Patents Examined by Dennis H. Pedder
  • Patent number: 11814105
    Abstract: Provided is a body side panel body side panel (BP) including one metal panel (P1); another metal panel (P2) that forms a space (A) between the one metal panel (P1) and the other metal panel (P2); a resin member (R) that is molded integrally with the one metal panel (P1). The resin member (R) includes link ribs (11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B) that continuously extend respectively along a front edge and a rear edge of a center pillar portion (CP), and along an upper edge and a lower edge of a sill portion (SL), and includes a lower intersection rib (14) that is arranged in an intersection region where a lower end portion of the center pillar portion (CP) and the sill portion (SL) intersect with each other. A clearance (S1) from a distal end portion of each of the link ribs (11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B) to the other metal panel (P2) is smaller than a clearance (S2) from a distal end portion of the intersection rib (14) to the other metal panel (P2). Impact energy in case of side collision is released in two steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Takemoto, Naoya Matsuoka, Toshikazu Torigaki, Shinya Mihara
  • Patent number: 11814108
    Abstract: A vehicle has a vehicle body provided with a pair of rockers, the rockers each being provided on one side of a floor panel in a right-left direction and on another side of the floor panel in the right-left direction. The vehicle has a battery pack that is disposed below the floor panel, and that stores electric power to be supplied to a traveling motor. The vehicle has a pair of fixing members, the fixing members each being disposed on one side of the battery pack in the right-left direction and another side of the battery pack in the right-left direction, that is configured to fix the battery pack to the rockers. The vehicle has an elastic member disposed between the battery pack and the fixing members. The elastic member is disposed in a state compressed by the battery pack and the fixing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Hirota, Naoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11807087
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system, comprising: (a) a retractable tonneau cover having a plurality of interconnected panels; (b) a first retainer secured to a first sidewall of a cargo box of a vehicle; and (c) a second retainer secured to an opposing second sidewall of the cargo box, wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are substantially parallel to each other so that the tonneau cover spans between the first retainer and the second retainer; and wherein the plurality of panels each include a bearing positioned within the first retainer to guide the tonneau cover in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Alyce Voegele
  • Patent number: 11807088
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises at least a movable lever to which, by means of a pin-like member, a slide shoe is connected that, for defining a movement of the movable lever, cooperates with and moves longitudinally along a guide. The pin-like member at a first end is connected to said lever and at a second end is connected to said slide shoe and the guide and slide shoe are provided with at least one pair of cooperating guide part and slide shoe part. The pin-like member at its second end is provided with an enlarged head configured to engage the slide shoe at a side thereof facing away from the lever. The dimensions of the enlarged head are such that, as seen in a direction from the enlarged head towards the lever, at least part of said enlarged head overlaps at least one guide part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Anton Martijnszoon Albers, Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 11807084
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a front door of a vehicle, a detachable pillar assembly, and a rear door that is aft the front door along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rear door is configured to selectively pivotably couple to the detachable pillar assembly. A method of providing an opening to a vehicle includes detaching a pillar assembly from a structure of a vehicle, and pivoting a rear door of a vehicle together with the pillar assembly from a closed position to an open position. The rear door pivots relative to the pillar assembly when the pillar assembly is latched to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Preuss, Scott Nydam
  • Patent number: 11807178
    Abstract: A cross member for a bumper beam includes an outer beam, an inner reinforcement element extending inside at least a part of the outer beam inner volume and comprising at least two reinforcement ribs protruding towards the front beam wall, the reinforcement ribs being connected together at least at their back end, opposite to the front beam wall, by an upper transversal branch and a lower transversal branch, the upper and lower transversal branches being attached respectively to the upper and lower beam flanges of the outer beam, wherein each reinforcement rib abuts the front beam wall and the length of the upper transversal branch is less than the length of the upper beam wall and the length of the lower transversal branch is less than the length of the lower beam wall, the lengths being measured in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal
    Inventors: Elie Gibeau, Yannis Kheyati, Nabil Menegady
  • Patent number: 11801899
