Patents Examined by Jason S Daniels
  • Multi-panel tonneau cover
    Patent number: 11673459
    Abstract: A tonneau cover for a bed of a truck is provided. The tonneau cover includes several improvements including but not limited to a bulkhead panel that is secured to the truck. A first cover panel section pivotably attached to the bulkhead panel. A first intermediate panel section pivotably attached to the first cover panel section and a second panel section. A second intermediate panel section pivotably attached to the second cover panel section and a third panel section. The first cover panel section, the second cover panel section, and the third cover panel section fold to form a stack of cover panel sections which is pivoted upright onto the bulkhead panel which supports the stack of cover panel sections in an upright position. The second intermediate panel section sets upon the bulkhead panel when the stack of cover panel sections is pivoted upright onto the bulkhead panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Leer Group
    Inventor: Eugene A. Dylewski, II
  • Safety bumper assembly and robotic vehicle comprising the same
    Patent number: 11667255
    Abstract: A safety bumper assembly for a vehicle shutting off a vehicle engine when the vehicle hits an obstacle, particularly an autonomous vehicle used for agricultural purposes. The assembly includes bumper shafts holding a bumper bar at a distance from a support structure of the vehicle and shuts off the vehicle engine in such fashion that the vehicle comes to a full stop before the bumper has reached its most inward position closer to the vehicle body. A vehicle equipped with the safety bumper assembly has vehicle frame integrating a support structure of the safety bumper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GUSS Automation LLC
    Inventors: David Crinklaw, Chase Schapansky, Gary Thompson
  • Tonneau cover device
    Patent number: 11661012
    Abstract: The invntion provides a tonneau cover device. The tonneau cover device includes a tonneau cover installed on the rear portion of the vehicle and a tonneau cover bracket attached to the rear end portion of the tonneau cover, and the tonneau cover bracket extends in the width direction of the vehicle. A columnar portion serving as a rotation axis of the tonneau cover and a handle portion arranged in front of the columnar portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and extending downward are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Abe, Masakazu Hanano
  • Systems and methods for egress from a motor home
    Patent number: 11661010
    Abstract: An emergency exit door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly can include a door panel that is movably coupled to the wall of the vehicle. The door panel can have an inner surface and an outer surface. The door panel can be configured for selective movement between a closed position and an open position in which an opening within the wall is exposed. A headboard component can be incorporated into the door panel, and a bed pedestal within the vehicle can be positioned in proximity to the headboard component when the door panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Coon, Chris Melvin
  • Passively activated flow control device for a vehicle
    Patent number: 11654979
    Abstract: A passively activated flow control device including a valve body configured to be mounted in a vehicle. The valve body includes an inlet and an outlet. A valve member is arranged at the valve body for selectively opening and closing flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve member is responsive to acceleration induced forces on the vehicle to shift from one of an open configuration and a closed configuration toward the other of the open configuration and the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Adam Golembeski, Andrew Thomas Cunningham, David Clancy Caples, Martin Bester
  • Truck cap
    Patent number: 11648832
    Abstract: A truck cap having a cap body with an opening, and a cap door that is movable between open and closed positions with respect to the opening. At least one hinge that attaches to the cap body and the cap door of the truck cap. The hinge includes a first hinge bracket member and a second hinge bracket member. The first hinge bracket member includes a hinge bracket to receive a pivot pin. The second hinge bracket member includes a hinge bracket with an opening sized to receive at least a portion of the pivot pin. The first hinge bracket member and the second hinge bracket member are pivotable with respect to each other about the pivot pin. A longitudinally extending gas prop pivotably attached to the pin extending from the second angled portion of the first hinge bracket member and to the pin of the second hinge bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Leer Group
    Inventors: Jeffrey Joal Hickey, Donald Richard Ireland, Terrill D. Becker, Mitchell Austin Westra, James Dillard Fletcher
  • Rolling tonneau cover
    Patent number: 11642947
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly that selectively covers a truck bed of a truck is provided. The tonneau cover assembly includes a cover and a longitudinally extending rail located adjacent a sidewall of the truck bed. The longitudinally extending rail includes an attachment member. The attachment member extends longitudinally along with the rail and at least a portion of the attachment member is located over a portion of the bed. The cover includes a stiffener located adjacent the attachment member of the longitudinally extending rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Leer Group
