Patents by Inventor Frank Paul Leonelli

Frank Paul Leonelli 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: 11076075
    Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens housing, a flexible washer, and a lens module. The flexible washer and the lens module are disposed within a tubular sidewall of the lens housing. The washer is disposed axially between a mating surface of the lens module and a base surface of the lens housing. The lens housing and lens module include corresponding threads, and rotation of the lens module along the threads of the lens housing adjusts the axial position and focus of the lens module. The washer is the only component axially between the lens module and the lens housing and directly contacts the base surface and the mating surface. When compressed, the washer exerts an axial force on the lens module and lens housing, such that the friction on the threads is increased and the lens module is held in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10409055
    Abstract: Vehicle camera assemblies comprising integrated self-cleaning assemblies. In some embodiments, the self-cleaning assembly may be configured to engage the camera housing and/or assembly by way of a snap-fit connection. In some embodiments, the snap-fit means may comprise a flexible coupling member. In some such embodiments, the snap-fit means may further comprise a rigid coupling member. The cleaning assembly may be removably coupleable with the camera housing to allow for cleaning, maintenance, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Veoneer US, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190268514
    Abstract: A lens assembly includes a lens housing, a flexible washer, and a lens module. The flexible washer and the lens module are disposed within a tubular sidewall of the lens housing. The washer is disposed axially between a mating surface of the lens module and a base surface of the lens housing. The lens housing and lens module include corresponding threads, and rotation of the lens module along the threads of the lens housing adjusts the axial position and focus of the lens module. The washer is the only component axially between the lens module and the lens housing and directly contacts the base surface and the mating surface. When compressed, the washer exerts an axial force on the lens module and lens housing, such that the friction on the threads is increased and the lens module is held in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: FRANK PAUL LEONELLI, JR.
  • Patent number: 10369936
    Abstract: A camera arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The camera arrangement includes a front housing for at least partially enclosing a camera system. The front housing has a housing opening formed therethrough for allowing light to pass through to the camera system. A window is at least partially transparent to the light and covers the housing opening. A retainer is disposed adjacent to the window and includes a snapfit arrangement that engages the front housing to help hold the window in place relative to the front housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: VEONEER US, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190162951
    Abstract: Vehicle camera assemblies comprising integrated self-cleaning assemblies. In some embodiments, the self-cleaning assembly may be configured to engage the camera housing and/or assembly by way of a snap-fit connection. In some embodiments, the snap-fit means may comprise a flexible coupling member. In some such embodiments, the snap-fit means may further comprise a rigid coupling member. The cleaning assembly may be removably coupleable with the camera housing to allow for cleaning, maintenance, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, JR.
  • Patent number: 10277786
    Abstract: A camera module assembly includes a camera core disposed with an outer housing. The outer housing includes a front shell with a window and a rear shell. The camera core includes a lens assembly, and sensor assembly, and a sensor housing. The sensor assembly is disposed within the sensor housing, and the sensor housing is fixed to the lens assembly. The sensor housing includes a plurality of grommets disposed within an interior cavity, and the sensor assembly is pressed against the grommets to hold the sensor assembly in place within the sensor housing and relative to the lens assembly when the sensor housing is fixed to the lens assembly. The camera core is inserted into the front shell against rubber bumpers, and the rear shell is fixed to the front shell to close the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: VEONEER US, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10057469
    Abstract: A camera shutter arrangement is provided. The camera shutter arrangement includes a motor. A pinion gear is operatively coupled to the motor. An integral paddle-gear member includes a paddle portion and a gear portion. The gear portion extends from the paddle portion and meshes with the pinion gear to move the paddle portion between a first position and a second position when the motor is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: VEONEER US, INC.
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170339321
    Abstract: A camera shutter arrangement is provided. The camera shutter arrangement includes a motor. A pinion gear is operatively coupled to the motor. An integral paddle-gear member includes a paddle portion and a gear portion. The gear portion extends from the paddle portion and meshes with the pinion gear to move the paddle portion between a first position and a second position when the motor is energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170297504
    Abstract: A camera arrangement for a motor vehicle is provided. The camera arrangement includes a front housing for at least partially enclosing a camera system. The front housing has a housing opening formed therethrough for allowing light to pass through to the camera system. A window is at least partially transparent to the light and covers the housing opening. A retainer is disposed adjacent to the window and includes a snapfit arrangement that engages the front housing to help hold the window in place relative to the front housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, JR.
