Patents by Inventor Andrew Lines

Andrew Lines 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).

  • Front seat sleeper seat and features
    Patent number: 10081270
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a seat having an extendable leg support. A seatback is operably coupled with the seat. The seating assembly includes an occupant detection system. A rear seat lift device is disposed in the seat and operable between a lowered position and a heightened position. A rear portion of the seat is elevated relative to the seatback to minimize a height difference between the rear portion of the seat and a bottom portion of the seatback when the seatback is in a fully reclined position. A control module is in communication with the occupant detection system, the seat, and the seatback. The control module is configured to activate an actuation assembly of the seatback to rotate the seatback rearward, extend the extendable leg support forward, and raise the rear seat lift device to provide optimal rest conditions for the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Daniel Ferretti, Keith Allen Godin
  • TWO-TIER CUSHION STORAGE SYSTEM AND INTEGRATED FEATURE OPTIONS
    Publication number: 20180265010
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a base. A cushion assembly is rotatably coupled with the base proximate a forward portion of the cushion assembly. A first seat storage compartment is disposed within the base and includes a moveable lower wall. A second seat storage compartment is disposed below the first seat storage compartment and is accessible upon movement of the moveable lower wall. At least one peripheral storage compartment is disposed on an outside wall of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Keith Allen Godin, David Frederick Lyons, Daniel Ferretti, Suzanne Ritter
  • AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE CONVERSION
    Publication number: 20180265019
    Abstract: An assembly includes a sensor module having an external surface configured to receive a seal and defining a perimeter. The assembly includes a plurality of sensors supported by the sensor module. The assembly includes a lock movable between a locked state and an unlocked state and supported by the sensor module within the perimeter. A computer is supported by the sensor module and is programmed to actuate the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • FRONT SEAT SLEEPER SEAT AND FEATURES
    Publication number: 20180251044
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a seat having an extendable leg support. A seatback is operably coupled with the seat. The seating assembly includes an occupant detection system. A rear seat lift device is disposed in the seat and operable between a lowered position and a heightened position. A rear portion of the seat is elevated relative to the seatback to minimize a height difference between the rear portion of the seat and a bottom portion of the seatback when the seatback is in a fully reclined position. A control module is in communication with the occupant detection system, the seat, and the seatback. The control module is configured to activate an actuation assembly of the seatback to rotate the seatback rearward, extend the extendable leg support forward, and raise the rear seat lift device to provide optimal rest conditions for the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Daniel Ferretti, Keith Allen Godin
  • VEHICLE SEATS INCLUDING BLADDERS
    Publication number: 20180251047
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seatback defining a loading surface and operable between deployed and undeployed positions. A seat base is positioned proximate the seatback. A bladder is operable between inflated and deflated states. A valve is fluidly coupled with the bladder. Foam is positioned within the bladder. The loading surface is substantially horizontal when the bladder is deflated and the seatback is in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, Keith Allen Godin, Michael Medoro, Michael Kolich, Michael M. Filipovich
  • SEATBACK LIFT MECHANISM FOR A SUPINE MOTOR VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180251050
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an upper back support comprising a substantially U-shaped tubular member pivotally attached at a first end to one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members and pivotally attached at a second end to the other of the pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members, a substantially rigid planar base attached to a central portion of the tubular member, a latch operably coupling the first end of the tubular member to the one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback members to restrain the tubular member in one of a plurality of positions between a stowed position and a fully raised position, and a cushion disposed above the upper back support to form a movable exposed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: ROBERT LLOYD DAMEROW, JOHNATHAN ANDREW LINE, SPENCER R. HOERNKE, CORBIN S. JOHNSTON, ADAM D. EWEL, PAUL IACOBAN, CHRIS FREDRIKSSON
  • SEATBACK LIFT MECHANISM FOR A SUPINE MOTOR VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180251049
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an upper back support comprising a substantially U-shaped tubular member pivotally attached at a first end to one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members and pivotally attached at a second end to the other of the pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members, a substantially rigid planar base attached to a central portion of the tubular member, a latch operably coupling the first end of the tubular member to the one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback members to restrain the tubular member in one of a plurality of positions between a stowed position and a fully raised position, and a cushion disposed above the upper back support to form a movable exposed surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: JOHNATHAN ANDREW LINE, JAMES PATRICK CREIGHTON, SPENCER R. HOERNKE, CORBIN S. JOHNSTON, JIMMY MOUA, ADAM D. EWEL, KEVIN R. MOZURKEWICH, ROBERT LLOYD DAMEROW, PAUL IACOBAN
  • COLLAPSIBLE LIFT MECHANISM FOR H-POINT LIFT
    Publication number: 20180251052
    Abstract: A seat assembly forms a substantially horizontal plane for an exposed surface of each of a lower seat cushion and a seatback cushion of a seatback. The seat assembly comprises a lifter mechanism for a rearward edge of the lower seat cushion. The lifter mechanism further comprises a main lift arm coupled to the edge, a slotted support arm having a distal end thereof pivotally coupled to a distal end of the main lift arm, a linkage arm pivotably coupled with the main lift arm and a slot in the slotted support arm, and a translational arm coupled with the linkage arm. The rearward edge of the lower seat cushion is raised by the translational arm being displaced to a fully displaced position to thereby raise a distal end of the linkage arm and the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Corbin Shea Johnston, Adam Ewel, Kevin Mozurkewich
  • METHOD OF FORMING A HEADREST ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180250857
    Abstract: A method of forming a headrest assembly includes providing a first mold that encloses a first cavity in a closed condition. A support is positioned in the first cavity. A first material is blow molded into the first cavity and around a portion of the support to form a core part. The core part and support are removed from the first mold. A second mold encloses a second cavity in a closed condition. The core part and the support are placed into the second mold in an open condition. A fluid is injected into the core part through the support. The second mold is converted to the closed condition. A second material is injection molded into the second cavity and around the core part to form an outer shell around the core part. A fluid is withdrawn from the core part through the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • MECHANISM FOR A SUPINE MOTOR VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180251048
    Abstract: A seat assembly forming a substantially horizontal plane for an exposed surface of each of a lower seat cushion and a seatback cushion of a seatback comprises a lifter mechanism for a rearward edge of the lower seat cushion. The lifter mechanism comprises a bracket pivotable about a transverse bar fixedly mounted to a frame assembly for a lower seat assembly, the bracket comprising a forward lever and a rearward lever; and a link pinned at a first end to the seatback and pinned at a second end to the rearward lever by a slot. The rearward edge of the lower seat cushion is initially raised by the forward lever upon the seatback pivoting to a predetermined reclined position and the rearward edge of the lower seat cushion is raised to the substantially horizontal plane upon the seatback pivoting to a fully reclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: JOHNATHAN ANDREW LINE, JAMES PATRICK CREIGHTON, SPENCER R. HOERNKE, CORBIN S. JOHNSTON, JIMMY MOUA, ADAM D. EWEL, KEVIN R. MOZURKEWICH, ROBERT LLOYD DAMEROW, PAUL IACOBAN
  • Vehicle seating assembly with manual independent thigh supports
    Patent number: 10065546
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. First and second independent thigh supports are pivotally coupled to the seat base. A support rod extends below the first and second independent thigh supports and is operably coupled to each of the first and second independent thigh supports by a gasket member and a bracket. A first spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the first independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The first spring member biases the first independent thigh support to a raised position. A second spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the second independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The second spring member biases the second independent thigh support to a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Brandon W. Nichols, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Balakrishna Reddy
  • Seating assembly for vehicles
    Patent number: 10065540
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback operably coupled to a support structure. A seatbase is pivotably coupled to the seatback. The seating assembly is configured to slide along a slide rail in a floor to a stowed position. The slide rail has an arcuate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti
  • Vehicle seats including bladders
    Patent number: 10065534
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seatback defining a loading surface and operable between deployed and undeployed positions. A seat base is positioned proximate the seatback. A bladder is operable between inflated and deflated states. A valve is fluidly coupled with the bladder. Foam is positioned within the bladder. The loading surface is substantially horizontal when the bladder is deflated and the seatback is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, Keith Allen Godin, Michael Medoro, Michael Kolich, Michael M. Filipovich
  • Seatback lift mechanism for a supine motor vehicle seating assembly
