Motor Actuated Patents (Class 297/362.11)
  • Patent number: 11766957
    Abstract: A seatback adjustment assembly may include a recliner heart, an attachment plate, and a lever. The recliner heart is operable in an unlocked state permitting relative rotation between a seatback and a seat bottom and a locked state preventing relative rotation between the seatback and the seat bottom. The attachment plate is rotationally fixed to the recliner heart. The lever is rotatable between a first state in which the lever is engaged with the attachment plate and a second state in which the lever is disengaged from the attachment plate. When lever is in the first state and the recliner heart is in the unlocked state, rotation of the recliner heart causes corresponding rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom. However, the seatback is configured to rotate relative to the seat bottom without causing corresponding rotation of the recliner heart when the lever is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Firoz Divan Naik, Sapan Mahendra Poptani
  • Patent number: 11510488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved height-adjustable table (1) which can assist and motivate the user to use the height-adjustable table in a manner which increases health, calorie burn and well-being. The table features a communication interface for connection of a user specific device providing the control with a set of user values for that specific guest user of the height-adjustable table in order to ease the configuration of the table to fit each individual user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Jais Lundahl Olesen, Alexander Møllenbach Nielsen
  • Patent number: 11427110
    Abstract: A pivot fitting for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, is configured to adjust an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position. The pivot fitting may have at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, any intermediate inclined position or the non-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J. Leighton, Kenneth R. Ptak
  • Patent number: 11167666
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a base, a seating portion connected to the base by a front connecting rod, a backrest support lockable on the base, a backrest pivotally mounted on the backrest support by a hinge mechanism and connected to the seating portion by a pivot. The backrest support is connected to the base by two rear connecting rods configured so that the backrest is folded horizontally in a console position when the front connecting rod pivots forward after unlocking the backrest support while the hinge mechanism is not actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: David Epaud, Farouk Bouzid
  • Patent number: 10286815
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seat. A seatback is rotatably coupled with the seat to a fully reclined position. A rear seat lift device includes a mechanism disposed below a cushion support proximate a rear portion of the seat and is operable between a lowered position and a raised position. A rear portion of the seat is elevated relative to the seatback to minimize a height difference between the rear portion of the seat and a bottom portion of the seatback when the seatback is in the fully reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Keith Allen Godin, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 10086792
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat having a seat belt retractor supported in the seat back with a high mechanical stiffness. The seat back frame (F2) includes a pair of side frame members (31, 32), a bracket (50) extending between longitudinally intermediate parts of side frame members, and a seat belt guide (72) attached to an upper part of one of the side frame members and defining an opening for passing a seat belt (66). One of lateral end parts of the bracket is provided with an enlarged part (50D) having an enlarged vertical dimension as compared to the other end part of the bracket, and the seat belt retractor (65) is attached to the enlarged part of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10059233
    Abstract: A seat adjuster for a vehicle seat is provided. The seat adjuster comprises a rotation mechanism that comprises a rotation part, a rotation drive device that rotates the rotation part, an engagement target member that is configured to be rotated integrally with the rotation part and comprises engagement target portions formed along a rotational direction of the engagement target member, and an engagement member that is configured so that, when one of the engagement target portions is located in a specified engageable position, the engagement member is moved in a direction closer to the engagement target member to be engageable with the one of the engagement target portions located in the specified engageable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Naoki Goto, Tateki Kawamura, Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Patent number: 9756949
