Patents by Inventor Thomas Frotz

Thomas Frotz 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: 11904750
    Abstract: A structural component may have a carrier structure and a substructure arranged on the carrier structure and having a variable contour. The substructure may have an adjustment mechanism with a plurality of adjustment elements. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the adjustment elements between a compressed position and an expanded position in order to vary the contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Sven Oldach, Daniel Bahr, Rudolf Wilhelm Hemmelrath, Ben Schrieber
  • Patent number: 11820258
    Abstract: A structural component may have a flexible structure with at least one adjusting mechanism, which may be formed at least from a plurality of folded elements or lever elements and spacing elements that are coupled to one another in such a way that their upper surfaces are connected to one another by an upper flat element and their lower surfaces are connected to one another by a lower flat element. The upper flat element and the lower flat element may be configured to be moved in a defined manner in the event of a tilting movement of the flexible structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Bahr, Thomas Frotz, Rudolf Wilhelm Hemmelrath
  • Patent number: 11697366
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a headrest for a seat has a scissor lever. The adjustment mechanism has at least one first lever arm and at least one second lever arm. A compensating lever arm is arranged at at least one lever arm end of each lever arm. A free end of each compensating lever arm has an attachment structure for attaching the compensating lever arm to a body. A lever arm end opposite the compensating lever arm of each lever arm has an attachment structure for attaching the lever arm to a body. A headrest for a vehicle seat, which has a headrest body is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Adient US LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Ivan Jakubec, Martin Banas, Lutz Thilker
  • Publication number: 20220250520
    Abstract: A structural component may have a carrier structure and a substructure arranged on the carrier structure and having a variable contour. The substructure may have an adjustment mechanism with a plurality of adjustment elements. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to adjust the adjustment elements between a compressed position and an expanded position in order to vary the contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas FROTZ, Sven OLDACH, Daniel BAHR, Rudolf Wilhelm HEMMELRATH, Ben SCHRIEBER
  • Publication number: 20220212573
    Abstract: A structural component may have a flexible structure with at least one adjusting mechanism, which may be formed at least from a plurality of folded elements or lever elements and spacing elements that are coupled to one another in such a way that their upper surfaces are connected to one another by an upper flat element and their lower surfaces are connected to one another by a lower flat element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel BAHR, Thomas FROTZ, Rudolf Wilhelm HEMMELRATH
  • Publication number: 20220144155
    Abstract: A kinetic structural component may have a flexible structure having at least one degree of freedom. The flexible structure can be moved between a compressed position and an expanded position or vice versa. The flexible structure may have at least one substructure which is configured, when said flexible structure is in the expanded position, to expand to form a curve or an arc and/or linearly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas FROTZ, Daniel BAHR, Rudolf Wilhelm HEMMELRATH, Sven OLDACH
  • Publication number: 20220063465
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for a headrest for a seat has a scissor lever. The adjustment mechanism has at least one first lever arm and at least one second lever arm. A compensating lever arm is arranged at at least one lever arm end of each lever arm. A free end of each compensating lever arm has an attachment structure for attaching the compensating lever arm to a body. A lever arm end opposite the compensating lever arm of each lever arm has an attachment structure for attaching the lever arm to a body. A headrest for a vehicle seat, which has a headrest body is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Ivan Jakubec, Martin Banas, Lutz Thilker
  • Publication number: 20220055509
    Abstract: A method for producing a covering material for a covering for a vehicle seat may include the steps of providing at least one flat starting material, making positioning openings in the starting material, and laying at least one ply of the at least one starting material into a tool frame having a plurality of positioning pins. The positioning pins of the tool frame may be guided through the positioning openings in the starting material. The steps may also include applying a material processing method to the at least one laid-in ply and removing the at least one processed ply from the tool frame. A covering material for a covering for a vehicle seat and to a vehicle seat are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Bahr, Thomas Frotz, Lars Hennig, Uwe Schulze
  • Publication number: 20200282888
    Abstract: A head restraint for a seat back of a vehicle seat may have two lateral wings. A topmost surface of the wings may flare from top to bottom in a driving position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: ADIENT ENGINEERING AND IP GMBH
    Inventors: THOMAS GUNKEL, RUDOLF WILHELM HEMMELRATH, LAURENCE FINNEGAN, ANDREAS SCHMITZ, THOMAS FROTZ, DANIEL BAHR, KAUSHAL KUMAR SINGH
  • Patent number: 9610874
    Abstract: A head restraint having a housing which is at least partially movable relative to a supporting rod, by which the head restraint is arranged on the backrest of a vehicle seat, toward and away from the head of the occupant of the seat. A slide is provided on the housing, with a positive connecting and/or non-positive connecting device along the longitudinal extent thereof, which can be brought into engagement with a respective locking device, and as a result can secure the housing in the respective position thereof as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Frotz
  • Patent number: 9150121
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting mechanism, in particular in the interior fittings area of a motor vehicle, in which a support structure is movable relative to a base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Rudolf Hemmelrath
  • Patent number: 9022467
    Abstract: A head restraint for a vehicle seat is provided, wherein at least one first part facing the head of the seat occupant can be moved linearly in the direction of the head of a seat occupant, wherein during the relocating motion, a relative motion between the first part and a second part of the head restraint arranged on a third part occurs, and a contact surface of the first part lies against a contact surface of the second part, and a contact surface is provided with a form-fit element, in particular a toothing arrangement. A method is provided for adjusting a head restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Denis Quandt
  • Patent number: 8998315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headrest having a headrest box which is mounted on at least one retaining rod and can be displaced in the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rudolf Hemmelrath, Thomas Frotz, Denis Quandt
  • Publication number: 20140197671
    Abstract: A head restraint having a housing which is at least partially movable relative to a supporting rod, by which the head restraint is arranged on the backrest of a vehicle seat, toward and away from the head of the occupant of the seat. A slide is provided on the housing, with a positive connecting and/or non-positive connecting device along the longitudinal extent thereof, which can be brought into engagement with a respective locking device, and as a result can secure the housing in the respective position thereof as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Frotz
  • Publication number: 20140124984
    Abstract: A device and method for producing two- or multi-color molded skins, in particular skins for a molding or component, includes a tub, in which at least two different materials can he arranged separately from one another, and a galvanic mold forming a molding or component that can be positioned relative to one another. A separating element, which separates the materials and protrudes over the tub, is introduced and positioned in the galvanic mold. Subsequently the materials are introduced separately from each other by the separating element in at least one layer in the galvanic mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Harald Dalibor, Walter André, Thomas Bojahr, Manuel Monteiro, Jesus Galan, Thomas Frotz, Achim Lohner
  • Publication number: 20130249268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headrest having a headrest box which is mounted on at least one retaining rod and can be displaced in the X direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Hemmelrath, Thomas Frotz, Denis Quandt
  • Publication number: 20130200667
    Abstract: A head restraint for a vehicle seat is provided, wherein at least one first part facing the head of the seat occupant can be moved linearly in the direction of the head of a seat occupant, wherein during the relocating motion, a relative motion between the first part and a second part of the head restraint arranged on a third part occurs, and a contact surface of the first part lies against a contact surface of the second part, and a contact surface is provided with a form-fit element, in particular a toothing arrangement. A method is provided for adjusting a head restraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Denis Quandt
  • Publication number: 20130200235
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting mechanism, in particular in the interior fittings area of a motor vehicle, in which a support structure is movable relative to a base element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frotz, Rudolf Hemmelrath
  • Patent number: 8240739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sun shield for a vehicle, wherein the sun shield can be rotated from a storage position about a horizontal rotational axis in front of the windshield into at least one first shading position. The sun shield comprises a sun shield body, whereon a shield segment is mounted in a movable manner. The present invention further relates to a method for retracting and extending a shield segment relative to a sun shield body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Interiors GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Frotz
  • Patent number: D869871
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf-Wilhelm Hemmelrath, Laurence Finnegan, Thomas Gunkel, Thomas Frotz, Kaushal Kumar Singh