Patents Examined by Drew J. Brown
  • Patent number: 11891113
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. And a lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket is operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket and translates relative to the column mounting bracket, wherein the column mounting bracket defines a first set of tapered rail slots, each of the first set of tapered rail slots disposed on opposite sides of the column mounting bracket and extending longitudinally along the column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket defines a second set of tapered rail slots, each of the second set of tapered rail slots disposed on opposite sides of the lower jacket and extending longitudinally along the lower jacket. The steering column assembly yet further includes a first pair of sliding wedge bushings disposed within the first set of tapered rail slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob A. Caverly, Randy W. Jones, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Patent number: 11891110
    Abstract: A steering column has a tubular jacket supported by a mount bracket. The tubular jacket extends along a central axis between lower and upper ends, and is pivotal about a pivot axis. The mount bracket has first and second sidewalls spaced from one another for movement of the tubular jacket therebetween. The first and second sidewalls have first and second lock features, respectively. A lock bolt extends along a lock bolt axis transversely to the central axis. First and second lock cams are operably supported by the lock bolt for rotation about the lock bolt axis between locked and unlocked states. The first and second lock cams have respective first and second lock cam lock features for engagement with the first and second lock features, respectively, to releasably lock the tubular jacket against pivotal movement about the pivot axis in opposite first and second directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Messing, Jacob A. Caverly, Margaret R. Szeliga
  • Patent number: 11891009
    Abstract: An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel. The deployable panel has a proximal end rotatably connected to the dash. The deployable panel is rotatable about the proximal end from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The proximal end is engaged with the dash in the deployed position and the deployable panel has a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag has a back panel abutting the deployable panel in the inflated position and an impact panel opposite the back panel. A tether is connected to the deployable panel and the impact panel. The tether extends through the back panel from the deployable panel to the impact panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Axel Smitterberg, Russell Joseph Mihm, Johnathan Andrew Line, Chuck R. Reese, James Robert Chascsa, II
  • Patent number: 11891111
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an axially adjustable steering column having an adjustment lever, the locking mechanism includes: a locking cam including a hub, an upper arm, and a leg defining a set of teeth, the upper arm and the leg extend from the hub in a same direction to define a space therebetween, the upper arm includes an interface surface facing the leg that interfaces with the adjustment lever to move the locking cam between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a pin extending through the locking cam to allow the locking cam to pivot about the pin between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the set of teeth of the leg engage with a set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column. In the unlocked position, the set of teeth of the leg are spaced apart from the set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher
  • Patent number: 11891116
    Abstract: A telescope drive bracket for coupling a telescoping actuator to an upper steering jacket, the telescope drive bracket includes a plate including a first end, an opposite second end, and a pair of sides extending from the first end to the second end, a strap retainer formed with the plate and including a reaction wall extending in parallel with the plate, and a strap including a first portion engaging the strap retainer, a second portion extending along the plate, and a bent portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion extend from the bent portion in a same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Zachery P. Schultz, Raymond J. Neifert, Robert D. Maida
  • Patent number: 11891108
    Abstract: An auxiliary unstow mechanism for a vehicle steering column includes a telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) in communication with the telescope actuator assembly to control the telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism further includes a latch actuator operatively controlling a latch assembly that controls a locked condition and an unlocked condition of vehicle steering column axial position. The auxiliary unstow mechanism yet further includes a second ECU in communication with the first ECU and the latch actuator, the second ECU controlling the latch actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Blake J. Riley
  • Patent number: 11885103
