Patents by Inventor Tom Harris

Tom Harris 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).

  • Publication number: 20230278495
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a gear assembly (502) for an actuator (400), comprising a gear assembly (502) having a secondary tilt gear (620) and a secondary fold gear (622); wherein said secondary tilt gear (620) comprises a first spur gear portion (902), a first worm gear portion (904), and a first transition point (906), wherein said first transition point (906) divides said secondary tilt gear (620) into said first spur gear portion (902) and said first worm gear portion (904); wherein said secondary fold gear (622) comprises a second spur gear portion (912), a second worm gear portion (914), and a second transition point (916), wherein said second transition point (916) divides said secondary fold gear (622) into said second spur gear portion (912) and said second worm gear portion (914); and wherein said second worm gear portion (914) and said second spur gear portion (912) are formed as a single element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen BEECHER, Tom HARRIS, Gareth ASPDEN, David KERSHAW, Levente KURTI, Dong Myeong PARK, Warwick JONES
  • Patent number: 11660853
    Abstract: A workpiece referencing system, the system having a workpiece support assembly for supporting a plurality of workpieces, wherein the support assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of support members which are disposed to the support platform, each support member being configured to support an individual workpiece; and a workpiece referencing assembly for referencing the workpieces, as supported by the support assembly, to predetermined positions; wherein the support members each includes a body which includes a support surface which supports a workpiece and a resilient coupling which resiliently couples at least an upper part of the body relative to the support platform, such that the at least part of the body is displaceable relative to the support platform from a first, unbiased position to a second, biased reference position by operation of the referencing assembly, and, when released, the at least part of the body returns to the first, unbiased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ASMPT SMT SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Ricky Bennett
  • Patent number: 11634075
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provide for an actuator system for a rear view device of a motor vehicle, configured for adjustment of a component when being connected to the actuator system The actuator system may include a drive system arranged to rotate a bayonet gear, which is coupled via at least one engagement element to a latching barrel to axially move or rotate the latching barrel along or around a rotational axis, wherein the latching barrel is configured to engage into at least one of two worm gears or to rotate the engaged worm gear when being moved or rotated. The latching barrel may be cylindrically shaped with a cylindrical surface as an engagement surface and oppositely arranged first and second sides each directed towards one of the two worm gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Warwick Jones
  • Patent number: 11628771
    Abstract: A powerfold actuator system for a rear view device, a rear view device includes such an actuator system and a vehicle includes such a rear view device. The powerfold actuator system includes a core base fixedly attached to the vehicle, a housing structure attached to the rear view device, which is arranged to rotate around the core base, and at least a drive system to rotate the housing structure being contained in the core base and comprising at least a motor, a gearing structure, and a pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden
  • Patent number: 11377032
    Abstract: An actuator for a rear view device of a vehicle includes a body defining a folding axis for the rear view device, a tilt axle having a fastening means for torque-proof fastening the rear view device to the tilt axle and defining a tilting axis for the rear view device, an actuator housing being rotatable borne by the body and being configured for rotatable bearing the tilt axle, and a drive assembly being arranged completely within the actuator housing and being configured for rotating the actuator housing about the folding axis relative to the body by a folding angle and for rotating the tilt axle about the tilting axis relative to the actuator housing by a tilting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, David Kershaw, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
  • Publication number: 20220176878
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear view device for a vehicle with one or more gaskets preventing water or other contaminants from entering the device between components, while allowing the components to move in relation to one another. In embodiments, the rear view device comprises a base adapted to be mounted to a side of the vehicle, a head for supporting at least one means for providing a rearward field of view disposed at a second attachment end of the base, an actuator connected to the second end of the base, and a shroud attached to the actuator, wherein the actuator may rotate the head in relation to the base. In embodiment, a foot gasket is attached to a foot of the base and includes a first lip portion that extends towards the shroud in a vertical direction, and a second soft lip portion that contacts the shroud in a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Stephen Beecher, Davis Kershaw, Gareth Aspden, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park, Levente Acs, Thorsten Staiger, Zoltàn Huszar, Andrew Lettis, Callum Scott-Collins, Graham Rehill, Andreas Herrmann, Arne Schmierer, Simon David Field, Francis Charlet
  • Publication number: 20220169177
