Patents by Inventor Russell Lee Norton

Russell Lee Norton 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: 6568754
    Abstract: An active, resettable head restraint system includes a collision prediction system for detecting objects approaching the vehicle from the rear, a pressure tank containing a quantity of pressurized air, a motor-driven compressor for maintaining a desired pressure in the tank, and an expandable headrest. The headrest comprises a base mounted to the seat back in conventionally known fashion, a pad connected to the base for movement between a rearward pre-deployment position and a forward deployed position, and at least one inflatable bladder located between the base and the pad. The bladder is connected with the pressure tank for inflation when activated by the collision prediction system. When in the deflated condition, the bladder is substantially contained within the base, and the headrest has a relatively narrow pre-deployment configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Lee Norton, John Wayne Jaranson, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • Patent number: 6076027
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle active tilt control system is provided for increasing the operating efficiency and improving operator/passenger comfort associated with the operation of a motor vehicle having an active tilt control system. The tilt control system includes a stabilizer bar adjustable by a hydraulic actuator which is movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bar, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Raad, John Allen Oliver, Douglas Scott Rhode, Russell Lee Norton, Steven A. Hermann, Jon Roland Watson
  • Patent number: 5948028
    Abstract: A method is provided for improving response time in a vehicle active tilt control system having front and rear stabilizer bars adjustable by front and rear hydraulic actuators which are movable in first and second opposing directions for adjusting vehicle body roll resistance provided by the stabilizer bars, and having a pressure control valve for controlling hydraulic pressure to the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Raad, John Allen Oliver, Jr., Russell Lee Norton, Vladimir V. Kokotovic