Abstract: A hybrid composite-metal energy absorbing seat is described. According to one embodiment, an aircraft seat includes a seat base assembly and a seat back assembly. The seat base assembly includes multiple rigid metal seat base side frame elements joined by a lower seat pan, an energy absorbing element placed on the lower seat pan to deform and absorb downward energy in a crash, and a contoured seat pan whose sides extend past the seat base side frame elements and deform to absorb downward energy in a crash. The seat back assembly is attached to the seat base assembly and includes multiple rigid metal seat back side frame elements joined by a contoured composite seat back. The rigid metal seat back side frame elements absorb forward crash load energy by permanently deforming during a severe forward crash load. The contoured composite seat back provides design/aesthetic flexibility.

Abstract: A support frame for a seat, in particular an aircraft seat, where the support frame includes a seat support member having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of leg members that each have a first end and a second end, with the first end attached to the lower surface of the seat support member. An angled flexible leg brace capable of stretching to absorb a dynamic load on the frame extends between at least two of the plurality of leg members.

Abstract: A first cushion receiving member of a seat cushion and a second cushion receiving member of a seat back are turnably connected to each other by a connecting member. The first cushion receiving member is turnably supported at its front end on a front frame of a first framework. The second cushion receiving member is supported on a second framework, through a spring fixed at its upper portion at at least two points and at its lower portion to the second framework and through an elastic fabric having a periphery fixed to the second framework. Thus, the first and second cushion receiving members can be prevented from being oscillated laterally, and the vibration caused by the expansion and contraction of the spring can be dampened by the elastic fabric.

Abstract: A cable raceway assembly includes an elongated raceway adapted for being mounted to a supporting structure. The raceway defines an open, upward-facing trough for receiving a cable and includes a mounting structure for attaching the raceway to the supporting structure. A fluid-resistant cover is attached to the raceway. The cover encloses at least a portion of the trough and forms a flowpath for directing fluid over and away from the trough.

Abstract: A frame has a pair of laterally spaced tubular supports in a generally inverted U-shaped configuration. A seat panel, in a generally horizontal plane, is secured between the supports. A back panel is supported by the seat panel. A pair of side panels includes one panel coupled to each tubular support. Each panel has an interior wall and an exterior wall. A periphery is provided between the walls. Each exterior wall has a continuous recess congruent with its periphery. The interior wall of each side panel has a discontinuous recess. An inverted U-shaped component extends above the seat panel and a horizontal component is below the seat panel.

Abstract: A beam for a passenger seat has a hollow body including several spaced-apart frame mounting portions each defining a cross-section for being mounted to a seat frame. Seat portions are disposed between consecutive ones of the frame mounting portions and define a second cross-section for being mounted to a seat base disposed centrally below adjacent pairs of seat frames. The body is curved such that the seat portions are laterally downwardly offset from the frame mounting portions.

Abstract: A seat back frame for a vehicle seat includes first and second side members spaced apart from each other, each of the first and second side members being made of ultra-high tensile strength steel, the first side member having a first longitudinal body of a substantially U-shape in cross-section, the first longitudinal body comprising a pair of first spaced apart flange sections and a first main plate section interconnecting the first spaced apart flange sections, the first side member having a first upper region and a first lower region, the second side member having a second longitudinal body of a substantially U-shape in cross-section, the second longitudinal body comprising a pair of second spaced apart flange sections and a second main plate section interconnecting the second spaced apart flange sections, the second side member having a second upper region and a second lower region, an upper member arranged between the first and second upper regions of the first and second side members, the upper member b

Abstract: Vehicle seats may include a seat cushion covered with an outer cover, a seat back covered with an other outer cover, and a seat reclining mechanism rotatably connecting the seat cushion and the seat back such that the seat back can be tilted. One of the outer cover of the seat cushion and the outer cover of the seat back includes an opening corresponding to the seat reclining mechanism, a side slot joined with the opening, and lining members disposed on an inner surface of one of the outer cover of the seat cushion and the outer cover of the seat back. The lining members are positioned around the opening and across the slot. The lining members are coupled with each other, thereby forming a coupling portion therein.

