Gas Or Hydraulic Cylinder Patents (Class 297/344.16)
  • Patent number: 10674827
    Abstract: A displacement auxiliary device for an accessory of a chair is revealed. The auxiliary device is disposed on the chair and used in combination with the accessory of the chair such as an armrest, a lumbar support, a headrest, etc. The auxiliary device includes a displacement member, a fixing plate and a loading plate. The displacement member further includes two rotating members that are rotated a large angle around two rotary shafts respectively and symmetrically to be moved inward to a first position or extended outward to a second position. The accessory of the chair stays still without displacement when the two rotating members are moved inward to the first position. The accessory of the chair moves synchronously while the two rotating members are extended outward to the second position. Thereby the accessory of the chair can be adjusted to have larger displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ATEC INTERNATIONAL TEAM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Te-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 9150122
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a scissor-type stand vibratable and adjustable in height, with a pneumatic spring and cranks, intersecting at a scissor shaft. A control device for level control and for height adjustment of the stand has a control element, a valve device controlled by the control element, for controlling the spring, a switching element movable relative to the control element or the valve device, and a bearing. The control element and valve device are kinematically assigned to different parts of the stand movable relative to one another. The control element is linked to a first crank. The bearing is spaced from the shaft and connected with a second crank. The valve device is connected with the switching element movable relative to the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Keiper GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Uwe Reichel
  • Publication number: 20150028643
    Abstract: An adjustable lift apparatus for use with a rocking/reclining chair having at least one support leg, the apparatus comprising an upper support having at least one leg stand to securely engage at least one leg, and an adjustment means for adjusting each leg support stand to the desired location to engage all of the chair's legs; a lift means for reversibly biasing the upper support away from the base; a base adapted to rest on the floor and support the apparatus; a controller in communication with and controlling the lift means, whereby, the adjustable lift apparatus provides an inexpensive and universal way of engaging and raising the rocker/recliner chair with varying styles of legs and bases through the use of a controller to automatically position the chair to a user desired height thereby making it easier for elderly and handicapped persons to get into and out of the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Cora Marie Reborse
  • Patent number: 8894152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) with an upper part (5) and a lower part (6) and a frame (4) arranged between them and vertically adjustable by means of at least one fluid spring (11) capable of being retracted and extended, wherein a component (17) with at least one element (24) of resilient material for the damping of vibrating movements of the vehicle seat (1) is provided, wherein the component (17) is connected to a first end (20) of the fluid spring (11) and the upper part (5) of the seat or the lower part (6) of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Konstantin Lorey
  • Patent number: 8783772
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a utility vehicle seat, has a seat frame which can be pivoted by a pneumatic spring and which can be adjusted in terms of height. An adjuster (20) establishes the actual value of the height of the seat frame. The adjuster (20) has a cable roll (22) which is supported on a first portion of the seat frame so as to be able to be rotated about an axis (A), and a cable (24), which can be at least partially wound on the cable roll (22), unwound therefrom and is secured to a second portion of the seat frame that can be moved relative to the first portion, and which controls at least one control valve (36) of the pneumatic spring in accordance with a desired value of the height of the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Rolf Schüler, Christoph Schuhn, Heinz Voss
  • Patent number: 8662588
    Abstract: A chair lift including scissors pivotally mounted to a carriage and a lifting device pivotally positioned within the carriage. The lifting device closes the scissors and lifts the chair as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Fabio G. Delmestri
  • Patent number: 8622363
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having an oscillatory scissor-type stand and a damper that is articulated at two parts of the scissor-type stand which are movable relative to one another. One end of the damper is articulated at a pin that extends in transverse direction of the seat and extends between two structural parts arranged at a distance from one another in transverse direction of the seat at a part of the scissor-type stand. A bearing bushing is arranged with its axial bushing opening on a tubular component part enclosing the pin, wherein the bushing opening has a spherical longitudinal section with the greatest diameters at the two axial ends and the smallest diameter in the middle of the bushing opening. The bearing bushing is enclosed by a bearing ring of the damper having a shorter axial length than the bearing bushing and is arranged on the bearing bushing at an axial distance from the two ends of the bearing bushing so as to be secured against axial displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Frank Ellerich
  • Publication number: 20130292983
