Patents by Inventor Thomas MATZKA

Thomas MATZKA 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: 10675996
    Abstract: An easy-entry release system is utilized to actuate an easy-entry recliner of a vehicle seat assembly configured to fold a seat back relative to a seat bottom. The easy-entry release system includes a support member connectable to a seat back, a lever pivotally attached to the support member, and a sled in contact with the support member and moveable relative to the support member between a first position and a second position along a linear path. The sled is connected to the lever such that the lever rotates relative to the support member in response to the sled moving between the first and second positions. A strap is connected to the sled such that actuation of the strap moves the sled between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Uwe Hoyer, Thomas Matzka, Mikel Inge Yarto Elorza
  • Patent number: 10525860
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat back pivotably attached to the seat cushion. A latch arrangement has a locked position for inhibiting pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and an open position for facilitating pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. A rotatable actuator defines a first radius and a second radius. A first flexible member is attached to the rotatable actuator at the first radius such that tensioning the first flexible member rotates the rotatable actuator in a first direction. A second flexible member is attached to the latch arrangement and the rotatable actuator at the second radius such that rotation of the rotatable actuator in the first direction tensions the second flexible member and moves the latch arrangement from the locked position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Matzka, Josef Widhopf, Uwe Hoyer, Markus Manternach
  • Publication number: 20180201163
    Abstract: An easy-entry release system is utilized to actuate an easy-entry recliner of a vehicle seat assembly configured to fold a seat back relative to a seat bottom. The easy-entry release system includes a support member connectable to a seat back, a lever pivotally attached to the support member, and a sled in contact with the support member and moveable relative to the support member between a first position and a second position along a linear path. The sled is connected to the lever such that the lever rotates relative to the support member in response to the sled moving between the first and second positions. A strap is connected to the sled such that actuation of the strap moves the sled between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Uwe HOYER, Thomas MATZKA, Mikel Inge YARTO ELORZA
  • Publication number: 20180105079
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat back pivotably attached to the seat cushion. A latch arrangement has a locked position for inhibiting pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and an open position for facilitating pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. A rotatable actuator defines a first radius and a second radius. A first flexible member is attached to the rotatable actuator at the first radius such that tensioning the first flexible member rotates the rotatable actuator in a first direction. A second flexible member is attached to the latch arrangement and the rotatable actuator at the second radius such that rotation of the rotatable actuator in the first direction tensions the second flexible member and moves the latch arrangement from the locked position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas MATZKA, Josef WIDHOPF, Uwe HOYER, Markus MANTERNACH