Patents by Inventor Ashford Allen Galbreath
Ashford Allen Galbreath 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).
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Patent number: 10759312Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly comprises a foam bun, an electrically insulative top finish layer above the foam bun, a thermal gradient assembly under the finish trim layer, and a thermal enhancement layer between the thermal gradient assembly and the finish trim layer. The thermal gradient assembly is adapted to generate a thermal gradient when receiving an electric current and has an electrically conductive top layer, an electrically conductive bottom layer, and a semiconductor layer having first and second semiconductor regions between the top and bottom layers. The thermal enhancement layer has a thermal conductivity adapted to direct thermal energy transfer between the thermal gradient assembly and the finish trim layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Arjun Yetukuri, Paul Olivier, Colin Andrew Paton-Phillips, David Gallagher
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Patent number: 10602847Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
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Patent number: 10569678Abstract: A seat air bladder assembly is provided with at least one central air bladder region having a support surface. At least one pair of lateral air bladder regions extend from opposed sides of the at least one central bladder region. The at least one pair of lateral air bladder regions are oriented at a non-zero angle to incline laterally and support a thoracic region of a seat occupant. A seat assembly is provided with a seat back with a contact surface with a thoracic region. An air bladder assembly is oriented within the thoracic region of the seat back with a support surface that is reclined relative to the contact surface to provide support, and wedge-shaped so that during inflation the air bladder assembly inflates in an upward and forward direction relative to the seat back.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Gerald Patrick, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Michelle A. Pereny
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Publication number: 20190263302Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Terry O'BANNON, Jennifer BADGLEY, Asad S. ALI, Gerald Steven LOCKE, Thomas S. HICKS, Mark WEAVER, Winsen C. ZOUZAL, Richard L. HARBAUGH
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Patent number: 10328829Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Terry O'Bannon, Jennifer Badgley, Asad S. Ali, Gerald Steven Locke, Thomas S. Hicks, Mark Weaver, Winsen C. Zouzal, Richard L. Harbaugh
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Patent number: 10328823Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a translatable seat cushion, a pivotal seat back, and a head restraint adapted to be mounted for translation adjacent the seat back. An actuator is operably connected to at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back for adjustment of a plurality of settings of the seat assembly. A controller is in electrical communication with the actuator and is configured to receive input indicative of occupant anthropometry data, current physical condition and/or activity level, compare the input with predetermined data ranges, and adjust at least one of the plurality of settings of the actuator to a predetermined setting based on the predetermined range. A computer-program product is programmed for automatically adjusting a seat assembly. A method for adjusting a seat assembly receives anthropometry data for an occupant.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Terry O'Bannon, Michelle A. Pereny, Samuel R. Hanlon, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Gerald Patrick, Karl Henn
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Publication number: 20190184869Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly comprises a foam bun, an electrically insulative top finish layer above the foam bun, a thermal gradient assembly under the finish trim layer, and a thermal enhancement layer between the thermal gradient assembly and the finish trim layer. The thermal gradient assembly is adapted to generate a thermal gradient when receiving an electric current and has an electrically conductive top layer, an electrically conductive bottom layer, and a semiconductor layer having first and second semiconductor regions between the top and bottom layers. The thermal enhancement layer has a thermal conductivity adapted to direct thermal energy transfer between the thermal gradient assembly and the finish trim layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Arjun Yetukuri, Paul Olivier, Colin Andrew Paton-Phillips, David Gallagher
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Patent number: 10251487Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back and a thoracic support mechanism. The thoracic support mechanism may have a flex plate that may be movably disposed on a support member of the seat back frame. A first actuator may flex the flex plate. A second actuator may actuate the flex plate along the support member.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Walter T. Cichocki
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Patent number: 10165863Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
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Patent number: 10124699Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly a seat bottom and a seatback pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seatback comprises a seatback support shell comprising a shaped resinous sheet comprising a main seat portion, a left side bolster, and a right side bolster. The seatback support shell further comprising a left side hinge extending between and connecting the left side bolster and the main seat portion to allow relative movement between the left side bolster and the main seat portion and a right side hinge extending between and connecting the right side bolster and the main seat portion to allow relative movement between the right side bolster and the main seat portion. The vehicle seat assembly further comprising trim cover disposed over the seatback and the seat bottom.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Michael R. Powell
