Friction Detent Patents (Class 297/374)
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Patent number: 11026514Abstract: Adjustment device for a chair which is provided with a rocking mechanism composed of a first plate, fixed to a central gas-operated post for the height adjustment of a seat and to which a second plate is articulated, about a first axis that is transverse thereto and so that it can rock, the second plate being fixed to a seat or being integral with a seat and interacting with elements which are adapted to contrast the rocking of a backrest. A first cable is slideably associated with the first plate and is adapted to activate a lever which is articulated internally to the first plate at a different second axis and is adapted to activate the height adjustment of the seat. A second cable is further slideably associated with the first plate and is adapted to activate a mechanism which allows or prevents the rocking of the second plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: BRADO S.P.A.Inventor: Stefano Serena
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Patent number: 10941817Abstract: Proposed is a clutch cam for a pumping device, wherein the shape of the clutch cam and the coupling structure between the clutch cam and parts coupled thereto are changed to reduce manufacturing cost and improve assembly performance. The clutch cam includes: a cam part having a cam profile provided along an outer circumferential surface thereof relative to a rotating axis of a center thereof; a first protrusion part provided on a side of the cam part by protruding therefrom toward the lever bracket on the same rotating axis as the rotating axis, and fitted to a fixing hole provided in the lever bracket; and a second protrusion part provided on the side of the cam part by protruding therefrom toward the lever bracket on the same rotating axis as the rotating axis, and fitted to an angle determination hole provided in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INCORPORATEDInventor: Won Kim
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Patent number: 10894489Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided and includes a base assembly, a seat frame assembly attached to the base assembly, and a seat tilt control mechanism attached to the base assembly and the seat frame assembly. Actuation of the tilt drive assembly adjusts a tilt position of the seat frame assembly with respect to the base assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Inventor: Robert J. Whitaker
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Patent number: 10493872Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a cushion frame; a back frame; a recliner; and a clamping plate, wherein the clamping plate is provided with: a burring portion to which a projection portion of the recliner is fitted from an inner side thereof and an outer side thereof is fitted to a loosely fitted through hole of the back frame; and an abutting wall portion which is abutted on a standing wall portion of the back frame from an inner side in a radial direction, and wherein the clamping plate is fixed to the recliner in a state where the clamping plate and the recliner clamp the back frame by fitting the outer side of the burring portion to the loosely fitted through hole, fitting the inner side of the burring portion to the projection portion, and causing the abutting wall portion to be abutted on the standing wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroshi Mizobata
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Patent number: 10414501Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat having a dynamic breakover assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back pivotally-mounted to the seat bottom frame that allows the angle of the seat back relative to the seat bottom frame to be varied from an upright taxi takeoff and landing (TTOL) position to a reclined position. The seat may include a means for sensing acceleration corresponding to a force indicative of an abnormal event; and a breakover mechanism coupled to the seat bottom frame and the seat back in which the means for sensing acceleration is coupled to the breakover mechanism. The breakover mechanism can prevent movement of the seat back in a forward direction past the TTOL position during normal use, and permit forward movement of at least a portion of the seat back in the forward direction past the TTOL position upon activation by the means for sensing acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.Inventors: Jeff Thompson, Jay Pierson, Brad Barg, Travis Finlay, Thomas Martz, Neng Yue, Dennis Hedrick, Randy Penley
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Patent number: 9789856Abstract: A parking lock-releasing device for a vehicle, which is capable of improving workability in manually releasing a parking lock while ensuring sealing performance of an outer casing, and easily holding the locking released state. The locking release operation section includes a base having a hollow cylindrical guide portion and concentrically continuous with a front end of the outer casing, with a female screw formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and an operating section body which is screwed via a male screw formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof into the female screw of the guide portion, closes the guide portion, holds a front end of the inner cable, and when releasing the locking, is rotatingly operated in a predetermined direction relative to the base, to thereby cause the inner cable to slide to be pulled in the direction away from the parking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Norihiko Tashiro
