Patents by Inventor Robert J. Hunt

Robert J. Hunt 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: 10865589
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch is equipped with a locking mechanism including a catch and a pawl, a release element for the locking mechanism, and a memory element that effects an unimpeded opening movement of the catch from a closed to an open position and maintains the release element in an ineffective position in respect of the locking mechanism during the opening movement of the catch. The memory element includes at least two components with a control lever and a blocking lever interacting with the release element located thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert S. Pettengill, Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20200332568
    Abstract: An opening device for a motor vehicle latch with a trigger which can be moved from a starting position into an opening position for pivoting of a triggering lever from a starting position into an opening position and which is connected with an inertia component by a deflectable knee lever, with a blockade lever, which can be moved by deflection of the knee lever from a starting position into a blocking position, whereby the movement of the triggering lever into the opening position is prevented when the blockade lever is in its blocking position, whereby the knee lever is deflected by excessive acceleration of the trigger and the blockade lever is thus moved into its blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill, Thorsten Nottebaum
  • Patent number: 10683683
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a motor vehicle latch (1), in particular an electrically actuated flap latch, demonstrating a locking mechanism (11) comprising a catch (10) and at least one pawl, a triggering lever (9), whereby by means of the triggering lever (9) the locking mechanism (11) can be unlocked, a closure device (8), whereby by means of the closure device (8) the locking mechanism (11) can be transferred at least from a pre-ratchet position into a main ratchet position and the closure device (8) demonstrates a spindle drive (4), whereby a functional position (N, O, Z) of the spindle drive (4) can be recorded by sensors, and whereby the spindle drive (4) demonstrates a spindle nut (5) and the spindle nut (5) interacts with an activation device (6) in such a way that using a sensor (7) at least a functional position (N, O, Z) of the spindle nut (5) can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10604975
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a reversible activation unit for the alternate impingement of two separate motor vehicle functional elements (1, 2), in particular two motor vehicle door latches (1, 2). The activation unit possesses a single motor (3, 4) and two connecting elements (8, 10). The motor (3, 4) impinges either the distanced first functional element (1) via the connecting element (8) or the distanced second functional element (2) via the second connecting element (10) dependent on its working direction. According to the invention, the first connecting element (8) is connected to a first lever (7) and the second connecting element (10) to a second lever (9). The respective lever (7, 9) is impinged dependent on the working direction of the motor (3, 4) which preferably works in a linear manner. Furthermore, the two levers (7, 9) are connected via an interposed spring (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20200024873
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a drive unit for a motor vehicle component with an electromotor (5) and a rotatable output element (7). Furthermore, a blocking element (9), which can be acted on by an actuator (10), is provided for interacting with a protrusion (15) on the output element (7). According to the invention, the protrusion (15) detaches the blocking element (9) from a stop (17) at the start of a rotational movement of the output element (7). Thus, the blocking element (9) is transferred into a blocking position with the aid of the actuator (10) in which the blocking element (9) blocks a rotation of the output element (7) beyond a specified point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Adrin Wagner
  • Publication number: 20190352945
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a latching system for a door or flap of a motor vehicle, comprising a triggering lever 2 and an operating lever 1 to rotate the triggering lever 2, the triggering lever 2 having two connections 11 for simultaneous triggering of two separate latching devices for a door or flap, further comprising a coupling lever 3 rotatably attached to the triggering lever 2 to couple the operating lever 1 with the triggering lever 2. Highly reliable bolting can be attained with simultaneously low manufacturing costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill, David Keehn, Keon Seok Bang
  • Publication number: 20190351952
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a motor vehicle door latch, in particular a motor vehicle tailgate latch. In its basic construction, this comprises a plastic base plate (3) having a recess (13) and a drive unit (11, 12) arranged in the recess (13) Furthermore, a lever arrangement (4, 5, 6) acted on by the drive unit (11, 12) consisting of two or more levers (4, 5, 6) mounted on the base plate (3) is provided for. According to the invention, the levers (4, 5, 6) are detachably connected by means of a ratchet rotational connection (15, 16) and additionally axially secured by an individual attachment element (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20190024417
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch, in particular a tailgate latch, which is equipped with a locking mechanism comprising a catch and a pawl. Furthermore, a triggering element working on the pawl is provided for which is set up at least to lift the pawl. Furthermore, a memory element, which at least guarantees an unimpeded opening movement of the catch when the pawl is lifted. The memory element maintains the pawl in its elevated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Adrin Wagner, Patrick Mullins, Ruben Reyna
  • Publication number: 20190003211
    Abstract: A latching device with a blocking device that is capable of preventing unintentional opening of a door or a flap in the case of a crash. The blocking device includes a pyrotechnic gas generator. The pyrotechnic gas generator triggers in the case of a crash and moves a blocking element into a blocking position which prevents opening of the locking mechanism of the latching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Scott Brown, Octavian Cimpean, Jeff Duncan
  • Publication number: 20180305957
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a motor vehicle latch (1), in particular an electrically actuated flap latch, demonstrating a locking mechanism (11) comprising a catch (10) and at least one pawl, a triggering lever (9), whereby by means of the triggering lever (9) the locking mechanism (11) can be unlocked, a closure device (8), whereby by means of the closure device (8) the locking mechanism (11) can be transferred at least from a pre-ratchet position into a main ratchet position and the closure device (8) demonstrates a spindle drive (4), whereby a functional position (N, O, Z) of the spindle drive (4) can be recorded by sensors, and whereby the spindle drive (4) demonstrates a spindle nut (5) and the spindle nut (5) interacts with an activation device (6) in such a way that using a sensor (7) at least a functional position (N, O, Z) of the spindle nut (5) can be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20180291656
