Patents Examined by Catherine A Kelly
  • Patent number: 10953736
    Abstract: A glass run includes: an extrusion molding part disposed along an upper side part of a vehicle door; a molded part connected and molded to the extrusion molding part, the molded part being disposed in a predetermined corner part and the vicinity of the corner part; a protruding piece part provided in a predetermined longitudinal section extending across a connecting part between the extrusion molding part and the molded part, the protruding piece part protruding from an upper surface of a base part and being provided integrally with the molded part; and a concave part provided from an upper surface of the protruding piece part to the upper surface of the base part, a bottom part of the concave part being a predetermined area of the upper surface of the base part including a part of the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taizo Shibata, Naoto Nakanishi, Tomohiro Kudo
  • Patent number: 10954710
    Abstract: A spindle drive for a member to be driven includes a driven spindle with a longitudinal axis extending through a spindle nut. The spindle drive includes the spindle nut having a pusher dog with first and second contact surfaces for driving the member. The contact surfaces are oriented in opposite directions to each other along the longitudinal axis of the spindle. First and second drive surfaces are provided, facing each other and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis of the spindle. A distance between the two drive surfaces exceeds a distance between the contact surfaces. The spindle drive further includes an actuator provided connected to the spindle nut for actuating another device, when the pusher dog between the drive surfaces is being displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: GEBR. BODE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Pellegrini
  • Patent number: 10946735
    Abstract: A belt assembly for an associated vehicle has a body that includes a substantially planar region dimensioned for abutting engagement with the vehicle. At least one seal lip extends outwardly from a first face of the body to engage an associated surface of a vehicle window. A first hook is provided on the body for receipt over a terminal tip of the vehicle structural assembly, and a second hook is dimensioned for at least partial receipt through an associated opening around the door window opening. The first hook is positioned over the terminal tip and then the second hook is rotated until the second hook elastically deforms outwardly and subsequently snap fits into an associated opening and the substantially planar region abuts along the associated structural assembly of the door to preclude movement of the belt assembly upwardly, cross-car, and fore-and-aft relative to the associated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: COOPER-STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Aaron Robinson
  • Patent number: 10941599
    Abstract: An anchoring system used to anchor a ribbon spring to a guide track. A mounting slot is formed in the guide track that provides access to the internal gap space. A counterbalance spring is provided having an offset tab section proximate a free end. A barb flap is formed by bending a segment of the counterbalance spring from the offset tab section. The offset tab section with barb flap are extended into the gap space through the mounting slot. As the counterbalance spring is unwound, a bias is created that engages both the offset tab section and the barb flap within the gap space. This locks the free end of the counterbalance spring in place without the need of any mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: John Evans' Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kunz
  • Patent number: 10927578
    Abstract: A corner key assembly for a sliding panel system including a panel frame and a movable panel can include a corner key including a distal and proximal end, and a guide chamber being defined in the corner key, the guide chamber extending from the distal end towards the proximal end of the corner key; a guide slidingly movable relative to the corner key, at least a portion of the guide being configured to be positioned in the guide chamber and a portion of the guide being configured to extend from the guide chamber; and a biasing element positioned in the guide chamber between the guide and the proximal end, the biasing element configured to urge a portion of the guide from the guide chamber away from the corner key and into frictional engagement with the panel frame to hold the panel in a desired position relative to the panel frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PGT Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Vander Bent, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10914105
    Abstract: A cabinet door assembly for a household appliance that couples a cabinet door to the household appliance. The cabinet door assembly can include a cabinet door and hinge assembly. The hinge assembly can include one or more braces that secure to the cabinet door and repositionable hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Jaroslav Ridilla
  • Patent number: 10906479
    Abstract: A door edge protector device includes a protector, a cam member and a link mechanism. Cam portions are formed in the cam member, and the cam member is rotated by an input corresponding to a close/open state of a door. The link mechanism includes cam followers which are engaged with the cam portions, and the protector is attached to the link mechanism. By the engagement between the cam portions and the cam followers, the link mechanism moves in an interlocking manner with rotation of the cam member. A locus T includes an accommodated position corresponding to the close state of the door and a set position covering a door edge corresponding to the close state of the door. The cam portions are configured so that the protector moves along the locus by movement of the link mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: U-SHIN LTD.
    Inventors: Manu Sharma, Himanshu Chaman, Madhan Kumar B, Toshikazu Making
  • Patent number: 10900281
    Abstract: A gate assembly is formed from a gate attached by hinges to a frame. A pair of L-shaped brackets are attached to the outer sides of the frame. The brackets are in turn attached to a pair of gate posts in a barrier. Bolt holes formed in the header section of the frame receive removable eye bolts that may be used as hoisting points as the frame is being positioned within a barrier. To maintain the shape of the frame during such positioning, a removable sill section is included in the base of the frame. The first upright section of the frame defines an unobstructed internal channel bounded by input and output portals. A cable may pass though the channel and into the gate by way of the output portal. Window openings in the gate may be fitted with removable window panels containing pickets and infill material. Dual gates may be positioned within an enlarged frame, and a removable mullion post positioned between the gates and supported by the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ameristar Perimeter Security USA Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Vonnahme, Benton P. Flusche, Nathan T. Haney
  • Patent number: 10895103
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular threshold assembly having a frame, a cover plate detachably attached to the frame at the first end of the frame first wall and the first end of the frame second wall and an elongate body detachably attached to the frame and being proximate to the frame first wall. Also, disclosed is door frame having the modular threshold assembly. The threshold assembly can permit replacement of different components of the modular assembly, while permitting water or moisture to be expelled to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Boulos Alkhoury, Marcello Toppan
  • Patent number: 10889171
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a vehicle door that can include a weather strip, a door flange, a weatherstrip datum formation, and a flange datum formation. The weatherstrip can include a mounting member that extends along a length axis of the weatherstrip. The mounting member can include a side wall that extends along the length axis. The side wall can include the weatherstrip datum formation. The door flange can be configured to integrate with an inner door panel. The door flange can include a flange datum formation. The weatherstrip datum formation can be engageable with the flange datum formation so as to position the weatherstrip relative to the door flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Steven R. Thiele, Jacob I. Wasser, James P. Guitar, Chase A. Reynolds, Ian Z. O'Keefe, Sam R. McCrary, Jordan T. Coiro, Nigel W. Williams
  • Patent number: 10876347
    Abstract: Rotating door systems and methods for rotating a plurality of rotatable doors between a closed position and an open position are provided. Each of the rotatable doors may have a height measured in a vertical direction between opposing horizontal edges, a width measured in a horizontal direction between opposing vertical edges, and an axis of rotation centrally located between the opposing vertical edges. The rotatable doors may be rotatably coupled to an upper support at the axis of rotation via an upper pivot shaft and rotatably coupled to a lower support at the axis of rotation via a lower pivot shaft. The rotatable doors may be at least partially transparent. The rotation of one or more of the rotatable doors may be controlled by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrus, Ed Wright, James McGrath, Marco Albertini, Brent Gordon, Hilton Perry
  • Patent number: 10876345
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus pertaining to an intelligent vehicle access point opening system are provided. A method may involve detecting a presence of an object in a vicinity of a cover of an access point of a vehicle. The method may also involve receiving a command to open the cover and activating a mechanism to open the cover responsive to receiving the command. The method may further involve determining whether the object is likely to fall as the cover is being opened. The method may additionally involve pausing opening of the cover responsive to a determination that the object is likely to fall as the cover is being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Harpreetsingh Banvait, Jinesh J Jain
  • Patent number: 10876341
    Abstract: A door drive assembly including: a drive arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to the body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled to the drive arm and configured to rotate the drive arm between an open position and a closed position. The door drive assembly also includes a control arm including a first end configured to be rotatably coupled to a vehicle body and a second end configured to be rotatably coupled to the door. The door drive assembly also includes a race configured to be disposed between the body and the first end of the control arm where the first end of control arm is configured to translate by a first distance along the race as the drive arm rotates between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Kim Taylor, Andrew Lakerdas, Mark Farrugia, Alwin Macht, Anil Bhat, Arnd Herwig, Michael Kidd, Travis Briggs
