Brandon J Nichols

US Patent:

20160355114, Dec 8, 2016

Filed:

Aug 19, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/242032

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Christian J. Hosbach - Taylor MI, US
Brandon W. Nichols - Hillsdale MI, US
Mandeep Singh Sidhu - Canton MI, US
Balakrishna Reddy - Farmington MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/62

Abstract:

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. First and second independent thigh supports are pivotally coupled to the seat base. A support rod extends below the first and second independent thigh supports and is operably coupled to each of the first and second independent thigh supports by a gasket member and a bracket. A first spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the first independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The first spring member biases the first independent thigh support to a raised position. A second spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the second independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The second spring member biases the second independent thigh support to a raised position.

US Patent:

20160096449, Apr 7, 2016

Filed:

Oct 3, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/505675

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Christian J. Hosbach - Allen Park MI, US
Brian John Roorda - Farmington Hills MI, US
Brandon W. Nichols - Hillsdale MI, US
Mandeep Singh Sidhu - Canton MI, US

International Classification:

B60N 2/22

Abstract:

A vehicle seating assembly includes a lower seatback. An upper seatback is operably coupled to the lower seatback. The upper seatback is pivotally mounted to the lower seatback at a pivot axis. A manual articulation assembly operably couples the lower seatback with the upper seatback. The manual articulation assembly includes a housing member having a cam channel and an inner wall with a plurality of engagement recesses. A positional cam includes a cam pin engaged with the cam channel and an outer wall with a plurality of engagement teeth in removable engagement with the plurality of engagement recesses.

US Patent:

20150283931, Oct 8, 2015

Filed:

Apr 2, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/243027

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Christian J. Hosbach - Allen Park MI, US
Brandon W. Nichols - Ann Arbor MI, US
Mandeep Singh Sidhu - Canton MI, US
Balakrishna Reddy - Farmington MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/62

Abstract:

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. First and second independent thigh supports are pivotally coupled to the seat base. A support rod extends below the first and second independent thigh supports and is operably coupled to each of the first and second independent thigh supports by a gasket member and a bracket. A first spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the first independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The first spring member biases the first independent thigh support to a raised position. A second spring member includes a body portion in abutting contact with an underside of the second independent thigh support and includes legs engaged with the support rod. The second spring member biases the second independent thigh support to a raised position.

US Patent:

20150274050, Oct 1, 2015

Filed:

Mar 31, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/230961

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Brandon W. Nichols - Ann Arbor MI, US
Johnathan Andrew Line - Northville MI, US
Mandeep Singh Sidhu - Canton MI, US
Jason William Nisbett - Wyandotte MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/62
B60N 2/02

Abstract:

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A thigh support is pivotally coupled to and extends forward from the seat base. The thigh support is spring-biased relative to the seat base to a raised position. A lever is operably coupled to a center portion of the thigh support by a hinge. The lever is spring-biased to a raised position relative to the thigh support and includes a rack with a plurality of teeth proximate the hinge. The teeth of the rack are configured to engage a catch projecting from the seat base. A handle extends transversely from the lever. The handle is operable to disengage the rack from the catch.

US Patent:

20140265505, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 15, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/839077

Inventors:

- Dearborn MI, US
Paul Gerard Ferraiuolo - Allen Park MI, US
Roy Chapman - Canton MI, US
Ammeswara Rao Sajja - Canton MI, US
Glenn Scott - Dexter MI, US
Brandon Nichols - Hillsdale MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/22

US Classification:

29735413, 2973541, 29428

Abstract:

A vehicle seat bar assembly having a seat with first and second engagement members. A rear seat bracket extends between the first and second engagement members of a seat. A torsion bar extends between the first and second engagement members and is operably engaged therewith. The torsion bar includes an intermediate bracket engagement portion and a first and second linear portion that extends between the first engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion and the second engagement member and the intermediate bracket engagement portion. The torsion bar also includes a first and second distal end configured to engage the first and second engagement members, respectively, which induces a torsional resistance in the torsion bar when the seatback is at a fully reclined position and when the seatback is at a fully folded position.