Brian D Dexter

US Patent:

8376435, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Aug 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/989855

Inventors:

Brian R. Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US
Jeffrey T. Stout - Grand Rapids MI, US
Gregory N. Brncick - Holland MI, US
Alan G. Greene - Grandville MI, US
Steven D. Lepley - Grand Haven MI, US
Joseph M. Thompson - Lake Stevens WA, US
Robert C. Fitzpatrick - Holland MI, US
Michael J. Burns - Holland MI, US
David J. Spykerman - Chandler AZ, US
Michael R. Catlin - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/30

US Classification:

296 2434, 296 64, 296 6516

Abstract:

A seating and console system for use in a seating row and configurable between a seating configuration and a console configuration. The system comprises a seat including a seat base and a seat back, and a console mounted to an opposite side of the seat back. The seat back rotates between a first position to provide the seating configuration and a second position to provide the console configuration that divides the seating row.

US Patent:

8505997, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Jan 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/521614

Inventors:

Jason M. Hipshier - Hudsonville MI, US
David J. McCarthy - Holland MI, US
Scott W. Kaufmann - Clio MI, US
Gregory N. Brncick - Holland MI, US
Brian R. Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60R 7/00
B68G 7/00

US Classification:

296 378, 29 911

Abstract:

A center console () includes a first panel () having a first upper surface () and a first padded portion (). The first padded portion () includes a first outer cover (). The first outer cover () is mounted to the first panel () such that a first cavity () is formed by at least a portion of the outer cover () and at least a portion of the upper surface (). The first padded portion () also includes first padding () located, in the first cavity ().

US Patent:

20060255611, Nov 16, 2006

Filed:

May 11, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/432300

Inventors:

Nels Smith - Zeeland MI, US
Rollin Nothwehr - Holland MI, US
Brian Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 7/04

US Classification:

296037160

Abstract:

A load floor system is disclosed for use within a cargo area defined by a plurality of vehicle interior components and reconfigurable between a first storage configuration and a second storage configuration. The load floor system comprises a first load floor, a second load floor separate from the first load floor, and a covering coupled to the first load floor and the second load floor. The cargo area in the first storage configuration includes the first cargo floor and the cargo area in the second storage configuration includes the first cargo floor and the second cargo floor. The first cargo floor is presented without the second cargo floor when the cargo area is in the first storage configuration, and the first cargo floor is presented with the second cargo floor when the cargo area is in the second storage configuration. The covering provides a continuous surface between the first load floor and the second load floor. The first load floor and the second load floor each includes a base configured to provide structural support to the covering disposed above the respective load floor.

US Patent:

20080073813, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Dec 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/792317

Inventors:

Nels Smith - Zeeland MI, US
Andrew Butz - Zeeland MI, US
Brian Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 45/14
B60J 5/00

US Classification:

264266000, 296146700

Abstract:

A panel for use in a vehicle interior is disclosed. The panel includes a unitary integral one-piece flexible member (e.g., coverstock) having a first portion with a first ornamental appearance and a second portion with a second ornamental appearance, and a substrate at least partially molded behind the flexible member. A border between the first portion and the second portion is located in a recess formed when the substrate is molded. A method of forming a panel also is disclosed. The method includes moving a first mold section toward a second mold section so that a projection of the mold pushes a portion of the flexible member at least partially into a recess of the mold, and injecting a polymer resin between the flexible member and the first mold section so that the border is located in the recess.

US Patent:

20100123332, May 20, 2010

Filed:

Nov 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/619821

Inventors:

James Hotary - Holland MI, US
Brian Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US
Dan Vander Sluis - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS U.S.A., INC. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60J 5/00

US Classification:

2961467

Abstract:

A door to cockpit/Instrument Panel interface apparatus is provided with a skin layer disposed on and/or in the door and/or cockpit, and operates to create a line-to-line appearance or a seam, without gap, between door and cockpit through compression therebetween. The flexibly resilient skin layer possesses such resilience that when a driver or passenger opens the door, the compressed area of the skin layer disposed on and/or in the door (or the cockpit) springs back to its original configuration and/or shape. The interface apparatus may employ a resilient support along with the skin layer to provide the compressibility. The resilient support may include a foam layer, springs, a recess behind the skin layer, etc. The interface apparatus may reduce the cost(s) and weight/mass load(s) associated with manufacturing door to cockpit interfaces, and the apparatus may provide a unique aesthetic approach and structural freedom to designing a vehicle interior.

US Patent:

20120256345, Oct 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/444682

Inventors:

Nels R. SMITH - Zeeland MI, US
Andrew R. Butz - Zeeland MI, US
Brian R. Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 45/14

US Classification:

264279

Abstract:

A panel for use in a vehicle interior is disclosed. The panel includes a unitary integral one-piece flexible member (e.g., coverstock) having a first portion with a first ornamental appearance and a second portion with a second ornamental appearance, and a substrate at least partially molded behind the flexible member. A border between the first portion and the second portion is located in a recess formed when the substrate is molded. A method of forming a panel also is disclosed. The method includes moving a first mold section toward a second mold section so that a projection of the mold pushes a portion of the flexible member at least partially into a recess of the mold, and injecting a polymer resin between the flexible member and the first mold section so that the border is located in the recess.

US Patent:

20130001976, Jan 3, 2013

Filed:

Jun 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/535519

Inventors:

Brian R. Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US
Jonathan P. Marcus - Holland MI, US

International Classification:

B60J 3/02
B60J 3/06

US Classification:

296 972, 296 979, 296 978

Abstract:

A visor has a curvilinear section which is pivotally mounted to the header rail of a vehicle and, when in a stored position, conforms closely to the geometry of the header rail. It is mounted to allow the visor to pivot away from the windshield toward the driver or passenger, lowering the visor to provide sun-blocking protection. It can be rotated further until it extends through the open area of the roof, when the roof is removed, to provide sun-blocking above the header rail. The curvilinear visor body may also include a glare shield which can be extended from the lower edge of the visor to provide additional sun-blocking protection.

US Patent:

20130082479, Apr 4, 2013

Filed:

Oct 2, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/633309

Inventors:

Jonathan P. Marcus - Holland MI, US
Brian R. Dexter - Grand Haven MI, US

Assignee:

Marcus Automotive, LLC - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60J 3/02

US Classification:

296 978, 296 979

Abstract:

A side window visor is mounted to a header to pivot downwardly away from the windshield. The visor is secured to the vehicle with a two axis angled mounting assembly which allows the side window visor to pivot downwardly away from the headliner and then upwardly and to the side for blocking sun entering from the side window without encroaching in the user's head space. A visor assembly including the side window visor also has a primary visor which is mounted to pivot downwardly away from the windshield and a rotatable glare shield.