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Patent number: 9211011Abstract: An angle adjuster (71) is equipped with a first arm (1) provided with a winding-and-tightening member (5) and a second arm (10) provided with a rotation shaft portion (13). As seen in the axial direction of the rotation shaft portion (13), one end portion (5a) and the other end portion (5b) of the winding-and-tightening member (5) are provided at the first arm (1) in a manner in which they are separated from each other. The first arm (1) and the second arm (10) are connected so that the second arm (10) is rotatable centering the rotation shaft portion (13) in a state in which the winding-and-tightening portion (6) of the winding-and-tightening member (5) is wound on the outer peripheral surface (13a) of the rotation shaft portion (13). It is configured so that a rotation of the second arm (10) by a frictional force (SM) and (GM) generated by a rotational movement of the second arm (10) in a forward rotation direction (S) or a reverse rotation direction (G) is allowed or prevented.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Hikari Co., LtdInventors: Shigetaka Hashida, Takeshi Yamawaki, Yoshi Sakurai, Masao Honda
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Publication number: 20150130246Abstract: An angle adjuster (71) is equipped with a first arm (1) provided with a winding-and-tightening member (5) and a second arm (10) provided with a rotation shaft portion (13). As seen in the axial direction of the rotation shaft portion (13), one end portion (5a) and the other end portion (5b) of the winding-and-tightening member (5) are provided at the first arm (1) in a manner in which they are separated from each other. The first arm (1) and the second arm (10) are connected so that the second arm (10) is rotatable centering the rotation shaft portion (13) in a state in which the winding-and-tightening portion (6) of the winding-and-tightening member (5) is wound on the outer peripheral surface (13a) of the rotation shaft portion (13). It is configured so that a rotation of the second arm (10) by a frictional force (SM) and (GM) generated by a rotational movement of the second arm (10) in a forward rotation direction (S) or a reverse rotation direction (G) is allowed or prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Shigetaka Hashida, Takeshi Yamawaki, Yoshi Sakurai, Masao Honda
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Patent number: 8746797Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2009Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.L.Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
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Patent number: 8672408Abstract: Hinge mechanism comprising first and second frames rotatably mounted relative to one another, the first frame comprising a collet, a control member rotatably mounted in the collet of the first frame and controlling a relative rotation between the two frames, and a brake unit comprising an operating member connected to the control member with angular play. The brake unit is housed in the collet of the first frame and fitted with a braking member adapted to brake the control member when the operating member is not activated and to allow the operating member to rotationally drive the control member.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'AutomobileInventors: Cédric Legras, Julien Talagas, Benoît Hanriot
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Patent number: 8579377Abstract: A drive device for a motor vehicle seat (1) has a mount (22), a drive (24) which is mounted to the mount (22), so as to be pivoted about a first axis (A), an output (25) which is mounted to the mount (22), so as to be rotated about a second axis (B), and a transmission. The transmission transmits a driving pivot movement of the drive (24), which moves the drive (24) from an initial position into a deflected position, to the output (25) and causes a rotating movement of the output (25). At least one rolling body (26) is provided as the transmission. The rolling body (26), in the initial position and during the driving pivot movement of the drive (24), is in friction contact both with the drive (24) and simultaneously with the output (25) and rolls along same, and releases during the pivot movement back into the initial position.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rolf Schüler
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Patent number: 8454091Abstract: A chair adjustment mechanism for adjusting a position of a chair component. The mechanism comprises a first adjustment shaft, a second support shaft, as well as a set of friction plates, each friction plate comprising an elongated slot and the friction plates being fixedly mounted on the second support shaft while being slideably mounted on the first adjustment shaft. A guiding structure directs movement of the second support shaft along a direction of travel of the chair component. An adjustment handle is provided to reversibly compress the friction plates together in a locked position for fixing position of the component of the chair through braking displacement of the second support shaft along the guiding structure. The plurality of friction plates provides greater braking pressure for locking the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Groupe Dutailier Inc.Inventors: Yves Therrien, Céline Langelier
