John S Townsend

US Patent:

20010002087, May 31, 2001

Filed:

Aug 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/141845

Inventors:

JOHN A. TOWNSEND - BLOOMFIELD MI, US

Assignee:

John a. Townsend

International Classification:

B60R021/00
B60R022/12
B60R022/18
B60R022/46

US Classification:

280/801100, 297/480000, 297/476000, 297/479000

Abstract:

The helmet restraint system of the invention secures the helmet of a driver or passenger occupant of a vehicle, such as a race car, to the structural chassis, body, or frame of the vehicle, independent of the shoulder harness or seatbelt. The system provides a head restraint system which reduces the potentially injurious forces to the neck and head during a high-deceleration event, particularly a frontal collision. The helmet restraint belt system comprises a restraint belt assembly which spans between an anchor point on the vehicle chassis/body and a belt receiving latch mounted to the driver's helmet. The belt is preferably retractable and pre-tensioned by means of a collision or inertially-lockable belt tensioner. The helmet restraint system allows the driver to have unrestricted head movement during normal driving, but restrains the helmet and head during the impact of a collision by locking the belt against further extension. The driver's helmet is attached to the restraint belt by means of a quick-release latch which may be released by the seated driver or a person standing outside the vehicle. Embodiments are disclosed for several different alternative helmet and vehicle mountings of the restraint system, including dual belt, asymmetric restraint systems, and tensioners having internal brake mechanisms that are adjustable to provide tension, either linear or progressive within a preselected range.

US Patent:

20010020783, Sep 13, 2001

Filed:

Apr 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/837663

Inventors:

John Townsend - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Mohamed El-Sayed - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Richard Vaughan - Berkley MI, US

International Classification:

B60R022/00

US Classification:

280/801100, 280/806000

Abstract:

A restraint presentation system is disclosed that includes a movable presenting member, such as an armrest or an actuating arm, that moves between a presenting position and a storage position and a restraint belt connected to a tensioning mechanism. The presenting member preferably has a concave shaped portion on a distal end thereof that captures a contact portion of the restraint belt to position the restraint belt in an operational position so as to be accessible to a vehicle occupant. The tensioning mechanism biases the restraint belt into a retracted position when the presenting member is in the storage position such that the contact portion of the restraint belt is in a co-linear relationship with the concave shaped portion of the presenting member.

US Patent:

20010040369, Nov 15, 2001

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/876618

Inventors:

John Townsend - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Mohamed El-Sayed - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
John Campbell - Hazel Park MI, US
Paul DeLorean - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Joalto Design, Inc.

International Classification:

B60R022/00
B60R022/48

US Classification:

280/801100

Abstract:

A restraint belt presenter assembly includes a restraint belt engaging member that is selectively driven by a track drive mechanism to catch and pull a restraint belt from its unused position to a presentation position for grasping by a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member includes a selectively upwardly moving arm having a finger assembly with an offset rotary action for moving the finger assembly into an actuating position. In a second embodiment, the restraint belt engaging member is connected to a hinge member that pivots the restraint belt engaging member into an actuating position.

US Patent:

20020043872, Apr 18, 2002

Filed:

Apr 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/836720

Inventors:

John Townsend - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Mohamed El-Sayed - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
John Campbell - Hazel Park MI, US
Paul DeLorean - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Joalto Design Inc.

International Classification:

A47D015/00

US Classification:

297/473000

Abstract:

A seat belt buckle receptacle presenter is disclosed that presents the seat belt buckle receptacle to a vehicle occupant in a convenient and visually accessible location. In a first preferred embodiment, the seat belt receptacle is pivotally mounted along a generally horizontal track to move from a storage position located in the rearward portion of a vehicle seat to a presenting position located adjacent a forward edge of the vehicle seat. An alternative second preferred embodiment includes an upwardly extending presenting arm that is connected to a conventional restraint belt receptacle. The presenting arm receives a seat belt buckle and delivers the belt buckle to the seat belt receptacle.

US Patent:

62477447, Jun 19, 2001

Filed:

Oct 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/169330

Inventors:

John A. Townsend - Bloomfield Hills MI
Mohamed El-Sayed - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Joalto Design, Inc. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60J 500

US Classification:

29614611

Abstract:

A vehicle component sub-assembly having self-aligning appropriately fitted structural members is disclosed wherein a closure member, such as a vehicle door, hood or trunk is integrated with and becomes a structural part of a vehicle body. The sub-assembly includes mating components wherein a first mating component is mounted to the vehicle body and a second mating component is mounted to the closure member in such a manner that the first and second mating components become substantially aligned and structurally engaged with one another. The first mating component includes at least one structural key member formed thereon and the second mating component has a complementary mating receptacle therein. When the first and second mating components are aligned into interlocking engagement, the structural key members and mating receptacles are thereby structurally integrating the vehicle body and the closure member. The structural key members and mating receptacles may be used with a number of vehicle component sub-assemblies such as door hinges and latches on doors; hoods, trunks, liftgates and deck lids.

US Patent:

58069178, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Dec 22, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/577649

Inventors:

John A. Townsend - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Joalto Design, Inc. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60R 2700

US Classification:

296202

Abstract:

A motor vehicle chassis is disclosed wherein a conventionally hinged door is integrated with and becomes a structural part of the main chassis when the door is closed. Wedge-shaped structural keys located on the forward and rearward edges of the door engage mating receptacles on the door jamb to transmit compressive, tensile, and torsional forces across the door opening when the door is closed. Preferably, the door hinges are separated when the door is closed so that all forces are transmitted through the keys and receptacles without interference from the hinges. The inventive technology can also be used with other vehicle door panels such as sliding side van doors, hoods, trunks, liftgates and tailgates to form a stronger, stiffer vehicle chassis that is less susceptible to deformation during impact.

US Patent:

59216115, Jul 13, 1999

Filed:

Dec 9, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/769895

Inventors:

John A. Townsend - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Joalto Design Inc. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60J 510

US Classification:

296155

Abstract:

An upwardly retracting vehicle door is disclosed, such as for use on the rear of a mini-van. The door includes a lower primary door panel and an upper secondary door panel, such as a glass window, that is retractable into the primary door panel. The primary door panel includes rollers on both side edges for slidably mounting the primary door panel on channels located on the vehicle body. When the primary door panel is opened, the window retracts into the primary door panel while the primary door panel travels upward toward the window and along an arcuate path preferably into a pocket within the vehicle roof. In a first embodiment of the invention, a single weather seal is used for both the primary door panel and window on each side with the primary door panel sliding over the seal when opening and closing. In a second embodiment, separate seals for the primary door panel and window are used on each side. Angled portions formed at the bottom of the channels allow the primary door panel to travel outward when first opening so that the primary door panel and window clear the primary door panel and window seals and travel over them without contact.

US Patent:

56880197, Nov 18, 1997

Filed:

Apr 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/430527

Inventors:

John A. Townsend - Troy MI

Assignee:

Joalto Design Inc. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60J 506

US Classification:

296155

Abstract:

A vehicle door and window drive assembly is disclosed for simultaneously or independently driving a vertically moving door and its associated window between respective open and closed positions. A single prime mover, such as a reversible electric motor, a door moving mechanism, and a window moving mechanism are selectively coupled and uncoupled with each other in various combinations by three electromagnetically operated clutches to provide for synchronized manual or powered movement of the door with the window or independent door and window operation.