Patents by Inventor Eric Allyn VandenBrink

Eric Allyn VandenBrink 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: 11306515
    Abstract: A resettable inertia lock assembly may include a chassis configured to be mounted within an access closure of a motor vehicle, a cassette, a reset structure defined on one of the chassis and the cassette, a resettable locking apparatus carried by the cassette and including an inertia-activated member and an engagement coupler, the engagement coupler movable between a first position securing the inertia-activated member in an inertia-activated position and a second position in which the engagement coupler does not secure the inertia-activated member in the inertia-activated position, and a movement device for producing a relative movement between the chassis and the cassette to cause the reset structure to engage and move the engagement coupler from the first position to the second position thereof to allow the inertia-activated member to move from the inertia-activated position to a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ADAC Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Allyn VandenBrink
  • Publication number: 20180334837
    Abstract: A resettable inertia lock assembly may include a chassis configured to be mounted within an access closure of a motor vehicle, a cassette, a reset structure defined on one of the chassis and the cassette, a resettable locking apparatus carried by the cassette and including an inertia-activated member and an engagement coupler, the engagement coupler movable between a first position securing the inertia-activated member in an inertia-activated position and a second position in which the engagement coupler does not secure the inertia-activated member in the inertia-activated position, and a movement device for producing a relative movement between the chassis and the cassette to cause the reset structure to engage and move the engagement coupler from the first position to the second position thereof to allow the inertia-activated member to move from the inertia-activated position to a home position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: Eric Allyn VandenBrink
  • Patent number: 9708836
    Abstract: An inertial blocking member subassembly comprising: an inertial blocking member associated with a release handle assembly framework, the blocking member having a center of gravity offset from an axis of rotation, and the blocking member being rotationally and translationally movable between an at-rest position, in which the blocking member does not prevent actuation of the release handle, and an engaged position, in which the blocking member prevents actuation of a release handle. A biasing element biases the blocking member into the engaged position. As a result of an acceleration force acting on the blocking member center of gravity, the blocking member is rotationally and translationally moved from the at-rest position to the engaged position, and in which engaged position the blocking member is retained by a blocking member retainer until disengagement of the blocking member retainer from one of the release handle assembly framework and the blocking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventors: Cort Corwin, Jeffrey Craig Stokes, Drew Fouchea, Eric Allyn VandenBrink
  • Patent number: 9567777
    Abstract: An inertial blocking member subassembly includes an inertial blocking member associated with a release handle assembly framework, the blocking member having a center of gravity which is offset from an axis of rotation, and the blocking member being rotationally and/or translationally movable between an at-rest position, in which the blocking member does not prevent actuation of the release handle, and an engaged position, in which the blocking member prevents actuation of the release handle. An accelerator body, freely mounted relative to the inertial blocking member for rotational movement about the axis of rotation, has a center of gravity which is offset from both the axis of rotation and center of gravity of the inertial blocking member. As a result of a negative acceleration force acting on the accelerator body center of gravity, the accelerator body rotates about the axis of rotation and carries the blocking member toward the engaged position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ADAC PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Allyn VandenBrink
  • Publication number: 20140167427
    Abstract: An inertial blocking member subassembly for a vehicle-door release handle mechanism including a release handle framework supporting a bell crank assembly and a manually actuatable door handle grip, the door handle grip operatively coupled to the bell crank assembly, the inertial blocking member subassembly comprising: an inertial blocking member associated with the release handle assembly framework, the blocking member having a center of gravity which is offset from an axis of rotation, and the blocking member being rotationally and translationally movable between an at-rest position, in which the blocking member does not prevent actuation of the release handle, and an engaged position, in which the blocking member prevents actuation of the release handle; a biasing element associated with the blocking member, the biasing element biasing the blocking member into the engaged position; and a blocking member retainer provided on at least one of the release handle assembly framework and the blocking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Cort Corwin, Jeffrey Craig Stokes, Drew Fouchea, Eric Allyn VandenBrink