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).
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Publication number: 20230249739Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2022Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: John F. Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones
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Patent number: 11104370Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Tyler M. Reno, John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker
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Publication number: 20210061342Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Tyler M. Reno, John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker
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Patent number: 10875566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, John F. Schulz, Robert C. Derocher
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Patent number: 10793179Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, John C. Maxwell, John F. Schulz, Melvin L. Tinnin
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Patent number: 10780915Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Heritianarisoa Rakouth, Joachim J. Klesing, Pierre C. Longuemare, Qi Peng, Steve J. Collier-Hallman, Farhad Bolourchi, John F. Schulz
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Publication number: 20200039564Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2018Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, John C. Maxwell, John F. Schulz, Melvin L. Tinnin
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Publication number: 20200033876Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
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Patent number: 10496102Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
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Publication number: 20190291774Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, John F. Schulz, Robert C. Derocher
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Patent number: 10384708Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10351161Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Richard P. Nash, John F. Schulz
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Publication number: 20180362067Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10144383Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Joen C. Bodtker, John F. Schulz
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Patent number: 10112639Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 10029725Abstract: A torque feedback system for a vehicle includes a steering shaft having a longitudinal axis, a jacket surrounding the shaft, the shaft rotatable with respect to the jacket, and at least one mechanical energy storing element arranged to provide torque feedback when the steering shaft is rotated. The at least one mechanical energy storing element includes a first mechanical energy storing element having a first end engageable with the jacket and a second end engageable with the shaft, and a second mechanical energy storing element having a first end engageable with the jacket and a second end engageable with the shaft. The first mechanical energy storing element provides resistance to rotation of the shaft in a first rotational direction, and the second mechanical energy storing element provides resistance to rotation of the shaft in a second rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker
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Publication number: 20180154932Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Inventors: Heritianarisoa Rakouth, Joachim J. Klesing, Pierre C. Longuemare, Qi Peng, Steve J. Collier-Hallman, Farhad Bolourchi, John F. Schulz
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Publication number: 20180086297Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, John F. Schulz
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Patent number: 9919724Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided and includes a steering column shaft and a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a deployed position. A disengagement assembly selectively couples a steering column telescope lead screw to the column adjustment assembly. The disengagement assembly is configured to selectively disengage the telescope lead screw from the column adjustment assembly to facilitate manual movement of the steering column shaft between the retracted position and the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Frank P. Lubischer, John F. Schulz, James E. Rouleau, Shawn A. Haring
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Publication number: 20180072341Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe