Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Hicks
Thomas S. Hicks 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).
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Publication number: 20170314243Abstract: A fluid treatment and disposal system includes a sink, having a basin, a sink drain inlet, and a sink drain trap. An open cavity is disposed behind a rearward wall of the sink basin, between a top portion of the sink and the sink drain trap. A curved transition surface receives fluid entering the sink. Embodiments of the drain are shaped to promote the evacuation of fluid from the basin while limiting turbulence. An exhaust port fluidly coupled with the open cavity evacuates the open cavity and surrounding environment. Embodiments optionally associate one or more of the following with the open cavity: Ultra-Violet (UV) Germicidal Lights, and Ozone water, copper-silver ionization, and/or sanitizing agent injection systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Gregory Scott Koll, James R. Stark, Thomas S. Hicks, Lorie Margaret Koll
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Publication number: 20170113586Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: 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.
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Publication number: 20170101041Abstract: A thoracic support assembly for a seat back of a seat assembly. The thoracic support assembly may include a cover and a thoracic support pad. The thoracic support pad may be movable with respect to the cover and may be configured to support at least a portion of a thoracic region of a user's spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki, Richard L. Harbaugh, Winsen C. Zouzal
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Patent number: 9561744Abstract: A thoracic support assembly for a seat back of a seat assembly. The thoracic support assembly may include a cover and a thoracic support pad. The thoracic support pad may be movable with respect to the cover and may be configured to support at least a portion of a thoracic region of a user's spine.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki, Richard L. Harbaugh, Winsen C. Zouzal
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Patent number: 9555728Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: 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.
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Publication number: 20160031351Abstract: A thoracic support assembly for a seat back of a seat assembly. The thoracic support assembly may include a cover and a thoracic support pad. The thoracic support pad may be movable with respect to the cover and may be configured to support at least a portion of a thoracic region of a user's spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki, Richard L. Harbaugh, Winsen C. Zouzal
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Patent number: 9180565Abstract: An assembly fixture allows for the incorporation of a decorative trim piece into an encapsulated window assembly. A method of utilizing the assembly fixture to incorporate the decorative trim piece into the vehicle window assembly is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Pilkington Group LimitedInventor: Thomas S. Hicks
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Publication number: 20150272333Abstract: A thoracic support for a seat back of a seat is provided. The thoracic support structure is pivotally attached to the seat back and pivots between a first position and a second position. In the second position the support structure supports at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine. An actuator disposed between a support surface and the support structure pivots the support structure from the first position to the second position upon actuation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2013Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald S. Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki, Richard L. Harbaugh
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Publication number: 20150238017Abstract: A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and are connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
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Publication number: 20150216313Abstract: A seatback assembly is provided having a thoracic support structure. The thoracic support structure includes a center portion extending in an upright direction and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine. The center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion. The side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness for providing support to the user's spine. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the thoracic support structure for positioning the support structure along the seatback so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Winsen C. Zouzal, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Terry O'Bannon, Gerald Steven Locke, Jennifer Badgley, Thomas S. Hicks, Walter T. Cichocki
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Publication number: 20140265491Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a seatback comprising a cushion having a first hardness, and a pneumatic thoracic support structure positioned adjacent the cushion. In at least one embodiment, the pneumatic thoracic support structure comprises a first bladder selectively inflatable to provide a first area having a second hardness higher than the first hardness, with the first area being disposed along a thoracic region of a user's spine when a user is seated in the seat to provide support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Ashford Allen Galbreath, Terry O'Bannon, Jennifer Badgley, Asad S. Ali, Gerald Steven Locke, Thomas S. Hicks, Mark Weaver, Winsen C. Zouzal, Richard L. Harbaugh
