Patents by Inventor Thomas D Mihelich

Thomas D Mihelich 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: 6176535
    Abstract: A partitioning system for use in the storage area of a vehicle is disclosed. The partitioning system includes a multipurpose shelf that can be positioned in a plurality of different locations. The shelf can be disposed (1) horizontally near the top of the rear row of seats to act as a security cover; (2) horizontally along the floor in the storage area; (3) horizontally to cooperate of a folded last row of seats to provide a generally flat surface from the end gate into the passenger area; (4) vertically and adjacent to the rear row of seats; and (5) horizontally, while the end gate is open, such that the shelf extends beyond the storage area as defined by a closed end gate. The shelf includes a pivotable support leg that may contact the vehicle body to support the shelf in this horizontal position that extends beyond the storage area defined by a closed end gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Chaloult, George Walczowski, Thomas D Mihelich
  • Patent number: 6113172
    Abstract: A partitioning system is for use in the storage area of a vehicle. The partitioning system includes a multipurpose shelf that can be positioned in a plurality of different locations. The shelf can be disposed (1) horizontally near the top of the rear row of seats to act as a security cover; (2) horizontally along the floor in the storage area; (3) horizontally to cooperate of a folded last row of seats to provide a generally flat surface from the end gate into the passenger area; (4) vertically and adjacent to the rear row of seats; and (5) horizontally, while the end gate is open, such that the shelf extends beyond the storage area as defined by a closed end gate. The shelf includes a pivotable support leg that may contact the vehicle body to support the shelf in this horizontal position that extends beyond the storage area defined by a closed end gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Chaloult, George Walczowski, Thomas D. Mihelich, John W. Joyce, Robert P. Kuhr, Thomas E. Edson
  • Patent number: 6049952
    Abstract: An energy absorbing interior trim component of plastics is attached to a supporting structural member of a vehicle by one or more special fastening devices. The trim component has a shell-like main housing defining an interior cavity that contains a plurality of laterally spaced energy absorbing ribs, which are designed to deform and collapse upon predetermined impact loads applied to the trim component. The ribs are strategically located and sized for optimized energy absorbing purposes and in accordance with the interior dimensions and shape of the trim component. Each fastening device comprises a steel spring clip having laterally spaced clamping jaw arms for easy installation and substantially permanent attachment to the ribs and having an attachment head which readily fastens into structure defining a narrow elongated slot in the supporting structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Mihelich, Sudhakar Kodali, Werner H. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5736689
    Abstract: A system for mounting an audio speaker within an automobile door, in which a bridge is mounted on and extends from a door interior support panel, and has an integral platform spaced from the support panel and surrounding a speaker opening. The body of the audio speaker is received within the bridge speaker opening, and mounting flange tabs on the speaker radially project from the speaker body and are releasably secured to the bridge platform. An exterior trim panel has a lip that surrounds a speaker opening in the trim panel. The trim panel lip is removably secured to the platform radially outwardly of the speaker, such that the trim panel and the speaker are removably secured to the platform independently of each other. A grill is removably secured to the trim panel overlying and enclosing the speaker opening in trim panel, and thus covering both the bridge platform and the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventors: James E. Van Hout, Zdzislaw J. Skorupa, Paul C. Pellerito, Frank R. Piatt, Thomas D. Mihelich, Richard Kleinhoffer