Patents Examined by Jason Morrow
  • Vehicle windshield sunshade
    Patent number: 7114759
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle windshield sunshade includes a shade that can be folded horizontally in an overlapping manner for resting on a top of a vehicle dashboard when it is not used. At least two attaching points attach a bottom edge of the shade to the dashboard. A hook with a handle attaches to a top fold of the sunshade and may hook over the supporting beam of rearview mirror and hang the sunshade opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: Taiming Chen, Tzu-Hsin Yang
  • Thermal barriers and seals for climate controlled transportation
    Patent number: 7114756
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a thermal barrier can be removably attached to portals such as trailer doors, partitions, bulkheads, and the like. In one embodiment, a flexible thermal barrier having an associated flexible seal is attached to an interior surface of a roll-up trailer door in a refrigerated trailer to insulate the cargo area from the ambient air. In other embodiments, seals mounted to the trailer wall cooperate with an insulating blanket disposed on a portal such as a roll-up door. In still other embodiments, wall mounted seals are used alone, without a blanket, to provide peripheral thermal sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: FG Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Nelson
  • Door visor for vehicle
    Patent number: 7114761
    Abstract: A door visor for a vehicle comprising a visor portion which extends from the front end of a window sash of the vehicle to the rear end of the window sash, and protrudes outward and downward of the vehicle from the top end of the window sash of the vehicle, a protrusion body extending in the vertical direction of the visor portion and protruding toward the vehicle from the inner surface of the visor portion, and provided approximately in parallel to the vertical direction of the rear end of the window sash and the vertical direction of the rear end of a window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Access Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Kodama, Hiroshi Takakura, Daisuke Watanabe, Tadao Motohashi
  • Storage apparatus for vehicle
    Patent number: 7114758
    Abstract: In a storage apparatus for a vehicle including a lid which can rotate about a pivot, and a damper device having a cord-like connecting member and adapted to generate damping force against pulling force from the connecting member, wherein a connecting wire (the connecting member) is pulled, when the lid rotates in one direction, thereby to generate the damping force in the damper device, it is so constructed that a damping force control member having a guide face for the connecting wire is fixed to the lid, and when the lid has rotated in a direction of receiving the damping force, the connecting wire is wound around the guide face and pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ichioka, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Pivoting cage cargo retainer for pick-up trucks
    Patent number: 7111886
    Abstract: A pivoting cage cargo bed extender is pivotally mounted to the D-pillars of a pick-up truck to be pivotally movable between a forward position and a rearward position. In the rearward position, the pivoting cage serves as a supplemental tailgate structure that rests on the open tailgate to extend the operative area of the cargo bed. The pivoting cage is formed of individual segments that are hinged together and separable at the center into two halves that are each collapsible into a stowed position adjacent the respective side wall of the cargo bed. The two halves of the cargo bed are connectable with a latching mechanism at the center to form a pivoting cage structure that spans transversely across the floor of the cargo bed. The latching mechanism compresses an internal O-ring to provide a tight connection between the two halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Miller, Kian-Huat Tan, Nelson Roos, Jerry W. Srutwa
  • Pivotable and interchangeable console
    Patent number: 7111883
    Abstract: A center console for a motor vehicle comprising a stationary housing mounted within the vehicle. The housing includes an open center defined between opposing ends and has a console body mounted within the open center of the housing. The console body is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running through the console body and is mounted such that an operator may remove the body from the frame. Also, at least two longitudinal side walls of the rotating body are visible within the open center and the console body may be rotated such that alternate side walls may be positioned in an uppermost position with respect to the center console. Thus, a user may exchange the console body for another and access multiple sides of the console body, regardless of which is in the uppermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Udit Patel, Sunil Palakodati, Mohan R. Paruchuri, Balaji Bharadwaj, Abha Tiwari
  • Elevated movable cargo tray for vehicle
    Patent number: 7111887
