Having Elongated Hollow Member (e.g., Tubular, Etc.) Patents (Class 297/452.2)
  • Publication number: 20030047971
    Abstract: An emergency conveyance seat includes a frame for supporting a seat cushion and a back cushioning arrangement. The frame includes a pair of spaced apart channels connected by an enclosure adapted to receive a self-contained breathing apparatus. The channels provide attachment structure for mounting the back cushioning arrangement thereon. One of the channels provides a protective housing for an elongated seat belt webbing having one end attached to a retractor positioned within the channel and a second end attached to a lower portion of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Fohrenkamm, Paul C. Bostrom, Wayne R. Block
  • Patent number: 6517162
    Abstract: A salon shampoo chair. The shampoo chair includes a barrel-shaped main frame, a seat and a basin mounted on the main frame and a selected number of foot stands fastened directly to a lower side of the main frame. The shampoo chair is sturdy and easy to assemble and disassemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Hsien-Yang Cheng
  • Patent number: 6505890
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Am-Safe, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Riley, Willard F. Hagan
  • Patent number: 6499806
    Abstract: In a seat back frame formed by attaching a spring unit to a frame body, the spring unit is easily attached to the frame without performing caulking. A projecting hooked portion is formed in one side of the spring unit, and an insertion hole that receives the hooked portion therein is provided in the frame. Thus, the hooked portion is inserted into the insertion hole and hooked at a position on the rear surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetaka Nagayasu, Masayuki Kato
  • Patent number: 6481800
    Abstract: A bench-type dinette seat frame includes a pair of spaced-apart anchor bars positioned at the junction of a seat section and a back section of the dinette frame and a third attachment point positioned above and intermediate the first and second spaced apart anchors to provide a three-point attachment of a child safety seat to the dinette frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company
    Inventor: Gary L. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6471293
    Abstract: A stackable chair includes a base with a pair of inverted U-shaped leg members. Each of the leg members includes a front leg portion, a rear leg portion, and a generally horizontal portion interconnecting the front and rear leg portions. The base also has a generally horizontal seat cushion frame extending between the U-shaped leg members with the transverse front spring reinforcement bar extending side-to-side. A back support frame has a generally vertical portion with an upper and lower end and a generally horizontal portion that extends from the lower end. The generally horizontal portion includes a transverse rear spring reinforcement bar. A spring member has one end interconnected with the front spring reinforcement bar and another end interconnected with the rear spring reinforcement bar. The spring member supports the back support frame such that the back support frame has an unstressed position and a reclined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Duane Ware, William F. Lohness
  • Patent number: 6471292
    Abstract: A frame (1) for a vehicle seat is intended to be deformed, in part elastically and in part plastically, under the influence of forces, for example, in connection with a collision. The frame (1) is made from a metallic, hardened material. The frame absorbs energy during the plastic deformation by having at least one deformation zone (5) that has been imparted a reduced resistance via tempering of a portion of the metallic, hardened material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Accra Teknik AB
    Inventors: Anders Sundgren, Mats Lindberg, Göran Berglund
  • Publication number: 20020149252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat back comprising firstly a rigid frame (2) having first and second side uprights (41, 5) and top and bottom cross-members (42, 43) interconnecting the first and second side uprights (41, 5), and secondly a resilient supporting sheet (3) fixed to the rigid frame (2) and placed so as to come directly into contact with the back of a user. According to the invention, the supporting sheet (3) forms a bag that is fitted onto the rigid frame over its first side upright (41) so as to cover the top and bottom cross-members (42, 43) and the first side upright (41), with the second side edges (64, 74) of the front and rear faces of the resilient supporting sheet (3) being fixed to the second side upright (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Francois Fourrey, Frederic Baret
  • Publication number: 20020140275
    Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed which is ideally suited for use on a riding lawn mower or the like. The seat assembly comprises first and second side supports which have rear ends and front ends. A fabric member is secured to and is stretched between the first and second side supports. The fabric member has an elastic modulus that is greater between its opposite sides than between its rear and front ends. The fabric member is multi-layered at its rearward end to provide greater support at the rearward end or other positions between the forward and rearward ends thereof than at the forward end thereof. A seat cushion is positioned on the fabric with the seat cushion being enclosed by a suitable upholstery material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Garry W. Busboom
  • Patent number: 6457773
    Abstract: A transportable cushioning device for supporting a buttocks portion of a user while sitting in a seat. The transportable cushioning device includes an inner cushioning assembly for supporting the buttocks portion of the user sitting in the seat. The inner cushioning assembly includes a support layer for supporting the buttocks portion of the user and a comfort layer for contouring to the buttocks portion of the user in order to provide comfort to the user. A covering is provided for covering all of the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Richard L. Gates
  • Publication number: 20020105219
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Michael C. Riley, Willard F. Hagan
  • Patent number: 6428095
    Abstract: A seat with a seat sensor is formed of a pressure sensitive sheet sensor for sensing a presser, and a seat pad for allowing a user to sit thereon. The seat pad has a slit extending from one peripheral side of the seat pad to a middle area of the seat pad. The slit has a with and a height to allow the sheet sensor to enter from the one peripheral side to the middle thereof so that the sheet sensor is disposed inside the seat pad. The seat with the seat sensor can be easily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Hirata
  • Patent number: 6423388
    Abstract: Lightweight, cost-effective composite seat back frames comprise braided carbon fiber reinforced attachment portions connected by braided, glass fiber-reinforced, generally U-shaped back portions, all these portions impregnated with a polymeric matrix resin. One or more of the braided glass or carbon fiber portions are preferably woven by a multiaxial weaving machine to maximize composite properties. The braids may be woven around a permanent or removable mandrel, and may contain pivot bushings or seat articulation hardware. The seat back frames thus produced are lighter than their aluminum counterparts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Bateson, Stephen Lambrecht, John P. Slaven
  • Patent number: 6378946
    Abstract: A seat backrest frame (10) having an integrally formed rigid peripheral frame structure which, relative to an in-use orientation, has a plurality of frame portions, namely a pair of side portions (20) and transverse portions (22 and 24). Each of the frame portions (20, 22 and 24) has an elongate channel form defined by respective side flanges (20a, 22a, 24a, 20b, 22b, 24b), and an interconnecting web (20c, 22c, 24c). Each web (20c, 22c, 24c) being disposed forwardly of the frame structure with the channel of each frame portion opening rearwardly. Each side portion (20) defines a forwardly projecting wing (36) over at least the lower half of its length, such that the depth of each side portion channel in at least the region of the wing (36) is substantially greater than the depth of the channels of the transverse portions (22 and 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Henderson's Industries PTY Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Cope, Morris Taylor Murray, Mark Paul Spataro, Martin Raymond Young
  • Patent number: 6352311
    Abstract: A backrest structure for a vehicle seat comprises two hydroformed, tubular, horizontal crosspieces and vertical uprights engaged without any clearance in orifices punched into these crosspieces during hydroforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipments SA
    Inventor: Sébastien Hayotte
  • Patent number: 6347836
    Abstract: A seat back structure comprises a lower edge around which it is articulated and next to which is fixed a lower crosspiece the ends of which have pivoting means. These pivoting means are carried by a base which is itself added by fitting in the ends of the lower crosspiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipments SA
    Inventor: Sébastien Hayotte
  • Patent number: 6345861
    Abstract: A compact transportable folding chair including a seat portion comprised of a horizontal support. The horizontal support includes a forward tubular support and a rearward tubular support in a spaced relationship. The horizontal support includes a central support portion secured between the forward and rearward tubular supports. The central support portion has a padded cushion secured thereto. The central support has opposed side edges. The seat portion has opposed pairs of legs pivotally coupled thereto. A backrest portion is pivotally coupled with the seat portion. A pair of carrying straps are coupled with respect to the backrest portion. A support tray is removably coupled with the backrest portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: William Goodo
  • Patent number: 6341822
    Abstract: A method of constructing a chair is used to attach a flexible envelope portion to a support structure. The flexible envelope portion includes two layers of fabric material, with an opening proximate one side. The support structure includes first and second spaced-apart rails having a plurality of studs engaged by a plurality of cross braces. Initially, the rails are held apart by a resilient wire member which is attached to the top of each rail. The structure is inserted within the flexible envelope, and the rails are spaced apart to provide tension to the flexible envelope. The plurality of cross braces are attached to the rails to maintain the tension in the envelope. The wire member and the flexible envelope have an arcuate shape which provides an aesthetically pleasing contour to the top of the back of the chair. Additionally, the wire member provides head support, adding to the overall comfort of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Homecrest Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Arthur A. Apissomian
  • Publication number: 20010052724