    Abstract: The invention is an electromechanical stretching apparatus of a convertible sofa, which consisting of a mechanical stretching apparatus and an electric actuator, the mechanical stretching apparatus being provided with an electrically-driven connecting rod, wherein, the electric actuator consists of a motor, a motor connecting tube, a motor movable slider, and a motor head fixing part, the motor adopted is a motor with a guide rail, the motor movable slider is installed on the guide rail of the motor, the motor head is rotationally connected through a second rotor shaft to the motor head fixing part fastened on the electrically-driven connecting rod, the motor connecting tube is connected to the motor movable slider through a first rotor shaft and the motor connecting tube is fastened on the mechanical stretching apparatus. The said motor connecting tube is fastened on a linkage part of the mechanical stretching apparatus. The said first rotor shaft and the second rotor shaft are both a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: REMACRO MACHINERY & TECHNOLOGY (WUJIANG) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bruce Huang, Dick Qin, James Li, Daniel Wang, Jerry Zou, Lynn Wu
  • Patent number: 9725015
    Abstract: Connecting device of linear drive includes a main body part with a rectangular profile, and a hardware stamping. The two opposite sides of the main body part are respectively fixedly connected with the hardware stamping. The middle portion of the main body part has a hollow cavity. A threaded axle hole device with threaded holes inside is accommodated in and fixedly connected with the cavity. The lateral walls of the cavity have locating protrusions. The hardware stamping includes two reverse bends between which the portion is disposed above the main body part. The lower portion of the hardware stamping is tightly adhered to the lateral side of the main body and bolted, while the upper portion of the hardware stamping has a connecting hole. The connecting device is light in structure, small in size and more convenient to install and is improved in bearing capability and operation stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: OKIN Refined Electric Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minglong Lei, Long Li
  • Patent number: 9303739
    Abstract: An electromotive linear drive, in particular for adjusting movably mounted parts of lounging and seating furniture, has a drive motor, a threaded spindle, a speed-reducing gear unit arranged between the drive motor and the threaded spindle, and a spindle nut (9) located on the threaded spindle. The spindle nut is optionally lockable in the direction of rotation and movable in the axial direction of the threaded spindle, depending on the direction of rotation of the threaded spindle. A lifting element can be driven by the axial movement of the spindle nut to adjust the movable furniture parts. Such a linear drive has a simple design, is easy to assemble and operate, and guarantee a robust mounting arrangement for the drive parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: DewertOkin GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Duck, Jurgen Martin
  • Patent number: 9211826
    Abstract: A frame structure for a seat back to be provided in the seat back having a seatbelt retractor and a seatbelt guide at a frame top, wherein the frame structure includes an oblique frame and a vertical frame, the oblique frame obliquely extending upward to a seatbelt guide installation section from a first support point located at an end side of a lower part of the seat back in a seat width direction, the vertical frame extending upward from a second support point located at another end side of the lower part of the seat back in the seat width direction and connecting to the oblique frame at a top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsumoto, Yoshito Kuroda, Koji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9102248
    Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a gear plate disposed between fixed and movable plates. The gear and fixed plates are operatively coupled by a pawl that is selectively engaged with the fixed plate. An eccentric element is coupled between bearing surfaces on the gear and movable plates causing a plurality of inwardly-facing teeth on the movable plate to meshingly engage with a plurality of outwardly-facing teeth on the gear plate at an engagement point. When the pawl is disengaged from the fixed plate, the gear and movable plates rotate together relative to the fixed plate to freely pivot a seat back to a folded position. When the pawl is engaged with the fixed plate, rotation of the eccentric element shifts the engagement point and causes wobbling rotational movement of the movable plate relative to the gear plate to pivot the seat back between reclined seating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel J Matt
  • Publication number: 20150108813
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises an inclination adjustment mechanism for the backrest of the vehicle seat. The inclination adjustment mechanism comprises a first rocker which is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
  • Patent number: 9000906
    Abstract: The present invention (also known as the HOT SEAT™) discloses and claims a vehicle occupant detection and alerting system comprising a vicinity motion detector capable sending a wireless transmission and a transmission receiving means capable of receiving the motion detector's wireless transmission and triggering a vehicle alarm system, vehicle horn, a mobile device or other form of notification if a child is left unattended in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Alissa Marie Chavez
  • Patent number: 8998327
