James J Gregory

6892496, May 17, 2005

Jun 14, 2002

10/172792

John D. Youngs - Southgate MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US
Richard D. George - Rochester Hills MI, US
Bogdan Radu - Novi MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

E06B003/00

49506, 49502

A method of attaching a component to a vehicle door includes first providing a carrier. The component, such as a lock-latch assembly or a window regulator assembly, is then attached to the carrier. The carrier is then attached to the vehicle door. Subsequent to attaching the carrier to the vehicle door, the component is attached to and supported by the vehicle door. The component can then be unattached from the carrier. The carrier may then be removed from the vehicle door subsequent to unattaching the component from the carrier, thereby providing access to the component, such as for repair or removal of the component.

6926332, Aug 9, 2005

Dec 20, 2003

10/707549

John David Youngs - Southgate MI, US
David J Dooley - Troy MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US
Dick George - Dearborn MI, US
Bogdan Radu - Dearborn MI, US
Mike P. Schoemann - Waterford MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B60R007/04

296 3713, 224277, 224544

Disclosed is a low cost articulating map pocket or storage compartment that requires few manufacturing steps. The articulating map pocket provides for a closed locking detent feature and in one preferred embodiment a full open locking detent feature also.

6929309, Aug 16, 2005

May 18, 2004

10/709633

Bogdan Radu - Dearborn MI, US
John D. Youngs - Southgate MI, US
Mark Heinze - Clarkston MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B60J005/00

2961467, 296153

An automotive door trim assembly includes an interior door trim panel with an access opening that facilitates installing and servicing various accessories installed within the interior of an automotive door, between the door's exterior skin and the interior trim panel. The access opening is covered by an access panel that is slidably coupled to the interior trim panel for movement between a first position wherein the access panel is removable from the door trim panel to expose the access opening, and a second position wherein the access panel is secured to the door trim panel and covers the access opening. The access panel is coupled to the interior trim panel by cooperating first connecting members disposed on the interior trim panel and second connecting members disposed on the access panel.

7032954, Apr 25, 2006

Jul 15, 2004

10/710499

Bogdan Radu - Dearborn MI, US
John D. Youngs - Southgate MI, US
Mark Heinze - Clarkston MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B60J 5/00

2961467, 296 379, 296 3713

The present invention provides for an improved automotive ashtray, and to a two shot molding method for making the same, having a reduced number of parts and that is adapted to be coupled to a substrate of an interior trim assembly, e. g. a door panel, in a vehicle. To this end, the ashtray includes a compartment body and a cover with each including at least one integrally formed connecting member being pivotally coupled together so that the cover may be moved between an open and a closed position for accessing a cavity within the body.

7364218, Apr 29, 2008

Aug 25, 2004

10/711119

Bogdan Radu - Dearborn MI, US
John D Youngs - Southgate MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. - Dearborn MI

B60J 5/00

2961467, 49502, 494751

The present invention provides for an improved hardware carrier for use in a trim panel assembly, and a method of making the same. To this end, the hardware carrier includes a body having a front and back surface and a seal molded to the front surface of the body for contacting the doorframe structure of a motor vehicle to seal the carrier thereto. A two-shot molding process utilizing a single mold assembly is used to form the carrier, with the body being formed in the first shot and the seal being formed in the second shot so that the seal is bonded thereto. The molded seal advantageously is provided with a non-linear configuration, such as a substantially repeating v-shaped configuration, and includes a planar top surface. The non-linear configuration of the seal, in conjunction with the top planar surface, advantageously provides a substantial surface area for contacting the doorframe to prevent water leakage within the vehicle.

20050046075, Mar 3, 2005

Aug 26, 2003

10/604902

John Youngs - Southgate MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US
Mark Heinze - Clarkston MI, US
John Slaven - Grosse Pointe Shores MI, US

LEAR CORPORATION - Southfield MI

B29C045/14
B29C045/16

264255000, 264257000, 264279000, 264279100, 425129100

In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a method for manufacturing a trim panel assembly is provided. A further aspect of the invention provides a method that includes a first tool having a mold element movable between a first position and a second position, the first tool producing a trim panel having a recess when the element is in the first position. A bolster, manufactured using a second tool, is secured within the recess.

20080211136, Sep 4, 2008

Mar 14, 2008

12/048543

Bogdan Radu - Dearborn MI, US
John D. Youngs - Southgate MI, US
James Gregory - Harrison Township MI, US

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. - Dearborn MI

B29C 45/14

264255

The present invention provides for an improved hardware carrier for use in a trim panel assembly, and a method of making the same. To this end, the hardware carrier includes a body having a front and back surface and a seal molded to the front surface of the body for contacting the doorframe structure of a motor vehicle to seal the carrier thereto. A two-shot molding process utilizing a single mold assembly is used to form the carrier, with the body being formed in the first shot and the seal being formed in the second shot so that the seal is bonded thereto. The molded seal advantageously is provided with a non-linear configuration, such as a substantially repeating v-shaped configuration, and includes a planar top surface. The non-linear configuration of the seal, in conjunction with the top planar surface, advantageously provides a substantial surface area for contacting the doorframe to prevent water leakage within the vehicle.