Patents by Inventor John E. Jennings

John E. Jennings 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: 8851567
    Abstract: Disclosed are tie down cord assemblies and methods of assembling same. According to some aspects, the tie down cord assembly includes a webbing having a tunnel portion and a flat portion, with the tunnel portion configured to receive a slotted cord and the flat portion configured to attach to fabric. The slotted cord weaves in and out of the tunnel portion and is configured to interact with a seat frame or other suitable structure to secure the fabric to a seat frame. The tie down cord assembly is configured to be universal so that it can be used with seat frames having different dimensions and/or configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Thanh Phat Nguyen, Timothy M. Russell, Larry W. Thompson, John E. Jennings, Brian Micheal Lang, Terry Louis Brown
  • Publication number: 20130127216
    Abstract: Disclosed are tie down cord assemblies and methods of assembling same. According to some aspects, the tie down cord assembly includes a webbing having a tunnel portion and a flat portion, with the tunnel portion configured to receive a slotted cord and the flat portion configured to attach to fabric. The slotted cord weaves in and out of the tunnel portion and is configured to interact with a seat frame or other suitable structure to secure the fabric to a seat frame. The tie down cord assembly is configured to be universal so that it can be used with seat frames having different dimensions and/or configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Thanh Phat Nguyen, Timothy M. Russell, Larry W. Thompson, John E. Jennings, Brian Micheal Lang, Terry Louis Brown
  • Patent number: 8387749
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 8387750
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennings
  • Publication number: 20120111439
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 7726350
    Abstract: A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: John E. Jennings, Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090114307
    Abstract: A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: John E. Jennings, Timothy M. Russell
  • Patent number: 4146919
    Abstract: A rotating hanging lamp which is constructed of a fixed member and a movable member with the exterior surface of the movable member being substantially greater than the external surface of the fixed member. The fixed member is divided into an upper section and a lower section with the movable member located therebetween. The movable member is rotatably supported upon the fixed member by means of a low frictional wheel assembly which connects with an annular inwardly extending flange mounted upon the movable member. The annular inwardly extending flange also connects with a drive wheel which is rotatably mounted upon the fixed member. The drive wheel is rotatably driven by a motor which is mounted upon the fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventor: John E. Jennings