Independent cushion thigh support

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 9994135
  • Patent Number
    9,994,135
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, March 30, 2016
    8 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 12, 2018
    6 years ago
Abstract
A vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location. The base seat includes first and second sides. First and second seat bolsters are disposed at the first and second sides, respectively, of the base seat. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat. The first and second thigh supports define a cushion split. A transverse seam extends across a forward edge of the base seat. The transverse seam is forward of the H-point a predetermined distance. The first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly, and more particularly to an independent cushion thigh support for a vehicle seating assembly.


BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Modern vehicle seats are becoming more and more comfortable as a further understanding of human ergonomics, posture, and comfortability is studied. Vehicle seating assemblies that include comfort components in the vehicle seat back and the vehicle seat can provide the driver and passengers with improved comfort and increased endurance for extensive vehicle rides. Additionally, various sizes and shapes of drivers and passengers can prove challenging when providing vehicle seating assemblies. Accordingly, vehicle seating assemblies that include components to accommodate the different sizes and shapes of drivers and passengers, as well as the desired posture and sitting positions of those drivers and passengers, has become increasingly important.


SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location. The base seat includes first and second sides. First and second seat bolsters are disposed at the first and second sides, respectively, of the base seat. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat. The first and second thigh supports define a cushion split. A transverse seam extends across a forward edge of the base seat. The transverse seam is forward of the H-point a predetermined distance. The first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point.


According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat with first and second bolsters on each side of the base seat. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat, and define a cushion split extending from a predetermined distance forward of an occupant H-point to a forward edge of said vehicle seating assembly. The thigh supports are pivotable about a transverse axis disposed directly below a front of the base seat.


According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat, and define a cushion split at a predetermined distance forward of the H-point. The first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point.


According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location above the seating surface. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat and are configured to rotate about an access forward of the H-point at a position that is anthropomorphically desirable. The first and second thigh supports provided improved comfort to reduce muscle strain and improve leg support in conformity with the general structure of the occupant's body, and specifically, the hamstring, buttocks, and related tendons of the occupant's body. Consequently, the H-point is aligned at a centerline axis of the seat and provides enhanced thigh support and comfort that mimics the shape of the back of the human leg relative to the hamstring tendon outward toward the underside of the knee, while the occupant is in a seated position. The split at the pivot is maintained both in the stowed and deployed positions of the first and second thigh supports, and is designed to optimize comfort in use positions for occupants ranging from the smallest (fifth percentile females) to the largest (ninety-fifth percentile males).


These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:



FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure disposed in a vehicle;



FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seating assembly of FIG. 1;



FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a seating surface of a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;



FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;



FIG. 5 is a top plan view a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;



FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of a vehicle seating assembly of the present disclosure;



FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of a vehicle seating assembly supporting an occupant having a size/weight of a fifth percentile female; and



FIG. 8 is a partial side elevational view of a vehicle seating assembly supporting an occupant having a size/weight of ninety-fifth percentile male.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.


In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.


Referring to the embodiment generally illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, reference numeral 10 generally designates a vehicle seating assembly having a base seat 12 defining a seating surface 14 configured to position an H-point 16 of an occupant at a predetermined location relative to the vehicle seating assembly 10. The base seat 12 includes first and second sides 18, 20. First and second seat bolsters 22, 24 are disposed at the first and second sides 18, 20, respectively, of the base seat 12. First and second thigh supports 26, 28 are disposed forward of the base seat 12. The first and second thigh supports 26, 28 define a cushion split 30 at a transverse seam 32 extending across a forward edge 34 of the base seat 12 between the first and second seat bolsters 22, 24. The transverse seam 32 is forward of the H-point 16 a predetermined distance. The first and second thigh supports 26, 28 are pivotable about an axis 35 disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point 16.


With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present disclosure is generally directed to a vehicle seating assembly for use in a vehicle 40, such as a car, a truck, a van, etc. It is also contemplated that the concept set forth in this disclosure may be utilized in a front or forward seat of the vehicle as well as rear or rearward seats of the vehicle 40. The vehicle seating assembly 10, as illustrated, includes a base 42 that is positioned on rail slides 44 to allow fore and aft movement of the vehicle seating assembly 10 relative to the vehicle 40. The base seat 12 is positioned on the base 42 and is movable relative thereto, as set forth in further detail below. In addition, the vehicle seating assembly 10 includes a seatback 46 having a lower lumbar region 48 and an upper thoracic region 50 as well as a head restraint 52. Each of the components of the seatback 46 may be configured for adjustability to properly support the weight of occupants of different sizes when seated inside the vehicle 40.


With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the seating surface of the base seat 12 is generally configured to position the H-point 16 of an occupant at a predetermined location. This may be accomplished in a number of ways, including providing cushions with a predetermined density and thickness that allow an occupant that falls within the fifth percentile female D (FIG. 7) to ninety-fifth percentile male E (FIG. 8) to settle to a predetermined location. The base seat 12 includes a front, a rear, and first and second sides. The base seat 12 is disposed behind first and second thigh supports 26, 28 and between first and second seat bolsters 22, 24. The first and second seat bolsters 22, 24 are generally fixed relative to the base seat 12 such that the first and second seat bolsters 22, 24, as illustrated, do not move, unless physically compressed by the occupant. However, it is generally contemplated that the first and second seat bolsters 22, 24 may be configured for movement, depending on the use of the vehicle seat. Indeed, the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 are configured to move. The first and second thigh supports 26, 28 may be configured to move forward and rearward along arrow A, and also may be configured to rotate about the pivot axis 35 in the direction of arrow B, which is disposed at a predetermined distance C forward from the H-point 16. This predetermined distance C is specifically configured to accommodate the back of a human leg of a fifth percentile female D (FIG. 7) to a ninety-fifth percentile male E (FIG. 8). Traditional tilt mechanisms, and the axis of rotation of such axis, are not selected based on anthropomorphic considerations. Traditional tilt mechanisms are generally constructed based on desired seat dimensions that allow for affordable and easy to manufacture seats that are frequently uncomfortable. Consequently, a seat arrangement that provides cushion thigh support at a pivot location that enhances comfort and mimics the shape of the back of a human leg relative to the human leg hamstring tendon outward toward the knee, while in a seated position, is beneficial. Stated differently, the sizes and dimensions, as set forth herein, provide improved results as compared to traditional seating arrangements, because they are specifically directed to occupants that fall within the entire range of fifth percentile female to ninety-fifth percentile male. Traditional seating arrangements are geared to a consumer size that is easy and affordable to manufacture.


