Patents by Inventor Rainer Glaser

Rainer Glaser 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: 8894142
    Abstract: An active headrest adapted for use with a rear seat, including a translatable, conformable, or otherwise reconfigurable shell, an active material actuator disposed within and drivenly coupled to the shell, and preferably including a linkage system fixedly coupled to the seat and/or shell, wherein the actuator is operable to cause the headrest to achieve one of a plurality of achievable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Rainer A. Glaser, James Y. Khoury, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Jennifer P. Lawall
  • Patent number: 8870144
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Pablo D. Zavattieri, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Alan L. Browne, James Y. Khoury, Nancy L. Johnson, Chandra S. Namuduri, Senthil N. Karuppaswamy, Nilesh D. Mankame, Rainer A. Glaser, Paul W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 8556348
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a track mount configured to shift along a track and a platform configured to selectively latch to, unlatch from, and pivot relative to the track mount. The assembly also includes a seat-back and a seat-cushion, each connected to the platform and configured to selectively latch to, unlatch from, and pivot relative to the platform. The assembly additionally includes a first mechanism configured to selectively operate the seat assembly in a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes unlatching and pivoting the seat-back and unlatching and pivoting the platform such that the seat assembly tumbles relative to the track. The second mode includes unlatching and pivoting the seat-cushion and unlatching and pivoting the seat-back such that the seat-back comes to rest substantially parallel to the track mount. A vehicle having the seat assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rainer A. Glaser, Krzysztof Wroblewski, Stanislaw A. Wieclawski
  • Publication number: 20130113255
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a track mount configured to shift along a track and a platform configured to selectively latch to, unlatch from, and pivot relative to the track mount. The assembly also includes a seat-back and a seat-cushion, each connected to the platform and configured to selectively latch to, unlatch from, and pivot relative to the platform. The assembly additionally includes a first mechanism configured to selectively operate the seat assembly in a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes unlatching and pivoting the seat-back and unlatching and pivoting the platform such that the seat assembly tumbles relative to the track. The second mode includes unlatching and pivoting the seat-cushion and unlatching and pivoting the seat-back such that the seat-back comes to rest substantially parallel to the track mount. A vehicle having the seat assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: LEAR CORPORATION, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rainer A. Glaser, Krzysztof Wroblewski, Stanislaw A. Wieclawski
  • Publication number: 20120001461
    Abstract: An active headrest adapted for use with a rear seat, including a translatable, conformable, or otherwise reconfigurable shell, an active material actuator disposed within and drivenly coupled to the shell, and preferably including a linkage system fixedly coupled to the seat and/or shell, wherein the actuator is operable to cause the headrest to achieve one of a plurality of achievable positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Rainer A. Glaser, James Y. Khoury, Michael G. Carpenter, Leigh A. Berger, Jennifer P. Lawall
  • Patent number: 8050420
    Abstract: An integrated seat speaker includes a cushion, a seat frame defining a first internal air volume, and a speaker enclosure defining a second internal air volume. The second internal air volume is acoustically coupled to the first internal air volume through an air passageway, thus producing a continuous acoustical air volume. An acoustic sealing member is disposed between the enclosure and the frame. The frame includes a closure feature at one end for isolating a portion of the first internal air volume. The cushion includes an outer surface, and the speaker enclosure is enclosed within the seat cushion and at least partially concealed by the outer surface. A method optimizes the acoustical performance of a speaker assembly by acoustically coupling an internal air volume defined by a speaker enclosure to another internal air volume defined by a seat frame to create a continuous acoustical air volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Close, Matthew R. Kirsch, Frank A. Mills, Rainer A. Glaser, James B. Milnar
  • Patent number: 7758121
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Pablo D. Zavattieri, Ukpai I. Ukpai, John C. Ulicny, John A. Cafeo, Rainer A. Glaser, Gary L. Jones, James Y. Khoury, Carol Ann Perelli, William R. Rodgers, Xiujie Gao
  • Patent number: 7594697
    Abstract: A headrest assembly including active material drivenly coupled to a headrest component, such as for example, an interior frame member, bag, or gear device wherein the material is actuated upon receipt of an activation signal, and configured to morph, reposition, reduce the resistance of, change a modulus property of, or otherwise modify an engaging surface defined by the headrest when actuated, and autonomously restore the headrest upon the deactivation of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Adrian B. Chernoff, Rainer A. Glaser, Nancy L. Johnson, James Y. Khoury, Ukpai I. Ukpai, Pablo D. Zavattieri
  • Publication number: 20090196432
    Abstract: An integrated seat speaker includes a cushion, a seat frame defining a first internal air volume, and a speaker enclosure defining a second internal air volume. The second internal air volume is acoustically coupled to the first internal air volume through an air passageway, thus producing a continuous acoustical air volume. An acoustic sealing member is disposed between the enclosure and the frame. The frame includes a closure feature at one end for isolating a portion of the first internal air volume. The cushion includes an outer surface, and the speaker enclosure is enclosed within the seat cushion and at least partially concealed by the outer surface. A method optimizes the acoustical performance of a speaker assembly by acoustically coupling an internal air volume defined by a speaker enclosure to another internal air volume defined by a seat frame to create a continuous acoustical air volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard A. Close, Matthew R. Kirsch, Frank A. Mills, Rainer A. Glaser, James B. Milnar
  • Publication number: 20090008973
    Abstract: Active material actuated headrest assemblies and their methods of operation are described herein. The headrests include an active material incorporated in a frame member, a bag, gear device, or the like, wherein the active material actuates upon receipt of an activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Adrian B. Chernoff, Rainer A. Glaser, Nancy L. Johnson, James Y. Khoury, Ukpai I. Ukpai, Pablo D. Zavattieri
  • Patent number: 7448678
    Abstract: A headrest assembly including active material drivenly coupled to a headrest component, such as for example, an interior frame member, bag, or gear device ,wherein the material is actuated upon receipt of an activation signal, and configured to morph, reposition, reduce the resistance of, change a modulus property of, or otherwise modify an engaging surface defined by the headrest when actuated, and autonomously restore the headrest upon the deactivation of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Adrian B. Chernoff, Rainer A. Glaser, Nancy L. Johnson, James Y. Khoury, Ukpai I. Ukpai, Pablo D. Zavattieri
  • Publication number: 20080272259
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a device comprises an active material. Activation of the active material causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain an object without engaging the object below a surface of the object. In another embodiment, contact with an object causes deformation within the device to conform to and/or retain the object. In yet another embodiment, an object holder can comprise: a recess, a cover disposed over the recess, and a switch configured to cause the active material to retain a deformed shape in the recess. The cover comprises an active material. The active material is configured to deform into the recess when contacted with an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Pablo D. Zavattieri, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Alan L. Browne, James Y. Khoury, Nancy L. Johnson, Chandra S. Namuduri, Senthil N. Karuppaswamy, Nilesh D. Mankame, Rainer A. Glaser, Paul W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20070246285
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Browne, Nancy Johnson, Pablo Zavattieri, Ukpai Ukpai, John Ulicny, John Cafeo, Rainer Glaser, Gary Jones, James Khoury, Carol Perelli, William Rodgers, Xiujie Gao
  • Publication number: 20070246979
    Abstract: Active material actuated headrest assemblies and their methods of operation are described herein. The headrests include an active material incorporated in a frame member, a bag, gear device, or the like, wherein the active material actuates upon receipt of an activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Browne, Adrian Chernoff, Rainer Glaser, Nancy Johnson, James Khoury, Ukpai Ukpai, Pablo Zavattieri