vehicle width above the recess and is fixed to the vehicle body at its opposite ends. A buckle connecting member is connected with a buckle of the seat belt for the seat at one end and connected with the cross member at the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimine Morino, Kenji Satani, Tatsuya Takahashi, Kazuhiro Matsuhashi, Hiroshi Okiyama
  • Patent number: 6749264
    Abstract: A detachable seat for a vehicle includes a seat bracket at the bottom thereof, which is detachably coupled with guide grooves and front and rear strikers formed in a floor panel of the vehicle. The bracket comprises a body unit including a bracket body with front engaging grooves and rear engaging grooves for floor mounted strikers; locking units for releasing the rear striker from the rear engaging grooves in response to control of a release lever; and rollers located to facilitate mounting and demounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Chan-Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 6746083
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for mounting on a vehicle floor including a seat bottom pivotally mounted relative to the vehicle floor. The seat bottom defines an upper surface and an opposed lower surface. The seat bottom is movable between a seating position, wherein the upper surface faces upwards, and a storage position, wherein the lower surface faces upwards. A panel is pivotally connected to the seat bottom. The panel is automatically moved between a first position underneath the seat bottom when the seat bottom is in the seating position, and a generally horizontally deployed position when the seat bottom is moved to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Michael Drew, Eric Anthony Woods, Mark Allyn Folkert
  • Patent number: 6742743
    Abstract: An aircraft seat includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat cushion has a rear portion along the seat back and a front portion of complementary shape to the rear portion to form a complete seat cushion. The rear portion moves between a raised position and a lowered position. A coupling arrangement connects the front portion to the rear portion so that when the front portion is in the raised position along the seat back the front portion is in the lowered position, in which at least part of it is retracted under the rear portion. When the rear portion is in its lowest position along the seat back the front portion is in a raised, advanced position at the same height as the rear portion to form therewith the seat cushion of the seat for receiving a seated passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventor: Bruno Saint-Jalmes
  • Publication number: 20040100134
    Abstract: This invention discloses a seating arrangement that includes a stanchion and a pivotably mounted seat that is connected to the stanchion by a seat boss provided on the seat and a stanchion boss provided on the stanchion. The seat boss and the stanchion boss having end-stops formed therein. And, at least one of the end stops being reinforced and comprising a mouldable material moulded around a reinforcing pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Support Services Group PLC
    Inventors: Russell Plant, Jonathan Mark Aldridge
  • Patent number: 6729689
    Abstract: A locking and pivoting mechanism for a rear seat includes a first, approximately horizontal use position; a second, approximately vertical position; and a third lowered position. The seat includes a front and a rear link. A lower end of the front link is attached to the chassis and an upper end is attached to the seat body so that it may be displaced longitudinally, and may be affixed to the seat body by means of a first locking pawl. An upper end of the rear link is attached to the seat body and a lower end is releasably connected to the chassis by means of a second locking pawl. At least one of locking pawl locks the seat in and releases the seat from the first, second, and third positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Habedank
  • Publication number: 20040075323
    Abstract: A fold flat vehicle seat comprises a seat assembly mounted on a movable track member slidably engaging a fixed track member, and lockable by a track lock. The seat assembly includes a seatback member mounted on a seat cushion member for forward folding between a substantially upright occupiable design position and a substantially horizontal load supporting position. A downwardly and rearwardly sloped ramp is mounted on the fixed track member. A drive link assembly is mounted on the seatback member for translational engagement of a ramp contact member with the ramp. As the seatback member is forwardly folded from the upright occupiable design position to the load supporting position the track lock releases and the ramp contact member moves downwardly and rearwardly along the ramp to thereby cause rearward longitudinal movement of the seat assembly relative to the fixed track member to a predetermined rear longitudinal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Faurecia Automotive Seating Canada Limited
    Inventors: David M. Blair, Thomas J. Cooley, Dan Dumitru Nae, Wojciech Smuk
  • Patent number: RE39315
    Abstract: An operator opens the tail gate, and stretches his/her arm through the tail gate to make the seat back fall down forward. Then, the operator can pull the pull fitting to make both the seat back and the seat cushion turn over backward so as to be received in the storage concave portion. Accordingly, this design allows an operator to perform the rear seat rearrangement in a very easy posture from the outside of a car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Kamida, Takahiro Mori