Seat handling device

A device for handling an automobile seat having a bar suspended from a cable and a rotor connected to the bottom end of the bar with the output shaft of the rotor used to rotate a clamp-like device. The clamp-like device has a pair of blades which are moved together and apart using piston-cylinders. The blades have a first portion and an angularly offset second portion specifically designed to be utilized for handling an automobile seat without damage to the seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to devices utilized for handling and 
manipulating a workpiece. More particularly, the present invention relates 
to a device for handling and manipulating a seat, such as a seat for an 
automobile or similar device. The present invention is utilized to assist 
an operator to pick-up, turn-over and move a seat thereby preventing the 
operator from having to do the same on a repetitive basis. Such a device 
helps to prevent injuries, in particular back injuries, typically suffered 
by the operator. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
It is well known in the seat manufacturing industry, and in particular in 
the automotive seat manufacturing industry, to assemble seats of different 
styles, sizes and types on the same assembly line. Additionally, it is 
well known to manufacture the seats in an upside-down manner so that the 
bottom of the seat is facing upward and is more easily accessed by a 
worker. This makes it easier for the worker to assemble a multitude of 
components, such as seat adjusters, motors, rails, latch mechanisms, seat 
belt assemblies, etc. to the seat. However, this upside down technique 
requires the worker to lift and flip-over the seat in order to properly 
place it on a pallet for boxing and shipping. Since such seats can weigh 
upwards of one to two hundred pounds and thousands of seats are built 
every day, such repetitive heavy lifting can result in significant 
injuries to the workers. Accordingly, it would be very beneficial to 
provide such workers with a better way of avoiding such repetitive 
lifting. 
It is well known to utilize machines to help humans in lifting and 
manipulating heavy objects in order to prevent injuries and to help make 
workers more efficient. While the cost of such machines can be quite 
expensive, the savings due to fewer injuries and increased efficiency more 
than makes up for increased cost. Examples of devices which have been 
designed to address specific situations are common. 
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,300, to Kelley, discloses a material 
handling device for handling coils of metal. The device of Kelley is 
essentially a clamping mechanism which is connected to a vertical support 
member having its upper end connected to and depending from a track for 
moving the entire metal coil handling device. The Kelley reference further 
includes a screw and hand wheel combination for moving the jaws of the 
clamp into and out of engagement with the metal coil to be handled. This 
combination is clearly very slow and inefficient in operation. Kelley also 
discloses the use of an electric motor for moving a balance member along a 
shaft located in the body of the handling device for altering the balance 
of the device to counteract the load being carried to establish a 
completely balanced system. 
Other material handling devices have been suggested, such as the pipe 
laying appliance of U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,532, to Sonerud, which discloses 
a clamp-like device connected to the bucket of an excavator for gripping a 
pipe and moving it to a desired location. 
There have also been proposed seat handling fixtures, for example, U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,797,059, to Karg et al., which discloses an apparatus and a 
method for the placing of seats in a vehicle body or cab structure, 
typically during assembly of the vehicle. The Karg et al. reference 
discloses the use of a "C" frame suspended from an overhead lifting 
device. The "C" frame of the Karg et al. reference is utilized to place 
the seat within the vehicle from an opening in the side of the vehicle and 
is not designed to manipulate the seat, such as to invert or flip the seat 
over. 
However, there are still many situations where workers must expend much 
energy in repetitively lifting heavy objects and be continuously subjected 
to potential risk and injury. An example of such a situation is the 
manufacture and installation of seats and in particular automobile seats. 
Automobile seats typically are relatively very heavy. Such seats weigh 
anywhere from fifty to several hundred or more pounds, depending upon the 
particular type of seat and whether any additional features have been 
added to the seat. Current trends would continue to add to the weight of 
such seats. With additional weight due to motors, brackets and mechanisms 
for fully adjustable seats and with the addition of lumbar and thigh 
support mechanisms including air bladders and pumps, the seats can become 
extremely difficult and dangerous for humans to handle. 
