Patents by Inventor Frank Stoof

Frank Stoof 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: 10337227
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a two-door closure system for a motor vehicle including a body having an A-pillar and a C-pillar being spaced from one another. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the closure system includes a front door having a front edge that is pivotably connected to the A-pillar. The closure system also includes a rear door that has a rearward edge that is pivotably coupled to the C-pillar of the vehicle body. At least one swivel hinge unit is provided that has a first pivot pin that is pivotably connected to the rearward edge of the rear door, and a second pivot pin for being pivotably connected to the C-pillar of the vehicle body to allow the rear door to initially pivot and translate away from the front door prior to pivoting the rear door between an open and closed position about the second pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Frank Stoof, Kris Tomaszewski, Roman Cetnar, Kurt M. Schatz, Peter Lance Oxley, James J. Ferri, Jeffrey Richard F. Domenchini, Joseph Scheuring
  • Publication number: 20170254132
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a two-door closure system for a motor vehicle including a body having an A-pillar and a C-pillar being spaced from one another. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the closure system includes a front door having a front edge that is pivotably connected to the A-pillar. The closure system also includes a rear door that has a rearward edge that is pivotably coupled to the C-pillar of the vehicle body. At least one swivel hinge unit is provided that has a first pivot pin that is pivotably connected to the rearward edge of the rear door, and a second pivot pin for being pivotably connected to the C-pillar of the vehicle body to allow the rear door to initially pivot and translate away from the front door prior to pivoting the rear door between an open and closed position about the second pivot pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Frank Stoof, Kris Tomaszewski, Roman Cetnar, Kurt M. Schatz, Peter Lance Oxley, James J. Ferri, Jeffrey Richard F. Domenchini, Joseph Scheuring
  • Publication number: 20160002959
    Abstract: A method for controlling a blocking component for a latch of a closure panel of a vehicle, the latch having latch components including a ratchet and pawl, the method comprising: determining whether an occupant is in the vehicle and whether a speed of the vehicle is above a first threshold; and blocking release of the latch by positioning the blocking component whenever the occupant is in the vehicle and the speed is above the first threshold, automatically without occupant intervention, into a blocking position adjacent to at least one of the latch components to restrict movement of the at least one of the latch components which movement would cause the latch to open, wherein the blocking position is adjacent either the ratchet or the pawl, and restricts movement of the ratchet or pawl, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Houman H. Javadzadeh, Frank Stoof, Spiridon-Sorin S. Tudora, Kar Wang Woo
  • Publication number: 20150143942
    Abstract: An automotive cable assembly for mechanically linking a first mechanical system to a second mechanical system for facilitating a transfer of tension loadings there-between, the cable assembly having a multi-stranded polymer-based core element having a first polymer based end fitting at a first end and a second polymer based end fitting at a second end such that the first polymer based end fitting is for retaining a coupling to the first mechanical component of the first end and the second polymer based end fitting is for retaining coupling to the second mechanical component at the second end during the transfer of tension loading. The first mechanical system can be a door latch, the first mechanical component a latch lever, the second mechanical system a door handle/remote and the second mechanical component a door lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Sarah A. Lalonde, Frank Stoof
  • Patent number: 7264283
    Abstract: A vehicle latch having a ratchet; a pawl, interacting with the ratchet; an outside release lever (66); a link (80) for selectively coupling the outside release lever (66) to the pawl; a lock link lever (116) for actuating the link (80) between an unlocked position, where the outside release lever (66) is kinematically coupled to the pawl, and a locked position, where the outside release lever (66) is not coupled to the pawl; and a key cylinder lever (120) for actuating the lock link lever (116). The key cylinder lever (120) has a lost motion connection with the lock link lever (116) so as to define a neutral position for a key cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stoof, Roman Cetnar
  • Publication number: 20050140148
    Abstract: A vehicle latch having a ratchet; a pawl, interacting with the ratchet; an outside release lever (66); a link (80) for selectively coupling the outside release lever (66) to the pawl; a lock link lever (116) for actuating the link (80) between an unlocked position, where the outside release lever (66) is kinematically coupled to the pawl, and a locked position, where the outside release lever (66) is not coupled to the pawl; and a key cylinder lever (120) for actuating the lock link lever (116). The key cylinder lever (120) has a lost motion connection with the lock link lever (116) so as to define a neutral position for a key cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Stoof, Roman Cetnar