Patents by Inventor Patrick Grattan

Patrick Grattan 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).

  • Publication number: 20240066966
    Abstract: A vehicle roof panel assembly includes a roof panel, a seal and an head. The roof panel partially defines a rear hatch opening. The seal is fitted over a rear portion of the roof panel at a location adjacent to the rear hatch opening. The seal has a longitudinal length extending laterally across the rear portion. The bead is disposed on the rear portion of the roof panel. The bead has a longitudinal length extending laterally across the rear portion. The bead contacts the seal along the longitudinal length of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: Patrick GRATTAN
  • Patent number: 11407449
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a first structural member and an energy absorbing structure connected to the first structural member. The first structural member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. An energy absorbing structure is connected to the first structural member. The energy absorbing structure includes a first fixed member, an impact member and a connecting member. The first fixed member is connected to the first structural member. The impact member is connected to the first structural member. A connecting member is movably connected to the first fixed member and has a first end fixed to the impact member such that movement of the impact member moves the connecting member about the first fixed member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 11338861
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a roof bow and a stiffening member. The roof bow has a main section with a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a middle section that extend in a lengthwise direction of the roof bow. The stiffening member has a panel portion with a plurality of forward projections extending from a forward edge of the panel portion and a plurality of rearward projections extending from a rearward edge of the panel portion. The plurality of forward projections are fixedly attached to the forward flange section of the roof bow and the plurality of rearward projections are fixedly attached to the rearward flange section of the roof bow. The panel portion of the stiffening member is located between the forward flange section and the rearward flange section of the roof bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 11318996
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a roof bow, a vibration dampening plate and a weighted member attached to the vibration dampening plate. The roof bow has a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a central section, the central section defining a recessed area. The vibration dampening plate is installed to an upper surface of the roof bow proximate the central section. A weighted member is fixedly attached to a lower surface of the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member is at a level above the upper surface of the recessed area of the roof bow and has a non-contacting relationship with the roof bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Gouma, Patrick Grattan
  • Publication number: 20220073146
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a roof bow and a stiffening member. The roof bow has a main section with a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a middle section that extend in a lengthwise direction of the roof bow. The stiffening member has a panel portion with a plurality of forward projections extending from a forward edge of the panel portion and a plurality of rearward projections extending from a rearward edge of the panel portion. The plurality of forward projections are fixedly attached to the forward flange section of the roof bow and the plurality of rearward projections are fixedly attached to the rearward flange section of the roof bow. The panel portion of the stiffening member is located between the forward flange section and the rearward flange section of the roof bow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick GRATTAN
  • Publication number: 20220073147
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a roof bow, a vibration dampening plate and a weighted member attached to the vibration dampening plate. The roof bow has a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a central section, the central section defining a recessed area. The vibration dampening plate is installed to an upper surface of the roof bow proximate the central section. A weighted member is fixedly attached to a lower surface of the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member is at a level above the upper surface of the recessed area of the roof bow and has a non-contacting relationship with the roof bow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Masahiro GOUMA, Patrick GRATTAN
  • Patent number: 11186317
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a sill structure, a floor panel and a reinforcing bracket. The sill structure extends along a lower end of a door opening in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The floor panel is fixed to the sill structure. The reinforcing bracket has a first flange fixed to the sill structure, a second flange fixed to the floor panel and a mid-section that extends from the first flange to the second flange. The mid-section has a contoured surface with an overall surface length as measured along the contoured surface from the first flange to the second flange that is greater than a distance measured between the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 11180198
    Abstract: A vehicle structural assembly includes at least a first member and a second member each having overlapping area. The overlapping area of the first member overlays the overlapping area of the second member where the first member and second member are welded to one another. The overlapping area of the first member defines an overlap extension and the overlapping area of the second member define another overlap extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Grattan, Nicholas Bulski
  • Publication number: 20210261193
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a first structural member and an energy absorbing structure connected to the first structural member. The first structural member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. An energy absorbing structure is connected to the first structural member. The energy absorbing structure includes a first fixed member, an impact member and a connecting member. The first fixed member is connected to the first structural member. The impact member is connected to the first structural member. A connecting member is movably connected to the first fixed member and has a first end fixed to the impact member such that movement of the impact member moves the connecting member about the first fixed member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Patrick GRATTAN
  • Patent number: 11091203
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle structure, and an off-center impact structure. The vehicle structure has a front side member with a front end and a front-section extending rearward from the front end. The front side member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The off-center impact structure includes a leaf-spring assembly with a plurality of leaf-springs attached to one another. The off-center impact structure is attached to the front side member at the front-section such that the leaf-spring assembly extends in a lateral outboard direction from the front side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael McGory, Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 10960928
