Patents by Inventor Paul Van Norman

Paul Van Norman 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 having multifunctional tailgate
    Patent number: 11584451
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a handle assembly. A door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The handle assembly includes a housing, a first release switch and a second release switch. The housing extends at least partially into a cavity of the door and includes a lower wall and an upper wall that cooperate to define a pocket. The first release switch is disposed along the upper wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the horizontal axis. The second release switch is disposed along the lower wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Robert J Gibbs, Christopher J Sytek, Clifford L Eberle, Jr., Eric Ghoukasian, Piyush Agarwal, Sean E Whelan, David R Parks, Michael C Gillam, Paul Van Norman, Christopher J Duke
  • VEHICLE HAVING MULTIFUNCTIONAL TAILGATE
    Publication number: 20210245817
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a handle assembly. A door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The handle assembly includes a housing, a first release switch and a second release switch. The housing extends at least partially into a cavity of the door and includes a lower wall and an upper wall that cooperate to define a pocket. The first release switch is disposed along the upper wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the horizontal axis. The second release switch is disposed along the lower wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Robert J. Gibbs, Christopher J. Sytek, Clifford L. Eberle, JR., Eric Ghoukasian, Piyush Agarwal, Sean E. Whelan, David R. Parks, Michael C. Gillam, Paul Van Norman, Christopher J. Duke