Gas Or Hydraulic Cylinder Patents (Class 297/362.13)
  • Patent number: 10814987
    Abstract: A reclining cushion assembly for a seat includes a fixed portion and a movable portion mounted to the fixed portion. The movable portion is movable between an upright position and a reclined position. At least one reclining and locking mechanism is mounted to the fixed portion. The at least one reclining and locking mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position. The at least one reclining and locking mechanism is operable to engage the movable portion to transform the movable portion from the upright position to the reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: AMI INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Akhil Rajagopal Kozhipuram, Mahesh Virupaxi Hosmani, Pavan Kumar Krishna Kumar, Pradeep Acharya
  • Patent number: 10501189
    Abstract: Described are baseframe tube clamps having fulcrum elements at one end, contact surfaces for contacting a baseframe tube, and a securement element at a second end. The fulcrum elements can contact a contact surface of a seat row assembly component, such that, when a baseframe tube clamp is assembled with a seat row assembly component and a baseframe tube, the baseframe tube clamp can press on the seat row assembly component via the fulcrum elements and press on the baseframe tube so as to restrict motion of the baseframe tube relative to the seat row assembly component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Girish J. Malligere, Michael Willey
  • Patent number: 10035435
    Abstract: A reclining rear seat system is provided for a motor vehicle. That reclining rear seat system includes a front seat, a first actuator for displacing the front seat between a first position and a second position, a reclining rear seat and a second actuator for displacing the reclining rear seat between an upright position and fully reclined position. Further the system includes a controller configured to control the reclining rear seat system and a front seat occupant sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Bonghoon Lukas Chung, Moray Stuart Callum, Soo Young Kang-Morales
  • Patent number: 9308840
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat base and a seat back that is connected to the seat base by a hinge mechanism for movement between a seating position and a folded forward position. The seat back closes an opening between the passenger compartment and the trunk compartment in the seating position and uncovers the opening in the folded forward position. A spring is operatively connected to the seat back to bias the seat back to the folded forward position. A damper is connected to the seat back that limits the speed that the seat back is folded forward as a result of the biasing force exerted by the spring on the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Anton Stesl, Christian Verweyst, Frederic Chevallier, Goeran Brkic, Peter Alexander Wolf, Ralph Kuschmann
  • Patent number: 9144527
    Abstract: Articulation systems and methods of use for a person support apparatus are disclosed. A head support section of a person support apparatus is configured to translate as its inclination with respect to a horizontal surface varies. The inclination of a seat support section is configured to vary as the inclination of the head support section changes with respect to a horizontal surface. Weight acting the seat support section assists in variation of inclination of the head support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian H. Reinke
  • Patent number: 8714647
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat frame via a pivot shaft, wherein a lower end of the seat back does not extend below the pivot shaft, a seat pan fixedly coupled to the seat frame, at least one quadrant arm fixedly coupled to the seat back and pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft, and a recline lock coupled to the one quadrant arm and the seat frame. The pivot shaft is coupled to the seat frame at a high pivot location, wherein the seat back is configured to pivot adjacent a lumbar region of a passenger's back. The seat pan may optionally include an extension from the seat pan that is configured to couple to the pivot shaft and fill a seat back aperture located between the lower end of the seat back and the seat pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Jeffrey P. Wegenka
  • Patent number: 8262164
    Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism, which adjusts an angle formed between first and second seat members rotatably connected to each other, includes a first link member adapted to be connected to the first seat member and including a first end rotatably supported by the first seat member, a second link member adapted to be rotatably connected to the second seat member and including a first end rotatably supported by the second seat member and a second end rotatably connected to the first link member, a drive device, and an extending and retracting device driven by the drive device and extending and retracting linearly, wherein one of the drive device and the extending and retracting device is rotatably connected to a second end of the first link member and the other of the drive device and the extending and retracting device is rotatably connected to the second seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadao Ito, Toshiaki Nagata, Yuji Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20110266853
    Abstract: A dual use office and leisure chair is provided that overcomes the shortcomings of existing technology. A chair back is provided that is hingeably attached with the handrails. Installation of a pneumatic rod and adjustment device hingeably attached to the chair back enables adjustment to different inclination angles for the chair back, the inclination angle is selectively fixed at any angle within the travel of the pneumatic rod. Simple adjustment, easy use, and long lifetime make it possible to achieve office and leisure dual use for the chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Global Furniture (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinkun Zhou
  • Patent number: 7963606
    Abstract: The present invention relates to task chairs that support the body of the user in healthy positions while the user performs various tasks over extended sitting periods and that provide independent and independently adjustable support to the lower and the upper back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Garrex LLC
    Inventor: Gary L. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7866752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat, particularly an air passenger seat, comprising the following: a seat frame (10) having a number of seat dividers (12, 14, 16, 18); a number of seat backs, each being coupled to the seat frame between two seat dividers and whose position can be adjusted relative to the seat dividers by means of an adjusting device, and; a number of seat parts, which are each fastened to the seat frame between the seat dividers (12, 14, 16, 18) and of which at least one can be pivoted into an approximately vertical position. The invention is characterized in that the adjusting device has a lever device (28) and a spring element (38) for the seat back belonging to the pivotal seat part, and they are situated on one of the seat dividers, which limit the pivotal seat part, whereby being located on the side oriented toward the seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Heuser, Erwin Ilias
  • Patent number: 7726607
    Abstract: A flight passenger seat for an airplane. The flight passenger seat may comprise a back element, a seat element and an arm rest. The seat element, back element, and arm rest may be pivotable. Reset elements for an automatic pivoting may be integrated into the back element and the seat element in such a way that they occupy as little traffic area space as possible. In an advantageous manner, this allows for an enlargement of a traffic area in an airplane and thereby may effectuate a reduction of a “turn around” time of an airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schumacher, Andrew Muin
  • Publication number: 20100109407
    Abstract: Dental devices with cylinders, trunnions, and limit switches, and a method are provided. The dental devices include a cylinder and a trunnion having a cavity and an outer surface. A portion of the cylinder is slidably mounted within the cavity of the trunnion, and a portion of the cylinder protrudes out of the trunnion. The limit switch is coupled to the outer surface of the trunnion, with the limit switch is operable to contact the cylinder. Separation of the limit switch and the cylinder causes actuation of the limit switch, and the actuation of the limit switch inhibits a downward movement of the device. Alternatively, the limit switch may be coupled to the portion of the cylinder that protrudes out of the trunnion, with the limit switch operable to contact the trunnion. As such, separation of the limit switch and the trunnion causes actuation of the limit switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MIDMARK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacob Edward Broering, David Charles Edelmann
  • Patent number: 7708346
    Abstract: A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Robert Dean Donovan
  • Patent number: 7708344
    Abstract: A patient chair for use in a dental operatory or the like generally comprises a base, a chair frame supported by the base, and a seatback support coupled to the chair frame. The seatback support is slidably movable relative to the chair frame. To provide a desired connection or fit between components, a locking assembly is configured to apply a clamping force between the seatback support and the chair frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob E. Broering, Leo R. Hanus
  • Patent number: 7669930
    Abstract: A lockable pressure adjustment seat of a fitness apparatus includes a base, a seat back, and an adjustment unit. The base is disposed with a slide track and a locating hole. The seat back is pivotally connected to the base. The seat back includes an extension rod. One end of the extension rod is linked and fixed to the seat back. A through hole is disposed adjacent to the other end of the extension rod. The adjustment unit includes a lever, a pressure bar, and a locking set. The lever penetrates the slide track. The pressure bar includes a push rod and a fixation base. The push rod holds against the lever. The fixation base is secured to the other end of the extension rod. The locking set is fixed to the fixation base, and comprises an elastic member and a locating rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Long-chuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7600817
    Abstract: A chair with articulable support sections and an integrated lift system may have support sections mechanically linked such that a single actuation control device may articulate multiple sections. The chair includes configurable accessories directed to the comfort of an occupant of the chair. The support sections may include air cells to adjust firmness of support section surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Kramer, Marshall S. Dahneke, Reed N. Wilcox, David T. Schwanemann, John P. Biondo, Francis C. Ganance, Scott A. Schultz, Russell L. Hardy, Troy D. Acton
