Patents by Inventor Lawrence Michael PLOURDE, Jr.

Lawrence Michael PLOURDE, Jr. 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: 11807080
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a door with a door module and a hinge module. The hinge module is attached to the vehicle body. The door module is attached to the hinge module. The hinge module includes a hinge bracket attached to the vehicle body, and a pair of arms extending from the hinge bracket that can pivot relative to the hinge bracket and a cross brace attached at the ends of the arms. The door module attaches to the cross brace. The door module moves along with the cross brace, which moves along with the arms as they pivot relative to the hinge bracket. The door module includes a latch mechanism at a bottom edge, with the latch mechanism engaging with the vehicle body. A lateral edge of the door may seal against a lateral edge of the second door without a latch interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Gabbianelli, Lawrence Michael Plourde, Jr., Mari Chellman, Azhagu Subramanian
  • Publication number: 20210402860
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a door with a door module and a hinge module. The hinge module is attached to the vehicle body. The door module is attached to the hinge module. The hinge module includes a hinge bracket attached to the vehicle body, and a pair of arms extending from the hinge bracket that can pivot relative to the hinge bracket and a cross brace attached at the ends of the arms. The door module attaches to the cross brace. The door module moves along with the cross brace, which moves along with the arms as they pivot relative to the hinge bracket. The door module includes a latch mechanism at a bottom edge, with the latch mechanism engaging with the vehicle body. A lateral edge of the door may seal against a lateral edge of the second door without a latch interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Gianfranco GABBIANELLI, Lawrence Michael PLOURDE, JR., Mari CHELLMAN, Azhagu SUBRAMANIAN
  • Publication number: 20210394595
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing a sliding vehicle door includes a vehicle door that engages with the body in the closed position. A longitudinal track is fixedly mounted to an interior of the vehicle door. A hinged bracket is fixedly mounted to the vehicle body adjacent an opening defined by the vehicle body. The hinged bracket has a laterally compressed shape when the door is closed, and expands laterally outward when the door is opened. The door and the track fixed thereto slide longitudinally along the opened hinged bracket when the door is opened. The interface between the hinged bracket and the track remains at the same generally location relative to the vehicle body, and shifts relative to the vehicle door when the door is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Lawrence Michael PLOURDE, Jr., Ryan Robert WARPUP, David Wayne CUMMINGS, Sten Ermond BURRIS, Arun Kumar REDDYVARIPALLI NARAYANASWAMY