Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Bender

Thomas J. Bender 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).

  • Patent number: 11214125
    Abstract: A closable air vent may be bonded to a laminated or tempered windshield used on UTV or other types of vehicles. The air vent may include a vent body with a flap opening and a bond channel, a flap pivotably secured in the flap opening on a flap pivot, and an actuator coupled with the flap via a roll pin and displaceable between a flap closed position and a flap open position. In the flap closed position, the roll pin is disposed on one side of the flap pivot, and in the flap open position, the roll pin is disposed on an opposite side of the flap pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 10569742
    Abstract: A windshield assembly includes a laminated windshield provided with a cutout and a motor mounting plate secured to the laminated windshield over the cutout. The motor mounting plate includes a first mounting area. An exterior motor cover plate is secured on an exterior side of the laminated windshield and overlays the cutout in facing relation with the motor mounting plate. The exterior motor cover includes a second mounting area in alignment with the first mounting area. The structure distributes forces encountered by the wiper and motor over a large area on the glass. Also, due to a small footprint, the view through the windshield is less obstructed. The structure also eliminates the need for drilling/aligning holes in laminated glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bender, Brian Castleman
  • Publication number: 20190135082
    Abstract: A closable air vent may be bonded to a laminated or tempered windshield used on UTV or other types of vehicles. The air vent may include a vent body with a flap opening and a bond channel, a flap pivotably secured in the flap opening on a flap pivot, and an actuator coupled with the flap via a roll pin and displaceable between a flap closed position and a flap open position. In the flap closed position, the roll pin is disposed on one side of the flap pivot, and in the flap open position, the roll pin is disposed on an opposite side of the flap pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Publication number: 20190016305
    Abstract: A windshield assembly includes a laminated windshield provided with a cutout and a motor mounting plate secured to the laminated windshield over the cutout. The motor mounting plate includes a first mounting area. An exterior motor cover plate is secured on an exterior side of the laminated windshield and overlays the cutout in facing relation with the motor mounting plate. The exterior motor cover includes a second mounting area in alignment with the first mounting area. The structure distributes forces encountered by the wiper and motor over a large area on the glass. Also, due to a small footprint, the view through the windshield is less obstructed. The structure also eliminates the need for drilling/aligning holes in laminated glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bender, Brian Castleman
  • Patent number: 10138664
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly for connecting a moving part to a frame includes a first part secured to the frame and including an insert channel, and a second part secured to the moving part and including a shaft. An eccentric insert is positioned in the insert channel and is rotatable in the insert channel. The eccentric insert includes an offset channel at an end facing the second part, and the shaft of the second part is disposed in the offset channel. By rotating the eccentric part in the insert channel, a relative position of the moving part to the frame can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 10065603
    Abstract: A windshield assembly includes a laminated windshield provided with a cutout and a motor mounting plate secured to the laminated windshield over the cutout. The motor mounting plate includes a mounting hole, and a wiper motor is secured to the motor mounting plate via the mounting hole. The structure distributes forces encountered by the wiper and motor over a large area on the glass. Also, due to a small footprint, the view through the windshield is less obstructed. The structure also eliminates the need for drilling/aligning holes in laminated glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bender, Brian Castleman
  • Publication number: 20170268267
    Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly for connecting a moving part to a frame includes a first part secured to the frame and including an insert channel, and a second part secured to the moving part and including a shaft. An eccentric insert is positioned in the insert channel and is rotatable in the insert channel. The eccentric insert includes an offset channel at an end facing the second part, and the shaft of the second part is disposed in the offset channel. By rotating the eccentric part in the insert channel, a relative position of the moving part to the frame can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 9623727
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a laminated glass windshield includes first and second mating plates securable in a scallop in the laminated glass windshield. Each of the mating plates includes an indentation on an inside surface thereof, where the indentations of the first and second mating plates define a pocket. A stiffening plate is disposed in the pocket, and a fastener secures the first and second mating plates and the stiffening plate together. The first and second mating plates and the stiffening plate include an opening for securing a windshield accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Publication number: 20160355073
    Abstract: A windshield assembly includes a laminated windshield provided with a cutout and a motor mounting plate secured to the laminated windshield over the cutout. The motor mounting plate includes a mounting hole, and a wiper motor is secured to the motor mounting plate via the mounting hole. The structure distributes forces encountered by the wiper and motor over a large area on the glass. Also, due to a small footprint, the view through the windshield is less obstructed. The structure also eliminates the need for drilling/aligning holes in laminated glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bender, Brian Castleman
  • Patent number: 9487065
    Abstract: A sliding window assembly includes a window frame supporting a main glass with an opening, and a carriage coupled in the window frame and supporting a slider glass sized to fit into the opening in the main glass. The carriage is displaceable in the window frame between an open position, a ready position, and a closed position. The slider glass is disposed in the opening when the carriage is in the closed position. A lever assembly connects the carriage and the window frame. The carriage is linearly displaceable in a first direction between the open position and the ready position, and the carriage is linearly displaceable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between the ready position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 9428152
    Abstract: A windshield includes a notch formed along an edge, and a motor pocket secured adjacent the notch. The motor pocket includes assembly components for securing a windshield accessory, such as a windshield wiper system. A pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket such that the notch is covered for use without the windshield accessory. The assembly facilitates installation of the windshield accessory if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 9387743
    Abstract: An attachment system connects an object such as a windshield to a vehicle pillar. The attachment system includes a front extrusion connectable to the vehicle pillar and including a connecting member, and a mating extrusion connectable to the vehicle pillar and including a coupling member cooperable with the connecting member. A pocket is machined into one of the front extrusion and the mating extrusion, and a latch is coupled with the other of the front extrusion and the mating extrusion. The front extrusion and the mating extrusion are connectable in an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the unlocked position, the connecting member is engaged with the coupling member with the latch displaced from the pocket, and in the locked position, the connecting member is engaged with the coupling member with the latch in alignment and engaged with the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 9309706
    Abstract: A hinge system for a glass windshield with a receiving cut includes a protective flange with an opening therein secured adjacent the receiving cut on one side of the glass windshield. A stiffener is positioned adjacent the receiving cut on an opposite side of the glass windshield. A hinge member including a hinge tab is disposed in the opening of the protective flange and is secured to the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bender, Brian Castleman
  • Publication number: 20160068137
    Abstract: A windshield includes a notch formed along an edge, and a motor pocket secured adjacent the notch. The motor pocket includes assembly components for securing a windshield accessory, such as a windshield wiper system. A pocket lid is secured to the motor pocket such that the notch is covered for use without the windshield accessory. The assembly facilitates installation of the windshield accessory if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Publication number: 20160060928
    Abstract: A hinge system for a glass windshield with a receiving cut includes a protective flange with an opening therein secured adjacent the receiving cut on one side of the glass windshield. A stiffener is positioned adjacent the receiving cut on an opposite side of the glass windshield. A hinge member including a hinge tab is disposed in the opening of the protective flange and is secured to the stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bender, Brian Castleman
  • Publication number: 20150292256
    Abstract: A sliding window assembly includes a window frame supporting a main glass with an opening, and a carriage coupled in the window frame and supporting a slider glass sized to fit into the opening in the main glass. The carriage is displaceable in the window frame between an open position, a ready position, and a closed position. The slider glass is disposed in the opening when the carriage is in the closed position. A lever assembly connects the carriage and the window frame. The carriage is linearly displaceable in a first direction between the open position and the ready position, and the carriage is linearly displaceable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction between the ready position and the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Publication number: 20150231950
    Abstract: An accessory mounting system for a laminated glass windshield includes first and second mating plates securable in a scallop in the laminated glass windshield. Each of the mating plates includes an indentation on an inside surface thereof, where the indentations of the first and second mating plates define a pocket. A stiffening plate is disposed in the pocket, and a fastener secures the first and second mating plates and the stiffening plate together. The first and second mating plates and the stiffening plate include an opening for securing a windshield accessory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Publication number: 20150165876
    Abstract: An attachment system connects an object such as a windshield to a vehicle pillar. The attachment system includes a front extrusion connectable to the vehicle pillar and including a connecting member, and a mating extrusion connectable to the vehicle pillar and including a coupling member cooperable with the connecting member. A pocket is machined into one of the front extrusion and the mating extrusion, and a latch is coupled with the other of the front extrusion and the mating extrusion. The front extrusion and the mating extrusion are connectable in an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein in the unlocked position, the connecting member is engaged with the coupling member with the latch displaced from the pocket, and in the locked position, the connecting member is engaged with the coupling member with the latch in alignment and engaged with the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Taylor Made Group, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bender
  • Patent number: 6746260
    Abstract: An appliance lamp holder assembly in accordance with the invention directly accommodates the use of various lighting units, either directly or through the use of one or more adapter bases, in a multitude of international applications. More specifically, the universal lamp holder assembly of the invention preferably includes an adapter base which can take the form of a housing, snap-connector ring or the like. A lamp holder member is then inserted into the adapter base and firmly locked in place. With this arrangement, a single lamp holder member can be employed in illuminating various zones in the appliance or different lamp holder members can be employed with universal adapter bases to cover both domestic and a multitude of international hi-volt (e.g. 220-240V, 50/60 Hz) and 115 volt applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Frank N. Chudkosky, Thomas J. Bender
  • Publication number: 20040023539
    Abstract: An appliance lamp holder assembly in accordance with the invention directly accommodates the use of various lighting units, either directly or through the use of one or more adapter bases, in a multitude of international applications. More specifically, the universal lamp holder assembly of the invention preferably includes an adapter base which can take the form of a housing, snap-connector ring or the like. A lamp holder member is then inserted into the adapter base and firmly locked in place. With this arrangement, a single lamp holder member can be employed in illuminating various zones in the appliance or different lamp holder members can be employed with universal adapter bases to cover both domestic and a multitude of international hi-volt (e.g. 220-240V, 50/60 Hz) and 115 volt applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Frank N. Chudkosky, Thomas J. Bender