Patents by Inventor Michael J. Suman

Michael J. Suman 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: 4899975
    Abstract: A foldable mounting assembly for a vehicle accessory includes a base attached to a vehicle headliner and having a stem extending therefrom for attachment of a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror to an end of the stem opposite the base. A spring-loaded cam cooperatively interconnects the end of the stem to the base such that the stem and accessory attached thereto can be moved from a stored position closely adjacent the headliner for shipment thereof to a lowered locked-in-place use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Prince Coporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Suman
  • Patent number: 4879637
    Abstract: A dimming control circuit for use in an illuminated vanity mirror includes a surface formed variable resistor on a circuit board and wiper contacts engaging the resistor. One of the resistor or wiper contacts is movably mounted to a mirror frame with the other of the resistor or wiper contacts being stationary such that the resistance can be varied to control the light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Clark, Kim L. Van Order, Michael J. Suman, Todd A. Zandbergen
  • Patent number: 4792884
    Abstract: An illuminated vanity mirror visor includes a light-transmitting housing which allows the utilization of a single light source such as a bulb which can be located behind the mirror to transmit light to opposite sides of the mirror through integral lenses for directing the light outwardly for use of the mirror in low ambient light conditions. The light-transmitting housing includes opposed spaced and curved light collecting surfaces at legs which extend towards opposite ends of the housing and terminate in integrally molded lens. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the light source mounted between the facing spaced surfaces of the light-transmitting housing is rotatably mounted and includes multi-colored surfaces such that the color temperature of the light can be varied to provide different lighting effects for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Suman, Wesley D. Mersman
  • Patent number: 4778218
    Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a support plate attached to a seat and to which a head engaging padded member is movably attached. A pivot coupling extends between the plate and headrest for controlling the movement of the padded headrest toward and away from the support plate. In order to move the headrest, a fluid cylinder such as a pneumatic bellows is interposed between the support plate and the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Suman
  • Patent number: 4762359
    Abstract: A visor system includes a pair of spaced mounting brackets to support a first visor movable between a raised stored position and a lowered use position and one which can be moved to a side window for providing protection against incident light from the side. The brackets also support an auxiliary visor which is pivoted on an axis located above the vehicle's windshield between a raised, stored position and a lowered, use position and is movable laterally along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Boerema, Michael J. Suman, Dennis J. Fleming
  • Patent number: 4690450
    Abstract: A visor system includes a pair of spaced mounting brackets to support a first visor movable between a raised stored position and a lowered use position and one which can be moved to a side window for providing protection against incident light from the side. The brackets also support an auxiliary visor which is pivoted on an axis located above the vehicle's windshield between a raised, stored position and a lowered, use position and is movable laterally along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Edward T. Boerema, Michael J. Suman, Dennis J. Fleming
  • Patent number: 4600240
    Abstract: A headrest includes a unidirectional clutch permitting adjustment of the headrest from a reference position to any desired selected position and resists motion in a rearward direction except upon release of the clutch. In one embodiment of the invention, a spring return mechanism is provided to automatically return the headrest to a reference position upon release of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Suman, Kim L. Van Order, Russell L. Clark, Ted W. Haan
  • Patent number: 4529157
    Abstract: A visor mounting structure includes a visor rod having a locking member secured to the rod to provide a predetermined rotational torque between the rod and the locking member. The locking member includes tabs extending outwardly for engaging one side of the sheet metal roof of a vehicle when installed. The assembly also includes a cover plate extending over the visor rod and axially spaced from the locking member and including tabs engaging an opposite side of the roof. When the locking member is inserted in the sheet metal roof and rotated to an engaging position, the cover plate is secured thereto to compressibly clamp the assembly in position in the vehicle, thereby mounting the visor attached to the visor rod to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Suman, Russell L. Clark