A compact recliner mechanism for use in theater seating units is provided that allows the seat to move linearly as the seating unit moves from the closed position to the reclined position. The mechanism has a back bracket coupled to the seat plate and base plate with a linkage that moves a projected point representing the top of the back of the seating unit downwardly in vertical plane as the seating unit moves from the closed position to the reclined position. In other aspects, the seating unit has an armrest linkage coupled between the seat plate and the back that maintains an armrest lever at a horizontal orientation. Additionally, in some aspects, the base plate of the seating unit may have an adjustment feature that limits recline of the seating unit, to accommodate theater seating with different riser dimensions, and/or legs with an adjustment feature to level the seating unit on existing theater floors.

A compact recliner mechanism for use in theater seating units is provided that allows the seat to move linearly as the seating unit moves from the closed position to the reclined position. The mechanism has a back bracket coupled to the seat plate and base plate with a linkage that moves a projected point representing the top of the back of the seating unit downwardly in vertical plane as the seating unit moves from the closed position to the reclined position. In other aspects, the seating unit has an armrest linkage coupled between the seat plate and the back that maintains an armrest lever at a horizontal orientation. Additionally, in some aspects, the base plate of the seating unit may have an adjustment feature that limits recline of the seating unit, to accommodate theater seating with different riser dimensions, and/or legs with an adjustment feature to level the seating unit on existing theater floors.

A linear actuator comprises a motor for producing a bi-directional rotational output. A casing is connected to the motor at a proximal end, the casing having an inner cavity defining a joint surface. A shaft is within the inner cavity of the casing and actuated by the motor for rotation. A sliding tube is at least partially in the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation in an axial direction relative to the casing. One or more travelling nut is connected to the sliding tube assembly for moving with the sliding tube in the axial direction, the travelling nut being operatively engaged to the shaft for converting a rotational motion of the shaft into a translation of the sliding tube. A liner is between the sliding tube and the joint surface of the inner cavity, an inner surface of the liner defining longitudinal contact surfaces separated by longitudinal grooves, the longitudinal contact surfaces contacting the sliding tube.

An apparatus includes a venue seat, a liner, and a cover. The venue seat has an outward appearance that is viewable by an observer. The liner has a liner surface on which a liner image is formed on the liner surface. The liner is positioned on the venue seat with the liner image facing outwardly. The liner image changes the outward appearance of the venue seat once the liner is positioned on the venue seat with the liner image facing outwardly. The cover is fixedly positioned on, and covering, the liner image of the liner. The cover protects the liner image of the liner once the cover is positioned on the liner image.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.

A temperature controlled seating assembly allowing athletes to rest in a temperature controlled environment includes an enclosure having a seating unit positioned therein. The seating unit can seat multiple users. A heating and cooling unit is engaged to the enclosure and controls a temperature within the enclosure, thus allowing the users, such as athletes, to rest in a temperature controlled environment.

A temperature controlled seating assembly allowing athletes to rest in a temperature controlled environment includes an enclosure having a seating unit positioned therein. The seating unit can seat multiple users. A heating and cooling unit is engaged to the enclosure and controls a temperature within the enclosure, thus allowing the users, such as athletes, to rest in a temperature controlled environment.

The present invention relates to a feedback device and a method of providing thermal feedback using the same. A method for calibration of an intensity of a thermal feedback of a feedback device may comprise: outputting the thermal feedback in order from a weak intensity to a strong intensity among a plurality of intensities of the thermal feedback; obtaining a first user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtaining the first user input to a lowest intensity of the thermal feedback; obtaining a second user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity of the thermal feedback; setting at least one intermediate intensity; and outputting the thermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at least one intermediate intensity.

Storage of chairs when not in use, for instance in halls used by various groups, is a common problem which has been addressed by providing chairs that are stackable upon one another. Usually, this requires the chair to be composed of sloping legs and a sloping backrest, such that the seat of a lower chair can fit between the legs of an upper chair, and the backrest of the upper chair can rest on the backrest of the lower chair. It is desirable to be able to stack chairs with as small a vertical displacement as possible, usually limited by the depth of the seat, which is typically substantially horizontal. For instance, the base of an upper seat may sit (when stacked) on the upper portion of a lower seat. However, these chairs are usually mass produced and so designed to fit the average shape, which is not accommodating for a lot of people. The present invention provides a chair where seat 13 height, back 3 angle, seat 13 tilt and seat 13 roll are adjustable.