Patents by Inventor Robert M. Gute

Robert M. Gute 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: 5871252
    Abstract: A telescopic sunvisor is disclosed which includes a support arm and a panel which is telescopically mounted on the panel. The support arm has a deployment flat and preferably a stow flat peripherally spaced from the deployment flat. The panel has a core, a retainer or channel which supports the core, and a detent spring assembly or clamp which engages the support arm. The detent spring assembly has a pair of opposing legs which clamp about the support arm. Ideally, the detent spring assembly is made of two opposing U-shaped clips which interlock with one another about the support arm. The detent spring assembly and panel may be selectively rotated about the support arm between stowed and deployed positions. In the deployed position, the detent spring assembly clamps about the deployment flat while allowing sliding movement therebetween such that the panel may be telescopic moved relative to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5560669
    Abstract: A sun visor retainer assembly (10) adapted for attachment to a header opening (36) in a vehicle header (22) is disclosed. The retainer assembly (10) includes a housing and a retainer pin (46). The housing (44) has a main body (50) with a pin opening (55) therein and at least one flap (58) pivotally connected to the main body (50) by living hinge portion (56). The retaining pin (46) is insertable through the pin opening (53) to pivot the flap (58) into engagement with an outer surface (32) of the header (22) to clamp the flap (58) and the main body (50) against respective outer and inner surfaces (32,34) of the header (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5338083
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a visor to a vehicle in storage and use positions. The attachment arrangement is formed from a pivot shaft having a mounted end adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and a free end. The pivot shaft has a flat surface which is oriented along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft a predetermined distance between the mounting end and the free end. The pivot shaft further has a circumambient groove located around the pivot shaft. A spring clip is also provided which cooperates between the visor and the pivot shaft to pivotally position the visor. The spring clip has a narrow portion which cooperates with the flat surface on the pivot shaft to provide a detent for positioning the visor in a storage position. The spring clip has a wide portion which spans the predetermined distance and is located opposite the narrow portion to ensure free pivotal movement of the visor about the pivot shaft except in the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5280988
    Abstract: A mounting system for use in combination with a vehicle visor which is movable between a storage position and first and second use positions. A mounting bracket is provided which is adapted to be affixed to the vehicle for supporting the visor. The mounting bracket has an immovable pivot shaft extending therefrom. A block cooperating with the mounting bracket is provided to enable pivotal movement of the block and the visor relative to the pivot shaft between a storage position and a first use position. The block also enables pivotal movement of the visor relative to the block between the first use position and a second use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5244244
    Abstract: An adjustable sun visor which is capable of providing simultaneous glare protection for both the windshield and the side window. The visor is movable between a stowed position and one of three use modes. In the first use mode, glare protection is provided for the windshield. In the second use mode, glare protection is provided for the side window. And in the third use mode, glare protection is simultaneously provided for the windshield and a side window. The visor is formed from a first blade pivotally mounted to the vehicle by a mounting bracket. A second blade is affixed to the first blade and has a living hinge integrally formed therein enabling swinging movement of the second blade between a position contiguous with the first blade and a position away from the first blade to provide glare protection for the windshield when the visor is in the second use mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Robert M. Gute, Douglas J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5107890
    Abstract: A ball check valve has a body member, a conical spring, a ball and valve seat. The valve seat includes a coined seating surface to reduce leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Huron Products Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5104174
    Abstract: Mechanism and method for controlling the retraction and extension of blades of an expandable visor wherein a lever mechanism interconnects at least a pair of blades enabling simultaneous movement between the retracted and the extended positions. The lever mechanism has a lever cooperating with a series of guide pins and guide slots inside the shell to control the direction and amount of travel of at least one pair of the blades. If desired, the mechanism enables independent movement of at least one of the blades or simultaneous movement of all the blades between the extended and retracted positions. The mechanism is designed to provide easy control and use of an expandable visor to ensure adequate glare protection from the sun's rays or other sources of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5061331
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and sealing the cut edges of semipermeable and at least partially thermoplastic fabric material is disclosed as having a support to position the material for cutting and sealing, a vacuum system to secure the material to the support to immobilize the material while the latter is being cut and sealed, an ultrasonic cutter to cut the material and to seal cut edges to prevent raveling thereof, and a guide to direct the cutter to cut the material in a desired configuration. The apparatus may be particularly adapted to cut and seal cut edges of automotive safety air bag material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 5027861
    Abstract: A fluid controller has a disk-shaped body member with a positioning mechanism and lip mechanism. The controller is unitary and when positioned in a fluid flow in a first position enables fluid to flow through an axial bore in the disk-shaped member and around the disk member and in a second position enables fluid flow only through the axial bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Huron Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 4986312
    Abstract: A fluid controller has a disk-shaped body member with a positioning mechanism and lip mechanism. The controller is unitary and when positioned in a fluid flow in a first position enables fluid to flow through an axial bore in the disk-shaped member and around the disk member and in a second position enables fluid flow only through the axial bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Huron Products Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 4175588
    Abstract: A tractor-trailer air-pressure brake system which includes a tractor protection control valve, a parking valve, and a trailer fill valve of special design provided for the purpose of achieving a desired non-confusing pattern of control positions whereby safety and convenience of brake operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 4088374
    Abstract: A tractor-trailer air-pressure brake system which includes a tractor protection control valve, a parking valve, and a trailer fill valve of special design provided for the purpose of achieving a desired non-confusing pattern of control positions whereby safety and convenience of brake operation is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 4022996
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use in opening bus doors and the like comprising a touch bar supported by having its ends received in a pair of housings within one or both of which is mounted a reciprocal electrical switch mechanism responsive to lateral movement of the touch bar in any direction relative to a housing containing the switch mechanism. Switch actuation is obtained by providing opposed concave surfaces in fixed association with the touch bar and associated housing with the surfaces operated by a round element, such as a ball. Any rolling of the ball from centered position causes parting movement of the elements defining opposed concave surfaces and linear movement of one of the elements useful for switch actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Lucas, Robert M. Gute
  • Patent number: 4019004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a touch bar switch apparatus useful for the opening of bus doors and the like which may be included in an electro-pneumatic door-operating system of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an elongate touch bar and a pair of housings mounted for receiving the ends of the touch bar, and switch mechanism within at least one of the housings responsive to any lateral movement of the touch bar relative to a housing containing the switch mechanism wherein, as electrically-conductive switch terminals, an elongate, coil spring may warp laterally into contact with a normally concentric sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Midland-Ross Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Gute