Patents by Inventor Robert D. Bueche
Robert D. Bueche 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).
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Patent number: 11554803Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for an absolute position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly. The absolute position sensor system comprises: a sector connected to a rake adjustment mechanism of the steering column assembly and operable to be moved thereby; a gear coupled to the sector and operable to be rotated by the movement thereof; a magnet connected to and retained by the gear such that the magnet rotates responsive to the rotation of the gear; and a sensor device positioned below the magnet and connected to a stationary part of the steering column assembly. The sensor device is configured to: detect an angle of rotation of the magnet, where the angle of rotation of the magnet corresponds to a position of the rake adjustment mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche, James E. Rouleau
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Patent number: 11420669Abstract: An adjustment lever deceleration assembly for a steering column includes an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly also includes a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component rotating at a speed less than a rotational speed of the adjustment lever during adjustment between the locked position to the unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly further includes an adjustment lever decelerator integrally formed with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever decelerator positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, wherein the adjustment lever deflects and absorbs energy upon contact with the component.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 11273860Abstract: A collapse-limiting assembly for a steering system is provided. The collapse-limiting assembly comprises a housing and a moveable member. A pyrotechnic charge is located in the housing and, in response to an impact event, is caused to fire the moveable member into a discharged position and limit the amount of collapse of a steering column. The steering column includes at least two axially moveable portions that move axially relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position. When the moveable member is fired into the discharged position, it is located in a travel path of at least one of the axially moveable portions.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
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Publication number: 20210323596Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for an absolute position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly. The absolute position sensor system comprises: a sector connected to a rake adjustment mechanism of the steering column assembly and operable to be moved thereby; a gear coupled to the sector and operable to be rotated by the movement thereof; a magnet connected to and retained by the gear such that the magnet rotates responsive to the rotation of the gear; and a sensor device positioned below the magnet and connected to a stationary part of the steering column assembly. The sensor device is configured to: detect an angle of rotation of the magnet, where the angle of rotation of the magnet corresponds to a position of the rake adjustment mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2020Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche, James E. Rouleau
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Publication number: 20210309279Abstract: An adjustment lever deceleration assembly for a steering column includes an adjustment lever rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly also includes a component positioned proximate the adjustment lever, the component rotating at a speed less than a rotational speed of the adjustment lever during adjustment between the locked position to the unlocked position. The adjustment lever deceleration assembly further includes an adjustment lever decelerator integrally formed with the adjustment lever, the adjustment lever decelerator positioned on the adjustment lever to contact the component during rotation of the adjustment lever toward the unlocked position, wherein the adjustment lever deflects and absorbs energy upon contact with the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
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Publication number: 20210309281Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for a position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly of a vehicle. The position sensor includes an elongated target comprising a sloping top surface, a first arcuate lateral surface, a second arcuate lateral surface, and an attachment feature for connecting the elongated target to a moveable part of the steering column assembly. The position sensor also includes a sensor device comprising an attachment feature for connecting the sensor device to a stationary part of the steering column assembly and a sensor situated over the sloping top surface of the elongated target. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the elongated target relative to the sensor, where the position of the elongated target corresponds to a position of a steering column of the steering column assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 11136059Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for a position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly of a vehicle. The position sensor includes an elongated target comprising a sloping top surface, a first arcuate lateral surface, a second arcuate lateral surface, and an attachment feature for connecting the elongated target to a moveable part of the steering column assembly. The position sensor also includes a sensor device comprising an attachment feature for connecting the sensor device to a stationary part of the steering column assembly and a sensor situated over the sloping top surface of the elongated target. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the elongated target relative to the sensor, where the position of the elongated target corresponds to a position of a steering column of the steering column assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 11052936Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a lower jacket. The assembly also includes an upper jacket at least partially received within the lower jacket, the upper jacket telescopingly moveable relative to the lower jacket. The assembly further includes a collapse limiter having an inner strap and an outer strap, the inner strap being at least partially nested within the outer strap, the collapse limiter being moveable with the upper jacket to provide a collapse distance of the collapsible steering column assembly that is constant regardless of a telescopic position of the upper jacket.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Damian Z. Gosztyla, Matthew J T Vincent, Robert W. Dubay, Robert D. Bueche