    Abstract: The vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame and a stop structure. The vehicle frame has a first side member and a second side member. The first and second side members have respective front ends with each of the first side member and the second side member extending rearward from the front ends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The stop structure is installed to the first side member at a location rearward of a front suspension structure. The stop structure extends in an outboard direction from the first side member. The stop structure has a top surface, a bottom surface, a forward-facing surface, and a rear surface. The bottom surface has a concaved area that extends from the forward-facing surface to the rear surface. The concaved area is dimensioned to receive a conduit such that the conduit is received and at least partially concealed within the concaved area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Publication number: 20210078642
    Abstract: A vehicle structural assembly includes at least a first member and a second member each having overlapping area. The overlapping area of the first member overlays the overlapping area of the second member where the first member and second member are welded to one another. The overlapping area of the first member defines an overlap extension and the overlapping area of the second member define another overlap extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick GRATTAN, Nicholas BULSKI
  • Publication number: 20210061358
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle structure, and an off-center impact structure. The vehicle structure has a front side member with a front end and a front-section extending rearward from the front end. The front side member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The off-center impact structure includes a leaf-spring assembly with a plurality of leaf-springs attached to one another. The off-center impact structure is attached to the front side member at the front-section such that the leaf-spring assembly extends in a lateral outboard direction from the front side member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Michael MCGORY, Patrick GRATTAN
  • Patent number: 10882383
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel and an energy absorbing member. The outer door panel being configured such that at least a portion of an outer periphery thereof is fixed to an outer periphery of the inner door panel, the inner door panel and the outer door panel defining a hollow interior therebetween. The hollow interior has an upper end and a lower end. The energy absorbing member is installed within the hollow interior between the inner door panel and the outer door panel. The energy absorbing member has an outboard end surface with a first predetermined surface area and an inboard end surface having a second predetermined surface area greater than the first predetermined surface area. The energy absorbing member is spaced apart from the upper end of the hollow interior and being spaced apart from the lower end of the hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Semsettin Subutay Akarca, Patrick Grattan
  • Publication number: 20200398896
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a sill structure, a floor panel and a reinforcing bracket. The sill structure extends along a lower end of a door opening in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The floor panel is fixed to the sill structure. The reinforcing bracket has a first flange fixed to the sill structure, a second flange fixed to the floor panel and a mid-section that extends from the first flange to the second flange. The mid-section has a contoured surface with an overall surface length as measured along the contoured surface from the first flange to the second flange that is greater than a distance measured between the first flange and the second flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Patrick GRATTAN
  • Patent number: 10864943
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame and a beam. The vehicle frame has a first side member and a second side member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and a cross-member extending in a vehicle lateral direction from the first side member to the second side member perpendicular to the first side member and the second side member. A first end of the beam is connected to one of the first side member or the second side member at a location spaced apart from the cross-member. A second end of the beam is connected to the cross-member at a location spaced apart from both the first side member and the second side member such that the beam is angularly offset from the cross-member with an angle of between 35 and 60 degrees defined between the cross-member and the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hartley, Patrick Grattan, Joseph Buratto, Perry McConnell, Michael McGory
  • Publication number: 20200361540
    Abstract: The vehicle structure includes a vehicle frame and a stop structure. The vehicle frame has a first side member and a second side member. The first and second side members have respective front ends with each of the first side member and the second side member extending rearward from the front ends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The stop structure is installed to the first side member at a location rearward of a front suspension structure. The stop structure extends in an outboard direction from the first side member. The stop structure has a top surface, a bottom surface, a forward-facing surface, and a rear surface. The bottom surface has a concaved area that extends from the forward-facing surface to the rear surface. The concaved area is dimensioned to receive a conduit such that the conduit is received and at least partially concealed within the concaved area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Patrick GRATTAN
  • Publication number: 20200361543
    Abstract: A vehicle skid panel having a main body configured for installation to a forward area of an underside of a vehicle. The main body has a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface includes a flat area, a plurality of first offset areas and a plurality of second offset areas. The plurality of first offset areas are offset from the flat area such that the plurality of first offset areas have respective surfaces that are vertically lower than the flat area and the plurality of second offset areas are vertically higher than the flat area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick GRATTAN, Michael MCGORY, David J. LEPLEY
  • Patent number: 10836442
    Abstract: A vehicle skid panel having a main body configured for installation to a forward area of an underside of a vehicle. The main body has a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface includes a flat area, a plurality of first offset areas and a plurality of second offset areas. The plurality of first offset areas are offset from the flat area such that the plurality of first offset areas have respective surfaces that are vertically lower than the flat area and the plurality of second offset areas are vertically higher than the flat area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Grattan, Michael McGory, David J Lepley
  • Patent number: 10752291
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a front side member, a body attachment structure and an off-center impact structure. The front side member defines a hollow interior, an outboard wall and an inboard wall. The body attachment structure is attached to the outboard wall of the front side member. The off-center impact structure has a first end portion, a second end portion and a main section extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The first end portion extends through an outboard forward opening and into the hollow interior of the front side member and is rigidly connected to the front side member forward of the body attachment structure. The second end portion is attached to the front side member at a location rearward of the body attachment structure with the main section extending outboard of the body attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan