Patents by Inventor Michael Kapusky

Michael 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: 20230182623
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushion motor linked to a pinion gear for providing concentric rotation of a linkage through rotational engagement of the pinion gear with a sector gear. The seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and a seat base adapted for mounting the seat assembly within an automotive vehicle. The linkage includes a front link and a rear link extending between the seat cushion and the seat base, wherein pivoting of the linkage moves the seat assembly between a plurality of positions. A recliner mechanism is operatively coupled to the front link for selectively allowing pivoting thereof, and the sector gear is fixed to the front link. Actuation of the cushion motor when the recliner mechanism is unlocked rotates the pinion gear, causing the sector gear to rotate for pivoting the linkage to move the seat assembly between the plurality of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: MICHAEL KAPUSKY, David M Runde, Ronald A Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20230018025
    Abstract: A seat assembly for movement between a plurality of positions within an automotive vehicle includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and a seat track assembly with a sliding track repositionable along a fixed track for movement of the seat assembly between a forward position and a rearward position. A linkage assembly extends between the seat cushion and the sliding track for movement of the seat cushion between an easy entry position and a design position. An interlock element is pivotally coupled to the sliding track. Movement of the seat assembly from the forward position to the rearward position pivots the interlock element from a locked condition engaged with the linkage assembly for holding the seat cushion in the easy entry position, to an unlocked condition disengaged from the linkage assembly for allowing movement of the seat cushion to the design position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Ronald A Zimmerman, II
  • Patent number: 11142100
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a backrest. A seat base track arrangement has a fixed track and a moveable track that is moveable along the fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support or fore/aft track to adjust an entire vehicle seat position. The seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. A backrest track arrangement has a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. A link arm pivotably links the seat base and the backrest. A seat base pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the seat base. A link arm and backrest pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the backrest and the moveable track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Matthew McClelland
  • Patent number: 10933787
    Abstract: Reclining seat mounted on a foundation through first and second slides. The seat cushion is mounted on the first slide, and the seat back is mounted on the second slide. The slides, the seat cushion and the seat back are arranged to move together as one unit to have the seat recline. A head restraint is mounted at a top side of the seat back to follow and move with the back during movement of the back. The second slide has a non-linear curved shape to rotate the head restraint when the seat back moves. The curved shape rotates the headrest in a backward and downward direction when the seat back moves downward and the seat cushion moves forward, and vice versa. From the different seat positions, the head restraint follows the motion of the occupant as they move to the different seat positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Kurt Seibold
  • Patent number: 10829007
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a long track that significantly extends beyond the seat. The track defines a slot. A carriage is movable along the track through the slot. A cover is mounted on the track, and includes a plurality of fingers being individually pivotally connected to the track between a cover position and an open position. Each finger in the cover position blocking a portion of the slot from the area outside of the track. Each finger in the open position opening a respective portion of the slot to the area outside of the track. The plurality of fingers and the longitudinal edges of the extension being shaped configured to move the plurality of fingers from the cover position to the open position as the carriage moves along the track and against the plurality of fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Shreyas Sansuddi, Joseph A. Wolkowicz
  • Patent number: 10829010
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion, a seatback connected to the cushion and a track arrangement. The track arrangement includes a curved fixed track and a flexible track follower that is moveable along the curved fixed track between a full slouch and a full upright position. The curved fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support base and the moveable track is connected to the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Alexander Saveski
  • Publication number: 20200276918
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a long track that significantly extends beyond the seat. The track defines a slot. A carriage is movable along the track through the slot. A cover is mounted on the track, and includes a plurality of fingers being individually pivotally connected to the track between a cover position and an open position. Each finger in the cover position blocking a portion of the slot from the area outside of the track. Each finger in the open position opening a respective portion of the slot to the area outside of the track. The plurality of fingers and the longitudinal edges of the extension being shaped configured to move the plurality of fingers from the cover position to the open position as the carriage moves along the track and against the plurality of fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Shreyas SANSUDDI, Joseph A. WOLKOWICZ
  • Patent number: 10759318
    Abstract: A head restraint for a seat being adjustable in a vertical direction, and angularly adjustable with regard to lateral portions of the head restraint. A mechanism providing this adjustability is a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide. The slide is selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. The slide has a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes the slide on, and with respect to, the shaft. The slide has a release state where the slide is linearly and rotatably movable on the shaft. The slide is fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on the shaft in the locked state. The number of linear and rotational positions on the shaft is considered infinite since for all practical purposes, the slide is not restricted to individual discrete positions, but is continuously adjustable to practically any linear and rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Matthew McClelland
  • Publication number: 20190315252
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a backrest. A seat base track arrangement has a fixed track and a moveable track that is moveable along the fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support or fore/aft track to adjust an entire vehicle seat position. The seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. A backrest track arrangement has a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. A link arm pivotably links the seat base and the backrest. A seat base pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the seat base. A link arm and backrest pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the backrest and the moveable track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.l.
