Tavis S Lutzka

US Patent:

7198316, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

May 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/120364

Inventors:

Tavis S. Lutzka - Clawson MI, US
Keith Brantley - Utica MI, US

Assignee:

BAE Industries, Inc. - Centerline MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/10
B60N 2/20

US Classification:

296 6503, 296 6509, 297336

Abstract:

A combined seat back release and floor release for use with a vehicle seat. The seat back includes a first mechanism for forwardly rotating a seat back relative to a seat bottom. The floor release is actuated by the seat back by virtue of a linearly translatable cable extending therebetween. The cable acts upon a floor release lever, which is rotatably slaved to a pair of cam elements. A latch plate is rotatably secured to the seat and engages a floor mounted striker. Shoulder portions associated with the cams define primary and secondary abutment surfaces acting against the support surface of the latch plate. The lever actuates the cams away from the support surface in response to the actuation of the cable from the seat back mechanism. Forward pivoting of the seat occurs upon the cam shoulders separating from the latch plate support surface, a coil spring causing the latch plate to further rotate in a disengaging direction relative to the striker and upon the coil spring exceeding an over center portion relative to the pivot point of rotation of the latch plate.

US Patent:

7222907, May 29, 2007

Filed:

Dec 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/013170

Inventors:

Tavis S. Lutzka - Clawson MI, US
Keith Brantley - Utica MI, US

Assignee:

BAE Industries, Inc. - Centerline MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/04

US Classification:

296 6503, 2485031, 297336, 2973441

Abstract:

A release latch for use with a vehicle seat. A latch plate is rotatably secured to the seat and engages a floor mounted striker. A cam is rotatably secured to the seat and defines a shoulder biasingly seating against a support surface of the latch plate. A lever actuates the cam away from the support surface. A coil spring extends between the cam and a location of the latch plate offset from its pivot point. Forward pivoting of the seat occurs upon the shoulder separating from the support surface, the coil spring causing the latch plate to further rotate in a disengaging direction relative to the striker and upon the coil spring exceeding an over center portion relative to the pivot point of rotation of the latch plate.

US Patent:

7270375, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

May 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/124698

Inventors:

Tavis S. Lutzka - Clawson MI, US
Keith Brantley - Utica MI, US

Assignee:

BAE Industries, Inc. - Centerline MI

International Classification:

A47C 1/00

US Classification:

297331, 29737812, 29737813, 29737814, 2973441

Abstract:

A disengage mechanism incorporated into a floor-mounted, forwardly pivotal and removable seat including a bottom and a pivotally associated back. The mechanism includes a handle-operated actuating assembly mounted to an underside of the seat bottom. A seat forward tumble mechanism includes a cable securing to the assembly at a first location and a seat disengage mechanism includes a pair of cables securing to the assembly at a second location. The assembly is actuated in a first selected direction to engage the forward tumble mechanism, the assembly being actuated in a second reverse direction to concurrently engage the forward tumble mechanism as well as the seat disengagement mechanism.

US Patent:

7434862, Oct 14, 2008

Filed:

Oct 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/247638

Inventors:

Tavis Lutzka - Clawson MI, US
Stephen Bruck - Howell MI, US
Keith Brantley - Utica MI, US

Assignee:

BAE Industries, Inc. - Centerline MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/04

US Classification:

296 6503, 2485031, 297336

Abstract:

A multifunctional latch assembly associated with a rear row mounted and removable vehicle seat exhibiting a seat back pivotally secured to a seat bottom. The latch assembly releasably engages the seat bottom to front and rear floor supported strikers and to permit forward rotating seat dump and/or rearward seat removal. A first latch mechanism is mounted to a rear location of a frame associated with the seat bottom and includes a latch plate configured to engage the rear striker. A release lever is secured to a further location of the seat frame and is actuated a degree to permit the seat back to pivotally fold flat against the seat bottom, the release lever is further actuated a second degree to disengage the latch plate from the rear located striker and to permit forward rotation of the seat about the front supported striker. A second latch mechanism is mounted to a selected front location of the seat frame and includes an arcuately configured latch engaging the front striker. The second latch mechanism further includes a spring actuated hook engaging a lockout pin pivotally associated with the arcuately configured latch, upon a selected pivotal displacement of the seat frame relative the front floor supported striker, the seat subsequently being rearwardly displaced to permit removal from the vehicle.

US Patent:

7896420, Mar 1, 2011

Filed:

Mar 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/054734

Inventors:

David Grable - Clinton Township MI, US
Tavis Lutzka - Davisburg MI, US
Stephen Bruck - Howell MI, US
Stanley D. Pacolt - Clarkston MI, US

Assignee:

BAE Industries, Inc. - Warren MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

296 6505, 2485031

Abstract:

An improved seat assembly in which the first and second pairs of seatback and floor mounted latches associated with first and second sides of prior dump and tumble assemblies are substituted by an improved design incorporating a single reinforced lock and release seatback latch and either a single or pair of floor latches arranged on opposite sides of the seat. Additional supports include a free pivoting and secondary seatback latch, as well as an optional floor supported riser assembly in lieu of the second floor latch and which are positioned at alternating inboard/outboard seatback and floor locations of the seat assembly. In cooperation with the redesigned fully functional latches, the free pivot seatback and optional floor riser latches provide a cost advantageous design exhibiting reduced part count.

US Patent:

8282160, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Dec 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/643375

Inventors:

Tavis Lutzka - Davisburg MI, US
Stephen Bruck - Howell MI, US

Assignee:

BAE Industries, Inc. - Warren MI

International Classification:

A47C 17/04

US Classification:

297113, 297115, 297238, 297254, 29737812, 29741132

Abstract:

A combination pivoting armrest and seatback assembly incorporated into a vehicle including a base secured to the vehicle and exhibiting an extending edge profile. A sector is pivotally secured to the base, with a first cam pivotally secured to the sector and contacting a first edge location of the base when the sector is in an upright position. A second cam is also pivotally secured to the sector in inter-engaging fashion with the first cam such that, upon the first cam being rotated out of contact with the base and the sector rotating to a forward dump position, the second cam subsequently contacts a second edge location of the base.

US Patent:

20050253407, Nov 17, 2005

Filed:

May 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/844994

Inventors:

Tavis Lutzka - Clawson MI, US
Stanley Pacolt - Wixom MI, US

International Classification:

B60N002/02

US Classification:

296065090

Abstract:

A release mechanism for use with a latch associated with a vehicle seat pivotally secured to a vehicle floor. A three-dimensional housing encloses an actuator mounted in axially translatable fashion upon the vehicle floor. A coil spring secures at a first end to an interior location of the housing, a second end of the spring engages the actuator in a selected biasing direction. A lever pivotally secures to a bracket extending from an underside location of the vehicle seat, an extending end of the lever engaging the actuator through the housing, a torsion spring biasing the lever in a given pivoting direction relative to the mounting bracket. A cable extends between the lever and the vehicle latch and, upon the actuator translating in a selected direction, the lever is caused to pivot and the cable to translate in order to disengage the latch and to permit pivoting of the seat relative to the vehicle floor.

US Patent:

20050269854, Dec 8, 2005

Filed:

Jun 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/859686

Inventors:

Tavis Lutzka - Clawson MI, US
Harry Brantley - Utica MI, US

International Classification:

E05B015/02
B60N002/02
B60N002/48

US Classification:

297378130

Abstract:

A latch assembly for use with a vehicle seat pivotally mounted to a vehicle floor and which engages a striker associated with the vehicle floor. A planar shaped support bracket secures to an underside location of the seat. A first latching member pivotally mounts to the planar support bracket and exhibits an edge defined recess. A second latching member pivotally mounts to the planar support bracket, in overlapping relationship relative to the first latching member, and exhibits a second edge defined recess opposing the first recess. The first and second latching members define a first engaged position by which the striker bar is seated therebetween. A linkage member is secured to each of the latching members and is actuated causing the first latching member to pivot in a first unseating direction relative to the striker, the second latching member is caused to pivot in an opposite unseating direction and to disengage the striker from the vehicle seat in a second disengaged position.