Patents Examined by Daniel M. Keck
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Patent number: 11827068Abstract: A stabilizer comprises a main bar that is elastically deformable, a pair of connecting plates respectively configured to be connected to a pair of left and right suspension apparatuses, and transition sections connecting both end portions of the main bar and the pair of connecting plates, a size of one transition section of the transition sections in a plate thickness direction of one connecting plate of the connecting plates gradually decreasing from the main bar toward the connecting plate, wherein the minimum value of the Vickers hardness of the transition section is 200 HV or more.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.Inventors: Masato Sugawara, Shogo Mori
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Patent number: 11820322Abstract: An improved restraint system is provided. More particularly, the improved restraint system can include a harness and a booster seat. The harness can be attached to a seat belt of a vehicle. The harness can include a shoulder seat belt guide member for attaching a shoulder seat belt and also a lap seat belt guide member for attaching a lap seat belt. The improved restraint system can allow a child who is otherwise unsuitable for using a booster seat alone to use the booster seat in combination with the harness.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Inventors: Hoonyoung Kim, Hyunsook Kim
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Patent number: 11820194Abstract: A vehicle suspension system smoothly changes a vehicle posture with respect to a steering force and a steering angle by minimizing a kinematic roll at an initial turning stage, thereby allowing a driver to obtain the sensation of maneuvering the vehicle well. The suspension system includes a front suspension having geometry satisfying that a caster angle is +3° to +5°, a caster trail is +20 to +30 mm, an intersection point between a kingpin axis and ground is located on an inner side in a vehicle width direction of a center of a tire contact patch, and an anhedral angle of a lower arm is +2.8° to +7.2°. A rear suspension includes five links and has geometry satisfying that a virtual kingpin axis extends near the center of a tire contact patch of a rear wheel assembly and extends vertically at ?2° to 0°.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuhiro Okuyama, Masaya Hiramatsu, Yoshitada Toyoshima
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Patent number: 11813918Abstract: A tandem mechanical spring axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles includes a tandem assembly that comprises a front beam of a suspension assembly of a front axle/suspension system, a rear beam of a suspension assembly of a rear axle suspension system, and a mechanical spring. The mechanical spring operatively engages the front beam and the rear beam and extends longitudinally therebetween, as well as operatively engages a main member of the vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeff R. Zawacki, Dmitriy Enrikovich Rubalskiy, Gary E. Gerstenslager
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Patent number: 11814102Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side frames in pairs, a bumper beam, a pair of lower frames, a lower beam, and wheels in pairs. Each of outer end parts of the bumper beam in a vehicle width direction and a corresponding one of outer end parts of the lower beam in the vehicle width direction overlap a corresponding one of the wheels as seen from the vehicle front side. In the vehicle width direction, a position of each of vehicle-width-direction outer ends of the bumper beam and a position of a corresponding one of vehicle-width-direction outer ends of the lower beam substantially coincide with a position of a mounting part of a corresponding one of brake devices that are disposed radially inside the wheels respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshio Wada
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Patent number: 11814111Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for pressing a rack onto a pinion, with a pressure piece. The pressure piece being arranged within a housing and to be displaceable in an axial direction of a center longitudinal axis. A bearing element is fixed on the housing in the axial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis. A prestressing element acts in the axial direction. The pressure piece is loaded by the prestressing element which is arranged between the pressure piece and the bearing element with a prestressing force in the axial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis and directed away from the bearing element. An adjusting ring which is arranged between the bearing element and the pressure piece. At least two inclined faces of the adjusting ring and an adjusting section bear against one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Markus Lingemann
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Patent number: 11801883Abstract: The disclosure relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle, which is designed as a steer-by-wire steering system and comprises a rack, an electric drive for longitudinal displacement of the rack, a worm gear and a drive shaft which is in toothed engagement with the rack. The electric drive is connected to the drive shaft by the worm gear so as to transmit torque.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventors: Richard Büker, Andreas Birkheim
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Patent number: 11787477Abstract: A chassis frame for an electric vehicle is provided. The chassis frame includes: side sill parts spaced apart from each other in a widthwise direction of the electric vehicle, and configured to absorb a shock force applied to the electric vehicle; a frame part provided between the side sill parts, and configured to have a battery disposed therein; a cover part detachably coupled to the frame part, and configured to support the battery disposed in the frame part; and a movement prevention part provided between the frame part and the cover part, and configured to prevent a movement of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyun Jin Woo, Hyoun Young Oh
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Patent number: 11787256Abstract: A stabilizing bar for a vehicle, comprising: a central portion, which is elongate; a first attachment portion configured to be attached to a first part of the vehicle secured to a first wheel of the vehicle; and a first bearing configured to be attached to the chassis of the vehicle, the stabilizing bar comprising, between the central portion and the first attachment portion, a first curved portion, the first curved portion being curved along a curve having a radius of curvature which is strictly increasing with increasing distance from the first bearing.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Inventors: Jean-François Lancien, Abderrahman Ouakka, Philippe Etienne Rouy, Renaud Ridacker, Démis Coppin, Stephan Meyer
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Patent number: 11781349Abstract: A pedestrian protection feature for a closure latch assembly and method for moving a hood of a motor vehicle to a pop-up position and an open position are provided. The pedestrian protection feature includes an actuator configured to translate a slide cam member to cause a hook to pivot into a striker retaining position to prevent removal of a striker from the closure latch assembly and to pivot a lift lever into engagement with the striker to move the striker toward the hook, whereat the hood is moved to the pop-up position, and optionally a release feature to move the hook from the striker retaining position to a striker releasing position to allow the hood to be moved from the pop-up position to an open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventors: Jörg Thomas Klein, Francesco Cumbo
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Patent number: 11772487Abstract: A rear drive axle assembly includes fixedly attaching right and left axles to right and left rear wheels. Inner ends of the axles residing in a tube and reach in to almost a center of the vehicle, and extend out through self-aligning, pillow block bearings. Sprockets are attached to the axles between outer ends of the tube and the pillow block bearings. Negligible friction between the axles and tube is the only rotational coupling of the axles. The Rigid Tube provides concentricity between the two axles, provides perpendicularity of the drive wheels to the road surface and performs the function of a sleeve bearing.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Inventor: Ronald A. Holland
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Patent number: 11767067Abstract: A joint for mounting an elongate element to a structural element in a vehicle, comprising a first and a second clamping portion, tightening elements configured to tighten the first and second clamping portions towards each other so that when the elongate element is arranged between the first and second clamping portions, the elongate element becomes clamped, a first and a second support portion, wherein the first and second support portions are spaced from each other and extend from the first clamping portion to the second clamping portion, wherein when the elongate element is arranged between the first and second clamping portions and the tightening elements tighten the first and second clamping portions, then at least one of the first and second clamping portions is configured to press at least one of the support portions towards the other one so that the elongate element becomes laterally contacted.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventors: Anders Olsson, Larry Hiltunen, Jan Hendriks
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Patent number: 11760304Abstract: A restraint system for a utility vehicle comprising a first restraint including a first retractor coupled to the utility vehicle at a first retractor anchor point, a first webbing retractable into the first retractor and having a first end and a second end, a first latch moveably engaged with the first webbing, and a first latch receiver configured to receive the first latch, and a second restraint including a second retractor coupled to the utility vehicle at a second retractor anchor point, a second webbing extendable from and retractable into the second retractor and having a first end coupled to the second retractor and a second end, a second latch coupled to the second webbing, and a second latch receiver positioned at a second receiver anchor point and configured to receive the second latch and retain the second end of the second webbing adjacent the second receiver anchor point.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: David J. Hicke, Jonathon P. Graus
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Patent number: 11753072Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a front axle assembly coupled to a front end of the chassis. The chassis includes a first frame rail and a second frame rail. The first frame rail defines a first vertical plane. The second frame rail is spaced from the first frame rail and defines a second vertical plane. The front axle assembly includes a solid axle and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs, a steering gear mechanism, and a linkage assembly. The pair of wheel hubs are coupled to opposing ends of the solid axle. The pair of wheel hubs are configured to facilitate coupling wheels to the front axle assembly. The steering gear mechanism is positioned between the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane. The linkage assembly couples the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: Jeremy Andringa, Brent Radlinger
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Patent number: 11757175Abstract: A straddle type vehicle comprising a rear fender arranged on an upper side of a rear wheel, and a monitoring device configured to monitor a traveling environment on the periphery of a vehicle, wherein the monitoring device includes a pair of sensors, the rear fender includes a sensor support member configured to support one of the pair of sensors on a left side of a vehicle body and the other on a right side of the vehicle body, the sensor support member includes a pair of left and right side wall portions, and a bottom wall portion configured to connect the pair of left and right side wall portions, and the pair of sensors are arranged along the pair of left and right side wall portions on the bottom wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTDInventors: Naoto Yamashita, Futoshi Koga, Yoshiyuki Kuroba, Hiroshi Maeda, Akihito Kawamura
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Patent number: 11718346Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a front wheel well. The vehicle body includes a rear wall vehicle-rearward of the front wheel well. The vehicle includes one or more cables supported at the rear wall. The cables are movable from a slack position to a taut position. The vehicle includes a pyrotechnic actuator operatively coupled to the cables to move the cables from the slack position to the taut position upon actuation of the pyrotechnic actuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed D. Barbat
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Patent number: 11718141Abstract: In each of a first stabilizer device and a second stabilizer device, a stabilizer bar is supported by one or more cylinders, a communication passage via which two fluid chambers of each cylinder are connected is provided, and an opening-closing valve is disposed in the communication passage such that an inter-fluid-chamber communication state where the two fluid chambers communicate with each other and an inter-fluid-chamber shutoff state where the two fluid chambers are shut off from each other are selectively established. Hereby, a vehicle body roll restraining effect is achieved in the inter-fluid-chamber shutoff state while the vehicle body roll restraining effect is cancelled in the inter-fluid-chamber communication state. A linkage mechanism by which those two states of each of the stabilizer devices are changed in conjunction with each other is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaaki Tabata, Kazuyuki Murata, Masashi Yamamoto
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Patent number: 11718133Abstract: A chassis control arm for a wheel suspension has a control arm body, a spring abutment and an actuator which is arranged between the control arm body and the spring abutment and with which the position of the spring abutment relative to the control arm body can be adjusted. The actuator comprises a lifting gear which is configured as a movement thread and which includes a lifting spindle on which the spring abutment is arranged or on which the spring abutment is axially movably mounted.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: THK Co., LTD.Inventors: Vadim Kirsch, Manjunatha Madivala, Tamil Selvan Rajagopal, Wataru Saito, Marius Tillman, Harald Walter
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Patent number: 11713069Abstract: A steer-by-wire system includes: a steering wheel to generate a steering input, a sensor part to measure the steering input of the steering wheel, a controller to calculate a steering angle of a wheel based on the steering input measured by the sensor part, an actuator assembly located at an axle beam and configured to provide a steering driving force to the wheel, and a tie rod engaged with the actuator assembly and configured to vary the steering angle of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventor: Jeong Soo Kim
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Patent number: 11697320Abstract: A twist beam for a suspension of a motor vehicle comprises a body-side inner part having a bearing-receiving section for receiving a body-side bearing, and a wheel carrier-side outer part having a bearing-receiving section for receiving a wheel carrier-side bearing, the outer part and the inner part being separate components which are made of different materials and are firmly connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: THK RHYTHM AUTOMOTIVE GmbHInventors: Jan Dít{hacek over (e)}, Milo{hacek over (s)} K{hacek over (r)}ivan, Igor Schlender