Having A Plurality Of Adjacent Relatively Adjustable Sections Patents (Class 297/284.3)
  • Patent number: 11981232
    Abstract: A seat includes a cushion comprising a foam body and a trim cover disposed thereon, the trim cover having a forward portion at a front of the cushion and at least one elastic band attached to the forward portion; and a movable cushion length adjuster having an extended position and a retracted position, the movable length adjuster comprising a body with an occupant surface on a first side, and features on a second side, opposite to the first side. The at least one elastic band is routed on the features, and in the retracted position, the movable cushion length adjuster at least partially covers a portion of the cushion, and in the extended position, the length adjuster is spaced apart from the portion such that the at least one elastic band tensions the trim cover by pulling on the forward portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roberto Riva, Armando Pirri, Marco Miniati
  • Patent number: 11970085
    Abstract: In a physical state sharable seat, a sensor is configured to acquire a measurement value specific to a physical state of an occupant seated on the seat body; and a controller connected to the sensor and thereby allowed to acquire the measurement value from the sensor is configured to be capable of communicating with other equipment. The controller includes: an evaluation unit configured to compute an evaluation value on the physical state, based on the measurement value; an evaluation value presentation unit configured to present the evaluation value at a terminal to be used by the occupant; a shared data acquisition unit configured to acquire an other-occupant evaluation value that is an evaluation value on a physical state of another person, acquired either by the evaluation unit or from another physical state sharable seat; and a shared data presentation unit configured to present the other-occupant evaluation value at the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kaku
  • Patent number: 11958391
    Abstract: A support portion for a seat assembly includes, in some configurations, a first main portion and a second main portion disposed such that a gap is provided between the first main portion and the second main portion. In some configurations, the support portion includes a plurality of first extensions projecting from the first main portion away from the gap; the support portion includes a plurality of second extensions projecting from the second main portion away from the gap; the first main portion and the second main portion are configured to extend along opposite sides of a spine of a user such that the gap is aligned with said spine; and/or the plurality of first extensions and the plurality of second extensions are configured for connection with a seatback frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Wu Pan Zagorski, Francesco Migneco, Sajad Arabnejad, Michelle A. Pereny
  • Patent number: 11957250
    Abstract: In one example, this disclosure describes a method including receiving, at a central controller of an air mattress system, a plurality of air pressure value, determining a plurality of average values using the plurality of the received air pressure values, calculating a difference value between a first one of the plurality of average values and a second one of the plurality of average values, comparing the difference value to a threshold value, determining, based on the comparison, whether a user of the air mattress system moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Sleep Number Corporation
    Inventors: Wade Daniel Palashewski, Rob Nunn, Matthew Wayne Tilstra, Steven Jay Young, Carl Hewitt, Yuri Zhovnirovsky
  • Patent number: 11939063
    Abstract: A reclining seat including, but not limited to, a seat bottom. The reclining seat further including, but not limited to, a seat back having an upper segment and a lower segment, the lower segment pivotally coupled with the seat bottom via a first pivotal coupling, and the upper segment pivotally coupled with the lower segment via a second pivotal coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allen Davis, Kerem Caglayan
  • Patent number: 11938845
    Abstract: A seat cushion includes a cushion rear portion forming a rear portion of the seating surface, a cushion front portion forming a front portion of the seating surface and being configured to approach and separate from the cushion rear portion in a front-rear direction by a cushion length variable mechanism, a cushion cover covering the cushion front portion and the cushion rear portion, a retraction member disposed over a cover back surface of the cushion cover to a first member, and a push-in member provided on a second member, and configured to push the retraction member by the cushion front portion approaching the cushion rear portion, thereby retracting the cushion cover into a gap between the cushion front portion and the cushion rear portion with the retraction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daigo Kimbara
  • Patent number: 11932142
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures of the carrier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Megan Romelfanger, Victoria Leigh Schein, Brian Boland, Patrick Maloney, Alex Perkins, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Patent number: 11858392
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle seat with a function of reducing fatigue regardless of the physique of the seated person, a vehicle seat includes: an ischial tuberosity support device that is driven to change a position of a part of a seat cushion corresponding to ischial tuberosities of a seated person; a sacrum/ilium support device that is driven to change a position of a part of a seat back corresponding to the sacrum and ilia of the seated person; a ninth thoracic vertebra support device that is driven to change a position of a part of the seat back corresponding to a ninth thoracic vertebra of the seated person; and a control device, wherein the control device sequentially executes: an information acquisition step of acquiring physique information of the seated person; a decision step of deciding parameters regarding a driving amount of each of the ischial tuberosity support device, the sacrum/ilium support device, and the ninth thoracic vertebra support device based on the acquired physique information; and an out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Kensuke Mizoi, Naoto Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 11850984
