Patents by Inventor Eric Heitkamp

Eric Heitkamp 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: 9156425
    Abstract: An airbag can include a first portion disposed closest to the passenger seat upon deployment, and configured to be rolled to form a cylindrical configuration having an axis that is perpendicular to a vehicle's longitudinal axis. The first portion can include a serpentine section disposed closest the vehicle's longitudinal axis and configured to be folded in a serpentine manner along the cylindrical configuration's axis. The first portion can include a rolled section that is spaced further from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the serpentine section. The airbag can include a second portion disposed closer to the instrument panel than the first portion and including a tether that is rigidly connected to the vehicle. The second portion can be disposed further from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the serpentine section, but at approximately the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle as the rolled section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew Solomon, Eric Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 8794102
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly for a vehicle includes a pedal arm having a first end portion pivotally secured to the vehicle, a pedal pivotally mounted to a second end portion of the pedal arm, and a guard plate secured to the pedal arm forwardly of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 8132640
    Abstract: A frangible mount for a vehicle differential that includes a first horizontal mounting flange, a second mounting flange parallel to and vertically offset from the first mounting flange, and a generally circular differential shaft bushing holder portion with a central axis transverse to the first and second mounting flanges. The mount also includes a first transition integrally formed with, and between, the first mounting flange and the receiver portion, a notch defined between the first mounting flange and the first transition, and a second transition integrally formed with, and between, the second mounting flange and the receiver portion. When an axial force is applied to the bushing holder portion in excess of a threshold value, either the first transition or the first mounting flange fracture and either the second transition or the second mounting flange fracture, thus, allowing the bushing holder portion to be displaced apart from the first mounting flange and second mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Heitkamp, Stephen Rosepiler, Kishore Pydimarry
  • Publication number: 20110277584
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly for a vehicle includes a pedal arm having a first end portion pivotally secured to the vehicle, a pedal pivotally mounted to a second end portion of the pedal arm, and a guard plate secured to the pedal arm forwardly of the pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eric Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20100032542
    Abstract: A frangible mount for a vehicle differential that includes a first horizontal mounting flange, a second mounting flange parallel to and vertically offset from the first mounting flange, and a generally circular differential shaft bushing holder portion with a central axis transverse to the first and second mounting flanges. The mount also includes a first transition integrally formed with, and between, the first mounting flange and the receiver portion, a notch defined between the first mounting flange and the first transition, and a second transition integrally formed with, and between, the second mounting flange and the receiver portion. When an axial force is applied to the bushing holder portion in excess of a threshold value, either the first transition or the first mounting flange fracture and either the second transition or the second mounting flange fracture, thus, allowing the bushing holder portion to be displaced apart from the first mounting flange and second mounting flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eric Heitkamp, Stephen Rosepiler, Kishore Pydimarry