Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Hodgson

Thomas S. Hodgson 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: 8434811
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle visor, comprising a visor pivot rod, a carrier on the visor pivot rod, a spring mechanism inside the carrier, and an open channel with a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the carrier extends into the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brent D. Rockafellow, Thomas S. Hodgson, Stacy G. Frye, Bryan T. Jones, Philip A. Lehman, Kenneth D. Kreuze
  • Publication number: 20110227362
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle visor, comprising a visor pivot rod, a carrier on the visor pivot rod, a spring mechanism inside the carrier, and an open channel with a first end and a second end, wherein at least a portion of the carrier extends into the interior
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson's Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Brent D. Rockafellow, Thomas S. Hodgson, Stacy G. Frye, Bryan T. Jones, Philip A. Lehman, Kenneth D. Kreuze
  • Publication number: 20110222302
    Abstract: Lighting systems for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a removable power source, a touch activation system, tasked lighting and a directional lighting system. The lighting systems, can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hodgson, Randy L. Arendsen, Steven M. Spoerre, Robert L. Hamelink, Kathleen M. Pacheco
  • Publication number: 20110012387
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle is made by inserting a coverstock material into a mold and molding a core behind at least part of the coverstock material. The coverstock material is thus integrally connected to the core and will follow the contour of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Cicholski, Steven M. Davage, Thomas S. Hodgson
  • Patent number: 7823954
    Abstract: A visor assembly includes a visor body, a support rod, and a slide mechanism coupled to the visor body that slidably engages the support rod. The slide mechanism includes a slide member having a plurality of extensions that are biased toward the support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bryan T. Jones, Stacy G. Frye, Philip A. Lehman, Kirk J. Olep, Thomas S. Hodgson, Kenneth D. Kreuze, Ronald C. Perry, Vincent J. Boraas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080211256
    Abstract: A visor assembly includes a visor body, a support rod, and a slide mechanism coupled to the visor body that slidably engages the support rod. The slide mechanism includes a slide member having a plurality of extensions that are biased toward the support rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Bryan T. Jones, Stacy G. Frye, Philip A. Lehman, Kirk J. Olep, Thomas S. Hodgson, Kenneth D. Kreuze, Ronald C. Perry, Vincent J. Boraas
  • Patent number: 7281751
    Abstract: A visor (20) has a visor core (30,140) with a channel (36,100) for receiving a polymeric slide (54,130) fixedly coupled to a visor pivot rod (22) via a detent spring (56,120) to allow the visor to be adjustably moved along and rotated around the pivot rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: L. Robert Hamelink, Thomas S. Hodgson, Kirk J. Olep, Brent D. Rockafellow, Steven M. Spoerre, Robert J. Stenman, Mathias R. Fox, Kenneth D. Kreuze, Jonathan B. Lubbers, David L. Hiemstra, Jason R. Mulder
  • Patent number: 7270359
    Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle includes a handle member coupled to a structural member of the vehicle, the handle member having a first end and a second end. Connecting structure is provided on at least one of the first end and the second end to receive at least one accessory. The assist handle assembly may also include a connecting member having a contact that is configured to provide a utility interface with the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Sparks, Thomas S. Hodgson, Mathias R. Fox
  • Patent number: 6829812
    Abstract: A headliner system configured to mount to a vehicle roof structure comprises a retainer clip coupled to a substrate, and a handle movable between a first position and a second position. The handle is retained by a retaining system such as a biasing element captured between the roof structure and a projection. A method of mounting a handle to vehicle roof structure comprises providing a retaining system comprising a retainer clip, coupling the retainer clip to a headliner, coupling the handle to the retainer clip and orientating it in a first position, moving the handle to a second position to capture a portion of the handle between the retainer clip and a projection, locating the headliner relative to the roof structure, and moving the handle to a third position to retain a portion of the handle between at least a portion of the retaining system and the roof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Ozios, Mathias R. Fox, Thomas S. Hodgson, Brian J. Sparks, Ben E. Sapak
  • Publication number: 20040051346
    Abstract: A headliner system configured to mount to a vehicle roof structure comprises a retainer clip coupled to a substrate, and a handle movable between a first position and a second position. The handle is retained by a retaining system such as a biasing element captured between the roof structure and a projection. A method of mounting a handle to vehicle roof structure comprises providing a retaining system comprising a retainer clip, coupling the retainer clip to a headliner, coupling the handle to the retainer clip and orientating it in a first position, moving the handle to a second position to capture a portion of the handle between the retainer clip and a projection, locating the headliner relative to the roof structure, and moving the handle to a third position to retain a portion of the handle between at least a portion of the retaining system and the roof structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Ozios, Mathias R. Fox, Thomas S. Hodgson, Brian J. Sparks, Ben E. Sapak