Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat assembly and backrest unit attachable to a seat assembly, the backrest being pivotally attached or fixed, and the backrest unit including at least one frame member having adjacent weakened and intact sections provided along a peripheral edge, the weakened section having a first failure load and the intact section having a second failure load greater than the first failure load such that, when a load on a backside of the backrest unit exceeds the first failure load, the weakened section fails and the intact section deforms allowing a portion of the backrest unit to tilt forward beyond an upright sitting position to absorb impact energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a frame furniture comprising a furniture element (14) being plate-shaped at least in some areas and having an at least partially nearly horizontal extension and being arranged on a carrier frame (18) which has a leg element (20A, 20B) on both sides, respectively, regarding a vertical furniture median plane, the leg element (20A, 20B) consisting of a tubular element bent in such a way that the tubular element forms a front and rear furniture leg (22A, 22B, 24A, 24B). The tubular elements each have an elliptical or oval cross section having a long major axis and a short minor axis, wherein the major axis and the minor axis intersect with the vertical furniture median plane over the length of the particular tubular element at an angle less than 90°.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat (10), a deformable portion (32) extends continuously from an edge portion of a placement hole (28) towards an outside of the placement hole (28). When the deformable portion (32) is plastically deformed by a fastening bolt (40), the deformable portion (32) does not readily deform so as to be pushed outwards, but deforms so as to be squashed. When a low press-contact force acts on a side face (32D), the deformable portion (32) does not readily perform plastic deformation, and an impact load imparted to a seatback frame (44) can be stably absorbed by the deformable portion (32). Impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be continuously absorbed by the deformable portion (32) since the deformable portion (32) deforms continuously. Accordingly, impact load imparted to the seatback frame (44) can be efficiently absorbed by the deformable portion (32).

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a load-bearing structure and a first and a second shaped panel carried by the load-bearing structure and forming the seat base and the backrest of the seat, respectively. The load-bearing structure comprises a first and a second supporting side element which extend along opposite sides of the seat and are interconnected to each other by a transversal element which extends at the junction zone of the seat base with the backrest. A third panel is provided, facing the second and defining a pocket seat for accommodating the webbing of a seat belt, with the second panel and with the supporting side elements.

Abstract: A seat back frame includes: a first side member and a second side member each formed into an elongated shape along an up-and-down direction of a seat back so as to support each side portion of the seat back; and a belt guide portion on which tension of a seat belt is applied when the seat belt is pulled, the belt guide portion being formed in an upper portion of the first side member and guiding the seat belt having the one end retained by a seat belt retaining member.

Abstract: A one-piece seat back frame for use in a vehicle seat assembly. The one-piece seat back frame includes a first side portion and a second side portion spaced apart from the first side portion, an upper cross portion and a lower cross portion. A lower cross bracket member is coupled to the seat back frame such that the lower cross bracket member at least partially overlaps the seat back frame lower cross portion forming a boxed section. A first recliner mechanism is coupled to the second end of the lower cross bracket member for a single-sided recliner system. A pivot bracket or a second recliner mechanism is coupled to the first end of the lower cross bracket member for a dual-sided recliner system.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a load-bearing structure and a first and a second shaped panel carried by the load-bearing structure and forming the seat base and the backrest of the seat, respectively. The load-bearing structure comprises a first and a second supporting side element which extend along opposite sides of the seat and are interconnected to each other by a transversal element which extends at the junction zone of the seat base with the backrest. A third panel is provided, facing the second and defining a pocket seat for accommodating the webbing of a seat belt, with the second panel and with the supporting side elements.

Abstract: The seat frame has a left and a right link, a left and a right side part and a transverse tube which connects the two side parts. The links are connected to the transverse tube for conjoint rotation. The transverse tube has a main tube located between the side parts, a left end piece assigned to the left side part and a right end piece assigned to the right side part. The main tube is connected to the two end pieces in respective overlapping regions. The main tube is manufactured from a material, preferably from steel, which has an at least 20% higher tensile strength than the material of the end pieces.