  • Patent number: 7734171
    Abstract: A system for retaining a sensor assembly includes a mounting plate having a mounting area for the sensor assembly, a sensor assembly having a sensor assembly plate with a perimeter, and a retainer ring having at least one spring member. The at least one spring member of the retainer ring is configured to bias the sensor assembly substantially toward at least one datum, such that a portion of the perimeter of the sensor assembly plate is directly adjacent to the at least one datum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090190915
    Abstract: A system for retaining a sensor assembly includes a mounting plate having a mounting area for the sensor assembly, a sensor assembly having a sensor assembly plate with a perimeter, and a retainer ring having at least one spring member. The at least one spring member of the retainer ring is configured to bias the sensor assembly substantially toward at least one datum, such that a portion of the perimeter of the sensor assembly plate is directly adjacent to the at least one datum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Frank Paul Leonelli, JR.
  • Patent number: 7329869
    Abstract: A camera system exhibiting reduced effects from temperature changes. The camera system includes an IR sensor; an optical arrangement adapted to focus incoming light onto the sensor; a processing arrangement adapted to process signals produced by the sensor; a heatsink in thermal contact with and is adapted to transfer heat energy away from, the processing arrangement; and a thermal equalizer. The thermal equalizer at least partially surrounds and is in thermal contact with the optics/sensor unit and is formed at least partially from a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal equalizer conducts heat energy from warmer to cooler parts of the optics/sensor unit. The thermal equalizer is also thermally insulated from ambient air surrounding the camera system and from the heatsink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: Autoliv Development AB, Flir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anders Cassel, Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr., Marcel Tremblay, Joseph Kostrzewa
  • Publication number: 20070069134
    Abstract: A camera system exhibiting reduced effects from temperature changes. The camera system includes an IR sensor; an optical arrangement adapted to focus incoming light onto the sensor; a processing arrangement adapted to process signals produced by the sensor; a heatsink in thermal contact with and is adapted to transfer heat energy away from, the processing arrangement; and a thermal equalizer. The thermal equalizer at least partially surrounds and is in thermal contact with the optics/sensor unit and is formed at least partially from a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal equalizer conducts heat energy from warmer to cooler parts of the optics/sensor unit. The thermal equalizer is also thermally insulated from ambient air surrounding the camera system and from the heatsink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Anders Cassel, Frank Paul Leonelli, Marcel Tremblay, Joseph Kostrzewa
  • Patent number: 7108277
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A vent member (30) includes at least one vent opening (62) for venting the inflation fluid. A vent cover (100) has a closed condition for blocking fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (62) and an open condition for permitting fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The vent cover (100) includes a side wall (110) that has at least one portion (134, 372) that projects from the side wall into the vent member (30) to help maintain the vent cover in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wael S. Elqadah, David G. Magoteaux, Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr., Arnold M. Stephens, Robert R. Debbs
  • Patent number: 6893041
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignees: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC, TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wael S. Elqadah, David G. Magoteaux, Frank Paul Leonelli, Jr., Arnold M. Stephens, Robert R. Debbs
  • Publication number: 20040113406
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (12). An inflator (14) provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (12). A vent member (30) includes at least one vent opening (62) for venting the inflation fluid. A vent cover (100) has a closed condition for blocking fluid flow through the at least one vent opening (62) and an open condition for permitting fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The vent cover (100) includes a side wall (110) that has at least one portion (134, 372) that projects from the side wall into the vent member (30) to help maintain the vent cover in the closed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicants: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC, TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wael S. Elqadah, David G. Magoteaux, Frank Paul Leonelli, Arnold M. Stephens, Robert R. Debbs
  • Publication number: 20030193177
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable device (12) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant, and an inflator (14) with inflation fluid outlets (24). A vent member (30) connected with the inflator (14) has a vent wall (60) having at least one vent opening (62). A vent cover (100) includes an outer wall (110) having first and second end portions (112 and 114). The vent cover (100) has a closed condition clamped on the vent wall (60) and covering the vent opening (62), and an open condition enabling fluid flow through the vent opening. An actuatable device (130) has an unactuated condition connecting the first and second end portions (112 and 114) to maintain the vent cover in the closed condition, and an actuated condition releasing the end portions to release the vent cover to the open condition to vent inflation fluid from the apparatus (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicants: TRW Automotive U. S. LLC and, TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wael S. Elqadah, David G. Magoteaux, Frank Paul Leonelli, Arnold M. Stephens, Robert R. Debbs