    Abstract: A reclining marine seat is provided. An embodiment of the reclining marine seat marine seat comprises a seat back retainer section having at least one sidewall. The sidewall defines a top surface. The reclining marine seat further comprises a back having at least one sidewall. The sidewall defines a bottom surface. The back is pivotal between first and second positions with respect to the seat back retainer section. The bottom surface of the back does not extend above the top surface of the seat back retainer section during movement of the back between the first and second positions. The reclining marine seat further includes a seat. First and second frames are provided to support the back and seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Avalon & Tahoe Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Cooney
  • Patent number: 8973999
    Abstract: A reclining seat for a vehicle includes a seat and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat. The reclining seat also includes an actuator for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative to the seat. The actuator includes a lockable reclining mechanism, a motor for selectively unlocking the reclining mechanism and permitting manual adjustment of the inclination of the seat back, and an actuator switch electrically coupled to the motor for selectively energizing the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guillermo César Cervantes Guarneros, Alejandro Rosas Vazquez, Alfredo Guerrero Ortiz, Mario Garcia Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8974000
    Abstract: A vehicle seat articulation mechanism comprising a first member intended to be connected to the seat part, a second member intended to be connected to the backrest, about an axis of articulation, reduction gearing arranged between an input member and the second member, a piezoelectric motor having a rotor connected to the reduction gearing to drive the rotation of the second member with respect to the first member through the reduction gearing, in which the reduction ratio of the reduction gearing is greater than or equal to 150, and in which the nominal rotational speed of the piezoelectric motor is less than 500 revolutions/min. Seat comprising such a mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Nicolas Navatte, Thierry Pera, Ignacio Alvarez, Jean-Marc Judic
  • Patent number: 8950811
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes a first member including a first tubular portion, a second member including a second tubular portion, a pair of wedge members each including a protruding portion, a biasing member biasing the wedge members, an input member pressing the protruding portion to rotate the wedge members, a pressing point via which the input member presses the wedge member, a radially inward contact point via which the wedge member is contactable with the first tubular portion, and a radially outward contact point via which the wedge member is contactable with the second tubular portion, wherein in a state where a biasing force of the biasing member is largest because of a dimensional variation in manufacturing, a pressing force line passing through the pressing point is identical to an intermediate line between first and second tangent lines passing through the radially inward and outward contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masafumi Narita, Masaharu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8870286
    Abstract: An adjusting device (10) is provided for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The adjusting device has an adjusting motor which, via an adjusting mechanism, drives a toothed rocker (12) assigned to the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The adjusting mechanism structurally reinforces the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, and an adjusting worm (20) of the structurally reinforcing adjusting mechanism acts directly on the toothed rocker (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Jungert, Tassilo Gilbert, Thomas Heger, Nino Andricevic, Jens Fechler, Matthias Koop, Wilfried Synovzik, Wolfram Hofschulte, Stephan Oberle
  • Patent number: 8845029
    Abstract: A backrest adjustment device is provided for a vehicle seat or a vehicle bench seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat or a motor vehicle bench seat, in which a backrest part is connected to a seat part via an adjustment and fixing device, which has a fixing, which is disengaged for the inclination adjustment of the backrest part, the fixing of the adjustment and fixing device being disengaged by an electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Reimer Voelz, Juergen Maier, Kirsten Huber
  • Patent number: 8783774
    Abstract: A drive unit (5) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, has a motor (51), a gear unit which is provided on the drive output side of the motor (51) which has at least a drive output wheel which is rotatably supported about a core axis (K). The drive output wheel is provided with a core (59) which is rotatable about the core axis (K). The core (59) has a shaft receptacle (60) for a drive shaft (7) with a shaft axis (W) as central axis. The core axis (K) and the shaft axis (W) are offset in parallel by an eccentricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Berres, Frank Groβbudde, Jürgen Stemmer, Martin Stilleke, Andreas Rabbach
  • Publication number: 20140159457
    Abstract: A seat recliner system includes a seat back having a back support member configured to support the back of a passenger. A connecting member extends generally orthogonally from a lower end of the back support member. The connecting member includes a front portion and a rear portion. A seat base includes a forward link operably coupled to the front portion of the connecting member. A rearward link is operably coupled to the rear portion of the connecting member such that the seat back is rotatable about a virtual hip-point of a passenger that is above the seat base and forward of the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kendrick Alden Harper
  • Publication number: 20140152068
    Abstract: An electromotive furniture drive includes an electric motor, the rotational direction of which can be reversed, a motor controller, a manual control, a battery unit, and a mains power supply device. A speed-reducing transmission is connected downstream of the electric motor and a further transmission is connected downstream of each speed-reducing transmission and the battery unit has at least one battery. To enable simple, economical and easy installation, in particular in tight installation spaces, the furniture drive has a coupling device which includes a charging device for charging the at least one battery of the battery unit. The coupling device also has a reference device, which is connected to a charging device The furniture drive is especially suited for slatted bed frames and armchairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: DewertOkin GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Hille
  • Patent number: 8677848
    Abstract: A speed reduction device for a power seat adapted to be fixed to a seat frame, the speed reduction device includes a worm gear rotating with a motor output shaft, a helical gear meshed with the worm gear and rotating with a drive shaft driving a movable portion of the power seat, and a casing accommodating the worm gear and the helical gear. The casing includes a casing body rotatably supporting the worm gear, a casing cover tightened to the casing body, annular fitting portions fitted to each other, a first engagement portion formed at an outer circumferential side of the annular fitting portion of one of the casing body and the casing cover, a second engagement portion formed at the other of the casing body and the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion, and a tightening means tightening the casing cover to the casing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Koga, Eiichiro Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20140070588
    Abstract: A method of converting a recliner from manual actuation to powered actuation that includes providing a recliner having a frame, a recliner mechanism with a base coupled to the frame and a hinged linkage movably coupled to the base, and a manual actuator that releases the hinged linkage to move under an occupant-applied force. The method also includes disconnecting and removing the manual actuator from the recliner and, without disassembly of the recliner mechanism from the frame, removing a spring assist device extending between the hinged linkage and the base, installing a drive unit to the recliner mechanism, installing a power actuator on the frame with electrical communication to the drive unit, and establishing electrical communication between the drive unit and a source of electrical power, so that activation of the power actuator causes the drive unit to move the hinged linkage under powered actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Klaussner Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: C. William Wittenberg, JR., Glenn Michael Kahn
  • Publication number: 20140062157
    Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A stanchion support is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. A seatback sector is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The sector engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. A plurality of four linkage members are also located upon the stanchion and, in combination with a motor, provide upright rewinding of the seatback and subsequent resetting of the linkage mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Publication number: 20140062156
    Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A vertical support stanchion is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. An arm is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The arm engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. An arrangement of linkage members are also located upon the inboard side of the stanchion for providing upright rewinding of the seatback and for subsequently resetting the linkage mechanism through the driving action of a motor operable drive shaft associated with lowermost pivotal mounting location of the stanchion support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Publication number: 20140035340
    Abstract: A power disc style seat reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a seat base fixed mounted guide disc pivotally connected to a set of pivotal discs. The pivotal discs include an internal disc segment and a seat back attaching member. Within the internal disc is a connection features and linkage that may be actuated by a center shaft that is driven by a motor. When the internal disc is rotated, the desired seat back position is the end result as the motion is discontinued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Everett Sollars
  • Patent number: 8602491
