Patents by Inventor Eric A. Watterworth

Eric A. Watterworth 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: 10106086
    Abstract: A structure for a vehicle includes a lower frame member and an upper frame member. A pillar extends from the lower frame member to the upper frame member and a step is carried by the pillar between the lower frame member and upper frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph N. Eckstein, Eric A. Watterworth, James Logan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180281686
    Abstract: A structure for a vehicle includes a lower frame member and an upper frame member. A pillar extends from the lower frame member to the upper frame member and a step is carried by the pillar between the lower frame member and upper frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph N. Eckstein, Eric A. Watterworth, James Logan, JR.
  • Patent number: 9517741
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel deflector bracket and method is provided. The bracket is attachable to a vehicle having a wheel, a door, and a body structure supporting a door hinge. The bracket is configured to deflect a force from the wheel to the body structure and away from the door hinge when the bracket is attached to the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo
  • Publication number: 20160001727
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel deflector bracket and method is provided. The bracket is attachable to a vehicle having a wheel, a door, and a body structure supporting a door hinge. The bracket is configured to deflect a force from the wheel to the body structure and away from the door hinge when the bracket is attached to the body structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo
  • Patent number: 9180761
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a body strap having a main body. The main body defines a first surface end and a second surface opposite the first body end. The body strap includes a first pin support and a second pin support. The first and second pin supports extend from the main body. The body strap includes a protrusion extending from the second body end of the main body. The protrusion defines a first protrusion end and a second protrusion end opposite the first protrusion end. The hinge assembly further includes a door strap partially disposed between the first and second pin supports and a pin movably interconnecting the body strap and the door strap. The pin extends along an axis and is supported by the first and second pin supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo, Steven A. Stahn
  • Publication number: 20150314673
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a body strap having a main body. The main body defines a first surface end and a second surface opposite the first body end. The body strap includes a first pin support and a second pin support. The first and second pin supports extend from the main body. The body strap includes a protrusion extending from the second body end of the main body. The protrusion defines a first protrusion end and a second protrusion end opposite the first protrusion end. The hinge assembly further includes a door strap partially disposed between the first and second pin supports and a pin movably interconnecting the body strap and the door strap. The pin extends along an axis and is supported by the first and second pin supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo, Steven A. Stahn
  • Patent number: 8414137
    Abstract: An inside rearview mirror bracket for a windscreen includes a pad portion configured to attach to an interior of the windscreen. A bridge portion is formed as a single piece with the pad portion, and a tunnel is defined by the bridge portion and the pad portion. The mirror bracket includes a mirror receptacle formed as a single piece with the bridge portion opposite the tunnel. The mirror receptacle is configured to receive a rearview mirror. A sensor member may be configured to substantially fill the tunnel, such that the sensor member is disposed intermediate the bridge portion and the windscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Quinn, Nicholas P. Nagrant, Eric A. Watterworth, Dennis B. Kazensky, Mark M. Hadley, Thomas D. Hagen
  • Publication number: 20120105990
    Abstract: An inside rearview mirror bracket for a windscreen includes a pad portion configured to attach to an interior of the windscreen. A bridge portion is formed as a single piece with the pad portion, and a tunnel is defined by the bridge portion and the pad portion. The mirror bracket includes a mirror receptacle formed as a single piece with the bridge portion opposite the tunnel. The mirror receptacle is configured to receive a rearview mirror. A sensor member may be configured to substantially fill the tunnel, such that the sensor member is disposed intermediate the bridge portion and the windscreen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Charles R. Quinn, Nicholas P. Nagrant, Eric A. Watterworth, Dennis B. Kazensky, Mark M. Hadley, Thomas D. Hagen
  • Patent number: 7766410
    Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
  • Patent number: 7731270
    Abstract: A door bracket is mounted to a vehicle sliding door. A primary track is mounted along a side and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket having rollers received by the primary track is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end. A link is pivotally joined to the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally joined to the door bracket by a second pivot. The link is rotatable around the first pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation. The link comprises an extension arm extending from the link toward the primary track. A shift mechanism contacts the extension arm when the roller bracket is at an intermediate trip point so that the link shifts from its first orientation to its second orientation when the sliding door is being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
  • Publication number: 20090230724
    Abstract: A door bracket is mounted to a vehicle sliding door. A primary track is mounted along a side and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket having rollers received by the primary track is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the remote end. A link is pivotally joined to the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally joined to the door bracket by a second pivot. The link is rotatable around the first pivot between a first orientation and a second orientation. The link comprises an extension arm extending from the link toward the primary track. A shift mechanism contacts the extension arm when the roller bracket is at an intermediate trip point so that the link shifts from its first orientation to its second orientation when the sliding door is being opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, JR., James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
  • Patent number: 7537269
    Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly includes a bracket member and a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to the bracket member. A pin is slidably disposed with respect to the bracket member and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The bell crank member is operable to urge the pin into the extended position when the fuel filler door is open and the retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed. The pin operates to engage a bore defined by the slidable door when in the extended position to substantially lock the slidable door. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Teru Tseng, Eric A. Watterworth, James A. Rochon
  • Publication number: 20080258552
    Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly has a first interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the slidable door when the fuel filler door is in an open position, and a second interlock state, operable to restrict the opening of the fuel filler door when the slidable door is in an open position. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
  • Publication number: 20070257505
    Abstract: An interlock assembly is provided for a vehicle having a body with a selectively openable slidable door and a selectively openable fuel filler door mounted thereto. The fuel filler door is operatively connected with the interlock assembly. The interlock assembly includes a bracket member and a bell crank member pivotably mounted with respect to the bracket member. A pin is slidably disposed with respect to the bracket member and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The bell crank member is operable to urge the pin into the extended position when the fuel filler door is open and the retracted position when the fuel filler door is closed. The pin operates to engage a bore defined by the slidable door when in the extended position to substantially lock the slidable door. Preferably, the interlock assembly is mounted with respect to a rear jamb formed by the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Teru Tseng, Eric Watterworth, James Rochon