Patents by Inventor Brandon W. Letcher

Brandon W. Letcher 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: 10449920
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for a rear bumper snow and ice shield. In an embodiment, a corrosion prevention device may be mounted on a vehicle. The corrosion prevention device may comprise a shield, a support, a mechanism, a left rail, and a right rail. The shield may comprise a left protrusion on a left end, a right protrusion on a right end, a front end, and a rear end. The support may comprise an upper end supporting the shield, and a lower end. The mechanism may be configured to secure the support in a raised position and further configured to secure the support in a lowered position. The lower end of the support may be in contact with the mechanism. The left protrusion may be housed within the left rail and the right protrusion may be housed within the right rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Scott L. Frederick, Brandon W. Letcher
  • Patent number: 10220805
    Abstract: An attachment member may couple a radiator to a grille of an automotive vehicle. The attachment member may be easily fit into a complementary grille opening on the grille. The complementary shapes of the attachment member and the grille opening may limit movement of the attachment member relative to the grille in one or more directions. The attachment member may install from above the grille opening or horizontally slide into the grille opening. Engagement features on the attachment member may engage with surfaces of the grille opening to limit relative vertical movement. The attachment member may provide a first engagement with the grille at a first level and a second engagement with the radiator at a second level different than the first level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Brandon W. Letcher, Brandon H. Hanna, Lenny D. Gotwalt, Chad B. Pierce, Robert D. Gray, Timothy B. Dutton
  • Publication number: 20190031129
    Abstract: An attachment member may couple a radiator to a grille of an automotive vehicle. The attachment member may be easily fit into a complementary grille opening on the grille. The complementary shapes of the attachment member and the grille opening may limit movement of the attachment member relative to the grille in one or more directions. The attachment member may install from above the grille opening or horizontally slide into the grille opening. Engagement features on the attachment member may engage with surfaces of the grille opening to limit relative vertical movement. The attachment member may provide a first engagement with the grille at a first level and a second engagement with the radiator at a second level different than the first level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Brandon W. Letcher, Brandon H. Hanna, Lenny D. Gotwalt, Chad B. Pierce, Robert D. Gray, II, Timothy B. Dutton
  • Patent number: 10093260
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a hood assembly that is located above an engine compartment. A hood latch assembly includes an auxiliary latch assembly. The auxiliary latch assembly includes an auxiliary lever that unlatches the auxiliary latch assembly from the hood assembly. A front grille assembly has an auxiliary lever access location formed as an opening between the hood assembly and the front grille assembly. An auxiliary lever access panel has a closed configuration that conceals at least a portion of the opening and an open configuration that exposes the opening to access the auxiliary lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Scott L. Frederick, Brandon W. Letcher
  • Publication number: 20180222418
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a hood assembly that is located above an engine compartment. A hood latch assembly includes an auxiliary latch assembly. The auxiliary latch assembly includes an auxiliary lever that unlatches the auxiliary latch assembly from the hood assembly. A front grille assembly has an auxiliary lever access location formed as an opening between the hood assembly and the front grille assembly. An auxiliary lever access panel has a closed configuration that conceals at least a portion of the opening and an open configuration that exposes the opening to access the auxiliary lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Scott L. Frederick, Brandon W. Letcher
  • Publication number: 20180162305
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for a rear bumper snow and ice shield. In an embodiment, a corrosion prevention device may be mounted on a vehicle. The corrosion prevention device may comprise a shield, a support, a mechanism, a left rail, and a right rail. The shield may comprise a left protrusion on a left end, a right protrusion on a right end, a front end, and a rear end. The support may comprise an upper end supporting the shield, and a lower end. The mechanism may be configured to secure the support in a raised position and further configured to secure the support in a lowered position. The lower end of the support may be in contact with the mechanism. The left protrusion may be housed within the left rail and the right protrusion may be housed within the right rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Scott L. Frederick, Brandon W. Letcher
  • Publication number: 20160265674
    Abstract: A one-way drain hole plug that affords for easy, quick, and proper installation into a panel having drain hole. The one-way drain hole plug includes a seal portion made from a first material and a hollow bulb portion made from a second material that is harder and/or stronger than the first material. The hardness or strength of the second material prevents the hollow bulb portion and the base attached thereto from collapsing during installation of the one-way drain hole plug into the drain hole. However, the first material is soft or pliable enough to allow sufficient deformation of the drain hole insert as it is pushed through the drain hole and provide a liquid-tight fit with the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Brandon W. Letcher
  • Patent number: 9435453
    Abstract: A one-way drain hole plug that affords for easy, quick, and proper installation into a panel having drain hole. The one-way drain hole plug includes a seal portion made from a first material and a hollow bulb portion made from a second material that is harder and/or stronger than the first material. The hardness or strength of the second material prevents the hollow bulb portion and the base attached thereto from collapsing during installation of the one-way drain hole plug into the drain hole. However, the first material is soft or pliable enough to allow sufficient deformation of the drain hole insert as it is pushed through the drain hole and provide a liquid-tight fit with the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Brandon W. Letcher