Patents by Inventor Eric M. May

Eric M. May 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: 6375266
    Abstract: A footrest is mounted to the frame of a forward seat and is pivotally mounted thereto to be movable between a raised stored position adjacent the back of the seat to a lowered use position for supporting a second row passenger's feet. The footrest responds to a force above a predetermined level to breakaway to prevent damage to the footrest which can be subsequently returned to the use or stored position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the footrest comprises a generally U-shaped member having a mounting bracket including the pivot coupling to opposite ends of the member to allow such pivotal movement. In addition, the mounting bracket and U-shaped footrest include a deformable stop extending between the two which holds the footrest in a use position and allows the footrest to pivot downwardly if an excessive force is placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason R. Ferguson, Eric M. May, James A. Dykla