Pivoted To An Unusable Position Beneath Bottom Patents (Class 297/423.28)
  • Patent number: 11370341
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a lower leg support. The seat includes a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are opposite to one another. The lower leg support is coupled to the seat at the second end and is movable relative to the seat between a retracted position and an extended position. A suspension assembly is coupled to the lower leg support. The suspension assembly includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end of the suspension assembly is coupled to a portion of the seat. The second end of the suspension assembly is coupled proximate to a distal end of the lower leg support. A distance between an interior surface of the intermediate portion and an adjacent surface of each of the seat and the lower leg support may vary based on lower leg support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Deeptej Kudav, S. M. Akbar Berry, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Spencer Hoin
  • Patent number: 10479250
    Abstract: Provided is a structure of a leg-rest which is switchable at a front lower end of a seat between a receiving position where a support panel is folded on the seat and a deploying position where the support panel is drawn out to support the leg of a seated person. The structure of the leg-rest can include a fixing bracket which is fixed to the seat; a rotary arm of which one end is rotatably connected to the fixing bracket; a base slider which is slidably coupled to the rotary arm in a longitudinal direction; an extending slider which is slidably coupled to the base slider in a longitudinal direction and mounted with the support panel; and a rotary assist arm of which one end is separated from the rotary arm to be rotatably connected to the fixing bracket and the other end is rotatably connected to the base slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DAE WON SAN UP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun-Ho Hur, Young-Cheol Jang, Tae-Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 10308363
    Abstract: A seat footrest includes a footpad having a supporting plate under a cushioned top side, an arcuate member mechanically coupled to the plate by a first end and pivotally coupled to a seat frame by a second end. The arcuate member is adapted for pivoting the footpad between a stowed position and one or more deployed positions. A lock pin is provided for releasably inserting into a first notch of the arcuate member for securing the footpad in the stowed position and one or more additional notches of the arcuate member for securing the footpad in the one or more deployed positions. A first biasing member is adapted for initiating deployment of the footpad upon release of the lock pin from the first notch, and a second biasing member is adapted for completing deployment of the footpad by raising the footpad to the one or more deployed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry John Ward
  • Patent number: 9039090
    Abstract: A mechanism for vertically adjusting a component on a shaft has a collet sleeve riding on the shaft. A spiral track of the component's hub receives a radially outwardly projecting pin on the collet sleeve. The outer surface of the collet sleeve and the inner surface of the hub are tapered so that the hub can rotated one direction to advance the hub on the collet sleeve and compress the collet sleeve onto the shaft to frictionally lock the collet sleeve to the shaft. Because the hub is joined to the collet sleeve by the pin, this also locks the vertical position of the component. Conversely, the hub can be oppositely rotated to release the compression of the collet sleeve so that the collet sleeve, and therefore the vertical component, is slidable on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt Canada Co.
    Inventor: Christopher Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20150054315
    Abstract: A seating-unit mechanism includes various components that control a position of the seat and backrest and that control an extension and retraction of an ottoman and footrest. For example, the mechanism includes a linear actuator that controls a seat pitch (e.g., height and level of recline). In addition, the mechanism includes an ottoman-linkage drive mechanism, which might include a drive link or another linear actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bobby Donovan, Nikki White
  • Patent number: 8944513
    Abstract: A footrest apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a fixed member fixed to the vehicle seat, a footrest movable between a retracted position and an operating range, and a link mechanism which connects the fixed member and the footrest to each other and moves the footrest between the retracted position and the operating range by extending and contracting. The link mechanism includes a pair of link members which rotate in synchronization with each other, each of which is formed as a plate that is orthogonal to a widthwise direction of the vehicle seat, and a connecting member formed as a plate which extends in the widthwise direction, wherein common edges of the pair of link members are connected to opposite ends of the connecting member in the widthwise direction, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Shiroki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Takuji Yamazaki, Takayuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8926009
    Abstract: A furniture member includes a leg rest assembly connected to a base frame of a furniture member and extensible away from a stowed position by movement in a direction coincident with a lateral centerline of the furniture member to a fully extended position. A leg rest mechanism is connected to the base frame and the leg rest assembly. A linkage assembly includes a first clamshell housing rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism having a first extension link also rotatably connected to the leg rest mechanism positioned within the first clamshell housing. A second clamshell housing is rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to a leg rest mount board of the leg rest assembly having a first mount board link positioned within the second clamshell housing also rotatably connected to the first clamshell housing and to the leg rest mount board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry P. LaPointe
  • Patent number: 8876212
    Abstract: A seat adjustment apparatus for a vehicle includes a first bracket, a second bracket defining an accommodating void with the first bracket, a pawl, and a pawl reverse spring, The pawl includes a ratchet portion, a pawl side reverse wall portion, and a pawl side return wall portion, the ratchet portion allowing a relative rotation of the first and second brackets in a first direction and prohibiting a relative rotation of the first and second brackets in a second direction in a case where the pawl is biased to rotate in a normal direction, the pawl side reverse wall portion allowing the relative rotation in the second direction so that the pawl is reversed by being biased to rotate in a reverse direction, the pawl side return wall portion bringing the pawl to be returned by being biased to rotate in the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto
  • Patent number: 8794706
    Abstract: A leg rest assembly includes two connecting boards fixed to an underside of a seat of a chair. An actuation rod unit and a link unit are mounted to each connecting board. A rear end of each link unit is pivotably connected to one of the connecting boards and one of the actuation rod units. Each link unit has a slot aligned with a guiding groove of one of the connecting boards. A guiding rod extends through the slot of each link unit, the guiding groove of each connecting board, and each actuation rod unit. A mounting plate is pivotably connected to a front end of each link unit. An operative rod is operable to cause movement of the actuation rod units and to move the mounting plate between a first position in front of the base and a second position received in a compartment between the connecting boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Chang Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8708417
    Abstract: In one embodiment now described, and according to one aspect of the invention. There is provided a leg rest mechanism 100. The leg rest mechanism is suitable for use with a seat pad 200 of a seat arrangement 300 in a passenger vehicle (not shown). The leg rest mechanism 100 comprises a support member 110 adapted for at least partially supporting a passenger's weight; and an extension arrangement 400. The extension arrangement 400 comprises a pair of horizontal support mechanisms 120 for supporting the support member 110, an adjustable support mechanism 160 and a drive arrangement 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Air New Zealand Limited
    Inventor: Marsel Mejuhas
  • Publication number: 20130341989
    Abstract: A leg rest assembly includes two connecting boards fixed to an underside of a seat of a chair. An actuation rod unit and a link unit are mounted to each connecting board. A rear end of each link unit is pivotably connected to one of the connecting boards and one of the actuation rod units. Each link unit has a slot aligned with a guiding groove of one of the connecting boards. A guiding rod extends through the slot of each link unit, the guiding groove of each connecting board, and each actuation rod unit. A mounting plate is pivotably connected to a front end of each link unit. An operative rod is operable to cause movement of the actuation rod units and to move the mounting plate between a first position in front of the base and a second position received in a compartment between the connecting boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Chang-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8534762
    Abstract: A stylist chair is provided that includes a chair, a center bar and a footrest assembly. The center bar couples the footrest assembly to the chair. The footrest assembly includes a gear assembly, a first pedal and a second pedal. The first pedal and the second pedal move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration, the first pedal and the second pedal form a footrest and in the closed configuration, the first pedal and the second pedal are moved toward one another to form a configuration that enables a user to easily exit the stylist chair. Also, the first pedal and the second pedal are coupled to the gear assembly so that when one of the first pedal and the second pedal moves, the other of the first pedal and the second pedal simultaneously moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Sam Linhoff, Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 8444226
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink
  • Patent number: 8262117
    Abstract: A wheelchair comprises a pair of spaced apart side frame tubes and a pair of foot support frames. Each of the foot support frames has a first end configured to connect to the side frame tubes and a second end configured to receive a cross member. The cross member interconnects the second ends of the foot support frames and supports a foot support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Knopf, Karsten Dellbruegge, Jason Shelton
  • Patent number: 8249773
