Patents by Inventor Eric M. Heitkamp

Eric M. 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: 10654512
    Abstract: A steering device includes an inner column and an outer column which has a guide cylinder portion supporting the inner column to be movable in an axial direction and a holding cylinder portion located at a rear side in the axial direction in relation to the guide cylinder portion and having a slit extending in the axial direction. The guide cylinder portion has a support face which slidably supports an outer circumferential face of the inner column and a regulation face which is located at a front side in the axial direction in relation to the support face and regulates a movement of the inner column in a radial direction. The guide cylinder portion is formed so that a distance from an axis to the regulation face in the radial direction is longer than a distance from the axis to the support face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihito Osawa, Minoru Takakusaki, Eric M. Heitkamp, Robert A. Salemme, Cameron R. Titus, Joshua D. Pritchard, Toshihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10518811
    Abstract: A front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly and a method of forming a front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly includes an outer frame member having at least one outer frame mating flange and an inner frame member having at least one inner frame mating flange. The at least one inner frame mating flange is fixedly secured to the at least one outer frame mating flange. At least one of the at least one outer frame mating flange and the at least one inner frame mating flange includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced joggles thereon for promoting longitudinal crush of at least one of the outer frame member and the inner frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Brian Christopher Bray, Shingo Hakamata, Eric M. Heitkamp, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Anthony John Leanza, Aditya Malladi, Patrick M. Shafer, Kurt T. Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 10457243
    Abstract: Airbag assemblies are disclosed that include inflatable knee airbags. The knee airbags can include panel(s) forming a main chamber that provides a primary cushioning protection zone to a lower leg of a vehicle occupant. The knee airbags can further include an external chamber panel coupled to a rearward surface of an occupant-facing panel, external to the main inflatable chamber, to form an external chamber facing the occupant. Vent(s) through the occupant-facing panel can communicate inflation gas from the main chamber to the external chamber to fill a space between the vehicle and the lower leg of the occupant, and to control timing of inflation of the external chamber to cause it to inflate on lateral sides of the lower leg of the occupant to thereby limit lateral movement of the lower leg relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignees: Autoliv ASP, Inc., Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Lee Munsee, Travis Brent Hess, Gavin Francom Anae, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20190217892
    Abstract: A front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly and a method of forming a front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly includes an outer frame member having at least one outer frame mating flange and an inner frame member having at least one inner frame mating flange. The at least one inner frame mating flange is fixedly secured to the at least one outer frame mating flange. At least one of the at least one outer frame mating flange and the at least one inner frame mating flange includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced joggles thereon for promoting longitudinal crush of at least one of the outer frame member and the inner frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Brian Christopher Bray, Shingo Hakamata, Eric M. Heitkamp, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Anthony John Leanza, Aditya Malladi, Patrick M. Shafer, Kurt T. Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 10183645
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted at a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes an airbag comprising a center cushion and a pair of side cushions each coupled to the center cushion on opposing sides of the center cushion. The side cushions can each have a triangular shape with an apex extending rearward further than at least a portion of an occupant-facing surface of the center cushion. The side cushions can be oriented with respect to each other at opposing angles relative to the center cushion such that an overall geometrical shape of the airbag is wider at a forward reaction base area of the airbag than at a rearward occupant-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Autoliv ASP, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20180345899
    Abstract: Airbag assemblies are disclosed that include inflatable knee airbags. The knee airbags can include panel(s) forming a main chamber that provides a primary cushioning protection zone to a lower leg of a vehicle occupant. The knee airbags can further include an external chamber panel coupled to a rearward surface of an occupant-facing panel, external to the main inflatable chamber, to form an external chamber facing the occupant. Vent(s) through the occupant-facing panel can communicate inflation gas from the main chamber to the external chamber to fill a space between the vehicle and the lower leg of the occupant, and to control timing of inflation of the external chamber to cause it to inflate on lateral sides of the lower leg of the occupant to thereby limit lateral movement of the lower leg relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicants: Autoliv ASP, Inc., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew Lee Munsee, Travis Brent Hess, Gavin Francom Anae, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20180251148
