Patents by Inventor Dean C. VANDENHEEDE

Dean C. VANDENHEEDE 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: 20240123872
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Dean C. VANDENHEEDE, Justin SCHRAND, Andrew J. SIMMS
  • Patent number: 11833935
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dean C. Vandenheede, Justin Schrand, Andrew J. Simms
  • Publication number: 20220340051
    Abstract: Provided is a slide lock structure for a slide rail device which can produce a reliable locked state with a high and reliable mechanical strength by using a simple structure. The slide lock structure includes a casing, a pair of lock members provided on the casing, and each provided with a cam surface formed on an outer side thereof, and engagement projections projecting laterally outward so as to be laterally movable between an engaged position in which the engagement projections are received in the slots, and a disengaged position in which the engagement projections are dislodged from the slots, a compression coil spring urging the lock members toward the engaged position, and an operating member provided on the casing in a movable manner, and provided with a cooperating cam surface slidably engaging the cam surface such that the lock members are moved to the disengaged position against a biasing force of the compression coil spring as the operating member is moved vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Dean C. VANDENHEEDE, Justin SCHRAND, Andrew J. SIMMS
  • Publication number: 20220289078
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20220212569
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20220212570
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE
  • Publication number: 20220080862
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically powered slide rail that can operate in a smooth manner. The electrically powered slide rail includes a rail having a channel-shaped cross section and extending in a fore and aft direction, a slider received by the rail and slidably engaged by the rail, a screw assembly including a screw member supported by the slider so as to be rotatable around an axial line extending in the fore and aft direction, an electric motor supported by the slider and configured to rotate the screw member, and a screw engaging portion formed in the rail so as to extend in the fore and aft direction and engage the screw member. In the vehicle seat fitted with the electrically powered slide rail, the rail is connected to a floor of a vehicle, and the slider is connected to a seat cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew J. SIMMS, Dean C. VANDENHEEDE