Patents by Inventor Alexander C. Winter

Alexander C. Winter 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: 9321495
    Abstract: A method of assembling a front end assembly of a vehicle is provided. The method includes integrally forming a positioning and reinforcement structure having a relatively rectilinear configuration comprising a top support member, a bottom support member, a first side member and a second side member. The method also includes detachably coupling a first wing structure to the first side member. The method further includes operably mounting a first fender assembly to a first side flange of the first wing structure. The method yet further includes operably coupling a centering bracket proximate the top support member. The method also includes locating and centering the positioning and reinforcement structure to a hood with the centering bracket. The method further includes fixedly securing the positioning and reinforcement structure to a radiator support disposed rearwardly of the positioning and reinforcement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Alexander C. Winter, David R. Galloway, Arthur M. Melander, Christopher C. Cook
  • Patent number: 9016772
    Abstract: A fascia support structure for a vehicle includes a top portion, the top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle. The structure also includes a bottom portion attached to the first side fascia support member and the second side fascia support member, the bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle and an integrated locking structure disposed on a surface. A front fascia for a vehicle includes a viewable surface and an opposed structural surface, the structural surface comprising an integrated locking member, the integrated locking member configured for interlocking mating engagement with a fascia support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Alexander C. Winter
  • Patent number: 8979180
    Abstract: A detachable positioning and reinforcement structure includes a first wing structure operably coupled to a first automotive component. Also included is a second wing structure operably coupled to a second automotive component. Further included is a central portion removably coupled to the first wing structure, the second wing structure and a third automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Alexander C. Winter
  • Patent number: 8931828
    Abstract: A grill opening reinforcement (GOR) assembly of a vehicle is provided. The GOR assembly includes a shutter body formed to define a first opening, a front fascia and a seal. The shutter body includes a top portion, first and second side support members and a bottom portion. The front fascia is formed to define a second opening and is supportively attachable to the shutter body. The seal is disposable on a leading edge of at least one of the first and second side support members and the bottom portion and is configured to define an airflow path from the second opening to the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Alexander C. Winter
  • Publication number: 20140191538
    Abstract: A detachable positioning and reinforcement structure includes a first wing structure operably coupled to a first automotive component. Also included is a second wing structure operably coupled to a second automotive component. Further included is a central portion removably coupled to the first wing structure, the second wing structure and a third automotive component disposed rearwardly of the central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Alexander C. Winter
  • Patent number: 8746783
    Abstract: A positioning and reinforcement structure for a vehicle includes a top support member and a bottom support member each extending relatively horizontally in a cross-car orientation and relatively parallel to each other. Also included is a first side member and a second side member each extending relatively vertically and relatively parallel to each other, the first side member and the second side member each coupled to the top support member and the bottom support member. Further included is a first wing structure detachably coupled to the first side member, the first wing structure comprising a first side flange configured to operably mount to a first fender assembly. Yet further included is a centering bracket disposed proximate a top side of the top support member, the centering bracket configured to locate a front region of a hood to the positioning and reinforcement structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Alexander C. Winter, Arthur M. Melander, David R. Galloway, Christopher C. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140132035
    Abstract: A fascia support structure for a vehicle includes a top portion, the top portion comprising a substantially U-shaped body comprising a top fascia support member, a first side fascia support member and a second side fascia support member, the first side fascia support member having a first side baffle, the second side fascia support member having a second side baffle. The structure also includes a bottom portion attached to the first side fascia support member and the second side fascia support member, the bottom portion comprising a bottom baffle and an integrated locking structure disposed on a surface. A front fascia for a vehicle includes a viewable surface and an opposed structural surface, the structural surface comprising an integrated locking member, the integrated locking member configured for interlocking mating engagement with a fascia support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Alexander C. Winter
  • Publication number: 20140132034
    Abstract: A grill opening reinforcement (GOR) assembly of a vehicle is provided. The GOR assembly includes a shutter body formed to define a first opening, a front fascia and a seal. The shutter body includes a top portion, first and second side support members and a bottom portion. The front fascia is formed to define a second opening and is supportively attachable to the shutter body. The seal is disposable on a leading edge of at least one of the first and second side support members and the bottom portion and is configured to define an airflow path from the second opening to the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Alexander C. Winter
  • Publication number: 20140059859
    Abstract: A method of assembling a front end assembly of a vehicle is provided. The method includes integrally forming a positioning and reinforcement structure having a relatively rectilinear configuration comprising a top support member, a bottom support member, a first side member and a second side member. The method also includes detachably coupling a first wing structure to the first side member. The method further includes operably mounting a first fender assembly to a first side flange of the first wing structure. The method yet further includes operably coupling a centering bracket proximate the top support member. The method also includes locating and centering the positioning and reinforcement structure to a hood with the centering bracket. The method further includes fixedly securing the positioning and reinforcement structure to a radiator support disposed rearwardly of the positioning and reinforcement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Alexander C. Winter, David R. Galloway, Arthur M. Melander, Christopher C. Cook
  • Publication number: 20140062140
    Abstract: A positioning and reinforcement structure for a vehicle includes a top support member and a bottom support member each extending relatively horizontally in a cross-car orientation and relatively parallel to each other. Also included is a first side member and a second side member each extending relatively vertically and relatively parallel to each other, the first side member and the second side member each coupled to the top support member and the bottom support member. Further included is a first wing structure detachably coupled to the first side member, the first wing structure comprising a first side flange configured to operably mount to a first fender assembly. Yet further included is a centering bracket disposed proximate a top side of the top support member, the centering bracket configured to locate a front region of a hood to the positioning and reinforcement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James M. Townson, Mark L. Felzien, Alexander C. Winter, Arthur M. Melander, David R. Galloway, Christopher C. Cook