Patents Examined by Dennis H. Pedder
  • Patent number: 11926195
    Abstract: A gap formed in a front portion of a door is easily and reliably filled so that occurrence of noise is reduced. A frame front side portion retaining a glass run front side portion being inserted is provided in a front portion of a window frame. A front side of an outer panel is provided with a mirror base to which a mirror base cover is attached. A rear edge of the mirror base is provided with a rear plate portion extending to a cabin inner side. A gap is formed between the frame front side portion and the rear plate portion. An outer sealing plate portion overlapping with a cabin outer side of the mirror base is provided with a gap filling portion extending downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruka Yanoshita, Masaki Motodera, Keizo Matsuoka, Shuhei Nitta, Tatsuya Nagai
  • Patent number: 11926202
    Abstract: A roof system comprises a stationary part configured to be attached to a fixed roof and includes guide rails on opposite sides of a roof opening. The guide rails slidably support an operating mechanism for a panel and include guide grooves bordered by guide flanges. The operating mechanism includes a driving slide for a panel front support, and a panel rear support. The rear support is connected to a panel bracket guide of a panel bracket extending alongside a corresponding edge of the panel. The panel bracket guide slidably engages the rear support so as to enable the panel to slide with respect to the rear support when the front support is driven by the driving slide. The front support engages a guide rail groove of an upright flange of each guide rail while the panel bracket guide extends mainly on the other, inner side of said upright flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11919573
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a support member of a vehicle body, and a reinforcement member disposed along a longitudinal direction of the support member of the vehicle body to reinforce the support member of the vehicle body. The reinforcement member is a processed product formed by shaping a tubular body, and includes a flange portion that protrudes on an outer peripheral portion and that is formed in the longitudinal direction of the support member of the vehicle body. The flange portion is joined to the support member of the vehicle body at a location other than locations where the support member of the vehicle body is joined to other members different from the reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shimizu, Masayuki Ishizuka, Takashi Komatsu
  • Patent number: 11919372
    Abstract: A module assembly for a vehicle, including a shell construction, defining a window opening, and a module component fixed to the shell construction and forming a part of the sill flange extending along a longitudinal extension direction for attaching a seal in a sill region of the window opening, wherein at least one flange section of the shell construction extending along the longitudinal extension direction and/or at least one flange section of the module component extending along the longitudinal extension direction is provided for forming the sill flange. The flange section of the shell construction and/or the flange section of the module component has at least one contact region protruding transverse to the longitudinal extension direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Andre Carl, Dominik Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11919373
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a first door and a second door movable from an open position to a closed position. The assembly includes a first anchor supported by the first pillar movable along an axis to an engaged position. The assembly includes a first rod supported by the first door movable along an axis to an engaged position. The assembly includes a second rod supported by the second door movable along the axis to an engaged position. The first anchor is lockingly engaged with the first rod when first anchor is in the engaged position. The first rod is lockingly engaged with the second rod when the first rod is in the engaged position and the first anchor is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Patel, Zhibing Deng, Joseph E. Abramczyk
  • Patent number: 11919569
    Abstract: An aluminum cast part of a motor vehicle includes at least two upper walls rising from a bottom wall to form a passage, and at least two lower walls extending the upper walls beyond the bottom wall. The upper and lower walls form, with the bottom wall, a cross-section transverse to the passage which is generally H-shaped. In one or more predetermined cross-sections, at least one upper inner rib extends inside the H and transversely to the upper walls and the bottom wall, at least one outer rib extends outside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib, and at least one lower inner rib extends inside the H to form an extension of the upper inner rib. A height of the upper inner rib in a central area of the H is compensated for by a height of the lower inner rib in the central area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Roy
  • Patent number: 11912339
    Abstract: Self-supporting 3-D printed chassis structures are disclosed. Self-supporting ribs are selectively printed to walls of the structure to meet desired dynamic stiffness targets while maintaining a reduced mass. The self-supporting ribs can be used as both support structures (e.g., for outer walls) during 3-D printing and as stiffening structures when the chassis structure is in operation. In an embodiment, the chassis structure is printed such that no support structures are needed. Topology optimization can enable remaining unneeded internal ribs or supports to be removed, and a high inner spatial volume between ribs can be maintained to make maximum use of the part. In various embodiments, wall thicknesses can be maintained at or below 1-2 millimeters, which further reduces mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Paul Monteith
  • Patent number: 11912340
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part includes a side sill, a rear wheel house, a rear side frame, and a close plate. An outer curve part and an inner curve part are provided in a region close to a front part of the rear wheel house of the rear side frame. An outer ridge line that extends straight in a vehicle forward direction from a position substantially directly above the vicinity of a rear end portion of the outer curve part of the rear side frame and an inner ridge line that extends to be curved to a vehicle forward side substantially along the inner curve part at a position substantially directly above the inner curve part of the rear side frame are provided on the close plate. The outer ridge line and the inner ridge line converge in an inner region in the vehicle width direction of a joint part of the rear side frame and the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shungo Chino
  • Patent number: 11912188
    Abstract: An entrance handrail includes an outer pipe that is supported by a supporting member provided in a proximity of an entrance of a vehicle, and that has a non-looped shape that is a shape obtained by removing a partial section from a looped-shape, an inner pipe supported inside of the outer pipe and exposed from the outer pipe at a partial section, the inner pipe having a looped-shape, a sheet member that is configured to be able to cover an outer peripheral face of the inner pipe, and that is movable in an axial direction of the inner pipe and the outer pipe by a drive device provided inside of the outer pipe, and a disinfecting device that is provided inside of the outer pipe and that is configured to disinfect the sheet member by irradiation of ultraviolet rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideyuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11912129
    Abstract: A panel intended for the cockpit of a vehicle is conductive so that a large number of electrical and electronic devices can be installed inside the cockpit. The panel has a structure consisting of a plurality of layers of substantially equal shape and size, superimposed and firmly coupled to one another. One of the layers consists of a flexible printed circuit board that extends substantially over the entire surface of the panel, or at least over a substantial portion thereof, and that is provided with electrical connectors arranged at positions where the electrical and electronic devices associated with the dashboard are to be subsequently installed. Wired connections of electrical and electronic devices associated with the dashboard are eliminated. This entails a considerable simplification when making electrical connections to these electrical and electronic devices, as well as in the case of subsequent maintenance and/or repair work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: MARTUR ITALY S.R.L.
    Inventors: Can Üstünberk, Luciano Scaltrito
  • Patent number: 11912338
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, and a reinforcement member extending along a vehicle cabin-side side portion to vehicle cabin-side peripheral portion of a rear wheel housing of the vehicle body to an opening edge of the vehicle body. The opening edge receives a rear lower portion of a rear door. The reinforcement member includes a projecting portion that defines two or more closed-section spaces respectively extending toward different locations of the opening edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Tanabe, Noritaka Kosaka
  • Patent number: 11912342
    Abstract: An assembly facilitating installation of a steering column on an original passenger's side of a truck cab includes an aftermarket dash panel having a steering column opening configured to be located on the original passenger's side of the truck cab and an HVAC access opening configured to be located on an original driver's side of the truck cab. A first bracket has a forward portion for connection to original HVAC ductwork of the truck cab and has a rearward portion for connection to the aftermarket dash panel. The aftermarket dash panel comprises a single piece that extends from a left side of the truck cab to a right side of the truck cab. A method for moving a steering column of a truck cab from an original driver's side of the truck cab to an original passenger's side of the truck cab is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Fontaine Modification Company
    Inventors: Ian Peksa, Phillip Moua, Dan Jaynes
