Patents by Inventor Joseph D Rankin
Joseph D Rankin 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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Publication number: 20040160072Abstract: A modular vehicle window assembly is provided which has attached thereto interior vehicle accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the window panel assembly includes a window panel disposed within or covering a window opening formed in the vehicle. The window panel may optionally contain a conventional gasket or sealing structure to provide a weather-tight seal in the window opening. Supported on and interconnecting to the interior surface of the window panel are any one of a number of different accessory configurations, including centerline, island, and peninsular overhead consoles providing storage space, overhead lighting, and air conditioning vents for use by the occupants. Other accessories which may be used include an instrument display assembly, a control assembly, a window shade assembly, and a hand-hold assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a Michigan CorporationInventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin
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Publication number: 20030098595Abstract: A modular vehicle window assembly is provided which has attached thereto interior vehicle accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the window panel assembly includes a window panel disposed within or covering a window opening formed in the vehicle. The window panel may optionally contain a conventional gasket or sealing structure to provide a weather-tight seal in the window opening. Supported on and interconnecting to the interior surface of the window panel are any one of a number of different accessory configurations, including centerline, island, and peninsular overhead consoles providing storage space, overhead lighting, and air conditioning vents for use by the occupants. Other accessories which may be used include an instrument display assembly, a control assembly, a window shade assembly, and a hand-hold assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Applicant: Donnelly Corporation, a Michigan corporationInventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin
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Patent number: 6490788Abstract: A method for installing a vehicle window assembly in a vehicle includes selecting a vehicle interior accessory member from the group including a storage system, a lighting system, an instrument display system, an electrical power system, a temperature controlled air system, a system control panel, a window panel shade system, an interior trim component, a hand grip, and a sun visor assembly, forming the window assembly by securing the selected vehicle interior accessory to a predetermined area of the inner surface of a window panel, and installing the vehicle window assembly over or within a window opening of the vehicle after securing the interior accessory to the window panel such that the interior accessory is accessible to an occupant of the vehicle from the vehicle interior after installation.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin, III
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Patent number: 6382694Abstract: The present invention provides a seating arrangement for a motor vehicle including a steering wheel, the seating arrangement includes a lower seat member, a seatback member and a theft deterrent system. The seatback member is coupled to the lower seat member for articulation between a first position and a second position such that the seatback member is oriented generally vertical in the first position and an upper portion of the seatback member is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the steering wheel when the seatback member is in the second position. The theft deterrent system is operative for selectively locking the seatback member in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Joseph D Rankin, William T Presley
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Publication number: 20010001346Abstract: A modular vehicle window assembly is provided which has attached thereto interior vehicle accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the window panel assembly includes a window panel disposed within or covering a window opening formed in the vehicle. The window panel may optionally contain a conventional gasket or sealing structure to provide a weather-tight seal in the window opening. Supported on and interconnecting to the interior surface of the window panel are any one of a number of different accessory configurations, including centerline, island, and peninsular overhead consoles providing storage space, overhead lighting, and air conditioning vents for use by the occupants. Other accessories which may be used include an instrument display assembly, a control assembly, a window shade assembly, and a hand-hold assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: May 24, 2001Inventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin
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Patent number: 6231111Abstract: A window panel assembly for use in a vehicle includes a window panel having interior and exterior surfaces and a power strip attached to the interior surface of the window panel. The power strip includes a channel receiving an electrically powered accessory such as a map light. The accessory is movable to a number of positions within the channel to accommodate the needs of a vehicle occupant. Preferably, the assembly is used in the roof area of the vehicle such that the accessory is supported overhead of the passenger compartment. An opaque frit layer may be included on the window panel to conceal the power strip when the assembly is viewed from the exterior.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin, III
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Patent number: 6019411Abstract: A modular vehicle window assembly is provided which has attached thereto interior vehicle accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the window panel assembly includes a window panel disposed within or covering a window opening formed in the vehicle. The window panel may optionally contain a conventional gasket or sealing structure to provide a weather-tight seal in the window opening. Supported on and interconnecting to the interior surface of the window panel are any one of a number of different accessory configurations, including centerline, island, and peninsular overhead consoles providing storage space, overhead lighting, and air conditioning vents for use by the occupants. Other accessories which may be used include an instrument display assembly, a control assembly, a window shade assembly, and a hand-hold assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1997Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin, III
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Patent number: 5667896Abstract: A modular vehicle window assembly is provided which has attached thereto interior vehicle accessories. In a preferred embodiment, the window panel assembly includes a window panel disposed within or covering a window opening formed in the vehicle. The window panel may optionally contain a conventional gasket or sealing structure to provide a weather-tight seal in the window opening. Supported on and interconnecting to the interior surface of the window panel are any one of a number of different accessory configurations, including centerline, island, and peninsular overhead consoles providing storage space, overhead lighting, and air conditioning vents for use by the occupants. Other accessories which may be used include an instrument display assembly, a control assembly, a window shade assembly, and a hand-hold assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Donnelly CorporationInventors: John W. Carter, Jeffrey A. Lewno, Daniel J. Fisher, Joseph D. Rankin, III