Armrest Or Its Supporting Member Movable About A Horizontal Axis Patents (Class 297/411.32)
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Patent number: 7857393Abstract: An adjustable armrest for a vehicle seat comprising an armrest housing pivoted on a seat back frame and a pair of locking elements in the housing, one of which is adjustable and the other being fixed. A seat back stop is engageable with the adjustable locking element. A seat occupant, using an armrest release mechanism, may adjust the relative positions of the locking elements to change a desired active position of the armrest. A memory feature permits return of the armrest to the desired active position from an upright stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: E & E Manufacturing Company Inc.Inventors: Harry J. Cebula, Thomas Judy, Mark L. Cutshall, Jozef Kwiecinski
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Patent number: 7850244Abstract: An armrest for motor vehicles, especially a center armrest, is provided that includes an upper part and a lower part. These two parts of the armrest are connected to each other by two articulation arrangements. Each of the articulation arrangements has two degrees of freedom, namely a rotational axis and a translational axis. In addition, locking devices are associated with each articulation arrangement, in order to lock the articulation arrangement in arbitrary translational positions.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Jürgen Salewski
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Patent number: 7845732Abstract: A vehicle armrest positioning assembly (12) for adjustably positioning a vehicle armrest (10) on a vehicle seat frame (14) includes an elongated adjuster (20) that provides armrest positioning and is released by a release actuator (44) a release mechanism (42) to permit angular adjustment of the armrest positioning. The adjuster (20) includes a housing (22) that positions an adjusting rod (24) by a helical lock spring (32) to control the armrest positioning and adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Porter Group, LLCInventors: Hsing Lung Lewis Liu, Karl A. Murphy
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Patent number: 7837267Abstract: A juvenile vehicle seat includes a seat base adapted to set on a vehicle seat and a foldable backrest associated with the seat base. The juvenile vehicle seat also includes a backrest lock coupled to the foldable backrest.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc,Inventors: Paul T. Zink, Andrew B. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 7832805Abstract: An adjusting structure for an armrest of a chair comprises a support member, an armrest, a side cover, a press member, a guiding member, a housing, and an engaging unit; wherein in operation, the press member is pressed inward to disengage the guiding member from the limiting recess of the support member. Thereafter, the armrest is adjusted to tilt forward so that the screw elements and the guiding member are guided toward a predetermined orientation along the arcuate groove, and the engaging unit abuts against the support member, thereby positioning the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Inventor: Yu-Shan Lai
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Patent number: 7832804Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, the convenience of lounge, pool, and patio furniture is increased by providing adjustable armrests that do not require cumbersome adjustments in order to reposition the armrest. According to some embodiments of the invention, an additional pair of armrests may be attached to existing conventional chair designs that have only one pair of armrests in order to increase the utility of the chair, which may be especially useful for lounge chairs, patio furniture, chaise lounges, and the like. According to other embodiments of the invention a lounge chair includes armrests that rotate toward and away from a person sitting in the chair, armrests that remain horizontal as the chair is repositioned, and platforms to support the arms of a person lying in the chair.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Inventor: Sandi LaFreniere
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Patent number: 7797918Abstract: A riding mower has a frame supported by a plurality of wheels including a pair of front drive wheels covered by front fenders. A plurality of cutting units are arranged in advance of the frame. The operator sits on a seat atop the frame at the front of the frame. The operator mounts and dismounts the seat from behind the front fenders and the front wheel and not from the front, access to the seat from the front being prevented by the placement of the cutting units. A pivotal armrest along one side of the seat normally blocks access to the seat from that side. However, the armrest can be pivoted to a raised position in which it clears the seat to allow the operator to reach the seat from that side of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jeffrey T. Drake, Gordon R. Schmidt, Malachy P. Fay
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Publication number: 20100207441Abstract: A support for an armrest of a motor vehicle seat, formed of generally U-shaped solid plastic defining: a bottom intended to be attached to an armature of a backrest of the seat, and two parallel branches perpendicular to the bottom, each branch defining in a surface opposite to the other branch a hole intended to receive one end of an axis of the armrest and a groove intended to receive an armrest rotation stop element. An armrest armature, an armrest and its assembly method and a motor vehicle seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: Faurecia Sieges D'AutomobileInventors: Thierry SENGES, Emmanuel Cardon, Alain Vissiere
