Patents by Inventor Christian MARKEL

Christian MARKEL 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).

  • Publication number: 20230173956
    Abstract: A suspension device for a backrest for assisting an adjustment movement may have at least one spring element with a basic body and two end portions protruding from the basic body. The device also having a bearing element with a guide opening, and a counterbearing element with a receptacle. A first end portion is arranged in the receptacle and is mounted movably in a first direction relative to the counterbearing element. A second end portion may be arranged in the guide opening and may be mounted movably in a second direction relative to the bearing element. A backrest and a seat arrangement having the suspension device are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas JUNG, Christian MARKEL, Ulf SCHAEFFLING, Andreas WIESEMANN
  • Patent number: 10011190
    Abstract: An electrically operated backrest adjuster (1, 1?) for a vehicle seat (3) includes a seat part (3.1) and a backrest (3.2) which is adjustable relative to the seat part (3.1). At least one of two fitting sides—of which each includes a fitting upper part (B1) mounted on the backrest and a fitting lower part (B2) mounted on the seat part—includes a fitting (2, 2?) for adjusting the inclination of the backrest (3.2). The fitting (2, 2?) is arranged between the fitting upper part (B1) and the fitting lower part (B2). The fitting sides are coupled to each other by a transmission rod (5). An electric drive unit (6, 6?) is provided on one of the fitting sides. The drive unit is arranged on the outside of the associated fitting lower part (B2) is being coupled to the transmission rod (5) for driving same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Thomas Christoffel, Michael Schmidt, Norbert Heeg
  • Patent number: 9649954
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, has a seat part and a backrest which is provided with a backrest frame which runs all around as a load-bearing structure. The backrest frame has a lower crossmember, two side parts and an upper crossmember. The backrest can pivot relative to the seat part by at least one fitting which is attached to the backrest frame. At least one corner piece is provided as part of the backrest frame, which corner piece connects the lower crossmember to one of the seat parts. The fitting is attached to the corner piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Thomas Dill, Wolfgang Pluta
  • Publication number: 20160257223
    Abstract: An electrically operated backrest adjuster (1, 1?) for a vehicle seat (3) includes a seat part (3.1) and a backrest (3.2) which is adjustable relative to the seat part (3.1). At least one of two fitting sides—of which each includes a fitting upper part (B 1) mounted on the backrest and a fitting lower part (B2) mounted on the seat part—includes a fitting (2, 2?) for adjusting the inclination of the backrest (3.2). The fitting (2, 2?) is arranged between the fitting upper part (B1) and the fitting lower part (B2). The fitting sides are coupled to each other by a transmission rod (5). An electric drive unit (6, 6?) is provided on one of the fitting sides. The drive unit is arranged on the outside of the associated fitting lower part (B2) is being coupled to the transmission rod (5) for driving same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christian MARKEL, Thomas CHRISTOFFEL, Michael SCHMIDT, Norbert HEEG
  • Patent number: 9346380
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, has a seat part, a backrest, and at least one fitting, by which the back rest is attached pivotably to the seat part. The fitting has a first fitting part connected to the backrest and a second fitting part connected to the seat part. The fittings are normally located in the force flux between the backrest and seat part. The seat has at least one deformation zone which is deformed in the event of a crash. A supporting element is mounted on the backrest and a supporting element is mounted on the seat part, the supporting elements normally being spaced apart from each other and, in the event of a crash, coming into contact with each other because of the deformation of the deformation zone to provide a further force flux path lying parallel to the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Thomas Dill, Wolfgang Pluta, Viktor Enns, Gerhard Mueller
  • Publication number: 20160039316
    Abstract: An easy-entry system for a vehicle seat, having at least one fitting (5) with at least one fitting component (B) and a driver profile (5.1). The at least one fitting component (B) is coupled to a transmission element (6), and an unlocking lever (3) of the easy-entry system is connected at least indirectly to the transmission element (6). A comfort lever (4) of a backrest (1.1) engages with the driver profile (5.1), and a pivot region of the backrest (1.1) is limited by a pawl (7), which engages in the at least one fitting (5), when the easy-entry function is initiated. Engagement of the pawl (7) into the at least one fitting (5) can be cancelled by operating the comfort lever (4) for adjusting a position of the backrest (1.1). A vehicle seat is also provided, including such an easy-entry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG.
