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).
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Patent number: 10106086Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Joseph N. Eckstein, Eric A. Watterworth, James Logan, Jr.
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Publication number: 20180281686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Joseph N. Eckstein, Eric A. Watterworth, James Logan, JR.
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Patent number: 9517741Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo
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Publication number: 20160001727Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2014Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo
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Patent number: 9180761Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo, Steven A. Stahn
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Publication number: 20150314673Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eric A. Watterworth, Dominic S. Pupillo, Steven A. Stahn
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Patent number: 8414137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Charles R. Quinn, Nicholas P. Nagrant, Eric A. Watterworth, Dennis B. Kazensky, Mark M. Hadley, Thomas D. Hagen
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Publication number: 20120105990Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Charles R. Quinn, Nicholas P. Nagrant, Eric A. Watterworth, Dennis B. Kazensky, Mark M. Hadley, Thomas D. Hagen
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Patent number: 7766410Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Patent number: 7731270Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Publication number: 20090230724Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2008Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: David R. Fischer, Teru Tseng, Edward M. Sanocki, JR., James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Patent number: 7537269Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Teru Tseng, Eric A. Watterworth, James A. Rochon
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Publication number: 20080258552Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Teru Tseng, James A. Rochon, Eric A. Watterworth
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Publication number: 20070257505Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Teru Tseng, Eric Watterworth, James Rochon