Patents by Inventor David Ray Hartman

David Ray Hartman 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: 9783223
    Abstract: A steering column assembly (100) and method for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an inner column tube (102), a steering shaft (104), at least one bracket structure, such as a top bracket (106), adapted for receiving a least a portion of the steering shaft and for mounting the steering column assembly within the automotive vehicle, the at feast one bracket structure (e.g., top bracket) including a side wall (124). A column housing (110) is pivotally coupled with the at least one bracket structure. An adjustable spacer (130) is disposed between the column housing and the top bracket and is mounted to the side wall of the at least one bracket structure by a single fastener (128), by a generally vertically oriented fastener adapted for allowing lateral translation (e.g., by sliding) for position adjustment of the spacer or both. The exposed surface of the spacer is in facing relation with a part of the column housing for contacting the column housing during a tilt adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NSK Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Martinez, David Ray Hartman
  • Publication number: 20170129529
    Abstract: A steering column assembly {100} and method for an automotive vehicle, comprising: an inner column tube (102), a fi steering shaft (104), at least one bracket structure, such as a top bracket {106), adapted for receiving a least a portion of the steering shaft and for mounting the steering column assembly within the automotive vehicle, the at feast one bracket structure (e.g., top bracket) including a side wall (124). A column housing (110) is pivotally coupled with the at least one bracket structure. An adjustable spacer (130) is disposed between the column housing and the top bracket and is mounted to the side wall of the at least one bracket structure by a single fastener (128), by a generally vertically oriented fastener adapted for allowing lateral translation (e.g., by sliding) for position adjustment of the spacer or both. The exposed surface of the spacer is in facing relation with a part of the column housing for contacting the column housing during a tilt adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Victor MARTINEZ, David Ray HARTMAN
  • Publication number: 20170101125
    Abstract: A collapsing steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising an inner column tube, a steering shaft, a tilt bracket, and a steering wheel adjustment subassembly. During a secondary impact, at least a portion of the steering wheel adjustment subassembly is adapted to detach relative to the tilt bracket by way of at least one breakaway structure and translate (e.g., at least partially longitudinally) during the impact, such as a secondary impact, for moving away from a vehicle operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Victor Corona Martinez, David Ray Hartman
  • Patent number: 9481390
    Abstract: A collapsing steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising an inner column tube, a steering shaft, a tilt bracket, and a steering wheel adjustment subassembly. During a secondary impact, at least a portion of the steering wheel adjustment subassembly is adapted to detach relative to the tilt bracket by way of at least one breakaway structure and translate (e.g., at least partially longitudinally) during the impact, such as a secondary impact, for moving away from a vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NSK Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Corona Martinez, David Ray Hartman
  • Publication number: 20150096404
    Abstract: A collapsing steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising an inner column tube, a steering shaft, a tilt bracket, and a steering wheel adjustment subassembly. During a secondary impact, at least a portion of the steering wheel adjustment subassembly is adapted to detach relative to the tilt bracket by way of at least one breakaway structure and translate (e.g., at least partially longitudinally) during the impact, such as a secondary impact, for moving away from a vehicle operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Victor Corona Martinez, David Ray Hartman
  • Patent number: 6666670
    Abstract: A power steering pump for an automotive vehicle includes a housing having an inner wall with an axial groove. A cam plate that defines a cam chamber is received in the housing and includes a rib received in the groove. The groove and rib are disposed near the outlet port of the cam chamber and are dimensioned such that, during operation, distortion of the cam plate directs the rib into locking engagement with the groove while maintaining clearance between the housing and remainder of the cam plate to reduce propagation of vibration and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ray Hartman, Brian Stanley Modrzejewski, Brandon William Bailey, Michael Dean Strickler, Rakesh Nahta, Michelle Koch