Patents by Inventor Thomas Welch

Thomas Welch 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: 9455561
    Abstract: A movable wall panel system induces a plurality of movable wall panels. A first electrical connector of one panel is automatically coupled to a second electrical connector of an adjacent panel as the panels are moved from a folded storage position to an extended use position to electrically couple the adjacent panels together automatically. At least one of the plurality of panels has an electrical receptacle coupled to its associated first and second electrical connectors to provide an electrical power outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Thomas Welch, Robert Kevin Schuyler
  • Publication number: 20160096462
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, in at least one embodiment, comprising a cushion and a leather trim cover assembly disposed over the cushion. In at least this embodiment, the trim cover assembly has a central trim panel assembly secured to at least one peripheral trim panel assembly, and the central trim panel assembly has a leather upper layer and a sub-layer assembly having at least one protruding design secured to the leather upper layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Dorothy KROMM, Lisa TOWNLEY, Thomas Welch, JR., Sara RUSSO
  • Publication number: 20150175042
    Abstract: A seat assembly having improved trim appearance is provided as well as a method and mold tool for making the seat assembly. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly has at least one narrow trench having a substantially constant width of up to 5 mm, which provides for better tolerances when installing a trim cover on the cushion and provides improved appearance and comfort. In certain embodiments, the mold tool has at least one tool insert that is configured to create the at least one narrow trench with a substantially constant width in the cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Gregory Alan Lymburner, Paul S. Severinski, Gary Rock, James B. Clauser, Louella Ann Patterson, Thomas A. Welch, SR.
  • Publication number: 20150023338
    Abstract: A wireless access point includes an antenna, a connection port providing wired communications with a network, one or more processors, and a storage device having software stored therein. When executed by the one or more processors the software causes the wireless access point to respond to a probe from a client device requesting a specific service set identifier according to a wildcard service set identifier response in order to facilitate wireless association of the client device with the wireless access point regardless of the specific service set identifier requested by the client device, and to provide the client device with wireless access to the network. In this way, the client device is enabled to associate with the wireless access point and receive access to the network without a specific service set identifier requested by the client device being preprogrammed into the wireless access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: John Thomas Welch, Gary L. Smith, Michael David Drews, Wael R. Midani
  • Patent number: 8911633
    Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements and elements and methods for making and using fluid treatment arrangements are disclosed. A ribbon including a permeable fluid treatment medium may be spirally wound in a plurality of windings to form a fluid treatment element having a disk-shaped body. Two or more fluid treatment elements may be positioned along a core assembly with spaces between at least some of the adjacent fluid treatment elements. Posts may be located in some of the spaces and may be bonded to the adjacent fluid treatment elements. Bands may encircle some of the spaces to block radial fluid flow into or out of the spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Welch, Jr., Tanweer ul Haq, Joseph Verschneider
  • Patent number: 8855065
    Abstract: A variety of techniques are described in which wireless access points or base stations are deployed in wireless networks to achieve geographic isolation, i.e., distinct zones of operation having well-defined geographic boundaries, and increased overall capacity in an area having a high population of access and client devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Guest Tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
    Inventors: John Thomas Welch, Gary L. Smith, Michael David Drews, Wael R. Midani
  • Patent number: 8814267
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to securing a trim cover to a vehicle seat cushion. In at least one embodiment, a seat cushion assembly comprises a foam cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, and at least one slot extending therebetween, a trim cover extending over the foam cushion, and a trim cover attachment assembly secured to the trim cover for securing the trim cover adjacent the foam cushion. In at least one embodiment, the trim cover attachment assembly comprises a flexible sheet having a first end attached to the trim cover and a second end having a paddle that sits adjacent the “B” surface of the foam cushion, the fabric extending through the slot of the foam cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Welch, Sr., William Paruszkiewicz, James Clauser, Jeffrey Joseph Frelich, Paul S. Severinski, Louella Patterson
  • Patent number: 8783768
    Abstract: The present invention relates a vehicle seat assembly comprising a frame, a cushion supported on the frame, and a trim cover assembly secured over the cushion, the trim cover assembly comprising a leather trim material and a reinforcing layer secured to the leather trim material, the reinforcing layer being less flexible than the leather trim material, the trim cover assembly having a percent reduction in stretch relative to a similar trim cover assembly not having the reinforcing layer of 40% to 95% as measured according to SAE J855.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Paul S. Severinski, Karl Henn, Pusheng Chen, Thomas A. Welch, Sr., Louella Patterson, Larry Hulme, William Paruszkiewicz, Benedict J. Messina, Bryan Orlando
  • Patent number: 8776554
    Abstract: A method of processing a leather material. The method may include providing a tanned and dried leather material and pre-stretching the leather material after the leather material is dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Pusheng Chen, Thomas A. Welch, Sr., Louella Ann Patterson, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Paul S. Severinski
  • Publication number: 20140183925
    Abstract: A trim cover closeout system for securing adjoining trim cover portions on a vehicle component such as a seat at an opening between the trim cover portions, the system includes first and second trim edge attachment elements each having a mounting surface adapted to be secured to the edge of one of the trim cover portions and it an attachment portion including an outwardly protruding surface, and any longer closure element configured to extend over substantially the entire length of the opening, wherein the closure element may be slidably positioned over the attachment elements to secure the first and second attachment elements and, thereby, the edges of the adjoining trim cover portions to each other to close the opening. A vehicle seat assembly including the trim cover closeout system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: James CLAUSER, William PARUSZKIEWICZ, Paul S. Severinski, Thomas A. Welch, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140137610
