Patents by Inventor Brian C Shepard

Brian C Shepard 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: 8870267
    Abstract: A vehicle cabin body structure a side sill, a floor fixedly attached to the side sill, a dash wall and an inner reinforcing bracket. The dash wall is fixedly being attached to the side sill and the floor at least partially defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The inner reinforcing bracket has a sill attachment section attached to an inboard surface of the side sill, a dash wall attachment section attached to an interior surface of the dash wall and a floor attachment section attached to an upper surface the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Zischke, Brian C. Shepard, Jeff Pencak, Emily Hospodar
  • Publication number: 20140001790
    Abstract: A vehicle cabin body structure a side sill, a floor fixedly attached to the side sill, a dash wall and an inner reinforcing bracket. The dash wall is fixedly being attached to the side sill and the floor at least partially defining a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The inner reinforcing bracket has a sill attachment section attached to an inboard surface of the side sill, a dash wall attachment section attached to an interior surface of the dash wall and a floor attachment section attached to an upper surface the floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan ZISCHKE, Brian C. SHEPARD, Jeff PENCAK, Emily HOSPODAR
  • Patent number: 8469442
    Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes an A-pillar support portion, a dash wall, a front structural support portion, a lateral structural support portion and a reinforcing bracket. The dash wall is attached to the A-pillar support portion and at least partially defines a wheel well. The front structural support portion extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction from the dash wall. The lateral structural support portion extends from the front structural support to the A-pillar support portion along a lower portion of the dash wall. The reinforcing bracket is attached at a first location to the A-pillar support portion, attached at a second location to the lateral structural support portion, attached at a third location to the front structural support portion and attached at a fourth location to the dash wall. The reinforcing bracket extends across an overlap connection between the dash wall and the A-pillar support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Pencak, Brian C. Shepard, Scott Nydam, Jonathan Zischke
  • Patent number: 7810870
    Abstract: A vehicle body stricture includes a vehicle frame having a pair of longitudinally extending first frame members spaced apart from one another supporting opposite lower side portions of a vehicle and a laterally extending second frame member extending between respective front portions of the first frame members. A vehicle body is supported on the vehicle frame. A bumper assembly is supported by at least one of the first frame members and the second frame member having a front bumper facia member with a lower edge that extends downward toward an underside of the second frame member. A compatibility member extends laterally between the first frame members, with at least a portion of the compatibility member extending below the second frame member. The compatibility member has at least one attachment point fixed to the second frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C Shepard, Dave Coakley
  • Publication number: 20100090499
    Abstract: A vehicle body stricture includes a vehicle frame having a pair of longitudinally extending first frame members spaced apart from one another supporting opposite lower side portions of a vehicle and a laterally extending second frame member extending between respective front portions of the first frame members. A vehicle body is supported on the vehicle frame. A bumper assembly is supported by at least one of the first frame members and the second frame member having a front bumper facia member with a lower edge that extends downward toward an underside of the second frame member. A compatibility member extends laterally between the first frame members, with at least a portion of the compatibility member extending below the second frame member. The compatibility member has at least one attachment point fixed to the second frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian C. Shepard, Dave Coakley