Having Additional Movement In Horizontal Plane Patents (Class 297/344.24)
  • Patent number: 12024071
    Abstract: In a control method for a vehicle with a moving console system, the control method may suitably change arrangement of seats and a console in the vehicle with the moving console system, wherein the console moves within a predetermined range on a vehicle body, and may discharges hot or cool air supplied from a vehicle air conditioning device to the vehicle indoor even when the console is moved from a reference state, for achieving convenient vehicle use for passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Gye Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 11641791
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle configured for traveling in a driven-wheel-leading mode and a caster-wheel-leading mode. The agricultural vehicle includes a first driven wheel and a second driven wheel, a caster axle, a first caster wheel and a second caster wheel, and a steering system. The steering system includes a first steering actuator connected in between the caster axle and the first caster wheel, a first sensor connected to the caster axle, and a controller operably connected to the first steering actuator and the first sensor. The controller is configured for actuating the first steering actuator to steer the first caster wheel in the driven-wheel-leading mode and the caster-wheel-leading mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Gregory T. Fasick, Jeffrey B. Fay, II
  • Patent number: 10640017
    Abstract: A seat rotating device for a vehicle includes: a plate used to support a seat; and a pair of guide rails arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction and supporting the plate. The guide rails each have a fixed rail and a sliding member that supports the plate and is slidable along the fixed rail. The plate includes guides that guide each of the sliding members. The guides are configured such that the plate rotates while causing the sliding members to move in directions opposite to each other or the plate rotates based on movement of the sliding members in directions opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Murakami, Toshiaki Nagata, Ryosuke Mizuno, Katsuya Nozue
  • Patent number: 10470951
    Abstract: A wheelchair lift for a vehicle having a cab with a rear seat. The wheelchair lift includes a lift tray dimensioned to support a wheelchair. An articulating assembly is provided that is configured to move the lift tray transversely between an extended position outside a cab of a vehicle and a retracted position fully within the cab of the vehicle. The wheelchair lift includes a vertical lift assembly configured to raise and lower the lift tray. In some cases, the articulating assembly is mounted to a vertical wall of a vehicle cab between a rear seat and a vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: All-Terrian Conversions, LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Kitchin, Trent L. Bradburn, Kraig James Schlosser
  • Patent number: 9661936
    Abstract: A multi-use convertible frame for a baby carrier includes a base frame, a swivel mount, a support unit and a positioning mechanism. The support unit can be swiveled about ninety degrees from a first direction to a second direction, and vice versa. The support unit is leaned with an angle suitable for providing a chair mode in the first direction, and kept in a substantially horizontal position for providing a bassinet mode in the second direction. The base frame may be formed with a curved underside and rotatably mounted with two stoppers at the both ends thereof for converting the chair mode into a rocking chair mode and converting the bassinet mode into rocking bassinet mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile (Zhongshan) Product Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ping-Ching Lin, Chia-Ming Shen
  • Patent number: 9139111
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular for utility vehicles, is provided with a seat part, a backrest and a lower part, in relation to which an upper part carrying the seat part and the backrest is resiliently mounted, the seat part being rotatably mounted in relation to the upper part by means of a rotary device about a rotational axis, which extends in the height direction of the vehicle seat, for a rotary movement and being resiliently mounted for a horizontal spring movement by means of a horizontal spring device in at least one direction running perpendicularly to the rotational axis, preferably the transverse direction of the vehicle seat, wherein both the rotary device and the horizontal spring device can be locked and unlocked at the same time with respect to the movements carried out with them by means of a common switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Richard Ott
  • Patent number: 9085245
    Abstract: A commercial vehicle seat is provided including a seat part, a backrest part and a seat substructure for arrangement on a body part of a commercial vehicle, in which the seat substructure includes a transverse oscillation device comprising a cross slide part which is capable of oscillating transversely to the length of the commercial vehicle and by means of which at least the seat part is mounted so as to be capable of oscillating transversely to the direction of travel on a base carrier part of the seat substructure, and includes a locking device for fixing the cross slide part on the base carrier part, wherein the locking device includes two locking units which are spaced apart along the length of the commercial vehicle and have respective locking elements which are mounted pivotally about vertical pivot axes or displaceably along linear axes and are arranged so as to be synchronously operable in a horizontal plane between two transverse rail units of the transverse oscillation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Patent number: 9016797
