Patents by Inventor Gerald Steven Locke

Gerald Steven 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).

  • Patent number: 10602847
    Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Publication number: 20190263302
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Terry O'BANNON, Jennifer BADGLEY, Asad S. ALI, Gerald Steven LOCKE, Thomas S. HICKS, Mark WEAVER, Winsen C. ZOUZAL, Richard L. HARBAUGH
  • Patent number: 10328829
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Terry O'Bannon, Jennifer Badgley, Asad S. Ali, Gerald Steven Locke, Thomas S. Hicks, Mark Weaver, Winsen C. Zouzal, Richard L. Harbaugh
  • Patent number: 10165863
    Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Publication number: 20180078043
    Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Patent number: 9826840
    Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Publication number: 20150238017
    Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Publication number: 20150216313
    Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
  • Publication number: 20140265491
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Terry O'Bannon, Jennifer Badgley, Asad S. Ali, Gerald Steven Locke, Thomas S. Hicks, Mark Weaver, Winsen C. Zouzal, Richard L. Harbaugh
  • Patent number: 8657379
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a post assembly which has a first post section, a second post section, and a cross member section connecting the first post section and the second post section. The first post section and the second post section are adapted to engage a vehicle seat. The head restraint includes a bun moveably attached to the post assembly, a first gear, and a motor that rotates the first gear in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Rotation of the first gear drives a second gear which drives a third gear. Rotation of the second gear in a first direction causes movement of the bun to a tilted position while movement of the second gear in a second direction causes movement of the bun to an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Arjun Yetukuri, Gerald Steven Locke, Jasmine Pizana
  • Publication number: 20130341987
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly includes a post assembly which has a first post section, a second post section, and a cross member section connecting the first post section and the second post section. The first post section and the second post section are adapted to engage a vehicle seat. The head restraint includes a bun moveably attached to the post assembly, a first gear, and a motor that rotates the first gear in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Rotation of the first gear drives a second gear which drives a third gear. Rotation of the second gear in a first direction causes movement of the bun to a tilted position while movement of the second gear in a second direction causes movement of the bun to an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Arjun Yetukuri, Gerald Steven Locke, Jasmine Pizana
  • Publication number: 20130134761
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a post mounted in a vehicle proximate to a seat back. A transverse shaft is mounted to the post. A head restraint is pivotally connected to the transverse shaft. An actuator is mounted to the head restraint. A striker is mounted to one of the transverse shaft and the head restraint. A latch is mounted to the other of the transverse shaft and the head restraint in engagement with the striker, such that actuation of the actuator in the transverse direction disengages the latch from the striker for rotation of the head restraint relative to the transverse shaft. Rotation of the head restraint from a collapsed position to an upright position causes the latch to engage the striker, which retracts the latch until the head restraint reaches the upright position, and the latch extends thereby locking the head restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Willard, Arjun Yetukuri, Gerald Steven Locke