Patents by Inventor Eric Engerman

Eric Engerman 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: 9543684
    Abstract: A trim panel having a main body, a plurality of attachment structures and a dummy electric connector. The main body has a trim surface and an attachment surface opposite the trim surface. The plurality of attachment structures are formed on the attachment surface and are configured to contact and engage a separate panel securing the main body to the separate panel and covering an aperture formed in the separate panel. The dummy electric connector is formed on the attachment surface. The dummy electric connector is configured to receive and retain an electric connector in the absence of any electrical contacts within or on the dummy electric connector. The dummy electrical connector enables retention of a wiring harness having a connector that is not currently used, the unused connector to be connected to and retained by the dummy connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Engerman, Zachary Stoklosa, Brian Shepard, Ronald Morrow, George Henry Gasahl, IV
  • Patent number: 9539957
    Abstract: A vehicle tool box assembly includes a storage area disposed in a vehicle cargo space and a tool box disposed in the storage area. The tool box includes a body having opposite first and second end walls and an upper surface extending between upper ends of the first and second end walls. A plurality of cut-outs is formed in the upper surface and configured to receive tools. A first lip extends upwardly from the upper surface at the first end wall. A second lip extends upwardly from the upper surface at the second end wall. A cover member is received by the tool box. The cover member includes a first recess received by the first lip and a second recess received by the second lip, thereby substantially preventing movement of the cover member relative to the tool box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Engerman
  • Patent number: 9457723
    Abstract: A first member of a storage tray assembly has first and second planar surfaces parallel to one another. A first cut-out extends from the first planar surface to the second planar surface. A second member has third and fourth planar surfaces parallel to one another. A second cut-out extends from the third planar surface to the fourth planar surface. The second cut-out aligns with first cut-out when the first and second members overlay and attach to one another. A third member has fifth and sixth planar surfaces parallel to one another. The third member has first shaped surfaces extending from the fifth planar surface to the sixth planar surface. The third member is inserted into the second cut-out such that the first cut-out, the second cut-out and the plurality of first shaped surfaces of the third member define a concave storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Engerman
  • Publication number: 20160280151
    Abstract: A vehicle tool box assembly includes a storage area disposed in a vehicle cargo space and a tool box disposed in the storage area. The tool box includes a body having opposite first and second end walls and an upper surface extending between upper ends of the first and second end walls. A plurality of cut-outs is formed in the upper surface and configured to receive tools. A first lip extends upwardly from the upper surface at the first end wall. A second lip extends upwardly from the upper surface at the second end wall. A cover member is received by the tool box. The cover member includes a first recess received by the first lip and a second recess received by the second lip, thereby substantially preventing movement of the cover member relative to the tool box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Eric ENGERMAN
  • Publication number: 20160090046
    Abstract: A first member of a storage tray assembly has first and second planar surfaces parallel to one another. A first cut-out extends from the first planar surface to the second planar surface. A second member has third and fourth planar surfaces parallel to one another. A second cut-out extends from the third planar surface to the fourth planar surface. The second cut-out aligns with first cut-out when the first and second members overlay and attach to one another. A third member has fifth and sixth planar surfaces parallel to one another. The third member has first shaped surfaces extending from the fifth planar surface to the sixth planar surface. The third member is inserted into the second cut-out such that the first cut-out, the second cut-out and the plurality of first shaped surfaces of the third member define a concave storage space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Eric ENGERMAN
  • Patent number: 8844993
    Abstract: A reinforced vehicle trim assembly includes a trim panel and a reinforcement member. The trim panel is mounted to a vehicle body member inside a vehicle storage compartment such that a trim panel free edge extends cantilevered toward a vehicle body panel surface that faces inside the vehicle storage compartment. The reinforcement member is mounted in the vehicle storage compartment proximate to the trim panel between the trim panel and the vehicle body member, and has a reinforcement member free edge that extends cantilevered toward the vehicle body panel surface. The trim panel and the reinforcement member are spaced at first and second distances, respectively, from the vehicle body panel surface and configured to deflect in response to a force applied to the trim panel such that the trim panel free edge and the reinforcement member free edge move toward the vehicle body panel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Engerman