Patents by Inventor Douglas R. Kaltenmark

Douglas R. Kaltenmark 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: 11312336
    Abstract: A method of operating a rear wiper system of a vehicle that includes monitoring an operational status of a full display mirror system of the vehicle, and automatically activating the rear wiper system when the full display mirror system is switched from an active mode to an inactive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Erik F. de Almeida, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Osamu Tsurumiya
  • Patent number: 10703181
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a tonneau side rail assembly for attachment to a vehicle bed frame that is at least partially covered by a bed frame cover, and that at least partially defines a vehicle exposed area. The tonneau side rail assembly can include a tonneau side rail that is configured to be removably attached to a tonneau assembly. The tonneau side rail can include upper and lower surfaces, an aperture being defined in each of the upper and lower surfaces such that an open space is defined between the apertures. An extender can define longitudinally opposite ends, one of the ends being configured to be rigidly secured to the vehicle bed frame, and the other of the ends being configured to be rigidly secured to the tonneau side rail so as to define a gap between the tonneau side rail and the bed frame cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael T. Binfet, Brock J. Stull, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Babuji K. Tamarapoo
  • Patent number: 10538150
    Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover assembly is provided that includes a side rail and a rear rail that is removably securable to the side rail. The rear rail is rotatable between a closed position wherein a flexible cover secured thereto is under tension, and an open position wherein the flexible cover is untensioned. Optionally, the assembly includes a securing member that is securable in a fixed position with respect to the side rail and defines a channel, and the rear rail is rotatable between the open position and the closed position when the rear rail is positioned in the channel of the securing member. Optionally, the flexible cover includes a cable operatively connected to the rear rail, and the side rail receives the cable therein when the rear rail is in the closed position to secure the flexible cover to the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Zichettello, Michael T. Binfet, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Babuji K. Tamarapoo, Brock J. Stull, Todd Yoder, Paul Finch
  • Publication number: 20190337487
    Abstract: A method of operating a rear wiper system of a vehicle that includes monitoring an operational status of a full display mirror system of the vehicle, and automatically activating the rear wiper system when the full display mirror system is switched from an active mode to an inactive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Erik F. de Almeida, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Osamu Tsurumiya
  • Patent number: 10427512
    Abstract: A gap seal for a tonneau cover assembly is provided to seal between a front rail, a sliding element, and a side wall of a vehicle between the front rail and the sliding element. The gap seal includes a base, an extension extending from a first side of the base, the extension being disposed in the front rail, and a series of lips extending from a second side of the base, the lips each having a distal edge making sealing contact with the sliding element and a bottom edge making sealing contact with the side wall. Notches in the bottom of the lips allow the lips to easily move with the sliding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Zichettello, Douglas R. Kaltenmark
  • Patent number: 10131215
    Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover assembly includes a pair of side rails positioned on side walls of a cargo box of a motor vehicle, two sliding elements slidably received in the side rails, spring blocks inserted within each side rail, and a spring located between the sliding element and the spring block in each side rail. The flexible tonneau cover assembly also includes a front rail including a first end having an opening for receiving a projection of the first sliding element, and a second end having a latch receivable by the latch receptacle of the second sliding element. A tonneau cover is attached to the front rail and extends to cover the cargo box of the vehicle, which is tensioned by the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Zichettello, Douglas R Kaltenmark, Michael T Binfet, Brock J Stull, Babuji K Tamarapoo
  • Patent number: 10093159
    Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover assembly includes a pair of side rails positioned on the side wall of a cargo box of a vehicle. A first element is received in the first side rail having a projection extending laterally inward from the first side rail. A second element is received in the second side rail having a laterally inward facing latch receptacle. A front rail includes a first end having an opening for receiving the projection of the first sliding element and a second end having a latch receivable by the latch receptacle of the second sliding element. The tonneau cover is removable by rolling it up, disengaging the latch from the laterally inward facing latch receptacle, lifting the second end of the front rail from the second element, and removing the first end of the front rail from the projection of the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Zichettello, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Michael T. Binfet
  • Publication number: 20180281573
    Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover assembly includes a pair of side rails positioned on side walls of a cargo box of a motor vehicle, two sliding elements slidably received in the side rails, spring blocks inserted within each side rail, and a spring located between the sliding element and the spring block in each side rail. The flexible tonneau cover assembly also includes a front rail including a first end having an opening for receiving a projection of the first sliding element, and a second end having a latch receivable by the latch receptacle of the second sliding element. A tonneau cover is attached to the front rail and extends to cover the cargo box of the vehicle, which is tensioned by the springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander ZICHETTELLO, Douglas R. KALTENMARK, Michael T. BINFET, Brock J. STULL, Babuji K. TAMARAPOO
  • Publication number: 20180281576
    Abstract: A gap seal for a tonneau cover assembly is provided to seal between a front rail, a sliding element, and a side wall of a vehicle between the front rail and the sliding element. The gap seal includes a base, an extension extending from a first side of the base, the extension being disposed in the front rail, and a series of lips extending from a second side of the base, the lips each having a distal edge making sealing contact with the sliding element and a bottom edge making sealing contact with the side wall. Notches in the bottom of the lips allow the lips to easily move with the sliding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander ZICHETTELLO, Douglas R. KALTENMARK
  • Publication number: 20180281574
    Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover assembly includes a pair of side rails positioned on the side wall of a cargo box of a vehicle. A first element is received in the first side rail having a projection extending laterally inward from the first side rail. A second element is received in the second side rail having a laterally inward facing latch receptacle. A front rail includes a first end having an opening for receiving the projection of the first sliding element and a second end having a latch receivable by the latch receptacle of the second sliding element. The tonneau cover is removable by rolling it up, disengaging the latch from the laterally inward facing latch receptacle, lifting the second end of the front rail from the second element, and removing the first end of the front rail from the projection of the first element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander ZICHETTELLO, Douglas R. KALTENMARK, Michael T. BINFET
  • Publication number: 20180281572
    Abstract: A flexible tonneau cover assembly is provided that includes a side rail and a rear rail that is removably securable to the side rail. The rear rail is rotatable between a closed position wherein a flexible cover secured thereto is under tension, and an open position wherein the flexible cover is untensioned. Optionally, the assembly includes a securing member that is securable in a fixed position with respect to the side rail and defines a channel, and the rear rail is rotatable between the open position and the closed position when the rear rail is positioned in the channel of the securing member. Optionally, the flexible cover includes a cable operatively connected to the rear rail, and the side rail receives the cable therein when the rear rail is in the closed position to secure the flexible cover to the side rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander Zichettello, Michael T. Binfet, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Babuji K. Tamarapoo, Brock J. Stull, Todd Yoder, Paul Finch
  • Publication number: 20180194208
    Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a tonneau side rail assembly for attachment to a vehicle bed frame that is at least partially covered by a bed frame cover, and that at least partially defines a vehicle exposed area. The tonneau side rail assembly can include a tonneau side rail that is configured to be removably attached to a tonneau assembly. The tonneau side rail can include upper and lower surfaces, an aperture being defined in each of the upper and lower surfaces such that an open space is defined between the apertures. An extender can define longitudinally opposite ends, one of the ends being configured to be rigidly secured to the vehicle bed frame, and the other of the ends being configured to be rigidly secured to the tonneau side rail so as to define a gap between the tonneau side rail and the bed frame cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Michael T. Binfet, Brock J. Stull, Douglas R. Kaltenmark, Babuji K. Tamarapoo