Patents by Inventor Robert M. Horner

Robert M. Horner 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: 12600417
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 12590487
    Abstract: A multi-way liftgate assembly providing a plurality of dividers dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle into a plurality of secure areas assessable from a plurality of panels forming a liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments. The vehicle operator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area can be selectively accessed. The multi-way liftgate assembly provides multiple secure openings to the cargo area of a vehicle that typically has only one secure opening to the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Luyao Zhu, Marc Cogswell, Robert M. Horner
  • Publication number: 20250368278
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 12479518
    Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Andrew E. Sicherman, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Peter G. DeMarois, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 12365399
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 12344084
    Abstract: A hard top removal assist system for a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle body having a plurality of rails mounted to the vehicle body. A hard top has a connection that is used to connect the hard top to the plurality of rails. There is at least one connection on the hard top that is slidable in the one or more rails between an installed position and a removed position. The hard top can be fully removed from the vehicle body and the one or more rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Aurora Ontario
    Inventors: Marc Cogswell, Larry R. Erickson, Robert M. Horner, Brian Staley, Luyao Zhu
  • Patent number: 12319360
    Abstract: A modular gate combined with multiple functions which can be easily employed with existing tailgates without any hardware or mounting modifications to existing truck beds. There is provided a modular tailgate system having a tailgate portion in combination with a plurality of functions. The modular tailgate system integrates any combinations of at least two of the plurality of features without affecting existing body sides and/or existing truck beds. Integrated features include a multi-functional gate (e.g., swing, drop, etc), storage (e.g., normal, sealed, refrigerated, heated, etc), step(s), lighting (e.g., ingress/egress, bed interior, removable, trailer hitch, parking, etc), bed extension(s), power (e.g., 12 v and/or 110 v), tie downs (e.g., ratchets, anchors, etc), sawhorse, magnet(s), table(s), bench(es), seat(s), net(s), any other predetermined desired function, etc., and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Williamson, Robert M. Horner, Marc Cogswell, Larry R. Erickson, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 12312854
    Abstract: A multi-way liftgate assembly providing a plurality of dividers dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle into a plurality of secure areas assessable from a plurality of panels forming a liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments. The vehicle operator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area can be selectively accessed. The multi-way liftgate assembly provides multiple secure openings to the cargo area of a vehicle that typically has only one secure opening to the cargo area. The multi-way liftgate assembly provides on-demand open height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Luyao Zhu, Marc Cogswell, Robert M. Horner
  • Patent number: 12296663
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hardtop for a vehicle that has an exterior thermoplastic roof panel and sides. The hardtop includes a top frame formed of at least two longitudinal sides and at least one cross vehicle piece formed from fiber reinforced polymer. Connected to the top frame is at least one roof panel forming an outer surface of the hardtop. There are also one or more side frames each having a side panel connected thereto. The roof panel and side panel are all formed of thermoplastic, so it is possible to have a Class A finish paint surface or mold in color finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: John S. Muglia, Mohan Girijeshwar, Keijo J. Huotari, Brian Staley, Larry Richard Erickson, Marc Cogswell, Robert M. Horner, Luyao Zhu
  • Patent number: 12280721
    Abstract: A molded panel that encompasses all forward surfaces of a vehicle. The molded panel extends from the forward edge from a driver side front wheel opening, laterally across the front of the vehicle and terminating at a forward edge of a passenger side wheel opening. The molded panel extends in the vertical direction (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) from a forward lower edge of a front valance up to a leading edge of one of a hood, a flunk, and a windshield of the vehicle. The molded panel further includes connection flanges formed on a back side surface for connection to a vehicle frame that does not have a front end module and front frame bulk head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Cogswell, Robert M. Horner, Daniel Vander Sluis, Mark T. Pilette, Larry R. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20240343313
    Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Andrew E. Sicherman, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Peter G. DeMarois, Brian Staley
  • Publication number: 20240317325
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20240278857
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Publication number: 20240229539
    Abstract: A multi-way liftgate assembly providing a plurality of dividers dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle into a plurality of secure areas assessable from a plurality of panels forming a liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments. The vehicle operator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area can be selectively accessed. The multi-way liftgate assembly provides multiple secure openings to the cargo area of a vehicle that typically has only one secure opening to the cargo area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Luyao Zhu, Marc Cogswell, Robert M. Horner
  • Patent number: 12024234
    Abstract: An articulating tailgate assembly with improved accessibility into a cargo bed of a vehicle, incorporating at least one door. The tailgate system provides a tailgate with a combination of predetermined plurality of functions for accessibility into the cargo bed of the vehicle and to improve functionality of the tailgate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Selle, Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Patent number: 12005968
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly including at least two tailgate panels that both move between a closed position, a plurality of intermediate open positions, and a fully open position, where the tailgate panels selectively separate and articulate from the back of the cargo bed to the sides of the cargo bed. The tailgate panels move out of the way to provide direct access to the cargo area floor. The tailgate panels articulate in a small envelope of space, improving access to the rear in a confined space at the rear of the vehicle and reducing the risk of contacting objects that may be behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Robert A. Selle, Peter G. DeMarois, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Andrew E. Sicherman, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 11975766
    Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson, Andrew E. Sicherman, Michael S. Spagnuolo, Peter G. DeMarois, Brian Staley
  • Patent number: 11927046
    Abstract: A multi-way liftgate assembly providing a plurality of dividers dividing the rear cargo area of a passenger vehicle into a plurality of secure areas assessable from a plurality of panels forming a liftgate to provide controlled access to one or more of those compartments. The vehicle operator has secure control of which portions of the cargo area can be selectively accessed. The multi-way liftgate assembly provides multiple secure openings to the cargo area of a vehicle that typically has only one secure opening to the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Luyao Zhu, Marc Cogswell, Robert M. Horner
  • Patent number: 11919577
    Abstract: An access door for a vehicle including an open bed assembly including a front wall, two side walls and a rear wall. A door portion on one of the side walls of the liftgate opening on a substantially vertical hinged axis for providing side access to the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Horner, Larry R. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20230311626
    Abstract: A hard top removal assist system for a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle body having a plurality of rails mounted to the vehicle body. A hard top has a connection that is used to connect the hard top to the plurality of rails. There is at least one connection on the hard top that is slidable in the one or more rails between an installed position and a removed position. The hard top can be fully removed from the vehicle body and the one or more rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Marc COGSWELL, Larry R. ERICKSON, Robert M. HORNER, Brian STALEY, Luyao ZHU