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Publication number: 20180264981Abstract: A seat air bladder assembly is provided with at least one central air bladder region having a support surface. At least one pair of lateral air bladder regions extend from opposed sides of the at least one central bladder region. The at least one pair of lateral air bladder regions are oriented at a non-zero angle to incline laterally and support a thoracic region of a seat occupant. A seat assembly is provided with a seat back with a contact surface with a thoracic region. An air bladder assembly is oriented within the thoracic region of the seat back with a support surface that is reclined relative to the contact surface to provide support, and wedge-shaped so that during inflation the air bladder assembly inflates in an upward and forward direction relative to the seat back.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Winsen C. ZOUZAL, Gerald PATRICK, Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Michelle A. PERENY
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Publication number: 20180170217Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly a seat bottom and a seatback pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seatback comprises a seatback support shell comprising a shaped resinous sheet comprising a main seat portion, a left side bolster, and a right side bolster. The seatback support shell further comprising a left side hinge extending between and connecting the left side bolster and the main seat portion to allow relative movement between the left side bolster and the main seat portion and a right side hinge extending between and connecting the right side bolster and the main seat portion to allow relative movement between the right side bolster and the main seat portion. The vehicle seat assembly further comprising trim cover disposed over the seatback and the seat bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ashford Allen GALBREATH, Asad S. ALI, Michael R. POWELL
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Patent number: 9987961Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat cushion and a pivotal seat back. Sensors are connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back to detect a seating position. An actuator is connected to the seat cushion and/or the seat back for adjustment. A controller is configured to receive data from the plurality sensors, compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly, and adjust the actuator to balance the occupant posture seating position. The controller is in electrical communication with an inflation device to inflate a first air bladder assembly in a thoracic region of the seat back. A second air bladder assembly oriented in a lumbar region, a sacrum region, and/or a scapular region of the seat back is inflated after initiating inflation of the first air bladder assembly for sequential posture alignment.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Gerald Patrick, Karl Henn, Kim Krulek, Michelle A. Pereny, Samuel Hanlon
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Patent number: 9981577Abstract: A seat air bladder assembly is provided with at least one central air bladder region having a support surface. At least one pair of lateral air bladder regions extend from opposed sides of the at least one central bladder region. The at least one pair of lateral air bladder regions are oriented at a non-zero angle to incline laterally and support a thoracic region of a seat occupant. A seat assembly is provided with a seat back with a contact surface with a thoracic region. An air bladder assembly is oriented within the thoracic region of the seat back with a support surface that is reclined relative to the contact surface to provide support, and wedge-shaped so that during inflation the air bladder assembly inflates in an upward and forward direction relative to the seat back.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Gerald Patrick, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Michelle A. Pereny
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Publication number: 20180116406Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back and a thoracic support mechanism. The thoracic support mechanism may have a flex plate that may be movably disposed on a support member of the seat back frame. A first actuator may flex the flex plate. A second actuator may actuate the flex plate along the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Walter T. Cichocki
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Publication number: 20180078043Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
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Patent number: 9826840Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
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Publication number: 20170291524Abstract: A seatback support shell for a vehicle seat includes a shaped resinous sheet defining a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side when the seatback support shell is positioned in a vehicle seat. The shaped resinous sheet has a convex section and a non-convex section with the convex section being positioned below the non-convex section when the seatback support shell is positioned in a vehicle seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: ASHFORD ALLEN GALBREATH, ASAD S. ALI, ASIF RASHIDI, VINEETHA GHEEVARUGHESE, MARIE-EVE COTE, MICHELLE ANNE PERENY
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Patent number: 9758079Abstract: A seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom and a seat back mounted adjacent the bottom. A first actuator is operably connected to the seat back for applying a first pressure to a seated occupant at a first height. A second actuator is laterally offset from the first actuator and operably connected to the seat back for applying a second pressure to the occupant at a second height. The first and second actuators are operable to provide an asymmetric comfort position to the occupant. The asymmetric comfort position may set the first pressure different than the second pressure or set the first height different than the second height.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Aisha Enid Johnson, Gerald Patrick, Michelle A. Pereny
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Patent number: 9688170Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom that includes first and second side frame members and a front cushion module. The front cushion module has a support member and a cushion. The support member has first and second ends that are disposed proximate the front end of the first and second side frame members, respectively. The cushion receives and is supported by the support member and has a front end. The vehicle seat assembly may have an actuator cooperable with the support member for tilting the front end of the cushion relative to the frame members.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Krzysztof Wroblewski, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Wee Tzee Gam, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon