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).

  • Patent number: 11027635
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly including a seat and a seatback pivotably coupled to the seat. The seatback includes a frame, a sub-frame member, a carrier, a cushion, and an inflatable member. The sub-frame member is pivotably coupled to an occupant-facing surface of the frame by a bracket. The carrier is coupled to the frame such that the sub-frame member is positioned between the frame and the carrier. The cushion is coupled to an occupant-facing surface of the carrier. The inflatable member is positioned between the occupant-facing surface of the frame and an interior surface of the sub-frame member. The inflatable member is operable between a deflated state and an inflated state. The inflatable member initiates pivotable motion of the sub-frame member of an axis defined by the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Christian J. Hosbach, Sangram Tamhankar, Patrick Maloney, John Wayne Jaranson, Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Patent number: 11027633
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback having an upper portion. An adjustable headrest assembly is supported on the upper portion of the seatback. The adjustable headrest assembly has a headrest bun and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the headrest bun between extended and retracted positions. A trim component is disposed on the upper portion of the seatback having a relief portion. The relief portion is configured to receive a portion of the adjustment mechanism as the headrest bun is driven towards the extended position. A flexible cover member is coupled to the trim component at the relief portion. The flexible cover member has a plate member operable between extend and retracted positions. The portion of the adjustment mechanism abuts an inner surface of the plate member to move the plate member towards the extended position as the headrest bun is driven towards the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Carol Casey, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Patent number: 11027634
    Abstract: A seat back frame assembly may include first and second brackets coupled with and extending outwardly from the seat back frame assembly. The first and second brackets may define first and second recesses, respectively. A cushion assembly may include first and second sides. The first and second sides may be disposed within the first and second recesses, respectively. An upper hood comprising first and second ends may be coupled with first and second brackets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Mozurkewich, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Ryan Welch, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 11027628
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin and a track assembly. The track assembly is coupled to a portion of the cabin. The track assembly includes a rail assembly. The rail assembly defines an interior aperture. The interior aperture is inaccessible from a top side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side of the rail assembly. The rail assembly defines a first external channel in the first lateral side and a second external channel in the second lateral side. The first and second external channels receive a carriage power conductor and a carriage data conductor, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 11021127
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle comprises: a seatback; an airbag having a stowed position and an inflated position, the airbag being configured to inflate from the stowed position to the inflated position in response to the vehicle impacting an object; a head restraint coupled to the seatback, the head restraint including a forward position, a rearward position, and a locking mechanism preventing the head restraint from moving from the forward position to the rearward position after taking the forward position; and as the airbag inflates from the stowed position to the inflated position, the airbag forces the head restraint from the rearward position to the forward position. As the airbag inflates from the stowed position to the inflated position and forces the head restraint to the forward position, the airbag does not contact the one or more support bars and does not force the seatback to change position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Fredriksson, Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Benjamin Yilma, Michael Steven Medoro
  • Publication number: 20210155137
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, a seatback, and a lower leg support. The seat includes a forward end and a rearward end. The seatback is pivotably coupled to the seat. The lower leg support includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The lower leg support is rotatably coupled to the forward end of the seat and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The stowed position of the lower leg support places the lower leg support in an area below the seat. The stowed position of the lower leg support forms an acute angle with the seat. A linkage assembly is coupled to an underside of the seat and the interior of the lower leg support. The linkage assembly is responsible for transitioning the lower leg support between the stowed position and the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Diane Casey, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jimmy Moua, Brian Boland, Sean Bayle West, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Keith Allen Godin
  • Patent number: 11014479
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame, a front closeout panel supported on the frame and an articulating flexmat assembly operably coupled with at least one of the front closeout panel and the frame. The articulating flexmat assembly includes an upper flexmat extending from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame. The upper flexmat includes an upper cable coupled with the upper flexmat and an upper cable regulating motor operably coupled with the upper cable. The articulating flexmat assembly also includes a lower flexmat extending from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. The lower flexmat includes a lower cable coupled with the lower flexmat and a lower cable regulating motor operably coupled with the lower cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Casey, Robert Damerow, Andrew Bernard Matusko, Spencer Robert Hoernke, S. M. Akbar Berry, Daniel Ferretti, Steven Carnago
  • Patent number: 11014506
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a track assembly that is mounted to the cabin, and a carriage assembly that is received by the track assembly. The track assembly includes a rail structure and a conductive member coupled to the rail structure. The carriage assembly includes a brush that is movable to an extended position to engage with the conductive member of the track assembly and a first biasing member that provides an extension force when the brush is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 11007907
    Abstract: A seat base assembly includes a coupling member, a plurality of adjustment tracks coupled to the coupling member, and a plurality of seat legs, the plurality of seat legs includes at least one inner seat leg, and at least one outer seat leg, wherein the at least one inner seat leg and the at least one outer seat leg each comprise upturned bottom edges, and a lock assembly coupled to at least one of the plurality of seat legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Johnathan Andrew Line, Srinivasan Sundararajan
  • Patent number: 11001218
    Abstract: A seatback carrier module includes first and second side portions spaced-apart from one another and interconnected by an upper portion. A cradle portion is disposed along the first and second side portions and the upper portion of the seatback carrier module. The cradle portion includes inner and outer edges with a rearwardly extending body portion. A mounting portion is disposed along a portion of the inner edge of the cradle portion. The mounting portion includes inner and outer edges with a body portion disposed therebetween. The mounting portion further includes a rearwardly extending sidewall disposed along the inner edge of the mounting portion. An airbag assembly is received within the cradle portion and has an inverted U-shaped configuration to substantially surround the outer perimeter of the seatback frame. The airbag assembly is an elongate member defining an overhead airbag assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, S. M. Akbar Berry, Derek Board, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Spencer Robert Hoernke
  • Publication number: 20210129723
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame, a front closeout panel supported on the frame and an articulating flexmat assembly operably coupled with at least one of the front closeout panel and the frame. The articulating flexmat assembly includes an upper flexmat extending from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame. The upper flexmat includes an upper cable coupled with the upper flexmat and an upper cable regulating motor operably coupled with the upper cable. The articulating flexmat assembly also includes a lower flexmat extending from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. The lower flexmat includes a lower cable coupled with the lower flexmat and a lower cable regulating motor operably coupled with the lower cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Casey, Robert Damerow, Andrew Bernard Matusko, Spencer Robert Hoernke, S.M. Akbar Berry, Daniel Ferretti, Steven Carnago
  • Patent number: 10989242
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle comprises: a cushion comprising an outer edge and a plurality of snap-fit-fasteners; and a carrier comprising an outer edge surface and a plurality of snap-fit receivers near the outer edge surface of the carrier arranged to receive the plurality of snap-fit fasteners; wherein the plurality of snap-fit receivers have received and are retaining the plurality of snap-fit fasteners such that the cushion is interconnected with the carrier; and wherein the plurality of snap-fit fasteners and plurality of receivers are arranged to prevent the edge of the cushion from rolling up. The cushion further comprises a lip having an inward facing surface; wherein the cushion at least partially surrounds the carrier with at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the lip facing the outer edge surface of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Corbin Shea Johnston, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Kevin Mozurkewich, Andrew Matusko, Brian M. Thiel
  • Patent number: 10974626
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having an interior portion and a seat portion having an interior portion. A belt member includes first and second ends and a deployable portion disposed therebetween. The deployable portion is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployable portion of the belt member is disposed within the interior portion of the seatback and the interior portion of the seat portion when the deployable portion is in the stowed position. The deployable portion of the belt member is disposed outside of the interior portion of the seatback and outside of the interior portion of the seat portion when the deployable portion is in the deployed position. One or more retractor mechanisms are operably coupled to the belt member and operative to retract a portion of the deployable portion of the belt member after or during deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Yilma, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Sean Bayle West, Edward Joseph DeSmet, William Jerome Olsen, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Publication number: 20210101506
    Abstract: A rail assembly includes a track assembly defining an interior channel, a shuttle assembly received within the interior channel, and a carriage assembly coupled to the track assembly. The shuttle assembly includes a lock assembly. The carriage assembly includes a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger cam and an actuator cam coupled to the trigger cam. The actuator cam actuates the carriage assembly between locked and unlocked configurations relative to the track assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Glenn Scott, Alan George Dry, Eric Morse, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Joshua Gauthier, Cung K. Chieu, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Matthew Schwope, Changwei Xie, Johnathan Andrew Line, Ray Kurlonko, Arya Sabeti
  • Publication number: 20210101510
    Abstract: A seat back frame assembly may include first and second brackets coupled with and extending outwardly from the seat back frame assembly. The first and second brackets may define first and second recesses, respectively. A cushion assembly may include first and second sides. The first and second sides may be disposed within the first and second recesses, respectively. An upper hood comprising first and second ends may be coupled with first and second brackets, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Mozurkewich, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Ryan Welch, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Publication number: 20210101511
    Abstract: A seatback assembly includes a front carrier module having a mounting portion with an inverted U-shaped outer perimeter edge. A plurality of doors includes individual doors that are hingedly coupled to the outer perimeter edge of the front carrier module. Each door of the plurality of doors is operable between open and closed positions. An airbag carrier module includes an inverted U-shaped raceway with an open front portion. The airbag carrier module is operably coupled to the front carrier module, such that the doors of the front carrier module selectively open and close the open front portion of the raceway of the airbag carrier module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S.M. Akbar Berry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Benjamin Yilma
  • Patent number: 10966535
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion and a seating surface. A thermally conductive tape includes at least two branches, the two branches coming together at a junction and extending in a direction parallel with the seating surface. The thermally conductive tape includes a plurality of thermoelectric devices and a lower conductor and an upper conductor in thermal contact with the plurality of thermoelectric devices. The thermoelectric devices are secured to the lower conductor and the upper conductor with the thermally conductive adhesive. The thermoelectric devices are configured to change temperature when a voltage is applied to the thermoelectric devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 10967765
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback with a frame assembly having first and second portions. A primary structure extends between the first and second portions and defines a seating surface. A secondary structure extends between the first and second portions. A retractor mechanism is disposed on one of the first and second portions and is selectively positionable in an unlocked, a locked, or a pre-tensioned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Andrew Line, Scott Holmes Dunham, Jimmy Moua
  • Publication number: 20210094444
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A carriage is coupled to a lower surface of the seat base and includes a locating protrusion on a bottom surface thereof. The track assembly includes a rail. A rail cartridge is slidably engaged with the rail. The rail cartridge defines a locating hole for receiving the locating protrusion. A first electrical connector is coupled to the rail cartridge. A second electrical connector is coupled to the carriage and operable between engaged and disengaged positions. An actuation member is configured to move the second electrical connector between the engaged and disengaged positions. When the second electrical connector is in the engaged position, an electrical connection is formed between the first and second electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Gregory Hagedorn, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Patent number: 10961065
    Abstract: A method of loading components into a vehicle includes the steps of opening an access door to gain access to a cabin of the vehicle, actuating a lift assembly to the open access door, securing the lift assembly to a portion of the cabin of the vehicle, and transferring the components to be loaded into the vehicle from the lift assembly to the cabin of the vehicle. The lift assembly is provided with the components to be loaded into the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line