Patents by Inventor Gerald Locke

Gerald Locke 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: 8894144
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20130229039
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 8434818
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20120256454
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 8215709
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20120112504
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 8162392
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 7992933
    Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle seat is provided. The seat back has a frame, a head restraint, and an active head restraint system. The frame provides structure for the seat back and is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The frame has a back support portion to support a back of an occupant, and a head restraint portion to support a head of an occupant. In one embodiment, the head restraint is supported by the head restraint portion of the frame and is moveable relative to the frame to an extended position to provide support to the head of the occupant during an impact condition. The active head restraint system is operatively connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint to the extended position when the active head restraint system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Gerald Locke, Won-Tai Kim
  • Patent number: 7975360
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat frame adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The seat frame has a tubular upper cross member. A bracket member is mounted to the tubular upper cross member of the seat frame. The bracket member has a pair of fulcrum bushings integrally formed therein. The bracket member is attached to onto the tubular upper cross member by an interference fit. At least one support rod is sized to be received within each of the pair of fulcrum bushings. At least one head restraint post is sized to be received within the at least one support rod. An active head restraint is mounted to the at least one head restraint post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Veine, Gerald Locke, Mark A. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 7959225
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke
  • Publication number: 20110018318
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke
  • Patent number: 7819470
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke
  • Publication number: 20100115754
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat frame adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The seat frame has a tubular upper cross member. A bracket member is mounted to the tubular upper cross member of the seat frame. The bracket member has a pair of fulcrum bushings integrally formed therein. The bracket member is attached to onto the tubular upper cross member by an interference fit. At least one support rod is sized to be received within each of the pair of fulcrum bushings. At least one head restraint post is sized to be received within the at least one support rod. An active head restraint is mounted to the at least one head restraint post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Veine, Gerald Locke, Mark A. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 7661758
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a seat frame adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The seat frame has a tubular upper cross member. A bracket member is mounted to the tubular upper cross member of the seat frame. The bracket member has a pair of fulcrum bushings integrally formed therein. The bracket member is attached to onto the tubular upper cross member by an interference fit. At least one support rod is sized to be received within each of the pair of fulcrum bushings. At least one head restraint post is sized to be received within the at least one support rod. An active head restraint is mounted to the at least one head restraint post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Veine, Gerald Locke, Mark A. Farquhar
  • Patent number: 7644987
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an active head restraint system operatively supported by the seatback frame. The active head restraint system includes an upper armature moveably mounted to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted to the upper armature. The active head restraint system also includes a lower armature operatively attached to the upper armature. The lower armature is operable to move toward the upper armature in response to a predetermined force applied to the lower armature and act on the upper armature to move the head restraint toward the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20090184546
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke
  • Patent number: 7549699
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke
  • Publication number: 20090045658
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seatback frame, an upper armature that is movable relative to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted on the upper armature. A linkage assembly operatively interconnects the upper armature and an impact body such that movement of the impact body relative to the seatback frame acts on the linkage assembly to move the upper armature relative to the seatback frame to cause the head restraint to move toward the occupant. The linkage assembly includes a linkage and a coupler movably connected to the linkage. The coupler includes a first member movably connected to the seatback frame and a second member movably connected to the first member at a location below the upper end of the impact body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Dale Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20080315636
    Abstract: A seat back for a vehicle seat is provided. The seat back has a frame, a head restraint, and an active head restraint system. The frame provides structure for the seat back and is adapted to be mounted within a vehicle. The frame has a back support portion to support a back of an occupant, and a head restraint portion to support a head of an occupant. In one embodiment, the head restraint is supported by the head restraint portion of the frame and is moveable relative to the frame to an extended position to provide support to the head of the occupant during an impact condition. The active head restraint system is operatively connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint to the extended position when the active head restraint system is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Gerald Locke, Won-Tai Kim
  • Patent number: 7441821
    Abstract: A system and method for remote actuation of a vehicle head restraint includes an actuator arrangement configured to effect movement of a head restraint from a raised position to a lowered position. A sensor defines a first area, and is configured to output signals to the actuator arrangement to facilitate movement of the head restraint from its raised position to its lowered position when an object comes within a predetermined distance of the first area. The sensor is disposed proximate a rearview mirror in the vehicle such that a vehicle operator can simultaneously view the head restraint in the mirror and the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka