Noncoil Wire Spring (e.g., Linear Or Sinuous Wires, Etc.) Patents (Class 297/452.52)
  • Patent number: 6676218
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to minimize the dependency of the vibration characteristic exhibited by the sheet-shaped supporting member supported by the metal springs on the added load. In a plurality of metal springs 41 to 44 supporting a sheet-shaped supporting member 30, a third metal spring 43 provided on the position to support the vicinity of the greater trochanter of the seated person is provided in a manner that an engagement portion with a frame member is positioned lower than the engagement portion with the sheet-shaped supporting member 30 when no load is applied. Accordingly, the feeling of something foreign created by such a third metal spring 43 can be reduced, and within a predetermined range of the added load, the third metal spring does not work functionally because respective engagement portions 43a and 43b take their positional relationship to be substantially horizontal in a static seating state, while it works functionally when the added load exceeds the above-described range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Seiji Kawsaki, Seiji Sesaki, Tatsuya Oda, Yuji Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20040004386
    Abstract: A monolithic rail clip, formed from a single piece of material, comprising a plurality of integrated hooks spaced along an angled rail body for use in constructing a seat base. A pair of the rail clips are attached to a pair of opposing members of a frame of the seat base so that the integrated hooks form opposing pairs. A plurality of springs are attached to the hook pairs and stretch between the opposing members to define a resilient structure for supporting a furniture seat. Each rail clip is constructed by forming a plurality of tabs extending from one longitudinal edge the rail body and bending the tabs to form the plurality of hooks. The integral construction of the hooks reduces the assembly time of each rail and seat base. The monolithic construction of the rail clip provides additional structural rigidity to the seat base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edmond P. Guillot
  • Patent number: 6663178
    Abstract: A seat pan for an automobile vehicle includes a frame carrying a suspension lattice having two sections separated by a vertical median plane dividing the seat into right and left hand sides. A motor and crankshaft combination is connected to each section of the lattice for generating in each section of the lattice a cyclic movement including, in the upper portion of its travel, a rearward movement of translation. The cyclic movements of the sections occur with an angular phase difference therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: François Fourrey, Laurent Liaigre
  • Publication number: 20030227203
    Abstract: A lumbar support device has a seat frame, a pair of brackets connected to opposite sided of the seat frame, a pair of flexible members connected to the pair of brackets in such a manner as to respectively form a pair of center sections across the seat frame, and an actuator assembly operatively connected to each one of the flexible members. Each one of the flexible members preferably has a pair of levers on opposite sides of the center sections that rotate about the brackets. In operation, the actuator assembly selectively bows the center portions of the flexible members. The actuator assembly preferably includes a reversible gear and a pair of bowden cables that move one pair of levers when the reversible gear is rotated clockwise and move the other pair of levers when the reversible gear is rotated counter-clockwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Donald David Mundell
  • Patent number: 6648419
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: Clifton J. Ratza, Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Trent A. Eekhoff
  • Patent number: 6644751
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Clifton J. Ratza, Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Trent A. Eekhoff
  • Patent number: 6637824
    Abstract: An arrangement for securing springs in a vehicle seat frame, which comprises holes formed in the vehicle seat frame and anchor members. The anchor members are each formed by a plate spring comprising a generally “U” shaped body portion and a pair of flange portions, with a whole of such metallic plate spring being coated with a synthetic resin material. Each of the anchor members is fitted in each of the holes, and each of the support springs is engaged with the generally “U” shaped body portion of each of the anchor members, whereby the support springs are secured in the vehicle seat frame. In this arrangement, a through-hole may be formed in that anchor member's “U” shaped body portion, so that other support springs of different modes may each be engaged in such through-hole, instead of being engaged with the “U” shaped body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Yokota
  • Patent number: 6616239
    Abstract: A monolithic rail clip, formed from a single piece of material, comprises a plurality of integrated hooks spaced along an angled rail body for use in constructing a seat base. A pair of the rail clips are attached to a pair of opposing members of a frame of the seat base so that the integrated hooks form opposing pairs. A plurality of springs are attached to the hook pairs and stretch between the opposing members to define a resilient structure for supporting a furniture seat. Each rail clip is constructed by forming a plurality of tabs extending from one longitudinal edge of the rail body and bending the tabs to form the plurality of hooks. The integral construction of the hooks reduces the assembly time of each rail and seat base. The monolithic construction of the rail clip provides additional structural rigidity to the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edmond P. Guillot
  • Publication number: 20030107257
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Clifton J. Ratza, Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Trent A. Eekhoff
  • Publication number: 20030098602
    Abstract: The invention provides a tension structure for constructing a seat back of a seat for an automotive vehicle. Coil springs 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b are provided as tension members which are bridged between respective side portions 11, 12 of a seat back frame 1 and respective vertical bars 20, 21 of a tension assembly 2 in an upper portion and a middle portion. On the contrary, linear wires 5a, 5b in which one wire end is entwined and fastened to axes of the vertical bars 20, 21 and another wire end is inserted and fastened to stop rings 14, 15 of the side frame portions 11, 12 are provided in a lower portion. Accordingly, a sitting attitude is intended to be stabilized by increasing a supporting pressure of a lumbar part applied by the tension assembly 2 by means of the linear wires 5a, 5b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Isao Kawashima, Takashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6565157
    Abstract: A molded foam spring seat includes a seat cushion having a bottom surface supported by a support frame having an opening therein. A drop-in frame is insertable within the opening, with the drop-in frame including a pair of opposed walls having fastening means thereon. A plurality of compression springs are each detachably extended between the fastening means on the drop-in frame. Each compression spring is in partial compression until compressed downward by a user seated on the seat cushion. Each compression spring resiliently rebounds to partial compression when the seat cushion is not compressed. The seat cushion includes sides tapered inwardly toward a seat cushion upper surface to reduce bulging of each side outwards with repetitive use of the seat cushion, and to minimize wear on the seat cushion sides when other seat cushions and support frames are positioned adjacent, or are stacked on the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Shelby Williams Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Jr., Peter Barile, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6550859
    Abstract: Backrests for vehicle seats are disclosed including a support attached to a frame including a plurality of resilient springs and a corresponding plurality of stroke limiters for permitting the resilient springs to move through a predetermined stroke and absorb a load within a first load range and limiting further stroke of the resilient springs within a second load range, one of the resilient springs and the stroke limiters including a fastener for attachment to the frame and one of the resilient springs and stroke limiters including a second fastener for attachment to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Torsten Andersson, Björn Lundell
  • Publication number: 20030062758
    Abstract: A seat cushion extends across left and right areas that are located beneath the locations of the left and right ischial tuberosities of a seated person. A support structure beneath the cushion transmits a weight load from the cushion to the seat frame. The support structure has portions that surround the left and right ischial areas to provide the cushion with underlying, load bearing support at the peripheral boundaries of the ischial areas, and is free of load bearing portions located within or beneath the ischial areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Antonio Cruz Fernandes de Pinho, Paulo Alexandre Alves Vinha
  • Publication number: 20030052526
    Abstract: A seat base assembly including a declivity in one or both side rails. A resilient member spans the declivity. Uplift, resilience and support is provided at the side rail as well as a clean, crisp defined upholstery line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Victor DeGuchy
    Inventors: Lawton H. Crosby, John Lawton Crosby
  • Publication number: 20030001423
    Abstract: Seat/bed pad structure providing a comfortable sitting and lying feeling and an excellent ventilation effect for avoiding disease of the skin or the body of a user caused by long sitting or lying. The seat/bed pad structure is composed of a number of granules tightly serially connected with each other by strings to have a large area. Each granule is formed with vertical and transverse ventilation holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Der Lai
  • Patent number: 6499807
    Abstract: A seat back frame assembly of the invention has side frame members (17, 17), an upper frame member (18), a lower frame member (19) and zigzag spring (15) mounted between the side frame members (17, 17). A side portion (27) of the lower frame member has a main connection portion (28) and a sub-connection portion (29), both of which are fixed to the side frame member (17). The main connection portion (28) is positioned below the zigzag spring (15). The sub-connection portion (29) is inclined toward a front upper side so that the sub-connection portion and the zigzag spring are at least partly overlapped with each other in a front-and-back direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Ts Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Kaneda, Kanenori Sato, Misao Omori
  • Patent number: 6481067
