Patents by Inventor Terry A. Swartzell

Terry A. Swartzell 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: 20200331539
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body with a longitudinal axis. The vehicle also includes a rocker inner panel with a first channel having interior and exterior sides. The interior side is secured to the vehicle body. The first channel has a first upper horizontal sidewall, a first lower horizontal sidewall, and a first vertical endwall coupling the first upper and first lower horizontal sidewalls at the interior side. A rocker outer panel is secured to the rocker inner panel. The rocker outer panel includes a second channel, a third channel, and a fourth channel. The second channel is secured to the third channel, and the third channel is secured to the fourth channel. An upper cavity is defined between the second and third channels, an intermediate cavity is defined between the third and fourth channels, and a lower cavity is defined between the second and third channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Richard W. Douglas, Robert Ristoski, Robert N. Saje, Kevin Stang, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Publication number: 20200262491
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle to provide load distribution between the body of the vehicle and a battery contained in the vehicle includes a pair of body rockers, the body rockers being spaced apart and being substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of body cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of body cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, and a plurality of battery cross bars that extend between the pair of body rockers, the plurality of battery cross bars being spaced apart, substantially parallel to each other, and substantially perpendicular to the body rockers, portions of the battery being located between adjacent battery cross bars. The plurality of battery cross bars, the plurality of body cross bars and the body rockers are configured to delay initiation of rocker plastic deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Shannon, Terry A. Swartzell, Thomas M. Siberski, Andrew W. White
  • Patent number: 10392053
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame system having a frame rail that extends along and is laterally offset from a longitudinal axis. A body is mounted to the frame system, and includes a rocker panel that extends along the longitudinal axis, and is disposed outboard of the first frame rail. A side load transfer device is positioned between the frame rail and the rocker panel. The side load transfer device is attached to one of the frame rail or the body. The side load transfer device is operable to transfer an applied load from the rocker panel to the frame rail. The applied load being applied to the rocker panel in an inboard direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jungryoung Kim, Huai-yang Chiang, Hari Prasada Reddy Lingala, Terry A. Swartzell, Jayavardhan Tallapragada, Warren J. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20180273100
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame system having a frame rail that extends along and is laterally offset from a longitudinal axis. A body is mounted to the frame system, and includes a rocker panel that extends along the longitudinal axis, and is disposed outboard of the first frame rail. A side load transfer device is positioned between the frame rail and the rocker panel. The side load transfer device is attached to one of the frame rail or the body. The side load transfer device is operable to transfer an applied load from the rocker panel to the frame rail. The applied load being applied to the rocker panel in an inboard direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jungryoung Kim, Huai-yang Chiang, Hari Prasada Reddy Lingala, Terry A. Swartzell, Jayavardhan Tallapragada, Warren J. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20180265133
    Abstract: A body-mounted tire blocker assembly can absorb and/or manage energy when a vehicle body assembly is subjected to an external force. This vehicle body assembly may include a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment. The vehicle body further includes a rocker panel defining a first panel end and a second panel end opposite the first panel end. The tire blocker assembly is coupled to the rocker panel and includes a first blocker body and a second blocker body coupled to the first blocker body. The first blocker body is farther from the first panel end than the second blocker body in order to guide a wheel away from the passenger compartment when an external force is applied to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Huai-yang Chiang, Vikas V. Joshi, Hari Prasada Reddy Lingala, Warren J. Parsons, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Patent number: 10077014
    Abstract: A body-mounted tire blocker assembly can absorb and/or manage energy when a vehicle body assembly is subjected to an external force. This vehicle body assembly may include a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment. The vehicle body further includes a rocker panel defining a first panel end and a second panel end opposite the first panel end. The tire blocker assembly is coupled to the rocker panel and includes a first blocker body and a second blocker body coupled to the first blocker body. The first blocker body is farther from the first panel end than the second blocker body in order to guide a wheel away from the passenger compartment when an external force is applied to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Huai-yang Chiang, Vikas V. Joshi, Hari Prasada Reddy Lingala, Warren J. Parsons, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Patent number: 9889892
    Abstract: An attachment for connecting a chassis structure to a hollow beam of a body structure includes a tube nut, a bulkhead, and a bolt. The bulkhead has a cavity surface configured to conform to a cylindrical outer surface of the tube nut. The bulkhead is disposed within the hollow beam and is attached to at least two walls of the hollow beam and to the tube nut. A first portion of the cylindrical outer surface of the tube nut is disposed in close proximity to the cavity surface of the bulkhead. A bottom surface of the tube nut contacts an inner surface of a bottom wall of the hollow beam. The bolt extends from the chassis structure, through a hole formed in the bottom wall of the hollow beam, and into the tube nut to connect the chassis structure to the body structure. The attachment may include a second bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Travis W. Walker, Darek G. Villeneuve, Terry A. Swartzell, Daniel C. Dokter
  • Publication number: 20180015961
    Abstract: An attachment for connecting a chassis structure to a hollow beam of a body structure includes a tube nut, a bulkhead, and a bolt. The bulkhead has a cavity surface configured to conform to a cylindrical outer surface of the tube nut. The bulkhead is disposed within the hollow beam and is attached to at least two walls of the hollow beam and to the tube nut. A first portion of the cylindrical outer surface of the tube nut is disposed in close proximity to the cavity surface of the bulkhead. A bottom surface of the tube nut contacts an inner surface of a bottom wall of the hollow beam. The bolt extends from the chassis structure, through a hole formed in the bottom wall of the hollow beam, and into the tube nut to connect the chassis structure to the body structure. The attachment may include a second bulkhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Travis W. Walker, Darek G. Villeneuve, Terry A. Swartzell, Daniel C. Dokter
  • Patent number: 9580106
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure and a frame rail assembly. The frame rail assembly extends forward from the bulkhead along a longitudinal centerline. The frame rail assembly includes a frame rail defining a rail axis and a reinforcing member. The frame rail defines a longitudinally extending seam and the frame rail extends forward from the bulkhead along the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail further defines an end portion. The reinforcing member is secured to the frame rail at the end portion to increase a stiffness of the frame rail at the end portion. The reinforcing member is configured to limit a stress at the seam, transverse to the rail axis, resulting from a load applied to the end portion of the frame rail and laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Krishnarao V. Yalamanchili, Mohammed N. Shaik, Terry A. Swartzell, Jayavardhan Tallapragada, Warren J. Parsons
  • Patent number: 9555838
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a rocker system using tunable parts to satisfy a number of load cases. A number of variations may include a rocker system including a vehicle rocker and at least one reinforcement attached to a first side wall or a corner of the rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Terry A. Swartzell, Robert M. Kielbik
  • Publication number: 20160375936
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure and a frame rail assembly. The frame rail assembly extends forward from the bulkhead along a longitudinal centerline. The frame rail assembly includes a frame rail defining a rail axis and a reinforcing member. The frame rail defines a longitudinally extending seam and the frame rail extends forward from the bulkhead along the longitudinal centerline. The frame rail further defines an end portion. The reinforcing member is secured to the frame rail at the end portion to increase a stiffness of the frame rail at the end portion. The reinforcing member is configured to limit a stress at the seam, transverse to the rail axis, resulting from a load applied to the end portion of the frame rail and laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Krishnarao V. Yalamanchili, Mohammed N. Shaik, Terry A. Swartzell, Jayavardhan Tallapragada, Warren J. Parsons
  • Patent number: 9440682
    Abstract: A product comprising a mixed material longitudinal rail system for a vehicle and a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Terry A. Swartzell, Artur Wyszynski, Robert M. Kielbik, Keith J. Saari
  • Patent number: 9233720
    Abstract: A product comprising a lateral beam system which may include a 4-bar beam having a first bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a vertical arc and a second bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a horizontal arc and which may also include a plurality of brackets which may be attached to the 4-bar beam and wherein the lateral beam system may be attached to a vehicle at an angled toward the front of the vehicle and a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Terry A. Swartzell, Kevin J. Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20150210330
    Abstract: A motor compartment structure for a vehicle includes an intermediate joint welded to a forward region of a cab of the vehicle. Also included is an upper motor compartment rail having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end mechanically fastened to the intermediate joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hesham A. Ezzat, Marcel R. Cannon, Mark A. Nelson, John T. Freiwald, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Publication number: 20150001876
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including a secondary dash including a center portion constructed and arranged to be attached to a primary dash of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Artur Wyszynski, Terry A. Swartzell, Johnny Ristoski
  • Publication number: 20150001887
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including a rocker end plate attached to at least one of a rocker, a rear rail or an outer stamping for a vehicle rear rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Terry A. Swartzell
  • Publication number: 20150001886
    Abstract: A product comprising a lateral beam system which may include a 4-bar beam having a first bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a vertical arc and a second bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a horizontal arc and which may also include a plurality of brackets which may be attached to the 4-bar beam and wherein the lateral beam system may be attached to a vehicle at an angled toward the front of the vehicle and a method of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Terry A. Swartzell, Kevin J. Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20150001891
    Abstract: A product comprising a mixed material longitudinal rail system for a vehicle and a method of making the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Terry A. Swartzell, Artur Wyszynski, Robert M. Kielbik, Keith J. Saari
  • Publication number: 20150001892
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a rocker system using tunable parts to satisfy a number of load cases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, Terry A. Swartzell, Robert M. Kielbik
  • Publication number: 20150001884
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product including a front hinge pillar for a vehicle, wherein the front hinge pillar is a non-joined, one piece of continuous cast material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert N. SAJE, Keith J. SAARI, Artur WYSZYNSKI, Terry A. SWARTZELL