    Abstract: A power system for a working machine, including a prime mover drivingly connectable to a main shaft; a planetary gear set including a rotatable first member drivingly connected to the main shaft, a rotatable second member and a rotatable third member for propulsion of the working machine; a hydraulic system including at least one hydraulic actuator for performing a working function of the working machine; an electric energy storage system; a first hydraulic machine mechanically coupled to the main shaft and hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic system; a first electric machine mechanically coupled to the main shaft; a second electric machine mechanically coupled to the rotatable second member, wherein the electric energy storage system is electrically connected to the first and second electric machines, and wherein the power system further includes a second hydraulic machine mechanically coupled to the rotatable second member and hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Karl Uebel, Per Mattsson, Daniel Stålberg
  • Patent number: 11884316
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The steering column includes an outer jacket located at the first end, a middle jacket telescopically connected to the outer jacket and extending towards the second end, and an inner jacket telescopically connected to the middle jacket and extending further towards the second end. The steering column assembly also includes at least one axial adjustment actuator that telescopically moves the middle jacket with respect to the outer jacket. The at least one axial adjustment actuator includes a first gear rack fixed to the outer jacket and a second gear rack fixed to the inner jacket, at least one gear located between, and in tooth meshed engagement with, the first gear rack and the second gear rack and driven to translate the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Tinnin, Zachery Schultz, Joen Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11879545
    Abstract: A parking brake includes an inhibitor device (31), which can be associated with a drive shaft (3) for rotating therewith, the inhibitor device (31) being actuated by centrifugal force. The parking brake further includes a locking member (33) adapted to engage the inhibitor device (31) when actuated. The inhibitor device (31) is configured to prevent the engagement of the locking member with the inhibitor device when the inhibitor device rotates at a speed greater than a minimum speed, so as to prevent the application of the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Walter Mariotti, Marcello Fiaccavento, Carlo Magagnini
  • Patent number: 11866091
    Abstract: A steering column for vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper column, a lower column, a pinion pulley, a guide roller, a telemotor, and a belt. A steering shaft is disposed in the upper column, and the rack bar is disposed on an outer surface of the upper column. The upper column is disposed in the lower column. The lower column includes an opening portion in which the rack bar is disposed, a first protruding portion formed at one side of an outer peripheral surface, and a second protruding portion formed at the other side of the outer peripheral surface. The pinion pulley is rotatably coupled to the first protruding portion, and the guide roller is rotatably coupled to the second protruding portion. The telemotor is fixedly coupled to an outer surface of the lower column. The belt connects the pinion pulley and the telemotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donghun Shin
  • Patent number: 11866087
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is disclosed that comprises: a housing having outer, intermediate and inner elongate, telescopically mounted housing portions movable relative to one another along an adjustment axis; a steering column rotatably mounted in the inner elongate housing portion and being configured at one end for attachment of a steering member (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Damian Uchyla, Artur Wojtalik, Radoslaw Szymoszek, Marcin Brzoska
  • Patent number: 11866088
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises: a housing having outer, intermediate and inner elongate, telescopically mounted housing portions movable relative to one another along an adjustment axis; a steering column rotatably mounted in the inner elongate housing portion and being configured at one end for attachment of a steering member (e.g. a steering wheel); a leadscrew rotatably mounted on one of the inner and outer housing portions and having first and second threaded portions which overlap each other for at least part of the length of the leadscrew; a motor for rotating the leadscrew; a first displacement member screw-threadedly mounted to the first threaded portion of the leadscrew and connected to the outer or inner elongate housing portion on which the leadscrew is not rotatably mounted; and a second displacement member screw-threadedly mounted to the second threaded portion of the leadscrew and connected to the intermediate housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp.Z.o.o
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Damian Uchyla, Artur Wojtalik, Radoslaw Szymoszek, Marcin Brzoska
  • Patent number: 11866090
    Abstract: A steering column includes an outer jacket that is adjustably secured to a carrier unit and clamped to a telescopically adjustable inner jacket. The outer jacket has a tubular body with a clamping slot extending longitudinally. Opposing side plates disposed alongside the clamping slot extend longitudinally. The side plates are connected to the tubular body and each have a longitudinally-extending elongated hole spaced apart from the tubular body in an outer region that protrudes from the tubular body. A clamping bolt extends through the elongated holes and an opening of the carrier unit. The clamping bolt applies a clamping force to load the side plates. An inner region of each side plate is fixed to the tubular body. A support element is connected to each side plate between the elongated hole and the inner region and is connected to the tubular body in an edge region of the clamping slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Robert Galehr, Balint Kalman Nagy
