Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Simms

Andrew J. Simms 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: 20250074264
    Abstract: A slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Dean C. VANDENHEEDE, Justin SCHRAND, Andrew J. SIMMS
  • Publication number: 20250074261
    Abstract: The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Patent number: 12179640
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dean C. Vandenheede, Justin Schrand, Andrew J. Simms
  • Patent number: 12168402
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, Dean C. Vandenheede
  • Patent number: 12168403
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, Dean C. Vandenheede
  • Patent number: 12162382
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, Dean C. Vandenheede
  • Patent number: 12017561
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, Dean C. Vandenheede
  • Publication number: 20240181944
    Abstract: A latch including a frame having a receiving groove in which a striker is receivable, and a hook rotatably supported by the frame, the hook having an engaging groove with which the striker is engageable. The engaging groove is a single groove having a first groove part extending from a part of an outer edge of the hook and a second groove part bent from the first groove part and extending in a direction different from a direction the first groove part extends. When the seat back is in the raised position, the hook is in a first position and the striker is in the first groove part, and when the seat back is in the reclining position, the hook is in a second position that is a position of the hook rotated in a first direction from the first position and the striker is in the second groove part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Justin SCHRAND, Dean VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20240123872
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Dean C. VANDENHEEDE, Justin SCHRAND, Andrew J. SIMMS
  • Patent number: 11833935
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dean C. Vandenheede, Justin Schrand, Andrew J. Simms
  • Publication number: 20220340051
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Dean C. VANDENHEEDE, Justin SCHRAND, Andrew J. SIMMS
  • Publication number: 20220289078
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20220212569
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20220212570
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20220080862
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Patent number: 9827885
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided and may include a base assembly, a first arm, a seat bottom assembly, a second arm, and an adjustment arm. The base assembly may be mounted to a vehicle. The first arm may be rotatably coupled to the base assembly and may be operable to rotate relative to the base assembly about a first axis of rotation. The seat bottom assembly may be rotatably coupled to the first arm and may be operable to rotate relative to the first arm about a second axis of rotation. The second arm may be rotatably coupled to the seat bottom assembly and may be operable to rotate relative to the seat bottom assembly about a third axis of rotation. The adjustment arm may include an adjustment mechanism, and may be rotatably coupled to the second arm and rotatably coupled to the base assembly. The adjustment mechanism may be operable to rotate the adjustment arm relative to the base assembly about a fourth axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael R. Fisher, James S. Maksymiuk, David L. Robinson, Christopher J. Ryan, Andrew J. Simms
  • Publication number: 20150375643
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided and may include a base assembly, a first arm, a seat bottom assembly, a second arm, and an adjustment arm. The base assembly may be mounted to a vehicle. The first arm may be rotatably coupled to the base assembly and may be operable to rotate relative to the base assembly about a first axis of rotation. The seat bottom assembly may be rotatably coupled to the first arm and may be operable to rotate relative to the first arm about a second axis of rotation. The second arm may be rotatably coupled to the seat bottom assembly and may be operable to rotate relative to the seat bottom assembly about a third axis of rotation. The adjustment arm may include an adjustment mechanism, and may be rotatably coupled to the second arm and rotatably coupled to the base assembly. The adjustment mechanism may be operable to rotate the adjustment arm relative to the base assembly about a fourth axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Fisher, James S. Maksymiuk, David L. Robinson, Christopher J. Ryan, Andrew J. Simms
  • Patent number: 8870147
    Abstract: A track assembly is provided and may include a track, at least one slide mechanism, and a lock mechanism. The at least one slide mechanism may be slidably attached to the track. The lock mechanism may be associated with the at least one slide mechanism and may operate between a locked state restricting movement of the at least one slide mechanism relative to the track and an unlocked state permitting movement of the at least one slide mechanism relative to the track. The lock mechanism may include a plurality of lock plates independently movable relative to one another between a first position engaging the track and a second position disengaged from the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher & Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, David L. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20110315847
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a track assembly that may include a track, at least one slide mechanism, and a lock mechanism. The at least one slide mechanism may be slidably attached to the track. The lock mechanism may be associated with the at least one slide mechanism and may operate between a locked state restricting movement of the at least one slide mechanism relative to the track and an unlocked state permitting movement of the at least one slide mechanism relative to the track. The lock mechanism may include a plurality of lock plates independently movable relative to one another between a first position engaging the track and a second position disengaged from the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: FISHER & COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andrew J. Simms, David L. Robinson