Patents by Inventor David J. Smallwood

David J. Smallwood 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).

  • Patent number: 9217267
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Techform Products Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, John R. Beckwith, David J. Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20140259528
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: M & C Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, John R. Beckwith, David J. Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20130111703
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge set and a method for making it improves mounting of a deck lid to a motor vehicle body by permitting mass production adjustments without distortion or multiplication of the parts installed. A hinge set bracket with spaced flanges receiving a pivot strap and pivot therebetween is formed with a substantially vertical slot in each flange. At least one insert having a collar and a stem, reinforces the spacing between the support flanges, as the pivot pin compressionally engages the flanges. Preferably, two inserts having a collar and a stem have a combined length that reinforces the predetermined spacing within a predetermined tolerance when compression is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: M&C CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, John R. Beckwith, David J. Smallwood
  • Patent number: 8240735
    Abstract: A tailgate damping and detent system is disclosed for a vehicle, including a tailgate lift assist system with a torque rod rotationally grounded between the tailgate at a first end and a first side of the vehicle's frame at a second end. “Damping” is achieved by increasing the diameter of the torque rod. The increased torque rod diameter overcompensates for the weight of the tailgate, so that this increased load decelerates the tailgate starting from the neutral balance point to the fully open position. The speed of the tailgate approaches zero at the end of the travel of the tailgate to the fully open position, which greatly reduces the “slam” at the end of travel. The tailgate is held in the open position by a link detent system. There is a slot in the gate side of the link that a spring loaded pin latches into.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. McIntyre, David J Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20110089712
    Abstract: A tailgate damping and detent system is disclosed for a vehicle, including a tailgate lift assist system with a torque rod rotationally grounded between the tailgate at a first end and a first side of the vehicle's frame at a second end. “Damping” is achieved by increasing the diameter of the torque rod. The increased torque rod diameter overcompensates for the weight of the tailgate, so that this increased load decelerates the tailgate starting from the neutral balance point to the fully open position. The speed of the tailgate approaches zero at the end of the travel of the tailgate to the fully open position, which greatly reduces the “slam” at the end of travel. The tailgate is held in the open position by a link detent system. There is a slot in the gate side of the link that a spring loaded pin latches into.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew R. MCINTYRE, David J. SMALLWOOD
  • Patent number: 7484800
    Abstract: A latch restraint and safety anchorage system for securing a child safety seat in an automotive vehicle behind the vehicle's seat is provided. One or more latch wires are generally mounted to a cross member of the anchorage system comprised of a pair of spatially separated legs joined at one end by a transverse latch bar. Each leg includes a tapered portion and an end portion. The end portion is exposed to allow the legs to be retained by the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Donald M. Austin, David J. Smallwood
  • Patent number: 7131693
    Abstract: A restraint anchorage for a child safety seat for an automotive vehicle having a cross member disposed behind the vehicle's seat. U-shaped latch wires are attached to the cross member. Collars are provided on the legs of the latch wires which engage one side of the cross members. The ends of the legs which protrude through holes provided in the cross member are peened over to form enlarged heads locking the latch wire to the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Smallwood, John T. Shier, Ronald D. McLeod
  • Patent number: 6983526
    Abstract: A latch restraint and safety anchorage system for securing a child safety seat in an automotive vehicle behind the vehicle's seat is provided. One or more latch wires are generally mounted to a cross member of the anchorage system comprised of a pair of spatially separated legs joined at one end by a transverse latch bar. Each leg includes a tapered portion and an end portion. The end portion is exposed to allow the legs to be retained by the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Donald M. Austin, David J. Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20040261246
    Abstract: A latch restraint and safety anchorage system for securing a child safety seat in an automotive vehicle behind the vehicle's seat is provided. One or more latch wires are generally mounted to a cross member of the anchorage system comprised of a pair of spatially separated legs joined at one end by a transverse latch bar. Each leg includes a tapered portion and an end portion. The end portion is exposed to allow the legs to be retained by the cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: M & C CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Duffy, Donald M. Austin, David J. Smallwood
  • Publication number: 20040227384
    Abstract: A restraint anchorage for a child safety seat for an automotive vehicle having a cross member disposed behind the vehicle's seat. U-shaped latch wires are attached to the cross member. Collars are provided on the legs of the latch wires which engage one side of the cross members. The ends of the legs which protrude through holes provided in the cross member are peened over to form enlarged heads locking the latch wire to the cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: M & C CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Smallwood, John T. Shier, Ronald D. McLeod