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Patent number: 7735930Abstract: Disclosed herein is a width control device which automatically controls the width of an armrest, provided in a seat of a vehicle, in response to the body type of a passenger, thus enabling the passenger to sit in a comfortable position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jun Sun Yeum
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Patent number: 7731290Abstract: An armrest is provided having sufficient area to support arms at a comfortable position. The armrest is capable of being stowed compactly to provide aisle width sufficient for passengers' walk-through, and also is capable of moved from its stowed position to its used position in a single motion. The armrest is mounted to a side portion of a seat back of a vehicle seat. The armrest includes an armrest main body and a pivot member supporting the armrest main body at the seat back side of the armrest main body. The armrest main body is pivotally attached to the side portion of the seat back via the pivot member, and the pivot member is skewed toward the vehicle rear at a substantial angle relative to a widthwise horizontal axis of the seat as it extends from a base to a distal end.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomoyuki Kurimoto
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Publication number: 20100109413Abstract: A seating system may comprise a first seat, a second seat, and a plurality of armrests. The plurality of armrests may be located between the first seat and the second seat. The plurality of armrests may be capable of being deployed to change a seating space for the first seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Heidi J. Kneller, Shawn A. Claflin, Buddy L. Sharpe, Mark Edward Wentland
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Patent number: 7677654Abstract: An armrest for a vehicle seat includes a seat cushion and a backrest. The armrest is intended to be turned around a pivot axis between a first active position and a second folded-away position. The armrest includes an upper part, which in the active position is positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a substantially vertical plane through a side surface constituting an outer edge surface of the vehicle seat and intended to support a user's forearm, and at least one lower part provided with a fixing device for attaching the upper part to the vehicle seat. The lower part includes a linking mechanism arranged for setting the upper part in a transverse direction between a first position outside the side surface and an adjustable second position, and a locking device that is arranged to activate a catch that locks the upper part in a set position after it has been moved to the second position. A vehicle seat provided with an armrest and to a vehicle including an armrest are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden ABInventors: Mikael Enberg, Magnus Fridsell, Fredrik Löfgren, Pelle Reinius, Jan Marcus Gabrielsson
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Publication number: 20090309407Abstract: An armrest, has a stationary shaft rotatably supporting an armrest body against a seat frame. The stationary shaft is inserted, so as to have fastening tolerance, inside a coil lock spring and to have a stationary-side hook and a free-side hook. A diameter of the coil lock spring is reduced or enlarged according to a normal or a reverse rotation, respectively, of the armrest body, so as to prevent or permit, respectively, the rotation of the armrest body. One of the inside diameter of the lock spring and the outside diameter of the stationary shaft is tapered in said shaft's axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Makoto Saito, Takashi Morimoto, Yoshiharu Kitamura
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Patent number: 7631931Abstract: An armrest arrangement and a method of installing the armrest arrangement in a vehicle are provided, where the armrest arrangement can be arranged on a center console in a row of seats of the vehicle. The armrest arrangement includes upper and lower armrest units, each of the upper and lower armrest units being movable between a use position and a stowed position. When both the upper and lower armrest units are in the stowed position, the center console is usable as a middle seat. The upper and lower armrest units include armrests positioned at different heights to accommodate occupants of different heights, and the upper armrest unit is supported by the lower armrest unit, which is supported by a seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ABInventor: Eric Langensiepen
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Publication number: 20090295212Abstract: An armrest apparatus including an arm, which is fitted to a drum provided on a seat side member, and a coil spring, which is provided on the drum, wherein one end of the spring is fixed to the arm-rest member and another end of the spring, a free end, is curved outwardly in the direction away from the center axis of the drum, and this coil spring is loosely wound around the drum so as to tighten when the arm-rest member is rotated downward, and further a coil end receiving surface that receives the curved part of the coil spring is provided in the drum. When the arm-rest member is rotated downward and reaches a predetermined set angle, the coil end receiving surface receives the curved part of the coil spring, so that the coil spring tightens the drum by a downward load applied to the arm, restricting the downward rotation of the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventors: Takeshi Yamane, Tokuzo Kobayashi, Akihiko Okamoto, Kengo Tamura
