Patents by Inventor Scott Andrew Willard

Scott Andrew Willard 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: 8807653
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a post mounted in a vehicle proximate to a seat back. A transverse shaft is mounted to the post. A head restraint is pivotally connected to the shaft. A series of teeth are provided on the head restraint. A locking mechanism is mounted to the shaft for translation in a transverse direction for engagement with the teeth. An actuator cooperates with the locking mechanism for disengaging the mechanism from the series of teeth for permitting adjustment of a tilt of the head restraint. A head restraint assembly is provided with a partial ring gear mounted to the head restraint. A sector gear is mounted to a transverse shaft in engagement with the partial ring gear. The actuator translates one of the partial ring gear and the sector gear for disengaging the gears and permitting adjustment of the tilt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun V. Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Patent number: 8465098
    Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint support adapted to be mounted to a seat back frame. A transverse shaft is pivotally mounted to the support. A post is connected to the shaft for supporting a head restraint. A biasing member is connected to the support and the shaft for biasing the post to a collapsed position. An eccentric projection extends from a central region of the shaft. A latching mechanism is provided on the support and oriented within a path of rotation of the projection to engage the projection and maintain the head restraint in an upright position. Retraction of the latching mechanism permits the biasing member to pivot the head restraint to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Publication number: 20130134761
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a post mounted in a vehicle proximate to a seat back. A transverse shaft is mounted to the post. A head restraint is pivotally connected to the transverse shaft. An actuator is mounted to the head restraint. A striker is mounted to one of the transverse shaft and the head restraint. A latch is mounted to the other of the transverse shaft and the head restraint in engagement with the striker, such that actuation of the actuator in the transverse direction disengages the latch from the striker for rotation of the head restraint relative to the transverse shaft. Rotation of the head restraint from a collapsed position to an upright position causes the latch to engage the striker, which retracts the latch until the head restraint reaches the upright position, and the latch extends thereby locking the head restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Andrew Willard, Arjun Yetukuri, Gerald Steven Locke
  • Publication number: 20130093218
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat bottom, a seat back, and a head restraint assembly. The head restraint assembly may be disposed on the seat back and may move from a first position to a second position when the seat bottom is rotated about a first axis of rotation with respect to the seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Publication number: 20120326481
    Abstract: A vehicle head restraint assembly includes a head restraint support adapted to be mounted to a seat back frame. A transverse shaft is pivotally mounted to the support. A post is connected to the shaft for supporting a head restraint. A biasing member is connected to the support and the shaft for biasing the post to a collapsed position. An eccentric projection extends from a central region of the shaft. A latching mechanism is provided on the support and oriented within a path of rotation of the projection to engage the projection and maintain the head restraint in an upright position. Retraction of the latching mechanism permits the biasing member to pivot the head restraint to the collapsed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Scott Andrew Willard
  • Publication number: 20120068517
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle head restraint assembly is provided with a post mounted in a vehicle proximate to a seat back. A transverse shaft is mounted to the post. A head restraint is pivotally connected to the shaft. A series of teeth are provided on the head restraint. A locking mechanism is mounted to the shaft for translation in a transverse direction for engagement with the teeth. An actuator cooperates with the locking mechanism for disengaging the mechanism from the series of teeth for permitting adjustment of a tilt of the head restraint. A head restraint assembly is provided with a partial ring gear mounted to the head restraint. A sector gear is mounted to a transverse shaft in engagement with the partial ring gear. The actuator translates one of the partial ring gear and the sector gear for disengaging the gears and permitting adjustment of the tilt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arjun V. Yetukuri, Gerald S. Locke, Scott Andrew Willard