Patents by Inventor Terrence D. Gibney

Terrence D. Gibney 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: 6857688
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a carrier panel attachable to a vehicle door outer structure such that the carrier panel substantially covers an opening of the door outer structure. The carrier panel is configured to function as a water shield between the door outer structure and a vehicle occupant compartment. The carrier panel also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion defines a lower appearance surface. The assembly further includes a hardware component mounted to and supported by the carrier panel, and an upper trim panel arrangement that is attachable to the carrier panel after the carrier panel has been attached to the door outer structure. The upper trim panel arrangement is configured to substantially cover the upper portion of the carrier panel and defines an upper appearance surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald O. Morrison, Terrence D. Gibney, Jr., Michael J. Berta, Holger Reusswig, Brian P. Skarb
  • Publication number: 20040012226
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a carrier panel attachable to a vehicle door outer structure such that the carrier panel substantially covers an opening of the door outer structure. The carrier panel is configured to function as a water shield between the door outer structure and a vehicle occupant compartment. The carrier panel also includes an upper portion and a lower portion, and the lower portion defines a lower appearance surface. The assembly further includes a hardware component mounted to and supported by the carrier panel, and an upper trim panel arrangement that is attachable to the carrier panel after the carrier panel has been attached to the door outer structure. The upper trim panel arrangement is configured to substantially cover the upper portion of the carrier panel and defines an upper appearance surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald O. Morrison, Terrence D Gibney, Michael J Berta, Holger Reusswig, Brian P Skarb
  • Publication number: 20030116993
    Abstract: A part for use with a vehicle includes a structural member made of foamed plastic material. The part also includes an expanded polypropylene substrate integrally attached to the structural member. Furthermore, the substrate cooperates with the structural member to provide a sufficient structural characteristic to the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Brian P. Skarb, Terrence D. Gibney Jr, Richard D. George, Michael J. Berta
  • Patent number: 6565142
    Abstract: A vehicle door inner trim panel assembly (12) includes an inner trim panel (15) having a first electrical connector (18) and the assembly also includes an electrical control panel (36) having a second electrical connector (38) that is electrically connected to the first electrical connector upon mounting of the electrical control panel on a mount (16) of the inner trim panel. Electrical switches, (40, 42, 44 and 46) of the electrical control panel (36) control operation of associated vehicle electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence D. Gibney, Jr., Michael J. Berta, Gerald O. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20030080582
    Abstract: A vehicle door inner trim panel assembly (12) includes an inner trim panel (15) having a first electrical connector (18) and the assembly also includes an electrical control panel (36) having a second electrical connector (38) that is electrically connected to the first electrical connector upon mounting of the electrical control panel on a mount (16) of the inner trim panel. Electrical switches, (40, 42, 44 and 46) of the electrical control panel (36) control operation of associated vehicle electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence D. Gibney, Michael J. Berta, Gerald O. Morrison
  • Patent number: 6398291
    Abstract: A vehicle configuration includes a cab portion and a cargo box. The cargo box has a front wall adjacent the cab portion. The vehicle configuration is adaptable for carrying a cargo load longer than the cargo box. A collapsible seat back is positioned against the front wall and structurally supported by the front wall. The seat back is collapsible in a forward direction to a substantially flat position in the vehicle. A headrest is fixed to the front wall. The front wall is collapsible onto the seat back in the cab portion when the seat back is in the substantially flat position such that the headrest is collapsible with the front wall. In this configuration, a longer load may extend from the cargo box into the cab portion on top of the collapsed front wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Holger Reusswig, Terrence D. Gibney, Jr., Stanislaw Andrzeg Wieclawski