Patents Assigned to Douglas Autotech Corporation
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Patent number: 7815220Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprising an intermediate assembly which is slideably disposed within a lower assembly so that the intermediate assembly may be moved between an extended and a retracted position. Further, the steering column assembly contains an upper assembly which is pivotally coupled to one end of the intermediate assembly so as to permit the upper assembly to move about a pivot point. The upper assembly further contains a locking assembly which is interconnected between the lower assembly, the intermediate assembly and the upper assembly so that the lower, intermediate and upper assemblies may be locked relative to each other in a selected position when the locking assembly is placed and retained in a first position and permitted to move when said locking assembly is placed and retained in a second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Douglas Autotech CorporationInventors: Robert Demmon, David Gruza
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Patent number: 7165786Abstract: An assembly is provided for fixing the position of an adjustable component (22) of a vehicle, comprising in combination a fixed reference frame (20) within the vehicle such as a dash or a firewall, an adjustable component (22) also disposed in the vehicle such as an adjustable steering column (10), pedals, or a seat. Interconnecting the fixed reference frame (20) and the adjustable component (22) is a fluid locking mechanism (50) which permits selective positioning of the adjustable component relative to the fixed reference frame (20) and holds the adjustable component (22) in position. The fluid locking mechanism (50) is preferably a non-Newtonian flow fluid locking mechanism which uses a magneto-rheological fluid (97) to fix the position of the adjustable component (22) in place once the desired position is selected.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Douglas Autotech CorporationInventors: Subin Sha, Joseph Spencer, Brian Bowerman
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Patent number: 6382047Abstract: An lever assembly for an adjustable steering column, comprising a bracket assembly extending from the adjustable steering column, the bracket having a first and a second bracket arms, a lever arm having an intermediate portion pivotally coupled between the first and second bracket arms such that opposite ends of the lever arm are movable between a first and a second positions; and a lever pin extending from one of the first and second bracket arms and biased into frictional engagement with the lever arm when one of the ends is in said first position. An adjustment member is provided adjacent the biasing member for adjusting the biasing force of the lever pin against the lever arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Douglas Autotech CorporationInventors: Brian C. Bowerman, Duane Kubasiak
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Patent number: 6374978Abstract: A transmission shifter assembly is provided having a lever cooperating with at least one linking lever such that movement of the lever results in a corresponding movement of one of the linking lever to select a desired gear, an assembly for selectively locating the lever at a desired gear selection position, and at least one fluid locking assembly cooperating with the locating assembly for locking the lever in a desired position and preventing accidental disengagement. The fluid locking assembly includes at least one linear actuator whose movement is controlled by a magneto rheological fluid.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Douglas Autotech CorporationInventor: Joseph C. Spencer
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Patent number: 5267480Abstract: A telescoping steering column has a tube and a shaft. The shaft has a slide portion at one end and a midregion adjacent the slide portion. The slide portion and at least a portion of the midregion are received in sliding engagement in the tube. The tube has a crimp which is formed about a portion of the midregion and slidably engages the midregion. Rotational torque is transmitted between the shaft and the tube through the midregion and crimp. Further, the slide portion of the shaft abuts the crimp and is blocked from passing through the crimp. Finally, a slide lock is provided to fix the position of the shaft relative to the tube in a locked position and whereby the shaft slides relative to the tube in an unlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1992Date of Patent: December 7, 1993Assignee: Douglas Autotech CorporationInventor: Joseph A. Krizan