Patents by Inventor Craig A Patterson

Craig A Patterson 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).

  • Composite spring design that also performs the lower control arm function for a conventional or active suspension system
    Patent number: 6811169
    Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible, resilient composite spring pivotally connected to the vehicle wheel assembly by standard means such as a ball joint and knuckle. The composite spring is formed having a sinusoidal profile with rectangular cross-section preferably spanning transversely between parallel vehicle wheel assemblies. The composite spring is pivotally connected to the parallel vehicle frames by opposing perpendicular brackets welded to an upper and lower portion of the vehicle frame. A rubber bushing is preferably provided within each bracket and is in contact with opposing sides of the composite spring, allowing the spring to pivot between the vehicle frame. The composite spring is preferably formed with carbon and glass fibers. The sinusoidal composite spring blank is preferably molded with a neutral axis extending along the length of the spring at a midpoint of the sinusoidal profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Del C Schroeder, Lawrence J Oswald, David G Speth, Craig A Patterson, Suresh Nagesh
  • Composite spring design that also performs the lower control arm function for a conventional or active suspension system
    Publication number: 20020153689
    Abstract: The present invention includes a flexible, resilient composite spring pivotally connected to the vehicle wheel assembly by standard means such as a ball joint and knuckle. The composite spring is formed having a sinusoidal profile with rectangular cross-section preferably spanning transversely between parallel vehicle wheel assemblies. The composite spring is pivotally connected to the parallel vehicle frames by opposing perpendicular brackets welded to an upper and lower portion of the vehicle frame. A rubber bushing is preferably provided within each bracket and is in contact with opposing sides of the composite spring, allowing the spring to pivot between the vehicle frame. The composite spring is preferably formed with carbon and graphite fibers. The sinusoidal composite spring blank is preferably molded with a neutral axis extending along the length of the spring at a midpoint of the sinusoidal profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Del C. Schroeder, Lawrence J. Oswald, David G. Speth, Craig A. Patterson, Suresh Nagesh