Patents by Inventor Rik Westerink

Rik Westerink 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: 20130234492
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ZODIAC SEATS US LLC
    Inventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink
  • Patent number: 8523130
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a deployment apparatus comprising a deployment object, a deployment arm, a deployment link, a pivot housing, at least two linear guides, and a gas spring. The deployment object is coupled to the deployment arm, which is pivotally coupled to the deployment link. An opposing end of the deployment link is fixedly coupled to a structure. The pivot housing is adjacent the connection between the deployment link and the deployment arm. The pivot housing is slidingly engaged with the at least two linear guides. The gas spring is coupled to the pivot housing, which pushes the pivot housing to an upper end of the at least two linear guides and causes the deployment link to rotate the deployment arm from a stowed angle to a released angle and results in a displaced vertical distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Rik Westerink
  • Patent number: 8444226
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink
  • Publication number: 20130009435
    Abstract: Described are seat pan assemblies for a passenger seat having a pan frame pivotally coupled to a seat back, a seat pan pivotally coupled to the pan frame, a tilting mechanism coupled to the seat pan and the pan frame, wherein the tilting mechanism is configured to rotate the seat pan between an upright position and a sleeper position, and an automatic release mechanism, wherein the automatic release mechanism is configured to return the seat pan to an upright position when the seat back is in an upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Weber Aircraft LLC
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, Armando Valdes, Chirag Patel, Timothy W. Terleski
  • Publication number: 20130001389
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a deployment apparatus comprising a deployment object, a deployment arm, a deployment link, a pivot housing, at least two linear guides, and a gas spring. The deployment object is coupled to the deployment arm, which is pivotally coupled to the deployment link. An opposing end of the deployment link is fixedly coupled to a structure. The pivot housing is adjacent the connection between the deployment link and the deployment arm. The pivot housing is slidingly engaged with the at least two linear guides. The gas spring is coupled to the pivot housing, which pushes the pivot housing to an upper end of the at least two linear guides and causes the deployment link to rotate the deployment arm from a stowed angle to a released angle and results in a displaced vertical distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: WEBER AIRCRAFT LLC
    Inventor: Rik Westerink
  • Patent number: 8336956
    Abstract: Described are table stop assemblies having a mounting block having at least one receptacle, at least one stop coupled to the receptacle, and at least one arm knuckle. The arm knuckle includes a side, a first end, and a second end, wherein the side is pivotally coupled to the mounting block, the first end is pivotally coupled to a tray table, and the second end is configured to contact the stop when the tray table is in a deployed position. As examples, the position of the stop is adjustable relative to the receptacle, and the tray table in the deployed position includes a surface that forms an angle relative to a horizontal axis that is controlled by the position of the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Brad Grunwald
  • Patent number: 8322670
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a deployment apparatus comprising a deployment object, a deployment arm, a deployment link, a pivot housing, at least two linear guides, and a gas spring. The deployment object is coupled to the deployment arm, which is pivotally coupled to the deployment link. An opposing end of the deployment link is fixedly coupled to a structure. The pivot housing is adjacent the connection between the deployment link and the deployment arm. The pivot housing is slidingly engaged with the at least two linear guides. The gas spring is coupled to the pivot housing, which pushes the pivot housing to an upper end of the at least two linear guides and causes the deployment link to rotate the deployment arm from a stowed angle to a released angle and results in a displaced vertical distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Weber Aircraft LLC
    Inventor: Rik Westerink
  • Publication number: 20120292973
    Abstract: Described are passenger seats having a seat back support and a head rest assembly coupled to the seat back support. The head rest assembly includes a head support and a lower head support with a rest bar and a pair of extensions, wherein a first end of each extension is slidingly coupled to the rest bar and a second end of each extension is pivotally coupled to the head support. The rest bar is positioned adjacent the head support when the lower head support is in a stowed position and is positioned a distance forward of the head support when the lower head support is in a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, Timothy W. Terleski
