Patents by Inventor Richard Joseph Soyka

Richard Joseph Soyka 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: 10377279
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback having a frame and a cushion assembly. A cushion carrier includes a lower member defining a frame receiving cavity. A first set of ribs extend across the frame receiving cavity in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the lower member. The first set of ribs extend between the lower member and a lower brace of the frame. A second set of ribs are parallel with the first set of ribs. The second set of ribs are longer than the first set of ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., S. M. Akbar Berry, Carol Casey
  • Patent number: 10369905
    Abstract: A vehicle seat support carrier includes an upper seatback panel having a flexible body portion. A first set of flexible suspension members undulate in a first direction. A second set of flexible suspension members undulate in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. A lower seatback panel is operably coupled to the upper seatback panel. The lower seatback panel includes a border member defining a central aperture and first and second bolster supports. A central portion of each of the first and second bolster supports includes a plurality of flexible suspension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Johnathan Andrew Line, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Patent number: 10173565
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback with a back panel having a plurality of score lines defining a deflectable upper portion of the back panel. A headrest includes a housing with front and rear covers. The rear cover includes a plurality of score lines defining a deflectable lower portion of the rear cover. A trim ring is coupled between the deflectable upper portion of the seatback and the deflectable lower portion of the rear cover by one or more reinforcement brackets in assembly. The trim ring includes a plurality of notches disposed along a perimeter portion thereof. The notches of the trim ring cooperate to define deflection points of the trim ring along the perimeter thereof. The score lines and the notches of the vehicle seat provide for a dynamic impact energy management system for the seat at a head restraint thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Rodney Charles Brinker, Richard Joseph Soyka
  • Patent number: 10166895
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A back panel includes a front closeout panel. A carrier supports the seatback and includes an upper thoracic region having a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the upper thoracic region. A bottom portion of the upper thoracic region includes a lower wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A lower lumber region includes a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the lower lumber region. An upper portion of the lower lumbar region includes an upper wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A plurality of concave connectors couple the lower wall of the upper thoracic region with the upper wall of the lower lumber region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, Todd Gagnier, S. M. Akbar Berry, David Andree, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Daniel Ferretti, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Patent number: 10166894
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A back panel includes a front closeout panel. A carrier supports the seatback and includes an upper thoracic region having a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the upper thoracic region. A bottom portion of the upper thoracic region includes a lower wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A lower lumbar region includes a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the lower lumbar region. An upper portion of the lower lumbar region includes an upper wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A plurality of concave connectors couple the lower wall of the upper thoracic region with the upper wall of the lower lumbar region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Daniel Ferretti, S. M. Akbar Berry, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Patent number: 9931999
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame having a lower cross member. A back panel is operably coupled to the seatback frame and includes internal posts configured to receive a retention clip. The retention clip includes first and second catches that engage notches on the internal posts of the back panel. The retention clips further include retention hooks. An anchorage bracket is operably coupled to the lower cross member and includes fastener slots configured to receive the retention hooks to secure the back panel with the anchorage bracket. Wire harness features are disposed on distal ends of the anchorage bracket. Wiring is routed between the lower cross member and the anchorage bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Patent number: 9914421
    Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes a cushion assembly having a seating surface. A back panel includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a back portion. A first living hinge is disposed between the first side portion and back portion. A second living hinge is disposed between the second side portion and back portion. A frame is disposed between the back panel and the cushion assembly. A peripheral cushion structure supports a periphery of the cushion assembly. A closeout panel is coupled with the back panel and is disposed behind the cushion structure to define a peripheral gap between the closeout panel and the cushion structure that extends around the sides of said seatback assembly. A shingled portion of the closeout panel extends behind and couples with the back panel. An airbag is coupled with the frame and is configured to deploy between the closeout and back panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Lisa Marie Carr, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Patent number: 9914378
    Abstract: A decorative closeout assembly includes a gap hider. A U-shaped body portion is constructed from a fabric and includes a plurality of peripheral tabs. First and second inwardly-extending flaps extend inwardly and are operably coupled with a laterally-extending flexible tensioner extending between the first and second inwardly-extending flaps and configured to maintain the body portion taut. A plurality of hooked barbs extend from a bottom side of the U-shaped body portion. An upper back support includes a U-shaped peripheral channel for receiving the plurality of hooked barbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Diane Casey, Todd Gagnier, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9849856
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly that includes a seat back having a passenger support attached to a trim carrier with a suspension assembly connecting a support structure. The support structure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The rear panel portion includes one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips, one or more outer wall detents, and one or more breaking members. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first trim piece and a second trim piece and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces. The deployment energy is dissipated through the rear panel portion's one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips, the one or more outer wall detents, and the one or more breaking members of the rear panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Martin Voelker, Manoj Desai, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Publication number: 20170361735
    Abstract: A vehicle seat support carrier includes an upper seatback panel having a flexible body portion. A first set of flexible suspension members undulate in a first direction. A second set of flexible suspension members undulate in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. A lower seatback panel is operably coupled to the upper seatback panel. The lower seatback panel includes a border member defining a central aperture and first and second bolster supports. A central portion of each of the first and second bolster supports includes a plurality of flexible suspension members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., Johnathan Andrew Line, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Publication number: 20170355292
