Patents by Inventor Rodney Charles Brinker
Rodney Charles Brinker 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: 11351898Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Deeptej Kudav, Robert Charles Shipley, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Anna Frances Hardig Hendrickson, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Joseph Kafati, Peter Ryan, Andre John Van Schyndel, Alan Peter Norton, Nanki Sahota
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Publication number: 20220118893Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2020Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Deeptej Kudav, Robert Charles Shipley, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Anna Frances Hardig Hendrickson, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Joseph Kafati, Peter Ryan, Andre John Van Schyndel, Alan Peter Norton, Nanki Sahota
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Patent number: 11104252Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a housing assembly coupled to a seat frame with a transverse member. A cushion pan extends between the transverse member and a cross bar. A cushion nose extends between the transverse member and a front portion of the housing assembly. A gas-generating device is deployable in response to a sudden vehicle deceleration to exert a force on the cushion nose to rotate the cushion nose about an axis defined by a transverse member from a first position to a second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Hoernke, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Sean West, Benjamin Yilma, Edward Joseph DeSmet, S. M. Akbar Berry, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Patent number: 10940776Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a linkage assembly disposed between the seat and a base member that is positionable between a rest position and a deployed position. In the rest position, a first angle is formed between a seat pan assembly and a bottom of the base member. In the deployed position, a second angle is formed between the seat pan assembly and the bottom of the base member. The second angle is greater than the first angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Diane Casey, S. M. Akbar Berry, Andrew Matusko, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Publication number: 20210016693Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a housing assembly coupled to a seat frame with a transverse member. A cushion pan extends between the transverse member and a cross bar. A cushion nose extends between the transverse member and a front portion of the housing assembly. A gas-generating device is deployable in response to a sudden vehicle deceleration to exert a force on the cushion nose to rotate the cushion nose about an axis defined by a transverse member from a first position to a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Hoernke, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Sean West, Benjamin Yilma, Edward Joseph DeSmet, S. M. Akbar Berry, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Patent number: 10870381Abstract: A work surface is provided with a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes an actuator plate and a locking plate. The actuator plate includes a pin. The locking plate includes an angled slot that receives the pin of the actuator plate. Actuation of the actuator plate in a first direction causes the pin to move within the angled slot of the locking plate. The movement of the pin within the angled slot causes movement of the locking plate in a second direction, thereby actuating the locking plate between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Corbin Shea Johnston, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Line
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Patent number: 10843612Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a base member with a support member pivotably coupled to the seat and rotationally movable between first and second positions. A bracket assembly is disposed between the support member and the base member and is coupled to an actuator. A supplemental support member is coupled to the bracket assembly and the support member. The supplemental support member is translationally movable relative to the support member between a retracted position and a fully extended position.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Carol Diane Casey, Johnathan Andrew Line, S. M. Akbar Berry, Andrew Matusko, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Publication number: 20200346571Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a base member with a support member pivotably coupled to the seat and rotationally movable between first and second positions. A bracket assembly is disposed between the support member and the base member and is coupled to an actuator. A supplemental support member is coupled to the bracket assembly and the support member. The supplemental support member is translationally movable relative to the support member between a retracted position and a fully extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Carol Diane Casey, Johnathan Andrew Line, S. M. Akbar Berry, Andrew Matusko, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Publication number: 20200331366Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a linkage assembly disposed between the seat and a base member that is positionable between a rest position and a deployed position. In the rest position, a first angle is formed between a seat pan assembly and a bottom of the base member. In the deployed position, a second angle is formed between the seat pan assembly and the bottom of the base member. The second angle is greater than the first angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Diane Casey, S. M. Akbar Berry, Andrew Matusko, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Publication number: 20200001765Abstract: A work surface is provided with a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes an actuator plate and a locking plate. The actuator plate includes a pin. The locking plate includes an angled slot that receives the pin of the actuator plate. Actuation of the actuator plate in a first direction causes the pin to move within the angled slot of the locking plate. The movement of the pin within the angled slot causes movement of the locking plate in a second direction, thereby actuating the locking plate between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Corbin Shea Johnston, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Line
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Patent number: 10464460Abstract: A work surface for a vehicle includes an actuator plate that engages with a locking plate. Actuation of the actuator plate in a first direction induces actuation of the locking plate in a second direction, thereby actuating the locking plate between a locked and an unlocked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Corbin Johnston, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Line
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Patent number: 10428564Abstract: A storage container for a vehicle seating assembly includes a base of the storage container affixed to a seatback. A panel is coupled to the base. A latch mechanism is disposed in the base and adjacent to the panel, wherein the latch mechanism is selectively operable between locked and unlocked positions to move the panel between respective secured and unsecured positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam D. Ewel, Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Hoernke, Jimmy Moua, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Publication number: 20190143870Abstract: A work surface for a vehicle includes an actuator plate that engages with a locking plate. Actuation of the actuator plate in a first direction induces actuation of the locking plate in a second direction, thereby actuating the locking plate between a locked and an unlocked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Corbin Johnston, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Johnathan Line
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Patent number: 10286818Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback and a seat base. The seat base is operably coupled to the seatback. The seat base includes a first suspension assembly and a second suspension assembly. The first suspension assembly includes a seat pan assembly and a seat cushion assembly. The seat cushion assembly is positioned above the seat pan assembly. The second suspension assembly includes a plurality of independent thigh supports operably coupled to a forward portion of the seat pan.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti, John Wayne Jaranson, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Michael Kolich, S. M. Akbar Berry, Carol Diane Casey, David Andree, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Patent number: 10266073Abstract: A seat base for a seating assembly includes a thigh-extension plate and an extension track engaged with the thigh-extension plate. A thigh-extension slider engages with the extension track. A plurality of stabilizer tabs are integrally formed with the thigh-extension slider.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Patent number: 10266088Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame. A bolster insert is positioned on a side bolster of the seatback frame. A foam layer is positioned over the seatback frame. A trim cover is positioned over the foam layer. The foam layer and the trim cover are contoured to expose the bolster insert.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christian J. Hosbach, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kevin Mozurkewich, Rodney Charles Brinker
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Patent number: 10220750Abstract: A motor vehicle a motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has a lower seat assembly and an upwardly extending seat back assembly. The upwardly extending seat back assembly comprises a head restraint having a head restraint pad and a head restraint mounting post depending therefrom, a seat back frame having a vertically oriented frame opening in an upper portion thereof, a seat back and suspension module having an upper portion and a vertically oriented module opening in the upper portion, the frame opening and the module opening being in vertical alignment one with the other, and a head restraint guide sleeve vertically received and retained within the frame opening and the module opening, wherein the head restraint mounting post is received and retained within the head restraint guide sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
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Patent number: 10220745Abstract: A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame, a decorative seat back rear panel module, and a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat back frame. The seat back cushion and suspension module further comprises a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate having a pair of vertically extending side members, an upper transverse member, and a lower transverse member having an outer perimeter. A plurality of attachment openings is disposed about the outer perimeter at discrete locations. A seat back trim cover has an outer perimeter having a plurality of seat back trim cover attachment fasteners disposed about a perimeter of the seat back trim cover at locations corresponding to the discrete locations of the outer perimeter of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Jonathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
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Patent number: 10220742Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a tilt plate rotationally coupled at a first horizontal axis to a front of a base. A cushion spring extends from a rear of the base to the tilt plate. Rotation of the tilt plate rotates the cushion spring about a second horizontal axis. A thigh support is rotationally coupled to the tilt plate. A dynamic spring biases the thigh support away from the tilt plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Amber LaVerne Hall, Michael Kolich, Rodney Charles Brinker, Carol Casey
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Patent number: 10173565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Rodney Charles Brinker, Richard Joseph Soyka