Having Elongated Hollow Member (e.g., Tubular, Etc.) Patents (Class 297/452.2)
  • Patent number: 11944206
    Abstract: A detachable rocking chair structure is provided. The detachable rocking chair structure includes a main backrest rod, a main backrest reinforcement rod, a cushion side rod, a connecting crossbar, an elastic band, and a rocking chair cover, where the main backrest reinforcement rod includes a first end connected to the main backrest rod and a second end connected to the cushion side rod; the connecting crossbar and the elastic band are connected to the cushion side rod; and the rocking chair cover is sleeved on an upper surface of each of the main backrest rod, the cushion side rod, the connecting crossbar, and the elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: WUDI INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Peng Wu
  • Patent number: 11820516
    Abstract: A seat system for a passenger aircraft. The seat system includes a passenger seat frame having a backrest support assembly including a backrest and a spreader; and a seat bottom support assembly. The seat system further includes a rotary recline lever assembly including an armrest connected to the spreader; an offset rotary actuator positioned within the armrest; and a release cable attached between the rotary actuator and the backrest support assembly. The seat system may further include a seat back tray table attached to the back of the passenger seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HAECO Americas, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Walter Hontz, Joseph James Mauro
  • Patent number: 11794611
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: a seat base; a first side member is affixed to a base at a first side of the base; a second side member is affixed to the base at a second side of the base, opposite the first side of the base; a slider slidably received in the base; a seat back assembly is rotatably coupled to the first side member and rotatably coupled to the second side member; a linkage rotatably coupled to the seat back assembly and rotatably coupled to the slider; a first lower seat lifting mechanism comprising a lifting bracket, wherein the lifting bracket is rotatably coupled to the first side member at a first end of the lifting bracket; and a second lower seat lifting mechanism comprising a bracket rotatably coupled to the base and a link arm rotatably coupled to the bracket and rotatably coupled to the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Setterberg, Lars Modh
  • Patent number: 11453502
    Abstract: A frame beam member may include a tubular volume. The tubular volume may include at least one wall with one or more undulations in a radial direction along a length of the tubular volume. The one or more undulations may be configured to allow the tubular volume to absorb energy of a load applied during a flight scenario through local bending of the one or more undulations. The one or more undulations may be configured to have a first curvature when unloaded, and may be configured to have a second curvature when the load is applied. The second curvature may be different than the first curvature. The frame beam member may be one of a plurality of frame beam members of the aircraft seat frame. The plurality of frame beam members may be configured to couple to a plurality of joints of the aircraft seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Gurvich, Isaac Cohen
  • Patent number: 11370336
    Abstract: A transit bench seat has a seat with a seat frame. The seat frame is connected to a folding frame that folds between an upright stowed position and a horizontal deployed position. A seat frame cover covers the left or right end of the seat frame. A plurality of rib sections are formed as frame ribs and can be segmented between a vertical fixed portion and a horizontal folding portion. The frame ribs include a first frame rib, a second frame rib, and third frame rib. The frame ribs are formed with a seat nose. The seat nose is supported at a seat nose frame bracket for stability of the frame rib and seat nose. A rear cross bar is placed below a top crossbar. The rear crossbar and the top crossbar are connected to the frame ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Tian Yong Wang
  • Patent number: 11352144
    Abstract: A central frame assembly for a passenger seat of a vehicle includes a spreader member (201) and a lower frame member (101) comprising at least one clamp member (121) for securing the lower frame member (101) relative to the spreader member (201). The lower frame member (101) may include a vertical portion (102) with a forward lower attachment portion (102.1) and an aft portion (103) with an aft lower attachment portion (103.1). The spreader member (201) and the lower frame member (101) may be aligned such that a centerline of the spreader member (201) and a centerline of the lower frame member (101) are approximately coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Justin K. Murnan, Christopher D. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11135953
    Abstract: A seatback frame for a vehicle is capable of preventing a passenger seated on a seat from being injured by a sharp edge of a side frame in the event of a collision of the vehicle. The seatback frame includes side frames installed to extend longitudinally in a vertical direction at opposite sides of the seatback frame, respectively, an upper frame joined to the side frames, and a lower frame joined to the side frames. Protrusions are formed at a surface of the upper frame while being spaced apart, by a predetermined distance, from edges present at edge portions of the side frames, respectively, to prevent the passenger from being injured by the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Transys Inc.
