Patents by Inventor Kevin J. O'Beirne

Kevin J. O'Beirne 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).

  • Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same
    Patent number: 9616935
    Abstract: Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of assembling a unibody structure of a vehicle includes assembling a door surround ring comprising a forward pillar portion, a roof rail portion, a rearward pillar portion, and a rocker portion. The method also includes, subsequent to assembling the door surround ring, installing the door surround ring into a vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring to the vehicle side outer panel. The method further includes, subsequent to installing the door surround ring into the vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring and the vehicle side outer panel to a vehicle interior structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler E. Schnug, Kuo Sun, Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Donald E. Maynard, Kevin J. O'Beirne
  • Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same
    Patent number: 9487239
    Abstract: Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a unibody structure of a vehicle includes an inboard A-pillar member, an outboard A-pillar member positioned outboard of the inboard A-pillar member and coupled to the inboard A-pillar member, and a reinforcement member positioned between the inboard A-pillar member and the outboard A-pillar member. The reinforcement member is coupled to the outboard A-pillar member and has a plurality of reduced thickness regions that are positioned in a vehicle vertical direction along the reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler E. Schnug, Kuo Sun, Yizhou Fan, Mark D. Clauser, Corinne D. Uskali, Kevin J. O'Beirne, Donald E. Maynard
  • Vehicle Structures and Methods Of Assembling The Same
    Publication number: 20160101815
    Abstract: Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of assembling a unibody structure of a vehicle includes assembling a door surround ring comprising a forward pillar portion, a roof rail portion, a rearward pillar portion, and a rocker portion. The method also includes, subsequent to assembling the door surround ring, installing the door surround ring into a vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring to the vehicle side outer panel. The method further includes, subsequent to installing the door surround ring into the vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring and the vehicle side outer panel to a vehicle interior structural member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler E. Schnug, Kuo Sun, Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Donald E. Maynard, Kevin J. O'Beirne
  • Vehicle Structures and Methods Of Assembling The Same
    Publication number: 20160101814
    Abstract: Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a unibody structure of a vehicle includes an inboard A-pillar member, an outboard A-pillar member positioned outboard of the inboard A-pillar member and coupled to the inboard A-pillar member, and a reinforcement member positioned between the inboard A-pillar member and the outboard A-pillar member. The reinforcement member is coupled to the outboard A-pillar member and has a plurality of reduced thickness regions that are positioned in a vehicle vertical direction along the reinforcement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler E. Schnug, Kuo Sun, Yizhou Fan, Mark D. Clauser, Corinne D. Uskali, Kevin J. O'Beirne, Donald E. Maynard