Patents by Inventor Kenneth McQueen

Kenneth McQueen 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: 9167898
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism having a first plate, a dust cover, and a brake. The brake may be configured to engage a set of dust cover teeth to inhibit rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, Jonathan David Conger, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Martin Stilleke
  • Publication number: 20140097659
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism having a first plate, a dust cover, and a brake. The brake may be configured to engage a set of dust cover teeth to inhibit rotation of the second plate with respect to the first plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, Jonathan David Conger, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Martin Stilleke
  • Publication number: 20140008956
    Abstract: A continuous manual seat recliner mechanism with an integrated lock includes an upper gear plate and lower gear plate in geared connection with the upper gear plate. The upper gear plate is able to rotate eccentrically in relation to the lower gear plate. A coiled locking spring is located within a central bore of a lock cylinder which is fixed to the lower gear plate so that an outside surface of the locking spring may frictionally engage the lock cylinder to prevent the lock cylinder and, thereby, the lower gear, from rotating. The ends of the lock spring engage with a knob hub and a driver hub such that rotation of the knob hub unlocks the recliner to allow adjustment by the operator, while rotation of the driver hub locks the recliner mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: B. Paul Golarz, Kenneth McQueen, Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak
  • Patent number: 7517021
    Abstract: A reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat is disclosed with a guide plate pivotally connected to a pivotal plate, which has two internal gear segments. A cam pivotally connects to the pivotal plate, and has a pair of pawls. Two lock elements cooperate with the guide plate, and have an external gear segment to cooperate with the internal gear segments. When the cam rotates, the cam engages the cam pawls with one of the engagement elements unlocking the external gear segments from the internal gear segments. Springs cooperate with the guide plate and the cam for locking the mechanism. A bushing cooperates with the cam and receives a shaft for connecting the reclining mechanism to another reclining mechanism. The cam engages each lock element at two contact points to drive the external gear segments into the internal gear segments when the reclining mechanism is in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Luke Gajda
  • Patent number: 7513573
    Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat that is used to adjust the angular orientation of a seat back relative to a seat base. The tilt adjustment mechanism has a driver that has two protrusions that are rotated with the driver by a drive shaft. Initially the driver rotates independently of a cam assembly until a driving protrusion of the cam assembly is engaged. The movement of the driver continues to release a locking wedge that releases the seat back for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Eric Brines
  • Patent number: 7393054
    Abstract: A seatback system having self-adjusting lumbar support. The seatback system including a pivot configured for facilitating rotating of a lumbar support in response to pressure applied thereto by a seat occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth McQueen, Peter A. Bacarella, Jim Wawrzyniak
  • Publication number: 20080073961
    Abstract: A reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat is disclosed with a guide plate pivotally connected to a pivotal plate, which has two internal gear segments. A cam is pivotally connected to the pivotal plate, and has a pair of pawls. Two lock elements are translatable relative to the guide plate, and have a gear segment to cooperate with the pivotal plate gear segments. Rotation of the cam engages each of the cam pawls with one of the engagement elements to unlock the gear segments from each of the pivotal plate gear segments. Springs cooperate with the guide plate and the cam for locking the mechanism. A bushing cooperates with the cam and receives a shaft for connecting the reclining mechanism to another reclining mechanism. A clip supports the bushing, but does not extend beyond an outer profile of one of the pivotal plate or guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Luke Gajda
  • Publication number: 20080073962
    Abstract: A reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat is disclosed with a guide plate pivotally connected to a pivotal plate, which has two internal gear segments. A cam pivotally connects to the pivotal plate, and has a pair of pawls. Two lock elements cooperate with the guide plate, and have an external gear segment to cooperate with the internal gear segments. When the cam rotates, the cam engages the cam pawls with one of the engagement elements unlocking the external gear segments from the internal gear segments. Springs cooperate with the guide plate and the cam for locking the mechanism. A bushing cooperates with the cam and receives a shaft for connecting the reclining mechanism to another reclining mechanism. The cam engages each lock element at two contact points to drive the external gear segments into the internal gear segments when the reclining mechanism is in a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Luke Gajda
  • Publication number: 20080061616
    Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat that is used to adjust the angular orientation of a seat back relative to a seat base. The tilt adjustment mechanism has a driver that has two protrusions that are rotated with the driver by a drive shaft. Initially the driver rotates independently of a cam assembly until a driving protrusion of the cam assembly is engaged. The movement of the driver continues to release a locking wedge that releases the seat back for adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Eric Brines
  • Publication number: 20070108816
    Abstract: A seatback system having self-adjusting lumbar support. The seatback system including a pivot configured for facilitating rotating of a lumbar support in response to pressure applied thereto by a seat occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth McQueen, Peter Bacarella, Jim Wawrzyniak
  • Patent number: 7159934
