Patents by Inventor Eric Smitterberg

Eric Smitterberg 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).

  • Vehicle airbag
    Patent number: 10640076
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first member inflatable to an inflated position in which the first member has a first and a second distal edge spaced from each other along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The vehicle includes a second member inflatable to an inflated position, the second member in the inflated position being on a cross-vehicle axis that extends through the first distal edge. The vehicle includes a one-way vent permitting fluid flow from the first member to the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juyoung Lee, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Jonathan Clarke, Eric A. Smitterberg
  • VEHICLE AIRBAG
    Publication number: 20190275977
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first member inflatable to an inflated position in which the first member has a first and a second distal edge spaced from each other along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The vehicle includes a second member inflatable to an inflated position, the second member in the inflated position being on a cross-vehicle axis that extends through the first distal edge. The vehicle includes a one-way vent permitting fluid flow from the first member to the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: JUYOUNG LEE, MARWAN AHMAD ELBKAILY, JONATHAN CLARKE, ERIC A. SMITTERBERG
  • PARTIAL LOW RISK DEPLOYMENT VENT ASSEMBLY FOR AN AIRBAG ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150115584
    Abstract: An exemplary vent assembly for an airbag assembly having an airbag cushion may have at least one panel attachable to the airbag cushion. The airbag cushion may be inflatable by a gas, and may define at least one opening that has a first area. The at least one opening may be configured to allow at least a portion of the gas to exit the airbag cushion. The at least one panel may be positionable over the at least one opening to partially obstruct the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Eric A. Smitterberg, Edward J. Abramoski, Jeff S. Vinton
  • Attachment of head rest guide tube to vehicle seat frame
    Patent number: 7213887
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back frame having an aperture extending therethrough, and a head rest guide tube disposed in the aperture. The guide tube has a radially extending swaged portion engaged with the seat back frame for securing the guide tube to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, Mark Stanisz, Eric A. Smitterberg, L. Keith Hensley, Sanford E. Cook, Kevin J. Fudala
  • ATTACHMENT OF HEAD REST GUIDE TUBE TO VEHICLE SEAT FRAME
    Publication number: 20050121955
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back frame having an aperture extending therethrough, and a head rest guide tube disposed in the aperture. The guide tube has a radially extending swaged portion engaged with the seat back frame for securing the guide tube to the seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eugene Dudash, Mark Stanisz, Eric Smitterberg, L. Hensley, Sanford Cook, Kevin Fudala
  • Motor vehicle seat
    Patent number: 6223436
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a seat back in a vehicle comprising an aluminum I-beam formed in a generally U-shaped configuration, and having opposing ends supported with respect to the vehicle for forming a seat back frame. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a vehicle seat back frame, comprising: a) extruding an aluminum I-beam; b) cutting the I-beam to a desired length; c) age-hardening the I-beam; and d) bending the I-beam into a substantially U-shaped configuration to form a vehicle seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, Mark Stanisz, Eric A. Smitterberg, L. Keith Hensley, Sanford E. Cook, Kevin J. Fudale
  • Motor vehicle seat
    Patent number: 5769499
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for supporting a seat back in a vehicle comprising an aluminum I-beam formed in a generally U-shaped configuration, and having opposing ends supported with respect to the vehicle for forming a seat back frame. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a vehicle seat back frame, comprising: a) extruding an aluminum I-beam; b) cutting the I-beam to a desired length; c) age-hardening the I-beam; and d) bending the I-beam into a substantially U-shaped configuration to form a vehicle seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene S. Dudash, Mark Stanisz, Eric A. Smitterberg, L. Keith Hensley, Sanford E. Cook, Kevin J. Fudala