Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Welch

Thomas A. Welch 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: 11858394
    Abstract: A seatback includes a trim cover/foam assembly including a foam cushion with a trim cover assembly disposed thereon. The trim cover/foam assembly has an occupant support side and a rear side opposite to the occupant support side, and defines an opening therethrough. The trim cover assembly includes a rear panel on the rear side for closing the opening. The seatback also includes an attachment member on the rear side of the trim cover/foam assembly configured to engage the rear panel and an armrest assembly including an armrest pivotally disposed on a frame at a rear portion of the armrest, with the armrest configured to pass through the opening. Upon installation of the armrest assembly, the rear panel is secured to the attachment member and sandwiched between the rear portion and the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald L. Miotto, Alexandar Serafimovski, Carina Navarro, Thomas A. Welch, Sr., Anne P. Aleksa, Mark Allyn Folkert
  • Publication number: 20230202367
    Abstract: A seatback includes a trim cover/foam assembly including a foam cushion with a trim cover assembly disposed thereon. The trim cover/foam assembly has an occupant support side and a rear side opposite to the occupant support side, and defines an opening therethrough. The trim cover assembly includes a rear panel on the rear side for closing the opening. The seatback also includes an attachment member on the rear side of the trim cover/foam assembly configured to engage the rear panel and an armrest assembly including an armrest pivotally disposed on a frame at a rear portion of the armrest, with the armrest configured to pass through the opening. Upon installation of the armrest assembly, the rear panel is secured to the attachment member and sandwiched between the rear portion and the attachment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald L. MIOTTO, Alexandar SERAFIMOVSKI, Carina NAVARRO, Thomas A. WELCH, SR., Anne P. ALEKSA, Mark Allyn FOLKERT
  • Patent number: 11659883
    Abstract: A facemask assembly for a helmet is provided with a facemask. The facemask has an upper edge to be adjacent to a nose of a user and a lower edge to be adjacent to a chin of the user when the facemask is connected to the helmet. A first end attachment member is connected to a first end region of the facemask to attach to a faceguard. A second end attachment member is connected to a second end region of the facemask to attach to the faceguard. A series of intermediate attachment members are spaced apart from one another and connected to the facemask between the first and second end regions, with each intermediate attachment member to attach to the faceguard. A method of forming the facemask is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Welch, Sr., Benedict J. Messina, Mark Allyn Folkert
  • Publication number: 20230039267
    Abstract: An instrument includes a tubular shaft, an end effector coupled to a distal end portion of the tubular shaft, and a relief feature extending circumferentially along a wall of the shaft and along at least a portion of a length of the shaft. The relief feature defines flexural members on opposing sides of the relief feature. The flexural members can move relative to one another in response to bending the shaft. The flexural members can engage one another on one or both of tension and compression sides of the shaft on the condition the shaft is bent to an angle within a predetermined range of bend angles. Systems and methods relate to instruments including such shafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas G. COOPER, Isabelle Tonnesen HEYE, Thomas Welch BROWN
  • Patent number: 11391080
    Abstract: A movable wall panel system is disclosed. The movable wall panel system may include at least one monitoring system to monitor at least one area adjacent the movable wall panel system. The movable wall panel system may include a touch screen as part of an operator interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley A. Jones, Bryan Thomas Welch, Michael W. Beeler, Jonathan Taylor Dreitlein, William S. Meyers
  • Publication number: 20220167178
    Abstract: A method of managing wireless access to a network performed by an access point includes storing a programmable response time for defining a zone of operation around the access point, receiving from a client device a request to associate with the access point, transmitting a probe to the client device, when a response to the probe is received, measuring a round trip time between transmission of the probe and receipt of the response, determining whether the client device's request to associate with the access point should be granted or denied by comparing the round trip time to the programmable response time, granting the request to associate in response to determining that the round trip time is less than the programmable response time, and denying the request to associate with the access point in response to determining that the round trip time is longer than the programmable response time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: John Thomas Welch, Gary L. Smith, Michael David Drews, Wael R. Midani
  • Publication number: 20220095734
    Abstract: A facemask assembly for a helmet is provided with a facemask. The facemask has an upper edge to be adjacent to a nose of a user and a lower edge to be adjacent to a chin of the user when the facemask is connected to the helmet. A first end attachment member is connected to a first end region of the facemask to attach to a faceguard. A second end attachment member is connected to a second end region of the facemask to attach to the faceguard. A series of intermediate attachment members are spaced apart from one another and connected to the facemask between the first and second end regions, with each intermediate attachment member to attach to the faceguard. A method of forming the facemask is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas A. WELCH, SR., Benedict J. MESSINA, Mark Allyn FOLKERT
  • Patent number: 11277754
    Abstract: A method of managing wireless access to a network performed by an access point includes storing a programmable response time for defining a zone of operation around the access point, receiving from a client device a request to associate with the access point, transmitting a probe to the client device, when a response to the probe is received, measuring a round trip time between transmission of the probe and receipt of the response, determining whether the client device's request to associate with the access point should be granted or denied by comparing the round trip time to the programmable response time, granting the request to associate in response to determining that the round trip time is less than the programmable response time, and denying the request to associate with the access point in response to determining that the round trip time is longer than the programmable response time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
    Inventors: John Thomas Welch, Gary L. Smith, Michael David Drews, Wael R. Midani
  • Patent number: 11247593
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a vehicle seat assembly includes a cushion and a leather trim cover assembly disposed over the cushion. The leather trim cover assembly includes a leather upper layer and a foundation layer secured to the leather upper layer at radio-frequency weld points. The radio-frequency weld points define at least one design boundary adjacent a raised portion of a protruding design in the leather trim cover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lisa Townley, Thomas Korycinski, Paul S. Severinski, Louella Ann Patterson, Thomas Welch, Jr., Sara Russo, Dorothy Kromm
  • Publication number: 20220007631
    Abstract: A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The nozzle comprises a nozzle housing and an insert assembly contained within the nozzle housing. When coupled, a top casing including a fluid inlet and a bottom casing including at least one fluid outlet form the nozzle housing. The insert assembly comprises at least one nozzle insert to fluidically couple the fluid inlet and the fluid outlets such that fluid entering from the fluid inlet exits the nozzle housing through the fluid outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: THOMAS WELCH BROWN, ERIC M. GAWEHN
  • Patent number: 11160269
    Abstract: A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The nozzle comprises a nozzle housing and an insert assembly contained within the nozzle housing. When coupled, a top casing including a fluid inlet and a bottom casing including at least one fluid outlet form the nozzle housing. The insert assembly comprises at least one nozzle insert to fluidically couple the fluid inlet and the fluid outlets such that fluid entering from the fluid inlet exits the nozzle housing through the fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Welch Brown, Eric M. Gawehn
  • Patent number: 11155191
    Abstract: A seat assembly having improved trim appearance is provided as well as a method and mold tool for making the seat assembly. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly has at least one narrow trench having a substantially constant width of up to 5 mm, which provides for better tolerances when installing a trim cover on the cushion and provides improved appearance and comfort. In certain embodiments, the mold tool has at least one tool insert that is configured to create the at least one narrow trench with a substantially constant width in the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Gregory Alan Lymburner, Paul S. Severinski, Gary Rock, James B. Clauser, Louella Ann Patterson, Thomas A. Welch
  • Patent number: 11071293
    Abstract: A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The nozzle comprises a nozzle housing and an insert assembly contained within the nozzle housing. When coupled, a top casing including a fluid inlet and a bottom casing including at least one fluid outlet form the nozzle housing. The insert assembly comprises at least one nozzle insert to fluidically couple the fluid inlet and the fluid outlets such that fluid entering from the fluid inlet exits the nozzle housing through the fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Welch Brown, Eric M. Gawehn
  • Patent number: 11023726
    Abstract: A plant treatment system automatically adjusts camera operation parameters for a camera used by the plant treatment system to identify and treat plants in a field. The plant treatment system can generate image segments of images received from the camera and classify the image segments based on whether the image segments represent plants. The plant treatment system determines whether each of the image segments is over- or under-exposed and adjusts the camera operation parameters for the camera based on the exposure classification of the image segments. Alternatively, the plant treatment system may use a plant detection model to identify plant pixels within an image that represent plants. The plant treatment system can then determine whether the identified plant pixels are over- or under-exposed and adjust the camera operation parameters accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Blue River Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Deaglan Halligan, Edward William Jeffcott Pell, Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Thomas Welch Brown, Lee Kamp Redden, James Patrick Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20210009017
