Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Cater

Christopher R. Cater 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).

  • Gusset assemblies and vehicles including gusset assemblies
    Patent number: 10745054
    Abstract: A gusset assembly of a vehicle that includes a pillar structure that extends in a vehicle vertical direction, a cross member that extends in a vehicle lateral direction, and a gusset positioned between and coupled to the pillar structure and the cross member. The gusset configured to transfer an impact load from the pillar structure to the cross member. The gusset assembly includes a gusset crushbox positioned between the pillar structure and the cross member, with the gusset crushbox disposed within the gusset. The gusset crushbox configured to deform to absorb a portion of the impact load applied to the pillar structure during a side impact and to distribute the impact load from the pillar structure to the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin E. Dominic, Christopher R. Cater
  • GUSSET ASSEMBLIES AND VEHICLES INCLUDING GUSSET ASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20200130748
    Abstract: A gusset assembly of a vehicle that includes a pillar structure that extends in a vehicle vertical direction, a cross member that extends in a vehicle lateral direction, and a gusset positioned between and coupled to the pillar structure and the cross member. The gusset configured to transfer an impact load from the pillar structure to the cross member. The gusset assembly includes a gusset crushbox positioned between the pillar structure and the cross member, with the gusset crushbox disposed within the gusset. The gusset crushbox configured to deform to absorb a portion of the impact load applied to the pillar structure during a side impact and to distribute the impact load from the pillar structure to the cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin E. Dominic, Christopher R. Cater