IP Library Granted Patent US 8,777,313
Granted Patent B2
US 8,777,313 · App. 12/811,784 · Granted Jul 15, 2014

Entertainment seat

Inventors: Timothy R. Butt (McCordsville, IN); Robert E. Allen (Ypsilanti, MI); Dinu Moraru (Westland, MI); Dustin J. Shedlarski (Commerce Township, MI)
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,777,313
App. No.
12/811,784
Granted
Jul 15, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An entertainment seat ( 10 ) including a seat back ( 18 ) and seat base ( 24 ) having a seat architecture for providing structural support relative to a base (floor) and also having two seat motion actuators ( 92, 94 ) located toward the front of the seat ( 10 ) for providing seat movement in response to a seat motion control system ( 16 ) for operating the seat motion actuators ( 92, 94 ), the seat ( 10 ) also includes armrests ( 26, 28 ) which form a portion of the seat back ( 18 ).

Claims (28)

1. A seat comprising:

a seat base frame having a first side and a second side spaced laterally from the first side, the seat base frame having a front portion and a rear portion;

a seat back frame coupled to pivot with respect to the seat base frame;

a motion system for providing seat movement, wherein the motion system comprises:

a first actuator having a first engaging member, the first actuator coupled to the first side of the seat base frame to move a first portion of the seat along a first vertically oriented axis;

a second actuator having a second engaging member, the second actuator coupled to the second side of the seat base frame to move a second portion of the seat along a second vertically oriented axis;

a third engaging member fixed directly to the seat base located centrally between the first and second sides of the seat base frame and positioned toward the rear area of the seat;

a motion control unit coupled to the seat for controlling movement of the first and second actuators of the seat with respect to the third engaging member; and

a leg rest pivotally coupled to the front portion of the seat base frame for leg support when the seat is reclined; and

a link member located laterally within the seat base frame, the link member having a first and second end; wherein the first end is coupled to the seat back frame and the second end is coupled to the leg rest; and wherein reclining the seat back moves the link member forward, thereby rotating the leg rest upward into a reclined position.

2. The seat of claim 1 wherein the seat pivots about the third engaging member when the first and second actuators are activated by the motion control unit.

3. The seat of claim 1 further comprising a lost motion device to enable the seat back frame to pivot a predetermined amount without the leg rest rotating upward by the link member.

4. The seat of claim 1 further comprising a first interface fixedly coupled to the seat.

5. The seat of claim 4 further comprising first and second arm rests, and wherein the first interface is fixedly coupled to the first or second arm rest of the seat.

6. The seat of claim 5 wherein the controller is located on the first or second arm rest.

7. The seat of claim 4 wherein the first interface is a video display.

8. The seat of claim 1 wherein the seat further comprises first and second cushion members.

9. The seat of claim 8 wherein the second cushion member is a foam member that is overlaid onto the first cushion member.

10. The seat of claim 1 further comprising a controller for adjusting the motion control system.

11. A seat comprising:

a seat base frame having a first side and a second side spaced laterally from the first side, the seat base frame having a front portion and a rear portion;

a seat back frame coupled to pivot with respect to the seat base frame;

a motion system for providing seat movement, wherein the motion system comprises:

a first actuator having a first engaging member, the first actuator coupled to the first side of the seat base frame to move a first portion of the seat along a first vertically oriented axis;

a second actuator having a second engaging member, the second actuator coupled to the second side of the seat base frame to move a second portion of the seat along a second vertically oriented axis;

a third engaging member fixed directly to the seat base located centrally between the first and second sides of the seat base frame and positioned toward the rear area of the seat;

a motion control unit coupled to the seat for controlling movement of the first and second actuators of the seat with respect to the third engaging member; and

wherein the motion control unit is coupled to a pair of cross members located centrally between the front portion and the rear portion of the seat base frame and that extend from the first side of the seat base frame to the second side of the seat base frame, and is positioned within the center of the seat base frame.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
To: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
Reel/Frame 044531/0375 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2010
From: BUTT, TIMOTHY R.; ALLEN, ROBERT E.; MORARU, DINU; SHEDLARSKI, DUSTIN J.
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 025131/0744 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 61019250 · Jan 5, 2008
Provisional Application 61019255 · Jan 5, 2008
Provisional Application 61036510 · Mar 14, 2008
Related Publication 20110043006A1 · Feb 24, 2011