Patents by Inventor William S. Brewer

William S. Brewer 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: 10843594
    Abstract: A seat mounted on a slide slidable on a track. The track has comfort and entry zones. Pitch linkage mounts on the slide and supports a seat back. The linkage pivotally connects a seat back to the slide between recline and forward positions. A track latch fixes the slide to the track in a plurality of positions in the comfort zone. The entry zone is used to enter the vehicle. A forward stop blocks the slide from moving from the comfort to the entry zone. The forward stop moves between stop and release positions. The stop position blocks the slide from moving from the comfort to the entry zone. The release position does not block the slide from moving. A forward stop mechanism moves the forward stop into the stop position when the pitch linkage is in the recline position and the slide is in said comfort zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Aaron Escobedo, William S. Brewer, Kurt Seibold, Karl Noffz
  • Publication number: 20190366879
    Abstract: A seat mounted on a slide slidable on a track. The track has comfort and entry zones. Pitch linkage mounts on the slide and supports a seat back. The linkage pivotally connects a seat back to the slide between recline and forward positions. A track latch fixes the slide to the track in a plurality of positions in the comfort zone. The entry zone is used to enter the vehicle. A forward stop blocks the slide from moving from the comfort to the entry zone. The forward stop moves between stop and release positions. The stop position blocks the slide from moving from the comfort to the entry zone. The release position does not block the slide from moving. A forward stop mechanism moves the forward stop into the stop position when the pitch linkage is in the recline position and the slide is in said comfort zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Aaron ESCOBEDO, William S. BREWER, Kurt SEIBOLD, Karl NOFFZ
  • Patent number: 8146991
    Abstract: A transmission device for a vehicle component adjuster, such as a seat adjuster, may include a drive screw, a drive member and a load transfer member. The drive member engages the drive screw and has a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface. The load transfer member has a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion configured to be positioned between the end surface and a support structure supporting the seat adjuster relative to a track arrangement or system. The load transfer member is configured to transfer an axial load applied to the drive member to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kannan S. Stanz, Eugen F. Craciun, Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, William S. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20120049597
    Abstract: An adjuster mechanism (14) includes a tilt bracket (52), a sector (54), and a motor and transmission assembly (56) and has minimal mass. The adjuster mechanism (14) is useful hi providing adjustability to a vehicle seat (12) for adjusting the front portion of a seat base cushion (16) between a plurality of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William S. Brewer, Ronald R. Siegrist
  • Patent number: 8029063
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track member and a reinforcing member. The first track member has a first portion defining a first set of apertures configured to receive a locking device. The reinforcing member, which may be in the form of a plate, is coupled to the first portion and defines a second set of apertures corresponding to the first set of apertures. The second set of apertures are also configured to receive the locking device. The reinforcing member is configured to reinforce the first track member in an area around and between the first set of apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Kazyak, Michael J. Leighton, William S. Brewer, Simon Moore, Todd M. Tommelein
  • Patent number: 7963605
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a lift structure for adjusting the position of the seat employs a load transfer link (9) to transfer the loads applied to the seat from a lift link (3) and an upper support (2) to a pivot bracket (7), which is typically coupled to the floor of the vehicle. The load transfer link is coupled to the pivot bracket on one end and to the lift link on the opposite end, in order to transfer the load. The lift structure permits movement of a restraint seatbelt with the height adjustment of the vehicle seat, thus reducing the potential for discomfort of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, William S. Brewer
  • Patent number: 7931246
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track (22) having a first portion and a second track (24) coupled to the first track (22). The track assembly also includes a first set (104,106) and a second set (108, 110) of friction reducing members provided at first and second locations between the first track and the second track to facilitate sliding movement of the second track (24) relative to the first track (22). A device for preventing the sliding movement of the second track is provided that includes a pin configured to lock the second track in place relative to the first track by engaging a first portion (38) of the first track (22), a first portion (68) of the second track (24), and a second portion (70) of the second track (24). The pin extends between the first set (104) of friction reducing members and the second set (106) of friction reducing members when the second track is prevented from sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William S. Brewer, Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, Michael Leighton, Simon Moore, Stephen P. Telesco
  • Publication number: 20100013285
    Abstract: A transmission device for a vehicle component adjuster, such as a seat adjuster, may include a drive screw, a drive member and a load transfer member. The drive member engages the drive screw and has a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface. The load transfer member has a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion configured to be positioned between the end surface and a support structure supporting the seat adjuster relative to a track arrangement or system. The load transfer member is configured to transfer an axial load applied to the drive member to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Kannan S. Stanz, Eugen F. Craciun, Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, William S. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20090322136
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track member and a reinforcing member. The first track member has a first portion defining a first set of apertures configured to receive a locking device. The reinforcing member, which may be in the form of a plate, is coupled to the first portion and defines a second set of apertures corresponding to the first set of apertures. The second set of apertures are also configured to receive the locking device. The reinforcing member is configured to reinforce the first track member in an area around and between the first set of apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Kazyak, Michael J. Leighton, William S. Brewer, Simon Moore, Todd M. Tommelein
  • Publication number: 20090114793
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle seat includes a first track (22) having a first portion and a second track (24) coupled to the first track (22). The track assembly also includes a first set (104,106) and a second set (108, 110) of friction reducing members provided at first and second locations between the first track and the second track to facilitate sliding movement of the second track (24) relative to the first track (22). A device for preventing the sliding movement of the second track is provided that includes a pin configured to lock the second track in place relative to the first track by engaging a first portion (38) of the first track (22), a first portion (68) of the second track (24), and a second portion (70) of the second track (24). The pin extends between the first set (104) of friction reducing members and the second set (106) of friction reducing members when the second track is prevented from sliding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William S. Brewer, Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, Michael Leighton, Simon Moore, Stephen P. Telesco
  • Publication number: 20080303327
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a lift structure for adjusting the position of the seat employs a load transfer link (9) to transfer the loads applied to the seat from a lift link (3) and an upper support (2) to a pivot bracket (7), which is typically coupled to the floor of the vehicle. The load transfer link is coupled to the pivot bracket on one end and to the lift link on the opposite end, in order to transfer the load. The lift structure permits movement of a restraint seatbelt with the height adjustment of the vehicle seat, thus reducing the potential for discomfort of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri, William S. Brewer
  • Patent number: 6238002
    Abstract: A seat back assembly for a vehicle including a seat back, a pivot device having a pivot axis, and an armrest. The seat back is connected to the pivot device for rotational movement relative to the seat cushion between an upright position and a folded position. The armrest is connected to the pivot device for rotational movement relative to the seat back between a deployed position and retracted position. Both the seat back and the armrest pivot about a common pivot axis. The seat back assembly (1) impedes the rotational movement of the armrest beyond the retracted position; (2) holds the armrest in the retracted position when the seat back is in the fold position; and (3) urges the arm rest from the deployed position to the retracted position during rotational movement of the seat back from the upright position to the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William S. Brewer, Mark A. Pattok, Gregory Steinke, Glenn Scott