Axially Slidable Bolt Or Pawl Patents (Class 297/363)
  • Patent number: 11565610
    Abstract: A seat base includes abase, an arm and a release mechanism. The base includes a capture mechanism. The arm is coupled to the base and rotates through release, tension and unloaded positions. The arm frictionally engages a vehicle belt disposed between the arm and the base. The belt is disengaged from the arm when the arm is disposed in the release position. The capture mechanism is movable between an engaged position in which the arm is precluded from moving into the release position, and a disengaged position in which the arm is free to move into the release position. When the arm is disposed in the tension position and the capture mechanism is disposed in the engaged position, the capture mechanism is precluded from moving into the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: CLEK INC.
    Inventors: Iuliu Dinescu, Giuseppe Rotiroti
  • Patent number: 11547214
    Abstract: A seat, particularly for video games, includes a collapsible frame which carries a seat surface and a backrest. The frame includes a first part carrying the backrest and a second part configured to carry a console for a steering wheel or joystick for controlling a video game. These parts are connected pivotally to each other by a hinge. The hinge includes a first load-bearing body on which the first frame part is mounted, and a second load-bearing body on which the second frame part is mounted. The hinge has locking means for fixating the first and second frame parts in a desired position relative to each other. A hinge for application in such a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: F. SMIT HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Smit
  • Patent number: 11479152
    Abstract: A child safety seat (1) is held in a vehicle by a vehicle seat belt (70). The child safety seat (1) includes a seat shell comprising a base section (20) and a backrest section (10), and a tensioning system (50) that acts to alter the effective path of travel of the vehicle seat belt (70). The tensioning system (50) comprises a pair of belt carriages (56) for acting upon intermediate portions of the belt (70). The belt carriages (56) are adjustably moveable relative to the seat shell such that the effective path of travel of the vehicle seat belt (70) is able to be adjusted to increase tension in the seat belt (70). The child safety seat (1) can be correctly installed in the vehicle and can ensure that any remaining slack is removed from the vehicle seat belt (70), such that in the event of an accident, movement of the child safety seat (1) relative to the vehicle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: BRITAX CHILDCARE (ZHONGSHAN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Alberto Garcia Urrea, Jackson Kwok, Oliver Gao, Meiping Huang
  • Patent number: 11376996
    Abstract: An internal gear includes a thin annular portion and a thick annular portion whose outside diameters are the same and whose inside diameters are different are continuously provided integrally in an axial direction, and an outer peripheral surface of the thin annular portion and the thick annular portion is formed in a substantially L shape in a flush cross section. Therefore, a conventionally substantially convex section formed with the memory internal teeth does not become the weak point in terms of strength. An axial outer end surface of the thick annular portion of the internal gear is formed to be substantially flat, and the coupling cover member is fixed to the thick annular portion to be coupled to a frame of a seat cushion or a seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Kiyonori Umezaki, Jun Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11110829
    Abstract: A pivoting system comprising a first hinge mechanism comprising a first frame and a second frame connected together by a first hypocycloidal gear, the first gear comprising a first eccentric cam, a first set of teeth, and a second set of teeth, the first eccentric cam having a first eccentricity, a second hinge mechanism comprising a first frame and a second frame connected together by a second hypocycloidal gear, the second gear comprising a second eccentric cam, a first set of teeth, and a second set of teeth, the second eccentric cam having a second eccentricity equal to the first eccentricity, a control shaft configured to drive the first eccentric cam and the second eccentric cam in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Gérald Garotte, Bertrand Touzet
  • Patent number: 10850648
    Abstract: An articulation mechanism for coupling a pivoting backrest to a traveling seat pan frame includes a first link having a first end section attachable to a pivoting backrest, and a second end section connected to the first end section, the second end section having multiple holes. A second link has a first end section and a second end section connected together, the first end section of the second link having at least one hole aligned with one of the multiple holes of the second section of the first link, the second end section of the second link is pivotally attachable to a seat pan frame. A fastener pivotally attaches the second link to the first link via the at least one hole of the second link and the selected aligned one of the multiple holes of the second end section of the first link based on a hole combination chosen to achieve a predetermined ratio of backrest recline to seat pan travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis K. Finlay, Brian P. Wenger, James Stephen Kash
  • Patent number: 10787102
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism having a first plate, a second plate, and at least one pawl. The first plate has a first set of teeth. The second plate has a second set of teeth. The pawl that has a set of pawl teeth that engage the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth to inhibit rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Antoine Moulin