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to an easy to install and remove, elevated, lockable, retractable cargo tray for pickup trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles and other service type vehicles that leaves the floor of the storage area clear for large or heavy tools while providing an accessible storage tray for tools or other often used supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Patrick S. Cooley
  • Trim assembly and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7108313
    Abstract: A trim assembly suitable for attachment to a door has an interior portion, wherein the interior portion includes at least one retaining mechanism, integrally formed thereon, and wherein the at least one retaining mechanism extends from the trim panel, and a seal having first and second sides, wherein the first side of the seal is adapted to bond to the door frame, and wherein the second side of the seal is capable of being removably retained by the interior portion of the trim panel by the at least one retaining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Forrester, Thomas Jalosky, Jim Gruber
  • Method of forming a vehicle panel assembly
    Patent number: 7108311
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a laminated vehicle trim panel includes initially positioning a flexible first material within a mold cavity of a first mold portion. A second mold portion for closing the cavity of the first mold portion is then provided. A second material is introduced into the mold cavity to form a substrate, such that the substrate and the first material form a laminated vehicle trim panel. A portion of the substrate between the outer peripheral edge of the substrate and a second portion of the substrate defines a brim. The brim has a mounting feature for attaching the laminated vehicle trim panel to a second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Dooley, Alan G. Dry, Thomas W. Spanos
  • Trim element, especially for the interior of a motor vehicle, and a method for the manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 7100958
    Abstract: A trim element (1) includes a base element (2) of rigid plastic material, a supple skin (4), and a layer of foam (6), the trim element having a principle region (8) and a marginal region (10). The marginal region (10) includes an end region (16) in which the base element has a substantially constant thickness (e16) and the layer of foam is absent, and a coupling region (18) at a distance from the edge (12) of the base element (2) and the edge (14) of the skin (4) and in which the base element (2) has a thickness (e16) smaller than the thickness (e16) in the end region (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Daniel Ory
  • Ventilation structure of automobile door
    Patent number: 7100966
    Abstract: There is provided a ventilation structure formed in an automobile door, which is made up of a door inner panel having a hole therethrough. A door hole seal is installed in an interior side of the door inner panel. The door hole seal has a slit or an air hole nearby the hole of the door inner panel, and it covers at least the hole. A door trim is installed on the interior side of the door inner panel sandwiching the door hole seal in combination with the door inner panel. There is/are partially or successively formed a gap or gaps between a periphery of the door trim and the door inner panel. At the time the door is closed, the air in the interior of an automobile is ejected to the exterior of the automobile through the gap or the gaps, the slit or the air hole, and a drain hole which is formed in the door inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kohara, Takashi Yamashita
  • Upholstered visor with map strap
    Patent number: 7097227
    Abstract: A visor assembly having a slip-on upholstered sleeve and a mating snap-in stretchable accessory band for holding maps and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hammond, Donald J. Woodward
  • Power actuator system for actuating a closure member
    Patent number: 7097230
    Abstract: Provided is a power actuator system for actuating a closure member (1) such as a trunk lid which is compact in size and has a minimized protrusion. A first link (8) is connected to an output shaft of a powered actuator (7), and a free end of the first link is connected to an end of a second link (9). The other end of the second link is pivotally connected to a hinge arm (4) which is fixedly attached to a closure member and pivotally supports the closure member to a fixed part such as a vehicle body. The first link is adapted to extend substantially from the output shaft towards the closure member as the first link swing around the output shaft, and the second link extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignees: Mitsuba Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Ishihara, Takao Ochiai, Junichi Busujima, Tatsuya Kaneko, Yoshinori Miyake, Tomofumi Ichinose, Kenichi Munenaga
  • Truss for a vehicle chassis
    Patent number: 7097232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle chassis having a lower level, an intermediate level, and two lateral sides subject to static and dynamic loads. At least one lateral side comprises a reinforcing truss mounted between the lower and intermediate levels for supporting the static and dynamic loads. The truss includes an upper longitudinal beam mounted at the intermediate level of the chassis; a lower longitudinal beam mounted at the lower level, spaced from and parallel to the upper longitudinal beam; and at least two connecting members extending perpendicularly between the upper and lower longitudinal beams. The connecting members cooperate with the upper and lower beams to define at least one bay having an outline substantially in registry with the outline of the at least one storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Prevost Car Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Beaudry, Gregory Richard Delbridge
