Framework Patents (Class 297/452.18)
  • Publication number: 20090058165
    Abstract: The invention provides a design innovation to conventional air passenger seats. The design innovation relates to the positioning of IFE boxes. For a better understanding, the reader may recall the last flight in the airline seat and the way the passenger's leg room was inhibited by a box mounted on the seat leg in front of the passenger. The new design innovation repositions (or “pancakes”) the IFE box underneath the seat pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: WEBER AIRCRAFT LP
    Inventor: Kenneth Rombouts
  • Publication number: 20090058166
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and vehicle seat back frame are disclosed with a plastic frame substrate extending across a rear surface of a seat back. A steel frame portion is connected to the plastic frame substrate within the seat back. The steel frame portion has an upper cross member extending across an upper region of the substrate, an intermediate member extending from the upper cross member, and a lower cross member extending across the lower region of the substrate. The substrate structurally reinforces the steel frame portion with a reduced weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Klaus Boes
  • Patent number: 7497521
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor mounting system for a vehicle seat includes a bracket having a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A generally planar plate is located generally parallel to and spaced apart from the first sidewall of the bracket. The plate is coupled to the second sidewall. In addition, at least one of the bracket and plate are secured to, and cooperate with, a seat cushion frame of the seat to surround and protect an emergency locking retractor mounted to the first sidewall. A method employs the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kelly Michael Whalen, Hidetsugu Okazaki, Brent Moffitt, Hiroyuki Honda
  • Publication number: 20090045658
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 7469967
    Abstract: In a frame assembly of an automotive seat, two lateral frame members of a seat back frame are respectively rotatably connected to two base frames via a reclining device, and a securing frame is connected between the two lateral frame members of seat back frame. Two hinge brackets are respectively disposed inwardly of and pivoted to two back end portions of a seat cushion frame. The two hinge brackets are then securely connected with the securing frame, whereupon the two back end portions of seat cushion frame are rotatably connected with the seat back frame via the two hinge brackets and securing frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Hori, Kazuya Imayou
  • Publication number: 20080309142
    Abstract: In a vehicular seat 10 according to this invention, since a back shell 32 covers a back frame 31, as in the case where the shape of a seat back is formed of the urethane pad, the shape of the seat back is not easily changed. Thus, the passenger can be surely held. Further, since the back shell is displaceably supported for the back frame 31, the back shell 32 is displaced according to the figure or posture of the passenger. This permits the passenger to sit with good riding comfort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Kidokoro, Toshihiko Yamaguchi, Mutsumi Tabata
  • Publication number: 20080296958
    Abstract: A chair includes a lower back frame, a back construction, including a back support attached to the lower back frame, a cushion assembly attached to the back support and a clip wedgingly engaged between the back support and the cushion assembly. The cushion assembly further includes an inner shell which includes two or more apertures and a hook extending downwardly and outwardly from each aperture. The clip further includes at least one angled ramp and at least one stop. The angled ramp is configured to allow the hook of the inner shell to slide through the angled ramp and the stop is configured to suspend sliding of the hook. Methods of assembling a back construction are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Gordon J. Peterson, Gary Lee Karsten
  • Publication number: 20080290715
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat assembly as described herein is formed from two primary and modular components: a structural frame that provides passenger support and dynamic load paths for the seat assembly; and a comfort frame that provides the passenger seating surface and the external upholstery layer for the seat assembly. If the seat assembly is designed for multiple passengers, then a separate comfort frame is used for each passenger seat location. The structural frame can be formed as a molded composite construction, and the comfort frame can also utilize a molded composite support frame. The support frame is used as a mounting shell for a fabric carrier that includes the external upholstery layer. The modular design and use of composite materials results in a significant weight and parts count savings relative to conventional seat designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: James A. Fullerton, Scott E. Coburn, R. Klaus Brauer, Blake Emery, Sebastian Petry, Jeffrey Bernett, Don Chadwick, David Wykes
  • Publication number: 20080284229