  • Patent number: 10232746
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat capable of resisting a large load in a forward or rearward direction while reducing increase in size and weight. The vehicle seat comprises a cushion frame, a back frame, a tilting member arranged on a pivot axis of the back frame and configured to transmit to the back frame a pivoting force to pivot the back frame, an engagement member coupled to the back frame and displaceable between an engaged position in which engagement with the tilting member is made and an unengaged position in which the engagement is released, a locking member displaceable between a locking position to retain the engagement member in the engaged position and a non-locking position, and a stopper fixed to the back frame and capable of receiving, through the engagement member, an external force that acts on the engagement member located in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shun Fujishiro, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9878641
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a motor vehicle seat allowing angular adjustment of a backrest relative to a seating portion. The hinge mechanism includes first and second hinge plates, a control member moving locking elements and biased to a locking position by first springs, and a drive shaft biased to a first rest position by second springs. The second springs are housed between the first and second hinge plates and are supported on the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Didier Gallienne, Damien Grimaud
  • Patent number: 9221364
    Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat that has a pair of adjustable recliners are disposed on opposite sides of the seat that connect a seat back to a seat base. The recliners are shifted between a locked position and an unlocked position by manually pivoting a connector rod. Each recliner has a gear plate and a guide plate that are each associated with one of the seat base and seat back. An easy entry module is also provided to release the seat back to pivot over the seat base to provide access to an area behind the seat back. A static connector may be provided that connects the gear plates of each of the pair of recliners and retains the gear plates of each recliner in alignment with the corresponding gear plate of the other recliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eckhard Nock, Norbert Hertling
  • Patent number: 8353551
    Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivotally adjustable seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. A bracket supported housing pivotally secures to a surface of the frame. An elongated member is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket and exhibits a plurality of spaced apart apertures. A forward extending end of the member connects to the seatback. A coil spring influences seats over the elongated member and biases the same in a first lineal direction away from the housing. A pair of pins are anchored to an inner support member within the housing and which is biased in a first lateral direction to cause the pins to seat through aligning apertures in the elongated member. A cable retracting mechanism displaces the inner support member in a second opposite direction, causing the pins to outwardly displace from the elongated member and to permit adjustment relative to the housing in order to define a range of seatback motion between upright design and rear recline positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Publication number: 20110175420
    Abstract: A recline mechanism incorporated into a rear row seat and including a latch plate fixed to an interior location of the vehicle. A body is supported in displaceable fashion along locations associated with the latch plate and exhibits an outwardly facing striker engaged by a hook component configured into an opposing side location of a pivotal seatback in order to selectively pivotally slave the seatback to the mechanism. A cable release component is supported on the body and operates to actuate a pivot element exhibiting biased fingers likewise supported on the body from a first position in engagement with the latch plate to a second position permitting the seatback to pivot an angular distance within an overall range defined by the latch plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: BAE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Publication number: 20100276977
    Abstract: A vehicle seat locking assembly includes a vehicle seat locking pin for locking an associated vehicle seat back in a desired position when the locking pin is in a locked position, and a vehicle seat lever for moving the locking pin. One of the locking pin and the lever has a cam surface, and the other of the locking pin and the lever have a cam follower cooperatively engaged with the cam surface to move the locking pin to an unlocked position when the lever is moved to a release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • 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: 7455362
    Abstract: An adjustable motion wheel chair having a mobility base for supporting a back panel and a seat panel. A pair of control plates are mounted to the mobility base and positioned laterally across the mobility base in spaced apart parallel relation. The back panel includes a pair of pivot pins located on opposite lateral edges of the back panel which are pivotally received by a respective control plate. A linkage member hingedly connects the seat panel to the back panel. Each control plate includes a forwardly extending stop for limiting the downward movement of a front edge of the seat panel. A latch member is attached to each control plate and is operable between a first position where the back panel is fixed in angular relation with the seat panel and a second position where the back panel is rotatable with respect to the seat panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kids Up, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Hanson, Dale A. Mandeville, William B. Phelps, Stephen M. Sanford, Edward D. Urband, Gregor Horacek
