Patents by Inventor Leon F. Van Eden

Leon F. Van Eden 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: 6478355
    Abstract: A pick up truck configuration is adaptable for carrying a cargo load longer than the cargo box and preferably at or above the wheel covers protruding into the cargo box. An adaptable pick up truck configuration includes a cab portion and a cargo box. A box panel portion is pivotally connected to a front wall of the cargo box and is movable to a generally horizontal position in which the box panel portion partially overlies and is supported by the wheel covers. The cargo box includes a cargo box opening when the box panel portion is in the generally horizontal position. A cab panel portion is pivotally mounted to the cab portion and is movable between a generally vertical closed condition and a generally horizontal open position. The cab portion has a cab opening when the cab panel portion is in the generally horizontal position and the cab opening is at least partially aligned with the cargo box opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Leon F. Van Eden, Robert M. Hunt, Robert Gordon Storc, Rajiv K. Gupta
  • Patent number: 6447054
    Abstract: A vehicle access system includes an access opening for the passenger compartment that is closed by a swinging door in combination with an articulating door. The articulating door moves through an arc without angling away from the vehicle body and is supported on a hinge assembly that attaches near the center of the door. An arm assembly guides the door throughout its range of positions and maintain the door in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the vehicle body. When the doors are open, an uninterrupted access opening is provided to the area of the second and third seat rows of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brad L Pietryga, Leon F. Van Eden
  • Patent number: 6213535
    Abstract: A vehicle access system includes an access opening for the passenger compartment that is closed by a swinging door in combination with an articulating door. The articulating door moves through an arc without angling away from the vehicle body and is supported on a hinge assembly that attaches near the center of the door. An arm assembly guides the door throughout its range of positions and maintain the door in an orientation that is substantially parallel to the vehicle body. When the doors are open, an uninterrupted access opening is provided to the area of the second and third seat rows of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin Darrel Landmesser, Leon F. Van Eden
  • Patent number: 5934727
    Abstract: A pick up truck configuration is adaptable for carrying a cargo load longer than the cargo box and preferably at or above the wheel covers protruding into the cargo box. An adaptable pick up truck configuration includes a cab portion and a cargo box. A box panel portion is pivotally connected to a front wall of the cargo box and is movable to a generally horizontal position in which the box panel portion partially overlies and is supported by the wheel covers. The cargo box includes a cargo box opening when the box panel portion is in the generally horizontal position. A cab panel portion is pivotally mounted to the cab portion and is movable between a generally vertical closed condition and a generally horizontal open position. The cab portion has a cab opening when the cab panel portion is in the generally horizontal position and the cab opening is at least partially aligned with the cargo box opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Gordon Storc, Leon F. Van Eden, Carl Wellborn