Patents Assigned to Kuster North America, Inc.
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Patent number: 11906044Abstract: A gear seeking shifter including a housing containing a shift lever with a rotatable base and outer tube supporting a depressible inner push rod. A CAM shaft component is driven by a gear seeking motor. An upwardly biased gate pawl located in the inner push rod contacts with any of PRND shifter position gates configured along an opposing underside of the housing. At least one detent cartridge contains a pawl supported within the rotatable base of the shift lever in biasing contact with a detent plate profile configured upon an opposing inside surface of the housing. The CAM shaft component, upon being rotated by the motor, includes each of a first profile for retracting the gate pawl and a second profile for inwardly displacing the detent pawl away from the detent plate profile to permit the CAM component to rotate the shift lever to a desired gear position.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Soave
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Patent number: 11807098Abstract: A rotary shifter having a cylindrical shaped knob with an inner circumferential surface defining an open interior and exhibiting a detent profile. A stationary inner housing is positioned within an open interior of the knob and supports outwardly biased pawls establishing an interface with the detent profile in a selected rotational position. The inner housing supports a rotating spur gear having an end secured magnet positioned above a sensor incorporated into a printed circuit board (PCB), rotation of the knob resulting in the sensor to communicate to a processor component of the PCB a given rotational position designating a given shift or mode selection. The knob includes an illuminating surface for presenting menu options of the shift or mode selection.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Calogero Alu, Christopher Soave
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Patent number: 11746888Abstract: A scrolling shifter assembly having a housing rotatably supporting a scrolling wheel having a knurled exterior edge accessible to a vehicle operator, the scrolling wheel also including an annular side detent profile. A magnet is positioned in proximity to a sensor mounted to a printed circuit board (PCBA) within the housing and displaces relative to the sensor in response to rotation of the scrolling wheel. A display component is mounted in proximity to the PCBA. At least one haptic biasing component including any of spring loaded pawl or wave spring is supported within the housing and biases against the detent profile such that, and upon the operator actuating the scrolling wheel, the pawl is caused to displace relative to the profile in order to incrementally rotate the wheel, the magnet rotating relative to the PCBA sensor to cause an associated processor to electronically instruct a shift change to an engine control unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Brian Andrew Mayville, Calogero Alu, Thorsten Dirk Connemann
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Patent number: 11725723Abstract: A rotary shifter having a knob bi-directionally and biasingly supported upon a housing in a monostable and return-to-center orientation. A printed circuit board assembly is incorporated into the housing and includes a sensor and a processor. A spur gear is rotatably supported within the housing and actuated by the knob, the spur gear supporting a magnet in proximity to the sensor. Rotation of the knob causing rotational displacement of the magnet relative to the sensor in order for the processor to instruct a change in shifter position. The knob incorporating a graphical display for indicating a current shifter position of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Calogero Alu, Christopher Soave, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio
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Steering wheel mounted display assembly retaining upright orientation regardless of rotated position
Patent number: 11708104Abstract: A steering wheel mounted visual display including a housing incorporated at a location defined within a circumference of the steering wheel and having a graphical display output. Upon rotation of the steering wheel, the display adjusts to remain in an upright orientation. The housing further includes a main lower housing and an assemble-able upper housing sandwiching a display component providing the graphical display output. The display component further includes a stationary inner component, a display support and a PCB component cooperating for auto-updating the graphical display output in response to rotation of the steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: KUSTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Brian Andrew Mayville, Calogero Alu, Christopher Soave, Thorsten Dirk Connemann -
Patent number: 11651914Abstract: A vehicle shifter assembly having a housing rotatably supporting a monostable toggle knob accessible to a vehicle operator. A processor enabled printed circuit board is incorporated into the housing and, upon actuation of the knob, instructs a gear shift condition to a display component. The housing can be incorporated into any of a variety of locations accessible to the vehicle operator, including being integrated into the steering wheel so that, and upon rotation of the wheel, the housing or display is continuously reoriented so as to maintain an upright position as viewed by the operator.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Brian Andrew Mayville, Calogero Alu, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio, Thorsten Dirk Connemann