With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 are configured to rotate about a position that is approximately 148 mm forward of the predetermined location of the H-point 16. It will be understood that the pivot axis may reside in a variety of predetermined locations between the range of 130 mm to 170 mm, or between 145 mm and 160 mm. Positioning the pivot axis at this distance forward of the predetermined location of the H-point 16 allows for the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 to pivot upwardly and downwardly without putting undue strain on the hamstring tendon of an occupant. Positioning of the pivot axis too far forward, as is typical in the prior art, results in more isolated contact under the knee, which puts strain on the hamstring tendon. Positioning the pivot axis too far rearward, which is also frequently seen in the prior art, results in the entire seat structure rotating downward, resulting in lack of desired support under the knee of the occupant. The particular distances and measurements of the pivot axis 35 of the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 are important, as these distances are specifically tuned to the size and weight of occupants that utilize the vehicle. It will generally be understood that the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 may include a mechanism that allows for rotation of the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 in unison, or independently. In addition, it is generally contemplated that the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 and the mechanism that supports the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 may be operably coupled with a motor that allows for movement of the first and second thigh supports 26, 28 in unison, or independently, to rotate or pivot upward and downward. Notably, a seatback 46 is independently adjustable relative to the base seat 12, and is generally configured to only minimally affect the predetermined location of the H-point 16.


The aforementioned manual leg tilt assembly provides a simple, easy-to-use, and reliable system that allows for easy adjustment of the forward portion of a vehicle seat while keeping overall costs and weight reduced on the overall vehicle seating assembly.


It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.


For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.


It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.


It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.


It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims
  • 1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location, the base seat including first and second sides;first and second seat bolsters disposed at the first and second sides, respectively, of the base seat;a transverse seam extending across a forward edge of the base seat; andfirst and second independently adjustable thigh supports disposed forward of the base seat, the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports defining a cushion split of the transverse seam, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is between 130 mm and 170 mm, and further wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at a predetermined distance forward of the H-point coinciding with the forward edge of the base seat.
  • 2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is about 148 mm.
  • 3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are configured to rotate in unison only.
  • 4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are independently rotatable.
  • 5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a motor configured to pivot the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports about the axis.
  • 6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a seatback that is independently adjustable relative to the base seat.
  • 7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a base seat;first and second bolsters on each side of the base seat; andfirst and second independently adjustable thigh supports disposed forward of the base seat, and defining a cushion split extending from a predetermined distance forward of an occupant H-point to a forward edge of said vehicle seating assembly, the thigh supports being pivotable about a transverse axis disposed directly below a front of the base seat.
  • 8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is between about 130 mm and 170 mm.
  • 9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is about 148 mm.
  • 10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are configured to rotate in unison only.
  • 11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports independently rotatable.
  • 12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a motor configured to pivot the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports about the axis.
  • 13. A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a base seat; andfirst and second thigh supports disposed forward of the base seat, and defining a cushion split at a predetermined distance forward of an H-point, wherein the first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point coinciding with a forward edge of the base seat.
  • 14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is between about 130 mm and 170 mm.
  • 15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is about 148 mm.
  • 16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second thigh supports are configured to rotate in unison only.
  • 17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second thigh supports are independently rotatable.
  • 18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, further comprising: a motor configured to pivot the first and second thigh supports about the axis.
  • 19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, further comprising: thigh bolsters maintaining a fixed position relative to the base seat.
US Referenced Citations (718)
Number Name Date Kind
616178 Barron Dec 1898 A
771773 Feely Oct 1904 A
1125155 Nunn Jan 1915 A
2272505 Biggs Feb 1942 A
2661050 Felter Dec 1953 A
2725921 Markin Dec 1955 A
2834606 Bertrand May 1958 A
2938570 Flajole May 1960 A
2958369 Pitts et al. Nov 1960 A
3007738 Gardel et al. Nov 1961 A
3018133 Mills Jan 1962 A
3273877 Geller et al. Sep 1966 A
3330598 Whiteside Jul 1967 A
3403938 Cramer et al. Oct 1968 A
3481327 Drennen Dec 1969 A
3512605 McCorkle May 1970 A
3520327 Claydon et al. Jul 1970 A
3550953 Neale Dec 1970 A
3592508 Druseikis Jul 1971 A
3612607 Lohr Oct 1971 A
3632166 Lohr Jan 1972 A
3663057 Lohr et al. May 1972 A
3669492 Peterson Jun 1972 A
3779577 Wilfert Dec 1973 A
3792897 Alson Feb 1974 A
3795021 Moniot Mar 1974 A
3813151 Cadiou May 1974 A
3833257 Dove Sep 1974 A
3877749 Sakurai et al. Apr 1975 A
3880462 Mednick Apr 1975 A
3883173 Shephard et al. May 1975 A
3885831 Rasmussen May 1975 A
3915421 Le Forestier Oct 1975 A
3929374 Hogan et al. Dec 1975 A
4017118 Cawley Apr 1977 A
4018477 Hogan Apr 1977 A
4058342 Ettridge Nov 1977 A
4115170 Sanson Sep 1978 A
4190286 Bentley Feb 1980 A
4205877 Ettridge Jun 1980 A
4225989 Corbett et al. Oct 1980 A
4306322 Young et al. Dec 1981 A
4324431 Murphy Apr 1982 A
4334709 Akiyama Jun 1982 A
4353595 Kaneko et al. Oct 1982 A
4366985 Leffler Jan 1983 A
4415203 Cawley Nov 1983 A
4440443 Nordskog Apr 1984 A
4444430 Yoshida et al. Apr 1984 A
4452485 Schuster Jun 1984 A
4467484 Nagatake et al. Aug 1984 A
4491364 Hattori et al. Jan 1985 A
4491365 Murakami Jan 1985 A
4518201 Wahlmann et al. May 1985 A
4522445 Goldner et al. Jun 1985 A
4541669 Goldner Sep 1985 A
4580837 Bayley Apr 1986 A
4583255 Mogaki et al. Apr 1986 A
4583781 Hatsutta Apr 1986 A
4592588 Isono et al. Jun 1986 A
4609221 Böttcher Sep 1986 A
4616676 Adams et al. Oct 1986 A
4616874 Pietsch et al. Oct 1986 A
4629248 Mawbey Dec 1986 A
4629253 Williams Dec 1986 A
4634179 Hashimoto et al. Jan 1987 A
4636002 Genjiro Jan 1987 A
4652049 Maruyama Mar 1987 A
4655505 Kashiwamura et al. Apr 1987 A
4664444 Murphy May 1987 A
4668014 Boisset May 1987 A
4693513 Heath Sep 1987 A
4707027 Horvath et al. Nov 1987 A
4709961 Hill Dec 1987 A
4717203 Meiller Jan 1988 A
4718723 Bottemiller Jan 1988 A
4720141 Sakamoto et al. Jan 1988 A
4720146 Mawbey et al. Jan 1988 A
4726086 McEvoy Feb 1988 A
4752982 Jones et al. Jun 1988 A
4753479 Hatsutta et al. Jun 1988 A
4767155 Kousaka Aug 1988 A
4773703 Krügener et al. Sep 1988 A
4775185 Scholin et al. Oct 1988 A
4781413 Shumack, Jr. Nov 1988 A
4790592 Busso et al. Dec 1988 A
4792186 Benjamin et al. Dec 1988 A
4796313 DiMatteo et al. Jan 1989 A
4822092 Sweers Apr 1989 A
4833614 Saitoh et al. May 1989 A
4840429 Stöckl Jun 1989 A
4856844 Isono Aug 1989 A
4858992 LaSota Aug 1989 A
4861104 Malak Aug 1989 A
4884843 DeRees Dec 1989 A
4893367 Heimreid et al. Jan 1990 A
4915447 Shovar Apr 1990 A
4938529 Fourrey Jul 1990 A
4965899 Sekido et al. Oct 1990 A
4966410 Bishai Oct 1990 A
4971380 Cote et al. Nov 1990 A
5013089 Abu-Isa et al. May 1991 A
5018790 Jay May 1991 A
5020852 Marion Jun 1991 A
5050930 Schuster et al. Sep 1991 A
5054845 Vogel Oct 1991 A
5054856 Wang Oct 1991 A
5067772 Koa Nov 1991 A
5082326 Sekido et al. Jan 1992 A
5096529 Baker Mar 1992 A
