Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Kreitler

Thomas E. Kreitler 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: 6902239
    Abstract: A head restraint guide assembly mounted into apertures formed in a seatback frame for receiving support posts of a head restraint. The head restraint guide allows for incremental adjustment and locking of the height of the head restraint relative to the seatback frame. The guide assembly has opposite upper and lower ends. A center bore extends between and through both of the upper and lower ends. The guide assembly comprises a generally cylindrical main body having upper and lower portions. A lip is formed in the upper portion adjacent to the lower portion. A lattice of structural ribs extends outwardly from the upper portion and extends between the lip and the upper end of the guide assembly. The lower portion comprises a pair of symmetrically opposite and spaced apart legs that extend downwardly from the upper portion. The legs are elastically inwardly displaceable. Each leg includes a ramped surface to facilitate insertion into the seatback frame. Each ramped surface terminates at a locating edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kreitler
  • Publication number: 20040201266
    Abstract: A head restraint guide assembly mounted into apertures formed in a seatback frame for receiving support posts of a head restraint. The head restraint guide allows for incremental adjustment and locking of the height of the head restraint relative to the seatback frame. The guide assembly has opposite upper and lower ends. A center bore extends between and through both of the upper and lower ends. The guide assembly comprises a generally cylindrical main body having upper and lower portions. A lip is formed in the upper portion adjacent to the lower portion. A lattice of structural ribs extends outwardly from the upper portion and extends between the lip and the upper end of the guide assembly. The lower portion comprises a pair of symmetrically opposite and spaced apart legs that extend downwardly from the upper portion. The legs are elastically inwardly displaceable. Each leg includes a ramped surface to facilitate insertion into the seatback frame. Each ramped surface terminates at a locating edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kreitler
  • Patent number: 6695409
    Abstract: A seat assembly mounted on a floor of a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion having a seat cushion frame operatively secured to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seat back having a seat back frame including side members and an upper crossmember extending between the side members fixedly secured to the seat cushion frame. A recliner mechanism is fixedly secured to the seat cushion frame for pivotally moving the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and an armrest is connected to one of the side members. In addition, a bracket includes a base and first and second mounting arms extending out from the base. The base is fixedly secured to one of the side members. The armrest is secured to the first mounting arm and the recliner mechanism is secured to the second mounting arm such that the bracket maintains a predetermined distance between the armrest and the recliner mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Kreitler, Hans S. Grohs, Frank T. Eupizi, David M. Schacht
  • Publication number: 20030234568
    Abstract: A seat assembly mounted on a floor of a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion having a seat cushion frame operatively secured to the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seat back having a seat back frame including side members and an upper crossmember extending between the side members fixedly secured to the seat cushion frame. A recliner mechanism is fixedly secured to the seat cushion frame for pivotally moving the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and an armrest is connected to one of the side members. In addition, a bracket includes a base and first and second mounting arms extending out from the base. The base is fixedly secured to one of the side members. The armrest is secured to the first mounting arm and the recliner mechanism is secured to the second mounting arm such that the bracket maintains a predetermined distance between the armrest and the recliner mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas E. Kreitler, Hans S. Grohs, Frank T. Eupizi, David M. Schacht