Patents by Inventor Alan Sturt
Alan Sturt 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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Patent number: 7258381Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a modular vehicle interior component system which comprises a base having a channel defined at least in part by a latching lip, a vehicle interior component, and a release latch mechanism for slidably and releasably securing the component to the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.Inventors: Alan Sturt, James A. Mulvihill
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Publication number: 20070132296Abstract: A folding seat system includes a lower seat portion and a seat back pivotally coupled thereto such that the seat back collapses towards the lower seat portion and opens away from the lower seat portion. Coupled to the seat back is a lumbar support basket including an upper pivot rod pivotally coupled widthwise across the seat back and a lower push rod generally parallel to the pivot rod. The lumbar support basket extends outwardly when the push rod moves upwardly in response to engaging a platform on the lower seat portion and flattens when the push rod moves downwardly in response to disengaging the platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2005Publication date: June 14, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Jeff Kempf, Christopher Armbruster
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Publication number: 20070102983Abstract: A foldable vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a lower end adapted to be supported relative to a vehicle floor to permit movement of the seat back frame between an upper, deployed position and a lowered, stowed position. A seat cross member is adapted to be supported relative to the vehicle floor in a spaced relation to the seat back frame. A seat suspension member, constructed of a flexible material, has a rear portion connected to the seat back frame and a front portion connected to the cross member. When the seat back frame is moved between the deployed position and the stowed position, the cross member and the suspension member are also moved between a deployed position and a stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2005Publication date: May 10, 2007Inventor: Alan Sturt
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Patent number: 7213793Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment/cupholder assembly having a molded base into which is mounted a pair of flexible invertible dividers that allow for the secure retention of various sized beverage containers. The flexible invertible dividers may be mounted and tensioned by an internal or external flexible divider spring. The molded base may have a liner mounted therein which may be a liquid barrier, a tensioning device in place of a traditional spring, or both.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Alan Sturt, James M Hutek, James A Mulvihill
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Patent number: 7207616Abstract: A sliding load floor system for use in the rear cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area has a pair of opposing side portions that extend longitudinally in relation to the center line of the vehicle. A pair of opposing transverse portions extend laterally in relation to the vehicle. A storage area is positioned between and at a level below a plane including the side and transverse portions. The sliding load floor system comprises a slide mechanism including a pair of opposing rail members having a forward edge, a frame that is slidably received by the rail members of the slide mechanism, a removable load floor that is detachably positioned in relation to the frame; and a two-axis hinge assembly that is mounted to the side portions. The forward edges of the rail members are connected to the hinge assembly so that the frame and the removable load floor may be displaced in relation to the hinge assembly, and the frame plus the load floor may be slid rearwardly and/or arcuately about the hinge assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Alan Sturt
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Publication number: 20070085363Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicle includes a console housing securable to a floor of a passenger seating area configured to receive and store one or more items. A lower console module extends generally horizontally adjacent the console housing and includes a seating portion for supporting an occupant and a storage area having one or more storage compartments provided on an opposing side of the lower console module. The lower console module is adjustable between a seated position and a deployed position wherein the storage area of the lower console module is exposed to the passenger seating area of the vehicle. An upper console module is disposed adjacent the lower console module. The upper console module is adjustable between a generally vertical position supporting an occupant and a generally horizontal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Jason Gamache, Jerome Joler
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Publication number: 20070075559Abstract: A console assembly for use in a passenger seating area of a vehicle includes a console configured for installment in the passenger seating area having a storage cavity defined therein. An armrest pivotally connected to the console housing is movable between a first position extending at least partially over a top surface of the console housing and at least one opened position. A storage module disposed at least partially within the storage cavity includes a housing having at least one storage area configured to receive and secured removable media storage cases. The at least one storage area includes a plurality of slots and at least one spring member which cooperate to store and present the removable media storage cases when the armrest is positioned relative to the storage module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventor: Alan Sturt
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Publication number: 20070069541Abstract: A modular floor storage system that may be easily and quickly mounted, dismounted, and locked into position without the need for elaborate mounting track systems. Further the modular floor storage system may be configured in many ways by the user and located in several locations within the vehicle. Electrical connection may also be provided allowing power to be supplied for purposes such as battery-charging, lighting and the incorporation of cooling or heating capacity to the storage system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2005Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, James Mulvihill, Todd DePue, Thomas Hicks, Won-Tai Kim, David Cauvin
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Publication number: 20070069544Abstract: A console assembly for use in a passenger seating area of a vehicle includes a console housing having a storage area defined therein. An armrest is pivotally connected to the console housing and is movable between a first position extending at least partially over a top surface of the console housing and at least one second position. The armrest includes a closeout section, a receiving portion operatively connected to the closeout section and a console lid slidably connected to the receiving portion. A console accessory tray is adjustably positioned adjacent the console housing between a stored position and a deployed position extending rearward of the console housing. The console accessory tray includes a display surface accessible to occupants in a rear portion of the passenger seating area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2005Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Jason Gamache
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Publication number: 20070065264Abstract: A sliding load floor system for use in the rear cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area has a pair of opposing side portions that extend longitudinally in relation to the center line of the vehicle. A pair of opposing transverse portions extend laterally in relation to the vehicle. A storage area is positioned between and at a level below a plane including the side and transverse portions. The sliding load floor system comprises a slide mechanism including a pair of opposing rail members having a forward edge, a frame that is slidably received by the rail members of the slide mechanism, a removable load floor that is detachably positioned in relation to the frame; and a hinge assembly that is mounted to the side portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2005Publication date: March 22, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Artur Dlugosz, James Mulvihill
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Patent number: 7188881Abstract: A sliding load floor system for use in the rear cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area has a pair of opposing side portions that extend longitudinally in relation to the center line of the vehicle. A pair of opposing transverse portions extend laterally in relation to the vehicle. A storage area is positioned between and at a level below a plane including the side and transverse portions. The sliding load floor system comprises a slide mechanism including a pair of opposing rail members having a forward edge, and a removable load floor that is detachably positioned in relation to the slide mechanism; and a hinge assembly that is mounted to the side portions. The forward edges of the rail members are connected to the hinge assembly so that the slide mechanism, and the removable load floor may be moved arcuately in relation to the hinge assembly, and the load floor slid rearwardly.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Alan Sturt, Artur W. Dlugosz
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Publication number: 20070051764Abstract: A folding floor console providing storable beverage container holders and/or other storage devices is shown. The folding floor console comprises a base unit and at least one pivotally mounted lid unit that when open exposes for use said beverage container holders or other storage devices. Further shown is a folding floor console that when opened forms an open bin-like storage unit with flexible sidewalls.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Larry Holmes, Jeff Kempf
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Publication number: 20070052254Abstract: A sliding load floor system for use in the rear cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area has a pair of opposing side portions that extend longitudinally in relation to the center line of the vehicle. A pair of opposing transverse portions extend laterally in relation to the vehicle. A storage area is positioned between and at a level below a plane including the side and transverse portions. The sliding load floor system comprises a slide mechanism including a pair of opposing rail members having a forward edge, and a removable load floor that is detachably positioned in relation to the slide mechanism; and a hinge assembly that is mounted to the side portions. The forward edges of the rail members are connected to the hinge assembly so that the slide mechanism, and the removable load floor may be moved arcuately in relation to the hinge assembly, and the load floor slid rearwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2005Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Artur Dlugosz
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Publication number: 20070052253Abstract: A sliding load floor system for use in the rear cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area has a pair of opposing side portions that extend longitudinally in relation to the center line of the vehicle. A pair of opposing transverse portions extend laterally in relation to the vehicle. A storage area is positioned between and at a level below a plane including the side and transverse portions. The sliding load floor system comprises a slide mechanism including a pair of opposing rail members having a forward edge, a frame that is slidably received by the rail members of the slide mechanism, a removable load floor that is detachably positioned in relation to the frame; and a two-axis hinge assembly that is mounted to the side portions. The forward edges of the rail members are connected to the hinge assembly so that the frame and the removable load floor may be displaced in relation to the hinge assembly, and the frame plus the load floor may be slid rearwardly and/or arcuately about the hinge assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2005Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventor: Alan Sturt
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Patent number: 7168750Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment system for a central console includes a lid and at least one hinge mechanism rotatable coupled to the lid and moveably coupled to the storage compartment. Each of the set of hinge blades define limit stop openings and receive limit stoppers therethrough, thereby limiting vertical movement of the set of hinge blades. The system also includes a set of tracks, and each of the tracks receives one of the set of hinge blades, such that the set of hinge blades move upwardly and downwardly as a function of opening and closing the lid. This movement allows the lid to flip open 180° and lie flushly against an adjacent object.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: James M. Hutek, James A. Mulvihill, Alan Sturt
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Publication number: 20060273644Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a lower seat assembly with a lower sitting surface and a seatback with a seatback sitting surface. At least one of the lower seat assembly and the seatback is adapted for movement. The seat assembly also includes at least one bolster adapted for movement to thereby change curvature of at least one of the lower sitting surface and the seatback sitting surface. The bolster automatically moves due to movement of at least one of the lower seat assembly and the seatback.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2005Publication date: December 7, 2006Inventors: Alan Sturt, James Mulvihill, Jeffrey Kempf, Jason Gamache, Kevin Gasparotto
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Publication number: 20060261621Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a modular vehicle interior component system which comprises a base having a channel defined at least in part by a latching lip, a vehicle interior component, and a release latch mechanism for slidably and releasably securing the component to the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: November 23, 2006Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, James Mulvihill
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Publication number: 20060255613Abstract: A stowable seat system for a vehicle having a vehicle floor defining a stowage cavity formed therein includes a seat having a seat back hingably coupled to a lower seat portion. The seat back collapses onto the lower seat portion, such that the seat fits entirely within the stowage cavity when stowed. Coupled to the seat is a lift moving the lower seat portion from a stowed position within the stowage cavity to an opened position vertical with respect to the stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2005Publication date: November 16, 2006Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Larry Holmes, Alan Sturt
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Publication number: 20060237611Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment/cupholder assembly having a molded base into which is mounted a pair of flexible invertible dividers that allow for the secure retention of various sized beverage containers. The flexible invertible dividers may be mounted and tensioned by an internal or external flexible divider spring. The molded base may have a liner mounted therein which may be a liquid barrier, a tensioning device in place of a traditional spring, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2005Publication date: October 26, 2006Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, James Hutek, James Mulvihill
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Publication number: 20060220408Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment system for a central console includes a lid and at least one hinge mechanism rotatable coupled to the lid and moveably coupled to the storage compartment. Each of the set of hinge blades define limit stop openings and receive limit stoppers therethrough, thereby limiting vertical movement of the set of hinge blades. The system also includes a set of tracks, and each of the tracks receives one of the set of hinge blades, such that the set of hinge blades move upwardly and downwardly as a function of opening and closing the lid. This movement allows the lid to flip open 180° and lie flushly against an adjacent object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2005Publication date: October 5, 2006Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: James Hutek, James Mulvihill, Alan Sturt