Patents by Inventor Steven Steane

Steven Steane 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: 11050113
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a battery in an enclosure with some degree of flexibility between the components to adjust for variations in size of the components. A battery holder assembly comprises a first housing component, a second housing component, and a battery. The first component includes a battery receptacle, comprising a plurality of flexible arms to surround a battery. The second component comprises a plurality of crush ribs having a solid support, that will wedge in-between the second housing component wall and the flexible arms, and that have a specially designed protrusion that is “crushable.” The flexible arms, which are in contact with the battery are wide enough to spread out the force, so as not to damage the battery, while the crush ribs will dig only into the plastic to arrest the battery's vibration while compensating for the remaining tolerance or variation between components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC.
    Inventors: Darren Van Roon, Gary Warren, Steven Steane
  • Patent number: 10681827
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a printed circuit board without the use of screws in a housing assembly comprising a bottom housing made of plastic and a top housing made of metal. The top housing comprises a plurality of ribs. The bottom housing comprises a plurality of flexible snap arms each having a head portion, which includes an angled lower face, a horizontal crush rib, and a vertical crush rib. Upon coupling of the assembly, the ribs exert a horizontal force on the flexible snap arms resulting in climbing of the angled lower face further onto the printed circuit board. The horizontal force may also crush the horizontal crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components to adjust for interference, preventing potential damage to the printed circuit board. Vertical forces may also crush the vertical crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Van Roon, Gary Warren, Steven Steane
  • Publication number: 20190166702
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a printed circuit board without the use of screws in a housing assembly comprising a bottom housing made of plastic and a top housing made of metal. The top housing comprises a plurality of ribs. The bottom housing comprises a plurality of flexible snap arms each having a head portion, which includes an angled lower face, a horizontal crush rib, and a vertical crush rib. Upon coupling of the assembly, the ribs exert a horizontal force on the flexible snap arms resulting in climbing of the angled lower face further onto the printed circuit board. The horizontal force may also crush the horizontal crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components to adjust for interference, preventing potential damage to the printed circuit board. Vertical forces may also crush the vertical crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Darren VAN ROON, Gary WARREN, Steven STEANE
  • Patent number: 10206295
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a printed circuit board without the use of screws in a housing assembly comprising a bottom housing made of plastic and a top housing made of metal. The top housing comprises a plurality of ribs. The bottom housing comprises a plurality of flexible snap arms each having a head portion, which includes an angled lower face, a horizontal crush rib, and a vertical crush rib. Upon coupling of the assembly, the ribs exert a horizontal force on the flexible snap arms resulting in climbing of the angled lower face further onto the printed circuit board. The horizontal force may also crush the horizontal crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components to adjust for interference, preventing potential damage to the printed circuit board. Vertical forces may also crush the vertical crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Darren Van Roon, Gary Warren, Steven Steane
  • Publication number: 20180054901
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a printed circuit board without the use of screws in a housing assembly comprising a bottom housing made of plastic and a top housing made of metal. The top housing comprises a plurality of ribs. The bottom housing comprises a plurality of flexible snap arms each having a head portion, which includes an angled lower face, a horizontal crush rib, and a vertical crush rib. Upon coupling of the assembly, the ribs exert a horizontal force on the flexible snap arms resulting in climbing of the angled lower face further onto the printed circuit board. The horizontal force may also crush the horizontal crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components to adjust for interference, preventing potential damage to the printed circuit board. Vertical forces may also crush the vertical crush ribs allowing for increased flexibility between the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Darren VAN ROON, Gary WARREN, Steven STEANE
  • Publication number: 20180053922
    Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for securing a battery in an enclosure with some degree of flexibility between the components to adjust for variations in size of the components. A battery holder assembly comprises a first housing component, a second housing component, and a battery. The first component includes a battery receptacle, comprising a plurality of flexible arms to surround a battery. The second component comprises a plurality of crush ribs having a solid support, that will wedge in-between the second housing component wall and the flexible arms, and that have a specially designed protrusion that is “crushable.” The flexible arms, which are in contact with the battery are wide enough to spread out the force, so as not to damage the battery, while the crush ribs will dig only into the plastic to arrest the battery's vibration while compensating for the remaining tolerance or variation between components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Darren VAN ROON, Gary WARREN, Steven STEANE
