Patents by Inventor Patrick M. Shafer
Patrick M. Shafer 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: 10518811Abstract: A front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly and a method of forming a front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly includes an outer frame member having at least one outer frame mating flange and an inner frame member having at least one inner frame mating flange. The at least one inner frame mating flange is fixedly secured to the at least one outer frame mating flange. At least one of the at least one outer frame mating flange and the at least one inner frame mating flange includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced joggles thereon for promoting longitudinal crush of at least one of the outer frame member and the inner frame member.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2018Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Brian Christopher Bray, Shingo Hakamata, Eric M. Heitkamp, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Anthony John Leanza, Aditya Malladi, Patrick M. Shafer, Kurt T. Winkelmann
-
Publication number: 20190217892Abstract: A front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly and a method of forming a front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly includes an outer frame member having at least one outer frame mating flange and an inner frame member having at least one inner frame mating flange. The at least one inner frame mating flange is fixedly secured to the at least one outer frame mating flange. At least one of the at least one outer frame mating flange and the at least one inner frame mating flange includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced joggles thereon for promoting longitudinal crush of at least one of the outer frame member and the inner frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Brian Christopher Bray, Shingo Hakamata, Eric M. Heitkamp, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Anthony John Leanza, Aditya Malladi, Patrick M. Shafer, Kurt T. Winkelmann
-
Patent number: 9860430Abstract: A sensor system assembly for a grille of a motor vehicle includes a camera, a cover assembly, and a radar unit covered by the cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a first thermoplastic layer having an outer edge and an inner edge defining a first opening for receiving the camera, a second thermoplastic layer having an outer edge and an inner edge defining a second opening for receiving the camera, the second opening being aligned with the first opening, the outer edge of the second thermoplastic layer being interlocked with outer edge of the first thermoplastic layer, and the inner edge of the second thermoplastic layer being interlocked with the inner edge of the first thermoplastic layer, and an emblem between the first thermoplastic layer and the second thermoplastic layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Brian A. Penza, Ryan L. Kabbes, Erich W. Bauer, Patrick M. Shafer
-
Patent number: 9073590Abstract: A trailer is presented. First and second axles are provided, each of the first and second axles being configured to couple to at least two wheels. A chassis is connected to the first and second axles, and a hitch is connected to the chassis. A lift system engaging structure is connected to the chassis of the trailer. The lift system engaging structure is configured to releasably engage a lifting component of a lift system. The lift system is configured to raise the lifting component to position the trailer in a stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Andrew John Fox, Patrick M Shafer, Allen Benson Sheldon
-
Publication number: 20150061259Abstract: A trailer is presented. First and second axles are provided, each of the first and second axles being configured to couple to at least two wheels. A chassis is connected to the first and second axles, and a hitch is connected to the chassis. A lift system engaging structure is connected to the chassis of the trailer. The lift system engaging structure is configured to releasably engage a lifting component of a lift system. The lift system is configured to raise the lifting component to position the trailer in a stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Andrew John Fox, Patrick M. Shafer, Allen Benson Sheldon
-
Publication number: 20140265450Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
-
Patent number: 8820823Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load through the front frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
-
Patent number: 8720981Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a longitudinal floor frame member and a frame stiffener connected with the floor frame member. The floor frame member connects with a vehicle floor panel to form a substantially closed cross section. The floor frame member includes a lower wall including a lower section, a higher section, and a transition section disposed between the lower section and the higher section. The lower wall transitions upward along the transition section from the lower section to the higher section. The frame stiffener connects with the floor frame member on an exterior of the floor frame member. The frame stiffener has a substantially U-shaped configuration in cross section and includes a bottom wall that is vertically offset below the lower wall of the floor frame member at least along a portion of the transition section.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester
-
Patent number: 8540043Abstract: A bulkhead cover for a vehicle air intake system includes a forward wall defining a bulkhead cover primary port for receiving an air flow admitted through a grille of a vehicle, a first side wall extending from an outer lateral side of the forward wall to an outer lateral side of an intake enclosure, and a second side wall extending from an inner lateral side of the forward wall to an inner lateral side of the intake enclosure. The intake enclosure defines an intake port between the outer and inner lateral sides of the intake enclosure. A bulkhead cover auxiliary port is defined in the second side wall for receiving additional air flow admitted through the grille and thereby reducing snow ingestion through the bulkhead cover primary port.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: James P. Mehlos, Brandy Kay Laakso, Clifford Randall Salvesen, Timothy T. Laakso, Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer
-
Patent number: 8439143Abstract: A vehicle air intake system includes a grille disposed along a forward end of a vehicle. The grille has one or more inlet apertures for admitting airflow. A bulkhead extends laterally across the vehicle rearwardly of the grille. An intake enclosure having an intake port is disposed over the bulkhead. A bulkhead cover extends from the bulkhead to the grille. The bulkhead cover has louvers defining airflow passages therebetween for allowing the airflow admitted by the grille to pass to the intake port while inhibiting the passage of particles entrained in the airflow.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer
-
Publication number: 20120211293Abstract: A vehicle air intake system includes a grille disposed along a forward end of a vehicle. The grille has one or more inlet apertures for admitting airflow. A bulkhead extends laterally across the vehicle rearwardly of the grille. An intake enclosure having an intake port is disposed over the bulkhead. A bulkhead cover extends from the bulkhead to the grille. The bulkhead cover has louvers defining airflow passages therebetween for allowing the airflow admitted by the grille to pass to the intake port while inhibiting the passage of particles entrained in the airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.,Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer
-
Publication number: 20120048632Abstract: A bulkhead cover for a vehicle air intake system includes a forward wall defining a bulkhead cover primary port for receiving an air flow admitted through a grille of a vehicle, a first side wall extending from an outer lateral side of the forward wall to an outer lateral side of an intake enclosure, and a second side wall extending from an inner lateral side of the forward wall to an inner lateral side of the intake enclosure. The intake enclosure defines an intake port between the outer and inner lateral sides of the intake enclosure. A bulkhead cover auxiliary port is defined in the second side wall for receiving additional air flow admitted through the grille and thereby reducing snow ingestion through the bulkhead cover primary port.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2011Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: James P. Mehlos, Brandy Kay Laakso, Clifford Randall Salvesen, Timothy T. Laakso, Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer