Patents by Inventor Joshua Gauthier

Joshua Gauthier 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: 11904737
    Abstract: A seating assembly is provided with swivel capabilities. The seating assembly includes a coupling member, a seat, a seatback, and a swivel plate. The seat is pivotably coupled to the coupling member. The seatback is also pivotably coupled to the coupling member. Additionally, the swivel plate is coupled to the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joseph Michael Kish, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joshua Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20240017647
    Abstract: A seating assembly is provided with swivel capabilities. The seating assembly includes a coupling member, a seat, a seatback, and a swivel plate. The seat is pivotably coupled to the coupling member. The seatback is also pivotably coupled to the coupling member. Additionally, the swivel plate is coupled to the coupling member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joseph Michael Kish, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joshua Gauthier
  • Patent number: 11577628
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat back. A seat base is coupled to the seat back. A track assembly and the seat base are translatable fore and aft along the track assembly. A rail cartridge slidably engages with the track assembly. An actuation assembly includes a first electrical connector coupled to the rail cartridge and a support member coupled to a second electrical connector. The second electrical connector is operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the first electrical connector via a sliding engagement of the support member along opposing grooves of an engagement member. The second electrical connector is actuated via an actuator coupled to the second electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Deeptej Kudav, David Frederick Lyons, Jr., Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Patent number: 11530736
    Abstract: A track system includes a track member with an elongate shaft mounted thereto. At least one support mechanism is mounted to the track member. The at least one support mechanism includes a housing. An engagement feature includes first and second engagement members spaced-apart from one another to define a receiving area therebetween. The first and second engagement members are operable between deployed and retracted positions relative to the housing. The elongate shaft is received in the receiving area when the first and second engagement members are in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Kish, Joshua Gauthier, Matthew Schwope, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Johnathan Andrew Line, Cung K. Chieu, Changwei Xie, Macit Aktas, Glenn Scott
  • Patent number: 11433785
    Abstract: A rail assembly can include a track assembly, an elongate shaft mounted to the track assembly, and a carriage assembly received within the track assembly. The carriage assembly can include a slider bracket. The slider bracket includes a first ramp portion and a second ramp portion. The first and second ramp portions are disposed on opposite sides of the slider bracket. The first and second ramp portions each define a receiving aperture. The elongate shaft is received through the receiving apertures of the first and second ramp portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joshua Gauthier, Joseph Michael Kish, Johnathan Andrew Line, Adarsh Gupta, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Changwei Xie
  • Patent number: 11407334
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A carriage is coupled to a lower surface of the seat base and includes a locating protrusion on a bottom surface thereof. The track assembly includes a rail. A rail cartridge is slidably engaged with the rail. The rail cartridge defines a locating hole for receiving the locating protrusion. A first electrical connector is coupled to the rail cartridge. A second electrical connector is coupled to the carriage and operable between engaged and disengaged positions. An actuation member is configured to move the second electrical connector between the engaged and disengaged positions. When the second electrical connector is in the engaged position, an electrical connection is formed between the first and second electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Gregory Hagedorn, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Patent number: 11332043
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a track that defines a lateral channel and a central channel. The lateral channel is in communication with the central channel. A plurality of contact strips are coupled with the track and are positioned within the lateral channel. A rail cartridge is positioned within the central channel and is slidable along the track. The lateral channel is at least partially enclosed by the track and the rail cartridge. A support is operably coupled with the rail cartridge and extends from the central channel into the lateral channel. A plurality of contacts are operably coupled with the support and are configured to engage the plurality of contact strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, David James Tippy, Alan George Dry, Jimmy Moua, Adam Ewel, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Michael P. Bell
  • Patent number: 11332046
    Abstract: A rail assembly includes a track assembly, an elongate shaft mounted to the track assembly, and a carriage assembly received within the track assembly. The carriage assembly includes a body portion, an exterior surface of the body portion, a slider bracket fastened to the exterior surface of the body portion, and a gear box positioned within the slider bracket. The elongate shaft extends through the gear box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joshua Gauthier, Joseph Michael Kish, Johnathan Andrew Line, Adarsh Gupta, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Changwei Xie
  • Publication number: 20220001815
    Abstract: A track assembly for a rail-mounted component of a vehicle includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track and defines a first slot. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel. The connection cartridge includes first and second sidewalls joined by a bottom wall. A second electrical connector is positioned within the channel and is configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel and is movable between first and second positions. The actuation member is biased to the first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member to selectively move the actuation member into the second position against the bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, David James Tippy, Jimmy Moua, Gregory Hagedorn, Adam Ewel, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 11142149
    Abstract: A track assembly includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel and includes a second electrical connector configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel of the connection cartridge and is coupled with the second electrical connector. A spring is operably coupled to the actuation member and is configured to bias the actuation member in a first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member. The actuator is moved upward against the bias of the spring to move the actuation member to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, David James Tippy, Jimmy Moua, Gregory Hagedorn, Adam Ewel, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 11135954
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame including a cross-member extending across a front portion of the seat frame and a cushion pan assembly rotatably coupled to the seat frame and including a cushion pan and a pair of opposing integration brackets each having a cushion pan mounting portion coupled to the cushion pan and a seat frame mounting portion pivotably coupled to the seat frame. The cushion pan assembly is rotatable about an axis defined by a pivotable coupling between the integration bracket and the seat frame and between a design position and a fully upward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lukasz Gajda, Joshua Gauthier, Ian G. James, Travis Pierce, Bradley Bysouth
  • Publication number: 20210291708
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame including a cross-member extending across a front portion of the seat frame and a cushion pan assembly rotatably coupled to the seat frame and including a cushion pan and a pair of opposing integration brackets each having a cushion pan mounting portion coupled to the cushion pan and a seat frame mounting portion pivotably coupled to the seat frame. The cushion pan assembly is rotatable about an axis defined by a pivotable coupling between the integration bracket and the seat frame and between a design position and a fully upward position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lukasz Gajda, Joshua Gauthier, Ian G. James, Travis Pierce, Bradley Bysouth
  • Patent number: 11104248
    Abstract: A rail assembly includes a track assembly defining an interior channel, a shuttle assembly received within the interior channel, and a carriage assembly coupled to the track assembly. The shuttle assembly includes a lock assembly. The carriage assembly includes a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger cam and an actuator cam coupled to the trigger cam. The actuator cam actuates the carriage assembly between locked and unlocked configurations relative to the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Scott, Alan George Dry, Eric Morse, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Joshua Gauthier, Cung K. Chieu, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Matthew Schwope, Changwei Xie, Johnathan Andrew Line, Ray Kurlonko, Arya Sabeti
  • Publication number: 20210261020
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a track that defines a lateral channel and a central channel. The lateral channel is in communication with the central channel. A plurality of contact strips are coupled with the track and are positioned within the lateral channel. A rail cartridge is positioned within the central channel and is slidable along the track. The lateral channel is at least partially enclosed by the track and the rail cartridge. A support is operably coupled with the rail cartridge and extends from the central channel into the lateral channel. A plurality of contacts are operably coupled with the support and are configured to engage the plurality of contact strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, David James Tippy, Alan George Dry, Jimmy Moua, Adam Ewel, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Michael P. Bell
  • Publication number: 20210229572
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat back. A seat base is coupled to the seat back. A track assembly and the seat base are translatable fore and aft along the track assembly. A rail cartridge slidably engages with the track assembly. An actuation assembly includes a first electrical connector coupled to the rail cartridge and a support member coupled to a second electrical connector. The second electrical connector is operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the first electrical connector via a sliding engagement of the support member along opposing grooves of an engagement member. The second electrical connector is actuated via an actuator coupled to the second electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Deeptej Kudav, David Frederick Lyons, JR., Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Patent number: 11072260
    Abstract: A rail assembly includes a track assembly with a retaining lip and a carriage assembly that is received within the track assembly. The carriage assembly includes a body portion, an exterior surface of the body portion, and a retaining bracket fastened to the exterior surface. The retaining bracket extends outwardly from the point at which the retaining bracket is fastened to the exterior surface. The retaining bracket defines a notch that receives the retaining lip of the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Macit Aktas, Joshua Gauthier, Joseph Michael Kish, Johnathan Andrew Line, Adarsh Gupta, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Changwei Xie
  • Publication number: 20210101506
    Abstract: A rail assembly includes a track assembly defining an interior channel, a shuttle assembly received within the interior channel, and a carriage assembly coupled to the track assembly. The shuttle assembly includes a lock assembly. The carriage assembly includes a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly includes a trigger cam and an actuator cam coupled to the trigger cam. The actuator cam actuates the carriage assembly between locked and unlocked configurations relative to the track assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Glenn Scott, Alan George Dry, Eric Morse, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Joshua Gauthier, Cung K. Chieu, Robert Clayton Caldwell, Matthew Schwope, Changwei Xie, Johnathan Andrew Line, Ray Kurlonko, Arya Sabeti
  • Publication number: 20210094444
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A carriage is coupled to a lower surface of the seat base and includes a locating protrusion on a bottom surface thereof. The track assembly includes a rail. A rail cartridge is slidably engaged with the rail. The rail cartridge defines a locating hole for receiving the locating protrusion. A first electrical connector is coupled to the rail cartridge. A second electrical connector is coupled to the carriage and operable between engaged and disengaged positions. An actuation member is configured to move the second electrical connector between the engaged and disengaged positions. When the second electrical connector is in the engaged position, an electrical connection is formed between the first and second electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas, Gregory Hagedorn, Joseph Michael Kish
  • Publication number: 20210078510
    Abstract: A track assembly includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel and includes a second electrical connector configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel of the connection cartridge and is coupled with the second electrical connector. A spring is operably coupled to the actuation member and is configured to bias the actuation member in a first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member. The actuator is moved upward against the bias of the spring to move the actuation member to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, David James Tippy, Jimmy Moua, Gregory Hagedorn, Adam Ewel, Joshua Gauthier, Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 10946776
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a base frame and first and second guide brackets coupled to opposed sides of the base frame. The first and second guide brackets each include slots disposed therethrough. First and second support brackets are slideably mounted to the slots of the first and second guide brackets, respectively. A seat portion includes a seat frame that is pivotally coupled to the first and second support brackets at opposed first and second ends of the seat frame. The seat frame is configured to pivot with respect to the first and second support brackets between use and upright non-use positions. The base frame is rotatably supported on a swivel mechanism for rotation of the seat assembly between forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Kish, Jeffrey Gabalski, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joshua Gauthier, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Spencer Robert Hoernke