Patents by Inventor Eric Boettcher
Eric Boettcher 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).
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Patent number: 9238847Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for manufacturing complex three dimensional open structures by cold forming the component from unhardened metal stock and then selectively heating and quenching the metal to provide the desired strength profile across the component. The metal is initially formed of unheated and unhardened metal through a combination of rolling, stamping and/or milling operations to produce a component having a complex three dimensional open structure. The formed component is then hardened in strategically predetermined areas by sequentially heating and quenching the predetermined areas of the component. The heating and cooling elements are, in turn, provided on at least one robotic apparatus configured for moving the elements across the surface of the component in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired pattern of hardened and unhardened regions across the component.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Patent number: 8960776Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Ceby Philip
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Patent number: 8517131Abstract: A battery mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a battery tray configured to carry an associated vehicle battery and a battery tray support structure mounted to an underside of the vehicle. The battery tray is slidably mounted to the battery tray support structure for movement between a first operational position and a second maintenance position. The second maintenance position is laterally spaced apart from and below the first operational position.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Steven Kovach, Eric Boettcher, Nicky Thomas Strock, II, Robb L. Augustine
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Patent number: 8419116Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a front end frame assembly extending laterally across the vehicle and disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle, and a bumper beam extending laterally across the vehicle and spaced apart longitudinally forward of the front end frame assembly. A first set of spaced apart inner attachment structures connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. A second set of spaced apart outer attachment structures also connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. The second set of outer attachment structures is spaced apart from and flanks the first set of inner attachment structures.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Jamison Weirup
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Publication number: 20130032257Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and apparatus for manufacturing complex three dimensional open structures by cold forming the component from unhardened metal stock and then selectively heating and quenching the metal to provide the desired strength profile across the component. The metal is initially formed of unheated and unhardened metal through a combination of rolling, stamping and/or milling operations to produce a component having a complex three dimensional open structure. The formed component is then hardened in strategically predetermined areas by sequentially heating and quenching the predetermined areas of the component. The heating and cooling elements are, in turn, provided on at least one robotic apparatus configured for moving the elements across the surface of the component in a manner sufficient to achieve the desired pattern of hardened and unhardened regions across the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventors: Eric BOETTCHER, Robb Augustine
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Patent number: 8276980Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Patent number: 8177293Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eric Boettcher
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Publication number: 20120018237Abstract: A battery mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a battery tray configured to carry an associated vehicle battery and a battery tray support structure mounted to an underside of the vehicle. The battery tray is slidably mounted to the battery tray support structure for movement between a first operational position and a second maintenance position. The second maintenance position is laterally spaced apart from and below the first operational position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Steven Kovach, Eric Boettcher, Nicky Thomas Strock, II, Robb L. Augustine
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Publication number: 20120007373Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle includes a front end frame assembly extending laterally across the vehicle and disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle, and a bumper beam extending laterally across the vehicle and spaced apart longitudinally forward of the front end frame assembly. A first set of spaced apart inner attachment structures connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. A second set of spaced apart outer attachment structures also connects the bumper beam to the front end frame assembly. The second set of outer attachment structures is spaced apart from and flanks the first set of inner attachment structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Jamison Weirup
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Patent number: 8052204Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Publication number: 20100078968Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Ceby Philip
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Publication number: 20100078967Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Eric Boettcher
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Publication number: 20100078969Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Publication number: 20100072789Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly, system and method includes a vehicle frame assembly having a variable length longitudinal frame component. The longitudinal frame component is formed at a first length when used on a first vehicle type and formed at a second length when used on a second vehicle type.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Eric Boettcher, Robb Augustine
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Patent number: 7469957Abstract: A floor frame for an automotive vehicle is provided and includes a longitudinal center frame member having a W-shaped cross section, two longitudinal side frame members having C-shaped cross sections, a front cross member, a rear cross member and a first pair of central cross members, two side branch members and two center branch members all having U-shaped cross sections. Each side branch member is attached to a front frame and extends from the front frame at a downward and outward angle and connects to each side frame member. Each center branch member is attached to the front frame and extends from the front frame at a downward and inward angle and connects to a first end of the center frame thereby forming a first Y-joint. The connection of the side branch and the center branch to the front frame form a pair of second Y-joints.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eric Boettcher
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Publication number: 20080258498Abstract: A truss structure for a vehicle having a bed area is provided and includes multiple truss members. The truss structure resides in each sidewall of the bed area. The truss members are made up of either stamped structures or a combination of roll-formed structures and stamped structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ceby Philip, Eric Boettcher
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Patent number: 7377578Abstract: A main beam support mounting bracket formed from aluminum for a vehicle. The main beam support mounting bracket has a first lateral end that is mechanically secured to a main beam support and a second lateral end that is mechanically secured to a center support. A bottom wall of the main beam support mounting bracket includes slotted mounting openings for receipt of fasteners for attachment to a floor tunnel of a vehicle floor and frame cross-member. The fasteners threadingly engage weld-nuts on the frame cross-member. The bottom wall includes first, second, and third planar surfaces that interact with first, second, and third surfaces of the floor tunnel in the vehicle. Further, the main beam support mounting bracket provides for lateral attachment with the main beam support and the center support.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Patrick Ellison, Matthew Wolfe, Eric Boettcher, Masahiro Ishikawa, Takashi Nakano
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Patent number: 7374232Abstract: A hanger beam assembly is formed from aluminum and includes first and second support brackets, a main beam hanger, a driver beam, a main beam, a main beam support, and a main beam support mounting bracket. The driver beam extends between the first support bracket and the main beam hanger. The main beam extends between the main beam hanger and the second support bracket. The main beam support bracket is secured to a vehicle floor, and the main beam support is secured between the main beam hanger and the main beam support mounting bracket. The resulting hanger beam assembly is light-weight and provides a desired natural frequency at the associated steering wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Patrick Ellison, Matthew Wolfe, Eric Boettcher, Masahiro Ishikawa, Takashi Nakano
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Patent number: 7367613Abstract: A main beam support is formed from aluminum and includes an upper end and a lower end. The upper end is attached to a first end of a main beam hanger, while the lower end is attached to a main beam support mounting bracket that is secured to a vehicle floor. The lower end of the main beam support includes first and second sockets with downwardly directed extensions. The first and second sockets are adapted to receive mounting posts that extend from the main beam support mounting bracket. The first socket is disposed relatively vertically above and rearward of the second socket. Integral keys of the main beam support mounting bracket cooperate with the downwardly directed extensions during assembly to align and restrict movement of the main beam support in forward/rearward and up/down directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Patrick Ellison, Matthew Wolfe, Eric Boettcher, Masahiro Ishikawa, Takashi Nakano
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Publication number: 20080054681Abstract: A main beam support mounting bracket formed from aluminum for a vehicle. The main beam support mounting bracket has a first lateral end that is mechanically secured to a main beam support and a second lateral end that is mechanically secured to a center support. A bottom wall of the main beam support mounting bracket includes slotted mounting openings for receipt of fasteners for attachment to a floor tunnel of a vehicle floor and frame cross-member. The fasteners threadingly engage weld-nuts on the frame cross-member. The bottom wall includes first, second, and third planar surfaces that interact with first, second, and third surfaces of the floor tunnel in the vehicle. Further, the main beam support mounting bracket provides for lateral attachment with the main beam support and the center support.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Patrick Ellison, Matthew Wolfe, Eric Boettcher, Masahiro Ishikawa, Takashi Nakano