Patents by Inventor Chad Kwolek
Chad Kwolek 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).
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Patent number: 9010841Abstract: A door assembly for an automotive vehicle. The door assembly includes a vehicle door frame and an upper trim panel mounted to the vehicle door frame. The upper trim panel having an upper surface where the upper surface is angled down towards the exterior of the vehicle. The door assembly further including a sub-assembly having a first trim panel and a second trim panel. The first trim panel is mounted to the vehicle door frame behind the upper trim panel. A bracket on the first trim panel adapted to accept the second trim panel. A first surface of the first trim panel and a second surface of the second trim panel rest within the same plane to create a flush surface to give the same or a similar appearance of a one piece trim panel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Chad A. Kwolek, Charles P. Patterson
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Patent number: 8783921Abstract: A glove box assembly defines a storage cavity for a vehicle, such storage cavity including a wall with a perimeter edge defining a light aperture, and a light housing is adjacent to the wall and aligned with the light aperture. A flange extends from the light housing into the light aperture adjacent to at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the light aperture.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Patent number: 8540274Abstract: A vehicle airbag support assembly comprises a vehicle cross-car beam and an airbag support structure. The vehicle cross-car beam includes rearward and forward surfaces facing rearward and forward directions of a vehicle. The airbag support structure includes a mounting portion, and elongated extension portion and a support portion. The mounting portion is fixedly coupled to the rearward surface of the vehicle cross-car beam. The elongated extension portion includes a first end fixedly coupled to the mounting portion and a second end spaced from the first end such that the first end is situated closer to the rearward surface than the forward surface and the second end extends beyond the forward surface. The support portion supports an airbag device and is fixedly coupled to the second end of the extension portion such that the support portion is situated closer to the forward surface than the rearward surface and is cantilevered.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bristol, Chad Kwolek
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Publication number: 20130161929Abstract: A vehicle airbag support assembly comprises a vehicle cross-car beam and an airbag support structure. The vehicle cross-car beam includes rearward and forward surfaces facing rearward and forward directions of a vehicle. The airbag support structure includes a mounting portion, and elongated extension portion and a support portion. The mounting portion is fixedly coupled to the rearward surface of the vehicle cross-car beam. The elongated extension portion includes a first end fixedly coupled to the mounting portion and a second end spaced from the first end such that the first end is situated closer to the rearward surface than the forward surface and the second end extends beyond the forward surface. The support portion supports an airbag device and is fixedly coupled to the second end of the extension portion such that the support portion is situated closer to the forward surface than the rearward surface and is cantilevered.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bristol, Chad Kwolek
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Publication number: 20130107556Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of light assemblies included in glove box assemblies. In one illustrative embodiment, the glove box assembly defines a storage cavity for a vehicle. The storage cavity has a wall having a perimeter edge defining a light aperture, and a light housing is adjacent to the wall and aligned with the light aperture. A flange extends from the light housing into the light aperture adjacent to at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the light aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: CHAD KWOLEK
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Publication number: 20130099518Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a main body, a side trim panel and a fastener part. The main body has a side surface through which a slot is defined and a top surface through which a fastener receiving aperture is defined. The fastener receiving aperture extends through the top surface to an inner cavity of the main body that is accessible through the slot. The side trim panel at least partially covers the side surface of the main body. The side trim panel has a projection that extends away from an inner surface of the side trim panel into the slot defined by the side surface. The fastener part extends through the fastener receiving aperture defined by the top surface and engages the projection to fixedly couple the side trim panel to the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Chad KWOLEK
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Patent number: 8414048Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a main body, a side trim panel and a fastener part. The main body has a side surface through which a slot is defined and a top surface through which a fastener receiving aperture is defined. The fastener receiving aperture extends through the top surface to an inner cavity of the main body that is accessible through the slot. The side trim panel at least partially covers the side surface of the main body. The side trim panel has a projection that extends away from an inner surface of the side trim panel into the slot defined by the side surface. The fastener part extends through the fastener receiving aperture defined by the top surface and engages the projection to fixedly couple the side trim panel to the main body.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Patent number: 8414015Abstract: A vehicle airbag support structure comprises a base member, a first support leg and a mounting arrangement. The base member defines an inflator aperture for receiving a portion of a vehicle airbag module supported on a top surface of the base member. The first support leg includes first and second ends with first and second segments disposed between the first and second ends. The first end is attached to a peripheral portion of the base member with the first and second segments disposed on a bottom side of the base member that faces in an opposite direction from the top surface. The first and second segments extend perpendicularly and non-orthogonally, respectively, with respect to the base member. The mounting arrangement is attached to the second end and defines a fastening aperture with a center fastener axis arranged in a direction parallel to a plane including the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bristol, Chad Kwolek
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Patent number: 8276961Abstract: A vehicle trim panel includes a mounting structure fixed to a base surface. The mounting structure includes a first and second support portions spaced apart from one another, both extending from the base surface. The first and second support portions have respective first ends fixedly attached to the base surface and respective second ends distal from their respective first ends. The first support portion and the second support portion are bridged by a guide portion that extends between the second ends of the first and second support portions. The guide portion defines a guide surface that extends in a direction that is non-orthogonal relative to a plane defined by an adjacent section of the base surface. The guide portion, the first support portion, the second support portion and the adjacent section of the base surface define an insertion aperture with a central axis that extends parallel to the plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Publication number: 20120187665Abstract: A vehicle airbag support structure comprises a base member, a first support leg and a mounting arrangement. The base member defines an inflator aperture for receiving a portion of a vehicle airbag module supported on a top surface of the base member. The first support leg includes first and second ends with first and second segments disposed between the first and second ends. The first end is attached to a peripheral portion of the base member with the first and second segments disposed on a bottom side of the base member that faces in an opposite direction from the top surface. The first and second segments extend perpendicularly and non-orthogonally, respectively, with respect to the base member. The mounting arrangement is attached to the second end and defines a fastening aperture with a center fastener axis arranged in a direction parallel to a plane including the top surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael BRISTOL, Chad KWOLEK
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Publication number: 20120187707Abstract: A vehicle trim panel includes a mounting structure fixed to a base surface. The mounting structure includes a first and second support portions spaced apart from one another, both extending from the base surface. The first and second support portions have respective first ends fixedly attached to the base surface and respective second ends distal from their respective first ends. The first support portion and the second support portion are bridged by a guide portion that extends between the second ends of the first and second support portions. The guide portion defines a guide surface that extends in a direction that is non-orthogonal relative to a plane defined by an adjacent section of the base surface. The guide portion, the first support portion, the second support portion and the adjacent section of the base surface define an insertion aperture with a central axis that extends parallel to the plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Patent number: 8020913Abstract: A vehicle interior structural assembly includes an instrument panel that is dimensioned to extend laterally between opposing interior side walls of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A structural member extends between first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel. A stay bracket is connected to the structural member and extends downward from the structural member. The stay bracket is located forward of a rearmost extent of the instrument panel. A reinforcement member is connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another. The reinforcement member includes a support portion cantilevered from and extending rearward of the rearmost extent of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Patent number: 7992915Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly that includes a first component and a second component fixedly installed within the vehicle interior assembly at spaced apart locations. A trim panel is fixedly attached to the first component in a fixed positional orientation relative to the first component and is attached to the second component in a predetermined range of orientations in order to compensate for minor alignment variations resulting from the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the first and second components.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Publication number: 20110187144Abstract: A vehicle interior structural assembly includes an instrument panel that is dimensioned to extend laterally between opposing interior side walls of a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A structural member extends between first and second ends of the instrument panel such that the structural member is substantially concealed by the instrument panel. A stay bracket is connected to the structural member and extends downward from the structural member. The stay bracket is located forward of a rearmost extent of the instrument panel. A reinforcement member is connected to the stay bracket at a first point and a second point that are vertically spaced from one another. The reinforcement member includes a support portion cantilevered from and extending rearward of the rearmost extent of the instrument panel such that forces applied to the reinforcement member are directed to the stay bracket and the structural member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Publication number: 20100219653Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly that includes a first component and a second component fixedly installed within the vehicle interior assembly at spaced apart locations. A trim panel is fixedly attached to the first component in a fixed positional orientation relative to the first component and is attached to the second component in a predetermined range of orientations in order to compensate for minor alignment variations resulting from the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the first and second components.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Patent number: 7631917Abstract: A vehicle includes console/shifter arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a shifter base member and a console. A shifter base member has oversized fastening apertures arranged to align with threaded apertures in the vehicle floor. Fasteners extending through the oversized fastening apertures engage the threaded apertures and are moveable between an adjusting orientation and a securing orientation. The oversized fastening apertures have a prescribed dimension with respect to the fasteners such that the shifter base member is movable in alignment directions relative to the vehicle floor with the fasteners in the adjusting orientation. The console and the shifter base member are configured to move together as a single unit in the alignment directions while the fasteners are in the adjusting orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek
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Publication number: 20080001422Abstract: A vehicle includes console/shifter arrangement includes a vehicle floor, a shifter base member and a console. A shifter base member has oversized fastening apertures arranged to align with threaded apertures in the vehicle floor. Fasteners extending through the oversized fastening apertures engage the threaded apertures and are moveable between an adjusting orientation and a securing orientation. The oversized fastening apertures have a prescribed dimension with respect to the fasteners such that the shifter base member is movable in alignment directions relative to the vehicle floor with the fasteners in the adjusting orientation. The console and the shifter base member are configured to move together as a single unit in the alignment directions while the fasteners are in the adjusting orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2006Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventor: Chad Kwolek