    Abstract: A method of processing a leather material. The method may include providing a tanned and dried leather material and pre-stretching the leather material after the leather material is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pusheng Chen, Thomas A. Welch, SR., Louella Ann Patterson, Ashford Allen Galbreath, Paul S. Severinski
  • Patent number: 8640885
    Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements having at least first and second radially displaced sets (12,13) of fluid treatment elements and methods for making and using them are disclosed: A ribbon including a permeable fluid treatment medium may be spirally wound in a plurality of windings to form a fluid treatment element of either set. At least two and as many as fifty or more fluid treatment elements (14?, 14?) may be positioned along a hollow core assembly (11) in each set. Fluid may be directed to or from the interior of the core assembly through a fluid treatment element of the first set and a fluid treatment element of the second set. In each fluid treatment element, fluid flows generally edgewise through the permeable fluid treatment medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Welch, Jr., Tanweer ul Haq, Joseph Verschneider
  • Patent number: 8640884
    Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements and methods for making and using fluid treatment arrangements are disclosed. A ribbon including a permeable fluid treatment medium may be spirally wound in a plurality of windings to form a fluid treatment element having a disk-shaped body. For some embodiments, the ribbon may comprise a composite having first and second layers. At least two and as many as many as fifty or more fluid treatment elements may be positioned along a core assembly with spaces between at least some of the adjacent fluid treatment elements. Many, most, or substantially all of the spaces may be substantially free of structure. A fluid treatment arrangement may be contained in a housing to form a fluid treatment assembly. The housing may include an inlet port and an outlet port and may define a fluid flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port. The fluid treatment arrangement may be positioned in the housing across the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Welch, Jr., Tanweer ul Haq, Joseph Verschneider
  • Patent number: 8522304
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for monitoring and configuring home networks for a variety of purposes such as, for example, facilitating secure communications between the home network and a remote network, and facilitating provision of a service by a service provider such as, for example, a cellular carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ibahn General Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Thomas Molen, George B. Norr, John Thomas Welch, Richard L. Ehlers, Wael R. Midani
  • Patent number: 8511243
    Abstract: A sewing machine having a bed, a first guide assembly, and a second guide assembly. The first and second guide assemblies are moveably disposed on the bed and spaced apart from each other. At least one of the first and second guide assemblies are actuated when a sensor detects that a workpiece is mispositioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jacinto Gonzalez, Paul S. Severinski, Thomas A. Welch, Oscar Fernando Dominguez, Michael U. Alvarez, Noe Cepeda Santos
  • Publication number: 20130200664
    Abstract: A vehicle seat air bag assembly (17) having an air bag module (18) includes an air bag chute (44) that is foldable from a flexible sheet (46). The air bag chute (44) guides an air bag (40) of the air bag module (18) during inflation and movement to and through a trim cover deployment seam (34). The flexible sheet (46) has a panel (52) that is folded to provide panel portions (56) and (58) and straps (62) of one panel portion (56) extend therefrom in opposite directions and are folded back to connections (66) with the other panel portion (58). The connections (66) may be provided by stitching (70), heat staking (82), sonic welding (84) or slits (86) in the other panel portion for receiving the straps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Louella Ann Patterson, Bryan L. Orlando, William J. Paruszkiewicz, JR., James B. Clauser, Thomas A. Welch, SR., Paul S. Severinski
  • Patent number: 8387339
    Abstract: An adjustable support system and method for supporting for an operable partition includes an adjustable length overhead truss. The adjustable length overhead truss is supported at opposite ends by first and second vertical supports. A track is coupled to the adjustable length overhead truss, and a plurality of wall panels are coupled to the track. The plurality of wall panels are movable from a folded storage position to a deployed use position to form a wall under the adjustable length overhead truss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Modernfold, Inc.
    Inventors: Julia Ann Birch, Bryan Thomas Welch, Aaron Earl Daniel
  • Publication number: 20120299360
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to securing a trim cover to a vehicle seat cushion. In at least one embodiment, a seat cushion assembly comprises a foam cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, and at least one slot extending therebetween, a trim cover extending over the foam cushion, and a trim cover attachment assembly secured to the trim cover for securing the trim cover adjacent the foam cushion. In at least one embodiment, the trim cover attachment assembly comprises a flexible sheet having a first end attached to the trim cover and a second end having a paddle that sits adjacent the “B” surface of the foam cushion, the fabric extending through the slot of the foam cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Welch, SR., William Paruszkiewicz, James Clauser, Jeffrey Joseph Frelich, Paul S. Severinski, Louella Patterson
  • Patent number: 8238803
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface energy reduction material in the form of a topcoat or additive to a coating that may be applied to a toner regulating member such as a doctor blade which may reduce toner build-up about a nip region, pre-nip region, and/or post-nip region. The surface energy reduction material may be include any material having a surface energy of less than or equal to 35 dynes/cm, for example, between 15-30 dynes/cm, including all values and ranges therein. The surface energy reducing materials may include any material that provides a 25% or more reduction of the surface energy of the doctor blade compared to an untreated doctor blade, for example, greater than or equal to 50% reduction or greater than or equal to 75% reduction, including all values and ranges therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kent Anderson, Martin Victor DiGirolamo, Mark Duane Foster, Whitney April Greer, Mark William Johnson, David Starling MacMillan, Robert Watson McAlpine, Donald Wayne Stafford, Jason Carl True, James Thomas Welch
  • Publication number: 20120187664
    Abstract: A vehicle seat air bag assembly (17) having an air bag module (18) includes an air bag guide (44) that is foldable from a flexible sheet (46) to provide both left and right hand embodiments with connection of distal ends of the flexible sheet to each other after the folding fabrication. The air bag guide (44) guides an air bag (40) of the air bag module (18) during inflation and movement to and through a trim cover deployment seam (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benedict J. Messina, William J. Paruszkiewicz, Thomas A. Welch, SR., Paul S. Severinski, James B. Clauser, Louella A. Patterson