  • Patent number: 11858547
    Abstract: An intermediate shaft assembly for a steering column is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a first shaft defining a cavity and a first bearing raceway, a second shaft arranged at least partially within the cavity of the first shaft, a sleeve arranged on an axial end of the second shaft and defining a second bearing raceway, and a bearing assembly including at least two rows of rolling elements and a cage. The rolling elements are supported between the first bearing raceway of the first shaft and the second bearing raceway of the sleeve. The sleeve can be heat treated, and formed from sheet metal. The sleeve can be secured to the axial end of the second shaft by a direct rotational connection such that the sleeve is rotationally fixed to the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Elias Ferreira Machado, Kleberson Sierra
  • Patent number: 11858306
    Abstract: A stabilizer bar has a first connected position and a second disconnected position. One side-bar is fixed to a housing while the other side-bar is fixed to a tulip within the housing. The housing has a plurality of axial grooves. The tulip defines a plurality of slots which are aligned with the grooves when the vehicle is level. A nut has a plurality of pins that extend radially such that the nut is torsionally coupled to the housing. In a first connected position, the pins fit within the slots of the tulip to torsionally couple the nut and the housing to the tulip. To facilitate a second disconnected position, a motor driven actuator moves the nut axially such that the pins no longer engage the slots. When motor power is withdrawn, a spring pushes the nut back to the first connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Kraus, Florin Dobre, Brian Lee, Adrian Husu, Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Mihai Achim, Marius-Constantin Costache, Mihaly Kovacs
  • Patent number: 11858546
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for adjusting a steering wheel, which include: a camera unit installed inside a vehicle to photograph a driver's face; and a control unit which processes an image photographed by the camera unit to detect a face shape, checks whether higher and lower portions of detected face are photographed in an optimal face shape without being cut off, and outputs designated steering wheel adjustment information when the face shape is not the optimal face shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 11851126
    Abstract: One variation of a system includes: a cam block mounted to a deck of a scooter and defining cam lobes arranged about a pivot feature and cam heels between the set of cam lobes; a pivot block pivotably coupled to the pivot feature and defining followers riding over the cam lobes; a pair of wheel uprights locating a pair of wheel assemblies; a first lateral link extending between and coupled to the pair of wheel uprights and pivotably coupled to the pivot block; a second lateral link extending between and coupled to the pair of wheel uprights, vertically offset from the first lateral link, and coupled to the pivot block between pair of wheel uprights; and a spring element driving the followers of the pivot block into cam heels to bias the second lateral link toward a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Trio Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Newby, Stephen K. Kershner, Michael Siu Wei Yim, Chris Tacklind
  • Patent number: 11850906
    Abstract: Embodiments of a suspension for a vehicle is provided. The suspension includes, for example, a frame and a locking assembly. The locking assembly inhibits tipping of a frame of the vehicle when tipping of the frame is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bekoscke, Damon Jurkiewicz, Gerald Fought
  • Patent number: 11851019
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle seat airbag apparatus, wherein: when a side collision accident occurs, an active vent hole is closed to delay the deployment speed of a front cushion and thus to enable a side cushion so as to have sufficient internal pressure, thereby improving ability to respond to a side collision; and when a frontal collision accident occurs, the active vent hole maintains an open state to rapidly deploy the front cushion, thereby improving ability to respond to a frontal collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Chang Sung, Sang Won Hwangbo
  • Patent number: 11851104
    Abstract: A system for managing wheel kinematics during a collision event includes a break-away region for releasing a joint of a lower control arm. The system includes a recess arranged in a frame member, and a pin arranged vertically in the recess and configured to couple the lower control arm to the frame member. The break away region includes a reduced stiffness and is configured to fail under the collision event to allow the pin to move laterally out of the recess. The recess may be formed by a top plate and a bottom plate or a C-shaped bracket, which include through features to accommodate the pin. The break-away region includes a first notch and a second notch that reduce a stiffness of the structures that form the recess, thus allowing the pin to be released under a predetermined loading. The break-away region may fracture to release the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Anish Shah, Mohammed Nomaan Khan, Allen Orchard