  • Patent number: 7441835
    Abstract: An angle-adjustable backrest device includes a backrest frame and an angle-adjusting device for connecting the backrest frame to a chair. The angle-adjusting device includes a mounting seat mounted on a leg frame and provided with positioning components, and a pivot seat mounted on a seat, connected to the backrest frame, and pivoted to the mounting seat. A locking unit includes a slide member mounted slidably on the backrest frame and having a positioning groove to engage the selected positioning component to thereby lock the backrest frame at a desired angle relative to the leg frame, a biasing member for biasing the slide member to an engaging position, and an actuator unit operable to drive movement of the slide member from the engaging position to a disengaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Zhi-Ren Zhong
  • Patent number: 7380884
    Abstract: The present invention provides a switching apparatus having a design intended to reduce wear on its key part. In an embodiment of the invention, a rotatable member is rotatably fixed on a pivot. A slidable bearing member has a first surface for engaging the rotatable member in a non-sliding manner, and an opposite second surface for slidingly engaging an abutment. Any significant wear on the switching apparatus is more likely to occur between the sliding member and the abutment, rather than between the rotatable member and the sliding member. In an embodiment, one of the rotatable member and the slidable bearing member includes a protuberance, and the other of the rotatable member and the slidable bearing member includes a corresponding indentation for engagement with the protuberance. The join formed between the protuberance and indentation provides a substantially non-sliding engagement between the rotatable member and the slidable bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard J. Matern, Arthur A. Patton
  • Patent number: 7296857
    Abstract: A recliner device includes a locking pin (4), an operating knob (70) having a boss portion (70a) and a substantially cylindrical portion (70b) coaxial with the boss portion (70a), the substantially cylindrical portion (70b) surrounding the locking pin (4), a first bracket having notches (1a-1c), the locking pin (4) penetrating the first bracket so as to be axially movable and being releasably engaged with any one of the notches (1a-1c), a receiving base (9, 90) mounted on a second bracket (2) so as to be opposed to the substantially cylindrical portion (70b), and cam surfaces (10, 20) formed on an edge of the substantially cylindrical portion (70b) and an edge of the receiving base (9, 90) which are opposed to each other, each of the cam surfaces (10, 20) having a height enough to allow the locking pin to be axially movable, and the locking pin (4) being adapted to be disengaged from the one of the notches (1a-1c) by rotating the operating knob (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Shinozaki, Takuro Yamada, Masaharu Machii
  • Patent number: 7198328
    Abstract: A locking device in an office chair structure of the type with articulation permitting the movement of the adjustable seat and seat back, with a mobile base from which a column rises, which is adjustable in height, and which supports a seat plane and a hinged seat back. The structure of the office chair includes a seat, attached at the front to the corresponding front side of a central support body secured to the top of the adjustable column along the vertical axis; a central support body, which, at the back, keeps in place the lower ends of the two support uprights of the armrests and a seat back connected to the seat, swinging and linked, near to the back part, to the central support body by means of a compression spring; Coaxially to the compression spring, there is a rod, one side of which is integral with the back rest, while the other side is axially mobile with respect to a static connecting body linked to the central support body of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Metalseat Srl
    Inventor: Massimo Costaglia
  • Patent number: 7168763
    Abstract: A seatback reclining apparatus capable of independently reclining divided seatbacks with different angles. Thereby, interference with a trim of a wheel housing when the seatback is positioned to a flat position is prevented. The seatback includes a reclining shaft provided with a first winding part and a second winding part that is apart from the first winding part with a predetermined distance. The diameter of the first winding part is bigger than that of the second winding part. Around the first winding part, a first spiral spring is provided. The second winding part is provided with a second spiral spring whose number of winds is greater than that of the first spiral spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Sul Lee
  • Patent number: 7008018
    Abstract: An adjustable high chair comprises a frame, a seat portion, and a backrest sequentially connected with each other, as well as a tray connected to the top end of the seat portion, in addition to an adjusting unit installed at the back of the backrest. The adjusting unit comprises a guiding piece for guiding movement, and an actuating piece, at least a transmitting piece, a sliding piece, and a securing piece sequentially cooperated each other, as well as a button served as a secondary safety lock. Two distal ends of the securing pieces are respectively engaged into a plurality of recesses to fix the backrest at a certain inclination angle. When the actuating piece is pressed to the extent that the securing piece is escaped from the recesses, the backrest can be adjusted and its inclination can be changed. If the actuating piece and the button are pressed simultaneously, the backrest can be adjusted to have the largest inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 6948772