    Abstract: A seat device for use in a vehicle that can move through an opening of a vehicle between a loading and unloading position positioned outside the vehicle, where a passenger can load and unload as well as be seated, and a seating position positioned in the cabin of the vehicle, where the passenger can maintain a seated disposition. A securing member of the seat device can secure a wheelchair in a folded state to a side surface or a back surface of the seat. The wheelchair together with the seat can move from the loading and unloading position to inside the cabin of the vehicle, with the passenger in a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Iida, Masami Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9010861
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle seat that pivots to allow easy ingress and egress and in particular to a vehicle seat that manually pivots in conjunction with linear movement to allow easy ingress and egress to seating located behind the pivoting seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Ronald G. Bedro, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich
  • Patent number: 9004586
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, a pedestal, a swivel mechanism connected to the pedestal for permitting the seat to rotate about a vertical axis and a latch located external to the swivel mechanism for preventing rotation of the seat. The seat assembly may further include a bracket for mounting the seat to the swivel mechanism in any one of a plurality of positions. Another vehicle seat assembly includes a track, a seat having a seating portion and a seat back, a base connected to the seat and engaging the track so as to permit longitudinal movement of the seat along the track and a locking mechanism for retaining the seat in a desired position along the track. The locking mechanism includes a vertically extending pin located beneath the center of the seating portion of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: E.V.S. Ltd.
    Inventors: James E. DeCraene, Jeffry H. Wells
  • Patent number: 8998326
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, a pedestal, a swivel mechanism connected to the pedestal for permitting the seat to rotate about a vertical axis and a latch located external to the swivel mechanism for preventing rotation of the seat. The seat assembly may further include a bracket for mounting the seat to the swivel mechanism in any one of a plurality of positions. Another vehicle seat assembly includes a track, a seat having a seating portion and a seat back, a base connected to the seat and engaging the track so as to permit longitudinal movement of the seat along the track and a locking mechanism for retaining the seat in a desired position along the track. The locking mechanism includes a vertically extending pin located beneath the center of the seating portion of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: E.V.S. Ltd.
    Inventors: James E. DeCraene, Jeffry H. Wells
  • Publication number: 20150035334
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat shell, includes a first upper rail, which is arranged on the tunnel side and is movably guided in a first lower rail, and a second upper rail, which is arranged on the sill side and is movably guided in a second lower rail. The first upper rail can be displaced relative to the second upper rail, and due to that displacement the seat shell carries out a rotation about a vertically extending pivot axis. A main memory device is provided on the second upper rail, and at least one spring unit is provided, which acts upon the first upper rail relative to the second upper rail in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG.
    Inventors: Michael Roth, Markus Jung
  • Publication number: 20150015039
    Abstract: A movable seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a predetermined path having an operational location at a first end and an ingress/egress location at a second end, and a seat that travels along the predetermined path between the operational location and the ingress/egress location, wherein the seat has an operational orientation at the operational location and an ingress/egress seat orientation at the ingress/egress location; the ingress/egress seat orientation being substantially angled relative to the operational seat orientation. Another moveable seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a predetermined path having an operational location at a first end, an ingress/egress location at a second end, and a standby location along the path there between; and a seat that travels along the predetermined path between the operational location, the standby location, and the ingress/egress location; wherein the position of the seat is adjustable at the operational location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Albert G. Brand, John R. Wittmaak, James M. McCollough, James H. Harse, Richard H. Adams, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150008713
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat, a swivel connected to and rotatably supporting the seat, a swivel frame connected to the swivel, a first lateral rail supporting the swivel frame, the first lateral rail permitting the swivel frame to move in a first direction, and a first longitudinal rail supporting the first lateral rail such that the first lateral rail is movable along the first longitudinal rail, thereby permitting the swivel frame to move in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Philippe ERHEL
  • Publication number: 20150008709
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat pan, where the seat pan front edge defines a first pivot point and the seat pan rear edge defines a second pivot point. A swivel is disposed beneath and supporting the seat, permitting the seat to rotate about a pivotal axis. First and second armrests are disposed on either side of the seat pan. A first control is positioned in the first armrest to lock and unlock movement of the seat in at least one of lateral and longitudinal directions. A second control is positioned in the second armrest to lock and unlock at least the swivel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Philippe ERHEL
  • Publication number: 20150008714
    Abstract: A seat for an aircraft is provided that includes a seat pan, having a seat pan front edge and a seat pan rear edge, a backrest, having a backrest top edge and a backrest bottom edge, where the backrest bottom edge is articulately disposed adjacent to the seat pan rear edge, a headrest, having a headrest top edge and a headrest bottom edge, where the headrest bottom edge is articulately disposed adjacent to the backrest top edge, a tracking device disposed beneath the seat pan and being attachable to a floor of the aircraft, the tracking device permitting the seat pan to translate in at least one of a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction, and a swivel connected between the tracking device and the seat pan, permitting the seat pan to rotate with respect to the tracking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Philippe ERHEL
  • Patent number: 8899682
    Abstract: There is disclosed a chair (10) for positioning an individual with respect to a reference location (5), such as a table. The chair (10) comprises a base portion (12) configured to be located on a support surface (6). A seat portion (16) is mounted to the base portion (12) and is configured to receive the individual thereon. A first mechanism (21) is configured to provide rotational movement of said seat portion (16) with respect to said base portion (12). A second mechanism (25) is configured to provide sliding lateral movement of the seat portion (16) with respect to said base portion (12). The first mechanism (21) and the second mechanism (25) are activated independently to facilitate movement of the individual from a first position that is located remote from the reference location (5) to a second position that is located adjacent said reference location (5) without the need for movement of the base portion (12) with respect to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Smart Seating International Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Anders Nilsson, Wayne Davies
  • Patent number: 8827367
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat that is constructed to tilt a seat main body such that a front side thereof can be raised, which may include a seat main body support portion that supports the seat main body, a connection mechanism that connects the seat main body to the seat main body support portion, so as to tilt the seat main body on the seat main body support portion such that a front side thereof can be raised, and a drive mechanism that is disposed between a protruded end portion of the seat main body support portion protruded horizontally with respect to the seat main body and an outer surface of the seat main body and is constructed to change a vertical distance between the protruded end portion of the seat main body support portion and the outer surface of the seat main body, so as to tilt the seat main body such that the front side thereof can be raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hibi
  • Publication number: 20140167472
    Abstract: The invention relates to a utility vehicle seat with a seat part, with a backrest part and with a seat substructure for arrangement on a bodywork part of a utility vehicle. The seat substructure including a rotation adjustment device having a roller body bearing unit for rotating at least the seat part about a vertical axis, a longitudinal adjustment device and a transverse adjustment device. The rotation adjustment apparatus is arranged between two longitudinal rail units or transverse rail units, in such a way that a vertical extension of the rotation adjustment apparatus amounts to a maximum of 150% or 100% of a vertical extension of the longitudinal rail units or the transverse rail units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Erwin HALLER
  • Publication number: 20140145475
    Abstract: A seating apparatus that is capable of both sliding and pivoting thereby lending to advantageously positioning a hunter in relation to their prey. By enabling a seat portion to horizontally slide along a plane, the hunter can reposition away from an object, e.g., a tree. Additionally, the seat portion of the apparatus is capable of pivoting in either direction thereby enhancing line of sight to hunting game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: John P. Ross, Donald J. Ross
  • Publication number: 20140138997
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a longitudinally adjustable and rotatable vehicle seat with upper rails guided in lower rails, motors for respectively driving the upper rails and a seat shell. An aligned displacement of the upper rails relative to the lower rails displaces the seat shell in a straight line. A displacement of the first upper rail relative to the second upper rail rotates the seat shell about a vertical axis. An initial position is stored. The seat shell is moved in a straight line out of the initial position into a starting position. From the starting position the seat shell is rotated by a first angle into an intermediate position. The seat shell is moved in a straight line in the direction of travel into a first central position. The seat shell is rotated by a second angle into an end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Jens Schulz, Thomas Christoffel
  • Patent number: 8672406
    Abstract: A seating apparatus that is capable of both sliding and pivoting thereby lending to advantageously positioning a hunter in relation to their prey. By enabling a seat portion to horizontally slide along a plane, the hunter can reposition away from an object, e.g., a tree. Additionally, the seat portion of the apparatus is capable of pivoting in either direction thereby enhancing line of sight to hunting game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: John P. Ross