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Publication number: 20210155279Abstract: A collapse-limiting assembly for a steering system is provided. The collapse-limiting assembly comprises a housing and a moveable member. A pyrotechnic charge is located in the housing and, in response to an impact event, is caused to fire the moveable member into a discharged position and limit the amount of collapse of a steering column. The steering column includes at least two axially moveable portions that move axially relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position. When the moveable member is fired into the discharged position, it is located in a travel path of at least one of the axially moveable portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Robert W. DUBAY, Damian Z. GOSZTYLA, Robert D. BUECHE
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Publication number: 20200406952Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a lower jacket. The assembly also includes an upper jacket at least partially received within the lower jacket, the upper jacket telescopingly moveable relative to the lower jacket. The assembly further includes a collapse limiter having an inner strap and an outer strap, the inner strap being at least partially nested within the outer strap, the collapse limiter being moveable with the upper jacket to provide a collapse distance of the collapsible steering column assembly that is constant regardless of a telescopic position of the upper jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Damian Z. Gosztyla, Matthew JT Vincent, Robert W. Dubay, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 10752279Abstract: A lever assembly includes a lever, a first lever member, and a second lever member. The first lever member has a first lever member first portion and a first lever member second portion. The first lever member first portion defines a first opening and a notch. The second lever member defines a tab that extends into the notch and a first post that extends into the first opening to connect the second lever member to the first lever member first portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Mathew T. Vincent, Robert D. Bueche
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Publication number: 20190375444Abstract: A lever assembly includes a lever, a first lever member, and a second lever member. The first lever member has a first lever member first portion and a first lever member second portion. The first lever member first portion defines a first opening and a notch. The second lever member defines a tab that extends into the notch and a first post that extends into the first opening to connect the second lever member to the first lever member first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Robert W. Dubay, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Mathew T. Vincent, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 10422425Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly and a modular shift assembly that is operatively connected to the jacket assembly. The modular shift assembly includes a shift bracket, a shaft, and a shift clevis. The shift bracket has a first shift bracket portion that defines a shift bracket first opening and a second shift bracket portion. The second shift bracket portion defines a shift bracket second opening. The shaft has a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The second shaft portion is at least partially received within the shift bracket opening. The shift clevis extends at least partially through the first shaft opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Arthur W. Nellett, Robert W. Dubay, Robert D. Bueche
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Publication number: 20180299007Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly and a modular shift assembly that is operatively connected to the jacket assembly. The modular shift assembly includes a shift bracket, a shaft, and a shift clevis. The shift bracket has a first shift bracket portion that defines a shift bracket first opening and a second shift bracket portion. The second shift bracket portion defines a shift bracket second opening. The shaft has a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The second shaft portion is at least partially received within the shift bracket opening. The shift clevis extends at least partially through the first shaft opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Arthur W. Nellett, Robert W. Dubay, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: 9669862Abstract: A portion of a steering column assembly includes an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes an energy absorption strap and a breakaway member. The energy absorption strap has a first strap portion coupled to an upper jacket assembly and a second strap portion coupled to a lower jacket assembly. The breakaway member has a first breakaway member, a second breakaway member, and a frangible area. The first breakaway member defines a first opening that receives the first strap portion. The second breakaway member defines a second opening that receives the second strap portion. The frangible area joins the first breakaway member to the second breakaway member.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Robert W. Dubay, Matthew T. Vincent, Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Randy W. Jones, Roger A. Bourbina, Robert D. Bueche
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Patent number: D948393Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2017Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Arthur W. Nellett, Robert W. Dubay, Robert D. Bueche