Patents by Inventor Nathan A. Caruss

Nathan A. Caruss 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).

  • Publication number: 20220266733
    Abstract: An armrest assembly for connection to a seat cushion assembly, the armrest assembly may have an armrest body, an armrest support supporting the armrest body, an armrest positioning device, a backrest connection interface for connection with a backrest frame and an actuator for actuating the movement between a down position and an up position of the armrest body. A vehicle seat may have the seat cushion assembly, a backrest having the backrest frame, a base backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest pivotably connecting the seat base to the backrest and the armrest assembly connected to the seat cushion assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. BURTON, Nathan A. CARUSS, Michael J. KAPUSKY, Eric B. MICHALAK
  • Publication number: 20220185157
    Abstract: An armrest device for a backrest of a vehicle seat may have at least an armrest body which is pivotable between a horizontal use position (UP) and a vertical stowed position (SR). The device may also have an armrest carrier structure. In the horizontal use position the armrest body may be located substantially laterally with respect to the armrest carrier structure and in the vertical stowed position the armrest body may be located substantially behind the armrest carrier structure. A backrest and a seat may use the armrest device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael J. KAPUSKY, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer J. CARLSON
  • Patent number: 11142100
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a backrest. A seat base track arrangement has a fixed track and a moveable track that is moveable along the fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support or fore/aft track to adjust an entire vehicle seat position. The seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. A backrest track arrangement has a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. A link arm pivotably links the seat base and the backrest. A seat base pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the seat base. A link arm and backrest pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the backrest and the moveable track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Matthew McClelland
  • Patent number: 10933787
    Abstract: Reclining seat mounted on a foundation through first and second slides. The seat cushion is mounted on the first slide, and the seat back is mounted on the second slide. The slides, the seat cushion and the seat back are arranged to move together as one unit to have the seat recline. A head restraint is mounted at a top side of the seat back to follow and move with the back during movement of the back. The second slide has a non-linear curved shape to rotate the head restraint when the seat back moves. The curved shape rotates the headrest in a backward and downward direction when the seat back moves downward and the seat cushion moves forward, and vice versa. From the different seat positions, the head restraint follows the motion of the occupant as they move to the different seat positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Kurt Seibold
  • Patent number: 10843611
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that includes a lateral occupant support structure that is movable based on a position of a backrest. The vehicle seat includes a lateral occupant support structure setting system that adapts a position of one or more lateral occupant support structures based on one or more of a position of the backrest and movement of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Nathan Caruss, Eric Michalak, Brent Burton
  • Patent number: 10829010
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion, a seatback connected to the cushion and a track arrangement. The track arrangement includes a curved fixed track and a flexible track follower that is moveable along the curved fixed track between a full slouch and a full upright position. The curved fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support base and the moveable track is connected to the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Alexander Saveski
  • Patent number: 10829018
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Brent Burton, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Mark Shafer, Michael J. Kapusky
  • Patent number: 10759318
    Abstract: A head restraint for a seat being adjustable in a vertical direction, and angularly adjustable with regard to lateral portions of the head restraint. A mechanism providing this adjustability is a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide. The slide is selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. The slide has a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes the slide on, and with respect to, the shaft. The slide has a release state where the slide is linearly and rotatably movable on the shaft. The slide is fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on the shaft in the locked state. The number of linear and rotational positions on the shaft is considered infinite since for all practical purposes, the slide is not restricted to individual discrete positions, but is continuously adjustable to practically any linear and rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Matthew McClelland
  • Publication number: 20190315252
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a backrest. A seat base track arrangement has a fixed track and a moveable track that is moveable along the fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support or fore/aft track to adjust an entire vehicle seat position. The seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. A backrest track arrangement has a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. A link arm pivotably links the seat base and the backrest. A seat base pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the seat base. A link arm and backrest pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the backrest and the moveable track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.l.