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Patent number: 8366198Abstract: A fitting (5) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, is provided with a first fitting part (9) fixed to a seat part, a second fitting part (11) that can be rotated between a plurality of usage positions relative to the first fitting part (9) for setting the tilt of the back (2) of the vehicle seat (1) and a locking element (15) fixedly connected particularly to the second fitting part (11). A third fitting part (14) is fixed to the back that can be locked by the locking element (15) and may be pivoted about an axis (A) relative to the second fitting part (11) for centered free pivoting of the back (2). A stop (18, 19) limits the pivot motion of the third fitting part (14) on one side. The stop includes at least one axially protruding first stop cam (18) that is formed on the third fitting part (14) and at least one axially protruding second stop cam (19) that is formed on the locking element (15).Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Peter Thiel
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Publication number: 20110304190Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting a vehicle seat component is provided. The adjustment device comprising a rotary fitting for adjusting the vehicle seat component, which includes a first fitting part and a second fitting part pivotally mounted with respect to the first fitting part about an axis of rotation, a drive device connected with the rotary fitting for driving the rotary fitting, and an adjustment element of the drive device for actuating the drive device. The drive device is formed to transmit a force present on the adjustment element on the drive side for adjusting the vehicle seat component to the rotary fitting, but to block a force present on the rotary fitting on the output side.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Inventors: Frieder Krueger, André Blinzler, Stephanie Hartleb, Juergen Siller, Matthias Weiss, Andreas Weder, Volker Moeller
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Patent number: 8016357Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic rotation system for tilting seats of chairs or armchairs, comprising a seat fastener having at least one holder formed by first and second parts rotatably coupled together; first and second conformations respectively attached to the first and second rotatably coupled seat fastener parts; and a spring incorporated between the first and second rotatably coupled seat fastener parts.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.A.Inventor: Jose Figueras Mitjans
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Patent number: 7815257Abstract: Adjustment device for chairs, comprising a back support capable of rotating around a shaft fastened to a support base, said support for the backrest being provided with a blocking plate having a plurality of openings, an insert capable of limited movement in a defined track in the support base to engage and disengage said openings, and an actuator connected to said insert, in which the actuator is operated by a rod connected to a handle that can be operated by the user, said actuator being movable between a release position and a lock position, in which said insert is selectively engaged in one of said openings.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: L & P Property Management CompanyInventors: Massimo Costaglia, Alessandro Slongo
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Patent number: 7731289Abstract: An automotive seat reclining device includes a first rotation member connected to one of a seat back and a seat cushion and having an internal gear and a bearing sleeve coaxial with the internal gear, a second rotation member connected to the other of the seat back and the seat cushion and having an external gear and a bearing bore coaxial with the external gear, a pair of wedge members disposed in a circular eccentric space between the bearing sleeve and the bearing bore and a drive member inserted in the eccentric space to move the mesh of the internal and external gears by pushing the wedge members and rotate the second rotation member relative to the first rotation member. Each of the wedge members has an inner circumferential surface formed with a recessed section and two contact sections for contact with an outer circumferential surface of the bearing sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Kunihisa Oishi
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Patent number: 7708344Abstract: A patient chair for use in a dental operatory or the like generally comprises a base, a chair frame supported by the base, and a seatback support coupled to the chair frame. The seatback support is slidably movable relative to the chair frame. To provide a desired connection or fit between components, a locking assembly is configured to apply a clamping force between the seatback support and the chair frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Midmark CorporationInventors: Jacob E. Broering, Leo R. Hanus
