Patents Examined by Eric Culbreth
  • Patent number: 8517395
    Abstract: An active suspension system for a vehicle including elements for developing and executing a trajectory plan responsive to the path on which the vehicle is traveling. The system may include a location system for locating the vehicle, and a system for retrieving a road profile corresponding to the vehicle location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Knox, Neal M. Lackritz, William R. Short
  • Patent number: 8500160
    Abstract: Provided is a knee airbag apparatus including an airbag cushion that develops upward without sagging downward to protect the passenger's knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jung Su Lee
  • Patent number: 8491001
    Abstract: An air bag device for a people protection system of a vehicle, having a folded air bag which forms an air bag package having a length and a height. An inlay element, directly connected to and/or placed into the air bag, is provided having a length which essentially corresponds to the length of at least a section of the air bag package and having a height which essentially corresponds to the height of the air bag package. The inlay element is provided and arranged to define the folded air bag regarding its cross-section dimensions and to thereby fix it with desired cross-section dimensions. The inlay element is designed as an elongated flat section and is made of multiple segments, succeeding one another in the longitudinal direction of the air bag. At least one segment of the inlay element has a bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Takata AG
    Inventors: Peter Baumgartner, Thomas Steck
  • Patent number: 8491004
    Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle includes an airbag having a vent and a vent cover configured to close the vent, an actuator, and a tether. The tether is connected between the actuator and the airbag. The vent cover is positioned outside the airbag and between the tether and the airbag. During inflation of the airbag but prior to activation of the actuator, the tether is in tension so as to apply a normal force against the vent cover to maintain the vent in a closed state. The actuator is configured to be activated to reduce or release tension in the tether to reduce the normal force applied by the tether to the vent cover and allow inflation gas to move the vent cover to place the vent in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo Mendez, Amy L. Klinkenberger
  • Patent number: 8480106
    Abstract: A dual suspension system includes a chassis, a suspension arm rotatably connected to the chassis, a wheel connection connected coupled to the suspension arm, a first lock connected to the chassis and the suspension arm, and a second lock connected between a differential housing and the chassis. The first and second locks each have an unlocked state and a locked state. When the first lock is unlocked, and the second lock is locked, the vehicle substantially provides independent suspension. When the first lock is locked, and the second lock is unlocked, the vehicle substantially provides solid axle suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The George Washington University
    Inventor: Shai S. Cohen
  • Patent number: 8479866
    Abstract: An operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle comprises a fixed pedal support member on the side of a dash panel, a swing pedal support member, a pedal body supported at the swing pedal support member via a first pivotal axis, a holding portion to allow a downward move of the first pivotal axis only in case the rotational lever rotates, and a pressing portion provided at the rotational lever so as to press down the swing pedal support member. The pressing portion is positioned in front of the second pivotal axis. Accordingly, the operational pedal support structure of an automotive vehicle equipped with a means mechanism for compulsively moving down the pedal at the vehicle frontal collision, which can be made compact and simple with a high reliability, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Tokumo, Yoh Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8480123
    Abstract: A center airbag cushion installed between left and right seats of a vehicle to protect a passenger from a shock generated by a side collision of the vehicle may include a first chamber part, a second chamber part comprising a left second chamber part and a right second chamber part respectively coupled to left and right sides of an upper end of the first chamber part to fluid-communicate therebetween, and a tension member provided on inner facing surfaces of the left and right second chamber parts, wherein the inner facing surfaces of the left and right second chamber parts face each other with a gap, and wherein the tension member has a rear end extending in a predetermined length rearwards and is fixed to a rear end of the first chamber part or the second chamber part therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Ho Choi, Hyeong Ho Choi
  • Patent number: 8474867
    Abstract: A steering wheel unit with an airbag module and a steering wheel body is connectable to a steering column defining the axial direction. The steering wheel body includes an accommodation for the airbag module in the hub area. The airbag module can be pressed down against the steering wheel body against the force of at least one spring and at least two positioning units act between the airbag module and the steering wheel body. The positioning units are arranged in a center of gravity plane being perpendicular to the axial direction. In order to provide an easy mountability and a high degree of flexibility in respect of the installation space, the positioning units act at least in non-axial direction and the at least one spring is spaced from the positioning units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Raimund Nebel
  • Patent number: 8469378
    Abstract: A steering knuckle assembly having a steering knuckle and a spindle. The steering knuckle may have first and second circumferential surfaces that at least partially define a hole. The spindle may be disposed in the hole and may have first and second spindle circumferential surfaces. The first and second spindle circumferential surfaces may engage the first and second circumferential surfaces, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Bodary, Dale Eschenburg, Duy Lam
  • Patent number: 8469379
    Abstract: A wheel axle suspension for suspending an axle body of a wheel axle from a vehicle, comprises on both sides of the vehicle a trailing arm which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The axle body is attached to the trailing arms. The trailing arms are each hingedly connected at the front in the direction of travel of the vehicle to a bearing bracket which is arranged on the vehicle chassis. The wheel axle suspension furthermore comprises a pneumatic spring which is operational between the trailing arm and the chassis. A pneumatic spring support arm is provided, which is coupled to the axle body for supporting an underside of the pneumatic spring. The pneumatic spring support arm is coupled to the axle body so that the pneumatic spring support arm is mountable in a plurality of orientations with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: VDL Weweler B.V.
    Inventors: Derk Geert Aalderink, Geert Everts, Matthijs van Dop
  • Patent number: 8469394
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle seat (10) for a motor vehicle having a backrest (14) with a seat-mounted side airbag (20) having a first side wall (22) facing the occupant and a second side wall (24) facing the outside of the vehicle. The side airbag (20) is located on the side of the backrest (14) facing the outside of the vehicle, and the side airbag (20) includes a first ventilation opening (30) in the second side wall, the ventilation opening being at least throttled on lying against an object, so that a ventilation of the airbag is adapted as a function of the size of the occupant. The vehicle seat (10) is height adjustable so that, depending on the height adjustment of the vehicle seat, the first ventilation can be closed by the inner structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Hans Werner Schuller
  • Patent number: 8469138
    Abstract: A vehicle including a plurality of ground engaging propulsion devices and two foot actuated controls. The plurality of ground engaging propulsion devices include a first and a second ground engaging propulsion device. The first ground engaging propulsion device is associated with one side of the vehicle and the second ground engaging propulsion device is associated with an opposite side of the vehicle. The two foot actuated controls include a first and a second foot actuated control. The first foot actuated control is controlingly connected to the first ground engaging propulsion device. The second foot actuated control is controlingly connected to the second ground engaging propulsion device. The first foot actuated control includes a pedal, a footrest and a peg. The pedal is pivotally connected to the vehicle. The footrest extends from a side of the foot actuated control. The peg extends from the side of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Adam J. Koehler
  • Patent number: 8464828
    Abstract: An operation unit for a construction machine includes a floor, an operation seat and a console box. A pilot valve is provided within the console box, a plurality of hoses are connected to the pilot valve and arranged at least from the pilot valve to the floor while bundled together, and a hose cover covers a plurality of over-floor portions of the respective hoses between the pilot valve and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Takeda, Satoshi Kurushima, Daiki Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8463499
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a vehicle safely and stably. The method involves determining whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward without a TCU or a specific sensor for detecting whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward. The method further involves controlling at least one apparatus of the vehicle for controlling the wheels based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seunghwan Chung
  • Patent number: 8459688
    Abstract: A passenger air bag apparatus may include an air bag door, a chute positioned on both ends of the air bag door, wherein the chute has a first fitting hole in one end thereof and a second fitting hole in the other end thereof, and an air bag housing having a first hook received in the first fitting hole and a second hook received in the second fitting hole, wherein an air bag may be contained in the air bag housing, and wherein the first hook may be in contact with an edge of the first fitting hole, and the second hook may be not in contact with an edge of the second fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8459687
    Abstract: An airbag module including an inflator, an air bag, and an air bag case. The air bag case houses the air bag and is attached to the inflator. The inflator supplies a gas to the air bag housed in the air bag case. The air bag case further includes an engagement member having an opening in a rectangular shape and hooks disposed on two opposing sides of thereof, and a lower surface plate member that is attached to the engagement member by a bridge member. The hooks are shaped to engage an instrument panel, thereby attaching the air bag case to the instrument panel. The air bag module may also include a fabric housing disposed around the air bag. The fabric housing has a box-like shape with a bottom portion, an open ceiling portion, and a connecting hole disposed in the bottom portion to receive the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Masaki Ooshino, Masaru Narita
  • Patent number: 8459686
    Abstract: A horn switch mechanism 15 has a securing pin 31 serving as a support member, a movable member 32 serving as an insulating portion, a compression coil spring 35 serving as an urging member, and a contact terminal 34 serving as a movable contact. The securing pin 31 is fixed to a metal core 12 of a steering wheel body 11 and supports a bag holder 21 in such a manner that the bag holder 21 selectively proceeds toward and retreats from the metal core 12. The movable member 32 is arranged between the securing pin 31 and the bag holder 21 and electrically insulates the securing pin 31 and the bag holder 21 from each other. The coil spring 35 urges the bag holder 21 away from the metal core 12. The contact terminal 34 moves together with the bag holder 21. When the bag holder 21 moves toward the metal core 12 against the urging force of the compression coil spring 35, the contact terminal 34 contacts the securing pin 31 and permits conduction between the contact terminal 34 and the securing pin 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Matsuo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Norio Suzuki, Kenji Sasaki, Koji Sakurai, Hitoshi Iida, Osamu Hirose, Akira Urayama
  • Patent number: 8457875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a navigation system and vicinity search method for route setting to retrieve a facility around a route and set an intermediate point through a vicinity search. The vicinity search method for route setting, the vicinity search method including: retrieving a route between a start point and a destination; retrieving a facility with respect to at least one category based on the retrieved route according to a command of a user; and displaying the retrieved facility for each category on the retrieved route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yun Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 8448989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer comprising a trailer bed which is at least 5 partly made of a composite material and at least one axle which extends in cross direction of the trailer and is connected to the trailer bed for suspending the wheels. The trailer bed comprises an upper and a lower load absorbing surface, wherein the upper load absorbing surface comprises in longitudinal direction a front and a back area and a connection area between them. Between the upper 10 and lower load absorbing surface, at least one reinforcing member is mounted which is resilient and which is provided to function as a support for the upper load absorbing surface in a loaded state of the upper load absorbing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Groep Stevens International
    Inventor: Jan Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 8444175
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, equipped with an airbag module and an airbag control unit wherein the motorcycle is not increased in width. The motorcycle includes a body frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe with a rider's seat provided on the body frame and on which a rider or riders are to be seated. The airbag module is provided on the body frame and in which an airbag is accommodated. The airbag control unit is provided for controlling the deployment of the airbag. The airbag module is disposed on the front side of the rider seat with the airbag control unit being disposed between the head pipe and the airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Hanafusa, Yoshiya Omuro