Patents by Inventor Melvin Lee Tinnin

Melvin Lee Tinnin 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: 10676126
    Abstract: A rotation control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a steering shaft. The rotation control assembly also includes a driving tab rotatable with the steering shaft. The rotation control assembly further includes a driven tab rotatable relative to the steering shaft, the driving tab adapted to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the steering shaft. The rotation control assembly yet further includes an end stop positioned to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the driven tab to the end stop, engagement of the driven tab and the end stop limiting rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10351159
    Abstract: A driver interface for a vehicle includes a steering column assembly and a structural facial. The steering column assembly includes a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an extended state, and an attachment projecting outward from the column. The structural facial defines an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd M. King, Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20190092375
    Abstract: A rotation control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a steering shaft. The rotation control assembly also includes a driving tab rotatable with the steering shaft. The rotation control assembly further includes a driven tab rotatable relative to the steering shaft, the driving tab adapted to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the steering shaft. The rotation control assembly yet further includes an end stop positioned to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the driven tab to the end stop, engagement of the driven tab and the end stop limiting rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 10239552
    Abstract: A rotation control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a steering shaft. Also included is a driving tab rotatable with the steering shaft. Further included is a rotating plate surrounding the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft, the rotating plate having a driven tab extending from the rotating plate, the driving tab engageable with the driven tab to rotate the rotating plate. Yet further included is an end stop extending from a structure disposed radially outward of the steering shaft and radially positioned to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the driven tab to the end stop, engagement of the driven tab and the end stop limiting rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20180105198
    Abstract: A rotation control assembly for a steering column assembly includes a steering shaft. Also included is a driving tab rotatable with the steering shaft. Further included is a rotating plate surrounding the steering shaft and rotatable relative to the steering shaft, the rotating plate having a driven tab extending from the rotating plate, the driving tab engageable with the driven tab to rotate the rotating plate. Yet further included is an end stop extending from a structure disposed radially outward of the steering shaft and radially positioned to engage the driven tab upon rotation of the driven tab to the end stop, engagement of the driven tab and the end stop limiting rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20160318540
    Abstract: A driver interface for a vehicle includes a steering column assembly and a structural facial. The steering column assembly includes a column constructed and arranged to move between a retracted state and an extended state, and an attachment projecting outward from the column. The structural facial defines an alcove for receipt of the attachment when the steering column is in the retracted state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Todd M. King, Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 8978510
    Abstract: A locking device for a steering column is provided. The locking device includes an operating lever configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, an actuating body configured to rotate in response to rotation of the operating lever and a locking cam operably connected to the actuating body and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the actuating body. The locking cam includes an eccentric locking surface having a plurality of locking teeth. A locking segment is positioned adjacent to the locking cam, the locking segment having a plurality of segment teeth formed thereon. A shaft extends along a first axis and the actuating body and locking cam are positioned on the shaft and configured to rotate about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 8931805
    Abstract: A telescoping shaft having a roller assembly in a steering column is provided. The telescoping shaft includes an outer shaft having at least one projection or at least one groove, and an inner shaft telescopically received in the outer shaft, the inner shaft having the other of the at least one groove and the at least one projection, the at least one groove matingly engaging the at least one projection, each of the at least one grooves having a mounting section formed therein. A roller assembly is positioned in the mounting section of each of the at least one grooves and includes a spring having a first biasing section and a second biasing section, a first plurality of rollers positioned on the first biasing section and a second plurality of rollers positioned on the second biasing section, the at least one projection extending between the first plurality of rollers and the second plurality of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Troy A. Daenzer
  • Patent number: 8888131
    Abstract: A position lock for a steering column comprises a rake lock bracket, a tooth lock, a driver, and a spring. The rake lock bracket is fixed to the vehicle has a rake lock tooth wall that bounds a control slot and that defines a plurality of rake lock teeth. The tooth lock is coupled to the steering column for movement in a raking direction and supported for rotation about a tooth lock rotation axis. The driver, supported for translation with the tooth lock and for rotation about a driver rotation axis, is configured for contacting an actuation feature of the tooth lock so as to cause the tooth lock to rotate with the driver as the driver rotates within the active range of rotation of the driver. The spring is configured and arranged to apply a biasing moment to cause the tooth lock to rotate in a locking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Melvin Lee Tinnin, John Schulz, Donald A. Buzzard
  • Patent number: 8783717
    Abstract: A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of column teeth operably connected to the steering column and an adjustment lever operably connected to the steering column to allow user adjustment of a position of the steering column. A locking bolt extends from the adjustment lever, and a cam is located at the locking bolt and rotatable thereon. The cam includes one or more tab features interactive with the locking bolt such that rotation of the locking bolt engages the tab features with the locking bolt to drive rotation of the cam between a locked and unlocked position. The tab further includes a plurality of cam teeth meshable with the plurality of column teeth when the cam is in a locked position. A spring is operably connected to the cam to maintain the cam position in the locked and/or unlocked position when the cam is rotated thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M Burns, John Frank Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 8763491
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly is provided, including a rack and a stepped gear. The rack has an array of rack teeth. The rack is moveable in a generally linear direction as an amount of force is exerted on the rack in the linear direction. The stepped gear includes an inner step and an outer step. One of the inner step and the outer step has a set of teeth. The set of teeth are meshed with the array of rack teeth. A center axis is oriented at about a center of the outer step. An axis of rotation is offset from the center axis of the stepped gear, and is configured to create a variable gear ratio between the set of teeth of the inner step or the outer step of the stepped gear and the array of rack teeth as the rack is moved in a linear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20140150597
