Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Casimir R. Kiczek
  • Patent number: 6820908
    Abstract: An isolation mount for use in motor vehicles in which the mount is sandwiched between the subframe and body. The mount includes an elastomeric upper mount and lower mount and a threaded fastener drawing the two elastomeric mounts together. The upper mount has an insert member with an oblong shape in the lateral displacement direction of the vehicle. The oblong shape increases the volume of elastomer that can be used to respond to lateral forces and reduces the stresses developed on the elastomer. The lateral response rate is stiffer than the fore and aft response rate and both are stiffer than the vertical response rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Freundenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Shahram Tousi, Ulrich Bressler, Casimir R. Kiczek
  • Patent number: 6810765
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a lower arm which moves relative to an upper arm to adjust the position of a pedal. A control system includes a sensor and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller determines a position of lower arm based on signals from the sensor and automatically stops movement when the lower arm reaches a stored position or an end of travel without engaging mechanical stops, when sensors indicate that there is a failure in the drive system, and when sensors indicate that a predetermined fore/aft offset between two pedals is not maintained. The controller automatically moves the lower arm to a predetermined position when signals indicate the driver may egress the vehicle. A lock-out switch prevents movement of the lower arm so that the lower arm is not accidentally moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongjun Zhang, Steven Allen Toelke, Gordon Lloyd Smith, Richard Scott Bigham, Michael William DePotter
  • Patent number: 6799749
    Abstract: A jack includes a base, a load rest, first and second lower arms each pivotable to the base, and first and second upper arms each pivotable to the load rest. The first lower arm and the first upper arm are pivotably connected at a first joint and the second lower arm and the second upper arm are pivotably connected at a second joint. A drive screw moves the joints toward and away from each other upon rotation of the drive screw. A bearing receives the drive screw therethrough. The arms each form a longitudinally extending channel and the bearing is located outside the channels. The bearing has a lateral width greater than a lateral width of the channels and is located between a bearing engagement surface of a bearing support and an abutment of the drive screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Voegeli, Jr., Bruce Daniel Kingsbury, Nicholas Arthur Seibert
  • Patent number: 6766713
    Abstract: A control pedal assembly includes a first control pedal including a first pedal adjustable in a fore-aft direction upon operation of a first motor and a second control pedal including a second pedal adjustable in a fore-aft direction upon operation of a second motor. The first pedal and the second pedal have a predetermined fore-aft relationship. A controller is operably connected to the first motor and the second motor. The controller is programmed to operate the first and second motors to simultaneously move the first and second pedals in the fore-aft direction and to reestablish the predetermined relationship if the predetermined fore-aft relationship is not maintained as a result of the movement of the first and second control pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srini Sundaresan, Gordon Smith, Michael David Hershey
  • Patent number: 6766617
    Abstract: A sliding window assembly includes a lower frame member forming a channel, a guide bracket within the channel and slideable along the length of the channel, and a sliding pane carried by the guide bracket between closed and open positions. A pull-pull cable drive assembly is operably secured to the guide bracket to move the sliding pane between the closed and open positions. The drive assembly includes a drive motor, a drive drum rotateable by the drive motor, and drive cable connecting ends of the guide bracket with the drive drum. The guide bracket and the transition blocks are each mechanically locked to limit vertical movement relative to the frame member in order to reduce inadvertent tilting of the sliding pane. In one embodiment, the guide bracket includes tabs which are adhered to faces of the sliding pane to form a mechanical lock therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Warren Purcell
  • Patent number: 6758114
    Abstract: A control pedal assembly for a motor vehicle includes a support structure, a pedal arm pivotally mounted to the support structure and carrying a pedal, and a sensor for detecting rotation of the pedal arm and sending an electrical signal to a control device indicating the rotation of the pedal arm. The pedal assembly also includes a hysteresis device adapted to generate a desired feel in response to pivotal movement of the pedal arm. The hysteresis device is secured to the support structure and includes a plunger engaging the pedal arm and is movable within a chamber between an extended position and a depressed position upon rotation of the pedal arm. A pair of coaxial compression springs resiliently bias the plunger to the extended position. The chamber forms a first friction surface and the plunger has a plurality of prongs forming a second friction surface engagable with the first friction surface to resist pivotal movement of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Srini Sundaresan, Martin Wortmann
  • Patent number: 6758115
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a pivotable upper pedal arm having a slot formed therein, a link pivotable relative to the upper pedal arm, and a lower pedal arm having an upper end pivotably connected to the link and a lower end carrying a pedal. A nut is pivotally connected to the link such that the link pivots relative to the upper pedal arm upon movement of the nut along a drive screw. A pin is connected to the lower pedal arm and laterally extends into the slot such that the pin moves along the slot upon pivotal movement of the link. Also disclosed is a control pedal having a drive block or a pair of spaced apart pins located in a single slot of the upper pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Allen, Dean William Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6748638
    Abstract: A window alignment device for use in a door having a recess and a peripheral edge and a window regulator is provided. A window panel is adjacent to the window regulator. The panel has a peripheral edge and a portion adapted to conform to the shape of the door and disposed in the recess of the door. Additionally, a locator member is adjacent to the peripheral edge; the locator member is disposed between the door and the window panel. When the panel is fixedly fastened to the regulator, the locator member is removed to form a predetermined gap between the edge of the window panel and the corresponding seal in the door or the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Dedrich, Casimir R. Kiczek, Michael G. Linihan, William T. Dufour
  • Patent number: 6748820
    Abstract: A terminal assembly for connecting a core member of a remote control cable assembly to a control member includes a housing, an isolator secured to the housing with a snap-fit connection and having a deflectable wall at least partially forming a passage for receiving the control member, an adjuster movable between an installed position wherein the adjuster prevents outward deflection of the wall away from the passage and an uninstalled position wherein the wall is free to outwardly deflect away from the passage. The adjuster is secured to the isolator with a snap-fit connection in the installed position. The isolator includes a flange within the passage which is adapted to cooperate with the control member to secure the control member to the isolator when the adjuster is in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies,Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Phillip Ruhlander
