Patents by Inventor Benjamin D. Reichard

Benjamin D. Reichard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11623679
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a lower jacket that the upper jacket is telescopingly coupled to. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket and the lower jacket, the energy absorbing strap having a first leg, a second leg and a U-shaped portion connecting the first leg and the second leg. The steering column assembly yet further includes a pin located within a slot defined by the first leg and the second leg of the energy absorbing strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Ronald J. Huntley, Benjamin D. Reichard, Arthur W. Nellett, Carl T. Seamon
  • Publication number: 20220135114
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a lower jacket that the upper jacket is telescopingly coupled to. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket and the lower jacket, the energy absorbing strap having a first leg, a second leg and a U-shaped portion connecting the first leg and the second leg. The steering column assembly yet further includes a pin located within a slot defined by the first leg and the second leg of the energy absorbing strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Ronald J. Huntley, Benjamin D. Reichard, Arthur W. Nellett, Carl T. Seamon
  • Patent number: 10526003
    Abstract: A shroud guidance mechanism for a steering column is provided. The shroud guidance mechanism includes a bracket operatively coupled to an upper jacket. Also included is an interface feature retained to the bracket in a first condition of the steering column. Further included is a shroud operatively coupled to the interface feature and to the upper jacket, the interface feature, the upper jacket and the shroud moveable with each other to decouple the interface feature from the bracket in a second condition of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Joel T. Cerva
  • Patent number: 10471981
    Abstract: A buckling control assembly for a steering column energy absorption strap assembly is provided. The buckling control assembly includes an inner energy absorption strap operatively coupled to a steering column jacket. Also included is an outer energy absorption strap surrounding at least a portion of the inner energy absorption strap and operatively coupled to the steering column jacket. Further included is a strap constraining structure disposed on a constraint side of the outer energy absorption strap to inhibit buckling of the outer energy absorption strap in a first direction, the outer energy absorption strap having a free side unconstrained to accommodate buckling of the outer energy absorption strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Matthew J-T Vincent, Robert Dubay
  • Patent number: 10464592
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket assembly extending along a steering column axis. Also included is an upper jacket assembly at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly, the upper jacket assembly extendable along the steering column axis relative to the lower jacket assembly. Further included is a telescope actuator assembly configured to translate the upper jacket assembly relative to the lower jacket assembly. Yet further included is a telescope drive bracket of the telescope actuator assembly, the telescope drive bracket operatively coupled to the upper jacket assembly with a mechanical fastener disposed in a bracket slot located within the telescope drive bracket, the mechanical fastener moveable with the upper jacket assembly in a single axial direction along the steering column axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Publication number: 20190126968
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket assembly extending along a steering column axis. Also included is an upper jacket assembly at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly, the upper jacket assembly extendable along the steering column axis relative to the lower jacket assembly. Further included is a telescope actuator assembly configured to translate the upper jacket assembly relative to the lower jacket assembly. Yet further included is a telescope drive bracket of the telescope actuator assembly, the telescope drive bracket operatively coupled to the upper jacket assembly with a mechanical fastener disposed in a bracket slot located within the telescope drive bracket, the mechanical fastener moveable with the upper jacket assembly in a single axial direction along the steering column axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Publication number: 20190100230
    Abstract: A buckling control assembly for a steering column energy absorption strap assembly is provided. The buckling control assembly includes an inner energy absorption strap operatively coupled to a steering column jacket. Also included is an outer energy absorption strap surrounding at least a portion of the inner energy absorption strap and operatively coupled to the steering column jacket. Further included is a strap constraining structure disposed on a constraint side of the outer energy absorption strap to inhibit buckling of the outer energy absorption strap in a first direction, the outer energy absorption strap having a free side unconstrained to accommodate buckling of the outer energy absorption strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Matthew J-T Vincent, Robert Dubay
  • Publication number: 20190092371
    Abstract: A shroud guidance mechanism for a steering column is provided. The shroud guidance mechanism includes a bracket operatively coupled to an upper jacket. Also included is an interface feature retained to the bracket in a first condition of the steering column. Further included is a shroud operatively coupled to the interface feature and to the upper jacket, the interface feature, the upper jacket and the shroud moveable with each other to decouple the interface feature from the bracket in a second condition of the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Joel T. Cerva