From the above discussion, it can be readily appreciated that the prior art 
does not disclose a technique or the necessary equipment for manipulating 
a seat during the manufacturing process, in such a manner that a worker 
does not have to repetitively lift and manipulate the seat and be 
subjected to potential injury. Accordingly, what is needed is a device for 
the lifting and maneuvering of a seat along an assembly line once it has 
been manufactured, which does not require a worker to unaided lift, flip 
over, or rotate the seat, wherein the device can be easily, efficiently, 
inexpensively and safely operated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention there is provided a seat handling device 
for manipulating the position of a seat during a manufacturing process. 
The seat handling device of the present invention includes an inverted "L" 
shaped bar having a first end of the bar suspended from an overhead cable 
which is connected to a motor and a second end depending downward from the 
first end and having connected to a first side thereof a handle bar for 
moving the seat handling device, a rotor connected to an opposite side of 
the second end of the bar and a first blade having a first portion 
projecting substantially perpendicular to the second end of the bar and a 
second portion angularly offset from the first portion of the blade, a 
clamp member opposite the first blade for cooperation therewith to clamp 
the seat between the blade and the clamp member and a means for moving the 
clamp member and the blade together and apart for clamping the seat. The 
rotor of the seat handling device operates to flip-over the seat held by 
the first blade and the clamp member. 
The seat handling device of the present invention is equipped with a pair 
of air-actuated piston-cylinders for providing the clamping action between 
the first blade and the clamp member. Preferably the air-actuated 
piston-cylinders are double-acting utilizing switches located on the 
handle bar connected to the "L" shaped bar. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat 
handling device for use by a worker and to aid the worker in lifting, 
manipulating and rotating a seat, such that it is not necessary for the 
worker to utilize but a minimum of his or her own muscle power to move and 
manipulate the seat during a manufacturing process. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat handling 
device utilizing a blade member which has a first portion substantially 
perpendicular to the direction of lifting and a second portion connected 
to the first portion and angularly offset a sufficient amount to prevent 
the blade from ripping or tearing the material of the seat yet allow for 
easy insertion into the bight-line of the seat to manipulated. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a seat handling 
device which positively engages only the seat portion of a seat such that 
the entire seat can be handled without any risk of the seat falling out of 
the handling device until the clamp member is removed from the seat 
portion. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat handling 
device which utilizes a centrally located handle bar for maneuvering the 
device and which has a plurality of actuators located thereon for 
controlling the device of the present invention. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a seat 
handling device which requires a minimal amount of operator effort while 
manipulating a seat utilizing the device of the present invention. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a seat handling 
device which accomplishes the above objects which is less costly to 
manufacture and operate than prior known devices. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a seat handling 
device which can accomplish the above stated objectives while operating 
only using air-actuated components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference to the attached drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there 
is shown a seat handling device 10 according to the present invention. The 
seat handling device 10 is designed to manipulate and maneuver a seat 12 
having a seat portion 13 and back portion 15. The seat handling device 10 
of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is designed to work 
in conjunction with the seat 12 wherein the back portion 15 and the seat 
portion 13 are connected together utilizing any means which provides for a 
bight line 17 between the back portion 15 and the seat portion 13 which is 
free from any obstruction. However, as discussed below, it is possible to 
provide for a seat handling device which may be used with a seat 12 which 
has a partially obstructed bight line 17. 
The seat handling device 10 of the present invention consists of a bar 20, 
preferably "L" shaped and having a first leg or end 21 and a second leg or 
end 22, a bracket 30 for connecting the bar 20 to a cable 18, a motor (not 
pictured) for lifting and lowering the seat handling device 10 through the 
cable 18, a rotor 50 and a clamping mechanism or member 60. 
The bar 20 is preferably manufactured out of stock one inch square steel 
tubing. In the preferred manufacturing method, the first leg 21 and second 
leg 22 are cut to length and then an end 24 of the first leg 21 is welded 
to an end 25 of the second leg 22 to form the "L" shaped bar 20 as best 
shown in FIG. 1. In order to achieve a desirable balance for the seat 
handling device 10, it is desirable for the first leg 21 to have a length 
which is shorter than the length of the second leg 22 such that the device 
10 is balanced when it has the seat 12 loaded thereon. The bar 20 is 
preferably made out of hollow stock so it is possible to route the air 
hoses, used for actuating the seat handling device 10, within the bar 20 
to protect the hoses and to provide an aesthetically pleasing design as 
described more fully below. 
The bar 20 is suspended from the cable 18 utilizing a hook 19 connected to 
the bracket 30. The hook 19 is preferably of the closure type such that 
the seat handling device 10 cannot become unhooked therefrom without 
intentional operator interaction. The bracket 30 is preferably made out of 
steel or a very strong alloy and is welded to an end 23 of the first leg 
21 of the bar 20. In order to obtain an appropriate balance of the seat 
handling device 10, the bracket 30 is welded to have a portion thereof 
overhang the end 23 of the first leg 21 of the bar 20. The bracket 30 can 
be manufactured using any known process such as stamping or casting. 
Multiple holes 31 are provided preferably horizontally across the bracket, 
in order to adjust the balance of the seat handling device 10. The 
specific hole 31 chosen is determined depending upon the weight of the 
seat 12 to be lifted. The bracket 30 has a first end 32 and a second end 
33. The hook 19 is connected to the bracket 30 within one of the holes 31. 
The particular hole 31 chosen is such that for heavier seats 12, the hole 
31 closer to the first end 32 of the bracket 30 is chosen, and for lighter 
seats 12, the hole 31 closer to the second end 33 of the bracket 30 will 
be chosen in order to obtain a good balance of the seat handling device 10 
during operation. This is important for several reasons. First, good 
overall balance of the seat handling device 10 makes operation much easier 
and less fatiguing for the operator. Second, it provides for much safer 
operation of the seat handling device 10 by protecting against unnecessary 
forces acting to make the seat 12 become free from the seat handling 
device 10. 
The seat handling device 10 of the present invention is provided with a 
handle bar 40 similar to a handle bar on a bicycle. The handle bar 40 is 
connected to the second leg 22 of the bar 20 at a position between the 
ends 25 and 26 thereof, but preferably closer to the end 26. The handle 
bar 40 is connected to the second leg 22 using a clamp 43, which is 
similar to a goose neck of a bicycle, however it is possible to use any 
known type of clamp for connecting the handle bar 40 to the second leg 22 
of the bar 20. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the handle bar 40 
preferably has a pair of grips 41 and 42 connected to the ends of the 
handle bar 40 which are comfortable and durable for use by the operator. 
The handle bar 40 is connected to the second leg 22 at a position which is 
optimal for controlling the seat handling device 10 and which will allow 
the operator to maintain his or her arms in a comfortable position while 
providing a good overall balance to the seat handling device 10. 
The handle bar 40 has connected thereto and located proximate the grips 41 
and 42, a first and a second set of actuators 47 and 45, respectively, for 
controlling the pneumatics connected to the seat handling device 10 to 
control different functions of the device, as more fully described below. 
The first and second set of actuators 47 and 45 each include a plurality 
of actuators 46. Each actuator 46 is preferably a three-way valve which 
can be used in a normally closed or a normally open position, as is well 
known in the industry. An actuator 46 which is normally closed is 
preferably finger controlled by the operator between a first position in 
which the valve is closed and a second position in which the valve is open 
and applies the higher-pressure air to the connected part of the device to 
perform a certain manipulation. An example of such an actuator is the 
AIR-MITE, Model No. MV2-G Fingertip Lever. It is also possible to color 
code the actuators 46 to group the actuators which control a particular 
movement of the seat handling device 10 as is also well known in the art. 
It is possible to use nearly any particular arrangement for the actuators 
46 in the first and second sets of actuators 47 and 45, respectively. It 
is preferable to have the actuators 46 grouped such that the actuators 
which control the same function, but in opposite directions, are located 
next to each other. 
The seat handling device 10 of the present invention is also preferably 
provided with a manifold 90 located in a box 91 which is connected near 
the end 25 of the second leg 22 underneath the first leg 21. The box 91 
may be connected either to the second leg 22 or the first leg 21 using any 
known attachment means such as any type of connector or by using any known 
welding technique. Since in the preferred embodiment the box 91 is made 
out of steel, it is preferably welded to the second leg 22 in a position 
which will not interfere with the operation of the seat handling device in 
maneuvering the seat 12. 
