Patents by Inventor Brian Delane Kepler

Brian Delane Kepler 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: 7367629
    Abstract: A seat assembly for use in supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle is provided, having a seat frame and a suspension material extending between and operatively secured to the seat frame for supporting the occupant of the seat assembly. A plurality of adjustment assemblies operatively couple the suspension material and the seat frame. Each adjustment assembly includes a stationary bracket secured to the seat frame and an adjustable attachment bracket operatively coupled to the stationary bracket. The suspension material is secured between the adjustable attachment bracket and the stationary bracket. The tension in select portions of the suspension material may be selectively adjusted in response to movement of the adjustable attachment bracket relative to the stationary bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Delane Kepler, Christopher Welch, Stephen Becker
  • Patent number: 6890035
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism for providing selective locking and adjustment of a seat back relative to a seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a stowed position An input shaft is rotatably journaled to the recliner assembly between unreleased and released positions for actuating the recliner assembly between locked and unlocked states, respectively. A first trigger is rotatably assembled to the seat cushion and movable between first and second positions engagable with the input shaft in the released position for maintaining the recliner mechanism in the unlocked state during movement of the seat back between the plurality of reclined seating positions and the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Delane Kepler
  • Publication number: 20040041454
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism for providing selective locking and adjustment of a seat back relative to a seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a stowed position and a mechanism for maintaining the recliner mechanism in an unlocked state. An input shaft is rotatably journaled to the recliner assembly between unreleased and released positions for actuating the recliner assembly between locked and unlocked states, respectively. A first trigger is rotatably assembled to the seat cushion and movable between first and second positions. The first trigger has a tab for engaging a portion of the seat back when the seat back is rotated to the stowed position. Rotation of the seat back into and out of engagement with the tab of the first trigger causes rotation of the first trigger between the first and second positions, respectively. The first trigger also has an arm extending radially outwardly toward the input shaft and presenting opposite cam and stop surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Brian Delane Kepler