Patents by Inventor James M. Thomas, JR.

James M. Thomas, JR. 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: 11752954
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim securing system includes a trim piece that includes a trim piece body. The trim piece includes a wire harness support that extends outward from the trim piece body that includes a support portion including an inner portion, an outer portion and a connecting portion that connects the inner portion and the outer portion forming a channel that is sized to receive a wire harness. A sealing structure includes a suction cup that is connected to the outer portion and a pull tab connected to the suction cup. The pull tab is partially covered by the trim piece body with the suction cup adhered to a floor underbody panel and has a length such that a free end extends laterally beyond the trim piece body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Jonathan Quijano, James M Thomas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220314900
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim securing system includes a trim piece that includes a trim piece body. The trim piece includes a wire harness support that extends outward from the trim piece body that includes a support portion including an inner portion, an outer portion and a connecting portion that connects the inner portion and the outer portion forming a channel that is sized to receive a wire harness. A sealing structure includes a suction cup that is connected to the outer portion and a pull tab connected to the suction cup. The pull tab is partially covered by the trim piece body with the suction cup adhered to a floor underbody panel and has a length such that a free end extends laterally beyond the trim piece body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Jonathan Quijano, James M. Thomas, JR.
  • Patent number: 11364832
    Abstract: A vehicle floor carpet securing system includes a trim piece that includes a lateral portion connected to a vertical portion at a corner. A standoff rib anchors to a silencer layer of a vehicle carpet at an end. The standoff rib has an opposite end that engages the trim piece at the lateral portion, vertical portion and/or the corner to inhibit movement of the carpet relative to the trim piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Jonathan Quijano, James M. Thomas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220055514
    Abstract: A vehicle floor carpet securing system includes a trim piece that includes a lateral portion connected to a vertical portion at a corner. A standoff rib anchors to a silencer layer of a vehicle carpet at an end. The standoff rib has an opposite end that engages the trim piece at the lateral portion, vertical portion and/or the corner to inhibit movement of the carpet relative to the trim piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Jonathan Quijano, James M. Thomas, JR.
  • Patent number: 9475449
    Abstract: Headliner assemblies may include multiple support structures operatively connected to portions of a headliner. The support structures may include one or more stiffeners. Assemblies may include a tether configured to engage two portions of the stiffeners. In some examples, a headliner assembly may include a moon roof stiffener and a side rail stiffener with a tether that engages portions of each. The tether may provide retention forces in the event of an airbag deployment or headliner impact to retain portions of the stiffeners that may fracture or break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Thomas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160176378
    Abstract: Headliner assemblies may include multiple support structures operatively connected to portions of a headliner. The support structures may include one or more stiffeners. Assemblies may include a tether configured to engage two portions of the stiffeners. In some examples, a headliner assembly may include a moon roof stiffener and a side rail stiffener with a tether that engages portions of each. The tether may provide retention forces in the event of an airbag deployment or headliner impact to retain portions of the stiffeners that may fracture or break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: James M. Thomas, JR.