Patents by Inventor Eric P Thorne

Eric P Thorne 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: 6189748
    Abstract: A swing-away spare tire carrier for a motor vehicle includes a cross tube extending transversely for attachment to underside vehicle structure of the motor vehicle and an arm support bracket secured to the cross tube. The swing-away spare tire carrier also includes a carrier arm having a first arm portion pivotally attached to the arm support bracket and a second arm portion pivotally attached to the first arm portion for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent a vehicle body of the motor vehicle and a second position extending substantially laterally from the vehicle body when the second arm portion is moved toward the first arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B Hutter, Eric P Thorne, Christopher G Burchart, Brian C Lazarus
  • Patent number: 6098599
    Abstract: A system for delivering fuel to a motor vehicle engine includes a fuel sending unit and a self-cleaning filter. The fuel sending unit is in fluid communication with the engine, which in the preferred embodiment is a fuel injected engine. A fuel regulator is provided interbetween the fuel sending unit and the engine which delivers a first portion of the fuel to the engine. A second portion of the fuel is delivered to the filter for the sending unit through a reverse path for purging the filter of debris collected from the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick T. Muldoon, Robert B. Hutter, Larry F. Popp, Eric P. Thorne
  • Patent number: 5950753
    Abstract: A water management system for venting hot air out of the engine compartment of a vehicle through the hood of the vehicle includes a louver cover positioned over vent holes in the hood. A gasket is sandwiched between the louver cover and the hood. A water tray is positioned under the hood and is bolted to the louver cover. The water tray includes an open edge that is juxtaposed with a trough in the fender of the vehicle and a barrier wall opposite the open edge. The barrier wall is slightly vertically distanced from the hood, such that hot air from the engine compartment can flow over the barrier wall and out of the vent holes, but water seeping into the vent holes is blocked by the barrier wall from entering the engine compartment, and must instead flow into the fender trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Muldoon, Michael D. Frakes, Robert B. Hutter, Eric P. Thorne, Alexander N. Nassar