  • Patent number: 8662587
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided with a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a forwardly folded dump position. A seat track assembly is fixedly secured to the seat cushion for providing a selective fore and aft sliding adjustment of the seat assembly along a first linear path between a full forward position and a full rearward position. A tip slide mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat track assembly and adapted for mounting the seat assembly to a vehicle floor. The tip slide mechanism provides fore and aft movement of the seat assembly along a second curved path transverse to the first linear path between a seating position and an easy entry position to provide access behind the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Ngiau
  • Patent number: 8500082
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a seat base sliding device applied to a seat of a heavy machinery such as a loader, an excavator, or the like. The seat base sliding device includes: a seat base with a lower part is fixed to a floor of a vehicle body and an upper part at which a seat is installed; a sliding plate slidable inwards and outwards in a lateral direction of the seat base at both left and right sides of the seat base and in which a control stand is fixed to one side thereof; and at least one adjustment unit selectively fixing the sliding plate of which the position is determined by sliding movement to the seat base. The present disclosure is capable of preventing a cabin from knocking against both control stands of a seat device at the time of assembling the cabin around the seat device and in addition, preventing the corresponding control stands from interfering in a thigh of a driver at the time of operating a control lever of each control stand laterally after assembling the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8459742
    Abstract: A seating unit for an aircraft including at least one seat and a pivoting device for pivoting the seat around a vertical axis, wherein each seat includes: a plate on which the seat is pivotably assembled; a platform configured to fasten onto rails for accommodating the seat; a translatory movement device for a translatory movement of the plate in relation to the platform along a horizontal direction; and an immobilization device for immobilizing the plate relative to the platform in the translatory movement of the plate, and immobilizing the seat in relation to the plate in a rotary movement of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus
    Inventors: Bruno Saint-Jalmes, Jason Zaneboni, Bernard Rumeau
  • Publication number: 20130127221
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle seat that pivots to allow easy ingress and egress and in particular to a vehicle seat that manually pivots in conjunction with linear movement to allow easy ingress and egress to seating located behind the pivoting seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Ronald G. Bedro, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich
  • Patent number: 8408651
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat is provided with an adjusting device that includes, but is not limited to a longitudinal sliding device for sliding the motor vehicle seat in a longitudinal direction and a transverse sliding device for sliding the motor vehicle seat in transverse direction. The transverse sliding device includes, but is not limited to at least one swiveling lever which on the one hand is arranged on the longitudinal sliding device and on the other hand indirectly or directly on the motor vehicle seat. The swiveling lever can be swiveled from a first swiveling position, in which the motor vehicle seat is arranged in a transverse position, into a second swiveling position in which the motor vehicle seat relative to the first transverse position is arranged in transverse direction offset in a second transverse position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jürgen Maier
  • Patent number: 8376462
    Abstract: An aircraft seat includes a seat bottom frame, a seat translation and rotation mechanism attached to the seat bottom frame allowing translation and rotational movement of the seat bottom frame. An armrest is removably attached to the side of the seat bottom frame, and can be set to different positions relative to the seat bottom. The armrest has a seat control mounted to an outside of the armrest, and an input transfer mechanism disposed inside the armrest. The input transfer mechanism has an end engaged to the seat control, and a receiver end. The input transfer mechanism is cable-less. A couple shaft is engaged with the receiver end and engaged with the seat translation and rotation mechanism. When the seat control is actuated, the input transfer mechanism causes the seat translation and rotation mechanism to allow the seat bottom frame to at least one of translate and rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: PAC Seating Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hector Noel Marini, Barry Oberly
  • Patent number: 8360368
    Abstract: The seat specially designed for space vehicles and in particular space planes comprises a rigid hull and parts of axis of which the direction of alignment passes in front of the occupant of the seat and along him; the seat rotates freely around parts of axis according to the direction of the acceleration in order to always place the occupant in the orientation perpendicular to the forces of acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Astrium SAS, Eads Sogerma
    Inventors: Jerome Bertrand, Valery Auger, Christian Verny, Dominique Bechet
  • Patent number: 8245994
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a longitudinal sliding mechanism including a first lower rail adapted to be fixed to a vehicle floor and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a first upper rail slidably supported to the first lower rail, a width-directional sliding mechanism including a second lower rail mounted on the first upper rail and extending in a width direction of the vehicle and a second upper rail slidably supported to the second lower rail and adapted to be fixed to a seat frame member, and an attachment bracket extending in parallel to the second lower rail and including an upper wall portion and first and second engagement portions extending downwardly from the upper wall portion, facing each other in the longitudinal direction, and supported by the first upper rail, wherein the second lower rail is fixed between the first and second engagement portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto, Shinya Isobe
  • Publication number: 20120153697
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat that is constructed to tilt a seat main body such that a front side thereof can be raised, which may include a seat main body support portion that supports the seat main body, a connection mechanism that connects the seat main body to the seat main body support portion, so as to tilt the seat main body on the seat main body support portion such that a front side thereof can be raised, and a drive mechanism that is disposed between a protruded end portion of the seat main body support portion protruded horizontally with respect to the seat main body and an outer surface of the seat main body and is constructed to change a vertical distance between the protruded end portion of the seat main body support portion and the outer surface of the seat main body, so as to tilt the seat main body such that the front side thereof can be raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hibi
  • Patent number: 8079641
    Abstract: The invention discloses an adjusting apparatus for adjusting vehicle seat. The adjusting apparatus of the invention includes a first guiding rail, a base and a supporting member. The first guiding rail is mounted on a floor of a vehicle. The base further includes a first sliding portion, slidably disposed in the first guiding rail; a receiving base disposed on the first sliding portion; and a rotation-guiding groove. The supporting member further includes an axle rotatably mounted in the receiving base; and a guiding wheel movably disposed in the rotation-guiding groove. When the first sliding portion slides in the first guiding rail, the base and the supporting member slide opposite to the first guiding rail. Additionally, when the axle rotates in the receiving base, the guiding wheel moves along the rotation-guiding groove, so that the supporting member rotates opposite to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Red Heart Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Yung Lung, Hsiu-Chu Shen
  • Publication number: 20110304187
    Abstract: A seating apparatus that is capable of both sliding and pivoting thereby lending to advantageously positioning a hunter in relation to their prey. By enabling a seat portion to horizontally slide along a plane, the hunter can reposition away from an object, e.g., a tree. Additionally, the seat portion of the apparatus is capable of pivoting in either direction thereby enhancing line of sight to hunting game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: John Ross
  • Patent number: 8033605
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat main body having a seat cushion, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body with respect to a vehicle floor, a vertically moving mechanism that is arranged and constructed to vertically move the seat main body while moving the seat main body between vehicle interior and vehicle exterior, and a seat support that is capable of attaching the seat main body to the vertically moving mechanism. A cushion frame of the seat cushion is composed of a pair of longitudinal side frame elements, an anchor frame positioned between the side frame elements and anchor members attached to the anchor frame. The anchor frame is connected to the seat support via reinforcement members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Miura, Tomoya Hirakawa, Kazuhiro Hibi
  • Patent number: 8033589
    Abstract: A vehicle seat of the present invention has an engaged member, an engagement member and a guide portion. The engagement member is provided on the seat body so as to be movable between a restraint position and a restraint release position. The engagement member is capable of moving to the restraint position, so as to be advanced to a position in which the engagement member faces the engaged member, and is capable of moving to the restraint release position, so as to be retracted to a position in which the engagement member does not face the engaged member. The guide portion is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint position when the seat body moves to the retracted position, and is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint release position when the seat body is advanced from the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Kusanagi, Yoshiyuki Miura
  • Publication number: 20110074198
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat main body; first and second adjustable portions, each of which is provided on the seat main body and is placed in an adjustable state by operating force; an operating member which is displaced in a predetermined range; a first operating force transmitting portion for transmitting the operating force of the operating member to the first adjustable portion when the operating member is displaced in a first range; a second operating force transmitting portion for transmitting the operating force of the operating member to the second adjustable portion when the operating member is displaced in a second range; and an operation reaction force avoiding portion for keeping the first adjustable portion in the state that it is in when the operating member is displaced in the first range, when the operating member is displaced in the second range, by the input operating force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Iwasaki, Teiji Mabuchi, Osamu Fujimoto, Makoto Ito, Yoshihiro Ooishi