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle capable of performing a transition between a stable state and an inverted state with a simple structure. A vehicle in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a vehicle that moves by inverted pendulum control, including a rider seat, a chassis, a right driving wheel, a left driving wheel, motors to rotationally drive the right driving wheel and the left driving wheel, a forward bar protruding forward beyond the chassis, a motor to rotational drive the forward bar, a footstep attached to the forward bar, and a control box to control the motor. The feet of a rider 80 are put on the footstep. The control box changes the vehicle to an inverted state by raising the footstep so that the footstep moves away from a ground, or changes the vehicle to a stable state by lowering the footstep so that the footstep comes into contact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihiko Kawada, Mitsugu Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8132855
    Abstract: A furniture member leg rest ratcheting member for temporarily retaining a leg rest assembly in multiple extended positions includes a one-piece homogeneous member having a first portion including at least two cavities each defining a leg rest assembly extended position. A second portion has a male engagement tongue. A third portion has opposed first and second bracket engagement members spaced from each other. The third portion is elastically deflectable with respect to the first and second portions to permit a furniture mechanism bracket to be received between the first and second bracket engagement members when the male engagement tongue of the second portion is engaged with the furniture member bracket and to allow a ratcheting motion of the first and second portions with respect to the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: La-Z-Boy Incorporated
    Inventor: Marshall E. Richard
  • Patent number: 7963610
    Abstract: A novel salon chair having a novel movable footrest assembly with a sliding or pivoting footrest which replaces a conventional rigid tubular one-piece footrest typical of salon chairs. The salon chair includes a chair portion structured for being elevated above a floor surface, the chair portion having a seat portion elevated on a support portion and a seat back portion. A footrest portion has a foot support portion that is movable between an extended configuration relative to the seat portion of the chair portion, and a retracted configuration relative thereto. An actuator mechanism coupled between the chair portion and the footrest portion is structured for moving the foot support portion between the extended and retracted configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Linda Barfuss
  • Patent number: 7950743
    Abstract: When stowed, this leg rest lies flat on the floor partially under the passenger's feet and partially under the seat. The leg rest pivots up from the floor to a raised position so that the edge nearest the seat aligns with the front of the seat pan. In its raised position, the leg rest and seat together form a continuous support surface along the entire length of a passenger's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Kirgiss Clausen
  • Patent number: 7918496
    Abstract: Armchair with a seat surface and a leg rest which can be pivoted out, wherein the armchair can be pivoted between a sitting position and a reclining position, for which purpose the seat surface can be displaced to the rear in relation to a fixed frame and is articulated in the front region via erecting levers. The leg rest is coupled to the seat surface in such a manner that it is pivoted when the seat surface is displaced to the rear. The leg rest is connected to the erecting levers by a first sliding mounting and is articulated on the fixed frame by a second sliding mounting. The first sliding mounting is connected pivotably to the second sliding mounting, and the second sliding mounting is configured in such a manner that its orientation changes during the pivoting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kintec-Solution GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mackert
  • Publication number: 20100283297
    Abstract: Extendable ottoman linkages supporting both a main and secondary ottoman, as well as high-leg, space-saving recliners for which such linkages are designed, are provided. The extendable ottoman linkages provide sufficient clearance for a secondary ottoman to extend by arranging the components of the linkage such that the extension of the secondary ottoman is delayed until the main ottoman has extended sufficiently to provide the necessary clearance. The extendable ottoman linkages further hold the secondary ottoman securely in a closed position when the furniture is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: L & P PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Company
    Inventor: Michael Andrew Crum
  • Patent number: 7823966
    Abstract: A chair includes a base structure and a seat which is movably secured to the base structure. Connected to the seat is a backrest for swinging in a virtually wall-avoiding manner. A footrest is movable between a stowed position when not being used and an extended position when in use, wherein the footrest is disposed in the stowed position below the seat in approximate parallel relationship thereto and has a seat-distal surface provided with a padding. The footrest is connected to the seat by a swivel fitting which is constructed such that a movement of the backrest causes a movement of the footrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ferdinand Lusch GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Buchholz
  • Patent number: 7824349
    Abstract: The present invention reveals a massage chair having concealable leg massage unit, including a massage chair and a leg massage unit positioned in a front portion of the massage chair. The two sides of the massage chair are provided with guiding tracks respectively and a moving means which moves along the guiding tracks. The rear portions of the guiding tracks are horizontal, and the front portions arc upward. The moving means is fixed with forward extended push-pull rods with a front end of each push-pull rod pivotally connected to a rear end of a tow board. A front end of the tow board is provided with a rolling wheel, and the leg massage unit is pivotally connected between two tow boards. The present invention not only reduces the volume of a massage chair but also makes itself more convenient and comfortable to users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Daito-Osim Healthcare Appliance (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu Lv
  • Publication number: 20090273220
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ottoman device with a structure in which a link device including a leg support and a link frame to which the leg support is attached and an electric driving device for driving the link device are modulated on a fixing frame as a base connected to a vehicle body beneath a rear seat. As a result, the ottoman device of the present invention can be simply attached to and detached from the vehicle body, can be applied to a vehicle having no center console on the rear seat, and can increase strength with a both-side supporting structure of the leg support, differently from a conventional one arm type leg support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Ho KIM, Chae Hoon Ma
  • Patent number: 7611207
    Abstract: A novel salon chair having a novel movable footrest assembly with a sliding or pivoting footrest which replaces a conventional rigid tubular one-piece footrest typical of salon chairs. The salon chair includes a chair portion structured for being elevated above a floor surface, the chair portion having a seat portion elevated on a support portion and a seat back portion. A footrest portion has a foot support portion that is movable between an extended configuration relative to the seat portion of the chair portion, and a retracted configuration relative thereto. An actuator mechanism coupled between the chair portion and the footrest portion is structured for moving the foot support portion between the extended and retracted configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Linda Barfuss
  • Patent number: 7496979
    Abstract: A vertically moveable patient table is provided with a footrest extension that may be locked in either an operative, extended position or a stowed position beneath an adjacent leg section of the table. In the stowed position the footrest extension actuates a switch which permits the table to be moved freely up and down. However, when the footrest extension is in any position other than stowed, movement of the table is restricted to prevent accidental contact of the footrest extension with a floor or other supporting surface as the table is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventor: James Christopher Hempker
  • Publication number: 20080315659
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion and an output shaft rotatably coupled to the seat cushion. An actuator is fixedly coupled to the seat cushion and operatively coupled to the output shaft for rotatably driving the output shaft. A front leg is operably connected to the actuator for movement between a support position supporting the seat cushion and a retracted position folded underneath the seat cushion. A front latch is mounted on the front leg and is positioned to selectively engage a striker bar along a motor vehicle floor for maintaining the front leg in the support position. A link assembly extends between the output shaft and the front latch for selectively unlocking the front latch as the output shaft is rotatably driven by the actuator to drive the front leg between the retracted position and the support position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: David Michael Schacht, Lei Cao, Matthew J. McLaughlin, Catherine A. Devoss, Thomas J. Domlovil, Jeffrey P. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7429083
    Abstract: An ottoman device includes a first rotation link rotatably supported at a front end of a seat in order to support an ottoman main body, which is extended to a front direction of the seat or stored within the seat, in accordance with the rotation of the rotation link in a first direction and a second direction, and a lock device for prohibiting or allowing the rotation of the first rotation link, the lock device being attached to the first rotation link at a rotational center thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichiro Tsuji, Yukifumi Yamada, Takahiro Ishijima
  • Publication number: 20080217982
    Abstract: A footrest mechanism is disclosed which is adapted to be coupled to a chair to allow a footrest (120) to be moved between an extended position and a retracted position. The footrest mechanism includes a mounting member (104) having a guide pin (109) and a release member (106) having an L-shaped slot (110) configured to receive the guide pin. The L-shaped slot (110) includes a generally horizontal portion (111) extending from a generally vertical portion (112) at least partially defined by a stop wall (113). The release member (106) also includes a handling tab (107) which facilitates the operation of the footrest mechanism (102) for movement of the footrest (120) between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Yvonne Parkel, Robert Clark
  • Patent number: 7404603
