Patents by Inventor Brent T. Elkin

Brent T. Elkin 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).

  • Publication number: 20140322013
    Abstract: A variable blade pitch wind turbine and method of passively varying the blade pitch is presented. Each blade of the turbine rotor can individually and passively rotate about a respective blade axis to continuously vary the pitch of the blades to adjust to the ever changing wind speed and direction without active controls or other mechanical or electrical induced inputs to force rotational movement of the blades. Sections of each blade can respectively rotate to change the blade twist. In one example, a second rotor is used to improve the efficiency of the wind turbine and increase output of the electric generating equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Elkin, Brent T. Elkin
  • Patent number: 8726761
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle includes a hollow shell with a first interior chamber. The steering wheel further includes an outer skin on an exterior of the hollow shell. An interior filler may be positioned in at least the first interior chamber. The hollow shell may be molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brent T. Elkin, Larry M. Wilmot, Valerie D. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8454313
    Abstract: A variable blade pitch wind turbine and method of passively varying the blade pitch is presented. Each blade of the turbine rotor can individually and passively rotate about a respective blade axis to continuously vary the pitch of the blades to adjust to the ever changing wind speed and direction without active controls or other mechanical or electrical induced inputs to force rotational movement of the blades. Sections of each blade can respectively rotate to change the blade twist. In one example, a second rotor is used to increase the electrical generation and efficiency of the blade turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Elkin, Brent T. Elkin
  • Patent number: 7942443
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Dennis, Brent T. Elkin, Amy L. Klinkenberger
  • Publication number: 20110038728
    Abstract: A variable blade pitch wind turbine and method of passively varying the blade pitch is presented. Each blade of the turbine rotor can individually and passively rotate about a respective blade axis to continuously vary the pitch of the blades to adjust to the ever changing wind speed and direction without active controls or other mechanical or electrical induced inputs to force rotational movement of the blades. Sections of each blade can respectively rotate to change the blade twist. In one example, a second rotor is used to increase the electrical generation and efficiency of the blade turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Elkin, Brent T. Elkin
  • Publication number: 20110038726
    Abstract: A variable blade pitch wind turbine and method of passively varying the blade pitch is presented. Each blade of the turbine rotor can individually and passively rotate about a respective blade axis to continuously vary the pitch of the blades to adjust to the ever changing wind speed and direction without active controls or other mechanical or electrical induced inputs to force rotational movement of the blades. Sections of each blade can respectively rotate to change the blade twist. In one example, a second rotor is used to increase the electrical generation and efficiency of the blade turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Elkin, Brent T. Elkin
  • Publication number: 20100308567
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Dennis, Brent T. Elkin, Amy L. Klinkenberger
  • Publication number: 20100116085
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle includes a hollow shell with a first interior chamber. The steering wheel further includes an outer skin on an exterior of the hollow shell. An interior filler may be positioned in at least the first interior chamber. The hollow shell may be molded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Brent T. Elkin, Larry M. Wilmot, Valerie D. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7712781
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag module. The airbag module includes an inflatable cushion coupled to an inflator and a retainer. The airbag module additionally includes a cushion wrap. The cushion is folded such that it is in a storage position. The cushion wrap includes a slip section and a retainer end portion. The retainer end portion is affixed to the retainer and disposed adjacent to the slip section. The slip section includes a folded portion and frangible end portion. The folded portion is disposed between the frangible end portion and the retainer end portion. Furthermore, the frangible end portion is affixed to the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Amy L. Klinkenberger, Brent T. Elkin
  • Publication number: 20100066059
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag module. The airbag module includes an inflatable cushion coupled to an inflator and a retainer. The airbag module additionally includes a cushion wrap. The cushion is folded such that it is in a storage position. The cushion wrap includes a slip section and a retainer end portion. The retainer end portion is affixed to the retainer and disposed adjacent to the slip section. The slip section includes a folded portion and frangible end portion. The folded portion is disposed between the frangible end portion and the retainer end portion. Furthermore, the frangible end portion is affixed to the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Amy L. KLINKENBERGER, Brent T. ELKIN
  • Publication number: 20100019473
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes an airbag cushion, an inflator to inflate the airbag cushion, a sleeve connected to the airbag cushion and a tether configured to pass through the sleeve. A first end of the tether is anchored to a portion of the airbag cushion, module, or a structure of the vehicle and a second, opposite end of the tether is capable of passing through at least a portion of the sleeve during deployment of the airbag. The tether and sleeve are configured to initially restrain the deployment of the airbag cushion to provide a knee bolster, after which the tether is configured to unlace within the sleeve to release the restraint on the airbag cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Dennis, Brent T. Elkin, Amy L. Klinkenberger
  • Patent number: 5322411
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading overburden and ore into rock trucks that includes pushing the material onto an oscillating feed table that then feeds the material onto an inclined conveyor having an endless belt made of a series of overlapping rigid flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Elkin, Benjamin T. Elkin, Jr., Brent T. Elkin, Braden T. Elkin, Brian T. Elkin
  • Patent number: 5263806
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading overburden and ore into rock trucks that includes pushing the material onto an oscillating feed table that then feeds the material onto an inclined conveyor having an endless belt made of a series of overlapping rigid flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Elkin, Benjamin T. Elkin, Jr., Brent T. Elkin, Braden T. Elkin, Brian T. Elkin