Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph E. Smith

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  • Air deflector arrangement for a vehicle
    Patent number: 7654544
    Abstract: An air deflector for a vehicle underbody is provided. The air deflector includes a fairing having a general convex shape over a width of the fairing and extending a length of the fairing. The fairing is arranged to be affixed to an open end of a generally U-shaped vehicle underbody component to reduce aerodynamic drag experienced during operation of the vehicle. The fairing further includes a plurality of integrated clips positioned on opposite ends of the width of the fairing, the clips arranged to snap over flanged ends of the generally U-shaped vehicle underbody component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Todd H Lounsberry, Mark C Todd, Mark Hinspeter
  • Console assembly
    Patent number: 7654680
    Abstract: A console assembly for an automobile is provided. The console assembly includes a console and a cable. The console has at least one cavity for receiving objects. The at least one cavity is illuminated by the cable containing an electroluminescent (EL) tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Richard J Kukucka, Anthony B Micallef, Brian M Chaloult
  • Hybrid vehicle with integral generator for auxiliary loads
    Patent number: 7654349
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a combined starter/motor/generator which is, in turn, coupled to a transmission of the vehicle. The starter/motor/generator is coupled to a high voltage battery pack via an inverter and to a deployable power output panel for serving loads external to the vehicle. Whenever external loads are to be powered, a control unit automatically places the vehicle in PARK, or alternatively activates an electrical parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Kathi S Lee, Del C Schroeder, Robert G Malcolm, Kenneth Hartwig, Lewis Charles Eanes, Sr., William W Doolittle, III
  • Detent spring
    Patent number: 7654168
    Abstract: A detent spring assembly that accurately locates a detent plate in a gear shift mechanism of an automotive vehicle has a detent spring which includes an elongated flexible strip. A roller on the strip is engageable with any one of a series of notches in the detent plate to properly position the detent plate. A fastener secures the detent spring to a support. A part on the strip engages the support at a point spaced from the fastener to cooperate with the fastener in accurately and precisely locating the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. O'Brien, Lee I. Silva, Michael A. Bartolino
  • Method to prevent chain jump in a drivetrain
    Patent number: 7653470
    Abstract: A method to prevent chain jump in a drivetrain of a four-wheel drive vehicle including receiving sensed vehicle parameters from sensors in the four-wheel drive vehicle, generating transfer case chain-jump parameters based on the sensed vehicle parameters and sending a command signal to initiate disengagement of a clutch pack in a transfer case of the drivetrain responsive to the generated transfer case chain-jump parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Steven T Houtman, Joseph Roy, Mark Thompson
  • Coupling arrangement for electronic device to a vehicle body
    Patent number: 7652887
    Abstract: An electronic control module mounted to an adaptive vehicle mount or directly onto a car body. The control module includes a casing which may have at least one leverage tab integral with the casing. The casing also includes an integral fastening tab, and may act as a lever such that the leverage tab and fastener tab withstand forces which counterbalances the force exerted on the casing when the casing is mounted to an adaptive vehicle mount or directly onto the car body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Yijun Tu, Katherine Oster, Beverly Katz, Mahmoud A. Anani, Christina M. Marcath
  • Wheel center cap with radial lock
    Patent number: 7651171
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a wheel including a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of annular ridges disposed around a circumference thereof, and a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof. The retainer ring is slidably coupled to the cup-shaped member, the axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal to the ring, and the plurality of axially extending flange portions correspond to the plurality of annular ridges. When the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, the retainer ring slides along the cup-shaped member and the annular ridges force the axially extending flange portions to the position normal to the ring to attach the flange portions to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kinslow, Jack H. Preston, Trevor L. Enge, Edward G. Bajek, Paul J. Leibold, Dave Slone, Eric Krupitzer
  • Damped Rear Suspension Track Bar
    Patent number: 7648149
    Abstract: A track bar for a rear suspension of a vehicle has a first tubular member, an energy dissipating member wrapped around the first tubular member, and a second tubular member encompassing the energy dissipating member. Together, the tubular members and energy dissipating member dampen vibration transmitted through the track bar to lessen the audible vibrations that rear the interior of a vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Ryberg, Hamid Mir
  • Vehicular crash test measuring system
    Patent number: 7644504