    Abstract: A crosspiece for the frame of a vehicle seat that includes a supporting surface for the occupant. A crosspiece is formed as an element that shortens by a preset amount along its longitudinal dimension when a load is imposed up to a threshold value. The crosspiece includes an intentional bending point that bends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction when the threshold value is exceeded so that the crosspiece does not move in the direction of the supporting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Kamper, Norbert Kielsmeier
  • Patent number: 6322148
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a vehicle seat connection assembly having a seat back frame connecting to a seat bottom frame by a hinge member. The seat back frame has a leg which extends to an end portion wherein the end portion is hollow and has an aperture transversely formed therethrough. The end portion has an indented wall formed about the aperture and terminates at an opening. A securing member is disposed at the end portion through the aperture. The hinge member has a pivotal end attached to the seat bottom frame and a prong end having first and second spaced apart prongs which are disposed through the opening of the end portion. The prongs flank the securing member and engage the indented wall of the end portion of the seat back frame. The indented wall of the end portion is formed to complement the shape of the prongs to provide sufficient surface area support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Kolena, Alan Dean Berg, Danny Saenz
  • Patent number: 6312056
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for restraining an occupant in a seating arrangement comprising a vehicle seat wherein the vehicle seat has a seat frame, a seat bottom coupled to the frame, and a seat back coupled to the seat frame wherein the seat back has a first edge and a second edge, the occupant restraint system comprising a first anchoring assembly for being attached to the vehicle seat adjacent to the first edge of the seat back, a second anchoring assembly for being attached to the vehicle seat adjacent to the second edge of the seat back, a first elongate flexible member with a body portion extendibly and retractably retained on the first anchoring assembly, a mechanism for coupling a portion of the first elongate flexible member to the second anchoring assembly whereby the body portion of the first elongate flexible member traverses the seat back from the first edge to the second edge, a first buckle element coupled to the body portion of the first elongate flexible member, a first corresponding buckl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventors: Gary H. Murphy, George E. Temple, IV, Keith A. Gudeman
  • Patent number: 6286902
    Abstract: A seat back framework of a seat which includes a main frame having two lateral frame sections, a side bracket of a channel cross-section attached to each of the two lateral frame sections, with one end thereof projecting therefrom, and a support wire member extended between the two lateral frame sections, wherein a recession or difference in level is created between that one end of side bracket and one end of the support wire member. In this seat back framework, such one end of the support wire member is welded on and along each of the two lateral frame sections in close proximity to the end of side brackets, thereby reducing or eliminating the foregoing recession or difference in level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6241318
    Abstract: A seat-back frame includes side-frame portions having sides formed with recesses, an upper-frame portion arranged between upper ends of the side-frame portions, a lower-frame portion arranged between lower ends of the side-frame portions, and a crosspiece arranged between the side-frame portions and having ends engaged with the recesses of the side-frame portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Amano
  • Patent number: 6207096
    Abstract: An improved method for forming a vehicle trim panel, such as a headliner, utilizes a zig zag path to deposit fibrous pieces onto a fibrous layer to form part of the trim panel. In one method, the fibrous pieces are laid down in a zig zag pattern that does not extend across the entire lateral width of the layer. In this way, the designer can easily achieve selected areas having a greater amount of fibrous pieces. This allows the designer to achieve selected high density or thicker portions in the layer without requiring the entire layer to have the same amount of fibrous pieces. This results in greater control over the design of the layer, and also reduces the amount of fiber which must be utilized to form the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Girma M. Gebreselassie
  • Patent number: RE37026
    Abstract: A pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat assembly accommodates loads applied to the seatback through a safety belt restraint system carried by the seat assembly. The pivot assembly includes a connector member including an upper portion extending into a hollow channel defined by the seatback frame. The connector member is fixedly attached thereto. The pivot assembly further includes a housing attached to a lower seat structure for movement therewith between fore and aft positions. The connector member is pivotally mounted to the housing to thereby permit the seatback to rotate relative to the lower seat structure between a generally upright position and a reclined position. The pivot assembly further preferably includes a drive arrangement for rotating the connector member about a pivot axis. The pivot assembly functions to efficiently and effectively transfer loads from the seatback to the lower seat structure, and in turn, to the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Whalen