Patents Examined by Dana Ivey
  • Patent number: 9255431
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting opening/closing of a gate for a truck may include a housing mounted onto a lower side of the floor panel, a lifter having a first end pivotally coupled to the floor, wherein the lifter generates elastic repulsive force when being compressed while a length of the lifter is decreased, a first arm having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the lifter, a second arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the housing and a second end pivotally connected to a second end of the first arm, and a third arm having a first end pivotally connected to a third end of the second arm and a second end pivotally connected to the gate, wherein when the gate rotates downwardly and is opened, the first arm, the second arm, and the third arm are moved to compress the lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Woon-Seog Noh
  • Patent number: 9254731
    Abstract: A vehicle having a sliding door arranged behind a body pillar, a frame around the door opening closeable by the sliding door, a rail system provided in the region of the sliding door connected fixedly to the vehicle and having upper and lower guide rails, sliding carriages provided on the sliding door connected to the sliding door via a respective supporting arm and guided displaceably on the guide rails, and side impact protection in the region of the sliding door. At least one of the sliding carriages or supporting arms is provided with a stop. In the event of a side impact, in which the outer vehicle wall is deformed in the direction of the vehicle interior, an abutment connected to the vehicle wall comes to bear against the stop of the sliding carriage or of the supporting arm, and the position of the sliding door is thereby blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dirk van Oirschot, Olaf Van Leeuwen
  • Patent number: 9248729
    Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes a panel and a bracket. A window opening in the panel has an edge extending along a lower periphery of the window opening from a first side to a second side of the window opening. The edge defines a seal supporting lip and a glass installation slot. The seal supporting lip extends from the first side of the window opening toward the second side of the window opening to a terminal end of the seal supporting lip. The glass installation slot begins at the terminal end of the seal supporting lip and ends proximate the second side of the window opening. The bracket is removably attached to the panel filling the glass installation slot. The bracket has a lip extension aligned with the seal supporting lip extending from the terminal end of the seal supporting lip to the second side of the window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Yi, Scott Watson
  • Patent number: 9248723
    Abstract: A slide door apparatus includes a body-side guide rail provided at a vehicle body, a door-side guide rail provided at a slide door, connection members each of which includes a guide roller rolling on a path formed by each of the guide rails, each of the connection members being connected to each of the guide rails, the slide door being configured to open and close a door opening portion formed at the vehicle body based on a movement of the slide door, facing portions formed at the slide door and the vehicle body respectively, the facing portions facing each other in a state where the slide door is in a fully open position, and a widthwise displacement restraint mechanism restricting a relative movement between the facing portions of the slide door and the vehicle body in a width direction of the vehicle by connecting the facing portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Tomohide Kato
  • Patent number: 9248868
    Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes a longitudinally extending upper tube, and a longitudinally extending lower tube. The upper and lower tubes are conjoined to each other along a substantial portion of the total length of the tubes. The front end structure also includes a coupling bracket that is secured to an outer wall of each of the upper and lower tubes near a rear edge of the tubes. The coupling bracket also includes an extension tab cantilevered from the rear edge of the tubes. Additionally, the front end structure includes a hinge pillar defining a first vertical mounting surface secured to an inner wall of the upper and lower tubes. The hinge pillar also defines a second vertical mounting surface secured to the extension tab of the coupling bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Colleen Marie Hoffman, Kimberly Ann Lazarz, Robert G. Starbowski, Donald L. Jordan
  • Patent number: 9242537
    Abstract: A frame molding for a vehicle door configured to provide with a door panel and a door frame and configured to be mounted to a corner portion of a window opening includes a base member including a synthetic resin-made first base portion formed to extend along a first portion of an inner peripheral edge portion of the corner portion of the window opening, the first portion positioned at the door panel, and a synthetic resin-made second base portion formed to extend along a second portion of the inner peripheral edge portion of the corner portion of the window opening, the second portion positioned at the door frame and a decoration sheet being provided at the first base portion and the second base portion to cover respective surfaces of the first base portion and the second base portion, the surfaces facing an outside of a vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Aisih Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Toshifumi Yanai
  • Patent number: 9242675
    Abstract: According to a vehicle-body front structure, when a collision load caused at the time of a front end collision is input into a front part of a connecting member fixed to a front end of an apron upper member, a protruding member protruding outwardly in a vehicle width direction from a front part of a side-member main body is able to interfere with the front part of the connecting member from a vehicle rear side. This makes it possible to improve a transmission efficiency of the collision load between the connecting member and the front side member. Besides, the front part of the connecting member is reinforced by a bulk head, thereby making it possible to restrain the front part from being deformed by the collision load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kuriyama, Kosuke Sakakibara, Akihiro Tamaoki, Masanobu Ohmi, Tatsuya Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 9238488
    Abstract: In one aspect, an elastically averaged alignment system is provided. The system includes a first component including an alignment member, the alignment member including a base portion extending from an edge of the first component, and a connector portion coupled to the base portion. The system also includes a second component including a receiving member. The receiving member includes a pair of cantilever members extending from an edge of the second component and defines a receiving aperture configured to receive at least a portion of the alignment member to couple the first component and the second component. The alignment member is an elastically deformable material such that when the alignment member is inserted into the receiving aperture, the alignment member elastically deforms to an elastically averaged final configuration to facilitate aligning the first component edge relative to the second component edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. Kiester, Steven E. Morris, Kenton L. West, Scott J. Fast, Evan Phillips
  • Patent number: 9234540
    Abstract: A retainer for limited space attachment of a vehicle part with a class A surface to a vehicle. The retainer has an attachment base operable for being connected to a rib of the vehicle part. A securing portion including an aperture for receiving a fastener is provided in the retainer. The retainer includes at least one sidewall connected between the attachment base and the securing portion. The sidewall spaces the securing portion from the attachment base to allow for insertion of the fastener and provide predetermined torque tension characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Magna International Inc., GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Adam M. Lyon, Michael S. Gignilliat, Ronald J. Andor, Matthew C. Patterson, James R. Roll
  • Patent number: 9228628
    Abstract: An impact absorption assembly includes a bumper that is attached to a crush-can. The crush-can is assembled within a frame rail or other chassis frame member. A load path for a low speed impact is provided from the bumper through the crush-can and to the frame rail. An outer body structure defines an opening through which the crush-can is assembled to avoid damage to the outer body structure that may include a back-light support panel, a lift-gate and a rear tail light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Kevin Gustafson, John Michael McGuckin, Erika Kristin Low
  • Patent number: 9227671
    Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel reinforcement capable of raising ease of vehicle installation is provided. The instrument panel reinforcement is formed with a cross-section profile of square shaped closed cross-section profile from an upper member and a lower member, is disposed along a vehicle width direction at the inside of a vehicle instrument panel. Plural first protruding portions are formed to one end portion of the upper member, and plural first projection portions are formed to another end portion thereof. Similarly, plural second protruding portions are formed to one end portion of the lower member and plural second projection portions are formed to another end portion thereof. The first protruding portions and the second projection portions, and the first projection portions and the second protruding portions, are projection welded together at plural points simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Aoki, Masayuki Azuma
  • Patent number: 9221502
    Abstract: An aerodynamic gooseneck trailer includes a leading end configuration that provides an aerodynamically efficient shape, and a main body portion including substantially vertically oriented sidewalls that are curved, and a roof section that is narrower than the floor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Richard S. Nauert
  • Patent number: 9216767
    Abstract: A subframe (1) designed as a cross member for a vehicle includes two side members (2) and a stiffening structure (3) between the two side members (2), wherein the side members (2) are designed substantially as hollow profile pieces and have at least one predetermined buckling point (18, 19) in the form of a curvature in the longitudinal extension direction of the side members (2). In order to improve this subframe (1) so that it ensures good mechanical properties such as strength, rigidity, acoustics and reinforcement of the body while driving, and absorbs sufficient deformation energy in the event of a crash, and nevertheless can be produced easily and cost-effectively with a low component weight, the side members (2) have at least one bead (16, 17) extending in the longitudinal direction of the side members (2) in the area of the designed buckling point (18, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Garnweidner, Ernst Lindtner, Hannes Halbauer, Istvan Soproni, Thomas Vorisek
  • Patent number: 9211918
