Patents Examined by Gregory Blankenship
  • Patent number: 11718355
    Abstract: A modular saddle mount and modified frame cross member for reducing vibration in heavy equipment cabs preferably includes a heavy equipment modified frame cross member, two modular saddle mounts and at least two vibration isolators. The modified frame cross member includes a frame cross member, two sets of opposed mounting blocks and two cutout filler plates. The two cutout filler plates are secured in first and second cutouts. Each opposed mounting block is secured to an outside of the frame cross member. The modular saddle mount preferably includes a saddle base member and a pair of fastening inserts. A fastening cutout is formed in each end of the saddle base member. The pair of fastening inserts are retained on an inside surface of the saddle base member at opposing ends thereof. At least one isolator opening is formed through the base saddle member to receive a vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY N.A., INC., ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick, Alan Nickel, Kunj Modi
  • Patent number: 11713085
    Abstract: A rear cargo bed structure of a multipurpose vehicle is provided. The multipurpose vehicle includes a vehicle frame unit, a steering device connected to the vehicle frame unit and operable to control a moving direction of the multipurpose vehicle, a front wheel assembly mounted to a front end of the vehicle frame unit, a seat portion mounted on the vehicle frame unit to receive a driver and a passenger to sit thereon, a rear wheel assembly mounted to a rear end of the vehicle frame unit, and a vehicle cover unit set on and covering a periphery of the vehicle frame unit. A rear cargo bed in the form of a flat surface is arranged on a rear frame portion of the vehicle frame unit. As such, the performance of the multipurpose vehicle for carrying cargo is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuei-Cheng Yeh
  • Patent number: 11708018
    Abstract: A frame assembly for supporting and mounting a box compartment over and around a flat bed of a flatbed tow truck is described. The frame assembly includes a frame attached to a chassis of a flatbed tow truck. The frame includes at least one left and at least one right side support beams, at least one left and at least one right horizontal connection beams, two or more left side and two or more right side vertical support beams, at least two cross-beams, and at least one vertical connection beam. One or more of the at least two cross-beams is connected to the chassis and is further connected at each of its ends to the left and right side support beams. Each vertical connection beam is connected to either the left or right horizontal connection beam and is oriented generally vertically for attachment of a box compartment to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: EM SIL Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Silveri
  • Patent number: 11707974
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly located over the cargo bed of a truck is provided. The tonneau cover assembly includes a base panel that extends over the cargo bed of the truck. The tonneau cover also includes at least one cover section that selectively shrouds the cargo bed and is located adjacent the base panel. The tonneau cover assembly includes either one or both a tie-down block assembly and/or a tether assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Leer Group
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Christopher David Mattison, John William Bevis, III
  • Patent number: 11702145
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure has a vehicle frame structure, a cabin structure, a cargo area structure and an elastic bumper element. The cabin structure is installed to a forward portion of the vehicle frame structure and defines a passenger compartment. The cabin structure also has a rearward wall. The cargo area structure is installed to a rearward portion of the vehicle frame structure. The cargo area structure has a forward wall spaced apart from the rearward wall of the cabin structure. The elastic bumper element is installed to one of the rearward wall or the forward wall such that in response to flexing of the vehicle frame structure, the elastic bumper element can contact the other of the rearward wall or the forward wall thereby restricting direct contact between the rearward wall and the forward wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Byrne, Jeffrey Pencak, Seth Grant, Brian Salazar
  • Patent number: 11701954
    Abstract: A method of operating a tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle, including: transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate; determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then lowering the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Extang Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly Kneifl, Robert Gaarder, Jerome Facchinello, Daniel J. Delaney, Robbie Mosingo, Chad Carter
  • Patent number: 11702164
    Abstract: A rail assembly for a flatbed trailer, including: a side rail configured generally as C-shaped, the side rail including a first top horizontal face, a first side vertical face, and a first bottom horizontal face; and a rub rail coupled to the side rail, the rub rail configured generally as C-shaped, the rub rail including a second top horizontal face, a second side vertical face, and a second bottom horizontal face, wherein the second top horizontal face is coupled to the second side vertical face by a top chamfer, wherein the top chamfer is diagonally connected to the second top horizontal face and the second side vertical face, wherein the second bottom horizontal face is coupled to the second side vertical face by a bottom chamfer, wherein the bottom chamfer is diagonally connected to the second side vertical face and the second bottom horizontal face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Translead
    Inventors: Laura Homec, Loc Quoc Bui, Weilun Chang
  • Patent number: 11702147
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-layer truck bed. The truck bed includes a frame, a layer of backer plates, and a layer of non-slip plates. The frame is under the layer of backer plates, the layer of backer plates is under the layer of non-slip plates. The truck bed is elongated in a first direction. The frame includes a plurality of metal crossmembers extending crosswise to the first direction. The backer plates are formed of a first metal, and the non-slip plates are formed of a second metal. The first metal has a higher strength than the second metal. In some embodiments, the invention provides a truck that includes the truck bed and has a material handler mounted thereon, and the material handler includes a boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Builtrite, LLC
    Inventor: Maxwell N. Kleven
  • Patent number: 11701985
    Abstract: The present invention is a device for facilitating the loading and unloading of a child's car seat, itself installed in either a left seat or a right seat of an automobile. The device comprises a rigid stationary base configured for engaging the seat of the automobile, and a pivotable support configured for selectively receiving and securing the child's car seat thereon. A bottom side of the pivotable support is configured for pivotable sliding on a top side of the stationary base. At least one device locking mechanism is fixed with a rear side of the stationary base for securing to the seat of the automobile. A pair of pivot locking mechanisms detach a latch assembly from the stationary base when an actuator lever is actuated, allowing the pivotable support and car seat to pivot on the stationary base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventors: Ken Cabral, Jennifer Welle
  • Patent number: 11702021