Abstract: A back construction includes an inverted U-shaped back frame and a back shell supported on the back frame and having stiff thoracic and pelvic regions connected by a flexible lumbar region in a manner adapted to ergonomically support a seated user. The lumber section includes a plurality of vertically spaced slots to increase its flexibility. The back shell has a complex curved shape that is forwardly concave in horizontal cross section and forwardly convex in vertical cross section. A force-generating mechanism biases the lumber section forwardly for lumbar support to a seated user.

Abstract: A monolithic rail clip, formed from a single piece of material, comprising a plurality of integrated hooks spaced along an angled rail body for use in constructing a seat base. A pair of the rail clips are attached to a pair of opposing members of a frame of the seat base so that the integrated hooks form opposing pairs. A plurality of springs are attached to the hook pairs and stretch between the opposing members to define a resilient structure for supporting a furniture seat. Each rail clip is constructed by forming a plurality of tabs extending from one longitudinal edge the rail body and bending the tabs to form the plurality of hooks. The integral construction of the hooks reduces the assembly time of each rail and seat base. The monolithic construction of the rail clip provides additional structural rigidity to the seat base.

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.

Abstract: A furniture frame and a furniture frame bracket wherein the furniture frame bracket comprises a bracket main body having a surface for engaging a portion of a furniture frame and a leg for supporting a linkage between a first section and a second section of a furniture frame.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of spaced apart side rails. A cover is fastened to the frame and extends between the pair of side rails. A rigid cross member is preferably integrally molded in an upper portion of the cover. The cover and the cross member cooperate to provide structural rigidity to the seat back frame.

Abstract: A seating element is provided, comprising a skeleton having a skin and a plurality of ribs pivotably connected with said skin. The skin forms a substantially flexible support area, which is adapted to support a seating force exerted by a body, e.g. a human sitting or lying on the seating element. The skeleton is configured in such a way that it cooperates to at least partially deform the support area in a direction opposite to the direction of the seating force as a result of the seating force. As a result a comfortable and ergonomic seating posture is obtained. The seating element with skeleton automatically counteracts all movements of the body, thus supporting the body in an optimum way.

Abstract: A rear seat back for a vehicle back seat having a support frame, a rear wall (2) attached to the support frame and a covering channel (7) for anchoring the seat covering (5). The support frame is formed of extruded profile sections and is constructed in one piece with the covering channel (7), and the rear wall (4) is formed of a substantially flat component.

Abstract: A plastic folding chair comprises a support frame, a main frame and a seat frame. The support frame further comprises a pair of parallel rear legs. Each rear leg is reinforced by an internal insert and may haves a rear surface incorporating a wedge that facilitates stacking.

Abstract: A chair for transporting a person from a first location to a second location along a rail in response to an input provided to a control for a hoist and motorized conveyor by the person. The chair includes first and second seat portions that are pivotally attached to a frame and connected by a linkage arrangement to a lever arm. The hoist moves the chair toward a fixed surface while surrounding the person and as the person moves the lever arm from a first position, the first and second seats portions move from a vertical position to horizontal position under the person. Thereafter, the lever is locked in a fixed position and the hoist activated to raise the chair to allow the chair to be moved by the motorized conveyor along the rail.

Abstract: A back portion for a chair includes a peripheral frame defining an opening therein. A lumbar support portion is disposed in the opening. The lumbar support portion comprises a substantially rigid panel. Two hinge devices are hingedly mounted on opposite sides of the peripheral frame. The lumbar support portion is mounted on the peripheral frame by the two hinge devices. Each hinge device has a biasing device associated with it to bias the hinge devices forwardly relative to the peripheral frame. A cushion may be mounted atop the lumbar support portion. The cushion has a first substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material and a second substantially planar sheet of resiliently flexible material. The first and second sheets are separated by a plurality of spaced webs of resiliently flexible material.