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle roof, the system includes a roof structure defining a roof opening and a functional type roof assembly, the functional type roof assembly including a functional type panel and an intermediate frame supporting the functional type panel, the intermediate frame having an outer peripheral edge configured to be mounted to the roof structure such that the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the functional type roof assembly, the outer peripheral edge of the intermediate frame having contour features consistent with those of an outer peripheral edge of a standard type panel, the outer peripheral edge of the standard type panel being configured to be mounted to the roof structure when the roof opening is watertightly sealed by the standard type panel in place of the functional type roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Hakan Runius, Malin Aronsson
  • Patent number: 11801735
    Abstract: On an outer circumferential edge of the closing plate, an elastic fitting portion protruding to the outer side of the inner circumferential edge of the service hole and fitting with the inner circumferential edge projects with a thickness larger than the plate thickness of the closing plate and extends in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential edge. The elastic fitting portion is provided with an inner circumferential edge accommodating recessed groove that opens in the center of a protruding end surface of the elastic fitting portion and extends in the circumferential direction to accommodate the inner circumferential edge of the service hole, and the inner circumferential edge of the service hole is clamped between a pair of elastic clamping pieces that face each other with the inner circumferential edge accommodating recessed groove interposed between the pair of elastic clamping pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Haruka Nakano, Motohiro Yokoi, Shigeki Ikeda, Kenta Ito, Daisuke Ebata, Yuya Fukami, Masaki Mizushita, Tetsuya Nishimura, Ryuta Takakura, Housei Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11801800
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device is designed to increase the amount of absorbed energy and control the deformation of the device in case of an impact. The energy absorbing device consists in a hollow longitudinal member extending along a first longitudinal axis and a longitudinal guide extending along a second longitudinal axis, arranged within the longitudinal member and suitable for guiding the deformation of the longitudinal member in case of an impact. The length ratio between the longitudinal guide and the member is comprised between the values of 1/5 and 3/5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Colmont, Thierry Derchu, Sébastien Albeaux, Guillaume De Taillac
  • Patent number: 11801901
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a body and doors protection assembly for a vehicle, a hood assembly comprising such a body and doors protection assembly, a vehicle comprising such a hood assembly and a manufacturing method for such a body and doors protection assembly. The body and doors protection assembly comprises a first protecting member, a second protecting member and a sliding member. The first protecting member is attachable on an inner surface of a vehicle hood at a rear edge of the vehicle hood. The second protecting member is attachable in a front side portion of a vehicle body facing the rear edge of the vehicle hood in a closed position of the vehicle hood. The sliding member is at least partially enclosed in the second protecting member and configured to contact the first protecting member in the closed position of the vehicle hood. The sliding member is movable in a lateral direction relative to the vehicle hood in the closed position of the vehicle hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sreten Tabakovic, Pawel Kwasniak, Piotr Dolega
  • Patent number: 11801797
    Abstract: A vehicle body side part structure includes: a center pillar having a base expanding in a fan shape; an inner center pillar having filling openings formed in vicinity to front and rear inwardly-curved corners of the base; a center pillar stiffener defining a filled space to extend in a front-rear direction between the center pillar stiffener and inner center pillar; a side sill joined to lower ends of the inner center pillar and center pillar stiffener; and a partition member having front and rear cover portions and a main body integrated with the cover portions. The partition member includes a filled space partitioner to partition the filled space into a first filled space located closer to one of the inwardly-curved corners and a second filled space located closer to the other of the inwardly-curved corners so as to have a volume substantially equal to that of the first filled space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Tahara, Kenji Nishida
  • Patent number: 11794822
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is described having front and rear passenger area, and an HVAC system provides treated air to both front and rear areas. The front area includes a tunnel extending longitudinally rearwardly, and a low profile duct extends within the tunnel to communicate treated air to the rear passenger area. The frame has been modified to mount a drive shaft carrier bearing to maximize the arear under the tunnel for hose routing. The frame has been modified to maximize the ingress area for the foot of the rear passenger. The frame has been modified to better seal the vehicle when doors are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle J. Schounard, Shawn D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11794666
    Abstract: A roof for a motor vehicle, in particular for a passenger car, the roof having a support structure, a roof skin at least partially covering the support structure, roof side beams which are part of a vehicle body, and at least one sensor module having an environment sensor for detecting a vehicle environment. The sensor module may be disposed on the support structure and is for a large part located below a reference roof indentation plane which is in tangential contact with one of the roof side beams and inclined relative to a horizontal plane by a first angle (?) in the transverse direction of the roof and by a second angle (?) in the longitudinal direction of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Michael Huelsen