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback having a frame and a cushion assembly. A cushion carrier includes a lower member defining a frame receiving cavity. A first set of ribs extend across the frame receiving cavity in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the lower member. The first set of ribs extend between the lower member and a lower brace of the frame. A second set of ribs are parallel with the first set of ribs. The second set of ribs are longer than the first set of ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., S. M. Akbar Berry, Carol Casey
  • Publication number: 20170355291
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A back panel includes a front closeout panel. A carrier supports the seatback and includes an upper thoracic region having a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the upper thoracic region. A bottom portion of the upper thoracic region includes a lower wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A lower lumber region includes a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the lower lumber region. An upper portion of the lower lumbar region includes an upper wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A plurality of concave connectors couple the lower wall of the upper thoracic region with the upper wall of the lower lumber region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., Todd Gagnier, S. M. Akbar Berry, David Andree, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Daniel Ferretti, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Publication number: 20170355290
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A back panel includes a front closeout panel. A carrier supports the seatback and includes an upper thoracic region having a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the upper thoracic region. A bottom portion of the upper thoracic region includes a lower wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A lower lumber region includes a peripheral support. A peripheral gap is defined between the front closeout panel and the lower lumber region. An upper portion of the lower lumbar region includes an upper wall having a sinusoidal configuration. A plurality of concave connectors couple the lower wall of the upper thoracic region with the upper wall of the lower lumber region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., Daniel Ferretti, S. M. Akbar Berry, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Publication number: 20170349131
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly that includes a vehicle seating assembly that includes a seatback having a passenger support attached to a trim carrier with a suspension assembly connecting a support structure. The support structure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The rear panel portion includes one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first trim piece and a second trim piece and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces. The deployment energy is dissipated through the one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips of the rear panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., Martin Voelker, Manoj Desai, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Publication number: 20170349133
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly that includes a seat back having a passenger support attached to a trim carrier with a suspension assembly connecting a support structure. The support structure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The rear panel portion includes one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips, one or more outer wall detents, and one or more breaking members. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first trim piece and a second trim piece and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces. The deployment energy is dissipated through the rear panel portion's one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips, the one or more outer wall detents, and the one or more breaking members of the rear panel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., Martin Voelker, Manoj Desai, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Patent number: 9834166
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly that includes a vehicle seating assembly that includes a seatback having a passenger support attached to a trim carrier with a suspension assembly connecting a support structure. The support structure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The rear panel portion includes one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first trim piece and a second trim piece and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces. The deployment energy is dissipated through the one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips of the rear panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Martin Voelker, Manoj Desai, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Publication number: 20170334326
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback with a back panel having a plurality of score lines defining a deflectable upper portion of the back panel. A headrest includes a housing with front and rear covers. The rear cover includes a plurality of score lines defining a deflectable lower portion of the rear cover. A trim ring is coupled between the deflectable upper portion of the seatback and the deflectable lower portion of the rear cover by one or more reinforcement brackets in assembly. The trim ring includes a plurality of notches disposed along a perimeter portion thereof. The notches of the trim ring cooperate to define deflection points of the trim ring along the perimeter thereof. The score lines and the notches of the vehicle seat provide for a dynamic impact energy management system for the seat at a head restraint thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Rodney Charles Brinker, Richard Joseph Soyka
  • Patent number: 9789790
    Abstract: A vehicle seat support carrier includes an upper seatback panel having a flexible body portion. A first set of flexible suspension members undulate in a first direction. A second set of flexible suspension members undulate in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. A lower seatback panel is operably coupled to the upper seatback panel. The lower seatback panel includes a border member defining a central aperture and first and second bolster supports. A central portion of each of the first and second bolster supports includes a plurality of flexible suspension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Johnathan Andrew Line, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Patent number: 9713975
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has raised seatback that includes a permeable foam layer having a plurality of spaced apertures. A distribution system having airflow passages is juxtaposed against the permeable foam layer, such that the airflow passages of the distribution system are in fluid communication with the apertures in the permeable foam layer. A carrier assembly is juxtaposed against the distribution system and has an upper portion having a central annual member supported by a plurality of flexible radial arms, to which is attached a blower in fluid communication with the airflow passages of the distribution system and the apertures in the permeable foam layer. Warm air from the permeable foam layer is displaced away from the permeable foam layer and is circulated through the raised seatback by operation of the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Akbar Berry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Richard Joseph Soyka, Marcos Silva Kondrad
  • Publication number: 20170203709
    Abstract: A vehicle seatback assembly includes a cushion assembly having a seating surface. A back panel includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a back portion. A first living hinge is disposed between the first side portion and back portion. A second living hinge is disposed between the second side portion and back portion. A frame is disposed between the back panel and the cushion assembly. A peripheral cushion structure supports a periphery of the cushion assembly. A closeout panel is coupled with the back panel and is disposed behind the cushion structure to define a peripheral gap between the closeout panel and the cushion structure that extends around the sides of said seatback assembly. A shingled portion of the closeout panel extends behind and couples with the back panel. An airbag is coupled with the frame and is configured to deploy between the closeout and back panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Richard Joseph Soyka, JR., Lisa Marie Carr, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello