Patents by Inventor Erik H. Tews

Erik H. Tews 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: 8161577
    Abstract: A helmet includes a shell, an eyeport formed in the shell, a shield having inwardly projecting hubs, and a pair of sockets on the shell. The sockets are positioned and configured to receive and rotatably capture the inwardly projecting hubs of the shield so that the shield is hingable about the hubs between a closed position covering the eyeport and an open position displaced from the eyeport. Each of the sockets is generally oblong to facilitate insertion of said hubs into the sockets to mount the shield to the helmet and to facilitate removal of the hubs from the sockets to detach the shield from the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik H. Tews
  • Patent number: 7895678
    Abstract: A helmet is provided that includes a shell, an eyeport formed in the shell, a shield on the shell movable between a closed position and an open position, and a lever assembly on the shell. The lever assembly includes a lever and a hub having at least one dowel. The lever assembly is rotatable about an axis of the hub between a home position, a shield cracking position, and a shield restraining position. A motion plate is on the shield and located to cover at least a portion of the hub when the shield is in its closed position. The motion plate is formed with a plurality of surfaces, where one of the surfaces is engaged by the dowel when the shield is closed and the lever assembly is rotated to the shield cracking position to cause the shield to be raised slightly from its closed position to a cracked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik H. Tews
  • Publication number: 20090044317
    Abstract: A closed face motorcycle helmet includes a shell with an eyeport and a shield attached for hinged motion between a closed position covering and sealing the eyeport and an open position displaced above the eyeport. A hinge plate is attached to the shell on each side and includes a socket into which a hub of the shield is rotatably disposed for hinged movement of the shield. A lever assembly having a downwardly extending lever and a hub with two dowels is attached to the bottom of the hinge plate. The lever assembly is manually movable between a central home position, a forwardly rotated shield cracking position, and a rearvardly rotated shield restraining position. A motion plate is attached to a lower edge of the shield and covers the hub and dowels of the lever assembly when the shield is closed. Surfaces on the inside of the motion plate interact with the dowels of the lever assembly to provide multiple precision shield control functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Erik H. Tews
  • Publication number: 20090038057
    Abstract: A closed face motorcycle helmet includes a shell with an eyeport and a shield attached for hinged motion between a closed position covering and sealing the eyeport and an open position displaced above the eyeport. A hinge plate is attached to the shell on each side and includes a socket into which a hub of the shield is rotatably disposed for hinged movement of the shield. A lever assembly having a downwardly extending lever and a hub with two dowels is attached to the bottom of the hinge plate. The lever assembly is manually movable between a central home position, a forwardly rotated shield cracking position, and a rearwardly rotated shield restraining position. A motion plate is attached to a lower edge of the shield and covers the hub and dowels of the lever assembly when the shield is closed. Surfaces on the inside of the motion plate interact with the dowels of the lever assembly to provide multiple precision shield control functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Erik H. Tews
  • Patent number: 6987460
    Abstract: Disclosed is an orientation device that may be deployed in a mechanical assembly such as a surveillance camera or enclosure to positively determine the physical orientation and/or attitude (tilt), or any change in such physical orientation and/or attitude, of either the camera or the enclosure, and report that information electronically. The invention includes a sensor that is triggered by the movement of a weighted flag along a shaft caused by gravity or gravity in conjunction with the operation of a spring. As the invention is rotated through 360°, the force of gravity and force of the spring are exerted on the weighted flag, causing it to move along the shaft as the assembly is rotated. Each movement by the flag is detected by the sensor which sends an electronic signal indicating that a predetermined point has been reached. Multiple assemblies may be used, offset from each other, to provide additional and more precise position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Pelco
    Inventors: Erik H. Tews, Alex Pokrovsky, Thomas C. Lyon
  • Publication number: 20040178920
    Abstract: Disclosed is an orientation device that may be deployed in a mechanical assembly such as a surveillance camera or enclosure to positively determine the physical orientation and/or attitude (tilt), or any change in such physical orientation and/or attitude, of either the camera or the enclosure, and report that information electronically. The invention includes a sensor that is be triggered by the movement of a weighted flag along a shaft caused by gravity or gravity in conjunction with the operation of a spring. As the invention is rotated through 360°, the force of gravity and force of the spring are exerted on the weighted flag, causing it to move along the shaft as the assembly is rotated. Each movement by the flag is detected by the sensor which sends an electronic signal indicating that a predetermined point has been reached. Multiple assemblies may be used, offset from each other, to provide additional and more precise position information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Erik H. Tews, Alex Pokrovsky, Thomas C. Lyon