Patents by Inventor Robert R. Sutter
Robert R. Sutter 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).
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Patent number: 9132756Abstract: A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support configured to mount the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support, the limit of the first and second directions of movement defining fully forward and fully upright positions, respectively, of the bun assembly; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism configured to permit the pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: GILL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: John Witte, Robert R. Sutter
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Patent number: 8979203Abstract: A head restraint assembly, comprising: a support for mounting the head restraint above a seat back; a bun assembly pivotally mounted on the head restraint support for movement in first and second directions relative to the head restraint support; and an adjustment mechanism disposed at least substantially within the bun assembly, the adjustment mechanism operative to permit (i) the selective pivotal movement of the bun assembly in either of the first and second directions and, as the bun assembly is moved in either of the first and second directions, (ii) the incremental positioning of the bun assembly in any of a plurality of predefined positions along a path of travel of the bun assembly in the first and second directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman, Brian C. Leja, Michael J. Boks
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Patent number: 8820839Abstract: A head restraint assembly for pivotally supporting a head restraint above a seat back comprises a bracket pivotally mounting at least one head restraint support, a lock element linearly movably disposed in the bracket, and a spring element biasing the lock element in a position of engagement with the at least one head restraint support. The spring element includes a portion extending beyond the lock element and associated with the bracket to fix the position of the spring element relative to the bracket. The head restraint support is pivotally moveable between upright and folded positions. The lock element is selectively linearly movable from a position of engagement with the head restraint support, in which position of engagement the head restraint support is fixed in the upright position, to a position of disengagement in which the head restraint support is pivotally moveable between the upright and folded positions thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman, Richard Perreault
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Patent number: 8246116Abstract: A head restraint assembly comprising a housing, an armature extending though opposite sides of the housing, at least one latch receiving member provided on the armature and coupled thereto for non-rotatable movement with respect to the armature, and a latch member extending though opposite sides of the housing. The latch member includes a projection that engages the at least one latch receiving member when the latch member is moved into a latched position.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Elindo G. Castro
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Patent number: 7845731Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Jeremy J. Gauthier
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Patent number: 7717516Abstract: Articulating/folding head restraint assemblies that include modular brackets that function as modules and allow for platformability and customization by varying auxiliary components. The modular brackets can be molded or cast using conventional manufacturing processes, and are designed to receive and/or house various components of the assembly such as pivotal head restraint supports, pivotal shafts, locking assemblies, etc. The modular brackets are designed to integrate a number of components that are typically separate in prior art devices and have to be individually assembled together.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Bradley D. Miller, Brian C. Leja
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Publication number: 20090289489Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: Gill Industries, IncInventors: Robert R. Sutter, JR., Jeremy J. Gauthier
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Patent number: 7575282Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. The head restraint support is comprised of a metal substrate with over-molded plastic geometry to accept a mating part configured within the head restraint bun. The geometry of the metal substrate and over-molded plastic geometry allow for a reduction, or even elimination, of the slots that are normally required for such a folding head restraint. This ability to fold can yield greater rearward visibility and aid in the kinematic motion of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Jeremy J. Gauthier
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Publication number: 20080303335Abstract: An armchair mechanism that includes a toothed pawl and cam mechanism which allows the armrest to rotate in an arc greater than 90 degrees and into a first angular position. The armchair mechanism further includes a lockout member which locks the armrest in a design position and a stowed position. During a first angular portion of movement along the rotation arc, the armrest can be secured in several discrete angular positions whereas movement of the armrest in the first angular position is one-way so that the armrest can only rotate upward and be secured in any one of the several discrete angular positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Michiel P. van de Ven, Robert R. Sutter, JR.
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Publication number: 20080238173Abstract: Articulating/folding head restraint assemblies that include modular brackets that function as modules and allow for platformability and customization by varying auxiliary components. The modular brackets can be molded or cast using conventional manufacturing processes, and are designed to receive and/or house various components of the assembly such as pivotal head restraint supports, pivotal shafts, locking assemblies, etc. The modular brackets are designed to integrate a number of components that are typically separate in prior art devices and have to be individually assembled together.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Robert R. Sutter, Bradley D. Miller, Brian C. Leja
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Patent number: 7341312Abstract: A foldable head restraint has two head restraint supports set within a bracket. A latch is made integral with at least one of the head restraint supports. The latch rests against a stop to prohibit rotation of the head restraint support in a first direction. The latch rests against a rotational cam to prohibit movement of the head restraint support in a second direction. By rotating the cam, the head restraint support may be folded. In another embodiment, an articulating head restraint could also include an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The lock acumination engages a slide to prevent movement of the head restraint in one direction, and the stop acumination engages a bracket to prevent movement in the other direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy J. Gauthier, Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman
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Patent number: 6935696Abstract: An articulating head restraint includes an armature with a cam. The cam has a lock acumination and a stop acumination. The armature fits within a structure composed of a bracket and a slave bracket. A slide, which is attached to a cable, rides within a slot on the bracket. When the slide is in the locked position, the lock acumination of the cam presses against the slide, restraining movement of the slide. When sufficient force is applied to the cable, the slide moves within the slot to an unlocked position. A torsion spring wrapped around the armature causes the armature to rotate to a stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy J. Gauthier, Robert R. Sutter, Jr., Craig A. Ulman
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Patent number: 6902232Abstract: A headrest attached to a seatback automatically pivots to a stowed position as the seatback is folded forward. The headrest pivots to a stowed position so that the seat back may lay flat when folded. When the seatback is returned to the upright position, the headrest is returns to its original extended position.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Gill Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Kamrath, Robert R. Sutter, Jr.