    Abstract: A fixture for positioning an ATD relative to a vehicle includes a housing attached to the vehicle having a first end and a second end. A locator is mounted on the housing and is movable along the housing between the first end and the second end to identify a position of the ATD relative to the housing. A target is disposed on the ATD and is spaced apart from the housing for alignment with the locator. A first measurement device outputs an angle of the housing that identifies an angular position of the target relative to a plane extending through the first end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Artur Verdiyan, Richard M. Hackman, Craig G. Hysong, Kristy Svatek-Whitson, Theresa L. Reilly
  • VVT control method during lock pin disengagement
    Patent number: 7644692
    Abstract: A control method for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle that is used with a variable valve timing (VVT) system to promote lock pin disengagement. The method establishes if the VVT is at a lock pin position, establishes if a lock pin is not disengaged out of an associated recess, and can control the rate of movement of the VVT away from the lock pin position so that the lock pin can be disengaged out of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Fadi S. Kanafani, Patrick M. Foley
  • Seat belt restraint system
    Patent number: 7644952
    Abstract: A seat belt is secured to an anchor at one side of a seated person and extends across the seated person's body to a second anchor at an opposite side of the seated person to which the belt is also secured. A belt retention device is operable, when actuated in response to a sudden, rapid deceleration of the vehicle, to grip the belt between the anchors at a point of engagement adjacent to the one side of the seated person to cooperate with the second anchor in taking up any slack in a section of the belt between the point of engagement and the second anchor and also maintaining such section of the belt tightly engaged across the person's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group. LLC
    Inventors: Kimberlee D. Holtz, Thomas E. Drobot
  • Grocery bag holder integrated with a Tonneau cover feature
    Patent number: 7644972
    Abstract: This invention provides a retractable, pivotable, slidable, and removable horizontal bar device designed for containing a cover to shield the rear compartment of an automobile from view. The bar also provides for securely holding in place conventional plastic bags when such bags, filled with groceries or other items, are being transported in a vehicle, maintaining the bags in an upright, suspended position on or above the floor of the interior trunk or cargo compartment of an automobile. A pair of the bars and holding systems may be used to further provide a detachable and removable cross support bar and dual covers to cover the entire rear compartment of an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Stephen T. Lim
  • Computer-implemented vehicle repair claims rules generator system
    Patent number: 7647238
    Abstract: A computer-implemented warranty knowledge base construction system and method. An user interface receives a first rule related to vehicle repair claim processing. A rules syntax data store stores syntax rules for constructing repair claim-related rules. A knowledge base generator module connected to the user interface and to the rules syntax data store determines whether the first rule is in an acceptable syntax based upon the stored syntax rules. The first rule is used in a knowledge base system to process repair claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Prudence A McIntosh, D. Paul Stannard, Joan B Rabaut, Michael J Mahoney, Danny L Laethem
  • Vehicular packaging system for headphone devices
    Patent number: 7643645
    Abstract: A vehicular interior packaging system includes a holder for the stowage and ready access of an audio headset. The holder is provided on a headrest of the vehicle, and has an arcuate recess which provides a stowage cradle seat for the headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Kelly G. Richards
  • Fob integrated key
    Patent number: 7634932
    Abstract: A key fob for a vehicle has a first end that is used as a key for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle and a second end that defines an opening for internal storage of a separate, removable key. While the key fob will remotely unlock the vehicle doors and start the vehicle engine when turned in the vehicle ignition, the removable key is an auxiliary, mechanical access key that may be used on door locks and interior storage compartments. The key fob will not unlock interior storage compartments and the removable key will not sustain operation of the vehicle engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Mariano Cadiz, James A. Willyard, Timothy Lyon, Steve Holmes, Edward Pinardi
  • Mobility chair body
    Patent number: D608255
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Peter Arnell
  • Vehicle grille
    Patent number: D609141
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Scott Krugger, Mark T. Allen, Ralph V. Gilles, Timothy W. Anness
  • Vehicle front bumper
    Patent number: D609143
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Scott Krugger, Mark T. Allen, Ralph V. Gilles, Timothy W. Anness
  • Vehicle front fender
    Patent number: D609150
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Scott Krugger, Mark T. Allen, Ralph V. Gilles, Timothy W. Anness
  • Vehicle hood
    Patent number: D609615
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Scott Krugger, Mark T. Allen, Ralph V. Gilles, Timothy W. Anness