5104189 Hanai et al. Apr 1992 A
5108150 Stas et al. Apr 1992 A
5112018 Wahls May 1992 A
5120109 Rangoni Jun 1992 A
5127708 Kishi et al. Jul 1992 A
5129704 Kishi et al. Jul 1992 A
5145232 Dal Monte Sep 1992 A
5171062 Courtois Dec 1992 A
5174526 Kanigowski Dec 1992 A
5186494 Shimose Feb 1993 A
5190348 Colasanti Mar 1993 A
5203608 Tame Apr 1993 A
5222784 Hamelin Jun 1993 A
5243722 Gusakov Sep 1993 A
5263765 Nagashima et al. Nov 1993 A
5285754 Bell Feb 1994 A
5318344 Wang Jun 1994 A
5320409 Katoh et al. Jun 1994 A
5323740 Daily et al. Jun 1994 A
5364164 Kuranami Nov 1994 A
5370443 Maruyama Dec 1994 A
5375569 Santella Dec 1994 A
5380063 Dauphin Jan 1995 A
5443303 Bauer et al. Aug 1995 A
5458365 Rogers et al. Oct 1995 A
5518294 Ligon, Sr. et al. May 1996 A
5544942 Vu Khac et al. Aug 1996 A
5547214 Zimmerman, II et al. Aug 1996 A
5560681 Dixon et al. Oct 1996 A
5570716 Kamen et al. Nov 1996 A
5588708 Rykken et al. Dec 1996 A
5597203 Hubbard Jan 1997 A
5609394 Ligon, Sr. et al. Mar 1997 A
5647635 Aumond et al. Jul 1997 A
5658050 Lorbiecki Aug 1997 A
5662384 O'Neill et al. Sep 1997 A
5678891 O'Neill et al. Oct 1997 A
5681084 Yoneda Oct 1997 A
5690387 Sarti Nov 1997 A
5692802 Aufrere et al. Dec 1997 A
5707109 Massara et al. Jan 1998 A
5738368 Hammond et al. Apr 1998 A
5755493 Kodaverdian May 1998 A
5758924 Vishey Jun 1998 A
5769489 Dellanno Jun 1998 A
5772280 Massara Jun 1998 A
5775778 Riley et al. Jul 1998 A
5785669 Proctor et al. Jul 1998 A
5799971 Asada Sep 1998 A
5803490 Seventko et al. Sep 1998 A
5815393 Chae Sep 1998 A
5823620 Le Caz Oct 1998 A
5826938 Yanase et al. Oct 1998 A
5836648 Karschin et al. Nov 1998 A
5860699 Weeks Jan 1999 A
5863092 Kifer Jan 1999 A
5868450 Hashimoto Feb 1999 A
5882073 Burchi et al. Mar 1999 A
5893609 Schmidt Apr 1999 A
5895070 Crimmins et al. Apr 1999 A
5902014 Dinkel et al. May 1999 A
5906586 Graham May 1999 A
5913568 Brightbill et al. Jun 1999 A
5944341 Kimura et al. Aug 1999 A
5951039 Severinski et al. Sep 1999 A
5967608 Van Sickle Oct 1999 A
5975629 Lorbiecki Nov 1999 A
5975637 Geuss et al. Nov 1999 A
5979985 Bauer et al. Nov 1999 A
5983940 Smith Nov 1999 A
5988674 Kimura et al. Nov 1999 A
6019387 Jost Feb 2000 A
6024378 Fu Feb 2000 A
6024406 Charras et al. Feb 2000 A
6030040 Schmid et al. Feb 2000 A
6050635 Pajon et al. Apr 2000 A
6056366 Haynes et al. May 2000 A
6062642 Sinnhuber et al. May 2000 A
6068339 Linzalone May 2000 A
6079781 Tilley Jun 2000 A
6088642 Finkelstein et al. Jul 2000 A
6106071 Aebischer et al. Aug 2000 A
6106163 Inana et al. Aug 2000 A
6109690 Wu et al. Aug 2000 A
6109693 Bauer Aug 2000 A
6145925 Eksin et al. Nov 2000 A
6155593 Kimura et al. Dec 2000 A
6158812 Bonke Dec 2000 A
6161231 Kraft et al. Dec 2000 A
6179379 Andersson Jan 2001 B1
6189966 Faust et al. Feb 2001 B1
6196627 Faust et al. Mar 2001 B1
6199252 Masters et al. Mar 2001 B1
6199900 Zeigler Mar 2001 B1
6199951 Zeile et al. Mar 2001 B1
6203105 Rhodes, Jr. Mar 2001 B1
6206466 Komatsu Mar 2001 B1
6217062 Breyvogel et al. Apr 2001 B1
6217118 Heilig Apr 2001 B1
6220661 Peterson Apr 2001 B1
6224150 Eksin et al. May 2001 B1
6231068 White, Jr. et al. May 2001 B1
6234518 Ryl et al. May 2001 B1
6273810 Rhodes, Jr. et al. Aug 2001 B1
6296308 Cosentino et al. Oct 2001 B1
6302431 Sasaki et al. Oct 2001 B1
6312050 Eklind Nov 2001 B1
6341797 Seo Jan 2002 B1
6349993 Walsh Feb 2002 B1
6352304 Sorgenfrei Mar 2002 B1
6352310 Schmidt et al. Mar 2002 B1
6357066 Pierce Mar 2002 B1
6357789 Harada et al. Mar 2002 B1
6357827 Brightbill et al. Mar 2002 B1
6364414 Specht Apr 2002 B1
6375269 Maeda et al. Apr 2002 B1
6382720 Franklin et al. May 2002 B1
6386577 Kan et al. May 2002 B1
6386631 Masuda May 2002 B1
6386633 Newton May 2002 B1
6390557 Asano May 2002 B1
6394525 Seibold May 2002 B1
6394546 Knoblock et al. May 2002 B1
6398299 Angerer et al. Jun 2002 B1
6398306 Mack Jun 2002 B1
6402244 Schonenberg Jun 2002 B1
6402245 Newton Jun 2002 B1
6419317 Westrich et al. Jul 2002 B1
6425602 Al-Amin et al. Jul 2002 B1
6431734 Curry Aug 2002 B1
6439597 Harada et al. Aug 2002 B1
6450571 Canni et al. Sep 2002 B1
6454353 Knaus Sep 2002 B1
6457741 Seki et al. Oct 2002 B2
6474733 Heilig et al. Nov 2002 B1
6523892 Kage et al. Feb 2003 B1
6523902 Robinson Feb 2003 B2
6530622 Ekern et al. Mar 2003 B1
6550856 Ganser et al. Apr 2003 B1
6554365 Karschin et al. Apr 2003 B2
6557887 Wohllebe May 2003 B2
6561540 Hasegawa et al. May 2003 B1
6565150 Fischer et al. May 2003 B2
6565153 Hensel et al. May 2003 B2
6568754 Norton et al. May 2003 B1
6578911 Harada et al. Jun 2003 B2
6588838 Dick, Jr. et al. Jul 2003 B1
6612610 Aoki et al. Sep 2003 B1
6616177 Thomas et al. Sep 2003 B2
6619605 Lambert Sep 2003 B2
6619737 Kunkel et al. Sep 2003 B2
6629715 Oh et al. Oct 2003 B2
6637818 Williams Oct 2003 B2
6672666 Stiller et al. Jan 2004 B2
6682059 Daniels et al. Jan 2004 B1
6682140 Minuth et al. Jan 2004 B2
6695406 Plant Feb 2004 B2
6698832 Boudinot Mar 2004 B2
6719373 Zimmermann Apr 2004 B2
6726280 Liao Apr 2004 B1
6733064 Fox et al. May 2004 B2
6736452 Aoki et al. May 2004 B2
6746077 Klukowski Jun 2004 B2
6758522 Ligon, Sr. et al. Jul 2004 B2
6779560 Reis Aug 2004 B1
6786542 Nuzzarello Sep 2004 B1
6802563 Mysliwiec et al. Oct 2004 B1
6808230 Buss et al. Oct 2004 B2
6811219 Hudswell et al. Nov 2004 B2
6820640 Hand et al. Nov 2004 B2
6820930 Dellanno Nov 2004 B2
6824212 Malsch et al. Nov 2004 B2
6848742 Aoki et al. Feb 2005 B1
6854869 Fernandez Feb 2005 B1
6860559 Schuster, Sr. et al. Mar 2005 B2
6860564 Reed et al. Mar 2005 B2
6866339 Itoh Mar 2005 B2
6869140 White et al. Mar 2005 B2
6890029 Svantesson May 2005 B2
6890030 Wilkerson et al. May 2005 B2
6899399 Ali et al. May 2005 B2
6908151 Meeker et al. Jun 2005 B2
6912748 VanSickle Jul 2005 B2
6938953 Håland et al. Sep 2005 B2
6955399 Hong Oct 2005 B2
6962392 O'Connor Nov 2005 B2
6988770 Witchie Jan 2006 B2
6991256 Henderson et al. Jan 2006 B2
6991289 House Jan 2006 B2
6997473 Tanase et al. Feb 2006 B2
7025423 Fujita et al. Apr 2006 B2
7040699 Curran et al. May 2006 B2
7055904 Skelly Jun 2006 B2
7059678 Taylor Jun 2006 B1
7072764 Donath et al. Jul 2006 B2
7093898 De Guevara Aug 2006 B2
7100978 Ekern et al. Sep 2006 B2
7100992 Bargheer et al. Sep 2006 B2
7108322 Erker Sep 2006 B2
7111901 Schlierf et al. Sep 2006 B2
7125077 Frank Oct 2006 B2
7131694 Buffa Nov 2006 B1
7131756 Leslie et al. Nov 2006 B2
7134686 Tracht et al. Nov 2006 B2
7140682 Jaeger et al. Nov 2006 B2
7152920 Sugiyama et al. Dec 2006 B2
7159934 Farquhar et al. Jan 2007 B2
7159938 Shiraishi Jan 2007 B1
7185950 Pettersson et al. Mar 2007 B2
7195274 Tracht Mar 2007 B2
7195277 Tracht et al. Mar 2007 B2
7213876 Stoewe May 2007 B2
7213883 Charnitski May 2007 B2
7216915 Kämmerer et al. May 2007 B2
7229118 Saberan et al. Jun 2007 B2
7229129 White et al. Jun 2007 B2
7234771 Nakhla Jun 2007 B2
7261371 Thunissen et al. Aug 2007 B2
7267363 Tredez Sep 2007 B2
7284768 Tracht Oct 2007 B2
7290791 Tracht Nov 2007 B2
7293831 Greene Nov 2007 B2
7311681 Vaccarella Dec 2007 B1
7316215 Nino et al. Jan 2008 B1
7322651 Makhsous et al. Jan 2008 B2
7325878 Dehli Feb 2008 B1
7341309 Penley et al. Mar 2008 B2
7344189 Reed et al. Mar 2008 B2
7347114 Reynolds et al. Mar 2008 B2
7347444 Wheelwright Mar 2008 B2
7350803 Abramczyk et al. Apr 2008 B2
7350859 Klukowski Apr 2008 B2
7350865 Pearse Apr 2008 B2
7357412 Tracht et al. Apr 2008 B2
7357454 Schiener et al. Apr 2008 B2
7382240 Egelhaaf Jun 2008 B2
7387339 Bykov et al. Jun 2008 B2
7393005 Inazu et al. Jul 2008 B2
7401852 Humer et al. Jul 2008 B2
7413253 Karlberg Aug 2008 B2
7425034 Bajic et al. Sep 2008 B2
7441797 Tracht et al. Oct 2008 B2
7441838 Patwardhan Oct 2008 B2
7445292 Moule Nov 2008 B2
7467823 Hartwich Dec 2008 B2
7478869 Lazanja et al. Jan 2009 B2
7481489 Demick Jan 2009 B2
7488040 Dozsa-Farkas Feb 2009 B2
7506924 Bargheer et al. Mar 2009 B2
7506938 Brennan et al. Mar 2009 B2
7517015 Terada et al. Apr 2009 B2
7517024 Cvek Apr 2009 B2
7523888 Ferry et al. Apr 2009 B2
7530633 Yokota et al. May 2009 B2
7540529 Tracht et al. Jun 2009 B2
7543888 Kuno Jun 2009 B2
7547068 Davis Jun 2009 B2
7562934 Swan et al. Jul 2009 B2
7578552 Bajic et al. Aug 2009 B2
7578554 Lee et al. Aug 2009 B2
7597398 Lindsay Oct 2009 B2
7604294 Santamaria Oct 2009 B2
7611199 Michalak et al. Nov 2009 B2
7614693 Ito Nov 2009 B2
7637568 Meeker et al. Dec 2009 B2
7640090 Uchida et al. Dec 2009 B2
7641281 Grimm Jan 2010 B2
7668329 Matsuhashi Feb 2010 B2
7669888 Sato et al. Mar 2010 B2
7669925 Beck et al. Mar 2010 B2
7669928 Snyder Mar 2010 B2
7669929 Simon et al. Mar 2010 B2
7677594 Hazlewood et al. Mar 2010 B2
7677598 Ryan et al. Mar 2010 B1
7699339 Jang et al. Apr 2010 B2
7712833 Ueda May 2010 B2
7717459 Bostrom et al. May 2010 B2
7726733 Balser et al. Jun 2010 B2
7735932 Lazanja et al. Jun 2010 B2
7752720 Smith Jul 2010 B2
7753451 Maebert et al. Jul 2010 B2
7775552 Breuninger et al. Aug 2010 B2
7775602 Lazanja et al. Aug 2010 B2
7784819 Lawall et al. Aug 2010 B2
7784863 Fallen Aug 2010 B2
7793973 Sato et al. Sep 2010 B2
7794012 Szablewski Sep 2010 B2
7798570 Kwiecinski et al. Sep 2010 B2
7802809 Ryan et al. Sep 2010 B2
7802843 Andersson et al. Sep 2010 B2
7810969 Blackmore et al. Oct 2010 B2
7819470 Humer et al. Oct 2010 B2
7819480 Asbury et al. Oct 2010 B2
7823971 Humer et al. Nov 2010 B2
7845729 Yamada et al. Dec 2010 B2
7850235 Veine et al. Dec 2010 B2
7850247 Stauske et al. Dec 2010 B2
7857381 Humer et al. Dec 2010 B2
7862113 Knoll Jan 2011 B2
7862117 Hutchinson et al. Jan 2011 B2
7866689 Saberan Jan 2011 B2
7871126 Becker et al. Jan 2011 B2
7871129 Boes et al. Jan 2011 B2
7878535 Rose et al. Feb 2011 B2
7878596 Brunner et al. Feb 2011 B2
7887094 Sakaida Feb 2011 B2
7891701 Tracht et al. Feb 2011 B2
7909360 Marriott et al. Mar 2011 B2
7909401 Hofmann et al. Mar 2011 B2
7909403 Lawall et al. Mar 2011 B2
7926871 Meixner et al. Apr 2011 B2
7926872 Chida et al. Apr 2011 B2
7931294 Okada et al. Apr 2011 B2
7931330 Itou et al. Apr 2011 B2
7938440 Kataoka et al. May 2011 B2
7946649 Galbreath et al. May 2011 B2
7959225 Humer et al. Jun 2011 B2
7959226 Hattori et al. Jun 2011 B2
7963553 Huynh et al. Jun 2011 B2
7963595 Ito et al. Jun 2011 B2
7963600 Alexander et al. Jun 2011 B2
7966835 Petrovski Jun 2011 B2
7967379 Walters et al. Jun 2011 B2
7971931 Lazanja et al. Jul 2011 B2
7971937 Ishii et al. Jul 2011 B2
3011728 Kohl et al. Sep 2011 A1
8011726 Omori et al. Sep 2011 B2
8016355 Ito et al. Sep 2011 B2
8029055 Hartlaub Oct 2011 B2
8038222 Lein et al. Oct 2011 B2
8056923 Shimono Nov 2011 B2
8075053 Tracht et al. Dec 2011 B2
8100471 Lawall et al. Jan 2012 B2
8109569 Mitchell Feb 2012 B2
8111147 Litkouhi Feb 2012 B2
8113539 Paruszkiewicz et al. Feb 2012 B2
8123246 Gilbert et al. Feb 2012 B2
8126615 McMillen et al. Feb 2012 B2
D655393 Whitaker Mar 2012 S
8128167 Zhong et al. Mar 2012 B2
8141945 Akaike et al. Mar 2012 B2
8162391 Lazanja et al. Apr 2012 B2
8162392 Humer et al. Apr 2012 B2
8162397 Booth et al. Apr 2012 B2
8167370 Arakawa et al. May 2012 B2
8167376 Song May 2012 B2
8177256 Smith et al. May 2012 B2
8196887 Dahlbacka et al. Jun 2012 B2
8201883 Wuerstlein et al. Jun 2012 B2
8210568 Ryden et al. Jul 2012 B2
8210605 Hough et al. Jul 2012 B2
8210611 Aldrich et al. Jul 2012 B2
8226113 Yamashita Jul 2012 B2
8226165 Mizoi Jul 2012 B2
8231138 Sadr et al. Jul 2012 B2
8240758 Combest Aug 2012 B2
8251396 Zothke et al. Aug 2012 B2
8297708 Mizobata et al. Oct 2012 B2
8328227 Shimono Dec 2012 B2
8328231 Nakamura et al. Dec 2012 B2
8336910 Kalisz et al. Dec 2012 B1
8342607 Hofmann et al. Jan 2013 B2
8348338 Galecka et al. Jan 2013 B2
8360517 Lazanja et al. Jan 2013 B2
8360530 Onoda et al. Jan 2013 B2
8371655 Nonomiya Feb 2013 B2
8388061 Saito et al. Mar 2013 B2
8397688 Cunningham Mar 2013 B2
8403410 Pinger et al. Mar 2013 B1
8408646 Harper Apr 2013 B2
8447473 Sugiyama et al. May 2013 B2
8469395 Richez et al. Jun 2013 B2
8474778 Jacobson Jul 2013 B2
8474917 Line et al. Jul 2013 B2
8511748 McLeod et al. Aug 2013 B2
8516842 Petrovski Aug 2013 B2
8534760 Kotz Sep 2013 B2
8540318 Folkert et al. Sep 2013 B2
8585144 Huttenhuis Nov 2013 B2
8590978 Jaranson et al. Nov 2013 B2
8602493 Chen et al. Dec 2013 B1
8657378 Kunert et al. Feb 2014 B2
8678500 Lem et al. Mar 2014 B2
8696067 Galbreath et al. Apr 2014 B2
8727374 Line et al. May 2014 B1
8752894 Trimbom et al. Jun 2014 B2
8794707 Bocsanyi et al. Aug 2014 B2
8807594 Mizobata Aug 2014 B2
8827371 Bmcick et al. Sep 2014 B2
8888181 Perraut Nov 2014 B2
8899683 Ito Dec 2014 B2
8905431 Line et al. Dec 2014 B1
8967663 Seki et al. Mar 2015 B2
8979204 Awata et al. Mar 2015 B2
9096157 Line et al. Aug 2015 B2
9126504 Line et al. Sep 2015 B2
9126508 Line et al. Sep 2015 B2
9365142 Line Jun 2016 B1
9399418 Line Jul 2016 B2
9421894 Line Aug 2016 B2
9566888 Kolich Feb 2017 B2
9616776 Kondrad Apr 2017 B1
9649962 Line May 2017 B2
9707877 Kondrad Jul 2017 B2
20010011812 Seki et al. Aug 2001 A1
20010022460 Kondo Sep 2001 A1
20020096915 Haupt et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020113473 Knaus Aug 2002 A1
20020145512 Sleichter, III et al. Oct 2002 A1
20030023363 Katz et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030025370 Hensel et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030038517 Moran et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030137178 Craft et al. Jul 2003 A1
20030178875 Ito Sep 2003 A1
20030213105 Bednarski Nov 2003 A1
20040012237 Horiki et al. Jan 2004 A1
20040084937 Berta May 2004 A1
20040108760 McMillen Jun 2004 A1
