Patents by Inventor Steven Thiel

Steven Thiel 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: 20060006680
    Abstract: A striker assembly is provided for use with a lock assembly in latching a first body and a second body together and allowing at least one of the first and second bodies to pivotally move relative to the other of the first and second bodies. The lock assembly is mounted to the first body. The striker assembly includes a striker rotatably mounted to the second body and configured so that an associated latch of the lock assembly is selectively lockable to the striker to latch the first body to the second body. A lever extends from the striker and is engageable with the lock body so that the striker rotates when said at least one of the first and second bodies is pivotally moved relative to the other of the first and second bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Kurt Johansen, Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20060001287
    Abstract: A tailgate synchronizer for coordinating mechanical communication between first and second handles mounted to a tailgate and first and second lock assemblies that selectively lock the tailgate to a vehicle body includes a first lock assembly actuator lever rotatably mounted to the tailgate. The first lock assembly actuator lever is selectively movable by the first handle. The first lock assembly actuator lever is connected to the first lock assembly so that the first lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the first lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the first handle. A second lock assembly actuator lever is rotatably mounted to the tailgate and selectively movable by the second handle. The second lock assembly actuator lever is connected to the second lock assembly so that the second lock assembly actuator lever unlocks the second lock assembly when sufficiently moved by the second handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Matthew Plett, Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20060001288
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly is adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed for alternatively pivoting about (1) a first axis generally parallel with the open edge of the tailgate for movement between a closed position and a fold-open position and (2) a second axis generally normal relative to the first axis for movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. The tailgate assembly includes a tailgate, a dual-mode hinge assembly, a first hinge/lock assembly and a second hinge/lock assembly. The first hinge/lock assembly is selectively latched to an associated first hinge/lock striker and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support the tailgate about a first pivot axis. The second hinge/lock assembly is selectively latched to an associated second hinge/lock striker and cooperates with the dual-mode hinge assembly to pivotally support the tailgate about a second pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Thiele, Danny Cheung, Matthew Plett, Kenichi Kitayama, Kurt Johansen, Joel Romig
  • Publication number: 20060001275
    Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively locking to a striker on a vehicle includes a lock body defining a lock body recess for receiving the striker therein. A latch is rotatably mounted to the lock body for selectively locking the striker in the lock body recess. The latch is moveable between a latched position wherein the striker is locked in the lock body recess and an unlatched position wherein the striker is removable from the lock body recess. A ratchet is rotatably mounted to the lock body adjacent the latch for selectively locking the latch in the latched position. The ratchet is moveable between an engaged position wherein the ratchet locks the latch in the latched position and a disengaged position wherein the latch is moveable between the latched position and the unlatched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Matthew Plett, Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6938941
    Abstract: A vehicle load-carrying bed includes a generally rectangular bed floor. A front wall extends upwardly adjacent a front edge of the bed floor. A first side wall extends upwardly adjacent a first side edge of the bed floor. A second side wall extends upwardly adjacent a second, opposite side edge of the bed floor. A tailgate is positioned along a rear edge of the bed floor and extends between the first and second sidewalls. A dual axis hinge pivotally connects the tailgate to the first side wall for movement about a first axis generally parallel with the rear edge of the bed floor and alternative movement about a second axis generally parallel with a vertical bed edge of the first side wall. The hinge includes a checker for urging the tailgate into preselected positions when the tailgate is moved about the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama, Marc Lamarre
  • Publication number: 20050057064
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly adapted to be mounted along an open edge of a vehicle's load-carrying bed is provided. The tailgate is able to alternatively pivot about (1) an axis generally parallel with a bottom edge of the tailgate for movement between a closed position and a folded-open position and (2) an axis generally parallel with a lateral edge of the tailgate for movement between the closed position and a swing-open position. The tailgate assembly includes a stamped sheet metal frame having a reinforced cross-sectional shape with an inner side facing an associated vehicle's load-carrying bed and an outer side opposite the inner side. The tailgate assembly further includes a skin attached to the outer side of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Christopher Walker, Steven Thiele, Edward Moran, Marc Lamarre
  • Publication number: 20050057063
    Abstract: A vehicle load-carrying bed having a generally rectangular bed floor is provided. A front wall extends upwardly adjacent a front edge of the bed floor. A first side wall extends upwardly adjacent a first side edge of the bed floor. A second side wall extends upwardly adjacent a second, opposite side edge of the bed floor. A tailgate is positioned along a rear edge of the bed floor and extends between the first and second sidewalls. A dual axis hinge pivotally connects the tailgate to the first side wall for movement about a first axis generally parallel with the rear edge of the bed floor and alternative movement about a second axis generally parallel with a vertical bed edge of the first side wall. The hinge includes a checker for urging the tailgate into preselected positions when the tailgate is moved about the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama, Marc Lamarre
  • Publication number: 20040262346
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a roof rack for mounting to a vehicle. The roof rack includes a rail secured between first and second stanchions. The first stanchion includes a cover and a base. The cover is releasably secured to the base by a plurality of fastener assemblies. One of the fastener assemblies is formed by a tongue of the base being disposed in a loop of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Thiele, Narumichi Nishimura, Christopher Salvador
  • Patent number: 6805070
    Abstract: A fluid storage container provides a visual display of a fluid level therein. The container has a plurality of capillary tubes attached thereto, correlating to predetermined fluid levels within the container, and which may be visually observed upon inspection of the capillary tubes. Each of the capillary tubes has an inlet at a lower end thereof, and the inlets are located at different vertical levels from one another. When fluid in the container is at a level above an inlet of a given capillary tube, the capillary tube automatically fills with fluid, providing a visual signal of the fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Lin Lee, Yan Beaudoin, Steven Thiele, Michael Binfet