Patents by Inventor Robert A. Sells

Robert A. Sells 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: 12365399
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 12163638
    Abstract: A single LED module that can be used in different configurations to provide a customizable vehicle light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Williamson, Robert A. Selle, Daniel Vander Sluis, Anatoly Gelfand
  • Publication number: 20240317325
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20240278857
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 12024234
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 12005968
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailgate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailgate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailgate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Publication number: 20230313964
    Abstract: A single LED module that can be used in different configurations to provide a customizable vehicle light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Williamson, Robert A. Selle, Daniel Vander Sluis, Anatoly Gelfand
  • Publication number: 20230249760
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 11639201
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a pickup truck, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20220161870
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailgate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailgate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailgate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Publication number: 20210253180
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a pickup truck, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5009332
    Abstract: A card output hopper apparatus (20) receives cards (82) and delivers them to a preselected card tray (42). The output hopper rotatable deflector (52). The deflector (52) is situated in a recieving position to deflect a delivered card (82) toward a card tray (42). The deflector (52) rotates as the card is delivered to drive the card past a retainer (64) and onto a card stack in the card tray (42). The deflector (52) is also rotatable to a receiving position to deflect the card toward an opposing card tray (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Datacard Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Sannel, Steven A. Miller, Robert A. Sells
  • Patent number: 5009411
    Abstract: An input hopper (20) for inputting card members to card processing modules (14) includes a tray (22) for storing the cards which are maintained in a stack by a pusher mechanism (30) having a plate (23) biasing the card stack toward a first end of the tray (22). A notched cam (42) at the first end of the tray (22) rotates and engages the edge of a lead card to separate it from the stack. Rollers (50,52,54) engage the separated card and deliver the card from the input hopper (20). The cam (42) and main roller (50) are driven by a motor (60) and drive linkage (61) including a coiled spring (70) to provide an override to the drive linkage (61) in the event of jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Manderfeld, Robert A. Sells
  • Patent number: 4960047
    Abstract: A foil loading apparatus (12) includes a foil lift mechanism (14) and a guide plate (20) for advancing foil material (16) along a winding foil flow path. Foil material (16) is raised on lift arm (24) from a lower position up through a confined space between a heated platen (40) and a pressing block (42) to an upper position where the foil material (16) may be accessed and fed through a remaining portion of the foil flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Lundstrom, Robert A. Sells
  • Patent number: 4671185
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for use in a transit system employing vehicles (10) traveling on a guideway (12), the switching mechanism includes forward and rearward switching subassemblies each having upper (32) and lower (36) switch arms. The upper switch arms include switching wheels (34) which selectively engage switch channels (42) positioned on opposite sides of the guideway to cause the vehicle to follow a selected path on the guideway (12). A stabilizer mechanism (90) for biasing the switch arms into operating position is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: J. Edward Anderson, Robert A. Sells
  • Patent number: D482358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Datacard Corporation
    Inventors: Gary T. Schultze, Robert A. Sells, Richard A. Thompson
  • Patent number: D490460
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Gary T. Schultze, Robert A. Sells, Richard A. Thompson