  • Publication number: 20120139307
    Abstract: Described are display assemblies having a display coupled to a passenger seat back, a video shroud coupled to the passenger seat back and with an inner opening positioned adjacent the display, wherein a gap is positioned between an outer edge of the display and an edge of the inner opening, and an adaptor having a lip and coupled to the video shroud, wherein the lip is positioned adjacent the gap. A portion of the lip may surround at least the outer edge of the display and/or may overlap a portion of the video shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, Timothy W. TERLESKI, Per Magnus SKOLD, Alexander Gerard SAUCIER, Armando VALDES
  • Publication number: 20120139303
    Abstract: Described are display assemblies having a display coupled to a passenger seat back, a shroud coupled to the passenger seat back with an inner opening positioned adjacent the display, and a cradle coupled to a lower edge of the shroud and positioned below the shroud adjacent a stowage location of a tray table, wherein the cradle includes an electronics apparatus connected to the display. The display assembly may also include a tray table with a recess, wherein the cradle is configured to stow at least partially within the recess when the tray table is positioned in the stowage location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, Timothy W. Terleski, Per Magnus Skold, Alexander Gerard Saucier, Armando Valdes
  • Publication number: 20120139308
    Abstract: Described are display assemblies having a display coupled to a passenger seat back, a video shroud coupled to the passenger seat back and with an inner opening positioned adjacent the display, wherein a gap is positioned between an outer edge of the display and an edge of the inner opening, and a light apparatus having at least one lighting element coupled to the passenger seat back, wherein the at least one lighting element is positioned to emit light through the gap. The display assembly may also include a diffuser coupled to the video shroud and positioned adjacent the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, TIMOTHY W. TERLESSKI, PER MAGNUS SKOLD, ALEXANDER GERARD SAUCIER, ARMANDO VALDES
  • Patent number: 8152234
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an amenity pocket comprising a rigid structure, a vehicle surface, and a deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism provides a non-zero deployment angle of the rigid structure relative to the vehicle surface. In some embodiments, the amenity pocket is coupled to a passenger seat back. In other embodiments, a mounting structure comprising a base may be pivotally coupled to the base of the rigid structure and coupled to the vehicle surface. An interior surface of the rigid structure may be coupled to a filler. In some embodiments, the filler may be coupled to a protective surface. In other embodiments, an exterior surface of the rigid structure may be coupled to a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Weber Aircraft LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Terleski, Staci Ault Mininger, Rik Westerink
  • Publication number: 20110316311
    Abstract: Described are seat back assemblies including a seat back with a recess and a bezel assembly having a bezel pivotally coupled to the recess and configured to substantially fit within the recess. Other examples may include a tray table assembly pivotally coupled to a lower section of the seat back. As examples, a protective covering may be positioned between the seat back and the bezel assembly, wherein the protective covering is a full shroud or a partial shroud. The protective covering may be coupled to the seat back via the coupling between the seat back and the bezel assembly without additional fasteners and may also include a shelf positioned below the bezel. Other examples may include an amenity tray positioned adjacent the bezel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, JEFFREY P. WEGENKA
  • Publication number: 20110278885
    Abstract: Described are portable electronics device coupling assemblies including a cradle configured to electronically couple and releasably engage a portable electronics device, and an adaptor configured to electronically couple and releasably engage the cradle to a passenger seat. Other examples may include a passenger seat having an electronics port configured to electronically couple to the portable electronics device, and a receptacle coupled to the electronics port and configured to releasably engage the portable electronics device. As examples, the portable electronics device may be a tablet computer, a cell phone, a smart phone, a handheld video game system, a personal digital assistant, a palmtop computer, a DVD player, data or audio-video media, or a multi-media enabled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: JOHN PROCTER, RIK WESTERINK
  • Publication number: 20110187163