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a scissor-type stand vibratable and adjustable in height, with a pneumatic spring and cranks intersecting at a scissor shaft, and a control device for level control and height adjustment of the scissor type stand. The control device has a driver, a switching element coupled with the driver, and a valve device controlled by the switching element, for controlling the pneumatic spring. The driver and the valve device are kinematically assigned to different parts of the stand, such parts being movable relative to one another. The switching element is spaced from the shaft and rotatably supported on the first crank. The valve device is connected with the first crank, and the driver is configured as a Bowden cable, the core of which is coupled with the switching element, and the jacket of which is fixedly connected with the second crank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: KEOPER GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Wilhelm, Uwe Reichel
  • Patent number: 8540316
    Abstract: To be able to produce a scissors-type frame of a vehicle seat in a quick and easy manner, the present invention is directed to a scissors-type frame for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a first scissors element and a second scissors element, wherein the scissors-type frame is height-adjustable by means of the two scissors elements, and wherein the scissors-type frame is characterized in that one of the two scissors elements passes through the other of the two scissors elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Johann Deml, Erich Dieling, Josef Kohl, Alexander Lorey, Manfred Renner
  • Patent number: 8485600
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest frame and a seat frame connected to each other to form a seat structure. The seat includes a seat base adapted to be rigidly connected to the frame structure of a vehicle, and which is connected to the seat frame via a seat suspension. The seat further includes a tether which at one of its ends is attached to the seat back at a first, upper attachment point and at its other end attached at a second, lower attachment point in order to improve the strength of the seat in case of an accident. The seat is provided with at least one lever arm on the back side of the seat which shall be used as an attachment point for the tether or as a guide or support for the tether located in between the upper attachment point and the lower attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Lars Forsman, Peter Rundberget, Magnus Eriksson, Mario Ligovic
  • Patent number: 8414054
    Abstract: A simplified tilt-integrated suspension mechanism includes first and second supporting legs to support an upper frame and a lower frame on one side of a seat section, and third and fourth supporting legs to support the lower frame and the upper frame on the other side of the seat section. The first and third supporting legs are pivotally connected to the upper frame on the same axial line. The second and fourth supporting legs each include a lower supporting leg portion pivotally connected to the lower frame, and an upper supporting leg portion pivotally connected to the lower supporting leg portion by a pivot pin and slidably joined to the upper frame. A releasable locking means may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Namba Press Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Komatsubara, Tomohiro Gohara, Akira Kuroki
  • Patent number: 8362911
    Abstract: Device for vehicle seat occupancy detection, wherein a base frame which can be adjusted in the height direction of a vehicle seat and which is composed of at least two scissors arms which are connected to one another is arranged between a seat part of the vehicle seat and a vehicle body part, the device comprising a first detector which is attached to at least one of the scissors arms and which, when the vehicle seat is occupied by a minimum weight, detects a predefinable height setting of the scissors arm which is lower than a maximum possible height setting, and at least one spring which is fixed to at least one of the scissors arms and the predefinable pretensioned spring force of which corresponds at most to the downward-acting weight force due to the minimum weight and counteracts the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Jens Kolb, Frank Himmelhuber
  • Patent number: 8308135
    Abstract: Device for adjusting a height of a seat, including at least one actuator connected to at least one source of power via at least one control valve having at least one control member for controlling the pressurizing of the actuator and at least one control member for controlling the exhausting of the actuator, the device including a cam associated, on the one hand, with at least one means of driving as a function of a variation in height of the seat, and, on the other hand, with the valve control members, the cam being configured to have at least one neutral position in which it actuates no control member, and at least two active positions about the neutral position, these respectively corresponding to a pressurizing of the actuator when the cam has pivoted about the neutral position in a direction corresponding to a reduction in the height of the seat and to an exhausting of the actuator when the cam is pivoted about the neutral position in a direction corresponding to a raising of the height of the seat, the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin France SAS
    Inventor: Jean-François Viste
  • Patent number: 8303037
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a commercial vehicle seat, is provided with a scissor-type stand (3) with a seat frame (10) that is articulated thereto by a pivoting axis (B), the seat frame being able to incline in relation to the scissor-type stand (3), and a back rest (20) that is attached to the seat frame (10). The seat frame (10) is articulated directly to the scissor-type stand (3) and is connected in an articulated manner to the scissor-type frame (3) by at least one three-hinged element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Weber, Christof Nieroba, Thorsten Schweizer, Rüdiger Nissen, Thomas Gundall