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a frame, a plurality of seat bolsters coupled to the frame, and a plurality of air channels interposing adjacent ones of the plurality of seat bolsters. The plurality of air channels exposes portions of the frame between the adjacent ones of the plurality of seat bolsters. Each of the plurality of seat bolsters is detachably coupled to a front surface of the frame while the frame is installed in a vehicle. Each of the plurality of seat bolsters has a seat bolster configuration defined based on a user physical profile, a use case of the vehicle, an environmental condition, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: AYRO, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wittenschlaeger
  • Patent number: 11845369
    Abstract: An upholstery unit (28) for a seat of a motor vehicle has bar-form upholstery elements (30) that can be displaced relative to one another and provide a person with cushioned support. A flexible connecting layer (32) connects the upholstery elements (30) to one another and can be folded into an interspace (34) between adjacent upholstery elements (30). The upholstery element (30) has at least one pocket (36), and at least one pressure-point actuator (38) is inserted in the pocket (36) of the upholstery element (30) to apply a massage pressure to the person through a material of the upholstery element (30). The pressure-point actuators (38) in the accommodating pockets (36) of the upholstery elements (30) can be displaced relative to one another. Thus, a massage function of the upholstery unit (28) is adapted optimally to people of different heights, and provides comfortable seating in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F Porsche AG
    Inventors: Volker Sieber, Jochen Hofmann, Katharina Wolfahrt
  • Patent number: 11825955
    Abstract: A seating arrangement includes a base member, and an integrally formed support member coupled to the base member and supporting a seat moveable from an upright position to a reclined position, wherein a portion of the support member is bendable as the seat moves from the upright position to the reclined position such that a first side of the support member is put in tension and a second side generally opposite the first side is put in compression, and wherein the first side includes a tensile substrate so that the first side has as higher modulus of elasticity than the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Nickolaus William Charles Deevers, Kurt R. Heidmann, Michael J. Kemen
  • Patent number: 11820258
    Abstract: A structural component may have a flexible structure with at least one adjusting mechanism, which may be formed at least from a plurality of folded elements or lever elements and spacing elements that are coupled to one another in such a way that their upper surfaces are connected to one another by an upper flat element and their lower surfaces are connected to one another by a lower flat element. The upper flat element and the lower flat element may be configured to be moved in a defined manner in the event of a tilting movement of the flexible structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bahr, Thomas Frotz, Rudolf Wilhelm Hemmelrath
  • Patent number: 11819130
    Abstract: A novel form of furniture where various types of seating arrangements which can be provided with interchangeable hexagon shaped cushions to achieve swivel chair, sofa and stool configuration. The assembly allows easy to assemble and disassemble structure where multiple configurations can be achieved with slide adjustments. The assembly allows enhanced air circulation, easy removal and placement of cushions, easy storage, interchangeable cushions and allows user to replace or service individual cushions without the need to replace the entire furniture piece. The cushions are also interchangeable for aesthetic choices where user can create different color combinations based on their aesthetic preference. Cushion units can be replaced to change its visual appearance without the need to replace the entire chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: James Piatt
  • Patent number: 11667219
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a backrest assembly including a first, a second, and a third portion slidably connected with one another, and a backrest adjusting system carried with the backrest assembly and configured to provide a first stage of height adjustment where the first and second portions are locked with each other and the third portion is movable relative to the first and second portions for adjustment, and a second stage of height adjustment where the second portion is locked with the third portion so that the second and third portions are movable in unison relative to the first portion for adjustment. The third portion carries an adjustment latch that engages with the second portion for locking the third portion in position in the first stage of height adjustment and engages with the first portion for locking the third portion in position in the second stage of height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Xiao Song Duan
  • Patent number: 11603299
    Abstract: A forklift includes a cabin and a seat for use by a driver arranged in the cabin. The cabin has a lateral opening to enter and exit the cabin, and the seat is mounted rotatably relative to the cabin. There is a safety bracket for preventing the driver from involuntarily exiting the cabin through the lateral opening, and for providing lateral impact protection. The safety bracket is mechanically connected to the seat to be rotatable together with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: PALFINGER AG
    Inventors: Eric O'Keeffe, Patrick Keenan, Matthias Kalin
  • Patent number: 11541799
    Abstract: A seating assembly having a seating assembly frame that includes a seat frame and a seatback frame. The seating assembly includes an extension member coupled to the seat frame and movable in response to an actuating force between an extended position relative to the seat frame and a compressed position relative to the seat frame and including an end fixedly coupled to the seat frame and an end coupled to an adjustment device disposed on the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Ratan Howlader, Robert Charles Shipley, Patrick Davis, Ian James, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons, Sean Bayle West
