Patents by Inventor Jeff Steven Vinton

Jeff Steven Vinton 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).

  • Steering column with decoupling J-slider
    Patent number: 9725109
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an energy absorbing steering column assembly with a J-shaped lower intermediate shaft that is coupled to an upper intermediate shaft. The J-shaped lower shaft includes a curved “slider” portion that fits within a bent portion of the upper shaft such that even when the rigid connection between the J-shaped lower shaft and the upper shaft is broken, the slider portion of the J-shaped lower shaft remains in contact with the upper shaft. Such a configuration enables the driver to maintain control of the vehicle through the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jeff Steven Vinton
  • STEERING COLUMN WITH DECOUPLING J-SLIDER
    Publication number: 20170129530
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an energy absorbing steering column assembly with a J-shaped lower intermediate shaft that is coupled to an upper intermediate shaft. The J-shaped lower shaft includes a curved “slider” portion that fits within a bent portion of the upper shaft such that even when the rigid connection between the J-shaped lower shaft and the upper shaft is broken, the slider portion of the J-shaped lower shaft remains in contact with the upper shaft. Such a configuration enables the driver to maintain control of the vehicle through the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventor: Jeff Steven Vinton
  • Airbag and vehicle passenger restraint system
    Patent number: 8807596
    Abstract: An exemplary passenger airbag for a vehicle passenger restraint system may include an inflatable cushion having an upper rear portion with a convex surface and a lower rear portion with a concave surface when the airbag is deployed. The airbag may further include a longitudinal tether secured to the lower rear portion to limit longitudinal expansion of the inflatable cushion and form the concave surface in the lower rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juanito Yu Co, Jeff Steven Vinton, Nathan Kristofor Tardif
  • AIRBAG AND VEHICLE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140210193
    Abstract: An exemplary passenger airbag for a vehicle passenger restraint system may include an inflatable cushion having an upper rear portion with a convex surface and a lower rear portion with a concave surface when the airbag is deployed. The airbag may further include a longitudinal tether secured to the lower rear portion to limit longitudinal expansion of the inflatable cushion and form the concave surface in the lower rear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Juanito Yu Co, Jeff Steven Vinton, Nathan Kristofor Tardif