Patents by Inventor Robert D. Maida
Robert D. Maida 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: 10214179Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly and a bracket. The bracket has a first end portion defining a first opening and a second end portion defining a second opening. The second end portion overlaps the first end portion such that the second opening and the first opening are proximately aligned.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Robert D. Maida, Scott A. Stinebring, Robert W. Dubay
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Publication number: 20180099687Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a lower jacket, an upper jacket, a telescope actuator assembly, and an energy absorbing system. The upper jacket is at least partially received within the lower jacket. The telescope actuator assembly is arranged to translate the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket along a steering column axis. The telescope actuator assembly includes a telescope drive bracket that defines a first pathway. The energy absorbing system includes a first strap that extends at least partially through the first pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Brandon M. McComb, Nicholas M. Messing
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Publication number: 20180086363Abstract: A rake adjustment mechanism of a steering column assembly includes a lower jacket defining a first tapered slot and a second tapered slot, the first and second tapered slots disposed on opposing sides of the lower jacket. Also included is a rake bracket coupled to the lower jacket. Further included is a first rake guide and a second rake guide, each rake guide a single, integrally formed component and disposed between the lower jacket and rake bracket, the first rake guide disposed at least partially within the first tapered slot and the second rake guide disposed at least partially within the second tapered slot, each rake guide translatable within the tapered slot in an axial direction of the lower jacket. Yet further included is a rake bolt extending through the lower jacket, the rake bracket and the first and second rake guides.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Nicholas M. Messing
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Patent number: 9829040Abstract: A steering column bearing assembly is disposed between an upper column jacket and a steering control shaft, supporting the steering control shaft for rotation within the upper column jacket. The steering column bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the inner race and the outer race, each ball bearing having a ball bearing diameter. The inner race and the outer race define an annular cavity in which the plurality of ball bearings is disposed. The annular cavity has an interior column opening defined between an outer edge surface of the inner race and an inner edge surface of the outer race. The outer edge diameter is less than a sum of the inner edge diameter and the ball bearing diameter.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Michael W. Clark, Robert D. Maida
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Patent number: 9744983Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly, a mounting bracket, and a first telescope guide. The jacket assembly defines a first guide slot. The mounting bracket is disposed on the jacket assembly and has a first portion disposed opposite a second portion and a third portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has a first rail received within the first guide slot. The first telescope guide is disposed between the first guide slot and the first rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Terry E. Burkhard, Robert D. Maida
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Publication number: 20170174249Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly, a mounting bracket, and a first telescope guide. The jacket assembly defines a first guide slot. The mounting bracket is disposed on the jacket assembly and has a first portion disposed opposite a second portion and a third portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion has a first rail received within the first guide slot. The first telescope guide is disposed between the first guide slot and the first rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Terry E. Burkhard, Robert D. Maida
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Patent number: 9663136Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle having an anti-rotation feature is provided. The steering column includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket configured for telescopic movement relative to the lower jacket. A telescope drive bracket is coupled to the upper jacket. A telescope actuator is operably coupled to the telescope drive bracket and configured to telescopically move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Jacob A. Caverly
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Patent number: 9643641Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly received within a lower jacket assembly and an energy absorption strap. The energy absorption strap has a first portion that defines a first slot that receives a first fastener to couple the first portion to a telescope drive bracket disposed on the upper jacket assembly. A second portion defines a second opening that receives a second fastener to couple the second portion to the upper jacket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida
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Publication number: 20170120945Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly received within a lower jacket assembly and an energy absorption strap. The energy absorption strap has a first portion that defines a first slot that receives a first fastener to couple the first portion to a telescope drive bracket disposed on the upper jacket assembly. A second portion defines a second opening that receives a second fastener to couple the second portion to the upper jacket assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida
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Publication number: 20170106835Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a jacket assembly and a bracket. The bracket has a first end portion defining a first opening and a second end portion defining a second opening. The second end portion overlaps the first end portion such that the second opening and the first opening are proximately aligned.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Robert D. Maida, Scott A. Stinebring, Robert W. Dubay
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Patent number: 9616914Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly received within a lower jacket assembly, and an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes a first energy absorption strap and a second energy absorption strap. The first energy absorption strap has a first portion defining an opening configured to receive a pin of an actuator and a second portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly. The second energy absorption strap has a third portion coupled to a telescope drive bracket and a fourth portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Nicholas M. Messing