20040129585 Ballantine et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040144349 Wampula et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040183351 Johnson et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040195870 Bohlender et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040212589 Hall et al. Oct 2004 A1
20050017556 Terrand Jan 2005 A1
20050035642 Hake et al. Feb 2005 A1
20050077762 Kraemer et al. Apr 2005 A1
20050082895 Kimmig Apr 2005 A1
20050127734 Veine et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050140193 Skelly et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050179287 Hankins Aug 2005 A1
20050179291 Brodeur Aug 2005 A1
20050184569 Penley et al. Aug 2005 A1
20050189752 Itoga et al. Sep 2005 A1
20050200166 Noh Sep 2005 A1
20050248189 Prasatek et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050253429 Veine et al. Nov 2005 A1
20050258624 Abraham et al. Nov 2005 A1
20060043777 Friedman et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060113751 Tracht et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060113762 Tracht et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060113765 Tracht Jun 2006 A1
20060152062 Archambault et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060155429 Boone et al. Jul 2006 A1
20060214487 Holdampf et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060220434 Schulz et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060244301 Jeffries Nov 2006 A1
20070029853 Forgatsch et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070090673 Ito Apr 2007 A1
20070118259 Chernoff et al. May 2007 A1
20070120401 Minuth et al. May 2007 A1
20070138844 Kim Jun 2007 A1
20070170707 Sato et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070200398 Wolas et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070241593 Woerner Oct 2007 A1
20070296194 Ridgway et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080036258 Holdampf et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080067850 Stenstrom et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080122241 Blackmore et al. May 2008 A1
20080157577 Lindsay Jul 2008 A1
20080174159 Kojima et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080231099 Szczepkowski et al. Sep 2008 A1
20080252111 Rothkop et al. Oct 2008 A1
20090039690 Simon et al. Feb 2009 A1
20090066122 Minuth et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090085383 Hicks et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090102255 D'Agostini et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090152909 Andersson Jun 2009 A1
20090160167 Itoga Jun 2009 A1
20090165263 Smith Jul 2009 A1
20090195041 Ito et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090224584 Lawall et al. Sep 2009 A1
20090302660 Karlberg et al. Dec 2009 A1
20090315372 Tracht Dec 2009 A1
20090322124 Barkow et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100007122 Clauser et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100026066 Graber et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100038937 Andersson et al. Feb 2010 A1
20100102599 Itou et al. Apr 2010 A1
20100109397 Bandurski et al. May 2010 A1
20100109401 Booth et al. May 2010 A1
20100117414 Hwang et al. May 2010 A1
20100133794 Tracht et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100140986 Sawada Jun 2010 A1
20100140992 Yamaguchi Jun 2010 A1
20100148546 Demontis et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100148948 Murphy et al. Jun 2010 A1
20100171346 Laframboise et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100187881 Fujita et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100201167 Wieclawski Aug 2010 A1
20100207438 Inoue et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100207443 Brncick Aug 2010 A1
20100231013 Schlenker Sep 2010 A1
20100270840 Tanaka et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100283229 Feller et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100286867 Bergholz et al. Nov 2010 A1
20100301650 Hong Dec 2010 A1
20100319796 Whitaker Dec 2010 A1
20100320816 Michalak Dec 2010 A1
20100327636 Stoll et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110006573 Arakawa Jan 2011 A1
20110018498 Soar Jan 2011 A1
20110055720 Potter et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110074185 Nakaya et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110095513 Tracht et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110095578 Festag Apr 2011 A1
20110109127 Park et al. May 2011 A1
20110109128 Axakov et al. May 2011 A1
20110121624 Bmcick et al. May 2011 A1
20110133525 Oota Jun 2011 A1
20110155084 Sargeant Jun 2011 A1
20110163574 Tame et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110163583 Zhong et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110186560 Kennedy et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110187174 Tscherbner Aug 2011 A1
20110199200 Lueke et al. Aug 2011 A1
20110215200 Mejuhas Sep 2011 A1
20110248532 Kim et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110254335 Pradier et al. Oct 2011 A1
20110260506 Kuno Oct 2011 A1
20110260509 Siu Oct 2011 A1
20110272548 Rudkowski et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110272978 Nitsuma Nov 2011 A1
20110278885 Procter et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110278886 Nitsuma Nov 2011 A1
20110285194 Marom Nov 2011 A1
20110298261 Holt et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110309604 Moore et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120013161 Adams et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120032478 Friderich et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120032486 Baker et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120037754 Kladde Feb 2012 A1
20120041648 Yamaguchi et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120043791 Kojima Feb 2012 A1
20120049597 Brewer et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120063081 Grunwald Mar 2012 A1
20120080914 Wang Apr 2012 A1
20120081234 Shaffer et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120081544 Wee Apr 2012 A1
20120091695 Richez et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120091766 Yamaki et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120091779 Chang et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120109468 Baumann et al. May 2012 A1
20120112515 Labish May 2012 A1
20120119551 Bmcick et al. May 2012 A1
20120125959 Kucera May 2012 A1
20120127643 Mitchell May 2012 A1
20120129440 Kitaguchi et al. May 2012 A1
20120161481 Tache et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120162891 Tranchina et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120167845 Sands et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120175924 Festag et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120187729 Fukawatase et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120187731 Guadagno Jul 2012 A1
20120222900 Rodney et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120248833 Hontz et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120248839 Fujita et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120261974 Yoshizawa et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120267878 Kalisz et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120299342 Mizobata Nov 2012 A1
20130015643 Gorman et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130076092 Kulkarni et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130119646 Tracht May 2013 A1
20130119715 Medoro et al. May 2013 A1
20130119723 Nitsuma May 2013 A1
20130119724 Adachi et al. May 2013 A1
20130119741 Medoro et al. May 2013 A1
20130134749 Awata et al. May 2013 A1
20130181492 Prescott et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130220877 Stern Aug 2013 A1
20130241255 Kulkarni et al. Sep 2013 A1
20130285426 Arant et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130320730 Aselage Dec 2013 A1
20130320742 Murolo et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130341975 Schneider et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130342366 Kiefer et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130343072 Ehrmann et al. Dec 2013 A1
20140032043 Line et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140042781 Reeves Feb 2014 A1
20140054944 Locke et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140058305 Batterson et al. Feb 2014 A1
20140062147 Bashir et al. Mar 2014 A1
20140070594 Awata et al. Mar 2014 A1
20140077565 Baumgarten et al. Mar 2014 A1
20140135991 Summer et al. May 2014 A1
20140139979 Blazic May 2014 A1
20140152057 Truant et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140167465 Sakata et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140180181 von Oepen et al. Jun 2014 A1
20140203606 Line et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140203610 Line et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140203617 Line Jul 2014 A1
20140265506 McMillen et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140300145 Beroth et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140300167 Datta Oct 2014 A1
20140361571 Line et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140375100 Reese Dec 2014 A1
20150108816 Dry et al. Apr 2015 A1
20150157481 Whitaker et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150157482 Batterson et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150165935 Sachs et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150165950 Sachs Jun 2015 A1
20150258914 Lee Sep 2015 A1
20150274050 Hosbach Oct 2015 A1
20150283970 Line et al. Oct 2015 A1
20160090010 Line Mar 2016 A1
20160137104 Bortolon May 2016 A1
20160288668 Cortney Oct 2016 A1
20160339820 Kajino Nov 2016 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (91)
Number Date Country
201650491 Nov 2010 CN
203097995 Jul 2013 CN
3115269 Oct 1982 DE
3119867 Dec 1982 DE
3139945 Apr 1983 DE
3519351 Dec 1986 DE
3735428 May 1989 DE
3841688 Jun 1990 DE
4403071 Aug 1994 DE
9415511 Nov 1994 DE
19857386 Jun 2000 DE
10106238 Sep 2002 DE
10201836 Aug 2003 DE
10331612 Feb 2005 DE
102004037069 Apr 2005 DE
102006061226 Jun 2008 DE
102010024180 Feb 2011 DE
102010024544 Dec 2011 DE
102012006074 Nov 2012 DE
102012011226 Dec 2012 DE
0174884 Sep 1987 EP
0386890 Sep 1990 EP
0518830 Dec 1992 EP
0627339 Dec 1994 EP
0670240 Sep 1995 EP
0754590 Jan 1997 EP
0594526 Sep 1997 EP
0921033 Jun 1999 EP
1077154 Feb 2001 EP
0926969 Jan 2002 EP
1266794 Dec 2002 EP
1325838 Jul 2003 EP
1462318 Sep 2004 EP
1123834 Oct 2004 EP
1002693 Sep 2005 EP
1050429 Oct 2005 EP
1084901 Jun 2006 EP
1674333 Jun 2006 EP
1674333 Aug 2007 EP
1839932 Oct 2007 EP
1950085 Dec 2008 EP
1329356 Nov 2009 EP
2289732 Mar 2011 EP
2423040 Feb 2012 EP
2534979 Dec 2012 EP
2565070 Mar 2013 EP
2574498 Apr 2013 EP
2743124 Jun 2014 EP
2107995 Dec 1997 ES
2562003 Oct 1985 FR
2875753 Mar 2006 FR
1260717 Jan 1972 GB
2011254 Jul 1979 GB
2403139 Dec 2004 GB
2430420 Mar 2009 GB
59075842 Apr 1984 JP
61036029 Feb 1986 JP
05115331 May 1993 JP
2008189176 Aug 2008 JP
2009096422 May 2009 JP
201178557 Apr 2011 JP
2011098588 May 2011 JP
2011251573 Dec 2011 JP
20050110301 Nov 2005 KR
20080066428 Jul 2008 KR
20100019390 Feb 2010 KR
1020110051692 May 2011 KR
101180702 Sep 2012 KR
WO 9317604 Sep 1993 WO
WO9511818 May 1995 WO
9534449 Dec 1995 WO
9815435 Apr 1998 WO
9831992 Jul 1998 WO
9919708 Apr 1999 WO
WO9958022 Nov 1999 WO
0021797 Apr 2000 WO
0144026 Jun 2001 WO
WO2006131189 Dec 2006 WO
2007009893 Jan 2007 WO
WO2007028015 Mar 2007 WO
2008019981 Feb 2008 WO
WO2008073285 Jun 2008 WO
2010096307 Aug 2010 WO
WO2011021952 Feb 2011 WO
2011068684 Jun 2011 WO
WO2012008904 Jan 2012 WO
2012138699 Oct 2012 WO
2013040085 Mar 2013 WO
2013070905 May 2013 WO
2013101644 Jul 2013 WO
2014047417 Mar 2014 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (66)
Entry
Matthew W Ing, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,561, dated Oct. 16, 2015, 33 pages.
Richard A Lowry, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/748,847, dated Sep. 10, 2014, 14 pages.
David E Allred, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/748,857, dated Aug. 25, 2014, 13 pages.
Timothy J Brindley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,568, dated Mar. 26, 2015, 9 pages.
Timothy J Brindley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,568, dated Sep. 8, 2014, 9 pages.
Milton Nelson Jr., United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,572, dated Mar. 3, 2015, 13 pages.
Milton Nelson Jr., United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,572, dated Sep. 30, 2014, 20 pages.
Nicole T Verley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,589, dated Oct. 4, 2013, 12 pages.
Timothy J Brindley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,595, dated Aug. 28, 2014, 10 pages.
Timothy J Brindley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,595, dated Jan. 12, 2015, 10 pages.
Timothy J Brindley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,584, dated Sep. 15, 2014, 9 pages.
Yolanda G Giacoman, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/748,862, dated Dec. 30, 2015, 10 pages.
Yolanda G Giacoman, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/748,862, dated Aug. 13, 2015, 9 pages.
Yolanda G Giacoman, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/748,862, dated Mar. 10, 2015, 19 pages.