    Inventors: Ju Yeol Kong, Gil Ju Kim, Jung Sang You, Ju Hyun Cha, Tae Hee Won, Seon Chae Na, Chan Ho Jung, Jin Ho Seo, Sung Young Lee, Man Seock Kim, Joo Ho Park, Dong Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 10604044
    Abstract: A bracket for attaching an actuator is easily bonded to a side frame while avoiding interference with a shaft for driving a reclining mechanism. In a seat side frame which is provided at each of both ends of a seat back frame in the width direction, a reclining mechanism, and an actuator, the reclining mechanism is attached to a side wall of the side frame, and the actuator is fixed to an attachment bracket bonded to an inner surface of a portion to which the reclining mechanism is attached in the side wall in the width direction. An upper portion which is disposed above the attachment portion of the reclining mechanism and a lower portion which is disposed below the attachment portion thereof are connected to each other at the rear ends thereof and are separated from each other at the front ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hoshi
  • Patent number: 10604042
    Abstract: An object is to provide a vehicle rear seat frame wherein impact caused by a housed seat toward the vehicle front is mitigated in a case of rear-end collision. Seat cushion side frames are disposed on both ends, with respect to the vehicle lateral direction, of a seat cushion frame, and include first weak portions having less strength than other portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a folded state. Seat back side frames disposed on both ends, with respect to the vehicle lateral direction, of a seat back frame include second weak portions having less strength than other portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Yasuda, Kenji Hayashi, Mafuyu Okada
  • Patent number: 10493883
    Abstract: A back frame structure of a vehicle seat including: first and second side frames; and an upper frame that connects the first and second side frames, wherein the first side frame has a constant cross section and the second side frame has a constant cross section, wherein an outline shape of the cross section of the first side frame and an outline shape of the cross section of the second side frame are in line symmetry with respect to a centerline of the back frame in a left and right direction, and wherein a geometrical moment of inertia of the cross section of the first side frame is larger than a geometrical moment of inertia of the cross section of the second side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizobata, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Fumitoshi Akaike
  • Patent number: 10449880
    Abstract: A back frame structure of a vehicle seat including: first and second side frames; and an upper frame that connects the first and second side frames, wherein the first side frame has a constant cross section and the second side frame has a constant cross section, wherein an outline shape of the cross section of the first side frame and an outline shape of the cross section of the second side frame are in line symmetry with respect to a centerline of the back frame in a left and right direction, and wherein a geometrical moment of inertia of the cross section of the first side frame is larger than a geometrical moment of inertia of the cross section of the second side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizobata, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Fumitoshi Akaike
  • Patent number: 10414307
    Abstract: A back frame of a vehicle seat including: a pair of side frames; an upper frame; and a reinforcing member attached to at least one of the pair of side frames, wherein the at least one of the pair of side frames has a pair of side surface portions and a rear surface portion, wherein the reinforcing member has a pair of side wall portions and a rear wall portion, wherein the rear wall portion is thicker than the pair of side wall portions, and wherein in a state where the reinforcing member is put on the at least one of the pair of side frames, the pair of side wall portions is in contact with and connected to the pair of side surface portions, and the rear wall portion is in contact with and connected to the rear surface portion by bonding or adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hiroshi Mizobata
  • Patent number: 10377280
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat frame that is provided as a strength member and extends in a specific direction, the seat frame including: a closed section frame having a closed sectional shape and extending in the specific direction, an opened section frame having an opened sectional shape and extending in the specific direction in parallel with the closed section frame, wherein the opened section frame is coupled with the closed section in a state to have a closure forming part and a gradually changing structure, wherein the closure forming part forms a closed sectional shape between the opened section frame and the closed section frame, and wherein the gradually changing structure changes the closed sectional shape formed between the opened section frame and the closed section frame at the closure forming part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Akaike, Hiroshi Mizobata, Hisato Konai
  • Patent number: 10343566
