Patents by Inventor Robert Elliott

Robert Elliott 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: 12428157
    Abstract: A passenger seating installation for a vehicle comprises a front seat located adjacent a bulkhead and facing in a direction that is oblique to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The bulkhead includes a recess for receiving the head of a passenger in the front seat in the event of an accident. The recess is spaced apart from the front seat in the direction of travel and in a direction that is obliquely disposed with respect to the direction in which the seated passenger faces. The recess allows the front seat to be located closer to the bulkhead than would be the case in the absence of the recess, which can increase seat density in a seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2025
    Assignee: Thompson Aero Seating Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan McGreevy, Robert Elliott
  • Patent number: 12358766
    Abstract: Conventional vehicle lifts typically operate at a standard speed that is statically configured for the system, which may result in vehicles that are below the weight rating for the lift being raised at the standard speed while the lift motor is capable of safely raising at greater speeds. A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generated by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Deuerling, Doug Spiller, Ron Schneider, John Uhl, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Robert Elliott, Darian Smith, Doug Brown, Jason Stewart
  • Patent number: 12344180
    Abstract: A seat assembly, comprising a seat back comprising: a cushion; a back panel assembly, including: a substrate panel; an outer panel coupled to the substrate panel via a plurality of protrusions of at least one of the outer panel or the substrate panel; a retainer coupled to the substrate panel and the outer panel; a trim cover engaged with the back panel assembly and covering at least a portion of the cushion; and an airbag disposed at least partially between the outer panel and the trim cover; wherein the retainer is configured to limit movement of the outer panel during deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Trombley, Alejandro O. Cordoba, Michael Corvino, Robert Elliott, Mayur Manohar Faye, Michael Ferrari, Vito Francesco Mannino, Kiran Mandhare, Owen S. Middleton, Luke Schmidt
  • Patent number: 12290716
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tongue strengthening device that includes a handle on one end and a bulb structure on the other end. The bulb is resiliently flexible, and enables a user to exercise their tongue by repeatedly compressing and releasing the bulb. Provided is a system or kit that includes multiple tongue strengthening devices having different compression specifications that allow a patient to graduate to devices which are harder to compress as the patient gains tongue strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Elizabeth Cuadrado, Aaron Treat, Joshua W. Morrison, Robert Elliott
  • Publication number: 20250128922
    Abstract: Conventional vehicle lifts typically operate at a standard speed that is statically configured for the system, which may result in vehicles that are below the weight rating for the lift being raised at the standard speed while the lift motor is capable of safely raising at greater speeds. A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generated by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Deuerling, Doug Spiller, Ron Schneider, John Uhl, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Robert Elliott, Darian Smith, Doug Brown, Jason Stewart
  • Publication number: 20250121749
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprises a seat member base that includes a first substrate and a second. A living hinge couples the second substrate to the first substrate such that the second substrate is moveable between a closed position and a deployed workstation position. A magnetic closure selectively holds the second substrate to the first substrate in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: John Perry, Abhishek Yadav, Purushottam Patil, Michael Corvino, Jason Sacco, Julia Waelchli, Robert Elliott, Kshitija Vaidya
  • Patent number: 12195313
    Abstract: A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor (112) by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generating by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Deuerling, Doug Spiller, Ron Schneider, John Uhl, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Robert Elliott, Darian Smith, Doug Brown, Jason Stewart
  • Patent number: 12134549
    Abstract: A vehicle engagement assembly includes a base frame, a lift arm pivotally coupled to the base frame, and a pivot restraint mechanism that can inhibit rotation of the lift arm relative to the base frame about a pivot axis while the pivot restraint mechanism is in a restrained configuration. The base frame includes a first pair of flanges and a web connecting the first pair of flanges. The pivot restraint mechanism includes an arm restraint body and a base frame restraint body. The arm restraint body is associated with the lift arm such that the arm restraint body pivots with the lift arm relative to the base frame. The base frame restraint body is associated with the base frame and includes a rotational stopping surface that engages with the web to thereby transfer a rotational load from the lift arm onto the web in the restrained configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Taylor, Robert Elliott, Bryan Averill
  • Publication number: 20240336461
    Abstract: A mobile lift column includes a controller comprising at least one processor and at least one memory. The column includes a base with a pair of support members, each of which includes a support actuator operable to extend and retract an inner portion of the support member. A lift post is coupled to and extends upwards from the base and includes a movable portion and a lift post driver operable to raise and lower the movable portion vertically along the lift post. A lift assembly is coupled to the movable portion. The lift assembly includes an adapter plate with one or more slots, one or more extension assemblies that pass horizontally through the slots of the adapter plate, and a set of extension actuators operable to extend and retract the one or more extension assemblies along a first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Elliott, Steven Taylor, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Kevin Katerberg
  • Patent number: 12054373
    Abstract: Conventional vehicle lifts typically operate at a standard speed that is statically configured for the system, which may result in vehicles that are below the weight rating for the lift being raised at the standard speed while the lift motor is capable of safely raising at greater speeds. A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generated by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Elliott, Steven Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240252848
    Abstract: A collapsible respiratory mask includes a flexible main body having a face-engaging flange that provides a continuous seal against a wearer's face and viewing windows that provide full peripheral vision to maximize the wearer's field of view. Filter panels are provided on opposite sides of the mask that allow for single-use disposable or replaceable assemblies, and each comprise a multi-layer assembly sewn around the perimeter with a fluorescent thread. A urethane gasket encloses the perimeter with the fluorescent thread viewable from inside of the gasket under ultraviolet light. An inner nose cup guides air that is inhaled through the filter panels past the viewing windows and into a separated air compartment inside of the nose cup, creating an airflow that minimizes fogging on the interior of the viewing windows. The mask is equipped with straps configured to enable a wearer to don the mask alone or with a protective helmet by attachment to a rail on the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick Hulbert, Robert Elliott, Ken Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 12049397
    Abstract: A mobile lift column (200) is configured to automatically position itself with respect to a vehicle (112) to be lifted. A proximity and object sensor is used to identify a location of a vehicle and navigate obstructions while advancing to the vehicle. The column includes a set of automatically driven Mecanum wheels (222, 224) that can be variably controlled to provide precise movement in any direction without rotating the column. A camera (244) positioned on the column identifies a wheel of the vehicle, and an alignment beam is projected onto the wheel to verify centering on the wheel. Once positioned, the column may operate one of several lift members, including a pair of removable fork adapters (216, 218), to extend underneath the vehicle and contact the vehicle lifting points. With at least two columns properly positioned, each mobile column can simultaneously raise its lift member(s) to lift the vehicle to a desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Elliott, Steven Taylor, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Kevin Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20240182280
    Abstract: A vehicle lift system includes a plurality of lift groups, each lift group including a plurality of lift columns configured to lift a vehicle and a control device. The system further includes a linker module comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is encoded with programming instructions executable by the processor to receive at least one user command from the control device of at least one of the plurality of lift groups, poll the control device of each lift group in the plurality of lift groups, determine, based on the polling, whether the received command can be executed, responsive to determining that the received command can be executed, send a custom instruction to each lift group to execute the received command, and responsive to determining that the received command cannot be executed, provide a notification to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Darian James Smith, Robert Elliott, Jahmai Turner
  • Publication number: 20230390602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a tongue strengthening device that includes a handle on one end and a bulb structure on the other end. The bulb is resiliently flexible, and enables a user to exercise their tongue by repeatedly compressing and releasing the bulb. Provided is a system or kit that includes multiple tongue strengthening devices having different compression specifications that allow a patient to graduate to devices which are harder to compress as the patient gains tongue strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Elizabeth Cuadrado, Aaron Treat, Joshua W. Morrison, Robert Elliott
  • Publication number: 20230382700
