Patents by Inventor Wesley D. Francis

Wesley D. Francis 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).

  • Vehicle fascia with integral energy absorber
    Patent number: 9090219
    Abstract: A bumper system for a vehicle includes a fascia having an integral energy absorber portion configured to dissipate an amount of energy due to an impact upon the fascia. The energy absorber portion includes multiple spaced formations configured to extend rearward and forward when the bumper system is installed on the vehicle. The bumper system may also include an impact beam. The fascia can be secured to the vehicle so that the fascia is positioned immediately adjacent the impact beam. The bumper system can also include a valence that covers the energy absorber portion from view, so that only a remaining display portion of the bumper system is visible from outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wesley D. Francis, Nenad Eror, Burns MacGibbon
  • VEHICLE FASCIA WITH INTEGRAL ENERGY ABSORBER
    Publication number: 20140292006
    Abstract: A bumper system for a vehicle includes a fascia having an integral energy absorber portion configured to dissipate an amount of energy due to an impact upon the fascia. The energy absorber portion includes multiple spaced formations configured to extend rearward and forward when the bumper system is installed on the vehicle. The bumper system may also include an impact beam. The fascia can be secured to the vehicle so that the fascia is positioned immediately adjacent the impact beam. The bumper system can also include a valence that covers the energy absorber portion from view, so that only a remaining display portion of the bumper system is visible from outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wesley D. Francis, Nenad Eror, Burns MacGibbon