    Abstract: A linear seat recliner for use in a motor vehicle having a seat with a seat back pivotally connected to a seat bottom. The seat is operable in a plurality of use positions ranging from an upright position to a fully reclined position. The linear seat recliner includes a housing adapted to be coupled to one of the seat back and the seat bottom, a latching mechanism coupled to the housing, and a recliner rod. The recliner rod includes a body having a first end and a second end. The body has a substantially planar top flat diametrically opposed and parallel to a substantially planar bottom flat. The top flat includes a plurality of teeth positioned at the first end of the body. The first end of the recliner rod is selectively engageable by the latching mechanism and the second end of the recliner rod is adapted to be coupled to the other of the seat back and the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Robinson, John F. Whalen, Jeffery T. Bonk
  • Patent number: 6779838
    Abstract: A foldable chair includes a leg assembly and a reclining back connected together by a pair of joint assemblies. Each joint assembly includes a through hole for receiving a support member of the reclining back, and a through channel for accommodating a control device that adjusts the reclining angle. The control device comprises a spring member and an adjustment block to be engaged and disengaged with a saw-tooth member formed on the lower end of the support member. A control button is connected to a handle of the adjustment block. The reclining angle can be adjusted when the control button is pulled to disengage the adjustment block with the saw-tooth member. The control button may also be coupled with the handle using a coupling device. By having the coupling device, the control button can be pushed to disengage the adjustment block with the saw-tooth member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Tony Wei-Sin Chang
  • Patent number: 6742843
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an overload protection mechanism for a cable actuated feature on an office chair. The overload protection device allows a person seated in the chair to move a handle to actuate the particular feature of the chair, for example, a reclining backrest, even when the seated person's weight on the backrest prevents the backrest locking mechanism from engaging or disengaging. The movement of the handle causes the cable to move even when the locking mechanism connected to the opposite end of the cable is unable to engage or disengage. The mechanism stores the motion of the cable in a spring device connected to the movement actuators by a rack and pinion gear system. When the binding is released from the actuators, the mechanism moves as originally intended, motivated by the force of the decompressing springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Knoll, Inc.
    Inventor: Arkady Golynsky
  • Patent number: 6733070
    Abstract: A foldable chair includes a leg assembly and a reclining back connected together by a pair of joint assemblies. Each joint assembly includes a through hole for receiving a support member of the reclining back, and a through channel for accommodating a control device that adjusts the reclining angle. The control device comprises a spring member and an adjustment block to be engaged and disengaged with a saw-tooth member formed on the lower end of the support member. A control button is connected to a handle of the adjustment block. The reclining angle can be adjusted when the control button is pulled to disengage the adjustment block with the saw-tooth member. The control button may also be coupled with the handle using a coupling device. By having the coupling device, the control button can be pushed to disengage the adjustment block with the saw-tooth member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: TWSC Corp.
    Inventor: Tony Wei-Sin Chang
  • Publication number: 20040036335
    Abstract: A chair comprises a seat and a back articulated with respect to one another and each articulated on a frame designed to be fixed to the chassis of said nursery device, at least one of said parts of the seat being connected to said seat and said back can be modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: AMPAFRANCE
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Gentil
  • Patent number: 6688693
    Abstract: A seat back assembly for connecting a seat back shell to the seat back tubes of a wheelchair comprises a shell, upper and lower shell connectors, and upper and lower side plate portions. The lower shell connector is mounted to a lower portion of the shell. The upper shell connector is mounted to an upper portion of the shell. The upper side plate portion is adapted to be mounted to an upper portion of the seat back tube. The lower side plate portion is adapted to be mounted to a lower portion of the seat back tube at a position substantially co-linear to the posterior superior illiac spine (PSIS) of a user. The lower shell connector and the lower side plate portion are pivotally engageable with one another along a pivot axis. The upper shell connector and the upper side plate portion are attachable relative to one another at discrete locations so as to permit the angular disposition of the shell to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Christofferson, Sharon L. Pratt, Allen B. Killebrew, Bryan J. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 6669296
