Patents by Inventor Spencer Robert Hoernke
Spencer Robert Hoernke 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: 11214178Abstract: A seat assembly includes a mounting plate and a base frame rotatable mounted on the mounting plate by a swivel mechanism for swiveling the seat assembly between forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations. A seat portion is operably coupled to the base frame and includes a front edge. The seat portion can be pivoted between use and upright non-use positions. The seat assembly includes a first rotational footprint when the seat portion is in the use position and a second rotational footprint that is less than the first rotational footprint when the seat portion is in the upright non-use position. The second rotational footprint is intended to accommodate swiveling of the seat assembly between the forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations within a vehicle interior.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, David Frederick Lyons
-
Patent number: 11214173Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a platform. The platform includes a frame having an attachment feature. A seat base is coupled with the attachment feature. A cross-member is coupled to the frame and movable between extended and retracted positions. The seating assembly also includes a track assembly including a plurality of tracks received by guides. The platform extends between each of the plurality of tracks.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish, Daniel Ferretti, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Marcos Silva Kondrad
-
Patent number: 11214179Abstract: A seat assembly includes a base frame supporting a lift mechanism. A seatback is operably coupled to a seat portion. The seatback and the seat portion are vertically adjustable as powered by the lift mechanism. The seat portion is pivotally coupled to the seatback by a support bracket for rotational movement between first and second positions. A seat frame of the seat portion is vertically juxtaposed over the lift mechanism when the seat portion is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Joseph Michael Kish, Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, David Frederick Lyons
-
Patent number: 11180055Abstract: A lift mechanism for a vehicle seating assembly comprises a gear assembly that includes a first gear and a second gear. A mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to a vehicle and shares a common axis with the first gear, wherein the first and second gears are positionable in a fixedly coupled arrangement at an initial location relative to the mounting bracket or at a final location relative to the mounting bracket, such that, when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location relative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a sitting position, and when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the final location relative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a standing position.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Paul D. Peterson, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish
-
Patent number: 11148571Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, a seatback, and a lower leg support. The seat includes a forward end and a rearward end. The seatback is pivotably coupled to the seat. The lower leg support includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The lower leg support is rotatably coupled to the forward end of the seat and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The stowed position of the lower leg support places the lower leg support in an area below the seat. The stowed position of the lower leg support forms an acute angle with the seat. A linkage assembly is coupled to an underside of the seat and the interior of the lower leg support. The linkage assembly is responsible for transitioning the lower leg support between the stowed position and the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Diane Casey, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jimmy Moua, Brian Boland, Sean Bayle West, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Keith Allen Godin
-
Publication number: 20210309136Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a lower leg support. The seat includes a first end and a second end. The first and second ends are opposite to one another. The lower leg support is coupled to the seat at the second end and is movable relative to the seat between a retracted position and an extended position. A suspension assembly is coupled to the lower leg support. The suspension assembly includes a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end of the suspension assembly is coupled to a portion of the seat. The second end of the suspension assembly is coupled proximate to a distal end of the lower leg support. A distance between an interior surface of the intermediate portion and an adjacent surface of each of the seat and the lower leg support may vary based on lower leg support position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Jimmy Moua, Deeptej Kudav, S. M. Akbar Berry, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Spencer Hoin
-
Patent number: 11124147Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a back support portion centrally disposed thereon. A retractor mechanism is operably coupled to the seatback. A belt member is coupled to the retractor mechanism. The belt member further includes a body portion disposed between first and second ends of the belt member. The body portion of the belt member is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The belt member is disposed in front of the back support portion of the seatback in the deployed position. The belt member is disposed in an interior portion of the seatback in the stowed position. The seat assembly further includes an airbag assembly to which the belt member is attached. The belt member is deployed when the airbag assembly is deployed as coupled thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Sean Bayle West, Edward Joseph DeSmet, Benjamin Yilma, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Alan George Dry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Spencer Robert Hoernke, S. M. Akbar Berry, Derek Board, Raed Essa EL-Jawahri
