Patents by Inventor Steven Matthew Harpster

Steven Matthew Harpster 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: 20240227473
    Abstract: A recovery hook assembly includes a recovery hook fastened to a vehicle frame by a vertically oriented fastener and a horizontally oriented fastener, which connect the recovery hook to the vehicle at three connection points. When the recovery hook is pulled in the forward direction, the recovery hook remains connected to the vehicle to allow the vehicle to be towed. When the recovery hook is pushed in a rearward direction, the recovery hook moves rearward and can break away from the vehicle, thus maintaining crash performance of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Matthew HARPSTER, Rajendra L. KAKARLA, Bradley W. KLEIN, Amol GAIKWAD, Stephen G. ROSEPILER, Kishan Chand KARI
  • Patent number: 11820197
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a control arm having a first branch portion extended from a second branch portion, the first branch portion and the second branch portion being fixed with a frame of the vehicle, and a third branch portion extended from the second branch portion, and coupled with a wheel. The vehicle also includes a first joint fixing the first branch portion to the frame, and a second joint located behind the first joint along the frame in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and fixing the second branch portion to the frame with a first bracket extending along the frame, outward from the second branch portion in a vehicle lateral direction. The first bracket is fixed to the frame at a first bracket weakened portion, and configured such that the second branch portion separates the first bracket weakened portion from the frame while the first joint remains fixed to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Bradley W. Klein
  • Publication number: 20230249508
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a control arm having a first branch portion extended from a second branch portion, the first branch portion and the second branch portion being fixed with a frame of the vehicle, and a third branch portion extended from the second branch portion, and coupled with a wheel. The vehicle also includes a first joint fixing the first branch portion to the frame, and a second joint located behind the first joint along the frame in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and fixing the second branch portion to the frame with a first bracket extending along the frame, outward from the second branch portion in a vehicle lateral direction. The first bracket is fixed to the frame at a first bracket weakened portion, and configured such that the second branch portion separates the first bracket weakened portion from the frame while the first joint remains fixed to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Matthew HARPSTER, Rajendra L. KAKARLA, Bradley W. KLEIN
  • Patent number: 10518811
    Abstract: A front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly and a method of forming a front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly includes an outer frame member having at least one outer frame mating flange and an inner frame member having at least one inner frame mating flange. The at least one inner frame mating flange is fixedly secured to the at least one outer frame mating flange. At least one of the at least one outer frame mating flange and the at least one inner frame mating flange includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced joggles thereon for promoting longitudinal crush of at least one of the outer frame member and the inner frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Brian Christopher Bray, Shingo Hakamata, Eric M. Heitkamp, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Anthony John Leanza, Aditya Malladi, Patrick M. Shafer, Kurt T. Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20190217892
    Abstract: A front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly and a method of forming a front side frame member for a vehicle front frame assembly includes an outer frame member having at least one outer frame mating flange and an inner frame member having at least one inner frame mating flange. The at least one inner frame mating flange is fixedly secured to the at least one outer frame mating flange. At least one of the at least one outer frame mating flange and the at least one inner frame mating flange includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced joggles thereon for promoting longitudinal crush of at least one of the outer frame member and the inner frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Harpster, Brian Christopher Bray, Shingo Hakamata, Eric M. Heitkamp, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Anthony John Leanza, Aditya Malladi, Patrick M. Shafer, Kurt T. Winkelmann