    Abstract: A stretching structure of a stretching material in a chair in which the ratio of the rear frame of a backrest to the outline of the chair is small, design is smart, weight is reduced, the number of parts is reduced, and assemblability is improved and the backrest of the chair. In the chair having the backrest formed by stretching the stretching material on the front surface of the rear frame, the rear frame comprises a front frame to which the peripheral edge part of the stretching material is fixed and an upper reinforcement frame rod. The laterally facing upper reinforcement frame rod is connected at its both ends to both ends of the laterally facing upper frame rod at the top of the front frame with the center part of the upper reinforcement frame rod separated backward from the upper frame rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masunaga, Tetsuya Narita, Ryo Igarashi, Akira Kiyoku, Ken Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7452035
    Abstract: A chair including a backrest and a chair seat is disclosed. The back rest and the chair seat are preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and an opening or hole may be disposed through a portion of the chair. The opening is preferably formed in the backrest and the opening may extend completely through the backrest. Advantageously, the opening may form at least a portion of a handle and the opening may be formed during the blow-molding process. The chair may also include a frame and one or more legs that support the chair seat and backrest above a surface such as the floor or ground. In addition, the chair may include a first groove formed in the lower portion of the chair seat and a second groove formed in the lower portion of the chair seat, and a first crossbar may be at least partially disposed within the first groove and a second crossbar may be at least partially disposed within the second groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Astle, Martin Neunzert
  • Publication number: 20080277993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal structure for a vehicle seat, in particular for the backrest of a motor vehicle seat. The structure includes a deep-drawn front shell and a deep-drawn rear shell, in addition to at least one fitting that can be fixed to the metal structure with the aid of a fixing lug, the fixing lug being located between the front shell and the rear shell. The fixing lug is connected to the front shell and rear shell, for example by laser welding, which achieves a particularly favorable input of force from the fitting to the metal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventor: Axel Blankart
  • Patent number: 7438361
    Abstract: An improved seat back construction is presented herein, so that the frame can easily be produced by metal rammed and bent into shape, which is relatively inexpensive for producing shapes of differing design without huge quantity. Coupling with a wood frame of same shape, a fabric is then overlaid onto the combined frame and tightened/wrapped around by leather, which is sewed to the fabric/wood frame on one side and zipped to the fabric on the other side, producing a nice-looking outer edge of leather, while allowing the construction of elastic and comfortable seat back to be made at low cost, responding to changing design needs, shorter life cycle of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: William Huang
  • Publication number: 20080252131
    Abstract: A seat back for a rear seat of an automotive vehicle includes a plate and a structural member attached with the plate. The structural member includes a trim channel provided thereon. The plate may include a trim channel provided thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph Warnken, Andreas Thiex, Oliver Klier, Martin Stanner
  • Patent number: 7422289
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a frame panel having an improved reinforcing pattern. The frame panel includes a panel body having a front plate and a rear plate, which are integrally formed as a single body through a blowing process. The front plate has vertical groove patterns and horizontal groove patterns on the outside area except for the central area thereof, while the rear plate has vertical groove patterns and horizontal groove patterns on each of the central area and the outside area thereof, thus forming rectangular reinforcing groove patterns, with a diagonal groove pattern diagonally extending upwards from the lower end of a side of the rectangular reinforcing groove pattern provided on the outside area of the rear plate such that the diagonal groove pattern passes through the rectangular reinforcing groove pattern provided on the central area of the rear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Deog Kim, Hyung-Jun Ahn, In-Se Yoon
  • Publication number: 20080191539
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, with at least one seat component (3, 3a) and at least one backrest (4, 4a) that can pivot relative to the seat component (3, 3a) around an axis (A), and whose backrest structure (8) is hinged on both sides on the seat component structure (5, 5a) of the seat component (3, 3a), and comprising at least one base metal sheet (10, 10a), at least one side beam (12) or side beam stub (58), and at least one upper transverse beam (14, 14a) that are connected to each other, in which the backrest structure (8, 8a) can be locked in the case of identical dimensioning according to choice by way of at least one fitting (23) in the region of the axis (A) or a backrest lock (24) on the upper end of the backrest (4, 4a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ingo Teufel, Christian Stohl, Daniel Hippel
