Patents by Inventor Richard K. Riefe

Richard K. Riefe 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: 9944307
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel, a steering gear, and a sensor assembly. The steering wheel is connected to a steering column. The steering gear is selectively coupled to the steering wheel. The sensor assembly is disposed proximate the steering column. The steering wheel is decoupled from the steering gear and sensor assembly detects a condition of the driver and a position of the driver in response to a request to activate an autonomous driving assisted steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20180079442
    Abstract: A rotation control system for a steering wheel is provided. The rotation control system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft configured to switch the steering wheel between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20180072341
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system includes a steering wheel. Also included is a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel and rotatable therewith. Further included is a steering gear input shaft operatively coupled to an electric power assist steering gear. Yet further included is an electric actuator operatively coupled to the electric power assist steering gear. Also included is a controller in operative communication with the steering shaft and the electric actuator for steering in a primary mode. Further included is an intermediate shaft assembly mechanically coupling the steering shaft to a rack and pinion assembly to steer in a redundant mode when communication between the steering shaft and the steering gear input shaft is not available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 9845103
    Abstract: A steering arrangement provided with an autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. The steering wheel is selectively coupled to a steering shaft. The steering wheel is selectively switched between a rotatable condition and a non-rotatable condition by an advanced driver assist system. The steering wheel has a steering wheel body defining a receptacle and a convenience assembly that is movable between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 9834121
    Abstract: A tray table includes a deformable body and a pivot portion. The deformable body includes a first edge and a second edge. A substantially planar surface extends from the first edge to the second edge in a first condition of the tray table. The body defines a first length from the first edge to the second edge in the first condition of the table. The body defines a second length of the tray table, shorter than the first length, in a second condition of the tray table upon exposure of the second edge to a force. The pivot portion adjacent the first edge of the body is configured to pivotally attach the body to a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 9828016
    Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and a first interlock configured to indicate when the steering column shaft is in the driving position and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position. When the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is non-deployable, and when the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20170293306
    Abstract: A steering system for an autonomous vehicle includes an autonomous driving assist steering system for controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a primary steering mode. Also included is an alternate steering mechanism controlling steering of the autonomous vehicle in a secondary steering mode, wherein the alternate steering mechanism is not a steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Richard K. Riefe, John F. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20170113589
    Abstract: A tray table includes a deformable body and a pivot portion. The deformable body includes a first edge and a second edge. A substantially planar surface extends from the first edge to the second edge in a first condition of the tray table. The body defines a first length from the first edge to the second edge in the first condition of the table. The body defines a second length of the tray table, shorter than the first length, in a second condition of the tray table upon exposure of the second edge to a force. The pivot portion adjacent the first edge of the body is configured to pivotally attach the body to a steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventor: Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20170029018
    Abstract: An autonomously driven vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an autonomous driver assist system configured to provide directional control of a vehicle during an autonomous vehicle driving condition. The vehicle also includes a steering wheel. The vehicle further includes a plurality of road wheels electrically coupled to the steering wheel and controlled by the autonomous driver assist system in the autonomous vehicle driving condition and controlled by the steering wheel in a non-autonomous vehicle driving condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Patent number: 9550514
    Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, the air bag deployable to one of a first size and a second size, the second size greater than the first size. When the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable to the first size, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is deployable to the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160375931
    Abstract: A rotation control system for a steering wheel is provided. The rotation control system includes a steering wheel and a steering shaft operatively coupled to the steering wheel. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft configured to switch the steering wheel between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160375860
    Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and a first interlock configured to indicate when the steering column shaft is in the driving position and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position. When the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is non-deployable, and when the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160375925
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel, a steering gear, and a sensor assembly. The steering wheels connected to a steering column. The steering gear selectively coupled to the steering wheel. The sensor assembly is disposed proximate the steering column. The steering wheel is decoupled from the steering gear and sensor assembly detects a condition of the driver and a position of the driver in response to a request to activate an autonomous driving assisted steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160375770
    Abstract: A steering assembly that is provided with an autonomous vehicle includes a display interface and a controller. The display interface is disposed on a steering wheel and is configured to display an image. The controller is in communication with the display interface and an advanced driver assist system. The controller is configured to operate the display interface to display the image in response to activation of the advanced driver assist system and orient the image based on a rotational position of the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Patrik M. Ryne, Richard K. Riefe, Frank P. Lubischer, Timothy W. Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20160375926
    Abstract: A steering arrangement provided with an autonomous vehicle includes a steering wheel. The steering wheel is selectively coupled to a steering shaft. The steering wheel is selectively switched between a rotatable condition and a non-rotatable condition by an advanced driver assist system. The steering wheel has a steering wheel body defining a receptacle and a convenience assembly that is movable between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160375927
    Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and, an air bag operatively arranged with the steering input device, the air bag deployable to one of a first size and a second size, the second size greater than the first size. When the steering column shaft is in the driving position, the air bag is deployable to the first size, and when the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, the air bag is deployable to the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Joen C. Bodtker, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160375923
    Abstract: A single vehicle steering arrangement is provided. The steering arrangement includes a steering wheel and at least one human machine interface configured to allow a human to steer the vehicle, the human machine interface being a component separate from the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: John F. Schulz, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160368522
    Abstract: A selectively autonomous steering column assembly includes a steering column shaft. Also included is a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft. Further included is a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position. Yet further included is at least one signal indicating when the steering column shaft is in the driving position. When steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, direction control via the steering input device is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe, Joen C. Bodtker, Bryan L. Faist
  • Publication number: 20160362126
    Abstract: A steering column system includes a steering column shaft, a steering input device coupled to the steering column shaft, an energy absorbing mechanism operatively engaged with at least one of the steering column shaft and the steering input device, a column adjustment assembly configured to translate the steering column shaft between a retracted position and a driving position, and at least one signal indicating if the steering column shaft is in the retracted position or the driving position. When the steering column shaft is in the retracted position, directional control of a vehicle is automated, and when the steering column shaft is returned to the driving position as indicated by the at least one signal, the energy absorbing mechanism is operational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20160347348
    Abstract: A steering assembly includes a steering wheel having a convenience feature, an environmental detection system, and a controller in communication with an autonomous vehicle. The steering wheel is selectively coupled to a steering shaft and is movable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The environmental detection system is configured to provide a cabin environmental signal. The controller is programmed to move the steering wheel towards the retracted position and operatively decouple the steering wheel from the steering shaft, while the steering wheel is in the deployed position and in response to a request to activate an advanced driver assist system and the cabin environmental signal indicating a clear path of travel of the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Frank P. Lubischer, Richard K. Riefe