Including Symmetrical Thigh-support Portions Patents (Class 297/452.25)
  • Patent number: 11672356
    Abstract: A pneumatically adjustable bladder system (90) for use in a cushioned seat bottom (24) has one or two rear foam filled bladders (62, 64) for location under the ischial tuberosities of a seated occupant of the seat bottom, and one or more expansion chambers (14, 16) or front foam filled bladders (66, 68) for location under the thighs of the seated occupant. There are air passageways (70, 72, 74, 92) interconnecting the bladders with each other or with an expansion chamber. The system is air tight and the bladders are compressible under the weight of the seated occupant and are expandable when the weight is removed. The compression of a bladder causes air therewith in to be displaced through the air passageways to the expansion chambers or to the other bladders, which then expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: COMFORT CONCEPTS PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: David Wornell
  • Patent number: 11445832
    Abstract: A holder includes a vertical holding part configured to support an infant in a vertical posture so that the head is positioned vertically, in which the vertical holding part has a front pad part extending in a vertical direction and configured to support the infant from a front of the infant, at least from the abdomen to the chest of the infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ai-met NEO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Watanabe, Akihiko Ishida, Yasuo Aihara
  • Patent number: 10849428
    Abstract: An orthopedic device for improving posture while sitting, having a foundation member including a front portion for upper legs and a bowl portion for lower pelvic area. The bowl portion has a central portion and an upwardly inclined lateral portion. The lateral portion and the front portion collectively surround the central portion. A channel attachment is connected with one or more pelvic crest portions. The channel attachment portion connects over a concave recessed portion. The central portion has plural regions of varying flexibility and the lateral portion has plural regions of varying flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: BACKJOY ORTHOTICS, LLC
    Inventor: William Preston Willingham
  • Patent number: 10791841
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chair and, more particularly, to a lumbar support chair of which the shape and position are adjusted according to a change of posture of a sitter to support a user's lumbar, thereby providing a comfortable feeling and a posture correction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Jun Seok Seo
  • Patent number: 10471860
    Abstract: A device for allowing a user to ride in a vehicle is provided. The device may include: a seat unit having one or more portions of foam materials; one or more accessory units to support the functionality of the seat unit; and one or more seat configurations to attach the seat unit to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Rob VanPay
  • Patent number: 9861203
    Abstract: A seat assembly for task-oriented seating comprises a seat support and a seat coupled to the seat support. The seat is movable under load, such as from the user's weight and movements, relative to the seat support. The seat has a cushion molded over a supporting armature with multiple bias elements. The seat and seat support are configured to deflect by predetermined amounts at defined locations over an extent of the seat assembly. In this way, the seat assembly provides for a range of comfortable and effective positions for users engaged in different active motions and having different preferences and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: A-dec, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Alvarez, Jonathan Wilson, Rebekah Slyter, Kohler Johnson, Charles Stark, Brian E. Bonn, Fred Kaas, Aaron Ochsner, Nathan Hadley
  • Patent number: 9783092
    Abstract: A kayak seat is provided that includes a seat base, and a seat pan supported by, and attached to, the seat base. The seat pan is made from a flexible material such that the seat pan is configured to be adjustable. The seat pan is configured to support the pelvis and thighs of a user seated in the seat pan. A seat back is attached to the seat base. A first adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a position of the seat pan from a single point of adjustment. A second adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a position of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey M. Bergmark, Robert J. McDonough, Mathew S. Cardinali
  • Patent number: 9751439
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprising a foam padding having a through-bore, a surface cover element covering a surface of the foam padding, and a functional element formed from a soft material. The functional element has a tubular body fitted in the through-bore of the foam padding and a flange integral with the tubular body. An area of the flange of the functional element, adjacent to a peripheral end of the flange, is sewn with a reverse side of an edge portion of an opening defined in the surface cover element, such reverse side facing to the foam padding. The surface cover element with the flange thus sewn therewith covers the foam padding, with the tubular body being fitted in the through-bore of the foam padding, so that a surface of the flange and an opening of the tubular body are exposed in an outer surface of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9717342