  • Patent number: 7866751
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to integrally form lever operated cables with vehicle seats are described. An example apparatus includes a channel integrally formed in a portion of a vehicle seat and a seat position control integrally coupled to the vehicle seat. A cable assembly slidably movable within the channel and has a first end operatively coupled to a seat position adjustment mechanism and a second end operatively coupled to the seat position control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Downey
  • Patent number: 7850242
    Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat main body, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body between a forwardly facing position and a laterally facing position, a sliding mechanism, and a rotation locking mechanism. The rotation locking mechanism is arranged and constructed to prevent the seat main body from rotating when the seat main body is in a laterally facing position. The rotation locking mechanism includes a first engagement portion, a second engagement portion, and a lock releasing portion. The second engagement portion is capable of moving between a condition in which it does not engage the first engagement portion and a position in which it engages the first engagement portion when the seat main body is in the laterally facing position. The lock releasing portion is arranged and constructed to be engaged with and disengaged from the second engagement portion depending upon the sliding motion of the sliding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Taguchi, Chikanori Fujita, Hiroki Kusanagi
  • Patent number: 7845703
    Abstract: Embodiments of seating systems for motor vehicles facilitate two-dimensional movement of a seat in a horizontal plane. The seating systems can also facilitate vertical movement of the seat. The seating systems are motorized, and can be automatically controlled so that minimal movement and effort are required on the part of the user to enter and exit the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Freedom Sciences, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Panzarella, Thomas A. Panzarella, Jr., David D. McClanahan, James B. Eldon, III, Ira C. Hoffman, Michael T. Martin
  • Publication number: 20100090511
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring foot for chairs positioned at desks, comprising a column (1) having a lower anchor (2) for securing same to the ground and an upper supporting element (3), rotatably coupled thereto, for securing the body of the chair (13). The supporting element (3) includes a carriage (7) which can move longitudinally along a guide (8) forwards and backwards in relation to the desk (17) and which can rotate in relation to the column (1). In addition, the supporting element (3) can include a lower cam (25) positioned facing another complementary upper cam (22) that is inserted therein by means of helical tracks (24). The lower cam (25) is pushed upwards by the return force of a spring (27), thereby rotating the upper cam (22) and rotating the seat to the initial position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: FIGUERAS INTERNATIONAL SEATING S.A.
    Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
  • Publication number: 20100052392
    Abstract: The invention discloses an adjusting apparatus for adjusting vehicle seat. The adjusting apparatus of the invention includes a first guiding rail, a base and a supporting member. The first guiding rail is mounted on a floor of a vehicle. The base further includes a first sliding portion, slidably disposed in the first guiding rail; a receiving base disposed on the first sliding portion; and a rotation-guiding groove. The supporting member further includes an axle rotatably mounted in the receiving base; and a guiding wheel movably disposed in the rotation-guiding groove. When the first sliding portion slides in the first guiding rail, the base and the supporting member slide opposite to the first guiding rail. Additionally, when the axle rotates in the receiving base, the guiding wheel moves along the rotation-guiding groove, so that the supporting member rotates opposite to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: RED HEART ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Yung Lung, Hsiu-Chu Shen
  • Publication number: 20090284061
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle, and a drive device are provided for swiveling-in and swiveling-out a vehicle seat that is swivelable about a substantially vertical axis, in particular for a front motor vehicle seat which is connected to a motor vehicle by means of a rotary frame. The drive device includes, but is not limited to a first drive unit that applies a driving force for causing a swiveling movement of the seat in at least one swiveling direction. A second drive unit is provided which acts against the first drive unit to provide a second driving force which acts simultaneously against the driving force of the first drive unit, which second driving force causes a second swiveling movement of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jürgen Maier, Reimer Völz
  • Patent number: 7597390
    Abstract: A spa device including a chair coupled to a frame and at least one tactile immersion sounds delivery device. The chair is rotatably, slidably, and tiltably coupled to the frame. The spa device may include electronic controls for controlling the movement of the seat and the operation of the tactile immersion sound deliver devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Continuum Footspas, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Galati, Jr., John Meyerovich
  • Publication number: 20090127908
