Patents by Inventor Sandra L. Smith
Sandra L. Smith 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: 9707919Abstract: An airbag deployment system is provided that includes a support structure, and a fabric material configured to form a show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a detachable connection, and the detachable connection is configured to release the second portion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Inventors: Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Nels Smith, Heather R. Springer, Mark S. Jurek, Ronald A. Bozio, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey A. Deyoung, Tony M. Pokorzynski, David John McCarthy
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Patent number: 9616790Abstract: A fastener, such as for coupling a trim cover to a seat, including an elongated body portion; a first end extending from the elongated body portion to define a connecting structure having a substantially J-shape, a middle portion between the elongated body portion and the first end, and a receiving space there between for receiving a structure; a second end extending distally from the elongated body portion for attachment to the trim cover; and wherein the connecting structure includes an arcuate hook shaped to define a barb pointing outward and a planar surface pointing inward for retaining the fastener on the structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Stankiewicz, Sandra L. Smith, Gerald M. Moilanen
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Publication number: 20150224955Abstract: An airbag deployment system is provided that includes a support structure, and a fabric material configured to form a show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a detachable connection, and the detachable connection is configured to release the second portion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Nels Smith, Heather R. Springer, Mark S. Jurek, Ronald A. Bozio, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey A. Deyoung, Tony M. Pokorzynski, David John McCarthy
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Patent number: 9016716Abstract: An airbag deployment system is provided that includes a support structure, and a fabric material configured to form a show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a detachable connection, and the detachable connection is configured to release the second portion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Nels Smith, Heather R. Springer, Mark S. Jurek, Ronald A. Bozio, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey A. Deyoung, Tony M. Pokorzynski, David John McCarthy
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Patent number: 8727449Abstract: A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140131983Abstract: An airbag deployment system is provided that includes a support structure, and a fabric material configured to form a show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a detachable connection, and the detachable connection is configured to release the second portion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANYInventors: Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Heather R. Springer, Mark S. Jurek, Ronald A. Bozio, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey A. Deyoung, Tony M. Pokorzynski, David John McCarthy
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Patent number: 8398114Abstract: A vehicle seat configured to retain an air bag. The vehicle seat uses selective use of adhesive tape in place of stitching to provide easier manufacturing, lower cost, improved durability and easier repairs, as well as having the adhesive tape be configured to rupture as needed in response to activation of the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130014357Abstract: A concealed zipper assembly and a method of binding a first material to a second material with the concealed zipper assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventor: Sandra L. Smith
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Publication number: 20120038200Abstract: A fastener, such as for coupling a trim cover to a seat, including an elongated body portion; a first end extending from the elongated body portion to define a connecting structure having a substantially J-shape, a middle portion between the elongated body portion and the first end, and a receiving space there between for receiving a structure; a second end extending distally from the elongated body portion for attachment to the trim cover; and wherein the connecting structure includes an arcuate hook shaped to define a barb pointing outward and a planar surface pointing inward for retaining the fastener on the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Timothy J. Stankiewicz, Sandra L. Smith, Gerald M. Moilanen
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Publication number: 20110260508Abstract: A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110037243Abstract: A vehicle seat configured to retain an air bag. The vehicle seat uses selective use of adhesive tape in place of stitching to provide easier manufacturing, lower cost, improved durability and easier repairs, as well as having the adhesive tape be configured to rupture as needed in response to activation of the air bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANYInventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, JR.
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Patent number: 5452939Abstract: A method and an upholstery cover for fabricating an upholstered product which includes the steps of providing an upholstery cover having a hollow interior space and at least one positioning member having a portion thereof extending from the cover; positioning the cover adjacent to or against a foam molding fixture; securing the positioning member to the foam molding fixture to retain a portion of the cover in a predetermined location relative to the fixture; filling the hollow interior space of the cover with a liquid foaming agent; subsequently releasing the positioning member from the fixture; removing the filled cover from the fixture and finally, removing the extending portion of the positioning member from the cover.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1993Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.Inventors: Neal J. Kupisz, Sandra L. Smith
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Patent number: 5358597Abstract: The present invention describes a process for protecting aluminum nitride circuit substrates during electroless plating using a sol-gel technique. The aluminum nitride substrate is coated with a metal. The coated substrate is etched to form a circuit pattern thereby exposing the aluminum nitride. The etched substrate is placed in a solution of tetraethylorthosilicate and withdrawn. The substrate is dried in air and then baked in an oven to remove all of the organic solvents leaving a stoichio metric film of silica on the exposed substrate. The substrate is then placed in an electroless plating solution and the circuit pattern is plated to a predetermined thickness.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: GTE Laboratories IncorporatedInventors: Sandra L. Smith, Brian J. Hazen
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Patent number: 5306389Abstract: A process for protecting aluminum nitride circuit substrates during electroless plating using surface oxidation. The aluminum nitride substrate is coated with a metal stack. The coating on the substrate is etched to form a circuit pattern. The patterned substrate is then fired in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature and time sufficient to convert the exposed aluminum nitride to aluminum oxide. After this conversion, the substrate is plated in an electroless solution forming a microwave circuit ready for component attachment and packaging.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1991Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.Inventors: Sandra L. Smith, Brian J. Hazen
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Patent number: 5282667Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed containing an integrated child seat having a child seat cushion and headrest stored within the seat back of the seat assembly. The child seat is deployed by raising the child seat headrest from an upper portion of the seat back and rotating the child seat cushion from the seat back forward to a generally horizontal use position overlying the adult seat cushion. The seat assembly of the present invention includes a floating pivot axis for the child seat cushion to enable the seat cushion attaching hardware to be placed rearward from the face of the seat back to improve adult seating comfort. The buckle for the child seat restraint system is pivotally mounted directly to the child seat cushion enabling a user to easily insert a latch plate of the restraint system into the buckle with one hand freeing the other hand for restraining the child.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1991Date of Patent: February 1, 1994Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Elton, Robert L. Demick, Sandra L. Smith, Steve W. Kennel, Kurt A. Bart
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Patent number: 4987666Abstract: A tear away seam stabilizer for a vehicle seat component is provided for use with the pour-in-place molding process. The stabilizer, or welt, has an annular body attached to a notched tab portion by a tapered portion and neck portion which is sewn between covering members to form the desired shape of a component. A mold is provided within which the sewn cover, with the seam stabilizers in place, is inserted. The stabilizers maintain alignment of the seams in the cover member during the pour-in-place process and also prevent wrinkles in the cover. The end result is a vehicle seat component with the cover member tightly adhered to the foam body and conforming to a surface of predetermined shape. Once the foam pad is adhered to the cover member, the annular body of the stabilizer is readily torn off.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1990Date of Patent: January 29, 1991Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.Inventor: Sandra L. Smith