Patents by Inventor Michael R. Bittner

Michael R. Bittner 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).

  • Rotary recliner
    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
  • Continuously engaged recliner freeplay system and fine-blanked gear hub
    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
  • Continuously Engaged Recliner Freeplay System And Fine-Blanked Gear Hub
    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
  • Rotary Recliner
    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