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes a first circular shaped concave portion formed in a first arm and a second concave portion which is concentric with the first concave portion and formed inwardly of the first concave portion. The device also includes an engaged portion which is engaged by an engaging portion. The engaged portion is dividing into two engaged portions in which a first engaged portion is formed on the inner surface of the first concave portion and a second engaged portion is formed on the inner surface of the second concave portion. The engaging portion is divided into two engaging portions such that a first engaging portion is engaged with the first engaged portion and a second engaging portion is engaged with the second engaged portion. All the engaging and engaged portion have gears possessing the same angular pitch as each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Genta Moriyama, Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Patent number: 6561961
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a seat back of an exerciser includes a pressure rod provided behind a seat back frame. The pressure rod has a cylinder, with its top surface pivotally connected to the seat back frame and a cylinder piston rod having a pressure-leaking valve provided at a lower end to leak out pressure in the cylinder and activate the cylinder piston rod to extend and shrink. A control rod base is fixed behind the seat back frame, having a housing for receiving the cylinder shaft. A control rod is fitted with the control rod base, with its horizontal end contacting with the pressure-leaking valve and its vertical rod positioned beside the seat frame. When the vertical rod is swung up, the pressure-leaking valve leak out the pressure in the cylinder and the cylinder piston rod activate the seat back frame to move backward to any angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Tonic Fitness Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mu-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 6543849
    Abstract: A reclining angle adjustment mechanism which is capable of adjusting a reclining angle of a seat-back relative to a seat-cushion in a seat includes a pair of seat reclining devices provided at either side of the seat which are connected by way of a connecting shaft. The connecting shaft is operatively connected to an operating mechanism to which an operation force is applied to permit the seat back to be adjusted relative to the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6168553
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for an exerciser includes a seat and a frame secured on a base. A seat back is pivotally secured to the base at a pivot axle and includes a sector gear. A handle includes a shaft rotatably secured to the frame and having a pawl that is biased to engage with the sector gear of the seat back and to secure the seat back to the base at the selected angular position. A sleeve is secured on the shaft and the pawl is extended upward from the sleeve and a spring engaged with the sleeve to bias the pawl to engage with the sector gear of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Hai Pin Kuo
  • Patent number: 6039399
    Abstract: A linear seat recliner adapted to interconnect a seatback to a seat bottom and which is equipped with a recliner rod assembly having a recliner rod and a ball joint mounted in an aperture formed through one end of the recliner rod. The ball joint includes a ball swivel having an arcuate outer surface which is retained within a socket defined by a pair of retainer rings mounted in the rod aperture. The retainer rings rotatably support the ball swivel within the rod aperture to permit relative angular movement therebetween. The ball swivel further includes a throughbore adapted to receive a hinge pin for securing the ball joint end of the recliner rod assembly to corresponding structure of the seatback or seat bottom. Crush ribs are formed in the throughbore of the ball swivel for engaging the hinge pin and establishing an interference fit therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Whalen, David L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6007153
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism has a fixed cheek-plate and a pivoting cheek-plate that can be prevented from moving relative to the fixed cheek-plate by toothed slugs under the control of a cam. Between the two cheek-plates, there is disposed a circular guide having radial gaps which receive the slugs and which hold them in a retracted position once they have become disengaged from the radial gaps. The circular guide can be prevented from moving relative to the pivoting cheek-plate by actuating a control plate which disengages the slugs from the gaps. The pivoting cheek-plate can thus turn freely in one direction and then in the opposite direction before locking again in its initial angular position once the radial gaps of the circular guide come back into register with the slugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Romain Benoit, Yann Reubeuze
  • Patent number: 5947560
    Abstract: A linear seat recliner for a vehicle seat having a single-position memory feature that permits the seatback to be returned to a predetermined upright "design" position after having been folded into a forward dump position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Song Chen
  • Patent number: 5718483
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge mount for a seat having an adjustable seat back comprises an axle interconnecting first and second hinge members for pivotal motion relative to each other, an internal teeth formed in the second hinge member, a bearing plate having teeth for locking cooperation with the internal teeth, spaced guide walls formed in the first hinge member for guiding the bearing plate in reciprocal directions, and an control arrangement for controlling motion of the bearing plate into and out of engagement with the internal teeth. The control arrangement includes a lever and a cam in unitary motion with the lever for cooperation with the bearing plate. The cam is mounted to the first hinge member for pivotal motion about a cam axis located at a position spaced from an axis of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Yamaguchi, Isao Ikegaya, Eiji Okamoto
  • Patent number: 5622408