    Abstract: A telescoping shaft having a roller assembly in a steering column is provided. The telescoping shaft includes an outer shaft having at least one projection or at least one groove, and an inner shaft telescopically received in the outer shaft, the inner shaft having the other of the at least one groove and the at least one projection, the at least one groove matingly engaging the at least one projection, each of the at least one grooves having a mounting section formed therein. A roller assembly is positioned in the mounting section of each of the at least one grooves and includes a spring having a first biasing section and a second biasing section, a first plurality of rollers positioned on the first biasing section and a second plurality of rollers positioned on the second biasing section, the at least one projection extending between the first plurality of rollers and the second plurality of rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Troy A. Daenzer
  • Publication number: 20140137693
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column is provided. The steering column includes a rake bracket having first and second legs, a steering shaft extending within an upper jacket along a first axis between the first and second legs, a lower jacket positioned about the upper jacket and a locking clamp positioned about the lower jacket. The steering column further includes an actuating lever rotatable in first and second directions, a clamp bolt having a first end with the actuating lever positioned thereon and a second end coupled to the locking clamp, the clamp bolt extending along a second axis that intersects the upper jacket, and a pressing mechanism positioned on the clamp bolt and operable in response to rotation of the actuating lever such that the steering shaft is secured against adjustment in rake and telescope directions in response to rotation in the first direction and is adjustable in the rake and telescope directions in response to rotation in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20140119810
    Abstract: A steering wheel shaft retention mechanism assembly includes a steering shaft having a mounting groove, a retention mechanism positioned in the mounting groove and having at least one resilient locking projection, and a steering wheel hub having an opening configured to receive a portion of the steering shaft. One section of the opening is configured to receive the at least one locking projection to prevent removal of the steering wheel hub from the shaft. A service tool includes a body portion to be gripped by a user and an engaging portion having at least one projection extending from the body portion, the at least one projection configured to engage the at least one locking projection such that the at least one locking projection is moved to an unlocked position and the steering wheel hub is movable relative to the steering shaft for removal from the steering shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20140116184
    Abstract: A steering wheel retention assembly for retaining a steering wheel hub on a steering shaft of a vehicle steering column includes a mounting portion formed on one of the steering wheel hub and the steering shaft, a receiving portion formed on the other of the steering wheel hub and the steering shaft, and a one-piece retention mechanism positioned in the mounting portion. The retention mechanism includes a resilient locking portion movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking portion projects into the receiving portion in the locked position and is withdrawn from the receiving portion in the unlocked position. The locking portion is biased toward the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Michael W. Clark, Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 8641094
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a rake bracket and a lower jacket secured to the rake bracket. An upper jacket is slidably disposed in the lower jacket and a locking bolt is rotatably located at the lower jacket configured to allow the upper jacket allow the translate along a steering column axis relative to the lower jacket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position. A bolt driver is located at the locking bolt and is configured to interrupt a load path through a column retainer between the lower jacket and the rake bracket when the locking bolt is in an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M Burns, Michael Patrick Anspaugh, Matthew James-Thomas Vincent
  • Publication number: 20140000405
    Abstract: A position lock for a steering column comprises a rake lock bracket, a tooth lock, a driver, and a spring. The rake lock bracket is fixed to the vehicle has a rake lock tooth wall that bounds a control slot and that defines a plurality of rake lock teeth. The tooth lock is coupled to the steering column for movement in a raking direction and supported for rotation about a tooth lock rotation axis. The driver, supported for translation with the tooth lock and for rotation about a driver rotation axis, is configured for contacting an actuation feature of the tooth lock so as to cause the tooth lock to rotate with the driver as the driver rotates within the active range of rotation of the driver. The spring is configured and arranged to apply a biasing moment to cause the tooth lock to rotate in a locking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Melvin Lee Tinnin, John Schulz, Donald A. Buzzard
  • Publication number: 20130205935
    Abstract: A locking device for a steering column is provided. The locking device includes an operating lever configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, an actuating body configured to rotate in response to rotation of the operating lever and a locking cam operably connected to the actuating body and rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to rotation of the actuating body. The locking cam includes an eccentric locking surface having a plurality of locking teeth. A locking segment is positioned adjacent to the locking cam, the locking segment having a plurality of segment teeth formed thereon. A shaft extends along a first axis and the actuating body and locking cam are positioned on the shaft and configured to rotate about the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Publication number: 20130160594
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is provided, and includes an inner jacket, an outer jacket, and a bracket. The inner jacket has an inner jacket outer surface. The outer jacket has an outer jacket outer surface. The inner jacket is slideably disposed in the outer jacket for telescoping movement relative to the outer jacket. The outer jacket has at least one aperture for exposing the inner jacket outer surface. The bracket has at least one inner jacket riser and at least one outer jacket riser. The inner jacket riser is positioned to be received by the at least one aperture and selectively frictionally engage with the inner jacket outer surface. The outer jacket riser is positioned to selectively frictionally engage with the outer jacket outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Melvin Lee Tinnin
  • Patent number: 8438944
    Abstract: A telescope lock mechanism for a steering column includes a plurality of strap teeth located at an upper jacket of the steering column, each strap tooth of the plurality of strap teeth having a strap tooth peak. A plurality of lock teeth are located at a lower jacket of the steering column. The plurality of locking teeth are rotatably secured at the lower jacket, such that when the plurality of locking teeth are rotated into an engaged position with the plurality of strap teeth, a plurality of lock teeth peaks are substantially non-parallel to the strap tooth peaks of the plurality of strap teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Robert Ridgway, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M. Burns