Patents by Inventor James A. Mulvihill
James A. Mulvihill 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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Publication number: 20080007079Abstract: A console assembly for use in a passenger seating area of a vehicle includes first and second console modules configured for installment in the passenger seating area. Each console module includes a housing having a storage area defined therein, wherein the first and second console modules cooperate with and are positionable relative to each other to provide additional storage in the vehicle. A base disposed adjacent a floor of the passenger seating area of the vehicle is configured to receive the first and second console modules. In one aspect, the first and second console modules may be slidably connected to the base and are independently positionable forward and rearward on the base. In another aspect, the first and second console modules include a first end and opposing second end sized for connection to and repositionable on the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, Jason Gamache, James A. Mulvihill, Jerome David Joler
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Patent number: 7258381Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention relates to a modular vehicle interior component system which comprises a base having a channel defined at least in part by a latching lip, a vehicle interior component, and a release latch mechanism for slidably and releasably securing the component to the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.Inventors: Alan Sturt, James A. Mulvihill
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Patent number: 7248955Abstract: A method is provided for operating a proximity sensing unit for controlling an accessory device of a vehicle. A plurality of proximity sensors is disposed in a sequential pattern within a sensing unit whereby the proximity sensors are responsive to a manual activation. At least two activation signals are received from at least two proximity sensors in response to the manual activation. An activation sequence of at least two activation signals is determined. One of a plurality of control actions associated with the activation sequence is selected. A control action is initiated for controlling an operation of the accessory device.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David A. Hein, Thomas Hicks, James A. Mulvihill, Lori A. Edwards
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Patent number: 7213793Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment/cupholder assembly having a molded base into which is mounted a pair of flexible invertible dividers that allow for the secure retention of various sized beverage containers. The flexible invertible dividers may be mounted and tensioned by an internal or external flexible divider spring. The molded base may have a liner mounted therein which may be a liquid barrier, a tensioning device in place of a traditional spring, or both.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Alan Sturt, James M Hutek, James A Mulvihill
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Patent number: 7168750Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment system for a central console includes a lid and at least one hinge mechanism rotatable coupled to the lid and moveably coupled to the storage compartment. Each of the set of hinge blades define limit stop openings and receive limit stoppers therethrough, thereby limiting vertical movement of the set of hinge blades. The system also includes a set of tracks, and each of the tracks receives one of the set of hinge blades, such that the set of hinge blades move upwardly and downwardly as a function of opening and closing the lid. This movement allows the lid to flip open 180° and lie flushly against an adjacent object.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: James M. Hutek, James A. Mulvihill, Alan Sturt
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Patent number: 7121601Abstract: An integrated storage system for vehicles includes an expandable container secured to and extendable from a vertical panel of the vehicle to at least one predetermined position to accommodate cargo. The container is collapsible so that it is substantially flush with the vertical panel when not in use and may be made of fabric or netting, for example. A semi-rigid end panel with a handle may be secured to the container to facilitate deploying and stowing the container. Depending on the application, the container may be removable from the vehicle to transport cargo. The storage system may be integrated into various locations including a cargo area, behind a seat or seats, in a truck bed, or in the trunk of a vehicle, for example.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: James A Mulvihill, Tracy Simpson, Thomas Hicks, Douglas Kroll
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Patent number: 7114755Abstract: An automotive console includes a console body adapted to be installed in the passenger compartment of a vehicle and includes a storage compartment having an opening for storing one or more items. The console further includes a console lid having a first lid portion pivotally coupled with the console body and movable relative thereto between an open and closed position. The console lid further includes a second lid portion pivotally coupled with the first lid portion and movable relative to the first lid portion between a first position and a second position. The second lid portion includes at least one convenience feature adapted for use by a second row occupant when the first lid portion is in the open position and the second lid portion is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Alan Sturt, James A Mulvihill, James Hutek
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Patent number: 7066516Abstract: A vehicle storage assembly for a vehicle cargo area includes a storage panel and a flange portion extending outwardly from an end of the storage panel. The flange portion is adapted to be mounted to an interior component of a vehicle such that the storage panel is positionable to a stowed position, and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the storage panel divides at least a portion of the vehicle cargo area.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: James A. Mulvihill, Thomas S. Hicks, Won-Tai Kim
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Patent number: 7029048Abstract: A modular console system for a vehicle includes a common module which defines a module space. The common module can be attached at different points along the length of a base, which is attached to the vehicle floor. The common module is configured to receive an insert module, which has an inner portion that is specifically configured to conform to one or more accessories that can be accessed by the vehicle occupants.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Thomas S. Hicks, James A. Mulvihill, Won-Tai Kim
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Patent number: 6974170Abstract: A trunk space storage system for motor vehicles comprising a movable wall. This movable wall is located on the floor of the trunk space and acts as a new back wall of the trunk space. This movable wall slides along tracks on the floor of the trunk space to a position the user desires. The movable wall further comprises a wall extension to increase the wall height. This invention allows users to utilize as much of the trunk space as necessary without having the problem of having objects roll into the deep trunk space which can be difficult for many people to access.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: James A. Mulvihill
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Publication number: 20040262352Abstract: A vehicle console includes a media storage compartment having a plurality of receptacles arranged to selectively fan-out to facilitate access to the receptacles for storage and retrieval of items. The vehicle console may be an overhead console, a center console attached to the floor or a seat, or integrated into another portion of the interior such as a door panel or dashboard, for example. In one embodiment, a plurality of receptacles joined together with collapsible and expandable spacing therebetween facilitates storage and retrieval of items upon opening of a storage compartment door. The receptacles may be implemented by plastic sleeves flexibly connected by a string, band, webbing, or other material to fan-out, accordion style, and present the stowed items to a user upon opening of the storage compartment door, while collapsing within the storage compartment upon closing of the door for efficient storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Alan Sturt, James A Mulvihill
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Publication number: 20030160481Abstract: An occupant seat of a motor vehicle includes a backrest, and a headrest mounted atop the backrest on a pair of posts. The headrest includes a base portion supported by the posts, and an occupant-engaging contact portion that is supported by the base portion for relative translational movement along a pair of tracks defined on the base portion. In response to a suitable control signal, such as the tensioning of a Bowden cable in response to an applied force, the contact portion moves under the control of an articulated linkage against a return spring bias and away from the base portion. The translational movement of the contact portion relative to the base portion serves to control contact surface inclination throughout the range of movement of the contact portion relative to the base portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2002Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Eric C. Veine, Thomas J. Fowler, James A. Mulvihill
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Patent number: RE40527Abstract: An occupant seat of a motor vehicle includes a backrest, and a headrest mounted atop the backrest on a pair of posts. The headrest includes a base portion supported by the posts, and an occupant-engaging contact portion that is supported by the base portion for relative translational movement along a pair of tracks defined on the base portion. In response to a suitable control signal, such as the tensioning of a Bowden cable in response to an applied force, the contact portion moves under the control of an articulated linkage against a return spring bias and away from the base portion. The translational movement of the contact portion relative to the base portion serves to control contact surface inclination throughout the range of movement of the contact portion relative to the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Eric C. Veine, Thomas J. Fowler, James A. Mulvihill