Patents by Inventor Christopher VanHoeck

Christopher VanHoeck 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: 20060138817
    Abstract: An energy absorption system for a seat assembly includes a first housing plate and a second housing plate defining coaxial elongate apertures having a first end and a second end. A torsion bar is fixed for movement with the seatback and is slidably received within the elongate apertures and a biasing member is supported by one of the housing plates and imparts a biasing force on the torsion bar to bias the torsion bar toward the first ends of the elongate apertures. When a force is applied to the torsion bar, the torsion bar moves toward the second end of the apertures and against the biasing force to absorb energy associated with the force. When the torsion bar reaches the second end of the apertures, the torsion bar may yield to further absorb energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick Gorman, Cheryl Warsinske, Christopher VanHoeck, Bernardus van de Geer, Erik Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20050156456
    Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a first housing rotatably supporting a second housing, whereby the second housing is movable between a fully upright position and a fully dumped position. In addition, an adjustment mechanism is provided and includes a cross-member fixedly attached to the first housing and a lock member operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock member engages the cross-member in the locked position and disengages the cross-member in the unlocked position. A lever is rotatably attached to the cross-member and is operable to selectively unlock the lock member and permit rotation of the second housing. Rotation of the second housing relative to the first housing allows the second housing to be rotated between the fully upright position and the fully dumped position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: David Robinson, Bernardus van de Geer, Cheryl Warsinske, Christopher VanHoeck