    Inventors: Eugene A. Dylewski, II, Christopher David Mattison, John William Bevis, III
  • Temporary shelter
    Patent number: 11643002
    Abstract: A temporary shelter that provides climate-controlled storage, workspace, living space, meeting rooms, equipment rooms and the like, which includes a number of floor panels, a number of which form one or more cubed enclosures, inside which are hard, ruggedized interlocking wall panels with recessed portions for the containment therein of desired components that can be housed and stored therein. The shelter when in the enclosed configuration is transportable through a specialized separate hauler. The hauler is a lift that is transportable and attaches to the rear of a vehicle via receivers mounted to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Conner, Marie Profant
  • Automotive vehicle with folding tailgate
    Patent number: 11643152
    Abstract: An illustrative folding tailgate for an automotive vehicle includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion that are rotatably connected to one another. A first latch may be attached to the first wall portion and configured to engage with a complementary latch part at a first portion of a vehicle to lock the tailgate in a closed position. A guide member may be attached to the first wall portion and configured to move along a rail disposed at a rear of the automotive vehicle, the guide member configured to move along the rail in a manner constrained by the rail. A rotatable connection mechanism may be attached to the second wall portion and configured to attach to a second portion of a vehicle. The tailgate may be configured to open and close via folding movement of the first and second wall portions relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Larry Parker
  • Airflow deflector
    Patent number: 11639206
    Abstract: An example vehicle includes a passenger compartment; a nose region forwards of the passenger compartment, the nose region having a top surface; and an airflow deflector positioned on the top surface of the nose region, the airflow deflector comprising a first panel projecting from the top surface of the nose region; and a second panel coupled to the first panel, the second panel being spaced from the first panel to form a channel between the first and second panels, the channel having an inlet facing towards the top surface of the nose region so that a rearwardly moving airflow incident on the first panel is directed towards the channel inlet and an outlet facing away from the top surface of the nose region so that air flowing through the outlet is directed in an upwards direction, the upwards airflow causing disruption to a rearward airflow moving towards the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Arthur Slight, Gary Ahlin
  • Hinged control box assembly for an air conditioner unit
    Patent number: 11639083
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle air conditioner (RVAC) includes a ceiling-mount indoor panel positioned over an opening in the ceiling of a recreational vehicle and a control box assembly including a first box portion and a second box portion. The first box portion is positioned above the ceiling-mount indoor panel and the second box portion is pivotally connected to the first box portion with a hinge, such that it is pivotable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The ceiling-mount indoor panel defines a control box recess that at least partially receives the second box portion when in the open configuration and a blank plate covers the control box recess when the second box portion is in the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dustin Henderson, Cody Michael Ratchford
  • Truck or tractor vehicle with adjustable panhard bar and method for adjusting alignment of a truck or tractor vehicle cab relative to a truck or tractor vehicle frame
    Patent number: 11639202
    Abstract: A truck or tractor vehicle includes a frame having a longitudinal centerline, an operator cab mounted relative to the frame via a cab suspension, the cab having a longitudinal centerline, the cab suspension comprising a front suspension and a rear suspension, the rear suspension comprising an adjustable panhard bar attached at a first end to the cab and attached at a second end to the frame, the adjustable panhard bar being adjustable in length to position the longitudinal centerline of the cab at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal centerline of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lalit Saroha, Mahesh Boraiah, Michael Fricker, Matthew Knerr, Raymond Jackovitz, Brian Southern
  • Methods and apparatus for a strut assembly for an aerodynamic trucking system
    Patent number: 11639205
