Patents by Inventor James E. Carl

James E. Carl 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: 6779769
    Abstract: A multi-purpose holder for supporting an object in a vehicle includes a first support member defining an opening for receiving an object. The first support member has a first contact surface for supporting an object. A second support member is pivotally mounted on the first support member, and preferably has a second contact surface spaced apart from a third contact surface. The second and third contact surfaces further support the object. The second support member is pivotal so as to alter the position of the second and third contact surfaces such that the second and third contact surfaces support, in cooperation with the first contact surface, objects having different diameters. The second support member includes a pair of support arms. The support arms are spaced apart a distance and define substantially parallel support surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robb York, James E. Carl
  • Patent number: 5462332
    Abstract: A recliner seat for a vehicle is provided including a bun frame; a seat back frame pivotally mounted with respect to the bun frame; a rotatable drive screw with a first end held by a first fixture and a second end held by a second fixture, the first and second fixtures being normally positionally fixed with respect to the bun frame, the first and second ends of the drive screw being held along a first linear axis intersecting the first and second fixtures; a third fixture generally fixed with respect to the bun frame; a nut threadably encircling the drive screw and moved by the drive screw along the first linear axis; and a link pivotally connected with respect to the seat back frame and the nut. Thus, upon loading on the seat back frame exceeding a predetermined amount, the nut moves to a position nonaligned with the first linear axis to contact the third fixture to retard angular movement of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Payne, Gary A. Wize, James E. Carl