Spring-pressed Patents (Class 297/364)
  • Patent number: 10479233
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a conversion mechanism that converts a disposition of a seatback between a normal position to a converted position, the normal position being a position at which the seatback is disposed at a rear section of the seat cushion and a sitting direction of an occupant is facing forward, the converted position being a position at which the seatback is disposed at a front section of the seat cushion and a sitting direction of an occupant is facing rearward, and a reclining mechanism that biases the seatback toward a neutral position at which the seatback stands upward and that reclines the seatback forward and rearward from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Muneatsu Minato, Hajime Ishihara, Manabu Matsumoto, Yosuke Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10093201
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjuster for adjusting the inclination of a backrest with respect to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA Seating (Germany) GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Auer, Christoph Brehm, David Preisser, Andreas Wachtel, Bernd Efler
  • Patent number: 9867467
    Abstract: Seating furniture including a base body and a functional part which can pivot with respect to the base body, at least one pivot fitting for adjusting the functional part relative to the base body, and a separate lift setting mechanism. The functional part is connected to the base body by an adjusting lever. The pivot lever and the adjusting lever can be pivoted about a pivot axis with respect to one another. The adjusting lever can be moved with respect to the base body out of a lower position into an upper position and back. The steering lever can pivot with respect to the pivot lever and with respect to the control lever. The control lever can pivot with respect to the base body and/or to the adjusting lever and the control lever is connected to the adjusting lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ferdinand Lusch GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Thorwesten
  • Patent number: 9446689
    Abstract: A vehicle seat fitting system has a fitting, by which a backrest can be freely pivoted relative to a seat part and a rotatable memory flag disk coupled to the backrest during the free pivoting and to the seat part in the starting position. The flag disk includes disk toothing and a second toothing is allocated to the backrest. The toothings are engaged during the free pivoting. A control lever with a coupler hinged on the control lever, is coupled to an unlocking lever and moves the toothings into engagement. The flag disk is coupled to the seat part, in the starting position, by a lock receptacle and a control element movable relative to the lock receptacle and the lock receptacle is a section of a control contour by which the control element, arranged on the control lever, holds the control lever directed out during the free pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Heinrich Hammann, Christina Krisch
  • Patent number: 8746797
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the object of patent P200603269 for “Automatic rotation system for tilting seats of chairs or armchairs”, comprising rotation supports formed by two parts (1 and 2) which are rotating in relation to one another, between which there is incorporated a rotating draw-spring (4), one of the parts (2) of each rotating support determining an annular channel (5), in which there is housed a ring (6) together with a high-viscosity silicone filler, such that said ring (6) is linked by pulling with the other part (1) of the rotating support, a braking action occurring on the rotation movement between the two parts (1 and 2) due to the friction of that ring (6) with the silicone in the channel (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.L.
    Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
  • Patent number: 8616647
    Abstract: A release actuator can comprise a support element, a latch mechanism, a release button movably assembled with the support element, a transmission element connecting the latch mechanism with the release button, and a safety latch key disposed adjacent to the release button. The release button can be movable parallel to a first axis for driving unlocking operation of the latch mechanism. The safety latch key and the release button are assembled so as to be movable relative to each other parallel to a second axis for either blocking or unblocking movements of the release button parallel to the first axis. Moreover, one embodiment of an infant carrying apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Rui-bin Chen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8348346
    Abstract: A vehicle seat spring assembly having an engagement post connected to one of a seat and a seat back. A coil spring includes an internal end and an external end. The external end is operably connected with the engagement post. An arcuate engagement bracket is connected to the other of the seat and the seat back. The engagement bracket includes an elongate slot adapted to operably engage the internal end of the coil spring. The internal end moves between a compression position in contact with a first end of the elongate slot corresponding to a first predetermined position of the seat back relative to the seat. A tension position is in contact with a second end of the elongate slot corresponding to a second predetermined position of the seat back relative to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yuenian Richard Li
  • Patent number: 8328215
    Abstract: A wheelchair comprises a base frame, a backrest frame and a hinge assembly. The base frame has first and second side frame members. The hinge assembly connects the backrest frame to a portion of the base frame for selective pivotal movement. The hinge assembly includes a locking mechanism configured to provide selective discrete locking positions of the backrest relative to the base frame. The locking mechanism includes a locking pin and a plurality of cooperating locking apertures. The locking pin is adapted to selectively engage one of the plurality of locking apertures to define a backrest angle relative to the base frame. One or more plugs are adapted to engage one or more of the plurality of locking apertures to prevent the locking pin from cooperating with the plugged locking aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Knopf
  • Patent number: 8251449
    Abstract: A multi-section angle adjusting structure for a chair back contains a supporting member axially connected to a base and axially inserted to a sliding groove through a shaft to slide in the sliding groove so that the chair back fixed to the supporting member is adjusted to a desired angle relative to the base. The shaft includes a slidable bar fitted thereon to be connected to a slot of the base. Another end of the slot pushes a toothed block biased against by a first spring which contacts with a stop plate so that the toothed block abuts against an end portion of the slidable bar. The slot includes a positioning structure mounted therein, and the positioning structure includes a toothed seat guided by a guiding line to engage with the toothed block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Yao-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8172323
    Abstract: An easily operable lock device for a movable member of a chair, the lock device being adapted such that a person sitting on the chair can select lock or unlock position by operating operation means with a load, such as the weight of the person, acting on the movable member and, when the load is removed after the selection of the lock or unlock position, lock or unlock operation is executed. A lock pin provided at a spring receiving member functioning as a movable member, is selectively engaged with and disengaged from engagement holes formed in a reinforcement plate functioning as a support member. The lock device has biasing means for biasing the lock pin toward the lock position when an operation member moved by the operation means is set at a lock reservation position and biasing the lock pin toward the unlock position when the operation member is set at an unlock reservation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Masunaga
  • Patent number: 8109572
    Abstract: The wheelchair comprises a seat back a module (2) movably coupled to a seat module (5). Two lateral plates (10, 10?) are secured to the seat back module (2) and pivotally mounted on the seat module (5). Each of said plate is provided with a recess (18, 18?) adapted to lodge an excenter member (19) comprising two parallel side faces (26, 27) and being perforated by three holes (21, 22 and 23), adapted to receive a spring release locking pins for locking the angle position of said seat back module. Due to the positioning of said three holes and the possibility of lodging the excenter member with either one of its two side faces (26 or 27) inside the recess (18), five different locking angle positions of the seat back module are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Markus Kohler, Florian Kaufmann, Simon Bruce Laurence Watterton
  • Publication number: 20110175418
    Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivoting seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. The latch includes a bracket secured to a surface of the frame. An elongated gear rack exhibits upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces and is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket, a forward extending end of the gear rack connecting to the seatback such that the gear rack is biased in a first lineal direction relative to the bracket. A pair of locking members are pivotally secured to the bracket and are biased in first directions to engage selected teeth associated with the upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces of the gear rack. The locking members are concurrently pivoted out of contact with the gear rack to permit readjustment of the seatback in a second counter-biasing direction, following which they re-engage additional selected teeth associated with gear rack surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: BAE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Bruck, Harry Keith Brantley
  • 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: 20110175306
    Abstract: A stroller having a reclinable seat is provided, the reclinable seat includes a base connected to the stroller, a seatback pivotally connected to the stroller, and a seat recline mechanism arranged on the seatback. The seat recline mechanism includes a body defining a cavity having grooves and a release slider arranged within the cavity. The release slider has teeth that correspond to the grooves in the cavity and an end portion connected to an actuator. A spring is associated with the release slider, biasing the teeth of the release slider into engagement with the grooves in the cavity. A pawl is also arranged within the cavity and removably engages at least one of the grooves in the cavity. A recline link is pivotally connected at a first end to the pawl and pivotally connected at a second end to the stroller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: CHICCO USA, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Nelson Newhard
  • Publication number: 20110175419
    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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: BAE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Patent number: 7982423
    Abstract: A robotic mechanism comprising a chassis having a first side and an opposite second side, a first leg member rotatably coupled to the chassis proximate the first side and a second leg member rotatably coupled to the chassis proximate the second side. The first leg member and the second leg member being of generally spiral shape. The first leg member and the second leg member rotating generally about a common axis. The chassis having a center of mass lying below the common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Bossa Nova Concepts, LLC
    Inventor: Sarjoun Skaff
  • Publication number: 20110148168
    Abstract: A release actuator can comprise a support element, a latch mechanism, a release button movably assembled with the support element, a transmission element connecting the latch mechanism with the release button, and a safety latch key disposed adjacent to the release button. The release button can be movable parallel to a first axis for driving unlocking operation of the latch mechanism. The safety latch key and the release button are assembled so as to be movable relative to each other parallel to a second axis for either blocking or unblocking movements of the release button parallel to the first axis. Moreover, one embodiment of an infant carrying apparatus is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Rui-bin CHEN