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Publication number: 20170074325Abstract: A steering column bearing assembly is disposed between an upper column jacket and a steering control shaft, supporting the steering control shaft for rotation within the upper column jacket. The steering column bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the inner race and the outer race, each ball bearing having a ball bearing diameter. The inner race and the outer race define an annular cavity in which the plurality of ball bearings is disposed. The annular cavity has an interior column opening defined between an outer edge surface of the inner race and an inner edge surface of the outer race. The outer edge diameter is less than a sum of the inner edge diameter and the ball bearing diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Michael W. Clark, Robert D. Maida
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Patent number: 9540030Abstract: A steering column bearing assembly is disposed between an upper column jacket and a steering control shaft, supporting the steering control shaft for rotation within the upper column jacket. The steering column bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the inner race and the outer race, each ball bearing having a ball bearing diameter. The inner race and the outer race define an annular cavity in which the plurality of ball bearings is disposed. The annular cavity has an interior column opening defined between an outer edge surface of the inner race and an inner edge surface of the outer race. The outer edge diameter is less than a sum of the inner edge diameter and the ball bearing diameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Michael W. Clark, Robert D. Maida
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Patent number: 9540033Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle having an anti-rotation feature is provided. The steering column includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket configured for telescopic movement relative to the lower jacket. A telescope drive bracket is coupled to the upper jacket. A telescope actuator is operably coupled to the telescope drive bracket and configured to telescopically move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Jacob A. Caverly
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Patent number: 9527521Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly comprises a column support bracket fixed to a vehicle structure and disposed about a steering column. A position lock selectively prevents or facilitates movement of the steering column relative to the column support bracket in an adjustment plane and defines an adjustment range of the steering column along a non-adjustment direction intersecting the adjustment plane. A lateral stabilizer biases the steering column toward a stabilized position lying within the adjustment range of the steering column along the non-adjustment direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida
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Patent number: 9499190Abstract: A self-de-lashing power-rake mechanism of an adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle is provided. The power-rake mechanism includes a jacket, rake bracket coupled to the jacket, and rake bolt extending through the jacket and bracket. At least one pivot bushing is disposed between the jacket and bracket and configured to receive and radially constrict around the bolt. A fastener is configured to be positioned onto the bolt, tightened, and seated on the bracket. The bolt is forced through the fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket. The bolt is seated on the bracket as the fastener is tightened and draws the bolt, fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket together as the fastener is being seated on the bracket, thereby de-lashing respective interfaces defined between and among the bolt, fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket. A steering column assembly including the mechanism is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Jacob A. Caverly, Robert D. Maida, Scott A. Stinebring
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Publication number: 20160046318Abstract: A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly received within a lower jacket assembly, and an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes a first energy absorption strap and a second energy absorption strap. The first energy absorption strap has a first portion defining an opening configured to receive a pin of an actuator and a second portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly. The second energy absorption strap has a third portion coupled to a telescope drive bracket and a fourth portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Nicholas M. Messing
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Publication number: 20150251683Abstract: A self-de-lashing power-rake mechanism of an adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle is provided. The power-rake mechanism includes a jacket, rake bracket coupled to the jacket, and rake bolt extending through the jacket and bracket. At least one pivot bushing is disposed between the jacket and bracket and configured to receive and radially constrict around the bolt. A fastener is configured to be positioned onto the bolt, tightened, and seated on the bracket. The bolt is forced through the fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket. The bolt is seated on the bracket as the fastener is tightened and draws the bolt, fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket together as the fastener is being seated on the bracket, thereby de-lashing respective interfaces defined between and among the bolt, fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket. A steering column assembly including the mechanism is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Jacob A. Caverly, Robert D. Maida, Scott A. Stinebring
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Publication number: 20150232117Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle having an anti-rotation feature is provided. The steering column includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket configured for telescopic movement relative to the lower jacket. A telescope drive bracket is coupled to the upper jacket. A telescope actuator is operably coupled to the telescope drive bracket and configured to telescopically move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Robert D. Maida, Jacob A. Caverly
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Publication number: 20140260757Abstract: A steering column bearing assembly is disposed between an upper column jacket and a steering control shaft, supporting the steering control shaft for rotation within the upper column jacket. The steering column bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the inner race and the outer race, each ball bearing having a ball bearing diameter. The inner race and the outer race define an annular cavity in which the plurality of ball bearings is disposed. The annular cavity has an interior column opening defined between an outer edge surface of the inner race and an inner edge surface of the outer race. The outer edge diameter is less than a sum of the inner edge diameter and the ball bearing diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A. Stinebring, Michael W. Clark, Robert D. Maida