    Abstract: An adjustable seat structure (1) extends over substantially the width of the seat. An electric drive unit (12) is on one side (4) of the seat but adjusts the seat structure (1) on both sides of the seat. Locks (17) for fixing the seat structure (1) are provided on both sides. The seat ensures a structurally simple adjustment and fixing of the seat on both sides. The adjustment forces are transmitted by the seat structure from the drive unit located on one side of the seat to the other side of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tassilo Gilbert, Dieter Jungert
  • Publication number: 20130278036
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat includes a seat frame, a backrest and a backrest adjuster having a pivot axis, a first fitting and a second fitting for adjusting an inclination angle of the backrest. The vehicle seat also includes a switch, which activates a drive at particular inclination angles of the backrest, in order to move the vehicle seat forward or backward. The switch is arranged beneath the pivot axis in the outer region of the first fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Christopher WORDEN
  • Patent number: 8550559
    Abstract: A power disc style seat reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a seat base fixed mounted guide disc pivotally connected to a set of pivotal discs. The pivotal discs include an internal disc segment and a seat back attaching member. Within the internal disc is a set of slots that may be actuated by a center shaft that is driven by a motor. When the internal disc is rotated, the desired seat back position is the end result as the motion is discontinued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Everett Sollars
  • Publication number: 20130257129
    Abstract: A reclining seat for a vehicle includes a seat and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat. The reclining seat also includes an actuator for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative to the seat. The actuator includes a lockable reclining mechanism, a motor for selectively unlocking the reclining mechanism and permitting manual adjustment of the inclination of the seat back, and an actuator switch electrically coupled to the motor for selectively energizing the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Guillermo César Cervantes Guarneros, Alejandro Rosas Vazquez, Alfredo Guerrero Ortiz, Mario Garcia Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8540317
    Abstract: A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a first fitting part (11), on which a ring gear (17) is formed, a second fitting part (12), on which a gear (16) is formed, which gear meshes with the ring gear (17), whereby the two fitting parts (11, 12) are in a transmission connection with each other, and a rotating eccentric (27, 35) for driving a relative rolling motion of the gear (16) and the ring gear (17). The eccentric is driven by a carrier (21), wherein the eccentric (27, 35) is rotatably supported in a collar (38), which is associated with one of the two fitting parts (11, 12), or in a bushing (28) sitting in said collar (38) in a rotationally fixed manner. A blocking element (50) for the eccentric (27, 35) is operative at least at times between the eccentric (27, 35) and the bushing (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Stilleke, Uwe Assmann, Arkadius Rock
  • Patent number: 8511750
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device includes a first arm connected to a first frame forming a framework of a seat cushion, a second arm fixed to a second frame forming a framework of the seatback, a recliner sandwiched therebetween, a drive source providing a rotation in opposing directions therebetween, the first arm rotationally connected to the first frame, a locking mechanism equipped on the first arm and the first frame restricting rotation therebetween when the first arm is rotated to a first rotational end with respect to the first frame, and a control unit driving and controlling the drive source to adjust the inclination angle of the seatback relative to the seat cushion to a predetermined angle range when the locking mechanism is disengaged and the first arm is rotated to a second rotational end with respect to the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Tsutomu Oya, Hideki Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8506009
    Abstract: An electrically operated wall proximity furniture member includes a frame and an actuation mechanism rotatably connected to the frame. The actuation mechanism includes first and second independently rotatable seat back support members oriented to face a wall outer surface. An electrically powered drive assembly operates to rotate the seat back member between fully upright and fully reclined positions inclusive. A point of the seat back support members when positioned in the fully upright position defines a rear-most extent of the actuation mechanism. The rear-most extent defines a vertical plane having no portion of the actuation mechanism extending beyond the rear-most extent toward the wall outer surface during any operation of the actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry P. LaPointe, Chad E. Adams, Eric B. Harwood, Richard E. Marshall, Michael R. Mero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8459733