The components of the device which are used for performing the maneuvering 
of the seat 12 are preferably air-actuated. It also is possible to use 
hydraulics or electronics (in the form of servos and switches) for 
maneuvering the seat 12, however, these methods for maneuvering are not as 
clean and safe as using air. Air is supplied to the seat handling device 
10 from a high-pressure source, such as shop air, on the order of anywhere 
between 40 and 200 p.s.i. The components of the preferred embodiment are 
intended to be used with standard shop air. If higher pressure air is 
supplied, it is possible to simply put a regulator in line before the air 
is supplied to the device which lowers the air pressure in the lines to a 
point at which the components of the device will work. 
The air is delivered to the seat handling device 10 via supply lines 94 
which are preferably neatly run down the cable 18 and enter the second leg 
22 at the end 25 where the supply lines 94 will be protected. It is 
possible to have a single supply line 94, but it is preferable to have two 
or more supply lines 94 which control different functions so that if a 
single supply line 94 is cut, not all functions will be lost. The supply 
lines 94 pass through a hole 27 in the second leg 22 to enter the box 91 
to connect to the manifold 90. The manifold 90 is located within the box 
91 such that the supply lines 94 are connected to a first side or inlet 96 
of the manifold 90. The manifold 90 may be of any known type which can 
take a supply line 94, or multiple supply lines 94, and distribute the 
high pressure air to be supplied to the components of the seat handling 
device 10 to the outlets of the manifold. 
The manifold 90 distributes, on a second side or outlet 97, the higher 
pressure air from the supply lines 94 to intermediary lines 95 which 
interconnect the manifold 90 with each of the actuators 46. Accordingly, 
each actuator 46 has its own intermediary line 95 connected to an input 
port (not pictured). Since the actuators 46 are in a normally-closed 
position, the higher-pressure air supplied to the actuators 46, via the 
supply lines 94, the manifold 90 and the intermediary lines 95, is not 
conveyed past the actuators to operate the seat handling device 10, as 
described below, until the operator activates a particular actuator 46 to 
perform a specific maneuver of the seat 12. 
The intermediary lines 95 also pass through the hole 27 in the second leg 
22 of the bar 20 down from the area of the box and through the second leg 
22 and out a hole 28 located near the handle bar 40 near the end 26 of the 
second leg 22. The intermediary lines 95 are each connected to an actuator 
46. Each actuator has a respective actuator line 98 which interconnects 
the actuator 46 with the respective component. The actuator lines 98 are 
preferably neatly run along the handle bar 40 and back into the hole 28 of 
the second leg 22 where they are appropriately arranged to run to their 
respective components. However, it is possible to run the actuator lines 
98 outside of the second leg 22 or along any other path, in any possible 
manner so long as the actuator lines 98 are kept free from kinks, sharp 
bends, or other foreign objects which may damage them. 
The actuator lines 98 are used to activate the rotor 50 and the clamping 
mechanism 60. The rotor 50 is composed of a main housing 51, a base 52 
which is connected to the end 26 of the second leg 22 of the bar 20 and a 
spindle or shaft 53 which extends from an end 54 of the rotor 50. The 
rotor is designed to have the shaft 53 rotate in a clockwise and a 
counterclockwise manner with respect to an operator standing at the handle 
bar 40. The rotor 50 has a first connection 56 and a second connection 57 
for activating the shaft 53 to rotate in the clockwise and 
counterclockwise directions. 
The first and second connections 56 and 57 each have an actuator line 98 
connected thereto for delivering high pressure air to the rotor 50. The 
rotor 50 is operated such that when the appropriate actuator 46 is pressed 
by the operator the high pressure air is supplied to the first connection 
56, for example, which causes the shaft 53 of the rotor 50 to rotate in 
the clockwise direction. Similarly, when an appropriate actuator 46 is 
pressed by the operator, high pressure air is supplied to the second 
connection 57 which causes the shaft 53 of the rotor 50 to rotate in the 
counterclockwise direction. 
The shaft 53 rotates the clamping mechanism 60, which holds the seat 12, 
preferably through 180.degree. of rotation between a first, or up-side 
down position in which the seat 12 is inverted, and a second, or upright 
position in which the back portion 15 is vertically upward. It is possible 
to have the rotor 50 designed such that, by activating the actuator 46, 
the shaft 53 continuously rotates through more than 180.degree. of 
rotation, however, this is not advisable. Instead, it is preferable to 
have the shaft 53 stop rotating once it has rotated through its 
180.degree. of rotation. This is done by using a rotor 50 which has a stop 
(not pictured) on the shaft 53 within the housing 51 which prevents the 
shaft 53 from rotating past the first or second position. A relief valve 
(not pictured) is built into the rotor 50 on both sides (meaning both 
connections 56 and 57) so that when the shaft 53 stops rotating, the high 
pressure air is allowed to escape to atmosphere. Additionally, the rotor 
50 is designed so that once the shaft 53 reaches either the first or 
second position, the shaft 53 stops rotating and cannot rotate to the 
other position until the respective actuator 46 is activated by the 
operator. This provides for a positively controlled, safer system. 
Additionally, the rotor 50 is preferably designed such that once the 
operator activates one of the actuators 46 to cause the shaft 53 to 
rotate, the shaft 53 is made to rotate through the entire 180.degree. of 
rotation such that the seat cannot be left in a non-upright or 
non-inverted position. This also helps to make the system of the present 
invention safer. Thus, when the operator activates the respective actuator 
46 to make the shaft 53 rotate in the opposite direction, the shaft 53 is 
again made to rotate through the entire 180.degree. of rotation. 
It should also be noted that in both the first and second positions, it is 
preferable that the seat portion 13 be as level or horizontally even as 
possible so that the shaft 53 of the rotor 50 is as close to horizontal as 
possible during the rotation of the seat 12. This helps to prevent adverse 
forces from acting on the weight of the seat 12 to ensure that the seat 12 
does not become disengaged from the clamping mechanism 60. 
The clamping mechanism 60 of the present invention is preferably 
particularly designed to hold as many different sizes and types of seats 
12 as possible in order to provide as much standardization as possible. 
The clamping mechanism 60 is composed of several key components, in 
particular, a first blade 71, a second blade 77, and first and second 
pneumatic cylinders 82 and 84 for controlling the distance between the 
first blade 71 and second blade 77. The first blade 71 has a first portion 
72 which is connected to a first base 62 and extends from the first base 
62 in a substantially perpendicular direction such that the first blade 71 
clears the bottom of the seat 12 when the second blade 77 is inserted into 
the bight line 17 between the seat portion 13 and the back portion 15, as 
described below. 
The first blade 71 further has a second portion 74 and a riser portion 73 
between the first portion 72 and the second portion 74. The riser portion 
73 is designed such that there is enough distance between the first 
portion 72 and the seat portion 13 of the seat 12 to accommodate motors 
(not pictured) or other components attached to the bottom of the seat 
portion 13 during the assembly process, yet permit the second portion 74 
to contact the bottom of the seat portion 13 of the seat 12 to clamp it in 
spot between the first blade 71 and the second blade 77. The second 
portion 74 is preferably designed to fit between rails 14 of the seat 12 
and to conform as close as possible to the bottom of the seat 12 so that 
the clamping mechanism 60 can maintain a formidable grip on the seat 
portion 13 of the seat 12. 
The second blade 77 is preferably designed to prevent damage to the seat 12 
yet accommodate a large variety of types of seats. Accordingly, the second 
blade 77 has a bight portion 78 and an angled portion 79. The bight 
portion 78 of the second blade 77 preferably extends horizontally out from 
a second base 67 and is located within the bight line 17 of the seat 12 
when in the clamped position. The angled portion 79 of the second blade 77 
is angularly offset from the bight portion 78 to prevent tearing of the 
material of the seat 12 after the angled portion 79 of the second blade 77 
has been inserted past the bight line 17. The angled portion 79 is 
angularly offset from the bight portion 78 by an angle of between 5 and 40 
degrees. Preferably, the angle is approximately 20 degrees angularly 
offset from the bight portion 78. This angle provides enough offset such 
that there is little possibility of tearing the material of the seat 12. 
Additionally, with such a preferred angle, the second blade 77 is still 
appropriately positioned so that the clamping force between the first and 
second blades 71 and 77, respectively, is distributed over the entirety of 
the blades. This provides for a well balanced clamping mechanism 60 which 
securely holds the seat 12 with minimal possibility of the seat 12 
becoming dislodged while the clamping mechanism 60 is closed. 
The first cylinder 82 and second cylinder 84 are provided for opening and 
closing the clamping mechanism 60. The first and second cylinders 82 and 
84 are connected between the first base 62 and the second base 67 such 
that the rod (not pictured) of each cylinder is connected to either the 
first base 62 or preferably the second base 67. Thus, when the first and 
second cylinders 82 and 84, respectively, are activated by the operator 
using one of the actuators 46, both cylinders open and close in unison. It 
is preferable that the first and second cylinders 82 and 84, respectively, 
be designed to be identical to provide an even and efficient movement to 
the opening and closing of the clamping mechanism 60. Preferably, the 
cylinders are chosen to be pneumatic cylinders which operate using the 
same air supplied to the other parts of the seat handling device 10. The 
air is supplied to the first and second cylinders 82 and 84 from tubes 92 
and 93. Both the first cylinder 82 and the second cylinder 84 each have a 
tube 92 and 93 connected thereto. This is because, preferably, both of the 
first and second cylinders 82 and 84 are double-acting, positively 
controlled in both the closing and the opening directions. However, it is 
possible to have a single acting cylinder and biasing means combination as 
opposed to the double acting piston-cylinders of the preferred embodiment. 
Accordingly, in operation, the seat handling device 10 of the present 
invention performs all necessary tasks for lifting, manipulating and 
handling a seat 12, such that an operator need use only a minimal amount 
of effort and may avoid unnecessary, repetitive, heavy lifting. As noted 
above, the seat handling device of the present invention is particularly 
well suited for use in assembly and automotive plants. 
With the seat handling device 10 of the present invention installed in a 
plant, an operator holds the grips 41 and 42 of the handle bar 40 
connected to the bar 20 and uses the appropriate actuator 46 to open the 
clamping mechanism 60. The operator also uses an appropriate actuator 46 
to activate the rotor 50 to position the clamping mechanism 60 in the 
correct orientation for insertion of the second blade 77 in the bight line 
17 of the seat 12. The operator adjusts the level of the seat handling 
device 10 so that when the handle bar 40 is pushed forward to make the 
angled portion 79 of the second blade 77 nearly horizontal, it is in the 
appropriate position to be inserted in the bight line 17 of the seat 12 
and the first blade 71 is well above the bottom of the seat portion 13 of 
the seat 12. At the same time the operator aligns the first and second 
blades 71 and 77 in the middle of the seat 12, such that the second 
portion 74 of the first blade 71 will be aligned between any rails 14 on 
the seat 12. 
The operator then pushes the seat handling device 10 further into the seat 
12 and may preferably lift the entire seat handling device 10 an amount 
such that the bight portion 78 of the second blade 77 is again nearly 
horizontal and the angled portion 79 of the second blade 77 is now 
angularly offset from the horizontal such that the material of the seat 12 
will not be harmed. Once the second blade 77 is inserted the appropriate 
amount, the operator activates the appropriate actuator 46 to close the 
clamping mechanism 60. Next, the seat handling device 10 is lifted so that 
the seat 12 is clear from any fixture or other objects and the operator 
then activates the rotor 50 causing the seat 12 to move into an upright 
position. At this point the operator moves the seat handling device 10 to 
the desired location, the seat 12 is set down, the clamping mechanism is 
opened and the first and second blades 71 and 77, respectively, are 
withdrawn from the seat 12. The operator may now reset the seat handling 
device 10 of the present invention and repeat the above process as 
desired. 
In view of the above, it can be seen that the seat handling device 10 of 
the present invention provides a significant advantage over the known 
prior art in that it allows an operator, during manufacture of the seat, 
to pick-up and manipulate a seat 12 without expending a significant amount 
of effort. This helps to prevent injuries to the operator due to 
repetitive and heavy lifting. Furthermore, the clamping mechanism 60 of 
the present invention is designed to operate with a seat 12 having a bight 
line 17 such that there is a significant improvement in preventing damage 
to the seat 12 and there is a very low likelihood of the seat 12 escaping 
therefrom. Accordingly, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art 
that the above described preferred embodiment is but one example of the 
present invention and that modifications can be made without departing 
from the scope of the invention, which is limited solely by the following 
claims.