Patents by Inventor Neal Osterhout

Neal Osterhout 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: 9321422
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pillar, a roof rail, a pillar trim panel mounted to the pillar, a pillar airbag and a curtain airbag. The pillar airbag is mounted to the pillar in a stowed orientation between the pillar trim panel and the pillar. The pillar airbag is arranged to be deployed in a first direction extending away from the pillar in a deployed orientation. The curtain airbag is mounted to the roof rail in a stowed orientation along the roof rail, and is arranged to be deployed in a downward direction extending away from the roof rail to a deployed orientation. The pillar airbag is positioned outboard of the curtain airbag with the curtain airbag overlaying a portion of the pillar airbag with respect to a second direction transverse to the first direction while the pillar airbag and the curtain airbag are in their deployed orientations, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mueller, Neal Osterhout, Jeffery Dix
  • Publication number: 20150130172
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pillar, a roof rail, a pillar trim panel mounted to the pillar, a pillar airbag and a curtain airbag. The pillar airbag is mounted to the pillar in a stowed orientation between the pillar trim panel and the pillar. The pillar airbag is arranged to be deployed in a first direction extending away from the pillar in a deployed orientation. The curtain airbag is mounted to the roof rail in a stowed orientation along the roof rail, and is arranged to be deployed in a downward direction extending away from the roof rail to a deployed orientation. The pillar airbag is positioned outboard of the curtain airbag with the curtain airbag overlaying a portion of the pillar airbag with respect to a second direction transverse to the first direction while the pillar airbag and the curtain airbag are in their deployed orientations, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph MUELLER, Neal OSTERHOUT, Jeffery DIX
  • Patent number: 8991866
    Abstract: A vehicle pillar trim assembly includes a trim panel, a first cover plate and a second cover plate. The trim panel has a first side surface, a second side surface and an aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface. The first cover plate is slidably arranged in an adjustment direction with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first side surface and at least partially covering the aperture. The first cover plate has a first opening that is smaller than the aperture and at least partially aligned with the aperture. The second cover plate is slidably with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first cover plate and at least partially covering the first opening. The second cover plate has a second opening smaller than the first opening and aligned with the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8967661
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pillar, a roof rail, a pillar trim panel mounted to the pillar, a pillar airbag and a curtain airbag. The pillar airbag is mounted to the pillar in a stowed orientation between the pillar trim panel and the pillar. The pillar airbag is arranged to be deployed in a first direction extending away from the pillar in a deployed orientation. The curtain airbag is mounted to the roof rail in a stowed orientation along the roof rail, and is arranged to be deployed in a downward direction extending away from the roof rail to a deployed orientation. The pillar airbag is positioned outboard of the curtain airbag with the curtain airbag overlaying a portion of the pillar airbag with respect to a second direction transverse to the first direction while the pillar airbag and the curtain airbag are in their deployed orientations, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mueller, Neal Osterhout, Jeffery Dix
  • Publication number: 20140367946
    Abstract: A vehicle pillar trim assembly includes a trim panel, a first cover plate and a second cover plate. The trim panel has a first side surface, a second side surface and an aperture extending from the first side surface to the second side surface. The first cover plate is slidably arranged in an adjustment direction with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first side surface and at least partially covering the aperture. The first cover plate has a first opening that is smaller than the aperture and at least partially aligned with the aperture. The second cover plate is slidably with respect to the trim panel in an overlapping manner with the first cover plate and at least partially covering the first opening. The second cover plate has a second opening smaller than the first opening and aligned with the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Neal OSTERHOUT
  • Publication number: 20140346758
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a pillar, a roof rail, a pillar trim panel mounted to the pillar, a pillar airbag and a curtain airbag. The pillar airbag is mounted to the pillar in a stowed orientation between the pillar trim panel and the pillar. The pillar airbag is arranged to be deployed in a first direction extending away from the pillar in a deployed orientation. The curtain airbag is mounted to the roof rail in a stowed orientation along the roof rail, and is arranged to be deployed in a downward direction extending away from the roof rail to a deployed orientation. The pillar airbag is positioned outboard of the curtain airbag with the curtain airbag overlaying a portion of the pillar airbag with respect to a second direction transverse to the first direction while the pillar airbag and the curtain airbag are in their deployed orientations, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph MUELLER, Neal OSTERHOUT, Jeffery DIX
  • Patent number: 8297676
