Patents by Inventor Horia Blendea

Horia Blendea 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: 6692074
    Abstract: A variable lumbar support has a support assembly mountable on a seat frame, a pressure element engaged with the support assembly to move in relation to it in a first direction and a second direction. The directions are substantially parallel and opposite and usually vertical. A first traction element engaged with the support assembly and the pressure element moves the pressure element in the first direction and a second traction element engaged with the support assembly and with the pressure element moves the pressure element in the second direction. At least one actuator engaged with the traction elements causes the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Robert Kopetzky, Joseph Benson, Horia Blendea
  • Patent number: 6631951
    Abstract: A powered lumbar support device includes a panel having a first end and a second end. The panel is biased in a forward direction for providing an arch in a seat back. A lumbar frame extends downwardly from a support element for slideably supoprting the panel. A first cable is affixed to one of the ends of the panel and to an arching rack of a first gear box. Linear movement of the arching rack transfers motion to one of the ends to change the distance between the ends by moving the first cable. The powered lumbar support device includes a second gear box having a moving rack and a moving pinion for vertically shifting the lumbar support device. The second gear box may also be used to actuate additional support features, such as a bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Schukra of North America
    Inventors: Horia Blendea, Jintao Liu, Yang Cao, Ed Dornan, Joseph Benson
  • Patent number: 6616227
    Abstract: A powered lumbar support device includes a resilient panel having a first flange and a second flange. The panel is biased in a forward direction for providing an arch in a seat back. A lumbar frame extends downwardly from a support element for slideably supporting the resilient panel. An extending member is affixed to the first flange and projects upwardly from the control module, which is retained in position by a compliant spring. The control module includes a drive mechanism for changing the arch in the basket by changing the distance between the first flange and the second flange by extending and retracting the extending member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schukra North America
    Inventors: Horia Blendea, Jintao Liu, Yang Cao, Ed Dornan, Joseph Benson
  • Publication number: 20020113471
    Abstract: A powered lumbar support device includes a resilient panel having a first flange and a second flange. The panel is biased in a forward direction for providing an arch in a seat back. A lumbar frame extends downwardly from a support element for slideably supporting the resilient panel. An extending member is affixed to the first flange and projects upwardly from the control module, which is retained in position by a compliant spring. The control module includes a drive mechanism for changing the arch in the basket by changing the distance between the first flange and the second flange by extending and retracting the extending member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Horia Blendea, Jintao Liu, Yang Cao, Ed Dornan, Joseph Benson
  • Publication number: 20020113472
    Abstract: A powered lumbar support device includes a panel having a first end and a second end. The panel is biased in a forward direction for providing an arch in a seat back. A lumbar frame extends downwardly from a support element for slideably supoprting the panel. A first cable is affixed to one of the ends of the panel and to an arching rack of a first gear box. Linear movement of the arching rack transfers motion to one of the ends to change the distance between the ends by moving the first cable. The powered lumbar support device includes a second gear box having a moving rack and a moving pinion for vertically shifting the lumbar support device. The second gear box may also be used to actuate additional support features, such as a bolster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Horia Blendea, Jintao Liu, Yang Cao, Ed Dornan, Joseph Benson