  • Patent number: 8302983
    Abstract: A bicycle seat tube assembly includes an outer tube and an inner tube is movably inserted into the outer tube. A valve unit has a first end fixed to the first end cap and a second end of the valve unit is inserted into the inner tube so as to define the interior space of the inner tube into a first oil room and a second oil room. The valve unit regulates volume of oil between the first and second oil rooms. A restriction unit includes a flange on the inner periphery of the inner tube and a stop member located on the valve unit. The stop member contacts the flange when the inner tube moves to a position so as to restrict the inner tube from dropping out from the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Jung Yu Hsu
  • Patent number: 8292368
    Abstract: An electrically-operated seating apparatus for use on a boat which assists a user in standing up or sitting down is intended for use by elderly and/or disabled users, particularly in low-riding boats such as bass-boats, ski-boats and the like. The apparatus comprises a chair assembly mounted to the boat deck and a drive assembly which raises the seat up and down and tilts seat portion forward with the aid of electrical drive motors. In such a manner, the user can be assisted when getting into or out of the chair. Each side of the seat portion is provided with a small armrest to help secure the individual as well as aid in the lifting and lowering process. The electric motors would be powered from the boat battery and controlled through a set of arm-mounted switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: William S. Yarbrough
  • Patent number: 8256842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat having a device for vehicle seat occupancy detection, wherein a base frame which can be adjusted in the height direction of the vehicle seat and which is composed of at least two scissors arms which are connected to one another is arranged between a seat part of the vehicle seat and a vehicle body part, wherein the base frame can be adjusted in the height direction by means of at least one gas spring, wherein the gas spring is connected to a pressure sensor, by means of which an exceeding of a predefinable pressure threshold value can be detected upon a transition of the vehicle seat from an unoccupied state to a state occupied by a minimum weight due to a change in pressure within the gas spring which is brought about as a result of the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Frank Himmelhuber, Jens Kolb
  • Patent number: 8246020
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes layered rubbers interposed between a support body and a movable body, and a pair of dampers attached to the support body at one ends and to the movable body at the other ends. The layered rubbers are arranged to be spaced apart in an anterior and posterior direction and in a left and right direction, with reference to a direction in which an operator faces when seated. One of the dampers is arranged at a position corresponding to a middle of the left and right direction between the layered rubbers arranged in the left and right direction, and aligned in the anterior and posterior direction. The other one of the dampers is arranged closer to an anterior side than a middle of the anterior and posterior direction between the layered rubbers arranged in the anterior and posterior direction, and aligned in the lift and right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Nakamura, Toshio Yamashita, Shinji Mitsuta, Masatake Tamaru, Hiroyuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 8220872
    Abstract: A sitting device that gives the user an option to sit with a lower portion of the body supported by a half seat, while maintaining a standing posture with the unsupported leg. The sitting device includes two, left and right, half seats and a foot stool. The device also includes a seat support frame and two half-seat-position-adjusting actuators. The frame includes a horizontal crossbar and a vertical guide tube, wherein the back end of each of the two half seats is pivotally secured on the horizontal bar. The vertical guide tube houses a length-changing mechanism to vary the height of the sitting device and a height fixing mechanism which prevents yielding of the height of the sitting device when the user sits. Also comprising are the two half-seat-position-adjusting actuators attached at one end of each to the vertical tube and at the other end to the respective half seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Simon Yeonjun Hong
  • Patent number: 8196948
    Abstract: An elevating device for seat cushion of bicycle includes a cylinder having at least one level to expand or contract inside a frame tube of a bicycle frame, a stick for operating the cylinder, and a driving device for driving the stick. By the driving device, the stick below the seat cushion will press the cylinder so as to make an adjustment of the height of the seat cushion. Therefore, the elevating operation for seat cushion of bicycle is easy and convenient to adjust a proper height of the seat cushion for getting on/off the bicycle and also for comfortable riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Chi-Tien Chang
  • Patent number: 8182038
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a device for controlling a pneumatic suspension system, by means of which the vehicle seat is spring-mounted relative to a vehicle body part, including at least one directional-control valve which is pneumatically connected to the device for controlling the suspension system and which is arranged in the region of a seat part of the vehicle seat, the seat part being movable relative to a base frame and which is adjustable by a movement of the seat part relative to the base frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 8172326
    Abstract: A pivot joint assembly includes a bar generally defining an outer cylindrical surface. The bar has first and second beads extending outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The first and second beads are spaced apart from one another along the length of the bar. At least one of the first and second beads is an integrally formed portion extended outwardly from the outer cylindrical surface. The assembly further includes a mounting member having opposed first and second sides. The mounting member has a hole formed therein. The bar is disposed in the hole such that the mounting member is disposed between the first and second beads such that bar rotates relative to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Adragna, David J. Abdella, Kevin Fudala
  • Publication number: 20120001468
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a utility vehicle seat, has a seat frame which can be pivoted by a pneumatic spring and which can be adjusted in terms of height. An adjuster (20) establishes the actual value of the height of the seat frame. The adjuster (20) has a cable roll (22) which is supported on a first portion of the seat frame so as to be able to be rotated about an axis (A), and a cable (24), which can be at least partially wound on the cable roll (22), unwound therefrom and is secured to a second portion of the seat frame that can be moved relative to the first portion, and which controls at least one control valve (36) of the pneumatic spring in accordance with a desired value of the height of the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Rolf Schüler, Christoph Schuhn, Heinz Voss
  • Publication number: 20110304186
    Abstract: A transfer chair and a method of using the same. The transfer chair includes a base frame, a seat frame, and a seat having a front edge and a back edge and that is supported by the seat frame. A vertical lift mechanism couples the base frame to the seat frame and is configured to translate the seat from a first height to a second height. A seatback extends upwardly from the back edge of the seat in a first configuration and extends downwardly from the back edge of the seat in a second configuration. When the seatback is in the second configuration, a patient may slide over the back edge of the seat. A transition mechanism moves the seatback between the first and second configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Michelle Andrews
  • Patent number: 8025336
    Abstract: A dental chair for supporting a patient during examination and the performance of procedures on the patient includes a patient support having a seat and a back, a base adapted to engage a floor surface, and a lift arm. The lift arm has a first end pivotally coupled to support structure at a first, terminal end of the base for rotation about a pivot axis defined by the support structure. A second end of the lift arm is coupled to the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventor: Leo R. Hanus
  • Patent number: 7922134
    Abstract: Generally large objects including ergonomic gaming stools are provided with a supporting assembly including an easy rolling support base to enable them to be moved easily along a generally unidirectional line of movement. An easy rolling support base for the supporting assembly includes a shaped disc member to the underside of which are affixed a plurality of freely mounted roller members in predetermined angular spaced relationship. The freely mounted roller members are so mounted that the rollers are in alignment with each other and rotate in the same direction. A roller members connecting plate is provided to facilitate mounting the roller members in predetermined angular position before they are mounted into assembled position on the easy rolling support base and to facilitate repair of a roller member that may fail. The roller members are formed of materials to support the load and shaped to oppose other than unidirectional movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Gasser Chair Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Gasser
  • Patent number: 7922142
    Abstract: In accord with the present invention, a vehicle seat suspension apparatus is provided comprising: a seat suspension base; an isolator plate disposes above the base and adapted to support a vehicle seat; means for allowing reciprocating horizontal movement of the isolator plate relative to the base; an elongated guide mounted to one of either the base or the isolator and oriented along the travel path of the isolator; and a guide engaging member mounted to the other of the base or the isolator and engaging the guide to stabilize the isolator as it moves along its travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 7874620
    Abstract: A health care chair includes a base and a seating portion attached to the base. A lift assist mechanism connects the base and seating portion and assists in moving the seating portion from a first reclined position to a second inclined position without electrical power. The chair also includes moveable arms attached to the seating portion that rotate between a first substantially horizontal position and a second substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Kooistra, Benjamin B. Edinger, David Ritch, Mark Saffell, Gary L. Cruce, David E. Simon, Todd Ireland
  • Patent number: 7810884
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a height-adjustable seat frame which comprises at least two seat frame parts which can move relative to one another and at least one fluid spring, in particular an air spring, arranged on the seat frame parts for height adjustment purposes, with at least one control device which is provided for influencing the fluid spring and which comprises at least one valve device with control valves which is attached to the first seat frame part and is designed to control fluid flows for the fluid spring, and also a control element which is provided on a second seat frame part and is designed to actuate the control valves, so that a height adjustment and/or damping oscillatory movement of the vehicle seat is ensured, wherein the valve device comprises an internally cylindrical component with at least one rod element arranged displaceably therein as a control element, wherein at least one fluid intake and discharge opening of the rod element can selectively be assigned to one o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Lorey, Erwin Haller, Thomas Burger
