Patents by Inventor David SMOLIK
David SMOLIK 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).
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Patent number: 11858320Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a support structure, a sunvisor panel and an energy absorbing structure. The support structure is attached to a vehicle body structure adjacent to a first area of a windscreen. The sunvisor panel has first end and a second end. The first end is supported by the support structure and pivots about an upright axis and about an offset axis that is not parallel to the upright axis. The energy absorbing structure is installed to the vehicle body structure adjacent to a second area of the windscreen spaced apart from the first area and has a downwardly extending projection. A second attachment end of the sunvisor panel aligns with the downwardly extending projection. The energy absorbing structure is configured to absorb energy from an object moving in a forward direction contacting the sunvisor panel with the first attachment end being attached to the second attachment end.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Neil Andrew Francus, David Smolik, Stacey Warner, Evan Alford
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Patent number: 11858321Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a sunvisor panel and an energy absorbing structure. The sunvisor panel has a first end and a second attachment end. The first end is supported to a vehicle for pivotal movement about an upright axis and movement about an offset axis that is not parallel to the upright axis. The energy absorbing structure is installed to the vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a downwardly extending projection with a second attachment end that aligns with the first attachment end such that with the first attachment end of the sunvisor panel pivoted to the second attachment end, the first attachment end releasably attaches to the second attachment end. The energy absorbing structure is configured to pivot upward in response to an object contacting the sunvisor panel, transferring forward momentum to the second attachment end and to the energy absorbing structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Neil Andrew Francus, David Smolik
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Publication number: 20230398841Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a support structure, a sunvisor panel and an energy absorbing structure. The support structure is attached to a vehicle body structure adjacent to a first area of a windscreen. The sunvisor panel has first end and a second end. The first end is supported by the support structure and pivots about an upright axis and about an offset axis that is not parallel to the upright axis. The energy absorbing structure is installed to the vehicle body structure adjacent to a second area of the windscreen spaced apart from the first area and has a downwardly extending projection. A second attachment end of the sunvisor panel aligns with the downwardly extending projection. The energy absorbing structure is configured to absorb energy from an object moving in a forward direction contacting the sunvisor panel with the first attachment end being attached to the second attachment end.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Neil Andrew FRANCUS, David SMOLIK, Stacey WARNER, Evan ALFORD
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Publication number: 20230398842Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a sunvisor panel and an energy absorbing structure. The sunvisor panel has a first end and a second attachment end. The first end is supported to a vehicle for pivotal movement about an upright axis and movement about an offset axis that is not parallel to the upright axis. The energy absorbing structure is installed to the vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a downwardly extending projection with a second attachment end that aligns with the first attachment end such that with the first attachment end of the sunvisor panel pivoted to the second attachment end, the first attachment end releasably attaches to the second attachment end. The energy absorbing structure is configured to pivot upward in response to an object contacting the sunvisor panel, transferring forward momentum to the second attachment end and to the energy absorbing structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Neil Andrew FRANCUS, David SMOLIK
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Publication number: 20230311776Abstract: The present disclosure describes a vehicle console that includes: a housing defining an inner chamber; a panel that is movable in relation to the housing such that the vehicle console is reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration; and an actuation assembly including a scissor lift that is connected to the panel to facilitate reconfiguration of the vehicle console between the first configuration and the second configuration. When the vehicle console is in the first configuration, the panel is generally flush with an outer surface of the housing, and when the vehicle console is in the second configuration, the panel is recessed into the housing so as to define a storage compartment that is configured to receive a personal article.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Qudsia Lone, Thomas Cho, David Smolik, Adam Decraene, David K. Shimokochi
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Patent number: 11572020Abstract: A passenger compartment storage assembly includes a storage structure, a first storage box and a box retaining structure. The storage structure is fixed to a floor of a passenger compartment of a vehicle and having a storage compartment defined therein. The first storage box has a predetermined overall shape. The box retaining structure is configured and dimensioned to releasably retain the first storage box. The storage compartment is dimensioned and configured to receive the first storage box and the box retaining structure within the storage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: David Smolik, Neil Francus
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Publication number: 20220410984Abstract: A vehicle tailgate adapter assembly includes a vehicle tailgate module, a plurality of first fasteners and an adapter plate. The vehicle tailgate module has a plurality of openings. The adapter plate has a plurality of first openings that correspond to the openings of the tailgate. The first openings and the openings of the tailgate receiving the first fasteners therethrough when the adapter plate is installed to the tailgate. The adapter plate has a plurality of second openings arranged to be offset of the first openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventor: David SMOLIK
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Patent number: 11433952Abstract: A vehicle work area assembly includes a tailgate moved to a horizontally oriented position. The tailgate has a main surface with a utility track fixed thereto. A fence accessory is releasably attached to the utility track and is positioned and fixed to any of a plurality of locations to the utility track. The fence accessory defines a stop location for one end of a workpiece. A clamp accessory releasably attaches to the utility track such that the clamp accessory temporarily clamps the workpiece to the main surface such that the workpiece can be measured and/or cut.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: David Smolik
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Publication number: 20220176882Abstract: A passenger compartment storage assembly includes a storage structure, a first storage box and a box retaining structure. The storage structure is fixed to a floor of a passenger compartment of a vehicle and having a storage compartment defined therein. The first storage box has a predetermined overall shape. The box retaining structure is configured and dimensioned to releasably retain the first storage box. The storage compartment is dimensioned and configured to receive the first storage box and the box retaining structure within the storage compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: David SMOLIK, Neil FRANCUS
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Publication number: 20220169320Abstract: A vehicle work area assembly includes a tailgate moved to a horizontally oriented position. The tailgate has a main surface with a utility track fixed thereto. A fence accessory is releasably attached to the utility track and is positioned and fixed to any of a plurality of locations to the utility track. The fence accessory defines a stop location for one end of a workpiece. A clamp accessory releasably attaches to the utility track such that the clamp accessory temporarily clamps the workpiece to the main surface such that the workpiece can be measured and/or cut.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventor: David SMOLIK
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Patent number: 10906469Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a console box and an insert. The console box is for a vehicle center console. The insert is removably disposed in a storage compartment of the console box and has a bottommost panel that is supported on a bottommost panel of the console box.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: David Smolik, Michael McDuffie
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Publication number: 20200247323Abstract: A vehicle console assembly includes a console box and an insert. The console box is for a vehicle center console. The insert is removably disposed in a storage compartment of the console box and has a bottommost panel that is supported on a bottommost panel of the console box.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: David SMOLIK, Michael MCDUFFIE