Patents by Inventor Joen C. Bodtker

Joen C. Bodtker 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: 11794802
    Abstract: An adjustment actuator assembly for a vehicle steering system includes a leadscrew having a threaded outer surface and at least one pocket recessed radially inwardly from an outer diameter of the threaded outer surface. The adjustment actuator assembly also includes a nut having a threaded inner surface engaged with the threaded outer surface of the leadscrew, the nut axially moveable along the leadscrew during rotation of the leadscrew. The adjustment actuator assembly further includes a travel stop limiter operatively coupled to the nut, the travel stop limiter having a leg extending through an opening of the nut and spring biased into contact with the threaded outer surface of the leadscrew and moveable into the pocket of the leadscrew to limit axial translation of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11753064
    Abstract: A steering column that includes a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. An energy absorbing apparatus is located between the first jacket and the second jacket. The energy absorbing apparatus includes a strap body that extends between a first end and a second end. A curved portion is located between the first end and the second end and a spring segment is configured to bias the curved portion towards the first end when the connector strap is fixed to a jacket of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11685423
    Abstract: A steering column comprising a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. The first jacket includes an aperture. An energy absorbing apparatus includes a strap body extending between a first end and a second end and a curved portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end includes a first connector and the second end includes a second connector selectively connected to the first connector through the aperture in the first jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11685422
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column including a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. The second jacket includes a window and the first jacket includes a connector opening. An energy absorbing assembly includes a lock cam that is located in the window and connected to the second jacket and a strap body that is connected to the first jacket with a fastener extending through the strap body and the connector opening. The connector opening includes a ramp for ejecting the fastener from engagement with the first jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11685421
    Abstract: A steering column with an energy absorbing assembly. The steering column comprising a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. The second jacket includes a window. The energy absorbing apparatus includes a lock cam located in the window and connected to the second jacket and a strap body that is connected to the first jacket. The lock cam includes a toothed portion for selective engagement with the strap body. The energy absorbing apparatus includes at least one of a cam spring located between the lock cam and an edge of the window or a bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Publication number: 20230192174
    Abstract: A steering column that includes a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. An energy absorbing apparatus is located between the first jacket and the second jacket. The energy absorbing apparatus includes a strap body that extends between a first end and a second end. A curved portion is located between the first end and the second end and a spring segment is configured to bias the curved portion towards the first end when the connector strap is fixed to a jacket of the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Publication number: 20230192173
    Abstract: A steering column with an energy absorbing assembly. The steering column comprising a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. The second jacket includes a window. The energy absorbing apparatus includes a lock cam located in the window and connected to the second jacket and a strap body that is connected to the first jacket. The lock cam includes a toothed portion for selective engagement with the strap body. The energy absorbing apparatus includes at least one of a cam spring located between the lock cam and an edge of the window or a bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Publication number: 20230192176
    Abstract: A steering column comprising a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. The first jacket includes an aperture. An energy absorbing apparatus includes a strap body extending between a first end and a second end and a curved portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end includes a first connector and the second end includes a second connector selectively connected to the first connector through the aperture in the first jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Publication number: 20230192175
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column including a first jacket and a second jacket that is axially movable with respect to the first jacket. The second jacket includes a window and the first jacket includes a connector opening. An energy absorbing assembly includes a lock cam that is located in the window and connected to the second jacket and a strap body that is connected to the first jacket with a fastener extending through the strap body and the connector opening. The connector opening includes a ramp for ejecting the fastener from engagement with the first jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Melvin L. Tinnin, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11613298
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket extending along an axis and including a pair of jacket mounting plates on opposite sides of the axis. The steering column assembly also includes a mounting bracket including a pair of mounting bracket plates spaced by a bridge, wherein each of the mounting bracket plates is operably connected to a jacket mounting plate. The steering column assembly further includes at least one of the mounting bracket plates including a mating aperture defined by a pivot portion that is circular and an insertion slot extending outwardly from the pivot portion. The steering column assembly yet further includes at least one of the jacket mounting plates including a mating projection that includes at least one tab interfacing with opposite sides of the pivot portion. The insertion slot is sized to allow the at least one tab to be inserted therein during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Michael P. Anspaugh, Scott E. Rezmer, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 11603124
