Patents by Inventor Theodore J. Bachelder
Theodore J. Bachelder 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: 11143228Abstract: A locator guide extension connected to a locator on a host component by at least one retention barb or like feature. The locator guide extension effectively extends the length of the locator to assists an operator in the initial alignment of the host component part to the assembly. An operator locates apertures in the assembly with the locator guide extension prior to inserting attachment clips of the host component. Once initially aligned, the operator pushes the locator guide extension and locator into the aperture, where the locator provides the final fit/finish location. The attachment clip connects the host component to the final assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Feyers, Theodore J. Bachelder, Ronald J. Andor
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Patent number: 10688943Abstract: A retainer for limited space attachment of a vehicle part with a class A surface to a vehicle. The retainer has a low profile portion and also an attachment base operable for being connected to heat stake ribs of the vehicle part. The attachment base includes at least one attachment aperture to provide attachment with the heat stake ribs. There is provided desired degrees of clip float and/or two-way limited clip float providing desired free movement of the clip when desired.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Michael S. Gignilliat
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Publication number: 20190128305Abstract: A locator guide extension connected to a locator on a host component by at least one retention barb or like feature. The locator guide extension effectively extends the length of the locator to assists an operator in the initial alignment of the host component part to the assembly. An operator locates apertures in the assembly with the locator guide extension prior to inserting attachment clips of the host component. Once initially aligned, the operator pushes the locator guide extension and locator into the aperture, where the locator provides the final fit/finish location. The attachment clip connects the host component to the final assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Robert W. Feyers, Theodore J. Bachelder, Ronald J. Andor
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Patent number: 9670947Abstract: A trim retainer assembly having a clip portion with a base and a molded housing having a keyhole and an opening. The keyhole in the doghouse is smooth for improved molding and elimination of tuning since there are no detents in the bore to tune or maintain. The base is provided with a pair of arms that are flexible and each arm having a self detent feature that passes through the opening in the housing to provide clip retention and, at the same time, float for tolerance variations is provided. The pair of arms also include nominal centering detents. The keyhole bore, opening, and clip portion provides clip detent, consistent retention effort, float, centering and anti-rotation.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Ronald J. Andor, Molli J. Andor, Michael S. Gignilliat
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Patent number: 9656613Abstract: A push on doghouse retainer arrangement used for providing a connection between the B-pillar of an automobile, and an appliqué having a high-gloss surface, or “show surface.” The a push on doghouse includes a formed low profile spring steel base and a slightly raised low profile doghouse portion, which includes a slot for receiving a base of a clip portion. The base also includes at least one attachment aperture. The attachment aperture includes an effective amount of serrations for holding of the doghouse onto a low profile rib molded into the part. The present invention simplifies mold design, minimizes potential for a read condition, and provides a robust engagement for a winged clip type fastener in limited space.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignees: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Adam M. Lyon, Ronald J. Andor, Michael S. Gignilliat, Matthew C. Patterson, James R. Roll
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Publication number: 20160176363Abstract: A retainer for limited space attachment of a vehicle part with a class A surface to a vehicle. The retainer has a low profile portion and also an attachment base operable for being connected to heat stake ribs of the vehicle part. The attachment base includes at least one attachment aperture to provide attachment with the heat stake ribs. There is provided desired degrees of clip float and/or two-way limited clip float providing desired free movement of the clip when desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Michael S. Gignilliat
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Publication number: 20160129854Abstract: A trim retainer assembly having a clip portion with a base and a molded housing having a keyhole and an opening. The keyhole in the doghouse is smooth for improved molding and elimination of tuning since there are no detents in the bore to tune or maintain. The base is provided with a pair of arms that are flexible and each arm having a self detent feature that passes through the opening in the housing to provide clip retention and, at the same time, float for tolerance variations is provided. The pair of arms also include nominal centering detents. The keyhole bore, opening, and clip portion provides clip detent, consistent retention effort, float, centering and anti-rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Ronald J. Andor, Molli J. Andor, Michael S. Gignilliat
