Patents by Inventor Jeffrey A. Jones

Jeffrey A. Jones 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: 12233756
    Abstract: A support assembly may be configured for connections with, adjustment along, and removal from a track assembly. The support assembly may include a support member and/or an electrical connector. The electrical connector may be adjustably connected to the support member and adjustable to a first position and a second position relative to the support member. The electrical connector may include a first contact configured to engage a first conductor of said track assembly. The first contact may be engageable with said first conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The electrical connector may be configured such that the first contact is disposed at a distance from said first conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The first contact may be movably connected to the electrical connector such that the first contact is movable relative to the electrical connector and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Antoine Moulin, Raul Ricart, Jeffrey A. Jones, Sven Vesper, Marlon Christian Grosser, Thibaud Condamin, Nordine Hamtache
  • Patent number: 12049178
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a movable component configured for selective connection with and selective removal from a mounting surface. The movable component may include a first electronic control unit (ECU), and an electromechanical interface configured for selectively locking the movable component with said mounting surface. The electrical system may include a second ECU configured to communicate with the first ECU, and/or a third ECU configured to detect a potential dynamic event via one or more sensors. The third ECU may be configured to provide dynamic event information to the second ECU. The second ECU may be configured to provide disable information corresponding to the dynamic event information to the movable component. The first ECU may be configured to lock the movable component with the mounting surface according to the disable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoine Moulin, Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jose Gabriel Fernández Bañares
  • Patent number: 12012056
    Abstract: An electrical system may include a track assembly, a support assembly, a sensor, and at least one electronic control unit. The track assembly may include a bus bar. The support assembly may include a contact configured to engage the bus bar. The support assembly may be removably and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The at least one electronic control unit may be operatively connected to the bus bar and the sensor. The at least one electronic control unit may be configured to determine whether the support assembly and the track assembly are properly connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Raúl Ricart
  • Publication number: 20230278469
    Abstract: A removable component system may include a vehicle, a plurality of removable components, one or more sensor assemblies, and/or an electronic control unit that may be connected to the one or more sensors. A method of operating the removable component system may include moving, via the electronic control unit, a first removable component of the plurality of removable components relative to a mounting surface of the vehicle, detecting a new removable component or removal of a second removable component of the plurality of removable components while moving the first removable component, and/or modifying the movement of the first removable component according to the detected new removable component and/or the removal of the second removable component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas
  • Patent number: 11739554
    Abstract: A system is disclosed herein comprising a stake with a first end portion configured to support a top component, a second end portion configured to be positioned at least partially underground, an anti-twist device formed on the second end portion, and a stabilizing component formed on the second end portion between the anti-twist device and the first end portion. The system also includes a shell with a longitudinal opening configured to receive at least part of the first end portion of the stake. The shell has a lower end that is configured to contact the ground when the system is in use. Corresponding devices and methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11726940
    Abstract: A system for communicating with removable components may include an electronic controller and a removable component having an identifier and configured to communicate with the electronic controller. The removable component may be configured to transmit the identifier to the electronic controller via a first communication channel. The electronic controller may be configured to transmit a confirmation to the removable component after receipt of the identifier. The removable component may be configured to transmit information to the electronic controller via at least one of the first communication channel and/or a second communication channel, after receipt of the confirmation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11634101
    Abstract: A removable component system may include a removable component selectively connectable to a mounting surface including a component electrical unit; an antenna; a system controller configured to communicate with the component electrical unit and the antenna; and/or a track assembly configured to be fixed to said mounting surface. The removable component may be selectively connectable to said mounting surface via the track assembly. The removable component may be configured for selective connection with, removal from, and movement along the track assembly. The system controller may be configured to obtain a position of the removable component relative to said mounting surface via the antenna and the component electrical unit (e.g., via a component controller, a sensor, and/or a communication device thereof).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230071332
    Abstract: An electrical system may include a track assembly, a support assembly, a sensor, and at least one electronic control unit. The track assembly may include a bus bar. The support assembly may include a contact configured to engage the bus bar. The support assembly may be removably and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The at least one electronic control unit may be operatively connected to the bus bar and the sensor. The at least one electronic control unit may be configured to determine whether the support assembly and the track assembly are properly connected to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Raúl Ricart
  • Publication number: 20230039726
    Abstract: A system for communicating with removable components may include an electronic controller and a removable component having an identifier and configured to communicate with the electronic controller. The removable component may be configured to transmit the identifier to the electronic controller via a first communication channel. The electronic controller may be configured to transmit a confirmation to the removable component after receipt of the identifier. The removable component may be configured to transmit information to the electronic controller via at least one of the first communication channel and/or a second communication channel, after receipt of the confirmation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 11505141
