Patents by Inventor Christopher K. Horn

Christopher K. Horn 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: 7731268
    Abstract: A support bracket for an armrest assembly having a pull-handle or pull-cup is provided for use in a motorized vehicle. The support bracket includes a generally horizontal support member configured to extend, at least in part, adjacent to or through an internal cavity of the pull-handle/pull-cup. The support bracket also includes at least two, but preferably three leg members spaced apart from one another and operatively attached at respective first ends to the support member. Each leg member extends downward from the support member in an oblique manner to attach at a respective second end to an inner support panel. The leg members are configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition, and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition. The leg members create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted to the armrest assembly to the vehicle interior surface as a substantially vertical force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Motowski, Gaurav Sharma, Christopher K. Horn, Charles J. Wawa
  • Publication number: 20090200831
    Abstract: A support bracket for an armrest assembly having a pull-handle or pull-cup is provided for use in a motorized vehicle. The support bracket includes a generally horizontal support member configured to extend, at least in part, adjacent to or through an internal cavity of the pull-handle/pull-cup. The support bracket also includes at least two, but preferably three leg members spaced apart from one another and operatively attached at respective first ends to the support member. Each leg member extends downward from the support member in an oblique manner to attach at a respective second end to an inner support panel. The leg members are configured to sustain a predetermined minimum vertical loading condition, and controllably deform under a predetermined threshold lateral loading condition. The leg members create a load path for transferring vertical loads imparted to the armrest assembly to the vehicle interior surface as a substantially vertical force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter F. Motowski, Gaurav Sharma, Christopher K. Horn, Charles J. Wawa