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Patent number: 9234540Abstract: A retainer for limited space attachment of a vehicle part with a class A surface to a vehicle. The retainer has an attachment base operable for being connected to a rib of the vehicle part. A securing portion including an aperture for receiving a fastener is provided in the retainer. The retainer includes at least one sidewall connected between the attachment base and the securing portion. The sidewall spaces the securing portion from the attachment base to allow for insertion of the fastener and provide predetermined torque tension characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignees: Magna International Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Adam M. Lyon, Michael S. Gignilliat, Ronald J. Andor, Matthew C. Patterson, James R. Roll
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Publication number: 20130255065Abstract: A push on doghouse retainer arrangement used for providing a connection between the B-pillar of an automobile, and an appliqué having a high-gloss surface, or “show surface.” The a push on doghouse includes a formed low profile spring steel base and a slightly raised low profile doghouse portion, which includes a slot for receiving a base of a clip portion. The base also includes at least one attachment aperture. The attachment aperture includes an effective amount of serrations for holding of the doghouse onto a low profile rib molded into the part. The present invention simplifies mold design, minimizes potential for a read condition, and provides a robust engagement for a winged clip type fastener in limited space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Adam M. Lyon, Ronald J. Andor, Michael S. Gignilliat, Matthew C. Patterson
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Publication number: 20130081255Abstract: A retainer for limited space attachment of a vehicle part with a class A surface to a vehicle. The retainer has an attachment base operable for being connected to a rib of the vehicle part. A securing portion including an aperture for receiving a fastener is provided in the retainer. The retainer includes at least one sidewall connected between the attachment base and the securing portion. The sidewall spaces the securing portion from the attachment base to allow for insertion of the fastener and provide predetermined torque tension characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Adam M. Lyon, Michael S. Gignilliat, Ronald J. Andor, Matthew C. Patterson
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Patent number: 5356174Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vehicle airbag assembly includes a reaction device (12) and an airbag/retainer subassembly (14). The airbag/retainer subassembly (14) includes an airbag (16) and a retainer (18) which are joined together by airbag mating members (42) and complementary retainer mating members (62) in a predetermined alignment. In this predetermined alignment, apertures (38) formed in the airbag (16) are aligned with apertures (68) formed in the retainer (18). The reaction device (12) may include mating members (84) which form a cradle configured to engage the airbag/retainer subassembly (14) and to align the airbag/retainer subassembly (14) in a predetermined orientation. In this predetermined orientation, apertures (82) formed in the reaction device (12) will be aligned with the already aligned apertures (38, 68) of the airbag (16) and the retainer (18).Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: John F. Rhein, Theodore J. Bachelder, Russell E. Stein
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Patent number: 5257815Abstract: A vehicle air bag assembly includes an air bag container with a special orientation device for orienting and supporting an inflator in the container. The air bag container includes a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls. One of the pair of sidewalls has an opening which is dimensioned to receive an inflator. The orientation device comprises an orientation ring coupled to the one of the sidewalls and located at least partially within the opening in the one of the sidewalls. The inflator is loaded into the container through an opening in the orientation ring. The orientation ring has an internal configuration which (i) requires the inflator to be in an initial orientation as the inflator is loaded into the container, and (ii) engages a portion of the inflator to center and support the inflator in a predetermined final orientation when the inflator is coupled to the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1991Date of Patent: November 2, 1993Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Thomas J. Klena, II, Steven W. Maurer, Ronald R. Modlin, James T. Puckett, John E. Stepnick, Jeffrey C. Synor, John P. Wallner
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Patent number: 4915410Abstract: A vehicle air bag module includes a container for a folded air bag and structure for attaching an inflator to the container. The container is initially assembled with an air bag disposed therein. The inflator can be attached to an exterior side of the container after the container has been assembled with an air bag. Thus, the container can be formed as an initial assembly, and the inflator can be attached to the container as the final step in the assembly of the air bag module.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventor: Theodore J. Bachelder