Patents by Inventor Spencer T. Seufert

Spencer T. Seufert 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).

  • Adjustable length and cross-sectional area variable output endgate torque rod
    Patent number: 10724283
    Abstract: A variable output torque rod system for panel counterbalance includes a telescoping torque rod having a solid inner rod with a first end concentrically disposed in a tubular outer rod, wherein the tubular outer rod includes a first end fixed relative to a storage area, and wherein the solid inner rod includes a second end secured in a slider block relative to the panel. The telescoping torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area, and wherein the slider block is operative to adjust an overall length and cross-sectional area of the telescoping torque rod when the slider block is moved from a fully extended position to at least one other position that is less than the fully extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Himanshu H. Mehta, Alvin N. Standard, Ankita N. Joshi, Gregory S. Erwin, Spencer T. Seufert
  • END GATE STORAGE COMPARTMENT
    Publication number: 20200198545
    Abstract: An end gate includes a first panel. The end gate also has a first side and a second side. The end gate also includes an opening defined by the first panel between the first side and the second side. The end gate further includes a basket including a basket base and at least two ribs extending from the basket base and affixed to the first panel, wherein the basket base and at least two ribs define a volume accessible from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Anil A. Masih, Manuel J. Martinez, Dusan Colovic, Robert A. Greene, Spencer T. Seufert, Mark Pulleyblank
  • ADJUSTABLE LENGTH AND CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA VARIABLE OUTPUT ENDGATE TORQUE ROD
    Publication number: 20200131827
    Abstract: A variable output torque rod system for panel counterbalance includes a telescoping torque rod having a solid inner rod with a first end concentrically disposed in a tubular outer rod, wherein the tubular outer rod includes a first end fixed relative to a storage area, and wherein the solid inner rod includes a second end secured in a slider block relative to the panel. The telescoping torque rod is configured to store energy by being twisted when the panel is pivoted in a first direction relative to the storage area, and wherein the slider block is operative to adjust an overall length and cross-sectional area of the telescoping torque rod when the slider block is moved from a fully extended position to at least one other position that is less than the fully extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Himanshu H. Mehta, Alvin N. Standard, Ankita N. Joshi, Gregory S. Erwin, Spencer T. Seufert