Patents by Inventor Rick A. Anderson

Rick A. Anderson 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: 9713972
    Abstract: A console for a vehicle interior comprises a structure comprising a storage volume and an armrest comprising a tambour door and configured for adjustment from a first position to a second position. The tambour door of the armrest is configured for movement to uncover the storage volume. The vehicle interior component comprises a base and an armrest assembly. The armrest assembly is configured for movement between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the base. The cover of the armrest assembly is configured to move from a closed position to an open position while the armrest assembly is in the raised position and in the lowered position. The console assembly comprises a base and a cover assembly comprising a housing and providing a cover. The cover is configured for movement relative to the base and the housing and movement between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald A. Bozio, Jason M. Hipshier, Kenneth Daniel Sherburn, Chris J. Harmelink, Rick A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9409502
    Abstract: An armrest assembly includes a pivot joint positioned at a first longitudinal end of the armrest assembly. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably couple the armrest assembly to a housing of a vehicle interior component. The armrest assembly also includes an armrest configured to rotate about the pivot joint between a lowered position and a raised position. In addition, the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism positioned at a second longitudinal end of the armrest assembly, opposite the first longitudinal end. The adjustment mechanism is configured to hold the armrest in one of a variety of vertical positions including the lowered position and the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Kenneth Daniel Sherburn, Randy William Nurenberg
  • Publication number: 20160185264
    Abstract: A console for a vehicle interior is disclosed. The console comprises a structure comprising a storage volume and an armrest comprising a tambour door and configured for adjustment from a first position to a second position. The tambour door of the armrest is configured for movement to uncover the storage volume. The vehicle interior component comprises a base and an armrest assembly. The armrest assembly is configured for movement between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the base. The cover of the armrest assembly is configured to move from a closed position to an open position while the armrest assembly is in the raised position and in the lowered position. The console assembly comprises a base and a cover assembly comprising a housing and providing a cover. The cover is configured for movement relative to the base and the housing and movement between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald A. Bozio, Jason M. Hipshier, Kenneth Daniel Sherburn, Chris J. Harmelink, Rick A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150239375
    Abstract: An armrest assembly includes a pivot joint positioned at a first longitudinal end of the armrest assembly. The pivot joint is configured to rotatably couple the armrest assembly to a housing of a vehicle interior component. The armrest assembly also includes an armrest configured to rotate about the pivot joint between a lowered position and a raised position. In addition, the armrest assembly includes an adjustment mechanism positioned at a second longitudinal end of the armrest assembly, opposite the first longitudinal end. The adjustment mechanism is configured to hold the armrest in one of a variety of vertical positions including the lowered position and the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Kenneth Daniel Sherburn, Randy William Nurenberg
  • Patent number: 8943650
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim component hinge assembly includes a rotatable component, and a shaft disposed through the rotatable component. The hinge assembly also includes a first friction disk rotationally coupled to the shaft, and a second friction disk rotationally coupled to the rotatable component. The hinge assembly further includes a biasing member configured to urge the first and second friction disks toward one another to establish a friction force that provides resistance to rotation of the rotatable component about the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Loren R. Washburn, Allan W. Getliff
  • Patent number: 8745823
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim component hinge assembly includes a rotatable component, and a shaft disposed through the rotatable component. The hinge assembly also includes a first friction disk rotationally coupled to the shaft, and a second friction disk rotationally coupled to the rotatable component. The hinge assembly further includes a biasing member configured to urge the first and second friction disks toward one another to establish a friction force that provides resistance to rotation of the rotatable component about the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Loren R. Washburn, Allan W. Getliff
  • Patent number: 8701250
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided that includes a follower and a cam disposed adjacent to the follower. The cam is capable of translating relative to the follower along a vertical direction and rotating relative to the follower about a rotational axis. The hinge assembly also includes an axle disposed through the cam to facilitate rotation of the cam about the rotational axis. The axle is configured to bias the cam toward the follower along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Timothy J. Borgeson, Brent D. Rockafellow
  • Patent number: 8573670
    Abstract: A passenger seating system (26) for a vehicle (5) comprising a seat back (12), a seat cushion (14), and a seat base (16). The passenger seating system (26) may be configured to utilize, expose and/or create various storage areas. The storage areas may be located on or within the seat back (12), the seat cushion (14), and/or the seat base (16). Other storage areas may be utilized, exposed and/or created by configuring the passenger seating system (26) in particular positions with vehicle interior components, such as a glove box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Omela Zekavica, Joseph Francis Porsniewski, Alexander Saveski, Gregg Ronald LaFramboise, Kenneth M. Clark, Craig D. Flowerday, Beau Loren Anderson, Rick A. Anderson, James P. LeFevre, David Thimm, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Publication number: 20130111706
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim component hinge assembly includes a rotatable component, and a shaft disposed through the rotatable component. The hinge assembly also includes a first friction disk rotationally coupled to the shaft, and a second friction disk rotationally coupled to the rotatable component. The hinge assembly further includes a biasing member configured to urge the first and second friction disks toward one another to establish a friction force that provides resistance to rotation of the rotatable component about the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Loren R. Washburn, Allan W. Getliff
  • Publication number: 20120017397
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided that includes a follower and a cam disposed adjacent to the follower. The cam is capable of translating relative to the follower along a vertical direction and rotating relative to the follower about a rotational axis. The hinge assembly also includes an axle disposed through the cam to facilitate rotation of the cam about the rotational axis. The axle is configured to bias the cam toward the follower along the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Timothy J. Borgeson, Brent D. Rockafellow
