Patents by Inventor Duane Potes

Duane Potes 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: 11850981
    Abstract: A cushion suspension for a vehicle seat may have a support structure with a substantially tub-shaped profile and at least two lateral portions. Each of the lateral portions may have a flexible suspension portion. A seating surface assembly for a vehicle seat is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A Seibold, Jennifer J. Carlson, Peter James Leite, Duane Potes
  • Publication number: 20220212577
    Abstract: A cushion suspension for a vehicle seat may have a support structure with a substantially tub-shaped profile and at least two lateral portions. Each of the lateral portions may have a flexible suspension portion. A seating surface assembly for a vehicle seat is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Kurt A. SEIBOLD, Jennifer J. CARLSON, Peter James LEITE, Duane POTES
  • Patent number: 10415628
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Duane Potes, Nathan Caruss
  • Publication number: 20180347619
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Duane POTES, Nathan CARUSS
  • Patent number: 9649957
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle including a base presenting a pair of opposing angular surfaces spaced from one another and a cushion slidably engaging the opposing angular surfaces for tilting relative to the base into alternate orientations. The seat also includes a resistance element for maintaining the cushion in a desired orientation relative to the base. The cushion includes a sliding element which is movable between a disengaged position for adjusting the orientation of the cushion within predetermined limits established by the angular surfaces and an engaged position where the sliding element interfaces with the resistance element to restrict movement of the cushion relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Duane Potes, Jr., John Gomez, Joseph A. Gasko, Jeffrey David Laho
  • Patent number: 8991930
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including at least a component of the seat assembled made of closed-cell foam and having an integral exterior surface. The component may include a backrest, headrest, seat cushion or a component thereof such as an armrest. A method of forming a seat assembly including a first seat component and a second seat component wherein at least one of the first and the second components are made of closed-cell foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, Scott E. Dluge, Daniel J. Koester, David Thimm, Duane Potes, Jr., Sheraine Sabbagh, John Gomez, Joon Kyu Lee, Richard P. Doerer, Emery Jay Zadina, Kurt G. Lusko
  • Patent number: 8727449
    Abstract: A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130257113
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle including a base presenting a pair of opposing angular surfaces spaced from one another and a cushion slidably engaging the opposing angular surfaces for tilting relative to the base into alternate orientations. The seat also includes a resistance element for maintaining the cushion in a desired orientation relative to the base. The cushion includes a sliding element which is movable between a disengaged position for adjusting the orientation of the cushion within predetermined limits established by the angular surfaces and an engaged position where the sliding element interfaces with the resistance element to restrict movement of the cushion relative to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Duane Potes, JR., John Gomez, Joseph A. Gasko, Jeffrey David Laho
  • Patent number: 8398114
    Abstract: A vehicle seat configured to retain an air bag. The vehicle seat uses selective use of adhesive tape in place of stitching to provide easier manufacturing, lower cost, improved durability and easier repairs, as well as having the adhesive tape be configured to rupture as needed in response to activation of the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110260508
    Abstract: A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110037243
    Abstract: A vehicle seat configured to retain an air bag. The vehicle seat uses selective use of adhesive tape in place of stitching to provide easier manufacturing, lower cost, improved durability and easier repairs, as well as having the adhesive tape be configured to rupture as needed in response to activation of the air bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100171346
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including at least a component of the seat assembled made of closed-cell foam and having an integral exterior surface. The component may include a backrest, headrest, seat cushion or a component thereof such as an armrest. A method of forming a seat assembly including a first seat component and a second seat component wherein at least one of the first and the second components are made of closed-cell foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, Scott E. Dluge, Daniel J. Koester, David Thimm, Duane Potes, JR., Sheraine Sabbagh, John Gomez, Joon Kyu Lee, Richard P. Doerer
  • Patent number: 4861107
    Abstract: A head rest for mounting on an automotive seat back comprises a rod fixed to the back, the rod having a generally horizontal mounting portion, a frame having a pad thereon, a mounting bracket secured to the frame, the bracket attaching the frame to the rod for pivotal movement of the frame forward and backward, and a frictional bushing sandwiched between the bracket and the frame. The bushing has a curved portion cupped over the mounting portion of the rod and fastening means clamping the frame and bracket together and biasing the friction bushing against the rod to resist pivoting of the frame about the rod. The rod further includes stop pins to limit the pivoting of the frame about the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohan P. Vidwans, Duane Potes, John P. Opalia