Patents by Inventor Jack R. Tappainer

Jack R. Tappainer 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).

  • Publication number: 20040119300
    Abstract: A bracket is adapted for connection to a vehicle body part in order to mount a striker cooperating with a door lock mechanism of a motor vehicle. The striker is to be rigidly secured by bolts to the vehicle body part. The bracket includes a striker mount portion, with holes defined therein adapted to receive the bolts, and a weld portion, by which the bracket can be welded to the back surface of the vehicle body part. A pair of deformable limbs interconnects the striker mount portion and the weld portion. By way of these deformable limbs, a position of the striker mount portion relative to the weld portion is adjustable to change the positions of the holes and accommodate repositioning of the bolts. The limbs have offset portions which are laterally displaced with respect to the striker mount portion and the weld portion such that the offset portions include side surfaces parallel to but not co-planar with side surfaces of the striker mount and weld portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Strable, Raymond N. Kreucher, Robert C. Reid, Michael R. Smart, Derek F. Bigenho, Larry M. Storinsky, Jack R. Tappainer
  • Patent number: 5076529
    Abstract: The latch of a seat adjuster is pivotally mounted on a latch mounting bracket which, in turn, is secured rigidly to the upper track of the seat adjuster. The latch mounting bracket is formed with a weakened area in proximity to the pivot for the latch. In the event of a frontal crash, the weakened area deforms to enable the mounting bracket to move forwardly relative to the latch and clamp the latch in its latched position, thereby preventing the latch from pivoting to its unlatched position. A second bracket underlies the latch mounting bracket and coacts with the other latching elements to force the latching tooth of the latch to fail in shear rather than by bending. An anchor for a seat belt may be carried by the second bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Atwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen D. Dove, Ronald E. Ethington, Jack R. Tappainer