Patents by Inventor Joachim Flick
Joachim Flick 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: 11833933Abstract: A longitudinal adjusting device for the motorized longitudinal adjustment of a motor vehicle seat may have a first rail and a second rail. The device may also have a spindle gearbox, a spindle cooperating with the spindle gearbox for the longitudinal adjustment, and a mount for receiving the spindle gearbox. The spindle gearbox may be at least partly held in the inner channel so as to be fixed relative to the first rail. Laterally projecting protrusions of the holding legs of the mount, which legs may be each arranged in front of and behind the spindle gearbox in the longitudinal direction, engage through lateral openings in the first rail. An abutment device having a contact section may be arranged in the region of the lateral openings. The contact section contacts the holding leg arranged in the particular opening. A vehicle seat with the device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Adient US LLCInventor: Joachim Flick
-
Publication number: 20220185150Abstract: A longitudinal adjusting device for the motorized longitudinal adjustment of a motor vehicle seat may have a first rail and a second rail. The device may also have a spindle gearbox, a spindle cooperating with the spindle gearbox for the longitudinal adjustment, and a mount for receiving the spindle gearbox. The spindle gearbox may be at least partly held in the inner channel so as to be fixed relative to the first rail. Laterally projecting protrusions of the holding legs of the mount, which legs may be each arranged in front of and behind the spindle gearbox in the longitudinal direction, engage through lateral openings in the first rail. An abutment device having a contact section may be arranged in the region of the lateral openings. The contact section contacts the holding leg arranged in the particular opening. A vehicle seat with the device is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBHInventor: Joachim Flick
-
Patent number: 11299072Abstract: A seat rail pair for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The seat rail pair may have a lower rail and an upper rail. The upper rail may be moved relative to the lower rail via mutually engaged profiles. The lower rail may have a substantially C-shaped profile and the upper rail may have a substantially U-shaped profile. Roller members may be arranged between the upper rail and the lower rail to facilitate relative movement.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ingo Quast, Erik Sprenger, Udo Goettel, Turgay Turan, Michael Zacharias, Joachim Flick
-
Patent number: 11267370Abstract: A seat length adjuster for a vehicle seat may have two rail pairs, each pair formed by an upper rail and a lower rail. The upper rail is provided with openings and the lower rail has through holes. At least one spring-loaded, movable locking member may be provided. The locking member carries toothlike protrusions on its two opposite lengthwise sides, which are movable from a released position into the locked position both into the openings and into the through holes. The openings and/or the through holes have contact regions for the toothlike protrusions of the locking member and at least some of the toothlike protrusions have a respective undercut on both tooth flanks. In the locked position a projecting edge resulting from this on the respective tooth flank lies opposite the contact region and/or touches this contact region.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignees: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH, Adient Yanfeng Seating Mechanism Co., LtdInventors: Joachim Flick, Erik Sprenger, Pan Wang, Peigui Wu
-
Patent number: 11230208Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster (106) includes a seat track pair (1) with a lower seat track (2) and an upper seat track (4) that mutually engage one another for guided relative and longitudinal direction (x) movement. The lower seat track (2) has a substantially C-shaped profile (20, 22) with sections (24) that are bent downward at the ends. The upper seat track (4) has a substantially U-shaped profile (40, 42) with end sections (44) that are bent upward; the relative displaceability of the two seat tracks (2, 4) with respect to one another is limited by means of an interaction of an end stop (30) disposed on the lower seat track (2) with a stop element (48) disposed on the upper seat track (4), and wherein the end stop (30) is designed in the form of an extension of part of the downward bent sections (24) and the lower seat track (2) comprises a slotted hole (32) in the region of the end stop (30).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joachim Flick, Erik Sprenger, Ingo Quast, Turgay Turan
-
Patent number: 11130425Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a longitudinal adjuster of a vehicle seat may have at least one actuation arm, a trigger lever, and a positioning element which is arranged on the trigger lever and which is pivotally mounted on a free lever end of the trigger lever.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joachim Flick, Erik Sprenger
-
Publication number: 20210061137Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a longitudinal adjuster of a vehicle seat may have at least one actuation arm, a trigger lever, and a positioning element which is arranged on the trigger lever and which is pivotally mounted on a free lever end of the trigger lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2018Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBHInventors: JOACHIM FLICK, ERIK SPRENGER
-
Patent number: 10759309Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster (10), for a vehicle seat (1), includes at least one pair of rails (12), formed from a lower seat rail (14a) and an upper seat rail (14b). The seat rails mutually engage around each other and are movable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction (x) and are lockable to each other by a locking device (16). The locking device has at least one latching plate (18), which is movable in the vertical direction (z). The latching plate has a guide pin (20) protruding in the vertical direction. The upper seat rail has an opening (22) aligned with the guide pin. A guide sleeve (24) extends into a cavity between the seat rails and is accommodated in the opening. The guide pin is guided by the guide sleeve. The upper seat rail and the guide sleeve are connectable by a bayonet catch.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.Inventors: Joachim Flick, Erik Sprenger
-
Publication number: 20200039390Abstract: The invention relates to a seat length adjuster (3), especially for a vehicle seat, comprising at least: two rail pairs (10) arranged at a distance from each other, formed respectively by two rails, an upper rail (11) and a lower rail (12), wherein the upper rail is provided with openings (16) and the lower rail (12) has through holes (14), and at least one spring-loaded, movable locking member (21), which is held on the upper rail (11) and which blocks a movement of the upper rail (11) in the lower rail (12) in a locked position (VS), and which carries toothlike protrusions (15) on its two opposite lengthwise sides, which are movable from a released position (FS) into the locked position (VS) both into the openings (16) and into the through holes (14), wherein the locking member (21) secures the upper rail (11) and lower rail (12) in the locked position (VS), wherein the openings (16) and/or the through holes (14) have contact regions (K) for the toothlike protrusions (15) of the locking member (21) andType: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Joachim FLICK, Erik SPRENGER, Pan WANG, Peigui WU
-
Publication number: 20190389332Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster (106) includes a seat track pair (1) with a lower seat track (2) and an upper seat track (4) that mutually engage one another for guided relative and longitudinal direction (x) movement. The lower seat track (2) has a substantially C-shaped profile (20, 22) with sections (24) that are bent downward at the ends. The upper seat track (4) has a substantially U-shaped profile (40, 42) with end sections (44) that are bent upward; the relative displaceability of the two seat tracks (2, 4) with respect to one another is limited by means of an interaction of an end stop (30) disposed on the lower seat track (2) with a stop element (48) disposed on the upper seat track (4), and wherein the end stop (30) is designed in the form of an extension of part of the downward bent sections (24) and the lower seat track (2) comprises a slotted hole (32) in the region of the end stop (30).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Joachim FLICK, Erik SPRENGER, Ingo QUAST, Turgay TURAN
-
Publication number: 20190375314Abstract: A seat rail pair (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a lower rail (2) and an upper rail (4). The upper rail (4) is guided displaceably in the longitudinal direction relative to the lower rail (2). Profiles of the rails are mutually in engagement. The lower rail (2) has a substantially C-shaped profile (20, 22) with portions (24) bent downwards at the ends. The upper rail (4) has a substantially U-shaped profile (40, 42) with end portions (44) bent upwards. Rolling bodies (8a, 8b) are arranged in two lower rolling-body raceways (10a) and two upper rolling-body raceways (10b) between the lower rail (2) and the upper rail (4). A part of the end portions (44) making contact with the rolling bodies (8a) arranged in the lower rolling-body raceways (10a) has a flat supporting surface (46).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Ingo QUAST, Erik SPRENGER, Udo GOETTEL, Turgay TURAN, Michael ZACHARIAS, Joachim FLICK
-
Publication number: 20190184859Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster (10), for a vehicle seat (1), includes at least one pair of rails (12), formed from a lower seat rail (14a) and an upper seat rail (14b). The seat rails mutually engage around each other and are movable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction (x) and are lockable to each other by a locking device (16). The locking device has at least one latching plate (18), which is movable in the vertical direction (z). The latching plate has a guide pin (20) protruding in the vertical direction. The upper seat rail has an opening (22) aligned with the guide pin. A guide sleeve (24) extends into a cavity between the seat rails and is accommodated in the opening. The guide pin is guided by the guide sleeve. The upper seat rail and the guide sleeve are connectable by a bayonet catch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Joachim FLICK, Erik SPRENGER
-
Publication number: 20190135140Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjuster includes two pairs of rails (10), each including a seat-mounted upper rail (10a) and a structure-mounted lower rail (10b). A first locking element (16a) and a second locking element (16b) block movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail. The lower rail has apertures (14) and the upper rail has slot openings (12). The locking elements have tooth projections (18), which are guided in the slot openings, and in a locking position, reach through the slot openings and the apertures. In the locking position, the first locking element engages partially in the apertures for the play-free position of the pair of rails. In the locking position, the second locking element is always fully inserted into the apertures. A vehicle seat (1) has a seat part (3), a backrest (5) which is coupled to the seat part and a longitudinal adjuster.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.l.Inventors: Joachim FLICK, Erik SPRENGER
