Patents by Inventor Donald Michael Perkins
Donald Michael Perkins 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).
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Publication number: 20200315040Abstract: A modular electrical circuit carrier (ECC) configured to be directly secured to an exterior surface of a vehicle latch housing, the modular electrical circuit carrier (ECC) including: a housing; a printed circuit board located within the housing, the printed circuit board having a connector configured for securement with a wire harness connector and a series of connectors, wherein the printed circuit board includes a microprocessor capable of operating as a latch controller, wherein the housing and the series of connectors are configured for direct securement to the exterior surface of the vehicle latch housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Adam Mather, Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20200115933Abstract: A power release latching system includes a gear and a pawl release lever. The gear is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis, and includes a serpentine cam component. The pawl release lever is adapted to pivot about a pivot axis spaced from and disposed parallel to the rotation axis. The pawl release lever includes a serpentine cam portion in camming contact with the serpentine cam component. The camming contact is configured to change from a low-speed-high-torque condition to a high-speed-low torque condition as the pawl release lever pivots from a neutral position to an end high position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20200109580Abstract: A latch mechanism for a motor vehicle includes a latch body, a claw rotatably mounted in the latch body and operable to selectively retain a hood latch element, and a motor operatively connected to the claw. The motor is operably to rotate the claw to selectively release the hood latch element. A latch controller is operatively connected to the motor, and a speed sensor operatively connected to the latch controller. The speed sensor detects a speed of the motor vehicle. The latch controller operates the motor to rotate the claw based on the speed of the motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Donald Michael Perkins, Ian J. Dow, Sameer Anand, Robert Durie, Prashant Nayak, Premanand Naik
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Publication number: 20200102771Abstract: A two-pull, automatic reset, latch system is configured to operate during a no-power scenario and a power scenario. The latch system includes a release system, a release lever, and a coupling lever. The manual release lever is pivotally engaged to a stationary structure about a first axis. The coupling lever pivots about a second axis offset from the first axis, and is adapted to couple the release lever to the release system during a no-power scenario and upon two manual actuations of the release lever. The coupling lever is further adapted to maintain decoupling of the release lever from the release system during a power scenario.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20200024872Abstract: An override mechanism for a cinching latch assembly includes a claw rotatable between open and closed positions, the claw spring biased toward the opened position to allow opening of a latch. Also included is a cinch drive link rotatable between an override and non-override positions, the cinch drive link in operative contact with the claw in the non-override position and disengaged from the claw in the override position, wherein operative contact between the claw and the cinch drive link biases the cinch drive link toward the override position. Further included is a guide surface. Yet further included is a cinch override lever defining an opening, the bearing of the cinch drive link disposed within the opening and moveable within the opening. Also included is a cinch override pawl rotatable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the engaged condition locking the cinch override lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins, Ian Dow, Adam Mather
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Publication number: 20200024871Abstract: A double pull mechanism of a vehicle latch is disclosed herein. The double pull mechanism including: a release link; a cable lever pivotally mounted to a portion of the vehicle latch; a manual release pawl pivotally mounted to the cable lever; a lock spring mounted to the release link; a cable secured to the cable lever, wherein pivotal movement of the cable lever via actuation of the cable a first time causes movement of the lock spring such that a protrusion of the manual release pawl is received in an opening of the release link and wherein actuation of the cable a second time causes movement of the release link via engagement of the protrusion in the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventor: Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20190203507Abstract: A lock mechanism for a vehicle latch includes a cable link. Also included is a pawl release link, the cable link and the pawl release link switchable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the engaged condition allowed manual release of the vehicle latch, the disengaged condition preventing release of the vehicle latch. Further included is an electrically driven gear operatively coupled to the cable link and the pawl release link to reset the cable link and the pawl release link to the disengaged condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
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Patent number: 10280653Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, a latch system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The latch system includes a latch assembly, an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometer. The controller is configured to control an operation of the latch assembly. The controller prevents transition of the latch assembly to a disengaged position when the measured acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold to facilitate preventing the door from opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLCInventors: Eduardo Estrada, Daniel Aguirre, Carlos I. Tostado, Donald Michael Perkins
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Patent number: 10017967Abstract: A latch is disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLCInventors: Francisco Javier Vazquez, Alfredo Martinez, Donald Michael Perkins
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Patent number: 9534587Abstract: A system is disclosed herein. The system having a backdrive assembly that includes a spring body retainer having a first body portion, the spring body retainer configured for rotational movement about an axis. A biasing member is provided that is configured to exert a backdriving force on the spring body retainer. A spring leg retainer is provided having a second body portion and a plurality of projections, the spring leg retainer being configured to incrementally apply a preload torque to the biasing member. A spring locking plate is operably connected to the spring leg retainer, the spring locking plate being configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLCInventors: Carlos I. Tostado, Donald Michael Perkins