    Abstract: A motion control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a rake bracket having a first leg and a second leg. Also included is a clamping mechanism intersecting the upper jacket and positioned on the first leg of the rake bracket, the on-center, single-sided clamping mechanism moveable between a clamped condition and an unclamped condition, the clamped condition securing a lower jacket against telescoping movement relative to an upper jacket. Further included is a mechanical fastener extending through the second leg of the rake bracket and at least partially through the lower jacket and operatively coupled to the lower jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11345389
    Abstract: A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position. The rake assembly also includes a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray having a plurality of teeth. The rake assembly further includes a rocker tray having a plurality of teeth adapted to mesh with the plurality of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position, the rocker tray being adapted to rock about a second axis from an un-tilted state when in the locked position and to a tilted state when in the unlocked position to provide a degree of motion to facilitate meshing of the plurality of teeth of the first tray and the plurality of teeth of the rocker tray, the second axis being transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11225281
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket at least partially received within the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a jacket wall integrally formed with the lower jacket, the jacket wall extending longitudinally form a first end to a second end and having a first side and a second side. The steering column assembly yet further includes an energy absorption strap offset from the first side of the jacket wall to form a recess extending along the jacket wall, the energy absorption strap having a first end and a second end, the energy absorption strap having at least one tear line at an interface with the jacket wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Joen C. Bodtker, Donald A. Buzzard, Tyler M. Reno
  • Patent number: 11186307
    Abstract: A clamping arrangement for an adjustable assembly includes a lever operatively coupled to the clamping arrangement for moving the assembly between a locked position and an unlocked position, an aperture extending from an inner face of the lever to an outer face of the lever. The clamping arrangement also includes an outer cam having an outer radial surface at least partially disposed within the aperture of the locking lever. The clamping arrangement further includes an inner cam engaged with the outer cam and adjustable assembly. The clamping arrangement yet further includes a rake bolt extending through the lever, the outer cam, the inner cam, and the adjustable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Randy W. Jones
  • Patent number: 11180180
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft having a first end and a second end. The steering column assembly also includes an intermediate shaft coupled to the steering column shaft first end. The steering column assembly further includes a steering input pinion coupled to the intermediate shaft. The steering column assembly yet further includes a counter rotation mechanism causing a non-rotational condition of at least a portion of the steering shaft via counter rotational movement of the steering column assembly during rotation of the steering input pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11104370
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket assembly extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having an energy absorption (EA) plate. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket assembly at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorption strap integrally formed with the lower jacket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Tyler M. Reno, John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11097776
    Abstract: An energy absorption strap assembly for a steering column is provided. The assembly includes an upper jacket. The assembly also includes a first energy absorption strap extending from a first end to a second end, the first energy absorption strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket proximate the second end of the first energy absorption strap. The assembly further includes a second energy absorption strap surrounding a portion of the first energy absorptions strap, the second energy absorption strap not directly coupled to the upper jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Randy Jones, Jorge Flores
  • Patent number: 11091198
    Abstract: An energy absorption strap assembly for a steering column includes a first strap. Also included is a second strap, the first and second strap having respective edge regions that are laterally engageable with each to switch the energy absorption strap assembly between a high load condition and a low load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Randy Jones, Jorge Flores
  • Publication number: 20210129889
    Abstract: A clamping arrangement for an adjustable assembly includes a lever operatively coupled to the clamping arrangement for moving the assembly between a locked position and an unlocked position, an aperture extending from an inner face of the lever to an outer face of the lever. The clamping arrangement also includes an outer cam having an outer radial surface at least partially disposed within the aperture of the locking lever. The clamping arrangement further includes an inner cam engaged with the outer cam and adjustable assembly. The clamping arrangement yet further includes a rake bolt extending through the lever, the outer cam, the inner cam, and the adjustable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Randy W. Jones
  • Publication number: 20210061342
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket assembly extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and having an energy absorption (EA) plate. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket assembly at least partially received within the lower jacket assembly. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorption strap integrally formed with the lower jacket assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Tyler M. Reno, John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker