Stephen A Ball

US Patent:

6712568, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Mar 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/109051

Inventors:

Mark D. Snyder - Bloomfield Township MI
Darren A. Womack - Windsor, CA
William G. Bowes - Macomb MI
Michael D. Anderson - San Diego CA
Diane T. Allen - San Diego CA
Stephen Ball - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI
Nissan Design America, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B60P 708

US Classification:

410104, 410102, 410106, 410110, 410112, 410105

Abstract:

A flexible cargo bed tie-down system that allows the user to easily change, adjust, customize, and adapt his or her vehicle to specific needs at any given moment, and that interfaces with the rest of the vehicle in an optimum manner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint. Tie-down track(s) are provided that are integral with the body of the vehicle such that the exterior contour of the track(s) do not extend appreciably beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of the body. This permits the track(s) to blend in with the body of the vehicle, which improves functionality because the track(s) do not obstruct the placement of items on the vehicle. The track(s) are provided with a predetermined region that provides for controlled deformation of the vehicle body in case of a collision.

US Patent:

6840526, Jan 11, 2005

Filed:

Aug 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/211240

Inventors:

Michael D. Anderson - San Diego CA, US
Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Nissan Design America, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B60R 302

US Classification:

280166, 182127

Abstract:

A step assembly is provided having a step frame mounted for movement relative to a mounting surface between a deployed position and a stored position (or between a stored position and a deployed position), and at least one boss, the boss having a notch for holding the step frame in the deployed position. The step frame preferably has at least two legs oriented parallel to each other, and horizontally spaced from one another, each of the legs defining an upper end and a lower end, an axle connected at the upper end of the at least two legs, and a step member connected between the at least two legs proximate to the lower ends thereof.

US Patent:

6846140, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/874979

Inventors:

Michael D. Anderson - San Diego CA, US
Diane T. Allen - San Diego CA, US
Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Nissan Design America, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B60P 708

US Classification:

410104, 410102, 410106, 410110, 410112, 410105

Abstract:

A flexible cargo bed tie-down system that allows the user to easily change, adjust, customize, and adapt his or her vehicle to specific needs at any given moment, and that interfaces with the rest of the truck in an optimum manner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint. Tie-down track(s) are provided that are integral with the body of the truck such that the exterior contour of the track(s) do not extend appreciably beyond the contour of the adjacent portions of the body. This permits the track(s) to blend in with the body of the truck, which improves functionality because the track(s) do not obstruct the placement of items on the truck. This also permits the portions of the body of the truck that support the tracks(s) to be specifically designed to take large loads, which thus allows the track(s) to support, separate and/or secure large loads.

US Patent:

7281889, Oct 16, 2007

Filed:

Jan 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/030140

Inventors:

Michael D. Anderson - San Diego CA, US
Diane T. Allen - San Diego CA, US
Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Nissan Design America, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B60P 7/08

US Classification:

410104, 410102, 410112, 410113

Abstract:

A flexible cargo bed tie-down system allows the user to easily change, adjust, customize, and adapt his or her vehicle to specific needs at any given moment, and interfaces with the rest of the vehicle in an optimum manner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint. One embodiment of the invention provides a vehicle having a side wall construction enclosing a cargo bed at a side of the cargo bed. The side wall construction includes an outer portion which runs generally vertically at an outer portion of the vehicle, and a top portion which runs generally horizontally from the outer portion toward a longitudinal center of the vehicle. A tie-down rail is mounted adjacent to the top portion such that a part of the top portion overhangs at least a portion of the tie-down rail. The tie-down rail is configured to accept a tie-down fitting and includes a slotted opening generally aligned with an interior edge of the top portion.

US Patent:

8550757, Oct 8, 2013

Filed:

Oct 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/869505

Inventors:

Michael D. Anderson - San Diego CA, US
Diane T. Allen - San Diego CA, US
Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Nissan North America, Inc. - Franklin TN

International Classification:

B60P 7/08

US Classification:

410104, 410102, 410106, 410112

Abstract:

A flexible cargo bed tie-down system allows the user to easily change, adjust, customize, and adapt his or her vehicle to specific needs at any given moment, and interfaces with the rest of the vehicle in an optimum manner from a functional, structural, and aesthetic standpoint. One embodiment of the invention provides a vehicle having a side wall construction enclosing a cargo bed at a side of the cargo bed. The side wall construction includes an outer portion which runs generally vertically at an outer portion of the vehicle, and a top portion which runs generally horizontally from the outer portion toward a longitudinal center of the vehicle. A tie-down rail is mounted adjacent to the top portion such that a part of the top portion overhangs at least a portion of the tie-down rail. The tie-down rail is configured to accept a tie-down fitting and includes a slotted opening generally aligned with an interior edge of the top portion.

US Patent:

48529389, Aug 1, 1989

Filed:

Jun 9, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/204696

Inventors:

Gerald P. Hirshberg - Del Mar CA
Joseph E. Mrozowski - Del Mar CA
Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Nissan Design International, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B60J 7047

US Classification:

296214

Abstract:

An automobile body is provided with a transparent roof panel that slides rearwardly from a normal position in which it closes a roof opening of the body, to a retracted position in which it overlies a rear window of the body. A sunshade mounted below the transparent roof panel is automatically slid rearwardly into a stowed position adjacent a roll bar separating the roof opening and the rear window when the transparent roof is moved to its retracted position. When the transparent roof is in its normal position in which it closes the roof opening, the sunshade may be manually slid back and forth to overlap varying portions of the transparent roof panel.

US Patent:

48011746, Jan 31, 1989

Filed:

Jun 8, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/204105

Inventors:

Gerald P. Hirshberg - Del Mar CA
Joseph E. Mrozowski - Del Mar CA
Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Nissan Design International, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

B60J 7047
B60J 7057

US Classification:

296216

Abstract:

An automobile body is provided that has a front windshield, a rear window and a pair of side panels cooperatively defining a passenger compartment with a roof opening. A transparent roof panel having an area corresponding to that of the roof opening is mounted for generally translatory movement from a normal position in which it covers the roof opening to a retracted position in which the roof opening is uncovered. When the transparent roof panel is in its retracted position it lies either above or below the rear window so that a person seated in the passenger compartment can view in a rearward direction through both the rear window and the transparent roof panel.

US Patent:

47039639, Nov 3, 1987

Filed:

Feb 18, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/830205

Inventors:

Stephen D. Ball - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Nissan Design International, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

E05C 326

US Classification:

2923363

Abstract:

A door handle assembly is mounted at the belt line of an automobile door and includes a box-like recess formed in the door with a slide member mounted in the recess for vertical reciprocal movement. A handle member is pivotally attached to the upper edge of the slide member and conforms to the contour of the exterior panel of the door. A linkage connects the slide member to a door latch mechanism.