Patents by Inventor Brian D. Carnick

Brian D. Carnick 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: 11142147
    Abstract: A power distribution box assembly for a vehicle is provided. The power distribution box assembly includes a housing having a peripheral wall and an inner wall. The inner wall is dimensioned to hold electrical components. A cover is configured to cover the peripheral wall of the housing, and the cover has an interior surface. A first latching mechanism and a second latching mechanism are disposed opposite of the first latching mechanism. The first and second latching mechanisms are selectively operable between an engaged positon and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the cover is closed onto the housing. A rib is disposed on a top surface of the inner wall of the housing. The rib abuts the interior surface of the cover when the first and second latching mechanisms are in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian D. Carnick, Christopher Alexander
  • Patent number: 10635144
    Abstract: A power distribution assembly having a box and at least a pair of attachment modules is provided. The box includes a pair of mating structures. The attachment modules have an attachment body which may be configured to attach to a specific packaging space and an attachment portion configured to engage a specific mating structure of the box. Accordingly, the same box may be used for different applications wherein only the attachment module is customized, as described in greater detail further below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bennie J. Malcom, Brian D. Carnick, Hala Qola
  • Publication number: 20200124654
    Abstract: An instrument for testing the electric connection of a male terminal connector is provided. The instrument includes a female connector housing having a female board with a plurality of terminal cavities and a plurality of biasing contacts. The biasing contacts are configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the second position the head is depressed relative to the first position. Thus, the head is configured to engage a distal end of the male terminal blade so as to provide an electric connection. Further, the head is configured to give way to a misaligned male terminal blade. Accordingly, the instrument will maintain a predetermined surface contact with the male terminal blades and allow for misalignment of the male terminal blade with respect to the terminal cavity so as to reduce the occurrence of a faulty defect reading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Brian D. Carnick, Gregory A. Gabriele
  • Publication number: 20200050245
    Abstract: A power distribution assembly having a box and at least a pair of attachment modules is provided. The box includes a pair of mating structures. The attachment modules have an attachment body which may be configured to attach to a specific packaging space and an attachment portion configured to engage a specific mating structure of the box. Accordingly, the same box may be used for different applications wherein only the attachment module is customized, as described in greater detail further below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Bennie J. Malcom, Brian D. Carnick, Hala Qola
  • Patent number: 10246034
    Abstract: A power distribution center mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a power distribution center having a connection surface. The power distribution center also includes a housing having a locking structure formed thereon on at least one side of the housing. The housing also includes a pair of pivot structures disposed on opposing sides of the housing. A pair of pivot brackets are mounted on the vehicle with each of the brackets including a pivot slot formed therein receiving the pivot structures. At least one of the pivot brackets includes corresponding lock slots that releasably engage the locking structure defining a pre staged and a final staged position of the power distribution center. When the power distribution center is in the pre staged position the connection surface is positioned at an inclined angle wherein the connection surface is visible relative to a horizontal plane extending from a bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bennie J. Malcom, Brian D. Carnick, Hala Qola
  • Publication number: 20180162298
    Abstract: A power distribution center mounting assembly for a vehicle includes a power distribution center having a connection surface. The power distribution center also includes a housing having a locking structure formed thereon on at least one side of the housing. The housing also includes a pair of pivot structures disposed on opposing sides of the housing. A pair of pivot brackets are mounted on the vehicle with each of the brackets including a pivot slot formed therein receiving the pivot structures. At least one of the pivot brackets includes corresponding lock slots that releasably engage the locking structure defining a pre staged and a final staged position of the power distribution center. When the power distribution center is in the pre staged position the connection surface is positioned at an inclined angle wherein the connection surface is visible relative to a horizontal plane extending from a bottom of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Bennie J. Malcom, Brian D. Carnick, Hala Qola
  • Patent number: 9882328
    Abstract: A cartridge holder assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The cartridge holder assembly is configured to hold a pair of cartridges in a generally upright and side-by-side manner. The cartridge holder assembly includes a housing having a pair of first side walls, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall so as to define an open top, and a partition generally parallel to and disposed between a pair of first side walls so as to define a first cartridge opening and a second cartridge opening, wherein the first and second cartridge opening are configured to receive a respective cartridge and hold the cartridges in an upright manner and side-by-side arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bennie J. Malcom, Ralph B. Alfeche, Brian D. Carnick
  • Patent number: 7497699
    Abstract: A junction box assembly includes first and second structures, such as upper and lower cases. T-shaped aligning protrusions extend beyond an edge of a sidewall of the second structure and mate with a receiving member contained in the first structure. When the first structure is being aligned with the second structure, chamfers on the T-shaped aligning protrusion may be provided to help start the alignment process before the first and second structures are joined together. This allows for faster and easier assembly of the junction box and helps to reduce the mating forces between the first and second structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electrical Wiring Systems - Detroit Technical Center, Inc
    Inventors: Emily A. Neville, Brian D. Carnick
  • Publication number: 20080203039
    Abstract: A junction box assembly includes first and second structures, such as upper and lower cases. T-shaped aligning protrusions extend beyond an edge of a sidewall of the second structure and mate with a receiving member contained in the first structure. When the first structure is being aligned with the second structure, chamfers on the T-shaped aligning protrusion may be provided to help start the alignment process before the first and second structures are joined together. This allows for faster and easier assembly of the junction box and helps to reduce the mating forces between the first and second structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEMS - DETROIT TECHNICAL CENTER, INC.
    Inventors: Emily A. Neville, Brian D. Carnick