    Abstract: An electrical system may include a track assembly, a support assembly, a sensor, and at least one electronic control unit. The track assembly may include a bus bar. The support assembly may include a contact configured to engage the bus bar. The support assembly may be removably and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The at least one electronic control unit may be operatively connected to the bus bar and the sensor. The at least one electronic control unit may be configured to determine whether the support assembly and the track assembly are properly connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Raúl Ricart
  • Patent number: 11506272
    Abstract: A support member may be connectable in a removable and adjustable manner to a track assembly. The support member may include an electrical connector, a contact, and a biasing member. The electrical connector may be adjustable to a first position and a second position. The contact may be connected to the electrical connector and configured to engage a conductor of said track assembly. The contact may be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The contact may not be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The biasing member may be configured to bias the contact into engagement with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Antoine Moulin, Jeffrey A. Jones, Sven Vesper, Marlon Christian Grosser, Raúl Ricart
  • Publication number: 20220324355
    Abstract: A support assembly may be configured for connections with, adjustment along, and removal from a track assembly. The support assembly may include a support member and/or an electrical connector. The electrical connector may be adjustably connected to the support member and adjustable to a first position and a second position relative to the support member. The electrical connector may include a first contact configured to engage a first conductor of said track assembly. The first contact may be engageable with said first conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The electrical connector may be configured such that the first contact is disposed at a distance from said first conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The first contact may be movably connected to the electrical connector such that the first contact is movable relative to the electrical connector and the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Antoine Moulin, Raul Ricart, Jose Gabriel Fernandez Banares, Jeffrey A. Jones, Sven Vesper, Marlon Christian Grosser, Thibaud Condamin, Nordine Hamtache
  • Publication number: 20220126771
    Abstract: An electrical system may include a track assembly, a support assembly, a sensor, and at least one electronic control unit. The track assembly may include a bus bar. The support assembly may include a contact configured to engage the bus bar. The support assembly may be removably and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The at least one electronic control unit may be operatively connected to the bus bar and the sensor. The at least one electronic control unit may be configured to determine whether the support assembly and the track assembly are properly connected to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Raúl Ricart
  • Patent number: 11142101
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back that is pivotable about an axis of rotation, and a reclining assembly. The reclining assembly includes a base, a carrier secured to the base and including a rod guide, a curved rod interfacing the rod guide, a spring having a fixed end and a rotatable end, and a curved spring housing that extends over the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Johannes Barzen, Eckhard Nock
  • Publication number: 20210268974
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a movable component configured for selective connection with and selective removal from a mounting surface. The movable component may include a first electronic control unit (ECU), and an electromechanical interface configured for selectively locking the movable component with said mounting surface. The electrical system may include a second ECU configured to communicate with the first ECU, and/or a third ECU configured to detect a potential dynamic event via one or more sensors. The third ECU may be configured to provide dynamic event information to the second ECU. The second ECU may be configured to provide disable information corresponding to the dynamic event information to the movable component. The first ECU may be configured to lock the movable component with the mounting surface according to the disable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoine Moulin, Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jose Gabriel Fernández Bañares
  • Publication number: 20210265776
    Abstract: A support member may be connectable in a removable and adjustable manner to a track assembly. The support member may include an electrical connector, a contact, and a biasing member. The electrical connector may be adjustable to a first position and a second position. The contact may be connected to the electrical connector and configured to engage a conductor of said track assembly. The contact may be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position. The contact may not be engageable with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the second position. The biasing member may be configured to bias the contact into engagement with said conductor when the electrical connector is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Antoine Moulin, Jeffrey A. Jones, Sven Vesper, Marlon Christian Grosser, Raúl Ricart
  • Publication number: 20210238878
    Abstract: A system is disclosed herein comprising a stake with a first end portion configured to support a top component, a second end portion configured to be positioned at least partially underground, an anti-twist device formed on the second end portion, and a stabilizing component formed on the second end portion between the anti-twist device and the first end portion. The system also includes a shell with a longitudinal opening configured to receive at least part of the first end portion of the stake. The shell has a lower end that is configured to contact the ground when the system is in use. Corresponding devices and methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Patent number: 10982404
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a stake with a first end portion configured to support a component and a second end portion, an anti-twist device formed on the second end portion, and a stabilizing component formed on the second end portion between the anti-twist device and the first end portion. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20210108387
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a stake with a first end portion configured to support a component and a second end portion, an anti-twist device formed on the second end portion, and a stabilizing component formed on the second end portion between the anti-twist device and the first end portion. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20210101562
    Abstract: A removable component system may include a removable component selectively connectable to a mounting surface including a component electrical unit; an antenna; a system controller configured to communicate with the component electrical unit and the antenna; and/or a track assembly configured to be fixed to said mounting surface. The removable component may be selectively connectable to said mounting surface via the track assembly. The removable component may be configured for selective connection with, removal from, and movement along the track assembly. The system controller may be configured to obtain a position of the removable component relative to said mounting surface via the antenna and the component electrical unit (e.g., via a component controller, a sensor, and/or a communication device thereof).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jeffrey A. Jones