Patents Examined by Dennis H. Pedder
  • Patent number: 11731563
    Abstract: A magnetic latch for a lid and the bin of a container in a vehicle comprises at least one overmolded magnet detachably connected to a lid. A metal portion is magnetically attracted with the overmolded magnet. At least one overmolded magnet is connected to a bin having a magnetic attraction with the lid overmolded magnet to magnetically open and close the lid and the bin of the container. The overmold on the magnet encloses the magnet with vibration dampening material such as rubber. The metal portion may be a second at least one overmolded magnet second. The container may be a center console, glove box, ash tray, trunk, sun roof shade, cover. Spears, clips, prongs other suitable fasteners may be formed on one side of the overmold to allow insertion and attachment to a corresponding hole on the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TERMAX COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel James Dickinson, David Friesorger, Shawn Willis
  • Patent number: 11731496
    Abstract: A vehicle roof opening having a cover and bearing device which displaceably supports the cover on a roof-side longitudinal guide rail a front and rear bearing unit, which moves the cover between a closed and at least one deployed ventilation positions. The front bearing unit may have a bearing arm, one end which pivotally mounts the cover and the other end which is slidingly and pivotally mounted on the longitudinal guide rail; carries out a positioning movement controlling the cover front region, when said cover is moved from its closed position into its ventilation position and/or into an open position. The bearing arm may be pivotally mounted by a rocker-type bearing having a pivot bearing and two sliding elements, on the longitudinal guide rail in a slidingly mounted bearing carriage, and a pivot-control unit guides the two sliding elements to achieve the rocker-type pivoting action of the bearing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Sebastian Gering
  • Patent number: 11731706
    Abstract: In a vehicle, a roof siderail outer includes an upper flange, a first portion that is disposed across a gap from a roof siderail inner, and a second portion disposed between the first portion and the upper flange. A boundary line between the upper flange and the second portion is configured of a first bent portion that is bent to form a valley crease line on an outer face of the roof siderail outer. A boundary line between the second portion and the first portion is configured of a second bent portion that is bent to form a ridge crease line on the outer face. The second bent portion extends toward the first bent portion in a rearward direction, and is connected to the first bent portion. The upper flange is welded to a rear pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sachiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11724654
    Abstract: A lining element for a wear-resistant haul truck body lining comprises a reinforcement plate being at least partly embedded in elastic material. The reinforcement plate comprises a plurality of mounting holes which are arranged for mounting the lining element to a haul truck body and which are not covered by the elastic material, and one or more weight-reducing cut-out openings which are larger than the mounting holes and which are covered by the elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Metso Sweden AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Larsson, Henrik Persson, Lars Grönvall
  • Patent number: 11724763
    Abstract: A side cowl configured to cover a vehicle side portion of a saddle-ridden vehicle is provided. The side cowl includes a convex portion elongating in an upper-lower direction and protruding outward in a vehicle width direction with respect to a cowl outer surface. The convex portion is formed on the cowl outer surface at a downstream side of traveling wind that flows on the cowl outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fujimi Sawada, Yuki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 11724580
    Abstract: A roof device for a vehicle includes: a plurality of plate members and a frame coupled to a vehicle body and configured to support the plurality of plate member, where at least a portion of the frame is configured to rotate around its edge, and at least one of the plurality of plate members is configured to slide along an inner edge of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Ho Ssang Jo
  • Patent number: 11724652
    Abstract: A protection mechanism for a working vehicle includes a roof provided above an operator's seat, a pillar extending upward from a vehicle body and supporting the roof, a camera with a predetermined viewing direction, and a support stay which is connected to the pillar, orients the predetermined viewing direction of the camera sideways, and supports the camera below a peripheral portion of the roof. The protection mechanism includes a front pillar supporting a front portion of the roof and a rear pillar supporting a rear portion of the roof. The support stay is connected to the rear pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Horai, Takuya Nishikubo
  • Patent number: 11718163