  • Patent number: 7399037
    Abstract: The present application describes a chassis for an air passenger seat for an aircraft. According to one exemplary embodiment, the chassis has at least two first lateral parts, and a first and a second spar. The second spar is implemented in the foot region of the air passenger seat and, in addition to its supporting function, ensures baggage is secured. The assumption of additional objects by the chassis construction advantageously allows an air passenger seat to be manufactured with minimum material outlay and therefore weight outlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Schumacher, Andrew Muin
  • Publication number: 20080164744
    Abstract: A method for making a plastic stool includes a step of first injection which ejects a first thermoplastic material in a first mold to form a base form which has an open top, a step of second injection which puts the base form in a second mold and uses a second thermoplastic material to be injected in the second mold, the second thermoplastic material is formed as a seat portion which is engaged with the open top of the base form. The second first thermoplastic material is softer than the first thermoplastic material and has a plurality of ventilation holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Tse-Hui Wang
  • Patent number: 7395590
    Abstract: An office chair is provided having a contoured back assembly comprising a back frame and a suspension fabric. The fabric is attached to the back frame about its periphery wherein the back frame has a three-dimensional contoured shape formed by overlapped frame rings with the fabric being joined thereto. The fabric is secured to the frame by a machine wherein the fabric is first stretched from the outer edge of the fabric and then is clamped by a front frame section in the pre-tensioned or pre-streched condition. The fabric edges are allowed to hang loose and then fixed in the front frame section. Once secured, the fabric is unclamped from the front frame section, and then this sub-assembly is affixed to the rear frame ring to complete the assembly of the back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Johnson, Steve Gager, Wesley D. Mersman, Larry A. Wilkerson
  • Publication number: 20080157580
    Abstract: A body-supporting device includes a tray, a net and a frame. The tray includes a margin and a groove in the margin. The groove gets narrower downwardly. The net includes a margin. The frame includes a first rib for inserting the margin of the net into the groove of the tray and a second rib for pressing the margin of the net against the margin of the tray. The first rib gets narrower downwardly. Fasteners are driven into the first rib of the frame through the margin of the tray. The sandwiching of the margin of the net between the first rib of the frame and the margin of the tray gets firmer as the fasteners get tighter in the first rib of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Lin
  • Publication number: 20080150342
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention utilizes composite materials to achieve significant weight savings relative to conventional seat designs. The seat includes one or more lightweight composite support legs, a lightweight composite seat pan, and a lightweight composite seat back structure. The support legs are coupled to the seat pan, which is in turn coupled to the seat back structure. The support legs utilize composite frame elements that are formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The seat pan includes composite fore and aft cross beams that are also formed as continuous compression molded composite extrusions. The aft cross beam includes a rear flange that serves as a flexible “hinge” for the seat back structure. The seat can leverage producible and relatively inexpensive composite manufacturing techniques such that the seat can be economically produced for use as an economy class seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, Sergey Barmichev
  • Publication number: 20080150343
    Abstract: A back board having a main wall region and two lateral wall regions is securely attached to a rear side of a seat back. In such combination of seat back and back bord, two presser elements, fixed to the rear side of seat back, are respectively in pressing contact with: one pressure receiving belt element extended between the main wall region of the back board and one of the two lateral wall regions of the back board; and another pressure receiving belt element extended between the main wall region of back board and another of the two lateral wall regions of back board. Thus, those two lateral wall regions of back board are resiliently bent or curved inwardly of the back board to close contact with respective two lateral sides of the seat back. The back board can be formed from a thin elastic material for light-weight purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takamasa Minakawa, Atsushi Kunizawa