  • Publication number: 20100264713
    Abstract: A reclining member of seat backs is revealed. The reclining member is arranged on center of a seat bracket. The reclining member includes locking slots on an adjustment rod and locating pin that lock with each other so as to make the seat back become a stable and positioned state after the reclining angle of the seat back being adjusted. Thereby users feel smooth and comfortable while reclining the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ming-Shiang Kang
  • Publication number: 20100117315
    Abstract: A backrest recline adjustment assembly includes a stationary seat, a rotary seat, and a driving component. The stationary seat is connected to a stroller frame, and is provided with a first positioning unit. The rotary seat is connected to a backrest unit and has a second positioning unit, a groove formed thereon, and a first cam surface formed in the groove. The driving component is disposed in the groove of the rotary seat and provided with a second cam surface. The driving component is movable to drive sliding movement of the second cam surface relative to the first cam surface, thereby moving the rotary seat against biasing action of a resilient component from a securing position, where the rotary seat is positioned relative to the stationary seat, to a releasing position, where the rotary seat is rotatable relative to the stationary seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: EXCELLERATE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fu-Sian YU, Hong-Bo Chen, Chih-Wei Wang
  • 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: 7597400
    Abstract: The hinge mounting for an adjustable vehicle seat has a first ring gear, a second ring gear, said two ring gears being rotatable relative to each other about an axis and being centered on said axis, and a driver unit which comprises a) a shaft for initiating an adjusting movement, said shaft being centered on said axis, b) a central, circular recess that is offset a distance e) with respect to the axis, c) a driver member that is located in the recess, fits against said recess and is rotationally joined to the shaft and d) a compensation unit comprising a wedge-shaped piece connected to the shaft, a mating surface cooperating with the wedge-shaped piece and formed on the driver member and an elastic means that biases the driver member in such a manner that the driver member is urged toward the topmost point of the wedge-shaped piece, characterized in that the driver member has a radial cut-out having a basis formed by the mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Burckhard Becker, Franz Hari
  • Publication number: 20090212618
    Abstract: The wheelchair comprises a seat back a module (2) movably coupled to a seat module (5). Two lateral plates (10, 10?) are secured to the seat back module (2) and pivotally mounted on the seat module (5). Each of said plate is provided with a recess (18, 18?) adapted to lodge an excenter member (19) comprising two parallel side faces (26, 27) and being perforated by three holes (21, 22 and 23), adapted to receive a spring release locking pins for locking the angle position of said seat back module. Due to the positioning of said three holes and the possibility of lodging the excenter member with either one of its two side faces (26 or 27) inside the recess (18), five different locking angle positions of the seat back module are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: INVACARE INTERNATIONAL SÀRL
    Inventors: Thomas Markus Kohler, Florian Kaufmann, Simon Bruce Laurence Watterton
  • Patent number: 7506933
    Abstract: A seat reclining device includes a spiral spring made of a wire and formed in a spiral shape having a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion, a first engaging member engaging the first engaged portion, and a second engaging member engaging the second engaged portion, wherein one/each of the first engaging member and the second engaging member includes an extending direction supporting member supporting the first engaged portion and/or the second engaged portion, from the opposite end side of the wire in an extending direction thereof, a first supporting member supporting the first engaged portion and/or the second engaged portion from outside of the wire, and a second supporting member supporting the first engaged portion and/or the second engaged portion from inside of the wire in a normal direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Hideo Nihonmatsu
  • 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: 7204555
    Abstract: In the case of a detent fitting (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, with a first fitting part (2), a second fitting part (3) which is movable relative to the first fitting part (2), at least one locking element (13) which interacts with the first fitting part (2) and is guided by the second fitting part (3), an eccentric (11) which acts on the locking element (13) and can be rotated about an axis (A), and at least one spiral-shaped spring (17) which acts upon the eccentric (11), the spring (17) encircles the axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Thiel
  • 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: 7066542
    Abstract: A child high chair includes a seat body disposed between two side guarding members on an upper portion of a support leg, a backrest unit having two lateral ends pivotally coupled to the side guarding members to be turnable relative thereto, two bolts disposed movably on the lateral ends in a longitudinal direction, an actuator movably disposed on the backrest unit in an upright direction, and two flexible members interconnecting the actuator and the bolts such that when the actuator is moved from a lower position to an upper position, the flexible members are pulled to move the bolts in the longitudinal direction from an extended position where the bolts engage retaining members on the side guarding members to a retracted position where the bolts disengage from the retaining members so as to permit turning of the backrest unit relative to the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Adora Business Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Wang
  • 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: 6910738
    Abstract: An adjustable pivot rotatably supports and adjusts a position of a pivoting member within a housing. The adjustable pivot includes a central cylinder defining a first axis and rotatably supporting the pivoting member. A second cylinder extends from the central cylinder and defines a second axis offset from and parallel to the first axis. The second cylinder is supported by the housing and operable for rotation about the second axis to an adjustment position. Rotation of the second cylinder to the adjustment position causes the first axis to orbit about the second axis to an adjusted position. In this manner, the pivoting member is adjustably positioned within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery T. Bonk
  • Patent number: 6789848
    Abstract: An articulation mechanism has a central part and a head part each made of a pair of shaped elements. The pairs of shaped elements form inner and outer shells. The inner shells are positioned inside the outer shells. The pairs of shaped elements are pivotable relative to one another and lockable relative to one another in several positions in one pivot direction. The outer shells have inwardly oriented projections and the inner shells have openings. A slide is moveably arranged inside the inner shells. The slide has locking members projecting through the openings of the inner shells and engaging intermediate spaces of the projections. A spring acts on the slide in an engagement direction of the locking members relative to the projections. The projections are shaped such that the locking members automatically reach a locking position in a first pivot direction of the head part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Rauschenberger Metallwaren GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Rauschenberger, Marion Baumgärtel
  • 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: 6746082
    Abstract: A device to actuate a drive gear of an adjustment mechanism of a vehicle seat includes a stepped switching mechanism manually operable in two directions by means of a swiveling lever that is rotationally connected with the drive gear in order to rotate it. The rotational connection between the stepped switching mechanism and the drive gear is releasable to facilitate a greater range of seat back adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Oberbeck, Frank Remmers
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6685266
    Abstract: The invention concerns a child seat device, in particular for securing a child in a motor vehicle, on land, sea and in the air, comprising seat and back portions with outer shells (1, 2) and inner inflatable cushions (3, 4), and side portions (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9′, 10) extending out-/inwards, preferably at right angles, relative to the seat and back portions. Further, the seat and back portions (1, 2, 3, 4) are pivoted to each other, and the side portions (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9′, 10) are pivoted to the respective ones of the seat and back portions, so that whenever required, the child seat can be folded up completely for storing when the cushions (3, 4, 7, 8, 10) are deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Reagan W. James, Grete Maj James
  • Patent number: 6682137
    Abstract: An adjustable frame of rocker includes a rocking frame and a supporting frame foldably coupled with the rocking frame, wherein the rocking frame includes a pair of coupling means for pivotally coupling two supporting arms with a supporting frame, so as to inclinedly support the supporting frame in position. Moreover, by unlocking the coupling means, the supporting frame is capable of pivotally rotating about the coupling means in order to adjust the inclination of the supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Ben Ming Hsia
  • Patent number: 6565156
    Abstract: A ratchet gear is provided to each of a pair of arms (rotors), which are coupled through a bolt, at counter surfaces of a pair of their respective rotary portions opposing in an axial direction of the bolt serving as an axis of relative rotation, and each ratchet gear is provided with a plurality of gear teeth, while both the arms are pushed in their opposing direction by a spring, so that a relative rotating position of the arms is adjusted step by step per an angle set in accordance with the gear teeth, whereby it is possible to provide a rigid angle adjusting device that can be assembled at a low cost without increasing the size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Yamashita, Tadanobu Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6488338
    Abstract: A reclining mechanism for an automotive seat includes a bracket 23 welded to a side surface of a lower arm 2 and a spiral spring 25 provided around a pair of projections 22, 22 of the bracket 23. One end of the spiral spring 25 is engaged with a pin 26 and the other end thereof is engaged with one of the projections 22, 22 in a play-free arrangement fashion. The bracket 23 is utilized for defining an extent of swinging movement of a manipulating lever 24 and housing a coiled spring 28 for urging the lever 24 in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoaki Hoshihara
  • Publication number: 20020070595
    Abstract: A device to actuate a drive gear of an adjustment mechanism of a vehicle seat includes a stepped switching mechanism manually operable in two directions by means of a swiveling lever that is rotationally connected with the drive gear in order to rotate it. The rotational connection between the stepped switching mechanism and the drive gear is releasable to facilitate a greater range of seat back adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Oberbeck, Frank Remmers
  • Patent number: 6027132
    Abstract: Drive wheel axle assemblies (34, 34A) and caster wheel assemblies (94, 252) are mounted to a wheelchair frame (4, 222). One axle assembly (34) includes an axle adjustment tube (40) secured to the frame and an axle housing (56), defining an axle bore (58), toollessly mounted to the axle adjustment tube at any of several rotary orientations to determine the camber of the drive wheel (36) mounted to the axle assembly. The front to rear position of the axle housing can also be adjusted in a toolless manner using a quick release pin (66). The height of the front end (10) of the frame is changed, to ensure that the caster wheel pivot axis (96) remains vertical, without tools by mounting a caster wheel (98) at various vertical positions within a caster spool housing (100) without exposing the user to oil and grease on the spindle (120) and bearings (121). Another axle assembly (34A) permits the height of the drive wheels (254) to be changed without the used tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Robinson, James C. Thorpe, Robert A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6012776
    Abstract: A reversible back for a bench seat is disclosed, in particular a back for the rear seat of a vehicle, such that parts of the back can be folded down into a flat transport position and returned to an upright seat position individually and independently of one another. A middle seat-back part (10) is provided, which can selectively be folded down either together with one or both of the laterally adjacent, outer seat-back parts (12, 14) or by itself, independently of the two outer seat-back parts (12, 14), as desired. The middle seat-back part (10) can be locked to each of the two outer parts (12, 14) individually. A central actuating mechanism (20) is provided in the middle seat-back part (10) so that the locking mechanisms (16, 18) on the two sides thereof can be jointly and simultaneously disengaged or engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ulrich Schneider, Markus Grave
  • Patent number: 5947553
    Abstract: A folding chair includes front and rear leg frames which are pivotally connected to a seat frame, a backrest frame having a lower end portion pivoted to the rear leg frame, a pair of armrest members which have front ends pivoted to the front leg frame and rear ends pivoted to the backrest frame, and a pair of connecting rods which have front ends pivoted to the front portion of the seat frame and rear ends pivoted the backrest frame. A pair of locking plates are fixedly attached to the backrest frame and have lower portions which are movable towards two side tubes of the seat frame when the chair is unfolded. The side tubes of the seat frame are provided with resilient protrusions which are automatically engageable with engaging slots of the locking plates, respectively, when the chair is unfolded, thereby eliminating the need to operate the locking plates during folding and unfolding operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Shin Yen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 5806933
    Abstract: A head rest and restraint assembly has, as its principal component, a padded, shaped arm which has one end thereof contained in a mounting member. The contained end has a splined portion thereon which is adapted to mate with an interior splined portion of the mounting member, which comprises a hollow cylinder. Adjustment of the angular arm is accomplished by pushing the end of the arm into the cylinder against the force of a coil sprint until the splines dis-engage, allowing rotation of the arm, when the arm is released, the spring forces the splines into re-engagement, thereby fixing the angular orientation of the arm. Pairs of arms mounted in brackets, for example, can be used with existing vehicular headrests, or a replacement or new head rest may be formed with bores to accept and hold the mounting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventors: Leslie Tsui, Christopher A. Tsui
  • Patent number: 5713633
    Abstract: A backrest assembly having chambers for articles is configured with a U-shape main frame. The top of the main frame has a connecting bracket. The connecting mechanism is adjustably connected with a spacing block with a spring biased steel ball, a recess and a spring biased latch. The spacing block is connected to a top plate with a spring biased steel ball, a recess and a spring biased latch. The main frame is also attached with a backrest which has a chamber at the rear side as well. By this provision, the main frame can be directly or removably attached to the seat of the car. A TV set can be disposed with the chamber of the pillow and a video, game, or karaoke can be installed within the chamber of the backrest. The position of the pillow and the backrest can be readily adjusted to a desired position by the adjustable connection according to different requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Kuo-Ching Lu
  • Patent number: 5687985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a stroller, in particularly a tandem seat stroller, and a unique canopy mechanism and a unique reclining mechanism for use in the stroller according to the present invention. The stroller comprises a main frame having a first seat support for supporting a first seat and a first reclinable backrest frame for supporting a first backrest. A first reclining mechanism is connected to the backrest frame and the main frame for selectively pivotally moving the backrest relative to the main frame, which includes at least one pivot mechanism. A first canopy mechanism is also connected to the main frame which includes a first tensioning mechanism, a first canopy frame connected to one end of a canopy and a second canopy frame connected to the other end of the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James Sack
  • Patent number: 5685610
    Abstract: A reclining device for seat which has circular inwardly and outwardly toothed portions as a full meshing lock element, which permits for reducing pitches in the teeth of them for fine adjustment of reclining angle. A male lock member having the circular outwardly toothed portion and a female lock plate having the circular inwardly toothed portion are provided coaxially on a shaft. The male lock member is so accommodated in a base housing as to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the shaft in an irrotational way via a guide element. A rotary cam member and an array of cam follower regions are provided as an actuation element, which works with the guide element to insure stable positioning and displacement of the male lock member relative to the female lock plate. Hence, the arcuate outwardly toothed protion may be positively brought to and out of meshed engagement with the arcuate inwardly toothed portion, without any incomplete unlocking problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masamitsu Minai