    Abstract: A movably arranged vehicle component is operatively coupled to and may be driven by an electric motor. The electric motor is supplied with a motor current to drive the movement of the vehicle component. A method for detecting a movement obstruction comprises the steps of supplying the electric motor with a supply voltage, thereby supplying the motor current; determining a frequency content of the motor current; and analysing the frequency content to determine whether the movement obstruction is present or not. A motor control system is configured to perform the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Dennie Wilhelmus Hendrikus Craane, Gerrit Schwepper
  • Patent number: 11718351
    Abstract: An automobile structural member has a first wall part, a second wall part that faces the first wall part, and a third wall part that connects the first wall part and the second wall part. At least one of the first wall part and the second wall part has a main wall part in which two through-holes are formed, and at least two auxiliary wall parts that are provided so as to rise from the main wall part. Each auxiliary wall part is provided so as to rise in the thickness direction of the main wall part from an edge of a through-hole. The distance between two auxiliary wall parts in the longitudinal direction of the main wall part is 1.4 times or less the width of the main wall part at a portion between the two auxiliary wall parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 11718349
    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: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Tanabe, Noritaka Kosaka
  • Patent number: 11718223
    Abstract: A glass panel assembly for use in a roof of a vehicle, comprises a glass panel, a frame and an elongate lighting device. The glass panel comprises an interior main surface and the interior main surface of the glass panel is configured to be directed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The frame is adhered to the interior main surface and comprises a shaped element. The shaped element is one of a recess and a protrusion. The elongate lighting device is coupled to the frame by a mating shape engaging the shaped element. The lighting device is configured to directly illuminate at least a part of said passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Jiangtao Li, Jur Johannes Maria Custers, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Robert Rikkert, Robbert Arij Jeroen De Jong, Sander De Bie
  • Patent number: 11718236
    Abstract: Reconfigurable cargo screen assemblies for a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a retracting component including a cassette member, a retractable screen, a first end beam, and a retraction mechanism. A first end of the retractable screen is connected to the first end beam, and a second end of the retractable screen is retractably connected within the cassette member by the retraction mechanism. The assembly further includes a middle cover component including a rod member, a middle screen, and a second end beam. A first end of the middle screen is connected to the rod member, and a second end of the middle screen is connected to the second end beam. Also included is a back component having a connection beam and a back screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Monica Sjöstedt, Peter Landqvist, Tony Nilsson
  • Patent number: 11718162
    Abstract: A tandem drive device for at least one adjustable vehicle part, in particular for a sliding roof system, preferably comprising at least two sliding roof elements such as, for example, a glass roof and a roller shutter, wherein the tandem drive device includes at least a first drive system having a first gear mechanism and a first drive motor, and a second drive system having a second gear mechanism and a second drive motor, as well as a common control circuit for the first drive motor and the second drive motor, wherein the first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism as well as the control circuit are accommodated in a common housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Rajesh Jayaraj, Martin Traub, Jani Hovan, Bernhard Meier
  • Patent number: 11718252
    Abstract: A bumper arrangement includes a cross member and two deformation elements for arrangement between end regions of the cross member and longitudinal members of a motor vehicle. The cross member is hollow with a front and rear walls and upper and lower walls. The front wall has a depression extending in longitudinal direction of the cross member. The depression has a deepest region extending at a distance from the rear wall. The upper and lower walls of the cross member each have in the end regions a further depression which extends in longitudinal direction of the cross member, so that the upper wall and the lower wall are more corrugated in the end regions than in a central region of the cross member, so that the distance between the front wall and the rear wall in the end regions is smaller than in a central region of the cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Aalberg
  • Patent number: 11718350