  • Patent number: 7784871
    Abstract: An occupational support chair system and method that provides frontal support to a user. The support chair system includes a lower support frame composed of a dual section hydraulic frame and an upper support frame. The upper support frame can be configured as a spinal column associated with a number of individual locking segments. The upper support frame further includes a breast support and a removable chin support in order to provide frontal support to the user. An adjustable swivel seat can be attached to the upper support frame to relieve stress and fatigue stemming from prolonged periods of standing. The support chair system further includes a stabilizing base segment, which comprises retractable wheels and a housing for batteries, electrical and computer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis Cochran
  • Patent number: 7770974
    Abstract: A height adjustment device of a vehicle seat comprises a control valve means for governing the degree of filling of a compressed air actuator. Following an alteration in the weight to be carried by the compressed air actuator there is a relative switching over movement between a component bearing a control cam slide and a component bearing an actuating member entailing the switch over of the control valve means. The relative switching over movement is a linear movement, the two components bearing the slide and the actuating member being guided for relative sliding linear motion in the direction of the switch over movement. Furthermore a vehicle seat having such a height adjustment device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Ott, Simon Geiger, Steffen Sailer
  • Patent number: 7712836
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a height-adjustable seat frame which has at least two seat frame parts which can be moved relative to one another and at least one gas spring arranged between the seat frame parts for height adjustment purposes. The seat includes a control device that acts upon the gas spring and includes a valve device attached to a first seat frame part and has control valves for actuating gas flows for the gas spring. A control link on a second frame part actuates the control valves, so that a predefinable height of the vehicle seat is ensured regardless of a weight load on the vehicle seat. Movement of the control link relative to the second seat frame part brings about a height adjustment of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Johann Deml
  • Publication number: 20100109405
    Abstract: A dental chair for supporting a patient during examination and the performance of procedures on the patient includes a patient support having a seat and a back, a base adapted to engage a floor surface, and a lift arm. The lift arm has a first end pivotally coupled to support structure at a first, terminal end of the base for rotation about a pivot axis defined by the support structure. A second end of the lift arm is coupled to the patient support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MIDMARK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Leo R. Hanus
  • Patent number: 7669823
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seat and seat suspension assembly comprising a seat mounted to a seat supporting platform and suspension mechanism, the platform and suspension mechanism being rotationally mounted to a base by a pedestal so that the platform, suspension mechanism and seat may rotate through 360 degrees. The pedestal comprises two swivel housings, the first swivel housing being mounted in fixed position on the base and the second swivel housing being rotationally mounted to the first and supporting the suspension mechanism, platform and seat. A suspension spring and damper are associated with the suspension mechanism to enhance the ride characteristics of the seat, with the damper being positioned inside the pedestal and having one end connected to the first swivel housing and the other end connected to the suspension mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 7600815
    Abstract: A raiser seat for assisting a person from a sitting to a standing position is described. The seat comprises: a seat frame (4); a seat (10) supported for movement relative to the seat frame between a lowered position and a raised position; and a movement mechanism for moving the seat between the lowered and the raised positions. The movement mechanism comprises at least one cam (104) and the seat rests on the at least one cam such that rotation of the at least one cam results in movement of the seat relative to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Corcost Limited
    Inventor: Steven Phillip Corcoran
  • Patent number: 7568675
    Abstract: A scissor suspension includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured for pivotal attachment to a structure and a first bearing may be pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm. A second arm having a first end and a second end may be pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and second ends of the first and second arms. The first bearing may be moveably coupled to the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Catton
  • Patent number: 7549703
