Patents by Inventor Cole T. Brodersen

Cole T. Brodersen 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: 10661684
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly or mechanism that permits adjustment of the height and angle of tilt of a vehicle seat includes front and rear latch gears with multiple cogs corresponding to discrete angular positions of the latch gears and consequently discrete heights of the front and rear of the adjustment assembly. The front latch gears pivot about a fixed pivot axis while the rear latch gears pivot about a sliding pivot axis to accommodate tilt angles for the seat. Torsion springs bias the four latch gears to a maximum rotation or pivot position in which the respective ends of the seat are at their highest vertical position. A spindle engages the cogs of the latch gears to hold the latch gears in a particular discrete angular position. Separate front and rear manual actuation levers at the front of the seat can be lifted to release a respective front and rear spindle from a particular cog and allow the driver to adjust the seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Cole T Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20200009996
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly or mechanism that permits adjustment of the height and angle of tilt of a vehicle seat includes front and rear latch gears with multiple cogs corresponding to discrete angular positions of the latch gears and consequently discrete heights of the front and rear of the adjustment assembly. The front latch gears pivot about a fixed pivot axis while the rear latch gears pivot about a sliding pivot axis to accommodate tilt angles for the seat. Torsion springs bias the four latch gears to a maximum rotation or pivot position in which the respective ends of the seat are at their highest vertical position. A spindle engages the cogs of the latch gears to hold the latch gears in a particular discrete angular position. Separate front and rear manual actuation levers at the front of the seat can be lifted to release a respective front and rear spindle from a particular cog and allow the driver to adjust the seat position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 9527416
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension comprises a scissors assembly connecting lower and upper housings and permitting vertical movement of the upper housing; reciprocating means; an elongated guide member; and guide engaging rollers. Laterally extending front and rear cross members engage upper ends of the scissor links. The reciprocating means allows the upper housing to move fore and aft, and includes horizontally disposed rollers supported by the scissors assembly and received within side tracks forming part of the upper housing. The guide member is mounted to the upper housing and oriented parallel to the fore and aft travel path. Two vertically disposed guide engaging rollers are mounted to the scissors assembly cross members. The guide engaging rollers cooperate with the guide member at spaced locations to stabilize the upper housing in a direction generally perpendicular to its fore and aft travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20130306825
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension comprises a scissors assembly connecting lower and upper housings and permitting vertical movement of the upper housing; reciprocating means; an elongated guide member; and guide engaging rollers. Laterally extending front and rear cross members engage upper ends of the scissor links. The reciprocating means allows the upper housing to move fore and aft, and includes horizontally disposed rollers supported by the scissors assembly and received within side tracks forming part of the upper housing. The guide member is mounted to the upper housing and oriented parallel to the fore and aft travel path. Two vertically disposed guide engaging rollers are mounted to the scissors assembly cross members. The guide engaging rollers cooperate with the guide member at spaced locations to stabilize the upper housing in a direction generally perpendicular to its fore and aft travel path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 8240764
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension assembly comprises a base, a support member, first and second latch members, and first and second actuators. The seat support member slides forward horizontally and pivots vertically upward. The first latch member has horizontally spaced locking elements and a movable first latch cooperating with one of the locking elements to lock the support member in one of a plurality of horizontal positions. The second latch member has vertically spaced locking elements and a movable second latch cooperating with one of these locking elements to lock the support member in one of a plurality of vertical or tilted positions. The first and second actuators are mounted adjacent the front end of the support member and operatively connected to the first and second latches, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Dale Ropp, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20110115270
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension assembly affords both forward extension and vertical or tilt adjustment of the seat cushion independently of the backrest. The vehicle seat suspension assembly comprises a base, a support member slidably and pivotally mounted to the base, first and second latch devices, and first and second actuators. The seat support member has a front end that extends forward and away from the seat backrest as the support member slides horizontally and moves vertically upward as the support member pivots relative to the base. The first latch device is operatively associated with the base and seat support member and has horizontally spaced locking elements and a movable first latch cooperating with one of the locking elements o lock the support member in one of a plurality of horizontal positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Dale Ropp, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 7922142
    Abstract: In accord with the present invention, a vehicle seat suspension apparatus is provided comprising: a seat suspension base; an isolator plate disposes above the base and adapted to support a vehicle seat; means for allowing reciprocating horizontal movement of the isolator plate relative to the base; an elongated guide mounted to one of either the base or the isolator and oriented along the travel path of the isolator; and a guide engaging member mounted to the other of the base or the isolator and engaging the guide to stabilize the isolator as it moves along its travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 7669823
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seat and seat suspension assembly comprising a seat mounted to a seat supporting platform and suspension mechanism, the platform and suspension mechanism being rotationally mounted to a base by a pedestal so that the platform, suspension mechanism and seat may rotate through 360 degrees. The pedestal comprises two swivel housings, the first swivel housing being mounted in fixed position on the base and the second swivel housing being rotationally mounted to the first and supporting the suspension mechanism, platform and seat. A suspension spring and damper are associated with the suspension mechanism to enhance the ride characteristics of the seat, with the damper being positioned inside the pedestal and having one end connected to the first swivel housing and the other end connected to the suspension mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20080185891
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seat and seat suspension assembly comprising a seat mounted to a seat supporting platform and suspension mechanism, the platform and suspension mechanism being rotationally mounted to a base by a pedestal so that the platform, suspension mechanism and seat may rotate through 360 degrees. The pedestal comprises two swivel housings, the first swivel housing being mounted in fixed position on the base and the second swivel housing being rotationally mounted to the first and supporting the suspension mechanism, platform and seat. A suspension spring and damper are associated with the suspension mechanism to enhance the ride characteristics of the seat, with the damper being positioned inside the pedestal and having one end connected to the first swivel housing and the other end connected to the suspension mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 7256686
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for measuring the vibration an operator of a piece of the equipment encounters while operating the equipment. The system includes at least one motion measuring means, such as an accelerometer. The accelerometer may be affixed to the equipment or integrated into the equipment. In addition, motion data recording equipment that is in electrical communication with the accelerometer may also be provided. An alarm may be used to indicate that a preset limit has been or is about to be exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Cole T. Brodersen, William Tuman
  • Patent number: 7211753
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat support pan, a seat cushion, a spring biased lever and an operator present switch. Both the lever and the switch are located between the cushion and the pan, effectively integrated within the seat. The lever is movable between upper and lower positions, with its associated spring biasing the lever toward its upper position. The switch is designed and located so that all of its components are housed within the support pan and none of these components extends below or outside of the pan. When the seat is occupied, the occupant's weight depresses the cushion and, in turn, the lever moves against the force of the spring toward its lower position and the switch is actuated. Because the switch is located completely within the seat cushion, the seat assembly's vertical dimension or envelope is minimized and the design of the seat support and/or suspension located below the seat pan is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Cole T. Brodersen, William Tuman
  • Patent number: 7044559
    Abstract: A force isolating apparatus for use in a vehicle seat suspension, where the suspension has a base frame and an upper frame mounted to move horizontally relative to the base frame. The force isolating apparatus comprises: a first pair of in line springs comprising a first coiled wire compression spring and a first elastomeric compression spring; a second pair of in line springs comprising a second coiled wire compression spring and a second elastomeric compression spring; and an actuator disposed between said first and second pairs of springs, the actuator being horizontally movable to actuate one of the spring pairs when the base frame and upper frame move relative to one another. A force isolating apparatus may be used with a cooperating shock absorber which is also preferably mounted in line to the spring pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Dale Ropp, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Publication number: 20040239491
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for measuring the vibration an operator of a piece of the equipment encounters while operating the equipment. The system includes at least one motion measuring means, such as an accelerometer. The accelerometer may be affixed to the equipment or integrated into the equipment. In addition, motion data recording equipment that is in electrical communication with the accelerometer may also be provided. An alarm may be used to indicate that a preset limit has been or is about to be exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Cole T. Brodersen, William Tuman
  • Patent number: 6059253
    Abstract: An active suspension system for limiting movement of a vehicle seat in two or more directions, up to and including six directions, in response to vehicle movement. The active suspension system includes seat actuating members and sensors for monitoring movement of the vehicle and/or the vehicle seat, and the seat actuating members. The seat actuating members also function to provide mechanical support for the vehicle seat. A control system accepts feedback from the sensors and responsively directs movement of the seat actuating members to limit seat movement in response to vehicle movement. A method for using an active suspension system to limit seat movement in response to vehicle movement also forms part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5984410
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system is provided which includes, in a seat support comprising an upper housing and a lower housing and a scissors linkage support apparatus, a spring fixed to the upper housing and a cable attached to the spring and wrapping around a pulley attached to the upper housing and downwardly to an arcuate or eccentric pulley attached at the scissors linkage axis pivot and an actuator knob which allows a seat occupant to tighten or loosen the cable and raise or lower the seat to provide a vehicle seat suspension system. The present invention provides a suspension system which can be discreetly and infinitely adjustable and which allows a user to adjust the suspension curve characteristics of the seat by utilizing a non-circular drive pulley which is movably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5957426
    Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension between upper and lower supports comprises a scissors arms linkage and a support pivot assembly allowing height adjustment to multiple positions. The pivot assembly carries most of the seat load and comprises a pair of lever arms, a pair of bell cranks, a height adjustment latch including multiple height adjustment detents, a pair of latch supports and a pair of tension springs to provide height-adjustable suspension. The seat suspension also preferably includes a damper such as a shock absorber. The latch includes a plurality of detents which alternatively work to adjust the height of the seat. A moveable pin is disposed within the latch support to engage a detent of the latch to establish the adjustable height of the seat. The moveable pin is moved into a disengagement position by lifting the seat to its maximum raised position whereby an abutment surface on the latch forces the moveable pin rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5954400
    Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system is provided which includes, in a seat support comprising an upper housing and a lower housing and a scissors linkage support apparatus, a spring fixed to the upper housing and a cable attached to the spring and wrapping around a pulley attached to the upper housing and downwardly to an arcuate or eccentric pulley attached at the scissors linkage axis pivot and an actuator knob which allows a seat occupant to tighten or loosen the cable and raise or lower the seat to provide a vehicle seat suspension system. The present invention provides a suspension system which can be discreetly and infinitely adjustable and which allows a user to adjust the suspension curve characteristics of the seat by utilizing a non-circular drive pulley which is movably adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5938340
    Abstract: A slide puck bearing system is provided comprising members which are intended to slide, move or rotate along or about one another. A slide puck bearing composed of a material such as acetal having a low coefficient of friction is adjustably fixed to a first member and has outer contours mating snugly with the surface contours of a second member. A set screw resides in the slide puck bearing to adjust the positioning of the bearing on the first member to adjust the tension against the second member. The slide puck can be adjusted or replaced throughout the life of the device. The system can be utilized with any devices wherein a member slides, rotates or moves relative to another member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5720462
    Abstract: A rotatable and slidable seat mount which has controls for rotation and for sliding which may be independently operated and which may be operated from actuators fixed to the same location relative to the seat from any rotational or lateral orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen
  • Patent number: 5618021
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a ride zone protection device is provided for use with a pneumatic seat suspension, comprising a cam in communication with the air suspension actuation means to alternatively allow and prevent actuation of the air suspension based on the positioning of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Cole T. Brodersen