Patents by Inventor Eric A. Seppala

Eric A. Seppala 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).

  • Detachable transmission shift lever arrangement
    Patent number: 7208849
    Abstract: A detachable transmission shift lever theft deterrent arrangement is provided that includes a transmission shift stub accessible from a vehicle interior. A detachable shift lever is provided and arranged to slideably engage the transmission shift stub. A locking mechanism is positioned on the shift lever and arranged to engage the shift stub. A security system including a transponder is positioned on the shift lever, and the transponder is arranged to receive power from an antenna positioned on the shift stub and send a unique signal back to the antenna upon positioning the shift lever within a predetermined range of the antenna. A vehicle ignition system is then enabled when the antenna receives the unique signal from the transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Seppala, Michael E Brown
  • Detachable transmission shift lever arrangement
    Publication number: 20060033384
    Abstract: A detachable transmission shift lever theft deterrent arrangement is provided that includes a transmission shift stub accessible from a vehicle interior. A detachable shift lever is provided and arranged to slideably engage the transmission shift stub. A locking mechanism is positioned on the shift lever and arranged to engage the shift stub. A security system including a transponder is positioned on the shift lever, and the transponder is arranged to receive power from an antenna positioned on the shift stub and send a unique signal back to the antenna upon positioning the shift lever within a predetermined range of the antenna. A vehicle ignition system is then enabled when the antenna receives the unique signal from the transponder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Inventors: Eric Seppala, Michael Brown