Patents by Inventor Michael J. Leighton
Michael J. Leighton 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).
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Patent number: 11718202Abstract: A back-rest pivot fitting for a seat, having at least a seat pan, a folding back-rest, which is pivotable coupled to the seat pan, and a pivot fitting. The pivot fitting may have at least a first fitting member which is fixed to the seat pan, a second fitting member, which is pivotable coupled to the first fitting member and which is fixed to the back-rest, a recliner heart and an adjustment member.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Adient US LLCInventors: Bruce A. Hiemstra, Michael J. Leighton, Yannis Poulos, Diana Eblenkamp, Miodrag M. Petrovic, Falko Jähner, Sandeep Devadkar
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Publication number: 20220305958Abstract: A back-rest pivot fitting for a seat, having at least a seat pan, a folding back-rest, which is pivotable coupled to the seat pan, and a pivot fitting. The pivot fitting may have at least a first fitting member which is fixed to the seat pan, a second fitting member, which is pivotable coupled to the first fitting member and which is fixed to the back-rest, a recliner heart and an adjustment member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Adient US LLCInventors: Bruce A. HIEMSTRA, Michael J. LEIGHTON, Yannis POULOS, Diana EBLENKAMP, Miodrag M. PETROVIC, Falko JÄHNER, Sandeep DEVADKAR
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Patent number: 11427110Abstract: A pivot fitting for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, is configured to adjust an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position. The pivot fitting may have at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, any intermediate inclined position or the non-use position.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michael J. Leighton, Kenneth R. Ptak
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Publication number: 20220009382Abstract: A pivot fitting for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, is configured to adjust an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position. The pivot fitting may have at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, any intermediate inclined position or the non-use position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: January 13, 2022Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBHInventors: MICHAEL J. LEIGHTON, KENNETH R. PTAK
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Patent number: 9045068Abstract: A seat back structure includes a web extending about a central opening, and an inner flange extending about an inner perimeter of the web adjacent to the central opening. The seat back structure also includes an outer flange extending about an outer perimeter of the web. The inner flange, the outer flange and the web form a channel extending about the seat back structure, and the seat back structure is formed from a single piece of material.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Ornela Zekavica, Phillip W. Wilson, Anthony M. Kestian, Elizabeth A. Allen, Mark S. Williamson, Joseph F. Prosniewski, Catherine M. Amodeo, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich, Ronald G. Bedro, Edward J. Lamont, Michael J. Leighton, William Shawn Brewer, David J. Hayes, Robert J. Hicks, Andrew J. Erard, Michael G. Buss, Mark A. Harris, Alexander I. Balin, Alex Saveski, Eric B. Michalak, Kurt A. Seiboid, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Nicholas L. Petouhoff
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Patent number: 8827368Abstract: A recliner mechanism comprising a base plate having a plurality of contoured extension members and a central aperture; a pivot member coupled to the central aperture of the base plate; a cam member pivotably coupled to the pivot member; a first and second disc member positioned within the base plate and supported by the contoured extension members; a tooth plate having central aperture for coupling to the pivot member and an annular ring including a plurality of teeth; a first and second pawl member positioned within the base plate and supported by the contoured extension members, the first and second pawl members having a plurality of teeth for engagement with the teeth of the tooth plate and contoured sides for engagement with the base plate, cam member, first and second disc member, and the contoured extension members.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Michael J. Leighton, Michael Zhang, Tracy A. Schachern, Douglas M. Coburn, Kyle M. Doxey, Costel Ailenei
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Patent number: 8491054Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Timothy S. Myers, Keith R. Ziegler, Michael J. Leighton
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Publication number: 20130161992Abstract: A seat back structure includes a web extending about a central opening, and an inner flange extending about an inner perimeter of the web adjacent to the central opening. The seat back structure also includes an outer flange extending about an outer perimeter of the web. The inner flange, the outer flange and the web form a channel extending about the seat back structure, and the seat back structure is formed from a single piece of material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Ornela Zekavica, Phillip W. Wilson, Anthony M. Kestian, Elizabeth A. Allen, Mark S. Williamson, Joseph F. Prosniewski, Catherine M. Amodeo, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich, Ronald G. Bedro, Edward J. Lamont, Michael J. Leighton, William Shawn Brewer, David J. Hayes, Robert J. Hicks, Andrew J. Erard, Michael G. Buss, Mark A. Harris, Alexander I. Balin, Alex Saveski, Eric B. Michalak, Kurt A. Seiboid, Daniel J. Sakkinen, Nicholas L. Petouhoff
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Publication number: 20110309665Abstract: A recliner mechanism comprising a base plate having a plurality of contoured extension members and a central aperture; a pivot member coupled to the central aperture of the base plate; a cam member pivotably coupled to the pivot member; a first and second disc member positioned within the base plate and supported by the contoured extension members; a tooth plate having central aperture for coupling to the pivot member and an annular ring including a plurality of teeth; a first and second pawl member positioned within the base plate and supported by the contoured extension members, the first and second pawl members having a plurality of teeth for engagement with the teeth of the tooth plate and contoured sides for engagement with the base plate, cam member, first and second disc member, and the contoured extension members.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Michael J. Leighton, Michael Zhang, Tracy A. Schachern, Douglas M. Coburn, Kyle M. Doxey, Costel Ailenei
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Patent number: 8029063Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track member and a reinforcing member. The first track member has a first portion defining a first set of apertures configured to receive a locking device. The reinforcing member, which may be in the form of a plate, is coupled to the first portion and defines a second set of apertures corresponding to the first set of apertures. The second set of apertures are also configured to receive the locking device. The reinforcing member is configured to reinforce the first track member in an area around and between the first set of apertures.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: David A. Kazyak, Michael J. Leighton, William S. Brewer, Simon Moore, Todd M. Tommelein
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Publication number: 20100231021Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Timothy S. Myers, Keith R. Ziegler, Michael J. Leighton
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Publication number: 20090322136Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track member and a reinforcing member. The first track member has a first portion defining a first set of apertures configured to receive a locking device. The reinforcing member, which may be in the form of a plate, is coupled to the first portion and defines a second set of apertures corresponding to the first set of apertures. The second set of apertures are also configured to receive the locking device. The reinforcing member is configured to reinforce the first track member in an area around and between the first set of apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2007Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: David A. Kazyak, Michael J. Leighton, William S. Brewer, Simon Moore, Todd M. Tommelein