Patents by Inventor Jeffrey W. Sosnowski

Jeffrey W. Sosnowski 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: 8775022
    Abstract: A method of providing seat ventilation using a seat ventilation system (SVS) within a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether a vehicle seat is occupied using an air bag ECU. Occupancy information is provided from the air bag ECU to an air conditioning ECU. The air conditioning ECU controls a seat climate module based on the occupancy information received from the air bag ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenan Kurtovic, Jeffrey W. Sosnowski
  • Publication number: 20140136049
    Abstract: A method of providing seat ventilation using a seat ventilation system (SVS) within a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether a vehicle seat is occupied using an air bag ECU. Occupancy information is provided from the air bag ECU to an air conditioning ECU. The air conditioning ECU controls a seat climate module based on the occupancy information received from the air bag ECU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenan Kurtovic, Jeffrey W. Sosnowski
  • Patent number: 7677594
    Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back for supporting the back of the occupant. The seat back includes an airbag module, a frame, a trim cover and a plurality of straps connecting the trim cover to the frame. The airbag module has an inflatable airbag. The trim cover covers the airbag module, foam pad and frame. The trim cover has a first seam through which the airbag can deploy during operation of the airbag module. The trim cover has a second seam spaced apart from the first seam. The plurality of straps prevent stretching of the trim cover during deployment of the airbag and direct the energy associated with the deployment of the airbag toward the first seam. First and second straps of the plurality of straps each have a first end fixedly secured to the trim cover along the first seam and a second end fixedly secured to the frame. The airbag module is disposed the first and second straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Hazlewood, Todd P. Lang, Jeffrey W. Sosnowski
  • Publication number: 20090001783
    Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back for supporting the back of the occupant. The seat back includes an airbag module, a frame, a trim cover and a plurality of straps connecting the trim cover to the frame. The airbag module has an inflatable airbag. The trim cover covers The airbag module, foam pad and frame. The trim cover has a first seam through which the airbag can deploy during operation of the airbag module. The trim cover has a second seam spaced apart from the first seam. The plurality of straps prevent stretching of the trim cover during deployment of the airbag and direct the energy associated with the deployment of the airbag toward the first seam. First and second straps of the plurality of straps each have a first end fixedly secured to the trim cover along the first seam and a second end fixedly secured to the frame. The airbag module is disposed the first and second straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hazlewood, Todd P. Lang, Jeffrey W. Sosnowski