Apertures In Primary Bottom Or Back Patents (Class 297/452.46)
  • Patent number: 11819139
    Abstract: A backrest includes a primary frame having a pair of laterally spaced first uprights defining a first opening therebetween, a first front surface and a first rear surface. A secondary frame includes a pair of laterally spaced second uprights defining a second opening therebetween, a second rear surface facing the first front surface of the primary frame and a second front surface, wherein the secondary frame is coupled to the primary frame, and wherein at least portions of the first and second openings are aligned. A flexible shell overlies and is coupled to the second front surface of the secondary frame. The flexible shell includes a third rear surface visible through the aligned portions of the first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: STEELCASE INC.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Pascal Rolf Hien, Jeffrey A. Hall, John Colasanti, Michael Yancharas
  • Patent number: 11284723
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat pad assembly having ventilation for comfort and heat dissipation. The seat pad assembly includes a frame with padding on top of the frame. The padding having multiple pores for the air to pass through. The frame includes a side opening on its sidewall and a front opening on its front wall. A channel fluidly connects the first opening to the second opening. A cooling module having fans is coupled to the first opening. The top of the frame is having apertures along the length of the channel, wherein the channel and the apertures are configured, such as an airflow between the first opening and the second opening results in drawing the air from the pores of the padding through the apertures into the channel. Alternatively, the channel and the apertures can be configured to draw a portion of the air flowing between the first opening and the second opening through the apertures into the pores of the padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Qiankun Wu, David Yunsong Guo
  • Patent number: 10556526
    Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat includes a vent panel underlying an air permeable trim cover. The vent panel includes a vent that is closed to block air flow when the seat is unoccupied and open to permit air flow when an occupant is on the seat. Opening and closing of the vent is actuated by the weight of the seat occupant. Multiple openings can be spaced along the vent so that forced air flows primarily through vent openings directly alongside the legs or torso of the seat occupant. An effective passive vent panel can be easily made from a sheet of polymeric material with a series of elongated slits cut through the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun Dorian Tait
  • Patent number: 10486565
    Abstract: A dual firmness vehicle seat and a method of forming the same is provided. In an embodiment, a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom, and a seatback disposed on the seat bottom. At least one of the seat bottom and seatback includes a first cushion region having a first initial load deflection value, and a second cushion region having a second initial load deflection value different from the first initial load deflection value. The seat assembly further includes a non-continuous trench defined by and between the first cushion region and the second cushion region and having a base forming a cavity therebetween, and connecting regions disposed within the cavity above the base extending between the first and second cushion regions to inhibit flexing between the first and second cushion regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Doug Sweeting, William Webster, Marc Adam Rosenbrock
  • Patent number: 10427554
    Abstract: A vehicle seat in accordance with the present disclosure includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom. The seat bottom is coupled to a floor of a vehicle and configured to move relative to the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Rod Goodrich, John M. Perraut, Tristan J. Vanfossen
  • Patent number: 10399471
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes right and left side frames 10, and an elastic member (cushion spring 20) run between the right and left side frames 10. The right and left side frames 10 include side walls 11 disposed opposite to each other in a lateral direction, and flange portions (upper flange portions 12) respectively extending laterally inward from the side walls 11, and the elastic member is attached to the flange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teppei Ito
  • Patent number: 10358062
    Abstract: To make a vehicle seat having functionality for blowing air from the surface of the seat feel comfortable for an occupant to sit on without feeling recesses of opening parts of air-blowing grooves thereon, while ensuring that the efficiency of blowing air to the seat surface is kept high. In the vehicle seat, a urethane pad of a seat cushion and a urethane pad of a seat back have through-holes and groove parts formed thereon, wherein the through-holes are connected to a duct at one end, and the groove parts have openings along a surface covered by a seat cover and are connected to the other ends of the through-holes. Each groove part is formed such that the respective opening has a narrower cross-sectional shape than an internal space of the groove part on the inner side of the urethane pad for the seat cushion/seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Arata
  • Patent number: 10124705
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a seat of which a seating comfort can be improved. The seat includes a seat cushion pad having an air passage formed inside and an air vent formed at an upper surface thereof, and is configured to allow air in the air passage to blow out through the air vent, wherein the seat cushion pad includes a pad body and a cover member which is disposed over the pad body to form the air passage between the pad body and the cover member and in which the air vent is formed, and a front end portion of the cover member extends downward over a front end portion of the pad body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuzaburo Abe, Sachio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9975281
    Abstract: Resilient cores preferably for inflatable bodies having resilient slabs that define a plurality of generally columnar holes or resilient arrays of generally columnar solids, methods for making such slabs and arrays, and articles incorporating the same wherein the cores further includes thermal transmission mitigation means for improving a core's resistance to heat transfer beyond the core's innate insulative properties. Non-exclusive and non-exhaustive examples of such thermal transmission mitigation means in slab core embodiments include consideration to hole or bore geometric cross section, frequency, pattern and orientation, the introduction of a thermal barrier at or within at least some holes or bores, and/or slab material selection/treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Cascade Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: John S Lincoln, Douglas S Jacot, Jay Thomas Gutka, Brandon W Bowers, James Edward Marson
  • Patent number: 9149160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bath seat. The bath seat has a top and a pair of centrally disposed and spaced-apart drainage holes in communication with the top. The top of the seat includes a channel extending between the drainage holes. The channel has an enlarged first end, an enlarged second end and a connecting portion connecting the ends of the channel together. Fluid entering into the channel is directed to the drainage holes and thereby drains from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: EVOLUTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 9090187
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base and a seat back. A coverstock is disposed over the seat base and the seat back. A plurality of button-tufts are disposed on a top surface of at least one of the seat base and the seat back and are operably coupled with the coverstock. The plurality of button-tufts include an orifice extending through the button-tufts. A fan is in communication with the orifice and is configured to move air through the orifice, thereby providing air flow to a vehicle passenger resting on the coverstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Hulway
  • Patent number: 9027991
    Abstract: A racing bucket seat and a cooling system for racing cars is capable of effectively suppressing the rise of a driver's body temperature, meeting safety regulations. The racing bucket seat includes a plurality of shell through holes formed in a seat shell, an outer shell fixed on the seat shell to cover the shell through holes from a rear side of the seat shell and formed with a layer-like flow passage between the outer shell and a rear surface of the seat shell, and an air intake port introducing the air into the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ishida, Yutaka Suzuki, Daisuke Takezaki, Shohei Ezaki
  • Patent number: 8899675
    Abstract: A heat ventilating chair includes a backrest unit, a seat unit, and a connecting unit connecting the backrest unit to the seat unit. One of the backrest unit and the seat unit includes a hollow member having an air pump, a pressure valve, and a channel that communicates fluidly the air pump and the pressure valve. The connecting unit is connected between the air pump and the other one of the backrest unit and the seat unit. The connecting unit drives the air pump to expel hot air in the channel to the ambient via the pressure valve when the backrest unit is forced to incline rearward. The connecting unit drives the air pump to draw ambient cool air into the channel via the pressure valve when the backrest unit is restored from a rearwardly inclined state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: I-Shou University
    Inventors: Tai-Hsi Wu, Yi-Hao Chang, Chi-Sheng Wang, Kuo-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 8827372
    Abstract: A blowing pad, a fabrication method of the blowing pad, and a blowing system using the blowing pad are provided. The blowing pad includes a main foam formed of a foamed porous synthetic resin, and a duct embedded in the main foam, wherein the main foam includes an air inlet to which an air inlet tube is inserted and a plurality of vent holes, each of which is connected to the duct, wherein the duct is formed of any one of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and non-porous plastic, wherein the air inlet tube is connected to an external blowing pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Frontis Corp.
    Inventor: Chooseok Yoon
  • Patent number: 8820829
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a seat part, with a seat back and with at least one air-permeable upholstered part having at least a main upholstery, a barrier coat and an upholstery cover. The barrier coat is disposed between the main upholstery and the upholstery cover or a carrier layer thereof. The upholstered part has an additional air-permeable upholstery core that is different from the main upholstery. The air-permeable upholstery core in the region adjoining the main upholstery may be ventilated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Roland Uebelacker
  • Publication number: 20140203599
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly with a cooling system includes a seatback structure with a permeable passenger support which is coupled with the seatback structure. The passenger support has a back support surface and a rear surface. A concave shell has a peripheral edge which is coupled with the rear surface of the passenger support. A conduit member has an intake opening between the passenger support and the shell and an exhaust opening. An air chamber is coupled with the exhaust opening of the conduit member and has a fan on an exterior portion of the air chamber to draw air from the back support surface through the air chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Paul Bryan Hoke, Michael Kolich, John W. Jaranson, Marc Kondrad
  • Publication number: 20140191556
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a cargo compartment, a battery, and a ducted seat. The battery is disposed in the cargo compartment and dissipates heat when energized such that air in the vehicle becomes heated air. The ducted seat is operatively disposed in the passenger compartment. The ducted seat includes a base layer, a ducting layer, and a cover layer. The ducting layer covers the base layer. The cover layer covers the ducting layer. The ducting layer presents a leading opening and trailing opening in fluid communication with one another such that the ducting layer is configured to receive air therein through the leading opening and exhaust air through the trailing opening. The trailing opening is disposed in fluid communication with the cargo compartment such that the exhausted air flows from the trailing opening into the cargo compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew R. Krenz, Damond N. Hinatsu, Nicole Leslie Nicholas
  • Patent number: 8757726
    Abstract: A back surface of a seat pad is elastically supported by a support member. An air groove that forms an air duct is formed in the back surface of the seat pad. The support member is formed by an airtight sheet-shaped body, and the sheet-shaped body is arranged contacting the back surface of the seat pad so as to form the air duct by closing off an open portion of the air groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Oota
  • Patent number: 8672411
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. A cushion is included in each of the seat bottom and seat back. A stream of air is provided to the seat bottom and back to reach a passenger seated on the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Leonardo Gomes, Philippe Duhamel
  • Patent number: 8590978
    Abstract: A seating assembly having a seat and a seat back. A frame assembly is disposed in each of the seat and the seat back. A carrier assembly is operably coupled with the seat and the seat back. The carrier assembly includes a plurality of elongate support tabs proximate the seat. A plurality of apertures and at least one groove are proximate the seat back. A cushion extends over the seat and the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jaranson, Marcos S. Kondrad
  • Patent number: 8454094
    Abstract: A combined deodorizing and air freshening vehicle seat cushion for removing odors and releasing a pleasant aroma in a vehicle may include primary bodies oriented in a side-by-side configuration. The primary bodies may include a deodorizing agent contained within an internal cavity of the primary bodies for filtering and deodorizing the airborne odor in the ambient air. Auxiliary bodies may be contiguously conjoined to the primary bodies and may include freshening agents for impregnating the deodorized ambient air with pleasant aromas. An air-permeable fluid-absorbent liner preferably has pivotally coupled seat and back portions removably positioned over the primary and auxiliary bodies respectively. A communications link provides a passageway for circulating air throughout first and groups of primary bodies defined along seat and back rest sections of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Dana Boulware, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8360517
    Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ag.
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Goran Bajic, Ed Marlovits, Dmitri Axakov
  • Publication number: 20120299358
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest having a simple design of a cushion that provides a passive aeration or a passive climate seat while maintaining a visually appealing top side or front side, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald Herbst
  • Patent number: 8262160
    Abstract: A padded seat is described that includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a compartment disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface, a closeable opening to fill the compartment with a fluid, a plurality of through holes which pass through the top surface, compartment, and bottom surface, and a non-slip element disposed on the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Mehri Mafi, Maryam Mafi
  • Patent number: 8235462
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a ventilated seat with a valve sheet having one or more valve assemblies. The valve sheet maybe on a frame of the seat. The valve assemblies open in response to a force such as a force applied by an individual occupying the seat. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of thermally regulating a seat by occupying a seat with a valve sheet. By occupying the seat one or more valves assemblies open air moving though the open valve assemblies thermally regulates the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Marinko Lazanja, Zoran Panic, Boris Zlotin, Peter Ulan, Vladimir Gerasimov, Vladimir Proseanik
  • Publication number: 20120153701
    Abstract: A ventilative vehicle seat back of the present invention includes a main body, at least one air channel, plural air holes, and a deflector. The main body has a reclining surface, two side surfaces and a first connecting portion. One of the side surfaces is formed with at least one inlet, and the first connecting portion is located at the side surface which is formed with the inlet. The air channel is formed on the main body and communicates with the inlet. The air holes are formed on the reclining surface and communicate with the air channel. The deflector has a second connecting portion. The second connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion. Thereby, the ventilative vehicle seat back of the present invention provides better ventilation so that a user doesn't feel hot and stuffy when reclining on the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventor: Chen-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 8191970
    Abstract: A backrest device for a chair, in which a backboard is easily flexible without a reduction in its strength, thus making the chair comfortable to sit on. The lower ends of both right and left sides of the back frame are supported at both sides at the back of a leg body, and the flexible back board is formed on the inside of rear frames. A large number of openings are formed in the backboard so as to be close to each other in the top-bottom and left-right directions. Between openings adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, there is formed a connection section continuing in the top-bottom direction, and the dimension in the front-back direction of the connection section is made larger than the dimension in the left-right direction of the connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Okamura Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Igarashi, Hiroaki Tsukiji, Hiroshi Masunaga
  • Patent number: 8172333
    Abstract: An air-conditioned vehicle seat is provided having an air impermeable lower upholstered seat or backrest part, an intermediate layer through which air flows, and an upholstery cover through which air flows on the side of the intermediate layer. By way of stitches anchored on the upholstered part, the upholstery cover is divided into mutually delimited upholstery zones, air bridges extending between the individual upholstery zones transversely to the seams provided for connecting the intermediate layer. An unhindered seat ventilation and a durably secure fixing of the stitches is achieved in a simple manner with respect to manufacturing and without impairing the sitting comfort, in that, in the longitudinal direction of the seams, the air bridges have a construction that is narrower than that of the seam-side edge zones of the intermediate layer, and the stitches are anchored without the insertion of air bridges on the wall sections of the upholstered part adjoining the air bridges on both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christian Pudenz
  • Patent number: 8162391
    Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Goran Bajic, Ed Marlovits, Dmitri Axakov
  • Patent number: 8113591
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for a ventilated chair backing assembly comprising: a foam chair backing component with a first plurality of ventilation holes extending from a front surface to a back surface, said plurality of holes having a skin; an internal support component with a second plurality of ventilation holes extending from a front surface to a back surface aligned to the first plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Terry Cassaday
  • 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: 8038222
    Abstract: An actively ventilated vehicle seat includes a lower air-impermeable seat cushion or backrest part, an air-permeable intermediate layer made of a spacer fabric and an upholstered cover. The vehicle seat is divided into upholstered areas which are delimited from each other by seams anchored at the air-impermeable seat cushion. Air bridges are provided which extend transversely to the seams for connecting the intermediate layer between the individual upholstered areas. An unobstructed seat ventilating system and a permanently secure attachment of the seams are achieved in a simple manner in terms of production and without affecting the seating comfort in that the air bridges are integrated all around into the air-impermeable seat cushion and the seams are anchored above the air bridges in the air-impermeable material of the upholstered part covering the air bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Lein, Christian Pudenz
  • Publication number: 20110241404
    Abstract: A vehicle seat supporting body has padding which has a honeycomb body of elastic material and is covered with upholstery permeable to air and defining a user supporting surface; the cells of the honeycomb body extend along axes crosswise to the supporting surface, are open at the ends, and, in use, vary in volume in response to oscillating movement of the user; on the opposite side to the supporting surface, at least one opening connects the cells to the outside, and is opened/closed automatically by valves in response to compression and decompression of the air in the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Nevio Di Giusto, Andrea Zussino, Giorgio Mosoero, Salvatore Demontis
  • Publication number: 20110169318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passively air-conditioned motor vehicle seat comprising a breathable seat cover and comprising a seat body which has ventilation channels extending in the thickness direction, which in each case have at least one element for preventing the return flow of air. For simplifying the production the at least one element for preventing the return flow of air consists of the same material as the seat body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jeroen Lem, Karl Michael Siebertz, Carsten Starke
  • Publication number: 20110169319
    Abstract: A seat body for vehicles has a padding made of plastic material foam and provided with through holes; the padding is covered by an upholstery covering having a fabric layer and a hygroscopic layer, which are heat-fixed together; the fabric layer defines a support surface for a user, while the material of the hygroscopic layer is an open-cell polyurethane foam having a cell mean linear density less than or equal to 15 cell/cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Salvatore Demontis, Andrea Zussino
  • Patent number: 7971931
    Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Goran Bajic, Ed Marlovits, Dmitri Axakov
  • Publication number: 20110133531
    Abstract: A seat applicable to vehicles comprises a seatback unit and the chair base unit. The seatback unit comprises a first frame and a first net support portion. The first frame fixes and pushes open the first net support portion. The first net support portion has many thru holes. The chair base unit is combined with the seatback unit. The chair base unit comprises a second frame and a second net support portion. The second frame fixes and pushes open the second net support portion. The second net support portion has many thru holes. The seatback unit and the chair base unit are supported by the first and second net support portions, so the rider comfort ability and the chair ventilation ability significantly increases. The structure of seat is simple, so the weight of seat significantly decreases and light, making the vehicle consume less fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Chia-Chang YEH
  • Patent number: 7946655
    Abstract: A seat cushion structure is formed by combining upper and lower substrates made of a soft elastic material. Recessed spaces are formed on the upper and lower substrates respectively. Protrusions are formed in the recessed spaces. A flow passage is formed between every two protrusions. An inwardly concave air chamber is evacuated from each protrusion within a contact range of supporting a sitter's buttock. A shallow cut groove is formed on a side of the inwardly concave air chamber. A concave arc form corresponding to the shape of the buttock is disposed on an external surface of the upper substrate in contact with the buttock, such that when the upper and lower substrates are combined integrally, the protrusion of the upper substrate is disposed precisely above an upper periphery of the inwardly concave air chamber of the protrusion of the lower substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Tsung-Yung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20110074202
    Abstract: A backrest assembly includes an annular front frame having a front surface on which inner and outer annular flanges are formed, defining a first annular groove therebetween. A plurality of pegs is formed in the annular groove. A net is mounted in front of the front frame in a tightened state and includes a plurality of peg holes. A periphery of the net covers the outer annular flange of the front frame and is received in the first annular groove. Each peg of the front frame extends through one of the peg holes. Inner and annular wall are formed on a front face of an annular rear frame and define a second annular groove therebetween. A plurality of stubs is formed in the second annular groove. Each stub includes a receptacle receiving one of the pegs. Fasteners are extended through engaging holes in the front and rear frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Tung-Hua Su
  • Publication number: 20100301643
    Abstract: There is disclosed an insert suitable for use within a seating system of an automotive vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Marinko Lazanja, Goran Bajic, Ed Marlovits, Dmitri Axakov
  • Patent number: 7837270
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for use with a ventilation system is provided. The seat includes an air-conducting layer, which may be provided underneath a seat surface. The air-conducting layer may cooperate with intake spots in a seat portion. The intake spots may be placed on lines substantially corresponding to the position of the legs of a person sitting in the seat and/or on a line extending substantially along the spine of a person sitting in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Eriksson, Christer Andersson, Bengt Andreasson, Torbjörn Andersson
  • Patent number: 7832798
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a ventilated seat with a valve sheet having one or more valve assemblies. The valve sheet maybe on a frame of the seat. The valve assemblies open in response to a force such as a force applied by an individual occupying the seat. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of thermally regulating a seat by occupying a seat with a valve sheet. By occupying the seat one or more valves assemblies open air moving though the open valve assemblies thermally regulates the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AG
    Inventors: Goran Bajic, Marinko Lazanja, Zoran Panic, Boris Zlotin, Peter Ulan, Vladimir Gerasimov, Vladimir Proseanik
  • Patent number: 7794022
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a support frame having at least first and second opposite side portions and defining an opening therebetween. A molded elastomeric member is connected to the first and second side portions and suspended over the opening. The molded elastomeric member includes a mechanical structure decoupling the molded elastomeric member in first and second directions such that the molded elastomeric member has different load bearing characteristics in the first and second directions, wherein the first direction is different than the second direction. A method for forming a load bearing structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Carmel Caruso, Steven Jerome Caruso
  • Publication number: 20100117433
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for a ventilated chair backing assembly comprising: a foam chair backing component with a first plurality of ventilation holes extending from a front surface to a back surface, said plurality of holes having a skin; an internal support component with a second plurality of ventilation holes extending from a front surface to a back surface aligned to the first plurality of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ERGO-INDUSTRIAL SEATING SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Terry Cassaday
  • Patent number: 7695069
    Abstract: A seat cushion having a flexible and semi-rigid body is provided. The body has a seating surface, having a first area, and a support surface, having a second area, spaced apart from the seating surface forming a body thickness. The body has a body composition with a first percentage by volume of EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate), substantially evenly mixed with additional materials, such as polyethylene, color pigment, polycarbonate, and/or dicumyl peroxide, in various percentages of the body composition. The seat cushion also has a plurality of spacing members spaced apart and substantially evenly distributed across the second area. The plurality of spacing members each have a spacing member composition with a second percentage by volume of EVA and with a third percentage by volume of rubber. The seat cushion further has a plurality of ventilation holes extending through the body from the seating surface to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Peter C. Prust
  • Publication number: 20090243365
    Abstract: An actively ventilated vehicle seat includes a lower air-impermeable seat cushion or backrest part, an air-permeable intermediate layer made of a spacer fabric and an upholstered cover. The vehicle seat is divided into upholstered areas which are delimited from each other by seams anchored at the air-impermeable seat cushion. Air bridges are provided which extend transversely to the seams for connecting the intermediate layer between the individual upholstered areas. An unobstructed seat ventilating system and a permanently secure attachment of the seams are achieved in a simple manner in terms of production and without affecting the seating comfort in that the air bridges are integrated all around into the air-impermeable seat cushion and the seams are anchored above the air bridges in the air-impermeable material of the upholstered part covering the air bridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf LEIN, Christian PUDENZ
  • Patent number: 7547064
    Abstract: A ventilated saddle includes a seat plate having an upper face and a plurality of seat plate vents extending therethrough; and a covering member having a plurality of covering member vents extending therethrough. The covering member is mountable to the upper face of the seat plate in a single predetermined position relative thereto and in which the seat plate vents are in register with the covering member vents to provide continuous aeration paths throughout the ventilated saddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Louis Garneau Sports Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Garneau
  • Publication number: 20090127914
    Abstract: A backrest device for a chair, in which a backboard is easily flexible without a reduction in its strength, thus making the chair comfortable to sit on. The lower ends of both right and left sides of the back frame are supported at both sides at the back of a leg body, and the flexible back board is formed on the inside of rear frames. A large number of openings are formed in the backboard so as to be close to each other in the top-bottom and left-right directions. Between openings adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, there is formed a connection section continuing in the top-bottom direction, and the dimension in the front-back direction of the connection section is made larger than the dimension in the left-right direction of the connection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Ryo Igarashi, Hiroaki Tsukiji, Hiroshi Masunaga
  • Patent number: 7533941
    Abstract: Seating comfort is improved in a seat pad for vehicles includes a pad main body having a bottom dented upward to form a concave portion and having an insert arranged in the concave portion. The seat pad for vehicles 10 includes a cushion pad. The cushion pad includes a pad main body 20, an insert 30, and a rigid layer 40. The pad main body 20 has a concave portion 24. The insert 30 fits in the concave portion 24. The rigid layer 40 is bonded with the ceiling plane of the concave portion 24. The insert 30 has many protrusions 31 on its top face, and gaps between the protrusions 31 constitute a space 32. The space 32 communicates with a seating plane through holes 27 and communicates with the seating plane of the insert 30 through a through hole 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Saitou, Kazushige Ebe
  • Patent number: 7506938
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive vehicle seating comfort system, and method of forming thereof, for providing heating, cooling, ventilation or a combination thereof to an individual in an automotive car seat. In one configuration, the system includes an insert, a blower and a tubular structure for providing fluid communication between the insert and blower for providing ventilation and/or cooling for the individual. Additionally, in one preferred configuration, the insert includes a heater or heater layer for providing heat for the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems, A.G.
    Inventors: Lindy Brennan, Goran Bajic, Lucas Fernandez, Valerija Drobnjakovic