Patents by Inventor Gerritt Benjamin Meyers

Gerritt Benjamin Meyers 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: 9776586
    Abstract: An attachment bracket for attaching electrical components is provided in a vehicle. The attachment bracket can have a deformable tab configured to be operatively connected to vehicle structure, such as a floor panel. The deformable tab can include an attachment portion and a connector portion. The attachment portion can have one or more attachment features, such as an aperture, to operatively connect the deformable tab to the vehicle structure. The connector can include different shapes, sizes, and/or configurations to control and/or influence the deformation of the deformable tab under an application of force. The attachment bracket can be used to operatively connect an electrical component to a vehicle structure. For example, the attachment bracket can retain an vehicle airbag ECU to a vehicle floor panel during impacts of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerritt Benjamin Meyers, John A. Scheick, Tyler E. Schnug
  • Publication number: 20170210307
    Abstract: Electrical component systems to retain one or more electrical components during external forces are provided in a vehicle. The systems can include an electrical component, such as a vehicle ECU. An attachment bracket can be operatively connect the electrical component to vehicle structure, such as a vehicle floor panel. The attachment bracket can include a front attachment portion configured for operative connection to the vehicle structure. A central attachment is provided to operatively connect the electrical component to a main body of the attachment bracket. The central attachment can include an adhesive such as a two-sided tape. In some arrangements, the system can be configured to retain a vehicle airbag ECU to a vehicle floor panel during impacts to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Gerritt Benjamin Meyers, John A. Scheick
  • Publication number: 20170166150
    Abstract: An attachment bracket for attaching electrical components is provided in a vehicle. The attachment bracket can have a deformable tab configured to be operatively connected to vehicle structure, such as a floor panel. The deformable tab can include an attachment portion and a connector portion. The attachment portion can have one or more attachment features, such as an aperture, to operatively connect the deformable tab to the vehicle structure. The connector can include different shapes, sizes, and/or configurations to control and/or influence the deformation of the deformable tab under an application of force. The attachment bracket can be used to operatively connect an electrical component to a vehicle structure. For example, the attachment bracket can retain an vehicle airbag ECU to a vehicle floor panel during impacts of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Gerritt Benjamin Meyers, John A. Scheick, Tyler E. Schnug
  • Patent number: 8646790
    Abstract: A frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts and extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and at least one ramp connected to the pair of side frame under-members for directing rearward sliding movement of the rear sub-frame and attached structures downwardly beneath a battery assembly. A catching surface engages a steering gear to improve energy absorption during frontal impacts. A reinforcement bracket attached to the pair of side frame under-members defines a pocket for temporarily catching the rear sub-frame providing an energy absorption path before releasing the rear sub-frame to slide past. A tether is connected between the pair of side frame under-members and the rear sub-frame for holding the rear sub-frame against the ramp to increase energy absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Jesse Thomas Buehler, Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Patent number: 8646792
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts. The frame structure extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and a catching surface connected to the pair of side frame under-members for engaging the rear sub-frame and attached structures. A steering gear is attached to the rear sub-frame. The catching surface interacts with the steering gear to promote additional crushing energy absorption during sliding movement of the rear sub-frame relative to the catching surface during the frontal impact. The catching surface can be formed on ramps attached to the pair of side frame under-members. A tether can prolong crushing contact of the rear sub-frame with respect to the catching surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Patent number: 8585066
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes an inverter protection brace extending between front and rear sub-frames located below and in front of side under frame members. A gusset of the brace strongly connects to the front sub-frame to load a beam section without overloading attaching bolts. The brace has a bolted connection attaches to the rear sub-frame. The brace deforms forward of the bolted connection creating a safety cage around an inverter during frontal impacts. A reinforcement bracket attaches to the side frame under members to define a pocket for temporarily catching the rear sub-frame. Ramps connect to the reinforcement bracket allowing sliding of the rear sub-frame rearward, and direct movement downwardly beneath a battery assembly. A catching surface defined on the ramp engages at least one rear sub-frame attached structure. A tether connects between the pair of side frame under-members and the rear sub-frame for improving the interaction of the rear sub-frame against the ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Jesse Thomas Buehler, Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Publication number: 20130270029
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts. The frame structure extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and a catching surface connected to the pair of side frame under-members for engaging the rear sub-frame and attached structures to improve energy absorption response during a frontal impact. A steering gear is attached to the rear sub-frame. The catching surface interacts with the steering gear to promote additional crushing energy absorption during sliding movement of the rear sub-frame relative to the catching surface during the frontal impact. The catching surface can be formed on ramps attached to the pair of side frame under-members. A tether can prolong crushing contact of the rear sub-frame with respect to the catching surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Publication number: 20130270860
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes an inverter protection brace extending between front and rear sub-frames located below and in front of side frame members. A gusset of the brace strongly connects to the front sub-frame to load a beam section without overloading the bolts, and a bolted connection attaches to the rear sub-frame. The brace deforms forward of the bolted connection creating a safety cage around an inverter during frontal impacts. A reinforcement bracket attaches to the side frame members to define a pocket for temporarily catching the rear sub-frame. Ramps connect to the reinforcement bracket allowing sliding of the rear sub-frame rearward, and direct movement downwardly beneath a battery assembly. A catching surface defined on a ramp engages at least one rear sub-frame attached structure. A tether connects between the pair of side frame under-members and the rear sub-frame for improving the interaction of the rear sub-frame against the ramps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Jesse Thomas Buehler, Naipaul Deo Ramoutar, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Publication number: 20130270861
    Abstract: A frame structure is adapted to absorb energy from frontal impacts and extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and at least one ramp connected to the pair of side frame under-members for directing rearward sliding movement of the rear sub-frame and attached structures downwardly beneath a battery assembly. A catching surface engages a steering gear to improve energy absorption during frontal impacts. A reinforcement bracket attached to the pair of side frame under-members defines a pocket for temporarily catching the rear sub-frame providing an energy absorption path before releasing the rear sub-frame to slide past. A tether is connected between the pair of side frame under-members and the rear sub-frame for holding the rear sub-frame against the ramp to increase energy absorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Jesse Thomas Buehler, Naipual Deo Ramoutar, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Publication number: 20130270808
    Abstract: A frame structure absorbs energy from frontal impacts and extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and an inverter protection brace extending between the front sub-frame and the rear sub-frame. Loading from the inverter protection brace travels through the rear sub-frame to A-point bolt connections located on the pair of front frame side members. The rear sub-frame moves rearward and deforms at the A-point bolt connections. The load through the A-point bolt connections changes the deformation mode of the frame front side members between the A-point bolt connections and B-point bolt connections. At least one of the pair of side frame under-members buckles rearward of the B-point bolt connection located on the pair of side frame under-members for energy absorption during the frontal impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Jesse Thomas Buehler, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers
  • Patent number: 8540259
    Abstract: A frame structure absorbs energy from frontal impacts and extends under a front portion of the body frame. The frame structure includes a rear sub-frame located below and in front of a pair of side frame under-members, and an inverter protection brace extending between the front sub-frame and the rear sub-frame. Loading from the inverter protection brace travels through the rear sub-frame to A-point bolt connections located on the pair of front frame side members. The rear sub-frame moves rearward and deforms at the A-point bolt connections. The load through the A-point bolt connections changes the deformation mode of the frame front side members between the A-point bolt connections and B-point bolt connections. At least one of the pair of side frame under-members buckles rearward of the B-point bolt connection located on the pair of side frame under-members for energy absorption during the frontal impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Taichi Yamashita, Jesse Thomas Buehler, Gerritt Benjamin Meyers