Patents by Inventor Thomas Mally
Thomas Mally 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: 9845055Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a main body structure, a lid and a tray. The main body structure defines a storage compartment having a first tray supporting portion. The lid is attached to the main body structure for pivoting from a closed orientation completely covering the storage compartment to an open orientation exposing the storage compartment. The lid has a second tray supporting portion. The tray has a pair of projections that extend from opposite sides of the tray. The tray is movable to each of the following: a first orientation with the pair of projections supported by the first tray supporting portion within the storage compartment, a second orientation with the pair of projections inserted into the second tray supporting portion for movement with the lid, and a third orientation where the tray is completely removed and separated from the center console assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jessica Buza, Hsiao-Tung Yang, Thomas Mally
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Publication number: 20170088060Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a main body structure, a lid and a tray. The main body structure defines a storage compartment having a first tray supporting portion. The lid is attached to the main body structure for pivoting from a closed orientation completely covering the storage compartment to an open orientation exposing the storage compartment. The lid has a second tray supporting portion. The tray has a pair of projections that extend from opposite sides of the tray. The tray is movable to each of the following: a first orientation with the pair of projections supported by the first tray supporting portion within the storage compartment, a second orientation with the pair of projections inserted into the second tray supporting portion for movement with the lid, and a third orientation where the tray is completely removed and separated from the center console assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Jessica BUZA, Hsiao-Tung YANG, Thomas MALLY
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Patent number: 9598110Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment assembly has a bottom wall, a first and second upright walls and a top wall. The first upright wall, the second upright wall and the top wall are each formed with a breakaway structure. A first section is defined on a first side and a second section is defined on a second side of the breakaway structure. The bottom wall extends from the first section to the second section in the absence of the breakaway structure. The first section, the second section and the bottom wall define a storage space. The breakaway structure is configured such that in response to one of the first section and the second section receiving an impacting force the breakaway structure breaks separating the first section from the second section along the first upright wall, the second upright wall and the top wall.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Willerton, Aaron Andersen, Thomas Mally, Nicholas Bee, Brandon Sakofske
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Publication number: 20170008566Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment assembly has a bottom wall, a first and second upright walls and a top wall. The first upright wall, the second upright wall and the top wall are each formed with a breakaway structure. A first section is defined on a first side and a second section is defined on a second side of the breakaway structure. The bottom wall extends from the first section to the second section in the absence of the breakaway structure. The first section, the second section and the bottom wall define a storage space. The breakaway structure is configured such that in response to one of the first section and the second section receiving an impacting force the breakaway structure breaks separating the first section from the second section along the first upright wall, the second upright wall and the top wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2015Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Joshua WILLERTON, Aaron ANDERSEN, Thomas MALLY, Nicholas BEE, Brandon SAKOFSKE
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Patent number: 9126543Abstract: A vehicle interior structure includes a main body, a first side trim panel and a top finisher panel. The main body has a first side defining a plurality of first side attachment portions. The first side trim panel at least partially covers the first side of the main body and has a plurality of first panel attachment portions attached to the first side attachment portions of the main body. The first side trim panel also includes at least one first projection spaced apart from the first panel attachment portions and located adjacent to the upper end of the main body, the at least one first projection having an aperture. The top finisher panel covers the upper end of the main body and has at least one downwardly extending second projection that extends into the aperture of the at least one first projection retaining the first side trim panel in position.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jessica Buza, Thomas Norton, Thomas Mally, Hsiao-Tung Yang, Michael Eberlein
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Publication number: 20150232043Abstract: A vehicle interior structure includes a main body, a first side trim panel and a top finisher panel. The main body has a first side defining a plurality of first side attachment portions. The first side trim panel at least partially covers the first side of the main body and has a plurality of first panel attachment portions attached to the first side attachment portions of the main body. The first side trim panel also includes at least one first projection spaced apart from the first panel attachment portions and located adjacent to the upper end of the main body, the at least one first projection having an aperture. The top finisher panel covers the upper end of the main body and has at least one downwardly extending second projection that extends into the aperture of the at least one first projection retaining the first side trim panel in position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jessica BUZA, Thomas NORTON, Thomas MALLY, Hsiao-Tung YANG, Michael EBERLEIN
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Patent number: 8979156Abstract: A vehicle panel attachment arrangement includes a vehicle panel, a clip supporting section, a first wall section, a second wall section and at least one resilient arm. The clip supporting section defines a shaft receiving hole extending therethrough. The first and second wall sections extend from the vehicle panel to first and second sides of the clip supporting section. The clip supporting section further defines a shaft insertion slot open to the shaft receiving hole. The shaft insertion slot extends in a radial direction from the shaft receiving hole between the first and second side walls. The at least one resilient arm extends from one of the clip supporting section and the first wall section in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. A portion of the at least one resilient arm is aligned with the clip supporting section and another portion of the at least one resilient arm is offset from the clip supporting section as viewed in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Mally
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Patent number: 8915531Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a vehicle console and a support member. The vehicle console includes first and second cup holders. Each of the cup holders has an upper opening defined by a surface of the vehicle console and a bottom portion extending downwardly in the vehicle. The bottom portions of the cup holders are spaced from each other. The support member directly couples the bottom portion of the first cup holder to the bottom portion of the second cup holder. Also, the support member is spaced apart from the surface of the vehicle console that defines the upper openings.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Horton, Joseph Saroken, Douglas Sparks, Andrew Brant, Thomas Mally
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Publication number: 20140346802Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a vehicle console and a support member. The vehicle console includes first and second cup holders. Each of the cup holders has an upper opening defined by a surface of the vehicle console and a bottom portion extending downwardly in the vehicle. The bottom portions of the cup holders are spaced from each other. The support member directly couples the bottom portion of the first cup holder to the bottom portion of the second cup holder. Also, the support member is spaced apart from the surface of the vehicle console that defines the upper openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Horton, Joseph Saroken, Douglas Sparks, Andrew Brant, Thomas Mally
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Publication number: 20140284962Abstract: A vehicle panel attachment arrangement includes a vehicle panel, a clip supporting section, a first wall section, a second wall section and at least one resilient arm. The clip supporting section defines a shaft receiving hole extending therethrough. The first and second wall sections extend from the vehicle panel to first and second sides of the clip supporting section. The clip supporting section further defines a shaft insertion slot open to the shaft receiving hole. The shaft insertion slot extends in a radial direction from the shaft receiving hole between the first and second side walls. The at least one resilient arm extends from one of the clip supporting section and the first wall section in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Thomas MALLY
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Publication number: 20140152037Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a storage structure for a passenger vehicle defining a passenger compartment. In one aspect, the storage structure comprises: a storage compartment configured for providing a storage space apart from the passenger compartment and defined at least in part by an overhead surface; a storage element positionable in the storage compartment; and a suspension assembly for suspending the storage element from the overhead surface, the assembly including a first portion on the overhead surface and a second portion connectable to the storage element and configured for selective mateable engagement with the first portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Thomas Mally
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Patent number: 8740278Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a storage structure for a passenger vehicle defining a passenger compartment. In one aspect, the storage structure comprises: a storage compartment configured for providing a storage space apart from the passenger compartment and defined at least in part by an overhead surface; a storage element positionable in the storage compartment; and a suspension assembly for suspending the storage element from the overhead surface, the assembly including a first portion on the overhead surface and a second portion connectable to the storage element and configured for selective mateable engagement with the first portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Mally
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Patent number: 8651546Abstract: A vehicle center console trim assembly includes a console body and a cover. The console body includes a first side section and a ledge extending laterally from the first side section along a lower body portion of the console body. The cover is coupled to the console body and overlies a side surface of the first side section to form a side pocket between the cover and the side surface of the first side section with the ledge defining a bottom surface of the side pocket. The cover includes an upper cover portion that extends along an upper body portion of the console body, which is spaced above the lower body portion of the console body, with the upper cover portion concealing the ledge of the first side section of the console body from view in a downward vehicle looking direction from a location above the console body.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Melaina Vasko, Walter Yourke, Thomas Mally, Douglas Dawe
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Patent number: 8590931Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a steering column cover skirt attachment bracket and steering column assemblies for a vehicle. One embodiment of a steering column assembly comprises a steering column having a steering column cover, an instrument panel and a lower driver panel forming a recess for receiving the steering column and steering column cover and having an interior surface and an attachment tower extending from the interior surface. The attachment tower is configured to couple the lower driver panel to the instrument panel. A steering column cover skirt extends between the steering column cover and the lower driver panel and has a first end attached to the steering column cover and a second end attached to the lower driver panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Brant, Thomas Mally
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Patent number: 8540298Abstract: A vehicle interior trim assembly comprises first, second and third trim members. The first trim member has a first surface which includes a first mounting structure. The second trim member is positioned adjacent to the first trim member such that a first peripheral edge of the first trim member faces a second peripheral edge of the second trim member. The third trim member is more elastic than the first and second trim members and is coupled to and at least partially overlays the second trim member. The third trim member has a second surface including a second mounting structure, and a third peripheral edge of the third trim member extends beyond the second peripheral edge of the second trim member such that the second mounting structure of the third trim member engages the first mounting structure of the first trim member.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Melaina Vasko, Thomas Mally
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Publication number: 20130234463Abstract: A vehicle center console trim assembly includes a console body and a cover. The console body includes a first side section and a ledge extending laterally from the first side section along a lower body portion of the console body. The cover is coupled to the console body and overlies a side surface of the first side section to form a side pocket between the cover and the side surface of the first side section with the ledge defining a bottom surface of the side pocket. The cover includes an upper cover portion that extends along an upper body portion of the console body, which is spaced above the lower body portion of the console body, with the upper cover portion concealing the ledge of the first side section of the console body from view in a downward vehicle looking direction from a location above the console body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Melaina Vasko, Walter Yourke, Thomas Mally, Douglas Dawe
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Publication number: 20130106129Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a steering column cover skirt attachment bracket and steering column assemblies for a vehicle. One embodiment of a steering column assembly comprises a steering column having a steering column cover, an instrument panel and a lower driver panel forming a recess for receiving the steering column and steering column cover and having an interior surface and an attachment tower extending from the interior surface. The attachment tower is configured to couple the lower driver panel to the instrument panel. A steering column cover skirt extends between the steering column cover and the lower driver panel and has a first end attached to the steering column cover and a second end attached to the lower driver panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: ANDREW BRANT, THOMAS MALLY
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Patent number: 8414047Abstract: A reconfigurable console reinforcement bracket includes a first frame and first and second extension arms. In a first configuration, the first extension arm is connected to a first lateral side of the first frame at a first longitudinal end of the first frame and the second extension arm is connected to a second lateral side of the first frame at the first longitudinal end of the first frame such that the first and second extension arms extend beyond the first longitudinal end. In a second configuration, the first extension arm is connected to the first lateral side of the first frame at the second longitudinal end of the first frame and the second extension arm is connected to the second lateral side of the first frame at the second longitudinal end of the first frame such that the first and second extension arms extend beyond the second longitudinal end.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Melaina Vasko, Christopher Biggs, Thomas Mally, Douglas Dawe
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Publication number: 20130057010Abstract: A reconfigurable console reinforcement bracket includes a first frame and first and second extension arms. In a first configuration, the first extension arm is connected to a first lateral side of the first frame at a first longitudinal end of the first frame and the second extension arm is connected to a second lateral side of the first frame at the first longitudinal end of the first frame such that the first and second extension arms extend beyond the first longitudinal end. In a second configuration, the first extension arm is connected to the first lateral side of the first frame at the second longitudinal end of the first frame and the second extension arm is connected to the second lateral side of the first frame at the second longitudinal end of the first frame such that the first and second extension arms extend beyond the second longitudinal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Melaina Vasko, Christopher Biggs, Thomas Mally, Douglas Dawe
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Patent number: 8337975Abstract: A vehicle panel basically includes a skin layer, a substrate layer and a foam material. The skin layer includes an inbound facing side and an outbound facing side. The substrate layer includes an inbound facing side and an outbound facing side, with the inbound facing side of the substrate layer overlying and spaced from the outbound facing side of the skin layer to form a space therebetween. The foam material includes a first foam layer disposed in the space between the skin layer and the substrate layer and a second foam layer overlying the outbound facing side of the substrate layer, with the first and second foam layers being interconnected as a unitary member through at least one opening in the substrate layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Thomas Mally