Patents by Inventor Carl J. Holdampf

Carl J. Holdampf 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: 9302600
    Abstract: A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion. A support bracket is coupled to the seat cushion for mounting the seat assembly to the floor of a vehicle. A pair of front legs extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket. A pair of rear legs extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket. A linkage mechanism is operatively coupled between the front legs and the rear legs for actuating rotation of the seat assembly between a seating position spaced above the vehicle floor and a stow position recessed within below the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventors: Peter P. Zeimis, III, Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20140117699
    Abstract: A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion. A support bracket is coupled to the seat cushion for mounting the seat assembly to the floor of a vehicle. A pair of front legs extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket. A pair of rear legs extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket. A linkage mechanism is operatively coupled between the front legs and the rear legs for actuating rotation of the seat assembly between a seating position spaced above the vehicle floor and a stow position recessed within below the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Peter P. Zeimis, III, Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 8496294
    Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor includes a support mechanism operatively coupled between a seat back and a seat cushion. A rear end of the seat cushion is released from the support mechanism to pivot the seat cushion from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from an upright seating position to a forwardly folded position. The support mechanism is released from the floor and a stand-up link pivotally coupled between the floor and the support mechanism moves the seat cushion from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position and simultaneously urges the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion, thereby maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation defining a stand-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Ronald A. Zimmerman, II, Douglas A. Dingel, Brian Adwell
  • Patent number: 8313144
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back and seat cushion. A forward link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and base. A control bracket has a pair of pivotal links forming a four bar connection with the base. A control link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and control bracket. A seat back operatively coupled to the control bracket has a recliner mechanism for selectively pivoting the seat back between a forwardly folded position and a plurality of reclined seating positions. A guide link pivotally extends between the seat back and control link. Forward rotational movement of the seat cushion urges the seat back to rotate relative to the seat cushion moving the seat assembly to a stand-up position. Pivoting the seat back to the forwardly folded position urges the seat cushion to move forwardly and lower relative to the base moving the seat assembly to a kneeling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 8066325
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back frame pivotally coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a fold flat position. A linkage includes first and second links having proximal ends pivotally coupled by a link pin. The first link includes a distal end pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. A control link is coupled at a first end to the link pin and at a second end to the seat cushion. A side bolster is pivotally coupled at an upper end to the seat back frame and at a lower end to a distal end of the second link. Pivoting of the seat back frame between the seating and fold flat positions urges the side bolster between a deployed position extending away from the seat back frame and a retracted position adjacent the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20110221239
    Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor includes a support mechanism operatively coupled between a seat back and a seat cushion. A rear end of the seat cushion is released from the support mechanism to pivot the seat cushion from a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from an upright seating position to a forwardly folded position. The support mechanism is released from the floor and a stand-up link pivotally coupled between the floor and the support mechanism moves the seat cushion from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position and simultaneously urges the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion, thereby maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation defining a stand-up position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Ronald A. Zimmerman, Douglas A. Dingel, Brian Adwell
  • Patent number: 7850220
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor having a recess includes a seat cushion and seat back pivotally coupled thereto. A riser mechanism includes at least one front and rear leg, each leg extending between a lower end pivotally coupled to the floor and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. A seat adjustment mechanism disposed between the seat cushion and upper end of the rear leg is operable between locked and unlocked states allowing the legs to pivot about the lower ends thereby moving the seat assembly between a seating position and a stowed position disposed in the recess. An arcuate channel is operatively coupled to the rear leg selectively receiving a laterally extending guide pin mounted to the front leg for operatively coupling the front and rear legs to rotate together as the seat assembly moves between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20100052389
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back and seat cushion. A forward link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and base. A control bracket has a pair of pivotal links forming a four bar connection with the base. A control link pivotally extends between the seat cushion and control bracket. A seat back operatively coupled to the control bracket has a recliner mechanism for selectively pivoting the seat back between a forwardly folded position and a plurality of reclined seating positions. A guide link pivotally extends between the seat back and control link. Forward rotational movement of the seat cushion urges the seat back to rotate relative to the seat cushion moving the seat assembly to a stand-up position. Pivoting the seat back to the forwardly folded position urges the seat cushion to move forwardly and lower relative to the base moving the seat assembly to a kneeling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20100052388
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back frame pivotally coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a fold flat position. A linkage includes first and second links having proximal ends pivotally coupled by a link pin. The first link includes a distal end pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. A control link is coupled at a first end to the link pin and at a second end to the seat cushion. A side bolster is pivotally coupled at an upper end to the seat back frame and at a lower end to a distal end of the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7503613
    Abstract: A power retracting assembly includes an actuator, an output shaft operatively coupled to the actuator, and an outer plate rotatably coupled to the output shaft about an upper axis. A rigid link fixed to the output shaft pivots about a primary lower axis. Rotation of the outer plate by the output shaft in a first direction causes pivotal movement of the link about the primary lower axis in a second direction, thereby rotating the outer plate and the output shaft about the primary lower axis in the second direction. A bracket pivots about a secondary lower axis. A fastener extends from the outer plate through the bracket. As the outer plate rotates about the primary lower axis, the fastener also rotates, pulling the bracket about the secondary lower axis. A stop extending from the bracket travels along an anchor between a seating end and a stowed end for defining movement of the link and the seat assembly between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20090001795
