Chair Hardware Or Attachment (e.g., Bracket, Operating Lever, Leg Extension, Etc.) Patents (Class 297/463.1)
  • Patent number: 6619740
    Abstract: A chair control mechanism is adapted to decrease a likelihood of the mechanism becoming unintentionally disengaged from a locked position. In particular, a control arm has locked position wherein a seat plate is restricted in movement relative to a main bracket and an unlocked position where the movement relative to said main bracket is allowed. A latch bar is biased against the control arm and the control arm is notched such that axial sliding of the control arm into said unlocked position is possible only after providing a force necessary to disengage said latch bar from said notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth Arthur Beggs
  • Patent number: 6616241
    Abstract: The engagement between the first and second members is accomplished by the wedging of roller members so that the first and second members can be held rotationally fast to each other in a continuous manner or at any desired angular position. A pair of roller members are received in a chamber defined between the first and second members, and are normally urged into wedging engagement in the circumferential ends of the chamber under the spring force of a spring member, but may be disengaged so as to allow free relative rotation between the first and second members by displacing the roller members toward each other against the spring force of the spring member by using actuation members. Thus, the relative rotation in either direction can be prevented, and the releasing of the first and second members can be accomplished simply by slightly moving the roller members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Masuda, Takeshi Nakamura, Osamu Ohki
  • Publication number: 20030160496
    Abstract: An elevating device for elevating a furniture leg above a floor, resulting in a corresponding elevation of the furniture's seating surface. The device is of a “universal” design capable of being used with various furniture of different designs, e.g. chairs and beds having discrete legs or sled-base legs, of a broad range of sizes. The device includes a base for resting in a stable manner on the floor and a support surface opposite the base defining a longitudinal channel for receiving a furniture leg. The longitudinal channel may include upper and lower channels, to support legs at different heights above the floor, or inwardly sloping sidewalls for wedgedly supporting a furniture leg. Optionally, the device includes a securing member for attaching a securing strap to limit leg movement relative to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher P. McFadden
  • Patent number: 6609760
    Abstract: A chair control actuator, such as a chair control paddle, is provided with a surface relief. The surface relief depicts a chair in two different positions illustrative of different chair positions which may result from use of said actuator. The surface relief has solid relief areas depicting a first of the two positions and outline relief areas depicting a second of the two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Leggett & Platt Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard J. Matern, Arthur A. Patton
  • Patent number: 6604793
    Abstract: The present structure relates to a device for the detachable attachment of an object, in particular a child's safety seat, on a motor vehicle seat. A seat-integrated holding device and an object-integrated holding device cooperate to attach the object to the seat. The seat-integrated holding device is rigidly connected with a pivot axle which extends between seat frame side parts. By rotating the pivot axle the seat-integrated holding device can be pivoted from a use position into a park position, and conversely. An operating element is disposed on the outside of the motor vehicle seat via which a torque can be transmitted onto the pivot axle. The structure addresses the problem of equipping a vehicle seat with a seat integrated holding device with significantly better operating comfort and ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Habedank
  • Patent number: 6601913
    Abstract: A passenger chair or a group of passenger chairs, particularly in an aircraft cabin, is equipped with a convenience device that includes an open storage bail which can hold only flat articles but not waste material, and a waste container for holding waste material but not flat articles. The storage bail and waste container form either a mounting unit or retrofit kit or are separate components. In both instances the mounting unit and the separate components are secured to a back facing area of a chair or group of chairs. The separate components are preferably so constructed that individual retrofit kits are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Romca, Jochen Mueller, Markus Schumacher
  • Patent number: 6595582
    Abstract: A folding chair with safety latch device. The device includes an anchor unit which has two ends pivotally engaged with a rear leg and a backrest bracket, and a slide unit coupled with the rear leg. The anchor unit and the slide unit have respectively a latch finger and a latch opening corresponding to with each other to form a latched relationship. The slide unit further has a release opening to allow users to undo the latched relationship only through a tool such that a child sitting on the chair may be prevented from falling down resulting from abrupt folding of the chair caused by incidental release of the latched relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Lausan Chung-Hsin Liu
  • Patent number: 6595593
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (11) suitable for use with office type chairs comprising an operating lever (13) movable between a locking position in which locking takes place and an unlocking position in which unlocking takes place, a spring, which biases the lever (13) into the locking position and a catch (23, 27, 29), which holds the lever (13) in the unlocking position upon movement of the lever (13) into the unlocking position. The catch (23, 27, 29) is disengaged when the lever (13) moves past the unlocking position. Upon disengagement of the catch, the lever (13) returns to the locking position under the action of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Elam
  • Patent number: 6588848