  • Publication number: 20110233951
    Abstract: A passenger seating system (26) for a vehicle (5) comprising a seat back (12), a seat cushion (14), and a seat base (16). The passenger seating system (26) may be configured to utilize, expose and/or create various storage areas. The storage areas may be located on or within the seat back (12), the seat cushion (14), and/or the seat base (16). Other storage areas may be utilized, exposed and/or created by configuring the passenger seating system (26) in particular positions with vehicle interior components, such as a glove box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Ornela Zekavica, Joseph Francis Prosniewski, Alexander Saveski, Gregg Ronald LaFramboise, Kenneth M. Clark, Craig D. Flowerday, Beau Loren Anderson, Rick A. Anderson, James P. LeFevre, David Thimm, Kurt A. Seibold
  • Patent number: 6752443
    Abstract: A load floor system (10) for a vehicle with a seat assembly, a structural member under the seat assembly, and a floor space adjacent the seat assembly. The load floor system (10) includes a retractable panel coupled to the structural member, a first link coupled to the retractable panel, and a second link coupled to the retractable panel (14). The retractable panel (14), the first link, and the second link cooperate as a portion of a four-bar mechanism to translate the retractable panel from a retracted position under the seat assembly to an extended position over the floor space thereby forming a load floor (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Thompson, Rick A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6598934
    Abstract: A tray table mounted to the armrest of a vehicle seat assembly via a four-bar linkage. The linkage operates to raise the armrest during movement of the tray table between its stowed and use positions. Raising the armrest provides increased clearance between the tray table and the vehicle floor and between the tray table and the seat back of the next forward seat assembly. A second four-bar linkage is provided to maintain the armrest in a fixed attitude relative to the vehicle body regardless of the seat back recline angle. This enables the tray table to remain in a given attitude relative to the vehicle body, such as a horizontal attitude, regardless of the seat back recline position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Rick A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030127881
    Abstract: A seating system for use with a vehicle including a vehicle frame having a front, a rear, a first side and a second side and a front side door having a front portion pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame includes a rear side door having a rear portion pivotally coupled to the frame. The system further includes a seat pivotally coupled to the vehicle frame and at least one member having a first portion coupled to the seat and a second portion coupled to the rear side door, wherein pivotal movement of the rear side door rotates the seat between a passenger riding position in which the seat faces the front of the vehicle frame and a passenger loading position in which the seat faces an open space formed between the rear side door and the vehicle frame when the rear side door is ajar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Rick A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6547303
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle having a rearwardly opening door relative to a seat. The seat having a seat cushion, seat back and a seat pivot rotatably connected to the vehicle for rotation of the seat about a vertical axis. At least one linkage is coupled between the seat cushion and a vehicle door. The linkage is sized and positioned such that the seat pivots in response to the door movement. The seat remains substantially adjacent to the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Rick A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030026103
    Abstract: A vehicle-mountable light assembly comprises a body, a power source, a light source, and an auxiliary functional unit. The body is configured to be mounted to a vehicle interior. The light source is coupled to the power source and the body and is configured to provide sustained light. The auxiliary functional unit is a non-light source unit which is coupled to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Dian H. Reese, Rick A. Anderson, Brant J. Potter, Scott A. Hansen, Jason M. Denbow
  • Patent number: 6447068
    Abstract: A pop-up headrest (12) for a vehicle seat assembly (10) which is movable between a retracted stowed position below the upper end of the seat assembly backrest (11) and a raised use position extending above the upper end of the backrest. The headrest is mounted to the vehicle body rearward of the backrest for rotation about a transverse axis. An over-center mechanism having a gas cylinder (20) is used to hold the headrest in both the raised use position and the retracted stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Roy A. Von Alman
  • Patent number: 6290277
    Abstract: A cargo system for a vehicle having a floor and a seat that folds and forms a cargo surface. The cargo system includes a cargo platform having a front edge. The cargo platform is connectable to the vehicle for movement between a lowered position with the front edge being located under a portion of the seat and a raised position with the cargo platform being generally aligned with the cargo surface of the seat thereby forming an upper tier and a lower tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: David J. Spykerman, Rick A. Anderson, Detlef Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6278676
    Abstract: A media player system for a vehicle is disclosed which includes a base fixed to the vehicle and a media player releasably attached to the base for removal of the media player for use separate from the vehicle. The media player includes one or more striker pins and a terminal. A connector is provided on the mounting base for mating with the terminal to establish a power connection and connection for video and audio signals from the player. The mounting base further includes raised stanchions providing guide slots having an open end for reception of the striker pins of the media player to guide the player to a latched position and facilitate mating of the media player terminal with the connector in the mounting base. One or more latch members are provided to close the open ends of the guide slots and entrap the striker pins therein to retain the player on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Prince Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Val A. Bellora
  • Patent number: 6139096
    Abstract: A seat cushion and tray assembly attachable to a seat frame of a vehicle. The assembly includes a seat cushion pivotally mounted to the seat frame, a tray slidably connected to the seat cushion, a first leg pivotally fastened to the tray and pivotally mounted to the seat frame, and a second leg pivotally fastened to the tray and pivotally fastened to the seat cushion. Upon rotation of the seat cushion from a generally horizontal seat position to a rotated position, the seat cushion, the first leg, and the second leg cooperate to move the tray from a stored position to a generally horizontal deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Prince Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rick A. Anderson, Adam W. Callif