Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Crume

Bruce A. Crume 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: 8833796
    Abstract: A knee air bag mounting system is provided that includes an air bag mount for a heavy truck-type vehicle. Such an air bag mount includes a front wall having an air bag aperture therein adapted for passage of an air bag module of the knee air bag system. The air bag mount also includes a first side wall extending away from the front wall, a second side wall extending away from the front wall in opposed-spaced relation to the first side wall, a top wall extending away from the front wall, and a bottom wall extending away from the front wall. A bracket structure is disposed within an interior space of the air bag mount and configured to provide a connection point for the air bag module. Each of the first and second side walls and top and bottom walls are free from direct connection to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Spartan Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. LaVere, Bruce A. Crume, Steven R. Siler
  • Patent number: 8794669
    Abstract: A dash assembly for the occupant area of a vehicle including a stationary section, a moveable section, first interface and a second interface is provided. The moveable section includes at least one contact zone configured to be engaged by a driver's knee in the event of an accident to absorb forces from the driver's knee. The first interface is between the stationary section and the moveable section and secures the moveable section to the stationary section at a first location. The second interface is between the stationary section and the moveable section and secures the moveable section to the stationary section at a second location spaced away from the first location. The second interface is configured to release prior to the first interface upon sufficient forces being applied to the at least one contact zone during an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Spartan Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. LaVere, Bruce A. Crume, Steven R. Siler
  • Publication number: 20140049027
    Abstract: A knee air bag mounting system is provided that includes an air bag mount for a heavy truck-type vehicle. Such an air bag mount includes a front wall having an air bag aperture therein adapted for passage of an air bag module of the knee air bag system. The air bag mount also includes a first side wall extending away from the front wall, a second side wall extending away from the front wall in opposed-spaced relation to the first side wall, a top wall extending away from the front wall, and a bottom wall extending away from the front wall. A bracket structure is disposed within an interior space of the air bag mount and configured to provide a connection point for the air bag module. Each of the first and second side walls and top and bottom walls are free from direct connection to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. LaVere, Bruce A. Crume, Steven R. Siler
  • Publication number: 20140049068
    Abstract: A dash assembly for the occupant area of a vehicle including a stationary section, a moveable section, first interface and a second interface is provided. The moveable section includes at least one contact zone configured to be engaged by a driver's knee in the event of an accident to absorb forces from the driver's knee. The first interface is between the stationary section and the moveable section and secures the moveable section to the stationary section at a first location. The second interface is between the stationary section and the moveable section and secures the moveable section to the stationary section at a second location spaced away from the first location. The second interface is configured to release prior to the first interface upon sufficient forces being applied to the at least one contact zone during an accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SPARTAN MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. LaVere, Bruce A. Crume, Steven R. Siler