Patents by Inventor Mark D Shafto

Mark D Shafto 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).

  • Detachable tow hook assembly
    Patent number: 6896281
    Abstract: A tow hook mount is adapted to resist movement of the tow hook in a towing direction. The mount is also adapted to release the tow hook by allowing the tow hook to move in a direction opposite to the towing direction when contacted by a force in such direction. The tow hook is an elongated member having a towing end and a mounting end. The mounting end includes a front mount and a rear mount, each having a slot extending substantially opposite to the towing direction. In a low impact collision, the tow hook is arranged to move or break away from the automobile upon application of an impact force to the tow hook which is less than an activation force required to activate an airbag on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A Lenzen, Jr., Sreedharan Venkataratnam, Forest Nine, Philip Kass, Mark D Shafto, Heinz Hentschel
  • Detachable tow hook assembly
    Publication number: 20040090041
    Abstract: A tow hook mount is adapted to resist movement of the tow hook in a towing direction. The mount is also adapted to release the tow hook by allowing the tow hook to move in a direction opposite to the towing direction when contacted by a force in such direction. The tow hook is an elongated member having a towing end and a mounting end. The mounting end includes a front mount and a rear mount, each having a slot extending substantially opposite to the towing direction. In a low impact collision, the tow hook is arranged to move or break away from the automobile upon application of an impact force to the tow hook which is less than an activation force required to activate an airbag on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Richard A. Lenzen, Sreedharan Venkataratnam, Forest Nine, Philip Kass, Mark D. Shafto, Heinz Hentschel