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator system (1) for a rear view device (10) of a motor vehicle, configured for adjustment of a component (11), preferably a rear view element (11), when being connected to the actuator system (1), said actuator system (1) comprising a drive system (2) suitable arranged to rotate a bayonet gear (3), which is coupled via at least one engagement element (31) to a latching barrel (4) to axially move or rotate the latching barrel (4) along or around a rotational axis (R), wherein the latching barrel (4) is configured to engage into at least one of two worm gears (51, 52) or to rotate the engaged worm gear (51, 52) when being moved or rotated, wherein the latching barrel (4) is cylindrically shaped with a cylindrical surface (43) as an engagement surface (43) and oppositely arranged first and second sides (41, 42) each directed towards one of the two worm gears (51, 52), wherein the two worm gears (51, 52) are arranged along the rotational axis (R) as a first worm gear (51) adjacent
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Tom HARRIS, Warwick JONES
  • Publication number: 20220089090
    Abstract: An actuator for a rear view device of a vehicle, a rear view device and a vehicle with such an actuator includes a body defining a folding axis for a rear view device of a vehicle, an actuator housing being rotatably and axially displaceably borne by the body and a drive assembly being supported by the actuator housing and being configured for automatically rotating the actuator housing relative to the body about the folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position and for axially displacing the actuator housing relative to the body along the folding axis between a first axial position and a second axial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
  • Patent number: 11246416
    Abstract: A laminated countertop assembly can include a first generally longitudinal slab with a first substrate, where the first substrate has lamination on a countertop side of the first substrate and lamination on an edge side of the first substrate that extends along a first portion of a length of the edge side of the first substrate. The first substrate can also include a first miter cut angled into the first substrate and slots extending into the first substrate for receiving biscuits. The laminated countertop assembly can also include a second generally longitudinal slab with a second substrate, where the second substrate has lamination on a countertop side of the second substrate and lamination on an edge side of the second substrate. The second substrate can also include a second miter cut at a corner of the second substrate and slots extending into the second substrate for receiving the biscuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: V-T Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Cordell Burton, Joel Tyler, Aron Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 11214198
    Abstract: An actuator for a rear view device of a vehicle, a rear view device and a vehicle with such an actuator includes a body defining a folding axis for a rear view device of a vehicle, an actuator housing being rotatably and axially displaceably borne by the body and a drive assembly being supported by the actuator housing and being configured for automatically rotating the actuator housing relative to the body about the folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position and for axially displacing the actuator housing relative to the body along the folding axis between a first axial position and a second axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
  • Publication number: 20210085081
    Abstract: A laminated countertop assembly can include a first generally longitudinal slab with a first substrate, where the first substrate has lamination on a countertop side of the first substrate and lamination on an edge side of the first substrate that extends along a first portion of a length of the edge side of the first substrate. The first substrate can also include a first miter cut angled into the first substrate and slots extending into the first substrate for receiving biscuits. The laminated countertop assembly can also include a second generally longitudinal slab with a second substrate, where the second substrate has lamination on a countertop side of the second substrate and lamination on an edge side of the second substrate. The second substrate can also include a second miter cut at a corner of the second substrate and slots extending into the second substrate for receiving the biscuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Cordell Burton, Joel Tyler, Aron Fleischmann
  • Publication number: 20210070033
    Abstract: A workpiece referencing system and method, the system having a workpiece support assembly for supporting a plurality of workpieces, wherein the support assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of support members which are disposed to the support platform, each support member being configured to support an individual workpiece; and a workpiece referencing assembly for referencing the workpieces, as supported by the support assembly, to predetermined positions; wherein the support members each includes a body which includes a support surface which supports a workpiece and a resilient coupling which resiliently couples at least an upper part of the body relative to the support platform, such that the at least part of the body is displaceable relative to the support platform from a first, unbiased position to a second, biased reference position by operation of the referencing assembly, and, when released, the at least part of the body returns to the first, unbiased position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tom HARRIS, Ricky BENNETT
  • Publication number: 20210070222