    Abstract: This vehicle body side structure includes: side sills provided at both end portions of a floor section in a width direction of a vehicle and extending in a forward/rearward direction of the vehicle; a pillar extending upward from each of the side sills and having a pillar outer provided on an outside in the width direction of the vehicle; a crushing member provided on an inside in the width direction of the vehicle with respect to the pillar outer, having a lower portion joined to the side sill, and extending upward; an impactor which is provided above the crushing member, which is joined to an inside of the pillar outer in the width direction of the vehicle, and in which the impactor and the crushing member at least partially overlap in an upward/downward direction; and a seatbelt winding device provided on the outside in the width direction of the vehicle with respect to the crushing member and disposed inside an accommodation concave section formed in the impactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hasegawa, Hitomi Yamada, Ryotaro Takeuchi, Takayuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 11713011
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a crush can attached to an end portion of the bumper beam. An impact dispersion plate is attached to a front face of the bumper beam at the end portion of the bumper beam. A front surface of the impact dispersion plate extends downward from the front face of the bumper beam. A lower reinforcement member attached to a rear surface of the impact dispersion plate and extends along a lower section of the impact dispersion plate. An upright reinforcement member has an upper portion attached to the bumper beam and a lower portion attached to the lower reinforcement member. The upright and lower reinforcement members are configured, upon impact with a barrier, to disperse deformation of the barrier over the impact dispersion plate below the bumper beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Andreas Krasel, Stephane Anquetil, Jan {hacek over (S)}pergl, Pritish Avachat
  • Patent number: 11713084
    Abstract: A body front-end structure for a two-track vehicle, having an A-pillar from which an upper wheel well longitudinal member projects toward the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and from which a lower body longitudinal member that is offset toward the inside of the vehicle with respect to the upper wheel well longitudinal member projects toward the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In a head-on crash with small lateral overlap, a suspension strut dome is loaded with a crash force in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The body front-end structure has a sheet-metal tension strip that connects the suspension strut dome to the lower body longitudinal member in a force-transmitting manner. In the event of a head-on crash, the sheet-metal tension strip provides a load path through which a tensile force opposing the crash force acts on the suspension strut dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Schmidt, Mario Ubaldo, Soeren Krengel
  • Patent number: 11712951
    Abstract: An articulating front top cover assembly adapted for connecting to a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof of the vehicle. A pivotal portion includes a multi-bar over-center linkage arrangement. The pivotal portion is movable between at least a closed position over the front vehicle compartment and an open position with a passive lock from the multi-bar linkage assembly for an open air feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon G. Moore, David A. Smith, Charles C. Turney, Stephen J. Lewis, William H. Haberkamp
  • Patent number: 11712952
    Abstract: A soft top cover assembly including a pivotal portion adapted for attaching at a roof top opening of a vehicle to selectively close off the roof top opening and open up the roof top opening for an open-air experience. The assembly has a cover attached to a first bow member of the pivotal portion and a rear header. Selectively rotating the pivotal portion covers and uncovers the roof top opening. The assembly has at least one pair of shutface appliques adjacent to the sides of the roof top opening. At least one pair of rear side belt mounts incorporating a belt rail and adapted to connect to the vehicle and operable to attach LH/RH rear side windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Bestop Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis, Eric D. Getzschman, Duane C. Junkin, David A. Smith, Charles C. Turney, Edward S. Piec, Jonathon G. Moore, Brandon Kincaid, Eric J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 11708114
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including: an elongated frame made of a first material and extending along a door opening; and an elongated rail made of a second material having a linear expansion coefficient different from that of the first material, the rail covering the frame and extending along the frame, the rail being configured to abut with a weather strip when a door closes the door opening. The rail is fixed to the frame at a plurality of fixation parts that includes: a first fixation part provided in an intermediate part of the rail in the longitudinal direction of the rail; and second fixation parts provided, respectively, in opposite end parts of the rail in its longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction of the rail, backlash widths at the second fixation parts are larger than a backlash width at the first fixation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akihiro Yanaka, Shinji Kurachi, Masayuki Koizumi