Patents by Inventor Jean-Paul Villeminey
Jean-Paul Villeminey 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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Patent number: 8292348Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a vehicle door assembly. The door assembly is selectively movable with respect to the body between open and closed positions. The door assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is selectively movable relative to the upper portion such that the height of the door above the ground is selectively variable.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 8056188Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel, a primary assist handle, a secondary assist handle, and a first and second extension. The primary assist handle and the secondary assist handles are configured for being grasped by the user of the vehicle. A first extension extends from the door panel. A second extension extends from a second mounting portion of the secondary assist handle, in spaced relationship to the first extension. The extensions pivotally support ends of the primary assist handle. The primary assist handle pivots relative to each of the extensions and the door of the vehicle, between a retracted position and an extended position. A first mounting portion of the secondary assist handle pivotally extends from the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Publication number: 20110204681Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a vehicle door assembly. The door assembly is selectively movable with respect to the body between open and closed positions. The door assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion is selectively movable relative to the upper portion such that the height of the door above the ground is selectively variable.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Publication number: 20100218345Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel, a primary assist handle, a secondary assist handle, and a first and second extension. The primary assist handle and the secondary assist handles are configured for being grasped by the user of the vehicle. A first extension extends from the door panel. A second extension extends from a second mounting portion of the secondary assist handle, in spaced relationship to the first extension. The extensions pivotally support ends of the primary assist handle. The primary assist handle pivots relative to each of the extensions and the door of the vehicle, between a retracted position and an extended position. A first mounting portion of the secondary assist handle pivotally extends from the door panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 7780238Abstract: A headrest assembly for a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom is provided that includes a headrest having first and second divided headrest portions. First and second articulated arms are pivotably mounted with respect to the seat back in a scissor arrangement and supporting the first and second headrest portions, respectively. Each of the articulated arms has a respective distal portion operatively connected to the seat bottom, preferably with flexible cables and a forked element. The headrest assembly is configured so that the headrest portions pivot to adjacent, use positions when the seat bottom is subjected to at least a predetermined load and to pivot back to separated, non-use positions when the seat bottom is not subject to at least the predetermined load.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 7753429Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for use in a vehicle interior, and includes a frame and lower and upper bracket assemblies. The lower bracket assembly is connected to a lower portion of the frame, and selectively moves the frame in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle interior. The upper bracket assembly is connected to an upper portion of the frame, and has a slot which receives a selector pin for selectively pivoting the upper portion of the frame with respect to the lower portion of the frame. A moveable linkage is connected to the upper bracket assembly and moves the selector pin for adjusting between different passenger seating positions. An adjustment mechanism includes a lever for moving the moveable linkage via a cable. The seat assembly can include a deployable storage bin positioned between the bulkhead and a seat surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 7748766Abstract: A seat row assembly is provided, having a first rail and a first seat movably connected to the first rail. A second seat is moveable between a first position and a second position, such that the second seat in its second position does not occupy the same space as in its first position. The first seat is configured to selectively move from a first position into a second position, in which it occupies space occupied by the second seat in its respective first configuration. A second rail, perpendicular to the first rail, is movably connected to the first rail such that the first seat is selectively movable along both the first rail and the second rail. The seats may be configured to fold to a collapsed configuration. A method of allowing access to a third row of seats in a vehicle having a second row of seats is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Publication number: 20100123344Abstract: A headrest assembly for a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom is provided that includes a headrest having first and second divided headrest portions. First and second articulated arms are pivotably mounted with respect to the seat back in a scissor arrangement and supporting the first and second headrest portions, respectively. Each of the articulated arms has a respective distal portion operatively connected to the seat bottom, preferably with flexible cables and a forked element. The headrest assembly is configured so that the headrest portions pivot to adjacent, use positions when the seat bottom is subjected to at least a predetermined load and to pivot back to separated, non-use positions when the seat bottom is not subject to at least the predetermined load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: JEAN-PAUL VILLEMINEY
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Publication number: 20090243325Abstract: A seat row assembly is provided, having a first rail and a first seat movably connected to the first rail. A second seat is moveable between a first position and a second position, such that the second seat in its second position does not occupy the same space as in its first position. The first seat is configured to selectively move from a first position into a second position, in which it occupies space occupied by the second seat in its respective first configuration. A second rail, perpendicular to the first rail, is movably connected to the first rail such that the first seat is selectively movable along both the first rail and the second rail. The seats may be configured to fold to a collapsed configuration. A method of allowing access to a third row of seats in a vehicle having a second row of seats is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Publication number: 20090236880Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for use in a vehicle interior, and includes a frame and lower and upper bracket assemblies. The lower bracket assembly is connected to a lower portion of the frame, and selectively moves the frame in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle interior. The upper bracket assembly is connected to an upper portion of the frame, and has a slot which receives a selector pin for selectively pivoting the upper portion of the frame with respect to the lower portion of the frame. A moveable linkage is connected to the upper bracket assembly and moves the selector pin for adjusting between different passenger seating positions. An adjustment mechanism includes a lever for moving the moveable linkage via a cable. The seat assembly can include a deployable storage bin positioned between the bulkhead and a seat surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 7290822Abstract: An occupant seat is disclosed for a vehicle having a seat riser bracket and a floor with a footwell. The seat includes a seat bracket operatively connected to the vehicle floor and/or the seat riser bracket. A seat back is pivotally connected to the seat bracket, the seat back selectively rotatable between a seating configuration and a cargo configuration, the cargo configuration having the seat back substantially coplanar with the vehicle floor. A seat is cooperatively connected to the seat bracket and to the seat back, whereby when the seat back is rotated from the seating configuration to the cargo configuration, the seat is substantially simultaneously translated and rotated into a stowed configuration whereby the seat is at least partially within the footwell.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Patent number: 7201426Abstract: This invention relates to vehicle having a conveniently storable passenger seat. The seat is collapsible into an on-floor or stowed position. A user can stow the seat using only one hand. A release member is activated to permit the seat to move from an upright position to the collapsed position. A tub area which stows the seat is concealed by a floor covering member which has flippers that automatically retract upon activation of the release member. The seat is also capable of reclining. Moreover, the seat remains adjustable in the forward and rearward directions with respect to the vehicle cab. This type of arrangement is ideal for passenger vehicles with two or more rows of seating, like SUVs, vans, and minivans.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Publication number: 20070046061Abstract: An occupant seat is disclosed for a vehicle having a seat riser bracket and a floor with a footwell. The seat includes a seat bracket operatively connected to the vehicle floor and/or the seat riser bracket. A seat back is pivotally connected to the seat bracket, the seat back selectively rotatable between a seating configuration and a cargo configuration, the cargo configuration having the seat back substantially coplanar with the vehicle floor. A seat is cooperatively connected to the seat bracket and to the seat back, whereby when the seat back is rotated from the seating configuration to the cargo configuration, the seat is substantially simultaneously translated and rotated into a stowed configuration whereby the seat is at least partially within the footwell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey
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Publication number: 20060097538Abstract: This invention relates to vehicle having a conveniently storable passenger seat. The seat is collapsible into an on-floor or stowed position. A user can stow the seat using only one hand. A release member is activated to permit the seat to move from an upright position to the collapsed position. A tub area which stows the seat is concealed by a floor covering member which has flippers that automatically retract upon activation of the release member. The seat is also capable of reclining. Moreover, the seat remains adjustable in the forward and rearward directions with respect to the vehicle cab. This type of arrangement is ideal for passenger vehicles with two or more rows of seating, like SUVs, vans, and minivans.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2005Publication date: May 11, 2006Inventor: Jean-Paul Villeminey