ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 19 -- United States Patent no. 12,252,323, issued on March 18, was assigned to Robson Forensic Inc. (Lancaster, Pa.).

"Vehicle energy storage compartment for improved crashworthiness" was invented by Peter J. Leiss (Middletown, Pa.), Marcus A. Mazza (Lancaster, Pa.), Bret W. Johnson (Lancaster, Pa.) and Daniel Fridline (Brooklyn, N.Y.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A compartment for storing an energy source in a vehicle having a protective outer structure and an inner structure. The protective outer structure is maintained in position relative to the vehicle during normal operation of the vehicle. The inner structure, which holds the energy source, is positioned in the ...