Patents by Inventor Darren M. Grumm

Darren M. Grumm 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: 8091948
    Abstract: A multi-pane flush closing window assembly for a vehicle that has a body enclosing a passenger compartment is secured in an opening in the vehicle body by a clamp ring fastened to the interior wall of the vehicle body. The improved window assembly includes at least one fixed sub-assembly and at least one sliding sub-assembly supported by a frame. The fixed sub-assembly has a sash, and removable fasteners extend through the peripheral edge of the sash into the interior side of the frame so that the fixed sub-assembly can be independently disassembled from the interior of the vehicle without removing the frame or the clamp ring. The sliding sub-assembly is removably secured to the frame by an improved multi-piece guide track and slide pin assembly that allows removal of the sliding sub-assembly without removing the frame. The slide pins are removably secured to opposite sides of the sliding sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, LLC
    Inventors: Mark L. Smith, Todd E. Cripe, Bruce L. Drudge, Darren M. Grumm, Mark Mackenzie, Eric Wong
  • Patent number: 7730668
    Abstract: A motor vehicle egress window comprises a circumferential outer frame forming an auxiliary egress opening for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and an inner frame unit. The outer frame has an outer frame member with an inner surface and at least a first striker pin. The inner frame unit is mounted to the outer frame for movement between closed and open positions has a circumferential inner frame, a glazing pane mounted to the inner frame, at least a first egress latch mounted to the inner frame, and a release mechanism. The egress latch is operative to latch to the striker pin to hold the inner frame unit in the closed position. The release mechanism includes a manually operative release handle, preferably mounted at an elevated position on a vertical side portion of the inner frame, and release linkage comprising at least a first link from the release handle to the first latch. In certain embodiments the inner and outer frames overlap radially for improved functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl F. Dankert, Michael D. Kobrehel, Darren M. Grumm
  • Publication number: 20090267382
    Abstract: A multi-pane flush closing window assembly for a vehicle includes any one of a combination of fixed sub-assemblies and/or sliding sub-assemblies supported by a frame. The sub-assemblies may be conveniently assembled and disassembled from the frame without removing the frame or window securing structure from the vehicle. Man hours, tooling, and costs associated with flush window assembly and repairs are reduced as a result. The fixed sub-assembly has a sash, and removable fasteners extend through the peripheral edge of the sash into the interior side of the frame. The sliding sub-assembly is removably secured to the frame by an improved multi-piece guide track and slide pin assembly. The slide pins are removably secured to opposite sides of the sliding sub-assembly. A lock nut or coil spring provides a means for adjusting the slide pin so that the sliding sub-assembly assumes an optimal flush fit with the frame and the fixed sub-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Mark L. Smith, Todd E. Cripe, Bruce L. Drudge, Darren M. Grumm, Mark Mackenzie, Eric Wong
  • Patent number: 7287802
    Abstract: A transom window assembly is provided that comprises a windowpane and an openable transom pane, the windowpane and the transom pane being adjacent to each other. A transom hinge hingedly connecting the windowpane and the transom pane to each other comprises a first hinge portion attached to the interior surface of the transom pane along a lower edge, preferably directly attached, and a second hinge portion attached to the interior surface of the windowpane along the transom opening edge. The transom window is capable of being swung between a closed position and an open position. Certain embodiments of the window assemblies have a flush appearance. Also provided are vehicles comprising a vehicle window assembly in accordance with those just described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl F. Dankert, Robert Carl Eckstein, Darren M. Grumm, Todd E. Cripe
  • Patent number: 6941700
    Abstract: An awning-type insulated glazing assembly includes an insulated glazing having a first glazing pane and a second glazing pane mounted parallel to and spaced from the first glazing pane. The first glazing pane has a marginal portion extending beyond the second glazing pane in at least a first direction in a plane of the first glazing pane. A mounting hinge defines a hinge axis and is secured to the insulated glazing for hingedly mounting the insulated glazing for awning-type movement about the hinge axis. A window regulator is secured to the insulated glazing for controlling the awning-type movement of the insulated glazing about the hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Kobrehel, Todd E. Cripe, Darren M. Grumm, Natvar H. Soni, Daryl F. Dankert, LeRoy C. Schmuck
  • Patent number: 6829861
    Abstract: An awning-type insulated glazing assembly includes an insulated glazing having a first glazing pane and a second glazing pane mounted parallel to and spaced from the first glazing pane. The first glazing pane has a marginal portion extending beyond the second glazing pane in at least a first direction in a plane of the first glazing pane. A mounting hinge defines a hinge axis and is secured to the insulated glazing for hingedly mounting the insulated glazing for awning-type movement about the hinge axis. A window regulator is secured to the insulated glazing for controlling the awning-type movement of the insulated glazing about the hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Kobrehel, Todd E. Cripe, Darren M. Grumm, Natvar H. Soni, Daryl F. Dankert, LeRoy C. Schmuck
  • Patent number: 6237190
    Abstract: A door check for holding a door in an open position is disclosed, which is particularly useful for thin doors. The door check comprises a check body attached to the door and having an opening. The door check pivots with the door about a first axis. A main link is slidable through the door check opening as the door pivots. A second link is pivotably attached to the main link, and pivotably about a second axis with respect to a rigid member. As the check body pivots about the first axis, the second link pivots about the second axis and the main link translates through the opening in the check body. The main link may have an irregular surface so that a large force may be required to move the door back from the open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren M. Grumm, Mark L. Smith, Todd E. Cripe
  • Patent number: 5822921
    Abstract: A rotationally biasing window regulator for controlling the motion of a windowpane, such as a windowpane in a motor vehicle door or door module, comprises a motor or hand crank to produce a force to move the windowpane, drive arm and a sector gear to transmit the force, an attachment assembly attached to the windowpane and a slider assembly slidingly attached to the attachment assembly and mounted over the drive arm, and a counterbalance spring positioned between the attachment assembly and the drive arm placing rotational force on the slider assembly, which directly biases the attachment assembly to force the windowpane in a lateral direction towards a glass run channel. The slider assembly can slide in a stamped metal bracket or in a C-channel. A clip connecting the attachment assembly to the drive arm may be used to releasably secure the regulator in a said position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Excel Indusries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Griepenstroh, Darren M. Grumm, Michael D. Kobrehel, James A. Molitor, Clayton E. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 5822922
    Abstract: A modular sliding window assembly in a motor vehicle has two glazing panes, typically a sliding subassembly incorporating two vertically mounted transparent panes, which are slidably mounted in a circumferential frame slightly to the interior of, substantially parallel to and between two fixed panes. The sliding panes are mounted for sliding laterally back and forth between their open and closed positions. A motor and drive drum apparatus for powered operation of the window assembly is mounted to the vehicle body at a location remote from the frame. First and second cable fasteners are mounted to first and second sliding panes, respectively, and first and second cable guides are provided to guide a drive cable. The drive cable extends from the drive drum to the second cable fastener through the first cable guide, from the second cable fastener to the first cable fastener through the second cable guide, and from the first cable fastener to the drive drum through the first cable guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren M. Grumm, Roger E. Schamanek, Todd E. Cripe, Raymond S. Butler
  • Patent number: 5724769
    Abstract: A motor vehicle window construction has a pull-pull closed loop cable drive system for opening and closing a glazing pane slidably mounted in a frame. A motor and drive drum apparatus for powered operation of the window construction is mounted to the vehicle body at a location remote from the frame. The cable system includes drive cable wrapped around the drive drum. A first drive cable segment extends laterally from the glazing pane or from a slidably mounted subassembly incorporating the glazing pane, toward one side of the frame member. A second drive cable segment extends from the glazing pane or subassembly toward the opposite side of the frame. The glazing pane and drive cable together form a closed loop from the drive drum. Rotating of the drive drum in a first rotational direction by actuation of the drive motor pulls the slidably mounted transparent pane toward its open position. Rotating the drive drum in the opposite rotational direction pulls the glazing pane toward its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Excell Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd E. Cripe, Darren M. Grumm, Raymond S. Butler, Roger E. Schamanek, Dennis J. Buening
  • Patent number: 5581943
    Abstract: An improved torque window assembly for motor vehicles has a peripheral frame defining an opening, and a moveable glazing pane pivotally mounted to the frame for movement about a pivot axis between an open and closed position. A torque handle is operatively connected to the glazing pane by a linkage assembly, including a torque bar which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. A mounting assembly for the moveable glazing pane includes a hinge rail along a peripheral edge of the glazing pane. The hinge rail provides a U-shaped glazing channel to receive the peripheral edge of the glazing pane with a biased interference fit. The linkage from the torque bar to the hinge rail includes a one-piece hinge link having a substantially planar link section perpendicular to the hinge rail and two or more tabs received, one each, into U-shaped hinge channels extending axially along the hinge rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Deren, Darren M. Grumm
  • Patent number: D599608
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Atwood Mobile Products, LLC
    Inventors: Darren M. Grumm, John M. Kloster