Patents by Inventor Mircea Napau
Mircea Napau 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: 20240131966Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism includes a first component and a second component movable relative to the first component. A drive mechanism is drivingly connected to the second component for moving the second component relative to the first component. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor drivingly connected to a first gear member having conical involute teeth. A second gear member includes conical involute teeth in meshing engagement with the conical involute teeth of the first gear member. The conical involute teeth have a tapered tooth thickness, a tapered root and a tapered outside diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU
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Publication number: 20240123871Abstract: A power rail system for a vehicle seat includes an outer track defining an elongated channel with an elongated lead screw mounted in the channel. An inner track is received in the elongated channel and a power length adjuster gear transmission is mounted to the inner track and drivingly engaged with the elongated lead screw. A seat structure is mounted to the inner track for movement along the power rail system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU, Sapan Mahendra POPTANI, Ryan MARTIN
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Publication number: 20240034201Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat bottom, and a pair of seat track assemblies. The seat bottom may be movable in an angular direction relative to the vehicle. The pair of seat track assemblies may include a first seat track assembly and a second seat track assembly. Each of the first and second track assemblies may include a lower track and an upper track slidably engaging the lower track. The upper tracks of the first and second seat track assemblies may be attached to the seat bottom. The upper tracks of the first and second seat track assemblies are independently movable along lengths of the respective lower tracks such that the upper tracks are configured to move along the lengths of the lower tracks at different linear velocities to move the seat bottom and the seatback in the angular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorpotayedInventors: Alfred J. FISHER, III, Sapan Mahendra Poptani, Matthew McLaughlin, Mircea Napau, Ryan Martin
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Patent number: 11766956Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly for a vehicle seat assembly may include a housing, a worm, a spindle screw, a motor, and either a helical gear or a single-enveloping worm gear. The worm may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and having a thread. The helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and meshingly-engaged with a pitch surface of the thread of the worm. The spindle screw may extend along the second axis and through the housing and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The spindle screw may be meshingly-engaged with the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The motor may drive the worm to cause linear movement of the housing, worm, motor, and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear along the second axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau, Dean Lenane, Matthew Essian, Antal Teer, Sapan M. Poptani, Radu Calin Napau-Stoica
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Patent number: 11760233Abstract: A seat adjuster drive including a stationary track that is fixed to a vehicle and a sliding track that is arranged in sliding engagement with the stationary track for movement fore and aft. A gear box, mounted to the sliding track, supports a pinion that is part of a rack and pinion drive assembly. The gear box houses a conical spiral gear set and one or more planetary gear sets. The conical spiral gear set includes a conical pinion gear that is coupled to an electric motor and a conical spiral gear that is arranged in meshing engagement with the conical pinion gear. The conical spiral gear is carried on the pinion in a sliding fit. The one or more planetary gear sets rotatably couple the conical spiral gear and the pinion through a gear reduction.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Radu Calin Napau-Stoica, Ioan Napau
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Publication number: 20230286419Abstract: A swivel assembly is provided for moving a vehicle seat in an angular direction. The swivel assembly may include a lower plate, a rotating plate, a gear ring, a motor, and a locking pin assembly. The lower plate may be attached to a vehicle floor. The rotating plate may be attached to the vehicle seat. The gear ring may be fixedly attached to the rotating plate. The motor may be coupled to the gear ring and drive the gear ring to move in the angular direction to cause corresponding movement of the rotating plate and the vehicle seat. The locking pin assembly may include a locking pin that is movable relative to the lower plate between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking pin may move into and out of engagement with the rotating plate to selectively restrict and allow movement of the rotating plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Matthew MCLAUGHLIN, Sapan M. POPTANI, Mircea NAPAU, Ryan MARTIN
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Patent number: 11529892Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment mechanism may include a gearbox, a first gear, a second gear, and a spindle screw. The first gear is received in the gearbox and is rotatable relative to the gearbox about a first axis. The second gear is received in the gearbox and is rotatable relative to the gearbox about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other. The spindle screw is meshingly engaged with the second gear and extends through the second gear along the second axis. The spindle screw may have trapezoidal threads.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau
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Patent number: 11485255Abstract: A gearbox for a vehicle seat adjustment mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure includes first and second portions. The first portion includes a first body defining a first longitudinal recess and a first peripheral recess in fluid communication with the first longitudinal recess. The first body includes a concave first curved surface. The second portion includes a second body defining a second longitudinal recess and a second peripheral recess in fluid communication with the second longitudinal recess. The second body includes a convex second curved surface. The second curved surface has an equal and opposite curvature compared to the first curved surface. In an assembled configuration, the first and second curved surfaces are in contact, the first longitudinal and second longitudinal recesses cooperate to define a longitudinal passage, and the first and second peripheral recesses communicate to define a peripheral receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau
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Publication number: 20220105833Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment mechanism may include a gearbox, a first gear, a second gear, and a spindle screw. The first gear is received in the gearbox and is rotatable relative to the gearbox about a first axis. The second gear is received in the gearbox and is rotatable relative to the gearbox about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other. The spindle screw is meshingly engaged with the second gear and extends through the second gear along the second axis. The spindle screw may have trapezoidal threads.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Doina NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU
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Patent number: 11273506Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gear drive for a seat adjuster assembly may include applying a cutting process to a worm gear blank to cut gear teeth into the worm gear blank and form a single-enveloping worm gear; forming a worm with a helical thread that includes a pitch surface that is configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the single-enveloping worm gear. A longitudinal crown is created on the pitch surface of the helical thread of the worm such that the pitch surface has an arcuate profile moving from a proximal end of the worm to a distal end of the worm. In addition, a crowned tooth profile is created on the helical thread of the worm that extends in an angular direction between a top land and a bottom land of the helical thread. The crowned tooth profile bows outwardly along a convex curve.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Fisher & Company, IncorporatedInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau, Dean Lenane, Matthew Essian, Antal Teer, Sapan M. Poptani, Radu Calin Napau-Stoica
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Publication number: 20220024355Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly for a vehicle seat assembly may include a housing, a worm, a spindle screw, a motor, and either a helical gear or a single-enveloping worm gear. The worm may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and having a thread. The helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and meshingly-engaged with a pitch surface of the thread of the worm. The spindle screw may extend along the second axis and through the housing and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The spindle screw may be meshingly-engaged with the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The motor may drive the worm to cause linear movement of the housing, worm, motor, and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear along the second axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Doina NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU, Dean LENANE, Matthew ESSIAN, Antal TEER, Sapan M. POPTANI, Radu Calin NAPAU-STOICA
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Publication number: 20210339654Abstract: A gearbox for a vehicle seat adjustment mechanism in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure includes first and second portions. The first portion includes a first body defining a first longitudinal recess and a first peripheral recess in fluid communication with the first longitudinal recess. The first body includes a concave first curved surface. The second portion includes a second body defining a second longitudinal recess and a second peripheral recess in fluid communication with the second longitudinal recess. The second body includes a convex second curved surface. The second curved surface has an equal and opposite curvature compared to the first curved surface. In an assembled configuration, the first and second curved surfaces are in contact, the first longitudinal and second longitudinal recesses cooperate to define a longitudinal passage, and the first and second peripheral recesses communicate to define a peripheral receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Doina NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU
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Patent number: 11077774Abstract: A recliner mechanism includes first, second and third locking plates and a fastener. The first locking plate has a first inner diametrical surface having first teeth formed thereon. The second locking plate has a second inner diametrical surface having second teeth formed thereon. One or both of the first and second locking plates may include an aperture extending therethrough. The third locking plate has an outer diametrical surface having third teeth formed thereon. Some of the third teeth are meshingly engaged with some of the first teeth and some of the second teeth. The fastener may extend through the aperture and is attached to one of a seatback and a seat bottom.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau
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Patent number: 10953772Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly including a housing, a worm, a worm gear, and a spindle screw is provided. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and includes a helical thread. The worm gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The spindle screw extends through the housing and the worm gear for rotation about the second axis. The spindle screw is meshingly-engaged with the worm gear. The helical thread of the worm may be longitudinally crowned or double-crowned.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau, Dean Lenane, Matthew Essian, Antal Teer, Sapan Poptani, Radu Calin Napau-Stoica
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Publication number: 20210053470Abstract: A recliner mechanism includes first, second and third locking plates and a fastener. The first locking plate has a first inner diametrical surface having first teeth formed thereon. The second locking plate has a second inner diametrical surface having second teeth formed thereon. One or both of the first and second locking plates may include an aperture extending therethrough. The third locking plate has an outer diametrical surface having third teeth formed thereon. Some of the third teeth are meshingly engaged with some of the first teeth and some of the second teeth. The fastener may extend through the aperture and is attached to one of a seatback and a seat bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Doina NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU
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Publication number: 20210016375Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gear drive for a seat adjuster assembly may include applying a cutting process to a worm gear blank to cut gear teeth into the worm gear blank and form a single-enveloping worm gear; forming a worm with a helical thread that includes a pitch surface that is configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the single-enveloping worm gear. A longitudinal crown is created on the pitch surface of the helical thread of the worm such that the pitch surface has an arcuate profile moving from a proximal end of the worm to a distal end of the worm. In addition, a crowned tooth profile is created on the helical thread of the worm that extends in an angular direction between a top land and a bottom land of the helical thread. The crowned tooth profile bows outwardly along a convex curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Doina NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Ioan NAPAU, Dean LENANE, Matthew ESSIAN, Antal TEER, Sapan M. POPTANI, Radu Calin NAPAU-STOICA
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Patent number: 10843591Abstract: A gear assembly for a seat adjuster includes a gear housing, a worm gear, a helical gear meshed with the worm gear, a wobble gear carried on an eccentric lobe of the helical gear, a pinion disc, a first ring gear disposed in the gear housing, a second ring gear disposed in the pinion disc, and a pinion member carrying the helical gear and the pinion disc. The wobble gear includes first and second sets of wobble gear teeth that mesh with the first and second ring gears, respectively. A housing side gear ring disposed in the gear housing defines part of the first ring gear and the gear housing defines another part of the first ring gear. The pinion disc defines the second ring gear.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Burckhard Becker, Mircea Napau, Armin Michel
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Patent number: 10793028Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly including a housing, a worm, a worm gear, and a spindle screw is provided. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and includes a helical thread. The worm gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The spindle screw extends through the housing and the worm gear for rotation about the second axis. The spindle screw is meshingly-engaged with the worm gear. The helical thread of the worm may be longitudinally crowned or double-crowned.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau, Dean Lenane, Matthew Essian, Antal Teer, Sapan Poptani, Radu Calin Napau-Stoica
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Publication number: 20200262317Abstract: A seat adjuster drive including a stationary track that is fixed to a vehicle and a sliding track that is arranged in sliding engagement with the stationary track for movement fore and aft. A gear box, mounted to the sliding track, supports a pinion that is part of a rack and pinion drive assembly. The gear box houses a conical spiral gear set and one or more planetary gear sets. The conical spiral gear set includes a conical pinion gear that is coupled to an electric motor and a conical spiral gear that is arranged in meshing engagement with the conical pinion gear. The conical spiral gear is carried on the pinion in a sliding fit. The one or more planetary gear sets rotatably couple the conical spiral gear and the pinion through a gear reduction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATEDInventors: Mircea NAPAU, Doina NAPAU, Ileana Dacia NAPAU, Radu Calin NAPAU-STOICA, Ioan NAPAU
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Patent number: 10486554Abstract: A seat adjustment assembly includes a housing, a worm, a gear, and a rail. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and including a helical thread defining an arcuate profile extending about the first axis. The gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The rail extends through the housing and the gear for rotation about a third axis. The rail is meshingly-engaged with the gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Mircea Napau, Doina Napau, Ileana Dacia Napau, Ioan Napau, Dean Lenane, Matthew Essian, Antal Teer, Sapan Poptani