Yolanda G Giacoman, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/748,862, dated Sep. 25, 2014, 16 pages.
Milton Nelson Jr., United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/749,602, dated Sep. 19, 2014, 9 pages.
Melissa Ann Black, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 13/914,666, dated Mar. 13, 2015, 6 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/025,483, dated Dec. 17, 2014, 8 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/025,483, dated Apr. 23, 2015, 10 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/025,483, dated Aug. 18, 2015, 14 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/025,483, dated Dec. 18, 2015, 14 pages.
Peter R Brown, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/104,780, dated Dec. 1, 2015, 5 pages.
Peter R Brown, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/104,780, dated Jun. 29, 2015, 9 pages.
Nicole T Verley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Advisory Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/056,005, dated Sep. 30, 2015, 3 pages.
Nicole T Verley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/056,005, dated Jun. 10, 2015, 8 pages.
Nicole T Verley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/056,005, dated Mar. 2, 2015, 8 pages.
Peter R Brown, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/056,000, dated Mar. 4, 2015, 7 pages.
Peter R Brown, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/056,000, dated Oct. 1, 2014, 8 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/076,893, dated Sep. 29, 2015, 13 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/076,893, dated Apr. 21, 2015, 12 pages.
David E Allred, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/063,647, dated Aug. 18, 2015, 19 pages.
Matthew W Ing, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/609,092, dated Oct. 19, 2015, 11 pages.
Alexander Scott Harrison, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/243,027, dated Jan. 20, 2016, 17 pages.
Alexander Scott Harrison, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/243,027, dated Aug. 13, 2015, 15 pages.
Ryan D Kwiecinski, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/230,961, dated Dec. 24, 2015, 12 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/257,655, dated Dec. 18, 2015, 10 pages.
Philip F Gabler, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/257,655, dated Aug. 20, 2015, 10 pages.
Syed A Islam, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/275,368, dated Nov. 13, 2015, 13 pages.
Syed A Islam, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/275,368, dated May 6, 2015, 10 pages.
Laurie K Cranmer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/505,675, dated Aug. 31, 2015, 7 pages.
Rodney Barnett White, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/600,166, dated Nov. 2, 2015, 7 pages.
Rodney Barnett White, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/534,296, dated Dec. 11, 2105, 14 pages.
Rodney Barnett White, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/534,296, dated Aug. 26, 2015, 13 pages.
Sanjeev Malhotra, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/534,285, dated Sep. 23, 2015, 14 pages.
Nicole T Verley, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Non Final Office Communication re U.S. Appl. No. 14/635,025, dated Dec. 4, 2015, 8 pages.
M. Grujicic et al., “Seat-cushion and soft-tissue material modeling and a finite element investigation of the seating comfort for passenger-vehicle occupants,” Materials and Design 30 (2009) 4273-4285.
“Thigh Support for Tall Drivers,” http://cars.about.com/od/infiniti/ig/2009-Infiniti-G37-Coupe-pics/2008-G37-cpe-thigh-support.htm (1 page) [Accessed from the Internet Apr. 10, 2013].
Mladenov, “Opel Insignia Receives Seal of Approval for Ergonomic Seats,” Published Aug. 27, 2008, http://www.automobilesreview.com/auto-news/opel-insignia-receives-seal-of-approval-for-ergonomic-seats/4169/ (2 pages).
Brose India Automotive Systems, “Adaptive Sensor Controlled Headrest,” http://www.indiamart.com/broseindiaautomotivesystems/products.html, Oct. 9, 2012 (12 pages).
eCoustics.com, “Cineak Motorized Articulating Headrest Preview,” http://www.ecoustics.com/ah/reviews/furniture/accessories/cineak-motorized-headrest, Oct. 9, 2012 (3 pages).
“‘Performance’ Car Seat Eliminates Steel,” Published in Plastics News—Indian Edition Plastics & Polymer News, (http://www.plasticsinfomart.com/performance-car-seat-eliminates-steel/), Jan. 2012, 3 pages.
“Frankfurt 2009 Trend—Light and Layered.” by Hannah Macmurray, Published in GreenCarDesign, (http://www.greencardesign.com/site/trends/00138-frankfurt-2009-trend-light-and-layered), Sep. 2009, 9 pages.
“Imola Pro-fit”, Cobra, (http://cobra.subesports.com/products/cat/seats/brand/Cobra/prodID/656), Date unknown, 2 pages.
Freedman Seating Company, “GO SEAT,” http://www.freedmanseating.com/images/uploads/files/GOSeat_Brochure_10-19.pdf, (date unknown), 2 pgs.
Metro Magazine, “Vehicle Seating Manufacturers Offer Flexible Dseign Options, Enhanced Construction,” http://www.metro-magazine.com/article/prinl/2012/01/vehicle-seating-manufacturers-offer-flexible-design-options-enahnced-construction.aspx, Jan. 2012, 3 pgs.
“Seat Comfort Systems”, Installation Manual, KIT P/N: SCSOOOOOC3, http://www.techwebasto.com/accessories_main/seat_accessories/g_scs_vent_install.pdf, (date unknown), 7 pgs.
Car Reviews, “Audi A4 Saloon RS4”, http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/cartestreports/2006037.html, Apr. 2006, 5 pgs.
Recaro Gmbh & Co. KG, “Seat Range”, ID No. 7218054, Mar. 2010, 21 pgs.
Kelley Blue Book, “2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class”, http://www.kbb.com/mercedes-benz/cl-class/2011-mercedes-benz-cl-class/, Feb. 28, 2013, 5 pgs.
Lexus, “The all-new LEXUS 2013”, lexus.com P2-332, Feb. 2012, 13 pgs.
Mercedes-Benz, “Interior comfort—spoilt for choice”, http://www.zungfu.com/pc_E_saloon.comfort.1.shtml, Feb. 28, 2013, 3 pgs.
Rostra Precision Controls Inc., “Universal Lumbar Installation Instructions”, http://www.rostra.com/manuals/form3132F.pdf, Nov. 2, 2007, 8 pgs.
“Seats”, http://www.bavarianmw.com/guide-4400.html, www.bmwmanuals.org, 2012, 5 pgs.
Mercedes-Benz, “Seat belts and airbags”, http://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/DigitalAssets/pdfmb/serviceandparts/seatbelts_airbags.pdf, Oct. 27, 2005, 11 pgs.
SAE International, “Capacitive Sensors Increase Safety, Comfort”, http://sae.org/automag/technewsletter/071106Electronics/04.htm, Jun. 13, 2013, 3 pages.
General Motors LLC, “2013 Chevrolet Spark Owner Manual,” copyright 2012, 356 pages.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20170282768 A1 Oct 2017 US