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back assembly comprising a seat back with a recess and a tray table assembly. The table body is configured to substantially fit within the recess. An amenity compartment may also be coupled to the seat back above the tray table assembly and may be configured to also substantially fit within the recess. The amenity compartment may be a bezel or an upper literature pocket. A latching mechanism releasably engages the tray table assembly with the amenity compartment. The amenity compartment may be coupled to the seat back via a hook that engages a slotted bracket on the seat back and projections that engage receptacles on the seat back. A protective covering may be inserted between the seat back and the amenity compartment and coupled to the seat back without additional fasteners. The protective covering may be a full shroud, a partial shroud, or a dress cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: WEBER AIRCRAFT LLC
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, JEFFREY P. WEGENKA, BRAD GRUNWALD, ELIAS CARDOZO
  • Publication number: 20110148167
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat frame via a pivot shaft, wherein a lower end of the seat back does not extend below the pivot shaft, a seat pan fixedly coupled to the seat frame, at least one quadrant arm fixedly coupled to the seat back and pivotally coupled to the pivot shaft, and a recline lock coupled to the one quadrant arm and the seat frame. The pivot shaft is coupled to the seat frame at a high pivot location, wherein the seat back is configured to pivot adjacent a lumbar region of a passenger's back. The seat pan may optionally include an extension from the seat pan that is configured to couple to the pivot shaft and fill a seat back aperture located between the lower end of the seat back and the seat pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WEBER AIRCRAFT LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Jeffrey P. Wegenka
  • Publication number: 20110148156
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a table stop assembly comprising a mounting block having at least one receptacle, at least one stop coupled to the receptacle, and at least one arm knuckle. The arm knuckle includes a side, a first end, and a second end, wherein the side is pivotally coupled to the mounting block, the first end is pivotally coupled to a tray table, and the second end is configured to contact the stop when the tray table is in a deployed position. In some embodiments, the position of the stop is adjustable relative to the receptacle. In other embodiments, the tray table in the deployed position comprises a surface that forms an angle relative to a horizontal axis that is controlled by the position of the stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WEBER AIRCRAFT LLC
    Inventors: RIK WESTERINK, BRAD GRUNWALD
  • Publication number: 20110148173
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a passenger seat with a seat frame having at least one coupling projection and a seat pan assembly having at least one coupling retainer. The coupling retainer is configured to releasably engage the coupling projection via at least one locking device. The seat pan assembly is disengaged from the passenger seat by removing the locking device, disengaging the coupling retainer, and rotating the seat pan assembly to an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: WEBER AIRCRAFT LLC
    Inventors: Rik Westerink, Armando Valdes, Brad Grunwald
  • Publication number: 20100244506
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an amenity pocket comprising a rigid structure, a vehicle surface, and a deployment mechanism. The deployment mechanism provides a non-zero deployment angle of the rigid structure relative to the vehicle surface. In some embodiments, the amenity pocket is coupled to a passenger seat back. In other embodiments, a mounting structure comprising a base may be pivotally coupled to the base of the rigid structure and coupled to the vehicle surface. An interior surface of the rigid structure may be coupled to a filler. In some embodiments, the filler may be coupled to a protective surface. In other embodiments, an exterior surface of the rigid structure may be coupled to a cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: TIMOTHY W. TERLESKI, Staci Ault Mininger, Rik Westerink
  • Publication number: 20100244534
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a leg-rest assembly comprising a leg-rest pan, a first frame, a slider bar, a second frame, and at least one deployment link. In some embodiments, the first frame includes at least two slides that are coupled to the slider bar. In other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes at least two seat diaphragm mounts, wherein the at least two seat diaphragm mounts are coupled the leg-rest assembly to a seat diaphragm. In some embodiments, a cushion is coupled to the leg-rest pan exterior surface. In yet other embodiments, the leg-rest assembly includes a foot-rest pan and a single frame with at least two foot-rest slides, where the foot-rest pan is coupled to the foot-rest slides. In these embodiments, the leg-rest assembly may also include a foot-rest bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Driessen, Rik Westerink