Patents by Inventor Andrew Massara

Andrew Massara 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: 8282227
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Jaron Rothkop
  • Publication number: 20120106128
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Jaron Rothkop
  • Patent number: 8042961
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Jaron Rothkop
  • Patent number: 7862119
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a back rest having a frame (2) and a lordosis support (6), with the following additional configuration: The lordosis support (6) comprises a pressure plate (9) that is essentially bend resistant in at least the transverse direction of the seat or the Y-direction, forms a supporting surface in the lordosis region of the back rest and is arranged between two side frame parts (3) of the frame (2); there is at least one holding element (5a, 5b) that extends between the side frame parts (3) with a length-variable adjustment section (21), which runs in the Y-direction and connects to the pressure plate (9), and is affixed there at fixing points (30) arranged opposite each other; in an inoperative position, the pressure plate (9) is arranged with a horizontal clearance (11) or a clearance in the X-direction behind the fixing points (30); there is a driving device with which the length of the adjustment section can be shortened as the horizontal clearance is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision Ag Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Rolf Schäfer, Torsten Aeugle, Andrew Massara, Jürgen Hofmockel, Wolfram-H. Hofschulte, Urban Knöpfle, Michael Wöhrle
  • Publication number: 20100213680
    Abstract: The convertible scooterbag includes a frame, a deployable deck with a rear wheel assembly, a handle assembly, front wheel assemblies and a bag assembly. The deck is attached to the frame in a manner that allows for generally pivotal movement between a stowed position and a use position, thereby allowing the scooterbag to be used in at least three different modes including a conventional wheeled bag, a stable tow-behind bag and as a scooter with an associated bag assembly or other receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew MASSARA, Jaron Rothkop
  • Publication number: 20090196016
    Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Jaron Rothkop
  • Publication number: 20080238123
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a back rest having a frame (2) and a lordosis support (6), with the following additional configuration: The lordosis support (6) comprises a pressure plate (9) that is essentially bend resistant in at least the transverse direction of the seat or the Y-direction, forms a supporting surface in the lordosis region of the back rest and is arranged between two side frame parts (3) of the frame (2); there is at least one holding element (5a, 5b) that extends between the side frame parts (3) with a length-variable adjustment section (21), which runs in the Y-direction and connects to the pressure plate (9), and is affixed there at fixing points (30) arranged opposite each other; in an inoperative position, the pressure plate (9) is arranged with a horizontal clearance (11) or a clearance in the X-direction behind the fixing points (30); there is a driving device with which the length of the adjustment section can be shortened as the horizontal clearance is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugrupper Und SystemLosungen, IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Schafer, Torsten Aeugle, Andrew Massara, Jurgen Hofmockel, Wolfram-H. Hofschulte, Urban Knopfle, Michael Wohrle
  • Publication number: 20060226683
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame is disclosed, the adjustable lumbar support including a floating support plate for providing an amount of lumbar support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface, the floating support plate being attached to the seat frame via springs, the provided lumbar support defining an apex. A first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly are each operatively connected to the floating support plate via respective first and second cables, the first and second cables being spaced from each other substantially vertically within the floating support plate, the first and second actuator assemblies for selectively actuating the respective cables to selectively move the apex substantially vertically and substantially horizontally forward and back relative to the seat frame. A secondary support plate may be provided, and may be hingedly and/or floatingly mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Brandon Vogt, Rolf Schafer
  • Publication number: 20060061168
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support (100) adapted to be easily integrated into new or existing seat structures. Adjustable lumbar support (100) includes a lower floating plate (115) that is adapted to have a second, or upper, plate (130) hinged relative to the lower plate (115). The upper and lower plates have independently actuated support linkages (120 and 140) that are selectively actuated by first and second actuating mechanisms. In this manner, selective actuation actuator mechanisms associated with the lower and upper support plates (115 and 130) provides adjustment of a vertical dimension of the adjustable floating plate lumbar support. The degree of support provided by floating plates (115 and 130) is adjusted by adjusting the effective length of the support linkages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Brandon Vogt
  • Publication number: 20060061170
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support (10) adapted to be easily integrated into new or existing seat structures. Adjustable lumbar support (10) includes a floating plate (15) supported by a support linkage. In one embodiment, the support linkage is defined by a cable member (21) and first and second spring members (25) and (26) which engage the seat frame. In an alternate embodiment, the support linkage is defined by first and second spring members 25 engaged with first and second linkage members (52), respectively, and includes a rotary power mechanism (50) for applying a rotating motion to a shaft (54) threadably engaged with first and second linkage members (52). The degree of support provided by floating plate (15) is adjusted by adjusting the effective length of the support linkage. Lumbar support mechanism (10) can be mounted in a state of the art seat back alone or in conjunction with an integral trim attachment array (70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Brandon Vogt
  • Publication number: 20050280299
