Patents by Inventor Michael P. Anspaugh

Michael P. Anspaugh 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).

  • Publication number: 20250145208
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering wheel having a steering wheel rim, a steering wheel hub, and a rim extension segment. The steering column assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the rim extension segment. The steering column assembly further includes a jacket assembly operatively coupled to the steering wheel, wherein the jacket assembly defines a central passage extending in a longitudinal direction of the steering column assembly, wherein the central passage does not include a steering shaft therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Randy W. Jones, Michael P. Anspaugh, Sergio R. Molinar, Jacob Caverly, Todd M. King
  • Publication number: 20250128755
    Abstract: A steering column assembly has a mount bracket configured for attachment to a fixed vehicle support member in a releasably fixed position and for release from the fixed vehicle support member to a released position during a steering column energy absorbing event. A steering jacket is operably supported by the mount bracket. The steering jacket has at least one interface feature arranged to confront the mount bracket during the steering column energy absorbing event to inhibit rotational movement of the mount bracket relative to the steering jacket when the mount bracket moves from the fixed position to the released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Todd A. Barshaw, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones
  • Publication number: 20250121871
    Abstract: An integrated locking feature for a rake lock mechanism of a steering column assembly includes a toothed portion. The integrated locking feature also includes a driver portion. The integrated locking feature further includes a spring portion coupling the driver portion and the toothed portion, wherein the toothed portion, the driver portion and the spring portion are integrally formed with each other as a single, uniform structure, wherein the spring portion has a thickness less than a thickness of the toothed portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Matthew JT Vincent, Todd Barshaw
  • Patent number: 12275451
    Abstract: An integrated locking feature for a rake lock mechanism of a steering column assembly includes a toothed portion. The integrated locking feature also includes a driver portion. The integrated locking feature further includes a spring portion coupling the driver portion and the toothed portion, wherein the toothed portion, the driver portion and the spring portion are integrally formed with each other as a single, uniform structure, wherein the spring portion has a thickness less than a thickness of the toothed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Matthew J T Vincent, Todd Barshaw
  • Publication number: 20250010906
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering column includes a single column jacket extending in a longitudinal direction. The steering column also includes a single steering shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and housed at least partially within the single column jacket. The steering column further includes a steer-by-wire electric actuator at least partially disposed within the single column jacket and surrounding the single steering shaft to provide resistance to the single steering shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Randy W. Jones, Michael P. Anspaugh, Sergio R. Molinar, Todd M. King, Jacob A. Caverly
  • Publication number: 20250010908
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering column includes an upper jacket extending in a longitudinal direction. The steering column also includes a lower jacket extending in the longitudinal direction, the upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The steering column further includes a single steering shaft extending in the longitudinal direction and housed at least partially within the upper jacket and the lower jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones, John F. Schulz, Jacob A. Caverly, Todd M. King, Sergio R. Molinar
  • Patent number: 12151737
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column includes a first jacket. The steering column also includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column further includes an adjustment lever. The steering column yet further includes a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket in both axial directions, and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher, Matthew L. Messing
  • Publication number: 20240367707
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column includes a first jacket. The steering column also includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column further includes an adjustment lever. The steering column yet further includes a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket in both axial directions, and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher, Matthew L. Messing
  • Publication number: 20240351628
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column includes a first jacket. The steering column also includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column further includes an adjustment lever. The steering column yet further includes a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket in both axial directions, and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Shenbing (Assur) Wen, Donald A. Buzzard, Dianxin Zheng, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 12122445
    Abstract: A locking cam for an axially adjustable steering column, the locking cam including: a hub; a leg extending from the hub in a first direction, the leg defining a set of teeth; and an arm extending from the hub to define a space between the arm and the leg. The arm includes an interface surface facing the leg, the interface surface interfacing with a mechanism of the adjustable steering column to pivot the locking cam. Each of the hub, the arm, and the leg are formed of a single, monolithic one-piece structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher, Kirk D. Potts
