| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 297378100 | Foldable forwardly over bottom | 88 |
| 20100026073 | POWER SEAT ASSEMBLY WITH MOTOR ACTUATED SPRING RELEASE AND REWIND OF A SEATBACK SECTOR AND WITH THE MOTOR REMOVED FROM AN INERTIAL LOAD PATH SUCH AS DURING AN IMPACT EVENT - A power seat assembly with motor actuated release and rewind of a seatback sector. First and second support plates sandwich a forwardly biased seatback sector and a cam engaged with the seatback sector in an upright position. A first pin extends from said cam offset its pivotal connection and passes through a slot defined in the second support plate to define a range of pivotal motion of the cam. A toothed gear sector rotatably mounted to an exterior of the second support plates and exhibits a polygonal shaped portion as well as an end shoulder offset and inwardly recessed from exteriorly defined teeth and the polygonal shaped portion. An electric motor includes an output gear in toothed engagement with the gear sector and for rotating the gear sector in a first direction so that the polygonal shaped portion contacts and deflects the pin and cam out of contact with the seatback, causing it to rotate to a forward dump position. A second pin extends from the seatback sector and contacts the end shoulder at the dump position, the motor rotating the gear sector in a second direction and forcibly rewinding the seatback sector, against its bias, to the upright design position coinciding with the cam re-engaging the seatback sector. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20090195044 | VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY - A vehicle seat assembly adapted to perform an easy entry function includes a seat body having a seat bottom and a pivotally connected seat back. The seat body is configured to limit the seat back to pivot through a first angular range that inhibits the seat back from actuating the easy entry function. The seat body is further configured to limit the seat back to pivot through a second angular range that allows the seat back to actuate the easy entry function. The first actuator is provided to actuate the seat back to pivot through the first angular range. A second actuator is provided to actuate the seat back to pivot through the second angular range. The seat back maintains a generally upright orientation as the seat back pivots in a forward direction through the first angular range and the second angular range. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090121533 | SEAT RESTRAINING DEVICE - The embodiments described herein provide a vehicle seat assembly that is coupled to a floor of a vehicle. The assembly comprises a seat back frame, a seat cushion frame, at least one leg and at least one blocking member. The seat cushion frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. The leg is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion frame and pivotally coupled to the floor of the vehicle. The blocking member is coupled to the seat cushion frame and capable of moving into engagement with the leg as the assembly moves from the folded position to the upright seating position. The blocking member is adapted to block movement of the leg and to stabilize the seat assembly in the event of a vehicle collision. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20130057042 | DAMPER FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat having a seat back pivotally mounted relative to a seat bottom is provided. The seat back is movable between an upright position, where the seat back is in a generally vertical position for supporting an occupant seated on the seat, and a storage position, where the seat back is folded with respect to the seat bottom. The recliner assembly includes a damper operatively connected between the seat bottom and seat back. The damper includes an outer race and an inner race, wherein at least one of the inner race and outer race comprise an annular cam-profile surface. A plurality of rollers are disposed between the inner race and outer race, to cooperate with the cam-profile surface and the other one of the inner race and outer race to dampen movement of the seat back during at least partial movement from the upright position to the storage position. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130057043 | Easy Entry Seat System With Single Position Memory And Hold Open Feature - A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat back for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a forwardly dumped position. A recliner mechanism is provided for selectively actuating between a locked and unlocked condition allowing the pivotal movement of the seat back. A seat track assembly provides selective actuation between a locked and unlocked condition allowing fore and aft sliding movement of the seat assembly between a design position and a full forward position. An easy entry memory mechanism is operatively coupled to the recliner mechanism and the seat track assembly for selectively actuating the seat track assembly to the unlocked condition and provide movement of the seat assembly to the full forward position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back to the forwardly dumped position while maintaining memory of the design position. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20120019037 | MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT - The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat sub-frame adjustable along a rail longitudinal guide to which a backrest is hinged in a pivoting manner and can be folded forward toward a seating surface of the seat sub-frame, a locking device for arresting the rail longitudinal guide in an adjustable seating longitudinal position, an entry aid by means of which the locking device is released, when the backrest is folded forward to the seating surface and a memory arrangement for adjusting and restoring a memory position having a position memory that has an adjustment means for adjusting the memory position in the rail longitudinal direction of the rail longitudinal guide and a locking element that is connected to the adjustment means in a pivoting manner that under the effect of a control element can be pivoted in a locking rail for locking the adjusted memory position and pivoted out of the locking rail for adjusting a memory position and is connected to the adjustment means via a slotted guide such that a virtual point of rotation of the locking element lies underneath the rail profile of the locking rail. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20110266855 | Inflatable Thin Seat - A seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for pivotal movement between seating and folded positions. The seat assembly includes an air bladder. An air control system is operatively coupled to the air bladder for automatically inflating and deflating the air bladder in response to pivoting the seat back between the seating and folded positions. The air control system includes a pressure vessel for storing a predetermined volume of air, a fill valve for controlling air flow from the pressure vessel to the air bladder, a first pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure in the air bladder, a pump for filling the pressure vessel with air, a second pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure in the pressure vessel, a control valve for controlling air flow from the pump to the pressure vessel, and a vent valve for venting air from the or bladder. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110266854 | CAR SEAT - A car seat includes a seat back and a back belt. The seat back is foldable from an erect position into a substantially horizontal folded position. The back belt is disposed in a position in which the back belt, when extending along the seat back, is able to restrain an item or a baby being placed on a back surface of the seat back in the folded position. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20090267398 | ARMREST ASSEMBLY FOR AUTOMOBILE SEAT - An armrest assembly for an automobile seat, in which an armrest protrudes from a foldable seatback such that a passenger rests his/her arm on the armrest when the seatback is folded, and comes into contact with the seatback when the seatback is folded out in order to take a seat. The armrest assembly includes an armrest, which is installed on a seatback of the seat via links so as to protrude from the seatback, an external force transmitting device, which is coupled with at least one of the links, and transmits external force to the coupled link such that the armrest protrudes from the seatback, and a pressing unit, which installed on one side of the seatback such that the external force is applied to the external force transmitting device when the seatback is folded. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090008980 | Fitting for a vehicle seat - In the case of a fitting ( | 01-08-2009 |