  • Publication number: 20080143167
    Abstract: The invention provides a bus module for including seats with seatbelts into existing monocoque buses; a method for fitting the module, and a kit for use in the method of fitting the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Matthew Lukan
  • Publication number: 20080136240
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part, a backrest, and at least one shell structure comprising a plastic material and having foam padding on a side on which an occupant sits. The at least one shell structure is arranged on frame parts provided on at least one of the seat part and the backrest, the frame parts comprising a metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Ian Matthews, Hugues Gall, Oliver Klukowski, Richard Boudinot, Jean-Baptiste Trolle, Nick Xiromeritis, David Cooke, Wolfgang Pellenz, Robin Ndagijimana
  • Patent number: 7377586
    Abstract: A modular seat back assembly includes first and second seat backs adjacent each other. The seat backs are selectively positionable relative to each other in a first and a second seating arrangement. A coupling member extends from the first seat back to the second seat back and is mounted to the first and second seat backs. The first and second seat backs each present one of a first pair of coupling bases and one of a second pair of coupling bases. The first pair is configured such that the coupling member is mountable to both of the first pair in the first seating arrangement. The second pair is configured such that the coupling member is mountable to both of the second pair in the second seating arrangement. The configuration of the first and second pair of coupling bases enables interchangeability of the seat backs in a cross-vehicle direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Evans
  • Patent number: 7338119
    Abstract: A bus seat comprising an aisle support having a first hexagonally shaped aperture or cavity and a window side support having a second hexagonally shaped aperture or cavity. A seat is hinged to the aisle support and the window support. A seat back is employed which has hexagonally shaped apertures or cavities which each interengage hexagonal shaped torsion members which in turn interengage the cavities in the aisle and window supports. The first and second hexagonally shaped torsion members in combination with the apertures inhibit rotation of the seat back with respect to the aisle and the window side supports and absorb energy when the seat back is rotated relative to the aisle and window supports. The hexagonally shaped cavities are manufactured without significant knit lines formed as the flowability of fiber reinforced polymeric material is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Selwyn Arthur Burch
  • Patent number: 7334758
    Abstract: An attachment assembly for mounting a seat frame to a floor of a vehicle, the assembly including a floor mount secured to the floor, a foot fitting connected to the floor mount, the foot fitting having a connection portion adapted to mate with a leg of a seat frame, the connection portion having an opening extending therethrough, and an articulating connection attached to the leg portion and extending through the opening in the connection portion. An articulating foot fitting is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: John Williamson, Kurt Anglese, Scott Cummings
  • Patent number: 7331634
    Abstract: The headrest support tubes are secured to the seat frame member not by the usual welding, but by gripping the web of the member between two rings or lock-beads swaged into the metal of the tube. The first ring is swaged-out by compressing the tube. The tube, with the one ring, is then assembled into a through-hole in the web of the frame member. Then, the second ring is swaged into the metal of the tube, on the other side of the web, and the web lies gripped between the rings. The seat frame member may be an I-section extrusion, or a round tube with localised squeezed-flat areas, flanked by flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Bend All Automotive Incorporated
    Inventor: Horst Udo Petersen
  • Patent number: 7331635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat part for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a seat pan (1) made of sheet metal, a seat cushion applied to the seat pan (1) and a cable assembly (17) running in the seat cushion. In order to make possible simple and economical installation of the cable assembly and manufacture of the seat part, the invention provides that the seat pan (1) is formed as a deep-drawn part and channels (8, 11, 12) are formed in the seat part (1), in which the cable assembly (17) is accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Schwarz, Frederic Meyer, Andre Dohm, Ulrich Riegler, Titus Falbesaner