  • Patent number: 11794558
    Abstract: A mobile accommodation, particularly a recreational accommodation such as a boat, camper or caravan, comprises a room enclosed by walls (10), wherein at least one of the walls comprises an opening (15) in which an optionally transparent window is arranged. Arranged on a first side all around the opening (15) is a casing frame (30) in which the window is mounted. A border device (20) is provided all around the opening on an opposite side. The casing frame (30) and the border device (20) are connected to each other for axial adjustment transversely of the wall (10) while enclosing a wall part of the wall. The border device (20) comprises a relatively stiff frame body (21) which carries on a side facing toward the wall a flexible skirt (25) and lies sealingly against the wall therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: POLYPLASTIC GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Kenzie Van Der Klooster, Pieter Sietze Krijgsman, Bianca Catharina Van Bemmel-Welle
  • Patent number: 11794817
    Abstract: A side sill for mounting a sliding door of a vehicle may support operations of opening and closing the sliding door without reducing an area of a space inside the vehicle. The side sill includes an inner panel that extends in forward and rearward directions and which is mounted at a side portion of a floor panel of a vehicle body, and an outer panel formed integrally with an upper end and a lower end of the inner panel so as to be disposed opposite the floor panel of the vehicle body based on the inner panel, the outer panel having a module mounting part for mounting a sliding module for the sliding door based on upward and downward directions, the module mounting part being open towards an outside of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Kwang Hee An
  • Patent number: 11794660
    Abstract: A collapsible trunk for use with a vehicle having a wheel well. The trunk comprises a base wall and a side wall pivotally connected thereto. The side wall extends from the base wall and terminates at an upper edge. The side wall and base wall collectively define a storage cavity. The base wall and the side wall each have an expandable portion conformable to the wheel well in response to placement of the base wall and the side wall over the wheel well. The trunk is selectively transitional between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the base panels overlap each other, and in the deployed configuration, the plurality of base panels are co-planar to each other. The upper edge of the side wall moves away from the base wall as the trunk transitions from the collapsed configuration toward the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 11794658
    Abstract: A vehicle storage structure includes a vehicle interior member and a storage. The vehicle interior member has a design surface. The storage has an opening, a first article placement section, and a second article placement section. The opening is located on the design surface. The first article placement section is disposed outwardly from the second article placement section. The first article placement section has a coefficient of friction less than a coefficient of friction of the second article placement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wataru Minoyama
  • Patent number: 11794677
    Abstract: A bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle, having a crossmember which is able to be coupled to a motor vehicle by means of crash boxes. The crossmember is designed as a hollow profile which is open on one side. An opening of the hollow profile faces forwards. The crossmember is designed in its end portions to run with an orientation obliquely downwards with respect to the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Umesh Kalekar, Elmar Mollemeier, Mirko Paare, Martin Schroeter
  • Patent number: 11794657
    Abstract: A foldable vehicle cage system arranged for sectioning an interior vehicle luggage compartment, wherein the cage system includes a cage post, an elongated guide member, and a net structure, wherein the net structure is connected to the cage post, a first end of the cage post is slidingly and hingedly connected to the elongated guide member, and the elongated guide member is configured to be connected to a first vehicle interior structure, wherein the cage post and the net structure are movably arranged in relation to the elongated guide member between a storage position and an in-use position, wherein a second end of the cage post in the in-use position is configured to be attached to a second vehicle interior structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co.
    Inventors: Jonathan Johansson, Albin Hagström
  • Patent number: 11787272
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid tailgate for a vehicle, comprising a thermoplastic inner structure forming the carrier frame of the tailgate, and at least one composite reinforcement part to reinforce the carrier frame, wherein the composite reinforcement part is connected to the thermoplastic inner structure at a first surface, wherein the composite reinforcement part forms a continuous load path in the inner structure enclosing a tailgate window opening for a window glazing part of the tailgate. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising such a hybrid tailgate. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a hybrid tailgate, the method comprising forming a composite laminate part into an insert; placing the insert in an injection molding tool; and over-molding the insert with polymer resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Ilona Maria Francois Grond-Soons, Davy Wilhelmus Anna Brands, David Vincentius Wilhelmus Maria De Vries, Sandeep Chandrakant Kulkarni