Patents by Inventor Kirk K. Horvet

Kirk K. Horvet 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: 5613402
    Abstract: An adjustable set bearing for a gear assembly for a power seat adjuster on a vehicle, wherein the gear assembly couples a motor output shaft to a lead screw. The gear assembly is contained in a housing assembly and includes a first gear rotatably mounted to the housing and having connecting means to the motor output shaft. The first gear has end journals and a worm disposed therebetween. A second gear is carried for rotation on the lead screw and is in meshing engagement with the first gear. The housing assembly includes adjustable supporting means for supporting an end journal. The adjustable supporting means includes an adjustable set bearing that is threadably insertable into an access port into contact with an end journal. The adjustable set bearing has an inner smooth concentric surface for supporting an end journal of the worm and allowing rotatable movement of the end journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek K. Gauger, Kirk K. Horvet
  • Patent number: 5316258
    Abstract: A strap is coupled between the sliding upper track of a power seat adjuster and the lead screw of a horizontal drive to transmit forces acting on the upper track which move the upper track in a forward direction to the lead screw bypassing the horizontal drive gears. The horizontal drive gears coupling the horizontal drive motor output shaft to the lead screw and the gear housing surrounding the drive gears are formed of a plastic material. In one embodiment, the strap has first and second ends with the first end loosely surrounding the lead screw. The second end of the strap is coupled in a force transmitting path with the upper track. An intermediate portion of the strap between the first and second ends is formed in a predetermined contour to deform under tension toward a planar shape and is disposed bypassingly around the drive gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Derek K. Gauger, Kirk K. Horvet, Phillip Chaban
  • Patent number: 5224749
    Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes first and second spaced track assemblies, each formed of an upper track slidably mounted in a lower track anchored to a vehicle floor. Each upper track is integrally formed as a one-piece member and has at least one pair of spaced mounting flanges integrally formed as a part thereof and extending outward from the upper track. Aligned apertures are formed in the mounting flanges to connect a tubular member extending between the track assemblies to the upper track of each track assembly. Another pair of mounting flanges may be formed at the opposite end of each upper track for mounting a second tubular member between and to the upper tracks of the track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: ITT Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek K. Gauger, Kirk K. Horvet, Phillip Chaban