Norman H Robbins

US Patent:

6361086, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Nov 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/438930

Inventors:

Norman B Robbins - Davison MI
Craig A Confer - White Lake MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

E05C 106

US Classification:

292 36, 292 32, 292DIG 5, 292158, 296224

Abstract:

A mechanical latch for securing a moveable structure to a fixed is provided. The mechanical latch includes a movable catch pin and a proximity pin disposed within a housing cavity. Both pins are spring loaded to urge the pins towards the moveable structure, and both pins also include stops projecting therefrom to limit this movement. An insert member is attached to the housing between the pins and has an end which is engaged by the stops. In an engaged position, the catch pin interacts with a slot in the moveable structure. In the engaged position, the proximity pin and the moveable structure generate a gap between its stop and the insert which allows the other catch pin to be selectively drawn rearward from its latched condition. A peg carried by the catch pin is urged into the gap and against the insert which secures the catch pin in a latched condition. As the proximity pin and the moveable structure move progressively apart, the stop contacts the peg and forces it out of the gap, thereby allowing the catch pin to be moved into its static position ready for a subsequent operation to stow the moveable structure.

US Patent:

60064145, Dec 28, 1999

Filed:

Feb 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/243909

Inventors:

Max A. Corporon - Rochester Hills MI
Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Brett G. Bamford - Livonia MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B23P 1102
F16B 3702

US Classification:

2952502

Abstract:

A one-piece floating spring nut that has overlying upper and lower flattened leaves that extend from separated free ends into connection with a u-shaped spring hinge that resiliently joins the arms at their inboard ends. The upper leaf has a centralized nut locating and retaining collar extruded therefrom that also serves as a guide and through passage for a threaded fastener. The lower leaf has an extruded sleeve portion aligned with the locating and retaining collar, which is internally threaded to threadly receive the threaded fastener. The locating and retaining collar has a generally cylindrical configuration that extends with clearance into an opening in a support member to retain the spring nut in a pre-assembled position on the support member. The collar further cooperates with the edge of the enlarged opening to establish the amount of adjustment that the nut can float relative to the support. The float permits the nut to be adjusted on its support so that it can be aligned with an opening in the article being attached to the support by threaded fasteners that thread in to the sleeve portion of the nut.

US Patent:

60244607, Feb 15, 2000

Filed:

Jul 10, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/113859

Inventors:

Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Craig A. Confer - White Lake MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hill MI

International Classification:

G02B 7182
F16C 110

US Classification:

359872

Abstract:

A remote mirror adjustment mechanism for manually adjusting the position of a vehicle side rear-view mirror wherein the adjustment mechanism has a base member having an annular edge for engaging and mounting the adjustment mechanism to a substantially flat interior panel of the vehicle and forming a recessed space in the panel. The base member includes a concave socket for rotatably receiving a ball socket there against. An elongated arm member is mounted to the ball socket and biased from an actuation position with the arm member extending outwardly from the recessed space and beyond the annular edge to a rest position retracted in the recessed space and below the annular edge. A plurality of cables interconnect the ball socket and the side rear-view mirror to provide angular adjustment of the mirror when the arm member rotates the ball socket in the actuation position. A housing defining a cavity encloses the ball socket against the concave socket of the base member. The arm member is biased to the rest position to prevent accidental miss-adjustment of the side rear-view mirror by the vehicle operator.

US Patent:

60101814, Jan 4, 2000

Filed:

Dec 16, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/991135

Inventors:

Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Max A. Corporon - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 2700

US Classification:

296195

Abstract:

A framing structure for the rear portion of an automobile, including a pair of spaced and generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers each tower fixed at lower and upper end portions to a lower cross beam and a unitary upper cross beam respectively and with each cross beam extending the full width of the vehicle and with each beam having a closed cross-sectional configuration providing a high degree of structural rigidity as a mounting platform for the left and right rear wheel suspensions. A yoke-like structure on the upper ends of each suspension strut tower supports an end portion of the unitary upper cross beam, each yoke including a pair of spaced side walls between which an end portion of the unitary beam extends so that in vehicle assembly the unitary beam's end portions are positioned or floated in a respective yoke in sliding engagement between the spaced side walls which permits independent lateral shifting of the upper end portion of each strut tower into desired alignment with the vehicle and with one another. Subsequently, the overlying side walls of the strut towers are attached to the end portions of the unitary cross beam by a plurality of spaced spot welds thus providing a high degree of rigidity and accuracy to the framing structure.

US Patent:

60128895, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Sep 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/162401

Inventors:

Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Thomas R. Young - Lapeer MI
Donald W. Lucas - Plymouth MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F16B 1900
F16B 3300
F16B 3714

US Classification:

4113726

Abstract:

A unitary cover includes a base and a cap portion which are moveable relative to one another into a closed operative condition to conceal a fastener head or nut. The generally flat base has an aperture therethrough for extension of the fastener's shank while the portions about the aperture serve as a washer for the fastener head or nut. The cap portion has an oblong and dome-like shape and shares a thin edge with an edge of the base which forms a living hinge therebetween to allow the base and cap to pivot between opened and closed operative positions with respect to one another. Free edge portions of the base and of the cap engage when moved into a closed operative position. Specifically, an inwardly projecting catch formation on the cap edge encounters a beveled formation on the base edge to flex the cap edge outward an allow the catch formation to be trapped by the bevel formation thereby securing the edges together. Release of the catch formation from the bevel formation is accomplished by squeezing the opposed ends of the cap portion which flexes the catch formation outward from the bevel.

US Patent:

62935720, Sep 25, 2001

Filed:

Dec 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/468392

Inventors:

Norman B. Robbins - Davison MI
Max A. Corporon - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B06G 1152

US Classification:

280124155

Abstract:

A framing structure for support of the rear suspension components of an automotive which includes a pair of generally vertically oriented suspension strut towers spaced laterally with respect to the vehicle and with each strut tower fixedly attached at lower end portions to a lower cross beam and fixedly attached at upper end portions to an upper cross beam and having an isolating structure at the upper end portion of each strut tower to which the upper end portion of a rear suspension component such as a shock absorber or a MacPherson suspension strut is attached in a manner isolating the suspension component from the strut tower and upper cross beam.