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Patent number: 7708345Abstract: A recliner has a chair frame that provides support to a seat and back rest. The frame includes a recliner assembly that includes a bracket that is connected to the backrest enabling reclining movement of the backrest as the bracket moves through a correspondingly shaped bracket slot in a recliner base plate, and where the bracket rotates about an axis that approximates the position of the rotational axis of the hip of a seated user. The reclining chair can also be part of a modular system of components that enable one or more seating units to be in a spanned or ganged configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.Inventors: Daniel Grabowski, John Henry Heyder, Jeremy Franklin Foreman, Michael A. Johnson, Aaron Jon Schradin
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Publication number: 20090315380Abstract: An anti back drive device for releasably securing a seat back with respect to a seat cushion. This device includes an upper gear plate affixed to the seat back and defines gear teeth. A lower gear plate is secured to a seat bottom and defines gear teeth that cooperate with the upper plate gear teeth. The upper gear plate is able to rotate about an axis of rotation that is displaced from an axis associated with the lower gear plate. Wedges are mounted in relation to the upper gear plate. A clutch spring is located within the lower gear plate so that an outside surface of the clutch spring may engage the lower gear plate. A wedge spring engages the wedges that biases them to engage the clutch spring. A driver extends between the lower gear plate, the clutch spring, the wedge spring, and the upper gear plate. Upon rotation of the driver, the clutch spring and the one or more wedges are arcuately displaced and lock the seat back in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventor: Dumitru Dan Nae
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Patent number: 7631936Abstract: The invention provides a reclining apparatus which can make a width of an apparatus small. The reclining apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first bracket (1) attached to a seat back (10), a second bracket (2) attached to a seat cushion (11), a first shaft (3) forming a rotation center of the first bracket (1), a spiral spring (5) spirally wound around the first shaft (3) and biasing a rotation in a forward direction of the first bracket (1), and a rotary damper (6) decelerating a rotating speed of the first bracket (1) against an biasing force of the spiral spring (5). The rotary damper (6) and the spiral spring (5) are arranged in parallel, and an arm (7) rotating a casing (6a) of the rotary damper (6) on the basis of a rotation of the first bracket (1) is provided between the rotary damper (6) and the second bracket (2).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Fukukawa, Masaaki Takii, Hiroshi Yokoyama, Nobuhito Kanae
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Patent number: 7618090Abstract: An abdominal support swivel chair is comprised of a support base with a plurality of leg arms having casters and radiating about the base frame in a common horizontal plane. An adjustable center post assembly extends vertically from the center of the support base and along a central vertical axis. A seat is secured to a frame connected at a top end of the center post. The seat has a rear buttocks support section and a central narrow frontal projecting section merging therewith through opposed side thigh cavities. An abdominal support pad is secured to an adjustable support arm connected to the saddle frame. The support arm has an upper securing end section adapted for securement of the abdominal support pad and to position same inclined forwardly. The adjustable support arm extends forwardly of the frontal projecting section and aligned therewith and has an adjustable connecting mechanism to position the abdominal support pad for the comfort of a user person above the frontal projecting section.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Distribution Gablex Inc.Inventor: Daniel Grenon
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Patent number: 7566099Abstract: The invention provides a furniture chair seatback tilt limiter system for adjustably limiting the seatback recline of a chair. The seatback tilt limiter system includes a first gear toothed rotator with a full forward seatback upright endstop and a full recline seatback endstop. The seatback tilt limiter system includes a second gear toothed rotator having an adjustment endstop. The first rotator is free to rotate between the full forward seatback upright endstop and the full recline seatback endstop when the rotator gear teeth are disengaged and the second rotator adjustment endstop limits the rotation of the first rotator to an adjustable reclined seatback tilt limit when the gear teeth are engaged.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Lord CorporationInventors: David Catanzarite, Keith Ptak, Jim Maciak
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Patent number: 7527336Abstract: A device for blocking and adjusting the inclination of fittings, such as a recliner mechanism, a vehicle seat, has a first fitting part which has a latch tooth, and a latching element (2) which has a mating latch tooth, the latch tooth and the mating latch tooth are brought into engagement and arrested in the engagement position by means of a clamping element under the force of a spring, acts on the latching element and is movable counter to the force of the spring via adjusting means. The clamping element has a toothing in which is engaged by a mating toothing situated on a toothed element, the force of the spring acts on the toothed element and acts indirectly on the clamping element via the toothing and mating toothing.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Ingo Kienke, Hans-Rudi Schulz