Abstract: A hybrid composite-metal energy absorbing seat is described. According to one embodiment, an aircraft seat includes a seat base assembly and a seat back assembly. The seat base assembly includes multiple rigid metal seat base side frame elements joined by a lower seat pan, an energy absorbing element placed on the lower seat pan to deform and absorb downward energy in a crash, and a contoured seat pan whose sides extend past the seat base side frame elements and deform to absorb downward energy in a crash. The seat back assembly is attached to the seat base assembly and includes multiple rigid metal seat back side frame elements joined by a contoured composite seat back. The rigid metal seat back side frame elements absorb forward crash load energy by permanently deforming during a severe forward crash load. The contoured composite seat back provides design/aesthetic flexibility.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle seat and restraint system comprising a frame mountable to a vehicle and a restraint member and a seat member coupled to the frame to form a seat for supporting an occupant. The vehicle seat may further comprise a seat back frame movably attached to the frame and a restraint harness affixed to the frame and the seat back frame for securing the occupant thereto.

Abstract: In a seatback frame for a vehicle seat having a seatback and a seat cushion and equipped with a seat belt of a three-point type, a pipe frame formed along an external shape of the seatback and a vertically extending tower frame located in the seatback at the same side as a belt-through member of the seat belt of the three-point type and fixedly connected to the pipe frame are provided. The tower frame includes an outer side bracket, an inner side bracket, both of which are formed of vertically extending, elongated metal sheets each formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section and both of which are coupled to one another in abutting engagement with one another to form an internal space, and an intermediate brace member incorporated in the internal space to provide a reinforcement rib structure.

Abstract: A method of attaching a head rest guide tube to a seat back frame having an aperture extending therethrough includes inserting the guide tube into the aperture, and swaging the guide tube to form a swaged portion engaged with the seat back frame to thereby secure the guide tube to the seat back frame.

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.

Abstract: A seat back frame for a vehicle seat includes first and second side members spaced apart from each other, each of the first and second side members being made of ultra-high tensile strength steel, the first side member having a first longitudinal body of a substantially U-shape in cross-section, the first longitudinal body comprising a pair of first spaced apart flange sections and a first main plate section interconnecting the first spaced apart flange sections, the first side member having a first upper region and a first lower region, the second side member having a second longitudinal body of a substantially U-shape in cross-section, the second longitudinal body comprising a pair of second spaced apart flange sections and a second main plate section interconnecting the second spaced apart flange sections, the second side member having a second upper region and a second lower region, an upper member arranged between the first and second upper regions of the first and second side members, the upper member b

Abstract: In a seatback frame for a vehicle seat having a seatback and a seat cushion and equipped with a seat belt of a three-point type, a pipe frame formed along an external shape of the seatback and a vertically extending tower frame located in the seatback at the same side as a belt-through member of the seat belt of the three-point type and fixedly connected to the pipe frame are provided. The tower frame includes an outer side bracket, an inner side bracket, both of which are formed of vertically extending, elongated metal sheets each formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section and both of which are coupled to one another in abutting engagement with one another to form an internal space, and an intermediate brace member incorporated in the internal space to provide a reinforcement rib structure.

Abstract: A beam for a passenger seat has a hollow body including several spaced-apart frame mounting portions each defining a cross-section for being mounted to a seat frame. Seat portions are disposed between consecutive ones of the frame mounting portions and define a second cross-section for being mounted to a seat base disposed centrally below adjacent pairs of seat frames. The body is curved such that the seat portions are laterally downwardly offset from the frame mounting portions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a vehicle seat having an opposingly located seat frame and located base. A dampener is connected to and disposed between the seat frame and the base. The invention includes at least one flexible anchor for coupling the seat frame to a point on the seat which is lower than the seat frame. In addition, a portion of said seat frame may be made of a light weight material such as magnesium.

Abstract: In an upholstery support (11,21) for the back of a vehicle seat, in particular a backbench of an automobile, with a base plate (13,23) and at least one reinforcing frame (15,25) permanently connected to the base plate (13,23) and at least partially peripheral thereto, the reinforcing frame (15,25) is constructed modular.

