Patents by Inventor Keith R. Ziegler

Keith R. Ziegler 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: 11135947
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame with an upper subframe pivot. A seat back subframe is pivotably connected to the seat back frame at the upper subframe pivot. An actuation assembly pivotably moves the seat back subframe relative to the seat back frame about the upper subframe pivot, between a seat back subframe design position and a subframe recline position. In the recline position a lower edge of the seat back subframe is positioned outwardly relative to the seat back frame with the seat back subframe pivoted to an angle relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Walter Daniel Merchant, Keith R. Ziegler, Emery Jay Zadina
  • Publication number: 20200070690
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame with an upper subframe pivot. A seat back subframe is pivotably connected to the seat back frame at the upper subframe pivot. An actuation assembly pivotably moves the seat back subframe relative to the seat back frame about the upper subframe pivot, between a seat back subframe design position and a subframe recline position. In the recline position a lower edge of the seat back subframe is positioned outwardly relative to the seat back frame with the seat back subframe pivoted to an angle relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Walter Daniel MERCHANT, Keith R. ZIEGLER, Emery Jay ZADINA
  • Publication number: 20190118677
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame with an upper subframe pivot. A seat back subframe is pivotably connected to the seat back frame at the upper subframe pivot. An actuation assembly pivotably moves the seat back subframe relative to the seat back frame about the upper subframe pivot, between a seat back subframe design position and a subframe recline position. In the recline position a lower edge of the seat back subframe is positioned outwardly relative to the seat back frame with the seat back subframe pivoted to an angle relative to the seat back frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Walter Daniel MERCHANT, Keith R. ZIEGLER, Emery Jay ZADINA
  • Patent number: 8491054
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system including a seat-bottom (1.7) and a.seatback (15) wherein the seatback (15) is prevented from rotating by both a recliner mechanism (50) and a latch mechanism (60) connected to the seatback (15). The latch mechanism (60) is configured to be disengaged to permit rotation of the seatback (15), to a forward position to aid ingress into a rearward positioned seat, which in turn releases a pair of tracks to shuttle the seat forward, to provide for easier ingress into a rearward positioned seat. When the latch mechanism (60) is released or unlocked, the recliner mechanism (50) release handle is free to rotate, but the lockout mechanism is prevented from, releasing the recliner mechanism. The seat is configured so that the seatback (15) unfolds and returns to the specific comfort position prior to activation of the latch mechanism release handle (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Timothy S. Myers, Keith R. Ziegler, Michael J. Leighton
  • Patent number: 8322773
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism (100) configured for selectively adjusting a seat back in a second row of a vehicle (10), such as a sedan, includes a close out device (200) in the form of an adjustable package shelf (210) of the vehicle (10) to cover a gap between the seat back (20) and the vehicle structure (11) as the seat back (20) is moved from the fully reclined position. This package shelf recliner mechanism (100) further includes a track system (110) mounted relative to the vehicle structure (11), a cross plate (130) coupled to the track system (110) and configured for translational movement relative thereto, a latch system (150) for releasably securing the cross plate (130) and an actuator, such as a handle or lever, for the user to selectively actuate the recliner mechanism (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Yednesh A. Parnaik, Keith R. Ziegler, Michael C. Nazione, Mihai Butas, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20100231021
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system including a seat-bottom (1.7) and a.seatback (15) wherein the seatback (15) is prevented from rotating by both a recliner mechanism (50) and a latch mechanism (60) connected to the seatback (15). The latch mechanism (60) is configured to be disengaged to permit rotation of the seatback (15), to a forward position to aid ingress into a rearward positioned seat, which in turn releases a pair of tracks to shuttle the seat forward, to provide for easier ingress into a rearward positioned seat. When the latch mechanism (60) is released or unlocked, the recliner mechanism (50) release handle is free to rotate, but the lockout mechanism is prevented from, releasing the recliner mechanism. The seat is configured so that the seatback (15) unfolds and returns to the specific comfort position prior to activation of the latch mechanism release handle (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy S. Myers, Keith R. Ziegler, Michael J. Leighton
  • Publication number: 20090322113
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism (100) configured for selectively adjusting a seat back in a second row of a vehicle (10), such as a sedan, includes a close out device (200) in the form of an adjustable package shelf (210) of the vehicle (10) to cover a gap between the seat back (20) and the vehicle structure (11) as the seat back (20) is moved from the fully reclined position. This package shelf recliner mechanism (100) further includes a track system (110) mounted relative to the vehicle structure (11), a cross plate (130) coupled to the track system (110) and configured for translational movement relative thereto, a latch system (150) for releasably securing the cross plate (130) and an actuator, such as a handle or lever, for the user to selectively actuate the recliner mechanism (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Yednesh A. Parnaik, Keith R. Ziegler, Michael C. Nazione, Mihai Butas, Kurt A. Seibold