James B Helms

US Patent:

8171673, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Aug 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/462845

Inventors:

James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

E05F 11/24

US Classification:

49341, 49339, 49340, 49343, 49344, 49502, 2961464, 296106, 296200, 296 56

Abstract:

A motorized door opener for a vehicle (such as a military or security vehicle), featuring a sensor system that determines door position to prevent door damage while the opener is in operation. The opener features an offset gear system that effectively changes the door's rotation point. Mechanical advantage is gained by using a lengthened lever arm with the gear system, providing increased leverage and allowing the motor to provide enough force to open and close a heavily armored door. The opener can use existing door hinges, and can be provided so as not to protrude into the door space, in order to facilitate passenger and equipment entry/exit through the doors. A safety release mechanism is included in some embodiments, allowing the door to be manually opened or closed.

US Patent:

8251558, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Jun 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/803442

Inventors:

David E. Hubert - Natrona Heights PA, US
James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US
Mark R. Barie - Glenshaw PA, US
Richard P. Lizotte - Hudson NH, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

F21V 19/02
F21V 21/14

US Classification:

362529, 362420, 362427, 362507, 362514, 362525

Abstract:

A vehicular headlamp system and corresponding kit, including (left and right) headlamps and a mode switch (control mechanism) responsive to inputs from a mode switch console or other user interface arrangements, the combination of headlamps and mode switch providing high and low beam on-road illumination and a higher level of illumination for off-road illumination using the same light source in each headlamp as is used for the on-road illumination. Cooperation between a light source driver circuit in each headlamp and the mode switch results in the light source in each headlamp being driven by more or less current, as required by the selected mode. A (daytime) running lights mode of operation may also be provided using the same light source.

US Patent:

8313127, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Dec 28, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/655302

Inventors:

James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

E05C 19/00

US Classification:

292259A, 292163, 292DIG 21, 292DIG 65

Abstract:

A latch for latching closed a door of a vehicle, especially designed to minimize the force required to latch closed the door by pushing the door to its closed position. A tongue, having a strike face and a catch face, is resiliently mounted in the latch so as to be urged to a latch-engaged position by a torsion spring pushing against a surface of the tongue and against a cover plate of the latch. A slider block is coupled to a door handle and to the tongue so that the tongue can be swiveled to a disengaged state by use of the door handle, in order to open the vehicle door.

US Patent:

8314559, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Jun 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/803008

Inventors:

James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US
John-Kevin Trumbetas - Pittsburgh PA, US
Mark R. Barie - Glenshaw PA, US
Richard P. Lizotte - Hudson NH, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

B60Q 1/00

US Classification:

315 82, 362546

Abstract:

A vehicle headlamp using a high-power LED light source, receiving power regulated by a driver circuit, is mounted in a housing and covered at least in part by a light transmissive cover using a construction by which heat developed by the driver circuit (current regulator) is conducted to the light transmissive cover, thereby heating the transparent cover and so retarding the formation or accumulation of ice and snow on the light transmissive cover.

US Patent:

8333036, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

May 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/802141

Inventors:

James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US
Thomas G. Buckner - Gibsonia PA, US
Michael L. Hafften - Loretto MN, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

E05B 65/10

US Classification:

49141

Abstract:

A vehicle emergency egress assembly, including a vehicle door with an opening cut out or otherwise provided, to serve as an egress portal in case of emergency when the vehicle door is difficult to open using the ordinary latching and unlatching mechanism provided for routine entrance and exit from the vehicle. The opening is cut (or otherwise provided) where a transparent armor window would ordinarily be provided, but additional portions of the door are cut out as needed to allow for egress through the opening by a vehicle occupant. A windowed plug is then provided, for releasably plugging the opening. Finally, an interiorly accessible release mechanism is provided, including one or more handles for releasing the plug from the opening. The plug includes a body portion in addition to a window portion. The body portion has a stepped periphery that is held against a stepped periphery of the opening by latches coupled to the one or more handles and extending across the perimeter of the body portion of the plug onto corresponding latch receivers disposed around the opening on the inside surface of the vehicle door.

US Patent:

8348311, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Sep 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/586540

Inventors:

James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

B65D 45/00

US Classification:

2922565, 292DIG 65, 292DIG 30

Abstract:

A lever mechanism for holding an escape hatch onto a vehicle surface covering an opening in the vehicle surface, for enabling emergency escape through the escape hatch. The lever mechanism includes a base portion, a handle portion and a clamp portion, with the handle portion and clamp portion linked so that by pushing on the handle portion, and so placing the lever mechanism in its engaged state, the clamp portion is pushed against the vehicle surface, drawing the escape hatch against the vehicle surface. By pulling on the handle portion of the lever mechanism, and so placing the lever mechanism in its disengaged state, the clamp is pulled up and away from the vehicle surface and clear of the opening in the vehicle surface, thus allowing the escape hatch to be pushed out away from the vehicle surface, thereby enabling emergency egress.

US Patent:

8354921, Jan 15, 2013

Filed:

May 28, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/802135

Inventors:

James M. Helms - Fort Myers FL, US
Michael L. Hafften - Loretto MN, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek, LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

B60Q 1/00

US Classification:

340438, 340436, 340540, 2961461, 296 102

Abstract:

A self-illuminating handle assembly for a release mechanism of an emergency egress system for a vehicle. The handle assembly includes a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and providing a sensor signal in response thereto, and a sensor-activated switch assembly for causing the handle assembly to self-illuminate in response to the sensor signal. The sensor could be a so-called tilt sensor for sensing when the vehicle orientation is tilted beyond a threshold tilt orientation, or an acceleration sensor (accelerometer) for sensing when the vehicle has undergone an acceleration or deceleration beyond a threshold, indicative of a crash or the vehicle having been exposed to an explosion.

US Patent:

20050274760, Dec 15, 2005

Filed:

May 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/853904

Inventors:

Thomas Buckner - Gibsonia PA, US
James Helms - Fort Myers FL, US
J. Sarles - Adams Township PA, US

Assignee:

Ibis Tek., LLC - Butler PA

International Classification:

B60R009/00
B60R011/00

US Classification:

224503000, 224509000

Abstract:

A rear mounted spare tire carrier which is suitable for very heavy tires and which may be used in demanding environments, such as environments encountered by off road vehicles and military vehicles, is disclosed.