Patents by Inventor Thomas Susko

Thomas Susko 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).

  • Vehicle seat assembly having load cell based seat occupant sensing system
    Patent number: 6595570
    Abstract: A seat frame assembly includes a seat portion and a seat back. Upper and lower tracks are positioned beneath the seat portion. The upper track is connected to the seat portion. The tracks are slidable relative to one another to move the seat portion and the seat back. A seat belt restraint is positioned underneath the seat back between the seat portion and the upper track and is connected to the upper track. A riser is positioned on a floor beneath the lower track. A load cell is interposed between the lower track and the riser at a level below the seat belt restraint. A fastener extending through the cell mounts the lower track to the riser. The cell generates a signal indicative of the weight of a seat portion occupant. A spring may be interposed between the cell and the lower track to impart a predetermined load on the cell to enhance the system resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Susko
  • Phone holder for vehicle console
    Patent number: 5996866
    Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a console body having an opening formed therein and a drawer movably positioned within the opening for movement between a closed position within the console body and an open position extending from the console body. The drawer includes a slot formed therein for receiving a portable phone. A power cord is connected to the drawer for providing power to the portable phone. The power cord is hidden from view within the console body. A release lever mechanism is provided for selectively securing and releasing the phone from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Susko, Robert Nino, Brett Jayroe, Jackie A. Humphries
  • Protective cover for a hinge joint
    Patent number: 5362131
    Abstract: A seating assembly (10) including a hinge joint (30) rotatably connecting an articulated member (21) to a support member (28). The hinge joint (30) includes a cover (26) having a face plate (32) positioned adjacent to the hinge joint (30) for preventing ingress of foreign materials into the joint from an axial direction. The cover (26) further includes flexible strips (34, 34') extending circumferencially about the hinge joint (30). Channels (56, 56') are attached to the articulated member (21) at a location adjacent the hinge joint (30) and slidably receive and guide the strips (34, 34') circumferencially about the hinge joint (30) to prevent ingress of foreign materials into the hinge joint (30) from a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Lear Seating Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Susko, Douglas Moore