Patents Assigned to Ventra Group Inc.
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Patent number: 7699378Abstract: A motion assist hinge mechanism includes a first and second hinge part mounted to the tailgate and vehicle body, respectively. The first hinge part includes a first cam having a sloped engagement surface engaged with a sloped engagement surface of a second cam of the second hinge part, under the bias of a resilient member, for moving axially along a pivot axis. The second cam is fixed to the vehicle body against pivotal movement relative to the pivot axis. When the tailgate is moved from a lowered, open position towards a raised, closed position, the resilient member translates a torque assisting force to the tailgate. The surface of the second cam may also include a detent that mates with the surface of the first cam to lock the tailgate at an angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. J. Smith, Bradley F. Patzer, Stanislav Magovski
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Patent number: 7694782Abstract: A brake actuating system in a motor vehicle having wheels and brakes for braking rotation of the wheels includes a cable system including a plurality of cables operatively connected to the brakes of the vehicle. An actuator is operatively connected to the cable system and is operable by an occupant of the vehicle for movement between applied and released positions to selectively increase and decrease the tension in the cables of the cable system to thereby activate and deactivate the brakes of the vehicle, respectively. A cable tensioner including a rotary input member is selectively and adjustably coupled to an input side cable of the cable system. The input member is rotatable in tensioning and releasing directions. The input side cable includes a retaining structure that prevents disengagement of the input member from the input side cable when the input member is rotated in the releasing direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventor: Peter Revelis
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Patent number: 7673929Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Brad F. Patzer, Michael D. J. Smith, Stanislav Magovski, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
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Patent number: 7658126Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing member connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing member without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Peter Revelis, Michael Sykes, Dusit Sukonthapanich
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Patent number: 7650815Abstract: The present invention provides for a brake actuator for use in a motor vehicle. In a motor vehicle with one or more brakes activated by a cable system, there is a mounting bracket mounted in the motor vehicle. Movably mounted to the mounting bracket is a lever that can move in brake applying and brake releasing directions, and which is constructed to be connected to the brake cables. The lever applies tension to the brake cables when the lever is moved in the brake applying direction, and releases the tension when moved in the releasing direction. Mounted to either the lever or the mounting bracket is a retainer constructed to engage the other of the lever or the mounting bracket. The retainer acts to restrict the relative lateral movement of the lever and the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Peter Revelis, Eokchel Ahn, Mark Van Ryswyck
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Patent number: 7610657Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge for connecting a panel to a body for movement between open and closed positions. The hinge comprises a first bracket constructed to be mounted to one of the body and the panel in an installed position of the hinge, and a second bracket constructed to be mounted to the other of the body and the panel in the installed position of the hinge. At least one hinge pin pivotally connects the first and second brackets. An engaging member is provided on the first bracket, and a check arm is movably connected to the second bracket. The check arm has an engaging surface with at least one detent. The engaging surface is engaged with the engaging member. A spring seat is pivotally mounted to the hinge pin, and a spring has one end engaging the spring seat and the other end engaging the check arm so as to bias the check arm into engagement with the engaging member.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Wayne Doswell, Bradley F. Patzer, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
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Publication number: 20090096246Abstract: An assembly to pivotally connect an external vehicle closure panel to a vehicle body includes a first hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to one of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a second hinge member that is constructed to be mounted to the other of the external vehicle closure panel and the vehicle body, a shaft that is constructed to pivotally connect the first hinge member to the second hinge member, and a viscous rotary damper. The damper includes a cover, a rotor, and a viscous material. The shaft connects to the rotor such that rotation of the external vehicle closure panel between a closing position and an opening position causes relative motion between the rotor and the cover of the viscous damper to provide a resistance for controlling the velocity of the external vehicle closure member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Brad F. Patzer, Michael D.J. Smith, Stanislav Magovski, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung
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Publication number: 20090058131Abstract: A motion assist hinge mechanism includes a first and second hinge part mounted to the tailgate and vehicle body, respectively. The first hinge part includes a first cam having a sloped engagement surface engaged with a sloped engagement surface of a second cam of the second hinge part, under the bias of a resilient member, for moving axially along a pivot axis. The second cam is fixed to the vehicle body against pivotal movement relative to the pivot axis. When the tailgate is moved from a lowered, open position towards a raised, closed position, the resilient member translates a torque assisting force to the tailgate. The surface of the second cam may also include a detent that mates with the surface of the first cam to lock the tailgate at an angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2008Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Michael D. J. SMITH, Bradley F. PATZER, Stanislav MAGOVSKI
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Publication number: 20090038081Abstract: A tool kit is provided to be stored in a vehicle to enable an operator in emergency situations to effect minor repairs, for example, to change a flat tire. The tool kit includes: a lug wrench, an extension, and a hook driver. The tools are used together to form three configurations. The first configuration being configured to activate a winch mechanism to raise and lower a tire mounted underneath a vehicle. The second configuration being configured to activate a portable jack. The third configuration being configured to grasp and retrieve the lowered spare tire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventors: Roy A. Berton, Dragos N. Neculau
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Patent number: 7478575Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for use in a vehicle includes a clutch assembly that includes a pinion provided on one of a lever and a mounting bracket of the actuating assembly. The pinion includes a shaft and a plurality of teeth that interact with an arcuate rack of teeth provided on the other of the lever and the mounting bracket. The clutch assembly also includes a torsion clutch spring that includes a plurality of coils wrapped around the shaft of the pinion, a fixed end at one end of the coils, and a free end at an opposite end of the coils. At least one of the shaft of the pinion and the spring is tapered in an axial direction thereof such that an interference fit between the spring and the shaft is lower near the free end of the spring than near the fixed end of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventor: Peter Revelis
