Patents Represented by Attorney Earl J. LaFontaine, Esq.
  • Patent number: 7226113
    Abstract: An armrest (54) for a vehicle (52) includes a substrate (70), an armrest casing (62), and an insert (56). The armrest casing (62) has an upper portion (81) with an arm-resting surface (83). The insert (56) includes a non-foam material and resides between the substrate (70) and the upper portion (81). The armrest casing (62) covers a portion of the substrate (70) and the insert (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Dreier, Dennis Surdu, Robert Ender, Charles E. Roe
  • Patent number: 7221266
    Abstract: A thematic vehicle interior (10) is provided. The thematic vehicle interior (10) is comprised of a passenger cabin, a cosmetic trim (14) for attachment to the vehicle (12) within the passenger cabin, and a feedback system (16) for playing one or more audio programs. The audio programs are utilized in combination with the cosmetic trim (14) for creating a predetermined theme. Additionally, the audio programs are also utilized for indicating one or more predetermined vehicle conditions. The vehicle conditions include one or more of the following: an open-door condition, a low-fuel condition, a maintenance-required condition, a low-tire-pressure condition, a headlights-on condition, a key-in-the-ignition condition, an unfastened-seatbelt condition, an engine-start condition, and an engine-shut-off condition. Also, the thematic vehicle interior (10) includes a sensor (18) for detecting a vehicle condition and actuating the feedback system (16) to play the audio program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A. Cowelchuk, David Hein