Patents by Inventor Michael E. Kilpinen

Michael E. Kilpinen 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).

  • Active head restraint utilizing solenoid activation and bar linkage transmission
    Patent number: 8408645
    Abstract: An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Leigh A. Berger, Michael G. Carpenter, Dale M. Drew, Michael E Kilpinen, Clayton J Hayes, James A Smith
  • Active material actuated headrest utilizing bar linkage deployment system
    Patent number: 8109567
    Abstract: An active headrest for selectively supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, including a bar linkage system drivenly coupled to the shell, so as to adjust the distance or engagement between the shell and head when displaced, and an active material element drivenly coupled to the system, so as to cause or enable the displacement of the system, and preferably further including a ratchet sector/pawl and latch cooperating to present plural achievable deployment positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Dale M. Drew, Michael E Kilpinen, Clayton J Hayes, James A Smith
  • ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT UTILIZING SOLENOID ACTIVATION AND BAR LINKAGE TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20100314918
    Abstract: An active head restraint for supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, wherein the actuator further includes a spring-biased bar linkage system pivotally coupled to the shell, a radial ratcheting sector coupled to the linkage system, a pawl selectively engaging the sector, and a solenoid drivenly coupled to the pawl, and configured, when activated, to cause the pawl to disengage the sector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Leigh A. Berger, Michael G. Carpenter, Dale M. Drew, Michael E. Kilpinen, Clayton J. Hayes, James A. Smith
  • ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATED HEADREST UTILIZING BAR LINKAGE DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100140987
    Abstract: An active headrest for selectively supporting the head of an occupant, includes a shell, and an actuator disposed within the shell, including a bar linkage system drivenly coupled to the shell, so as to adjust the distance or engagement between the shell and head when displaced, and an active material element drivenly coupled to the system, so as to cause or enable the displacement of the system, and preferably further including a ratchet sector/pawl and latch cooperating to present plural achievable deployment positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Dale M. Drew, Michael E. Kilpinen, Clayton J. Hayes, James A. Smith
  • Water management system for vehicle convertible top
    Patent number: 7464985
    Abstract: A water management system for convertible tops for motor vehicles is provided. The system attaches to a rear edge of the folding top, generally below the rear window and collects water which runs or sheets rearwardly off the surface of the top to direct the water to drainage tubes and expel the water from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Cartop Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapshandy, G. Joseph Frank, Michael E. Kilpinen
  • Method for installing a sliding roof panel assembly
    Patent number: 4553307
    Abstract: A method for installing a modular sliding roof panel assembly in a vehicle having an opening in the roof. The sliding roof panel assembly includes a roof panel movably mounted on a housing. A reinforcement ring having a central aperture with a shape complementary to the shape of the roof opening is connected to the housing prior to attachment of the reinforcement ring to the edges of the stationary roof structure bounding the roof opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Milton C. Kaltz, David C. Garascia, Michael E. Kilpinen