Patents by Inventor Kathryn Petroff

Kathryn Petroff 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: 7021003
    Abstract: A power liftgate drive assembly moves a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The power liftgate assembly is aligned along the side of the motor vehicle. A liftgate rod extends in a generally vertical orientation between the power liftgate drive assembly and the liftgate. The assembly includes a base that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle near a load floor. A guide extends upwardly from the base. The guide extends along the side of the motor vehicle and is disposed adjacent the liftgate when the liftgate is in the closed position. A liftgate carriage is connected to the guide. The liftgate carriage slides along the guide. The liftgate rod is pivotally connected between the liftgate carriage and the liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Miroslav Janda, Alexander Kaczmarczyk, Kathryn Petroff
  • Patent number: 6946853
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicular power accessory includes an elongate sensor electrode (102), a capacitive shield (104) extending significantly beyond the sensor electrode (102). A dielectric (106) is disposed between the capacitive shield (104) and the sensor electrode (102) to isolate the sensor electrode (102) from the capacitive shield (104). A sensor processor (114) is in electrical communication with the sensor electrode (102) for processing sense data received from the sensor electrode (102). A power actuator (202) is in electrical communication with the sensor processor (114) for effecting movement of the power accessory in accordance with the processed sense data. The sensor electrode (102) can be applied to various vehicle locations with the purpose of detecting obstacles and activating an alarm or display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Gifford, Kathryn Petroff, Mirko Pribisic
  • Publication number: 20040178924
    Abstract: A controller for a vehicular power accessory includes an elongate sensor electrode (102), a capacitive shield (104) extending significantly beyond the sensor electrode (102). A dielectric (106) is disposed between the capacitive shield (104) and the sensor electrode (102) to isolate the sensor electrode (102) from the capacitive shield (104). A sensor processor (114) is in electrical communication with the sensor electrode (102) for processing sense data received from the sensor electrode (102). A power actuator (202) is in electrical communication with the sensor processor (114) for effecting movement of the power accessory in accordance with the processed sense data. The sensor electrode (102) can be applied to various vehicle locations with the purpose of detecting obstacles and activating an alarm or display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Carl W. Gifford, Kathryn Petroff, Mirko Pribisic
  • Patent number: 6676190
    Abstract: A power liftgate drive assembly automatically moves the liftgate of a vehicle between its open and closed positions. The drive assembly is secured to the vehicle at a position near the top of the liftgate. The drive assembly includes a motor that drives a sector gear between two positions. A guide rod is secured to the sector gear to translate the rotational movement of the sector gear into the pivotal movement of the liftgate. A slot extends through the sector gear that allows the liftgate to be moved manually. A latch locks the guide rod in position with respect to the sector gear for automated movement whereas the latch releases the guide rod to move in the slot for manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Aleksander Kaczmarczyk, Miroslav Janda, Kris Tomaszewski, Thomas P. Frommer, Kathryn Petroff, Juliusz E. Kirejczyk
  • Publication number: 20030136054
    Abstract: A power liftgate drive assembly moves a liftgate of a motor vehicle between an open position and a closed position. The power liftgate assembly is aligned along the side of the motor vehicle. A liftgate rod extends in a generally vertical orientation between the power liftgate drive assembly and the liftgate. The assembly includes a base that is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle near a load floor. A guide extends upwardly from the base. The guide extends along the side of the motor vehicle and is disposed adjacent the liftgate when the liftgate is in the closed position. A liftgate carriage is connected to the guide. The liftgate carriage slides along the guide. The liftgate rod is pivotally connected between the liftgate carriage and the liftgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew R Daniels, Miroslav Janda, Aleksander Kaczmarczyk, Kathryn Petroff
  • Publication number: 20030089041
    Abstract: A power liftgate drive assembly automatically moves the liftgate of a vehicle between its open and closed positions. The drive assembly is secured to the vehicle at a position near the top of the liftgate. The drive assembly includes a motor that drives a sector gear between two positions. A guide rod is secured to the sector gear to translate the rotational movement of the sector gear into the pivotal movement of the ligtgate. A slot extends through the sector gear that allows the liftgate to be moved manually. A latch locks the guide rod in position with respect to the sector gear for automated movement whereas the latch releases the guide rod to move in the slot for manual operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew R Daniels, Aleksander Kaczmarcyzk, Miroslav Janda, Kris Tomaszewski, Kathryn Petroff, Juliusz E Kirejcyzk
  • Patent number: 6237737
    Abstract: The present application discloses a power actuator that has a motor having a rotatable motor output member and a clutch assembly. A stamped, cup-shape ferromagnetic coil casing has a generally radially extending base wall and an annular side wall extending generally axially from the base wall. An annular ferromagnetic flux intensifying washer is positioned adjacent to the base wall of the coil casing. An annular coil of electroconductive material is disposed within the casing with the side wall extending in surrounding relation with respect to the coil such that the field generated by the coil flows generally radially through the base wall and generally axially through said side wall. A ferromagnetic armature is in sliding relation with the annular coil and movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Jorgensen, Douglas G. Overbury, Carl Gifford, Roman Cetnar, Peter L. Oxley, Kathryn Petroff