  • Publication number: 20080036267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backrest attachment device for a chair (1). It comprises a metal bow (7) with two bends that is designed such that a shorter intermediate piece (9) with a 90° bend is connected to a comparatively long flank (8), the shorter intermediate piece (9) in turn having connected to it a shorter end piece (10) with a 90° bend, wherein the intended level formed by the long flank (8) and the intermediate piece (9) and the intended level formed by the intermediate piece (9) and the end piece (10) are perpendicular to each other, and the metal bow (7) can be inserted with its long flank (8) through an elongated hole (11) introduced into the backrest frame (6) and interlocked with a simple rotary motion in an interlocking mechanism (12) within the backrest frame (6), and wherein the end piece (10) of the metal bow (7) can be connected to the frame (4) of the chair (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: SEDUS STOLL AG
    Inventors: Klaus MAIER, Kurt Buntru
  • Patent number: 7303229
    Abstract: A flat spring member (40) mainly serving as a vibration absorptive function at a normal use is engaged with a supporting frame member (130) which displaces backward along with deformation of a seat back (20) by backward moment applied to the seat back (20), and the other end is engaged with a front edge frame (102) disposed in the vicinity of the front edge of a cushion frame. Therefore, when an impact force from front or back equal to or more than that prescribed is applied, the flat spring member (40) increases in tension by backward moment applied to the seat back (20), and serves as a function to increase again the intensity of the backward moment of the seat back (20), which was once lowered by deformation of the side frame (101) of the cushion frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Kazuyoshi Chizuka, Seiji Kawasaki, Yasuhide Takata
  • Patent number: 7300112
    Abstract: A passenger seat frame assembly includes first and second seat frames, each defining a curved shape corresponding to the profile of an anatomically-appropriate seat bottom and seat back; a seat base for being attached to a supporting surface, the seat base being disposed centrally between the first and second seat frames; a first beam comprising a first hollow body having a first end attached to the first seat frame, a second end attached to the second seat frame, and a central portion disposed between the first and second ends. The central portion of the first beam is attached to the seat base. A baggage guard rail extends between the first and second seat frames. The baggage guard rail is loaded in tension and the first beam is loaded in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070267911
    Abstract: The present claimed invention intends to newly provide a convenient chair that is structurally easy to arrange an operating lever and that is easy for a seated person to see a position of the operating lever. The chair is so arranged that multiple seat support frames 41 extend from a center portion of a leg support post 3 toward a direction to be directed away gradually, undersurfaces of edge portions of a seat 1 are supported by distal end portions of the seat support frames 41, a portion locating both below the seat 1 and between the seat support frames 41, 41 lying next to each other is left open so that the portion can be used as a function adjusting space A1 through A3 where an operating part is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: KOKUYO FURNITURE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Kazutaka Ooki, Takeshi Fujiki
  • Patent number: 7284800
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanori Ishizuka
  • Publication number: 20070228799
    Abstract: The present claimed invention intends to provide a chair having a frame structure that is effective for securing a required strength without needless structure to reinforce the strength. The chair has a chair body A comprising a seat frame 12, a back frame 22 and a rib that reinforces between the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22, wherein the rib is formed to extend to a side direction so as to be used as an arm frame 71, and the seat frame 12, the back frame 22 and the arm frame 71 are continuously and integrally formed three-dimensionally, and openings 12a, 22a into which a mesh member 13, 23 to form a seating face is fitted are arranged at the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22 respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: KOKUYO FURNITURE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Kazutaka Ooki, Takeshi Fujiki
  • Patent number: 7255400
    Abstract: A headrest support system comprises a seatback support frame having an upper cross member adapted to support a headrest. The cross member has opposite top and bottom surfaces with axially aligned holes formed therethrough. A headrest guide sleeve is received through each of the axially aligned holes formed in the cross member to coupled the headrest to the support frame. The holes include outward extending flanges defining an inner contact surface for engaging and supporting the headrest guide sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7243998
    Abstract: The frame of the automobile vehicle seat back comprises a body extending over a general plane and functional components joined to the body, serving notably to attach or reinforce it. It is made in one piece from an overmoulded plastic material that forms the body, reinforced by a reinforcing strip comprising a woven band of mineral and plastic material fibers, the reinforcing strip extending in the general plane of the frame and interconnecting at least two of the functional components comprising inserts at least partially embedded in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile
    Inventors: François Fourrey, Gilles Petitjean, Jean-Louis Lenarvor
  • Patent number: 7237846
    Abstract: A resin side cover for covering a side frame member of seat cushion frame of automotive seat, which includes outer and inner cover elements. First and second female engagement elements are respectively provided to forward and backward regions of the outer cover element, whereas first and second male engagement elements of resin material are respectively provided to a forward region of the side frame member and the inner cover element. The first female engagement element has an engagement portion defined therein at a predetermined position. The first male engagement element has a latch element defined therein at a point corresponding to such predetermined position, thus allowing the latch portion to be latchingly engageable with the engagement portion of the first female engagement element, while allowing the latch portion to be disengageable from that engagement portion by displacing the first female engagement element from the foregoing predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arima
  • Patent number: 7234773
    Abstract: A chair having a backrest with a Y-shaped member. The member being affixed to the center of the top rail of the backrest frame at one end. The other end of the Y-shaped member connects to backrest fabric, pulls it rearward, and holds the backrest fabric in tension using a pair of retractors. The backrest fabric is secured to the retractors by a welt cord contained within a chamber formed in each retractor. The welt cord is sewn into a fabric sheath that is, in turn, stitched to the backrest fabric. The member is biased to flex rearward when the backrest fabric moves rearward from an at-rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William Raftery, Paul Meyers, John Heyder
  • Patent number: 7226131
    Abstract: A seat belt assembly capable of extending from a seat back, the assembly including a frame attached to a seat, an extension member slidably mounted to the frame, an inertial locking reel, and a seat belt positioned within the frame in contact with the extension member, the seat belt having a first end engaged with the inertial locking reel and a second end extending from the extension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Meneses, Kurt Anglese
  • Patent number: 7222915
    Abstract: The backrest (2) of an automobile vehicle seat includes a framework (21), a padding (3), a padding cover (4) covering the front face and the sides of the backrest and a padding screen (7) for the rear face of the backrest. It includes a rigid back panel shield frame (6) with at least two lateral sides (62) and a bottom side (63), the said shield frame being adapted to be attached to the framework (21) of the backrest to cover the lateral edges of the framework and a bottom part of the rear of the backrest, the shield frame (6) including towards an inner edge at least one groove (64) adapted to accommodate and hold an edge (44) of the cover and an edge (71) of the screen, the said cover covering the shield frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges D'Automobile S.A.
    Inventors: Jérôme Philippot, Philippe Delias
  • Patent number: 7216937
    Abstract: Headrest-mounting-tubes are attached into the seatframe of an automotive seat. Headrest-posts engage the mounting-tubes, and support the headrest. The headrest-posts need to be orientated correctly, and so have a key that engages a keyway in the mounting-tube. The keyway is formed as a keyway-pocket, being punched from the open end of the tube. Preferably, the keyway-pocket is punched after the mounting-tube has been attached into the seatframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Bend All Automotive Incorporated
    Inventors: Arthur A. Key, Jeffrey John Thomas, Matthew Richard Gleiser, Alfred D. Napolitano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7213887
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back frame having an aperture extending therethrough, and a head rest guide tube disposed in the aperture. The guide tube has a radially extending swaged portion engaged with the seat back frame for securing the guide tube to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, Mark Stanisz, Eric A. Smitterberg, L. Keith Hensley, Sanford E. Cook, Kevin J. Fudala
  • Patent number: 7195319
    Abstract: A reclining chair, in particular a passenger chair, for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft, bus or mobile home. The chair includes a base assembly, a seat frame located above the base assembly, a seat attached to the seat frame, and a seat back connected to the seat frame. In various embodiments, the chair includes features such as an energy absorbing base assembly, an adjustable arm rest, a fully reclining seat back and a seat that increases its angle with respect to the horizontal as the seat back reclines, thereby forcing one back into the chair. The seat and seat back is also capable of achieving a fully horizontal position when the seat back is fully reclined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: John Williamson, Kurt Anglese, Sreekanth Chintapudi, Pedro Meneses
  • Patent number: 7188908
