James Francis O'Connor

US Patent:

7309095, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Sep 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/162304

Inventors:

James G. O'Connor - Oxford MI, US

Assignee:

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

296 6503, 296 6501, 2973441, 29734421, 29734425

Abstract:

A release actuating system for a seat assembly in a vehicle. Conventionally, the system includes a seat back that is removable through an arcuate range. The seat back is moveable between a design position (tilted upward and rearwardly) in which it may support a passenger, and a full fold flat position. Seat back latches secure the seat back 14 in the design position. A seat cushion supports the seat back. The seat cushion has a rearward portion that cooperates with the seat back. The rearward portion also releasably engages floor latches. The seat cushion has a forward portion that is pivotally attached to the vehicle floor. The seat cushion and seat back tumble forwardly when (a) the seat back latches are disengaged; (b) the seat back lies in the full fold flat position; and (c) the floor latches are disengaged. The tumble forward position facilitates occupant ingress and egress and provides access to luggage and storage areas. In operative communication with the seat back latches and floor latches , there is provided a release strap and a pair of gears for releasing these latches.

US Patent:

7393056, Jul 1, 2008

Filed:

May 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/126870

Inventors:

James G. O'Connor - Oxford MI, US

Assignee:

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

29737812, 29737814, 297336, 296 6516

Abstract:

A vehicle seat includes a seat backrest, bottom, and frame. The seat frame operatively supports the seat bottom and further has a seat backrest rotating assembly that is adapted to allow the seat backrest to move between an upright position and a folded position in which the seat backrest is folded down upon the seat bottom. A hinge mechanism allows the rear of the seat frame to be rotatively lifted upward and forward to move the seat frame to a tumbled position. A first latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat backrest in the upright position. A second latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat bottom to the vehicle floor. A release assembly is adapted to cause the first and the second latching mechanisms to be selectively released and has a release member and a pulley assembly to provide a mechanical advantage for operating the release assembly.

US Patent:

7635138, Dec 22, 2009

Filed:

Jul 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/566117

Inventors:

Christian Imre - Rochester MI, US
James P. O'Connor - Sylvan Lake MI, US
Gianfranco Gabbianelli - Troy MI, US

Assignee:

Magna International, Inc. - Aurora, Ontario

International Classification:

B60G 9/02
B60G 3/14
B60G 21/05

US Classification:

280124116, 280124128

Abstract:

An integrated rear suspension assembly is fixedly secured to a transmission case, rear wheel carriers and frame rails of a motor vehicle. The integrated rear suspension assembly includes a plurality of trailing arms having first and second ends. Each of the first ends is secured to one of the frame rails and each of the second ends is secured to each of the rear wheel carriers. A plurality of control arms is pivotally secured to each of the plurality of trailing arms for controlling the plurality of trailing arms. A compound link member having opposing ends is attached to each of the plurality of trailing arms. The integrated rear suspension assembly also includes a transmission cross member that is fixedly secured to each of the frame rails. The transmission cross member includes fixtures that receive and secure the transmission case and each of the plurality of control arms thereto such that the transmission cross member facilitates the integrated rear suspension assembly and the transmission case to be assembled prior to securing said integrated suspension assembly to the frame rails.

US Patent:

7703828, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Jul 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/881124

Inventors:

James G. O'Connor - Oxford MI, US
Chad Balk - Birmingham MI, US

Assignee:

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

296 6501, 296 6505, 29737813

Abstract:

A vehicle seat latching system having four anchor mounting points wherein three of the four points define an engagement plane with respect to a vehicle floor. The fourth mounting point is located in a non-planar orientation to the engagement plane. A compensating latch is provided as part of the fourth mounting point to engage a mating element in a non-planar orientation. The compensating latch has a reduced engagement and release force characteristic.

US Patent:

8516647, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Oct 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/587858

Inventors:

James G. O'Connor - Oxford MI, US

Assignee:

Trico Products Corporation - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

B60S 1/04
B60S 1/06

US Classification:

1525031, 152503, 403 2, 403DIG 3, 384295

Abstract:

A collapsible pivot body having a housing that includes a channel defined therein and a mounting bracket that is adapted to attach the pivot body to a portion of a vehicle. The collapsible pivot body further includes a sleeve operatively disposed within the channel. The sleeve includes an internal passage that is adapted to receive a pivot shaft assembly of a wiper system. The collapsible pivot body further includes a plurality of bridges that connect the sleeve to the housing. The bridges are adapted to fail in response to a predetermined load acting on a pivot shaft assembly and cause the sleeve to collapse within the housing, thereby displacing the pivot shaft assembly and a portion of a wiper arm below the impact line of a vehicle.

US Patent:

20040056524, Mar 25, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/254557

Inventors:

James O'Connor - Oxford MI, US

International Classification:

B60N002/20

US Classification:

297/378120

Abstract:

A seat latch assembly that includes a seat bottom that has a first frame member, a seat back that has a second frame member that is partially mounted on the first frame member about a first pivot, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a pin mounted on one of the first and second frame members. The latch pivotally attaches to the other of the first and second frame members about a second pivot. The latch has an open angled hook portion and is movable about the second pivot between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the hook portion is spaced from the pin. In the engaged position, the hook portion is in contact with the pin to hook the pin to prevent the first frame member from pivoting relative to the second frame member about the first pivot.

US Patent:

20130274401, Oct 17, 2013

Filed:

Apr 16, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/864095

Inventors:

Vahid Sendijarevic - Troy MI, US
James O'Connor - Newington CT, US

Assignee:

Novomer, Inc. - Ithaca NY

International Classification:

C09J 175/04

US Classification:

524445, 528 85, 528 76, 528 83, 528 75, 525458, 524590

Abstract:

The present invention encompasses polyurethane adhesive compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane adhesives derived from aliphatic polycarbonate polyols and polyisocyanates wherein the polyol chains contain a primary repeating unit having a structure:In another aspect, the invention provides articles comprising the inventive polyurethane compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.

US Patent:

60984376, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

May 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/074922

Inventors:

Bruce D. Kocer - Oxford MI
James P. O'Connor - Sylvan Lake MI
Hans Otto Bihrer - Canton MI

Assignee:

The Budd Company - Troy MI

International Classification:

B21D 2602
B21D 2828

US Classification:

72 55

Abstract:

A hydroformed control arm for a vehicle and a method of making the same is provided. The control arm includes a generally U-shaped member being hydroformed from a continuous, unitary tube. The generally U-shaped member includes varying cross-sectional areas along its length for improved structural integrity. The generally U-shaped member further includes a pair of pivot bores for enabling the control arm to pivot about a pivot axis. The U-shaped member still further including a ball joint cavity disposed near its apex for receiving a ball joint. The hydroformed control arm thereby eliminates the need for a ball joint bushing.