Patents by Inventor James Mulvihill

James 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).

  • Publication number: 20050279793
    Abstract: A cargo management system for a motor vehicle with at least one seat well comprising a divider capable of fitting into the seat well and having two positions, stowed or deployed. This divider provides a lightweight, easy to use, unique storage management system for seat wells, a part of the vehicle which normally would not be an ideal storage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventor: James Mulvihill
  • Patent number: 6974170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Mulvihill
  • Publication number: 20050218680
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: James Mulvihill, Thomas Hicks, Won-Tai Kim
  • Patent number: 6942270
    Abstract: A cargo management system for a motor vehicle with at least one seat well comprising a pouch of being deployed in said seat well. This pouch provides a lightweight, easy to use, unique storage management system for seat wells, a part of the vehicle which normally would not be an ideal storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: James Mulvihill
  • Publication number: 20050145659
    Abstract: A trunk space storage system for motor vehicles comprising a hinge, a frame, and a storage pouch. This trunk space storage system allows users who cannot easily bend over to pick up or place objects into deep trunk spaces, such as the elderly or those with physical impairments, to have access of the objects placed into the trunk without having them roll back into the deep trunk space. This invention also provides for easy deployment and stowing with little strain on the body for those users who may suffer from physical limitations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventor: James Mulvihill
  • Publication number: 20050140156
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventor: James Mulvihill
  • Publication number: 20050134485
    Abstract: An interface comprises an interior trim component having a touch pad and a target area associated with the touch pad. A non-movable switch is located behind the target area. The switch is operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle. The target area is associated with a sensitive operating portion or region of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: David Hein, James Mulvihill, Thomas Hicks, Larry Shelton
  • Publication number: 20050137765
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: David Hein, Thomas Hicks, James Mulvihill, Lori Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040262352
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan Sturt, James A Mulvihill
  • Publication number: 20030160481
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Veine, Thomas J. Fowler, James A. Mulvihill