Patents by Inventor Creston A Zang

Creston A Zang has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11904739
    Abstract: A disc recliner mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of pawls and a cam mounted between a guide plate and a tooth plate. Rotation of the cam moves the pawls between an extended position in which the pawls engage the tooth plate to lock the disc recliner mechanism and a retracted position in which the pawls disengage the tooth plate to unlock the disc recliner mechanism and allow rotation between the guide plate and the tooth plate. A notch is disposed on an engagement surface of a cam lobe disposed on the cam for reducing friction when the cam lobe engages a cam follower disposed on the pawls. The tooth plate includes a circumferential outer lip with a concentric channel for retaining lubricant and reducing rotational friction between the tooth plate and the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Avery Folk, Kristof M Kurzeja, Kai Zhao, Louis Vetere, II, Detjon Marini, Cheikh Dioum, James Rudberg, Creston A Zang, Donald W Gray, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230150401
    Abstract: A recliner handle with an overload protection device is provided for a vehicle seat having a recliner attached to a recliner B-bracket. The recliner handle is attached to a handle spline having a disc shaft aperture configured to engage with a disc shaft of the recliner. A stop flange attached to the handle spline is configured to frictionally engage with an overload stop attached to the recliner B-bracket. The handle spline is rotatable in a first rotational direction between a first position wherein the stop flange is frictionally engaged with the overload stop and the disc shaft aperture is disengaged from the disc shaft and a second position wherein the disc shaft aperture engages the disc shaft. Rotation of the handle spline in a second rotational direction from the first position is restricted by the stop flange frictionally engaged with the overload stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Creston Zang
  • Publication number: 20220324357
    Abstract: A seat track assembly provides forward and rearward movement of a seat assembly. A latch mechanism allows movement of a movable track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism with a memory plate and a memory tab are operable between a home position in which the memory tab is disposed in a recess of the moveable track, and a memory position in which the memory plate is coupled with a plurality of angled teeth to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. Movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position stops the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Creston A Zang, Kristof M Kurzeja
  • Publication number: 20220185152
    Abstract: A disc recliner mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of pawls and a cam mounted between a guide plate and a tooth plate. Rotation of the cam moves the pawls between an extended position in which the pawls engage the tooth plate to lock the disc recliner mechanism and a retracted position in which the pawls disengage the tooth plate to unlock the disc recliner mechanism and allow rotation between the guide plate and the tooth plate. A notch is disposed on an engagement surface of a cam lobe disposed on the cam for reducing friction when the cam lobe engages a cam follower disposed on the pawls. The tooth plate includes a circumferential outer lip with a concentric channel for retaining lubricant and reducing rotational friction between the tooth plate and the guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Avery Folk, Kristof M Kurzeja, Kai Zhao, Louis Vetere, II, Detjon Marini, Cheikh Dioum, James Rudberg, Creston A Zang, Donald W Gray, Jr.