Patents by Inventor Gerald S. Locke
Gerald S. Locke 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).
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Publication number: 20110006578Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat is provided with a pair of shells. Each shell is sized to mate with the other and collectively retain a pair of posts therebetween. A frame adapted to mate with the pair of shells for retaining the pair of shells upon the pair of posts. A locking mechanism is provided on at least one of the frame and the pair of shells for locking the pair of shells and the frame to the pair of posts, and for permitting adjustment of the pair of shells and the frame along the posts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Eric Veine, Arjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Marc Poulin, Gerald S. Locke
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Publication number: 20100320817Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Mladen Humer, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Gerald S. Locke, Michael Przybylski, Alex Van Duyne, Eric Veine, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20100283305Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a cross member. A head restraint is supported by the cross member. A fixed locking member is mounted within the head restraint. A latch is moveably mounted on the cross member at a first latch position and at a second latch position. An actuator is mounted within the head restraint to move the latch between the first latch position and the second latch position. The head restraint is pivotable when the latch is in the second latch position. Another vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a lateral support rod and a head restraint pivotally mounted thereon. A locking member is pivotally mounted within the head restraint. A latch is mounted on the support rod. An actuator disengages the locking member from the latch. A biasing member pivots the head restraint upon disengagement of the latch and the locking member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun V. Yetukuri, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Eric Veine, Paul Castellani, Gerald S. Locke, Scott A. Willard
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Patent number: 7823971Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Gerald S. Locke, Michael Przybylski, Alex Van Duyne, Eric Veine, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20100219670Abstract: A foldable head restraint assembly includes a mounting subassembly, a structural shell, and a locking plate. The mounting subassembly supports the structural shell and includes a first support post, a second support post, a cross member, and a latch rigidly. The cross member is attached to the first and second support posts and to the latch. The folding motion of the head restraint is initiated by movement of the locking plate which is positionable at a first plate position for engaging the latch and at a second plate position for releasing the latch. The structural shell is pivotable about the mounting subassembly when the latch plate is in the second plate position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Arjun V. Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke
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Publication number: 20100078984Abstract: A vehicle head restraint includes a head restraint frame having at least one post for attaching the head restraint to a seat back. The head restraint is pivotable relative to post. The head restraint also includes a spring clip attached to the head restraint frame and a stop rigidly held relative to the post, such that the stop contacts the spring clip when the head restraint in positioned in an upright position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: SAI PRASAD JAMMALAMADAKA, Paul Castellani, Gerald S. Locke
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Patent number: 7677659Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Gerald S. Locke, Michael Przybylski, Alex Van Duyne, Eric Veine, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Patent number: 7621598Abstract: A vehicle seat and head restraint are disclosed with a head restraint that is mounted to a pair of rods that are fixed relative to the vehicle seat. The head restraint is translatable along the rods and includes a locking mechanism for locking the head restraint at a plurality of locations along the rods. In one embodiment, the rods are mounted to an armature of a restraint mechanism for actuating the head restraint in response to an impact condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20090179471Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Mladen Humer, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Gerald S. Locke, Michael Przybylski, Alex Van Duyne, Eric Veine, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Patent number: 7537282Abstract: A head restraint arrangement for a vehicle seat and a method of manufacture. The head restraint arrangement comprises a support member, a cushion disposed around the support member, and an insert panel disposed in the cushion. The insert panel moves toward the support member in response to force exerted by a head of a seat occupant to distribute force and reduce deformation of the cushion.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Eric Veine, Gerald S. Locke
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Patent number: 7484808Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that is disposable in a vehicle rearward of a front seat includes a seat bottom, a seat back attached to the seat bottom, and a head restraint attached to the seat back and having a head restraint body that is moveable from a raised position to a lowered position. The seat assembly further includes an actuator associated with the head restraint for enabling movement of the head restraint body from the raised position to the lowered position. The actuator is located proximate a front portion of the seat bottom such that the actuator is accessible by an occupant of the front seat when the seat assembly is installed in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Nagarjun V. Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Thomas J. Fowler
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Patent number: 7455357Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed with a seatback frame for supporting the back of an occupant. A head restraint extends from the seatback frame for supporting the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, a four-bar mechanism is operably connected to the seatback frame and the head restraint for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition, and for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position. In another embodiment, the four-bar mechanism locks the head restraint in the actuated position in response to an input force of the occupant resting against the seatback.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20080203801Abstract: A foldable head restraint assembly includes a mounting subassembly, a structural shell, and a locking plate. The mounting subassembly supports the structural shell and includes a first support post, a second support post, a cross member, and a latch rigidly. The cross member is attached to the first and second support posts and to the latch. The folding motion of the head restraint is initiated by movement of the locking plate which is positionable at a first plate position for engaging the latch and at a second plate position for releasing the latch.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Arjun V. Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke
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Publication number: 20080185894Abstract: Various head restraints are disclosed, such as one embodiment with a central head restraint portion extending from a vehicle seat back for supporting a head of an occupant. A lateral head restraint portion is oriented at a lateral side of the central head restraint portion for also supporting the head of the occupant. An actuator cooperates with the lateral head restraint portion for moving the lateral head restraint portion out of a lateral line of sight of the occupant in response to an input from the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2006Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Arjun V. Yetukuri, Vikas Patwardhan, Gerald S. Locke
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Publication number: 20080185882Abstract: Multiple vehicle seats are disclosed with active head restraint systems that receive an input force from an occupant during an impact by a torso support, which consequently actuates a linkage that translates a head restraint upward and forward to the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, the torso support has a translatable connection with the seatback frame and another translatable connection with the linkage. In another embodiment, a torso support is pivotally connected to a pair of links which are each pivotally connected to the frame. In yet another embodiment, the seatback frame includes a structural wire, which provides pivotal connections for two of the links of the linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Mladen Humer, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka, Gerald S. Locke, Michael Przybylski, Alex Van Duyne, Eric Veine, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20080084098Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed with a seatback frame for supporting the back of an occupant. A head restraint extends from the seatback frame for supporting the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, a four-bar mechanism is operably connected to the seatback frame and the head restraint for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition, and for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position. In another embodiment, the four-bar mechanism locks the head restraint in the actuated position in response to an input force of the occupant resting against the seatback.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20080079294Abstract: A vehicle seat and head restraint are disclosed with a head restraint that is mounted to a pair of rods that are fixed relative to the vehicle seat. The head restraint is translatable along the rods and includes a locking mechanism for locking the head restraint at a plurality of locations along the rods. In one embodiment, the rods are mounted to an armature of a restraint mechanism for actuating the head restraint in response to an impact condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke, Arjun V. Yetukuri
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Patent number: 7210734Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a track having a longitudinal track axis. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint moveably attached to the track such that the head restraint is moveable longitudinally along the track from a use position to a stowed position. An actuation device is associated with the head restraint for moving the head restraint from the use position toward the stowed position when the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Nagarjun V. Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Gerald S. Locke
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Patent number: 7188894Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Mark S. Sebby
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Patent number: 7178865Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a left rear seat portion including a left rear seat base and a left rear seatback, a right rear seat portion including a right rear seat base and a right rear seatback, and a center rear seat portion including a center rear seat base and a center rear seatback. A head restraint assembly is mounted to the center rear seatback and defines a head restraint protrusion distance above the upper seatback surface. The head restraint assembly is movable between a head restraint operational position and a head restraint stowed position. The head restraint stowed position reduces the head restraint protrusion distance for improved visibility. A convenience feature assembly is formed within the center rear seatback and is movable between an convenience feature stowed position and an convenience feature deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Kar K. Low, Dale Smallwood