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).
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Patent number: 10676126Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Patent number: 10351159Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Todd M. King, Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Publication number: 20190092375Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Patent number: 10239552Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Publication number: 20180105198Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Publication number: 20160318540Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Todd M. King, Joen C. Bodtker, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Patent number: 8978510Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
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Patent number: 8931805Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Troy A. Daenzer
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Patent number: 8888131Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Melvin Lee Tinnin, John Schulz, Donald A. Buzzard
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Patent number: 8783717Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M Burns, John Frank Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
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Patent number: 8763491Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventor: Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Publication number: 20140150597Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Troy A. Daenzer
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Publication number: 20140137693Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Publication number: 20140119810Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael W. Clark
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Publication number: 20140116184Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Michael W. Clark, Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Patent number: 8641094Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M Burns, Michael Patrick Anspaugh, Matthew James-Thomas Vincent
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Publication number: 20140000405Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Melvin Lee Tinnin, John Schulz, Donald A. Buzzard
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Publication number: 20130205935Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Michael P. Anspaugh
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Publication number: 20130160594Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Melvin Lee Tinnin
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Patent number: 8438944Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Jason Robert Ridgway, Melvin Lee Tinnin, Kevin M. Burns