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Patent number: 7611205Abstract: A safety seat assembly includes a seat body and an armrest device. The seat body includes a seat portion and an armrest support disposed on a lateral side of the seat portion. The armrest device includes an armrest component connected pivotally to the armrest support, and a locking component disposed between the armrest component and the armrest support, coupled movably to the armrest component, and rotatable with the armrest component relative to the armrest support between first and second positions. The locking component is movable to engage the armrest support for retaining the armrest component at the first position. The armrest device further includes a control component operable between a locking position for preventing disengagement between the locking component and the armrest support, and an unlocking position for permitting disengagement between the locking component and the armrest support.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
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Patent number: 7568766Abstract: An armrest device includes an armrest mount, an armrest member coupled to and rotatable relative to the armrest mount about a pivot axis, a latch member that extends through the armrest member and into the armrest mount and that is movable in a direction parallel to the pivot axis between locking and unlocking positions, and an armrest button mounted movably on the armrest member and operable to move along a button axis transverse to the pivot axis for driving movement of the latch member from the locking position to the unlocking position. The latch member engages the armrest mount to arrest rotation of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount when in the locking position, and is disengaged from the armrest mount to permit rotation of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount when in the unlocking position.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods co., Ltd.Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
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Publication number: 20090184559Abstract: In an armrest structure for a vehicle seat, an armrest is mounted at a mounting portion on the outboard side of a seat back and is arranged close to a door trim panel. The armrest is capable of moving inboard upon receipt of an inboard load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kouichi Nakaya, Daisaku Tochigi
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Publication number: 20090167070Abstract: An armrest for a seat assembly includes has a support surface for supporting an arm of the occupant and a bottom surface opposite the support surface. The armrest is pivotally coupled to the seat back for movement about a pivot axis between a use position, wherein the support surface extends generally orthogonally relative to the seat back to support the arm of the occupant, and a stored position, wherein the support surface of the armrest is generally parallel with the seat back. The entire support surface of the armrest is forward of the front surface of the seat back when the armrest is in the use position. Additionally, the pivot axis of the armrest is closer to the bottom surface of the armrest than the top support surface and is closer to the front surface of the seat back than the back surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Yi-Ru Chen, Robert J. Hazlewood
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Publication number: 20090160227Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a seat back having a seating surface for supporting a back of an occupant. The seat back is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and at least a portion of the seat back has a pivotal connection for movement from an upright position to a deployed position. A handle is mounted to the seating surface of the pivotal portion of the seat back. A cover is mounted to the seat back seating surface and extends over the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mary Rose Crombez, Dale Scott Crombez
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Publication number: 20090152926Abstract: Disclosed herein is a width control device which automatically controls the width of an armrest, provided in a seat of a vehicle, in response to the body type of a passenger, thus enabling the passenger to sit in a comfortable position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventor: Jun Sun Yeum
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Patent number: 7494189Abstract: A device for the axial fixation of a shaft in a component including a groove which is defined on the shaft and a securing device configured to releasably engage the groove. The axial force is required for releasing the securing device being able to be altered depending on the rotational position of the securing device relative to the shaft. The device may be coupled to an armrest of a vehicle seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbHInventors: Jürgen Otto, Kirubaharan Albert Reginold
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Publication number: 20090045663Abstract: An armrest frame (5A) bends at a hinge groove (5A2), which serves as a weak portion, when an impact load is applied to the armrest frame (5A) in an armrest (5) following a side impact with another vehicle. As a result, the armrest (5) is allowed to move toward the inside, in the vehicle width direction, during a side impact with another vehicle, thus ensuring the movement of a seated individual toward the inside, in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle armrest (5) also provides the same sense of stability as an armrest as a conventional armrest during normal use at times other than when there is a side impact with another vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2006Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Koji Tamakoshi, Kazuhiro Seki
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Patent number: 7490906Abstract: To save space it is often not possible to provide a comfortable seat beside a bed, for example for a second flightdeck crew. Normally, sitting on a bed is not comfortable for extended periods of time. The present invention states a backrest arrangement which can be changed from a foldaway position to a seating position. The backrest arrangement can be hinged to a wall. In foldaway position, the distance between a lower region of the backrest and the essentially vertical surface is shorter than in the seating position. In this way the backrest arrangement can for example be attached to a wall beside a bed; in the seating position the backrest arrangement provides a comfortable and safe seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Markus Schumacher, Andrew Muin
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Patent number: 7484810Abstract: A position adjustable armrest for a seat, including a drum fixed to the seat or the armrest, a casing fixed to the armrest or the seat and rotatable relative to the drum, a coil spring with one end thereof fixed to the casing and wound around the drum and the other end being in a free state, a cam that acts on the free end of the coil spring and displaces the free end in an axial direction and peripheral direction of the coil spring according to the relative angular displacement between the drum and the casing, and a spring guide that acts on the free end of the coil spring and allows the displacement in the peripheral direction of the coil spring to be maintained and returned according to the relative angular displacement.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Bizen Hatsujoh Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Yamane, Tokuzo Kobayashi, Kadohisa Ishimura
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Publication number: 20090026826Abstract: An adjustable armrest for a vehicle seat comprising an armrest housing pivoted on a seat back frame and a pair of locking elements in the housing, one of which is adjustable and the other being fixed. A seat back stop is engageable with the adjustable locking element. A seat occupant, using an armrest release mechanism, may adjust the relative positions of the locking elements to change a desired active position of the armrest. A memory feature permits return of the armrest to the desired active position from an upright stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: E & E Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Harry J. Cebula, Thomas Judy, Mark L. Cutshall, Josef Kwiecinski
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Publication number: 20090008982Abstract: An armrest arrangement and a method of installing the armrest arrangement in a vehicle are provided, where the armrest arrangement can be arranged on a center console in a row of seats of the vehicle. The armrest arrangement includes upper and lower armrest units, each of the upper and lower armrest units being movable between a use position and a stowed position. When both the upper and lower armrest units are in the stowed position, the center console is usable as a middle seat. The upper and lower armrest units include armrests positioned at different heights to accommodate occupants of different heights, and the upper armrest unit is supported by the lower armrest unit, which is supported by a seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Kongsberg Automotive ABInventor: Eric Langensiepen
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Patent number: 7458643Abstract: A passenger seat with increased knee space for an aft-seated passenger, including a seat base for being attached to a supporting deck and at least one seat frame including a seat back and seat bottom carried by the seat base. At least one arm rest assembly is carried by the seat frame and including an arm rest mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot member between a use position with an upper support surface in a horizontal position for supporting a forearm of a passenger seated in the seat, and a stowed position wherein the upper support surface of the arm rest is perpendicular to the use position. The arm rest pivot member is mounted on the seat frame at a point forward of a plane defined by the seat back carried by the seat and above a point defined by the seat bottom for allowing the knee of an aft-seated passenger to occupy space behind the pivot member of the arm rest.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Glenn A. Johnson
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Patent number: 7458634Abstract: A center armrest for rear seat backs of cars that comprises an armrest upper part and an armrest lower part that are joined together by means of a hinge located at an end face of the armrest. Within a hollow central portion of the armrest, a control mechanism is provided by which the thickness of the armrest is automatically adjusted when the armrest is swiveled down from an out-of-use position where it functions as part of the seat back into the armrest position.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: BOS GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Werner Schlecht, Jürgen Salewski, Hartmut Bohlke, Wolfgang Sitzler, Olaf Büschgens
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Publication number: 20080265647Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat back and an armrest rotatably coupled to the seat back for movement between a generally vertical, stowed position and a generally horizontal, use position. A guide member is disposed between the armrest and the seat back. The guide member includes a tube having an interior defining thread ridges. A guide pin extends through the tube and interconnects the armrest and seat back. The guide pin includes a helical screw thread portion for rotatably engaging the thread ridges to provide for lateral adjustment of the armrest towards and away from the seat back as the armrest moves between its respective stowed and use position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2005Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Yogin Amin, Sagar Kulkarni, Richard Ensing
