Patents by Inventor Steven J. Engelgau
Steven J. Engelgau 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: 11161554Abstract: A vehicle cross member has a beam with an overall U-shape cross-section. A pair of legs are connected, via rounded portions, with a web. A series of aperture is formed on the legs along a longitudinal axis of the beam. A flange is formed at a free end of the legs. The flange enables securement of the beam with a vehicle. The legs are angled with respect to one another so that the web has a width less than a width of the beam at the flange. The web has an arcuate portion along the longitudinal axis of the beam aligned with the series of apertures in the legs.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Paul R Stibich, Steven J Engelgau, Congyue Wang
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Publication number: 20200223495Abstract: A vehicle cross member has a beam with an overall U-shape cross-section. A pair of legs are connected, via rounded portions, with a web. A series of aperture is formed on the legs along a longitudinal axis of the beam. A flange is formed at a free end of the legs. The flange enables securement of the beam with a vehicle. The legs are angled with respect to one another so that the web has a width less than a width of the beam at the flange. The web has an arcuate portion along the longitudinal axis of the beam aligned with the series of apertures in the legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Paul R Stibich, Steven J Engelgau, Congyue Wang
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Patent number: 7032962Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLCInventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6899382Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLCInventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6866335Abstract: A sunroof assembly is provided for securing to an exterior surface of a vehicle roof. The vehicle roof has exterior and interior surfaces. Opposing rails are secured to opposing sides of the exterior surface of the vehicle roof. A sunroof is supported between the rails and is movable between closed and opened positions with the sunroof disposed in a sunroof opening in the closed position. A housing, which is preferably a portion of a deflector, is secured to the exterior of the vehicle roof. In the preferred embodiment which incorporates a deflector, the deflector is secured between the opposing rails. A drive motor is disposed in the housing for moving the sunroof between the closed and opened positions. At least one drive element interconnects the drive motor and the sunroof. Since the drive motor and housing are located exteriorly on the vehicle roof, the sunroof assembly may be installed as a single unit and multi-piece drive elements are unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2001Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Roch J. Tolinski, Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6860549Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC.Inventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Publication number: 20040232732Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6786537Abstract: A water management system of the present invention provides a sunroof drain member formed as a continuous piece. The drain member supports a sunroof guide track, and removes water from the guide track and sunroof area. The sunroof guide track is secured to the drain member by a plurality of interlocking features. By forming the interlocking features as integral parts of the guide track and drain member this prevents leakage in weakening in the areas where fastening devices would otherwise need to be attached.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Troy Allan, Steven J. Engelgau, Hyong Chol Park, Joachim Roeder, Daniel Cooney, Michael Cherry, John Long, Keith Roberts, Gregory Kerwin
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Publication number: 20040113466Abstract: A water management system of the present invention provides a sunroof drain member formed as a continuous piece. The drain member supports a sunroof guide track, and removes water from the guide track and sunroof area. The sunroof guide track is secured to the drain member by a plurality of interlocking features. By forming the interlocking features as integral parts of the guide track and drain member this prevents leakage in weakening in the areas where fastening devices would otherwise need to be attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: June 17, 2004Inventors: Troy Allan, Steven J. Engelgau, Hyong Chol Park, Joachim Roeder, Daniel Cooney, Michael Cherry, John Long, Keith Roberts, Gregory Kerwin
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Patent number: 6729072Abstract: A vehicle door lock system comprises a sliding vehicle door, having a door path of travel generally translational to a vehicle frame. A drive unit moves the vehicle door along a door path. A drive component communicates the movement from the drive unit to the vehicle door by moving along a drive component path of travel. A latch is selectively actuated to arrest movement of the drive component and the vehicle door by blocking the drive component path of travel.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLCInventors: Rajesh J. Somnay, Steven J. Engelgau, Shelley Lynn Bess, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Ian Christopher Hoare, Joseph Allen Wilbanks, II, Silvio M. Yamada
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Publication number: 20030085594Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6494528Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLCInventors: Roch J. Tolinski, Steven J. Engelgau
