Patents by Inventor Bradley Leier

Bradley Leier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11731703
    Abstract: An energy dissipation system for a frame of a vehicle includes a frame rail including a crushable region and a non-crushable region. An energy dissipation device includes an energy transfer portion arranged partially in the crushable region and partially in the non-crushable region and configured to move in response to a vehicle impact on the frame rail. An energy dissipation portion is arranged within the non-crushable region, connected to the energy transfer portion. The energy dissipation device includes a first region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the non-crushable region, and a second region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the energy transfer portion. The first region of the energy dissipation portion is stiffer than the second region of the energy dissipation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John E. Howard, Bradley Leier, Zohir Molhem
  • Patent number: 11603134
    Abstract: A frame for a vehicle includes a bumper support frame member, and a longitudinal frame member coupled to the bumper support frame member. The longitudinal frame member includes a rail member having an asymmetric crash response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Leier, Mohammed N. Shaik, Ron J. Taulbee, Mohamed Darsot
  • Publication number: 20220340204
    Abstract: An energy dissipation system for a frame of a vehicle includes a frame rail including a crushable region and a non-crushable region. An energy dissipation device includes an energy transfer portion arranged partially in the crushable region and partially in the non-crushable region and configured to move in response to a vehicle impact on the frame rail. An energy dissipation portion is arranged within the non-crushable region, connected to the energy transfer portion. The energy dissipation device includes a first region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the non-crushable region, and a second region connecting the energy dissipation portion to the energy transfer portion. The first region of the energy dissipation portion is stiffer than the second region of the energy dissipation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: John E. HOWARD, Bradley LEIER, Zohir MOLHEM
  • Publication number: 20220111900
    Abstract: A frame for a vehicle includes a bumper support frame member, and a longitudinal frame member coupled to the bumper support frame member. The longitudinal frame member includes a rail member having an asymmetric crash response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Bradley Leier, Mohammed N. Shaik, Ron J. Taulbee, Mohamed Darsot
  • Patent number: 11299210
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a front motor compartment formed within the body, the front motor compartment including: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, including: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Leier, Mark A. Stebbins, Joung Min Choi
  • Publication number: 20210371014
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes: a body; a drive system configured to propel the body; and a front motor compartment formed within the body, the front motor compartment including: a first shock tower; a second shock tower; and a structural integration brace for a vehicle, including: a first end attached to a first shock tower of the vehicle; and a second end attached to a second shock tower of the vehicle; wherein the structural integration brace extends between the first end and the second end, generating a load path therebetween within the front motor compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Leier, Mark A. Stebbins, Joung Min Choi
  • Patent number: 11110787
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Terry A. Swartzell, Andre T. Matsumoto, Bradley Leier, Andrew W. White
  • Publication number: 20210178879
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a body structure, a forward sub-frame, and a battery pack. The body structure includes first and second side rails. The forward sub-frame includes first and second side supports each having and extending longitudinally between forward and rearward end portions. The first and second side supports are located forward of, and substantially parallel to, the first and second side rails. The battery pack includes a support structure disposed beneath, and engaged to, the body structure between the first and second side rails. The support structure has a plurality of longitudinal components spaced laterally apart from one-another, and disposed parallel to the opposite first and second side rails. The rearward end portions of the first and second side supports are proximate to respective first and second longitudinal components of the plurality of longitudinal components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Terry A. Swartzell, Andre T. Matsumoto, Bradley Leier, Andrew W. White
  • Patent number: 10246132
    Abstract: A device for rear impact mitigation of a vehicle is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the device includes a Y-shaped frame having a first leg, a second leg, and a reaction member, the reaction member having a first end and a second end, the first leg and the second leg extending from the first end of the reaction member at a first area and defining an angle therebetween, the reaction member having a straight portion proximate the first end and a curved portion defining a second area proximate the second end, wherein the frame is configured to deform at one or more of the first area and the second area upon application of a force from a rear impact event to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Leier, Anne M. Stibich, Bharath Kumar Baburajan
  • Publication number: 20180148096
    Abstract: A device for rear impact mitigation of a vehicle is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the device includes a Y-shaped frame having a first leg, a second leg, and a reaction member, the reaction member having a first end and a second end, the first leg and the second leg extending from the first end of the reaction member at a first area and defining an angle therebetween, the reaction member having a straight portion proximate the first end and a curved portion defining a second area proximate the second end, wherein the frame is configured to deform at one or more of the first area and the second area upon application of a force from a rear impact event to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Bradley Leier, Anne M. Stibich, Bharath Kumar Baburajan