IP Library Granted Patent US 11,793,311
Granted Patent B2
US 11,793,311 · App. 16/228,644 · Granted Oct 24, 2023

Dual motion sloped floor recline mechanism for a theater seat

Inventors: Terry Dale Johnson (Baldwyn, MS); Jeffrey Bowen (New Albany, MS); Stephen Simons (New Albany, MS)
Assignee: VIP LUXURY SEATING, LLC.
A47C7/008A47C1/03211A47C1/121A47C7/56
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,793,311
App. No.
16/228,644
Granted
Oct 24, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a dual motion recline mechanism for a seating assembling and seating assembly including the same. The seating assembly provides a user with the ability to both tilt the seat member so as to save space and the comfort of a back member capable of reclining. The recline mechanism includes a seat frame carrier assembly, a seat pivot pin, a seat carrier chassis plate, a rear pivot link, a chassis mounting plate, a back frame assembly, and a linear actuator connected by various pivotal, sliding or fixed connections. The linear actuator is remotely situated including for example behind the back frame assembly or under an arm rest. Optional elements include a seat front guide block, a seat front guide rod, back frame guide block and a back guide pin. The seating assembly may be a theater seat. The seating assembly may be mounted on a flat or sloped surface.

Claims (39)

1. A dual motion recline mechanism for a seat assembly comprising:

a seat frame assembly, wherein said seat frame assembly is configured to pivot between a seat up position and a seat down position;

a seat carrier chassis plate operatively connected to said seat frame assembly, wherein said seat chassis plate provides support for said seat frame assembly and is configured to allow the movement of said seat frame assembly;

a pair of rear pivot links and a back frame assembly operatively connected to said seat carrier chassis plate;

a linear actuator operatively connected to said pair of rear pivot links and said back frame assembly, wherein said linear actuator is configured to allow said seat carrier chassis plate to pull said back frame assembly downward and forward and to allow said pair of rear pivot links to rotate and pull said seat carrier chassis plate in a down and forward direction thereby pulling said seat frame assembly forward; and

a chassis mounting plate operatively connected to said pair of rear pivot links and operatively connected to said set frame assembly via said pair of rear pivot links.

2. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a seat front guide rod connecting said seat frame assembly and said chassis mounting plate.

3. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 2 , further comprising a seat front guide block attached to said chassis mounting plate, wherein said seat front guide block and said seat front guide rod are connected by a sliding contact connection.

4. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 3 , wherein said seat front guide rod and said seat front guide block are configured to control a front section of said seat carrier chassis plate.

5. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a linkage arrangement configured to control a front section of said seat carrier chassis plate.

6. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said seat carrier chassis plate is operatively connected to said seat frame assembly via a pivotal connection.

7. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said back frame assembly is operatively connected to said seat carrier chassis plate via a pivotal connection.

8. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said linear actuator is situated behind said back frame assembly.

9. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said linear actuator is situated under an arm rest.

10. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said back frame assembly comprises a mounting bracket attached to said seat carrier chassis plate.

11. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said linear actuator is operatively connected to a mounting bracket by a motor drive link.

12. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said seat carrier chassis plate is operatively connected to said seat frame assembly by a pair of seat pivot pins, wherein said pair of seat pivot pins are pivotal connections allowing said seat frame assembly to pivot.

13. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , further comprising a fixed base attached to said chassis mounting plate, a back frame guide block attached to said back frame assembly, and a back guide pin connected to said fixed base.

14. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 1 , wherein one of said pair of rear pivot links is operatively connected to said chassis mounting plate via a first location on the one of said pair of rear pivot links, to said seat carrier chassis plate via a second location on the one of said pair of rear pivot links, and to said linear actuator via a third location on the one of said pair of rear pivot links.

15. A dual motion recline mechanism for a seat assembly comprising:

a seat frame assembly, wherein said seat frame assembly is configured to pivot between a seat up position and a seat down position;

a seat carrier chassis plate operatively connected to said seat frame assembly, wherein said seat carrier chassis plate provides support for said seat frame assembly and is configured to allow the movement of said seat frame assembly;

a pair of rear pivot links and a back frame assembly operatively connected to said seat carrier chassis plate; and

a linear actuator operatively connected to said pair of rear pivot links and said back frame assembly, wherein said linear actuator is configured to allow said seat carrier chassis plate to pull said back frame assembly downward and forward and to allow said pair of rear pivot links to pull said seat carrier chassis plate in a down and forward direction,

wherein one of said pair of rear pivot links is operatively connected to said seat carrier chassis plate via a first location on the one of said pair of rear pivot links and to said linear actuator via a second location on the one of said pair of rear pivot links.

16. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 15 , further comprising a chassis mounting plate operatively connected to said pair of rear pivot links and operatively connected to said seat frame assembly via said pair of rear pivot links.

17. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 16 , wherein one of said pair of rear pivot links is further operatively connected to said chassis mounting plate via a third location on the one of said pair of rear pivot links.

18. The dual motion recline mechanism of claim 15 , wherein said linear actuator is situated behind said back frame assembly.

19. A seat assembly comprising:

a dual motion recline mechanism including:

a seat frame assembly, wherein said seat frame assembly is configured to pivot between a seat up position and a seat down position;

a seat carrier chassis plate operatively connected to said seat frame assembly, wherein said seat carrier chassis plate provides support for said seat frame assembly and is configured to allow the movement of said seat frame assembly;

a pair of rear pivot links and a back frame assembly operatively connected to said seat carrier chassis plate;

a linear actuator operatively connected to said pair of rear pivot links and said back frame assembly, wherein said linear actuator is configured to allow said seat carrier chassis plate to pull said back frame assembly downward and forward and to allow said pair of rear pivot links to pull said seat carrier chassis plate in a down and forward direction; and

a chassis mounting plate operatively connected to said pair of rear pivot links and operatively connected to said seat frame assembly via said pair of rear pivot links;

a seat member comprising said seat frame assembly, configured to operate between a seat up position and a seat down position;

a pair of side panels operatively connected to and on opposite sides of said seat member; and

a back member disposed between and operatively connected to said pair of side panels, wherein said back member comprises said back frame assembly and is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position.

20. The seat assembly of claim 19 , further comprising an adjustable leg allowing said seat assembly to be mounted on a surface, wherein said adjustable leg is a bolt-on leg, a screw-type leg, a clamp-type leg, a linkage support, or a threaded leg.

Assignments (6)
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 25, 2022
From: ARAGON SEATING LLC; VIP LUXURY SEATING LLC
To: VIP LUXURY SEATING LLC
Reel/Frame 060018/0894 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 24, 2022
From: VIP CILNEMA, LLC
To: ARAGON SEATING, LLC
Reel/Frame 059994/0186 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2020
From: VIP CINEMA, LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051872/0576 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 27, 2020
From: BNP PARIBAS, AS RESIGNING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051708/0835 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 2, 2019
From: BNP PARIBAS
To: OAKTREE FUND ADMINISTRATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 050610/0559 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2019
From: BOWEN, JEFFREY; JOHNSON, TERRY D.; SIMONS, STEPHEN
To: VIP CINEMA LLC
Reel/Frame 049287/0354 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 15155929 · May 16, 2016
Provisional Application 62161837 · May 14, 2015
Provisional Application 62162607 · May 15, 2015
Provisional Application 62161876 · May 14, 2015
Provisional Application 62162558 · May 15, 2015
Related Publication 20190110601A1 · Apr 18, 2019
Cited By (2)
US 12,648,645 US 12,648,650