    Abstract: An attachment arrangement for a vehicle comprises a bracket having a first end part and a second end part. The first end part of the bracket is attachable to an inside of a first vehicle body part. The first vehicle body part is attachable to a second vehicle body part. A structural foam is arranged on the second end part of the bracket. The structural foam has an expansion factor such that when the structural foam is heated, the structural foam is expandable from the second end part of the bracket and adherable to the second vehicle body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anders Magnusson, Camilla Waestlund
  • Patent number: 9205769
    Abstract: A waste receptacle assembly moves wholly or partially into and out of a compartment in a motor vehicle. When deployed, the waste receptacle assembly has a receptacle (e.g., bag) formed by continuous tube of bag material that has been closed off on one end. The bag material pays out from a bag supply. Trash and other waste is placed in the receptacle by passing through an aperture in the bag supply. When retracted, the waste receptacle is disposed in a compartment in the vehicle's dashboard, with the compartment advantageously closed off by a door panel so as to contain potential odors from the waste. The bag material may be treated with a suitable sanitizing compound. When full, the bag material forming the receptacle may be pulled downward, cut from the adjacent bag material section, and disposed of. The “new” receptacle may then be placed in service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Moor Innovative Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Elaine C. Evans, Felicia Cunningham, Kenta S. Evans
  • Patent number: 9199669
    Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes a front side member, a hood ledge and a hood ledge reinforcement. The front side member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The hood ledge has a forward end fixedly attached to a forward section of the front side member. The hood ledge extends upwardly and laterally outward from the forward section of the front side member in a vehicle rearward direction. The hood ledge reinforcement includes a lower section fixedly attached to an outboard surface of the front side member. The upper section is fixedly attached to an underside of the hood ledge, and at least one brace is fixedly attached to both the lower and upper sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Michael Jones, Ramkrishna Jayaram Chunduri
  • Patent number: 9199595
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a center console having a box, a console door and a shock absorption portion. The box is installed on a floor in a vehicle interior. The console door is connected to an upper wall of a rear portion of the box via a hinge shaft, and rotates using the hinge shaft as a fulcrum so that an opening of the box upper is opened and closed. The shock absorption portion divides the rear portion of the box into the upper wall and a lower wall. The shock absorption portion connects the upper wall and the lower wall to each other with a step therebetween. The shock absorption portion is set to be thinner than the upper wall and the lower wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Yano, Takamichi Fujine, Youhei Emura, Masato Noritake
  • Patent number: 9186969
    Abstract: A car having: a passenger compartment, a frame provided with two external vertical posts, which project from the belt line of the car, are arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the car, and form a rear delimitation of the passenger compartment; an openable rigid sun roof provided with two rigid roof members; a baggage compartment arranged in the rear position to contain the openable rigid sun roof when the roof is arranged in an open position; a mobile cover to close the baggage compartment; a rear window which is arranged between the two external vertical posts and is slidably mounted; and a pair of lateral glasses which project from the belt line of the car, are arranged facing each other on opposite sides of the car, lay at the back against the corresponding external vertical posts, and constitute a lateral delimitation of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Ugolini
  • Patent number: 9186970
    Abstract: The truck bed extension cover includes two cover members that operate independent of one another, and which are both affixed to a hinge member. The hinge member is specially adapted to attach itself to a rear surface of a truck bed toolbox such that the two cover members extend over the remaining portion of a truck bed in order to provide coverage thereon. The two cover members are generally parallel with one another, and rotate with respect to the hinge member in order to raise and lower with respect to a tailgate of said truck bed. The two cover members are further defined with a driver side cover member and a passenger side cover member. Both of the cover members include lock handles and a lift cylinder to aid in manipulation of the respective cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Walter Marsh
  • Patent number: 9187129
    Abstract: A body frame for mounting to a base frame of a vehicle includes a body mount assembly including an aluminum, tubular cross member having an inner passage and an aluminum collar support received in the inner passage for supporting the tubular cross member once it is coupled to the base frame of the vehicle. The collar support member has a multi-hollows design including an inner and outer, cylindrically-shaped portions and a plurality of equi-angularly spaced, radially extending walls interconnecting the inner and outer portions for providing the body mount the required flexibility during assembly and the required structural support and performance during vehicle use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Dragan Stojkovic