    Abstract: A vehicle engagement assembly includes a base frame, a lift arm pivotally coupled to the base frame, and a pivot restraint mechanism that can inhibit rotation of the lift arm relative to the base frame about a pivot axis while the pivot restraint mechanism is in a restrained configuration. The base frame includes a first pair of flanges and a web connecting the first pair of flanges. The pivot restraint mechanism includes an arm restraint body and a base frame restraint body. The arm restraint body is associated with the lift arm such that the arm restraint body pivots with the lift arm relative to the base frame. The base frame restraint body is associated with the base frame and includes a rotational stopping surface that engages with the web to thereby transfer a rotational load from the lift arm onto the web in the restrained configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Taylor, Robert Elliott, Bryan Averill
  • Patent number: 11648677
    Abstract: An automatic wheel changer robot has a includes a drive assembly, a torque gun, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The drive assembly has a mobile base and two wheel-clamping assemblies, each configured to engage a wheel. The controller generates a set of instructions based, at least in part, on information obtained from the sensor assembly. The drive assembly uses the set of instructions to cooperatively remove respective wheels from respective hubs on a vehicle and/or attach respective wheels to respective hubs on a vehicle. The device may have lidar sensors and Mecanum wheels that the controller is programmed to use to move between respective hubs and wheel storage locations install wheels, replace wheels, rotate tires, and perform similar operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Taylor, Gerry Lauderbaugh, Robert Elliott
  • Patent number: 11551443
    Abstract: An environment association system (“EAS”) comprising: a processor and a memory; an object recognition process configured to identify objects within images, the objects including one or more of a vehicle, a vehicle lift, a vehicle repair tool, and an alignment fixture; and an EAS interface configured to communicate with a user device, the user device comprising a camera and a display; wherein the processor is configured to: determine, for at least one object in the set of objects, create a virtual overlay for the image based on the position of the at least one object within the image and a virtual marking associated with the at least one object; and provide the virtual overlay to the user device, wherein the virtual overlay is configured to cause the user device to simultaneously display the image and the virtual overlay via the display. The system provides information about the alignment of lifting points of the object with lifting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Elliott, Darian Smith, Douglas Brown, Matthew Webster, Kirk Dawson, Michael Hill
  • Publication number: 20220356051
    Abstract: A lift system includes a lift structure and a lift structure actuation assembly. The lift structure can actuate between a lowered position and a raised position. The lift structure actuation assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder operably coupled with the lift structure, a motor, a hydraulic pump powered by the motor, and a flow control assembly that can limit hydraulic fluid exiting the hydraulic cylinder to a maximum volumetric flow rate. The hydraulic pump can pump hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder in order to raise the lift structure. The lift structure actuation assembly can lower the lift structure in a fast descent mode and a slow decent mode. In the slow descent mode, the hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid toward the hydraulic cylinder such that the hydraulic fluid exits the hydraulic cylinder at a slower volumetric flow rate compared to the maximum volumetric flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Elliott, Steven Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220259026
    Abstract: A set of lift controls may be configured to determine the load on the motor (112) by a vehicle of an unknown weight during operation at a standard lift speed and use such information to determine a potential speed that the motor may raise the vehicle at while staying within safe operational levels for the motor. One or more of a magnitude of electrical power drawn, a pressure generating by a hydraulic lifting, or a sensed vehicle weight may be used to provide an indication of load on the motor and/or a higher potential speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: AUSTIN DEUERLING, DOUG SPILLER, RON SCHNEIDER, JOHN UHL, GERRY LAUDERBAUGH, ROBERT ELLIOTT, DARIAN SMITH, DOUG BROWN, JASON STEWART
  • Publication number: 20220219958
    Abstract: A vehicle lift system uses locally and globally available datasets to provide various automated and semi-automated lift positioning modes that may be used to position lift arms and engage adapters with lift points of a vehicle. A set of sensors are used to determine a position and orientation of a vehicle within a lift area. Each lift arm includes a camera that is coupled to the lift arm with a static field of view relative to the adapter despite extension, retraction, or rotation of lift arm members. The cameras provide images of the adapter and its surroundings that may be analyzed with object recognition to identify the vehicle's lift points. Lift point positions may also be determined using back-calculation. Automatic positioning of the lift arms may be performed based on identified lift points and may also include projection of an optical locator from a locator within the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Vehicle Service Group, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Taylor, Austin Deuerling, Robert Elliott, Roger Ward