Patents by Inventor Randy R. Frank

Randy R. Frank 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: 11958350
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack with a reinforced cover to better support vehicle cabin loads such as seat submerge loads, seat pitch loads, and the like. The cover has a number of reinforcing members affixed thereto and positioned over cross members of the battery pack frame. Loads imposed by the cabin are thus transferred to the reinforcing members and then to the rigid cross members. In this manner, battery packs of embodiments of the disclosure better support cabin loads applied thereto, improving their strength and better protecting more delicate components within the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ajay Korada, Vignesh Sekar, Randy R. Frank, Piyush Khater
  • Patent number: 11807056
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a break-away tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend in a first direction from a surface of a vehicle and to receive a towing line. A mount is configured to displaceably secure the tow hook to the surface. The mount is configured to maintain a position of the tow hook relative to the surface in response to a pulling force being applied to the tow hook in a first direction away from the surface of the vehicle. The mount is further configured to enable the tow hook to move relative to the surface in response to the tow hook incurring a force in a second direction, wherein the second direction is at least partially toward the surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jorge Guillermo Barrios Albert, Robert J. Briggs, Mohammed Nomaan Khan, Vilaskumar Waghmare, David Bauch, Randy R. Frank, Gavin Goodchild
  • Publication number: 20230031269
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery pack with a reinforced cover to better support vehicle cabin loads such as seat submerge loads, seat pitch loads, and the like. The cover has a number of reinforcing members affixed thereto and positioned over cross members of the battery pack frame. Loads imposed by the cabin are thus transferred to the reinforcing members and then to the rigid cross members. In this manner, battery packs of embodiments of the disclosure better support cabin loads applied thereto, improving their strength and better protecting more delicate components within the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ajay Korada, Vignesh Sekar, Randy R. Frank, Piyush Khater
  • Publication number: 20220332157
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a break- away tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend in a first direction from a surface of a vehicle and to receive a towing line. A mount is configured to displaceably secure the tow hook to the surface. The mount is configured to maintain a position of the tow hook relative to the surface in response to a pulling force being applied to the tow hook in a first direction away from the surface of the vehicle. The mount is further configured to enable the tow hook to move relative to the surface in response to the tow hook incurring a force in a second direction, wherein the second direction is at least partially toward the surface of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Jorge Guillermo Barrios Albert, Robert J. Briggs, Mohammed Nomaan Khan, Vilaskumar Waghmare, David Bauch, Randy R. Frank, Gavin Goodchild
  • Patent number: 5695397
    Abstract: An air extractor assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided which includes at least one depression (34) formed in a body panel (14) of an automotive vehicle (10) and including an aperture (52) formed through the depression. An air extractor valve (40) surrounds the depression (32) and includes a base (42) and a flap (44) for controlling fluid communication through the aperture (52) in response to increases in air pressure in the passenger compartment (16) of the vehicle (10) above atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy R. Frank, Bert M. Manoukian