    Abstract: A moveable baggage restraint seat, is composed of a row of seat, two side restraint rods and a major restraint rod. An article accommodation space under above-said seat can accommodate baggage inside it and two sides of the seat each also arranges with a pivotal axis. The above-said two side restraint rods each has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the pivotal axis of two sides of the seat and each second end is connected to two ends of the major restraint rod. Because the two side restraint rods are pivotally connected to two sides of the seat and connected with two ends of the major restraint rod to form a movable baggage restraint rod, when the baggage restraint rod is rotated under the seat, the baggage restraint rod may restrict the baggage under the seat. When the baggage restraint rod is rotated above the seat, the baggage can be taken out and it is more convenient to clean the floor under the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Chung-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6588850
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slide rail construction for an automobile seat, which can realize an increase in strength. An automobile seat has a seat back for mainly supporting the upper body of a passenger and a seat cushion for supporting the legs of the passenger. Slide rails consisting of an outer rail and an inner rail are disposed between the seat cushion and a vehicle floor. An automobile seat is slidable with respect to the vehicle floor due to the slide rails. An upper rail of the inner rail is provided with a side part attaching bracket extending upward in a substantially vertical direction and a lower part attaching bracket extending in a substantially horizontal direction. A cushion frame of the seat cushion is attached by means of both of the brackets. In front of and near the side part attaching bracket, a buckle is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6588836
    Abstract: A chaise lounge includes a support device fixed at the rear side of two side rods to expand the two side rods to hold a soft surface sheet. The support device has two pivot bases respectively secured on the two side rods and having a pivot opening. The two pivot openings are respectively combined with a long and a short support member pivotally connected and movable relative to each other. The long support member has one end pivotally combined with the pivot opening and the other end formed with an arcuate edge. The long support member has its upper edge bent inward into a horizontal bend edge for holding the short support member. When the long and the short support member are controlled into a straight line, they will force the two side rods to expand outward together with the soft surface sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Chong-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 6585324
    Abstract: In an activation device for a vehicle seat adjuster, particularly a motor vehicle seat, possessing a pivotable hand lever (12) for manual activation, which is supported eccentrically and working in conjunction with the adjuster (7), an acceleration-sensitive feature (24) is provided to immobilize and/or lock the hand lever (12) in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Eppert, Martin Becker, Heinz Voss, Christoph Leibeling, Markus Fath
  • Patent number: 6575414
    Abstract: A bed lifting system utilizing a unitary block having bed leg receiving cavities, each of different depth, on reversable top and bottom sides of the block. One of these sides has four round cylindrical bore holes for stably supporting a bed leg (with or without a small wheel) at each of four different elevations. The other side has four cavities shaped to support a large bed leg wheel at each of four elevations. Extension blocks are provided for fitting over the unitary block to further raise the bed leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Cuzzocrea
  • Publication number: 20030102709
    Abstract: In a device, particularly a locking device (11) for a vehicle seat, with at least one casing component (13) and at least one bearing (15) for bearing at least one pivotable element (23), the bearing (15) is tooled by plastic transformation as a first pull-through (15) in the first casing component (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Martin Kraus, Kadir Yasaroglu, Peter Muller
  • Publication number: 20030102708
    Abstract: A saddle support for securing a saddle of a vehicle, typically of a bicycle, comprises an outer part (2) that surrounds at least a portion of an inner part (1) with formation of a gap (8). A rolling bearing for a linear mounting of the inner part (1) on the outer part (2) is arranged in this gap (8). A spring element (5) acting in mounting direction spring-mounts the inner part (1). The rolling bearing is constituted by a linear bearing assembly (9) with recirculating rolling elements. The rolling elements (13) are in rolling contact with rolling element raceways (13a, 15, 14), at least one of said rolling element raceways being configured on the linear bearing assembly (9) and at least one other of said rolling element raceways being configured on the inner part (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick Daniel, Rainer Kleber
  • Patent number: 6572191
    Abstract: A chair, in particular office chair, comprises a pedestal; a seat support supported thereon by a chair column and having front and rear seat support elements which are interconnected by a pivot axis; a seat supported on the seat support elements; a backrest fixed to the rear seat support element; and an adjustable-length energy storing device which is articulated to the seat support elements at a distance from the pivot axis thereof, sing for adjustment relative to each other of the backrest and the seat, with one seat support element being equipped with a receptacle for the upper end of the chair column. The receptacle on the seat support element is articulated to the seat support element by way of an articulated axis which is parallel to the pivot axis of the front and rear seat support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Dauphin Entwicklungs- u. Beteiligungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Konrad Wild
  • Patent number: 6557943
    Abstract: A cable guide is provided for a movable body such as a chair having legs with casters. The cable guide guides a cable attached to the movable member away from the casters during movement of the movable member and/or horizontal rotation of a portion of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Omron Corp.
