Patents by Inventor Grant A. Compton
Grant A. Compton 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).
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Patent number: 9409504Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper, Kevin VanNieulande
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Patent number: 9399418Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and refracted positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marc Kondrad, John W. Jaranson, Kendrick Alden Harper, Daniel Ferretti, Michael Kolich, Lorne Joseph Lovelace, Kevin VanNieulande, Grant A. Compton
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Patent number: 9126508Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure that is operable between upright and reclined positions. A motorized actuation assembly is disposed between the first and second side supports and is operably coupled to a pivot bar that is rotatably coupled with the seatback structure. An upper seatback suspension component is coupled to the pivot bar. The upper seatback suspension component automatically pivots relative to the pivot bar to a rearward position when the seatback structure is in the upright position and automatically pivots relative to the pivot bar to a forward position when the seatback structure is in the reclined position. An external peripheral gap is defined between the upper seatback suspension component and the seatback structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
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Patent number: 9126504Abstract: A vehicle headrest assembly includes a head restraint operably coupled to a vehicle seatback and having a head support surface. A flexible member includes a top portion operably coupled to the head restraint. The flexible member includes an intermediate portion adjacent the head support surface, a lower portion, and an upper back support disposed on the vehicle seatback and defining an elongated slot through which the flexible member extends. An actuation system is operably coupled to the lower portion of the flexible member. The actuation system operates to move the flexible member through the slot between a deployed position and a non-deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
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Publication number: 20150145303Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports that define a seatback frame. A front trim piece is coupled between the first and second side supports. A suspension component is coupled with a central area of the front trim piece and has flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom. A passenger support panel has a periphery coupled to distal ends of the flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, Kevin VanNieulande, Marc Silva Kondrad, John W. Jaranson, Kendrick Alden Harper, Grant A. Compton
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Patent number: 9016784Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat defining a seating area. An internal flex member is disposed in the seat. An external flex member is proximate a forward edge of the seat. A first actuation assembly is operably coupled to the internal flex member to raise a portion of the seat. A second actuation assembly translates the external flex member between a retracted position and an extended position that enlarges the effective seating area.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton
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Patent number: 9016783Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat defining a seating area and an actuation assembly. An elongate flexible member includes a first end pivotally coupled to the seat and a second end operably coupled with the actuation assembly. The elongate flexible member is pivotally moveable between raised and lowered positions and operable between a retracted position and an extended position. The elongate flexible member enlarges the effective seating area.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Harry Zhong, John W. Jaranson, Daniel Ferretti, Grant A. Compton, Kevin VanNieulande
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Publication number: 20140203606Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat defining a seating area and an actuation assembly. An elongate flexible member includes a first end pivotally coupled to the seat and a second end operably coupled with the actuation assembly. The elongate flexible member is pivotally moveable between raised and lowered positions and operable between a retracted position and an extended position. The elongate flexible member enlarges the effective seating area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Harry Zhong, John W. Jaranson, Daniel Ferretti, Grant A. Compton, Kevin VanNieulande
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Publication number: 20140203614Abstract: A vehicle headrest assembly includes a head restraint operably coupled to a vehicle seatback and having a head support surface. A flexible member includes a top portion operably coupled to the head restraint. The flexible member includes an intermediate portion adjacent the head support surface, a lower portion, and an upper back support disposed on the vehicle seatback and defining an elongated slot through which the flexible member extends. An actuation system is operably coupled to the lower portion of the flexible member. The actuation system operates to move the flexible member through the slot between a deployed position and a non-deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
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Publication number: 20140203617Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and refracted positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marc Kondrad, John W. Jaranson, Kendrick Alden Harper, Daniel Ferretti, Michael Kolich, Lorne Joseph Lovelace, Kevin VanNieulande, Grant A. Compton
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Publication number: 20140203607Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat defining a seating area. An internal flex member is disposed in the seat. An external flex member is proximate a forward edge of the seat. A first actuation assembly is operably coupled to the internal flex member to raise a portion of the seat. A second actuation assembly translates the external flex member between a retracted position and an extended position that enlarges the effective seating area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton
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Publication number: 20140203610Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure that is operable between upright and reclined positions. A motorized actuation assembly is disposed between the first and second side supports and is operably coupled to a pivot bar that is rotatably coupled with the seatback structure. An upper seatback suspension component is coupled to the pivot bar. The upper seatback suspension component automatically pivots relative to the pivot bar to a rearward position when the seatback structure is in the upright position and automatically pivots relative to the pivot bar to a forward position when the seatback structure is in the reclined position. An external peripheral gap is defined between the upper seatback suspension component and the seatback structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
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Publication number: 20140203603Abstract: A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper, Kevin VanNieulande
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Publication number: 20140159457Abstract: A seat recliner system includes a seat back having a back support member configured to support the back of a passenger. A connecting member extends generally orthogonally from a lower end of the back support member. The connecting member includes a front portion and a rear portion. A seat base includes a forward link operably coupled to the front portion of the connecting member. A rearward link is operably coupled to the rear portion of the connecting member such that the seat back is rotatable about a virtual hip-point of a passenger that is above the seat base and forward of the seat back.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kendrick Alden Harper
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Patent number: 8727374Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes a seatback side support that has a frame member that extends. A suspension component extends forward from the side support to define a peripheral gap. An airbag module is operably coupled to the frame member. A first trim piece conceals a rear area of the frame member and extends forward over the airbag module. A second trim piece is coupled to a forward portion of the frame member and is detachably coupled with the first trim piece along a seam. The airbag module is deployable forward through the seam to move the second trim piece into the peripheral gap.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John W. Jaranson, Grant A. Compton, Kendrick Alden Harper
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Patent number: 8371344Abstract: A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Doug Vandervoort, Grant A. Compton, Stanley Jay Novak, Brenda Johnson, Kirk Rasmussen, Marius Efstate
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Publication number: 20120217239Abstract: A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Doug Vandervoort, Grant A. Compton, Stanley Jay Novak, Brenda Johnson, Kirk Rasmussen, Marius Efstate
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Patent number: 8167009Abstract: A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Ford Gobal Technologies, LLCInventors: Doug Vandervoort, Grant A. Compton, Stanley Jay Novak, Brenda Johnson, Kirk Rasmussen, Marius Efstate
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Patent number: 7686464Abstract: A conversation mirror assembly is provided for use in passenger compartments of motor vehicles. The conversation mirror assembly includes a mirror housing having a mirror support surface. A first conversation mirror face biased toward the driver is fitted to the mirror support surface. A second conversation mirror face biased toward the front seat passenger is fitted to the mirror support surface adjacent the first conversation mirror. The first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face may be either spherical or aspherical. The first conversation mirror face may be separate from the second conversation mirror face. Alternatively, the first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face define two facets of a single mirror.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Grant A. Compton, Jay R. Degenkolb, Doug Vandervoort, George Walowich, Lynda Kristen Fulgenzi, Lisa Burns, Gerald L. Elrite
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Publication number: 20100012205Abstract: A refilling system for a vehicle including a body panel having a fixed opening, an adjustable refilling assembly partially enclosed by the body panel, the adjustable refilling assembly including a first port and a second port, the adjustable refilling assembly movable between at least a first configuration in which the first port is aligned with the fixed opening and a second configuration in which the second port is aligned with the fixed opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Doug Vandervoort, Grant A. Compton, Stanley Jay Novak, Brenda Johnson, Kirk Rasmussen, Marius Efstate