Patents by Inventor Todd A. Suddon

Todd A. Suddon 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: 8398128
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products, LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, Xinhua He, Todd A. Suddon, Joseph D. Long, Thomas A. Dzurko
  • Patent number: 7762594
    Abstract: A cinching latch assembly is disclosed herein. The cinching latch assembly having: a housing; a unidirectional motor mounted to the housing; at least one gear operatively connected to the unidirectional motor; at least one cam member operatively connected to the at least one gear; and a latch lever pivotally mounted relative to the housing, the latch lever being operatively connected to the at least one cam member wherein, operation of the unidirectional motor in a first direction rotates the gear causing the cam member to urge the latch lever between a first position and a second position wherein the latch lever rotates a fork bolt into a primary latched configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, Jr., Michael A. Ciavaglia, Todd A. Suddon, Xinhua He
  • Publication number: 20090230700
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, Xinhua He, Todd A. Suddon, Joseph D. Long, Thomas A. Dzurko
  • Publication number: 20080073918
    Abstract: A cinching latch assembly is disclosed herein. The cinching latch assembly having: a housing; a unidirectional motor mounted to the housing; at least one gear operatively connected to the unidirectional motor; at least one cam member operatively connected to the at least one gear; and a latch lever pivotally mounted relative to the housing, the latch lever being operatively connected to the at least one cam member wherein, operation of the unidirectional motor in a first direction rotates the gear causing the cam member to urge the latch lever between a first position and a second position wherein the latch lever rotates a fork bolt into a primary latched configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Arabia, Michael Ciavaglia, Todd Suddon, Xinhua He
  • Publication number: 20080073917
    Abstract: A cinching latch assembly having a housing having with a first and second cam surfaces is disclosed herein. A reversible electric motor is mounted to the housing. A drive screw is drivingly connected to the reversible motor, the drive screw having a first end portion and a second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Michael A. Ciavaglia, Frank J. Arabia, Todd A. Suddon