Patents by Inventor Eric B. Michalak

Eric B. Michalak 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: 12042058
    Abstract: A body-supporting component may have a main body. A 3D lattice structure of the main body may have deflection properties portions of the main body. The main body may be formed by a flexible material according to the 3D lattice structure combined with the deflection properties portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Eric B. Michalak, Shreyas Sansuddi
  • Publication number: 20220266733
    Abstract: An armrest assembly for connection to a seat cushion assembly, the armrest assembly may have an armrest body, an armrest support supporting the armrest body, an armrest positioning device, a backrest connection interface for connection with a backrest frame and an actuator for actuating the movement between a down position and an up position of the armrest body. A vehicle seat may have the seat cushion assembly, a backrest having the backrest frame, a base backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest pivotably connecting the seat base to the backrest and the armrest assembly connected to the seat cushion assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. BURTON, Nathan A. CARUSS, Michael J. KAPUSKY, Eric B. MICHALAK
  • Patent number: 11192477
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seat that may have a support structure and a pad having a support wire attachable to the support structure. A retainer may be provided which is fixed at one end through an opening in the support structure and at the opposite end onto the support wire. The retainer may have a mounting member to fix through the opening and a hook to catch the support wire, the mounting member having a use position and a mounting position that is inclined relative to the use position. The mounting member and the hook may be joined by a spacer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Eric B. Michalak, David B. Bakker, Bethany M. Scott
  • Publication number: 20210259425
    Abstract: A body-supporting component may have a main body. A 3D lattice structure of the main body may have deflection properties portions of the main body. The main body may be formed by a flexible material according to the 3D lattice structure combined with the deflection properties portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBH
    Inventors: Eric B. Michalak, Shreyas Sansuddi
  • Publication number: 20200353852
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a seat that may have a support structure and a pad having a support wire attachable to the support structure. A retainer may be provided which is fixed at one end through an opening in the support structure and at the opposite end onto the support wire. The retainer may have a mounting member to fix through the opening and a hook to catch the support wire, the mounting member having a use position and a mounting position that is inclined relative to the use position. The mounting member and the hook may be joined by a spacer bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBH
    Inventors: ERIC B. MICHALAK, DAVID B. BAKKER, BETHANY M. SCOTT
  • Patent number: 10399474
    Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly for a seat back of a seat that includes a head supporting structure, a head rest support, and at least two of a height adjustment mechanism, a side angle adjustment mechanism, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that are each electronically powered. The head supporting structure is configured to support an occupant's head. The head rest support supports the head supporting structure. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to change the height of the head supporting structure relative to the head rest support and the seat back. The side angle adjustment mechanism is configured to change the angle of side portions of the head supporting structure relative to a center portion of the head supporting structure. The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to change a tilt angle of the head supporting structure relative to a tilt supporting structure and the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kapusky, Brent D. Burton, Nathan Caruss, Eric B. Michalak
  • Patent number: 10189373
    Abstract: A seat arrangement, particularly for a vehicle, that includes a second row seat arrangement. The second row seat arrangement includes a first seat, a second seat and a third seat. The first seat can be stored such that direct access to a third row seat arrangement is not limited by the second row seat arrangement. In a two row vehicle, the second row seat arrangement with the first seat stored provides extra space in the second row for placing cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michael John Thomas, Kenneth M. Clark, Robert J. Hicks, Eric B. Michalak, Ganesh Sankaran, Bernd Zimmerbeutel
  • Patent number: 9969310
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior component includes depositing an expanding foam within an internal cavity of a mold. The internal cavity is shaped to form the vehicle interior component. The method also includes placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in a desired position and/or orientation on a surface of the expanding foam such that the expanding foam bonds to the RFID tag as the expanding foam cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Eric B. Michalak, Michael John Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170253153
    Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly for a seat back of a seat that includes a head supporting structure, a head rest support, and at least two of a height adjustment mechanism, a side angle adjustment mechanism, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that are each electronically powered. The head supporting structure is configured to support an occupant's head. The head rest support supports the head supporting structure. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to change the height of the head supporting structure relative to the head rest support and the seat back. The side angle adjustment mechanism is configured to change the angle of side portions of the head supporting structure relative to a center portion of the head supporting structure. The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to change a tilt angle of the head supporting structure relative to a tilt supporting structure and the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.I.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kapusky, Brent D. Burton, Nathan Caruss, Eric B. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20170113582
