Patents by Inventor John F. Schulz

John F. Schulz 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: 12351233
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering wheel having a steering wheel rim, a steering wheel hub, and a rim extension segment. The steering column assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the rim extension segment. The steering column assembly further includes a jacket assembly operatively coupled to the steering wheel, wherein the jacket assembly defines a central passage extending in a longitudinal direction of the steering column assembly, wherein the central passage does not include a steering shaft therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Randy W. Jones, Michael P. Anspaugh, Sergio R. Molinar, Jacob Caverly, Todd M. King
  • Publication number: 20250145208
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering wheel having a steering wheel rim, a steering wheel hub, and a rim extension segment. The steering column assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the rim extension segment. The steering column assembly further includes a jacket assembly operatively coupled to the steering wheel, wherein the jacket assembly defines a central passage extending in a longitudinal direction of the steering column assembly, wherein the central passage does not include a steering shaft therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Randy W. Jones, Michael P. Anspaugh, Sergio R. Molinar, Jacob Caverly, Todd M. King
  • Publication number: 20250010906
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering column includes a single column jacket extending in a longitudinal direction. The steering column also includes a single steering shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and housed at least partially within the single column jacket. The steering column further includes a steer-by-wire electric actuator at least partially disposed within the single column jacket and surrounding the single steering shaft to provide resistance to the single steering shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Randy W. Jones, Michael P. Anspaugh, Sergio R. Molinar, Todd M. King, Jacob A. Caverly
  • Publication number: 20250010908
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering column includes an upper jacket extending in a longitudinal direction. The steering column also includes a lower jacket extending in the longitudinal direction, the upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The steering column further includes a single steering shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and housed at least partially within the upper jacket and the lower jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones, John F. Schulz, Jacob A. Caverly, Todd M. King, Sergio R. Molinar
  • Patent number: 11999409
    Abstract: An energy absorption system for a vehicle steering column includes a lower jacket. The energy absorption system also includes an upper jacket operatively coupled to, and moveable relative to, the lower jacket. The energy absorption system further includes a tooth rack operatively coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorption system yet further includes an electromagnetic brake mechanism engageable with the tooth rack to exert a braking force on the tooth rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones
  • Publication number: 20230249739
    Abstract: An energy absorption system for a vehicle steering column includes a lower jacket. The energy absorption system also includes an upper jacket operatively coupled to, and moveable relative to, the lower jacket. The energy absorption system further includes a tooth rack operatively coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorption system yet further includes an electromagnetic brake mechanism engageable with the tooth rack to exert a braking force on the tooth rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10875566
    Abstract: A stow release assembly for a manually translatable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The stow release assembly also includes a lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable relative to the lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable between a retracted range and a stowed range. The stow release assembly further includes an electromechanical blocking element coupled to a stationary component of the steering column assembly and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the electromechanical blocking element selectively preventing translation of the upper jacket at a plurality of translation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, John F. Schulz, Robert C. Derocher
  • Patent number: 10793179
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly, a locking assembly, and an adjustment lever. The jacket assembly extends along a steering column axis and is connected to a support bracket. The locking assembly is movable between a locked position that inhibits movement of the jacket assembly relative to the steering column axis and an unlocked position that facilitates movement of the jacket assembly relative to the steering column axis. The adjustment lever is arranged to pivot about a lever axis to move the locking assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, John C. Maxwell, John F. Schulz, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10780915
    Abstract: A steer by wire steering system includes a steering wheel selectively coupled to a steering shaft, the steering wheel and steering shaft axially movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; an advanced driver assist system configured to steer the steerable wheels of a vehicle that is in communication with the steering wheel and steering shaft, the ADAS configured to selectively control the steering of the steerable wheels in an autonomous driving mode and a manual driving mode; and a steering system controller in communication with the ADAS, the steering system controller programmed to, while the steering wheel is in the retracted position, move the steering wheel to the deployed position and operatively couple the steering wheel to the steering shaft, in response to a vehicle operator request to deactivate a portion of the ADAS and transition from the autonomous driving mode to the manual driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Heritianarisoa Rakouth, Joachim J. Klesing, Pierre C. Longuemare, Qi Peng, Steve J. Collier-Hallman, Farhad Bolourchi, John F. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20200039564
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly, a locking assembly, and an adjustment lever. The jacket assembly extends along a steering column axis and is connected to a support bracket. The locking assembly is movable between a locked position that inhibits movement of the jacket assembly relative to the steering column axis and an unlocked position that facilitates movement of the jacket assembly relative to the steering column axis. The adjustment lever is arranged to pivot about a lever axis to move the locking assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, John C. Maxwell, John F. Schulz, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20200033876
    Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
  • Patent number: 10496102
    Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20190291774
    Abstract: A stow release assembly for a manually translatable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. The stow release assembly also includes a lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable relative to the lower jacket, the upper jacket translatable between a retracted range and a stowed range. The stow release assembly further includes an electromechanical blocking element coupled to a stationary component of the steering column assembly and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, the electromechanical blocking element selectively preventing translation of the upper jacket at a plurality of translation positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, John F. Schulz, Robert C. Derocher
  • Patent number: 10384708
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable therewith. Further included is a steering gear input shaft operatively coupled to an electric power assist steering gear. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the electric power assist steering gear. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the steering shaft and the electric actuator for steering in a primary mode. Further included is an intermediate shaft assembly mechanically coupling the steering shaft to a rack and pinion assembly to steer in a redundant mode when communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 10351161
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a first steering shaft operatively coupleable to a steering wheel, the first steering shaft and the steering wheel rotationally coupled to each other. Also included is a second steering shaft operatively coupled to the first steering shaft, the first and second steering shafts manually telescopingly movable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, the first steering shaft disengaged from the second steering shaft in the retracted position and the first steering shaft engaged with the first steering shaft in the extended position, the retracted position rotationally decoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Richard P. Nash, John F. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20180362067
    Abstract: A single vehicle steering arrangement is provided. The steering arrangement includes a steering wheel and at least one human machine interface configured to allow a human to steer the vehicle, the human machine interface being a component separate from the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 10144383
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel and display interface. The steering wheel has an airbag module disposed within a hub of the steering wheel. The display interface is disposed on the steering wheel over the airbag module. The display interface has a first display segment disposed adjacent to a second display segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, John F. Schulz
  • Patent number: 10112639
    Abstract: A single vehicle steering arrangement is provided. The steering arrangement includes a steering wheel and at least one human machine interface configured to allow a human to steer the vehicle, the human machine interface being a component separate from the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe