Patents by Inventor John-Paul LaPorte

John-Paul LaPorte 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: 9415663
    Abstract: A vehicle window assembly includes a first transparent member, a second transparent member and a mounting structure. The first transparent member is disposed in an aperture of a vehicle. The second transparent member is disposed in the aperture of the vehicle. The mounting structure supports the first transparent member and the second transparent member, and the second transparent member is supported by the mounting structure so as to be angled relative to the first transparent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kyle Soffin, Taiji Ikeda, John-Paul LaPorte
  • Patent number: 8899363
    Abstract: A hood hinge structure includes a body attachment part, a hood attachment part and a hinge part connecting the hood attachment part to the body attachment part at a first location. The body attachment part has a contact portion formed thereon and the hood attachment part has a restraining member formed thereon. The contact portion engages the restraining member at a second location forward of the first location relative to a vehicle longitudinal direction to restrain movement of the hood attachment part relative to the body attachment part upon application of a prescribed force on at least one of the body attachment part and the hood attachment part where at least one of the body attachment part and the hood attachment part is moved in a lateral direction to a deformed state while the hood attachment part is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John-Paul LaPorte, Scott W. Nydam
  • Patent number: 8646834
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Coakley, John-Paul LaPorte, Michael Kowaczyk, Adam Jones
  • Patent number: 8641118
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch and an elongated molding member that convers the roof ditch. Each of a plurality of fastening members extends upward from a recessed support surface of the roof ditch to a level that is below upper edges of first and second wall surfaces of the roof ditch. The molding member includes a main section and a plurality of attachment structures. The main section and the attachment structures are formed unitarily as a single monolithic element. The main section is located between upper edges of the first and second wall surfaces and laterally conceals the roof ditch. The attachment structures extending from the main section into the roof ditch and including a bottom wall defining an opening fixedly receiving a corresponding one of the fastening members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Coakley, John-Paul LaPorte, Michael Kowaczyk
  • Publication number: 20130234474
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch that is defined by a recessed support surface, first and second wall surfaces that extend longitudinally along sides of the recessed support surface. A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of the roof ditch between respective top edges thereof. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle body panel. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member mating with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Coakley, John-Paul LaPorte, Michael Kowaczyk, Adam Jones
  • Publication number: 20130234462
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof ditch and an elongated molding member that convers the roof ditch. Each of a plurality of fastening members extends upward from a recessed support surface of the roof ditch to a level that is below upper edges of first and second wall surfaces of the roof ditch. The molding member includes a main section and a plurality of attachment structures. The main section and the attachment structures are formed unitarily as a single monolithic element. The main section is located between upper edges of the first and second wall surfaces and laterally conceals the roof ditch. The attachment structures extending from the main section into the roof ditch and including a bottom wall defining an opening fixedly receiving a corresponding one of the fastening members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Coakley, John-Paul LaPorte, Michael Kowaczyk