Steven P Finkbeiner

US Patent:

7263910, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Dec 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/007519

Inventors:

Robert D. Maida - Pinconning MI, US
Steven P. Finkbeiner - Essexville MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/18

US Classification:

74493, 74492

Abstract:

The invention provides a steering column for a vehicle. The steering column includes a steering column jacket defining a column axis. The steering column jacket is operable to at least partially encircle a steering shaft in a vehicle. The steering column also includes a tilt housing engaged with the steering column jacket for tilting movement about a tilt axis between a plurality of tilt positions. The steering column also includes a locking member supported for linear movement by the tilt housing. The locking member has a tip moveable outwardly with respect to the column axis to a locked position contacting the steering column jacket and inwardly towards the column axis to an unlocked position spaced from the steering column jacket.

US Patent:

7322609, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Aug 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/914833

Inventors:

Steven P. Finkbeiner - Essexville MI, US
Yoshio Mori - Iruma, JP

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/18

US Classification:

280777, 188374

Abstract:

An apparatus includes first and second steering column members disposed for movement relative to one another. The apparatus also includes an anvil associated with one of the first and second steering column members. The anvil is spaced from the other of the first and second steering column members. The apparatus also includes a strap having a mounting end fixedly associated with the other of the first and second steering column members. The strap also includes a free end spaced from the mounting end. The strap is drawable over the anvil in response to movement between the first and second steering column members. The strap also includes a slot extending away from the mounting end to the free end. The slot has a length and a variable width along at least a portion of its length.

US Patent:

7469615, Dec 30, 2008

Filed:

Dec 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/012605

Inventors:

Steven P. Finkbeiner - Essexville MI, US
Robert D. Maida - Pinconning MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/18

US Classification:

74493, 280775, 280777

Abstract:

The present invention provides a snap-on lower bracket () and bearing support for supporting a collapsible steering shaft in a vehicle. The invention includes a lower steering column jacket () defining a depression and a bracket () defining a tab that cooperates with the depression. For example, when the lower steering column jacket () and the support bracket () are engaged with respect to one another, the tab engages the depression in a snap-fit relationship. The snap-fit relationship provides sufficient strength to maintain the position of the lower steering column jacket () relative to the vehicle during normal vehicle handling. In the event of an impact situation, the lower steering column jacket () can move in response to the driver impacting the steering wheel and urge the tab out of engagement with the depression.

US Patent:

7509887, Mar 31, 2009

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/961558

Inventors:

Steven P. Finkbeiner - Essexville MI, US
Robert D. Maida - Pinconning MI, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/18

US Classification:

74493, 280775, 280777

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a steering column assembly defining a longitudinal axis that is adjustable along at least one of a tilting and telescoping path of adjustment. The apparatus also includes a locking device associated with the steering column assembly to selectively lock and unlock steering column with respect to the at least one of tilting and telescoping paths of adjustment. The locking device includes a lever arm mounted to the steering column assembly for rotation about a rotation axis. The lever arm includes a cam surface. The locking device also includes a lock member having a cam follower surface engaged with the cam surface to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to rotation of the lever arm. The lock member is spaced from the rotation axis along the longitudinal axis.

US Patent:

20130133461, May 30, 2013

Filed:

Nov 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/307522

Inventors:

Melvin L. Tinnin - Clio MI, US
Steven P. Finkbeiner - Bay City MI, US
Michael P. Anspaugh - Bay City MI, US

Assignee:

NEXTEER (BEIJING) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. - Saginaw MI

International Classification:

B62D 1/19

US Classification:

74493

Abstract:

A steering column assembly includes an inner jacket disposed along a longitudinal axis and coupled to a host structure of a vehicle. The steering column assembly also includes an outer jacket arranged co-axially about the inner jacket and the longitudinal axis. The outer jacket is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis relatively to the inner jacket to thereby facilitate telescoping motion of the steering column assembly. The outer surface of the inner jacket and the inner surface of the outer jacket cooperate to define a telescope-inhibiting range of motion of the steering column assembly along the longitudinal axis. The steering column assembly is configured to impose telescope-resisting forces as the length of the steering column assembly decreases within the telescope-inhibiting range of motion.