    Abstract: A swivel mechanism for a vehicle seat that includes a plurality of pairs of plates that are rotatively coupled providing a first stage of movement where the seat and at least one plate rotates while displacing out of the way of an obstacle and a second stage where the seat and at least one plate rotates without displacing. In an embodiment, a base plate that remains fixed in a home position while a coupling plate and seat-supporting plate rotate about a first pivot offset from the center of the base plate during the first stage and the seat-supporting plate rotates about a second pivot disposed in a center of the coupling plate during the second stage. The coupling plate is slidably coupled to the base plate and to the seat-supporting plate with at least one guide pin and slot arrangement limiting relative movement during the first and second stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: John Kucharski, Kevin E. Hill
  • Patent number: 7520567
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement is provided for a working vehicle comprising an operator's seat having an adjustable feature. A first control element is arranged such that a first work operative position is defined. A seat adjusting element is further provided for enabling the operator to set the adjustable feature of the operator's seat. The seat adjusting element is positioned relative to the first control element such that the operator may selectively control the adjustable feature of the seat without significantly interrupting the first work operative position or without significantly interrupting a transition from a first task to a second task and/or from a first work operative position to a second work operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Michael P. Gallagher, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, Leroy M. Kluver, Jay G. Pollack, Steven R. Pulskamp, Adam M. Ruppert, Gary L. Topp
  • Patent number: 7472958
    Abstract: A seat swiveling device of a vehicle comprises a stationary base, a movable base, a vehicle seat assembly and a swing lever. The movable base has a second pivot shaft for supporting the swing lever so that the swing lever is pivoted. The stationary base has a guide hole for defining a range in which the movable base is pivotable. The swing lever has an elongated hole in which the second pivot shaft is inserted and a locating lug which is guided along the guide hole. The guide hole has a recessed portion with which the locating lug is engaged by pivoting the swing lever thereby to fix the movable base to the stationary base at a predetermined position. The swing lever is movable relative to the second pivot shaft in accordance with the shape of the elongated hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yasumasa Sano, Kazushi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7422264
    Abstract: The invention discloses a vehicle seat adjusting apparatus including a seat base, a mechanically operated first transmission device, a first supporting plate, a mechanically operated second transmission device, and a second supporting plate. When the first transmission device is operated to be stationary, the second transmission device is capable of being operated to rotate a rotation shaft thereof to rotate the second supporting plate with respect to the first supporting plate. The second transmission device also actuates a first gear thereof to meshably rotate on a stationary first rack member of the first transmission device, such that the second supporting plate, together with the first supporting plate, moves with respect to the seat base along a direction defined by the first rack member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Pro-Glory Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Yung Lung, Yun-Chin Su
  • Patent number: 7399035
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism that can release the rotation lock mechanism without using an actuator. In the present vehicle seat, a nut (73) is moved upon rotation of a screw shaft (72) so that the seat body is moved in the lateral direction of the vehicle. When the nut (73) is moved by a desired distance, a guide roller (69) is pushed so that an operation arm (66) is moved parallel with the guide roller. As a result, a lock plate (64) is rotated in an unlock direction so that a claw (64a) is disengaged from a striker (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Kusanagi, Yasuo Suga, Masamitsu Iwatani
  • Publication number: 20080143161
    Abstract: The present invention aims to increase the storability around the operator's seat and reduce labor for reverse rotation in a work vehicle in which the operator's seat is formed to be reversely rotated. The operator's seat support member is disposed on the machine frame of the work vehicle so that the operator's seat can be rotated on the support member, hydraulic hoses are held along the side face of the support member, a storage part rotated together with the operator's seat is installed on the front lower seat surface of the operator's seat, and that the rotating center axis of the operator's seat at the sliding center of the operator's seat is approximately on the seat index point of the operator's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ayabe
  • Publication number: 20070246987
    Abstract: A seat swiveling device of a vehicle comprises a stationary base, a movable base, a vehicle seat assembly and a swing lever. The movable base has a second pivot shaft for supporting the swing lever so that the swing lever is pivoted. The stationary base has a guide hole for defining a range in which the movable base is pivotable. The swing lever has an elongated hole in which the second pivot shaft is inserted and a locating lug which is guided along the guide hole. The guide hole has a recessed portion with which the locating lug is engaged by pivoting the swing lever thereby to fix the movable base to the stationary base at a predetermined position. The swing lever is movable relative to the second pivot shaft in accordance with the shape of the elongated hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Yasumasa Sano, Kazushi Kamiya