  • Patent number: 10871017
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a safety system that includes an electronic controller controlling an electronically controlled mechanism in response to inputs from a number of rear parking sensors to prevent movement of a rear closure of the motor vehicle in a closing direction when more than one object is sensed to be within a rear protection zone and the rear closure member is in a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Gregory, Sam Penzato, William Gerald Barr, Matthew David Bunn
  • Patent number: 10844649
    Abstract: A sill pan concealment system and method for concealing a sill pan wall that lies across a threshold. The system comprises a sill pan that rests flush across the threshold, and a sill that is disposed parallel and in alignment with the sill pan. The sill fits into the sill pan to create a protruding barrier across the threshold. The sill pan has an interior wall oriented towards the interior region; and an exterior wall oriented towards the exterior region. The sill has a sill interior end that orients towards the sill an interior wall. The sill interior end forms an elongated notch through a cross section of the sill. The notch is sized and dimensioned to align with, and receive the interior wall of the sill pan. In this manner, the interior wall of the sill pan is concealed in the notch, from the perspective of interior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: JAMSILL, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 10829977
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a fenestration assembly having a vent panel. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include an actuator having an engagement section configured to contact a horizontal portion of the fenestration assembly and a drive assembly configured to actuate the engagement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Bernhagen, Paul Schroder, Evan Vande Haar
  • Patent number: 10822856
    Abstract: An electromechanical strut and method of moving a closure member of a vehicle between an open position and a closed position is provided. The electromechanical strut includes a power drive unit including a motor, a leadscrew, a planetary gearset operably connecting the motor to the leadscrew, and an electromechanical brake assembly. The electromechanical strut further includes a telescoping unit including an extensible tube and a drive nut for converting rotary motion of the leadscrew into linear motion of the telescoping unit. The electromechanical brake assembly is selectively moveable between an engaged state, wherein the leadscrew is prevented from rotating to prevent relative axial movement between the power drive unit and the telescoping unit, and a disengaged state, wherein the leadscrew is permitted to rotate to allow relative axial movement between the power drive unit and the telescoping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Jube Leonard, Borys M. Shchokin, Joseph Scheuring
  • Patent number: 10820700
    Abstract: A cosmetic panel suspension system for an appliance includes an outer door panel having a perimetrical flange. A plurality of side adjusters is attached to the perimetrical flange. At least one adjustment bracket has a plurality of positioning apertures in slidable engagement with a portion of the perimetrical flange. The plurality of side adjusters extends through respective positioning apertures defined within the at least one adjustment bracket, and adjustment of at least one side adjuster of the plurality of side adjusters slides the at least one adjustment bracket relative to the perimetrical flange. A cosmetic panel is attached to the at least one adjustment bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor L. Hawkins, Scott A. Kositzky, Chad Rotter
  • Patent number: 10815715
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, such as a pickup truck, including a powered tailgate assembly and a corresponding method of using the same. An exemplary motor vehicle includes a powered tailgate assembly having a tailgate moveable between a fully closed position and a fully open position. The tailgate is also moveable to a neutral loading position near the fully open position. Further, the motor vehicle includes a controller configured to identify the onset of an active loading condition when the tailgate moves from the neutral loading position toward the fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Halonen, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 10815707
    Abstract: A method of operating a window having a sash and a window opening limit device includes moving the sash from a closed position to a limited position. When in the limited position, the window opening limit device is in a projected position, and the sash is engaged with the window opening limit device. Moving the window opening limit device to a retracted position disengages the sash and the window opening limit device. The sash may then be moved from the limited position to an open range. When the sash is returned to the closed position, the window opening limit device automatically returns to the projected position, and the sash is disengaged with the window opening limit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Amesbury Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Piltingsrud