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Matthew MCCLELLAND
  • Patent number: 10415628
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Duane Potes, Nathan Caruss
  • Patent number: 10377286
    Abstract: A mechanism for folding a head restraint for a backrest of a seat, including a head restraint and a cross portion, where the cross portion is fixed relative to the backrest. The cross portion defines a first pivot axis, which the head restraint is pivoted about. The cross portion includes a locking disc. The head restraint comprises a cam that pivots about a second pivot axis. The head restraint is configured to be positioned in a usage-position relative to the cross portion and a storage-position relative to the cross portion. The position of the head restraint is changeable between the usage-position and the storage-position by pivoting about the first pivot axis. The cam is configured to be positioned in a locking-position and a releasing-position relative to the head restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Patrick Donnelly, David Hayes, Srinivasa Sanku, Michael Leighton, Edward J. Lamont, Joel Jamison, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20190210501
    Abstract: A head restraint for a seat being adjustable in a vertical direction, and angularly adjustable with regard to lateral portions of the head restraint. A mechanism providing this adjustability is a linear and rotational locking mechanism with a shaft and a slide. The slide is selectively slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. The slide has a locked state which linearly and rotationally fixes the slide on, and with respect to, the shaft. The slide has a release state where the slide is linearly and rotatably movable on the shaft. The slide is fixable in a plurality of linear and rotational positions on the shaft in the locked state. The number of linear and rotational positions on the shaft is considered infinite since for all practical purposes, the slide is not restricted to individual discrete positions, but is continuously adjustable to practically any linear and rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Matthew McCLELLAND
  • Publication number: 20190184879
    Abstract: Reclining seat mounted on a foundation through first and second slides. The seat cushion is mounted on the first slide, and the seat back is mounted on the second slide. The slides, the seat cushion and the seat back are arranged to move together as one unit to have the seat recline. A head restraint is mounted at a top side of the seat back to follow and move with the back during movement of the back. The second slide has a non-linear curved shape to rotate the head restraint when the seat back moves. The curved shape rotates the headrest in a backward and downward direction when the seat back moves downward and the seat cushion moves forward, and vice versa. From the different seat positions, the head restraint follows the motion of the occupant as they move to the different seat positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Kurt SEIBOLD
  • Publication number: 20190168640
    Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a vehicle seat having a seat base, a backrest, a seat base track arrangement, a backrest track arrangement having a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track, a link arm, a seat base pivot connection between the link arm and the seat base and a link arm and backrest pivot connection between the link arm and the backrest and the backrest movable track. The seat base track arrangement includes a seat base fixed track and a seat base moveable track that is moveable along the seat base fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support and the seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. At least one locking device is connected to the vehicle seat. A release/lock mechanism is connected to the locking device for releasing and locking the at least one locking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Matthew MCCLELLAND
  • Publication number: 20190152354
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a cushion, a seatback connected to the cushion and a track arrangement. The track arrangement includes a curved fixed track and a flexible track follower that is moveable along the curved fixed track between a full slouch and a full upright position. The curved fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support base and the moveable track is connected to the cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Eric MICHALAK, Nathan CARUSS, Jennifer CARLSON, Brent BURTON, Alexander SAVESKI
  • Publication number: 20180347619
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Duane POTES, Nathan CARUSS
  • Publication number: 20170028884
    Abstract: A mechanism for folding a head restraint for a backrest of a seat, including a head restraint and a cross portion, where the cross portion is fixed relative to the backrest. The cross portion defines a first pivot axis, which the head restraint is pivoted about. The cross portion includes a locking disc. The head restraint comprises a cam that pivots about a second pivot axis. The head restraint is configured to be positioned in a usage-position relative to the cross portion and a storage-position relative to the cross portion. The position of the head restraint is changeable between the usage-position and the storage-position by pivoting about the first pivot axis. The cam is configured to be positioned in a locking-position and a releasing-position relative to the head restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Patrick Donnelly, David Hayes, Srinivasa Sanku, Michael Leighton, Edward J. Lamont, Joel Jamison, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20150015048
    Abstract: A folding mechanism for a head restraint may include a support member and a latch. The support member may have a first axis and a projection that projects outward from the support member. The latch may be attached to the head restraint and rotatable around the first axis and may have a notch that can receive the projection. The latch may be flexed to pivot a portion of the latch around a second axis in order to move between an unlocked position where the projection is not received in the notch such that the head restraint is rotatable around the support member, and a locked position where the projection is received in the notch such that the head restraint is not rotatable around the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Michael KAPUSKY, Patrick DONNELLY, David HAYES, Srinivasa SANKU, Alexander BALIN
  • Patent number: 8240768
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a vehicle component, in particular for the back rest of a vehicle seat, is proposed having a first fitting and a second fitting, wherein the relative position of the two fittings to one another can be changed by means of eccentric means, wherein a rotation of the eccentric means by means of a drive element is provided, wherein the adjustment device has a central element which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the first fitting, wherein the drive element is provided mounted in an overlapping region by means of the central element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kienke, Juergen Otto, Mario Budweg, Albert Reginold Kirubaharan, Bruce A. Hiemstra, Michael Kapusky, Michael Bittner