Patents by Inventor Steven H. Klotz

Steven H. Klotz 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).

  • Publication number: 20240116337
    Abstract: A closure includes a door configured for movement with respect to an opening between a closed position and an open position, and a movable roof panel that configured for connection to the body for movement with respect to the opening between a closed position and an open position by pivoting relative to the body. The closure also includes an access structure that is configured to be movable from a stowed position to a deployed position when the door is in the open position, wherein the access structure defines a walking surface in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Philipp J. Wolf, Steven H. Klotz, Moshe J. Baum, Tina Lin, Donald R. Monroe
  • Publication number: 20240035327
    Abstract: A first portion and a second portion cooperate to define an opening. Guide structures are in engagement with bracket assemblies so that the bracket assemblies are movable with respect to the guide structures to allow movement of a panel between a closed position and an open position. A stabilizer engages the panel in the open position. In some implementations, the panel may be flush relative to the first portion and/or the second portion in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Trevor M. Sultana, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Steven H. Klotz, Moshe J. Baum, Donald R. Monroe
  • Patent number: 11851926
    Abstract: A panel is supported by a track for movement along the track between a closed position and an open position, and is further supported by a pivot assembly that is configured to pivot the track and the panel with respect to a body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Trevor M. Sultana, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Steven H. Klotz, Donald R. Monroe
  • Publication number: 20230392641
    Abstract: A fastener for securing a first component to a second component includes a fastener head disposed at a distal end of a fastener body. The fastener has a first configuration with the fastener head inset within a first opening of the first component. The fastener has a second configuration with the fastener body extending through the first opening in the first component and through a second opening in the second component. An inner surface of the fastener head engages with an inner surface of the second component to secure the second component to the first component in the second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Raff, Steven H. Klotz, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Trevor M. Sultana, Uday Ramchander, Lei Wang, Moshe J. Baum
  • Publication number: 20230009718
    Abstract: A striker system includes a chassis, a striker, an actuator, and a controller. The striker is pivotable relative to the chassis and configured to be received by and couple to a latch. The actuator is configured to pivot the striker. The controller operates the actuator to pivot the striker relative to the chassis in a range of motion greater than 60 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Thuan D. Doan, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Steven H. Klotz, Donald R. Monroe
  • Patent number: 11446986
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a laminated panel and a reinforcement structure. The laminated panel includes a glass layer and a polymer layer that is laminated with the glass layer. The reinforcement structure extends along and is coupled to an upper perimeter of the polymer layer. When the polymer layer is in tension, the reinforcement structure hinders inward movement of the polymer layer relative to an upper edge of the window assembly. The window assembly is a retractable side window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kingman, Donald R. Monroe, Steven H. Klotz, Derek C. Scott
  • Patent number: 11214997
    Abstract: A multi-linkage vehicle door hinge and door hinge system for use in passenger vehicle entry/exit doors. The door hinge includes a first four bar linkage connected to a second four bar linkage. The door hinge operates to move a vehicle door panel between a closed position and an open position along a path of travel in a movement envelope that is parallel to the exterior surface of the vehicle. In one aspect, the door hinge provides twice as much lift as is required to package the door hinge in the vehicle. In another aspect, the door panel further rotates toward the vehicle centerline for applications having low vertical clearance. In another aspect, the door hinge includes a six-bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Donald R. Monroe, Johan Karlsson, Steven H. Klotz
  • Patent number: 10648210
    Abstract: A multi-linkage vehicle door hinge and door hinge system for use in passenger vehicle entry/exit doors. The door hinge includes a first four bar linkage connected to a second four bar linkage. The door hinge operates to move a vehicle door panel between a closed position and an open position along a path of travel in a movement envelope that is parallel to the exterior surface of the vehicle. In one aspect, the door hinge provides twice as much lift as is required to package the door hinge in the vehicle. In another aspect, the door panel further rotates toward the vehicle centerline for applications having low vertical clearance. In another aspect, the door hinge includes a six-bar linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Tavakoli Targhi, Donald R. Monroe, Johan Karlsson, Steven H. Klotz
  • Publication number: 20110203749