  • Patent number: 7718892
    Abstract: A housing unit for securing electronics of a control module to a vehicle may include a housing and at least two connection members. The connection members connected to the housing may be adapted to engage an adaptor member (e.g., bracket) configured to be secured to a vehicle. The connection members may include at least one connection member configured to hook into the adaptor member and at least one connection member configured to snap into the adaptor member. Protrusion(s) may be included on the connection member(s) and be configured to contact the adaptor member to substantially eliminate transverse movement of the housing. The protrusion(s) may be crush-rib(s). The housing may include features to position, support, and minimize vibration of the electronics, where the electronics maybe disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Warren, Steven Steane, Darren Van Roon, Allan Cormack
  • Patent number: 7586280
    Abstract: A control module for controlling a rotational closure system of a vehicle. The control module may include a printed circuit board having an electronic circuit disposed thereon. The electronic circuit may be used to control a rotational closure system of the vehicle. A header may be connected to the printed circuit board. The header may include a top side and a bottom side having a relative, non-zero degree angle formed therebetween. Pins may extend from the bottom of the header to form an electrical connection with the electronic circuit on the printed circuit board. An angle sensor may be positioned on the top side of the header and be electrically connected to the pins of the header to communicate with the electronic circuit. The angle sensor may generate an angle signal for the electronic circuit to use in positioning the rotational closure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Warren, Steven Steane, Reginald Grills, Thomas Frommer, Darren Van Roon
  • Patent number: 7564415
    Abstract: An antenna system for remote control applications including a communications module, a printed circuit board including an antenna assembly disposed thereon, and a radio frequency cable having a first connection end and a second connection end. The first connection end may be coupled to the communications module and the second connection end may be coupled to the printed circuit board. The second connection end includes a center conductor for communicating signals and a coaxial shield encircling the center conductor. A portion of the center conductor may extend from the coaxial shield and have a substantially 90 degree bend above a connection point of the printed circuit board and center conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Flextronics Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Rabinovich, Steven Steane
  • Publication number: 20080245544
    Abstract: A housing unit for securing electronics of a control module to a vehicle may include a housing and at least two connection members. The connection members connected to the housing may be adapted to engage an adaptor member (e.g., bracket) configured to be secured to a vehicle. The connection members may include at least one connection member configured to hook into the adaptor member and at least one connection member configured to snap into the adaptor member. Protrusion(s) may be included on the connection member(s) and be configured to contact the adaptor member to substantially eliminate transverse movement of the housing. The protrusion(s) may be crush-rib(s). The housing may include features to position, support, and minimize vibration of the electronics, where the electronics maybe disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Warren, Steven Steane, Darren Van Roon, Allan Cormack
  • Publication number: 20080061719
    Abstract: A control module for controlling a rotational closure system of a vehicle. The control module may include a printed circuit board having an electronic circuit disposed thereon. The electronic circuit may be used to control a rotational closure system of the vehicle. A header may be connected to the printed circuit board. The header may include a top side and a bottom side having a relative, non-zero degree angle formed therebetween. Pins may extend from the bottom of the header to form an electrical connection with the electronic circuit on the printed circuit board. An angle sensor may be positioned on the top side of the header and be electrically connected to the pins of the header to communicate with the electronic circuit. The angle sensor may generate an angle signal for the electronic circuit to use in positioning the rotational closure system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Garry Warren, Steven Steane, Reginald Grills, Thomas Frommer, Darren Van Roon
  • Publication number: 20080020723
    Abstract: An antenna system for remote control applications including a communications module, a printed circuit board including an antenna assembly disposed thereon, and a radio frequency cable having a first connection end and a second connection end. The first connection end may be coupled to the communications module and the second connection end may be coupled to the printed circuit board. The second connection end includes a center conductor for communicating signals and a coaxial shield encircling the center conductor. A portion of the center conductor may extend from the coaxial shield and have a substantially 90 degree bend above a connection point of the printed circuit board and center conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Victor Rabinovich, Steven Steane