  • Publication number: 20240336297
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap having a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a curved portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, the first leg portion coupled to the upper jacket, wherein the first leg portion, the second leg portion and the curved portion define a single integrally formed structure. The steering column assembly yet further includes a protrusion extending from the energy absorbing strap and disposed within a slot defined by the upper jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones, Kenton Waineo, Leslie E. Edmundson
  • Patent number: 12065190
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a telescoping steering column includes an energy absorption strap having a plurality of teeth disposed therealong. Also included is a clamp bolt rotatably driven by an adjustment lever. Further included is an actuator body coupled to the clamp bolt and rotated therewith. Yet further included is a first lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a first direction. Also included is a second lock cam coupled to the actuator body and engageable with the teeth of the energy absorption strap to lock the telescoping steering column in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael W. Clark, Melvin L Tinnin
  • Publication number: 20240208563
    Abstract: A locking cam for an axially adjustable steering column, the locking cam including: a hub; a leg extending from the hub in a first direction, the leg defining a set of teeth; and an arm extending from the hub to define a space between the arm and the leg. The arm includes an interface surface facing the leg, the interface surface interfacing with a mechanism of the adjustable steering column to pivot the locking cam. Each of the hub, the arm, and the leg are formed of a single, monolithic one-piece structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher, Kirk D. Potts
  • Patent number: 11999409
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones
  • Patent number: 11938996
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket operatively coupled to the lower jacket, the upper jacket telescopingly moveable relative to the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a rake bracket operatively coupled to the lower jacket. The steering column assembly yet further includes an energy absorption strap operatively coupled to the upper jacket, at least a portion of the energy absorption strap disposed radially outward of the rake bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Floyd E. Eschenbacher, Jr., Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Patent number: 11891111
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an axially adjustable steering column having an adjustment lever, the locking mechanism includes: a locking cam including a hub, an upper arm, and a leg defining a set of teeth, the upper arm and the leg extend from the hub in a same direction to define a space therebetween, the upper arm includes an interface surface facing the leg that interfaces with the adjustment lever to move the locking cam between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a pin extending through the locking cam to allow the locking cam to pivot about the pin between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the set of teeth of the leg engage with a set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column. In the unlocked position, the set of teeth of the leg are spaced apart from the set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher
  • Patent number: 11866089
    Abstract: A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray comprising an exterior surface, at least one set of teeth extending from the exterior surface, and a wall at an edge of the set of teeth and extending from the exterior surface at least partially along a length of the set of teeth, and a rocker tray comprising an inner surface, and at least one set of teeth extending from the inner surface, the at least one set of teeth of the rocker tray are adapted to mesh with the set of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Shenbing (Assur) Wen, Hongwei (Kevin) Song, Michael P. Anspaugh, Donald A. Buzzard
  • Patent number: 11866093
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket. The steering column assembly also includes an upper jacket in telescoping engagement with the lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes an energy absorbing strap assembly operatively coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorbing strap assembly includes an energy absorbing strap having a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a curved portion connecting the first leg portion and the second leg portion, the first leg portion coupled to the upper jacket. The energy absorbing strap also includes a control bracket defining a slot sized to receive the curved portion of the energy absorbing strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones, Chet A. Hickmott, Shenbing Wen
  • Patent number: 11866092
    Abstract: A rake assembly for a steering column includes a pin adapted to move along a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked position, a first tray fixed to a support structure, the first tray including an exterior surface and an extension, at least one set of teeth defined on the exterior surface, the extension extending from an edge of the set of teeth formed in the exterior surface and at least partially along a length of the set of teeth, the extension including an upper surface spaced apart from the exterior surface to define a step, and a rocker tray including an inner surface, at least one set of teeth defined on the inner surface and adapted to mesh with the set of teeth of the first tray when in the locked position and un-mesh when in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Super Su, Shenbing (Assur) Wen, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh
  • Publication number: 20230249739
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones