Patents Examined by Dana Ivey
-
Patent number: 9598115Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear fender module for arrangement on a side panel of a motor vehicle body. The rear fender module includes a fender shell and at least one add-on part arranged thereon. The fender shell has at least two fastening sites for detachable fastening on the side panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
-
Patent number: 9597947Abstract: A method of assembling vehicle-body components includes positioning a first component on a second component. The first component has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the second component and one of the first and second components defines a slot. The method also includes loosely installing a bolt though the slot and the first and second components, and creating a joint in the first and second components. The method further includes heating the first and second components, which causes the first and second components to move relative to each other due to thermal expansion in response to the heating. This movement causes the joint to fail. The method also includes tightening the bolt.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Peter A. Friedman, Aindrea McKelvey Campbell, Garret Sankey Huff, Amanda Kay Freis, Ronald David Ketelhut, S. George Luckey, Jr., Laurent Bernard Chappuis
-
Patent number: 9598034Abstract: One resin part has an engaged portion at an end portion. The engaged portion has a fit-together hole at an inner wall and a first extending piece disposed at a peripheral edge portion of the fit-together hole extends-out from a first side wall that connects the inner wall and the end portion of the one resin part. Another resin part is to be made integral with the one resin part, and the other resin part has an abutment wall and a second extending piece that extends-out from a distal end portion of the abutment wall. The abutment wall abuts the first side wall of the engaged portion, and the second extending piece abuts the first extending piece in a state in which the second extending piece has been inserted in the fit-together hole and the abutment wall is abutted the first side wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshihiro Kojima
-
Patent number: 9592855Abstract: Provided is a vehicle-body lower structure with a side collision sensor which vehicle-body lower structure can attain early sensing by improving a body structure. A first load transmission member of which a longitudinal section has a generally Z-shape is disposed in a closed section of a rocker. A first joining portion of first load transmission member is joined in a state where first joining portion is sandwiched between an upper flange of a rocker outer panel and an upper flange of a rocker inner panel, and a second joining portion is joined to an intermediate part, in a height direction, of a vertical wall portion of rocker outer panel. A body portion connects first joining portion and second joining portion diagonally, and transmits a load input into rocker outer panel at time of a side collision, to an upper-wall-portion side of rocker inner panel by a shortest distance.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tetsumasa Kindaichi, Kento Shigeishi
-
Patent number: 9592722Abstract: A headliner corner retractor for a convertible top. The corner retractor moves a front corner of the headliner between a covering position concealing a front portion of the side linkage and a contracted position in which clearance is provided for the side linkages to extend and retract the convertible top. The corner retractor is moved by a mechanical actuator including a cable and a hollow tubular housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Wolfgang Richter
-
Patent number: 9586631Abstract: A mounting member for securing a vehicle body to a chassis frame includes a horizontal base wall defining a mounting hole used to assemble the body to a receptacle on the frame. The mounting member further includes a plurality of side walls extending from the base wall to connect to a floor panel of the vehicle body. A boss protrudes from the base wall to the floor panel and includes a bore aligned with the mounting hole. The mounting member also includes at least one gusset extending from the boss to the base wall. The base wall, side walls, boss, and the at least one gusset are integrally formed as a single unitary body.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephen William Gallagher, Dragan B. Stojkovic
-
Patent number: 9580025Abstract: To provide a thermal insulating sheet, a sheet for use in a truck bed, and a thermal insulating case having superior easiness to handle while having a high thermal insulation ability. A thermal insulating sheet 1 comprises a laminated member comprising a tarpaulin sheet 10, a plurality of synthetic resin nonwoven fabric sheets 11a, 11b, and polyester canvas 12, with the plurality of synthetic resin nonwoven fabric sheets 11a and 11b being provided between the tarpaulin sheet 10 and the polyester canvas 12. A perimeter the laminated member possesses at least a part where at least the tarpaulin sheet and the polyester canvas are fuse-bonded, and remaining parts where the laminated member is stitched together. The polyester canvas possesses one or more through holes, through which air can enter into and exit out of the laminated member, whereas the tarpaulin sheet does not possess any through holes.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: FUTABA SANSHO CO., LTD.Inventor: Nobuki Sugiura
-
Patent number: 9580113Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle bodywork component comprising a first panel and a second panel having a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion greater than the first coefficient of linear thermal expansion of the first panel, the component further including a connection part having a third coefficient of linear thermal expansion that is less than the first and that is fastened to the first panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Compagnie Plastic OmniumInventor: Philippe Coudron
-
Patent number: 9580127Abstract: Left and right coupling assemblies are adapted to couple the windshield to the motorcycle. Left and right bars have apertures for securing the bars to the windshield. Left and right peg sets have upper and lower pegs extending through the apertures of an associated bar and through associated short slots in the left and right coupling assemblies. Each post has a head located between the windshield and an associated bar. Each post has a free end spaced inwardly of the short slots. A nut is coupled to the free end of each post. A washer is slidably received on each post between an associated short slot and nut. A coil spring is slidably received on each post between an associated washer and nut. A leaf spring coupled between each bar and an associated washer urges the posts and the windshield toward a laterally central location.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Inventor: Mark A. Stadnyk
-
Patent number: 9573448Abstract: A yard tractor incorporating a fluid cylinder pressurized by fluid from a control valve actuated by a switch accessible from the driver's seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SSA Terminals (Long Beach) LLCInventors: Stephen Clark, Robert P. Kelly
-
Patent number: 9573634Abstract: In a front air-flow streamlining structure of an automotive vehicle comprising a cover front portion of an under cover of a vehicle front portion and an air dam provided at a front bumper, a deflector is provided between the air dam and a front wheel house to be spaced rearward apart from the air dam, to project downward, and to extend in a vehicle width direction, an outward end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the air dam is provided substantially continuously to the deflector, a pocket portion enclosed by the cover front portion, the air dam, and the deflector is provided such that an inward side, in the vehicle width direction, thereof opens, and a traveling-air intake portion which opens so as to take in traveling air toward the pocket portion is provided at the air dam.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hiroki Ohira, Masanori Minamisawa, Eiji Yoshimura, Toshio Sakamoto, Takanori Tsubaki
-
Patent number: 9556588Abstract: A floor member includes a floor plate extending in a length direction along a front-rear direction of a cab. The floor plate includes front-left corner portion, front-right corner portion, rear-left corner portion, and rear-right corner portion; a first vertical beam member; a second vertical beam member; and a plurality of support members which support the first vertical beam member, the second vertical beam member, and the floor plate in respective regions including a region where the front-left corner portion and a first front end overlap each other, a region where the rear-left corner portion and a first rear end overlap each other, a region where the front-right corner portion and a second front end overlap each other, and a region where the rear-right corner portion and a second rear end overlap each other.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Fujikawa, Keiji Yamamoto, Yasumitsu Fujii
-
Patent number: 9550447Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a front end module, an upper panel, and a fender covering the upper panel. The vehicle assembly also includes a housing, mounted to the front end module, having a first contour, and a bracket, having a second contour complementary with the first contour, attached with the housing. The bracket generally maintains a position of the headlamp assembly relative to the upper panel during a RCAR Low Speed Structural Crash Test Protocol (Issue 2.2).Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mustafa Ahmed, Ian Dupret, Thejaswi Prabhakar, William Moore Sherwood, Sara E. Veyo, Ray Hari Manala Rethinam
-
Patent number: 9545886Abstract: A cargo tray assembly for a vehicle includes first and second trays. The first tray has a translatable planar section in a first plane, and a first hinged section moveable between upright and flattened positions with respect to the first plane. The second tray has a fixed planar section arranged in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. The fixed planar section connects to the interior, e.g., a wall of a rear cargo area, and the first hinged section connects to a seat in the interior. The translatable planar section translates in response to an applied force, such as when the seat is moved forward or aft. The first hinged section pivots about an axis orthogonal to the direction of translation, e.g., when the seat is stowed flat or deployed into an upright position. A vehicle having the assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Wing Ha