    Abstract: A clip for securing furniture springs to furniture rails is provided including a body of metal material having a genereally flat base portion of rengaging the rial and a spring supporting portion extending out from the base portion and which curves back thereover to an edge thereof for maintaining a portion of a furniture spring in a substantially predetermined position relative to the rail. A plastic liner is secured to the curved spring supporting portion of the body for engaging the spring portion to minimize squeaking caused by metal-to-metal contact between the curved spring supporting portion of the clip body and the spring portion. At least one liner holding member is struck from the metal material of the curved spring supporting portion of the body and spaced from the edge thereof for keeping the liner against the curved spring supporting portion of the clip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul W. Lackler
  • Publication number: 20020117885
    Abstract: A molded foam spring seat includes a seat cushion having a bottom surface supported by a support frame having an opening therein. A drop-in frame is insertable within the opening, with the drop-in frame including a pair of opposed walls having fastening means thereon. A plurality of compression springs are each detachably extended between the fastening means on the drop-in frame. Each compression spring is in partial compression until compressed downward by a user seated on the seat cushion. Each compression spring resiliently rebounds to partial compression when the seat cushion is not compressed. The seat cushion includes sides tapered inwardly toward a seat cushion upper surface to reduce bulging of each side outwards with repetitive use of the seat cushion, and to minimize wear on the seat cushion sides when other seat cushions and support frames are positioned adjacent, or are stacked on the seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Peter W. Barile, Peter Barile
  • Patent number: 6415481
    Abstract: A clip for securing furniture springs to furniture rails is provided including a body of metal material having a generally flat base portion for engaging the rail and a spring supporting portion extending out from the base portion and which curves back thereover to an edge thereof for maintaining a portion of a furniture spring in a substantially predetermined position relative to the rail. A plastic liner is secured to the curved spring supporting portion of the body for engaging the spring portion to minimize squeaking caused by metal-to-metal contact between the curved spring supporting portion of the clip body and the spring portion. At least one liner holding member is struck from the metal material of the curved spring supporting portion of the body and spaced from the edge thereof for keeping the liner against the curved spring supporting portion of the clip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Stanley Fastening Systems, L.P.
    Inventor: Paul W. Lackler
  • Patent number: 6412874
    Abstract: A component of a motor vehicle seat includes an under spring structure, a panel having a support surface for supporting a cushion padding of the motor vehicle seat thereon, a plurality of clasps on the panel attaching the panel onto the under spring structure to support the panel thereon, at least one first socket on the panel for connection to at least one seat subassembly required for a desired seat function at least one second socket on the panel for connection to an on-board network of the motor vehicle, and at least one conductor imbedded into the panel and extending between and interconnecting the first and second sockets. The panel is preferably made of a suitable synthetic moldable material ouch that the first and second sockets can be integrally famed with or integrated into the panel and the conductor molded into the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Sitztechnik GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: René Mayer
  • Publication number: 20020079733
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Clifton J. Ratza, Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Trent A. Eekhoff
  • Publication number: 20020043870
    Abstract: A seat back or a seat base of an automobile seat with a frame includes a spring system extending between two opposing cross braces consisting of meander-shaped shaped spring wires and upholstery in a seat surface. The level determined by the supporting surface of the shaped wire springs may be so changed by tension belts passing through the shaped wire springs at different tensions that it is more strongly arched when the belts are in relaxed condition than when they are tightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peer Kuster, Mirko Polak
  • Patent number: 6357830
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing outdoor seat for recreational boats and the like includes a cushion member shaped to abuttingly support a seated user on an upper surface thereof, and a one-piece, hollow molded seat body member. The seat body member includes a front portion with a connector, a raised rear portion, and a recessed base portion shaped to position the cushion member thereover. The seat also includes a shock-absorbing member positioned over the recessed base portion. The shock-absorbing member includes a deck supporting the cushion on an upper side thereof and which includes a rear attachment portion and a front attachment portion mounted to said connector of said front portion of said seat body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Attwood Corporation
    Inventors: Clifton J. Ratza, Jeffrey S. Wilcox, Trent A. Eekhoff
  • Patent number: 6170915
    Abstract: A seat assembly with a frame supporting a spring construction therein for providing resilient support to a user. The spring construction having parallel sinuous springs and plural coil springs connected together by upper stabilizer wires. Support wires are secured to the coil springs at their bottom turns by transversely laid stabilizer wires and tie wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Peter Weisz