| 20080303332 | VEHICLE SEAT CONNECTION - A vehicle seat comprises a seat bottom with a frame with a slot or a pivotal connection. A seat back has a frame with the other of the slot and the pivotal connection to cooperate with the seat back for collapsing the seat back upon the seat bottom. A receiver is mounted to one of the seat bottom or the seat back with a first locking component and an insert is mounted to the other with a second locking component. The seat back is assembled to the seat bottom by pivoting the seat back to align the receiver and insert and translating the seat back along the slot until the insert is inserted into the receiver and the locking components are locked. The vehicle seat connection permits the seat bottom and seat back to be fabricated at separate facilities and then shipped to an assembly facility. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080224523 | Seat with Easy-Entry and Cargo Function - A vehicle seat has a seat lower component, a seat upholstered component and a backrest component provided to be rotatably moved about a first axis provided parallel to a direction aligned transverse to the primary sitting direction. The vehicle seat upholstered component is also rotatably movable relative to the seat lower component about a second axis, the second axis being provided parallel to a direction from an upholstered component use position into an upholstered component loading position and vice versa, and the backrest component is provided to be rotatably moved relative to the seat lower component about the first axis from a backrest use position into a backrest loading position, and vice versa, only when the seat upholstered component has been moved substantially into the upholstered component loading position. By folding over the seat upholstered component into its upholstered component loading position, the backrest component can move relative to the seat lower component into its loading position, i.e. the backrest loading position. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20090230747 | Automobile seat having a four-link backrest pivoting mechanism and a two-link seat portion pivoting mechanism - The invention relates to an automobile seat ( | 09-17-2009 |
| 20080315656 | Hinged Mounting for a Motor Vehicle Seat and with a Circular Blank - The hinged mounting for a seat back hinge of a motor vehicle seat has a first hinge arm and a second hinge arm; it further has a circular blank that is interposed between said hinge arms. The circular blank has a first circular blank plate that is connected to the first hinge arm, a second circular blank plate that is associated with the second hinge arm, a retaining means for keeping the two circular blank plates together in the axial direction and a releasable stopper device. The second circular blank plate comprises at least one retaining side. The retaining means is rigidly connected to the second circular blank plate. Between the annular region and the second circular blank plate there is formed a circumferential groove in which the first circular blank plate is retained for rotation. The retaining means stiffens the second circular blank plate. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080315655 | VEHICLE SEAT WITH A SEAT TILT ADJUSTMENT COMBINED WITH A FOLD FLAT MECHANISM WITH A RETURN FUNCTION - A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat bottom includes a forward section and a rear section. The seat back is pivotably mounted about the seat bottom. The seat back is positionable in a reclined position and a folded position. The pivotable link system characteristically positions the forward section of the seat bottom in a lowered position and one or more raised positions. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090079249 | MULTI-LOAD FLOOR SMARTFOLD HYBRID - A seat support system for supporting a seat in a manner that ameliorates or eliminates load applied to a driving mechanism. The system may be configured to support a seat back when the seat back in pivoted upwardly and downwardly relative to a seat bottom. The support system may create a load-bearing link between a non-driven component on the seat back and an anchor. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20110121630 | VEHICLE SEATING APPARATUS - A vehicle seating apparatus is provided with a seat assembly and a seat belt buckle assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is foldable between a seating configuration and a non-seating configuration in which the seat back is folded onto the seat bottom. The seat belt buckle assembly includes a seat belt buckle bracket and a buckle head. The seat belt buckle bracket has a first end movably coupled to a lateral side of the seat bottom. The buckle head is movably arranged with respect to the seat assembly between a usage position and a stowed position. The buckle head is arranged with respect to the seat assembly such that movement of the seat back from the seating configuration to the non-seating configuration does not contact the buckle head while the buckle head is in the stowed position. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20090066139 | VEHICLE SEAT WITH TWO PIVOTABLE BACKRESTS - The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising at least one first seat-back ( | 03-12-2009 |
| 20100060065 | Chair with Height Adjustable Armrests and a Foldable Back - A chair with height adjustable armrests and a foldable back utilizes an engaging rod to control the height at which the armrest is positioned and a locking assembly to control the folding operation of the chair back, so that the user can adjust the height of the armrests as desired and fold the chair back for facilitating storage of the chair. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20110101757 | WEATHERPROOF OUTDOOR FURNITURE - Outdoor furniture that protects cushions from the elements via an internal lift mechanism and resin waterproof compartment. An operating lever controls the internal lift mechanism that lowers and raises the seat and seat cushions into and out of a resin compartment within the framework of the furniture. The lever allows the furniture to be opened and closed in seconds and does not require the cushions to be removed from the seat or seat back to be protected from the elements. The chair back is hinged, and rotates forward and closes flat creating the waterproof lid for the waterproof compartment. Seals on the chair back and on the frame of the resin waterproof compartment interlock creating the waterproof seal. The resin waterproof compartment protects the seat and seat back from the elements, extending the life of the cushions, and making the furniture easier to manage and enjoy. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20100295356 | Chair device for person carrier - This invention relates to a chair device for person carrier which is formed by a backrest unit, composed of a front backrest and a rear backrest, pivotally jointed with respect to a seat unit, in which two opposite fan-shaped limit projecting members are provided at each pivot-joint end of the seat unit. The fan-shaped limit projecting members can be angularly displaced to a position so as to be engaged with fan-shaped recesses in the pivot-joint ends of the rear backrest. In this way, the fan-shaped limit projecting members have a position limited space for angular displacement within the fan-shaped recesses so that the backrest unit of the chair can move in the range between a collapsing state and an unfolding state. Furthermore, reinforcing edge ribs for strength reinforcement purpose are provided at both sides where the front backrest is assembled to the rear backrest, so as to reinforce the strength of the backrest unit. Thereby, support effect for user's lean-on can be further enhanced such that better performance can be achieved in practical implementation. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100264714 | MANUAL RETRACTING HEAD RESTRAINT - A seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A head restraint is slidably coupled to an upper end of the seat back for vertical movement between a use position spaced apart from the upper end and a stowed position adjacent the upper end. A mechanism is operative for automatically moving the head restraint between the use and stowed positions in response to pivoting the seat back between the seating and folded positions. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20080315654 | Vehicle Seat - A vehicle seat ( | 12-25-2008 |
| 20080224524 | MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY - According to one embodiment of a seat assembly for a motor vehicle a seat back pivots about a hip axis, a seat bottom pivots about a knee axis, and at least one seat bottom leg is pivots about an ankle axis, so that the seat back folds down against the seat bottom and the seat bottom kneels on the floor to at least partially define a seating load floor. According to another embodiment; a seat bottom and a seat back are articulatable in a forward direction to fold the seat bottom and back down toward a floor of the vehicle to at least partially define a seating load floor. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20100320824 | STOWABLE VEHICLE SEAT - A stowable vehicle seat with improved operability is configured so that a stowing and restoring operation can be performed by rotating seat support parts and provided on the rear end part of a seat cushion in the front and rear direction around the rotating center. The seat support part is provided with a rotating shaft provided on the seat cushion side, a rotating shaft bracket pivotally supporting the rotating shaft on the vehicle body floor side, and spiral springs one end part side of which is always locked to the rotating shaft side and which urges in the restoration rotating direction. The other end part side of the spiral springs is locked to the vehicle body floor side at different predetermined angles of the seat cushion. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110133535 | FOLD-AND-DIVE SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE - A fold-and-dive seat assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The fold-and-dive seat assembly includes a seat cushion dived downward toward a floor panel by means of a dive link, a seat back connected to the seat cushion by a connection link, and rotatably connected to the floor panel to be folded toward the seat cushion, a head rest provided on an upper end of the seat back, a sliding unit, connected to the head rest and the seat back, for moving the head rest in a back and forth direction in a sliding manner, and a slid driving member for operating the sliding unit in link with the dive link, upon folding and diving, to slide the head rest in a rearward direction. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20100019558 | Buoyant Pool Chair with Sealed Frame - A buoyant pool chair supports a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining or sitting position while the chair is floating in a swimming pool. Interconnected rigid frame members collectively form an open chair frame for supporting buoyant cushions. The buoyant cushions include layers of flexible cushion material secured together in overlapping relation, with the frame members being sandwiched between the overlapping layers. A layer of adhesive material bonds the overlapping cushion layers together and forms a water-tight seal around the frame members. A flexible layer of a water-resistant coating material is bonded to external surface portions of the buoyant cushions to provide a further protective layer and water-tight seal. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20110057495 | Seat Headrest - A seat assembly having headrest that includes an expansion assembly that operates to expand the cushion when the headrest is in the lower position. As the headrest is raised, the expansion assembly retracts, removing the bulge and creating a more planar surface for comfortably resting the head of a seat occupant. The headrest is also configured to reduce expansion of flatten as the seatback is folded flat. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110043024 | SEAT FOR VEHICLE - A seat for a vehicle includes a seat cushion frame reciprocating between seating and retracted positions, a seat back frame rotatable between standing and forward-tilted positions, a head rest movable between stationary and retracted positions, a pair of links provided at both end portions of the seat cushion frame on a floor in a lateral direction of the vehicle, a guide member including a guide groove extending between the seating and retracted positions, a slide member arranged at the seat cushion frame and sliding along the guide groove, a head rest retaining device retaining the head rest in the stationary position, a rotary member supported by the seat back frame and rotated by the slide member, and an interlocking device arranged between the rotary member and the head rest retaining device and releasing the head rest from the stationary position in accordance with a rotation of the rotary member. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110115273 | Vehicle Seat - The motor vehicle seat of the present invention includes: a seat proper mounted on a pillar by means of a first connecting rod assembly including a front connecting rod and a rear connecting rod; a backrest mounted on the pillar by means of a second connecting rod assembly including a front connecting rod and a rear connecting rod; a locking mechanism for alternately restricting or enabling a movement of the backrest relative to the pillar, the seat being freely movable between a nominal position and a folded back position. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20120235458 | Collapsible Bolster Cushion - A collapsible bolster cushion for a collapsible seat is provided. The collapsible bolster cushion includes a first support member that is attachable to a seat bottom or a seat back and a second support member. A separator element is disposed between the first and second support members. The separator element is movable between a first orientation and a second orientation such that in the first orientation, the separator element resiliently biases a portion of the second support member away from the first support member, and when the separator element is in the second orientation, the portion of the second support member is permitted to collapse toward the first support member to allow the seat to collapse to the folded position. An actuator moves the separator element between the first and second orientations. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120319446 | In-Line Recliner Return Mechanism - A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position, a folded position disposed forwardly of the upright seating position, and a spring engagement/disengagement position between the upright seating position and the folded position. A recliner return mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat back during pivotal movement of the seat back between the upright seating position and the spring engagement/disengagement position such that the recliner return mechanism biases the seat back forwardly toward the spring engagement/disengagement position. The recliner return mechanism is operatively decoupled from the seat back during pivotal movement of the seat back between the spring engagement/disengagement position and the folded position such that the seat back pivots freely between the spring engagement/disengagement position and the folded position. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120091777 | MOTOR VEHICLE - With a motor vehicle having a front axle and a rear axle, an underbody and shock absorbers, each of which extend between an upper point of action on the underbody and a lower point of action on the rear axle extending adjacent to a rear wheel, and at least one back seat the upper point of action of one of the shock absorbers is located vertically below the back seat. | 04-19-2012 |
| 297378110 | Including an inertia-responsive latch | 5 |
| 20130082502 | Motion Sensing Seat Lock - A lock for locking an object in a vehicle in place comprises a base comprising a side surface and a front surface. The side surface has at least one opening, and the front surface has a ballast retainer and a hub mounting portion. A hub is rotatably coupled to the hub mounting portion. A ballast, which is operatively coupled to the hub, is housed within the ballast retainer. At least one locking member is also operatively coupled to the hub. The ballast is configured to automatically reposition itself within the ballast retainer from an initial unlocked position to a final locked position in response to a change in velocity of the vehicle. This repositioning of the ballast actuates the hub, and causes the at least one locking member to extend past the at least one opening. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20080252129 | SEAT FOLD ACTUATOR - A linear actuator configured to move multiple mechanisms in different directions along a common axis. The actuator suitable for use in any number of applications and environments, including but not limited to vehicle seat applications where a latch handle or other features requires actuation in order to facilitate folding the seat from an upright position to a fold-flat position and onto a tumble position. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080309138 | AUTOMOTIVE SEAT RECLINING SYSTEM - A cross member assembly for adjusting a reclinable vehicle seat includes a joint. The joint permits the cross member assembly to deflect during a vehicle impact if the reclinable vehicle seat is occupied. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080296949 | VEHICLE SEAT ARRANGEMENT - A vehicle seat arrangement includes a rail and a seat body slidably mounted on the rail having a seat component and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat component. The backrest pivots between a generally upright position and a forward tilted entry position. The seat body moves between a sitting position and an entry position. A blocking member obstructs the seat body from moving rearward of the sitting position. A locking mechanism moves between a locked position that restrains the seat back in the forward tilted entry position and a release position that releases the seat back to return to the generally upright position. The backrest acts as a lever such that a force applied to the backrest in a direction toward the sitting position is transferred through the backrest to the locking mechanism moving the locking mechanism from the locked position to the released position. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090108658 | Forward Tiltable Motor Vehicle Seat with Hinge Mountings - A forward tiltable motor vehicle seat having a seat carrier, a seat back and a hinge mounting arranged therebetween. The hinge mounting has an upper hinge arm connected to the seat back and a lower hinge arm hinged to the seat carrier about a forward tilt axis. The hinge mounting comprises a locking device on one seat side and at least one detent bight that is arranged to move together with the upper hinge arm on the other seat side. A movable detent part is provided and comprises at least one detent projection that: cooperates with the detent bight, is normally not engaged with the detent bight, and when the seat back is tilted forward about the forward tilt axis, is at least ready for engagement with the detent bight or engaged therewith. | 04-30-2009 |
| 297378120 | Held erect by a releasable latch | 44 |
| 20090218871 | VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY CAPABLE OF PERFORMING AN EASY ENTRY FUNCTION AND MEMORY RETURN - A vehicle seat assembly operable to perform an easy entry function includes a seat body adapted for attachment to a vehicle, the seat body having a seat back that is pivotally mounted to a seat bottom. A pivot lock mechanism inhibits the seat back from pivoting with respect to the seat bottom when locked. An easy entry actuator associated with the seat body is configured to unlock the pivot lock mechanism when actuated and to retain the pivot lock mechanism in an unlocked state while actuated. A retaining member associated with the easy entry actuator is configured to engage the seat back and to maintain the easy entry actuator in an actuated state after the easy entry actuator has been actuated until the seat back pivots to an angular orientation with respect to the seat bottom that the seat back occupied immediately prior to actuation of the easy entry actuator. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20130043708 | Seat Assembly With Easy-Entry Mechanism And Fold Flat Feature - A seat assembly includes a recliner mechanism operatively coupled between a seat back and seat cushion to allow pivotal movement of the seat back. An easy-entry mechanism includes an easy-entry release lever, a drive link and a sector. Actuating the easy-entry lever in a first direction causes the drive link to pivot into engagement with the sector and simultaneously pivots a recliner release lever to unlock the recliner mechanism. As the seat back pivots forwardly, the drive link moves with the seat back and causes the sector to pivot in a second direction until the sector is blocked and the seat back is in a forwardly dumped position. Alternatively, actuating the recliner release lever in the first direction unlocks the recliner mechanism and the drive link moves with the seat back and passes by the sector as the seat back pivots to a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20110127822 | SEAT ASSEMBLY HAVING REAR ACTUATED EGRESS MECHANISM - A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a rear actuated release mechanism is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat frame about a pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. The seat assembly further includes a release mechanism capable of locking, releasing, and moving the seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release mechanism is actuated by a release handle having an elongated slot formed therein. An egress mechanism operable to actuate the release mechanism from the rear of the seat assembly, includes a bracket pivotally attached to the seat frame and having a pin engaged within the slot of the release handle. The rotation of the bracket from a first position to a second position rotates the release handle to actuate the release mechanism to pivot the seat back from the seated position to the stowed position. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110285193 | Lock release assembly for a collapsible chair having a fold-down back - Lock release assemblies which are accessible at the rear of a rotatable fold-down back of a collapsible home or office chair. The lock release assemblies are adapted to be manually manipulated by the user to control the rotation of the fold-down back from a locked upright position standing vertically above the seat of the chair to an unlocked folded position lying horizontally over the seat in face-to-face alignment therewith. With the back rotated to its folded position, the chair will have a compact, space-efficient configuration which is suitable for storage and/or transport. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120139320 | SEAT ASSEMBLY HAVING A SOFT LATCH MECHANISM - A seat assembly having a soft latch mechanism. The soft latch mechanism includes a spring arm disposed on a bracket and a housing disposed on a seat back frame. The housing engages an end portion of the spring arm when the seat back frame is in a folded position to inhibit movement of the seat back frame away from the seat bottom frame. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20090189429 | Easy lift mechanism for vehicle seats - A method and apparatus for actuating a folding vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a handle remotely and functionally connected to the vehicle seat for moving the seatback from a folded position to an upright or design position. The handle is pivotally mounted on a support bracket and attached to an actuator member interconnecting the handle and the seatback. The actuator member transfers the motion of the handle to a generally “L-shaped” arm which is pivotally mounted to the vehicle seat below the seatback. The L-shaped arm rotates toward the back of the seat as the handle is lifted. As the L-shaped arm moves, it catches a stop or extension member located on the seatback and moves the seatback toward the upright position. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20110169315 | LOCKING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A locking device ( | 07-14-2011 |
| 20090096270 | VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY HAVING WALK-IN AND FOLD-FLAT FEATURES - A vehicle seat assembly having a sliding seat bottom, a slide lock mechanism, a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat bottom, a pivot lock mechanism, a walk-in pivot release actuator, a fold-flat pivot release actuator and a blocking member. The blocking member moves between first, second and neutral positions. The blocking member is connected to the slide lock mechanism and the fold-flat pivot release actuator. The seat back moves the blocking member from the neutral position to the first position when the walk-in pivot release actuator is actuated and the seat back pivots forward. The blocking member unlocks the slide lock release mechanism when the blocking member is in the first position. The fold-flat release actuator, when actuated, moves the blocking member from the neutral position to the second position. The blocking member does not obstruct the seat back from pivoting forward when in the second position. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20100123343 | SEAT RECLINER WTIH SINGLE-POSITION-MEMORY DUMP MECHANISM - A seat-back motion controller is used in a foldable vehicle seat to control motion of a seat back relative to a seat base. The motion controller includes a seat recliner configured to be locked to retain the seat back in a selected reclined position and unlocked to free the seat back to be pivoted forwardly to assume a forward-leaning seat-back dumping position to facilitate passenger access to a back seat area in a vehicle. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20080203800 | SELF-COMPENSATING MECHANICAL LATCH - A latch mechanism may include a housing, a claw rotatably supported within the housing between a latched position and an unlatched position, a first cam rotatably supported within the housing and operable to lock the claw in the latched position, and a second cam supported within the housing and slidably coupled to the first cam to selectively translate and rotate the first cam relative to the claw. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20090108659 | FORWARD TILTABLE MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT - A forward tiltable motor vehicle seat has a seat carrier and a seat back, a hinge mounting is associated with the seat back and comprises an upper hinge arm connected to the seat back and a lower hinge arm hinged about a forward tilt axis to the seat carrier. The seat carrier forms a clamping flank. A cam is provided and is movable between a stop position and a release position. The cam is disposed on the lower hinge arm and rests against the clamping flank in the stop position. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090001797 | Backrest Pivot - This invention relates to a backrest pivot that includes a first fitting attached to a seat bottom part, an angle adjuster that is mounted so as to be rotatable and adjustable relative to the first fitting, and a second fitting attached to a backrest. The backrest pivot includes a locking latch that can be actuated by a bolt and with which there are associated a first catch for fixing the backrest in a comfortable position and a second catch for fixing the backrest in a folded-forward position. The backrest pivot includes a mechanism by means of which the fixing of the backrest in the folded-forward position can be cancelled by a first and a second means which can be actuated independently of each other. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20100176641 | VEHICLE SEATS - According to this invention, there are provided a stopper stopping forward pivoting of a seat back at the position of a forwardly tilted state, a stopper operation mechanism, a reclining mechanism switching the seat back between a free state in which it can be pivoted with respect to a seat cushion and a lock state in which it cannot be pivoted with respect thereto, a reclining lever, and a connection lever. Through operation of operation levers the seat back is placed in the free state via the stopper operation mechanism, the connection lever, and the reclining lever, and the stopper is moved via the stopper operation mechanism. And, between the stopper operation mechanism and the reclining lever is provided a retention mechanism that retains the stopper at a position to which the stopper is moved. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100127547 | FITTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A fitting system ( | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100133887 | Lock release latch assembly for a collapsible chair having a fold-down back - A collapsible chair including a seat, a pair of arm rests at opposite sides of the seat, a rotatable fold-down back, and a lock release latch assembly that is manually accessible at the rear of the fold-down back. The lock release latch assembly has a rotatable latch that is connected by way of first and second locking cables to a pair of locking pins that extend from opposite sides of the fold-down back to be removably attached to respective ones of the pair of arm rests. A lifting force applied to the latch causes a corresponding pulling force to be applied to each of the pair of locking pins via the first and second locking cables, whereby the locking pins are withdrawn from the pair of arm rests. Accordingly, the fold-down back of the collapsible chair is rotatable from an upright position standing generally vertically upward relative to the seat to a generally horizontal folded position lying above the seat in face-to-face alignment therewith. With the fold-down back rotated to its folded position, the chair will have a compact, space-efficient configuration which is suitable for storage and/or transport without requiring that the chair be disassembled. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20110115274 | RELEASE STRAP FOR A RECLINER MECHANISM OF AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY - A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a release mechanism and a release strap for actuating the release mechanism is provided. The release mechanism is capable of moving a seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release strap includes an attachment portion having an attachment end which is fixedly secured to the release mechanism. A gripping portion allows an occupant to quickly and easily grasp and actuate the release strap. The release strap also includes an overlapping portion formed by overlapping a portion of the attachment portion and a portion of the gripping portion so as to present the gripping portion in an upward direction. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20090218872 | VEHICULAR SEATS - One aspect of the present invention can include a vehicular seat including a reclining apparatus capable of adjusting an angle of a seat back relative to a seat cushion, a tilt down mechanism capable of moving the seat cushion in a lower direction toward a vehicular floor when the seat back is moved onto the seat cushion, a walk in mechanism capable of positioning the seat back relative to the seat cushion at a forward tilting angle, a base member provided on a side of the vehicular floor, a middle member provided between the base member and the seat back. Also, a lower portion of the middle member and the base member are connected to be able to adjust an angle therebetween by the reclining apparatus, an upper portion of the middle member and the seat back are connected by a connecting apparatus of the walk in mechanism, the walk in mechanism includes a stopper apparatus for positioning the seat back at a normal angle and a forward tilting angle which is forward from the normal angle relative to the middle member, and the tilt down mechanism moves the seat cushion in the lower direction toward the vehicular floor relative to the base member cooperatively with tilting the middle member relative to the base member. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20110049958 | FOLD-AND-DIVE SEAT - A fold-and-dive seat may include a first link bracket, one end of which is pivotally connected to a back frame and the other end of which is pivotally connected to a cushion frame, wherein the one end of the first link bracket is spaced from a folding pivot shaft of the back frame, a second link bracket, one end of which is pivotally connected to a leading end of the cushion frame, and the other end of which is selectively engaged to an upper guide, wherein the upper guide pivotally coupled to the back frame by the folding pivot shaft is slidably coupled to a lower guide fixed to a vehicle body and configured to move along the lower guide, and a locking device selectively holding the second link bracket by engaging the second link bracket to the upper guide so as not to rotate the second link bracket such that the leading end of the cushion frame is not moved downwards. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20090051203 | Adjustment Fitting - The invention relates to an adjustment fitting for a vehicle seat. The adjustment fitting includes a first fitting part and a second fitting part connected by a wobble mechanism. The wobble mechanism includes a central wheel that is rotatable about a central axis and is connected to the first fitting part. A revolving wheel is arranged in the interior of the central wheel eccentrically with respect to the central axis and is connected to the second fitting part. The central wheel and the revolving wheel form, with respect to each other, an eccentric receiving space in which a first eccentric and a second eccentric are arranged rotatably in relation to each other. The revolving wheel engages in a play-free manner in the central wheel and with a transmission element that is rotatable about the central axis. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20110210593 | CHAIR WITH COLLAPSIBLE SEAT BACK - A chair comprising a seat back assembly pivotably mounted to a seat assembly for selective movement between a first, upright position and a second, collapsed position. The chair can be provided with a latching mechanism for securing the seat back assembly in the first, upright position. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110095589 | INTERLOCK FOR A SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM - A seat control mechanism for a seat frame has an interlock device that includes a lock plate slidably coupled to a seatback for movement between a locked and a released position. A stop bracket is coupled to a seat bottom and has a first end engageable with the lock plate in the locked position when the seatback is in a full-forward position and a second end engageable with the lock plate in the locked position when the scat back is in a fold-flat position. An actuator moves the lock plate from the locked to the released position to release the lock plate and permit movement of the scatback between the full-forward position and the fold-flat position. The lock plate is biased toward the locked position to engage the ends of the stop bracket to lock the seat back in either the full-forward or the fold-flat position after releasing the actuator. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110260518 | SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A vehicle seat has a base and a seatback pivotably connected to the base. A latch mechanism holds the seatback in an upright position. A seat latch assembly includes a release mechanism operatively connected to the latch mechanism and including a latch handle. The latch handle is rotatable between a first extended position where the latch handle extends outwardly from an outboard lateral side of the seatback, and a second retracted position where the handle is generally flush with the outboard lateral side of the seatback. Movement of the latch handle from one of the first position and the second position to the other one of the first position and second position occurs upon movement of the seatback to one of the upright position and a stowed position to provide more clearance for interior trim of the vehicle. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110215628 | SEATING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle, between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back. A first actuator is provided on the seat back near an upper corner of the seat back and a second actuator is provided on the seat back near a lower corner of the seat back, so that the seat back can be moved from the cargo storage position to the seating position by a person actuating the first actuator from a location alongside the vehicle and by a person actuating the second actuator from a location behind the vehicle | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110215627 | SEAT LATCH - A seat latch for use in retaining a seat back or other element in a locked position. The seat latch may include a lifting element configured to lift a locking fork into locking engagement with a retaining hook. The lifting element may be a spring that experiences increased tension when the seat back is folded into an upright position. The increased tension can cause the spring to lock the seat back relative to the retaining hook. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20120062012 | EASY-ENTRY SEAT-BACK RELEASE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE SEAT - A seatback-motion controller in accordance with the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle seat in a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back mounted for pivotable movement relative to the seat base between an upright use position and a forward-leaning easy-entry position. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20100013289 | VEHICULAR SEATS - One aspect of the present invention can include a vehicular seat including a seat cushion, a seat back inclinably attached to the seat cushion, and a restricting falling down mechanism. The restricting falling down mechanism restricts the seat back from falling down forward when the seat back falls down from a substantially erected state so that the seat back is maintained in a forward inclining attitude. The restricting falling down mechanism comprises an interference lever pivotably attached to the seat cushion. When the seat back falls down forward from the substantially erected state, the interference lever is squeezed between a member on a side of the seat back and a member on a side of the seat cushion. And the seat back is restricted from falling down forward by the member on the side of the seat cushion via the interference lever. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20080296950 | VEHICLE SEAT - A vehicle seat arrangement includes a seat component that is adapted to be slidably attached to a vehicle and configured to move between a sitting position and an entry position. A backrest is pivotally connected to the seat component and pivots about an axis A between a seating position and a tilted entry position. A locking mechanism releasably locks the backrest in the tilted entry position. The locking mechanism has a slotted link that is fixed with respect to the seat component. The slotted link has a locking edge. A locking group moves with the backrest and is configured to contact the locking edge. The locking group has a principal element that pivots relative to the backrest about an axis B. A lock bar is configured to pivot with respect to the principal element about an axis C and to engage the locking edge. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20130009440 | LOCK MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE REAR SEAT - A conventional lock mechanism requires a lock-off operation in order to set a seat back of a seat at a design reference position, as a result of which, the seat can not be smoothly mounted to a vehicle body. | 01-10-2013 |
| 297378130 | Latch element supported by a structure separated from chair or seat (e.g., vehicle mounted striker, etc.) | 16 |
| 20100109411 | Vehicle Seats - In a vehicle seat, by turning-control a control lever, a locked state of a reclining device is cancelled, to thereby bring a seat back into a forward foldable state. When the seat back is switched into the forward folding state while maintaining the operating state of the control lever, the interlocked state between the vehicle seat and a floor is cancelled. However, when the operating state of the control lever is cancelled while the seat back is folded forward, the interlocked state between the vehicle seat and the floor is maintained. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100102614 | LOCK FOR A VEHICLE SEAT | 04-29-2010 |
| 20120193963 | HIGH BACK SEAT LATCH WITH INTEGRATED HANDLE - The present invention teaches a high handle seat latch incorporated into a rotating seatback including a body integrated into the seatback and exhibiting a rear facing hook engaging a package shelf supported striker in an upright design position. A lift handle is supported at an upper end of the body and is accessible from a top of the seatback. A linkage interconnects the handle with the hook and is responsive to upward rotation of the handle to rotate the hook to a striker release and forward dump position. A cable actuates the linkage independent of the lift handle to actuate the hook to the release position. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20090008981 | INTEGRATED LATCH ASSEMBLY - A vehicle seat assembly attachable to a vehicle having a striker member is provided having a seat frame configured for connection to the vehicle. A portion of the seat frame may be configured to move between a first seat position and a second seat position. A hook member may be mounted directly to the seat frame. The hook member may have a protrusion and may be configured for movement between a latched position and an unlatched position. The hook member may engage the striker member when the portion of the seat frame is in the first seat position and the hook member is in the latched position. The protrusion and the striker member may cooperate to restrain the seat frame in the first seat position when member engages the striker member. The hook member may be disengaged from the striker member when the hook member is in the unlatched position. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090021067 | ARTICULATING HIGH LATCH FOR A SEAT - A method and a high latch for a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has a seatback pivotably coupled to a seat base and the seat base is coupled to a vehicle body having a vehicle wall. The high latch includes a hook carriage including a structural hook, with the hook carriage coupled to the seatback. A striker assembly including a striker arm is configured to selectively engage the structural hook, with the striker assembly coupled to the vehicle body. With the structural hook and striker arm engaged, the seatback will move with the striker assembly from the first position to a second position. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20100237673 | Vehicle seat latch striker and assist handle - A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a vehicle seat supported by the vehicle frame, and a striker connected to the vehicle frame. The vehicle frame defines a passenger ingress/egress opening. The vehicle seat includes a pivotal seat back movable between an upright and a collapsed position. The striker includes a handle grip positioned on the vehicle frame for gripping by an associated passenger entering or exiting the vehicle through the passenger ingress/egress opening. The striker is positioned on the vehicle frame to cooperate with the seat back to retain the seat back in the upright position. A vehicle seat is also disclosed. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20110233982 | SEAT ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE HAVING A VERTICALLY EXTENDED STRIKER MECHANISM - A seat assembly for a motor vehicle having a floor and a structural pillar includes a seat base connected to the vehicle floor and a seatback pivotally connected to the seat base. The seatback is capable of pivoting between a stowed position wherein the seatback is folded toward the seat base and an upright position wherein the seatback is generally perpendicular to the seat base. A striker mechanism is provided on a top outboard corner of the seatback. The striker mechanism is arranged to be movable between a generally vertically extended position wherein the striker mechanism engages a latch located on the structural pillar of the vehicle when the seat is in the upright position, and a retracted position wherein the striker mechanism is pivoted toward the top outboard corner of the seatback as the seatback is pivoted from the upright position toward the stowed position. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110006576 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A locking mechanism ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110006577 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A locking mechanism ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110012416 | STOWABLE VEHICLE SEAT - A stowable vehicle seat includes a seat supporting portion that supports one end portion side of a seat cushion movably in a front-and-rear direction, a seat back that can be folded to a seat cushion through a reclining mechanism, a link mechanism that is connected to the reclining mechanism and is movable, and a strap connected to the reclining mechanism through the link mechanism. The link mechanism has a fourth link member that prohibits return from a moved position to an initial position after movement by the strap, and since an unlocked state of the reclining mechanism is maintained even if a pulling operation of the strap is stopped, the seat back can be reliably folded and stowed. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20090033138 | LOCK APPARATUS OF SEAT FOR VEHICLE - A lock apparatus of a seat for a vehicle includes a striker, a base including a first groove portion, a hook including a second groove portion and pivoting between a lock position and an unlock position, a pawl restraining a pivotal movement of the hook towards the unlock position while allowing the pivotal movement of the hook towards the lock position, a cam member including a cam profile for allowing the pivotal movement of the hook towards the lock position and for restraining the pivotal movement of the hook towards the unlock position, and a first biasing member. When the hook is pivoted to the lock position, the striker is positioned between the rotational shaft of the hook and the rotational shaft of the pawl, and the pawl and the hook are engaged at an opposite position of the rotational shaft of the hook relative to the striker. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20110012415 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - A locking mechanism ( | 01-20-2011 |
| 20100213747 | INTEGRATED SEAT FOLD-DOWN LEVER/BELT EXIT - A vehicle seat assembly includes a vehicle seat fold down lever and a vehicle seat fold down lever housing. The housing can connect with the lever such that the lever is movable with respect to the housing. The housing can include an elongate slot through which an associated seat belt exits the housing. A vehicle seat is also described. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20120133188 | LATCHING SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH A SEAT - A latching system that may be associated with a seat. The latching system may include a latch arm configured to engage a striker and a biasing member having a first portion. The latch arm moves from an unlatched position to a latched position when the first portion disengages the latch arm. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20100052394 | ACTUATING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - An actuating device ( | 03-04-2010 |
| 20080296951 | Seat apparatus and vehicle - The present invention provides a seat apparatus having: a seat back; a forward tilt device that allows at least a portion of the seat back to tilt forward; a securing device that secures the seat back at a vehicle body side; and a release strap that is used for releasing a securing condition of the securing device and has a grip portion. The release strap has a first condition in which the grip portion is positioned at a rear side of the seat back and a second condition in which the grip portion is positioned at a portion so as to be accessible from a front side of the seat back, and one of the first condition and the second condition of the release strap can be selected. | 12-04-2008 |
| 297378140 | Including means to hold back in forwardly folded position | 6 |
| 20090267399 | LINEAR RETRACTOR SEAT TIE DOWN - An extendable strap or member extendable from one portion of a collapsed seat to hold the remaining portion of the seat thereatop. A spring mounted within the seat is operable to retract the strap or member into the seat when not in use. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20080284224 | VEHICLE SEAT - A vehicle seat for coupling to the floor of a vehicle comprising a seat back, a seat cushion, a first bracket, and a second bracket. The seat back is pivotable between at least a first position and a design position. The seat cushion is configured to be coupled to the vehicle floor. The first bracket is configured to be coupled to the vehicle floor and includes one of a keyed passage and a keyed pin configured to be received within the keyed passage. The second bracket is coupled to the seat back and includes the other one of the keyed passage and the keyed pin configured to be received within the keyed passage. The keyed passage is configured to receive the keyed pin only when the seat back is in a position the seat back will be prevented from assuming after the vehicle seat has been installed in the vehicle. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20110018326 | SEAT LOCKING DEVICE AND STOWABLE VEHICLE SEAT - Rattling of a stowable vehicle seat in a stowed state during driving is prevented, and a seat locking device and a stowable vehicle seat that reduces a returning operation load and improves returning operability is provided. The seat locking device includes a stowage locking member disposed on the rear face side of a seat back and lockable to and unlockable from the vehicle body floor side in stowage of a seat, a pulling-up grip disposed on the rear face side of a seat cushion and operated in a returning operation of the seat, a movable member moved in conjunction with the pulling-up grip in the returning operation, and a stowage unlocking wire that connects the stowage locking member and the movable member, and lock of the stowage locking member is unlocked through a stowage unlocking wire by movement of the movable member in the returning operation. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110062761 | PIVOT RETAINER - A reconfigurable seat assembly ( | 03-17-2011 |
| 20100207440 | VEHICLE SEATS - A vehicle seat can include a stopper capable of stopping a forward tilting of a seat back at a forwardly tilted position, and a stopper operation mechanism. The stopper operation mechanism has a main pivoting member that is pivoted through an operation of a forward tilting operation lever, a sub pivoting member that is pivoted with respect to the main pivoting member, and a connection spring connecting these tilting members to each other. When the forward tilting operation lever is operated, the sub pivoting member receives a force from the connection spring to be pivoted together with the main pivoting member, causing the stopper to move to an acting position. When the stopper is pushed from the acting position toward a non-acting position, with the forward tilting operation lever being operated, the sub pivoting member receives a force from the stopper to elastically deform the connection spring, and is pivoted with respect to the main pivoting member together with the stopper. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20120261964 | VEHICLE SEAT - A vehicle seat is configured such that a seat back is able to be tilted forward from a normal mode in which a person is able to be seated to a walk-in mode in which a person is able to get into and out of a rear seat. In the walk-in mode, the seat back is in a folded-down position in which the seat back substantially lies on top of a seat cushion. | 10-18-2012 |
