Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Hansz

Thomas J. Hansz 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: 6179366
    Abstract: A sunshade mounting clip assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting clip adapted to be disposed adjacent a headliner covering a roof of a vehicle for cooperating with a sunshade. The mounting clip has a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The sunshade mounting clip assembly also includes a mounting support adapted to be disposed adjacent the headliner on a side opposite the mounting clip and having an aperture extending therethrough to receive the shaft. The sunshade mounting clip assembly further includes a retainer disposed adjacent the mounting support having an aperture to receive the shaft and preventing the shaft from exiting the mounting support. The mounting support extends laterally and longitudinally to form a footprint greater than a footprint of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hansz
  • Patent number: 5577794
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle door structure is provided which, in a preferred embodiment, includes a first generally rigid outer structure, a second generally rigid inner structure spaced from the outer structure and having an opening generally aligned with the pelvic region of a vehicle occupant seated inside the vehicle, a bracket spanning the opening of the inner structure, and a compliant target held by the bracket spaced generally adjacent the inner structure opening and located between the inner and outer structures. Thus, an impact on the door causes the target to protrude inwardly through the inner structure opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Mark E. Farmer, Patricia L. Harmon, Douglas J. Osmak, Linda M. Kajma, Thomas J. Hansz