    Abstract: A latching device (1) for a motor vehicle, having a locking mechanism (5, 6) consisting of a catch (5) and at least one pawl (6), a switching element (8), in particular a microswitch (8), whereby a position of the catch (5) can be ascertained by means of the switching element (8), and an operating element (4) for the switching element (8) arranged between the catch (5) and the switching element (8), whereby the operating element (4) is executed at least partially as a flexible operating element (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10066426
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a motor vehicle door latch which is equipped with a locking mechanism (2, 3) predominantly consisting of a catch (2) and a pawl (3). Furthermore, a spring-impinged storage element (8) is provided for which maintains the pawl (3) in an elevated storage position during an opening process of the locking mechanism (2, 3) until the catch (2) is opened. According to the invention, the spring-impinged storage element (8) is formed as a leg spring (8) which is anchored in the latch with its one leg (8b) and with its other leg (8a) in the storage position maintains the pawl (3) in the elevated position and is braced on the catch (2) to this end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, William E. Burger
  • Publication number: 20180216378
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a reversible activation unit for the alternate impingement of two separate motor vehicle functional elements (1, 2), in particular two motor vehicle door latches (1, 2). The activation unit possesses a single motor (3, 4) and two connecting elements (8, 10). The motor (3, 4) impinges either the distanced first functional element (1) via the connecting element (8) or the distanced second functional element (2) via the second connecting element (10) dependent on its working direction. According to the invention, the first connecting element (8) is connected to a first lever (7) and the second connecting element (10) to a second lever (9). The respective lever (7, 9) is impinged dependent on the working direction of the motor (3, 4) which preferably works in a linear manner. Furthermore, the two levers (7, 9) are connected via an interposed spring (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20180216374
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a motor vehicle door latch which is equipped with a locking mechanism (2, 3) predominantly consisting of a catch (2) and a pawl (3). Furthermore, a spring-impinged storage element (8) is provided for which maintains the pawl (3) in an elevated storage position during an opening process of the locking mechanism (2, 3) until the catch (2) is opened. According to the invention, the spring-impinged storage element (8) is formed as a leg spring (8) which is anchored in the latch with its one leg (8b) and with its other leg (8a) in the storage position maintains the pawl (3) in the elevated position and is braced on the catch (2) to this end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, William E. Burger
  • Publication number: 20180171678
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch is equipped with a locking mechanism including a catch and a pawl, a release element for the locking mechanism, and a memory element that effects an unimpeded opening movement of the catch from a closed to an open position and maintains the release element in an ineffective position in respect of the locking mechanism during the opening movement of the catch. The memory element includes at least two components with a control lever and a blocking lever interacting with the release element located thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert S. Pettengill, Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20180171681
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch, in particular a servo latch, which is equipped with a locking mechanism including of a catch and a pawl. Furthermore, a spindle drive with a motor, spindle and spindle nut located thereon is executed at least to close the locking mechanism. The spindle nut impinges the catch at least in the closure direction via a closure lever. The closure lever is simultaneously formed as an opening lever to open the locking mechanism and consequently as a combined closure/opening lever. The combined closure/opening lever impinges either the catch in a closing direction or the pawl in an opening direction dependent on the actuating direction of the spindle drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20180171680
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch which is equipped with a locking bolt and a locking mechanism interacting with the locking bolt, including a catch and a pawl. The motor vehicle door latch possesses a stop lever pivotably located on the control lever, which interacts with a protrusion on the catch beyond a main ratchet position and a pre-ratchet position, whereby the protrusion corresponds to a third ratchet position with an increased distance of the locking bolt in respect of the main ratchet and pre-ratchet position compared to a catch axis. The stop lever impinges a triggering lever lifting the pawl from the catch in order to open the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill
  • Publication number: 20180058115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking mechanism component, in particular a catch, for a motor vehicle lock for retaining and securing a closing member in a closed position of a door or hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first punched metal sheet and one second punched metal sheet, wherein the punched metal sheets are connected to each other in a non-detachable manner and the first punched metal sheet, compared to the second punched metal sheet, has a different punched metal sheet material and/or a greater punched metal sheet thickness, wherein the first punched metal sheet and the second punched metal sheet have at least partially or predominantly an identical outer contour and/or are disposed stacked one above the other in such a way that sections with an identical outer contour are disposed flush with each other on the outside. The invention further relates to a production method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Keith Julien, Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20180043801
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a motor vehicle door lock, particularly a backrest lock (4), on a motor vehicle seat (1). The basic construction of the motor vehicle door lock includes a locking mechanism (7, 8, 9) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (9), a ratchet pawl (7) and a blocking element (8) for the ratchet pawl (7). In addition, a drive unit (15, 16, 17) that acts on a triggering element (12) is provided. According to the invention, the drive unit (15, 16, 17) is constructed as a linear adjustment drive (15, 16, 17), which acts on the triggering element (12) so that it interacts in succession, first with the blocking element (8) and then with the ratchet pawl (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Karl LAMBERTZ, Tommy TOMA, Robert J. HUNT
  • Patent number: 9637967
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle tailgate operator for pivoting a tailgate of a pickup truck about a horizontal tailgate axis near a bottom edge of the tailgate. The vehicle tailgate operator comprises a cable spool for spooling a cable and a drive gear for transmitting torque from the drive shaft to the cable spool. The vehicle tailgate operator also has a retention system. The cable spool, the drive actuator, the drive shaft, the drive gear, and the retention system are arranged inside of a housing, wherein the spool axis is oriented in parallel to the drive shaft axis and the spool axis is arranged on the same height or above the drive shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Kyle Schroeder