Abstract: The backrest of a chair comprises a frame (1), a backrest support (6) and a neck support (15). A membrane is clipped into the frame (1), and the backrest support (6) is articulated on a tilting mechanism. The frame comprises two side parts (2, 3) and two cross-pieces (4, 5), the lower cross-piece (4) lying at the height of the user's lumbar vertebra. The frame (1) and the backrest support (6) are interconnected in one piece. The component created as a result, is advantageoulsly a plastic injection moulding produced by the gas injection technique (GIT), and the plastic is a glass-fibre-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.

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.

Abstract: A shock-load G-force minimizing seat structure which responds principally in non-springy compression, rather than in spring-loading bending, to vertically directed shock loads. The seat structure features an anti-springy frame structure which supports a thin and very lightweight seat cushion support spanner web formed preferably of a non-stretchy material, such as a material made out of elongate carbon-fibre strands.

Abstract: A rear seat back for a vehicle back seat having a support frame, a rear wall (2) attached to the support frame and a covering channel (7) for anchoring the seat covering (5). The support frame is formed of extruded profile sections and is constructed in one piece with the covering channel (7), and the rear wall (4) is formed of a substantially flat component.

Abstract: A rigid structure for a vehicle seat element, the structure being formed as a single piece made of a composite material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and reinforcing fibers forming at least firstly first and second rigid sideplates each extending between a first end and a second end, and secondly a rigid horizontal cross-member secured to the second ends of the sideplates. The structure has at least one hinge comprising a first fixing portion overmolded by the first end of the first sideplate.

Abstract: A backrest construction for the front seat of a motor vehicle, with a backrest frame (1), a backrest head (2), node points (5) arranged on both sides of the lower part of the backrest frame (1) and a lower crossbeam (6) arranged between the node points (5). To be able to manufacture the backrest construction in a lightweight design, some of the structural parts, namely the backrest frame (1) and the crossbeam (6), for example, are made of extruded sections, while the other structural parts, such as the node points (5) and the backrest head (2) are die-cast parts.

Abstract: A seat framework for use in a bus, which is basically from by a tubular seat back frame member and a tubular seat cushion frame member. The seat framework is fixed via a support leg element on a floor of the bus and provided with a reinforcement element which includes an angle portion of L-shaped cross-section and a tubular portion. The reinforcement element is provided between the seat framework and the support leg element, such that the angle portion thereof is fixed on either of the two lateral frame portions of the seat back frame member, while the tubular portion thereof is fixedly connected with the support leg element. The reinforcement element may be so formed as to include two angle portions and a tubular intermediate portion defined between the two angle portions.

Abstract: The invention herein pertains in certain embodiments to furniture construction utilizing frames which are attached to upper sections of chairs, loveseats, sofas and the like. The frames are collapsible for shipping and storage and can be quickly expanded through the use of hinged joints. The preferred form of the invention utilizes dual pivoting hinges whereas an alternative embodiment utilizes multiple single pivoting hinges and ring members for constructing furniture frames. In another embodiment, case goods may employ a collapsible frame as described herein.

Abstract: A generally rectangular vehicle seat frame includes a pair of side members and a pair of cross members. The side members and the cross members have ends defining mating surfaces. The ends of the side members are attached to the respective ends of the cross members such that the mating surfaces are first overlapped at a desired one of multiple positions relative to one another, and then subsequently attached together at the mating surfaces.

Abstract: An adjustable seat support assembly for a wheelchair. The seat support assembly includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back frame. The seat bottom frame has at least two spaced apart beams. Each beam includes at least one channel that extends along at least a portion of the beam. Preferably the channel extends along the entire length of the beam. A seat plate is mounted to and extends between the beams. The seat back frame includes two vertical supports. Each support has an upper end and a lower end. At least one back frame cross-bar is attached to and extends between the vertical supports. A mounting bracket is attached to the lower end of each support and removably attached to a channel in one of the beams. Preferably there are two or more channels formed in each beam, one channel in the bottom and the other in the side.