    Abstract: Adaptors are disclosed for a seat assembly. The adaptors may be used for mounting a support extending substantially across a frame between first and second side members. The adaptor may be attachable to an opening in the frame. The support may include a hook having a bending distal end. The adaptor includes a non-metal body including a mounting structure configured for attaching the body to the opening in the frame, a passageway extending through the body for receiving the hook, and a seat within the body for securing the bending distal end of the hook to the adaptor. The mounting structure is configured so that when the support is loaded the adaptor is loaded by the hook substantially in compression. Alternatively, other designs with the loading in compression or tension are possible whereby the adaptor includes other combinations of features. Seat assemblies are also disclosed. The support may be a seat back or bottom, or a lumbar support. Methods of assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Brandon Vogt, Andrew Massara, Rolf Schafer, Wolfgang Beyerlein
  • Publication number: 20050023873
    Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support (10) adapted to be integrated into new or existing seat structures. Adjustable lumbar support (10) includes a floating plate (15) supported by a support linkage. In one embodiment, the support linkage is defined by first and second spring members (25) and (26) which engage the seat frame. In an alternate embodiment, the support linkage is defined by first and second spring members (25) and (26) engaged with first and second linkage members (52), respectively, and includes a rotary power mechanism (50) for applying a rotating motion to a shaft (54) threadably engaged with first and second linkage members (52). The degree of support provided by floating plate (15) is adjusted by adjusting the effective length of the support linkage. Lumbar support mechanism (10) can be mounted in a seat back alone or in conjunction with an integral trim attachment array (70). Trim attachment array (70) is adapted to replace the trim wires molded into the cushion foam of a standard seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Brandon Vogt
  • Patent number: 6010195
    Abstract: A front seat assembly (10), comprising first and second seats, is to be installed as a unit into a vehicle (12). A plurality of brackets (18) and (20) are attached to fixed rails (16) for attachment to the vehicle (12) and for interconnecting the fixed rails (16) of the two seats making up the front seat assembly (10). A slide rail (24) is supported by each of the fixed rails (16) for fore and aft movement relative to the fixed rails (16) and a pair of front (28) and rear (30) cross beams interconnect the slide rails (24) for supporting all of the remaining components of each seat. The rear cross beam (30) has an triangular cross section and a seat back (34) is supported on the rear cross beam (30) by flanges (32) having an triangular opening (36) complementary to and surrounding the rear cross beam (30). A support sheet (40) extends between and is supported by the cross beams (28) and (30) and a seat pan (42) is disposed above the support sheet (40) for supporting an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: James Masters, Andrew Massara, Russell Davidson, Philip Leistra, III, Greg Allison
  • Patent number: 5882075
    Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for an automobile comprises a seat portion which is slidably mounted for movement between fore and aft adjusted positions within a passenger compartment of the automobile. A pair of elongated power screws under the seat portion adjust the fore and aft position of the seat assembly in response to a reversible rotary input from a universal motor. The seat portion includes a pair of internal air bladders which independently inflate and deflate to adjust the height and tilt of the seat portion. A backrest portion extends upwardly from the seat portion, and may include a pneumatic lumbar adjustment device and other contour-adjusting air bladders. The universal motor operates both the power screws and the pneumatic adjustment devices. A transmission is operatively connected to the universal motor for selectively transmitting reversible rotary input to the power screws and pressurized fluid to any one of the pneumatic adjustment devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Partington, Andrew Massara, James Masters, David Fu
  • Patent number: 5833317
    Abstract: The seat back flanges (32) mount a seat back (34) to a seat frame for reclining movement relative to the seat frame and a control mechanism controls the pivotal movement of the seat back (34). The control mechanism includes a tubular cylinder (54) and a first coil spring (56) is wound around and in gripping engagement with the cylinder (54). The cylinder (54) is non-rotatably secured to the seat frame by being welded or otherwise secured to the flanges (32). The first coil spring (56) has first (58) and second (60) ends extending tangentially from the cylinder (54). A second coil spring (62) is wound in the opposite direction around and is in gripping engagement with the cylinder (54) and, likewise, has third (64) and fourth (66) ends extending tangentially from the cylinder (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Massara, Philip Leistra, III, James Masters, Russell Davidson, Richard Lawrence Matsu, Sheryar Durrani
  • Patent number: 5813715
    Abstract: An automotive rear seat assembly having a seat back with a top and a bottom for supporting the back of an occupant. A package tray extends from the top of the seat back to an outer periphery. A rotational connection is disposed between the package tray and the top of the seat back which pivotally connects the package tray to the seat back. The rear seat assembly may be shipped with the package tray overlying the seat back and installed in a vehicle by rotating the package tray relative to the seat back to a position transverse to the seat back. Accordingly, the package tray and seat back may be installed within the vehicle as one unitary piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Vijay Musukula, Andrew Massara, James Masters, Philip Leistra, III, Majid Arefi, Dan Bateson
  • Patent number: 5782537
    Abstract: An automotive seat back (34) which comprises a pair of spaced upright members (40) each having lower ends rotatably supported on pivot pins (38) and interconnected by a cross member (42) extending between the upper ends. A shoulder belt housing (44) extends upwardly between the upright members (40) from below the cross member (42) to a distal end (46) disposed above and outside the cross member (42). Crisscrossing truss elements (52) interconnect the upright members (40) and the housing (44) to suspend the housing (44) within the periphery of the seat back as defined by the upright members (40) and the cross member (42). The upright members (40) and the cross member (42) and the truss elements (52) and the housing (44) are all integrally die cast of magnesium. The housing (44) includes a coffin portion, defined by side walls (54) and a bottom (56), and a cover (58) disposed over and in sealing engagement with the side walls (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Leistra, James Masters, Andrew Massara, Rich Sanders, Steve Lambrecht