Patents by Inventor James W. Bach
James W. Bach 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: 11013069Abstract: A sliding window assembly, a cable drive system and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a guide track and a sliding window movable relative to the guide track. A heating element is coupled to the sliding window for heating the sliding window. A drum of a drive assembly rotates and includes a conductive terminal connected to a power supply of the vehicle. A cable is coupled between the sliding window and heating element and the drum. The drum rotates to mechanically wind or unwind the cable for moving the sliding window. A conductive element is coupled to at least one of the drum and the cable and is electrically connected to the cable and is movable during movement of the sliding window. The conductive element contacts the conductive terminal to provide electrical current to the cable for energizing the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignees: AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC., GRAND RAPIDS CONTROLS COMPANY, LLC, AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS CO.Inventors: David W. Lahnala, Daniel Bennett, James W. Bach
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Publication number: 20170238371Abstract: A sliding window assembly, a cable drive system and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a guide track and a sliding window movable relative to the guide track. A heating element is coupled to the sliding window for heating the sliding window. A drum of a drive assembly rotates and includes a conductive terminal connected to a power supply of the vehicle. A cable is coupled between the sliding window and heating element and the drum. The drum rotates to mechanically wind or unwind the cable for moving the sliding window. A conductive element is coupled to at least one of the drum and the cable and is electrically connected to the cable and is movable during movement of the sliding window. The conductive element contacts the conductive terminal to provide electrical current to the cable for energizing the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: David W. LAHNALA, Daniel BENNETT, James W. BACH
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Publication number: 20110303818Abstract: An extendable and retractable lift strut includes a support tube, a guide rod fixedly attached at the support tube, an extension tube that is extendable and retractable relative to the support tube and guide rod, and a biasing element that biases or urges the extension tube towards an extended position relative to the support tube. The biasing element may be a compression spring having a coiled wire formed of a shape memory alloy material. The biasing element provides a substantially constant biasing force over substantially the entire range of extension and retraction of the extension tube relative to the support tube. A locking mechanism may be disposed in the extension tube and may be selectively actuatable to lock relative to the guide rod to limit movement of the extension tube relative to the support tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: GRAND RAPIDS CONTROLS CO., LLCInventors: James W. Bach, Mark G. Tomandl
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Patent number: 8047595Abstract: A powered actuator includes a rotating output member that may be operatively connected to one or more cables or mechanical links for release/actuation of a lock, latch, or the like, of a vehicle seat or other component. The powered actuator may be configured to provide a required force on the release cable and/or a required distance of travel. The actuator may also be configured to provide for proper timing of the movement of the release cables if required for a particular application.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Grand Rapids Controls Company, LLCInventor: James W. Bach
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Publication number: 20090079240Abstract: A powered actuator includes a rotating output member that may be operatively connected to one or more cables or mechanical links for release/actuation of a lock, latch, or the like, of a vehicle seat or other component. The powered actuator may be configured to provide a required force on the release cable and/or a required distance of travel. The actuator may also be configured to provide for proper timing of the movement of the release cables if required for a particular application.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventor: James W. Bach
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Patent number: 7029071Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: JSJ Seating Company Texas, L.P.Inventors: Ronnie K. Watson, Anthony K. Chapman, Matthew E. Chrostowski, Randall C. Lewis, Timothy P. Coffield, James W. Bach, David F. Bach, Christopher G. Inman, Scott M. Ebenstein
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Patent number: 6877597Abstract: A clutch mechanism for seating units of the type having an adjustable support member. The clutch mechanism includes a housing having first and second opposite ends, and a generally cylindrical inner sidewall. A clamp member is movably interconnected with the housing, and the clamp member is adapted to secure the housing to a frame member of a seating unit. A rotor is rotatably mounted within the housing, and the rotor has a generally cylindrical outer surface. The rotor defines an axis of rotation, and has a channel with opposed sidewalls in the cylindrical outer surface extending generally parallel to the axis. A handle extends from the rotor, and a pulley is rotatably interconnected with the rotor. The pulley has an annular groove and an extension disposed in the channel of the rotor. The pulley is adapted to be operably coupled to an adjustable support member of a seating unit to provide adjustment of the support member.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Grand Rapids Controls, Inc.Inventors: David F. Bach, James W. Bach
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Publication number: 20040159525Abstract: A clutch mechanism for seating units of the type having an adjustable support member. The clutch mechanism includes a housing having first and second opposite ends, and a generally cylindrical inner sidewall. A clamp member is movably interconnected with the housing, and the clamp member is adapted to secure the housing to a frame member of a seating unit. A rotor is rotatably mounted within the housing, and the rotor has a generally cylindrical outer surface. The rotor defines an axis of rotation, and has a channel with opposed sidewalls in the cylindrical outer surface extending generally parallel to the axis. A handle extends from the rotor, and a pulley is rotatably interconnected with the rotor. The pulley has an annular groove and an extension disposed in the channel of the rotor. The pulley is adapted to be operably coupled to an adjustable support member of a seating unit to provide adjustment of the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: David F. Bach, James W. Bach
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Publication number: 20040046436Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2003Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: JSJ Seating Company Texas, L.P.Inventors: Ronnie K. Watson, Anthony K. Chapman, Matthew E. Chrostowski, Randall C. Lewis, Timothy P. Coffield, James W. Bach, David F. Bach, Christopher G. Inman, Scott M. Ebenstein
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Patent number: 6688690Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: JSJ Seating Company Texas, L.P.Inventors: Ronnie K. Watson, Anthony K. Chapman, Matthew E. Chrostowski, Randall C. Lewis, Timothy P. Coffield, James W. Bach, David F. Bach, Christopher G. Inman, Scott M. Ebenstein
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Publication number: 20020096920Abstract: A chair having an adjustable resilient back recliner mechanism, a pair of adjustable armrests, modular upper back portions and an adjustable lumbar support. The chair includes a tension control that adjusts the tension in the recliner mechanism. The tension control is cam-operated to permit adjustment throughout the entire range of adjustability with only limited rotational movement of a control knob. The chair includes a recline limit control that adjusts the limit of rearward movement in the recliner mechanism. The limit control includes a cable operated stop that interact with a stepped trackway on the seat. The chair further includes a height control for adjusting the seat height including a push-button located in the tension control knob. The armrests include height and angle adjustment mechanisms. The lumbar support includes a lumbar cam that is rotatably mounted to a lumbar pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Ronnie K. Watson, Anthony K. Chapman, Matthew E. Chrostowski, Randall C. Lewis, Timothy P. Coffield, James W. Bach, David F. Bach, Christopher G. Inman, Scott M. Ebenstein