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle having a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally hinged thereto. A lower arm is secured to the seat cushion, while an upper arm is secured to the seat back. The lower arm and upper arm are rotatably mounted on a rotating shaft. A load sustaining mechanism is provided between the lower arm and the upper arm, and sustains a reaction force which is caused to be applied to the rotating shaft when the locking mechanism restrains the rotation of the upper arm relative to the lower arm. The load sustaining mechanism may comprise an arcuate protruding portion formed on the lower arm, and an arcuate groove formed on the upper arm for receiving the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Hiroyuki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 5573345
    Abstract: The connection of structural component parts in adjusting devices for seats, in particular for motor vehicle seats, is disclosed. In connecting structural component parts for adjusting devices for seats, the structural component parts to be rigidly connected with one another are welded in their connecting region. In order to prevent distortion of these structural component parts caused by the welding process, one structural component part has at least one bevel which projects toward the connection side and can be pressed into at least one recess of the other structural component part during a capacitor impulse welding process, this recess substantially conforming to the bevel with respect to shape and dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Voss, Dirk Angermann, Harald Griebe, Hans-Juergen Honecker
  • Patent number: 5558402
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes a lower arm for attaching or fixing a seat-cushion, an upper arm for attaching or fixing a seat-back, a shaft rotatably disposed in the lower arm and fixed to rotate with the upper arm, a locking mechanism disposed between the lower arm and the upper arm and having a ratchet and a pawl, the pawl being movable toward and away from the ratchet for establishing a meshing engagement therebetween and releasing the meshing engagement, respectively, and a regulating gear configured at least as large as one of the ratchet and the pawl in a pitch circle and adjacent to the other of the ratchet and the pawl so as to be engagable with one of the ratchet and the pawl while the pawl is in meshing engagement with the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukifumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5463972
    Abstract: A seating system especially well adapted for use in high-speed and high-performance water craft provides improved support for a user, in both standing and sitting positions. The seating system includes a fixed base upon which is mounted a frame positionable and lockable in a chosen forward/aft position. The frame supports independent backrest and seat units, each of which is independently vertically positionable along the frame. The seat unit further includes bolster and seat portions which are pivotable between a first position in which the seat portion is operative and a second position in which the seat portion hangs downwardly, in an inoperative orientation, and where the bolster provides support for the standing occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Stidd Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Gezari, Christopher J. Marotta
  • Patent number: 5433507
    Abstract: A hinge fitting for a reclining vehicle seat structure comprises a fixed support bracket, a seatback member, a locking member, and a lock actuating mechanism. The lock actuating mechanism includes a cam that interacts with the locking member to urge the locking member into locking and unlocking positions. Proper positioning of the cam and locking member directs a force applied to the seatback that maintains a locking position. Alignment means is provided ensuring a proper positional relationship between the cam and locking member to correctly direct the applied force. The cam is operated through a linkage assembly which contains a biasing spring that is entirely shielded from user contact. Construction of the hinge fitting is facilitated by manufacturing a universal hinge fitting capable of assembly in multiple configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Chung L. Chang
  • Patent number: 5378040
    Abstract: An adjustable geriatric chair comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart floor-engaging upright frames; brackets associated with each of the frames and provided with a plurality of mounting bores including an upper rear set, a lower rear set and a front set; a back frame; and a seat frame. The back frame and seat frame, each having a pair of laterally opposing longitudinally extending sides, are movably disposed within the upright frames to align a pair of mounting sockets on each side of the back frame with a selected pair of bores in the upper rear set of bores and a front and a rear mounting socket on each side of the seat frame with a selected bore in each of the front and lower rear sets of bores, and are mounted to the brackets by mounting members inserted through the selected bores and extending into the mounting sockets. Webbing is mounted on the seat frame, such that the seat suspends the pelvis of the user without bottoming against a hard surface, and on the back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Zoetech, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Chaney, Rex K. Chaney, Joseph A. Koncelik
  • Patent number: 5344213
    Abstract: An infant-restraining protective seat includes an upper bracket (50) secured to a seat back. In order that a seat back (3) may be locked at any of three reclining angles, three locking holes (65), (66), (67) through which a locking pin (56) is passed are provided in a circular portion (50b) of the upper bracket on the circumference of a circle of a prescribed radius from the center of the circular portion. In order to lock the seat back at a folded position, the circular portion (50b) is provided with a locking hole (68), located on the same circumference as the locking holes (65), (66), (67), through which the locking pin (56) is passed. Each of the locking holes (65), (66), (67), (68) is elliptical in form, with the ellipse having a minor axis (f) and a major axis (b). In this case, the minor axis (f) is set to have a size that allows the locking pin (56) to be passed through and slid along the hole with almost no gap between the pin (55) and the walls of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiro Koyanagi
  • Patent number: 5320413
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator, attached to the other seat component, includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for engaging the spin nut to prevent it from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the actuator second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Griswold, Mark Graf, John Flannery, Cynthia L. Hernandez, Srinivas Bidare, Obert Burch, David Pawczuk
  • Patent number: 5299818
    Abstract: A novel child's bicycle seat/rack assembly is provided. The seat is capable of slidable attachment to a touring rack of the type including a substantially rectangular frame formed from struts. The seat has integrally-formed channels for slidably engaging the struts and forward and rear integrally-formed, latches adapted to releasably engage the struts so as to lock the seat member against rearward movement relative to the rack. A locking wedge is provided to secure a latch against unintentional flexing and disengagement from the strut. A child's seat may have a seat portion and a back portion pivotably attached to one another by a pair of axially aligned, hub assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Dixon Newbold
  • Patent number: 5299853
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator is attached to the other seat component that is relatively movable and includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for axially capturing the spin nut to prevent the spin nut from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut from its axial capture to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut from its axial capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Les Griswold, William H. Jones, Marc D. Hewko, Joanne H. Cole
  • Patent number: 5222783
    Abstract: A chair with its backrest adjustable in its angle comprising a steering rod to keep the backrest upright or tilted in a certain pre-set angle and a control rod to push down a press button of an air pressure cylinder which functions to raise up or lower down the seat of the chair when the control rod is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Soon L. Lai
  • Patent number: 5216936
    Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for the back portion of a seat comprises a fixed circular flange attached to an armature of the sitting portion of the seat. The fixed flange has a cup-shaped recess and cutouts spaced at 120.degree. from one another. Each cutout contains a block with an outer toothing. The blocks are resting on block-pushing members each provided with a finger facing the mobile flange. The block-pushing members rest on a cam with three steps. The fingers of the block-pushing members cooperate with a release ring housed inside the mobile flange and having three projections provided for pushing the block-pushing members toward the center of the adjusting mechanism when the cam is pivoted in a direction for moving the back portion of the seat onto the sitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Automobile "BFA"
    Inventor: Francois Baloche
  • Patent number: 5161856
    Abstract: A reclining device for a seat, comprising a stationary base plate and rotatable plate, both being fitted together, with the rotatable plate free to rotate relative to the base plate. An annular toothed portion and an unlock area are respectively formed in either of those two plates, and a lock gear is interposed between the plates in a vertically slidable manner such that, with the rotation of the rotatable plate, the lock gear is disengaged from the toothed portion and rides on the unlock area, or vice versa, to thereby place the reclining device in a locked or unlocked state, by simply operating a lever to effect such engagement/disengagement of the lock gear to the toothed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takaichi Nishino
  • Patent number: 4936630
    Abstract: An improved mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination of the back-rest of a seat includes an elongated support arm for the back-rest, pivoted in the region of its lower end upon a transverse, generally horizontal pivot, a pair of complementary cams which are in relatively fixed relationship with each other and which abut the support arm on its opposite sides and on opposite sides of the pivot, and a screw mechanism for moving the cams in a direction transverse to the length of the support cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Northeastern Components (International) Ltd.
    Inventor: Gordon D. Hobb
  • Patent number: RE36230
    Abstract: A seating system especially well adapted for use in high-speed and high-performance water craft provides improved support for a user, in both standing and sitting positions. The seating system includes a fixed base upon which is mounted a frame positionable and lockable in a chosen forward/aft position. The frame supports independent backrest and seat units, each of which is independently vertically positionable along the frame. The seat unit further includes bolster and seat portions which are pivotable between a first position in which the seat portion is operative and a second position in which the seat portion hangs downwardly, in an inoperative orientation, and where the bolster provides support for the standing occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Stidd Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter A. Gezari, Christopher J. Marotta