Patents by Inventor Jeff Charles Hills

Jeff Charles Hills 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: 8366303
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive interior lamp assembly mounted to an automotive headliner further including a curtain side airbag mounted about the headliner. As the curtain side airbag quickly deploys and forces through the vehicle headliner, the lamp assembly can be forcibly detached from the headliner at a high rate of speed. The present invention provides an improved retainer to better attach the light assembly to the headliner thereby preventing detachment of the lamp assembly from the headliner. The lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having a lamp receiving configured to accept a lamp. The housing further includes a retainer receiving side configured to accept a retainer. The retainer attached to the housing by means of a plurality of attachment members provided on the retainer, and at least one snap member also provided on the retainer. The housing has a plurality of attachment member receiving cavities and at least one snap member receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Jim Scheerhorn
  • Patent number: 8240750
    Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Donald Federico
  • Patent number: 8141940
    Abstract: A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills
  • Publication number: 20110127803
    Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Donald Federico
  • Publication number: 20110127805
    Abstract: A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills
  • Publication number: 20110128749
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive interior lamp assembly mounted to an automotive headliner further including a curtain side airbag mounted about the headliner. As the curtain side airbag quickly deploys and forces through the vehicle headliner, the lamp assembly can be forcibly detached from the headliner at a high rate of speed. The present invention provides an improved retainer to better attach the light assembly to the headliner thereby preventing detachment of the lamp assembly from the headliner. The lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having a lamp receiving configured to accept a lamp. The housing further includes a retainer receiving side configured to accept a retainer. The retainer attached to the housing by means of a plurality of attachment members provided on the retainer, and at least one snap member also provided on the retainer. The housing has a plurality of attachment member receiving cavities and at least one snap member receiving cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Jim Scheerhorn