-
Patent number: 11097642Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a leg support rotationally coupled to a seat and including a bladder assembly at least partially disposed on the leg support, and a lift mechanism disposed between the seat and the leg support, wherein the lift mechanism is configured to move the leg support between a stored position and a deployed position, and wherein the bladder assembly is inflatable between a deflated state and an inflated state.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Paul D. Peterson, Jimmy Moua, Joseph Michael Kish, Sean Bayle West, Deeptej Kudav
-
Patent number: 11091067Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly has a seat, a seatback and a bracket extending between the seat and the seatback with a first pivotable coupling between the bracket and the seat, a second pivotable coupling between the bracket and the seatback, and a sector gear portion with a gear assembly including a spur gear. The sector gear portion is disposed along an edge of the bracket, wherein the spur gear is rotatable to engage the sector gear portion of the bracket to move the bracket from a first position to a second position to move the second pivotable coupling from a primary position to a secondary position.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Keith Allen Godin, Sean Bayle West, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Deeptej Kudav
-
Patent number: 11091065Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat including a side bracket, a seatback, a displaceable bracket extending between the seatback and the side bracket, a pivotable seatback coupling between the displaceable bracket and the seatback, and a movement assembly operably coupling the displaceable bracket to the side bracket. The movement assembly is positionable between a design position and a fully deployed position to move the displaceable bracket between a first position and a second position, respectively, and to move the pivotable seatback coupling between a primary positon and a secondary position, respectively, wherein, when the pivotable seatback coupling is in a secondary position, the seatback is movable between a forward inclined position and a substantially flat position.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Macit Aktas, Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Deeptej Kudav, Keith Allen Godin
-
Patent number: 11076697Abstract: A seating assembly includes a frame that has an upper portion that defines an attachment aperture and a lower portion. A bracket is coupled to the lower portion. A cable has a first end and a second end that is coupled to the bracket. The cable is operable between a support position and a compressed position. A guide-sleeve is operably coupled with the cable and is disposed within the attachment aperture of the upper portion of the frame. The guide-sleeve includes retention tabs that are operably coupled to the upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Ratan Howlader, Robert Charles Shipley, David Frederick Lyons, Sean Bayle West, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Thomas J. Susko
-
Publication number: 20210221317Abstract: A seatback carrier module includes first and second side portions spaced-apart from one another and interconnected by an upper portion. A cradle portion is disposed along the first and second side portions and the upper portion of the seatback carrier module. The cradle portion includes inner and outer edges with a rearwardly extending body portion. A mounting portion is disposed along a portion of the inner edge of the cradle portion. The mounting portion includes inner and outer edges with a body portion disposed therebetween. The mounting portion further includes a rearwardly extending sidewall disposed along the inner edge of the mounting portion. An airbag assembly is received within the cradle portion and has an inverted U-shaped configuration to substantially surround the outer perimeter of the seatback frame. The airbag assembly is an elongate member defining an overhead airbag assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, S. M. Akbar Berry, Derek Board, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Spencer Robert Hoernke
-
Patent number: 11059399Abstract: A retractable anchor assembly for a seating assembly includes an actuating arm operably coupled with a seatback and defining a guide slot. The actuating arm may be movable with the seatback. A guide plate may be coupled with a seat base and may define an arm receiving slot configured to receive the actuating arm. A support plate may be slidably coupled with the guide plate. The support plate may include a side fastener received by the guide slot of the actuating arm. An anchor may be coupled with the support plate. Movement of the actuating arm through the arm receiving slot may be configured to move the support plate and anchor between an extended positioned and a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Benjamin Yilma, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jason Matthew Koberstein, Sean Bayle West, David Frederick Lyons
-
Publication number: 20210206299Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly has a seat, a seatback and a bracket extending between the seat and the seatback with a first pivotable coupling between the bracket and the seat, a second pivotable coupling between the bracket and the seatback, and a sector gear portion with a gear assembly including a spur gear. The sector gear portion is disposed along an edge of the bracket, wherein the spur gear is rotatable to engage the sector gear portion of the bracket to move the bracket from a first position to a second position to move the second pivotable coupling from a primary position to a secondary position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Keith Allen Godin, Sean Bayle West, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Deeptej Kudav
