Interpretation ID: nht89-2.33

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 07/12/89

FROM: GEORGE A. VAN STRATEN -- VAN STRATEN HEATED TAIL LIGHT CO

TO: STEPHEN P. WOOD -- ACTIVE CHIEF COUNSEL U.S. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION NHTSA

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 08/11/89 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO GEORGE A. VANSTRATEN; REDBOOK A34; STANDARD 108; LETTER DATED 05/16/89 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO THOMAS C. GRAVENGOOD -- AGAPE PLASTICS

TEXT: Dear Mr. Wood:

I am writing to you in regard to the product which I have invented and received patents on, called the "Heated Tail Light". I developed this product to keep the tail lights on vehicles snow and ice free in the winter months, so signals are clearly visib le. Recently my wife Jill spoke over the telephone with Mr. Benson from your department, who said you could help with my problem and I should send this information to your attention.

We have been working with our State Representatives office in Lansing, Michigan and through them a company by the name of Agap'e Plastics, Inc. from Grand Rapids, Michigan had heard of my product. A gentleman by the name of Tom Gravengood from Agap'e ap proached me about buying my company. He said that he wanted to help me out with sending my product into your department, as he already had the right connections and it would surely speed things up. Now, with my sending Mr. Gravengood the sample "Heated Tail Lights" and customer letters we had received, along with other information, we were under the understanding that this was to be handled under my company name. Also, I was to receive copies of any correspondence from your office. After quite some time, Mr. Gravengood finally told me over the telephone that he did receive a letter from you and he was reading parts of the letter to me. I could tell that the letter was to him and not to my company. After repeatedly trying to receive a copy of the letter, it was finally sent to me, however, not by Mr. Gravengood, but by our State Representatives office. It was sometime in the middle of June when I received it. I have enclosed a copy of the letter for you.

What I would greatly appreciate is, if you would send me a copy of any incoming correspondence from Mr. Gravengood and also, a letter in duplicate to the one sent to Mr. Gravengood dated May 16, 1989, but addressed to myself and my company. With receivi ng interest at the O.E.M. level, customers do indeed want to see some proof that I have gone through your office. With this, I can show them that I have done so.

I have enclosed some information on the "Heated Tail Light" to familiarize you with the product again. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to give me a call at either (906) 353-7131 or (906) 353-6490. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,