Patents Examined by E. Turner Hicks
  • Patent number: 11731573
    Abstract: A grill guard assembly has a vehicle coupling portion mounted to the vehicle forwardly of the vehicle grill. A hinge couples a coupling portion of a grill guard frame on the vehicle coupling portion to pivot between a working position extending primarily upwardly and a lowered position extending primarily forwardly. A latch assembly has a clamping surface and a clamping jaw supported on opposing ones of the vehicle coupling portion and the grill guard coupling portion. An over-center linkage operatively connects the clamping jaw to the respective coupling portion and the second coupling portion such that the linkage is rotated through an over-center position between open and closed positions of the jaw, whereby the clamping force of the jaw acts to urge the jaw to remain closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventors: Meghdad Saediamiri, Randy John Delos Santos, Mohammadreza Farohki
  • Patent number: 11724650
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cargo rack for a utility vehicle. The cargo rack comprises a base structure, a front wall structure extending upward from the base structure and having a top edge, a pair of opposing sidewall structures, wherein each sidewall extends upward from the base structure and having a top edge, and a back wall structure extending upward from the base structure and having a top edge. The cargo rack base structure is structured to be disposed within a reservoir of a vehicle front body cowl such that the entirety of the cargo rack base structure is disposed within the cowl reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Philip Jhant, Nick Moore, Matthew Baekelandt
  • Patent number: 11713081
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a pair of side truss members extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a plurality of cross truss members connecting the pair of side truss members to each other in a width direction of the vehicle, a plurality of cross floor truss members coupled to upper ends of the pair of side truss members, extending in a transverse direction of the side truss members, and spaced apart from each other in an anteroposterior direction, and a plurality of side connection truss members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connecting ends of the cross floor truss members to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seok Ju Gim, Tae Gyu Park, Ho Yeon Kim, Sun Hyung Cho, Chul Hee Heo, Ji Ae Yong
  • Patent number: 11685315
    Abstract: A vehicle including a passenger compartment is configured with one or more seats, a storage compartment separated from the passenger compartment by way of at least one wall, a housing extending through the at least one wall, and a drawer slidably positioned within the housing and movable between a first position accessible from within the passenger compartment and a second position accessible from the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Gould, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • Patent number: 11679813
    Abstract: A vehicle body rear part structure includes a pair of rear side frames on left and right sides that extend substantially along a vehicle front-rear direction; and a rear floor panel to whose front part region, where a rear seat is disposed, the pair of rear side frames are combined. A rear part region of the rear floor panel is configured by a double panel structure having an upper wall and a lower wall. The rear part region of the rear floor panel extends further to a vehicle rear side than the pair of rear side frames. Each rear end part of the pair of rear side frames includes an inclined support part that inclines toward a vehicle front side toward an inner side in a vehicle width direction. The double panel structure is combined to the inclined support part of each of the rear side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11660652
    Abstract: A multi-tubular beam for a vehicle, such as a vehicle structure or a bumper reinforcement, includes an elongated beam formed with a metal sheet. The metal sheet has a central section and outer sections extending along a length of the metal sheet. The outer sections are disposed in opposing directions from the outer edges of the central section to provide adjacent first and second tubular portions. The central section forms a common center wall between the adjacent first and second tubular portions. A first edge portion of the metal sheet is disposed along and in parallel alignment with the center wall. The first edge portion is attached to the center wall at a first weld joint to form the first tubular portion. The first weld joint includes a weld material that extends through a thickness of the center wall and into a thickness of the first edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Baas, Joseph R. Matecki, Shawn R. Jasman
  • Patent number: 11654831
    Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicle includes a unitary main body. The unitary main body includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a top finish portion that extends between the first and second side walls. The top finish portion defines at least one of a shifter receiving aperture and a cup holder opening. A cross bracket is coupled to the first and second side walls and extends between the first and second side walls of the unitary main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuti Sinha, Mohamed A. Elmadari, Chad M. Bross, Patrick T. Beaudoin, Martin J. Drumb
  • Patent number: 11654832
    Abstract: A vehicle storage structure includes a center console, an instrument panel, and a storage having an opening. The center console includes a front part. The storage is located at least one of the front part, a portion in front of the center console, or the instrument panel. The storage includes a first storage and a second storage. The first storage is located lower or higher than the second storage. The first storage includes a side wall and a first opening. The side wall is located proximate to a passenger seat in a vehicle width direction. The first opening is located proximate to a driver's seat in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Minoyama
  • Patent number: 11643019
    Abstract: A multi-position device holder is provided for holding one or more mobile devices in a vehicle interior in a center console/console assembly. The multi-position device holder may accommodate one or more mobile devices used/placed on the multi-position device holder in various orientations. A platform of the multi-position device holder provides multiple angular orientations of one or more mobile devices, to accommodate different charging mechanisms (wireless and corded), as well as provide increased stability/retention of one or more mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Que-Whang Rhee
  • Patent number: 11639197
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rail assembly that includes an outer rail and an inner rail opposite to the outer rail. The rail assembly also includes a cavity formed between the outer rail and the inner rail. The rail assembly further includes a first corner reinforcement coupled to the outer rail and the inner rail in such a way that at least a portion of the first corner reinforcement is located in the cavity. The rail assembly also includes a second corner reinforcement coupled to the outer rail and the inner rail in such a way that at least a portion of the first corner reinforcement is located in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen William Gallagher, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Musheeruddin Syed
