Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Kniebbe

Bruce D. Kniebbe 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: 20240175462
    Abstract: A steering shaft assembly includes a shaft having a first end region including a nose, a male spline region coupleable with a female spline region of a clamp yoke, a ring flag seat adjacent said nose, and a first ring flag locating feature between said ring flag seat and said male spline region. The steering shaft assembly also includes a ring flag having an annular band seated on said ring flag seat, a flag extending axially from said annular band in a first direction beyond said first end and radially outwardly from said annular band, and a second ring flag locating feature extending axially from said annular band in a second direction opposite said first direction, said second ring flag locating feature interacting with said first ring flag locating feature to orient said ring flag in a predetermined rotational orientation relative to said shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew L. Messing, Douglas M. Schneider, Steven R. Burk, Robert J. Smith, Phillip D. Beckman, JR., Bruce D. Kniebbe
  • Publication number: 20240174284
    Abstract: A steering shaft assembly includes a steering shaft extending along a central longitudinal axis between opposite first and second end portions terminating at respective first and second ends. A recessed pocket extends axially into the first end. The first end portion is configured for receipt in a through bore of a clamp yoke. A flag device has a body configured for receipt in the recessed pocket and a flag extending radially outwardly from the body. The flag is configured to obstruct a fastener opening in the clamp yoke until the steering shaft is inserted into the through bore to a predetermined insertion position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Michael E. Partyka, Bruce D. Kniebbe, Thomas M. Finney, David G. Matousek
  • Patent number: 10641316
    Abstract: A rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Troy A. Daenzer, Bruce D. Kniebbe
  • Publication number: 20180010629
    Abstract: A rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Troy A. Daenzer, Bruce D. Kniebbe
  • Patent number: 9803684
    Abstract: A rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Troy A. Daenzer, Bruce D. Kniebbe
  • Publication number: 20160138644
    Abstract: In one aspect, a rolling element shaft assembly is provided. The rolling element shaft assembly includes a solid shaft having a first end and a second end, a tubular shaft configured to receive the shaft first end, and a bearing sleeve coupled to the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve includes a first portion defining a first edge, a second edge, and at least one first bearing aperture, and a second portion defining a third edge, a fourth edge, and at least one second bearing aperture. The first portion is configured to couple to the second portion about the solid shaft. The bearing sleeve further includes at least one first bearing disposed within the at least one first bearing aperture and at least one second bearing disposed within the at least one second bearing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Troy A. Daenzer, Bruce D. Kniebbe
  • Patent number: 6923473
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column for operatively mounting a hand controller used for controlling the steering of the vehicle. A support member is disposed adjacent the steering column and is coupled thereto by a rake pivot connection which enables the steering column to pivot about an axis of the rake pivot connection relative to the support member along a rake adjustment path for adjusting a rake position of the steering column. A torsion spring is disposed about the axis between the steering column and the support member to provide a constant spring bias force therebetween. The torsion spring preferably provides near-equilibrium support of the column through its full rake adjust travel. The torsion spring further is readily adaptable to telescopic-type columns and does not interfere with the telescopic adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Chad E. Gerding, Bruce D. Kniebbe
  • Publication number: 20030168843
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column for operatively mounting a hand controller used for controlling the steering of the vehicle. A support member is disposed adjacent the steering column and is coupled thereto by a rake pivot connection which enables the steering column to pivot about an axis of the rake pivot connection relative to the support member along a rake adjustment path for adjusting a rake position of the steering column. A torsion spring is disposed about the axis between the steering column and the support member to provide a constant spring bias force therebetween. The torsion spring preferably provides near-equilibrium support of the column through its full rake adjust travel. The torsion spring further is readily adaptable to telescopic-type columns and does not interfere with the telescopic adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Chad E. Gerding, Bruce D. Kniebbe