Patents by Inventor Kirk A. Robinson
Kirk A. Robinson 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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Patent number: 11976534Abstract: An apparatus includes a valve coupled to a pressure-containing component of a wellhead assembly. The pressure-containing component can include a hollow body, a bore within the hollow body, and an access passage that is in the hollow body and is in fluid communication with the bore. The valve can include a sealing element that is positioned along the access passage and is selectively moveable between closed and open positions to control fluid flow through the access passage. During operation, the sealing element may be moved between the closed and open positions without actuating the sealing element through an outer end of the access passage. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Kirk P. Guidry, Dennis P. Nguyen, Ebtihal Chafroud, Stuart Robinson, Haw Keat Lim, Loc Hoang
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Patent number: 11745807Abstract: Vehicle tailgate assembly that includes a sill flap and tailgate, where the sill flap has rollers that contact the tailgate while the sill flap and tailgate are opened or closed. The sill flap thus maintains rolling contact with the tailgate during opening and closing operations. In embodiments of the disclosure, the tailgate opens to leave a gap between the edge of the vehicle bed and the edge of the tailgate, and the sill flap is pivoted into this gap. While being pivoted into this open position, the sill flap rollers rotatably contact the tailgate, so that the sill flap maintains rolling contact with the tailgate rather than frictional contact therewith. This prevents damage to the sill flap and tailgate when opened and closed.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric Griffith, Brian Gase, Kyle Mulligan, William Kirk Robinson, Chayan Mishra
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Patent number: 11745665Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Robert J. Scaringe, Mason Verbridge, Jared Odle, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson
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Patent number: 11673507Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle includes a main panel, a step, and a plurality of links that couple the step to the main panel and support the step for movement relative to the main panel between a stowed position and a deployed position. The main panel defines a cutout open through its rearward side. The main panel is mounted to the vehicle's cargo area and movable between a closed position and an open position. The step includes a cargo side and a rearward side. When the step is in the stowed position, the step is received in the cutout and the step's cargo side is substantially parallel to the main panel's cargo side. When the step is in the deployed position, the step is offset from the main panel and the step's cargo side is substantially parallel to the main panel's cargo side.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: William Kirk Robinson, Mason Verbridge
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Patent number: 11661120Abstract: A tailgate assembly of a vehicle includes a tailgate configured to provide a boundary of a cargo area, and a hinge assembly coupled to the tailgate and coupled to the vehicle. The hinge assembly is configured to control a trajectory of the tailgate. The tailgate is configured to achieve a vertical closed position, a horizontal open position, and a vertical open position rotated about 180° from the first position. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm coupled to the vehicle at a first hinge and coupled to the tailgate at a second hinge. In some embodiments, a cable assembly is used to control the position of the tailgate. In the vertical closed position, the cable end is not engaged. In the horizontal open position, the cable end is engaged. In the vertical open position rotated about 180° from the closed position, the cable end is not engaged or under tension.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: William Kirk Robinson, Sheetanshu Tyagi, Mark Vinnels
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Publication number: 20230074813Abstract: Vehicle tailgate assembly that includes a sill flap and tailgate, where the sill flap has rollers that contact the tailgate while the sill flap and tailgate are opened or closed. The sill flap thus maintains rolling contact with the tailgate during opening and closing operations. In embodiments of the disclosure, the tailgate opens to leave a gap between the edge of the vehicle bed and the edge of the tailgate, and the sill flap is pivoted into this gap. While being pivoted into this open position, the sill flap rollers rotatably contact the tailgate, so that the sill flap maintains rolling contact with the tailgate rather than frictional contact therewith. This prevents damage to the sill flap and tailgate when opened and closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Eric Griffith, Brian Gase, Kyle Mulligan, William Kirk Robinson, Chayan Mishra
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Patent number: 11498626Abstract: Vehicle tailgate assembly that includes a sill flap and tailgate, where the sill flap has rollers that contact the tailgate while the sill flap and tailgate are opened or closed. The sill flap thus maintains rolling contact with the tailgate during opening and closing operations. In embodiments of the disclosure, the tailgate opens to leave a gap between the edge of the vehicle bed and the edge of the tailgate, and the sill flap is pivoted into this gap. While being pivoted into this open position, the sill flap rollers rotatably contact the tailgate, so that the sill flap maintains rolling contact with the tailgate rather than frictional contact therewith. This prevents damage to the sill flap and tailgate when opened and closed.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Eric Griffith, Brian Gase, Kyle Mulligan, William Kirk Robinson, Chayan Mishra
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Publication number: 20220348142Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Robert J. Scaringe, Mason Verbridge, Jared Odle, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson
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Patent number: 11377036Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Robert J. Scaringe, Mason Verbridge, Jared Odle, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson
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Publication number: 20220144351Abstract: Vehicle tailgate assembly that includes a sill flap and tailgate, where the sill flap has rollers that contact the tailgate while the sill flap and tailgate are opened or closed. The sill flap thus maintains rolling contact with the tailgate during opening and closing operations. In embodiments of the disclosure, the tailgate opens to leave a gap between the edge of the vehicle bed and the edge of the tailgate, and the sill flap is pivoted into this gap. While being pivoted into this open position, the sill flap rollers rotatably contact the tailgate, so that the sill flap maintains rolling contact with the tailgate rather than frictional contact therewith. This prevents damage to the sill flap and tailgate when opened and closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2020Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Eric Griffith, Brian Gase, Kyle Mulligan, William Kirk Robinson, Chayan Mishra