    Inventors: Thomas DILL, Heinrich HAMMANN, Wolfgang PLUTA, Christian WOLF, Christian MARKEL
  • Patent number: 9211818
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, including a substructure and a backrest articulated on the substructure, can be transferred from a sitting position to a floor position by folding the backrest forward. A first rocker and second rocker, on the two outer seat faces, articulate the backrest on the substructure. The substructure, the first rocker, the backrest, and the second rocker form a four-bar linkage. Each of the second rockers is rotatably connected to the substructure by a respective second joint and to the backrest by a respective third joint. A transverse tube extends in the transverse vehicle direction between the two second rockers. The transverse tube has two ends, each of which is fastened to the associated second rocker in an area between the second joint and the third joint of the respective four-bar linkage. At least one connection point of a child seat fastening system is provided on the transverse tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Markel
  • Patent number: 9180796
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat (1) includes a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) guided displaceably in the longitudinal direction therein. An upper clamp (30) is connected to the upper rail (3) and has at least one upper blocking region (39). A lower clamp (50) is connected to the lower rail (5) and has at least one lower blocking region (59). The lower blocking region (59) and the upper blocking region (39) are normally spaced apart from each other and intermesh in the event of a crash. A locking shackle (34), connected to the upper clamp (30), includes a bolt (42) running in the transverse direction. The upper clamp (30) has a cutout (32) within which the bolt (42) is arranged, and the bolt (42) is arranged behind the rear end of the upper rail (3) in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Markel
  • Publication number: 20150137549
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, including a substructure and a backrest articulated on the substructure, can be transferred from a sitting position to a floor position by folding the backrest forward. A first rocker and second rocker, on the two outer seat faces, articulate the backrest on the substructure. The substructure, the first rocker, the backrest, and the second rocker form a four-bar linkage. Each of the second rockers is rotatably connected to the substructure by a respective second joint and to the backrest by a respective third joint. A transverse tube extends in the transverse vehicle direction between the two second rockers. The transverse tube has two ends, each of which is fastened to the associated second rocker in an area between the second joint and the third joint of the respective four-bar linkage. At least one connection point of a child seat fastening system is provided on the transverse tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Christian Markel
  • Publication number: 20150130242
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat (1) includes a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) guided displaceably in the longitudinal direction therein. An upper clamp (30) is connected to the upper rail (3) and has at least one upper blocking region (39). A lower clamp (50) is connected to the lower rail (5) and has at least one lower blocking region (59). The lower blocking region (59) and the upper blocking region (39) are normally spaced apart from each other and intermesh in the event of a crash. A locking shackle (34), connected to the upper clamp (30), includes a bolt (42) running in the transverse direction. The upper clamp (30) has a cutout (32) within which the bolt (42) is arranged, and the bolt (42) is arranged behind the rear end of the upper rail (3) in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Markel
  • Publication number: 20140183912
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, has a seat part, a backrest, and at least one fitting, by which the back rest is attached pivotably to the seat part. The fitting has a first fitting part connected to the backrest and a second fitting part connected to the seat part. The fittings are normally located in the force flux between the backrest and seat part. The seat has at least one deformation zone which is deformed in the event of a crash. A supporting element is mounted on the backrest and supporting element is mounted on the seat part, the supporting elements normally being spaced apart from each other and, in the event of a crash, coming into contact with each other because of the deformation of the deformation zone to provide a further force flux path lying parallel to the fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Thomas Dill, Wolfgang Pluta, Viktor Enns, Gerhard Mueller
  • Patent number: 8616650
    Abstract: A head support for a backrest of a motor vehicle seat, which can be folded out of an upright use position into a cargo position directed in driving direction. The head support is mounted to be foldable toward the front side of the backrest between an upright operative position is in the use position, and a folded down inoperative position when the backrest is in the cargo position, around a horizontal head support spindle of a holder arranged at the backrest and carries the head support the head support spindle extends transverse to the driving direction. The holder is lowered completely or partially into a lowered position in the backrest in the inoperative position of the head support and can be raised from the lowered position into the raised position of the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Michael Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130278035
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, has a seat part and a backrest which is provided with a backrest frame which runs all around as a load-bearing structure. The backrest frame has a lower crossmember, two side parts and an upper crossmember. The backrest can pivot relative to the seat part by at least one fitting which is attached to the backrest frame. At least one corner piece is provided as part of the backrest frame, which corner piece connects the lower crossmember to one of the seat parts. The fitting is attached to the corner piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Markel, Thomas Dill, Wolfgang Pluta
  • Publication number: 20110304191
    Abstract: A head support for a backrest of a motor vehicle seat, which can be folded out of an upright use position into a cargo position directed in driving direction. The head support is mounted to be foldable toward the front side of the backrest between an upright operative position is in the use position, and a folded down inoperative position when the backrest is in the cargo position, around a horizontal head support spindle of a holder arranged at the backrest and carries the head support the head support spindle extends transverse to the driving direction. The holder is lowered completely or partially into a lowered position in the backrest in the inoperative position of the head support and can be raised from the lowered position into the raised position of the operative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian MARKEL, Michael Wagner