    Abstract: Drive for furniture configured for adjusting a first furniture part in relation to a second furniture part the drive includes a pivot shaft, which is pivotally mounted on the first part and with which a pivot drive is operatively associated. The drive includes at least one supporting element which cooperates with the pivot shaft and supports it on a supporting surface provided on the second furniture part, and in such a way that the inclination of the first furniture part can be adjusted in relation to the second part and/or the distance of the first part from the second furniture part can be adjusted. The drive for furniture has a simple construction, is cost-effective to produce, saves a significant amount of space and is particularly suited for adjusting the seat part of a seat, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Deon AG
    Inventor: Eckhart Dewert
  • Patent number: 7338133
    Abstract: The body support chair for the physically challenged and disabled comprises a frame supporting an articulated structure comprising a back, a seat, a foot rest (33) supported by two uprights and means for holding the legs, at least in part immovable. The holding means comprise: two cross-members, each fitted on an upright (27) of the foot rest for extending into a working position (T) towards the front of the chair and provided in the front part with fastening means (80) arranged in the working position (T) at a corresponding distance from the upright (27); and an immovable front support element for the user's two legs, fitted on the fixation means (80) of the cross-members, in such a fashion as to extend between the cross-members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Lifestand International SA
    Inventor: Francois Xavier Laffin
  • Patent number: 7229134
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes supporting member and a moving member whose position is adjustable relative to the supporting member while a posture of the moving member is in a predetermined posture comprising a link member rotatably connected to the supporting member and the moving member respectively, a first gear secured to the moving member, a second gear secured to the supporting member and a transmitting gear rotatably supported to the link member. The transmitting gear includes a first partial gear meshing with the first gear and a second partial gear meshing with the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kasiha
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 7121627
    Abstract: A leg-rest assembly for use with a chair, in particular, a reclining chair is disclosed. The leg-rest assembly is comprised of a leg-rest pivotally connected to a seat, and a foot-rest portion attached in a telescopic relationship with the leg-rest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Pawan Gaikwad, Pedro Meneses
  • Patent number: 7080887
    Abstract: A chair includes a base frame unit, a leg rest frame, an operating unit, and a linkage device. The base frame unit includes a seat frame with front and rear frame portions. The leg rest frame is connected pivotally to the front frame portion of the seat frame, and is pivotable relative to the seat frame between a folded position, where the leg rest frame is disposed under the seat frame and is generally parallel to the seat frame, and an unfolded position, where the leg rest frame is generally coplanar with the seat frame. The operating unit is mounted rotatably on the base frame unit. The linkage device interconnects the operating unit and the leg rest frame, and is responsive to operation of the operating unit for moving the leg rest frame between the folded and unfolded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Shin Yeh Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 6866341
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for aircraft and motor vehicles, includes a back rest (10) and a seat part (14) supported by a seat frame connected to a vehicle floor. One support arm (40) pivotally supports on one of its ends a combined foot (42) and leg support (44) as separate surfaces of a bracing component (45). The support arm (40) is coupled to the seat frame (20) at its other free end in a pivotable manner and may be adjusted detent-wise through preset positions. The foot (42) and the leg support (44) are arranged on opposite faces of the support piece (45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Eckhard Behnert
  • Patent number: 6810544
    Abstract: A transportable leg support includes a first leg support, a second leg support and a connection strap. The first leg support includes a first upper member pivotally connected to a first lower member. The second leg support includes a second upper member pivotally connected to a second lower member. One end of the connection strap is attached to one end of the first upper member and the other end of the connection strap is attached to one end of the second upper member. The length of the connection strap is preferably adjustable to accommodate individuals having different width posteriors. A first foot support is attached to an end of the first lower member and the second foot support is attached to an end of the second lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Trintus T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6773074
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a lower-leg support, transferable from a stowed position into a utilization position, and a footrest. To achieve comfortable support with easy operation, the footrest has a footplate that may be folded out and that is located in the stowed position approximately parallel, and in the utilization position approximately perpendicular, to the lower-leg support, and coacts with an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Flory, Guenter Franzmann, Hermann Gaus, Thomas Geisel, Klaus Hassler, Christoph Jung, Rainer Leucht, Heiko Utsch, Erik Weber, Norman Windham
  • Patent number: 6659556
    Abstract: A tilt adjustment assembly for a motorized reclining chair having a base frame adapted for rest on a floor surface. A seat and a back articulated support linkage are interconnected together for displacement of a seat and back of a reclining chair. An intermediate frame is mounted on the base frame through spring attachments, whereby to impart a rocking motion to the chair. A pair of foot rest linkages interconnect each of two of the said seat articulated support linkages to a foot rest plate. The tilt adjustment assembly comprises a motor-operated actuating rod secured at a free end to a sliding member to guidingly displace that member along a straight axis in a fixed plane and to any desired position along the axis. A pivotal link arm is pivotally secured at one end of the sliding member. A transverse linkage securing rod is secured to a second end of the pivotal link arm and extends transversely thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: René Pellerin
  • Publication number: 20030173808
    Abstract: A known advantage of the different dynamic seating positions on a chair is obtained with a novel combination of several known parts which nonetheless depend on each other for their movement capacities through a logical coupling. The position of the outstretched hand of a user in relation to the table hardly changes, while the seat moves back and forth on the chair and the backrest tilts. The chair retains its normal function as long as the back is not extensively tilted. If the coupling can be completely decoupled and the back tills without the seal moving, the chair behaves like a normal chair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Ruckstadter
  • Publication number: 20030075966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat for aircraft and motor vehicles, comprising a backrest (10) and a seat part (14), fixed to a seat frame support (20), which may be connected to a vehicle floor. Said support has at least one support arm (40), with pivoting combined foot (42) and leg supports (44), as separate surfaces of a support piece (45), arranged on the one free end thereof. Said support arm (40) is coupled to the seat frame support (20), at the other free end thereof in a pivotable manner and may be adjusted detent-wise through preset positions. The foot (42) and the leg support (44) are arranged on opposite faces of the support piece (45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Eckhard Behnert
  • Patent number: 6533360
    Abstract: A chair (10) is disclosed having a pedestal (11) coupled to a seat portion (12) to which is coupled to a backrest (13), a footrest (15) and a pair of arms (16). The footrest (15) includes a pair of spaced-apart mounting members (18), a U-shaped foot supporting member (19) pivotally coupled to the mounting members (18) through hinges (21), and a pair of guiding brackets (23) extending between the mounting members (18) and the foot supporting member (19). Each guiding bracket (23) has an elongated rail (24) and a post (26) extending through a slot (25) in the rail (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventors: Yvonne Parkel, Robert Clark
  • Patent number: 6517160
    Abstract: An extensible footrest, particularly for armchairs, sofas and the like, which comprises a frame adapted to be hinged to a frame of a seat of an armchair, sofa or the like, the footrest frame being constituted by a first pair of lateral arms and by a second pair of lateral arms which are slideable with respect to the first pair of lateral arms, at least one actuator being rigidly connected to the seat frame at one end and to the footrest frame at an opposite end, in order to transfer the footrest frame from a first retracted inactive position to an extended active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ciar S.p.A
    Inventor: Egidio Marcantoni
  • Patent number: 6454353
    Abstract: A chair has a seat shell, a cushion having a front edge which extends outwardly beyond a front edge of the seat shell, a shaft arranged under a seat surface, an actuating element connected with the shaft and also connected with the front edge of the cushion, at least one first toothed disc arranged on the shaft, an endless element guided on the toothed disc and connected with the seat shell, a second toothed disc which together with the first toothed disc is displaceable parallel to the seat shell, so that by raising or lowering of the actuating element the front edge of the cushion is displaceable forwardly or rearwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Interstuhl Bueromoebel GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oskar Knaus
  • Patent number: 6390550
    Abstract: A personal hygiene seat assembly for providing a comfortable and stable reclined seat assembly for performing personal hygiene needs such as shampooing and shaving of the elderly of handicapped at home using a conventional sink. The personal hygiene seat assembly includes a base member designed for removably coupling to a seat portion of a chair, a back member hingedly coupled to the base member, and a seat member having a bottom portion coupled to the base member and designed for supporting a person sitting on the personal hygiene seat assembly, the seat member further has a backing portion coupled to the back member and designed for supporting a back of the person using the personal hygiene seat assembly when the person is in a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Joe Paredes, Jr., Debra D. Paredes