Patents by Inventor Brian Flaman

Brian Flaman 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: 6719347
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base having a surface, a rear panel pivotally attached to the base, and a locking member configured to releasably secure the rear panel in an open position, wherein the locking member is configured to move independently relative to the rear panel and upwardly and downwardly relative to the base, and wherein the rear panel is allowed to pivot when the locking member is moved upwardly and wherein the rear panel is maintained in the open position when the locking member is moved downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6676184
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6676185
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. A pair or partition panels are pivotally attached to the base surface in adjacent spaced apart relationship and are movable between a closed position in face-to-face relation with the base and an open position substantially transverse to the base surface and the rear panel. A handle is connected to the pair of partitions panels that is configured to be grasped by a user to move the partition panels in tandem from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6672640
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes an elongate planar panel pivotally attached to a vehicle floor and movable between a stored position in face-to-face contacting relation with the floor and an operative position in spaced-apart, face-to-face relation with the floor such that the panel can serve the function of a table and/or shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20030218347
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20030214144
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20030209919
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6623059
    Abstract: Portable apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that are manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base with a surface and a rear panel pivotally attached to the base that is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel and are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. One or more partition panels may be provided that are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel (or base surface) and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6623060
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base, expandable walls, and a panel. The panel is pivotally attached to the base via the expandable walls and is movable between a closed position in overlying, face-to-face relation with the base and an oven position disposed substantially transverse to the base. The expandable walls each include a plurality of members pinned together at a first end and having opposite free ends. The members of each expandable wall are configured to move from a stacked relationship to a fanned relationship when the panel is moved from a closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6609744
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel. One or more partition panels that are movably attached to either the rear panel or to the base surface, may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: Thomas F. J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20030090121
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20030000982
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20020190535
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Publication number: 20020014777
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing items within vehicle compartments that can be manipulated into an operative position and a closed position with a single hand are provided. Apparatus includes a base disposed on or within a vehicle compartment floor and having a surface that is exposed to the vehicle compartment when the apparatus is in an operative (i.e., open) position. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the base and is movable between a closed position overlying the base surface and an open position substantially normal to the base surface. End panels are movably attached to respective end portions of the rear panel. The end panels are movable between a stored position in face-to-face relation with the rear panel and an operative position disposed substantially normal to the base surface and to the rear panel. The end panels move from their respective stored positions to operative positions in response to movement of the rear panel from its closed position to its open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas F.J. Gehring, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski, Brian Flaman
  • Patent number: 6296289
    Abstract: A storage assembly is disclosed for use in a storage area of a motor vehicle. The storage assembly includes a primary support that is pivotally secured to a load floor of the storage area or the floor covering that covers the load floor. The primary support is a wall that pivots between a stowed position and a use position. Attached to the primary support is a side wall. The side wall also pivots between two positions, i.e., a collapsed position and an extended position. The side wall and the primary support define a space within the storage area that is secure for storing a small object therein without having it shift or tip over during the operation of the motor vehicle. When not desired, it folds down against the load floor and is out of the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Franz Joseph Gehring, Brian Flaman, Dejan Havidic, Ireneusz Jankowski