Patents by Inventor Eckhard Kirch

Eckhard Kirch 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: 10207603
    Abstract: A drive system (2) tilt adjusts a back rest (10) of a vehicle seat (1). The back rest (10) is held on a seat base (11) by a fitting (12). An output pinion (24), drivable by a drive motor (20), is provided on the seat back side and interacts with a tooth segment (18) arranged rotationally fixed on the base (11). A pivot movement of the back rest (10) can be carried out by the drive motor (20) while the fitting (12) is unlocked. The output pinion (24) can be uncoupled from the drive motor (20) by a coupling (22). A compensation spring (14) acting between the back rest (10) and the base (11) pre-tensions the back rest (10) in the direction of the non-use position. A vehicle seat (1) with the drive system and a method for operating a drive system (2) are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Norbert Heeg, Eckhard Kirch
  • Patent number: 9855864
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat in a vehicle is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises a longitudinal adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vehicle seat along a direction of travel of the vehicle, said longitudinal adjustment mechanism comprising a first rocker that is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
  • Publication number: 20170334320
    Abstract: A drive system (2) tilt adjusts a back rest (10) of a vehicle seat (1). The back rest (10) is held on a seat base (11) by a fitting (12). An output pinion (24), drivable by a drive motor (20), is provided on the seat back side and interacts with a tooth segment (18) arranged rotationally fixed on the base (11). A pivot movement of the back rest (10) can be carried out by the drive motor (20) while the fitting (12) is unlocked. The output pinion (24) can be uncoupled from the drive motor (20) by a coupling (22). A compensation spring (14) acting between the back rest (10) and the base (11) pre-tensions the back rest (10) in the direction of the non-use position. A vehicle seat (1) with the drive system and a method for operating a drive system (2) are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Norbert HEEG, Eckhard KIRCH
  • Patent number: 9539920
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises an inclination adjustment mechanism for the backrest of the vehicle seat. The inclination adjustment mechanism comprises a first rocker which is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
  • Publication number: 20150115684
    Abstract: A foot support (30) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a footrest (32) which is movable from an out-of-use position into a use position. The footrest (32) is guided by a linear guide during the movement from the out-of-use position into the use position. A drive unit (34) is provided for driving the footrest (32). The drive unit (34) includes at least one spindle (40) with at least one spindle nut (42, 44), which is arranged on the spindle (40) and is rotatable relative to the spindle (40). The spindle (40) runs in the transverse direction and includes two threaded regions (46, 48) with threads oriented in opposed directions. A vehicle seat (1) is provided with the foot support (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Weber, Eckhard Kirch
  • Publication number: 20150108813
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises an inclination adjustment mechanism for the backrest of the vehicle seat. The inclination adjustment mechanism comprises a first rocker which is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
  • Publication number: 20150084389
    Abstract: An adjustment unit for a vehicle seat in a vehicle is disclosed. Said adjustment unit comprises a longitudinal adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vehicle seat along a direction of travel of the vehicle, said longitudinal adjustment mechanism comprising a first rocker that is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable about a transverse direction extending perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Sascha Müller, Andreas Kinzer, Eckhard Kirch, Joachim Mühlberger
  • Publication number: 20100141009
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) structure (10) is provided in which at least two structural parts (12, 14) are connected to each other at least at one contact point (P) by means of ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Eckhard Kirch, Heiko Utsch