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a drive assembly for driving a window shade of a vehicle, in particular for a rear window of a vehicle, and a window shade system comprising at least two one-piece arms, first ends of which are pivotally coupleable to a window shade, and a driving means, in particular a motor, for linearly sliding pivotally mounted second ends of said one-piece arms arranged such that said one-piece arms may push or pull a window shade across a window of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventors: Steven H. Klotz, Charlie Sorrell, Phil Kelly, Tom Mack, Elbert Willis
  • Patent number: 7905542
    Abstract: A sunroof assembly with a composite water management assembly having side rails with a water trough connected at one end to end caps and to a pair of corners at the other, which connect to a front rail at substantially right angles to the side rails. This composite assembly can be connected by vibration welding. A reinforcement bar can be connected at substantially right angles to the rearward end of vertically oriented slide tracks snap fitted into substantially the length of the side rails. A pair of mirror slide mechanisms with vertically oriented mounts are retained, but free to slide, within a channel of the slide track and outboard of the water trough. A movable panel such as a glass sunroof are attached to the slide mechanism. A sunshade can be added that also combines water shedding ribs to channel water to the water trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Craig T Marx, James D Sahlaney, Randall W Budnick, Lisa Marie Pomeroy, Steven H Klotz, Thomas Murray, Michael J McIsaac, Joachim Juergen Gernot Klesing
  • Publication number: 20100320808
    Abstract: A sunroof assembly with a composite water management assembly having side rails with a water trough connected at one end to end caps and to a pair of corners at the other, which connect to a front rail at substantially right angles to the side rails. This composite assembly can be connected by vibration welding. A reinforcement bar can be connected at substantially right angles to the rearward end of vertically oriented slide tracks snap fitted into substantially the length of the side rails. A pair of mirror slide mechanisms with vertically oriented mounts are retained, but free to slide, within a channel of the slide track and outboard of the water trough. A movable panel such as a glass sunroof are attached to the slide mechanism. A sunshade can be added that also combines water shedding ribs to channel water to the water trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Craig T. Marx, Steven H. Klotz, Thomas Murray, Michael J. Mcisaac, James D. Sahlaney, Randall W. Budnick, Lisa Marie Pomeroy, Joachim Juergen Gernot Klesing
  • Publication number: 20080284213
    Abstract: An arrangement and process for conversion of a single panel sunroof into a two panel sunroof uses corner adaptor pieces with planar sides that form an outside corner and a concave inner contour extending between ends of the planar sides, the contour being matched to a rounded corner curvature of a cover panel of a single panel sunroof, such that two such cover panels having corner adaptor pieces thereon can seal relative to the roof opening and relative to each other within the roof opening. A roller blind assembly enables a roller blind to be added by the provision of track inserts for guiding of the roller blind during opening and closing thereof, each of the track inserts being attachable at an inner side of a respective guide track on the sunroof frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: WEBASTO ROOF SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lisa Marie POMEROY, Thomas MURRAY, Steven H. KLOTZ, Jean-Guy COCAIGN, Anthony Joseph SAMP, Norman Russell TAYLOR, Julius Joseph BEREGSZASZY, III, Michael Brett HEALY, Gregory L. BROWN
  • Patent number: 7441833
    Abstract: An arrangement and process for conversion of a single panel sunroof into a two panel sunroof uses corner adaptor pieces with planar sides that form an outside corner and a concave inner contour extending between ends of the planar sides, the contour being matched to a rounded corner curvature of a cover panel of a single panel sunroof, such that two such cover panels having corner adaptor pieces thereon can seal relative to the roof opening and relative to each other within the roof opening. A roller blind assembly enables a roller blind to be added by the provision of track inserts for guiding of the roller blind during opening and closing thereof, each of the track inserts being attachable at an inner side of a respective guide track on the sunroof frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Webasto Roof Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Marie Pomeroy, Thomas Murray, Steven H. Klotz, Jean-Guy Cocaign, Anthony Joseph Samp, Norman Russell Taylor, Julius Joseph Beregszaszy, III, Michael Brett Healy, Gregory L. Brown
  • Patent number: 5347882
    Abstract: A cable mounting construction comprising a bracket having a slot therein which has an open end, a closed end and sides, and a retainer assembly adapted to be snapped into position in the slot. The retainer assembly includes a one-piece generally tubular body having spaced flanges defining an annular groove. A snap spring includes a generally arcuate cylindrical portion and is snapped into the annular groove engaging the base of the groove. The snap ring includes free ends formed into tabs that extend generally radially such that when the retainer assembly is positioned in the slot the tabs flex and snap into recesses in the opposed sides of the slot. The retainer has an axial opening through which a cable may extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: FKI Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Steven H. Klotz