Interfitted Back And Bottom Or Back Frame And Bottom Frame Patents (Class 297/440.15)
  • Patent number: 12082705
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes a base, a back, a removable seat, and a first bracket. The base defines an interior cavity. The first bracket includes first and second portions. The first portion is configured to connect the back with the base. The second portion is configured to support the removable seat within the interior cavity of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Flexsteel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alek Eglinton, Tyler Bond
  • Patent number: 11576492
    Abstract: A shell for a seat, particularly for a simulator, includes a seat surface, a backrest and side parts. The shell includes two or more shell parts connected releasably to each other. The shell parts are connectable to each other along a dividing plane. The dividing plane can run substantially parallel to or enclose a small angle with a plane which connects a front side of the seat surface to an upper side of the backrest, and the shell parts can extend substantially equally far from the dividing plane in a direction transversely thereof. A method for transporting a shell for a seat includes: providing two shell parts which can be connected releasably to each other to form the shell; placing the shell parts in each other; and placing the shell parts which are placed in each other in a packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: F. SMIT HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Fernando Smit
  • Patent number: 11140989
    Abstract: Provided is a chair including a support member that is at least a seat body and a backrest to support an occupant. The support member includes a composite portion at least a part of an outer periphery of the support member. The composite portion includes a first outer periphery that is a part of the first member and a second outer periphery that is a part of the second member. The first outer periphery and the second outer periphery are arranged to overlap each other in a thickness direction of the support member. In the composite portion, at least a part of the first outer periphery is formed into a thin portion thinner in the thickness direction than a part located on an outside of at least the part of the first outer periphery in the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: AICHI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taku Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 9744893
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a bracket, a frame on which the bracket is installed, and a fixing member that is used for fixing the bracket and the frame. The bracket is provided with an engaging portion, the frame is provided with an engaged portion that is engageable with the engaging portion. By installing the fixing member to fix the bracket and the frame to each other, a state where at least a part of the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged portion or a state where at least a part of the engaged portion is inserted into the engaging portion is maintained while the bracket is elastically deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriyuki Zaiki
  • Patent number: 9066594
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a loose-cushion seat with improved lower-back support. At least one connector is applied to a loose-cushion seating unit that joins a portion of the peripheral surface of the seat cushion to a portion of the rear surface of the back cushion. The connector is removably attached to at least one of the seat cushion and the back cushion so the cushions can be detached from one another. The connector joins the cushions in such a manner that at least a portion the back cushion is pulled down to remain in close proximity with the top surface of the seat cushion when the seat cushion is depressed under the weight of a user, thereby providing improved lower-back support to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Willem Smith & Company, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9039091
    Abstract: A composite chair includes a chair frame and a fastening assembly. The chair frame includes a front support portion, a rear support portion and two support seat tubes connecting the front support portion to the rear support portion. The rear support portion includes a holding portion and two locking holes. Each support seat tube has a first opening and a second opening faced the fastening hole. The fastening assembly includes two fastening elements inserted in the first openings, a support bar connected to the two fastening elements and two fasteners run through the locking holes and the second openings to fasten to the fastening elements. Each of the fastening elements includes a butting portion and a screw hole. Each of the fasteners includes a thread portion fastened to the screw hole and a detent block butting the holding portion. The composite chair thus formed can be assembled easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KEYSHEEN INDUSTRY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu, Shopo Hsin Tsu Liu, Fibro Tsu Kun Liu
  • Patent number: 9033414
    Abstract: A chair for facilitating efficient stacking includes a seat element having a seat frame, a plurality of front legs attached to a front portion of the seat element, a plurality of rear legs attached to a back portion of the seat element, and one or more telescopic leg mechanisms disposed on at least one of the front or rear legs, wherein the telescopic leg mechanisms provide for lateral movement of the at least one of the front or rear legs with respect to the seat element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SERIES INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Alvaro Mauricio Olarte
  • Patent number: 9028003
    Abstract: A stylish ready-to-assemble chaise lounge and sofa which may be easily and quickly assembled by a consumer, is provided. The invention is a kit from which either a stylish chaise lounge or a sofa may be easily assembled by a consumer using a single Allen wrench. The kits, both chaise and sofa, comprise a seat base, a long side seatback and a short side seatback, feet, fasteners and cushions. With regard to the chaise, the long and short side chaise seatbacks have rectangular lower portions with upper portions featuring a flowing curved “waterfall” seating surface which improves the comfort of a user leaning back against the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: COA, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Yeh
  • Patent number: 9022482
    Abstract: An engagement protrusion (20) extending in the front/back direction of a frame body (13) is provided on one of the opposing surfaces of a notch (16) in the frame body (13) and a fitting member (17) opposite said notch; similarly, an engagement recess (13h) in which the engagement protrusion (20) fits is provided on the other of said surfaces. By means of the moment of the fitting member (17) resulting from the tension of a tension member (14), the engagement protrusion (20) and the engagement recess (13h) are prevented from separating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventors: Sayaka Morio, Ryo Igarashi
  • Patent number: 9016794
    Abstract: A modular chair includes a lower support portion, a seat portion, and a back portion. The seat portion includes a front area having a retaining member which cooperates with a corresponding cross bar on the lower support portion, and a rear area including one or more slots therein. The back portion includes one or more protrusions, which are received in the slots of the seat portion, so that the seat portion is secured between the cross bar of the lower support portion via the retaining member and the protrusions of the back portion. The back portion is secured to the lower support portion via a latch mechanism accessible to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ogg Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 9010863
    Abstract: An interchangeable passenger seat for a vehicle having a seat-mounting surface includes a base frame having at least one end member attachable to the seat-mounting surface of the vehicle, and at least one cross-member extending generally perpendicularly from the end member. At least one back frame is removably attachable to the base frame. An adaptor bracket is disposed around the cross-member. The adaptor bracket has a plurality of locating structure along the length of the adaptor bracket for selectively locating and attaching components of passenger restraint systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Conley, Brian J. Jacquay, Erik C Wilson
  • Patent number: 8960787
    Abstract: A chair with a coupling companion stool base includes a frame that has: a claw extending downward from a second portion of a lower portion of the frame; a latch extending downward from and movably connected with a first portion of the lower portion; two legs adapted to support the frame upon a supporting surface extending downward from the lower portion; and a receptacle defined between the claw and the latch. The base supports the frame above a supporting surface and has a saddle with opposite back and front edges and a top surface that faces away from the supporting surface. The top surface may also define at least one of a work surface, a writing surface, and a sitting surface. The base releasably couples with the frame, having the saddle seated in the receptacle, the front edge seated in the claw, and the back edge captured by the latch. When decoupled, the chair portion may be used as casual floor rocker seating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sauder Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Anthony J Warncke, Jeffrey A Jameson, Thomas A Hagerty
  • Patent number: 8955909
    Abstract: A vehicle has a seat on which a passenger sits, wherein the seat is bench-shaped and has a sitting portion, a backrest portion, and a supporting portion which supports the sitting portion and the backrest portion, wherein at least one of the sitting portion and the backrest portion is detachable from the supporting portion, wherein when the sitting portion is detachable, the sitting portion has a plurality of sitting regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the up-down direction, and wherein when the backrest portion is detachable, the backrest portion has a plurality of backrest regions which are arranged side by side in the right-left direction and have different thicknesses in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Hisada, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140375104
    Abstract: Disclosed is a collapsible chair including a cylindrical main body 101 which is a major component of a collapsible chair, front and rear support poles 111 and 131 which support the main body 101 at a predetermined angle on front and rear side, respectively, seat back poles 121 and seat support poles 141 which are connected to the main body 101 to extend forward and upward, and a seat 151 whose opposite end portions are fixed by the seat back poles 121 and the seat support poles 141. The main body 101 has coupling holes 102 formed on opposite end portions thereof at a predetermined angle, first insertion holes 103 formed on opposite end portions thereof at a predetermined angle and an interval with the coupling hole 102.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: OSUNG DURALUMIN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun-Gil KIM
  • Patent number: 8894151
    Abstract: A child seat assembly for use on a vehicle seat includes a seat portion, a base and a backrest. The seat portion is adapted to be supported on the vehicle seat and includes a cavity. The base is disposed at least partially within the cavity of the seat portion. The seat portion is operatively coupled to the base for selective sliding movement of the seat portion in a longitudinal direction relative to the base. The backrest is coupled to the seat portion and pivots about an axis extending in a lateral direction in response to the sliding movement of the seat portion relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Clek Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Joseph Poniatowski, Rohanna Marie Lindhorst, Mark Anthony Brockman
  • Patent number: 8882201
    Abstract: Seat element, comprising a frame, a seat associable to said frame, the frame and the seat being made separately from each other and being attachable and detachable from each other by the interposition of first coupling means. Advantageously, the first coupling means comprise at least one elastic hook and a protuberance, able to form a snap coupling with each other, the elastic hook being positioned so as to intercept the protuberance in a vertical assembly direction. The elastic hook has a coupling end and a hook end, flexible in relation to the coupling end, so as to snap hook onto an undercut of the protuberance in the vertical assembly direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Arper S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Gorza
  • Publication number: 20140217801
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight collapsible portable chairs. In one embodiment, the portable chair has a sling and a chair frame which includes a first pair of bars and a second pair of bars. Each bar of the first pair of bars includes a joint configured to contact a ground surface. In another embodiment, the chair frame includes a front of bars, a back pair of bars, a pair of joints and a center bar configured to securely couple the pair of back joints to each other. In some embodiments, the chair frame includes a front support assembly. In other embodiments, the chair frame includes a pair of lower bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Alite Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Homans, Tae Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20140210246
    Abstract: A modular portable home staging sofa, that when assembled resembles a wood-framed sofa. The staging sofa comprising a base, a seat piece and a back. The seat piece comprising two similarly-sized and similarly-shaped seat cushions, two similarly-sized and similarly-shaped arm cushions, a back deck and a skirt, all sewn together. The skirt extend to a length sufficient to cover the base. The back comprises two trapezoid-shaped back cushions that are placed atop the seat piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Suzanne Byrd
  • Patent number: 8783778
    Abstract: A modular furniture assembly includes: a base member having a frame assembly, a transverse member having a frame assembly, a foot configured to contact a support surface, and a mounting platform having a plurality of apertures therethrough. The mounting platform is configured to be mounted on the base member frame assembly and the transverse member frame assembly, thereby connecting the frame assemblies. The foot is selectively mounted on the mounting platform, such that the foot is configured to contact the support surface when the modular furniture assembly is in an upright configuration. The mounting platform connects the base and transverse member frame assemblies together and also acts as a platform for receiving a variety of different types of feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SAC Acquistion LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Nelson, David Underwood, Spencer Pearson
  • Patent number: 8777321
    Abstract: A stretching structure in which upholstery material can be installed in a frame body, enough deflection allowance of the upholstery material can be ensured. Upholstery material (14) is installed on the surface of a frame body (13) in a closed-loop shape, and is used as the seat or the backrest of a chair. A cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of each of the sections of the frame body (13) is provided with an upholstery material receiving section (21) having an engaging groove (20) which is open to the back surface side, and a U-shape section (23) having a recessed groove (22) which is open to the surface side inward more than the engaging groove (20). The upholstery material (14) is wound from the surface of the frame body (13) to the back surface side along the outer peripheral surface, and the edge section is fitted in the engaging groove (20) and tied up, thereby installing the upholstery material (14) in such a manner as to cover the surface of the U-shape section (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masunaga, Sayaka Morio, Ryou Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8777305
