Patents by Inventor Richard A. Lenzen, Jr.

Richard A. Lenzen, Jr. 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6189902
    Abstract: A mounting system for a vehicle steering system is provided. The mounting system includes a bushing, an isolator and a fastener. The bushing includes a retaining flange and a threaded internal cavity. The isolator includes a hollow body portion and a first end wall. The isolator is installed to a steering gear assembly such that the inner surface of the end wall contacts one surface of the steering gear housing. The bushing is installed through the isolator such that the retaining flange contacts an outer surface of one of the end walls. The steering gear assembly is positioned against a vehicle chassis such that the exterior surface of the other end wall contacts a structural member. The fastener is installed through the structural member and threadably engages the internally threaded cavity. The bushing limits the amount of clamping force transmitted to the end walls and permits the isolator to effectively dampen noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Lenzen, Jr., Eric B. Blackburn, John F. Santori