  • 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: 20080143162
    Abstract: An office chair has a seating element with an upright tubular element (3) and a base, the seating element being connected to the base by means of the support element (1) so as to be swiveled and reset. Rubber buffers (19, 24) are provided between a connecting element (2) of the base, ring discs (11) and (17) and a tubular element (8) extending from the seating element downward and allow an oscillating movement of the seating element. The rubber buffers at least partially enclose the connecting element (2), thereby retaining the same. A pneumatic spring (4) allows to adjust the height of the seat. A thumb screw (16) allows to adjust the restoring force by compressing the rubber buffers (19, 24) to a greater or lesser extent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Josef Glockl
  • Patent number: 7311359
    Abstract: A zero gravity chair generally holds an occupant in a position where the angle between the legs and the torso may be greater than 90 degrees. Typically, the legs may also be elevated such that the legs are even with or above a user's heart. The disclosed zero gravity chair, in some embodiments, enables the backrest portion to pivot relative to the seat portion allowing the user to adjust an angle between the seat portion and the backrest portion. The disclosed zero gravity chair further enables both the backrest and the seat portions to pivot as a unit independent of the angle adjustment. In certain embodiments, the chair also rotates 360 degrees about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nepsco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Smith
  • Publication number: 20070278837
    Abstract: A seating unit has a base pivotably coupled to a back by a reclining mechanism, which has a pair of arms pivotably coupled to the base side members. The arms are coupled to a rearward transverse member that swings forward and compresses a cylinder actuator as the user reclines the back. The opposed end of the actuator is coupled to a forward transverse member, which is in turn coupled between the base side members. The actuator has a release valve that is operated by pulling a manual lever of a release mechanism. The release mechanism frees the cylinder actuator from a rigid position thereby allowing the user to force the back rearward or allowing the predisposed extension force of the cylinder to return the reclining back to the fully upright position. Discontinuing the release mechanism will cause the actuator to arrest the back in a reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: NIKKI WHITE, ROBERT DEAN DONOVAN
  • 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: 7229133
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat. The system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a primary activation system for operating the hydraulic actuator and adjusting the seat position, and a secondary activation system for the hydraulic actuator. The secondary activation system is arranged to be activated in the event of a detected crash, to provide for movement of the hydraulic actuator to automatically adjust the position of a portion of the seat towards a predetermined position. The secondary activation system comprises a chamber to allow fluid to be displaced from the hydraulic actuator into the chamber. The secondary activation system may additionally comprise a fluid injection unit which supplies a quantity of fluid, preferably gas, to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Maddelein, Hugh H. Christopher
  • Patent number: 7226105
    Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle seat system providing powered adjustment of the position of a seat or seat portion. The system comprises a pump, flow controller, and hydraulic actuator arranged in a hydraulic circuit. The actuator includes a first and second system protection valves for the respective inlet and outlet of the actuator. The system protection valves are adapted to be activated in response to pressure within the actuator exceeding a predetermined threshold level. When activated the system protection valves close off the respective inlet and outlets to hydraulically isolate the actuator and hydraulic fluid within the actuator from the remainder of the hydraulic circuit and adjustment system. This protects the remainder of the circuit and system from excessive pressures which may be generated within an by the actuators under crash loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Hugh H. Christopher
  • Patent number: 7182402
    Abstract: A seating apparatus for an aircraft comprising: a passenger seat having a seat frame and a seat back; a recline control device for selectively reclining the seat back; and a seat recline control override for disabling the recline control device. In the preferred embodiment, the passenger seat includes a seat leg supporting the seat. Also in the preferred embodiment, the seat recline control override comprises: an override lever for overriding the recline control; an actuator for remotely moving the override lever; and a linkage connecting the override lever to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Timco Aviation Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam J. Ahad
  • Patent number: 7165812
    Abstract: A side plate according to the invention includes a main body, a first cup-shaped feature formed of the main body, and a second cup-shaped feature formed of the first cup-shaped feature, wherein the second cup-shaped feature has a diameter smaller than the first cup-shaped feature and is oriented in the direction opposite the first cup-shaped feature. The first and second cup-shaped features form a frustum-conical segment extending generally outward from the main body. The frustum-conical segment includes a plurality of threads located about a length of a hole formed therethrough. A contact surface is disposed about the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Cecil A Collins
  • Patent number: 7152402
    Abstract: A control valve, and a control module including such a control valve, for selectively controlling a flow of pressurised hydraulic fluid from a pump in a hydraulically powered vehicle seat adjustment system. The control valve including a duct for pressurised fluid delivered from the pump, and a moveable valve member which selectively closes off the duct. The control valve also includes an integral set of contacts which are arranged to activate the pump to provide a supply of pressurised hydraulic fluid to the duct when the valve member is in the second operative position in which hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow though the duct. The control valves are preferably mounted within the control module which defines an internal chamber forming a reservoir of the hydraulically powered vehicle seat adjustment system. The control module is mounted upon a side valance of the seat as a single integrated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Hugh H. Christopher
  • Patent number: 7152719
    Abstract: A compression spring comprises a casing in which a piston is arranged for displacement, the piston being mounted on a piston rod. In the casing provision is made for two sectional casing chambers which are filled with pressure fluid, at least one of which being defined by the piston. A first operating valve, in an open position, connects the sectional casing chambers to each other and, in a shut-off position, blocks the compression spring. An additional throttle element ensures that an actuation and over-flow assembly between the sectional casing chambers is completely open only when the throttle element, with the valve pin tripped, is simultaneously moved by corresponding actuation into a position of release. Without any such actuation of the throttle element, there will be only throttled flow between the sectional casing chambers. Any inadvertent extension of the piston rod is thus precluded. This is an especially convenient and intuitive way of backrest adjustment in a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Suspa Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Knaust, Rainer Knapp, Walter Bohm
  • Patent number: 7134713
    Abstract: A chair includes a mounting frame, a chair seat frame movable relative to the mounting frame longitudinally between a forward position and a rearward position, a footrest mounted pivotally to a front seat portion of the chair seat frame and an anchored portion of the mounting frame at two pivot regions so as to be turnable from a low-lying position to a raised position when the chair seat frame is moved from the forward position to the rearward position, a guiding mechanism disposed to guide movement of the chair seat frame relative to the mounting frame, and a backrest unit disposed to be turned relative to the chair seat frame between an upright position and an inclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Shin Yen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 6951370
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat frame, a seat movably mounted on the seat frame, a backrest pivoted to the seat frame, a reciprocating mechanism mounted under the seat frame to cause the seat to engage in a series of repeated up-and-down motions, and a reclining mechanism mounted under the seat frame to enable the backrest to be adjusted for reclining. The reciprocating mechanism has a transmission member which is driven by a motor and is provided with a contact portion in contact with the underside of the seat. The reclining mechanism includes a control lever for regulating the position of an actuation pin in a triangular hole of a position control plate such that the actuation pin serves to activate or deactivate a pressure release knob of a cylinder which is fastened at one end with the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Inventor: Hsiu-Hsia Hsu
  • Patent number: 6902238
    Abstract: A personal transportation seat, in particular for aircraft passengers, includes individually adjustable seat parts (3, 7). At least one seat part may be moved against a returning force, with a force reservoir (11), normally blocked by a locking device. A switch arrangement (35, 37) can move the locking device into an ineffective state to release the force reservoir (11) to generate the returning force on the movable seat part (3, 7). The switch device is a servo drive for each adjustable seat part (3, 7) for the generation of an adjusting force which renders each locking device ineffective. Each servo device is controllable by a manually displaced handle (35, 37), which is made to match the contour of the relevant seat part (3, 7) for adjustment, by virtue of its form and arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Guido Abt, Hartmut Schurg, Bernd Koch
  • Patent number: 6886450
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit having a selectively inhibited movement includes a cylinder filled with a hydraulic medium and a piston arranged on a piston rod and dividing the cylinder into working spaces. A flow connection system having a flow connection is arranged between the first and second working spaces. The flow connection system includes an on-off valve having a movable valve element which opens the flow connection as a function of a position of the movable valve element. The flow connection system further includes a load-dependent valve arranged in series with the on-off valve for inhibiting complete flow through the flow connection independently from the on-off valve when a load on the piston/cylinder unit is lower than an inhibiting load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Knopp
