Patents by Inventor Kouichi Inaba

Kouichi Inaba 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: 8840350
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a system for isolating magnesium components from fastener devices is provided to prevent corrosion. The system comprises an isolation member of a metal other than magnesium and configured within a hole for receiving the fastener formed in a magnesium component. A compressible sealing washer having a first diameter is positioned over the hole and an isolation washer having a second diameter being less than the first diameter, and consisting of a similar metal as the isolation member, is placed over the compressible sealing washer. The fastener passes through the isolation washer, the compressible sealing washer and the isolation member within the hole, where is it tightened to compress the compressible sealing washer between the isolation member and isolation washer forming a water-tight seal around the hole to resist corrosion of the magnesium component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Kouichi Inaba, James C. O'Kane, Rinaldo M. Lucchesi
  • Patent number: 8672369
    Abstract: A lock indicator arm for a door having a latch mechanism includes a rod portion connectable on a first end to the latch mechanism, and a knob portion located on a second end of the rod portion opposite the first end and formed as a one-piece structure with the rod portion. The rod portion may include a spring region configured to bias the rod portion against either an interior panel, an exterior panel, or both panels. The knob portion and the rod portion of the lock indicator arm may be formed from a matrix material and a filler material. The filler material may include a plurality of fibers, and the plurality of fibers may be oriented substantially longitudinally along the rod portion. The rod portion of the lock indicator arm may have one of an H-shape cross section and a W-shape cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lorin A. Mazur, James C. O'Kane, Sara M Repen, Kouichi Inaba, Rinaldo M. Lucchesi, James Axiotis
  • Publication number: 20130097848
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a system for isolating magnesium components from fastener devices is provided to prevent corrosion. The system comprises an isolation member of a metal other than magnesium and configured within a hole for receiving the fastener formed in a magnesium component. A compressible sealing washer having a first diameter is positioned over the hole and an isolation washer having a second diameter being less than the first diameter, and consisting of a similar metal as the isolation member, is placed over the compressible sealing washer. The fastener passes through the isolation washer, the compressible sealing washer and the isolation member within the hole, where is it tightened to compress the compressible sealing washer between the isolation member and isolation washer forming a water-tight seal around the hole to resist corrosion of the magnesium component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: KOUICHI INABA, JAMES C. O'KANE, RINALDO M. LUCCHESI
  • Publication number: 20110252708
    Abstract: A lock indicator arm for a door having a latch mechanism includes a rod portion connectable on a first end to the latch mechanism, and a knob portion located on a second end of the rod portion opposite the first end and formed as a one-piece structure with the rod portion. The rod portion may include a spring region configured to bias the rod portion against either an interior panel, an exterior panel, or both panels. The knob portion and the rod portion of the lock indicator arm may be formed from a matrix material and a filler material. The filler material may include a plurality of fibers, and the plurality of fibers may be oriented substantially longitudinally along the rod portion. The rod portion of the lock indicator arm may have one of an H-shape cross section and a W-shape cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Lorin A. Mazur, James C. O'Kane, Sara M. Repen, Kouichi Inaba, Rinaldo M. Lucchesi, James Axiotis