Patents by Inventor William M. Huffman

William M. Huffman 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: 7703347
    Abstract: A track system (18) of the type used to adjust the position a supported element such as vehicular seat (12) includes a pair of base rails (20) that slidably interact with a respective pair of driven rails (22). A transverse rail (24) is attached to each of the driven rails (22) so that the driven rails (22) slide together as a unit. A motor (34) is supported on the transverse rail (24) and includes a pair of drive shafts (36) emanating from either end. The drive shafts (36) carry on their distal ends' respective worm gears (38) which are contained within a transmission assembly (26). The worm gears (38) mesh with external teeth on respective drive nuts (54) which interact with a lead screw (28) that can be oriented to either remain stationary relative to the base rails (20) or can be rotatably fixed within the driven rails (22). The drive nut (54) is prevented from causing objectionable noise and premature wear in operation by the inclusion of one or two compressible washers (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Lucas P. Porinsky, William R. Tighe, William M. Huffman
  • Publication number: 20080163708
    Abstract: A track system (18) of the type used to adjust the position a supported element such as vehicular seat (12) includes a pair of base rails (20) that slidably interact with a respective pair of driven rails (22). A transverse rail (24) is attached to each of the driven rails (22) so that the driven rails (22) slide together as a unit. A motor (34) is supported on the transverse rail (24) and includes a pair of drive shafts (36) emanating from either end. The drive shafts (36) carry on their distal ends' respective worm gears (38) which are contained within a transmission assembly (26). The worm gears (38) mesh with external teeth on respective drive nuts (54) which interact with a lead screw (28) that can be oriented to either remain stationary relative to the base rails (20) or can be rotatably fixed within the driven rails (22). The drive nut (54) is prevented from causing objectionable noise and premature wear in operation by the inclusion of one or two compressible washers (66).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Lucas P. Porinsky, William R. Tighe, William M. Huffman
  • Patent number: 5172601
    Abstract: A seat adjuster for a vehicle seat assembly is disclosed in which a drive nut and drive screw are provided with the drive nut lugs and mounting bracket configured to enable assembly of the seat adjuster after the drive screw has been threaded onto the drive nut. The drive screw is a four start screw enabling the speed of rotation of the screw to be reduced while maintaining the operating speed of the seat adjuster. The reduced rotating speeds reduces sound emission during operation of the seat adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Siegrist, William M. Huffman
  • Patent number: 5156439
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a seat assembly is disclosed in which the seat back is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion by an eccentric pivot pin which enables the location of the seat back pivot point to be adjusted during assembly. The seat back forms a sector gear meshing with a pinion gear on a seat cushion as part of the recliner mechanism. By adjusting the position of the seat back pivot point, backlash between the sector gear and pinion gear can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Sundeep B. Idlani, William M. Huffman, Richard L. Fesmire