Abstract: The aircraft seat, the aircraft including a cabin equipped with a floor exhibiting lines of points for fastening seats generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, includes a seat bucket that is integral by its seatback with a single beam oriented along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the floor, which beam is integral with fastening points located on at least two separate lines on the floor of the cabin of the aircraft.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat with an improved rigidity of a seat-base side frame, in which a load from a shoulder anchor portion can be dispersed. The vehicle seat includes: a seatback frame which includes side frames, a shoulder anchor portion which is disposed in the upper portion of the side frame, and a pair of seat-base side frames which is disposed below the side frames; in which one seat-base side frame which is connected to the lower portion of the side frame includes a lower seat-base side frame and an upper seat-base side frame connected to the upper portion thereof, the upper seat-base side frame includes an upper frame reinforcement portion formed along a shape of an edge in a connection portion, and the lower seat-base side frame includes lower frame reinforcement portions formed along a shape of an upper edge in the connection portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1) having a carrying frame (2) and a support unit (8) connected thereto, the support unit having a base frame (6) as well as an elastic cover (10) held thereon made of knitted fabric (11) as an unsupported structure, the cover (10) forming a support surface (9) having a seat region (13) and a back region (12) and being configured continuous between the seat region (13) and the back region (12). The support surface (9) of the cover (10) has a plurality of zones (33 to 38) located consecutively in the longitudinal direction of the cover, of which at least one zone (34) has a greater elastic deformability relative to the other zones (33, 35, 36, 37, 38). In a longitudinal edge region (41) of the knitted fabric (11) there is arranged on both sides of the seating region (13) always an additional strip-shaped edge section (43) of zone (34), having the greatest elastic deformability.

Abstract: A piece of seating furniture, particularly a chair with a resilient frame which, from the side view, is substantially configured Z-shaped and which includes an upper part of the frame, two lower parts of the frame and two middle parts of the frame, each connecting the lower part of the frame with the upper part of the frame. The middle parts of the frame each reach from the respective lower part of the frame in the rear area of a seat surface upwards at an angle to the upper part of the frame in the front area of the seat surface. The distance of the middle parts of the frame to one another at the upper part of the frame is up to a maximum of half, preferably up to a maximum of one third of the width of the seat surface in the front area. Thus, the piece of seating furniture which is particularly easy to stack, enables a large legroom for a person sitting on the piece of seating furniture and wherein the seat surface can be rocked towards the left and the right.

Abstract: The invention relates to seating furniture comprising two frames arranged at a distance to each other on a support, between which frames a seat part and a backrest part can be mounted, and the frames have one upper frame part and a lower frame part each which mechanically immobilize the seat part and the backrest part a the sides thereof. The upper frame part and the lower frame part are clamping elements that can be braced with each other. At least one clamping element has a laterally extending recess on each edge which recess forms a frame groove in which a respective engaging element provided on the edges of the seat part and of the backrest part can be mounted by way of a frictional connection to the upper frame part and the lower frame part. The recess has an undercut portion which forms a stop for holding the clamped engaging element by a form fit.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame for supporting buoyant cushions. The buoyant cushions include layers of flexible cushion material secured together in overlapping relation, with the frame members being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. A layer of adhesive material bonds the overlapping cushion layers together and forms a water-tight seal around the frame members. A flexible layer of a water-resistant coating material is bonded to external surface portions of the buoyant cushions to provide a further protective layer and water-tight seal.

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.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of furniture by affixing a plurality of rods of similar length forming a frame comprising a plurality of tetrahedra and pentahedra with the frame having at least one planar surface for attachment thereto of a covering.

Abstract: A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided.

Abstract: A chair frame is formed of a continuous and endless loop that includes ground engaging loops (or legs), fabric seat receiving loops, which also act as arm rests, and a back loop which defines the chair back. Fabrics are fixed to the seat loops and back loops to form the seat and back respectively of the chair.

Abstract: A seat frame is manufactured from a single continuous elongated member or which has the appearance of being formed from a single continuous elongated piece of material. For example, the seat frame may be formed from a single continuous elongated member such as a tube or wire which is bent or twisted into shape. Alternatively, a plurality of elongated members generally having similar cross-sections may be used to form the seat frame, which has the appearance of one-piece construction. The back may be integral with the seat frame thereby not requiring additional back support material. Further, the back may represent an abstract or a recognizable object.

Abstract: A vehicle seat frame includes a first upper back frame member having at least one tab suitable for supporting to a dynamic head restraint system. The first upper back frame member has upper and lower mating surfaces suitable for attachment to upper and lower mating surfaces of a second upper back frame member operable to support a non-dynamic head restraint system.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame for supporting buoyant cushions. The buoyant cushions include layers of flexible cushion material secured together in overlapping relation, with the frame members being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. A layer of adhesive material bonds the overlapping cushion layers together and forms a water-tight seal around the frame members. A flexible layer of a water-resistant coating material is bonded to external surface portions of the buoyant cushions to provide a further protective layer and water-tight seal.

Abstract: A load support member includes spaced apart beam members, a linking member and a stop member. In another aspect, the beam includes a support surface defining first and second landing regions, which are in contact with and support a membrane. In another aspect, a brace member is secured between laterally spaced beams, with the brace member having a greater height than width at the end thereof and a greater width than height at the middle thereof. In another aspect, a pair of armrests are joined to a cross member and a pair of spaced apart beams in a releasable engagement. In yet another aspect, a pair of beam members are fixedly joined with a cross member, which is pivotally connected to a link pivotally connected to the beams. A method of assembling a load support structure is also provided.

Abstract: A sling chair includes a back frame member having side rails held in substantially parallel relation by a pair of cross bar members. In one embodiment, the cross bar members are generally curved so as to extend away from the back faces of the side rails, forming a concave back structure which can receive a sling member and, eventually, a seated occupant. The cross bar members are adapted to retain the sling member in secure fashion through upper and lower backrest assemblies, resulting in better support and more efficient assembly. This also facilitates separate provisioning of decorative features to improve the chair's aesthetic qualities.

Abstract: A customized unit of furniture comprising: (a) a base furnishing including at least one of a projection and a recess; and (b) an inlay incorporating a customized indicia, with at least a portion of the inlay including at least one of a corresponding recess and a corresponding projection to engage at least one of the projection and recess of the furnishing to permanently mount the panel to the furnishing. The invention also includes a method of distributing customized furniture comprising: (a) offering a plurality of furnishings for sale; (b) offering a customized inlay to be permanently mounted to an unfinished furnishing to form at least one of the plurality of furnishings; and (c) selling at least one of the plurality of furnishings with the customized inlay, where the customized inlay includes a visible face incorporating a customized indicia.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a seat frame, left and right arm frames attached to the seat frame, and a back frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame. Buoyant cushions attached to the frame members form a chair seat, a chair back, a left chair arm and a right chair arm. The buoyant cushions include layers of flexible cushion material secured together in overlapping relation, with the frame members being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. A layer of adhesive material bonds the overlapping cushion layers together and forms a water-tight seal around the frame members.

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.

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.

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 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 metal frame for chairs with tubular elements, comprising two inverted U-shaped elements (10), which form the legs, two L-shaped elements (11), which form the support for the seat and the back and are each arranged next to one of the preceding elements, and two rod-like cross-members (12), which are arranged in a lower region so as to join portions of the inverted U-shaped elements and of the L-shaped elements. The cross-members (12) are joined to the other elements by projection welding at a pair of protrusions (13) determined by corresponding recesses (14) in the cross-section, formed by a flattening plastic deformation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes an elongated continuous frame member having an upper portion and a lower portion. A mounting assembly is attached to the lower portion of the frame member and is adapted to be mounted on the floor of a vehicle. A back support structure is attached to the upper portion of the frame member. A bottom support structure is attached to the lower portion of the frame member.

Abstract: A passenger seat, including at least one leg assembly having fore and aft attachment elements for attachment to a supporting surface and a single laterally-extending beam carried by the leg assembly in vertically spaced-apart relation to the fore and aft attachment elements, and first and second laterally spaced-apart seat frames positioned on respective opposite sides of the leg assembly and mounted on the beam for being supported thereby.

Abstract: A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a seat frame, left and right arm frames attached to the seat frame, and a back frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame. The back frame can be manually rotated to a folded, minimum profile position in which the chair back overlaps the chair seat, for example for shipping and storage, and rotatable to an upright, fixed position to accommodate lounging in a semi-reclining or sitting position. Stop apparatus on the chair frame is engagable with one of the seat frame and the back frame for fixing the back frame in the upright position, and releasable therefrom to permit closing rotational movement of the back frame to the folded position.

Abstract: A tubular frame convention or banquet chair, preferably of a stackable type, includes opposed support brackets which are secured to depending rear leg parts of the chair, extend upwardly at acute angles with respect to the rear leg parts and include distal flange parts for securing the support brackets to the underside of a seat member with mechanical fasteners. The support brackets are also welded to opposed longitudinal members of the frame.

Abstract: A furniture construction includes a frame structure made up of a pair of spaced frame sections connected together, and a furniture component mounted to the frame structure. Each frame section includes a lower base section, an upright, and a furniture component support member extending from the upright and to which the furniture component is mounted. The frame sections are preferably C-shaped when viewed from the side. In one form, the furniture component is a seat mounted to the furniture component support, and the frame structure includes a back support area extending upwardly from the seat. A back is mounted to the back support area. In another form, the furniture component is a desk or table top mounted to the furniture component support. Combination desk/chair units may also be constructed utilizing the same basic frame structure.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes an elongated continuous frame member having an upper portion and a lower portion. A mounting assembly is attached to the lower portion of the frame member and is adapted to be mounted on the floor of a vehicle. A back support structure is attached to the upper portion of the frame member. A bottom support structure is attached to the lower portion of the frame member.

Abstract: A structure of seat cushion frame including a pair of side frame members and a square backward frame member connected between the two side frame members. In this structure, a reclining device is securely attached to predetermined securing points in each of the two side frame members, wherein such predetermined securing points are defined on the opposite sides of a central axis of the square backward frame member and also disposed on the same level with or adjacent to that central axis. Hence, a great load imparted from the reclining device is not directly exerted on the side frame members, but smoothly escaped to the square backward frame, thereby protecting the side frame members against deformation.

Abstract: A metal frame for chairs with tubular elements, comprising two inverted U-shaped elements (10), which form the legs, two L-shaped elements (11), which form the support for the seat and the back and are each arranged next to one of the preceding elements, and two rod-like cross-members (12), which arc arranged in a lower region so as to join portions of the inverted U shaped elements and of the L-shaped elements. The cross-members (12) are joined to the other elements by projection welding at pairs of protrusions (13) determined by corresponding recesses (14) in the cross-section, obtained by means of a flattening plastic deformation.

Abstract: A buoyant lounge chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or fully reclining position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a seat frame, left and right arm frames attached to the seat frame, and a back frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame. The back frame is pivotally coupled to the seat frame on opposite sides by dual axle shafts. A manually operable clutch is mounted on each axle shaft for releasably connecting the seat frame to the back frame. Each clutch is manually releasable to permit pivotal movement of the back frame relative to the seat frame, and is manually engagable to fix the angle of recline of the back frame with respect to the seat frame.

Abstract: A passive restraint system in an aircraft utilizing a seat structure of the aircraft to store a source of pressurized gas or solid fuel necessary to expand the passive restraint is disclosed. The seat structure of the aircraft comprises multiple hollow tubes, and these hollow tubes can be utilized to either store pressurized gas or solid fuel directly, or to house a vessel that stores pressurized gas or solid fuel. Thus, no additional aircraft seat space is required to house a pressurized gas vessel. By using the existing seat structure to house the source of pressurized gas or solid fuel, significant space and weight savings can be realized, both of which are important factors in aircraft seat design.

Abstract: A chair includes a base, a substantially rigid seat and back supporting frame, and a tensile support tensioned on the frame by a combination of elements of the base, the frame, and a spreader bar that extends between upper portions of the frame has a side profile generating a lumbar support that is particularly comfortable for users having a variety of physical characteristics.

Abstract: A buoyant lounge chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or fully reclining position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a seat frame, left and right arm frames attached to the seat frame, and a back frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame. The back frame is pivotally coupled to the seat frame on opposite sides by dual axle shafts. A manually operable clutch is mounted on each axle shaft for releasably connecting the seat frame to the back frame. Each clutch is manually releasable to permit pivotal movement of the back frame relative to the seat frame, and is manually engagable to fix the angle of recline of the back frame with respect to the seat frame.

Abstract: A safety seat including a one-piece shell made of molded plastic with reinforcing elements imbedded therein. The shell has an interior space opening to the exterior and including a seat for an infant. The shell includes a detachable bail for holding playthings for the infant. The seat has a wide bottom and a narrow, and small, top, and has weights imbedded in the bottom, effecting movement of the seat to upright position in the water.