Patents by Inventor Rob Blanchard

Rob Blanchard 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: 7029060
    Abstract: A roof ditch molding structure is provided with a body member having a drainage groove that receives a roof ditch molding which is preferably coupled thereto by a double sided tape formed of thermally cured urethane. The roof ditch molding has a rigid carrier member and a resilient cover member that substantially covers an outer surface of the carrier member. The rigid carrier member has a first transverse free end disposed between first and second vertical portions of the body member, and a second transverse free end disposed between the first transverse free end and the second vertical portion of the body member. The first transverse free end has a step portion extending substantially toward the second vertical portion of the body member. The cover member has first and second lip portions extending from the first and second transverse free ends of the carrier member, respectively, to form seals between the roof ditch molding and the drainage groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Osterberg, Rob Blanchard
  • Patent number: 7004535
    Abstract: A roof ditch molding fastener is provided that comprises a molding retaining portion and a base portion. The molding retaining portion is configured and arranged to releasably retain a roof ditch molding to a vehicle body. The base portion includes a first longitudinal contacting surface and a second longitudinal contacting surface. The second longitudinal contacting surface extends substantially parallel to the first longitudinal contacting surface, and is laterally spaced from the first longitudinal contacting surface to form an uninterrupted air space between the first and second longitudinal contacting surfaces. Thus, the roof ditch molding fastener is easily positioned in place with respect to the vehicle body by using the first and second longitudinal contacting surfaces. Moreover, since the uninterrupted space is formed between the first and second longitudinal surfaces, a corrosion of a portion between the roof ditch molding fastener and the vehicle body can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Osterberg, Rob Blanchard, Youichi Yamamoto