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).

  • Patent number: 7038414
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Thomas P. Frommer, Mirko Pribisic
  • Patent number: 6962023
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignees: 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
  • Publication number: 20040177559
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Peter Lance Oxley, Andre Olivier, Victor Gusev, Thomas P. Frommer, Wieslaw Nowicki, Grzegorz Baniak, Robert B. Mooney, Frederick C. Butler
  • Patent number: 6711855
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Atoma International Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Peter Lance Oxley, Andre Olivier, Victor Gusev, Thomas P. Frommer, Wieslaw Nowicki, Grzegorz Baniak, Robert B. Mooney, Frederick C. Butler
  • Patent number: 6676190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Daniels, Aleksander Kaczmarczyk, Miroslav Janda, Kris Tomaszewski, Thomas P. Frommer, Kathryn Petroff, Juliusz E. Kirejczyk
  • Publication number: 20030151382
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew R Daniels, Thomas P Frommer, Mirko Pribisic
  • Patent number: 6554328
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Atoma International Corporation
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
  • Publication number: 20020096890
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: ATOMA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
  • Patent number: 6341448
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Shawn Murray, Thomas P. Frommer, Andrew R. Daniels
  • Patent number: 6341807
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
  • Patent number: 6321488
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Maciek Bigoszewski, Thomas Dean, Thomas P. Frommer, Tad Podwysocki, Venkateswar Sagi, Michael Schupp, Brian Wood
  • Publication number: 20010035654
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Thomas P. Frommer
  • Patent number: 6125583
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Murray, Thomas P. Frommer, Andrew R. Daniels