Abstract: A passenger seat with increased knee space for an aft-seated passenger, including a seat base for being attached to a supporting deck and at least one seat frame including a seat back and seat bottom carried by the seat base. At least one arm rest assembly is carried by the seat frame and including an arm rest mounted for pivotal movement about a pivot member between a use position with an upper support surface in a horizontal position for supporting a forearm of a passenger seated in the seat, and a stowed position wherein the upper support surface of the arm rest is perpendicular to the use position. The arm rest pivot member is mounted on the seat frame at a point forward of a plane defined by the seat back carried by the seat and above a point defined by the seat bottom for allowing the knee of an aft-seated passenger to occupy space behind the pivot member of the arm rest.

Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).

Abstract: Disclosed is a metallic cylindrical member and a metallic bracket that can prevent a change in inside diameter of the metallic cylindrical member which is induced with an external force applied on cooling of the welded portion. When forming the bracket by engaging projections and recesses with each other, which projections and recesses are formed at left and right sides A, B of a metallic plate, portions P through S which span adjacent projections are crushed stripewise in the wall thickness direction to form indentations, thereby supplying metal which is forced out of the indentations P through S to around each of the projections to enhance the adhesion between adjacent projections and realize a strong joining of both left and right sides of the metallic plate.

Abstract: A tubular seat frame member is provided which has a run of ductile metal tubing with at least two headrest guide tube mounting passages formed therein and extending transversely there through. Each of the mounting passages has an upstanding wall encircling the mounting passage and extending outwardly from one side of the tubular seat frame member. Each upstanding wall is formed from an integral with the run of ductile metal tubing. Each of the mounting passages has a first end proximal the run of tubing and a second end distal the run of tubing.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to simplify the structure for softening the shock of a rear-end collision. The lower portion of each of its right-side and left-side members 3, which are made of sheet steel, include a plurality of holes 7 and 8 in which fastening bolts 11 and 12 are inserted so as to connect the side members 3 with an external member. The fastening bolt 11 is capable of contacting the hole brim of a hole, and by installing such a fastening bolt 11 in all of the holes, or in all of the holes but one, the shock of a rear-end collision is softened.

Abstract: In an upholstery support (11,21) for the back of a vehicle seat, in particular a backbench of an automobile, with a base plate (13,23) and at least one reinforcing frame (15,25) permanently connected to the base plate (13,23) and at least partially peripheral thereto, the reinforcing frame (15,25) is constructed modular.

Abstract: A back comprises a frame formed by two c-shaped frame parts. These are inserted into circumferentially extending rand seams of a cover to which purpose at least one insertion opening is formed in one rand seam. The connection between said two frame parts is achieved by connecting members which further cover up the at least one insertion opening.

Abstract: A seat assembly mounted on a floor of a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion having a seat cushion frame operatively secured to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seat back having a seat back frame including side members and an upper crossmember extending between the side members fixedly secured to the seat cushion frame. A recliner mechanism is fixedly secured to the seat cushion frame for pivotally moving the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and an armrest is connected to one of the side members. In addition, a bracket includes a base and first and second mounting arms extending out from the base. The base is fixedly secured to one of the side members. The armrest is secured to the first mounting arm and the recliner mechanism is secured to the second mounting arm such that the bracket maintains a predetermined distance between the armrest and the recliner mechanism.

Abstract: Furniture having a frame made of a molded article in which the molded article is a shell-structure is described. Preferably the molded article describes a lattice structure in the form of a space frame. The molded article is preferably scaled and contoured providing significant structural integration and torsional strength.

Abstract: A frame assembly for securing a plurality of modular sofa parts together into a sofa frame. The frame assembly includes a pair of tapered members attached to opposing sides of a backrest sofa part and a pair of receptacles attached to a respective one of a pair of rails, which are in turn attached to a pair of armrests. The backrest is connected to the armrests by inserting each of the tapered members into a tapered slot defined by each respective receptacle and is further strengthened using a pair of overlapping securing members. The tapered shape of the tapered members and slots produces a positive fit that has two directional components to prevent rocking of the backrest in two directions. The rails are configured to also accept a sleeper unit, and a futon unit allowing the sofa frame to be easily upgraded or adapted as desired by the user.

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.

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.