Patents by Inventor John Andrew Sotiroff

John Andrew Sotiroff 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: 6547298
    Abstract: A reconfigurable intermediate panel provides the capability of reconfiguring the interior space of a vehicle. A first panel portion is moveable in the vehicle between various locations. A second panel portion is supported for movement with the first panel portion and for movement relative to the first panel portion. By selectively extending the second panel portion relative to the first panel portion, the vehicle interior space may be selectively divided and provides isolated vehicle compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Roch Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin
  • Patent number: 6516983
    Abstract: A cargo supporting device supports cargo within a vehicle compartment in more than one position. The cargo supporting device includes at least one moveable panel having a cargo supporting surface. The moveable panel moves from a first position that is relatively distant from a cargo access point to a second position that is closer to the cargo access point. The moveable panel effectively brings one or more cargo items closer to an individual to make them more readily accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Roch Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin
  • Patent number: 6474725
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable intermediate panel (RIP) arranged between the cab and the cargo bed of a vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle body structure that separates the cab and the cargo bed. The RIP is arranged within an opening in the vehicle body structure for providing access to the cab from the cargo bed. The RIP includes a door structure having first and second opposing portions adjacent to opposing sides of the opening when the RIP is in a closed position. A plurality of cable spans the first and second portions for strengthening the door structure and barring the entry of cargo from the cargo bed into the cab when the structure is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the cables extend from opposing portions of a door frame. In another embodiment, the cables are embedded in a plastic panel, which is secured to a door frame. Accordingly, the above invention provides an RIP that provides an improved structural barrier between the cargo bed and the cab from heavy cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Roch Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin
  • Publication number: 20020074831
    Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly includes a stationary panel and at least one moveable panel. The stationary panel includes at least one cut away recess adjacent an access passage to a vehicle, such as above a moveable door. The moveable roof panel preferably is normally received within the recess to form a completed roof panel. The moveable panel preferably is automatically retracted responsive to movement of the door handle to provide a larger access passage into the vehicle. Moveable panels may be provided on the driver and passenger side of the vehicle, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Roch Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin
  • Publication number: 20020043811
    Abstract: A reconfigurable intermediate panel provides the capability of reconfiguring the interior space of a vehicle. A first panel portion is moveable in the vehicle between various locations. A second panel portion is supported for movement with the first panel portion and for movement relative to the first panel portion. By selectively extending the second panel portion relative to the first panel portion, the vehicle interior space may be selectively divided and provides isolated vehicle compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Rock Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin
  • Publication number: 20020034430
    Abstract: A cargo supporting device supports cargo within a vehicle compartment in more than one position. The cargo supporting device includes at least one moveable panel having a cargo supporting surface. The moveable panel moves from a first position that is relatively distant from a cargo access point to a second position that is closer to the cargo access point. The moveable panel effectively brings one or more cargo items closer to an individual to make them more readily accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Roch Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin
  • Publication number: 20020014785
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reconfigurable intermediate panel (RIP) arranged between the cab and the cargo bed of a vehicle. The vehicle has a vehicle body structure that separates the cab and the cargo bed. The RIP is arranged within an opening in the vehicle body structure for providing access to the cab from the cargo bed. The RIP includes a door structure having first and second opposing portions adjacent to opposing sides of the opening when the RIP is in a closed position. A plurality of cable spans the first and second portions for strengthening the door structure and barring the entry of cargo from the cargo bed into the cab when the structure is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the cables extend from opposing portions of a door frame. In another embodiment, the cables are embedded in a plastic panel, which is secured to a door frame. Accordingly, the above invention provides an RIP that provides an improved structural barrier between the cargo bed and the cab from heavy cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: John Andrew Sotiroff, Roch Joseph Tolinski, Charles Berry Hopson, George Rene Chene, Simon Blair Dobson, Enrico Fin