-
Patent number: 10195963Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster (3), for a vehicle seat (1), includes a lower rail (9), an upper rail (11), moveable in relation to the lower rail (9) in a longitudinal direction (x), and a locking unit (13) for locking the upper rail (11) to the lower rail (9). The locking unit (13) includes two locking elements (VR), which, in order to lock the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9), engage in the upper rail and the lower rail in a blocking manner in steps such that one of the locking elements (VR) pre-locks the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9) with play in a pre-locking step and one of the locking elements (VR) locks the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9) without play in a locking step. A vehicle seat (1) including such a longitudinal adjuster (3) is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.Inventors: Joachim Flick, Erik Sprenger
-
Patent number: 10131250Abstract: An actuating unit for a vehicle seat, particularly for actuating a locking device of a seat rail of a motor vehicle seat, has an actuating element (4) articulated about a pin (6) to a main element (2). A spring element (10) is arranged on the pin (6) and biases the actuating element. The spring element and the pin are formed such that the spring element secures the pin in the assembled position thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.Inventor: Joachim Flick
-
Publication number: 20180222352Abstract: A vehicle seat longitudinal adjusting device (1) includes a rail (3.2) fixed to the vehicle and a rail (3.1) fixed to the seat, which move relative to each other. A stop (6, 7, 9, 10) protrudes in the region of a rail lock (5) and projects into an interior of the rails (3.1, 3.2). Slot-shaped rail openings (3.3) are arranged in both rails (3.1, 3.2) for locking engagement with a latching element (5.3) of a locking element (5.1) of the rail lock (5). The stop (6, 7, 9, 10) is arranged below the slot-shaped rail openings (3.3) and is narrower in the longitudinal direction (x) than the rail openings (3.3) or includes a recess (7.1) through which the latching element (5.3) can be guided. A rail pair (2) includes the longitudinal adjusting device (1) and a vehicle seat includes the rail pair (2) with the longitudinal adjusting device (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l.Inventors: Joachim FLICK, Erik SPRENGER
-
Publication number: 20170305305Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster (3), for a vehicle seat (1), includes a lower rail (9), an upper rail (11), moveable in relation to the lower rail (9) in a longitudinal direction (x), and a locking unit (13) for locking the upper rail (11) to the lower rail (9). The locking unit (13) includes two locking elements (VR), which, in order to lock the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9), engage in the upper rail and the lower rail in a blocking manner in steps such that one of the locking elements (VR) pre-locks the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9) with play in a pre-locking step and one of the locking elements (VR) locks the upper rail (11) and the lower rail (9) without play in a locking step. A vehicle seat (1) including such a longitudinal adjuster (3) is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Joachim FLICK, Erik SPRENGER
-
Publication number: 20150360588Abstract: A locking mechanism (7) is provided for the longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat, by which a first rail (3) can be fixed relative to a second rail (4). A fixing device (5) is connected to one of the rails and fixes the rail by reversibly engaging a recess (6) in the other rail. A vehicle seat is also provided having the locking mechanism. A process is provided for producing the locking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbHInventors: Joachim FLICK, Falko JÄHNER
-
Publication number: 20150107403Abstract: An actuating unit for a vehicle seat, particularly for actuating a locking device of a seat rail of a motor vehicle seat, has an actuating element (4) articulated about a pin (6) to a main element (2). A spring element (10) is arranged on the pin (6) and biases the actuating element. In order to provide a simple and cost-effective actuating unit for a vehicle seat, which unit has only a few components and can be assembled automatically owing the simple structure thereof, provision is made that the spring element and the pin are formed such that the spring element secures the pin in the assembled position thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Joachim Flick
-
Patent number: 7511479Abstract: In the case of a longitudinal adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, with at least one first seat rail (5), at least one second seat rail (8) which is displaceable relative to the first seat rail (5) and is guided therein, at least one locking device (11) for locking the first seat rail (5) to the second seat rail (8), wherein a locking row (19) of the first seat rail (5) is assigned to the locking device (11), and a position recognition device (20) with a sensor (24), the sensor (24) interacts with the locking row (19).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rolf Schüler, Joachim Flick