Patents by Inventor Alex B. Taylor

Alex B. Taylor 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: 11390327
    Abstract: Subframe brace apparatus and related assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle assembly includes a subframe of a vehicle, a vehicle body structure, and a brace attaching the subframe to the vehicle body structure. A body of the brace includes a first end coupled to the subframe and a second end coupled to the vehicle body structure. The first end of the body is configured to remain connected to the subframe during an offset frontal vehicle impact event in which the subframe applies a first load to the first end. The first end of the body is also configured to separate from the subframe during a full frontal vehicle impact event in which the subframe applies a second load to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, INC.
    Inventors: Kyler A. Tolman, Alex B. Taylor, Ryan M. Mahn, Robert D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210316792
    Abstract: Subframe brace apparatus and related assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed vehicle assembly includes a subframe of a vehicle, a vehicle body structure, and a brace attaching the subframe to the vehicle body structure. A body of the brace includes a first end coupled to the subframe and a second end coupled to the vehicle body structure. The first end of the body is configured to remain connected to the subframe during an offset frontal vehicle impact event in which the subframe applies a first load to the first end. The first end of the body is also configured to separate from the subframe during a full frontal vehicle impact event in which the subframe applies a second load to the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, INC.
    Inventors: Kyler A. TOLMAN, Alex B. TAYLOR, Ryan M. MAHN, Robert D. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10464611
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rocker support that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A side roof rail structure extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction along a vehicle roof assembly. A front pillar assembly is coupled to and extends upward from the rocker support to the side roof rail structure. The front pillar assembly includes a first panel that extends along a height of the front pillar assembly at a front side of the front pillar assembly. A second panel extends along the height of the front pillar assembly that is connected to the first panel at least partially defining an enclosed cavity that extends along the height of the front pillar assembly. The first panel is formed of a material having a lower minimum tensile strength than a material forming the second panel thereby forming a zone of reduced minimum tensile strength along the front side of the front pillar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. J. Piper, Alex B. Taylor, Jonathan R. Young
  • Publication number: 20190185064
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rocker support that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A side roof rail structure extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction along a vehicle roof assembly. A front pillar assembly is coupled to and extends upward from the rocker support to the side roof rail structure. The front pillar assembly includes a first panel that extends along a height of the front pillar assembly at a front side of the front pillar assembly. A second panel extends along the height of the front pillar assembly that is connected to the first panel at least partially defining an enclosed cavity that extends along the height of the front pillar assembly. The first panel is formed of a material having a lower minimum tensile strength than a material forming the second panel thereby forming a zone of reduced minimum tensile strength along the front side of the front pillar assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C.J. Piper, Alex B. Taylor, Jonathan R. Young