Patents by Inventor Eric D. Rennie

Eric D. Rennie 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: 6669260
    Abstract: A modular system for a vehicle is provided which includes one or more elongated members adapted to be coupled to an interior portion of a vehicle, where one or more removable articles are configured for attachment to one or more of the members and a utility system provides utilities to the articles. One or more holders are positioned to align with the members and are coupled to the articles for attaching the articles to one or more of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Clark, Curt R. Johnson, J. Peter Cansfield, David B. Fry, Kermit M. Anderson, Bradley A. Beers, Darin R. Billot, L. Robert Hamelink, Dale A. Gort, Eric D. Rennie, Charles E. Beasley
  • Patent number: 6547308
    Abstract: A visor mounting assembly includes a visor elbow and a visor mounting bracket with a cam cooperating between the two members to detent the visor when moved from a front windshield position to a side window position at a location which allows clearance of the side curtain air bag, thereby positioning the visor when in the side window position at a location which does not interfere with or inhibit the deployment of a side curtain air bag. In one embodiment, a stop extends between the elbow and bracket to limit the movement of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology
    Inventors: L. Robert Hamelink, Eric D. Rennie
  • Publication number: 20020163219
    Abstract: A modular system for a vehicle is provided which includes one or more elongated members adapted to be coupled to an interior portion of a vehicle, where one or more removable articles are configured for attachment to one or more of the members and a utility system provides utilities to the articles. One or more holders are positioned to align with the members and are coupled to the articles for attaching the articles to one or more of the members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Clark, Curt R. Johnson, J. Peter Cansfield, David B. Fry, Kermit M. Anderson, Bradley A. Beers, Darin R. Billot, L. Robert Hamelink, Dale A. Gort, Eric D. Rennie, Charles E. Beasley
  • Publication number: 20020084670
    Abstract: A visor mounting assembly includes a visor elbow and a visor mounting bracket with a cam cooperating between the two members to detent the visor when moved from a front windshield position to a side window position at a location which allows clearance of the side curtain air bag, thereby positioning the visor when in the side window position at a location which does not interfere with or inhibit the deployment of a side curtain air bag. In one embodiment, a stop extends between the elbow and bracket to limit the movement of the visor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: L. Robert Hamelink, Eric D. Rennie
  • Patent number: 6409246
    Abstract: A visor extender panel includes a mounting bracket which can snap-fit into a visor body and which includes a hinge structure which allows its positioning between a closed position adjacent and overlying an existing visor body and an extended position extending outwardly and in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the visor to which the extender is attached. In a preferred embodiment, the extender panel includes an integral pivot rod and the mounting bracket includes a bias spring coupled on one side of the mounting bracket and having a hook extending through the mounting bracket and engaging the pivot rod on the extender panel for coupling the extender panel to the mounting bracket and allowing rotation of the extender with respect to the mounting bracket, which, in turn, is snap-fitted to an existing visor panel. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge between the mounting bracket and extender panel can be an over-center, integrally molded hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Eric D. Rennie
  • Patent number: 4854632
    Abstract: A storage compartment for recessed mounting into the top of the instrument panel of a vehicle includes a flexible cover for movement between a position closing a storage container and an open position in which the cover extends around the storage container. The flexible cover is a tambour-type cover with an endless loop connection and which is guidably supported by the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Kreuze, Eric D. Rennie