Patents by Inventor Grant Michael Wheeler

Grant Michael Wheeler 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: 10082168
    Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Wayne Smith, Steven P. Ragalyi, Grant Michael Wheeler, Jesus R. Morales
  • Publication number: 20170175790
    Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: MARK WAYNE SMITH, STEVEN P. RAGALYI, GRANT MICHAEL WHEELER, JESUS R. MORALES
  • Patent number: 9368910
    Abstract: A mechanically assisted electrical connector including a lever and a slider. The slider is coupled to the lever such that movement of the lever moves the slider. The slider defines a slot that is configured to cooperate with a post of a mating connector in a manner effective to urge the electrical connector and the mating connector together when the lever is moved from a first position to a second position. A ramp angle of the slot is varied to reduce a peak value of an applied force to advance the lever from the first position to the second position when connecting the electrical connector to the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Eichorn, Andrew Joseph Jozwiak, Grant Michael Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20160064856
    Abstract: A mechanically assisted electrical connector including a lever and a slider. The slider is coupled to the lever such that movement of the lever moves the slider. The slider defines a slot that is configured to cooperate with a post of a mating connector in a manner effective to urge the electrical connector and the mating connector together when the lever is moved from a first position to a second position. A ramp angle of the slot is varied to reduce a peak value of an applied force to advance the lever from the first position to the second position when connecting the electrical connector to the mating connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: DANIEL S. EICHORN, ANDREW JOSEPH JOZWIAK, GRANT MICHAEL WHEELER
  • Patent number: 8926344
    Abstract: An electrical distribution center assembly having a connector including a plurality of terminals and a terminal stabilizer plate engaging the tips of the terminals to hold the terminals in position and resist bending prior to inserting a mating connector into the electrical distribution center assembly. The terminal stabilizer plate is held in a ready position by a releasable latch means until an axial force applied to the releasable latch means by the mating connector body exceeds a force threshold, whereby the terminal stabilizer plate is released from the ready position and is moved to a seated position. The releasable latch means may include a flexible beam or other resilient member to hold the terminal stabilizer plate in the ready position until it is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Jozwiak, Grant Michael Wheeler, Jesus R. Morales, Brian Skolnik
  • Publication number: 20140199891
    Abstract: An electrical distribution center assembly having a connector including a plurality of terminals and a terminal stabilizer plate engaging the tips of the terminals to hold the terminals in position and resist bending prior to inserting a mating connector into the electrical distribution center assembly. The terminal stabilizer plate is held in a ready position by a releasable latch means until an axial force applied to the releasable latch means by the mating connector body exceeds a force threshold, whereby the terminal stabilizer plate is released from the ready position and is moved to a seated position. The releasable latch means may include a flexible beam or other resilient member to hold the terminal stabilizer plate in the ready position until it is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: ANDREW JOSEPH JOZWIAK, GRANT MICHAEL WHEELER, JESUS R. MORALES, BRIAN SKOLNIK
  • Patent number: 5730261
    Abstract: A damper control valve includes a body having an inlet, a main outlet and a pilot outlet with a valve disc normally substantially closing the inlet off from the outlet. The valve disc has a continuously open orifice that permits restricted fluid communication between the inlet and the pilot outlet. An armature normally closes the pilot outlet. The armature is movable by a coil to open the pilot outlet and in response, the valve disc independently moves in response to a pressure differential to open the main outlet to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph George Spakowski, Kenneth James Flory, Grant Michael Wheeler