Patents by Inventor Christopher Thomas Schaafsma

Christopher Thomas Schaafsma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Articulating vehicle energy source door
    Patent number: 12006751
    Abstract: A vehicle port door includes a housing and an interlocking linkage assembly. The interlocking linkage assembly is pivotably connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Schaafsma, Saman Bagheri Farahani, Justin Louis Ruzich, Dennis Matthew Mark
  • CHARGING PORT HEATER
    Publication number: 20230234447
    Abstract: An assembly includes a movable door assembly and a heating element. The movable door assembly is configured to be disposed on an exterior of a vehicle. The heating element is coupled to the movable door assembly, and is configured to receive energy from a battery disposed on the vehicle and to heat at least a portion of the movable door assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Paul MERRYWEATHER, Christopher Thomas SCHAAFSMA
  • Charging port heater
    Patent number: 11654772
    Abstract: An assembly includes a movable door assembly and a heating element. The movable door assembly is configured to be disposed on an exterior of a vehicle. The heating element is coupled to the movable door assembly, and is configured to receive energy from a battery disposed on the vehicle and to heat at least a portion of the movable door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Merryweather, Christopher Thomas Schaafsma
  • ARTICULATING VEHICLE ENERGY SOURCE DOOR
    Publication number: 20220251891
    Abstract: A vehicle port door includes a housing and an interlocking linkage assembly. The interlocking linkage assembly is pivotably connected to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Schaafsma, Saman Bagheri Farahani, Justin Louis Ruzich, Dennis Matthew Mark
  • ELECTROMECHANICAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE HOUSING AND DOOR SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20220212595
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a refuel or recharge door of a vehicle, which includes a vehicle controller. The system has a housing with a port, a door removably attached to the housing, a system controller, and at least one module. The system controller is communicably connected to a vehicle controller of the vehicle. Further, the system controller is configured to control the at least one module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Shant B. ALEXANIAN, Christopher Thomas SCHAAFSMA, Saman BAGHERI FARAHANI, Mark O. LEPPER, David B. PIVONKA
  • Dual nozzle-receiving assembly
    Patent number: 10543746
    Abstract: A nozzle-receiving assembly includes a housing including a fuel inlet that is configured to receive a first nozzle of a fuel dispenser in order to dispense fuel into a fuel fill pipe coupled to the fuel inlet. A door is moveably secured to the housing. The door is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. An additive inlet is secured to the door. The additive inlet is configured to receive a second nozzle of an additive dispenser to dispense additive into an additive conduit coupled to the additive inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Schaafsma, Alexander Max Kerstein, Shant Bedros Alexanian
  • CHARGING PORT HEATER
    Publication number: 20200001721
    Abstract: An assembly includes a movable door assembly and a heating element. The movable door assembly is configured to be disposed on an exterior of a vehicle. The heating element is coupled to the movable door assembly, and is configured to receive energy from a battery disposed on the vehicle and to heat at least a portion of the movable door assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Merryweather, Christopher Thomas Schaafsma
  • DUAL NOZZLE-RECEIVING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180281588
    Abstract: A nozzle-receiving assembly includes a housing including a fuel inlet that is configured to receive a first nozzle of a fuel dispenser in order to dispense fuel into a fuel fill pipe coupled to the fuel inlet. A door is moveably secured to the housing. The door is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position. An additive inlet is secured to the door. The additive inlet is configured to receive a second nozzle of an additive dispenser to dispense additive into an additive conduit coupled to the additive inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Schaafsma, Alexander Max Kerstein, Shant Bedros Alexanian