Patents by Inventor Stephen A. G. Mitchell
Stephen A. G. Mitchell 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: 7938473Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.Inventors: Gordon Andrew Paton, Stephen A. G. Mitchell, Dragan Mrkovic, Krzysztof Groszkowski, Borys M. Shchokin, Victor Gusev
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Patent number: 7866729Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.Inventors: Alex Porat, Salvatore Vitale, Stephen A. G. Mitchell, Eduard Vasilescu, Peter Lance Oxley, Gordon Andrew Paton, Jason David Niskanen, Andrew R. Daniels, Dragan Mrkovic
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Publication number: 20100077666Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Alex PORAT, Salvatore Vitale, Stephen A. G. Mitchell, Eduard Vasilescu, Peter Lance Oxley, Gordon Andrew Paton, Jason David Niskanen, Andrew R. Daniels, Dragan Mrkovic
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Patent number: 7648189Abstract: An actuating device is provided for moving a closure panel between an open position spaced apart from a vehicle body and a closed position abutting the vehicle body to close an access opening thereof. The actuating device includes a telescopic arm having a first member coupled to one of the closure panel and the vehicle body and a second member coupled to the other of the closure panel and the vehicle body. The first and second members are slidable relative to one another to move the actuating device between a retracted position corresponding with the closed position and an extended position corresponding with the open position. A screw is rotatable relative to the first member. The screw includes a cavity formed therewithin. A nut is secured to the second member and threadingly engages the screw such that rotation of the screw moves the second member towards and away from the first member to move the actuating device between the respective retracted and extended positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.Inventors: Alex Porat, Salvatore Vitale, Stephen A. G. Mitchell, Eduard Vasilescu, Peter Lance Oxley, Gordon Andrew Paton, Jason David Niskanen, Andrew R. Daniels, Dragan Mrkovic
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Patent number: 7566092Abstract: An electromechanical strut is provided for moving a pivotal lift gate between an open position and a closed position relative to a motor vehicle body. The electromechanical strut includes a housing connected to one of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. An extensible shaft is slidably mounted to the housing. The extensible shaft is connected to the other of the lift gate and the motor vehicle body. A drive mechanism includes a rotatable power screw. The drive mechanism converts rotary motion of the power screw into linear motion of the extensible shaft to move the extensible shaft between a retracted position corresponding to the closed position of the lift gate and an extended position corresponding to the open position of the lift gate. A power spring includes one end connected to the extensible shaft and another end connected to the housing for providing a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the lift gate.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.Inventors: Gordon Andrew Paton, Stephen A. G. Mitchell
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Patent number: 7234757Abstract: An electromechanical strut using an inline motor coupled to an inline planetary gear that are both mounted in the lower housing. The motor-gear assembly drives a worm gear and nut screw in the upper housing, extending or retracting an extensible shaft. Additionally, a power spring mounted coaxially around the worm gear provides a mechanical counterbalance to the weight of a lift gate on the shaft. As the shaft extends, the power spring uncoils, assisting the motor-gear assembly in raising the lift gate. Retracting the shaft recoils the spring, storing potential energy. Thus, a lower torque motor-gear assembly can be used, reducing the diameter of the lower housing. Preferably, the power spring can also drive the power screw to extend the strut even when the motor-gear assembly is not engaged.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.Inventor: Stephen A. G. Mitchell