  • Patent number: 11541780
    Abstract: In a physical state sharable seat, a sensor is configured to acquire a measurement value specific to a physical state of an occupant seated on the seat body; and a controller connected to the sensor and thereby allowed to acquire the measurement value from the sensor is configured to be capable of communicating with other equipment. The controller includes: an evaluation unit configured to compute an evaluation value on the physical state, based on the measurement value; an evaluation value presentation unit configured to present the evaluation value at a terminal to be used by the occupant; a shared data acquisition unit configured to acquire an other-occupant evaluation value that is an evaluation value on a physical state of another person, acquired either by the evaluation unit or from another physical state sharable seat; and a shared data presentation unit configured to present the other-occupant evaluation value at the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kaku
  • Patent number: 11504293
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes first and second bladders and a controller. The first bladder has a sensor configured to detect a pressure of the first bladder. The controller is configured to inflate the first bladder to a target pressure, as detected by the sensor, and to inflate the second bladder based on time expended for the first bladder to be inflated to the target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Francis Weber, Bryan M. Vartanian, Samuel A. Heap, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11505101
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adaptable lateral support and method of adapting lateral support are provided. The seat has a seat frame on which a seat cushion and/or a backrest cushion and at least one actuator is retained, wherein the seat cushion and/or the backrest cushion has at least one laterally arranged, resiliently deformable side wall cushion for the lateral support of a person sitting on the vehicle seat and the actuator is operationally connected to the side wall cushion and configured to apply a deformation force for the resilient deformation of the side wall cushion. The vehicle seat has a cable element which connects the side wall cushion to the actuator in a force-transmitting manner so that the actuator introduces the deformation force by tensioning the cable element directly from the cable element into the side wall cushion to deform the side wall cushion to change the lateral support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Baranowski, Maik Broda, Pascal Rebmann, Markus Franzen
  • Patent number: 11497314
    Abstract: The adjustable headrest mechanism for a chair comprises a pair of sliding rails; an upper driving rod and a lower driving rod, the upper driving rod being attached to the sliding rails and the lower driving rod being attached to a back frame of the chair; and a headrest actuator pivotally connected between the upper driving rod and the lower driving rod for operably driving the upper driving rod to move between a first position and a second position, thereby driving the sliding rails to pivotally move in an upward direction or a downward direction relative to the lower driving rod. When the upper driving rod is in the first position, the sliding rails is in a complete close state. When the upper driving rod is in the second position, the sliding rails is in a complete open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI STERLING MOTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yanjun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11497665
    Abstract: A mobile patient support chair to assist in bathing of a patient by a carer with little or no upper body strength comprises a chair pivotally mounted in a support frame comprised of four legs each ending in a wheel. The chair frame comprises groups of support panels which can be locked in support positions and rotated through 90 degrees to provide access to the patient's legs, buttocks and back. Additionally the chair is balanced to allow easy rotation into a fully backwards lying position, and a fully forward lying position. In the fully forward lying position flexible retaining strips are placed across the patient to retain them in place. Additionally the wheels may be step-climbing wheels to assist in climbing small steps found in bathroom entrances and shower cubicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOBRUK ENGINEERING PTY LTD
    Inventors: Brenton George Matters, Alan Royce, Jake Nathaniel Matters, Scott Brenton Matters
  • Patent number: 11485265
    Abstract: A system and method for providing massaging within a vehicle that include receiving vehicle dynamic data associated with a real-time dynamic performance of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven for a predetermined period of time. The system and method also include determining at least one strenuous driving activity associated with a driver of the vehicle based on at least one driving maneuver. The system and method additionally include analyzing positional parameters and movement parameters that are associated with at least one area of a body of the driver that is utilized to conduct the at least one driving maneuver for the predetermined period of time. The system and method further include controlling at least one massaging element disposed within the seat of the vehicle to provide massaging to the at least one area of the body of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Alequin, Rebecca Lee Lyss
  • Patent number: 11465541
    Abstract: This air pump device is provided with: an electric pump unit including a pump mechanism and a motor; a case; and a vibration-proof member. The pump mechanism and the motor are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the motor. The pump mechanism has an inlet and an outlet at an end in the axial direction on the opposite side of the motor. The case has a first wall and a second wall which are located on opposite sides in the axial direction of the motor and which face the electric pump unit. The vibration-proof member is provided with: a first axial vibration-proof unit interposed between the electric pump unit and the first wall; and a second axial vibration-proof unit interposed between the electric pump unit and the second wall. The first axial vibration-proof unit covers the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: AISIN CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Sakai, Ryosuke Mizuno, Tomokazu Seki, Katsuya Nozue, Yasuo Kidena, Shunsuke Tanaka, Kenji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11453316