  • Patent number: 6739212
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes an upper arm, a lower arm supported by the upper arm and operatively connected to the upper arm for selected movement relative to the upper arm, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the lower arm to selectively move the lower arm relative to the upper arm. A hall-effect sensor is located adjacent a drive screw and cooperates with a ring magnet rotatable with the drive screw to detect motion information. A controller receives the motion information and activates an electric motor upon initialization of the controller to move the lower pedal arm in a first direction until a first mechanical stop is engaged and establish a home stop position and to move the lower pedal arm in the other direction until a second mechanical stop is engaged and establish a travel stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Lee Flynn
  • Patent number: 6729624
    Abstract: A radial shaft seal for dynamic applications is disclosed. The shaft seal has a case member and a resilient sealing body attached to the case member. The sealing body includes an annular elastomeric member and a resinous ring. The elastomeric member has a radially extending section and a distal end. The resinous ring has a radially extending portion and an edge. The radially extending section is contiguous to the radially extending portion to form a composite seal lip body. The composite seal lip body, as installed, is positioned so that the distal end of the radially extending section and the edge of said radially extending portion engage the shaft in fluid tight relation by the elastomeric member and by the reaction forces of the resinous ring. Therefore, a portion of the reaction forces is shared by the edge and the distal end so as to reduce the wear in the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: David E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6722635
    Abstract: A jack includes a motor, a gear assembly operably connected to the motor, a ram, and a plurality of screws driven by the gear assembly to move the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John Scott Erickson
  • Patent number: 6692216
    Abstract: A latch assembly adapted for use with a tire carrier including a wheel plate, and a lock bracket including an aperture and a cable disposed in the aperture and connected to the wheel plate. The latch assembly includes a lock housing, a cable guide adjacent the lock housing and a lock arm adjacent the cable guide member. The lock arm has one end, another end and a cam surface. The one end is pivotally connected to the cable guide member wherein, when another end is moved toward the lock bracket, the cam surface engages the lock bracket to pivot the lock arm to a locked position so that when the cable breaks, the lock arm engages the lock bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jason Reznar, Steve Battle, Madhu Posani
  • Patent number: 6688659
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a pane defining a plane, and a latch bolt housing mounted to the pane. A latch bolt is slidingly mounted to the latch bolt housing for movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the pane between a first position and a second position. A biasing member is operative to urge the latch bolt toward the first position, and a release handle remote from the latch bolt is operative to move the latch bolt from the first position toward the second position against a biasing force of the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Kobrehel
  • Patent number: 6677720
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat movable along a path a motor for driving the seat on the path, a sensor generating a signal indicating movement of the seat on the path, and a controller operating the motor to move said seat along the path. The sensor is preferably a Hall-effect device or a potentiometer. The controller is in communication with the sensor to receive the signal and form a feed-back control loop. The controller accelerates the seat at a controlled rate of acceleration to a controlled constant speed and decelerates the seat from the constant speed at a controlled rate of deceleration. The controller controls the rate of acceleration of the seat at a stored predetermined rate of acceleration by adjusting operation of the motor to maintain the predetermined rate of acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Gordon Fraser
  • Patent number: 6668680
    Abstract: A flexible drive cable assembly for a powered adjustable seat, powered adjustable pedals or the like of a motor vehicle. The flexible drive cable assembly includes an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core and an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having a unitary connector. A driving or driven element is operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween. An end fitting is stationary relative to the driving or driven element and has an aperture for passage of the core therethrough. The unitary connector of the casing cooperates with the end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting. In one embodiment, the casing connector and the end fitting form a snap-fit connection to form an interlock between the casing and the end fitting and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Freund, Pascal Emanuel Garrido, Richard Allen LAgereij
  • Patent number: 6666527
    Abstract: A trailer brake system includes a control sensor adapted to provide a signal when the braking system of the tow vehicle is actuated, at least one trailer brake actuated by pressurized brake fluid, a brake fluid reservoir, a brake fluid pump receiving fluid from the brake fluid reservoir, and a first solenoid valve connected to the brake fluid pump and directly connected to the trailer brake. A brake fluid accumulator receives pressurized brake fluid from the brake fluid pump and is connected to the first solenoid valve to quickly provide pressurized brake fluid to the trailer brake to increase the braking force. A second solenoid valve connects the trailer brake and the brake fluid reservoir so that brake fluid can be returned to the reservoir to reduce to reduce the fluid pressure and resulting braking force. A feedback pressure sensor is capable of generating a signal that represents braking force applied to the trailer brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: George Patrick Gill, David Leonard Swanson
  • Patent number: 6637712
    Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a lock having a lock pin movable between locking and unlocking positions. A guide forms a cylinder supporting movement of the lock pin and first and second shear plates are located on opposite sides of the guide. A spring member resiliently biases the lock pin toward the locking position. The lock pin extends through openings in the first and second shear plates. The lock pin, the guide, and the spring member are located entirely within an interior space of a movable track. A release assembly includes a bracket secured to the movable track, a pivotable fork, and a handle pivotally attached to the bracket and operably engaging the fork so that pivotable movement of the handle pivots the fork to move the lock pin. A secondary spring member biases the release assembly toward the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Allen Lagerweij
  • Patent number: D479942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thurl Pottenger, David Lindsey Steele
  • Patent number: D480261
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Thurl Pottenger, David Lindsey Steele