-
Patent number: 9539883Abstract: A window assembly includes an outer window panel, an inner window panel, a conductive layer disposed at an inner surface of the inner window panel, a spacer element, and a roller shade disposed within an interpane cavity established between the inner and outer window panels by the spacer element. The roller shade has an end fixedly attached at an anchor stop along a perimeter portion of the spacer element. A dielectric layer is disposed between the roller shade and the conductive layer. The roller shade is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition. The roller shade is electrically operable via applying a voltage at the transparent conductive layer and at the anchor stop to uncoil the roller shade from the coiled light transmitting condition to the at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Darin J. Snider, Norman B. Warren
-
Patent number: 9540049Abstract: A floor support structure of a vehicle comprises a floor extending in the vehicle width direction so as to allow occupants sitting side by side in the vehicle width direction to put their feet thereon. The floor includes a plane surface part and separating a vehicle interior from a vehicle exterior, a body for supporting each of front and rear end portions of the floor in the forward and rearward direction of the vehicle and each of left and right end portions of the floor in the vehicle width direction, and a floor stay making contact with a lower surface in or around the middle in the vehicle width direction of the floor so as to support the floor. The floor stay comprises a plurality of main stays and a sub-stay.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Takeshi Kamiyama, Yoshihiro Tano
-
Patent number: 9533641Abstract: Bumper crossbeam (10, 10?), having a plane of symmetry (Y) and globally oriented in a direction (T) perpendicular to the plane of symmetry (Y), comprising two attachment areas (12a, 12b) symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry (Y) and distant from each other by a distance D, said beam being designed to absorb the energy dissipated by a shock generated by a force substantially horizontal and oriented in a direction (L) perpendicular to said direction (T), made from a globally tubular body (11) with a monotonically varying nominal cross-section (Sn) over most of its length between said attachment areas (12a, 12b), except in two weakened areas (15a, 15b), which are symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry (Y), which are remote from the said plane of symmetry by a distance of between 0.10*D and 0.40*D, wherein the second moment of area about the axis (Z) perpendicular to the plane (L, T) is lower in the said weakened areas than expected from the nominal cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: CONSTELLIUM SINGEN GMBHInventors: Matthias Kutscher, Martin Feuerstein, Olivier Rebuffet
-
Patent number: 9527464Abstract: Bumpers and vehicles that include bumpers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a bumper includes a bumper beam assembly, the bumper beam assembly including a beam, the beam including a front side that is oriented to face forward in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a bumper extension portion that is coupled to the beam and positioned at an outboard end of the bumper beam assembly, the bumper extension portion including a front side that is oriented face forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a top side that is oriented transverse to the front side, and a bottom side that is oriented transverse to the front side, and a reinforcement bracket that is coupled to the bumper extension portion, where the reinforcement bracket includes a front side that extends across the front side of the bumper extension portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Palani Palaniappan, Naipaul Ramoutar, Manikandan Baby Mony
-
Patent number: 9522649Abstract: A bumper stiffener apparatus for a vehicle may include an upper member connected to a radiator grill, a lower member connected to a bumper below the upper member, a support bar connecting the upper member and the lower member, a hinge mechanism connected to the support bar, and a guide bracket fixed to a back beam arranged on a rear of the lower member to be connected to the hinge mechanism and in which a guide passage is formed for guiding an upward movement of the hinge mechanism when the lower member moves rearward.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., LG Hausys, Ltd.Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Bock Cheol Lee, Young Sub Oh, Phil Jung Jeong, Hyun Gyung Kim, Seung Mok Lee, Sung Jun Hong
-
Patent number: 9522705Abstract: A bracket assembly for a tarpaulin support device for an open top of a trailer or vehicle. The bracket may have a bore therethrough for receiving an end of a tube assembly of the tarpaulin support device. The bracket may further have a hole in one side through which a bolt or pin may extend to prevent the tube assembly from rotating. The tube assembly may be a rod, may be one or more concentric tubes, or may be a combination of one or more tubes and a rod. The bracket assembly may comprise a plurality of brackets for holding a series of tube assemblies in arched positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Inventor: Clifford O. McWilliams