Patents by Inventor Todd Rakus

Todd Rakus 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: 9540997
    Abstract: An engine cover assembly having an integrally attached captive fastener or part-in-assembly fastener for attachment to an engine is disclosed. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover having a fastener aperture formed in a recessed area thereof and a captive fastener assembly integrally attached to the cover. The captive fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a head or shoulder, a load limiting spacer disposed next to the shoulder of the elongated fastener, and a load limiter positioned next to the load limiting spacer. The load limiter has shoulders formed at both ends. The elongated fastener has a threaded end for attachment to a threaded insert positioned in the engine. Insulators are attached to the load limiting spacer and are positioned to either side of an area of the engine cover adjacent the fastener aperture, thus capturing the engine cover between the elongated fastener head and the load limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Carl Lohr, Sandra Davidson Osip, Todd Rakus
  • Publication number: 20150267609
    Abstract: An engine cover assembly having an integrally attached captive or part-in-assembly fastener for attachment to an engine is disclosed. The engine cover assembly includes an engine cover having a fastener aperture formed in a recessed area thereof and a captive fastener assembly integrally attached to the engine cover. The captive fastener assembly includes an elongated fastener having a head or shoulder, a load limiting spacer disposed next to the shoulder of the elongated fastener, and a load limiter positioned next to the load limiting spacer. The load limiter has shoulders formed at both ends. The elongated fastener has a threaded end for attachment to a threaded insert positioned in the engine. Insulators are attached to the load limiting spacer and are positioned to either side of an area of the engine cover adjacent the fastener aperture, thus capturing the engine cover between the elongated fastener head and the load limiter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Carl Lohr, Sandra Davidson Osip, Todd Rakus