Patents by Inventor Brad E. Watson
Brad E. Watson 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: 8056913Abstract: A step assembly is provided for a bumper of a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the bumper. A step is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket and is movable between a retracted position disposed adjacent the bumper and a deployed position extending away from the bumper. A pivot arm is pivotally interconnected between the mounting bracket and the step. A spring is secured between the mounting bracket and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm. The spring creates a tensile force. A lock arm is pivotally interconnected between the mounting bracket and the step. The lock arm defines a lock surface engaging the pivot arm while the tensile force of the spring locks the step in order to retain the step in one of the retracted and deployed positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Kuntze, Brad E. Watson, Dan Glovak, John Harding, Randy Bolt
-
Patent number: 7900944Abstract: A step assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle. The step assembly also includes a step and an arm having a first end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket and an opposing second end pivotal with respect to the step for pivotally moving the step between a retracted position and an extended position. A latch assembly is coupled to the mounting bracket and operably coupled to the arm. The latch assembly selectively prevents pivotal movement of the arm to retain the step in the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Patent number: 7607674Abstract: A manually retractable side step assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable step having a latch mechanism and a spring system that work in concert to rotate the step from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a stowed position, the step is in line with the running board of the vehicle. However, depressing a release button automatically rotates the step 180°, thus exposing an enlarged step area for providing ease of access to a roof rack on a minivan, SUV, or sport wagon, or if used with a pick-up truck, ease of access to a toolbox that is located in the rear of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2008Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Magna InternationalInventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Publication number: 20090008894Abstract: A step assembly is provided for a bumper of a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the bumper. A step is operatively coupled to the mounting bracket and is movable between a retracted position disposed adjacent the bumper and a deployed position extending away from the bumper. A pivot arm is pivotally interconnected between the mounting bracket and the step. A spring is secured between the mounting bracket and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm. The spring creates a tensile force. A lock arm is pivotally interconnected between the mounting bracket and the step. The lock arm defines a lock surface engaging the pivot arm while the tensile force of the spring locks the step in order to retain the step in one of the retracted and deployed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2005Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Christopher J. Kuntze, Brad E. Watson, Dan Glovak, John Harding, Randy Bolt
-
Patent number: 7469916Abstract: Running board systems are provided. The running board systems employ a motorized drive system that includes a rack-and-pinion system that enables both linear and rotational movement of the running board member, for example, through the use of a pivot member cooperating with one end of the running board member and one end of an arm member. The running board systems are automated and selectively operable to assume deployed and stowed positions. The running board systems can be used in conjunction with various surfaces of a vehicle, such as an aesthetically preferred flush style mounting to the rocker outer sheet metal surface such as but not limited to being mounted underneath a side door sill.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Publication number: 20080246244Abstract: A manually retractable side step assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable step having a latch mechanism and a spring system that work in concert to rotate the step from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a stowed position, the step is in line with the running board of the vehicle. However, depressing a release button automatically rotates the step 180°, thus exposing an enlarged step area for providing ease of access to a roof rack on a minivan, SUV, or sport wagon, or if used with a pick-up truck, ease of access to a toolbox that is located in the rear of the truck.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Patent number: 7413205Abstract: A manually retractable side step assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable step having a latch mechanism and a spring system that work in concert to rotate the step from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a stowed position, the step is in line with the running board of the vehicle. However, depressing a release button automatically rotates the step 180°, thus exposing an enlarged step area for providing ease of access to a roof rack on a minivan, SUV, or sport wagon, or if used with a pick-up truck, ease of access to a toolbox that is located in the rear of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Publication number: 20080042395Abstract: A step assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. The step assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the motor vehicle. The step assembly also includes a step and an arm having a first end pivotal with respect to the mounting bracket and an opposing second end pivotal with respect to the step for pivotally moving the step between a retracted position and an extended position. A latch assembly is coupled to the mounting bracket and operably coupled to the arm. The latch assembly selectively prevents pivotal movement of the arm to retain the step in the retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventor: Brad E. WATSON
-
Patent number: 7232170Abstract: A rack assembly secures articles to a motor vehicle having a liftgate. The liftgate defines a predetermined liftgate with, a bumper and a roof rack. The rack assembly includes first and second base mounts that are fixedly secured to the bumper. The rack assembly also includes first and second rack mounts that are fixedly secured to the roof rack. The rack assembly also includes a mounting rack that is pivotally secured to the first base mount and the first rack mount and removeably securable to the second base mount and second rack mount. The mounting rack provides securing devices for securing articles thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Patent number: 6533303Abstract: The step assembly (20) includes a mounting bracket (26) mounted to an under-carriage of the pick-up truck. A step (30) is pivotally secured to the mounting bracket. The step can rotate between a stowed position with the step disposed adjacent the mounting bracket and an operative position with the step extending from the bracket. A coil spring is mounted between the bracket and the step for continuously biasing the step toward the stowed position. A ratchet mechanism, having a pawl, a cam and an over-center spring, is mounted between the bracket and the step. The ratchet mechanism locks the step in the operative position in response to rotation of the step from the stowed position to the operative position. When in the operative position, a user can stand on the step assembly to access the bed of the pick-up truck. The ratchet mechanism also unlocks the step in response to over rotation of the step beyond the operative position.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Decoma International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson
-
Patent number: 6325397Abstract: A power retractable running board assembly for a motor vehicle includes a substantially sealed housing assembly, a running board, a parallel linkage, a gear assembly, and a motor assembly. The running board presents an upper load carrying surface. The gear assembly is disposed in the sealed housing assembly and coupled to an arm of the parallel linkage. The motor assembly is drivingly coupled with the gear assembly and is constructed and arranged to pivot the running board between deployed and stored positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Decoma Exterior Trim Inc.Inventors: David M. Pascoe, Brad E. Watson
-
Patent number: 6149172Abstract: A power-retractable step assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a substantially sealed housing assembly, a pivoting structure including a step structure, a gear assembly, and a motor assembly. The step structure presents an upper load carrying surface, and the pivoting structure is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis. The gear assembly is disposed in the sealed housing assembly and coupled to the pivoting structure. The motor assembly is drivingly coupled with the gear assembly and is constructed and arranged to pivot the pivoting structure about the axis and thereby drive the pivoting structure between deployed and stored positions. The step structure is moved in an outboard vehicle direction when the pivoting structure is moved from the stored position to the deployed position, and is also moved in a fore-aft vehicle direction when the pivoting structure is moved between the stored and deployed positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Inventors: David Mark Pascoe, Brad E. Watson