Patents by Inventor Richard J. Lange

Richard J. Lange 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: 20240108769
    Abstract: A concentrated liquid sanitizing and rinse composition containing peroxycarboxylic acid(s) and compatible rinse aid surfactants is disclosed. The sanitizing and rinsing compositions are formulated in a single liquid concentrate, replacing a traditional dual product of a sanitizer and rinse aid. The sanitizing and rinsing chemistries are particularly effective at neutral pHs against gram negative organisms at elevated temperatures. Methods of using the concentrated liquid sanitizing and rinse composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Steven J. Lange, Junzhong Li, XIN SUN, Allison Brewster, Richard Staub
  • Patent number: 10544607
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling operation of a vehicle door assembly for a vehicle includes monitoring a door handle sensor to detect at least one open request generated by the door handle. A first control signal is transmitted by a controller to a door unlatching actuation mechanism in response to a first open request. The door unlatching actuation mechanism is actuated for a first time period T1 in response to the first control signal. A door position sensor is monitored by the controller and determines the position of the door at completion of the first time period T1. The controller transmits a second control signal to actuate the door unlatching actuation mechanism for a second time period T2 in response to a second open request when the door position sensor detects the door in the closed position at the completion of the first time period T1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 10501050
    Abstract: A vehicle ignition system includes an ignition cylinder housing defining an exterior portion, an interior portion and a channel extending at least partially through the interior portion. An ignition cylinder is at least partially received by and adjustable relative to the ignition cylinder housing. The ignition cylinder includes an elongate body defining an exterior portion and an interior portion. A cam member is at least partially received in the channel of the ignition cylinder housing and includes a clutch disposed adjacent to and engaging a portion of the ignition cylinder. A locking mechanism cooperates with the ignition cylinder housing and ignition cylinder includes a locking member having a projection extending therefrom that releasably engages a portion of the ignition cylinder housing when the locking mechanism is placed in the at least one second position to prevent adjustment of the ignition cylinder relative to the ignition cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 10472867
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a door locking system includes a controller and at least one locking mechanism operatively connected to each of a plurality of doors. At least one lock switch connected to the controller selectively locks the at least one locking mechanism based at least partially on actuation of the at least one lock switch. At least one sensor array connected to the controller detects a vehicle condition from at least one of a first vehicle state and a second vehicle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Aaron P. Creguer
  • Patent number: 10246901
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a door and a lock. The lock is configured to selectively maintain the door in a closed position. The lock has a receptor arranged on an exterior side of the door. The vehicle assembly additionally includes a physical engagement interface disposed proximate the receptor. The vehicle assembly also includes a cover which is removably coupled to the physical engagement interface. The cover has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an aperture extending from the exterior surface through the interior surface. When coupled to the engagement interface, the cover inhibits access to the receptor. The vehicle assembly further includes a deflectable retaining member. The deflectable retaining member is configured to deflect from a first position, retaining the cover to the engagement interface, to a second position, releasing the cover from the engagement interface, in response to insertion of a tool into the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Edwards, Richard J. Lange
  • Publication number: 20190001924
    Abstract: A vehicle ignition system includes an ignition cylinder housing defining an exterior portion, an interior portion and a channel extending at least partially through the interior portion. An ignition cylinder is at least partially received by and adjustable relative to the ignition cylinder housing. The ignition cylinder includes an elongate body defining an exterior portion and an interior portion. A cam member is at least partially received in the channel of the ignition cylinder housing and includes a clutch disposed adjacent to and engaging a portion of the ignition cylinder. A locking mechanism cooperates with the ignition cylinder housing and ignition cylinder includes a locking member having a projection extending therefrom that releasably engages a portion of the ignition cylinder housing when the locking mechanism is placed in the at least one second position to prevent adjustment of the ignition cylinder relative to the ignition cylinder housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, Richard J. Lange
  • Publication number: 20180266143
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a door and a lock. The lock is configured to selectively maintain the door in a closed position. The lock has a receptor arranged on an exterior side of the door. The vehicle assembly additionally includes a physical engagement interface disposed proximate the receptor. The vehicle assembly also includes a cover which is removably coupled to the physical engagement interface. The cover has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an aperture extending from the exterior surface through the interior surface. When coupled to the engagement interface, the cover inhibits access to the receptor. The vehicle assembly further includes a deflectable retaining member. The deflectable retaining member is configured to deflect from a first position, retaining the cover to the engagement interface, to a second position, releasing the cover from the engagement interface, in response to insertion of a tool into the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. EDWARDS, Richard J. LANGE
  • Publication number: 20180171683
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a door locking system includes a controller and at least one locking mechanism operatively connected to each of a plurality of doors. At least one lock switch connected to the controller selectively locks the at least one locking mechanism based at least partially on actuation of the at least one lock switch. At least one sensor array connected to the controller detects a vehicle condition from at least one of a first vehicle state and a second vehicle state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Aaron P. Creguer
  • Publication number: 20180171684
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling operation of a vehicle door assembly for a vehicle includes monitoring a door handle sensor to detect at least one open request generated by the door handle. A first control signal is transmitted by a controller to a door unlatching actuation mechanism in response to a first open request. The door unlatching actuation mechanism is actuated for a first time period T1 in response to the first control signal. A door position sensor is monitored by the controller and determines the position of the door at completion of the first time period T1. The controller transmits a second control signal to actuate the door unlatching actuation mechanism for a second time period T2 in response to a second open request when the door position sensor detects the door in the closed position at the completion of the first time period T1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 9821696
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a door frame, which generally defines a door opening. An assist handle is movably attached to the door frame. The assist handle is movable between a retracted position, proximal to the door frame, and a deployed position, distal from the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James Logan, Jr., Richard J. Lange