  • Overhead console locking mechanism
    Patent number: 7093874
    Abstract: An overhead console removably mounts to a rail system attached to a vehicle ceiling, the mounting system comprising a flange with a fixed projection on a first side, and a retractable catch on an opposing side. The fixed projection is adapted for inserting in a slot on its respective side rail. The retractable catch can be extended for insertion into a slot in its respective side rail. One embodiment of the retractable catch is a spring-loaded hook which is inserted into its slot against the bias of the spring, and engages the inside face of the slot under the force of the spring. The body of the hook bears on a lower side of the slot to hold the weight of the overhead console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Brettfeld, Scott Munro
  • Transformable vehicle
    Patent number: 7093870
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a transformable vehicle body having a first body configuration and a second body configuration. The first body configuration resembles a wagon-style vehicle that includes a fully enclosed passenger space and cargo area. The second body configuration resembles a pickup truck that includes a contracted enclosed passenger space and an open cargo area behind the contracted enclosed passenger space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Roger Kim, David Michael Lechkun, Anthony Prozzi
  • Golf cart trunk
    Patent number: 7093872
    Abstract: A golf cart trunk has a trunk enclosure (1) affixed to at least one support component (2) proximate aft of a seat (3) of a golf cart (4). The trunk enclosure includes a predetermined door (7) that is openable, closable and lockably closed with a lock (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventors: Robert L. Stanfield, Paul H. Wylie
  • Trim assembly having an integrated grommet and method of making the same
    Patent number: 7090284
    Abstract: An interior trim assembly comprises a substrate member forming at least a part of the structural support of the trim assembly and having a front surface adapted to face the interior of the automobile and a back surface adapted to face opposite the front surface. The substrate member includes a connecting member integrally molded with the substrate member and having an aperture formed therethrough. A grommet is integrally molded in the aperture. Preferably, the substrate member has a hardness and the grommet has a hardness that is relatively lower than the hardness of the substrate member. A two-shot molding process may be used to make the trim assembly with the substrate member and connecting member being formed in the first shot and the grommet being formed in the second shot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A Cowelchuk, Randy S Reed, Michael P Schoemann, John D Youngs
  • Powered camper top lift system
    Patent number: 7090286
    Abstract: A cableless power lift assembly for raising and lowering the roof structure or camper top of a pop-up camper includes an elongated drive housing mounted to the base of a pop-up camper and a pair of aligned left and right threaded screw drives mounted in the drive housing for rotatable movement therein. A motor is attached to the left and right screw drives for rotatably driving the screw drives to raise the camper top upon actuation of said motor in a first direction and lower the camper top upon actuation of the motor in an opposite second direction. In addition, collapsible lifting apparatus is also provided for moving the camper top between a generally horizontal lowered or collapsed position and a generally horizontal raised or extended position. In a preferred embodiment, an air conditioning unit is mounted in the camper top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hallmark Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Foreth, William M. Ward
  • Cosmetic-plastic window covering for automobile
    Patent number: 7090283
    Abstract: A very thin, flexible and light weight transparent plastic that replaces a broken side and/or rear window for temporary use or pleasure. This durable and clear plastic can keep cold air and rain out of the interior of the car, and when needed, it keeps heat and air conditioning inside of the vehicle. Its primary design is to prevent easy access to automobiles with broken or damaged windows. This strong, but durable transparent plastic covering fits snug and tight into the creases of the vehicle's window frame. A strong, clear adhesive is used to help support the plastic window covering, in order to keep it securely in place. The plastic window covering is also called a cosmetic window covering, because it can be used fashionably, as well as a necessity. The window covering can be used in various shades of tinted colors, for the purpose of fashion, privacy and style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Drake Farley