Patents by Inventor Alexander M. Zoellner

Alexander M. Zoellner 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: 11904789
    Abstract: A body structure defines a passenger cabin. An interior portion is located in the passenger cabin, and a support portion that includes a surface and an adjustable support assembly is located in the passenger cabin. The surface is located adjacent to the interior portion, the adjustable support assembly includes actuators, and the adjustable support assembly is configured to move the surface with respect to the interior portion. Sensors are configured to generate sensor outputs, and a controller detects an event based on the sensor outputs. In response to the detection of the event, the controller outputs a control signal that controls the adjustable support assembly so that the adjustable support assembly moves at least part of the surface away from the interior portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nicholas A. White, Alexander M. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 11820310
    Abstract: An apparatus for resisting entry of objects through a panel. The apparatus includes a weakened portion that extends laterally across a width dimension of the panel. The apparatus includes a stop structure spaced from the weakened portion that extends laterally across the width dimension of the panel to limit deformation. A bottom edge of the panel is configured to rotate about an axis extending along the weakened portion to abut the stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zoellner, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Christopher D. Jones, David E. Kingman, Derek C. Scott, Jesse T. Buehler, Rikard Fredriksson, Stephen B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 11772593
    Abstract: A system includes a body structure that defines a cabin, a seat assembly that is located in the cabin, and a support structure that includes a top portion and an adjustable support assembly. The support structure is located adjacent to the seat assembly, the adjustable support assembly includes actuators, and the adjustable support assembly is configured to move the top portion with respect to the seat assembly. The system also includes sensors that are configured to generate sensor outputs regarding an environment outside of the system, and a controller that detects an event based on the sensor outputs. In response to the detection of the event, the controller outputs a control signal that controls the adjustable support assembly so that the adjustable support assembly moves at least part of the top portion away from the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nicholas A. White, Alexander M. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 11465578
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure that defines a passenger cabin, a seat assembly that is located in the passenger cabin, and a table that includes a table top and an adjustable support assembly. The table top is located adjacent to the seat assembly, the adjustable support assembly includes actuators, and the adjustable support assembly is configured to move the table top with respect to the seat assembly. The vehicle also includes sensors that are configured to generate sensor outputs regarding an environment outside of the vehicle, and a controller that detects a vehicle event based on the sensor outputs. In response to the detection of the vehicle event, the controller outputs a control signal that controls the adjustable support assembly so that the adjustable support assembly moves at least part of the table top away from the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nicholas A. White, Alexander M. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 11377066
    Abstract: A safety system includes a restraint configured to secure an occupant to a seat, an anchor coupled to the restraint and movable along an anchor guide, an anchor energy-absorbing (EA) device configured to control movement of the anchor along the anchor guide, and a controller that includes a processor configured to receive information indicative of an imminent vehicle event, receive information indicative of a recline angle of the seat being above a recline threshold, and send a command to enable the anchor to move along the anchor guide under control of the anchor EA device based on the information indicative of the imminent vehicle event and the recline angle being above the recline threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nathaniel J. Dennis, Alexander M. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 11104291
    Abstract: Occupant safety systems suitable for use in both traditional and opposed seating systems include various combinations of passive safety components: sensors that provides an output signal indicative of an imminent collision, seats selectively moveable relative to seat support structures in response to the output signal, inflatable restraints deployable from lap portions of a tensioned restraint based on the output signal, airbags deployable from a roof of a vehicle based on the output signal, cabin dividers deployable from a side of a cabin of the vehicle or the roof of the vehicle based on the output signal, and curtain airbags deployable between an occupant and the side of the cabin of the vehicle based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Dennis, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Rikard Fredriksson, Alexander M. Zoellner, Lukas Satas, Jorge C. Fialho, John J. Baker, Jesse T. Buehler, Ronald A. Bowers
  • Patent number: 11021126
    Abstract: An apparatus for resisting entry of objects through a windshield of a vehicle that has a passenger cabin. The apparatus includes an instrument panel that is located between the windshield and the passenger cabin, and an airbag that is deployable into an area above the instrument panel to resist entry of objects into the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zoellner, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Christopher D. Jones, David E. Kingman, Derek C. Scott, Jesse T. Buehler, Rikard Fredriksson, Stephen B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10919482
    Abstract: Occupant safety systems suitable for use in both traditional and opposed seating systems include various combinations of passive safety components: sensors that provide an output signal indicative of an imminent collision, inflatable restraints that deploy from opposing interior surfaces of a passenger compartment of a vehicle based on the output signal, and inflators disposed within door cavities that selectively inflate an airbag or vent the inflator to an exterior of a vehicle based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zoellner, Jorge C. Fialho, Nathaniel J. Dennis, Rikard Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 10661748
    Abstract: Occupant safety systems suitable for use in both traditional and opposed seating systems include various combinations of passive safety components: sensors that provide an output signal indicative of an imminent collision, inflatable restraints that deploy from opposing interior surfaces of a passenger compartment of a vehicle based on the output signal, and inflators disposed within door cavities that selectively inflate an airbag or vent the inflator to an exterior of a vehicle based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zoellner, Jorge C. Fialho, Nathaniel J. Dennis, Rikard Fredriksson
  • Patent number: 10647286
    Abstract: Occupant safety systems suitable for use in both traditional and opposed seating systems include various combinations of passive safety components: sensors that provides an output signal indicative of an imminent collision, seats selectively moveable relative to seat support structures in response to the output signal, inflatable restraints deployable from lap portions of a tensioned restraint based on the output signal, airbags deployable from a roof of a vehicle based on the output signal, cabin dividers deployable from a side of a cabin of the vehicle or the roof of the vehicle based on the output signal, and curtain airbags deployable between an occupant and the side of the cabin of the vehicle based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Dennis, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Rikard Fredriksson, Alexander M. Zoellner, Lukas Satas, Jorge C. Fialho, John J. Baker, Jesse T. Buehler, Ronald A. Bowers