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).

  • Patent number: 10081279
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame, a first extendable member disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame and operable between an extended position and a retracted position. Each of the first and second extendable members comprises a movable housing, a trim cover stock disposed above an upper surface of housing and having a first fixed upper edge, an integrated track disposed on a lower surface of the housing, a trim payout slider operably coupled with the integrated track, a trim payout attachment operably coupled with the trim payout slider and operably coupled with a second lower movable edge of the trim cover stock, and a linkage system operatively coupling the movable housing to the trim payout attachment to maintain tension on the trim cover stock as either of the first and second extendable members is operated between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcus Silva Kondrad, John Wayne Jaranson, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 10081282
    Abstract: A seatback assembly includes an inner carrier module having an upper cross member. The upper cross member includes first and second mounting slots and first and second access apertures disposed therethrough. A seatback frame assembly includes an upper frame member with access apertures disposed therethrough. The inner carrier module is located to a front side of the seatback frame assembly when a locator member of the inner carrier module is received in a locating aperture of the seatback frame assembly. The access apertures of the inner carrier module are aligned with the access apertures of the seatback frame assembly when the two components are coupled together. Guide sleeves are received though the access apertures. A back panel module mounts to a rear side of the seatback frame assembly, wherein upper hook members of the back panel are partially received in the mounting slots of the inner carrier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Christian J. Hosbach, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 10046681
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame seat frame having a seat frame, a first and second extendable members disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame and operable between an extended position and a retracted position. Each of the first and second extendable members comprises a movable housing, a support base attached to the seat frame and slidably coupled to the movable housing, a trim cover stock partially disposed above an upper surface of the movable housing and having a first fixed upper edge and a second movable lower edge, and a linkage system operatively coupling the movable housing to the second movable lower edge of the trim cover stock to maintain tension on the trim cover stock as either of the first and second extendable members is operated between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20180215296
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Christian J. Hosbach, Johnathan Andrew Line, Kevin Mozurkewich, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20180162245
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, S.M. Akbar Berry, Amber LaVerne Hall, Michael Kolich, Rodney Charles Brinker, Carol Casey
  • Patent number: 9981582
    Abstract: A thigh-extension for a vehicle seat includes a metallic thigh-extension plate, an extension track defined by a low-friction resin overmolded onto the thigh-extension plate and a thigh-extension slider having an integral groove slidably engaged with the extension track to define a plurality of thigh-extension positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20180126886
    Abstract: A seatback assembly includes an inner carrier module having an upper cross member. The upper cross member includes first and second mounting slots and first and second access apertures disposed therethrough. A seatback frame assembly includes an upper frame member with access apertures disposed therethrough. The inner carrier module is located to a front side of the seatback frame assembly when a locator member of the inner carrier module is received in a locating aperture of the seatback frame assembly. The access apertures of the inner carrier module are aligned with the access apertures of the seatback frame assembly when the two components are coupled together. Guide sleeves are received though the access apertures. A back panel module mounts to a rear side of the seatback frame assembly, wherein upper hook members of the back panel are partially received in the mounting slots of the inner carrier module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Christian J. Hosbach, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 9932012
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. A seatback panel is operably coupled with a back side of the seatback. The seatback panel includes a front side and a rear side. Multiple laterally-extending mounting features are disposed proximate edges of the front side of the seatback panel. An inner carrier includes multiple clip embossments extending laterally and releasably coupled with the mounting features. Multiple forwardly-extending clip towers are spaced vertically between the mounting features. A cushion assembly includes attachment features releasably coupled with the clip towers. After deployment of an airbag module, the mounting features of the seatback panel and the clip embossments can be recoupled for continued use of the vehicle seating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Christian J. Hosbach, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 9925901
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Amber LaVerne Hall, Michael Kolich, Rodney Charles Brinker, Carol Casey
  • Publication number: 20180065508
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20180037143
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: JOHNATHAN ANDREW LINE, Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Publication number: 20180037148
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC,
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • 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: 9796310
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has a lower seat assembly and an upwardly extending seat back assembly is disclosed, where the lower seat assembly comprises a lower seat frame base having a pair of longitudinally extending mounting rails, a pair of side frame members operably connected with the mounting rails, and a transverse cross tube operatively connected with and extending between a forward portion of the pair of side frame members. A lower seat cushion and suspension module is attached to the lower seat frame base. The lower seat cushion and suspension module further comprises a one-piece composite pan having a forward edge, a suspension system mounted to and supported by the one-piece composite pan, and a one-piece composite nose having a rearward edge pivotally attached proximate the forward edge of the composite pan and a forward facing engagement member pivotally and operably connected with the transverse cross tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Andrew Matusko, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20170291520
    Abstract: A thigh-extension for a vehicle seat includes a metallic thigh-extension plate, an extension track defined by a low-friction resin overmolded onto the thigh-extension plate and a thigh-extension slider having an integral groove slidably engaged with the extension track to define a plurality of thigh-extension positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20170291521
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, S.M. Akbar Berry, Amber LaVerne Hall, Michael Kolich, Rodney Charles Brinker, Carol Casey
  • Publication number: 20170291523
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame, a first extendable member disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame and operable between an extended position and a retracted position. Each of the first and second extendable members comprises a movable housing, a trim cover stock disposed above an upper surface of housing and having a first fixed upper edge, an integrated track disposed on a lower surface of the housing, a trim payout slider operably coupled with the integrated track, a trim payout attachment operably coupled with the trim payout slider and operably coupled with a second lower movable edge of the trim cover stock, and a linkage system operatively coupling the movable housing to the trim payout attachment to maintain tension on the trim cover stock as either of the first and second extendable members is operated between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: JOHNATHAN ANDREW LINE, MARCUS SILVA KONDRAD, JOHN WAYNE JARANSON, CAROL CASEY, RODNEY CHARLES BRINKER
  • Publication number: 20170291522
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame seat frame having a seat frame, a first and second extendable members disposed on a forward portion of the seat frame and operable between an extended position and a retracted position. Each of the first and second extendable members comprises a movable housing, a support base attached to the seat frame and slidably coupled to the movable housing, a trim cover stock partially disposed above an upper surface of the movable housing and having a first fixed upper edge and a second movable lower edge, and a linkage system operatively coupling the movable housing to the second movable lower edge of the trim cover stock to maintain tension on the trim cover stock as either of the first and second extendable members is operated between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Casey, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 9776533
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly including a lower seatback. An upper seatback is operably coupled to the lower seatback. The upper seatback is pivotally mounted to the lower seatback at a pivot axis. An arcuate back support bar is disposed in the upper seatback and is configured to rotate the upper seatback between forward and rearward positions. The arcuate support bar includes first and second generally linear members and an arcuate intermediate portion disposed between the first and second generally linear members. An articulation assembly operably couples the lower seatback with the upper seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Diane Casey, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Publication number: 20170267141
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: 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