Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D Ottenhoff

Jeffrey D Ottenhoff 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: 7350817
    Abstract: A steering column bracket for a motor vehicle includes a body defining a bore adapted to receive a lower mounting bracket. A pair of wings extend out from the body on opposite sides thereof. A bracing is formed on at least a portion of a surface of the body and a at least a portion of a surface of the wings. The bracing includes of a plurality of ribs defining pockets. The bracing provides stiffness to the steering column bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Mirjana Jurik, Donald A Mahoney, Jeffrey D Ottenhoff
  • Patent number: 7172217
    Abstract: An energy absorption device for use in a steering column assembly in a motor vehicle includes a steering column bracket having a groove formed therein. A sheet strap is mounted on the groove in a hooked configuration and has a first end and a second end. An insert is mounted on the first end of the sheet strap. A pop rivet is mounted to the steering column bracket and extends across the groove to prevent the insert from moving. A pin is mounted on the second end of the sheet strap opposite the first end. The pin is adapted to be coupled to a fixed portion of the motor vehicle. The sheet strap unwinds during an impact event thereby absorbing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mirjana Jurik, Jeffrey D Ottenhoff
  • Patent number: 6814373
    Abstract: A steering column mounting system that includes a mounting bracket fixedly attached to a steering column and at least one pull strap made of a resiliently bendable material, the pull strap having a first leg with a slot through which extends a fastener fixedly attached to a motor vehicle structure and having a free second leg substantially parallel to the first leg. The pull strap has at least two portions having different widths. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may be selected so as to provide a predetermined amount of resiliency to the unwinding of the pull straps. The widths of the portions of the pull strap may also be selected so as to provide differing amounts of resiliency at different stages of the unwinding of the pull straps. A support frame is attached to the mounting bracket and maintains the first leg and the second leg of the pull strap substantially parallel relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Munro, Glenn F Syrowik, Gregory A Wasek, Jeffrey D Ottenhoff