Patents by Inventor Jennifer J. Mahaffy

Jennifer J. Mahaffy 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: 8075037
    Abstract: A vehicle storage assembly of a vehicle includes a deployable and retractable shelf member connected to a tailgate of the vehicle. In a deployed configuration, the shelf member is supported spaced-above the tailgate to provide a horizontal support surface with the tailgate in an open position and the shelf member is supported spaced horizontally from the tailgate to provide a sidewall of a storage compartment with the tailgate in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jennifer J. Mahaffy
  • Patent number: 8061671
    Abstract: A system for adjustably positioning an accessory may include a track and an accessory removably coupled to the track. The track may include an upper portion and a lower portion defining a channel therebetween. The upper portion may include an upper flexible segment extending along a length of the channel wherein the upper flexible segment is outwardly and inwardly deformable with respect to the channel. The accessory may include at least one connector extending from the accessory, the connector being removably insertable into the channel of the track by deforming the upper flexible segment with respect to the channel, the at least one connector including a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion wherein, when the connector is inserted in the track, the substantially vertical portion of the connector secures the accessory to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jennifer J. Mahaffy
  • Publication number: 20110074175
    Abstract: A vehicle storage assembly of a vehicle includes a deployable and retractable shelf member connected to a tailgate of the vehicle. In a deployed configuration, the shelf member is supported spaced-above the tailgate to provide a horizontal support surface with the tailgate in an open position and the shelf member is supported spaced horizontally from the tailgate to provide a sidewall of a storage compartment with the tailgate in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jennifer J. Mahaffy
  • Publication number: 20100127146
    Abstract: A system for adjustably positioning an accessory may include a track and an accessory removably coupled to the track. The track may include an upper portion and a lower portion defining a channel therebetween. The upper portion may include an upper flexible segment extending along a length of the channel wherein the upper flexible segment is outwardly and inwardly deformable with respect to the channel. The accessory may include at least one connector extending from the accessory, the connector being removably insertable into the channel of the track by deforming the upper flexible segment with respect to the channel, the at least one connector including a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion wherein, when the connector is inserted in the track, the substantially vertical portion of the connector secures the accessory to the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jennifer J. Mahaffy