Lear Corporation

Itt Corporation

Itt Automotive, Inc.

Other

Cloak International, Inc.

Derek K Gauger

Kirk K Horvet

Max O Heesch

Phillip Chaban

Richard W Rees

Joseph J Grajewski

Stephen D Crawford

Jeffrey D Ineich

Thomas W Hindson

Richard W A Rees

Steven T Kramer

An apparatus and method utilizing a network based interactive computer system for project management. Information modules are provided and accessible by authorized project team members to assign tasks, prepare documents, request collaboration for information and issue resolution. Smart electronic mail notifications are provided to enable quick response to notifications with the ability to attach documents. Each user can establish a personal portal defining the manner and which notifications relating to the project which each user will receive.

Network based, interactive project management apparatus and method

Table

Power-assisted vehicle covering device

Coffee filter

A vehicle seat memory control apparatus includes motor driven adjustment mechanisms for various seat component adjustments for movement of various seat adjustments to a predefined easy entry seat position and movement of the seat from the easy entry position back to the last user selected displacement position of the seat component adjustments. Each motor drive provides multiple speeds of output shaft rotation, a higher speed selected by a controller for movement to the easy entry position and a lower speed for user selected seat adjustments and for movement from the easy entry seat position back to the last user selected seat displacement position. End of travel limits are provided for each seat component adjustment. The controller continually compares the current displacement position of each seat component adjustment with the respective end of travel limits to deactivate a drive motor when any end of travel limit is reached by a seat component adjustment.

Multiple speed vehicle seat memory control apparatus

A power seat adjuster has a pair of track assemblies, each formed of a stationary or fixed track and a movable track. A first diameter bore is formed in the fixed track extending from one side and co-axially aligned with a second bore in the fixed track. The second bore has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the first bore. A fastener has a shank and an enlarged head. The enlarged head of the fastener is disposable through the first bore and the shank is disposable through the second bore into engagement with vehicle floor.

Vehicle power seat adjuster with hidden floor mount

A linkage assembly for use with kinetic mechanisms such as an automotive seat assembly having an elongated torsion rod made of either a solid bar or a hollow cylindrical tube, and at least one linkage member having an aperture corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the torsion rod and adapted to receive the torsion rod therethrough. The linkage member includes an essentially flat sheet of metal extending from and coplanar to the aperture and an outwardly extending extruded metal flange which projects upward from the flat surface of the linkage member. The extruded flange defines a sleeve through which the torsion member extends. A weld seam is located at the terminal end of the flange in attaching contact between the torsion rod and the flange to form a secure union between the two members.

Linkage assembly with extruded hole member

A power seat adjuster includes a drive shaft rotatably driven by a motor fixedly connected to a movable track of a vehicle seat track assembly. The drive shaft threadingly engages a drive nut fixedly connected to a fixed track of one track assembly. The fixed and movable tracks have opposed, longitudinally extending grooves which form an elongated bore receiving a plurality of polymeric balls to slidably interconnect the movable and fixed tracks. Upon high impact loads, the polymeric balls deform to bring opposed surfaces of the movable and fixed tracks into contact to lock the movable and fixed tracks into a single unit for direct transfer of the impact loads from the movable track to the fixed track and therefrom to the vehicle floor.

Vehicle power seat adjuster with self-locking track assemblies

A power seat adjuster includes a torsion member extending between the movable tracks of a pair of track assemblies. An elevating drive mechanism is coupled to the torsion member for rotating the torsion member. Motion links are fixedly mounted on the torsion member spaced from opposite ends of the torsion member and engage one end of a vehicle seat support for elevating and lowering the one end of the seat upon rotation of the torsion member. A one piece bushing/spacer is fixedly mounted in each movable track and rotatably receives and supports one end of the torsion member.

Vehicle power seat adjuster with one piece torsion tube bushing/spacer

A power seat adjuster includes a drive shaft rotatably driven by a motor mounted centrally on a bracket fixedly connected at opposite ends to one of the fixed or movable tracks of a pair of vehicle seat track assemblies. The drive shaft threadingly engages a drive nut mounted in a resilient holder carried on a bracket fixedly connected to another of the tracks of the track assemblies. The single lead screw and single drive nut simultaneously move both movable tracks of the pair of track assemblies.

Vehicle power seat adjuster with center horizontal drive screw actuation

Guide members are carried on a drive motor mounting bracket in a vehicle power seat adjuster and receive a flex drive shaft extending between the drive motor and a lead screw mounted in the track assembly in a snap-in connection. The guide members stationarily support the flex drive cable from movement and are formed of a pair of spaced legs. Inner surfaces of the legs have an arcuate shape to snap around and tightly engage the flex drive cable housing.

Vehicle power seat adjuster with flex cable guides

A power seat adjuster includes a drive shaft rotatably driven by a motor mounted centrally on a bracket fixedly connected at opposite ends to the moveable track of a pair of vehicle seat track assemblies. The drive shaft threadingly engages a drive nut mounted in a resilient holder carried on a bracket fixedly connected to the stationary tracks of the track assemblies. The resilient holder for the drive nut provides self-alignment of the drive nut in at least one and preferably two or more mutually exclusive axes or planes relative to the drive shaft.

Self-aligning drive nut for vehicle power seat adjuster

An adjustable set bearing for a gear assembly for a power seat adjuster on a vehicle, wherein the gear assembly couples a motor output shaft to a lead screw. The gear assembly is contained in a housing assembly and includes a first gear rotatably mounted to the housing and having connecting means to the motor output shaft. The first gear has end journals and a worm disposed therebetween. A second gear is carried for rotation on the lead screw and is in meshing engagement with the first gear. The housing assembly includes adjustable supporting means for supporting an end journal. The adjustable supporting means includes an adjustable set bearing that is threadably insertable into an access port into contact with an end journal. The adjustable set bearing has an inner smooth concentric surface for supporting an end journal of the worm and allowing rotatable movement of the end journal. An outer surface of the adjustable set bearing is threaded while an inner cylindrical access port is also threaded for selectable adjustment of the set bearing within the access port.

Adjustable set bearing

A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The bearing block is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link. The upper and lower tracks have a guide section and an abutment section which collapse together in a self-cinching action under force loading to resist separation of the upper and lower tracks.

Vehicle power seat adjuster with end driven lead screw actuation

A power seat adjuster includes a rotatable drive shaft with first and second axial ends and an intermediate arcuate portion connecting the first and second axial ends. The first and second axial ends are respectively axially connected to a drive motor gear assembly and to a driven lead screw. A horizontal drive block threadingly engaging the lead screw is rotatably and vertically translatingly mounted in an aperture in a lower track for self-alignment of the drive block with respect to the lead screw. A housing rotatably receives the axial connection between one end of the drive shaft and the lead screw. The drive nut is rotatably and translatingly mounted in a bracket fixed to an upper track for self-alignment of the drive shaft with the lead screw. A drive block engages the lead screw and is mounted for rotation and translation in a link. The upper and lower tracks have a guide section and an abutment section which collapse together in a self-cinching action under force loading to resist separation of the upper and lower tracks.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Derek K Gauger