Patents by Inventor Alice Knoebel

Alice Knoebel 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: 10343637
    Abstract: An airbag bracket assembly includes a seat frame including a stud hole, a first bracket, and a second bracket including a bracket hole. The first bracket is located on one side of the seat frame, and the second bracket is located on an opposing side of the seat frame. A fastener is attached to the first bracket. The fastener is received in the stud hole and the bracket hole. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku America, Inc.
    Inventors: Alice Knoebel, Blair Kinsman, Eric Gaudreault
  • Publication number: 20190111817
    Abstract: A method of forming a seat cushion of a vehicle seat includes locating a motor in a first portion of a housing, and positioning a second portion of the housing on the first portion of the housing, wherein one of the first and second portion of the housing includes a meltable feature located near a location of contact of the first and second portion. The meltable feature is melted to permanently secure the first and second portion together and provide a sealed housing that retains and seals the motor. The sealed housing is suspended in a mold with a rod. Liquid foam is poured into the mold, and the liquid foam is allowed to solidify to form a solid foam seat cushion that encapsulates the sealed housing and embeds the sealed housing in the foam cushion. The sealed housing prevents the liquid foam from contacting the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Rockwell, Michael David Franz, Alice Knoebel, Douglas J. Krueger, JR., Anup Viswanathan, Daniel Jerome Wiegand
  • Patent number: 10214128
    Abstract: A seat cushion of a vehicle seat includes a cushion made of foam and at least one motor assembly located in the cushion. The at least one motor assembly includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion, and one of the first portion and the second portion includes a meltable feature located near a location of contact of the first portion and the second portion. The meltable feature melts to secure the first portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing to retain a motor within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Rockwell, Michael David Franz, Alice Knoebel, Douglas J. Krueger, Jr., Anup Viswanathan, Daniel Jerome Wiegand
  • Publication number: 20170008476
    Abstract: An airbag bracket assembly includes a seat frame including a stud hole, a first bracket, and a second bracket including a bracket hole. The first bracket is located on one side of the seat frame, and the second bracket is located on an opposing side of the seat frame. A fastener is attached to the first bracket. The fastener is received in the stud hole and the bracket hole. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Alice Knoebel, Blair Kinsman, Eric Gaudreault
  • Publication number: 20130307302
    Abstract: A seat cushion of a vehicle seat includes a cushion made of foam and at least one motor assembly located in the cushion. The at least one motor assembly includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion, and one of the first portion and the second portion includes a meltable feature located near a location of contact of the first portion and the second portion. The meltable feature melts to secure the first portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing to retain a motor within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Rockwell, Michael David Franz, Alice Knoebel, Douglas J. Krueger, JR., Anup Viswanathan, Daniel Jerome Wiegand