    Abstract: A device configured to relieve pressure caused by the full weight of a patient on the buttocks area of the patient when in a sitting position, by instead placing and averting the pressure on the thighs. The device may be efficacious for use after a buttock augmentation surgery including, but not limited to, Butt Implants, Brazilian Butt Lift, Fat Transfer, Fat Grafting, Butt Shots, Liposuction & any other procedure affecting the lower rear area of a human trunk. These procedures prevents a patient from sitting directly on the buttocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Tanya Bates
  • Patent number: 9179777
    Abstract: A method of assembling a chair component includes providing a support component adapted to support a portion of a seated user and including at least one aperture, providing a cover including a plurality of sides that cooperate to form an interior space, and including at least one coupler, positioning the support component within the interior space of the cover such that the at least one coupler is positioned within the at least one aperture, providing a securing member, and attaching the securing member to the support component such that the at least one coupler is held within the at least one aperture by the securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vander Veen, Gordon J. Peterson, Bruce M. Smith
  • Patent number: 9021637
    Abstract: A wheelchair cushion comprises a dual stiffness fluid. A cushion also comprises an ability to adjust fluid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Ki Mobility
    Inventors: Thomas J Whelan, Stephen Sprigle, Alison McKenna, Ezekiel Kolajo, Sanchit Mittal, Saranya Sathananthan, Christopher Tile
  • Patent number: 8857914
    Abstract: A seat on a stool, chair or bench has a permanent depression in the surface of the seat that corresponds in shape to an end view of a human iliac bone. This shape has concave curved central channel which has a first end and a second end. There is a first concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the first end of the concave curved central channel and a second concave boomerang shaped channel having a central portion connected to the second end of the concave curved central channel. A chair, stool or bench whose seat has such a permanent depression is more comfortable to the person sitting on that seat than hard seats on seating devices known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Adams Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: William E. Adams, Robert G. Schreiber
  • Patent number: 8851569
    Abstract: A full-cover and light-weight child safety seat is disclosed, capable of improving the difficulties in manufacturing and assembling processes in conventional skills. The safety seat includes a first hard layer, a second hard layer, a body (or a cushion portion) formed by foaming expansion material and a wall formed on a peripheral zones of the body. The body is defined with an inner end surface coated with the first hard layer and an outer end surface covered by the second hard layer so that the foaming expansion material (or the body), the first hard layer and the second hard layer are snuggly and firmly formed in a composite state, thereby improving the improper conditions in conventional skills, such as carry or deliver inconvenience caused by larger thickness/volume and heavier weight for the purpose of obtaining sufficient strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Chang-Hsien Ho
  • Patent number: 8528982
    Abstract: A seat has a configuration in which, in each side frame of a cushion frame, an inner frame and an outer frame which have flanges extending along peripheral edges thereof are faced to each other with a space therebetween at least partially, and the flanges are fixed by hemming process along the entire peripheral edges thereof. Since the entire peripheral edges are hemmed, the inner frame and the outer frame are securely fixed. Additionally, since the inner frame and the outer frame which are thin-plate-shaped are used, reduction in weight of each side frame can be achieved. Further, since the inner frame and the outer frame are faced to each other with a space therebetween at least partially, a compressive/tensile strength required as a side frame can be secured by inserting an expanded bead body into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yumi Ogura, Seiji Kawasaki, Eiji Sugimoto, Soichi Makita, Yasuhide Takata, Shigeru Maeda, Ryoji Matsukawa, Hideyuki Yamane, Seiya Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8042873
    Abstract: A driver's seat of a work vehicle comprising a seatback section, and a seating section including a receiving surface portion formed in an intermediate portion of the seating section for receiving buttocks of the operator, and a recessed groove formed along a side frame portion at a boundary between the side frame portion and the receiving surface portion to open at an extension distal end of the seating section. The recessed groove has a bottom surface inclined downwardly from a back end of the seatback section to the extension distal end of the seating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Miyamaru, Junta Kuwae, Tatsuyuki Kashimoto, Takayoshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7614704
    Abstract: A wheelchair seat cushion has multi-density regions. The cushion assembly may have a region having a stiffer, higher density proximate the front of the seat cushion assembly beneath the user's thighs to assist the user in exiting the wheelchair. Alternatively, or additionally, an insert member having multi-density regions may be received in a recess in a base member. The insert members may be oriented in different orientations to position a softer, less dense region at different locations, to situate the softer, less dense region of the insert beneath a particular user's ischial tuberosities and/or coccyx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Whelan, James L. Christofferson
  • Patent number: 7506937
    Abstract: A seating element for an automobile vehicle with a cushion formed from a central portion (10) with an exterior face for supporting a user seated on the seat and at least a lateral portion (20) on the door side, the lateral portion (20) being provided with at least one insert (30) lodged in the cushion, and in which the said insert (30) has a directional elasticity resulting in a stiffness in a first direction along the transversal axis with a first value and a stiffness in a second direction perpendicular to the said exterior face for support with a second value inferior to the said first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automibile S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Bequet
  • Patent number: 7506932
    Abstract: A jockey seat assembly is adapted to be used on a motorized vehicle and includes a saddle seat having a substantially inverted U-shaped configuration. A height adjusting mechanism is provided for the seat and has an upper frame mounted beneath the saddle seat, a lower frame adapted to be secured to a bottom surface of the vehicle and a collapsible lever assembly interconnected between the upper and lower frames. A biasing arrangement is secured between outermost ends of the lever assembly in the upper frame and the lower frame for urging the upper frame and the seat away from the lower frame. A pair of adjustment plates are fixed externally to the lever assembly and provided with a series of slots defining a number of vertical height adjusting positions. An actuator extends forwardly of the seat and the upper frame and is pivotally connected to the upper frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: H.O. Bostrom Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Bostrom, Wayne R. Block, Ryan Hummer
  • Patent number: 7445292
    Abstract: A seat portion (4) for a seat (2), which seat portion (4) comprises at least a first part (8) which is made of a first plastics foam material of a first density, and a second part (10) which is made of a second plastics foam material of a second and different density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Terry Glyn Moule
  • Patent number: 7287815
    Abstract: The incentive seating module comprises: a structural frame provided with a gaiter, a frame, disposed above said structural frame and provided with an arch, whereby the structural frame exhibits planar symmetry, means for connecting the frame to the structural frame comprising a joint enabling the frame to swivel in relation to the structural frame about an axis which is perpendicular to the symmetrical plane, and a seating element joining the frame to the gaiter, made of an elastic membrane which is used to define a rest position for the frame in relation to the structural frame and to return it towards said position when a user causes it to tilt in one direction or the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: André Leguen, Catherine Cantenot
  • Patent number: 7275788
    Abstract: Chairs for encouraging proper posture for performers, including vocalists and instrumentalists. Chairs allow for maintenance of proper posture by performers seated in engaged and in perched positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Dettmann, Paul James, Diwa Ratnam, Jodi Tuthill, Mark Reeves, Terry Strand, Patrick Weber
  • Patent number: 7131697
    Abstract: In the case of a sports seat (101) for a vehicle, especially for a motor vehicle, having at least one rigid seat shell (103) as a structure for the seat part, and a separately formed, rigid backrest shell (105) as a structure for the backrest, the shells are adjustable in inclination relative to each other, the adjustment of the inclination takes place by way of fittings (107), each of the fittings has a lower part connected fixedly to the seat shell (103), and an upper part which is connected to the backrest shell (105) and can be rotated relative to the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Recaro GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Frank Beermann, Friedrich Muellner
  • Patent number: 7121623
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided which enables rear occupants to sit on a rear seat in a vehicle provided with seats arranged in a substantially longitudinal direction while simultaneously securing the comfort and safety of the rear occupants in a relatively small vehicle. The seat structure of the vehicle includes a wide rear seat provided with right and left seated parts for rear occupants M2, M2 at a rear side of a front seat for a driver. A backrest corresponding to the right and left seated parts is provided on the rear seat that extends diagonally rearward from a center portion thereof toward sides of the vehicle body. Raised, convex portions for regulating the lateral movement of the occupants are provided between each seated part in the rear seat, at the center of the backrest and in the front seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Fujihara, Koichi Sugioka, Mamoru Otsubo, Eiji Ozawa, Toshikazu Saito, Yumio Shibata, Hiroshi Inokawa
  • Patent number: 7044547
    Abstract: A seating apparatus (10) for supporting a user I, includes a base (12). The base has a back rest (16) extending upwardly from a rear portion thereof. A pommel (26) is located at a front portion of the base. Leg receipt regions (14) extend forwardly from the base rear portion on either side of the pommel and are adapted with the pommel for causing the user's thighs to splay outwardly when received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Mark Sorrenti
  • Patent number: 7040706
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat that includes a seat comfort zone that peripherally encompasses a pelvic zone, a front seat zone adjacent to the front side of a seat comfort zone and a first side seat zone, second side seat zone and rear seat zone peripherally encompassing a first side, second side and rear side, respectively, of the seat comfort zone. The seat comfort zone, the pelvic zone, the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone, the front seat zone and the rear seat zone include a soft elastic material. Further, the front seat zone is less firm than the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone, the rear seat zone, the seat comfort zone and the pelvic zone. The first side seat zone, the second side seat zone and the rear seat zone are more firm than the front seat zone, the seat comfort zone and the pelvic zone. The pelvic zone is more elastic than the front seat zone, the comfort zone, the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone and the rear seat zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Phat Cushion LLC
    Inventor: Adam J. Koffler
  • Patent number: 6983991
    Abstract: A removable anatomic seat (10) comprises a support structure (22) for an anatomic seating recess (20) for a user, where the structure is rested above a piece of furniture (14) and where the recess (20) is hinged at least one end (at 24) to the structure (22), being foreseen lifting elements (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) to tilt the recess (20) with respect to the structure (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Giancarlo Strona
  • Patent number: 6811218
    Abstract: A task chair including a seat support structure, and a seat supported by the seat support structure and having a seating surface which may ergonomically conform to a seated user. The seating surface includes rigid and flexible portions connected to one another, the flexible portions allowing resilient flexing of the seating surface to create conformance zones which dynamically support a seated user in an ergonomic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Deimen, Derek Schweikarth, Stephen D. Hatcher, Joseph G. Hasenour
  • Publication number: 20040160111
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat that includes a seat comfort zone that peripherally encompasses a pelvic zone, a front seat zone adjacent to the front side of a seat comfort zone and a first side seat zone, second side seat zone and rear seat zone peripherally encompassing a first side, second side and rear side, respectively, of the seat comfort zone. The seat comfort zone, the pelvic zone, the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone, the front seat zone and the rear seat zone include a soft elastic material. Further, the front seat zone is less firm than the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone, the rear seat zone, the seat comfort zone and the pelvic zone. The first side seat zone, the second side seat zone and the rear seat zone are more firm than the front seat zone, the seat comfort zone and the pelvic zone. The pelvic zone is more elastic than the front seat zone, the comfort zone, the first side seat zone, the second side seat zone and the rear seat zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Adam J. Koffler
  • Patent number: 6709052
    Abstract: A saddle seat (1) which has a rounded center part (2), and side parts (3) which at least partially curve downwards at an angle from the center part in order to support the pelvis and thigh muscle of the seated person, the side parts (3) having front edges (4) which form an acute angle and between them is formed a space (5). The central edge section of the front edges (4) of the seat are curved backwards at an angle towards the center part of the seat (1) in order to form a space in between the edges which extends backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Easydoing Oy
    Inventor: Veli-Jussi Jalkanen
  • Patent number: 6502263
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a seating system and more particularly to seat cushion assemblies having a rearward depression and cushioning insert tailored to fit under the skeletal structure of the user. In particular, the assembly preferably includes an inflatable air insert which is made of a series of pleated air cells where the insert generally has the same outline as the depression. The insert can be inflated during use using a one-handed pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Judy Rowley, Jamison Float
  • Patent number: 6398310
    Abstract: An anatomically shaped seat shell includes a first lateral profile and a second lateral profile with a longitudinal axis located between the first lateral profile and the second lateral profile, a median support located edgeways to the longitudinal axis of the scat shell and having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion and seat bands located transverse to the median support and connected to the upper edge portion of the median support, the first lateral profile and the second lateral profile. A method of construction is also disclosed. By automatically adjusting the seat bands to the individual profile of the buttocks or posterior of a user, a high sitting stability and a high evenness of the distribution of sitting pressure are achieved. The distance of the seat bands from one another, in combination with an open-pore cellular material pad cut to the same thickness, provides a very good microclimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Otto Bock Orthopaedische Industrie Besitz-und Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Seeliger
  • Patent number: 6378947
    Abstract: A seating system, for example a paediatric seating system for wheelchairs, provides appropriate support for a person using the chair by providing adjustable components to support specific anatomical areas of the back, pelvis and upper leg and, more specifically, three components that stabilize the pelvis of that person. These components comprise an elevation change in the seat, a pad at the back that provides resistance to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a pair of anterior pelvic pads that stabilize below the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Bloorview MacMillan Centre
    Inventors: Alan Barber, Michael Doell, Stephen Ryan, Ihsan Al-Temen, Patricia Rigby
  • Patent number: 6371562
    Abstract: Reinforcement is given in a vehicle seat with such an arrangement that a plurality of recessions and at least one decorative groove are scatteringly formed in each of two spaced-apart protuberant side support portions of the vehicle seat. A foaming is effected to create a foam padding of a predetermined shape of the seat having two spaced-apart protuberant side support portions, such as to define a plurality of first recessions and at least one first decorative groove in each of those two side support portions, after which, a trim cover assembly is pressingly bonded to the thus-formed foaming pad, thereby forcibly inserting and bonding plural points of the trim cover assembly in those first recessions and decorative groove of padding. A resulting seat is therefore provided not only with a highly enlarged area of cured and hardened adhesive layer, but also with an intensified stretched state of trim cover assembly, whereby an increased reinforcement is given to both two side support portions of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Yoshimura, Makoto Shimada
  • Patent number: 6315363
    Abstract: A one-piece molded go cart seat having a back, bottom and sides wherein the sides are deepened and partially overlay the rib cage with a partial wrap portion that supports the sides and a partial portion of the front of the rib cage. The lateral edges include a webbing or binding made from a non-chaffing material. A method of the making the go cart seat comprises utilizing a two piece mold having flanges at a parting point and mudding the point of separation to provide a smooth rib running along the vertical axis of the top of the back to the bottom of the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Charles Frear
  • Patent number: 6293625
    Abstract: A seat (10) for a chair having a base (11) and ridges (13) which extend transversely of the base (11). The ridges (13) are raised and are engaged by the Ischial Tuberosities of a person sitting on the seat (10) to prevent a person sliding from the seat (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Barry J. Dixon
  • Patent number: 6209159
    Abstract: A pressure reducing cushion with selective pressure point relief features at least two air bladders, and a foam outer layer covering the air bladders. Each air bladder consists of an impervious to air sheet material which surrounds an open celled compressible foam material. Attached to the air bladder is an air flow tube and attached to the air flow tube is a flow control element. When the flow control element is open air from the atmosphere is able to communicate with the interior of the open celled compressible foam material through the air flow tube in combination with the flow control element. The open celled compressible foam material is of such a characteristic that once it is deformed it tends to regain its original shape, thus filling the air bladder with air, if the flow control element is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Comfortex Health Care Surfaces
    Inventor: Michael Murphy