Patents by Inventor Frank R. Keipert

Frank R. Keipert 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: 7913583
    Abstract: A transmission gear selector including a pivotal shift lever with a grip portion and an attachment structure that is operably coupled to an automatic transmission for shifting the transmission. A locking member pivots with the shift lever and is moveably engageable with an engagement surface that defines a park position detent. When the locking member is engaged with the park position detent, the shift lever cannot be moved out of the park position. The mechanical linkage includes a driver-operated member which, when actuated, causes the mechanical linkage assembly to bias the locking member out of engagement with the park position detent. A solenoid disposed within the grip portion is coupled with the mechanical linkage assembly and includes a plunger that can prevent the mechanical linkage from biasing the locking member out of the park position detent. An installation method for a gear selector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Tamara J. Reppuhn, Jason N. Wright, Bernard J. Emmendorfer, Frank R. Keipert, Richard P. Nash, Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Publication number: 20080000314
    Abstract: A transmission gear selector including a pivotal shift lever with a grip portion and an attachment structure that is operably coupled to an automatic transmission for shifting the transmission. A locking member pivots with the shift lever and is moveably engageable with an engagement surface that defines a park position detent. When the locking member is engaged with the park position detent, the shift lever cannot be moved out of the park position. The mechanical linkage includes a driver-operated member which, when actuated, causes the mechanical linkage assembly to bias the locking member out of engagement with the park position detent. A solenoid disposed within the grip portion is coupled with the mechanical linkage assembly and includes a plunger that can prevent the mechanical linkage from biasing the locking member out of the park position detent. An installation method for a gear selector is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Tamara J. Reppuhn, Jason N. Wright, Bernard J. Emmendorfer, Frank R. Keipert, Richard P. Nash, Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 6209898
    Abstract: A traction weight assembly, for mounting traction weights on a utility vehicle, has a weight bar that is inserted into a tubular receptacle. The tubular receptacle is secured to the vehicle frame. A retainer pin is inserted through a retainer pin passage through the tubular receptacle and an aligned adjustment bore through the weight bar. Traction weights are mounted on a portion of the weight bar that extends to the rear of the tubular receptacle. A retainer plate is attached to the weight bar by at least one bolt that clamps the traction weights between the tubular receptacle and the retainer plate. If needed a spacer is provided between the tubular receptacle and the traction weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Timothy E. Fortier, Frank R. Keipert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5590565
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column having power adjustment of the horizontal and vertical positions of a steering wheel on an end of the steering column including an adjustable tubular mast jacket on which the steering wheel is supported, a stationary tubular mast jacket, and a self-adjusting slide bearing between the stationary and adjustable mast jackets. The self-adjusting slide bearing includes a support tube on the stationary mast jacket, pair of inward facing frustoconical seats on the support tube, a pair of plastic split sleeve bearings slidably mounted on the adjustable mast jacket each having an outward facing frustoconical side, and a tubular spring between the split sleeve bearings biasing the latter toward converging annuluses defined between the frustoconical seats and the adjustable mast jacket for lash-free sliding support of the adjustable mast jacket on the stationary mast jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel R. Palfenier, Frank R. Keipert, Howard D. Beauch, Leland N. Olgren, William D. Cymbal