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back is provided with a resin frame at least a part of the rear surface side of which is exposed; a pad material disposed on the resin frame; a trim cover for covering the pad material; and a resin hook mounted to an end of the trim cover. The resin frame has a turned-back end formed by turning back outward in a U shape an end of the resin frame. The resin hook is engaged with the turned-back end. The resin hook has a protrusion at the portion thereof which is located within the turned-back end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10144325
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a first frame member that forms a framework of the vehicle seat and extends in a seat vertical direction or in a seat front-and-rear direction; a second frame member that extends in a seat width direction; and a component mounting bracket that allows to mount a component and is provided in an inside-seat corner portion of a connecting part of the first frame member and the second frame member, wherein the first frame member or the second frame member has a hole into which a portion of the component is inserted when the component is mounted in the component mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Akaike, Yasuhiro Kato
  • Patent number: 9743773
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a chair including a base, a hub, and a seat frame. The hub is supported by the base and includes first and second side mounts and first and second covers. The first side mount is positioned on a first side of the chair and includes a back portion and a bottom portion. The first cover is coupled to the first side mount to define a first channel with the first side mount. The seat frame includes a first lateral member having a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally coupled to the back portion of the first side mount and is configured to angulate relative to the lower portion. The lower portion of the first lateral member is slidably received in the first channel such that two sides and a bottom of the lower portion received within the first channel are substantially hidden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: HNI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay R. Machael, Evan T. Aschbrenner, Daniel W. Tracy, Andrew B. Hector
  • Patent number: 9663008
    Abstract: A first member (back board 50) is provided with: a first plate-like portion 81 protruding in a first direction from the first member; a second plate-like portion 82 protruding in the first direction from the first member and located opposite the first plate-like portion in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; a first engagement portion 81a protruding from a distal end portion of the first plate-like portion 81 toward the second plate-like portion 82 at a position shifted to a first side in a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; and a second engagement portion 82a protruding from a distal end portion of the second plate-like portion 82 toward the first plate-like portion 81 at a position shifted to a second side that is opposite to the first side in the third direction, and the second member (main side frame 21) is provided with a first rod-like portion 91 configured to be disposed between the first plate-like portion 81 and the second pla
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Akutsu, Hiroshi Izawa
  • Patent number: 9610875
    Abstract: A trim cover assembly of extremely soft property comprises a surface cover element, a wadding cover, and a thick foam wadding sandwiched therebetween, wherein the thick foam wadding has a compressed thin end surface region sewn with the surface cover element and wadding cover. Sewing method for forming such trim cover assembly involves: pressing and collapsing an end surface of the thick foam wadding in downwardly slantwise direction to provide a compressed thin area, thereby allowing direct access thereto of a conventional sewing machine; operating the sewing machine to sew the compressed thin area with the surface cover element, thereby producing a sewn trim cover having a compressed thin end region therein; and thereafter sewing the wadding cover with such sewn trim cover in correspondence with the compressed thin end region. As such, a trim cover assembly having the thick foam wadding is easily formed by the conventional sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Tabata
  • Patent number: 9428091
    Abstract: A seat pad is configured to be capable of, with an increased pressing from a top plate portion at a seating side, gradually shortening a distance between an outer side of a frame body portion and a separated part, and at the same time deflecting and deforming in a direction of immersing into a seat frame, and by a pressing from an edge portion at the seating side, an abutting part abuts against a supporting portion, so as to be supported on the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Kozaki, Hideo Sahashi
  • Patent number: 9132800
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masato Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9126518