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a main trim body and a tab extending from the bottom end of the main trim body. The main trim body is configured to releasably cover at least a portion of a pillar of a vehicle, and includes a pillar facing surface, a passenger compartment facing surface, a top end and a bottom end. The tab extends from the bottom end of the main trim body to a free end that is configured to be received in a vehicle component. The tab includes a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge surrounding the first and second faces, and further includes a retention member protruding from the first face of the tab, with the retention member being configured to retain the tab to the vehicle component while the main trim body is released from the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Osterhout, Yimin She, Prasath Balakrishnan, Jorge Adolfo Miranda Nieto
  • Publication number: 20120119531
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim panel is provided with a main trim body and a tab extending from the bottom end of the main trim body. The main trim body is configured to releasably cover at least a portion of a pillar of a vehicle, and includes a pillar facing surface, a passenger compartment facing surface, a top end and a bottom end. The tab extends from the bottom end of the main trim body to a free end that is configured to be received in a vehicle component. The tab includes a first face, a second face and a peripheral edge surrounding the first and second faces, and further includes a retention member protruding from the first face of the tab, with the retention member being configured to retain the tab to the vehicle component while the main trim body is released from the pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Neal OSTERHOUT, Yimin SHE, Prasath Balakrishnan, Jorge Adolfo MIRANDA NIETO
  • Patent number: 7784818
    Abstract: At least one guide member extends longitudally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim stucture covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Downey, Kristi Elliott-Rumberger, Neal Osterhout
  • Patent number: 7766377
    Abstract: At least one guide member extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim structure covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Downey, Kristi Elliott-Rumberger, Neal Osterhout
  • Patent number: 7571930
    Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag integrated tether and method of manufacture can include forming an inflatable curtain from at least one panel of material defining at least one expandable chamber, forming a tether integrally from a salvage area of the at one panel of material, and attaching the tether at an attachment point to the inflatable curtain at one end and having opposite end attachable to a structural pillar of the vehicle for anchoring the inflatable curtain during inflation. The side curtain airbag can be for installation in a stowed condition proximate a roof rail of a vehicle and adapted to be inflated to a deployed condition extending downward along an inner side surface of a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Osterhout, Brian Downey, Kristi Elliott-Rumberger
  • Patent number: 7562902
    Abstract: A side airbag seat reinforcement pocket is defined by at least one sheet of material having a peripheral edge and being divided into at least three major surface portions along first, second and third fold lines. The first major surface portion includes at least one first aperture adjacent a first edge and an edge to be sewn into a seat trim cover seam along a second edge opposite from the first edge. The second major surface portion has at least one second aperture formed adjacent peripheral edge. The third major surface portion has at least one third aperture formed adjacent the peripheral edge. The first, second and third apertures are located in coaxial alignment with respect to one another when the second and third major surface portions are folded to define an enclosed pocket in five directions with an opening in a sixth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal Osterhout
  • Publication number: 20090058053
    Abstract: An inflatable curtain airbag integrated tether and method of manufacture can include forming an inflatable curtain from at least one panel of material defining at least one expandable chamber, forming a tether integrally from a salvage area of the at one panel of material, and attaching the tether at an attachment point to the inflatable curtain at one end and having opposite end attachable to a structural pillar of the vehicle for anchoring the inflatable curtain during inflation. The side curtain airbag can be for installation in a stowed condition proximate a roof rail of a vehicle and adapted to be inflated to a deployed condition extending downward along an inner side surface of a passenger compartment of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Osterhout, Brian Downey, Kristi Elliott-Rumberger
  • Publication number: 20090051148
    Abstract: A side airbag seat reinforcement pocket is defined by at least one sheet of material having a peripheral edge and being divided into at least three major surface portions along first, second and third fold lines. The first major surface portion includes at least one first aperture adjacent a first edge and an edge to be sewn into a seat trim cover seam along a second edge opposite from the first edge. The second major surface portion has at least one second aperture formed adjacent peripheral edge. The third major surface portion has at least one third aperture formed adjacent the peripheral edge. The first, second and third apertures are located in coaxial alignment with respect to one another when the second and third major surface portions are folded to define an enclosed pocket in five directions with an opening in a sixth direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Neal Osterhout
  • Publication number: 20080238053
    Abstract: At least one guide member extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim structure covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Downey, Kristi Elliott-Rumberger, Neal Osterhout
  • Publication number: 20080238054
    Abstract: At least one guide member extends longitudinally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim structure covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: NISSAN TECHNICAL CENTER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Downey, Kristi Elliott-Rumberger, Neal Osterhout