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back connected to the seat bottom. A reclining mechanism is configured to adjustably position the seat back. A head restraint assembly includes a head restraint and one or more supports receiving the head restraint extending through one or more slots in an upper frame member of the seat back frame. A head restraint adjustment mechanism cooperates with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. The head restraint adjustment mechanism includes a guide rotatably mounted to the seat back frame receiving the one or more head restraint supports, a cam rotatably mounted to the seat back frame and a linkage having a first end connected to the guide and a second end adjustably connected to the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Farquhar, Kar K. Low, Kenneth McQueen, Mark S. Sebby, Nagarjun Yetukuri
  • Publication number: 20060071514
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back connected to the seat bottom. A reclining mechanism is configured to adjustably position the seat back. A head restraint assembly includes a head restraint and one or more supports receiving the head restraint extending through one or more slots in an upper frame member of the seat back frame. A head restraint adjustment mechanism cooperates with the seat back to position the head restraint adjacent an occupant's head. The head restraint adjustment mechanism includes a guide rotatably mounted to the seat back frame receiving the one or more head restraint supports, a cam rotatably mounted to the seat back frame and a linkage having a first end connected to the guide and a second end adjustably connected to the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Farquhar, Kar Low, Kenneth McQueen, Mark Sebby, Nagarjun Yetukuri
  • Patent number: 6899395
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a head restraint assembly providing four-way adjustment and having dual positive stops as well as a single ergonomic control. The present invention includes a frame and a housing that engages a portion of the frame. The present invention further includes a cam assembly disposed within the housing to provide fore/aft adjustment of the housing relative to the frame. The cam assembly includes a camshaft and at least two drum assemblies supported by the camshaft. The cam assembly further includes a contact plate extending parallel to the camshaft to releasably engage the drum assemblies. The camshaft is connected to the contact plate to provide releasable engagement between the contact plate and the drum assemblies. The present invention further includes a control member to engage the cam assembly and provide for fore/aft and vertical adjustment in response to user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Mark Farquhar, Dale Smallwood, Paul Wier, Kenneth McQueen, Michael Phan
  • Publication number: 20050093349
    Abstract: A tilt-adjustable head restraint assembly includes a hollowed head restraint body pivotally connected to a U-shaped mounting post. A ratcheting mechanism is disposed within the head restraint body and includes a ratchet interacting with a rack of ratchet teeth. The ratchet has an inertia gear engaged therewith to slow the forward movement of the pivoting head restraint when the ratchet is engaged to allow forward movement of the head restraint, and further has a plunger mechanism which allows for the pivoting of the head restraint in a hands free manner by the application of a static force or pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kar Low, Nargarjun Yetukuri, Kenneth McQueen, Mark Sebby, Kevin Gasparotto
  • Publication number: 20050088027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a head restraint assembly providing four-way adjustment and having dual positive stops as well as a single ergonomic control. The present invention includes a frame and a housing that engages a portion of the frame. The present invention further includes a cam assembly disposed within the housing to provide fore/aft adjustment of the housing relative to the frame. The cam assembly includes a camshaft and at least two drum assemblies supported by the camshaft. The cam assembly further includes a contact plate extending parallel to the camshaft to releasably engage the drum assemblies. The camshaft is connected to the contact plate to provide releasable engagement between the contact plate and the drum assemblies. The present invention further includes a control member to engage the cam assembly and provide for fore/aft and vertical adjustment in response to user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Mark Farquhar, Dale Smallwood, Paul Wier, Kenneth McQueen, Michael Phan
  • Patent number: 6880891
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a head restraint which limits the magnitude of neck deflection of a vehicle occupant during a rear impact collision. The head restraint includes a support member attached to the top of a head restraint post. The support member includes a convex surface shaped to substantially conform to the profile of an occupant's head and neck. The support member is covered by a resilient material such as foam. The foam thickness is reduced due to the presence of the support member. Reduced foam thickness in addition to the shape of the support member provides for reduced occupant neck deflection during a rear impact collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Kenneth McQueen, Dale Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20050001463
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a head restraint which limits the magnitude of neck deflection of a vehicle occupant during a rear impact collision. The head restraint includes a support member attached to the top of a head restraint post. The support member includes a convex surface shaped to substantially conform to the profile of an occupant's head and neck. The support member is covered by a resilient material such as foam. The foam thickness is reduced due to the presence of the support member. Reduced foam thickness in addition to the shape of the support member provides for reduced occupant neck deflection during a rear impact collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nagarjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Kenneth McQueen, Dale Smallwood
  • Patent number: 6779840
    Abstract: A vehicle seat and headrest assembly includes a seatback frame. A headrest assembly is provided and has a cushion portion and an impact target. The headrest assembly is rotatably connected to the seatback frame, wherein a rearward force applied upon the impact target causes the cushion portion to rotate upwardly and forwardly. A headrest assembly biasing member is operatively connected to the headrest assembly and the seatback frame and biases the headrest assembly against rotational movement. A locking mechanism is operatively connected to the headrest assembly and the seatback frame. The locking mechanism is movable between an unlocked position wherein the headrest assembly is permitted to rotate, and a locked position wherein the headrest assembly is prevented from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Farquhar, Mladen Humer, Kaur Grewal, Kar Low, Kenneth McQueen, Nagarjun V. Yetukuri