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Publication number: 20020185894Abstract: A sunroof assembly is provided for securing to an exterior surface of a vehicle roof. The vehicle roof has exterior and interior surfaces. Opposing rails are secured to opposing sides of the exterior surface of the vehicle roof. A sunroof is supported between the rails and is movable between closed and opened positions with the sunroof disposed in a sunroof opening in the closed position. A housing, which is preferably a portion of a deflector, is secured to the exterior of the vehicle roof. In the preferred embodiment which incorporates a deflector, the deflector is secured between the opposing rails. A drive motor is disposed in the housing for moving the sunroof between the closed and opened positions. At least one drive element interconnects the drive motor and the sunroof. Since the drive motor and housing are located exteriorly on the vehicle roof, the sunroof assembly may be installed as a single unit and multi-piece drive elements are unnecessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2001Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Roch J. Tolinski, Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6393934Abstract: A pedal assembly (10) for use in a vehicle comprising a pedal arm (12) having a pivot (14) for movable connection to a vehicle structure (16) to allow the pedal arm (12) to pivot in a normal operating range between a rest position and a fully applied position under a predetermined normal operating load. The pedal arm (12) further includes a mechanism (18, 46) connecting the pedal arm (12) to a brake system (20) for transmitting normal operating loads through the pedal arm (12) to the brake system (20). The mechanism (18, 46) includes a fuse (22, 50) for allowing the pedal arm (12) to move independently from the brake system (20) in response to a predetermined load that exceeds the normal operating load. The pedal assembly (10) is characterized by the fuse (22, 50) being frangible for destruction in response to the predetermined load and by including a pocket member (24, 52) for supporting the fuse (22, 50) and for receiving a replacement fuse (22, 50).Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Christopher Rixon, Steven J. Engelgau
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Publication number: 20020060479Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2001Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: Roch J. Tolinski, Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6237565Abstract: A vehicle control pedal apparatus (12) includes a support (18) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure (20) and an adjustable pedal assembly (22) having a pedal arm (14) that is moveable in fore and aft directions with respect to the support (18). A pivot (24) pivotally supports the adjustable pedal assembly (22) with respect to the support (18) and defines a pivot axis (26). The control pedal apparatus (12) further includes an electronic throttle control (28) attached to the support (18) for controlling an engine throttle (30). The apparatus (12) is characterized by the electronic throttle control (28) being responsive to the pivot (24) for providing a signal (32) that corresponds to pedal arm position as the pedal arm (14) pivots about the pivot axis (26) between rest and applied positions, Thus, the control pedal apparatus (12) can adjust pedal arm position in fore and aft directions without having to move the electronic throttle control unit (28) along with the pedal arm (14).Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6186025Abstract: A pedal assembly (10) for use in a vehicle (11) comprising a pedal arm that moves in a normal operating range between a rest position and an applied position under a normal operating load and includes a rebound mechanism for moving the pedal arm to an extended position in response to an applied load greater than the normal operating load. The rebound mechanism rebounds the pedal arm to the normal operating range when the applied load is reduced to the normal operating load. In one embodiment, the break away and rebound pedal assembly (10) includes a first arm (20) having a first end (22) with a first pivotal connection (24) to the vehicle (11) for actuating an automotive system and extending to a second end (26). The assembly (10) also comprises a second arm (30) having third (32) and fourth (34) ends with a pad (36) supported on the fourth end (34).Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Teleflex, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Engelgau, Christopher Bortolon, Rolf Herbert Reidel
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Patent number: 6179081Abstract: A pedal arm and switch assembly (40) for use in a vehicle (10) wherein a switch housing (62) is integral with the plastic pedal arm (50) and supports the switch (60). The switch (60) is normally spaced apart from an adjacent surface (66) when the pedal (50) is in a normally biased position (P). The surface (66) may either be a pedal assembly bracket portion (47) or a firewall (14). The switch (60) has a pin (64) that extends from the housing (62) and is actuated when the pin (64) contacts the surface (66). The switch (60) produces an electronic signal upon actuation in response to the pedal arm (50) reaching one of a first (P1) and second (P2) predetermined positions. The electronic signal may control a cruise control system (34), brake lights (42), or a transmission gear shifter (20).Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Teleflex, Inc.Inventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6109241Abstract: A vehicle control pedal apparatus (12) includes a support (18) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure (20) and an adjustable pedal assembly (22) having a pedal arm (14) that is moveable in fore and aft directions with respect to the support (18). A pivot (24) pivotally supports the adjustable pedal assembly (22) with respect to the support (18) and defines a pivot axis (26). The control pedal apparatus (12) further includes an electronic throttle control (28) attached to the support (18) for controlling an engine throttle (30). The apparatus (12) is characterized by the electronic throttle control (28) being responsive to the pivot (24) for providing a signal (32) that corresponds to pedal arm position as the pedal arm (14) pivots about the pivot axis (26) between rest and applied positions. Thus, the control pedal apparatus (12) can adjust pedal arm position in fore and aft directions without having to move the electronic throttle control unit (28) along with the pedal arm (14).Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Steven J. Engelgau
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Patent number: 6101896Abstract: A pedal arm and switch assembly (40) for use in a vehicle (10) wherein a switch housing (62) is integral with the plastic pedal arm (50) and supports the switch (60). The switch (60) is normally spaced apart from an adjacent surface (66) when the pedal (50) is in a normally biased position (P). The surface (66) may either be a pedal assembly bracket portion (47) or a firewall (14). The switch (60) has a pin (64) that extends from the housing (62) and is actuated when the pin (64) contacts the surface (66). The switch (60) produces an electronic signal upon actuation in response to the pedal arm (50) reaching one of a first (P1) and second (P2) predetermined positions. The electronic signal may control a cruise control system (34), brake lights (42), or a transmission gear shifter (20).Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventor: Steven J. Engelgau