    Abstract: A multifunction chair with a floor rocker detachable from a base that is usable as a stool. The floor rocker and base are readily attached and detached by means of a quick-release mechanism having first and second couplers on the floor rocker and the seat plate of the base, respectively. The first coupler includes a rearward projection from a cross-member on the rocker and has left and right side latch mechanisms below the rear portion of the seat of the rocker, the latch mechanisms each having a laterally movable latch bolt. The second coupler is an integral part of the seat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: J Squared, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Jannetides, Adam Anderson
  • Patent number: 8777319
    Abstract: An assembly system permitting separate construction and transport of subcomponents for seating furniture items. The disassembled subcomponents allow for more efficient transportation by eliminating the dead space created by transporting irregularly shaped assembled furniture items. The assembly system includes a seat box having a rectangular frame defining an accessible internal cavity covered by an upper support surface. The assembly system also comprises a back rest having a seat box interface surface and at least arm rest interface surface. The back rest also defines an internal cavity accessible through closable opening for internal access to the arm rest interface surfaces. The assembly system also includes mounting an interface surface to the arm rest for securing the arm rest to the arm rest interface surface of the back rest and the rectangular frame of the seat box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Brandtner, Peter J. Fynboh, Christopher Jon Lejcher
  • Patent number: 8764113
    Abstract: A modular seat assembly including a seat bottom, a seat back, and a fastener. The seat bottom having a frame and a cushion, the frame including a first member having a channel with an open end. The seat back having a back frame, a back cushion, a second member, and a first restraint system. The second member is configured to be removably coupled to the first member by the fastener with the channel of the first member receiving the second member through the open end. The seat assembly is configured such that the second member may be decoupled from the first member to decouple the first seat back from the seat assembly and replace the first seat back with a second seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Smith, Bradley Michael Glance, Thomas Grzybowski, Frank Glenn Walega
  • Publication number: 20140152070
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sofa which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home. The disassembled sofa can be stored in 3 flat boxes. Storage in the flat boxes not only helps the warehouse to store the sofa, but when the end user has purchased the sofa it is easier in such flat boxes to transport it to the location where it will be assembled. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: The parts of the sofa can be broken down into three boxes. Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Lionel T. Chen
  • Patent number: 8714652
    Abstract: A frame of rectangular configuration, constructed of structural components and usable in connection with modular furniture. Front and back frame components are interconnected by a pair of side components, and a locking bar member extends between the side components and is movable therealong while remaining essentially parallel to the back component. The locking bar member has a straight edge in alignment with and parallel to a straight edge of the back component, such that when the locking bar member is brought into a relatively close relation to the back component, the straight edges of the back component and the locking bar member can hold therebetween a backrest equipped with cleats in a secure, fixed position, without the need for screws, bolts, pins or other joinder elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ice Magic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Whidden, Lawrence W. Bechtold
  • Publication number: 20140062160
    Abstract: An interchangeable passenger seat for a vehicle having a seat-mounting surface includes a base frame having at least one end member attachable to the seat-mounting surface of the vehicle, and at least one cross-member extending generally perpendicularly from the end member. At least one back frame is removably attachable to the base frame. An adaptor bracket is disposed around the cross-member. The adaptor bracket has a plurality of locating structure along the length of the adaptor bracket for selectively locating and attaching components of passenger restraint systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Chad M. Conley, Brian J. Jacquay, Erik C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8646843
    Abstract: A connector assembly is used to connect subassemblies such as parts of a knockdown or modular sofa or similar item of furniture. The furniture item can be an upholstered item in which the multiple components are stackable into a volume that is smaller than the assembled item of furniture for shipping. The connector assembly includes a keyhole slot on a frame member in one component and a male connector assembly on a frame member in the other assembly. The male connector includes a sleeve with a cylindrical shank and an adjacent enlarged or conical portion, and the sleeve, which may be plastic, is mounted the bolt. The narrow section of the keyhole slot has a beveled surface and as the sleeve progresses into the narrow section, engagement of the conical sleeve section with the beveled slot surface tightens the two members being attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Jon Russell Koch
