Patents by Inventor Ted J. Wieczorek

Ted J. Wieczorek 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: 20070187930
    Abstract: A motor vehicle structure that includes a hidden airbag door and an integrated airbag chute. The structure may be selected from instrument panel assemblies, seat shields, airbag covers, pillar garnishes, side curtain shields, door trim, knee bolsters, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing structures. The structure is designed to include a retainer having a first surface and a second surface, a deployment chute, and a door portion defined by a tear seam notch in at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the retainer. The deployment chute is attached to and integrated with the retainer. Additionally, the deployment chute and the retainer are constructed and arranged from the same material. The motor vehicle structure may be made by integrally forming the deployment chute with the retainer and defining a door portion using a tear seam notch in at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Ravi Kiran Chitteti, Takaaki Nemoto, Chang-Soo Ryu, Adam K. Trappe, Ted J. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6978544
    Abstract: A retaining assembly secures ornamentation having an inboard surface and a plurality of protrusions to a wheel. The retaining assembly includes a ring. The ring includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The openings receive protrusions that extend out from the ornamentation. Legs extend out from the ring and engage multiple sides of a portion of the lug nuts. This secures the ornamentation to the wheel hub. The retaining assembly also includes supports that are secured between the legs. The supports provide support and prevent over-travel of the legs when the ornamentation is being installed by securing the ring to the lug nuts. The supports include an extension and a cross member. The extension positions the supports with respect to the ring and the cross members are bent and welded to the legs that are disposed adjacent thereto to provide support and prevent the over-travel of the legs as the legs pass over the lug nuts to which they are being secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Ted E. Eikhoff, Douglas J. Cutcher, Ted J. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6402254
    Abstract: A retaining assembly secures ornamentation having an inboard surface and a plurality of protrusions to a wheel. The retaining assembly includes a ring. The ring includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The openings receive protrusions that extend out from the ornamentation. Legs extend out from the ring and engage multiple sides of a portion of the lug nuts. This secures the ornamentation to the wheel hub. The retaining assembly also includes supports that are secured between the legs. The supports provide support and prevent over-travel of the legs when the ornamentation is being installed by securing the ring to the lug nuts. The supports include an extension and a cross member. The extension positions the supports with respect to the ring and the cross members are bent and welded to the legs that are disposed adjacent thereto to provide support and prevent the over-travel of the legs as the legs pass over the lug nuts to which they are being secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Ted E. Eikhoff, Douglas J. Cutcher, Ted J. Wieczorek