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle including at least one device, in which the one device is altered from a first state to a second state by an electronic computing device of the vehicle. The electronic computing device ascertains a present time and automatically alters the device from the first state to the second state on the basis of the ascertained time. Provision is made for the second state to be ascertained automatically by the electronic computing device from the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Berthold Bocsanyi
  • Patent number: 11364831
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat having a seat region, in particular a backrest or a seat part, wherein at least one fluid-filled hollow body connected to a first fluid inlet and outlet conduit is arranged in the seat region, wherein the at least one hollow body is part of a seat displacement device and/or a massage device and wherein the hollow body is supported by a support device also arranged in the seat region on its side facing away from an occupant sitting in the motor vehicle seat, characterized in that the support device in turn comprises at least one fluid-filled hollow support body which is arranged in the seat region and is spatially separated from the at least one hollow body, wherein the firmness of the seat and/or the strength of the massage application can additionally be adjusted by varying the filling of the hollow support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Piotr Ceglarek
  • Patent number: 11318863
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat body configured to seat an occupant; a pressing mechanism that is provided at the seat body and is switchable between a pressing state, in which the pressing mechanism presses against the pelvis of a seated occupant, and a non-pressing state, in which the pressing mechanism does not press against the pelvis of a seated occupant; and a control section configured to control the pressing mechanism, in a state in which an occupant is sitting on the seat body, so as to alternate repeatedly between the pressing state and the non-pressing state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghyoun Kim, Katsutoshi Imanari
  • Patent number: 11262218
    Abstract: A posture adjusting device includes a support member with a pressure receiving surface to be pressed by a body of a user, multiple posture adjusting members each configured to change an uneven state of the pressure receiving surface, a sensor configured to output, when a given posture adjusting member is pressed by the body via the pressure receiving surface, a resistance value that constantly varies in accordance with a magnitude of a press force that is transferred via the given posture adjusting member, a drive unit configured to independently drive each of the multiple posture adjusting members, and a control unit configured to identify the pressed posture adjusting member based on the output of the sensor, and to control the drive unit to cause the pressed posture adjusting member to be moved or deformed to thereby cause the uneven state of the pressure receiving surface to change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Asakawa, Shigeyuki Adachi, Atsushi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 11219319
    Abstract: A convertible bed bumper apparatus includes first and second elongate members each including a flat side extending between opposing first and second flat ends; a first fastening element at the first flat end of the first elongate member and a second fastening element at the first flat end of the second elongate member; the first and second elongate members being integrally joined together adjacent the respective flat sides of the respective first flat ends; the first and second elongate members being selectively operable between a stowed configuration, wherein the respective flat sides of the first and second elongate members are brought into congruent abutment, and an operational configuration, wherein the respective first flat ends of the first and second elongate members are brought into congruent abutment; the first and second fastening elements being sized and configured for engagement when the first and second elongate members are in the operational configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Milliard Enterprises Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Sima Kulik
  • Patent number: 11192653
    Abstract: Vehicle seat assemblies including support structures having at least two supports parts coupled at an articulating joint and a pneumatic actuator system including at least one pneumatic chamber inflated and deflated to articulate the articulating joint to move one support part relative to the other or to synchronize movement of two support parts. Support structures can include a backrest coupled to a seat bottom or leg rest coupled to a seat bottom, wherein articulation of the joint causes movement of the backrest or leg rest along a non-hinged trajectory to change a sitting position of the support structure, change seat orientation, and generally improve seat comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Wilson
  • Patent number: 11076696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1), in particular an office chair, comprising a seat support (3) for a seating surface (6) and comprising a backrest support (4) of a backrest (5), which is held on the seat support (3) so as to be able to move in a tiltable manner to the side, wherein the backrest support (4) comprises two support arms (4a, 4b) which are configured to be flexible and/or articulated laterally and spaced apart from one another. Preferably, the seating surface (6) and/or the backrest (5) comprises a curved seat shell and/or backrest shell (6a, 5a) provided with a cover (6b, 5b) with a number of flexible curved ribs (15, 16) on the edge of the shell, wherein the cover is stretched by the seat shell and/or backrest shell (6a, 5a) such that when the cover (6b, 5b) is loaded, the bending of the curved ribs (15, 16) is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Sander, Martin Potrykus
  • Patent number: 11059588
    Abstract: A transformable seat assembly which includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a hinge. The hinge defines an axis of rotation. A back support structure connected to the seat support structure, which extends in an upward direction relative to the seat support structure. A back cushion is secured to the back support structure and a lumbar cushion extends along the back support structure positioned between the back cushion and the seat, wherein the lumbar cushion is releasably secured to one of the back cushion or the back support structure and an end portion of the seat positioned closer to the back support structure with the seat positioned in an occupant support position than the hinge, can rotate in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, which includes the upward direction and a direction away from the back support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John G. Schultz, Haftom Y. Dessalegn
  • Patent number: 11044996
    Abstract: A chair includes a seat, a backrest, and a leg rest. A tilt actuator and lift actuator tilt and lift the seat, respectively. A leg rest actuator extends and retracts the leg rest. A backrest actuator pivots the backrest with respect to the seat. A controller simultaneously controls the actuators such that they move sequentially between multiple predefined states. A control panel enables a user to automatically move the chair to any of the predefined states. A controller controls the actuators such that they simultaneously arrive at each state. One or more functions on a control panel may also be automatically disabled and/or automatically enabled as the chair moves into or out of certain ones of the predefined states. When transitioning between some states, all of the actuators are activated, and when transitioning between other states, only a subset of the actuators is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Anish Paul, Christopher S. Hough
  • Patent number: 11007964
    Abstract: A seat cushion airbag apparatus is applied to a vehicle seat in which a seat cushion includes a cushion part and a support portion. An airbag, including an inflatable portion, is disposed between the support portion and the cushion part. The inflatable portion includes: a rear inflatable portion that inflates on a lower side of buttocks of an occupant; a front inflatable portion that inflates on a lower side of a femur of the occupant; and a connection portion that connects the rear inflatable portion and the front inflatable portion. A tilting plate is disposed between the support portion and the cushion part and is supported to be tiltable in an upper-lower direction by a shaft provided rearward of the front inflatable portion, the tilting plate including a flat pressure receiving portion that receives pressure of inflation gas from a lower side through at least the front inflatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koki Tanaka, Takashi Iida, Shigeyuki Suzuki, Tadashi Yamada, Yasushi Masuda, Hajime Kitte, Motoyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10974634
    Abstract: A cushion support for an at least partially resilient shaped part of a vehicle seat, in particular a back cushion support, having a support means designed for holding up and/or supporting the shaped part at least in regions and at least one expansion body designed for reversibly displacing at least a region of the shaped part, the cross section of which body can be changed by introducing and discharging a fluid. The support means is a mat arrangement which can be mounted in a frame of the vehicle seat and has two superimposed flexible mat layers, in particular formed by a textile, at least in regions, the expansion body being arranged between the mat layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Piotr Ceglarek, Robert Grzeslo
  • Patent number: 10960263
    Abstract: A chair for providing seating support to a user and for providing ways for the user to perform exercises. The chair includes a back support that is flexible such that when a force is applied to it by the user's body, the back support bends. The back support may be configured to adapt to the curvature of the user's spine when the user is seated in the chair. The back support may further be configured such that the user can rotate the back support by rotating the user's upper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Corecentric LLC
    Inventor: Bryce Harlow
  • Patent number: 10906434
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat portion, a backrest assembly including a first and a second backrest portion slidably connected with each other and a headrest slidably connected with the second backrest portion, the first backrest portion being connected with the seat portion, and a backrest adjusting system disposed on the backrest assembly and configured to provide a first stage of height adjustment where the first and second backrest portions are locked with each other and the headrest is movable relative to the first and second backrest portions for adjustment, and a second stage of height adjustment where the second backrest portion is locked with the headrest and unlocked from the first backrest portion so that the headrest and the second backrest portion are movable in unison relative to the first backrest portion for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventor: Xiao Song Duan
  • Patent number: 10899454
    Abstract: Described is a passenger seat that includes a seat bottom assembly with a forward edge and a rear edge and a seat back assembly extending up from the rear edge of the seat bottom assembly. The seat back assembly may include a frame, a plurality of panels within a perimeter of the frame, and at least one attachment member configured to attach the plurality of panels to the frame. The seat bottom assembly may include a frame and a plurality of panels within a perimeter of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Ruiz Lara, Jose Ramon Madrigal Carmona, Patricia Luevano Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10820706
    Abstract: A body support structure includes a frame and a membrane attached to the frame. The membrane includes elastomeric filaments. The membrane includes different regions with different stiffness. The membrane may form a part of a seat or a backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HERMAN MILLER, INC.
    Inventors: Johann Burkhard Schmitz, Claudia Plikat, Carola Eva Marianne Zwick, Roland Rolf Otto Zwick, Andrew Keith Hector, John Fredric Aldrich
  • Patent number: 10813813
    Abstract: A localized topical hyperbaric therapeutic instrument, comprising: a primary airbag, which is a chamber with an opening at an end; an oxygen generating device, which comprises an oxygen generator and a first pressure controller, wherein the oxygen generator has an oxygen outlet which communicates with the primary airbag through a first air inlet line and supplies oxygen into the primary airbag, and wherein the first pressure controller controls an amount of oxygen supplied to the primary airbag by the oxygen generator; a massage device; a heating piece, which is arranged in the primary airbag and generates heat; a treatment unit, which is arranged in the primary airbag in a detachable manner, disposed at a position corresponding to the heating piece, and comprises medical ingredients which are volatile upon heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Baoding Baienjie Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liping Zhang, Jinhua Zhang
  • Patent number: 10793029
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-joint seat back for a vehicle, which may include a plurality of partitioned seat back components provided to have a structure in which a seat pad is inserted into a front portion of a skeletal frame and configured to be hinged to one another in a manner of rotating angularly in a forward or backward direction; elastic wires, each of which is connected between two partitioned seat back components selected from the plurality of partitioned seat back components; pulling wires bound to predetermined positions of the elastic wires respectively; and a drive unit connected to the pulling wires such that it winds the pulling wires to pull the elastic wires or otherwise releases the pulling wires to restore the elastic wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chan Ho Jung, Gil Ju Kim, Seong Mun Yun, Seon Chae Na, Ju Yeol Kong, Mu Young Kim, Hyung Jin Park, Sang Uk Yu, Hyun Kyu Moon
  • Patent number: 10793041
    Abstract: A method for producing an adjusting device for a vehicle seat has the following steps. A flexible hollow body is molded from a thermoplastic plastic by injection molding, wherein the hollow body forms a pressure medium chamber and has an opening which is surrounded by a connecting portion. Furthermore, a first film is arranged at the opening. In particular, a pressure medium line is inserted between the connecting portion or the opening and the first film. Finally, the first film is connected to the hollow body at the connecting portion of the opening at the connecting seam in order to thereby close off the pressure medium chamber. Because the flexible hollow body is formed in one step, in particular by an injection molding process, the manufacturing complexity is minimized and the robustness of the hollow body is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Steinberger, Franz Stadler, Wolfgang Thiel, Markus Prexl
  • Patent number: 10774898
    Abstract: A vibration reduction (VR) human support has exactly two paths to ground in each degree of VR: one provided by respective displacement actuators (DAs) for active VR, the other by one or more elastomeric damping bodies (EDBs). These paths extend from a frame for carrying a support structure for a live human, to a grounding for fixing the VR system in a vibrating environment. Each EDB is composed of a material having a dynamic Young's Modulus of 0.1-2.5 MPa, and a resilience test rebound height less than 40, and is positioned between the grounding and frame to provide elastic restorative forces and damping in each of the respective directions. The use of EDBs simplifies construction, and allows for a more compact arrangement, without reducing VR efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Amin Fereidooni, Viresh Wickramasinghe, Yong Eric Chen
  • Patent number: 10638846
    Abstract: A chair is provided having at least one leg with an upper end on which a seat component is supported and a backrest interconnected to and projecting from the seat component. The backrest comprises a lower backrest section, an upper backrest section, and a backrest hinge interconnecting the upper backrest section to an upper end of the lower backrest section. The lower backrest section is interconnected to and extends from a rear portion of the seat component and the backrest hinge is configured to permit the upper backrest section to be located in an upright position in which the upper backrest section projects above the lower backrest section and is configured to permit the upper backrest section to be pivoted to a forward position in which the upper backrest section extends laterally over and spaced above the seat component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: UNION DESIGN DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Shaun Smith, Jeffery Theesfeld