    Abstract: A strut assembly for mounting an aerodynamic fairing assembly for attachment to a trailer of a tractor-trailer having a centerline, transverse structural support members extending between sides of the trailer, and longitudinal members extending along a length of the trailer. The strut assembly may comprise a mounting plate, a strut body, and a substantially rectangular composite spring. The mounting bracket comprising a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. The strut body rotatably may be coupled to the pair of spaced apart sidewalls on the mounting bracket. The substantially rectangular composite spring may be coupled to an upper surface of the strut body and configured to contact an underside of the mounting plate of the mounting bracket to resist inward deflection from an external force applied to the strut body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Strehl, LLC
    Inventor: Richard P. Senatro
  • Cab for work machine and work machine
    Patent number: 11634012
    Abstract: Provided is a cab for a work machine capable of preventing an actuator from being damaged by vibration. A cab body is formed with a doorway. A door is rotatably supported on the cab body. The door opens and closes the doorway. A closed position locking unit locks the door so as to disable it from rotating relative to the cab body. The actuator generates a driving force to unlock the door locked by the closed position locking unit. The actuator is mounted on the cab body and is supported by the cab body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kato
  • Multi-hinge tonneau cover
    Patent number: 11634017
    Abstract: A tonneau cover comprising: (a) a first panel and a second panel; (b) a hinge located between and connecting the first panel and the second panel; and (c) a cover extending over all or a portion of the first panel, the second panel, or both, and the hinge so that, when the first panel or the second panel rotates about the hinge, the cover forms a portion of the hinge and maintains the integrity of the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Extang Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome Facchinello, Chad Carter, David Germano, Robbie Mosingo
  • Bed lift mounting member
    Patent number: 11623557
    Abstract: A structure such as a recreational vehicle includes a guide member coupled to a wall of the structure, a carriage member slidingly coupled to the guide member, a mounting bracket, and a bed coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a support base configured to be coupled to the carriage member and a support arm rotatably coupled to the support base. The support arm is configured to rotate between a first position where the support arm extends horizontally from the support base and a second position where the support arm extends vertically from the support base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Johnson, Andrew Murray, Aaron Rasmussen
  • Deformation device for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising a deformation device of this type
    Patent number: 11623593
    Abstract: A motor vehicle deformation device has two elements moveable together in a collision event and optionally locked. A locking device has a first centrifugal lever pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis located on the first element, a first torsion spring operatively connected to the first lever, a first rolling surface and a first contact surface arranged distally to same, as well as an identically designed second centrifugal lever neighboring the first lever. In a low-speed collision, the two levers each swivel such that the two rolling surfaces are in contact with one another and the two contact surfaces each rest against a corresponding receiving surface on the second element. In a pedestrian accident situation, the two levers each swivel such that the two rolling surfaces are in contact with one another, while the first and second contact surfaces are at a distance from the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oeztzan Akif, Gerhard Fichtinger, Wilhelm Riedl
  • Shovel
    Patent number: 11623584
    Abstract: A shovel includes a lower traveling body, an upper turning body turnably mounted on the lower traveling body, a covering attached on the upper turning body, and a camera for surroundings monitoring placed on the upper turning body. A cut is formed in the covering. The camera is placed on the upper turning body such that at least part of the camera is within the covering through the cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO(S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuma Seki
  • Truck bed covers including cargo management systems
    Patent number: 11623502
    Abstract: A truck bed cover for a pickup truck includes a panel sized to cover at least a portion of a truck bed. A moveable carrier assembly is connected to an underside of the panel. The moveable carrier assembly includes multiple carrier members including hooks that move underneath the panel in both vehicle longitudinal and vehicle lateral directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Scott L. Frederick
  • Method for adjusting a force that has to be applied by a user to operate a lid
    Patent number: 11619089
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operational force support device that is adapted to support a user when operating a lid (10). The invention further relates to a method for adjusting a force (FH) that has to be applied by a user to operate a lid (10). Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer module adapted to output an amplification factor and/or an armature voltage that is/are used in the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Knopp, Dave Sabet