    Abstract: A rocking and reclining seating unit includes: a base unit with a first bearing surface; a generally horizontally-disposed seat positioned above the base; a generally upright backrest positioned above the base and substantially rearward of the seat; an extendable ottoman; a reclining mechanism attached to the seat, the backrest, the ottoman and the base unit, the reclining mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links; a rocker mechanism attached with the base unit and the reclining mechanism, the rocker mechanism configured to enable the seat, backrest and reclining mechanism to experience a longitudinally-directed rocking motion relative to the base unit; and a power actuating unit attached to the reclining mechanism. The actuating unit is configured to move the chair between an upright position, an intermediate TV position, and a fully reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ultra-Mek, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Stephen Hoffman, Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8443690
    Abstract: A speed reduction device for a power seat includes a worm gear, a helical gear, a casing including a casing body and a casing cover, and a motor fixation device. The motor fixation device includes a first fitting portion provided at a housing, a first engagement portion formed at the first fitting portion, a second fitting portion formed at the casing body and to which the first fitting portion is fitted, a second engagement portion formed at the second fitting portion and arranged to overlap the first engagement portion in a direction perpendicular to the output shaft of the motor in a case where the first fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion, and an engagement projection formed at the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in a case where the casing cover is tightened to the casing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Koga
  • Patent number: 8434823
    Abstract: An eccentric free pivot for a reclining seat assembly may include a seat cushion, a seatback, a gear system, an input mechanism, a rod, and an eccentric pivot. The gear system may pivotally couple the seat cushion to the seatback. A rod extending generally across the seat assembly may be coupled to the gear system on one side and the eccentric pivot on the other side. When the gear system and/or input mechanism rotate the rod and eccentric pivot, this rotation causes the side of the seatback opposite the gear system and/or input mechanism to move up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Du, Paul G. Ferraiuolo, Jerry R. Brown, Brian Haidar, Jerry J. Naujokas
  • Patent number: 8403409
    Abstract: A combination lift chair and reclining chair having additional seating and reclining positions is provided with two separate motors and linkages enabling the chair back to be independently placed in various positions and the seat separately movable with the footrest and elevated once the footrest has reached full deployment using the same motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Golden Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Edward Pollard, James Olcheski
  • Patent number: 8388067
    Abstract: In a case where a manipulation switch is manipulated when a limit switch detects the fact that the seat back is in an upright position, an ECU controls driving of a motor until a sector gear turned in a second turning direction moves a lock lever in a lock release direction at a second abutting portion thereby to cause a lock member to be in a lock release state. Also, in a case where the manipulation switch is manipulated when the limit switch detects the fact that the seat back is not in the upright position, the ECU controls driving of the motor until the limit switch detects the fact that the seat back is in the upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Imasen Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Hida, Konomu Tomaiwa
  • Patent number: 8313145
    Abstract: A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat is provided having a seat part and a backrest. The fitting includes a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) in geared connection with the first fitting part (11) for a relative rolling for adjusting the inclination of the backrest between several use positions, a drive motor for driving the relative rolling, a third fitting part (74) for manually free-pivoting of the backrest into a non-use position, the third fitting part (74) being releasable locked with a detent element (75), and a first coupling element (104) and a second coupling element (105) between the third fitting part (74) and the detent element (75). The first coupling element (104) and the second coupling element (105) are inactive in the normal case and become active in the misuse case, when the third fitting part (74) is unlocked and the backrest is in the non-use position and the drive motor is moving the detent element (75) backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Flesch, Christopher Ryan
  • Publication number: 20120256461
    Abstract: A backrest adjustment device is provided for a vehicle seat or a vehicle bench seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat or a motor vehicle bench seat, in which a backrest part is connected to a seat part via an adjustment and fixing device, which has a fixing, which is disengaged for the inclination adjustment of the backrest part, the fixing of the adjustment and fixing device being disengaged by an electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Reimer VOELZ, Juergen MAIER, Kirsten HUBER
  • Patent number: 8251446