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6776457
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, more particularly aircraft seat, includes a seat bottom and a seat back disposed in a seat frame. The seat bottom can be folded down from a first near vertical position (I) into a second near horizontal position (II). This results in a comparatively simple, lightweight construction featuring good accessibility to several vehicle seats configured abreast and/or in rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andrew Muin, Markus Schumacher, Frank-Heinrich Schoenenberg, Christian Majunke
  • Patent number: 6739664
    Abstract: A chair 1 allowing a person sitting thereon to move a part of the person's body above the waist which corresponds to the backrest of the chair is provided having a backrest portion located behind a seat portion, the backrest portion being divided into backrest upper frames 55 and backrest lower frames 50, wherein a first state which allows the whole backrest frame 5 to incline rearwardly and a second state which allows the backrest upper frames 55 to incline rearwardly relative to the backrest lower frames 50 are assumed, the first state and the second state being switchable to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignees: Kokuyo Co., Ltd., Takano Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Nobuyuki Ueda, Toshiyuki Horiki, Kazuyuki Itoh
  • Patent number: 6715834
    Abstract: An angle adjusting device for a chair includes a fixed plate, a pivotal plate being pivotable relative to the fixed plate, a cylinder secured in the fixed plate and having an actuating pin extending out and being movable relative to the cylinder, a control rod pivotal relative to the fixed plate, and a control plate driven by the control rod and having an extension in engagement with the actuating pin of the cylinder. Pivotal movement of the control rod drives the control plate to move to initiate movement of the actuating pin of the cylinder so that pressure inside the cylinder changes to allow the legs of the pivotal plate to move along the arcuate slot, which allows the pivotal plate to change its angle relative to the fixed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Simon Liao
  • Patent number: 6688694
    Abstract: A chair comprises a seat frame and a backrest frame. A first connecting member is provided on each of two lateral sides of the seat frame. A second connecting member is provided on each of two lateral sides of the backrest frame. Each second connecting member is pivotally connected with an associated first connecting member. The inclination angle of the backrest frame relative to said seat frame is adjustable. A safety device includes a frame fixed to one of the second connecting member and a pin extending through the frame and including an end located on a path of the associated first connecting member, thereby restraining a maximum inclination angle of the backrest frame relative to the seat frame. The safety pin is movable away from the path of the associated first connecting member, allowing the backrest frame to be moved to a position aligned with the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Wei-mei Yu
  • Patent number: 6669295
    Abstract: A passenger seat with low profile seat back recline locking assembly, including a recline unit for controlling movement of the seat back and locking the seat back in a desired recline position. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is pivotally-mounted by a first end thereof to a section assembly module of the seat and by an opposite second end thereof to the seat back unit. The cylinder assembly has a longitudinally-extending axis extending in alignment with the longitudinally-extending, generally vertical plane of the seat back. An actuator is positioned astride and operatively connected to the fluid cylinder adjacent one or the other of the first and second ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: John Williamson
  • Publication number: 20030094842
    Abstract: A passenger seat with low profile seat back recline locking assembly, including a recline unit for controlling movement of the seat back and locking the seat back in a desired recline position. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is pivotally-mounted by a first end thereof to a section assembly module of the seat and by an opposite second end thereof to the seat back unit. The cylinder assembly has a longitudinally-extending axis extending in alignment with the longitudinally-extending, generally vertical plane of the seat back. An actuator is positioned astride and operatively connected to the fluid cylinder adjacent one or the other of the first and second ends thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: John Williamson
  • Publication number: 20030047978
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit having a selectively inhibited movement includes a cylinder filled with a hydraulic medium and a piston arranged on a piston rod and dividing the cylinder into working spaces. A flow connection system having a flow connection is arranged between the first and second working spaces. The flow connection system includes an on-off valve having a movable valve element which opens the flow connection as a function of a position of the movable valve element. The flow connection system further includes a load-dependent valve arranged in series with the on-off valve for inhibiting complete flow through the flow connection independently from the on-off valve when a load on the piston/cylinder unit is lower than an inhibiting load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Knopp