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Publication number: 20220135147Abstract: A tailgate assembly of a vehicle includes a tailgate configured to provide a boundary of a cargo area, and a hinge assembly coupled to the tailgate and coupled to the vehicle. The hinge assembly is configured to control a trajectory of the tailgate. The tailgate is configured to achieve a vertical closed position, a horizontal open position, and a vertical open position rotated about 180° from the first position. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm coupled to the vehicle at a first hinge and coupled to the tailgate at a second hinge. In some embodiments, a cable assembly is used to control the position of the tailgate. In the vertical closed position, the cable end is not engaged. In the horizontal open position, the cable end is engaged. In the vertical open position rotated about 180° from the closed position, the cable end is not engaged or under tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2022Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: William Kirk Robinson, Sheetanshu Tyagi, Mark Vinnels
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Patent number: 11220301Abstract: A tailgate assembly of a vehicle includes a tailgate configured to provide a boundary of a cargo area, and a hinge assembly coupled to the tailgate and coupled to the vehicle. The hinge assembly is configured to control a trajectory of the tailgate. The tailgate is configured to achieve a vertical closed position, a horizontal open position, and a vertical open position rotated about 180° from the first position. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm coupled to the vehicle at a first hinge and coupled to the tailgate at a second hinge. In some embodiments, a cable assembly is used to control the position of the tailgate. In the vertical closed position, the cable end is not engaged. In the horizontal open position, the cable end is engaged. In the vertical open position rotated about 180° from the closed position, the cable end is not engaged or under tension.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: William Kirk Robinson, Sheetanshu Tyagi, Mark Vinnels
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Publication number: 20210402929Abstract: A tailgate for a vehicle includes a main panel, a step, and a plurality of links that couple the step to the main panel and support the step for movement relative to the main panel between a stowed position and a deployed position. The main panel defines a cutout open through its rearward side. The main panel is mounted to the vehicle's cargo area and movable between a closed position and an open position. The step includes a cargo side and a rearward side. When the step is in the stowed position, the step is received in the cutout and the step's cargo side is substantially parallel to the main panel's cargo side. When the step is in the deployed position, the step is offset from the main panel and the step's cargo side is substantially parallel to the main panel's cargo side.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: William Kirk Robinson, Mason Verbridge
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Patent number: 10974653Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Robert J. Scaringe, Mason Verbridge, Jared Odle, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson
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Publication number: 20210053497Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Robert J. Scaringe, Mason Verbridge, Jared Odle, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson
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Patent number: 10800466Abstract: A dual motion tailgate is configured to undergo two distinct motions, each with advantages depending on circumstances. The tailgate can undergo a rotation (i.e., drop) motion as well as a swing down motion via one or more linkages and corresponding latches. The swing down motion allows closer access to the bed, and the tailgate extends less far from the rear of the vehicle as compared to the drop motion. Latches constrain one or more motions of the tailgate, allowing a desired motion of the tailgate. The motions may be manually controlled, or actuator controlled. When automatically controlled, a control system manages one or more latches and actuators to allow a desired motion of the tailgate.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: William Kirk Robinson, Sheetanshu Tyagi
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Publication number: 20200148282Abstract: A dual motion tailgate is configured to undergo two distinct motions, each with advantages depending on circumstances. The tailgate can undergo a rotation (i.e., drop) motion as well as a swing down motion via one or more linkages and corresponding latches. The swing down motion allows closer access to the bed, and the tailgate extends less far from the rear of the vehicle as compared to the drop motion. Latches constrain one or more motions of the tailgate, allowing a desired motion of the tailgate. The motions may be manually controlled, or actuator controlled. When automatically controlled, a control system manages one or more latches and actuators to allow a desired motion of the tailgate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: William Kirk Robinson, Sheetanshu Tyagi
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Publication number: 20200148283Abstract: A tailgate assembly of a vehicle includes a tailgate configured to provide a boundary of a cargo area, and a hinge assembly coupled to the tailgate and coupled to the vehicle. The hinge assembly is configured to control a trajectory of the tailgate. The tailgate is configured to achieve a vertical closed position, a horizontal open position, and a vertical open position rotated about 180° from the first position. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm coupled to the vehicle at a first hinge and coupled to the tailgate at a second hinge. In some embodiments, a cable assembly is used to control the position of the tailgate. In the vertical closed position, the cable end is not engaged. In the horizontal open position, the cable end is engaged. In the vertical open position rotated about 180° from the closed position, the cable end is not engaged or under tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: William Kirk Robinson, Sheetanshu Tyagi, Mark Vinnels
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Publication number: 20200062185Abstract: An automotive vehicle with a storage compartment has a cabin, a set of rear wheels located behind the cabin, a cargo space, and a closable integrated storage compartment located adjacent to the cabin, rearward of a rear-most seat of the automotive vehicle, and forward of the set of rear wheels. At least a portion of the storage compartment is positioned forward of a forward wall of the cargo space. The storage compartment has at least one sidewall enclosing an interior portion of the storage compartment and extending from a first side panel at a first side of the automotive vehicle toward a second side of the automotive vehicle, a first opening to the storage compartment at the first side of the automotive vehicle, and a first door at the first opening. The first door has a first step member with a horizontal step surface when open.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Robert J. Scaringe, Mason Verbridge, Jared Odle, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson
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Patent number: 10569812Abstract: A swing and drop tailgate is configured to undergo two distinct motions, each with advantages depending on circumstances. The swing and drop tailgate can undergo a rotation motion about a hinge, as well as a swing down motion via a linkage. The swing down motion allows closer access to the bed, and extends less far from the rear of the vehicle as compared to the drop motion. The motions may be manually controlled, or actuator controlled. One or more latches may constrain motion, or prevent, of the tailgate. A tailgate assembly may include a post assembly and a tailgate, that may move together as a rigid body when dropping, or move relative to one another when swinging.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Sheetanshu Tyagi, Dwight Brooks, Brian Gase, William Kirk Robinson, Larry Parker