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: 9718387
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame. A plurality of distinct assembly modules are configured for attachment with the seating frame. The plurality of distinct assembly modules include a back cushion module, a hard back module, a headrest module, and a seat cushion module. The seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan having a rearward support defining an intermediate open area. A forward support is pivotally coupled to the rearward support. A suspension assembly is disposed in the intermediate open area. A cushion extends over the composite cushion pan. A coverstock covers the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Llne, Marc Silva Kondrad, Brett E. Ronzi, Christian J. Hosbach, Rodney Charles Brinker, Keith Allen Godin
  • Patent number: 9707877
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A seatback is operably coupled to a rear of the seat base. First and second independently moveable thigh bolsters each include a top side, a forward side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side. A slide assembly is operably coupled to each of the first and second thigh bolsters. Each of the thigh bolsters are independently laterally translatable forward relative to the seat base. First and second flexible trim carriers are configured to wrap around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively. A spring assembly urges each thigh bolster to a fully forward lateral position. A pivot member operably couples each of the thigh bolsters to the seat base. Each of the thigh bolsters are rotatable relative to the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Rodney Charles Brinker, Todd Gagnier, Richard J. Soyka, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9616776
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat portion with a carrier assembly having an adjustable thigh support assembly disposed therein. First and second slide members are disposed on a support platform coupled to the carrier assembly in a carriage receiving area. A carriage assembly is configured for lateral reception in the carriage receiving area. The carriage assembly includes first and second guide channels. The first and second slide members are slideably received in the first and second guide channels of the carriage assembly to slideably couple the carriage assembly to the carrier assembly for lateral movement of the carriage assembly between extended and stowed positions relative to a rear portion of the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Christian J. Hosbach, Johnathan Andrew Line, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Publication number: 20170036577
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame. A plurality of distinct assembly modules are configured for attachment with the seating frame. The plurality of distinct assembly modules include a back cushion module, a hard back module, a headrest module, and a seat cushion module. The seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan having a rearward support defining an intermediate open area. A forward support is pivotally coupled to the rearward support. A suspension assembly is disposed in the intermediate open area. A cushion extends over the composite cushion pan. A coverstock covers the cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew LIne, Marc Silva Kondrad, Brett E. Ronzi, Christian J. Hosbach, Rodney Charles Brinker, Keith Allen Godin
  • Publication number: 20160207433
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A seatback is operably coupled to a rear of the seat base. First and second independently moveable thigh bolsters each include a top side, a forward side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side. A slide assembly is operably coupled to each of the first and second thigh bolsters. Each of the thigh bolsters are independently laterally translatable forward relative to the seat base. First and second flexible trim carriers are configured to wrap around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively. A spring assembly urges each thigh bolster to a fully forward lateral position. A pivot member operably couples each of the thigh bolsters to the seat base. Each of the thigh bolsters are rotatable relative to the seat base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Rodney Charles Brinker, Todd Gagnier, Richard J. Soyka, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160096448
    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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Carol Diane Casey, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Rodney Charles Brinker