Patents Represented by Attorney Ralph E. Smith

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  • Engine event-based correction of engine speed fluctuations
    Patent number: 7658178
    Abstract: Ignition timing for a combustion engine may be controlled by determining the roughness of current engine operation, comparing the determined roughness with a control roughness to determine if the determined roughness is within a threshold limit of the control roughness, and changing the ignition timing in a subsequent fuel delivery event as a function of the difference between the determined roughness and the control roughness. Preferably, the ignition timing is changed at least when the determined roughness is not within the threshold limit, although other factors may be taken into account when changing the ignition timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth P. DeGroot, Jeffrey P. Wuttke, Gerald Lee Kennie, Dennis W. Fett
  • Seat striker mechanism
    Patent number: 7658430
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle having a floor and a structural pillar is provided, the seat assembly including a seat bottom frame attached to the floor and a seat back frame pivotally attached to the seat bottom frame. The seat back frame is capable of pivoting between a stowed position where the seat back frame is generally parallel to the seat bottom frame and an upright position where the seat back frame is generally perpendicular to the seat bottom frame. A striker mechanism is positioned on the seat back frame and is capable of assuming a normal position arranged to engage a latch located in the structural pillar of the vehicle when the seat assembly is in an upright position, and a refracted position where the striker mechanism is retracted towards the seat back frame as the seat assembly Is pivoted from the upright position to the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Mary K. Zielinski, Paul H. Shea, Michael L. Rogers
  • Automatic transmission with improved shift quality
    Patent number: 7658691
    Abstract: A modification to the manual valve of an automatic transmission is provided which improves the shift quality of the automatic transmission when the transmission is shifted from a drive gear to either Park or Neutral. More particularly, the invention provides a control orifice which regulates the release of hydraulic fluid from one or more clutch circuits such that pressure to one or more clutches is gradually released. The gradual release of pressure form the one or more clutches provides an improved shift quality. In alternate embodiments, the present invention provides a further modification to an automatic transmission which allows the control orifice to be circumvented in situations where a rapid swap of pressure from on clutch control solenoid to another is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Valentin Botosan, Gary J. Binienda, Mark R. Champine
  • Inboard buckle attachment for a four-way seat
    Patent number: 7658443
    Abstract: The inboard buckle for a four-way seat is attached to the seat through a variable buckle guide. Attaching the inboard buckle to the seat allows the buckle to move with the seat and obviates the need for a long buckle which introduces undesirable slack into the seat belt system during a crash event. Since the buckle moves with the seat, it remains in a location that is convenient for the occupant and provides the maximum occupant protection. The variable buckle guide is attached to the upper rail supporting the seat, and in a crash event, the variable buckle guide transfers the occupant load on the belt to the upper rail, avoiding distortion of the seat or the height adjusting levers supporting the seat, and thus precludes slack in the belt caused by such distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventor: Gopal Musale
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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