    Abstract: The articulated child seat apparatus provides a base, a plurality of spaced apart rotatable rungs disposed laterally within the base, a pinion gear disposed on each rung, a rack disposed above and in communication with each pinion gear, a reversible motor driving one of the pinion gears, whereby the rack is moved forwardly and rearwardly within the base, a platform affixed to the rack and extended upwardly from the base, a seat bottom affixed to the platform, a seatback affixed to the seat bottom by a pivot, a reversible motor disposed within the seatback, the motor in communication with the pivot, whereby the seat back is pivoted upwardly and downwardly, a remote control separately controlling each motor, and a harness system fitted within the seat bottom and seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Natalie R. Guerrido
  • Publication number: 20120205956
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and reclining mechanism are disclosed that provide for adjusting the angle of inclination of a seat back relative to a seat base and also permits easy entry to the area behind the seat by allowing the seat back to be released to move between an adjusted angle of inclination and a position in which the seat back is folded over the seat base. The reclining mechanism may include three or four release mechanisms that are all coaxially attached to the vehicle seat to permit the seat back to pivot about a single axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eckhard Nock, Johannes Barzen
  • Patent number: 8197006
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pivotable backrest, a locking/unlocking mechanism and an adjustment mechanism. The backrest is counterbalanced such that torque produced by the weight of the backrest during pivoting is adjustable by a counter torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Czinki, Hans Schmodde, Clemens Lowinski, Piotr Szableswki, Richard Boudinot, Sven Natus, Robert Schüle
  • Publication number: 20120139317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat, in particular to a rear seat for rear rows of seats of motor vehicles. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for shifting a first and second component (1, 6) relative to a base part (4), the first and the second component being connected to each other by a first rotational means (GL) and the second component and the base part being connected to each other by a second rotational means (GU).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Fahl, Tobias Ewald
  • Publication number: 20120126602
    Abstract: A power disc style seat reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a seat base fixed mounted guide disc pivotally connected to a set of pivotal discs. The pivotal discs include an internal disc segment and a seat back attaching member. Within the internal disc is a set of slots that may be actuated by a center shaft that is driven by a motor. When the internal disc is rotated, the desired seat back position is the end result as the motion is discontinued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: EVERETT SOLLARS
  • Publication number: 20120112509
    Abstract: A seat support system for supporting a seat in a manner that ameliorates or eliminates load applied to a driving mechanism. The system may be configured to support a seat back when the seat back in pivoted upwardly and downwardly relative to a seat bottom. The support system may create a load-bearing link between a non-driven component on the seat back and an anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John F. Nathan, H. Winston Maue, Mark Keyser
  • Publication number: 20120086254
    Abstract: A fitting (10), in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), on which a gear rim (17) is formed and a second fitting part (12) on which a gearwheel (16) is formed. The gearwheel meshes with the gear rim (17), whereby the two fitting parts (11, 12) are in geared connection with each other. The fitting also has a rotatably mounted, revolving eccentric driven by a driving element for driving a relative rolling motion of gearwheel (16) and gear rim (17). During this rolling motion a tooth flank (16d) of a tooth (16a) of the gearwheel (16) rests against a tooth flank (17d) of a tooth (17a) of the gear rim (17) at a contact point (K). The tooth flanks (16d, 17d) of the teeth (16a, 17a) of the gearwheel (16) and gear rim (17) resting against each other at the contact point (K) each follow the course of a portion of a respective logarithmic spiral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KEIPER GMBH & CO.KG
    Inventors: Rolf Schüler, Bernd Bossmanns, Karsten Kalmus, Peter Thiel
  • Patent number: 8141946
    Abstract: A system (1) for adjusting the position of at least one seat component such as head rest (4), back rest (6), seat component (8), leg rest (10), or foot rest (12) of a passenger seat (2) of a vehicle, an aircraft passenger seat in particular, by means of actuators, a seat control (14, 18) being mounted locally on the aircraft passenger seat (2) and being provided with at least one operating element (15) and data being transmissible between the seat controls (14, 18) of a plurality of passenger seats (2), preferably of all passenger seats (2) of the vehicle, including data relating to the position of the seat components and/or data relating to operation of the actuators, and a common control unit (24; 124), characterized in that the seat control (14, 18) and the common control unit (24; 124) each has a data transmission unit (20, 21, 32, 34, 36) for wireless data transmission and an associated common control unit (24; 124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Marco Krämer