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).
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Publication number: 20230278495Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2021Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Stephen BEECHER, Tom HARRIS, Gareth ASPDEN, David KERSHAW, Levente KURTI, Dong Myeong PARK, Warwick JONES
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Patent number: 11660853Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: ASMPT SMT SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.Inventors: Tom Harris, Ricky Bennett
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Patent number: 11634075Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company LimitedInventors: Tom Harris, Warwick Jones
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Patent number: 11628771Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company LimitedInventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden
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Patent number: 11377032Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company LimitedInventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, David Kershaw, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
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Publication number: 20220176878Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2022Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20220169177Abstract: 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) adjacentType: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Tom HARRIS, Warwick JONES
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Publication number: 20220089090Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2021Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
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Patent number: 11246416Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: V-T Industries Inc.Inventors: Tom Harris, Cordell Burton, Joel Tyler, Aron Fleischmann
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Patent number: 11214198Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company LimitedInventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
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Publication number: 20210085081Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Tom Harris, Cordell Burton, Joel Tyler, Aron Fleischmann
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Publication number: 20210070033Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Tom HARRIS, Ricky BENNETT
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Publication number: 20210070222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Tom HARRIS, David KERSHAW, Gareth ASPDEN, Levente KURTI
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Patent number: 10940801Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Motherson Innovations Company LimitedInventors: Tom Harris, David Kershaw, Gareth Aspden, Levente Kurti
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Publication number: 20210046875Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, David Kershaw, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
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Publication number: 20210046874Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden, Stephen Beecher, Levente Kurti, Warwick Jones, Dong Myeong Park
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Patent number: 10906466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: MOTHERSON INNOVATIONS COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Stephen Beecher, Kurti Levente, Gareth Aspden, Dong Myeong Park, David Kershaw, Tom Harris
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Patent number: 10889102Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: ASM ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS SINGAPORE PTE. LTDInventors: Tom Harris, Ricky Bennett
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Publication number: 20200384920Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Tom Harris, Gareth Aspden
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Patent number: D987781Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Inventors: Stephen Beecher, Tom Harris