    Abstract: A vertical and contour adjustment mechanism for a head restraint may include a frame, a vertical adjuster, a vertical lock, a contour adjuster, a contour lock, and a user interface. The frame may include first and second lateral portions. The vertical adjuster may be configured to allow adjustment of a vertical position of the frame. The vertical lock may be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The contour adjuster may be configured to allow adjustment of lateral positions of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion. The contour lock may be movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The user interface may be configured to be engaged by a user to simultaneously control movement of the vertical lock between the locked position and the unlocked position and control movement of the contour lock between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Eric B. MICHALAK, Jeff D. LAHO, John R. DAVIS, Joseph A. Wolkowicz, Nathan A. Caruss
  • Publication number: 20170028888
    Abstract: A seat system having a seat back structure. The seat back structure includes a seat back structure surface. The seat back structure surface defines a plurality of corrugations. A shape of the seat back structure varies based on deflection of the plurality of corrugations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kurt SEIBOLD, Eric B. MICHALAK, Brennon L. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20160318422
    Abstract: A seat arrangement, particularly for a vehicle, that includes a second row seat arrangement. The second row seat arrangement includes a first seat, a second seat and a third seat. The first seat can be stored such that direct access to a third row seat arrangement is not limited by the second row seat arrangement. In a two row vehicle, the second row seat arrangement with the first seat stored provides extra space in the second row for placing cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael John THOMAS, Kenneth M. CLARK, Robert J. HICKS, Eric B. MICHALAK, Ganesh SANKARAN, Bernd ZIMMERBEUTEL
  • Patent number: 9340135
    Abstract: A seat back frame for use in a vehicle seat assembly including a first side member, a second side member, an upper cross member, and a lower cross member. The seat back frame also includes a load transfer member that transfers impact loads from a collision through the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel James Sakkinen, Nicholas Leonard Petouhoff, Antoine A. Kmeid, Todd W. Waelde, Eric B. Michalak, Joseph F. Prosniewski, Alexander I. Balin, Ornela Zekavica, Phillip Wayne Wilson, Alexander Saveski
  • Patent number: 9233627
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat base by a seat recliner mechanism such that the seat back can be pivoted in a forward and rearward direction relative the seat base. The seat includes a track assembly coupled to the vehicle and the seat, such that the seat can be moved in the forward and rearward directions relative to the vehicle interior. The seat further includes an actuator mechanism having a first actuator that includes a push button located on the seat and an actuator in electrical communication with the push button, A force transmitting device has one end connected to the actuator and a second end connected to the seat recliner mechanism, such that energizing the actuator actuates the force transmitting device to release the seat recliner mechanism and move the seat between a use and a tipped and forward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Eric B. Michalak, Joseph Rajkumar, Mark Kowalski, Vijay Havali, Jeffrey P. Medvecky
  • Patent number: 9211827
    Abstract: A seat cushion structure for use in a vehicle seat including a first outer wall and a second outer wall joined to form a plurality of chambers. The seat cushion includes an energy absorption substance disposed within the chambers to absorb occupant load. The seat cushion also includes a plurality of springs disposed within the chambers to further facilitate occupant support and comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20150329032
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior component includes securing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in a desired position and/or orientation within an internal cavity of a mold using magnetic attraction. The internal cavity is shaped to form the vehicle interior component. The method also includes filling the internal cavity with an expanding foam such that the expanding foam bonds to the RFID tag as the expanding foam cures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric B. MICHALAK, Michael John THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20150329033
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior component includes depositing an expanding foam within an internal cavity of a mold. The internal cavity is shaped to form the vehicle interior component. The method also includes placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in a desired position and/or orientation on a surface of the expanding foam such that the expanding foam bonds to the RFID tag as the expanding foam cures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Eric B. MICHALAK, Michael John THOMAS
  • Patent number: 9180802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable striker (1) and a vehicle seat for a vehicle with a retractable striker (1), wherein the retractable striker (1) is arranged on a seat structure (8), wherein the retractable striker (1) is at least partly retractable into the seat structure (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Guido Haladuda, Helmut Jeck, David Alexander, Eric B. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20150239414
    Abstract: A position detection system for a vehicle seat component includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag coupled to the vehicle seat component. The position detection system also includes an RFID reader configured to transmit an interrogation signal to the RFID tag, and to receive a return signal from the RFID tag. The position detection system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the RFID reader. The controller is configured to determine a position of the vehicle seat component based on the interrogation signal and/or the return signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Michael John Thomas, Eric B. Michalak
  • Patent number: 9045068
    Abstract: A seat back structure includes a web extending about a central opening, and an inner flange extending about an inner perimeter of the web adjacent to the central opening. The seat back structure also includes an outer flange extending about an outer perimeter of the web. The inner flange, the outer flange and the web form a channel extending about the seat back structure, and the seat back structure is formed from a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Phillip W. Wilson, Anthony M. Kestian, Elizabeth A. Allen, Mark S. Williamson, Joseph F. Prosniewski, Catherine M. Amodeo, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich, Ronald G. Bedro, Edward J. Lamont, Michael J. Leighton, William Shawn Brewer, David J. Hayes, Robert J. Hicks, Andrew J. Erard, Michael G. Buss, Mark A. Harris, Alexander I. Balin, Alex Saveski, Eric B. Michalak, Kurt A. Seiboid, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Nicholas L. Petouhoff