Patents by Inventor Travis D Bechtel

Travis D Bechtel 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).

  • Collapsing steering column with locking tilt mechanism
    Patent number: 6863306
    Abstract: The present invention is a steering column for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a guide bracket, a pivot bracket movably attached to the guide bracket, and a tilt cartridge attached to the pivot bracket. A steering shaft is pivotably attached to the pivot bracket and pivotably attached to the tilt cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, Ronald Klanke, William A Jolley
  • Cam lock tilt cartridge
    Patent number: 6851332
    Abstract: A cam lock tilt cartridge for a steering column enables the steering column to tilt with respect to an instrument panel. The cam lock tilt cartridge has a housing connected to the steering column. A pawl is rotatably coupled to the housing. A rack is slideably coupled to the housing and connected to the instrument panel. A cam is coupled to both the pawl and rack to move the pawl with respect to the rack to enable movement of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Travis D Bechtel, William J Elliott, William A Jolley
  • Collapsing steering column with locking tilt mechanism
    Publication number: 20040090057
    Abstract: The present invention is a steering column for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a guide bracket, a pivot bracket movably attached to the guide bracket, and a tilt cartridge attached to the pivot bracket. A steering shaft is pivotably attached to the pivot bracket and pivotably attached to the tilt cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Travis D. Bechtel, Ronald Klanke, William A. Jolley
  • Cam lock tilt cartridge
    Publication number: 20040089091
    Abstract: A cam lock tilt cartridge is provided for a steering column. The cam lock tilt cartridge enables the steering column to tilt with respect to an instrument panel. The cam lock tilt cartridge has a housing connected to the steering column. A pawl is rotatably coupled to the housing. A rack is slideably coupled to the housing and connected to the instrument panel. A cam is coupled to both the pawl and rack to move the pawl with respect to the rack to enable movement of the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Travis D. Bechtel, William J. Elliott, William A. Jolley
  • Closed cylinder tilt module
    Publication number: 20030132625
    Abstract: A tilt mechanism for adjusting an angular position of an automotive steering column. The tilt mechanism includes an adjustment cylinder assembly having a fluid power cylinder, a fluid conduit and a valve. The adjustment cylinder assembly is configured in a closed-loop manner such that the fluid that is displaced from one side of the cylinder is directed to the other side of the cylinder. The valve is employed to inhibit the flow of fluid between the sides of the cylinder to thereby lock the tilt mechanism in a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Travis D. Bechtel, William J. Elliott