# US 11,439,235 B2 · Seat tilting system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,235 B2 - Document ID: US11439235B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/072,852 - Filed: 2020-10-16 - Published: 2022-04-21 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-16 - Assignees: Artco-Bell Corporation - Applicants: Artco-Bell Corporation - Inventors: Kenneth W. Taylor, II; Mark E. Stenftenagel; Richard K. Joutras - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439235B2 ## CPC - A47C 1/03288: {with resilient blocks} - A47C 7/448: {with resilient blocks} - A47C 7/14: of adjustable shape; elastically mounted {; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions (movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261)} - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A seat tilting device includes: a bottom plate secured to a seat base; a top plate secured to a seat; a pivot connecting the top plate to the bottom plate; a compression spring surrounding the pivot; and a compression ring surrounding the compression spring, wherein there is space between a bottom surface of the top plate and a top surface of the compression ring such that the top plate may tilt on the pivot until it contacts the top surface of the compression ring and the movement of the top plate is resisted by the compression spring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seat tilting device comprising: a bottom plate secured to a seat base; a top plate secured to a seat; a pivot connecting the top plate to the bottom plate; a compression spring surrounding the pivot; and a compression ring surrounding the compression spring, wherein there is space between a bottom surface of the top plate and a top surface of the compression ring such that the top plate may tilt on the pivot until it contacts the top surface of the compression ring and the movement of the top plate is resisted by the compression spring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the compression spring is an annular compression spring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seat tilting device of claim 2, wherein the compression ring is an annular compression ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the pivot includes a bolt that passes through the bottom plate and attaches to the top plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seat tilting device of claim 4, wherein the bolt attaches to a weld nut attached to the top plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The seat tilting device of claim 5, wherein the pivot further includes one or more washers through which the bolt passes. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the compression spring includes a viscoelastic polymer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the compression spring is a uniform material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the compression spring is a unitary element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the compression spring includes two or more ends joined to each other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, further comprising an extension spring connecting the top plate to the bottom plate biasing rotation of the top plate in relation to the bottom plate towards a first position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the top plate pivots on the pivot in a 360-degree range. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the top plate rotates on the pivot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, further comprising a seat back attached to the bottom plate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the seat back includes a series of ribs along a rear surface and lower surface of the seat back such that a first surface shape formed by the ribs matches a second surface shape formed by a top surface of the seat and a front surface of the seat back. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The seat tilting device of claim 1, wherein the seat base is a four-legged seat base. ### Claim 17 A chair comprising: a bottom plate secured to a seat base; a top plate secured to a seat; a pivot connecting the top plate to the bottom plate, wherein the pivot includes a bolt passing through the bottom plate and connecting to a weld nut attached to the top plate, wherein the top plate pivots on the pivot in a 360-degree range; an annular, uniform, elastomeric compression spring surrounding the pivot; and an annular compression ring surrounding the compression spring, wherein there is space between a bottom surface of the top plate and a top surface of the compression ring such that the top plate may tilt on the pivot until it contacts the top surface of the compression ring and the movement of the top plate is resisted by the compression spring. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The chair of claim 17, further comprising a seat back attached to the bottom plate, wherein the seat back includes a series of ribs along a rear surface and lower surface of the seat back such that a first surface shape formed by the ribs matches a second surface shape formed by a top surface of the seat and a front surface of the seat back. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The chair of claim 17, further comprising an extension spring connecting the top plate to the bottom plate biasing rotation of the top plate in relation to the bottom plate towards a first position.