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: 10518811
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: 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: 20190217892
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    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
  • Patent number: 9860430
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian A. Penza, Ryan L. Kabbes, Erich W. Bauer, Patrick M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 9073590
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew John Fox, Patrick M Shafer, Allen Benson Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20150061259
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew John Fox, Patrick M. Shafer, Allen Benson Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20140265450
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 8820823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Brian E. Dressel, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester, Patrick J. Ellison
  • Patent number: 8720981
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Shafer, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Brandon D. Koester
  • Patent number: 8540043
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: 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: 8439143
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20120211293
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.,
    Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20120048632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: James P. Mehlos, Brandy Kay Laakso, Clifford Randall Salvesen, Timothy T. Laakso, Anthony John Leanza, Patrick M. Shafer