    Abstract: A wheeled chair apparatus is adapted for connection with an elevatable stand, such as a hydraulic stand, and the subject wheeled chair apparatus includes a wheeled chair unit which includes a seat portion and a reclinable seat back portion connected to the seat portion. A wheel assembly is connected to the seat portion, and elevatable stand attachment means are connected to a bottom side of the seat portion. The elevatable stand attachment means are adapted for connection with the elevatable stand. By using the elevatable-stand-adapted, wheeled chair apparatus of the invention, substantial amounts of time, effort, and stress on a person in the wheeled chair are reduced in carrying out a cosmetological activity on the person, when compared with conventional procedures for handling a person in a wheeled chair when carrying out a cosmetological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Suellen M. McElhinney
  • Publication number: 20080197684
    Abstract: A height adjustment device of a vehicle seat comprises a control valve means for governing the degree of filling of a compressed air actuator. Following an alteration in the weight to be carried by the compressed air actuator there is a relative switching over movement between a component bearing a control cam slide and a component bearing an actuating member entailing the switch over of the control valve means. The relative switching over movement is a linear movement, the two components bearing the slide and the actuating member being guided for relative sliding linear motion in the direction of the switch over movement. Furthermore a vehicle seat having such a height adjustment device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Helmut Ott, Simon Geiger, Steffen Sailer
  • Publication number: 20080179923
    Abstract: A highchair with a foot part and a seat element mounted thereon has a length-adjustable gas-filled strut therebetween for support and height adjustment of the seat element. The gas-filled strut may be length adjustable with two-handed safety operation. The seat element is held on two lateral support arms, on each of which an actuating element of the two-handed safety operation is arranged. Each actuating element is connected via a wire or rope pull to a pressure element acting on an actuating projection of the gas-filled strut. The seat element is pivotable and fixable about a horizontal transverse axis forwards and backwards in a tilting position. An inclination catch is provided on at least one support arm and has a rotary locking element acting between a spindle of the seat element and a support arm, which is transferable into a locking or release position by means of an actuation cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: iLinko Ltd.
    Inventors: Jon Lake, Davy Kho, Jason Lewis
  • Patent number: 7396081
    Abstract: A chair control mechanism has a rotatable shaft with a radially extending member abutting an actuating finger of a gas control cylinder. A slider may push a second radially extending member of the rotatable shaft in order to rotate the shaft. The slider has a tab extending into the mouth of the head of a further shaft which is rotated by a user operated handle. Thus, when the user operates the handle, the head of the further shaft causes the slider to slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt Canada Co.
    Inventors: Gerard J. Matern, David Lloyd Hobb, Kerry J. Brodrecht
  • Patent number: 7390062
    Abstract: A seat includes a base portion and an upright portion pivotable with respect to the base portion. The seat includes a reclining mechanism that includes first and second toothed members that are selectively engaged and disengaged to resist and permit, respectively, the angle of the upright portion with respect to the base portion. The first and second toothed members are engaged and disengaged through rotation of a cam mechanism. The seat also includes a bottom seat cushion height adjustment mechanism that permits raising and lowering of the bottom seat cushion with respect to a base portion of the frame. The bottom seat cushion height adjustment mechanism includes a slidable member that is slidable with respect to the base frame, and a plurality of cams that convert linear motion of the slidable member into vertical movement of the bottom seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Seats Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas C. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20070295882
    Abstract: A scissor suspension includes a first arm having a first end and a second end. The first end may be configured for pivotal attachment to a structure and a first bearing may be pivotally connected proximate to the second end of the first arm. A second arm having a first end and a second end may be pivotally connected to the first arm between the first and second ends of the first and second arms. The first bearing may be moveably coupled to the first rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Catton
  • Patent number: 7290834
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle seat adjustment system for providing positional adjustment of at least two seat adjustments of a vehicle seat. The system comprises a common source of hydraulic fluid, and a control unit which selectively controls and directs hydraulic fluid from the common source of hydraulic fluid to respective first and second actuators to adjust the respective different seat adjustments, for example fore and aft position of the seat, and seat back angle. The system may further also comprise a seat position determining unit connected to the control unit and to a common fluid flow sensor to determine the flow of hydraulic fluid from the common source of hydraulic fluid to the respective first and second actuators and to thereby determine the adjusted position of the respective actuators and so of the respective seat adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Hugh H. Christopher
  • Patent number: 7234779
    Abstract: An armrest includes an armrest support and a subassembly supported thereon for vertical adjustment by a height adjustment device having a rotatable high-lead-angle threaded shaft, a mating nut, and a trigger. The shaft member is rotatable upon a vertical force being placed on the subassembly, and the trigger engages the shaft to prevent rotation and fix a selected height position. The subassembly includes a housing, an armrest cap, and a pair of swing arms pivoted to each of the housing and cap for adjustably supporting the armrest cap for rotational and translational horizontal movement. Horizontal adjustment is controlled by choice of materials, a frictional wave spring and dampener. Optionally, the armrest cap includes a keyhole slot and one of the links includes a configured protrusion shaped to selectively linearly slide along a long part of the slot . . . or rotate in the circular end of the keyhole slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Adam C. Bedford, David A. Bodnar, Gary Lee Karsten
  • Patent number: 7222832
    Abstract: A support mechanism comprises a base member, first and second support arms, first and second synchronizing arms, and a load-supporting platform. The first support arm is connected to a pivot bracket and the based member in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the first support arm between stowed and deployed positions. The second support arm is connected to the pivot bracket and the load-supporting platform in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the second support arm relative to the load-supporting platform between stowed and deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Orville V. Welker
  • Patent number: 7140684
    Abstract: A seat includes at least one inclinably adjustable seat component, such as a seat section (12), whose seat frame structure can be disposed on a floor structure (24) in such a way that the seating section is pivotable around its stationary legs (22). The pairs of stationary legs (22) in the region of the front edge (26) and the rear edge (28) of the seating section (12) act upon the seating section. An actuating device (30) adjusts the respective inclination of the seat section (12), and has an exit position, whereby the seat section (12) is orientated in an essentially parallel manner in relation to the floor structure (24) and cannot be inclined. The actuating device (30) extends in the exit position between the stationary legs (22), whereby one end (32) in the region of the front seat (26) is orientated counter to the floor structure (24) and the other end (34) in the region of the rear edge of the seat (28) is orientated in the direction of the seat frame structure (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co.,
    Inventors: Wolfgang Wagner, Jürgen Baumann
  • Patent number: 7124851
    Abstract: A seat mounting structure is disclosed for reducing injury to vehicle occupants in side impact collisions. The seat mounting structure may include an inflation module, a linkage system, a sensor system, and a side airbag. The inflation module may include an inflatable structure and inflator or a piston device. The linkage system attaches the seat mounting structure to a seat and may help guide the movement of the seat. The sensor system may include a radar sensor and an optical sensor to help the sensor system anticipate an impending side impact. The seat mounting structure mitigates injury to the occupant by moving the occupant vertically up and laterally toward a centerline of the vehicle, thus increasing the space between the sidewall of the vehicle and the occupant. Additionally, the inflation module may comprise an inflatable structure that stiffens a floor structure of the vehicle upon inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Smith, Saeed D. Barbat, Donald J. Paxton
  • Patent number: 7000988
    Abstract: A chair is operable between a seating position and a rise-assist position. The chair comprises a base; first and second legs; a seat pivotally connected to the first and second legs; and a back pivotally connected to the seat. The chair further comprises first and second members pivotally connected at a first end to the legs, and pivotally connected at a second end to the back. At least portions of the legs, first and second members, back and seat form first and second four-bar linkages, respectively. At least one biasing member is pivotally connected at a first end to one of the base and at least one of the legs and pivotally connected at a second end to at least one of the four-bar linkages. The at least one biasing member operates to assist movement of the chair between the seating position and the rise-assist position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Product Development Company, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W. Bressler, Andrew Weiman
  • Publication number: 20040251725
    Abstract: A chair which has a seat portion and a backrest portion which are mounted on a wheeled/castered base support, there being means for adjusting the height and the inclination of the seat parts/backrest portion as a unit the chair being provided with two or more of the following features: a) armrests which are adjustable in height and in relation to the seat/backrest unit; b) an adjustable lumbar support; c) a pair of laterally adjustable pelvic constraints; d) a pair of laterally adjustable thigh abductors; e) an adjustable headrest; f) a pair of vertically and laterally adjustable footrests; g) a pair of laterally adjustable head constraints to constrain an occupants head in a lateral direction; h) a detachable tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Clive Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6814409
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive and fluid control system for a mechanism having at least two fluid actuated cylinder includes a bi-directional motor/gear pump. A monolithic block manifold has intersecting bores formed therein in which valving and control mechanism for the fluid circuit is mounted. The fluid control system includes a variety of elements for providing smooth action of the cylinders at start, stop, and intermediate operations. These include piston-style accumulators, self-actuating fluid flow rate control valves and cushion valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Warn Jackson