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a vehicle that can include a bumper, a plurality of frame brackets, and a skid plate assembly, and related methods. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a skid plate assembly that can include a light source and a main body with a first portion, a second portion, and a plurality of mounts. The skid plate assembly can extend below a bumper of a vehicle. The main body can define an opening that exposes the light source and the face of the light source can be aimed forward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 11685238
    Abstract: Disclosed are front entry cabs, and power machines with front entry cabs, having a door that is moveable between opened and closed positions. In the opened position, the door is positioned within an operator compartment of the cab above the operator seat and below a top of the cab. A linkage system defines the travel path of the door between closed and opened positions. The linkage system is configured to minimize interference with operator visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Cody Erhardt, Ronald S. Hansen, Jonathan J. Roehrl, Brian P. Dehnert, David Glasser
  • Patent number: 11685448
    Abstract: A draw bar stowage apparatus includes an opening through the bed floor of the cargo box of a pickup truck for receiving the insertion end of a draw bar. The stowage apparatus may include an additional bracket beneath the bed floor, bed protection, a plug and adjustable tether for securing a stowed draw bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Rock
  • Patent number: 11679709
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a cargo bed of a vehicle, a first crossbar spanning the cargo bed, and a second crossbar spanning the cargo bed. The first and second crossbars are slidable relative to the cargo bed. The first and second crossbars are slidable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, William Wurz, David Brian Glickman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 11679817
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a folding tailgate. The system includes a first panel and a second panel forming a tailgate of the vehicle. The vehicle has a first vehicle sidewall and a second vehicle sidewall. The system may include a first hinge coupled between the first panel and the second panel. The first hinge is configured to rotate the second panel toward the first panel, moving the second panel towards the first vehicle sidewall for opening the tailgate sideways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ronnie Go, David W. Curtis, Traven Thai
  • Patent number: 11673615
    Abstract: This present disclosure describes an automatically sealing tailgate mechanism for the transport of fluidic materials in vessels such as roll off containers and truck bodies. Currently, preventing material leakage from such vessels is ensured using manually operated locks, which put operating personnel of such vessels at risk. The automatic vessel locking system disclosed does not require manual operating intervention other than actions taken to perform a dumping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: LeRoy George Hagenbuch
  • Patent number: 11673617
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an airfoil and machines with airfoils are disclosed. The airfoils include a thicker leading airfoil portion and a thinner trailing airfoil portion. In one embodiment, the leading airfoil portion is formed by bending a body of the airfoil back toward itself. In another embodiment, the leading airfoil portion has a solid geometry and includes two elliptic surfaces. To prevent detachment of airflow, the leading airfoil portion includes at least two arc portions or surfaces that act to direct the airflow down to the trailing airfoil portion in a manner that stabilizes vortexes that may form in the region of changing thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ESS 2 TECH, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Suk, David A. Shoffler
  • Patent number: 11673503
    Abstract: A motorhome with a superstructure, the superstructure having at least one room extension module which is displaceably attached to it, and a seal which is arranged between the superstructure and the room extension module, at least one force transmission means being arranged in the area of the seal on the superstructure and/or on the room extension module, which means is configured in such a way that it narrowly limits a vertical relative movement between the superstructure and the room extension module by transmitting forces acting in the vertical direction between the room extension module and the superstructure. The force transmission means can be designed as a pin or also as a rail with a carriage guided displaceably therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PROTEO GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Franz Wieth
  • Patent number: 11667335
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for operating a power tailgate system are disclosed. A vehicle includes a rotatable element structured for operable connection with, and disconnection from, a tailgate when the rotatable element resides in a predetermined tailgate removal orientation. A motor is connected with the rotatable element for interdependent movement, and a motor circuit is provided for the motor. During a driving event, the system identifies when no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element. If no tailgate is connected with the rotatable element, the system determines if the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation. If the rotatable element resides in the predetermined tailgate removal orientation, the system may check the rotatable element against rotation during the driving event by operating a motor circuit to electrically brake the motor to prevent the rotatable element from rotating out of the predetermined tailgate removal orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Ozog, Ryan Heins, Gowtham Harsha Pulikonda, Yasuyuki Noiri
  • Patent number: 11667337
    Abstract: In a work vehicle of the present invention, a load carrying bed includes a floor panel, a pair of left and right side panels, and a rear gate which is openable and closable. The rear gate includes left and right lock operational portions for maintaining the rear gate under a closing posture through engagement with locking engagement portions formed in the left and right side panels, a single handle disposed at an intermediate position in the left/right direction of the rear gate and supported to be pivotable about a horizontally oriented operational axis X, and left and right operational wires for operating left and right locking members in a direction for pulling these locking members out of the locking engagement portions by an operation of the handle about the operational axis X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Ishii, Takashi Fujii
  • Patent number: 11660792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid structure comprising a first component having a base and an upstanding wall extending from the base, the first component having an interior enclosed between the upstanding wall and the base, and a thermoplastic second component moulded to the first component, the second component comprising a reinforcing portion for structurally reinforcing the first component, the reinforcing portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the first component and located in the interior of the first component, the thermoplastic second component further comprising a locking portion that extends adjacently over at least part of an exterior of the first component, wherein the reinforcing portion and the locking portion are integrally formed, thus interlocking the first component in the thermoplastic second component. The invention relates as well to a method for manufacturing such a hybrid structure, and to a vehicle comprising such a hybrid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Matthew Michael Delaney, Gregory E. Tremblay, Dinesh Munjurulimana, Rajkumar Karthikeyan, Anil Tiwari, Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi, Arunachala Parameshwara