    Abstract: A vehicle seat frame (10) includes a plurality of frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64). At least one of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64) is fixedly connected to another of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64), defining a fixed joint (84, 86, 88, 90). In each fixed joint (84, 86, 88, 90), one of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64) is connected to another of the frame components (16, 40, 42, 50, 60, 62, 64) only by at least one of structural adhesive, a fastener (72, 74), and a fixed swaged joint (76).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Adragna, Michael Powell, Karl Henn, David J. Abdella
  • Patent number: 9108552
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is obtained that allows good assembly operation characteristics of a side airbag device to a side-frame of a seatback frame. In a vehicle seat, stud bolts and nuts that fasten and fix a side airbag device to a side-frame are covered by a frame attachment section of a resin seatback spring. However, the frame attachment section is formed with openings at positions facing the stud bolts and the nuts. During manufacture of the vehicle seat, it is accordingly possible to perform a fixing operation of the side airbag device to the side-frame through the openings even in cases where the resin seatback spring is assembled to a seatback frame before assembling the side airbag device to the side-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Awata, Hisaya Mori
  • Patent number: 9045068
    Abstract: A seat back structure includes a web extending about a central opening, and an inner flange extending about an inner perimeter of the web adjacent to the central opening. The seat back structure also includes an outer flange extending about an outer perimeter of the web. The inner flange, the outer flange and the web form a channel extending about the seat back structure, and the seat back structure is formed from a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Phillip W. Wilson, Anthony M. Kestian, Elizabeth A. Allen, Mark S. Williamson, Joseph F. Prosniewski, Catherine M. Amodeo, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich, Ronald G. Bedro, Edward J. Lamont, Michael J. Leighton, William Shawn Brewer, David J. Hayes, Robert J. Hicks, Andrew J. Erard, Michael G. Buss, Mark A. Harris, Alexander I. Balin, Alex Saveski, Eric B. Michalak, Kurt A. Seiboid, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Nicholas L. Petouhoff
  • Publication number: 20150145312
    Abstract: Tubular bodies for use in frames for seats of vehicles such as aircraft are described. A tube can include a sidewall that has a variable thickness along the length of the tube. The variable thickness of the sidewalls can result in the tube having a variable inner diameter along the length of the tube. The tube may also include a variable outer diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Gary Tien Le, Aram Aris Krikorian
  • Patent number: 9039094
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukifumi Yamada, Naoki Goto
  • Publication number: 20150091358
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a seat frame, and a rod that extends to a region on a seat inside, and that is connected to the seat frame. The rod is connected to the seat frame via a shaft member. The shaft member includes a tubular portion having a through-hole, and a protruding portion protruding toward an outside in a radial direction from one end of the tubular portion in an axial direction. The shaft member is assembled to the seat frame in a state in which the tubular portion is inserted through the seat frame from a seat outside, and an insertion position of the shaft member in the axial direction is restricted by a position where the protruding portion abuts against an outside surface of the seat frame. The rod is inserted in the axial direction through the through-hole in the shaft member, and assembled to the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicants: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki HATTORI, Hayato MATSUI
  • Patent number: 8974002
    Abstract: Tubular bodies for use in frames for seats of vehicles such as aircraft are described. A tube can include a sidewall that has a variable thickness along the length of the tube. The variable thickness of the sidewalls can result in the tube having a variable inner diameter along the length of the tube. The tube may also include a variable outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: C&D Zodiac, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Tien Le, Aram Aris Krikorian
  • Publication number: 20150052682
    Abstract: A foldable elongate body supporting device comprising an elongate body supporting surface (1) formed of a flexible material and comprising a plurality of linearly aligned support sections (1a) to (1e), each support section having secured on opposed sides a rigid tube (3) extending in the longitudinal direction of the device, the tubes (3) on each side of the sections being axially aligned, a space (4) being formed between each of the aligned tubes and the aligned tube of the adjacent section. A locking member (5) is slidably located in and extending through the aligned tubes on (3) each side of the device, the locking member (5) comprising a plurality of rigid locking tubes (6) each adapted to the movable into a locking position overlapping the spaces (4) between adjacent aligned tubes (3). The locking tubes (6) are joined by hinges (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin Biswell, Stephen Marshall-Rees, Guy Wilson