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Patent number: 11635139Abstract: A plunger lock mechanism including a housing containing a rotationally supported lever shaped component, the component including at least one notch or recess configured within an arcuate surface. An electric motor is configured to rotate a cam extending within the housing, the cam actuating at least one plunger having an extending portion aligning with a selected notch. Upon rotation of the cam by the motor, the plunger is caused to displace between either of engaged and disengaged positions with the component such that, when disengaged, permitting rotation of the component.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Soave, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 11603926Abstract: A gear seeking shifter having a housing containing a shift lever with a depressible inner push rod. A CAM component is rotatably supported to a base of the shift lever and is driven by a gear seeking motor. An upwardly biased gate pawl is secured to the inner push rod into contact with any of a PRND shifter position gates configured along an opposing underside of said housing. At least one detent pawl is supported within the housing in biasing contact with a detent plate configured upon an opposing inside surface of the housing. The CAM component, upon being rotated by the motor, includes each of a first profile for retracting the gate pawl and a second profile for engaging and inwardly displacing the detent pawl away from contact with the detent plate to permit the CAM component to rotate the shift lever to a desired gear position.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2022Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Soave, Calogero Alu
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Publication number: 20220325790Abstract: A gear seeking shifter having a housing containing a shift lever with a depressible inner push rod. A CAM component is rotatably supported to a base of the shift lever and is driven by a gear seeking motor. An upwardly biased gate pawl is secured to the inner push rod into contact with any of a PRND shifter position gates configured along an opposing underside of said housing. At least one detent pawl is supported within the housing in biasing contact with a detent plate configured upon an opposing inside surface of the housing. The CAM component, upon being rotated by the motor, includes each of a first profile for retracting the gate pawl and a second profile for engaging and inwardly displacing the detent pawl away from contact with the detent plate to permit the CAM component to rotate the shift lever to a desired gear position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Soave, Calogero Alu
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Patent number: 11339875Abstract: A park release mechanism for a vehicle, including an upper housing and an assembleable lower housing. A cam with a projecting handle is arranged between the upper and lower housings and defines a range of pivotal rotation relative the housings. A cable is secured at one end to the cam and adapted to secure at an opposite end to a transmission of the vehicle. An unlock component is incorporated into the housing in communication with the cam and handle and, upon actuating, to shift the vehicle to and from a Park position upon actuation of the handle and displacement of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Calogero Alu, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 11285914Abstract: An anti-theft and rollaway prevention handle assembly integrated into a park release mechanism of a vehicle. A housing has a recessed configuration supporting a park release pull handle engaged to the housing in a stowed position and preventing access to the handle. An unlock mechanism communicates with the handle via a latch such that, upon actuating the unlock mechanism, the latch being displaced to release the handle to project outwardly from the recessed configuration, permitting grasping of the same by a user in order to actuate the vehicle from the park position.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Calogero Alu, Brian Andrew Mayville, Christopher Soave
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Patent number: 11282446Abstract: A graphical display integrated into a rotary knob vehicle shifter assembly including a surface display located outside of the knob which can incorporate any of transistor LCD or organic LED interior components, such as which can be presented into either of segmented or OLED/TFT pixelated image display variants. In either instance, a connector end of an associated harness or ribbon cable extends from the graphical display and, when connected to a remote PCB board integrated into the shifter assembly, is configured to provide variable display options not limited to shifter position and including variable supporting graphics and other designs.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Edward Curtis, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 11273710Abstract: A graphical display integrated into a linear gate vehicle shifter assembly including a surface display which can incorporate any of transistor LCD or organic LED interior components, such as which can be presented into either of segmented or OLED/TFT pixelated image display variants. In either instance, a connector end of an associated harness or ribbon cable extends from the graphical display and, when connected to a remote PCB board integrated into the shifter assembly, is configured to provide variable display options not limited to shifter position and including variable supporting graphics and other designs.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Edward Curtis, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 11236818Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter assembly including a housing pivotally supporting a shifter lever between Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Manual shifter positions. A plurality of gate locations configured upon an underside of the housing and corresponding to each of Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear positions. A gate lock incorporated into the lever and biased against a selected one of the gate locations. A PCB board with processor and sensor integrated into the housing communicating with a motor connected to the shifter lever. Upon the processor determining existence of a return to park condition, a return to park mechanism actuates the motor for returning the shifter lever to the Park position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Soave, Calogero Alu
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Patent number: 11233349Abstract: A quick connect assembly having a male terminal with a plurality of circumferentially arrayed and elongated beams including forward-most arcuate projecting and outer diameter defining portions. A female terminal has a housing exhibiting an inner diameter inlet communicating with an interior arcuate and expanded extending recess which matches a profile defined by the outer diameter beam portions. A forwardly spring biased plug is displaceably supported within the female terminal housing and includes a forward most projecting snout portion which, upon installation of the male to female terminals, the projecting snout portion of the plug seats between the male beams, preventing unintended collapse and remove of the male beams from within the female housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventor: Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 11010120Abstract: A graphical display subassembly integrated into a vehicle shifter assembly including a surface display which can incorporate any of transistor LCD or organic LED interior components, such as which can be presented into either of segmented or OLED/TFT pixelated image display variants. In either instance, a connector end of an associated harness or ribbon cable extends from the graphical display and, when connected to a remote PCB board integrated into the shifter assembly, is configured to provide variable display options not limited to shifter position and including variable supporting graphics and other designs.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Edward Curtis, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Publication number: 20210086615Abstract: A graphical display integrated into a linear gate vehicle shifter assembly including a surface display which can incorporate any of transistor LCD or organic LED interior components, such as which can be presented into either of segmented or OLED/TFT pixelated image display variants. In either instance, a connector end of an associated harness or ribbon cable extends from the graphical display and, when connected to a remote PCB board integrated into the shifter assembly, is configured to provide variable display options not limited to shifter position and including variable supporting graphics and other designs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Edward Curtis, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 10793127Abstract: A park release assembly including a package housing with a depth defining base and a cover and a cam component supported in a limited pivotal fashion within the housing. The cam component includes upper and lower portions, each further having an arcuate extending guide surface. A release cable extends in a first direction within the housing and engages the arcuate surface of the lower cam portion. An engagement cable extends in a second crosswise direction relative to the release cable and engages the arcuate surface of the upper cam portion. A pull handle is secured to an end of the engagement cable and, upon outwardly displacing the pull handle, causes concurrent rotation of the cam component in a counter biasing direction in order to linearly displace the release cable in an extending direction in order to actuate a remote lever to a vehicle Park release condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Calogero Alu, Brian Andrew Mayville
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Patent number: 10788123Abstract: A shifter assembly having a housing supporting a detent locking wheel with a biasing return spring. A plunger housing subassembly is rotatably supported within the locking wheel and operating in response to an external input to be rotated between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions. An electric motor is supported by the housing and is linked to a lock lever, an extending portion of the lock lever engaging the locking wheel. A PCB board is integrated into the housing and is communicable with at least one external sensor associated with a driver exit condition. Upon a triggering of the exit condition with the shifter in other than a Park position, the motor being energized to retract the lock lever to permit the return spring to rotate the wheel to the Park position.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Yong Qiang Wang, Christopher Edward Curtis, Scott Hengy
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Patent number: 10731750Abstract: A rotary shifter having a housing with a bezel cover. A knob is rotatably secured to the housing and is selectively rotatable between each of Reverse Neutral and Drive positions. A push button is configured within the rotary knob and, upon depressing, communicates with a sensor and switch within the housing for establishing the Park position. In a related variant, a Sport position lock ring is secured to a stem of the knob in a normally biasing engagement with an underside of the bezel cover to prevent shifting to the Sport position, the knob being vertically depressed in a counter direction to the bias in order to vertically unseat the lock ring and to permit subsequent rotation to the Sport position. A Sport position spring can also be provided supporting an underside of the plunger housing locker forming a portion of the plunger housing subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Kuster North America, Inc.Inventors: Yong Qiang Wang, Michael Benedetto D'Annunzio