Patents by Inventor Jeff Behounek

Jeff Behounek 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: 9810314
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission, including a housing and a shift rod rotatably supported in the housing. The shift rod is selectively movable between a plurality of radial positions. A disc is in rotational communication with the shift rod for concurrent movement between the radial positions. The disc defines a plurality of gates each having respective first and second ends. A plurality of solenoids are disposed in the housing adjacent the disc. Each of the solenoids has a plunger selectively movable between a first position spaced from the disc and a second position disposed within one of the gates. The gates are spaced equally from each other and are radially aligned about a common reference circle. Rotation of the shift rod is selectively limited by at least one of the plungers in the second position engaging at least one of the ends of the gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: KONGSBERG DRIVELINE SYSTEMS I, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Thomas Blicharz, Jeffrey Dulzo, Terrentha Hill, Jonathan Love, Kenneth Shepard, Harry Edward Koontz
  • Patent number: 9476500
    Abstract: A manual gear shifter assembly includes a shifter housing, a shift lever pivotally mounted to the shifter housing displaceable in a select direction to move between at least a first shift gate and a second shift gate, and in at least one shift direction for shifting the gears of the transmission, a shift cable coupled to the shift lever and the transmission, a blocker mounted in the shifter housing and operatively cooperating with the shift lever, a select lever pivotally mounted to the shifter housing with the select lever cooperating with the shift lever to allow displacement of the shift lever in the select direction to move between the shift gates, and a solenoid disposed in the shifter housing and cooperating with the blocker to physically block the displacement of the shift lever into a predetermined gear for inhibiting shifting of the transmission during a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: KONGSBERG DRIVELINE SYSTEMS I, INC
    Inventors: Kenneth Skogward, Sofie Rydell Wigren, Russell Staniek, Jeff Behounek, Jonathan Warner Love
  • Publication number: 20160245396
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for changing gears in a vehicle transmission, including a housing and a shift rod rotatably supported in the housing. The shift rod is selectively movable between a plurality of radial positions. A disc is in rotational communication with the shift rod for concurrent movement between the radial positions. The disc defines a plurality of gates each having respective first and second ends. A plurality of solenoids are disposed in the housing adjacent the disc. Each of the solenoids has a plunger selectively movable between a first position spaced from the disc and a second position disposed within one of the gates. The gates are spaced equally from each other and are radially aligned about a common reference circle. Rotation of the shift rod is selectively limited by at least one of the plungers in the second position engaging at least one of the ends of the gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: KONGSBERG DRIVELINE SYSTEMS I, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Thomas Blicharz, Jeffrey Dulzo, Terrentha Hill, Jonathan Love, Kenneth Shepard, Harry Edward Koontz
  • Publication number: 20150090061
    Abstract: A manual gear shifter assembly includes a shifter housing, a shift lever pivotally mounted to the shifter housing displaceable in a select direction to move between at least a first shift gate and a second shift gate, and in at least one shift direction for shifting the gears of the transmission, a shift cable coupled to the shift lever and the transmission, a blocker mounted in the shifter housing and operatively cooperating with the shift lever, a select lever pivotally mounted to the shifter housing with the select lever cooperating with the shift lever to allow displacement of the shift lever in the select direction to move between the shift gates, and a solenoid disposed in the shifter housing and cooperating with the blocker to physically block the displacement of the shift lever into a predetermined gear for inhibiting shifting of the transmission during a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth Skogward, Sofie Rydell Wigren, Russell Staniek, Jeff Behounek, Jonathan Warner Love
  • Patent number: 8656802
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission and a method of operating the same is disclosed. A shift lever is pivotable about a first axis in a first mode for providing mechanical actuation, and a second mode for providing electronic actuation to the transmission. An arm is pivotable about the first axis concurrently with the shift lever in at least the first mode. The arm includes a first and second engagement surface. The shifter assembly includes a cam pivotable about a second axis between a first and second position. The first engagement surface urges the cam to move between the first and second positions as the shift lever pivots in the first mode. The second engagement surface abuts the cam as the shift lever pivots in the second mode such that the arm pivots about the first axis while the cam remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Kenneth Skogward
  • Publication number: 20130081501
    Abstract: A shifter assembly for providing mechanical and electronic actuation to a transmission and a method of operating the same is disclosed. A shift lever is pivotable about a first axis in a first mode for providing mechanical actuation, and a second mode for providing electronic actuation to the transmission. An arm is pivotable about the first axis concurrently with the shift lever in at least the first mode. The arm includes a first and second engagement surface. The shifter assembly includes a cam pivotable about a second axis between a first and second position. The first engagement surface urges the cam to move between the first and second positions as the shift lever pivots in the first mode. The second engagement surface abuts the cam as the shift lever pivots in the second mode such that the arm pivots about the first axis while the cam remains stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Kongsberg Driveline Systems I, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Behounek, Kenneth Skogward