US Patent:

52793273, Jan 18, 1994

Filed:

Aug 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/938383

Inventors:

Daniel E. Alsobrooks - Bay City MI
Steven P. Finkbeiner - Bay City MI
Daryl O. Codling - Cass City MI

Assignee:

Orbital Walbro Corporation - Cass City MI

International Classification:

F16K 1706

US Classification:

137510

Abstract:

A fluid pressure regulator of compact construction including an improved diaphragm-valve assembly interposed between a flow body and a second body cap element. The flow body has an inlet and outlet passage and a valve cavity with a centrally disposed ported valve insert to allow the regulated passage of fluid. Mounted to the flow body, the cap element confines a diaphragm of the diaphragm-valve assembly and houses an adjustable coil-spring biased against the assembly. The diaphragm-valve assembly includes a ring-shaped diaphragm element interlocated between a circular element central to the diaphragm and a diaphragm compression limiting clamp plate ring. The circular element has a central recess over the valve insert which houses a spring-backed self-aligning ball valve element having a flat chordal surface adjacent the insert. A convolute in the diaphragm element provides a more consistent effective area in relation to the valve stroke during operation improving pressure regulation and reducing stretching of the diaphragm preventing tearing, rupture or undesirable hysteresis.

US Patent:

59972629, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Apr 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/833931

Inventors:

Steven P. Finkbeiner - Essexville MI
Kirk D. Fournier - Essexville MI
George E. Maroney - Kingston MI
Glenn A. Moss - Cass City MI

Assignee:

Walbro Corporation - Cass City MI

International Classification:

F04B 1700

US Classification:

4174104

Abstract:

An in-tank type electric motor fuel pump with a fuel inlet end cap, a fuel outlet cap, a case coaxially joining the end caps to form a pump housing, an electric motor mounted in the housing having a stator with spring-retained permanent field magnets surrounding the motor armature, and a gerotor pump in the housing rotatably driven by the motor armature. An inlet port plate, an outlet port plate and a cam ring sandwiched between the plates form a gerotor pocket axially between the plates, and inner and outer gear rotors are disposed in the pocket with intermeshing teeth defining circumferentially disposed expanding and ensmalling pumping chambers. A pair of alignment and fastening screw pins are the sole hardware for clamping the plates and cam ring in tightly sandwiched relationship and holding the pump unit together in properly axially, radially and angularly oriented component relationship in precision final assembly as an operable gerotor pump. The screw pins each have a cylindrical smooth surface shank portion precision fitting in smooth wall precision aligned bores in the plates and cam ring. The screw pin threaded end threadably engages a threaded portion of the inlet plate bore hole that is slightly reduced in diameter relative to the smooth surface bore holes.

US Patent:

53818164, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Oct 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/145970

Inventors:

Daniel E. Alsobrooks - Bay City MI
Steven P. Finkbeiner - Bay City MI
Daryl O. Codling - Cass City MI

Assignee:

Orbital Walbro Corporation - Cass City MI

International Classification:

F16K 2702
F16K 136

US Classification:

137 15

Abstract:

A fluid pressure regulator of compact construction including an improved diaphragm-valve assembly interposed between a flow body and a second body cap element. The flow body has an inlet and outlet passage and a valve cavity with a centrally disposed ported valve insert to allow the regulated passage of fluid. Mounted to the flow body, the cap element confines a diaphragm of the diaphragm-valve assembly and houses an adjustable coil-spring biased against the assembly. The diaphragm-valve assembly includes a ring-shaped diaphragm element interlocated between a circular element central to the diaphragm and a diaphragm compression limiting clamp plate ring. The circular element has a central recess over the valve insert which houses a spring-backed self-aligning ball valve element having a flat chordal surface adjacent the insert. A convolute in the diaphragm element provides a more consistent effective area in relation to the valve stroke during operation improving pressure regulation and reducing stretching of the diaphragm preventing tearing, rupture or undesirable hysteresis.