  • Patent number: 11634014
    Abstract: A retractable truck bed cover having an array of parallel aluminum slats joined together by connective hinges including leading and trailing edge configuration for improving the security of the cover by covering and concealing the seam between adjacent slats while improving the connective hinge's resistance to the effects of aging and/or exposure to temperature fluctuations. The truck bed cover connective hinge slat is designed to be in an array of discrete slats, which are joined to one another by means of joiner members secured at each end to slat end caps. The distal ends of the joiner members are attached to slat end caps at the distal ends of the slats, thereby preventing the joiner members from shrinking in relationship to the slats due to aging and I or exposure to temperature fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ROLL-N-LOCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Gregory Bernardo, Brandon Gregory Bernardo
  • Patent number: 11618505
    Abstract: A frame structure for maintaining energy storage devices of a vehicle in position which is deformed in a controlled way in the event of a side-impact, in such a way to avoid deforming into the location of the vehicle seats. The proposed frame structure is adapted to deform controllably in a centre position align with a location between the vehicle seats. In this way are occupants of the vehicle kept safe since no or less deformation occur in the vehicle seat location. The above advantages are provided by that lateral support members of the frame includes a deformation zone adapted to deform in response to a lateral force exerted on the lateral support member. The deformation zone is located such that, when the frame structure is installed in the vehicle, the deformation zone is aligned with a location between seats of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Aria Ravantab, Fredrik Övgård, Srikanth Varanasi, Sven Ström, Krister Amundsson
  • Patent number: 11603058
    Abstract: A vehicle may include: a front grille including an air intake; a radiator arranged behind the front grille; an air duct configured to guide air from the air intake to the radiator, the air duct widening upward from the air intake to the radiator; and a horn arranged in front of the air duct at a position higher than the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Tokuyama, Yoshihiro Itoh, Dan Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11597327
    Abstract: A storage compartment comprising a housing, a lid, a lid damper, a storage tray, and a tray damper. The lid damper pivotally couples the lid to the housing about a pivot axis such that the lid is moveable between an open position and closed position. The tray damper pivotally couples the storage tray to housing about the pivot axis such that the storage tray is moveable between a lowered position and a raised position independent of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Nishio, Roy Thorsell, Jake McNamara
  • Patent number: 11597326
    Abstract: A center console for a vehicle includes a base. The base is coupled to the vehicle and includes a receptacle. The center console includes a body that is coupled to the base and that includes a shelf. The body is operable to move relative to the base between a retracted position, wherein the shelf covers the receptacle, and an extended position, wherein the receptacle is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Stephen Neal Jacobsen, Michele Marie Mathews
  • Patent number: 11577784
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a frame rail, a shock tower bracket, and a cable. The frame rail is elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The shock tower bracket is connected to the frame rail. The cable is connected to the frame rail and the shock tower bracket. The cable extends transverse to the vehicle-longitudinal axis from the frame rail to the shock tower bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi, Saeed David Barbat, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
  • Patent number: 11577656
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a floor. A dashboard is positioned vehicle-upward of the floor. A plurality of seating assemblies are coupled to the floor and are arranged into a first row and a second row. A base is coupled to the floor and comprises a trough that extends vehicle-rearward from a forward end to a rearward end. A storage console is coupled to the base and is operable to slide within the trough between a forward position that is proximate to the forward end, a rearward position that is proximate to the rearward end, and an intermediate position there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Carlos Gonzales, Gabriella Marie Gyllenhoff Jacobsen, Michael Huskey, Arnav Wagh, Daveanand M. Singh, David Vondle, David Russell
  • Patent number: 11577657
    Abstract: A vehicular luggage tray apparatus is capable of receiving and storing goods in a main tray and a sub tray, and of receiving and storing the main tray and the sub tray in an unused space in a side wall of a luggage room of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, DAEJOO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Lee, Seung Soo Ryu, Jae Yong Lee, Kwang Ok Jeon, Tae Woo Kim, Dong Ju Kim, Kyoung Jun Jin
  • Patent number: 11578515
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component configured to be actuated by an inertia force is disclosed. The component may comprise a cover moveable relative to a base between closed and open positions and a latch mechanism to provide a latched state for the cover when actuated by the inertia force and to hold the cover in an unlatched state. The latch mechanism may be configured to change state of the cover from the unlatched state to the latched state when actuated by the inertia force. The cover may comprise the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism may extend from the cover in the latched state. The latch mechanism may form a generally continuous surface with a wall of the cover when unlatched. The latch mechanism may comprise a spring to hold the cover in the unlatched state. The component may comprise at least one of a console; center console; floor console; an armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Hodgson
  • Patent number: 11571965
    Abstract: A vehicle body side structure is provided where an exhaust apparatus is located on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to a side sill without widening the vehicle. Embodiments include an internal combustion engine equipped on the front side of a partition wall defining a front edge of a vehicle cabin space, an exhaust apparatus through which exhaust gas exhausted from the internal combustion engine passes, and a side sill extending along the vehicle front-rear direction on the side of a floor forming a floor surface of the vehicle cabin space. The side sill has a recess having a cross section recessed toward the vehicle-width-direction inner side from the vehicle-width-direction outer side in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the vehicle front-rear direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an exhaust system member provided in the exhaust apparatus is disposed at the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuneki Shimanaka, Kota Yoshida