    Inventor: Masahiro Ando
  • Publication number: 20030067205
    Abstract: In the case of a fitting (5) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), having a second fitting part (12) which can be rotated relative to the first fitting part (11) and can be locked, and having a ring (35) which holds the two fitting parts (11, 12) together in the axial direction, the first fitting part (11) is pressed into the ring (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co
    Inventors: Dietmar Eppert, Martin Stilleke, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6543845
    Abstract: A furniture grouping includes a number of individual furniture units that are easily and securely connected together with a connection system. Each furniture unit includes a base to which a connector is attached. The connector includes a face panel to span and conceal gaps and spacings between the furniture units and the connector to provide a substantially flush, continuous and finished juncture between the furniture units. The connector is also easily and conveniently installed for removable connection to the adjacent furniture units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: August Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert K. Seitz, Gregory A. Seitz, Michael P. Kobes, Lee H. Fister, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6536079
    Abstract: A locking assembly mounted to a first rigid member by a hinge on one end of the member. The locking assembly can be locked to the first member to retain a second rigid member by an extending pin. The locking assembly is locked in place on the first member by an extendable locking pin whose end can engage a stop post in the first member when pivoted to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Gene Hill
  • Patent number: 6523897
    Abstract: A chair includes an actuator having an actuator button disposed on top, a base secured on the actuator, a spring engaged in the base and having an actuator arm engaged on the actuator button for actuating the actuator button to release the actuator. A barrel is rotatably secured to the base. A bar is pivotally and adjustably secured to the base and adjustable relative to the base at any selected angular position. A latch is slidably engaged in the base and selectively engaged with the bar for adjustably securing the bar and the seat cushion to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Toung Chun Pan
  • Patent number: 6513879
    Abstract: This patent relates to ergonomically correct seating during long periods of time, especially for professionals who work with hands extended like dentists and hand surgeons, but also computer users and other office or assembly workers. While the immediate comfort is provided by the shape of the seat and the backrest and by the upholstery, the long time comfort is determined by proper sitting posture. Comfortable sitting posture is individual and requires a large range of adjustments for height, seat inclination and the positioning of the back support relative to the seat. Recognizing the importance of these adjustments—not only for comfort but also for avoiding back problems—this adjustment mechanism is designed to accomplish all three adjustments with a single lever. The mechanism is designed for use with the lever mounted on the right side or the left side of the chair to accommodate personal preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fulcrum Product Development Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Stern
  • Patent number: 6511121
    Abstract: A combination of a reinforcing grommet in a D-shape or a closed horseshoe shape and a supporting brace for holding a tensioned surface on an inclined frame element of a frame of a collapsible furniture item, such as a chair, a stool, lounger, table, a cot or a bed. A contact portion of a lower surface of the grommet rests on a brace and a remaining portion of the lower surface spans a recess in the brace. The brace is freely movable to and fro relative to the frame tube so as to minimize tearing forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Atico International USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Marian Harding Cochran, Nelson Liao
  • Patent number: 6508514
    Abstract: A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4). An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant and a weight sensing mechanism (40) for sensing the load. The weight sensing mechanism (40) includes a parallelogram linkage (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The parallelogram linkage (50) includes a first beam (52) and a second beam (62) parallel to the first beam (52). The beams (52, 62) have adjacent interconnected first ends (54, 64) that receive the load of the vehicle occupant and adjacent interconnected second ends (56, 66) that transmit the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The beams (52, 62) bend in response to the load of the vehicle occupant. The sensor lever (70) is interposed between the beams (52, 62) and deflects upon bending of the beams (52, 62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: George B. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20030006642
    Abstract: In an activation device for a vehicle seat adjuster, particularly a motor vehicle seat, possessing a pivotable hand lever (12) for manual activation, which is supported eccentrically and working in conjunction with the adjuster (7), an acceleration-sensitive feature (24) is provided to immobilize and/or lock the hand lever (12) in the event of a crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co
    Inventors: Dietmar Eppert, Martin Becker, Heinz Voss, Christoph Leibeling, Markus Fath
  • Publication number: 20030006641
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the detachable attachment of an object, in particular a child's safety seat, on a motor vehicle seat, wherein seat-integrated holding means and object-integrated holding means cooperate, and the seat-integrated holding means is rigidly connected with a pivot axle extending between the seat frame side parts, through the rotation of which they can be pivoted from a use position into a park position, and conversely. The invention addresses the problem of equipping such a device with significantly better operating comfort. This problem is solved thereby that on the outside of the motor vehicle seat an operating element (9) is disposed via which a torque can be transmitted onto the pivot axle (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Klaus-Dieter Habedank
  • Publication number: 20020195866
    Abstract: This invention relates to a supporting frame structure of a rest of a seating chair, wherein a nose and a dent which are formed by a connection part of a vertical part of the supporting frame correspond to a catch of a nose and a dent which are located on a edge of a end of a horizontal part, and by assembly and correspondingly coupling an elastic packing piece and a locating part, the vertical part of the supporting frame can freely be rotated and adjusted in the right or left, or clockwise or counterclockwise direction to make a user who sits on the seating chair with the supporting frame structure feel more comfortable, and, furthermore, to make the seating chair be fitted for any user to use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Ya-Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 6491347
    Abstract: A webbing insertion member is formed of a metal body having a through opening with an edge, a slip piece attached to the edge of the through opening for allowing a webbing to pass through the through opening above the slip piece, and a molding resin for fixing the slip piece to the metal body. A first engaging member is formed on one of the metal body and the slip piece, and a second engaging member is formed on the other of the metal body and the slip piece and engages the first engaging member so that the slip piece is securely engaged with the metal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Iseki
  • Publication number: 20020180252
    Abstract: In order to improve operationality to produce functions, to prevent an assembling or disassembling procedure from being complicated and to simplify a structure of a chair of multi-function, a chair having a plurality of operating portions to adjust a height of a back or a seat or to adjust a rocking motion mechanically is so arranged that each of more than two operating portions as some or all of the operating portions is made to rotate around a predetermined shaft respectively, each shaft of the operating portions is arranged in a line, and more than two operating portions as some or all of the operating portions are arranged in a line and the chair comprises an operation receiving portion as a mechanism to work each mechanism directly and a link means that connects the operating portion and the operation receiving portion, some or all of the adjusting portions that are arranged in the link means in order to adjust a motion range of the operation receiving portion that works with operation of the operating p
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Yojiro Kinoshita, Nobuyuki Ueda, Toshiyuki Horiki, Kazuyuki Itoh, Fritz Frenkler, Anette Ponholzer
  • Publication number: 20020175554
    Abstract: The present invention is a moveable baggage restraint seat, which is composed of a row of seat, two side restraint rods and a major restraint rod. An article accommodation space under above-said seat can accommodate baggage inside it and two sides of the seat each also arranges with a pivotal axis. The above-said two side restraint rods each has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the pivotal axis of two sides of the seat and each second end is connected to two ends of the major restraint rod. Because the two side restraint rods are pivotally connected to two sides of the seat and connected with two ends of the major restraint rod to form a movable baggage restraint rod, when the baggage restraint rod is rotated under the seat, the baggage restraint rod may restrict the baggage under the seat. When the baggage restraint rod is rotated above the seat, the baggage can be taken out and it is more convenient to clean the floor under the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Chung-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6484373
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a latch for coupling tether straps attached to child vehicle seats to anchorages provided on the vehicle, e.g., anchorages provided on the package shelf of the vehicle or anchorages located at the crease of the seat bottom and seat back. The latch provides advantages over the common “T” hook currently in use, including a push button remote from the hook of the latch. In addition, the latch may include an opening for attachment of the tether strap. In one preferred embodiment, the latch further includes a plate which is coupled to a strap length adjuster, the plate and adjuster being pivotally connected to permit side-to-side rotation of the adjuster relative to the latch to prevent bunching or twisting of the strap which can cause the belt to loose its ability to uniformly distribute a load across its width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Barrett
  • Patent number: 6481790
    Abstract: A tray lock, comprising comprises a main body 1 including an accommodating section 2 provided with a three fourths (¾) circular circumference edge extending in the end side of the main body 1, a rotary fastening means 3 connected with the main body 1 through a rivet 5 and a fastening hole 4 located between the accommodating section 2 and the main body 1, such that enables the rotary fastening means 3 to rotate with respect to the fastening hole 4 as a pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Kenny Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020163242
    Abstract: A chair control mechanism is adapted to decrease a likelihood of the mechanism becoming unintentionally disengaged from a locked position. In particular, a control arm has locked position wherein a seat plate is restricted in movement relative to a main bracket and an unlocked position where the movement relative to said main bracket is allowed. A latch bar is biased against the control arm and the control arm is notched such that axial sliding of the control arm into said unlocked position is possible only after providing a force necessary to disengage said latch bar from said notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Northfield Metal Products Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth Arthur Beggs
  • Patent number: 6467845
    Abstract: A locking unit includes a frame to permit extension of a bolt. An upper portion of a bracket is pivoted to left and right side walls of the frame. A linking member has a rear part connected to the bracket, and a front part formed with an arcuate slot through which the bolt extends. A stationary clamping seat is fixed on the right side wall. A movable clamping member is mounted on the bolt. An operating lever is pivoted to a C-shaped connector about a first pivot, and is pivoted to the right side wall about a second pivot. When the bolt is moved to a locking position, the linking member counteracts the clamping force, which results in a pulling force that pulls the C-shaped connector in a direction toward the left side wall along a horizontal line defined by the bolt and the operating lever is prevented from being turned upwardly by the pulling force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Su-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6460934
    Abstract: An electric adjusting device for a front seat of a motor vehicle, with which the front seat can be displaced at least in the longitudinal direction by means of an electric motor is provided. In the present invention, a forwards displacement of the front seat is requested by folding the seat back forwards (entry assistance). According to the invention, a changeover switch which is coupled to the release lever is provided. The changeover switch having to be actuated at the same time as the seat back is folded forwards, if it is intended for the seat to be displaced by means of an electric motor in order to facilitate entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jochen Langer, Peter Maly, Frank Rauscher
  • Publication number: 20020140277
    Abstract: A chair includes an actuator having an actuator button disposed on top, a base secured on the actuator, a spring engaged in the base and having an actuator arm engaged on the actuator button for actuating the actuator button to release the actuator. A barrel is rotatably secured to the base. A bar is pivotally and adjustably secured to the base and adjustable relative to the base at any selected angular position. A latch is slidably engaged in the base and selectively engaged with the bar for adjustably securing the bar and the seat cushion to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Toung Chun Pan
  • Patent number: 6427962
    Abstract: A slide rail for a vehicle seat, comprising two fixed steel sections of U-shaped cross section fitted without play into an identical fixed outer section made by extrusion from a light alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Equipements S.A.
    Inventors: René Rohee, Samuel Levallois
  • Publication number: 20020096933
    Abstract: A chair adjustment device is disposed on a bottom of a chair seat. The chair adjustment device has a control rod and a handle device. The control rod has two protruded blocks. The handle device has a shaft, a ball-shaped head connected to the shaft, a through aperture, an inner groove, an inner recess, and an end hole communicating with the through aperture. A cover plugs on the end hole of the handle device. The control rod is inserted in the handle device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Bing-Nan Wang
  • Publication number: 20020093237
    Abstract: A furniture support system for elevating and angling furniture to assist individuals in standing up from a seated position. The furniture support system includes at least one first support member, and at least one second support member wherein the first support member is shorter in height than the second support member. The support members are preferably constructed of a tapered structure with a broad lower end and a narrow upper end. At the upper end of each of the support members a cavity extends downwardly for receiving the leg of furniture member. A support plate may be attached to the bottom edge of a couch or other type of furniture that does not contain legs to ensure proper placement with the cavities of the support members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Ray O. Martin
  • Patent number: 6416125
    Abstract: A vehicle seat connection (18) has particular utility for mounting a headrest support assembly (14) on a seat back frame (12). The connection assembly (18) includes first and second plastic seat components embodied by first and second connectors (50, 52) that are injection molded in situ over enlarged flanges (56, 58) of first and second ends (44, 46) of a connector link (42) which has an intermediate portion (48) extending between its ends. The connector link is movable with respect to both the first and second connectors (52, 52) to move the headrest upwardly and forwardly upon rearward movement of a vehicle seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Suresh D. Shah, Mladen Humer
  • Publication number: 20020084688
    Abstract: A rotary feed mechanism includes a ratcheting mechanism intervening between an operating lever and a brake drum and operable to permit rotation of an input shaft only when the operating lever is angularly moved from the neutral position in any one of the first and second directions, but to lock the input shaft during angular movement of the operating shaft back to the neutral position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Kazuso Mitsuhiro
  • Publication number: 20020079724
    Abstract: A tray lock, comprising comprises a main body 1 including an accommodating section 2 provided with a three fourths (¾) circular circumference edge extending in the end side of the main body 1, a rotary fastening means 3 connected with the main body 1 through a rivet 5 and a fastening hole 4 located between the accommodating section 2 and the main body 1, such that enables the rotary fastening means 3 to rotate with respect to the fastening hole 4 as a pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Kenny Cheng
  • Patent number: 6409270
    Abstract: To avoid a motor vehicle passenger from bending too closely towards an airbag unit disposed in front of the motor vehicle passenger during a braking maneuver before a collision, a clamping device arrests a seat belt as a function of a brake pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Meder
  • Patent number: 6394542
    Abstract: A fixture for covering a gap between a reclinable back rest and a lower seat part of a motor vehicle. A flat flexible cover element is coupled to the lower seat part and the back rest, wherein the cover element is guided through a slit-shaped guide opening in the back rest, and is suspended inside the back rest via tension spring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robby Potisch, Clemens Lowinski, Jürgen Küttner
  • Patent number: 6390560
    Abstract: An adjustable anchor assembly is designed to provide an anchor for a child restraint seat at the intersection of a back cushion and a bottom cushion of a seat in the interior of an automobile. The adjustable anchor assembly includes a housing designed to mount to a support member adjacent the intersection of the back and bottom cushions. An anchor member has an attachment end designed to provide an attachment for a child restraint seat and a mounting end. An adjustment device adjustably interconnects the housing with the mounting end of the anchor member and is operable to change the distance between the housing and the anchor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Technical Center USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Christian Arthur Trager, Richard Monroe Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6390562
    Abstract: A locking clip is attached to a seat belt fastening a child car seat to a seat of a vehicle to facilitate tightening the seat belt and to ensure that the seat belt may not loosen. The locking clip is attached to a portion of the seat belt where a waist belt section and a shoulder belt section of the seat belt diverge from each other. The locking clip has a belt clamping mechanism clamping the waist belt section and the shoulder belt section together, and a ratchet mechanism for permitting the shoulder belt section to be pulled only in one direction to tighten the seat belt and to prevent the seat belt from loosening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Takamizu, Kojiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6382717
    Abstract: A shock absorption in a seat back of a seat, which is arranged in a bracket fixed on the seat back frame in the seat back and an operation lever attached to the bracket. In this arrangement, the bracket is formed such that upper and lateral wall regions are defined independently of each other, with a slit defined therebetween. The lower securing portion of the bracket, fixedly secured on the seat back frame, is relatively easy to bend forwardly relative to the seat back frame by an external load applied to the rearward side thereof. A stopper wire member, which has an abutment end portion, is provided over the vertical wall region of bracket and a part of the seat back frame, such that the abutment end portion is oriented toward the operation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yasui, Katsumasa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6371560
    Abstract: A support device is provided for a seat assembly of a golf car. The support device has a base including an elongated shell bounding an interior space. The shell preferably has a first, enclosed end, a second, opposing end defining an elongated opening into the interior space and a sidewall extending between the ends. A support tube bounds an interior space and has a generally bended shape and two opposing ends, each tube end being integrally formed with the enclosed end of the base shell. Further, two mounting brackets are each integrally formed with the sidewall of the base shell and each includes a mounting plate. The mounting plate has a first, generally flat surface disposeable against the golf car seat and configured for attachment to the seat assembly to attach the support device to the golf car. Preferably, a plurality of reinforcing ribs extends between opposing interior surfaces of the base shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Club Car, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Fulford, Donald G. Samuelson, Terry L. Canaday, James K. Caldwell, Christian J. Eck, III, Mark Wisner
  • Patent number: 6371555
    Abstract: A backrest of a lounge chair that has an open frame partially shrouded by a sheath. The sheath has a light transmissive front half. The rear half has a decorative design element and the front half has a decorative design element. The two decorative design elements are spaced from each other so that when looking through the light transmissive front half, both decorative design elements may be seen with the decorative design element on the rear half appearing to be further away than the decorative design element on the front half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Atico International USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Beth A. Edwards, Bruce Lu
  • Patent number: 6361107
    Abstract: Sturdy and easily adjustable lawn furniture provides for use on sloped surfaces ranging from zero to thirty degrees. Provisions are made so that adjustment of the furniture made be effected while in use. Additional features include a drink holder and a holder for printed materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: John G. Alexander