Patents by Inventor William E. Gest

William E. Gest 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: 7033127
    Abstract: A drive mechanism under the floor of a minivan is coupled to the folding ramp by a rotating arm linkage, also located beneath the floor. The extension of the folding ramp is partially controlled by dynamic braking, i.e. using the electric motor as a generator and coupling the motor to an electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventors: Steven P. Ungetheim, William E. Gest, David H. Eaton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6887027
    Abstract: An external lift for a scooter includes a load sensor actuated by rotation of the platform as a load is applied anywhere on the platform, a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in a loaded and raised position, and a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in an unloaded and raised position. A pair of shoes on a hold down prevent a scooter from leaving the lift unintendedly. The lift includes a fixed post and a moveable post. A roller coupled to the moveable post engages a small ramp on the end of the fixed post, thereby further stabilizing the lift and increasing the lifting capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International LLC
    Inventors: Neil Brendon O'Leary, William E. Gest
  • Publication number: 20030113196
    Abstract: An external lift for a scooter includes a load sensor actuated by rotation of the platform as a load is applied anywhere on the platform, a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in a loaded and raised position, and a lock mechanism for preventing the platform from rotating in an unloaded and raised position. A pair of shoes on a hold down prevent a scooter from leaving the lift unintendedly. The lift includes a fixed post and a moveable post. A roller coupled to the moveable post engages a small ramp on the end of the fixed post, thereby further stabilizing the lift and increasing the lifting capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Brendon O'Leary, William E. Gest
  • Patent number: 6547507
    Abstract: A scooter lift includes a post and boom made from a single piece of curved pipe. The boom further includes an arm that is rotationally adjustable about the pipe to provide small, incremental changes in elevation. Incremental rotational adjustment is achieved by a plate attached to the pipe and having a first set of holes that align with second set holes in the angular portion. The holes are drilled in a pattern that provides a vernier-like adjustment of position. The post is mounted on a base such that at least some of the post overlies a point outside the footprint of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Gest, Douglas M. Eaton
  • Publication number: 20020159871
    Abstract: A drive mechanism under the floor of a minivan is coupled to the folding ramp by a rotating arm linkage, also located beneath the floor. The extension of the folding ramp is partially controlled by dynamic braking, i.e. using the electric motor as a generator and coupling the motor to an electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Vantage Mobility International, LLC;
    Inventors: Steven P. Ungetheim, William E. Gest, David H. Eaton
  • Patent number: 6273035
    Abstract: A first and second baffle formed of a thin sheet metal material are introduced into an engine induction system on the upstream side of air fuel metering device and interposed between the air fuel metering device and a tubular intake runner in order to prevent post engine shut down fuel boiling. The first and second baffles absorb heat from the induction system and dissipate heat to the surrounding atmosphere. The first and second baffles are sized sufficiently large to limit peak fuel temperature in the fuel metering device 130° F. when a hot engine is shut down in a 70° F. environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Clyde J. Smith, Mark D. Jankowski, William E. Gest
  • Patent number: 5562304
    Abstract: An air bag inflator (10) includes a source (50) of inflation fluid, a tubular wall (90) with rows (132) of fluid flow openings (130), and an initiator (36) for initiating a flow of inflation fluid from the source (50) upon the occurrence of a vehicle collision. The tubular wall (90) further has a central axis (104) and a plurality of elongated corrugations (106). The corrugations (106) have radially extending side portions (110). The rows (132) of openings (130) extend along the side portions (110) of the corrugations (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Gest
  • Patent number: 5531475
    Abstract: An inflator (14) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a body (60) of ignitable gas generating material, an igniter (260) for igniting the body (60) of gas generating material, and a housing (50) having a tubular wall (52) surrounding the body (60) of gas generating material. The tubular wall (52) has a longitudinal central axis (40), a plurality of outlet openings (100) through which gas flows radially outward, and an open end portion (232) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The inflator (14) further includes a circular end cap (56) which is located coaxially within the tubular wall (52). The end cap (56) supports the igniter (260) on the axis (40), and has a peripheral surface portion (216) with the contour of a dome centered on the axis (40). The open end portion (232) of the tubular wall (52) closely overlies the peripheral surface portion (216) of the end cap (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Alex G. Meduvsky, George W. Goetz, Edward Q. Glac, Steven W. Maurer, David L. Geyer, Dennis J. Fiore, Heidi M. Westlake, William E. Gest
  • Patent number: 5527065
    Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (18) has a stored condition and an inflated vehicle occupant restraining position. A support member (16) at least in part defines an opening (19) through which the vehicle occupant restraint (18) is deployed when inflated. A deployment door member (12) closes the opening (19). The support member (16) supports the deployment door member (12) at a first side of the opening (19) for pivotal movement relative to the support member upon inflation of the vehicle occupant restraint (18). The deployment door member (12) has a plurality of slots (95). The support member (16) includes a plurality of shear tabs (54) located at a second side of the opening (19) opposite the first side. Each shear tab (54) extends through a respective one of the slots (95) in the deployment door member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Al A. Saberan, William E. Gest, Rodger M. Cherry
  • Patent number: 4830418
    Abstract: These telescopic energy absorber units have outer tubes threaded into connection with vehicle hard bar bumper or fascia support to permit fore and aft adjustment by rotation of the piston tube of the unit in clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Gest
  • Patent number: 4548166
    Abstract: An engine air cleaner and duct arrangement is disclosed for a vehicle for a vehicle having an engine mounted in front therein underneath a hood wherein a vehicle body cross-member extends underneath the hood with clearance space therebetween of smaller height than width and a latch mechanism latches the hood to the cross-member intermediate the ends of the latter. Twin updraft air cleaners each with an inlet and an outlet are mounted on and in front of the cross-member and an air duct is provided having a single delivery branch connected to an air intake of the engine and a pair of feeder branches connected to the respective air cleaner outlets. The feeder branches have a smaller cross-sectional height than width so as to extend through the otherwise unused space between the cross-member and hood and on opposite sides of the latch mechanism and join with the single delivery branch at a location rearward of the cross-member and connect with the air cleaner outlets at locations forward of the cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Gest