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Matthew MCCLELLAND
  • Publication number: 20190315257
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that includes a lateral occupant support structure that is movable based on a position of a backrest. The vehicle seat includes a lateral occupant support structure setting system that adapts a position of one or more lateral occupant support structures based on one or more of a position of the backrest and movement of the backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan CARUSS, Eric MICHALAK, Brent BURTON
  • Patent number: 10415628
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Duane Potes, Nathan Caruss
  • Patent number: 10399474
    Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly for a seat back of a seat that includes a head supporting structure, a head rest support, and at least two of a height adjustment mechanism, a side angle adjustment mechanism, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that are each electronically powered. The head supporting structure is configured to support an occupant's head. The head rest support supports the head supporting structure. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to change the height of the head supporting structure relative to the head rest support and the seat back. The side angle adjustment mechanism is configured to change the angle of side portions of the head supporting structure relative to a center portion of the head supporting structure. The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to change a tilt angle of the head supporting structure relative to a tilt supporting structure and the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kapusky, Brent D. Burton, Nathan Caruss, Eric B. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20190210501
    Abstract: A head restraint for a seat being adjustable in a vertical direction, and angularly adjustable with regard to lateral portions of the head restraint. A mechanism providing this adjustability is a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide. The slide is selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. The slide has a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes the slide on, and with respect to, the shaft. The slide has a release state where the slide is linearly and rotatably movable on the shaft. The slide is fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on the shaft in the locked state. The number of linear and rotational positions on the shaft is considered infinite since for all practical purposes, the slide is not restricted to individual discrete positions, but is continuously adjustable to practically any linear and rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Matthew McCLELLAND
  • Publication number: 20190184879
    Abstract: Reclining seat mounted on a foundation through first and second slides. The seat cushion is mounted on the first slide, and the seat back is mounted on the second slide. The slides, the seat cushion and the seat back are arranged to move together as one unit to have the seat recline. A head restraint is mounted at a top side of the seat back to follow and move with the back during movement of the back. The second slide has a non-linear curved shape to rotate the head restraint when the seat back moves. The curved shape rotates the headrest in a backward and downward direction when the seat back moves downward and the seat cushion moves forward, and vice versa. From the different seat positions, the head restraint follows the motion of the occupant as they move to the different seat positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Kurt SEIBOLD
  • Publication number: 20190168640
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a vehicle seat having a seat base, a backrest, a seat base track arrangement, a backrest track arrangement having a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track, a link arm, a seat base pivot connection between the link arm and the seat base and a link arm and backrest pivot connection between the link arm and the backrest and the backrest movable track. The seat base track arrangement includes a seat base fixed track and a seat base moveable track that is moveable along the seat base fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support and the seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. At least one locking device is connected to the vehicle seat. A release/lock mechanism is connected to the locking device for releasing and locking the at least one locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Matthew MCCLELLAND
  • Publication number: 20190152354
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion, a seatback connected to the cushion and a track arrangement. The track arrangement includes a curved fixed track and a flexible track follower that is moveable along the curved fixed track between a full slouch and a full upright position. The curved fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support base and the moveable track is connected to the cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Alexander SAVESKI
  • Publication number: 20190135151
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Brent BURTON, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Mark SHAFER, Michael J. KAPUSKY
  • Publication number: 20190077330
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat base as a seat part. The seat part includes a seat part frame, a trim side and an opposite harder side. The harder side has an outer peripheral surface with a recess contour. Fittings form a seat base to backrest pivot connection, for pivoting the seat base relative to the backrest and/or pivoting the backrest relative to the seat base. Pivotable hoop connections are connected to the vehicle seat frame adjacent to the opposite harder side. A storage hoop has hoop ends respectively connected to the respective pivotable hoop connections. The storage hoop is received in the recess in a stowed position, in which the hoop is disposed inwardly of a remainder of the outer peripheral surface. The stowed hoop may pivot out of the recess to a hoop deployed position, with the hoop extending outwardly from the opposite harder side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Eric MICHALAK, Brent BURTON, Mason PIKE, Nathan CARUSS, Alex SAVESKI, Michael J. KAPUSKY
  • Publication number: 20180347619
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Duane POTES, Nathan CARUSS
  • Patent number: 10144315
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat base with a fitting with pivot connections for pivoting relative to the backrest. The seat base pivots between a seating position and a stadium flipped up position. A storage hoop has ends pivotably connected to an underside of the seat base at hoop pivot connections. The storage hoop pivots between a stowed position—with the hoop extending along a seat underside—and a hoop deployed position—with the hoop extending outwardly from the seat underside. The fitting with pivot connection has an inertial load lock to maintain the seat base in the stadium flipped up position upon exposure to inertial loads above a crash threshold. A cable is moved upon moving the hoop to the deployed position to move a latching cam, associated with the fitting, to prevent the seat base from pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Eric Michalak, Brent Burton, Mason Pike, Nathan Caruss