  • Patent number: 8931850
    Abstract: A seat back frame includes a main frame that forms a frame of a seat back of a main seat, and an auxiliary frame that forms a frame of a seat back of an auxiliary seat adjacent to the main seat in a width direction, and that is integrally formed with the main frame. The main frame has a first open portion that opens toward a side with the auxiliary seat in the width direction. An end portion of the auxiliary frame is a fitting structure that fits together with the first open portion, and a portion of the fitting structure is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, NHK Spring Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Atsutaka Mitsuhashi, Ryoshu Nakane, Koji Murayama
  • Patent number: 8926022
    Abstract: A vehicle frame component has two side wall portions arranged to face each other and a connecting portion that connects edges of the two side wall portions, and that forms a framework of a vehicle component. A connecting-side protruding portion that protrudes into a space between the two side wall portions while extending along a direction in which the connecting portion extends is formed in at least part of the connecting portion, and at least part of the connecting portion is formed in a shape in which the connecting portion is curved in an arcuate shape and leaned in a direction opposite to a direction in which the connecting-side protruding portion protrudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Chiyoda Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Watanabe, Kazuaki Hayase
  • Patent number: 8919275
    Abstract: A system of components for modifying a watercraft leaning post to provide greater flexibility while maintaining firm support to a boat operator and/or boat passengers. The components include spring modules fitted to the aft side legs of a leaning post, and hinge modules fitted to the forward legs. The top section of the leaning post may then tilt backwards under pressure from the top and/or the bow side. The spring modules are preferably torsion springs configured to fit within a gap created in each of the two aft legs of a four-legged leaning post. The hinge modules positioned within the two forward legs of the leaning post are preferably cylindrical yoke type hinges. The components may be assembled into kit form that includes attachment nuts and bolts that allow modification of an existing leaning post without the need for specialty tools or skills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Hinson
  • Patent number: 8905485
    Abstract: A seat back frame includes a main frame that forms a frame of a seat back of a main seat, and an auxiliary frame that forms a frame of a seat back of an auxiliary seat adjacent to the main seat in a width direction, and that is integrally formed with the main frame. The main frame has a first open portion that opens toward a side with the auxiliary seat in the width direction. An end portion of the auxiliary frame is a fitting structure that fits together with the first open portion, and a portion of the fitting structure is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, NHK Spring Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Atsutaka Mitsuhashi, Ryoshu Nakane, Koji Murayama
  • Patent number: 8888192
    Abstract: A frame support structure of a vehicle seat includes a frame and a bracket supporting the frame on a vehicle floor. The frame extends toward a first side of a vehicle seat cushion in the seat width direction to extend the seat cushion to the direction of the first side. One end of the frame is connected to the first side of the vehicle seat cushion. The bracket includes a first support plate and a second support plate, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the first support plate. An edge of the second support plate is fixed to that of the first support plate on a side opposite from the first side. A plate face of the first support plate is fixed to a front or a rear surface of the frame and the second support plate is fixed to a lower surface of the horizontal frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8888176
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: left and right side frames (4) which constitute left and right lower portions of a seat back frame (2); an inner frame (pipe frame 5) disposed adjacent to a laterally inner side of one of the side frames (4); a force-receiving member (bracket 7) disposed adjacent to a laterally outer side of the one of the side frames (4), provided discretely from the inner frame, and configured to receive a load from outside in a lateral direction; and a load transmission part (lower frame 6 and lower portion 51 of the pipe frame 5) configured to transmit the load from the force-receiving member to a side laterally opposite to that on which the force-receiving member is provided. The force-receiving member is directly fixed to the inner frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Jogen Yamaki, Hisato Oku
  • Patent number: 8888177
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises: a base frame (side frame 4, pipe frame 5) which constitutes at least left and right lower portions of a seat back frame; a force-receiving member (bracket 7) disposed adjacent to a left or right outer side of the base frame, and configured to receive a load from outside in a lateral direction; and a load transmission part configured to transmit the load from the force-receiving member to a side laterally opposite to that on which the force-receiving member is provided, wherein the force-receiving member has a shape with a closed cross section, and a portion of at least one of an upper wall (72) and a lower wall (74) separate from front and rear ends thereof provides an uneven shape (stepped profile 72a, 74a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaku, Jogen Yamaki, Hisato Oku
  • Patent number: 8870293
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Ornela Zekavica, Youzhi Xiong, Catherine M. Amodeo, Phillip Wayne Wilson
  • Patent number: 8857913
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back includes first and second side members and a cross member. The cross member has an extended portion that extends from the first side member. A bushing is disposed on the extended portion and is received by a hole in the seat bottom to support pivotal movement of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Schuhmacher, Michael Heinrich Joop Heyer
  • Patent number: 8833518
    Abstract: The technology described herein provides a portable, foldable two-legged stool having a support legs assembly having two parallel support legs secured in a support frame having at least one horizontal brace and a seat assembly hingedly connected to a top of each of the support legs with a pivotal hinge assembly such that the stool is foldable for transport and is extendable for use as a two-legged stool when a rear edge of the seat assembly is placed against a generally vertical planar surface. This technology also provides a third leg assembly for selective use by an operator to add a third leg when no vertical planar surface is available upon which to support the rear edge of the seat assembly stool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: William David Holcombe
  • Patent number: 8820842
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat part, with a backrest and with a support structure for supporting the seat part as well as the backrest, in which the support structure is capable of being fastened to a bodywork component and in which forces acting upon the vehicle seat by means of the support structure are capable of being introduced into the bodywork component, and in which the support structure has an asymmetrical framework with main force braces extending substantially vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Roland Uebelacker, Johann Deml, Sergej Schustjew
  • Patent number: 8814273
    Abstract: A seat structure may be installed in a seat assembly. The seat structure may comprise plurality of tube members forming a substantially closed structure. Some of the tube members have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial portion of its respective longitudinal length. At least a first set of the tube members has at least one of a different dimensional property and a different material property from a second set of the tube members such that mechanical properties of each tube member is configured for stress requirements for a respective region that the respective tube member occupies. The plurality of tube members are joined such that the plurality of tube members are in fixed positions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Mark S. Williamson, Antoine Kmeid, Alexander I. Balin, Piotr Roszczenko, Yannis Poulos, Edward J. Lamont
  • Publication number: 20140152071
    Abstract: A foam reinforced and bent tube for use in a vehicle seat frame and a method of forming such a tube are provided. The tube has a cavity which extends along its length and at least one open end. The foam may be inserted into the cavity through any desirable process including, for example, injection. The bend is formed by heating a portion of the tubular element and bending it at the heated region. The insertion of the foam material into the cavity of the tubular element may precede, follow or be simultaneous with the heating and bending processes. The foam material may have a variable type and/or a variable density through the length of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel J. Sakkinen, Michael J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 8733834
    Abstract: A trim assembly for a seat back of a vehicle seat is provided. The seat back has a seat frame and a seat cushion. The trim assembly includes a backboard securable to the seat frame and adapted to form a rear surface of the seat back. The backboard has a channel formed therein and a plurality of spaced apart retaining windows formed along a length of the channel. A trim cover is adapted to cover the seat cushion and form a front surface of the seat back. The trim cover has a cover material portion and a trim retainer connected to the cover material portion. The trim retainer includes an engagement feature. The trim retainer is insertable into the channel such that the engagement feature cooperates with the retaining windows for securing the trim cover to the backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Palmer
  • Patent number: 8714654
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seatback frame forming a seatback of a vehicle seat that comprises a pair of side frame sections composed of pipe shaped members at least in part, separated from each other in a lateral direction, and extended in a vertical direction, and comprises an upper frame for interconnecting upper sides of the pair of side frame sections. Flat sections each deformed outward in the lateral direction to reduce the lateral thickness thereof are formed in portions of the pair of side frame sections where their respective pipe shaped members are opposed to each other. Thus, the distance between the pair of side frame sections can be increased without changing lateral dimensions of the seatback frame, allowing an occupant to more smoothly sink into the seatback from the backrest front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nitsuma
  • Patent number: 8714653
    Abstract: A supporting structure of a headrest bracket is disclosed comprising attaching portions (flat areas in the frontal view) provided on an upper frame of a vehicle seat, with attaching wall portions formed on both ends of each flat attaching portion, whereby one side of the headrest bracket is put onto the attaching portion, so that welding points made between the free ends of the attaching wall and on the sides of the headrest bracket are provided, and the free ends are welded, and the welding point made between the upper and/or lower ends of the attaching portion and on the sides of the headrest bracket is horizontally welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Niron Technica Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 8657382
    Abstract: A structural part, such as for a backrest of a vehicle seat has at least one panel element, a first profile element, and a second profile element. The panel and profile elements are connected to one another by at least one weld. The panel element has first beads in a first connecting region of the first profile element, and second beads in a second connecting region of the second profile element. A minimum spacing is provided between the first and second beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Dirk Eckenroth, Holger Roebkes
  • Patent number: 8616653
    Abstract: A frame structure of a seat cushion can include a right and left plate-like side panel having side portions of the seat cushion, and a tubular front pipe reinforcing front side portions of the right and left side panels. The front pipe can include right and left erect portions extending over the length of front sides of the side panels, right and left extending portions extending forward from upper end portions of the right and left erect portions, and a bridge portion bridging across front end portions of the right and left extending portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomokazu Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8590966
    Abstract: A vibration damper for a vehicle seat back is disclosed. The vibration damper includes an enclosure provided inside the upper end of a vehicle seat back. The enclosure includes a plurality of projections, preferably in the form of spaced apart, vertically extending pins, extending from one or more interior walls of the enclosure. A non-newtonian stress thickening fluid is provided within the enclosure. When the seat back is at rest the stress thickening fluid is free flowing within the enclosure. When the seat back is moved the stress thickening fluid is acted upon by the walls of the enclosure, the internally mounted pins, or both. As the walls and pins push on the fluid it comes under shear stress which causes the fluid to harden. As the pins pass through the hardened fluid they absorb energy and dampen the motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David William Gaines, Peter T. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20130307310
    Abstract: The seat for an aircraft passenger is, in particular, very light. It consists principally of a structure (1), a back (2) and a base (3). The structure (1) is rigid and tubular. It may be obtained as a single piece by rotational moulding of a plastic or, alternatively, by extrusion-bending or bladder inflation moulding if the structure (1) consists of several tubes assembled with one another in rigid fashion. Application to civil aircraft seats, in particular in economy class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: EXPLISEAT
    Inventors: Benjamin Jacob Saada, Jean-Charles Marcel Samuelian, Vincent Tejedor
  • Publication number: 20130292989
    Abstract: Tubular bodies for use in frames for seats of vehicles such as aircraft are described. A tube can include a sidewall that has a variable thickness along the length of the tube. The variable thickness of the sidewalls can result in the tube having a variable inner diameter along the length of the tube. The tube may also include a variable outer diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Tien Le, Aram Aris Kirkorian
  • Patent number: 8550564
    Abstract: A composite seat pan for a lightweight aircraft passenger seat includes an open-section fore cross beam, an open-section aft cross beam and a seat pan membrane carried by the fore cross beam and the aft cross beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Max U. Kismarton, James A. Fullerton