  • Publication number: 20140035339
    Abstract: A reversible seat structure for a baby stroller is disclosed. The seat of the structure can be separated from or quickly assembled with a frame; a user thus has an option of turning the seat toward the front or the back side for assembling the seat on a frame. The structure mainly is provided with a front slip joint and a rear slip joint respectively on front ends and rear ends of the seat tubes of the seat for the baby stroller, the rear legs on both lateral sides of the baby stroller each has a positioning member at a mutually identical height thereon; the seat can be firmly combined with the frame of the baby stroller no matter the seat is faced frontwards or backwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Kao-Hsien LIN
  • Patent number: 8590975
    Abstract: Furniture is constructed from a plurality of vertically oriented slats whose upper edges form at least one functional surface and that have tabs formed along their side edges and accommodating notches formed within their bottom edges. Tabs fit within notches allowing slats to connect perpendicularly and hold each other upright in spaced relation without a superstructure or any continuously extending support components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Emily Cox
  • Patent number: 8567867
    Abstract: A child seat has a seat base with a seating surface, a front edge, and a back end. A back support surface of the child seat is generally inclined relative to the seating surface. A seat bight is formed at the juncture between the seating surface and the back support surface. The seat bight is adjustable between a first bight position spaced a first distance from the front edge of the seat base and a second bight position spaced a second distance from the front edge of the seat base. The second distance is less than the first distance. A seat back insert can be provided that is attachable to the seat base in one or more insert positions defining one or more of the bight positions. The insert can create the back support surface at one or more position relative to the front edge. The seat base can also have a back wall creating the back support surface further from the front edge when the insert is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: John (Jason) C. Arnold, IV, Dennis R. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 8550562
    Abstract: A child car seat subframe that is easily disassembled into component sections for washing within a residential-sized dishwasher. The car seat subframe can be disassembled by hand, and each individual component is capable of fitting in a residential-sized dishwasher individually and collectively. The component sections are attached by a combination of registration tabs and slots, and held tightly together by fasteners, or attached by a combination of tongue and groove joints. Hanging devices, such as hooks, may be formed on one side of each component section to facilitate hanging on racks in a dishwasher. The car seat subframe back panel and side panels are disassembled into a plurality of segments for easily fitting in a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Goldberg, Ruth G. Timme
  • Patent number: 8480179
    Abstract: A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130169020
    Abstract: A seating system for supporting a user in a seated position employs a worn article (10), such as a tactical vest or a backpack, carried on the torso of the user (12). An anchoring system is deployed in defined spatial relation to a lower seat support (16). The anchoring system and the worn article have complementary connecting portions (20) selectively interconnectable to anchor the worn article (10) relative to the lower seat support (16) so that the lower seat support and the worn article together define a seat for supporting the user in a seated position with a region (14) of the worn article providing a back rest. The complementary connecting portions are disconnectable to allow the user to move freely with the worn article remaining on the torso of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Dan Raz, Zeev Geva
  • Patent number: 8408653
    Abstract: A furniture system having a base frame, side pieces and a back portion, that assembles quickly and disassembles into a configuration that optimizes space when shipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Billy Joe Griggs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8393685
    Abstract: An interlocking precast slab assembly such as a bench or memorial marker is provided. Each assembly includes a precast seat member having upper and lower surfaces and an elongated groove formed in the upper surface of the seat member. Each assembly also includes a precast back member having an engraved front surface and an elongated lower edge portion which fits into the elongated groove to form a joint which interlocks the members together to form the assembly with the engraved front surface supported above the upper surface of the seat member for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Dennis Michael Hill
  • Publication number: 20130020847
    Abstract: A modular seat assembly including a seat bottom, a seat back, and a fastener. The seat bottom having a frame and a cushion, the frame including a first member having a channel with an open end. The seat back having a back frame, a back cushion, a second member, and a first restraint system. The second member is configured to be removably coupled to the first member by the fastener with the channel of the first member receiving the second member through the open end. The seat assembly is configured such that the second member may be decoupled from the first member to decouple the first seat back from the seat assembly and replace the first seat back with a second seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Michael Smith, Bradley Michael Glance, Thomas Grzybowski, Frank Glenn Walega
  • Patent number: 8322792
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sofa which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home. The furniture set described can be assembled so the major piece is either to the left of the secondary piece or to the right of the secondary piece. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Lionel T. Chen
  • Patent number: 8322793
    Abstract: This invention concerns a sofa which solves the problems of the prior art by providing a sofa that can easily be assembled or disassembled by the end consumer at home. The disassembled sofa can be stored in 3 flat boxes. Storage in the flat boxes not only helps the warehouse to store the sofa, but when the end user has purchased the sofa it is easier in such flat boxes to transport it to the location where it will be assembled. The way this invention accomplishes these results is as follows: The parts of the sofa can be broken down into three boxes. Chaise sections can be assembled by placing the seat back flat on the ground and placing the seat frame/arm upright on top of the seat back. A metal threaded rod is used to connect the seat frame and the seat back. A metal nut is used to secure the seat frame to the back using a wrench that comes provided in the package of the kit. The legs are then twisted onto the bottom of the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Lionel T. Chen
  • Patent number: 8282171
    Abstract: A seat assembly for improving posture of a user comprises a substantially firm seat portion angled downwardly from rear to front, a back support extending upwardly in a rear area of the seat portion, a pad positioned on the back support and, the back support positionable at at least two locations for varying seat depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ican LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer R. Stocker, Douglas Stocker
  • Publication number: 20120248834
    Abstract: A frame of rectangular configuration, constructed of structural components and usable in connection with modular furniture. Front and back frame components are interconnected by a pair of side components, and a locking bar member extends between the side components and is movable therealong while remaining essentially parallel to the back component. The locking bar member has a straight edge in alignment with and parallel to a straight edge of the back component, such that when the locking bar member is brought into a relatively close relation to the back component, the straight edges of the back component and the locking bar member can hold therebetween a backrest equipped with cleats in a secure, fixed position, without the need for screws, bolts, pins or other joinder elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: William L. Whidden, Lawrence W. Bechtold
  • Patent number: 8267478
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest connected to a sitting part by a backrest adjustment element. The adjustment element has a part that is connected to the backrest or to the sitting part. At least one means is formed, incorporated, shaped and/or arranged in the backrest, in the part and/or the seat part for securing the position of the part relative to the backrest and/or to the sitting part in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Cornel Labuwy, Michael Moog, Ludger Muhlenbrock, Martin Zynda, Ernst-Jurgen Hake, Erik Sprenger
  • Patent number: 8197008
    Abstract: A reconfigurable piece of furniture having a two-dimensional pattern for storage and multiple three-dimensional functional patterns. The furniture piece includes a central base portion of circular, oval or polygonal shape, pivoting members disposed at discrete locations along an edge of the central base portion; plural radiating members that are bi-directionally pivotally or foldably attached to a corresponding pivoting member; and fastening members disposed on corresponding portions of radiating members. After pivoting or rotating the radiating members, adjacent radiating members are releasably secured to each other to provide structure to adjacent radiating members, forming a three-dimensional furniture piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Ian Stell
  • Publication number: 20120091768
    Abstract: A seating assembly with a base, a seat and a back which have interlocking features, and a strap latch removeably securing the back to the base with a portion of the seat sandwiched therebetween. The strap latch comprises a strap affixed to one component, with a latch attached to its free end, and a catch member affixed to another component. The seat may also be configured to appear horizontal but to have a rearward incline when occupied, by affixing the seat webbing to a fixed forward member and a floating rear member, and attaching the floating member to a fixed rear member via straps, wherein the straps and the seat webbing have sufficient elasticity to allow the floating member to be depressed when a downward force is applied to the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Stieglitz, Donald Newfer, Martin Krause
  • Patent number: 8152238
    Abstract: A child car seat subframe that is easily disassembled into component sections for washing within a residential-sized dishwasher. The car seat subframe can be disassembled by hand, and each individual component is cable of fitting in a residential-sized dishwasher individually and collectively. The component sections are attached by a combination of registration tabs and slots, and held tightly together by fasteners, or attached by a combination of tongue and groove joints. Hanging devices, such as hooks, may be formed on one side of each component section to facilitate hanging on racks in a dishwasher. The car seat subframe back panel and side panels are disassembled into a plurality of segments for easily fitting in a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ruth G. Timme, Michael Goldberg
  • Patent number: 8136863
    Abstract: Detachable vehicle seat, with a back structure and a seat structure, a coupling mechanism for coupling the seat structure to the back structure, a securing mechanism for securing the seat structure to a part of the vehicle floor and a rapid detachment mechanism that permits the seat to be decoupled from the back. At least one first strap is coupled to the structure of the back part of the seat in a zone corresponding to the abdominal zone of the person. Also, a headrest in which at least one second strap is coupled in a zone corresponding to the zone of the head of the person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Innovations & Safety, S.L.
    Inventor: Sergio De Rico Herrero
  • Patent number: 8128173
    Abstract: A chair includes a backrest frame, an armrest frame detachably mounted on the backrest frame and a seat frame detachably mounted between the backrest frame and the armrest frame. Thus, the seat frame and the backrest frame are combined together easily and quickly so that a user can assemble and disassemble the chair by himself without needing aid of any hand tool, thereby facilitating the user assembling and disassembling the chair. In addition, the armrest frame, the seat frame and the backrest frame are detached from and laminated with each other before assembly so as to reduce the whole volume of the chair and to decrease the cost of packaging, storage and transportation of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Su-Nu Huang
  • Patent number: 8128175
    Abstract: A suspension seating structure having a body support assembly which includes a membrane formed from at least one strap spanning across an opening. Each strap is coupled to a frame member through a retaining structure. The retaining structure is coupled with or forms part of each frame member and provides a structurally secure body support assembly. A cushion material encapsulates the membrane, where the cushion material contains relief channels to permit the membrane to respond more freely in response to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Groelsma, John F. Aldrich, Eileen M. LaMore, Timothy P. Coffield
  • Publication number: 20120019038
    Abstract: A back connecting bar by which to enable the quick and easy attachment of a back to the seat of a home or office chair without the use of tools or special skill. By virtue of the foregoing, the back and seat of the chair may be sold disassembled in a compact shipping package and assembled following purchase. The back connecting bar has first and opposite ends that are aligned with one another in the shape of an “L.” The first end of the connecting bar is fixedly connected within and extends outwardly from the chair back. The opposite end of the connecting bar is detachably connected to the bottom of the chair seat by threaded fasteners which extend through holes formed in the opposite end for removable receipt by the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Marcelo Mezzera
  • Patent number: 8096621
    Abstract: A seat assembly including a base and backrest having integrally formed coupler sockets that each receives respective portions of at least one coupler that preferably is an elongate angled coupling tube that joins the base and backrest while serving as a frame. The base and backrest have mating surfaces that abut when assembled to the at least one coupler with one mating surface having a tongue that is received in a groove formed in the other mating surface helping to keep the coupler seated in at least one of the sockets. In a preferred embodiment, each socket includes an elongate channel. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of coupling tubes are used with mounting portions exposed to which seating hardware is attachable. Integrally formed sockets can also be provided for attachment of other features that include armrests and/or hip restraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Milsco Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth Braun
  • Patent number: 8046944
    Abstract: An automobile interior exhibit is configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief. In the automobile interior exhibit, the relief is provided with a simulative three-dimensional form in perspective so that the relief provides a view from a predetermined viewpoint even when the relief is viewed from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tokuyuki Nishikawa