    Abstract: This invention is related to a knock down frame attachment system. The knock down frame attachment system includes a seating portion, a pair of side panels and a plurality of sets of mounting brackets. A set includes both a left and a right mounting bracket. A set of brackets are coupled to each side of the seating portion and to both side panels. Thus, two sets of brackets are required to attach a side panel to the seating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Mike Crum
  • Patent number: 7147288
    Abstract: The backrest of a chair comprises a frame, a backrest support and a neck support. A membrane is clipped into the frame, and the backrest support is articulated on a tilting mechanism. The frame comprises two side parts and two cross-pieces, the lower cross-piece lying at the height of the user's lumbar vertebra. The frame and the backrest support are interconnected in one piece. The component created as a result is advantageously a plastic injection molding produced by the gas injection technique (GIT) and the plastic is a glass-fiber-reinforced polyarylamide. This overall structure of the backrest provides a high level of sitting comfort by elastic support of the back in all major regions and directions of movement, but at the same time also considerably reduces production, transport and assembly complexity and has an aesthetically impressive, distinctive form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sedus Stoll AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Grasse, Manfred Schlegel, Mathias Seiler
  • Patent number: 7144084
    Abstract: A chair having a metal rod frame back assembly where the frame includes generally horizontal top, bottom and middle members and spaced apart generally vertical side members. Two seat brackets are welded to the middle and bottom members and attach to a seat board and two rod segments are welded to the side members. The seat board is covered with foam and upholstery. The back frame may be covered with springy mesh to give a thin elegant, yet comfortable back structure. Alternatively, foam is glued to a structural material and the material and foam combination and the frame are covered with upholstery. Arms and armrests are attached to the seat board and the seat and back assemblies with arms are mounted to a pedestal connected to a five spoke base riding on casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Edwards, Errol Pearsons, Rick Rimer, Odie Eaves, Brian Yeckering, Gary Schmitt, John Stevens
  • Patent number: 7140690
    Abstract: This invention is related to a knock down frame attachment system. The knock down frame attachment system includes a seating portion, a pair of side panels and a plurality of sets of mounting brackets. A set includes both a left and a right mounting bracket. A set of brackets are coupled to each side of the seating portion and to both side panels. Thus, two sets of brackets are required to attach a side panel to the seating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Nikki White, Mike Crum
  • Patent number: 7137670
    Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with first and second wall portions (14,16), and which may include an integrated reinforcement structure (18). The seating system is capable of either or both of withstanding without rupture at least about 11000 Newtons in the direction in which the seat back (12) faces in a plane, parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle or, upon rapid acceleration up to at least about 20 g, substantially no fragmentation of the seat back with at least a 30 kg mass placed behind the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Jane M. Palmieri, Mick F. Heckert, Gregory J. Korchnak, Eric R. Kurtycz, Gregory P. Reny
  • Patent number: 7134729
    Abstract: A frame assembly for vehicle passenger seat, including at least one leg unit, including a cantilevered transverse main beam carried by a fore and aft-extending seat leg for being mounted to the floor of the vehicle, a transversely extending front beam positioned forward of the seat leg, a backshell attached to and carried by the transverse main beam, a seat back carried on the backshell, and a seat bottom carried by a perimeter frame mounted on the backshell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Brian Dowty, Tracy Neal Pence, Trevor B. Skelly, James Randy Penley, Joachim Gustav Voight, Glenn A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7114782
    Abstract: A chair includes: a hollow frame including, on each lateral side of the chair, a front, a back, a bottom, a front bend arranged between the front and the bottom, and a back bend arranged between the back and the bottom; a seat attached to the front of the frame; a seat back attached to the back of the frame; at least one front stiffener insert arranged inside the frame at the front bend and extending along a partial length of the front and the bottom; and at least one back stiffener insert arranged inside the frame at the back bend and extending along a partial length of the back and the bottom. The front stiffener inserts and the back stiffener inserts stiffen the frame relative to a frame without such inserts. The seat back and the seat may be movable independently of each other relative to the bottom of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Center for Design Research and Development N.V.
    Inventor: Emilio Ambasz