Patents by Inventor Daniel G. SHRIVER

Daniel G. SHRIVER 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: 11021115
    Abstract: A method of filling a roof ditch of a vehicle roof assembly is provided. The method includes delivering a sealer material to a mold channel of a mold. The sealer material is heated within the mold channel at a pre-gel heating temperature forming a pre-gelled roof ditch sealer strip. The pre-gelled roof ditch sealer strip is removed from the mold. The pre-gelled roof ditch sealer strip is installed into the roof ditch of the vehicle roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Shriver, Prasanth Mohankumar
  • Patent number: 10974462
    Abstract: A fastener and method for joining dissimilar materials. The fastener has a metal body and a hollow portion. The method includes the steps of: layering a thermoplastic first component with a second component such that the first component covers an opening formed through the second component; pressing the metal fastener against the first component through the opening in the second component; and heating the thermoplastic at an interface of the metal fastener and the first component so that the thermoplastic flows into the hollow portion of the metal fastener during the step of pressing. A portion of the metal fastener is thus embedded in the thermoplastic and a joint is formed that attaches the first and second components together when the thermoplastic is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Daniel G. Shriver, Shixin Jack Hu, Mihaela Banu, Kaifeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20200331411
    Abstract: A method of filling a roof ditch of a vehicle roof assembly is provided. The method includes delivering a sealer material to a mold channel of a mold. The sealer material is heated within the mold channel at a pre-gel heating temperature forming a pre-gelled roof ditch sealer strip. The pre-gelled roof ditch sealer strip is removed from the mold. The pre-gelled roof ditch sealer strip is installed into the roof ditch of the vehicle roof assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Shriver, Prasanth Mohankumar
  • Patent number: 10800351
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof assembly including a roof having an outer facing surface and a roof ditch that extends below the outer facing surface. The roof ditch extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction between a front windshield and a rear window. A rear roof ditch molding is located at least partially within the roof ditch at a rear portion of the roof ditch. A cured roof ditch sealer extends along a front portion of the roof ditch and rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction toward the rear roof ditch molding. A roof ditch sealer dam is located between a rear end of the cured roof ditch sealer and a front end of the rear roof ditch molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Shriver, Prasanth Mohankumar
  • Publication number: 20200276940
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof assembly including a roof having an outer facing surface and a roof ditch that extends below the outer facing surface. The roof ditch extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction between a front windshield and a rear window. A rear roof ditch molding is located at least partially within the roof ditch at a rear portion of the roof ditch. A cured roof ditch sealer extends along a front portion of the roof ditch and rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction toward the rear roof ditch molding. A roof ditch sealer dam is located between a rear end of the cured roof ditch sealer and a front end of the rear roof ditch molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Shriver, Prasanth Mohankumar
  • Publication number: 20180169962
    Abstract: A fastener and method for joining dissimilar materials. The fastener has a metal body and a hollow portion. The method includes the steps of: layering a thermoplastic first component with a second component such that the first component covers an opening formed through the second component; pressing the metal fastener against the first component through the opening in the second component; and heating the thermoplastic at an interface of the metal fastener and the first component so that the thermoplastic flows into the hollow portion of the metal fastener during the step of pressing. A portion of the metal fastener is thus embedded in the thermoplastic and a joint is formed that attaches the first and second components together when the thermoplastic is cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel G. SHRIVER, Shixin Jack HU, Mihaela BANU, Kaifeng WANG