    Patent number: 10065535
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an upper back support comprising a substantially U-shaped tubular member pivotally attached at a first end to one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members and pivotally attached at a second end to the other of the pair of opposed lateral seatback frame members, a substantially rigid planar base attached to a central portion of the tubular member, a latch operably coupling the first end of the tubular member to the one of a pair of opposed lateral seatback members to restrain the tubular member in one of a plurality of positions between a stowed position and a fully raised position, and a cushion disposed above the upper back support to form a movable exposed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, James Patrick Creighton, Spencer R. Hoernke, Corbin S. Johnston, Jimmy Moua, Adam D. Ewel, Kevin R. Mozurkewich, Robert Lloyd Damerow, Paul Iacoban
  • VEHICLE SEAT WITH LATERALLY COLLAPSING PORTION
    Publication number: 20180244180
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes cushion and a seatback coupled with the cushion. At least one of the seatback and the cushion includes a base body defining an internal cavity open on a side of the base portion and a secondary body slidably mounted with the base body so as to be extendible out of the internal cavity beyond the side of the base body and retractable at least partially within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Umer Khalid, John Wayne Jaranson, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Extended seatback module head restraint attachment
    Patent number: 10052990
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has a lower seat and a seatback extending upwardly from the lower seat. The seatback comprises a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and a headrest mounted on an upper portion of the seatback and received within a central recess disposed on the forward facing surface of the seatback, wherein the seatback further comprises a headrest dovetail mounted on the headrest and a dovetail receiver mounted within the recess having a slot into which the headrest dovetail is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Preuss, Johnathan Andrew Line, David Frederick Lyons, Christian J. Hosbach
  • VEHICLE SEATING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180229632
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a body with a center portion and four corner portions and a seating surface. A supporting layer is disposed below the body. A thermal transfer node is disposed in the body. The thermal transfer node includes a heat sink and a thermoelectric device. The heat sink is located between the seating surface and the thermoelectric device. The heat sink and the thermoelectric device are configured to draw heat away from the heating surface. A fluid moves proximate the thermal transfer node and into the supporting layer to draw heat away from the thermal transfer node. A phase change material is disposed between the seating surface and the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Amber LaVerne Hall, Keith Allen Godin, Alan George Dry, S.M. Akbar Berry
  • Articulating mechanical thigh extension composite trim payout linkage system
    Patent number: 10046681
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame seat frame having a seat frame, a first and second extendable members disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame and operable between an extended position and a retracted position. Each of the first and second extendable members comprises a movable housing, a support base attached to the seat frame and slidably coupled to the movable housing, a trim cover stock partially disposed above an upper surface of the movable housing and having a first fixed upper edge and a second movable lower edge, and a linkage system operatively coupling the movable housing to the second movable lower edge of the trim cover stock to maintain tension on the trim cover stock as either of the first and second extendable members is operated between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Suspension seat back and cushion system having an inner suspension panel
    Patent number: 10046683
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and an inner suspension panel coupled to the frame. A plurality of suspension members attach the frame to the inner suspension panel. Each suspension member has a tab that is biased away from the inner suspension panel and is operable between extended and compressed positions. A cushion is coupled to at least one of the tabs. The cushion includes a plurality of comfort positions defined by the position of each of the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Michael Kolich, Daniel Ferretti
  • INTERNAL UPPER SEATBACK SUPPORT FOR DRIVING AND SLEEPER SEATS
    Publication number: 20180222362
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame having first and second side members. A seatback and a head restraint are supported on the frame. A paddle includes a lower pivot rod pivotally coupled between the first and second side members of the frame. The paddle is disposed proximate a top portion of the seatback, below the head restraint. A bladder is disposed between the paddle and the frame and is operable between an inflated condition, wherein the paddle is pivoted forward to support one of the upper back and neck of an occupant, and a deflated condition, wherein the paddle is pivoted rearward into the seatback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Robert Damerow, Paul Iacoban, Daniel Ferretti