Patents by Inventor Michael J. Kapusky

Michael J. Kapusky 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).

  • Publication number: 20220266733
    Abstract: An armrest assembly for connection to a seat cushion assembly, the armrest assembly may have an armrest body, an armrest support supporting the armrest body, an armrest positioning device, a backrest connection interface for connection with a backrest frame and an actuator for actuating the movement between a down position and an up position of the armrest body. A vehicle seat may have the seat cushion assembly, a backrest having the backrest frame, a base backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest pivotably connecting the seat base to the backrest and the armrest assembly connected to the seat cushion assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Brent D. BURTON, Nathan A. CARUSS, Michael J. KAPUSKY, Eric B. MICHALAK
  • Publication number: 20220185157
    Abstract: An armrest device for a backrest of a vehicle seat may have at least an armrest body which is pivotable between a horizontal use position (UP) and a vertical stowed position (SR). The device may also have an armrest carrier structure. In the horizontal use position the armrest body may be located substantially laterally with respect to the armrest carrier structure and in the vertical stowed position the armrest body may be located substantially behind the armrest carrier structure. A backrest and a seat may use the armrest device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael J. KAPUSKY, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer J. CARLSON
  • Patent number: 11167664
    Abstract: A safety device for a lock mechanism may have a housing that encapsulates the lock mechanism. The housing may have at least one opening, through which at least one adjustment element coupled to the lock mechanism is guidable. The at least one opening may have a sealing element. A seat track for a seat is also disclosed. The seat track may have a first track assembly with at least one track member, a second track assembly with at least one further track member, and a lock mechanism configured to lock an adjustment of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventor: Michael J. Kapusky
  • Publication number: 20210316640
    Abstract: A safety device for a lock mechanism may have a housing that encapsulates the lock mechanism. The housing may have at least one opening, through which at least one adjustment element coupled to the lock mechanism is guidable. The at least one opening may have a sealing element. A seat track for a seat is also disclosed. The seat track may have a first track assembly with at least one track member, a second track assembly with at least one further track member, and a lock mechanism configured to lock an adjustment of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Michael J. Kapusky
  • Patent number: 10829018
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Brent Burton, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Mark Shafer, Michael J. Kapusky
  • Patent number: 10399474
    Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly for a seat back of a seat that includes a head supporting structure, a head rest support, and at least two of a height adjustment mechanism, a side angle adjustment mechanism, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that are each electronically powered. The head supporting structure is configured to support an occupant's head. The head rest support supports the head supporting structure. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to change the height of the head supporting structure relative to the head rest support and the seat back. The side angle adjustment mechanism is configured to change the angle of side portions of the head supporting structure relative to a center portion of the head supporting structure. The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to change a tilt angle of the head supporting structure relative to a tilt supporting structure and the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kapusky, Brent D. Burton, Nathan Caruss, Eric B. Michalak
  • Publication number: 20190135151
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (10, 100, 200, 300, 400) includes a seat base (14,114, 214, 314, 414) a backrest (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) with a seat base and backrest pivot connection between the seat base and the backrest. An armrest (16, 216, 216, 316, 416) is connected to the vehicle seat at an armrest to vehicle seat support connection (20,120, 220, 320, 420). An armrest linkage system changes an inclination of the armrest relative to the backrest upon changes in inclination of the backrest relative to the seat base, over a pivot range of motion of the backrest relative to the seat base. This may maintain the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor or may change the inclination of the armrest relative to the seat base and the seat floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Brent BURTON, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Mark SHAFER, Michael J. KAPUSKY
  • Publication number: 20190077330
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat base as a seat part. The seat part includes a seat part frame, a trim side and an opposite harder side. The harder side has an outer peripheral surface with a recess contour. Fittings form a seat base to backrest pivot connection, for pivoting the seat base relative to the backrest and/or pivoting the backrest relative to the seat base. Pivotable hoop connections are connected to the vehicle seat frame adjacent to the opposite harder side. A storage hoop has hoop ends respectively connected to the respective pivotable hoop connections. The storage hoop is received in the recess in a stowed position, in which the hoop is disposed inwardly of a remainder of the outer peripheral surface. The stowed hoop may pivot out of the recess to a hoop deployed position, with the hoop extending outwardly from the opposite harder side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Eric MICHALAK, Brent BURTON, Mason PIKE, Nathan CARUSS, Alex SAVESKI, Michael J. KAPUSKY
  • Publication number: 20170253153
    Abstract: An adjustable head restraint assembly for a seat back of a seat that includes a head supporting structure, a head rest support, and at least two of a height adjustment mechanism, a side angle adjustment mechanism, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that are each electronically powered. The head supporting structure is configured to support an occupant's head. The head rest support supports the head supporting structure. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to change the height of the head supporting structure relative to the head rest support and the seat back. The side angle adjustment mechanism is configured to change the angle of side portions of the head supporting structure relative to a center portion of the head supporting structure. The tilt adjustment mechanism is configured to change a tilt angle of the head supporting structure relative to a tilt supporting structure and the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.I.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kapusky, Brent D. Burton, Nathan Caruss, Eric B. Michalak
  • Patent number: 9205764
    Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicular seat of the type including a backrest hingedly connected to a seat base and capable of being reclined. The recliner assembly includes an outer gear and includes an internal teeth arranged circumferentially about an axis A. The assembly also includes an inner gear including at least one tooth engaging member selectively moveable into and out of engagement with the internal teeth of the outer gear. A retainer is attached to the outer gear in order to retain the inner gear from lateral movement along axis A. The retainer is configured for mounting to the outer gear and the inner gear is configured for mounting to at least one of a top plate and a base plate. The retainer, outer gear, and inner gears can be formed from a fine-blanked steel material and simply welded together to improve recliner strength while reducing assembly costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Hiemstra, Michael R. Bittner, Ingo Kienke, Michael J. Kapusky, Kirubaharan Albert
  • Patent number: 8931842
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a seat and more particularly, a carrier in the adjustment device having anti-rock features and increased longevity and a method of forming the outer gear out of hardened steel without the need for heat treating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Hiemstra, Michael R. Bittner, Scott A. Profozich, Michael J. Kapusky
  • Publication number: 20120169102
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a seat and more particularly, a carrier in the adjustment device having anti-rock features and increased longevity and a method of forming the outer gear out of hardened steel without the need for heat treating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce A. Hiemstra, Michael R. Bittner, Scott A. Profozich, Michael J. Kapusky
  • Publication number: 20120161487
    Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicular seat of the type including a backrest hingedly connected to a seat base and capable of being reclined. The recliner assembly includes an outer gear and includes an internal teeth arranged circumferentially about an axis A. The assembly also includes an inner gear including at least one tooth engaging member selectively moveable into and out of engagement with the internal teeth of the outer gear. A retainer is attached to the outer gear in order to retain the inner gear from lateral movement along axis A. The retainer is configured for mounting to the outer gear and the inner gear is configured for mounting to at least one of a top plate and a base plate. The retainer, outer gear, and inner gears can be formed from a fine-blanked steel material and simply welded together to improve recliner strength while reducing assembly costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Hiemstra, Michael R. Bittner, Ingo Kienke, Michael J. Kapusky, Kirubaharan Albert