Patents by Inventor Edwin J. Bates

Edwin J. Bates 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).

  • Systems and methods for opening and closing vehicle doors during manufacturing
    Patent number: 12623740
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to the opening and closing of vehicle doors during manufacturing. In one embodiment, a vehicle door-opening system includes 1) a plate attachable to a vehicle door and 2) a pin inserted into a pin sleeve of the plate. The pin extends downward from the vehicle door. The vehicle door-opening system also includes a set of channels on lateral sides of the vehicle. The set of channels extend in a direction of travel of the vehicle along a manufacturing line. A channel receives and guides the pin as the vehicle moves along the manufacturing line. As the vehicle moves, an interaction between the pin and a curve in the channel opens and closes the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Andrew DJ Gifford, Matthew Neal Jantzi, Graham A. Condon, Edwin J. Bates, Christlin Francis, Curtis Cochrane, Nathan Andrew Swick, Solomon HC Au-Yeung, Ankush Patil
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING VEHICLE DOORS DURING MANUFACTURING
    Publication number: 20250333129
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to the opening and closing of vehicle doors during manufacturing. In one embodiment, a vehicle door-opening system includes 1) a plate attachable to a vehicle door and 2) a pin inserted into a pin sleeve of the plate. The pin extends downward from the vehicle door. The vehicle door-opening system also includes a set of channels on lateral sides of the vehicle. The set of channels extend in a direction of travel of the vehicle along a manufacturing line. A channel receives and guides the pin as the vehicle moves along the manufacturing line. As the vehicle moves, an interaction between the pin and a curve in the channel opens and closes the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Andrew DJ Gifford, Matthew Neal Jantzi, Graham A. Condon, Edwin J. Bates, Christlin Francis, Curtis Cochrane, Nathan Andrew Swick, Solomon HC Au-Yeung, Ankush Patil