Patents by Inventor Michael Paul Arant

Michael Paul Arant 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: 9840171
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided herein. The vehicle seat includes a cushion disposed within a seating member having at least one inflatable first bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. An inflatable second bladder is separated from a support surface of the seating member by the first bladder and fluidly connected to the first bladder. A vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Arant, Jeroen Lem, Steve Michell
  • Publication number: 20160046207
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided herein. The vehicle seat includes a cushion disposed within a seating member having at least one inflatable first bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. An inflatable second bladder is separated from a support surface of the seating member by the first bladder and fluidly connected to the first bladder. A vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Paul Arant, Jeroen Lem, Steve Michell
  • Patent number: 9211824
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back and a seat for supporting an occupant. A cushion is coupled to the seat and has at least one inflatable upper bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. The seat further includes an inflatable lower bladder positioned beneath the upper bladder. The seat is configured such that a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Arant, Jeroen Lem, Steve Michell
  • Patent number: 8651892
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for connecting two connectors to each other. The system includes a first connector having a first connector surface, and the first connector surface includes a transparent shape. Further, a second connector, having a second connector surface, includes a portion that includes a second connector color. Particularly, the second connector is configured to be inserted into the first connector, enabling a superimposition and alignment of the transparent shape with the portion of the second connector surface, thereby visually indicating a valid connection between the two connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Paul Arant
  • Publication number: 20130285426
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back and a seat for supporting an occupant. A cushion is coupled to the seat and has at least one inflatable upper bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. The seat further includes an inflatable lower bladder positioned beneath the upper bladder. The seat is configured such that a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Paul Arant, Jeroen Lem, Steve Michell
  • Publication number: 20130244474
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for connecting two connectors to each other. The system includes a first connector having a first connector surface, and the first connector surface includes a transparent shape. Further, a second connector, having a second connector surface, includes a portion that includes a second connector color. Particularly, the second connector is configured to be inserted into the first connector, enabling a superimposition and alignment of the transparent shape with the portion of the second connector surface, thereby visually indicating a valid connection between the two connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Paul Arant