Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Frommer
Thomas P. Frommer 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: 7038414Abstract: An anti-pitch assembly is used in combination with a closure device of a motor vehicle. The closure device includes a closure panel, i.e., a windowpane or door, and a motor for moving the closure panel between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the closure panel covers an aperture, i.e., a window or door opening, of the motor vehicle. The anti-pinch assembly includes a position sensor that is disposed adjacent the motor or the closure device. The position sensor generates a position signal indicative of the position of the closure panel. A capacitive sensor measures the capacitance of a field extending through the aperture. The capacitive sensor generates a signal therefrom. A controller is electrically connected to the position and capacitive sensors.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Thomas P. Frommer, Mirko Pribisic
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Patent number: 6962023Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengagable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Peter Lance Oxley, Andre Olivier, Victor Gusev, Thomas P. Frommer, Wieslaw Nowicki, Grzegorz Baniak, Robert B. Mooney, Frederick C. Butler
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Publication number: 20040177559Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengagable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Peter Lance Oxley, Andre Olivier, Victor Gusev, Thomas P. Frommer, Wieslaw Nowicki, Grzegorz Baniak, Robert B. Mooney, Frederick C. Butler
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Patent number: 6711855Abstract: A power drive mechanism (10) for a motor vehicle liftgate includes a linking arm (18) pivotally connected with the liftgate, a crank arm (12) drivable for pivotal movement and connected with the linking arm (18), and a gear train (20) operatively engaging the crank arm (12). A drive motor (34) is operatively connected with the crank arm (12) through the gear train (20) to provide power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate. The gear train (20) is disengageable from the drive motor (34) to permit manual opening and closing of the liftgate without backdriving the drive motor (34). An actuator (74) is operatively connected with the gear train (20) to move the gear train into and out of engagement with the drive motor. A holding linkage (60, 62) is operatively associated with the gear train (20) to maintain the gear train (20) in engagement during power assisted opening and closing of the liftgate.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Atoma International CorporationInventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Peter Lance Oxley, Andre Olivier, Victor Gusev, Thomas P. Frommer, Wieslaw Nowicki, Grzegorz Baniak, Robert B. Mooney, Frederick C. Butler
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Patent number: 6676190Abstract: A power liftgate drive assembly automatically moves the liftgate of a vehicle between its open and closed positions. The drive assembly is secured to the vehicle at a position near the top of the liftgate. The drive assembly includes a motor that drives a sector gear between two positions. A guide rod is secured to the sector gear to translate the rotational movement of the sector gear into the pivotal movement of the liftgate. A slot extends through the sector gear that allows the liftgate to be moved manually. A latch locks the guide rod in position with respect to the sector gear for automated movement whereas the latch releases the guide rod to move in the slot for manual operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Aleksander Kaczmarczyk, Miroslav Janda, Kris Tomaszewski, Thomas P. Frommer, Kathryn Petroff, Juliusz E. Kirejczyk
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Publication number: 20030151382Abstract: An anti-pitch assembly is used in combination with a closure device of a motor vehicle. The closure device includes a closure panel, i.e., a windowpane or door, and a motor for moving the closure panel between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the closure panel covers an aperture, i.e., a window or door opening, of the motor vehicle. The anti-pinch assembly includes a position sensor that is disposed adjacent the motor or the closure device. The position sensor generates a position signal indicative of the position of the closure panel. A capacitive sensor measures the capacitance of a field extending through the aperture. The capacitive sensor generates a signal therefrom. A controller is electrically connected to the position and capacitive sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Andrew R Daniels, Thomas P Frommer, Mirko Pribisic
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Patent number: 6554328Abstract: A power-operated vehicle door locking assembly including separate inner and outer door locking mechanisms connected with a housing assembly and an electric motorized system operable to selectively move (1) the inner door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an inner door locking position in response to inner manual electric motor energizing actuations and (2) the outer door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an outer door locking positions in response to outer manual electric motor energizing actuations. The arrangement is such that an outer manual electric motor energizing actuation without a corresponding inner manual electric motor energizing actuation causes a door latching assembly when in a door latching position to be incapable of being moved into a door unlatching position by an outer door latch releasing mechanism while at the same time the door latching assembly is capable of being moved into the door unlatching position thereof by an inner door latch releasing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Atoma International CorporationInventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
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Publication number: 20020096890Abstract: A power-operated vehicle door locking assembly including separate inner and outer door locking mechanisms connected with a housing assembly and an electric motorized system operable to selectively move (1) the inner door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an inner door locking position in response to inner manual electric motor energizing actuations and (2) the outer door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an outer door locking positions in response to outer manual electric motor energizing actuations. The arrangement is such that an outer manual electric motor energizing actuation without a corresponding inner manual electric motor energizing actuation causes a door latching assembly when in a door latching position to be incapable of being moved into a door unlatching position by an outer door latch releasing mechanism while at the same time the door latching assembly is capable of being moved into the door unlatching position thereof by an inner door latch releasing mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: ATOMA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
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Patent number: 6341448Abstract: A power sliding door for a motor vehicle comprises a door structure, a power drive assembly, a latch assembly, and a single motor for operating both the latch assembly and the power drive assembly. The door structure is mounted on a track associated with the motor vehicle, the door structure being movable along the track between opened and closed positions. The power drive assembly is connected with the door and capable of being driven to move the door along the track between the opened and closed positions. The latch assembly is mounted on the door and movable between latched and unlatched positions. The single motor is mounted on the door structure operatively connected with both the power drive assembly and the latch assembly. The motor drives the power drive assembly and thus enables the power drive assembly to move the door along the track between the opened and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Shawn Murray, Thomas P. Frommer, Andrew R. Daniels
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Patent number: 6341807Abstract: A power-operated vehicle door locking assembly including separate inner and outer door locking mechanisms connected with a housing assembly and an electric motorized system operable to selectively move (1) the inner door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an inner door locking position in response to inner manual electric motor energizing actuations and (2) the outer door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an outer door locking positions in response to outer manual electric motor energizing actuations. The arrangement is such that an outer manual electric motor energizing actuation without a corresponding inner manual electric motor energizing actuation causes a door latching assembly when in a door latching position to be incapable of being moved into a door unlatching position by an outer door latch releasing mechanism while at the same time the door latching assembly is capable of being moved into the door unlatching position thereof by an inner door latch releasing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
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Patent number: 6321488Abstract: A power sliding door assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a door structure constructed and arranged to be mounted on a motor vehicle for movement between closed and opened positions and a drive assembly mounted on the door structure. The drive assembly includes a rotatable gear engageable with a gear track provided on the vehicle. The rotatable gear is drivable in a one direction to effect movement of the door towards the opened position and drivable in an opposite direction to effect movement of the door structure towards the closed position. A drive shaft is coupled with the drive assembly and is constructed and arranged to rotatably drive the rotatable gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Maciek Bigoszewski, Thomas Dean, Thomas P. Frommer, Tad Podwysocki, Venkateswar Sagi, Michael Schupp, Brian Wood
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Publication number: 20010035654Abstract: A power-operated vehicle door locking assembly including separate inner and outer door locking mechanisms connected with a housing assembly and an electric motorized system operable to selectively move (1) the inner door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an inner door locking position in response to inner manual electric motor energizing actuations and (2) the outer door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an outer door locking positions in response to outer manual electric motor energizing actuations. The arrangement is such that an outer manual electric motor energizing actuation without a corresponding inner manual electric motor energizing actuation causes a door latching assembly when in a door latching position to be incapable of being moved into a door unlatching position by an outer door latch releasing mechanism while at the same time the door latching assembly is capable of being moved into the door unlatching position thereof by an inner door latch releasing mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
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Patent number: 6125583Abstract: A power sliding door for a motor vehicle comprises a door structure, a power drive assembly, a latch assembly, and a single motor for operating both the latch assembly and the power drive assembly. The door structure is mounted on a track associated with the motor vehicle, the door structure being movable along the track between opened and closed positions. The power drive assembly is connected with the door and capable of being driven to move the door along the track between the opened and closed positions. The latch assembly is mounted on the door and movable between latched and unlatched positions. The single motor is mounted on the door structure operatively connected with both the power drive assembly and the latch assembly. The motor drives the power drive assembly and thus enables the power drive assembly to move the door along the track between the opened and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Atoma International Inc.Inventors: Shawn Murray, Thomas P. Frommer, Andrew R. Daniels