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Patent number: 7503099Abstract: A memory mechanism for an adjustment mechanism includes a housing, a release lever supported by the housing that positions the adjustment mechanism in a latched position and an unlatched position, and a disk supported by the housing and movable relative to the housing. A slide lever is supported by the housing between an extended position and a retracted position and extends from the disk in the extended position to define a position of the disk relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Fisher Dynamics CorporationInventor: Srinivas Pejathaya
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Patent number: 7497518Abstract: A juvenile seat includes a seat base, a reclinable backrest, and a backrest lock. The backrest lock can be operated by a caregiver to allow for a change in the angular orientation of the reclinable backrest.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.Inventors: Ward Fritz, Richard M. Bastien, John Ristuccia, Andrew W. Marsden
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Patent number: 7380884Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Leggett & Platt Ltd.Inventors: Gerard J. Matern, Arthur A. Patton
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Patent number: 7293837Abstract: In a fitting (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11) and a second fitting part (12) that is mounted on the first fitting part (11) and that can be rotated relative to the latter around a central axis (A), and having also a clasping ring (21) that is connected to the first fitting part (11) and that engages over the second fitting part (12) in order to secure it axially, an intermediate ring (31) is arranged between the clasping ring (21) and the second fitting part (12).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Uwe Assmann, Peter Thiel
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Patent number: 7219959Abstract: A swing seat configured to be supported by a swing frame includes a seat bottom frame, a seat back frame movably coupled to the seat bottom frame, and a recline mechanism to recline the seat back frame relative to the seat bottom frame. The recline mechanism includes first and second mounts on opposite sides of the seat back frame to movably mount the seat back frame to the seat bottom frame, at least one recline lock associated with at least one of the first and second mounts and configured to lock the seat back frame in at least two recline positions relative to the seat bottom frame, and a recline actuator having a grip intermediate the first and second mounts and movable between an un-actuated position and an actuated position. The at least one recline lock is movable between a locked position to set the recline position of the seat back frame relative to the seat bottom frame and an unlocked position to allow adjustment of the recline position of the seat back frame relative to the seat bottom frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Ransil, Jeff G. Greger
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Patent number: 7198330Abstract: In the case of a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first part (11), a second part (12) that is rotatable and lockable relative to the first part (11), and a profiled shaft (16), the actuation of which unlocks the fitting (1), a spring (22) simultaneously pretensions the shaft (16) counter to the actuating direction and secures the shaft (16) relative to the fitting (1) in the axial direction of the shaft (16).Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hilmar Wahlen, Gaetan Fraisse
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Patent number: 7140677Abstract: A ball chair has a seat, a backrest assembly and a ball cushion. The seat has a top face, a passage defined in the top surface of the seat, at least three legs formed on the seat and each leg and a supporting base formed on seat. The backrest assembly mounted on the seat and has a bracket, an angle adjusting device, a locking device and a fixed arm. The bracket has two supporting tabs defined in the bottom of the bracket to abut against the supporting base. The ball cushion is mounted inside the passage in the seat. The ball chair provides functions as adjusting backrest angle and the backrest may be extended for convenient use.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Inventor: Ciber Chiu
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Patent number: 7093902Abstract: In an adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular a backrest inclination adjuster for an automobile seat, having at least one detent fitting (5) with two fitting parts (7, 8) that can be pivoted relatively to one another around a central axis (13) and can be locked together, and a lever (6) which is mounted for pivoting around a pivoting axis (A), the pivoting of the lever (6) allowing to unlock the detent fitting (5), said detent fitting (5) can be unlocked via a rotatable driver (11) which is arranged around the central axis (13) and is accessible from the outside of the detent fitting (5), the lever (6) being in direct contact with the driver (11).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Ulrich Lehmann, Uwe Assmann
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Patent number: 7090299Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjustment of level of inclination of back part of a motor vehicle seat having a device part (2) affixed to the seat part and a device part (3) affixed to the back part, which can be pivoted counter to each other about a pivot axis (14), wherein both device parts (2, 3) have parts of gearings (4, 5) forming a swash mechanism, which roll on each other under the action of eccentric elements (11) that can be rotated about a pivot axis (14). The eccentric elements (11) are comprised of an eccentric ring (12), on which two regionally covering mirroring wedge segments (13) lie These are urged away from each other in the sense of an increase in eccentricity (e) by spring elements (15) arranged one of their front surfaces (13.3).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Dieter Lange
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Patent number: 7086699Abstract: A seat recliner assembly having a fixed gear plate having a gear portion formed therein. The gear portion is disposed about a first slot that includes a first raised collar. A movable plate having a gear portion formed therein and disposed about a second slot also includes a second raised collar. The gear portion of the movable plate is in operating engagement with the gear portion of the fixed plate and defines an annular race between an outer surface of the first raised collar and an inner surface of the second raised collar. A bearing member is disposed concentric to the inner surface of the second raised collar. First and second wedge members are disposed in the annular race and engage the bearing member. Each of the wedge members includes first and second contact features. A spring member engaging each of the wedge members biases the wedge members apart. A hub member is engaged with a drive shaft and projects through the first slot.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Todd Michael Addison, Robert Andrew Hendren, Curtis James Hudson
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Patent number: 7051860Abstract: A displacement device for producing a rotational movement with an output element adjustable in angle by operating a drive element. A load torque lock mounted between the drive element and the output element blocks, with force locking connection, torque introduced on the output side and transfers torque introduced on the drive side to the output element. Between the drive element and the load torque lock and/or between the output element and the load torque lock is a play compensating device which compensates the torsion angle play between the drive element, the output element and the load torque lock. The displacement device is used in particular for window lifters or seat adjusters of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, CoburgInventors: Georg Scheck, Peter Schumann
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Patent number: 7017992Abstract: A chair control device for a tiltable chair wherein the chair control includes a a one-piece integral structure mainframe housing, including an integral extension for a seat locking cam means, for supporting adjustment mechanisms. The housing is affixed to the underside of a seat portion of a chair and, optionally, a tailpiece bracket to affix the mainframe to a back portion of the chair. Also included in the device is a tension control means to control the resistance of the tilt motion, the tension control includes an elongated bolt having a first end attached to the mainframe and a second end attached to an adjustment means. A compression spring is inserted on the shaft of the bolt between the adjustment means and the mainframe. The tension control means is adapted to control the tension of the compression spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Warvel Products, Inc.-N.C.Inventor: William Stumpf
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Patent number: 7000874Abstract: In a lever drive (11) for a vehicle seat adjuster, in particular in a motor vehicle seat, having a drive lever (17) which can be manually moved, at least one driven lever (21) operatively connected to the adjuster, and at least one transmission means (25), which transmits a torque acting on the drive lever (17) to the driven lever (21) with a transmission ratio, the transmission ratio changes as a function of the transmitted torque.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rolf Schüler, Dirk Angermann
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Patent number: 6869143Abstract: A recliner clutch mechanism for use with a vehicle seat having a seat bottom and an upwardly extending and pivotally movable seat back. A lock plate having first and second faces is secured in translating fashion between the seat bottom and seat back. A first actuating plate is located in proximity to the first face of the lock plate and urges the lock plate to engage against the seat back in a first position. A second actuating plate is located in proximity to the second face of the lock plate and causing the lock plate to disengage from the seat back in a second release position. A spring engages the seat back in a forward rotating direction. A release handle and lever assembly is in operative communication with a secondary spring and, upon actuation, releases the engaging force exerted by the first plate, concurrent with influencing the second actuating plate against the lock plate in the second release position.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.Inventor: Tyrone Secord
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Publication number: 20040174061Abstract: A displacement device for producing a rotational movement with an output element 3a adjustable in angle by operating a drive element 2a has a load torque lock 1a mounted between the drive element 2a and the output element 3a and which blocks with force locking connection torque introduced on the output side and transfers torque introduced on the drive side to the output element 3a. Between the drive element 2a and the load torque lock 1a and/or between the output element 3a and the load torque lock 1a is a play compensating device 5a which compensates the torsion angle play between the drive element 2a, the output element 3a and the load torque lock 1a. The displacement device is used in particular for window lifters or seat adjusters of vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: George Scheck, Peter Schumann
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Patent number: 6755470Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus for an automotive vehicle which employs a differential transmission mechanism in which an inner gear and an outer gear having slightly smaller number of teeth than the inner gear are supported in their partly engaged states by a rotation shaft part and an eccentric shaft which is eccentric with respect to the rotation shaft, wherein the eccentric shaft part includes two wedge plates sandwichingly inserted between a bearing ring inner peripheral surface of the outer gear and a bearing cylinder outer peripheral surface of the inner gear when the seatback is in the fixed position, a spring rod for biasing the two wedge plates in opposite peripheral directions, and an operation piece part for releasing the sandwichingly inserting states of the wedge plates when the seatback is in the fixed position by being rotated together with the rotation shaft and rotated together with the wedge plates when the seatback is in an adjusting position, each of the wedge plates being in a crescent shapeType: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki SeisakushoInventors: Masahiro Iwata, Atsushi Takano
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Publication number: 20040090101Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat bottom. The vehicle seat also has a recliner mechanism for adjusting the angle between the seat back and the seat bottom. The recliner is capable of substantially supporting the seat back relative to the seat bottom below a threshold force acting on said seat back during normal operating loads. The operating loads are below a threshold level. The seat also has an impact control mechanism operatively connected to the seat back and the seat bottom. The impact control mechanism is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the seat back is permitted to move relative to said seat bottom. In an engaged position, the impact control mechanism restrains the seat back from moving relative to the seat bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2002Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventors: Christer Andersson, Odd Jaegtnes
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Patent number: 6726282Abstract: An adjustment mechanisms suited for vehicle seats, and particularly mechanisms that include a memory feature. The inventive adjustment system is of the type that provides a method of selecting a preferred seat position, releasing the adjustment mechanism for free movement of the seat, and automatically arresting the adjustment mechanism, securing the seat at the selected position. In the case of some prior art seat adjustment mechanisms, using the recline adjustment control to dump the seat does not allow the passenger to automatically return the seat back to the selected position. Other prior art seat adjustment mechanism separate the recline adjustment and the dump controls but rely upon relatively bulky stamped metal components to capture and latch the seat after dumping.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Porter Engineered SystemsInventor: Larry Gray
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Patent number: 6722734Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking assembly for a rocking chair. The locking assembly includes a pair of jaws mounted to the body-supporting portion of the chair and a set of pins mounted to the chair base portion of the chair. The jaws are operable to engage a selected pin to lock the body-supporting portion of the chair relative the chair base portion in a position that corresponds to the selected pin. The jaws include gripping faces that spread apart to define a recess when the locking assembly is operated. At the same time the gripping faces move toward the pin to cause the pin to enter the recess such that the pin becomes wedged in the recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Dutailier International Inc.Inventor: Pierre Bellefleur
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Patent number: 6719372Abstract: A seat frame recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element defining an inner surface with gear teeth, a journal contact area, and a notch formed in a radially extending surface. The cylindrical element, including the gear teeth, the journal contact area, and the notch are formed as an integral unit to prevent false latching. A conically shaped element has an outer surface with mating gear teeth and a mating journal contact area. A tab is positioned to be received within the notch for limiting and defining reclining movements. The conically shaped element is movable axially inward into a locked orientation with the gear teeth of the elements engaging for inhibiting relative movement of a back portion and a seat portion, and movable axially outward to an unlocked orientation with the gear teeth of the elements disengaged for permitting relative movement of the back and seat portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Inventors: Robert E. Glaspie, Paul A. Elio, Hari Sankara Iyer
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Patent number: 6682252Abstract: A joint is provided that automatically pre-tensions itself during assembly. The joint includes first and second structural members, such as a back upright and a pivot link in a chair. A torsion spring bushing and a pair of threaded anchors pivotally connect the first structural member to the second structural member. The anchor and back upright include mating angled surfaces that inter-engage and rotate the torsion spring bushing during assembly in a manner that pre-tensions the spring bushing while engaging the anchors in a direction parallel an axis of rotation defined by the joint.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Robert J. Battey, Gary L. Karsten
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Patent number: 6675945Abstract: Disclosed is a seat cushion pumping device for a vehicle. The device comprises a clutch section arranged between a clutch cover and a base member to generate operating force required for adjusting a height of a seat cushion, and a brake section arranged between a brake cover and the base member to conserve operating force of the clutch section. The clutch section includes a pair of clutch blocks, a lever block interposed between the pair of clutch blocks to operate them, and a lever coupled with the lever block and having a lever spring.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Daebu Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae Ho Kim
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Patent number: 6669298Abstract: A damper (20) for damping motion between two relatively moveable members, such as pivotal motion between components in office chairs (10). The damper (20) includes a outer member (22) having an internal recess (23) with a inner surface (24) and a crosswise oriented hole (30) intersecting the recess (23), and an inner member assembly (32) moveable relative to the outer member (22) having a shaft (34) with a resilient friction member (38) mounted thereon. The resilient friction member (38) frictionally engages the inner surface (24) in an interference fit relationship thereby radially precompressing the resilient friction member (38). The resilient friction member (38) preferably has one or more protrusions (40) that may be axially or radially oriented.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Lord CorporationInventors: Richard P. Thorn, Samson Beyene
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Patent number: 6666505Abstract: A chair is provided that includes a seat member, a back rest pivotally connected to the seat member, and first and second recline mechanisms. The seat member includes a first back rest support portion and a second back rest support portion. The back rest support portions each have a tooth-receiving member at an upper exterior surface. The recline mechanisms each include a lever mounted to the back rest. The lever of each recline mechanism has a tooth for receipt in a respective tooth-receiving member, and the lever is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state. When the lever is in the engaged state, the tooth engages the tooth-receiving member to prevent rearward pivotal motion of the back rest relative to the seat member. When the lever is in the disengaged state, the tooth is disengaged from the tooth-receiving member. When the levers of the recline mechanisms are both in the disengaged state, the back rest is allowed to pivot relative to the seat member.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Jeff G. Greger, Baku Kakuda
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Patent number: 6644743Abstract: A chair includes a chair base, a seat mounted on top of the chair base, a backrest pivotally attached to a rear of the seat, and a chassis mounted below the seat. When the backrest is tilted rearward, the seat moves forward and urges a movable member of the chassis to shift. The chassis further has a positioning mechanism with at least one positioning plate for retaining the backrest in a desired inclination angle. The positioning plate carries a rear end of the seat upward when the backrest is tilted rearward, thereby further improving the sitting stability.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
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Patent number: 6641215Abstract: An irreversible adjustment mechanism comprising a casing, a pivotally-mounted lever urged resiliently towards a rest position, a pivotally-mounted intermediate member connected to the lever via a drive stage adapted to move the intermediate member only when the lever moves away from its rest position, a fixed ring, an outlet member co-operating with the ring to define hollow wedge-shaped spaces facing in opposite directions and receiving clamping bodies which are urged apart and which are flanked by two fingers that are part of the intermediate member. The casing comprises a base and a cover that are made of sheet metal and that are crimped together.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'automobile S.A.Inventor: René Rohee