  • Publication number: 20030042779
    Abstract: A reclinable wheelchair which allows a user seated therein to adjust the inclination angle of a seat back rest by himself, and is foldable in the width direction. The reclinable wheelchair comprises a frame foldable in the width direction, a seat assembly arranged in the frame, a seat back rest arranged on a back side of the seat assembly of the frame for pivotal movements between an upright position and an inclined position, actuators for driving the seat back rest and capable of holding the seat back rest at an arbitrary position between the upright position and the inclined position, a reclining lever arranged at a position which allows the user to manipulate, for manipulating the actuators, and a head rest attached to the frame. The head rest is comprised of a head rest body, and an attachment coupled to the left and right ends of the frame and folded up on the width direction as the frame is folded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ryuji Yamasaki, Takeharu Shizume
  • Patent number: 6481798
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger chair has a support frame, a seat and a backrest. A position adjustment mechanism is coupled between the frame and the backrest by a unidirectional force transmission to permit tilting the backrest clockwise forward into a parking position while simultaneously shifting the seat backward independently of the position adjustment mechanism to increase the space between two rows of seats. Operating the position adjustment mechanism tilts the backrest counterclockwise from an upright position into a rest position and returns the backrest into its upright position. Bringing the backrest into the parking position and shifting the seat simultaneously backward is independent of tilting the backrest into a rest position. Similarly returning the backrest and the seat into the respective normal position is also independent of returning the backrest from the rest position into the normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Romca, Jochen Mueller
  • Patent number: 6450580
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat has a base element which can be fastened in the motor vehicle, a seat element which is disposed on the base element, and a backrest element which is disposed on the seat element. The seat can be adjusted between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the seat element and the backrest element can be used for normal sitting. In the unlocked position, the seat element and/or the backrest element are adjusted in the vehicle to the front with respect to the driving direction far enough so that a space arranged behind the seat with respect to the driving direction is accessible for loading and unloading. For adjustment between the locked position and the unlocked position, the seat element is swivellably disposed on the base element and/or the backrest element is swivellably disposed on the seat element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Mike Drew, Bernd Schmidt, Ralf-Henning Schrom, Volkmar Schulz
  • Patent number: 6416131
    Abstract: This invention relates to the adjustment button to control the control valve of gas(oil) cylinder for adjustment of height of swivel chair. It can be or of slant of swivel chair and simultaneously used as the palm massage to stimulate a respective portion of human body and accordingly stimulate the human body to guarantee healthy living. The push button means 300 is connected to the control valve of gas cylinder 200 via wire cable 400 and not only provides adjustment function to adjust the height of seat 110 of swivel chair or slant of back 120 of chair, but also can be used palm massaging means 500 to massage the palm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Ryu Changkeun
  • Patent number: 6409265
    Abstract: A wheelchair has a base and further comprises a seat frame mounted for tilting with respect to the base, and a seat frame tilting mechanism for rotating the seat frame with respect to the base. A back frame is mounted for reclining with respect to the base, and a back frame recline mechanism is positioned for rotating the back frame with respect to the base. A controller is provided for separately controlling the seat frame tilting mechanism and back frame recline mechanism so that the seat frame and the back frame can be rotated independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Koerlin, Karen A. Hada
  • Patent number: 6247753
    Abstract: A piece of reclining or seating furniture is designed with two or more mutually adjustable articulated members (R, S, F), which together form an adjustable frame for support of a mattress, cushion, upholstery or the like. The adjustable frame is mounted in a support member (A) by means of horizontal axles/dowels, stays, sliding elements or the like, which constitute fulcrums (2, 3, 5) for the mutually adjustable, articulated members (R, S, F). The back member (R) has a fixed fulcrum (2) in relation to the support member (A), located at a distance from the linkage (1) to the seat member. The adjustment of the furniture's respective articulated members is performed via a fixed, downwardly projecting arm (6) mounted on the underside of the back member (R), in the area below the back member's fulcrum (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Kjartan Alvestad