Patents by Inventor Robert Fitzpatrick

Robert Fitzpatrick 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: 20240140285
    Abstract: A suspension membrane of a vehicle seat support element includes a fabric made of plastic material extending between a first face and a second face and having at least a first layer made of plastic material that has an outer face forming the first face and an inner face opposite the outer face, and a second layer made of plastic material that has an outer face forming the second face and an inner face opposite the outer face, the inner faces of the first layer and of the second layer being applied against one another. The suspension membrane further includes at least one electrical circuit having at least one electrical component and a power lead to the component, extending between a part of the inner faces of the first layer and of the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Robert FITZPATRICK, Didier DURIEZ, Claude DUBOULET
  • Publication number: 20240126038
    Abstract: A panel system includes a chassis holding one or more tray arrangements, which are each configured to receive one or more cassettes at two or more bays. The tray arrangements and cassettes cooperate to define a cassette sensor arrangement and a port occupancy sensor arrangement having separate interface points. The cassette sensor arrangement may include electronic memory storing physical layer information about the cassette. All active components of the port occupancy sensor arrangement are disposed on the tray while the electronic memories of the cassette sensor arrangement are stored on the cassettes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Edward ENGE, Paula LOCKHART, Scott Martin KEITH, David Jan Irma VAN BAELEN, Jacob C. ANDERSON, Steven Walter KNOERNSCHILD, Brian J. FITZPATRICK, Pedro MALDONADO, Gary Federico GIBBS, James J. SOLHEID, Matthew J. HOLMBERG, Matthew Robert KIENER
  • Patent number: 11897395
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is equipped with a display mounted on a reclinable seat back. The display self-adjusts to maintain a desired viewing angle when the recline angle of the seat back changes. The display is selectively locked or unlocked with respect to the seat back to move about a pivot axis. When a change in the recline angle is detected, the display is unlocked until the desired viewing angle is reestablished. Display movement relative to the seat can be damped rotational movement or motorized movement. A user can interact with the display to set or change the desired viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Jeffery Bonk, James Farber, Todd Sieting
  • Publication number: 20230208644
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure enable operation authorization using a dynamic code. Embodiments includes a computing system for receiving, from an access control server, an operation authorization request to authorize an operation by an initiator, where the operation authorization request includes a user identifier associated with the operation authorization request, and a dynamic code. The computing system accesses a dynamic key associated with a user credential associated with the user identifier and generates a recalculated dynamic code using a cryptographic algorithm and the dynamic key. The computing system authenticates the operation authorization request based on the dynamic code being equivalent to the recalculated dynamic code and returns the authentication to the access control server to authorize the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: EQUE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Boran Car
  • Patent number: 11570180
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure enable operation authorization using a dynamic code. Embodiments includes a computing system for receiving, from an access control server, an operation authorization request to authorize an operation by an initiator, where the operation authorization request includes a user identifier associated with the operation authorization request, and a dynamic code. The computing system accesses a dynamic key embedded in a user credential associated with the user identifier and generates a recalculated dynamic code using a cryptographic algorithm and the dynamic key. The computing system authenticates the operation authorization request based on the dynamic code being equivalent to the recalculated dynamic code and returns the authentication to the access control server to authorize the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: EQUE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Boran Car
  • Patent number: 11529896
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position, and a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position. The support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11505103
    Abstract: A privacy screen for a vehicle that can provide for an enhanced passenger experience. The privacy screen includes a blocking body configured to at least partially shroud a shielded seat of the vehicle. The blocking body has an inner seat facing surface, an outer shielding surface, and a concave contour that is configured to extend at least partially around the shielded seat. The privacy screen further includes a passenger enhancement feature that is configured to be controllable via input from a passenger of the vehicle that is remote from a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Davide Di Censo, Cedric Ketels, Thomas Dessapt, Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20220348148
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is equipped with a display mounted on a reclinable seat back. The display self-adjusts to maintain a desired viewing angle when the recline angle of the seat back changes. The display is selectively locked or unlocked with respect to the seat back to move about a pivot axis. When a change in the recline angle is detected, the display is unlocked until the desired viewing angle is reestablished. Display movement relative to the seat can be damped rotational movement or motorized movement. A user can interact with the display to set or change the desired viewing angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert FITZPATRICK, Jeffery BONK, James FARBER, Todd SIETING
  • Publication number: 20220289084
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position, and a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position. The support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11383627
    Abstract: A seat frame side member includes a frame body and a structural attachment point configured to connect a seat feature to the seat frame side member. The structural attachment point includes a projection extending from the frame body to a distal end. The projection includes a seat feature receiving portion at the distal end of the projection and a seat feature seating portion between the seat feature receiving portion and the frame body, and the seat feature receiving portion has a cross-sectional thickness that is different from a cross-sectional thickness of the seat feature seating portion. The seat frame side member can have an anisotropic microstructure with a plurality of layers built by additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery Bonk, Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 11370339
    Abstract: A removable console for use in a row of vehicle seating includes a base and receptacles formed along the base. One of a plurality of interchangeable and accessory modules can be attached to the console base in each receptacle and optionally powered by the console base when installed. A latch holds each installed accessory module in the respective receptacle. Each latch can include electrical contacts to power an installed module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Thomas Dessapt, Davide Di Censo, Abdelkarim Chaiblaine, Andreos Kaplanov, Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20220080867
    Abstract: A seat frame side member includes a frame body and a structural attachment point configured to connect a seat feature to the seat frame side member. The structural attachment point includes a projection extending from the frame body to a distal end. The projection includes a seat feature receiving portion at the distal end of the projection and a seat feature seating portion between the seat feature receiving portion and the frame body, and the seat feature receiving portion has a cross-sectional thickness that is different from a cross-sectional thickness of the seat feature seating portion. The seat frame side member can have an anisotropic microstructure with a plurality of layers built by additive manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffery BONK, Robert FITZPATRICK
  • Publication number: 20220072978
    Abstract: A multi-position vehicle seat offers flexible seating arrangements in a vehicle cabin such that passenger capacity of the vehicle can be maximized when desired. The seat has multiple user-supporting configurations so that the larger amount of floor space required by a seated passenger is only used when necessary. The seat can also be configured to fit multiple user heights and to have a conformable seating surface to comfortably accommodate different user sizes and preferences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Robert FITZPATRICK, Rodney GOODRICH
  • Publication number: 20210362636
    Abstract: A privacy screen for a vehicle that can provide for an enhanced passenger experience. The privacy screen includes a blocking body configured to at least partially shroud a shielded seat of the vehicle. The blocking body has an inner seat facing surface, an outer shielding surface, and a concave contour that is configured to extend at least partially around the shielded seat. The privacy screen further includes a passenger enhancement feature that is configured to be controllable via input from a passenger of the vehicle that is remote from a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Davide DI CENSO, Cedric KETELS, Thomas DESSAPT, Robert FITZPATRICK
  • Publication number: 20210276466
    Abstract: A removable console for use in a row of vehicle seating includes a base and receptacles formed along the base. One of a plurality of interchangeable and accessory modules can be attached to the console base in each receptacle and optionally powered by the console base when installed. A latch holds each installed accessory module in the respective receptacle. Each latch can include electrical contacts to power an installed module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Cedric KETELS, Thomas DESSAPT, Davide DI CENSO, Abdelkarim CHAIBLAINE, Andreos KAPLANOV, Robert FITZPATRICK
  • Patent number: 10765221
    Abstract: A portable armrest is manually convertible between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration and includes a lap portion, an arm portion, and a support portion. The support portion vertically spaces the arm portion from the lap portion when the lap portion is positioned on the lap of a seated user with the armrest in a deployed configuration, and the weight of an extended arm of the user is transferred to the lap when the arm is rested on the arm portion. The armrest is formed as a segmented panel including a plurality of rigid segments interconnected into a unitary piece by flexible joints along the perimeter of each segment. The deployed armrest enables users to relax their extended arms while bringing a handheld device into viewing range without lowering their heads. The armrest can be folded into a small packaging space for portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Christian Neyrinck, Rodney S. Goodrich, Thomas Dessapt, Helene Chassaing, Robert Fitzpatrick, Delphine Mace, Sascha Heiden
  • Patent number: 10752132
    Abstract: A deployable working surface is provided for use in a reconfigurable passenger cabin of a personal automotive vehicle. The vehicle includes a first seat that can rotate to an inwardly-rotated position. The working surface is provided by a panel that is mounted on a second seat for movement between a stowed position and a working position. This movement includes vertical movement and rotational movement about a vertical axis. When the panel is in the working position, the working surface extends in a radial direction that is perpendicular to the direction the first seat is facing when in the rotated position and is positioned higher that an occupant seating surface of the first seat and in front of a backrest of the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Markus Uhlig, Desmond O'Regan, Matthew Benson, Fabrice Aycoberry
  • Patent number: 10675994
    Abstract: A vehicle seat with a seat bottom and backrest is configured for movement between a forward-facing position and an inwardly-rotated position in a reconfigurable vehicle passenger cabin. The movement includes rotation about a vertical axis located along an inboard side of the seat and a rear side of the seat bottom. The vertical axis can be located within an inboard quarter of the seat, rearward of an occupant seating surface of the seat bottom, forward or rearward of a rear side of a bottom end of the backrest, and various combinations of these locations. In addition to providing a seat occupant with additional freedom of movement within the passenger cabin, the inwardly-rotated position of the seat can also provide a safer condition for the seat occupant with respect to structural portions of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Matthew Benson, Desmond O'Regan, Markus Uhlig, Fabrice Aycoberry
  • Publication number: 20200037771
    Abstract: A portable armrest is manually convertible between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration and includes a lap portion, an arm portion, and a support portion. The support portion vertically spaces the arm portion from the lap portion when the lap portion is positioned on the lap of a seated user with the armrest in a deployed configuration, and the weight of an extended arm of the user is transferred to the lap when the arm is rested on the arm portion. The armrest is formed as a segmented panel including a plurality of rigid segments interconnected into a unitary piece by flexible joints along the perimeter of each segment. The deployed armrest enables users to relax their extended arms while bringing a handheld device into viewing range without lowering their heads. The armrest can be folded into a small packaging space for portability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Christian Neyrinck, Rodney S. Goodrich, Thomas Dessapt, Helene Chassaing, Robert Fitzpatrick, Delphine Mace, Sascha Heiden
  • Patent number: 10549656
    Abstract: A personal automotive vehicle includes a seat and a moveable door panel in an interior of the passenger cabin, both of which are moveable between a forward and a rearward position. The moveable door panel is configured for movement such that a longitudinal position of the door panel with respect to the seat can be maintained with corresponding seat movement. The moveable door panel can help provide a perception to a seat occupant that they are properly positioned within the passenger cabin, even at an extreme rearward seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Fitzpatrick, Brian Dexter