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Patent number: 7475615Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator includes a brake lever that is movable between brake-released and brake-applied positions. A self-adjustment assembly connects to the lever and includes a rack, a pinion, and a clutch. The toothed rack mounts to the lever for movement relative to the lever along a longitudinal direction of the rack. The rack connects to a brake cable and is resiliently biased in a tensioning direction. The rotatable pinion continuously meshes with the toothed rack. The clutch engages to prevent the pinion from rotating when the brake lever is in its brake-applied position, and disengages to allow the spring-biased rack to take up slack in the brake cable when the lever is in its brake-released position.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventor: Peter Revelis
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Patent number: 7472624Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for a vehicle having a brake system is provided. The assembly includes a mounting bracket for mounting the brake actuating assembly to the vehicle, and a pedal arm mounted to the mounting bracket for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. The pedal arm is connectable to the brake system such that movement of the pedal arm in a brake applying direction activates the brake system and movement of the pedal arm in a brake releasing direction de-activates the brake system. An arcuate rack of teeth is connected to the pedal arm, and a pawl that includes a tooth engages the rack. The assembly also includes a spring that has a first end that operatively connected to the pawl, and the second end that is operatively connected to the mounting bracket in an opening that includes a surface extending between a first stop and a second stop.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Peter Revelis, Michael Sykes, Jerry Zielinski, Dusit Sukonthapanich
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Patent number: 7464608Abstract: A brake cable tension monitoring assembly and method for use with a brake actuator installed in an operative position in a motor vehicle. The tension monitoring assembly for sensing tension applied to at least one brake cable connected to a brake actuator installed in an operative position in a vehicle. The brake actuator including a lever movable in applying and releasing directions and the brake actuator being constructed such that tensioning of the cable forces the lever in the releasing direction. The monitoring assembly including a sensing device including a sensor, the sensing device being removably positioned between the lever and a surface and constructed and arranged to sense the movement of the lever in the releasing direction when the cable is being tensioned while the sensing device directly contacts the lever and the surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Peter Revelis, Jerry Zielinski
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Patent number: 7377531Abstract: A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, and a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle. A plurality of longitudinally spaced, selectively-actuated links connect the running board to the frame. A selectively-operable driving mechanism concertedly actuates each of the links to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Tony Fabiano, Joseph F Scheuring, III, Terry L Reid, Larry Downs
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Patent number: 7373856Abstract: The present application discloses a brake actuator for applying tension to a brake cable. The actuator includes: a mounting bracket; a brake actuator lever mounted for pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket in brake applying and brake releasing directions; and a cam-and-drum member mounted for rotation relative to relative to the brake actuator lever. The cam-and-drum member is formed as one integral part including a protruding drum portion and a cam portion integral with the drum portion. The present application also discloses a brake actuator with a one-piece cam member.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Michael Sykes, Steven Demoe, Bob Bunker
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Publication number: 20080034552Abstract: A hinge for use in a motor vehicle, including first and second members pivotably coupled to each other. First and second position retainers are coupled between the first member and the second member to releasably secure the second member in a first holding position relative to the first member. The first position retainer has a first holding portion and the second position retainer has a second holding portion such that one of the first and second position retainers is structured and arranged to move relative to the other of the first and second position retainers such that the first and second holding portions move into and out from a first holding position. The first and second holding portions are structured and arranged to be releasably secured to each other in the first holding position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.Inventor: Binh NGUYEN
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Patent number: 7318596Abstract: A retractable running board assembly is mounted to the frame of a vehicle. The running board is selectively extendable between a retracted position, which is close to the vehicle's frame, a lower, laterally-outward extended position that facilitates easy entrance into and exit from the vehicle and a roof-access position, higher and outward from the entrance position. A selectively-operable driving mechanism actuates a link to extend and retract the running board. When the driving mechanism is not operated, each link resists actuation and holds the running board in a fixed position relative to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Scheuring, III, Terry L. Reid
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Publication number: 20070295149Abstract: A self-adjusting parking brake actuator includes a brake lever that is movable between brake-released and brake-applied positions. A self-adjustment assembly connects to the lever and includes a rack, a pinion, and a clutch. The toothed rack mounts to the lever for movement relative to the lever along a longitudinal direction of the rack. The rack connects to a brake cable and is resiliently biased in a tensioning direction. The rotatable pinion continuously meshes with the toothed rack. The clutch engages to prevent the pinion from rotating when the brake lever is in its brake-applied position, and disengages to allow the spring-biased rack to take up slack in the brake cable when the lever is in its brake-released position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2006Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: Ventra Group Inc.Inventor: Peter Revelis
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Publication number: 20070289825Abstract: The present invention provides for a brake actuator for use in a motor vehicle. In a motor vehicle with one or more brakes activated by a cable system, there is a lever, a pawl resiliently biased to engage a sector, and a cam member. Connected to the cam member is a cable that can tension and release the pawl by movement of a button that is slidably engaged with the cam member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Simon Chan, Peter Revelis
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Publication number: 20070277347Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge for connecting a panel to a body for movement between open and closed positions. The hinge comprises a first bracket constructed to be mounted to one of the body and the panel in an installed position of the hinge, and a second bracket constructed to be mounted to the other of the body and the panel in the installed position of the hinge. At least one hinge pin pivotally connects the first and second brackets. An engaging member is provided on the first bracket, and a check arm is movably connected to the second bracket. The check arm has an engaging surface with at least one detent. The engaging surface is engaged with the engaging member. A spring seat is pivotally mounted to the hinge pin, and a spring has one end engaging the spring seat and the other end engaging the check arm so as to bias the check arm into engagement with the engaging member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Applicant: Ventra Group Inc.Inventors: Wayne DOSWELL, Bradley F. Patzer, David W. Shaw, Joaquin Hung