  • Publication number: 20170320420
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a door frame, which generally defines a door opening. An assist handle is movably attached to the door frame. The assist handle is movable between a retracted position, proximal to the door frame, and a deployed position, distal from the door frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James Logan, JR., Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 9754430
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing instructions to operate a manual release are provided. The method includes detecting a condition for providing a notification to operate a manual release of the vehicle; and controlling to output the notification to operate the manual release based on the detected condition. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent a user from being hindered from egress in a vehicle during times at which the electronic door release is not operable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Calvin E. Wolf, Jeffrey J. Calderas, David T. Proefke, Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 9744897
    Abstract: An end gate for a vehicle includes a body having a first surface, a second, opposing surface, a first lateral side, a second opposing lateral side, and a first end. The first end is pivotally mounted to the vehicle and a second end extends between the first and second lateral sides spaced from the first end. A plurality of guide members is secured to the first surface of the body. Each of the plurality of guide members includes a guide passage. A selectively deployable bed extender is integrated into the body. The bed extender includes a plurality of post members slidingly received in the guide passage of corresponding ones of the plurality of guide members. At least two of the plurality of post members is pivotally attached to the body. At least one cross member is connected to each of the plurality of post members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Adalberto Gerez, Fernando C. Picheli, Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 9644403
    Abstract: A system for controlling a locking module for a vehicle door having an electronic latch mechanism is provided. An electronic handle switch is operatively connected to the door and a controller. The electronic handle switch is configured to at least partially control operation of the electronic latch mechanism. The locking module is configured to block the electronic handle switch, thereby preventing the door from being unlatched. The locking module is enabled when one or more predefined operating parameters are met. The controller disables the locking module when one or more entry conditions are satisfied. At least one sensor is operatively connected to the controller, the sensor being configured to indicate one of two states, a first state and a second state. The entry conditions include at least one sensor indicating the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, Phillip C. Storck, III
  • Patent number: 9546502
    Abstract: A door for a vehicle having a body controller includes a vehicle interior-facing surface. The door locking system includes a latch mechanism configured to alternately attain a first state that locks and a second state that unlocks operation of the latch mechanism. The door locking system also includes a control switch on the interior-facing surface for generating a signal to alternatively select one of the first and second latch mechanism states. The door locking system additionally includes an indicator light integrally mounted on the control switch and configured to provide a visual signal indicative of the selected latch mechanism state. The controller is configured to receive the signal from the control switch, command the latch mechanism to attain one of the first and second states in response to the signal, and trigger the indicator light when the latch mechanism has attained one of the first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, Jeffrey L. Konchan
  • Patent number: 9481325
    Abstract: A system for controlling access into a vehicle in the event of loss of electrical power is disclosed. The vehicle has an access opening into the vehicle's interior with a first door for access thereto, a cargo enclosure with a second door therefor, and an energy storage device for generating the electrical power. A first latch selectively latches and unlatches the first door, while a first switch operates the first latch. A second latch selectively latches and unlatches the second door, while an actuator connects the second door to the vehicle body and selectively opens and closes the second door. A second switch selectively connects a motor-generator to the energy storage device for operating the actuator in a first mode and disconnects the motor-generator from the energy storage device for generating electric current when the second door is operated manually to operate the first latch in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Lange
  • Publication number: 20160311383
    Abstract: A system for controlling access into a vehicle in the event of loss of electrical power is disclosed. The vehicle has an access opening into the vehicle's interior with a first door for access thereto, a cargo enclosure with a second door therefor, and an energy storage device for generating the electrical power. A first latch selectively latches and unlatches the first door, while a first switch operates the first latch. A second latch selectively latches and unlatches the second door, while an actuator connects the second door to the vehicle body and selectively opens and closes the second door. A second switch selectively connects a motor-generator to the energy storage device for operating the actuator in a first mode and disconnects the motor-generator from the energy storage device for generating electric current when the second door is operated manually to operate the first latch in a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 9470022
    Abstract: Vehicles, vehicle doors, and door handle systems are provided. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a vehicle door, a fixed door handle, and at least one pressure switch. The vehicle door has an outer door panel with an outer side facing an outside of the vehicle door and an interior side facing an interior of the vehicle door. The fixed door handle is at least partially disposed to the outside of the vehicle door. The at least one pressure switch is disposed in the interior of the vehicle door and is coupled with the fixed door handle such that an actuation force on the fixed door handle is at least partially transmitted to an actuation pressure on the at least one pressure switch. The at least one pressure switch indicates the actuation pressure for generating a vehicle command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, David T. Proefke
  • Patent number: 9434337
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for implementing door engagement detection for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when an apparatus of a door of a vehicle is engaged from inside the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate providing a notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Lange, David T. Proefke
  • Patent number: 9382741
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a pillar, a vehicle door movably coupled to the vehicle body, and an assembly for at least partially opening the vehicle door. The assembly is coupled to the vehicle door and includes an actuator having an actuator body and an actuator shaft movable relative to the actuator body between a retracted position and an extended position. Further, the assembly includes a lever pivotally coupled to the vehicle door and a spring coupled between the lever and the actuator shaft. The spring biases the lever toward the pillar. When the vehicle door is unlatched, the lever exerts a force on the pillar and, consequently, pushes the vehicle door away from the pillar to a partially open position. The present disclosure also relates to the assembly for at least partially opening the vehicle door as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan, Charles R. Fain, Richard J. Lange