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Publication number: 20080265646Abstract: An armrest for a vehicle seat includes a seat cushion and a backrest. The armrest is intended to be turned around a pivot axis between a first active position and a second folded-away position. The armrest includes an upper part, which in the active position is positioned with its longitudinal axis essentially parallel to an essentially vertical plane through a side surface constituting an outer edge surface of the vehicle seat and intended to support a user's forearm, and at least one lower part provided with a fixing device for attaching the upper part to the vehicle seat. The lower part includes a linking mechanism arranged for setting the upper part in a transverse direction between a first position outside the side surface and an adjustable second position, and a locking device that is arranged to activate a catch that locks the upper part in a set position after it has been moved to the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2005Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT HOLDING SWEDEN ABInventors: Mikael Enberg, Magnus Fridsell, Fredrik Lofgren, Pelle Reinius, Jan Marcus Gabrielsson
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Patent number: 7438363Abstract: A bridge that is attached to a wheelchair such that the bridge allows a wheelchair user to have support for ingress into and egress from the wheelchair without assistance and without the need to rely primarily on arm strength alone. The bridge is a generally L-shaped member that has a pair of aligned slits located on a lower portion thereof such that respective connection members pass through each slit and attach the bridge to a frame of the wheelchair the connection members allowing the bridge to be pivoted out of the way when needed.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: James Sutherland
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Patent number: 7407232Abstract: A seat for a child 1 includes a seat portion 10 on which a child can sit, and a pair of armrests 30 disposed on right and left sides of the seat portion 10, each armrest 30 having a relatively larger thickness. Each of the armrest 30 has a body member 32 and an upper half member 33. The upper half member 33 is attached to the body member 32 through hinge mechanisms 35 and 36, such that the upper half member 33 can be pivoted outward. The pivotable upper half member 31 can be moved outward relative to the hinge mechanisms 35 and 36. An upper surface 31a of the pivoted upper half member 31 of the armrest 30 and an upper surface 32a of the body member 32 of the armrest 30 are flush with each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Combi CorporationInventors: Yukio Sakamoto, Akira Okahashi
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Patent number: 7393058Abstract: An armrest height-adjusting device has a collar (10) fixed to an arm frame (8) and a spring (11). The spring (11) includes a coil portion (11A), provided around the collar (10), a first leg portion (11B) engaging with the seat back frame (5), and a second leg portion (11C) received in a window portion (41) of the arm frame (8). A diameter of the coil portion (11A) becomes short by the downward rotation of the arm frame (8) and becomes large by the upward rotation of the arm frame (8). The second leg portion (11C) is guided into the hook (24) by abutting against the window portion (41) when the arm frame (10) is rotated upward beyond a predetermined position. When the second leg portion (11C) is engaged with the hook (24), the diameter of the coil portion (11A) is kept in a state of becoming large.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Misao Omori
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Patent number: 7384102Abstract: An armrest device includes an armrest mount, an armrest member, and a locking unit. The armrest mount and the armrest member are respectively formed with pivotally interconnected first and second pivot connecting portions such that the armrest member is pivotable relative to the armrest mount between first and second positions. The locking unit is mounted operably in the second pivot connecting portion, and includes a press member accessible externally of the second pivot connecting portion, and a locking tab unit projecting from the press member. The press member is operable to move from a locking position, where the locking tab unit engages the first pivot connecting portion to arrest pivoting movement of the armrest member, to an unlocking position, where the locking tab unit is disengaged from the first pivot connecting portion to permit pivoting movement of the armrest member between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
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Patent number: 7367627Abstract: The invention relates to an armchair folding system. According to the invention, the seat (1) and the corresponding armrests (3) are mounted using a tilting hinge system. More specifically, each armrest (3) is mounted to a rotary shaft (4) comprising a spring (5) that is used to raise the armrest (3). Moreover, the side of the armrest (3) is equipped with an angular element (6) on which side panel pins (7) can rest, thereby producing a drag effect in relation to the tilting movement between the seat (1) and each armrest (3).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.A.Inventor: José Figueras Mitjans
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Patent number: 7360829Abstract: A small mouse table integrated with an ergonomic arm support. The table and arm support can be mounted to a conventional arm rest on an office chair. The arm support and table are positioned in order to place the user's arm in a healthy and stable orientation for use of the mouse. A forearm channel is provided to receive and hold the user's forearm. A wrist channel is provided—in combination with a downward offset—to attach the forearm channel to the small table on which the mouse resides. Two pivot joints are provided so that the mouse table can be swung out of the way when it is not needed.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Inventor: William J. Bufkin
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Patent number: 7311361Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously folding seat back and armrest, which comprises a seat assembly, a seat back assembly, a pivoting assembly, two armrests and an adjusting assembly. The seat assembly is mounted on a base of a chair. The seat back assembly is pivoted to the seat assembly. The crank is pivoted in the seat assembly in such a manner that both ends of the crank protrude out of the seat assembly, and the protruded ends are swingable along with the rotation of the crank. The two armrests are arranged at both sides of the seat assembly and the seat back assembly; an end of each of the armrests is pivoted to the crank, and another end of the armrests is pivoted to the seat back assembly. The adjusting assembly is disposed between the seat assembly and the seat back assembly for controlling the motion of the seat back assembly and the armrests.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Inventor: Yu-Ching Hung
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Publication number: 20070278838Abstract: A chair for offices and the like includes at least one armrest that can be folded from a generally upright position to a folded position and visa-versa. The folding mechanism has a thin profile, thereby minimizing the thickness of the armrest and providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A cover for the armrest includes an elastic material that stretches to accommodate folding, and also contracts to reduce or eliminate wrinkles. The folding mechanism may bias the armrest to the folded position to overcome forces generated by stretching of the cover when the armrest is folded.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Judy G. Davis, Dickon Isaacs, Jonathan I. Kaplan, Kurtis K. Kemper, Jon H. LeFors, Thomas Overthun, David J. Rinaldis, Robert L. Stewart, James R. Yurchenco
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Patent number: 7300113Abstract: A booster seat, including a seat bottom for being supported on an upper surface of a vehicle seat, with first and second latches carried by respective lateral first and second sides of the seat bottom for securing the seat bottom to the upper surface of the vehicle seat by a vehicle seat belt. Each of the first and second latches comprises a bottom latch member and a top latch member. The bottom latch member and the top latch member are movable relative to each other between an open, seat belt insertion position and a closed clamping position for receiving and clamping a seat belt extended laterally across the seat bottom and the lap of the seat occupant, thereby securing the booster seat and the seat occupant to the upper surface of the vehicle seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Inventors: Thomas Charles Baloga, Adrian Simms
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Patent number: 7296858Abstract: An armrest assembly having a fastening plate connected to a vehicle seat; a hinge device connected to the fastening plate; and an armrest connected removably to the hinge device and movable between a work position, in which the armrest is tilted and projects with respect to the fastening plate, and a collapsed position, in which the armrest is adjacent to the fastening plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Ruspa Officine S.p.A.Inventor: Luigi Ruspa
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Patent number: 7284800Abstract: A seat back frame of automotive seat, which has an armrest connection point in one of the two side frame members thereof, to which an armrest may be mounted. A reinforcing element is removably secured between such one of the two side frame members and a lower frame member of the seat back frame. The reinforcing element is so formed to have a long portion and a short vertical portion extending vertically and continuously from the long portion. Such long portion and short vertical portion are removably secured to the foregoing lower frame member and the foregoing one of the two side frame members, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takanori Ishizuka
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Patent number: 7284799Abstract: A device for adjusting the inclination of the armrest by combined operation of the gear and cam mechanisms is provided. The device comprises a housing a ratchet member (12), a check member, a pivot control device comprising a fixed cam (22), a rotational com (24) and a torsion coil spring (32).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Woobo Tech Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hae Il Chung
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Patent number: 7261369Abstract: An aircraft passenger convenience apparatus comprising: a seat assembly; a support device attached to the seat assembly; and a platform having a top and bottom, the platform at least partially supported by the support device. In the preferred embodiment, the support device is selectable between at least a tray support and an armrest position. Also in the preferred embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat back.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Inventor: Sam J Ahad