    Abstract: An actuating device for a component includes a shaft, a housing, a clutch ring, a drive gear, and a motor drive engaged with the housing and drivably coupled to the drive gear. The shaft includes a plurality of detent teeth. The housing is movably disposed around the shaft and is coupled to the component. The housing includes a plurality of tabs. The clutch ring is movably disposed around the shaft, and includes a plurality of cam surfaces, a plurality of engagement grooves and a plurality of detent recesses. Each tab of the housing is configured to be at least partially and removably received within a corresponding engagement groove. Each detent recess is configured to releasably engage with a corresponding detent tooth. The drive gear is movably disposed around the shaft and includes a plurality of cam followers. Each cam follower is configured to travel on a corresponding cam surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Tom HARRIS, David KERSHAW, Gareth ASPDEN, Levente KURTI
  • Patent number: 10940801
    Abstract: An actuating device for a component includes a shaft, a housing, a clutch ring, a drive gear, and a motor drive engaged with the housing and drivably coupled to the drive gear. The shaft includes a plurality of detent teeth. The housing is movably disposed around the shaft and is coupled to the component. The housing includes a plurality of tabs. The clutch ring is movably disposed around the shaft, and includes a plurality of cam surfaces, a plurality of engagement grooves and a plurality of detent recesses. Each tab of the housing is configured to be at least partially and removably received within a corresponding engagement groove. Each detent recess is configured to releasably engage with a corresponding detent tooth. The drive gear is movably disposed around the shaft and includes a plurality of cam followers. Each cam follower is configured to travel on a corresponding cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company Limited
    Inventors: Tom Harris, David Kershaw, Gareth Aspden, Levente Kurti
  • Publication number: 20210046875
    Abstract: An actuator for a rear view device of a vehicle includes a body defining a folding axis for the rear view device, a tilt axle having a fastening means for torque-proof fastening the rear view device to the tilt axle and defining a tilting axis for the rear view device, an actuator housing being rotatable borne by the body and being configured for rotatable bearing the tilt axle, and a drive assembly being arranged completely within the actuator housing and being configured for rotating the actuator housing about the folding axis relative to the body by a folding angle and for rotating the tilt axle about the tilting axis relative to the actuator housing by a tilting angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, David Kershaw, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
  • Publication number: 20210046874
    Abstract: An actuator for a rear view device of a vehicle, a rear view device and a vehicle with such an actuator includes a body defining a folding axis for a rear view device of a vehicle, an actuator housing being rotatably and axially displaceably borne by the body and a drive assembly being supported by the actuator housing and being configured for automatically rotating the actuator housing relative to the body about the folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position and for axially displacing the actuator housing relative to the body along the folding axis between a first axial position and a second axial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
  • Patent number: 10906466
    Abstract: A rear view device for a vehicle includes a casing which is configured to rotate with respect to a base with a centre shaft and received by the casing, and a detent system which is configured to control rotation of the casing with respect to the base with centre shaft, the detent system including a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Beecher, Kurti Levente, Gareth Aspden, Dong Myeong Park, David Kershaw, Tom Harris
  • Patent number: 10889102
    Abstract: A workpiece referencing system and method, the system having a workpiece support assembly for supporting a plurality of workpieces, wherein the support assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of support members which are disposed to the support platform, each support member being configured to support an individual workpiece; and a workpiece referencing assembly for referencing the workpieces, as supported by the support assembly, to predetermined positions; wherein the support members each includes a body which includes a support surface which supports a workpiece and a resilient coupling which resiliently couples at least an upper part of the body relative to the support platform, such that the at least part of the body is displaceable relative to the support platform from a first, unbiased position to a second, biased reference position by operation of the referencing assembly, and, when released, the at least part of the body returns to the first, unbiased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ASM ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Ricky Bennett
  • Publication number: 20200384920
    Abstract: A powerfold actuator system for a rear view device, a rear view device includes such an actuator system and a vehicle includes such a rear view device. The powerfold actuator system includes a core base fixedly attached to the vehicle, a housing structure attached to the rear view device, which is arranged to rotate around the core base, and at least a drive system to rotate the housing structure being contained in the core base and comprising at least a motor, a gearing structure, and a pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden
  • Patent number: D987781
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Beecher, Tom Harris