  • Patent number: 10611283
    Abstract: A multi-stage seatback extension system is disclosed. In embodiments, the multi-stage seatback extension system includes a backrest base assembly, an extendable backrest assembly, and an extendable headrest assembly. The extendable backrest assembly is moveably coupled to the backrest base assembly such that it can be pulled away from the backrest base assembly or pushed toward the backrest base assembly. The extendable headrest assembly is coupled to the extendable backrest assembly so that the headrest assembly can also be extended (or retracted). In this regard, the extendable backrest assembly and the headrest assembly implement a multi-stage (e.g., two stage or more) seatback extension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo Suarez, John Iossifidis, Moises Perez, Michael L. Oleson
  • Patent number: 10518684
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided herein. The seat assembly includes a seat member having a support surface. A pair of seat member bolsters is disposed on opposing sides of the seat member. A seat base supports the seat member and has a wraparound sidewall that extends above a bottom portion of each seat member bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kevin Wayne Preuss, S. M. Akbar Berry, Benjamin Yilma, Brian Robert Spahn, Alan George Dry
  • Patent number: 10513211
    Abstract: A haptic device includes a first signal generator embedded in a host and configured to generate a first haptic signal. A first waveguide is operatively connected to and configured to transmit the first haptic signal away from the first signal generator. A first integrator is operatively connected to the first waveguide and configured to receive the first haptic signal. The first waveguide and the first integrator are in mechanical communication with the host. The first waveguide may include a first bent portion characterized by a first bend angle. An additional waveguide may be configured to transmit the first haptic signal to the first integrator. The additional waveguide may include an additional bent portion characterized by a second bend angle. The haptic device may be part of a seat assembly, where the host is at least one of a seat bottom, a seat back and a head rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Dorel M. Sala
  • Patent number: 10507159
    Abstract: A massage system includes a seat having a first surface, a first massage assembly beneath the first surface and including a first matrix of inflatable bladders, and an interface including a touchscreen. The system further includes a controller displaying an image of the matrix on the touchscreen, receiving a touch input from the touchscreen, interpreting the touch input as an indication of a desired massage sequence, and causing the first massage assembly to implement the desired massage sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeroen Lem, Amber LaVerne Hall, Brian Boland
  • Patent number: 10493878
    Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a seat frame and a seat pad. The seat frame is adapted to couple with the vehicle for movement with the vehicle. The seat pad is adapted to provide a comfortable support interface for an occupant of the occupant support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Rod Goodrich, Matthew K. Benson, Alfred H. Bransdorfer
  • Patent number: 10413074
    Abstract: A lounge having a matrix mat and a plurality of modules capable of being inserted into the matrix mat. The lounge may include a frame configured as a rigid frame, a modular frame, and combinations thereof. The modular frame may further include a tri-cable suspension. The tri-cable suspension may be attached to a dilator retractor mechanism. The modules may be a mushroom cap module, a spider spring module, a web module, a lighting module, an electronics module, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Donald J. Molenda
  • Patent number: 10414293
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a seat cushion including a cushion body that supports buttocks of an occupant, and cushion side portions disposed on both seat width direction sides of the cushion body, a seatback including a back body that supports a back of the occupant, and back side portions disposed on both seat width direction sides of the back body, and an adjustment mechanism including at least one of a cushion adjustment mechanism that on actuation moves the cushion body in a seat up-down direction with respect to the cushion side portions and pivots the cushion body about an axis running along the seat width direction, or a back adjustment mechanism that on actuation moves the back body in a seat front-rear direction with respect to the back side portions and pivots the back body about an axis running along the seat width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sasaki, Akira Honma, Donhyon Kim, Daisuke Tanaka