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Publication number: 20130019532Abstract: A heated vehicle sliding window assembly has a fixed glass panel with an opening formed in it and a slidably movable glass panel capable of closing the opening. Disposed on the fixed glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form two grid resistors which are connected together as a series circuit, which is connected between two electrically conductive bus bars deposited on the fixed glass panel. Disposed on the slidably movable glass panel are electrically conductive grid lines that form a third grid resistor, which is connected between two other electrically conductive bus bars disposed on the movable glass panel. Both sets of electrically conductive bus bars may be connected together as a parallel circuit when the opening is either opened or closed by the movable glass panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Charles E. Ash, JR., Brian J. Clark, Thomas S. Hicks, David M. Kovach, Matthew A. Rapin, Keith H. Schwaderer, Shane C. Seiple, Charles Sitterlet, Robert M. Thomas
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Publication number: 20120268665Abstract: A vehicle has self-contained, stand-alone flexible displays in a wide variety of locations and serving a wide variety or purposes, such as entertainment, safety warnings, operating instructions, maps, vehicle information, etc. The displays may be positioned on a vehicle interior component having a contoured surface profile, or may be movable from a generally concealed storage position to an extended position. The display may be rolled like a scroll in a storage position. The displays may show a single picture, multiple pictures on sequential frames, interactive videos, etc. and may include audio information, touch screen switches, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2009Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Jeff Frelich, Don Bernhardt, David Hein, Thomas S. Hicks
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Publication number: 20120242023Abstract: An assembly fixture allows for the incorporation of a decorative trim piece into an encapsulated window assembly. A method of utilizing the assembly fixture to incorporate the decorative trim piece into the vehicle window assembly is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventor: Thomas S. Hicks
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Publication number: 20110112854Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an automated system for regulating the allocation of resources, or the dissemination of information within a healthcare facility. The automated system includes a context providing system capable of determining the state of a parameter and a facilities management system in communication with the context providing system. An integration protocol is configured to facilitate communication between the context providing system and the facilities management system and the facilities management system allocates resources or disseminates information based upon the value of the parameter provided by the context providing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: HDR ARCHITECTURE, INC.Inventors: Timothy E. Koch, Scott R. Winfrey, Von E. Lambert, Diane P. Rock, Denise Bauer Nyberg, Thomas S. Hicks
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Publication number: 20100194154Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) includes a seat bottom (18) and a seat back (14, 16) movable between a stowed position and an upright position. The vehicle seat assembly (10) further includes an assist handle (20) that is movably mounted to the seat back (14, 16) and movable between a storage position and a use position for moving the seat back (14, 16) from the stowed position to the upright position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2008Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Thomas S. Hicks, Jaron Rothkop
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Publication number: 20090295215Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: 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.
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Publication number: 20090085383Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back defining a rear side and a display assembly mounted on the seat back. The display assembly includes a display and a housing mounted on the rear side of the seat back. The housing defines a pocket. The seat assembly further includes a lifting mechanism connected between the housing and the display, wherein the lifting mechanism moves the display between a storage position within the pocket, and an extended position such that display is disposed out from the pocket.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Thomas S. Hicks, Ted Smith
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Publication number: 20080252111Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly having an accessory system and method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back connected to the seat cushion such that the seat back is extendable in a generally upright position relative to the seat cushion. In this embodiment, the seat back comprises a seat frame, a foam pad supported by the seat frame, and a trim cover extending about the pad and the seat frame. In this embodiment, an accessory support structure is secured to the seat frame between the seat frame and the trim cover and has spaced apart support members extending over at least 60 percent of the length or width of the seat back configured to selectively receive at least one vehicle occupant accessory assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Jaron Rothkop, Yu-Jin J. Song, Thomas S. Hicks
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Publication number: 20080238169Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly having an accessory system and method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat cushion, a seat back having a top, and a bottom connected to the seat cushion such that the seat back is extendable in a generally upright position. The seat back comprises a seat frame and a pad supported by the frame. The seat assembly includes at least one support structure on the rear surface of the seat back and extending over at least 40 percent of the length or width of the seat back. The support structure is configured to selectively receive at least one vehicle occupant accessory having an attachment member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas S. Hicks, Won-Tai Kim