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Patent number: 7255402Abstract: An armrest is concealed within a recessed cavity formed in the lateral edge of a seat back. The armrest is mounted on an axle member that extends horizontally into the seat back cavity. A housing member is fixed within the seat back and slidably receives the axle member. A spring urges the axle member to an extended position in which the armrest is ejected from its concealed location within the seat back cavity to enable pivoting movement of the armrest from the vertical stored position to a horizontal armrest forming position. A latch acts between the axle member and the housing member to normally retain the axle member at its stored position within the housing member. A push button is associated with the latch and is pressed by the user to release the latch so that the spring will eject the armrest from the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Michel E. Haddad, Jennifer P. Lawall
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Patent number: 7252338Abstract: A seat assembly includes an armrest attached to a seat, and an amrest coupling assembly for coupling the armrest to the seat comprising a linear adjustment mechanism coupled to the armrest, and a rotational adjustment mechanism coupled to the armrest. The linear adjustment mechanism is arranged to enable the armrest to translate along an initial linear axis between a plurality of generally vertical positions. The rotational adjustment mechanism is arranged to enable the armrest to pivot about the rotational axis between a plurality of angular positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventor: Mark W Crossman
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Patent number: 7252340Abstract: A passenger seat with increased knee space for an aft-seated passenger, including a seat base for being attached to a supporting deck and at least one seat frame including a seat back and seat bottom carried by the seat base. At least one arm rest assembly is carried by the seat frame and including an arm rest mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot member between a use position with an upper support surface in a horizontal position for supporting a forearm of a passenger seated in the seat, and a stowed position wherein the upper support surface of the arm rest is perpendicular to the use position. The arm rest pivot member is mounted on the seat frame at a point forward of a plane defined by the seat back carried by the seat and above a point defined by the seat bottom for allowing the knee of an aft-seated passenger to occupy space behind the pivot member of the arm rest.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: B E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Glenn A. Johnson
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Publication number: 20070158991Abstract: An armrest device includes an armrest mount, an armrest member coupled to and rotatable relative to the armrest mount about a pivot axis, a latch member that extends through the armrest member and into the armrest mount and that is movable in a direction parallel to the pivot axis between locking and unlocking positions, and an armrest button mounted movably on the armrest member and operable to move along a button axis transverse to the pivot axis for driving movement of the latch member from the locking position to the unlocking position. The latch member engages the armrest mount to arrest rotation of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount when in the locking position, and is disengaged from the armrest mount to permit rotation of the armrest member relative to the armrest mount when in the unlocking position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
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Patent number: 7198331Abstract: An armrest height-adjusting device has a collar (7) fixed to a seat back frame (5) and a spring (11). The spring (11) includes a coil portion (11A) provided on the outer periphery of the collar (7), a first leg portion (11B) engaging with the seat back frame (5), and a second leg portion (11C) received in a window portion (41) of the seat back frame (5). A diameter of the coil portion (11A) becomes short by the downward rotation of an arm frame (10) and becomes large by the upward rotation of the arm frame (10). The second leg portion (11C) is guided into the hook (21) by abutting against the window portion (41) when the arm frame (10) is rotated upward beyond a predetermined position. When the second leg portion (11C) is engaged with the hook (21), the diameter of the coil portion (11A) is kept in a state of becoming large.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: TS Tech Co. Ltd.Inventor: Misao Omori
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Patent number: 7178865Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a left rear seat portion including a left rear seat base and a left rear seatback, a right rear seat portion including a right rear seat base and a right rear seatback, and a center rear seat portion including a center rear seat base and a center rear seatback. A head restraint assembly is mounted to the center rear seatback and defines a head restraint protrusion distance above the upper seatback surface. The head restraint assembly is movable between a head restraint operational position and a head restraint stowed position. The head restraint stowed position reduces the head restraint protrusion distance for improved visibility. A convenience feature assembly is formed within the center rear seatback and is movable between an convenience feature stowed position and an convenience feature deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Kar K. Low, Dale Smallwood