  • Patent number: 11904663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1), in particular an industrial vehicle, comprising: —a cab (5), —a sun visor (6) connected thereto, and —at least one sensor unit (7a, 7b, 7c), wherein the sensor unit (7a, 7b, 7c) comprises a protecting element (9) that is pivotally and/or slidably connected to the sun visor (6) and a sensing element (8) connected to the protecting element (9), and wherein the protecting element (9) is movable between a first position, in which the sensing element (8) is positioned inside a housing (10) of the sun visor (6) and is hidden by the protecting element (9), and a second position, in which the sensing element (8) is positioned outside of the said housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas Berne, Chris-Olivier Sagnard, Björn Wallin
  • Patent number: 11904946
    Abstract: A press-hardened shaped sheet-metal part, in particular a pillar reinforcement for a motor vehicle bodyshell, which has different sheet thicknesses and strengths, with an unhardened first region, or a first region which is hardened only to a small extent, and with a press-hardened second region, wherein the second region has a larger or smaller sheet thickness than the first region. A transition region, which, starting from the first region, has a sheet thickness transition zone, an intermediate zone, and a strength transition zone, is formed between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Schnapp, Martin Sittenberger
  • Patent number: 11904780
    Abstract: A support assembly configured for holding at least one tool includes a first mounting plate, a door pivotable relative to the mounting plate. The door includes a retention feature. The support assembly further includes a clamping assembly configured for clamping the door to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Kroll, Christopher J. Juelich, Paul L Mattson
  • Patent number: 11897544
    Abstract: Both weight reduction and impact resistance of a center pillar are satisfied while increase in cost is suppressed. A center pillar inner 20 is configured to include: an inner member 21 having an opening 21a to be a place where a retractor of a seat belt is mounted and a side sill mounting portion 21b to be a place where a side sill 30 is mounted; and a CFRP member 22 joined to a surface of the inner member 21, wherein the CFRP member 22 is provided at least between the opening 21a and the side sill mounting portion 21b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Hamada
  • Patent number: 11897545
    Abstract: Vehicle body roof region and method for fastening a roof surface part to a roof body structure. A vehicle body roof region having a roof body structure and having a roof surface part which is fixedly connected to the roof body structure and which is designed as a glass roof part, which is provided to be adhesively bonded to the roof body structure, is known. According to the invention a mechanical adjusting device which is arranged between the glass roof part and the roof body structure is provided, said adjusting device being ready, after the glass roof part is positioned and before the adhesive bonding has cured, to permit an adjustment of the glass roof part relative to an outer skin of the roof body structure before the adhesive bonding has cured. Use in passenger motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gwenole Zeo, Sven Ahrens
  • Patent number: 11890920
    Abstract: Improved soft top assemblies, systems, and methods to cover an open space above the driver and passenger seats of an automobile provide or use precision molded frame elements with interconnecting fastening assemblies to support a soft top cover attached to forward and rearward frame elements. A centrally hinged and pivoting stabilizing bar fitted within frame side elements maintains support and stability to the soft top cover. Forward and rearward frame elements provide mating surfaces matching existing OEM attachment points for a removable fitted hard top for the automobile. Each frame side element underside includes a channel sized to receive a corresponding closed automobile door windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Anthony B. Siragusa, James E. Grimes
  • Patent number: 11890825
    Abstract: A structural member (10) comprising: (i) a pultruded secondary member (14) including a first surface and an opposing second surface; and (ii) a molded carrier (12) overmolded onto at least one of the first and second surface of the pultruded secondary member, the molded carrier including a plurality of ribs (16); wherein the secondary member and the carrier are dissimilar materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 11890239
    Abstract: A vehicle, including: a panel member provided at a vehicle body, the panel member opposing a wheelchair, which has boarded the vehicle, in a vehicle width direction; a front side securing member provided at the panel member, the front side securing member being caused to contact a front portion side of a handrim of the wheelchair or a front portion side of a wheel of the wheelchair; and a rear side securing member that presses a rear portion side of the handrim or a rear portion side of the wheel toward a vehicle body front side so as to push the front portion side of the handrim or the front portion side of the wheel against the front side securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Kato