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Patent number: 9322199Abstract: A latch is provided including a fork bolt configured to rotate between an unlatch position and a latched position. A detent is configured to cooperate with the forkbolt. A bumper includes an upper contact portion and an elongated lower portion. The bumper is configured to receive a striker when the fork bolt is in the latched position. A guide member includes a generally curved flexible portion. The flexible portion is configured to deflect about a first end to guide the striker towards the upper contact portion of the bumper.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLCInventors: Francisco Javier Lujan, Fernando Chacon Ramos, Donald Michael Perkins, Kurt E. Nurmi
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Publication number: 20150136528Abstract: A system is disclosed herein. The system having a backdrive assembly that includes a spring body retainer having a first body portion, the spring body retainer configured for rotational movement about an axis. A biasing member is provided that is configured to exert a backdriving force on the spring body retainer. A spring leg retainer is provided having a second body portion and a plurality of projections, the spring leg retainer being configured to incrementally apply a preload torque to the biasing member. A spring locking plate is operably connected to the spring leg retainer, the spring locking plate being configured to engage at least one of the plurality of projections.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Carlos I. Tostado, Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20150069766Abstract: In one non-limiting embodiment, a latch system for a door of a vehicle is provided. The latch system includes a latch assembly, an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the vehicle, and a controller communicatively coupled to the accelerometer. The controller is configured to control an operation of the latch assembly. The controller prevents transition of the latch assembly to a disengaged position when the measured acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold to facilitate preventing the door from opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Eduardo Estrada, Daniel Aguirre, Carlos I. Tostado, Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20150028603Abstract: A latch is disclosed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Francisco Javier Vazquez, Alfredo Martinez, Donald Michael Perkins
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Publication number: 20140217751Abstract: A latch is provided including a fork bolt configured to rotate between an unlatched position and a latched position. A detent is configured to cooperate with the fork bolt. At least one of the fork bolt and the detent includes a resilient absorption mechanism. The resilient absorption mechanism is configured to deform upon impact and decelerate the rotation of either the fork bolt of the detent respectively. The latch also includes a housing and a stop tab protruding from the housing. The stop tab is configured to engage a complementary portion of the fork bolt with in a latched position to limit further rotation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: Francisco Javier Lujan, Fernando Chacon Ramos, Donald Michael Perkins, Kurt E. Nurmi
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Publication number: 20140217752Abstract: A latch is provided including a fork bolt configured to rotate between an unlatch position and a latched position. A detent is configured to cooperate with the forkbolt. A bumper includes an upper contact portion and an elongated lower portion. The bumper is configured to receive a striker when the fork bolt is in the latched position. A guide member includes a generally curved flexible portion. The flexible portion is configured to deflect about a first end to guide the striker towards the upper contact portion of the bumper.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: Francisco Javier Lujan, Fernando Chacon Ramos, Donald Michael Perkins, Kurt E. Nurmi
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Patent number: 6733052Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism. The detent is moved by an intermittent lever that is part of the release mechanism and part of the locking mechanism. A lock lever forming part of the lock mechanism moves the intermittent lever back and forth between an unlock position where the intermittent lever drives the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock position where the intermittent lever free wheels with respect to the detent. The intermittent lever is pivotally connected to an unlatching lever of the release mechanism that is operated by inside and outside release levers. The lock lever includes a lower lock lever, an upper lock lever and a spring that stores energy when the lower lock lever pivots with respect to the upper lock lever.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald Michael Perkins, Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Jeffery P Laukonis
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Patent number: 6517128Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position and a power operated release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt. The power operated release mechanism includes a power unlatching lever and a motor driven actuator having a jackscrew for moving the power unlatching lever via a slide, bell crank lever and bell crank link that provide a toggle enhancement. A mechanical override lever is provided to move the power unlatching lever in the event of power failure.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald Michael Perkins, Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Jeffery P Laukonis, Brent J Williams, Peter Siegfried Pajak
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Patent number: 6511106Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism. The detent is moved by an intermittent lever that is part of the release mechanism and part of the locking mechanism. A lock lever forming part of the lock mechanism moves the intermittent lever back and forth between an unlock position where the intermittent lever drives the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock position where the intermittent lever free wheels with respect to the detent. The intermittent lever is pivotally connected to an unlatching lever of the release mechanism that is operated by inside and outside release levers. The lock lever includes a lower lock lever, an upper lock lever and a spring that stores energy when the lower lock lever pivots with respect to the upper lock lever.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald Michael Perkins, Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Maxwell Walter Hamilton
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Patent number: 6435575Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a manually operated release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt, a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism, a double lock mechanism and a power operated unlatching mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt independently of the manually operated release mechanism, the lock mechanism and the double lock mechanism. The power operated unlatching mechanism includes a power unlatching lever and a motor driven actuator having a jackscrew for moving the power unlatching lever.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter Siegfried Pajak, Andreas Klaus Schlosshauer, Donald Michael Perkins