    Abstract: According to one or more embodiments, a vehicle seat assembly includes a cushion and a leather trim cover assembly disposed over the cushion. The leather trim cover assembly includes a leather upper layer and a foundation layer secured to the leather upper layer at radio-frequency weld points. The radio-frequency weld points define at least one design boundary adjacent a raised portion of a protruding design in the leather trim cover assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lisa TOWNLEY, Thomas KORYCINSKI, Paul S. SEVERINSKI, Louella Ann PATTERSON, Thomas WELCH, JR., Sara RUSSO, Dorothy KROMM
  • Publication number: 20200410234
    Abstract: A plant treatment system automatically adjusts camera operation parameters for a camera used by the plant treatment system to identify and treat plants in a field. The plant treatment system can generate image segments of images received from the camera and classify the image segments based on whether the image segments represent plants. The plant treatment system determines whether each of the image segments is over- or under-exposed and adjusts the camera operation parameters for the camera based on the exposure classification of the image segments. Alternatively, the plant treatment system may use a plant detection model to identify plant pixels within an image that represent plants. The plant treatment system can then determine whether the identified plant pixels are over- or under-exposed and adjust the camera operation parameters accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Deaglan Halligan, Edward William Jeffcott Pell, Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Thomas Welch Brown, Lee Kamp Redden, James Patrick Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 10803311
    Abstract: A plant treatment system automatically adjusts camera operation parameters for a camera used by the plant treatment system to identify and treat plants in a field. The plant treatment system can generate image segments of images received from the camera and classify the image segments based on whether the image segments represent plants. The plant treatment system determines whether each of the image segments is over- or under-exposed and adjusts the camera operation parameters for the camera based on the exposure classification of the image segments. Alternatively, the plant treatment system may use a plant detection model to identify plant pixels within an image that represent plants. The plant treatment system can then determine whether the identified plant pixels are over- or under-exposed and adjust the camera operation parameters accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Deaglan Halligan, Edward William Jeffcott Pell, Rajesh Radhakrishnan, Thomas Welch Brown, Lee Kamp Redden, James Patrick Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20200296951
    Abstract: A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The nozzle comprises a nozzle housing and an insert assembly contained within the nozzle housing. When coupled, a top casing including a fluid inlet and a bottom casing including at least one fluid outlet form the nozzle housing. The insert assembly comprises at least one nozzle insert to fluidically couple the fluid inlet and the fluid outlets such that fluid entering from the fluid inlet exits the nozzle housing through the fluid outlets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Welch Brown, Eric M. Gawehn
  • Patent number: 10676000
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a structural member adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. The structural member has at least one channel formed therein. A cushion member is provided adjacent to the structural layer. The cushion member has at least one channel formed therethrough. A trim member is secured over the cushion member to form a seating surface. At least one attachment member is mounted to the trim member extending through the at least one channel of the cushion member. The at least one attachment member extends into the at least one channel of the structural member such that at least one of the trim material and the cushion layer is retained on the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Thomas S. Hicks, Ronald L. Miotto, Asad S. Ali, Mark A. Folkert, William Paruszkiewicz, Paul Severinski, James B. Clauser, Thomas A. Welch, Sr.
  • Patent number: RE48416
    Abstract: A movable wall panel system induces a plurality of movable wall panels. A first electrical connector of one panel is automatically coupled to a second electrical connector of an adjacent panel as the panels are moved from a folded storage position to an extended use position to electrically couple the adjacent panels together automatically. At least one of the plurality of panels has an electrical receptacle coupled to its associated first and second electrical connectors to provide an electrical power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Thomas Welch, Robert Kevin Schuyler