-
Publication number: 20210206297Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat including a side bracket, a seatback, a displaceable bracket extending between the seatback and the side bracket, a pivotable seatback coupling between the displaceable bracket and the seatback, and a movement assembly operably coupling the displaceable bracket to the side bracket. The movement assembly is positionable between a design position and a fully deployed position to move the displaceable bracket between a first position and a second position, respectively, and to move the pivotable seatback coupling between a primary positon and a secondary position, respectively, wherein, when the pivotable seatback coupling is in a secondary position, the seatback is movable between a forward inclined position and a substantially flat position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Macit Aktas, Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Deeptej Kudav, Keith Allen Godin
-
Publication number: 20210170916Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly comprises a lift mechanism disposed at a forward portion of a seat and a latch assembly disposed at a rearward portion of the seat and rotatably coupled to the seat. A mechanical link has a first end rotatably coupled to the forward portion of the seat and a second end rotatably coupled to the latch assembly. The vehicle seating assembly is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the latch assembly is positionable in a latched position or an unlatched position relative to a mount assembly. The mechanical link is disposed in an initial position when the seating assembly is in the first position, and the mechanical link is disposed in a final position when the seating assembly is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Paul D. Peterson, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish
-
Publication number: 20210170931Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a leg support rotationally coupled to a seat and including a bladder assembly at least partially disposed on the leg support, and a lift mechanism disposed between the seat and the leg support, wherein the lift mechanism is configured to move the leg support between a stored position and a deployed position, and wherein the bladder assembly is inflatable between a deflated state and an inflated state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Macit Aktas, Paul D. Peterson, Jimmy Moua, Joseph Michael Kish, Sean Bayle West, Deeptej Kudav
-
Publication number: 20210170922Abstract: A lift mechanism for a vehicle seating assembly comprises a gear assembly that includes a first gear and a second gear. A mounting bracket is fixedly coupled to a vehicle and shares a common axis with the first gear, wherein the first and second gears are positionable in a fixedly coupled arrangement at an initial location relative to the mounting bracket or at a final location relative to the mounting bracket, such that, when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the initial location relative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a sitting position, and when the first and second gears are in the fixedly coupled arrangement at the final location relative to the mounting bracket, the seating assembly is in a standing position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Macit Aktas, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Paul D. Peterson, Johnathan Andrew Line, Joseph Michael Kish
-
Publication number: 20210155137Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, a seatback, and a lower leg support. The seat includes a forward end and a rearward end. The seatback is pivotably coupled to the seat. The lower leg support includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. The lower leg support is rotatably coupled to the forward end of the seat and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The stowed position of the lower leg support places the lower leg support in an area below the seat. The stowed position of the lower leg support forms an acute angle with the seat. A linkage assembly is coupled to an underside of the seat and the interior of the lower leg support. The linkage assembly is responsible for transitioning the lower leg support between the stowed position and the deployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2019Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Diane Casey, Spencer Robert Hoernke, Jimmy Moua, Brian Boland, Sean Bayle West, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Keith Allen Godin
-
Patent number: 11014479Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame, a front closeout panel supported on the frame and an articulating flexmat assembly operably coupled with at least one of the front closeout panel and the frame. The articulating flexmat assembly includes an upper flexmat extending from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame. The upper flexmat includes an upper cable coupled with the upper flexmat and an upper cable regulating motor operably coupled with the upper cable. The articulating flexmat assembly also includes a lower flexmat extending from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. The lower flexmat includes a lower cable coupled with the lower flexmat and a lower cable regulating motor operably coupled with the lower cable.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Carol Casey, Robert Damerow, Andrew Bernard Matusko, Spencer Robert Hoernke, S. M. Akbar Berry, Daniel Ferretti, Steven Carnago