    Abstract: A steering device includes an inner column and an outer column which has a guide cylinder portion supporting the inner column to be movable in an axial direction and a holding cylinder portion located at a rear side in the axial direction in relation to the guide cylinder portion and having a slit extending in the axial direction. The guide cylinder portion has a support face which slidably supports an outer circumferential face of the inner column and a regulation face which is located at a front side in the axial direction in relation to the support face and regulates a movement of the inner column in a radial direction. The guide cylinder portion is formed so that a distance from an axis to the regulation face in the radial direction is longer than a distance from the axis to the support face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Toshihito Osawa, Minoru Takakusaki, Eric M. Heitkamp, Robert A. Salemme, Cameron R. Titus, Joshua D. Pritchard, Toshihiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20180251093
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag system can be configured to be mounted at a frontal region of a vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes an airbag comprising a center cushion and a pair of side cushions each coupled to the center cushion on opposing sides of the center cushion. The side cushions can each have a triangular shape with an apex extending rearward further than at least a portion of an occupant-facing surface of the center cushion. The side cushions can be oriented with respect to each other at opposing angles relative to the center cushion such that an overall geometrical shape of the airbag is wider at a forward reaction base area of the airbag than at a rearward occupant-receiving area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicants: Autoliv ASP, Inc., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 8851520
    Abstract: A front subframe for a vehicle body structure includes left and right longitudinal members which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A front cross member extends in a transverse direction of the body so as to extend between front ends of these longitudinal members. A rear cross member extends in the transverse direction of the body so as to extend between rear ends of the left and right longitudinal members. An engagement member as part of the front subframe is provided at each front end of the left and right longitudinal members. The engagement member is adapted to be engaged by an associated object during a narrow offset frontal collision and direct crash forces into the front subframe and vehicle body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam Corley Goellner, Stephen G. Rosepiler, Naoki Munekata, Grant G. Foreman, Eric M. Heitkamp, Ryan A. Miller, Rajendra Kakarla
  • Patent number: 8720983
    Abstract: A front vehicle body structure includes a front pillar that extends in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, an upper frame that extends from the front pillar toward a front of a vehicle body, and a front side frame that is disposed laterally interior of the upper frame. The front side frame includes an outer face that faces laterally outward, an inner face that faces laterally inward, and an upper face that connects the inner face to the outer face. The front vehicle body structure also includes a connection member that extends upwardly from the upper face of the front side frame to the upper frame so as to connect the front side frame and the upper frame together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Edwards, Takashi Nakano, Eric M. Heitkamp, Patrick J. Ellison, Brian Christopher Bray
  • Publication number: 20140110925
    Abstract: A front subframe for a vehicle body structure includes left and right longitudinal members which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A front cross member extends in a transverse direction of the body so as to extend between front ends of these longitudinal members. A rear cross member extends in the transverse direction of the body so as to extend between rear ends of the left and right longitudinal members. An engagement member as part of the front subframe is provided at each front end of the left and right longitudinal members. The engagement member is adapted to be engaged by an associated object during a narrow offset frontal collision and direct crash forces into the front subframe and vehicle body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam Corley Goellner, Stephen G. Rosepiler, Naoki Munekata, Grant G. Foreman, Eric M. Heitkamp, Ryan A. Miller, Rajendra Kakarla
  • Patent number: 8662566
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes a front end frame assembly, a bumper beam, left and right inner extension members, and left and right outer extension members. The front end frame assembly is disposed adjacent a forward end of the vehicle. The bumper beam is disposed forward of the front end frame assembly. The left and right inner extension members connect the bumper beam with the front end frame assembly. The left and right outer extension members are disposed on respective external sides of the left and right inner extension members and connect the bumper beam with the front end frame assembly. Each outer extension member includes a forward end section for connecting with the bumper beam, a rear end section having connection locations for connecting with the front end frame assembly and a curved section disposed between the forward end section and the rear end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Edwards, Patrick J. Ellison, Walter Thom, Eric M. Heitkamp, William W. Brewer
  • Patent number: 8596712
    Abstract: A hanger beam assembly for a vehicle comprises a support beam extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. The support beam includes a first beam member. The first beam member is positioned between a blower assembly of a vehicle HVAC system and a dashboard on a front passenger side of the vehicle. The first beam member is configured to at least partially sever the blower assembly and direct a lower portion of the blower assembly having a blower motor away from the dashboard during a crash incident to at least partially prevent intrusion of the lower portion of the blower assembly into the dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Eric M. Heitkamp, Jason T. Hardesty, Tyler Jackson
  • Patent number: 8376396
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes a gas generator for generating a gas and a multi-chamber airbag operatively connected to the gas generator for receiving the gas. The airbag defines a first inflation chamber, at least one second inflation chamber, at least one third inflation chamber and a fourth inflation chamber. The airbag includes internal vents configured to allow selective communication between the first chamber and each of the at least one second chamber and the at least one third chamber and selective communication between the at least one second chamber and the fourth chamber. The internal vents are configured to maintain a higher pressure in selective chambers by restricting ability of the gas to escape the selective chamber. The order of internal venting between the respective inflation chambers controls the pressure and timing of inflation of the multi-chamber airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20130001985
    Abstract: A hanger beam assembly for a vehicle comprises a support beam extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. The support beam includes a first beam member. The first beam member is positioned between a blower assembly of a vehicle HVAC system and a dashboard on a front passenger side of the vehicle. The first beam member is configured to at least partially sever the blower assembly and direct a lower portion of the blower assembly having a blower motor away from the dashboard during a crash incident to at least partially prevent intrusion of the lower portion of the blower assembly into the dashboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Eric M. Heitkamp, Jason T. Hardesty, Tyler Jackson
  • Patent number: 8006927
    Abstract: A force limiting device for use with a safety belt retractor is provided. The safety belt retractor includes a spool and a safety belt webbing attached to and wound around the spool for payout of the webbing under the influence of forwardly directed movement of a vehicle occupant. The force limiting device comprises a fixed member, a shaft connected to the fixed member and a coupling received on the shaft and operatively connected to the spool. The coupling is configured to move along the longitudinal extent of the shaft towards the fixed member during payout of the webbing. Engagement of the coupling with the fixed member prevents further payout of the webbing. The shaft is configured to limit movement of the coupling along the shaft during payout of the webbing to control effective belt force on the vehicle occupant during a crash condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20110175334
    Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle includes a gas generator for generating a gas and a multi-chamber airbag operatively connected to the gas generator for receiving the gas. The airbag defines a first inflation chamber, at least one second inflation chamber, at least one third inflation chamber and a fourth inflation chamber. The airbag includes internal vents configured to allow selective communication between the first chamber and each of the at least one second chamber and the at least one third chamber and selective communication between the at least one second chamber and the fourth chamber. The internal vents are configured to maintain a higher pressure in selective chambers by restricting ability of the gas to escape the selective chamber. The order of internal venting between the respective inflation chambers controls the pressure and timing of inflation of the multi-chamber airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20100301151
    Abstract: A force limiting device for use with a safety belt retractor is provided. The safety belt retractor includes a spool and a safety belt webbing attached to and wound around the spool for payout of the webbing under the influence of forwardly directed movement of a vehicle occupant. The force limiting device comprises a fixed member, a shaft connected to the fixed member and a coupling received on the shaft and operatively connected to the spool. The coupling is configured to move along the longitudinal extent of the shaft towards the fixed member during payout of the webbing. Engagement of the coupling with the fixed member prevents further payout of the webbing. The shaft is configured to limit movement of the coupling along the shaft during payout of the webbing to control effective belt force on the vehicle occupant during a crash condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20100285679
    Abstract: An electrical terminal connector assembly includes a protective cover for substantially enclosing an electrical terminal on a vehicle component when the assembly is in a connected or disconnected condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Eric M. Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 7730990
    Abstract: A hood lift device with a restraint system is disclosed. The system can include a catching hole configured to constrain an actuator tip within a hood after the hood lift device is deployed. By engaging the hood lift device with a hood, the hood may be restrained from contacting a windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Boggess, Eric M. Heitkamp, Gregory Joseph Mast, Ryan A. Miller