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion and seat back for supporting an occupant above a floor in a motor vehicle. The seat back is operatively mounted for pivotal movement relative to the seat cushion between an upright seating position and a rearwardly folded bed flat position. A guide link slidably engages the seat cushion for guiding and supporting the seat cushion between a seating position and a raised position. A drive link couples the seat back to the seat cushion for automatically moving the seat cushion between the seating and raised positions, wherein the seat cushion is aligned horizontally level with the seat back, in response to pivoting the seat back between the upright seating position and the rearwardly folded bed flat position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert I. Homier, Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7461895
    Abstract: A seat frame assembly is provided for compactly folding a motor vehicle seat. The seat frame assembly includes at least one side frame member. An actuator is operatively coupled to the side frame member. An elongated control arm includes a first end pivotally coupled to the side frame member and an opposite distal end. A control link includes one end pivotally coupled to the side frame member and an opposing end operatively coupled to the distal end of the control arm. A seat cushion linkage assembly is operably coupled between one of the control arm and control link and the actuator for moving each of the control arm and control link between a stowed position generally parallel with and adjacent to the side frame member and a support position spaced from the side frame member in response to actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Arnold James Wickham, Christopher Scott Welch
  • Publication number: 20080231087
    Abstract: A power retracting assembly includes an actuator, an output shaft operatively coupled to the actuator, and an outer plate rotatably coupled to the output shaft about an upper axis. A rigid link fixed to the output shaft pivots about a primary lower axis. Rotation of the outer plate by the output shaft in a first direction causes pivotal movement of the link about the primary lower axis in a second direction, thereby rotating the outer plate and the output shaft about the primary lower axis in the second direction. A bracket pivots about a secondary lower axis. A fastener extends from the outer plate through the bracket. As the outer plate rotates about the primary lower axis, the fastener also rotates, pulling the bracket about the secondary lower axis. A stop extending from the bracket travels along an anchor between a seating end and a stowed end for defining movement of the link and the seat assembly between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: INTIER AUTOMOTIVE INC.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7419218
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a forwardly folded flat position with the seat back overlying the seat cushion. The seat assembly also includes a fold flat mechanism. The fold flat mechanism includes a guide track extending between a forward end and a rearward end. A control link has a first end pivotally and glidingly coupled to the guide track for sliding movement between the forward and rearward ends while pivoting thereabout and a second end pivotally coupled to the seat back for pivotal movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Robert I. Homier, Gregory L. Eilers
  • Publication number: 20080203772
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor having a recess includes a seat cushion and seat back pivotally coupled thereto. A riser mechanism includes at least one front and rear leg, each leg extending between a lower end pivotally coupled to the floor and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. A seat adjustment mechanism disposed between the seat cushion and upper end of the rear leg is operable between locked and unlocked states allowing the legs to pivot about the lower ends thereby moving the seat assembly between a seating position and a stowed position disposed in the recess. An arcuate channel is operatively coupled to the rear leg selectively receiving a laterally extending guide pin mounted to the front leg for operatively coupling the front and rear legs to rotate together as the seat assembly moves between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7306278
    Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat back, and a recliner mechanism interconnecting the seat back and the seat cushion for selective adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a forwardly folded position. A riser assembly extends between the seat cushion and the floor of the vehicle. The riser assembly includes front and rear legs arranged as a four bar linkage between the seat cushion and the floor for selectively moving the seat cushion between a seating position and a stowed position. The rear legs are fixedly secured to a control rod pivotally supported by the seat cushion. Levers extend between the seat back and the control rod for automatically moving the seat cushion between the seating and stowed positions in response to a movement of the seat back between the respective seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Publication number: 20070228796
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a forwardly folded flat position with the seat back overlying the seat cushion. The seat assembly also includes a fold flat mechanism. The fold flat mechanism includes a guide track extending between a forward end and a rearward end. A control link has a first end pivotally and slidingly coupled to the guide track for sliding movement between the forward and rearward ends while pivoting thereabout and a second end pivotally coupled to the seat back for pivotal movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Robert I. Homier, Gregory L. Eilers
  • Patent number: 7264310
    Abstract: A seat frame assembly is provided for compactly folding a motor vehicle seat. The seat frame assembly includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel side frame members defining a vertical plane, and a lower cross member extending between the pair of side frame members. An actuator is pivotally secured to one of the pair of side frame members. A linkage assembly includes first and second link members, which are pivotally secured to one another. The first link member extends between the actuator and the second link member. A control arm is fixedly secured to the second link member and pivotally secured to the lower cross member. When the actuator is pivoted, the control arm moves between a support position extending away from the side frame members and a stowed position co-planar with the side frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Carl J. Holdampf, Arnold James Wickham, Christopher Scott Welch
  • Patent number: 7255400
    Abstract: A headrest support system comprises a seatback support frame having an upper cross member adapted to support a headrest. The cross member has opposite top and bottom surfaces with axially aligned holes formed therethrough. A headrest guide sleeve is received through each of the axially aligned holes formed in the cross member to coupled the headrest to the support frame. The holes include outward extending flanges defining an inner contact surface for engaging and supporting the headrest guide sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7219946
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending laterally between spaced apart side members. The seat cushion includes a front cross member extending between the side members. Front legs are pivotally assembled at one end to the front cross member for pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front leg between a seating position and a forwardly dumped positions. A rod is connected at a first end to a spaced side member and at a second end to the front leg. The seat cushion is automatically laterally displaced relative to the front legs in response to pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front legs due to changes in the effective length of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Omar D. Tame, Carl J. Holdampf