Patents Examined by Joseph D. Pape
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Patent number: 11794626Abstract: The present disclosure makes it possible to freely exchange interior of a vehicle. An interior unit according to the present disclosure is provided with: a frame portion attachable to and detachable from a vehicle; and interior parts installed on the frame portion. The frame portion is foldable, or extendable and contractible.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroki Yabushita, Keiichi Kondo, Kaori Takahashi, Jin Xin, Daisuke Mizushima, Satoru Ando, Takeshi Murakami, Yuchi Yamanouchi, Kenta Miyahara, So Sawahira, Rina Mukai
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Patent number: 11794627Abstract: A folding camper has a body having a lower end configured for positioning within a bed of a pickup truck or on a trailer. The camper has sidewalls rotationally engaged between the roof and body whereby the folding camper is moveable between a collapsed position wherein a first sidewall and a second sidewall and a front wall and rear wall are all folded to a substantially horizontal positioning, to a deployed positioning wherein the roof is elevated above an upper end of the body with the first sidewall and the second sidewall both rotated to a substantially vertical positioning.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventor: Rick Wise
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Patent number: 11780510Abstract: A skirt securing connector assembly for securing an aerodynamic skirt panel to a trailer is provided, the skirt securing connector assembly comprising an upper attachment portion adapted to secure the skirt securing connector assembly to the trailer, a lower attachment portion adapted to secure a lower portion of the aerodynamic skirt panel and a strut member connected, at a first end thereof, to the upper portion of the skirt securing connector assembly and connected, at a second end thereof, to the lower portion of the skirt securing connector assembly, the strut member including a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, the strut member including a concave portion extending along the longitudinal axis, the concave portion increasing an inertia moment of the strut member to sustain a force applied by air routing on the aerodynamic skirt.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Inventors: Mathieu Boivin, Walid Deir, George Bassily, Swaroop Mulenahalli Kantharaju, Elizabeth Tome, Sylvain Daoust, Ali Fellah Jahromi
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Patent number: 11780302Abstract: A sun visor assembly for a vehicle that includes a mount configured to be connected to the vehicle. A guide rod having a first portion that includes a head and a second portion with a terminal end is operably coupled to the mount via the head. An impact point is at the terminal end of the second portion. The guide rod and the impact point are configured for use as a window breaker tool in a disassembled position. A visor is operably coupled to the guide rod in an assembled position and is rotatable about the guide rod from a first position to a second position. The visor includes a channel defined within the visor that is configured to receive the guide rod.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Adam Weyrauch, Rohit Telukunta, Steven Frank, Michael J. Gardynik
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Patent number: 11780304Abstract: An embodiment provides a truck cover system that includes a side rail, a cover, and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanisms include a housing attached to the cover, a latch extending through a first end of the housing and configured to engage with a bottom portion of the side rail, a cap attached to a second end of the housing, a plunger attached to the latch and having a first plunger end partially extending through an opening of the cap, an anchor element attached to the first plunger end preventing the first plunger end from entering the housing, and a spring wrapped around the plunger. When the spring is compressed, the latch may disengage with the side rail, and, when the spring is uncompressed, the latch may engage with the side rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Cixi City Liyuan Auto Parts Co., LtdInventor: Enli Xu
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Patent number: 11780373Abstract: Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Dawn Piechocki, Dennis Yee, Darshan Arun Nayak
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Patent number: 11780391Abstract: An under-protector fastening structure includes a bumper assembly coupled to a chassis frame, wherein the bumper assembly includes a bumper inner member and a bumper cover coupled to an outer side of the bumper inner member, and an under-protector coupled to the bumper inner member of the bumper assembly in a direction vertical to a length direction of a vehicle body, wherein the under-protector includes an under-protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member and an under-protector panel coupled to the under-protector mounting assembly, and wherein the under-protector mounting assembly includes a pipe member extending in the direction vertical to the length direction of the vehicle body, a mounting bracket coupled to the pipe member and the bumper inner member, and an under-protector fixing bracket having a first side coupled to the mounting bracket and a second side coupled to the under-protector panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia CorporationInventor: Dong Ku Seon
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Patent number: 11772707Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle rear module that includes: a clear member monolithically including a lamp section and a window section; and a colored member for shielding at least part of a vehicle interior from the exterior. The method for producing the vehicle rear module comprises: a step for injecting a transparent resin from a single resin injection hole into a first cavity to form the clear member; and a step for injecting a colored resin from a plurality of resin injection holes into a second cavity to form the colored member.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuaki Tsutsumi, Daisuke Mochizuki, Hideaki Yamamoto, Takenao Yoshimura, Yuki Takahashi, Masaaki Nakabayashi, Hiroaki Hara, Masayuki Kobayashi, Masaru Kaneko
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Patent number: 11772576Abstract: The disclosure relates to an interior trim part for a motor vehicle, which comprises: a support component and a cover layer on a visible side of the support component, wherein the support component has an opening which is covered by the cover layer, and an insert, which is received in the opening and has a top side which is covered by the cover layer, wherein the insert receives an electrical function module or is coupled to the same, which function module is equipped in order to emit and/or receive light and/or signals through the surface of the insert and the cover layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: International Automotive Components Group GmbHInventors: Huib Seegers, Henk Rijpkema, Carter Scott Cannon
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Patent number: 11766969Abstract: A configurable storage assembly for a storage compartment of a vehicle, the storage assembly including a plurality of panels extendable between a retracted position and an extended position, one or more attachment features coupled to the first end of each wall portion, and one or more receiving features coupled to the vehicle, the receiving features are configured to be selectively coupled to the attachment features. Each panel includes a wall portion having a first end and an opposite second end, the second end of the wall portion extending from a surface of the vehicle. In the retracted position, the attachment feature of each panel is spaced apart from the receiving features. In the extended position, the attachment feature of each panel is coupled to one of the receiving features.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Mikio David
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Patent number: 11766963Abstract: A reconfigurable RV is provided, having a multi-section wall separating a living quarters and a garage, that wall being vertically adjustable by elevation of the living quarters floor to selectively move between multiple modes of use, including full down, loft, and full up. The vertical adjustment of the wall permits changes in the usable area of the garage floor, according to the ceiling height needed in the garage and living quarters concurrently.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Inventors: Dennis Hoover, Thomas L Ison
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Patent number: 11760423Abstract: To improve the collision performance of a panel member of an automobile. A panel member 1 includes a plurality of circular recessed parts 10 linearly arranged, wherein: when it is assumed that a portion where three recessed parts 10 are linearly aligned is called a recessed part group G, there are at least a first recessed part group G1 and a second recessed part group G2 arranged in parallel with the first recessed part group G1; and an angle formed between a first straight line L1 linking a center of the recessed part 10 in the first recessed part group G1 and a center of the recessed part 10 in the second recessed part group G2 located at a position closest to the recessed part 10, and, a second straight line L2 linking centers of the recessed parts 10 in the first recessed part group G1 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Satoshi Hirose, Keiichi Sato, Yoshimichi Kawai
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Patent number: 11760176Abstract: An articulating soft front cockpit cover assembly including an auxiliary tensioning link, coupling link and cross-car bow. A pivot point rotatable joining the auxiliary tensioning link and coupling link is located at the top of the auxiliary tensioning link. A bracket is provided on the auxiliary tensioning link or coupling link and extends cross-car and attaches to the front or rear edge of the cross-car bow. The soft front cockpit cover assembly in sealing engagement with a rearward top portion of a roof. The articulating portion movable between at least a closed position over about the front vehicle cockpit and at least one open position for an open-air feel.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Lewis
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Patent number: 11752841Abstract: A lock release tool including a stopper block, a finger grip extending from the stopper block, and a key tab extending from the stopper block. The key tab is sized for insertion within a keyhole slot in a locking assembly, the stopper block is sized to limit insertion of the key tab within the keyhole slot, and the key tab includes a contact surface at a distal end thereof. The contact surface is configured to release the locking assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Alicia Marie Eleyet, Carlos Andres Neyra Rocha
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Patent number: 11752846Abstract: A system can include a motor for driving a tarp roller across a trailer for covering and uncovering the trailer with a tarp. The system can also include a power supply for powering the motor. The system can further include a sensor coupled with the motor for sensing power consumed by the motor as the motor is powered to drive the tarp roller across the trailer. A controller can be communicatively coupled with the sensor and operatively coupled to the motor and the power supply for switching an energy characteristic of the power supplied to the motor from the power supply between a first characteristic associated with a lower torque and a second characteristic associated with a higher torque by monitoring the power consumed by the motor and switching the energy characteristic when the power consumed by the motor indicates the lower torque is insufficient to drive the tarp roller.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Timpte Industries, Inc.Inventors: Terry J. Bielfelt, Ryan H. Bakersfield
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Patent number: 11752944Abstract: A vehicle cargo compartment structure includes a first side trim and a second side trim that include a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion receiving a cargo floor board thereon. The first side trim further includes a first upper support portion above the first projecting portion and a first lower support portion under the first projecting portion. The first upper support portion supports a first end of a cargo cover assembly in a first state and includes a first upper opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the first state. The first lower support portion supports the first end in a second state and includes a first lower opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the second state. The first lower opposite surface is more to a vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction compared to the first upper opposite surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATIONInventors: Shinya Abe, Shigeki Sumiya, Yoshiki Funahashi
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Patent number: 11745567Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle body including a door opening and a first member and a second member each supported by the vehicle body. The first member and the second member are rotatable relative to each other and relative to the vehicle body across the door opening from an undeployed position to deployed position. The first member and the second member engage each other in the deployed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Deepak Patel, Zhibing Deng, Joseph E. Abramczyk
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Patent number: 11745804Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure may include a pair of front side members each disposed in a vehicle length direction at both sides of a front vehicle-body, a pair of mounting brackets each engaged with a corresponding front side member among the pair of front side members and disposed to protrude from an internal panel of the corresponding front side member in a width direction of the vehicle to face each other, a cross bar having an upper surface, a front surface, and a rear surface, having a cross-section having an open bottom side and an open lateral end portion, and engaged with the mounting bracket in a vehicle height direction thereof, and an engagement unit of engaging the cross bar to the pair of mounting brackets with a predetermined gap between the pair of front side members and the lateral end portion of the cross bar.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Eonpyo Kim
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Patent number: 11745800Abstract: A subframe structure includes: right and left vehicle body side frames; a vehicle body cross-member extending in the vehicle width direction between the vehicle body side frames; a load transmission member connecting a portion of each vehicle body side frame that extends longitudinally frontward from a bent portion of the vehicle body side frame and a portion that is located laterally centrally relative to the laterally outer end portions of the vehicle body cross-member; right and left longitudinal members extending along the vehicle body side frames; and a front cross-member extending in the vehicle width direction between the longitudinal members. The front cross-member has a first attachment portion attached to each longitudinal member, an extension portion extending in the vehicle width direction from the first attachment portion, and a second attachment portion attached to the load transmission member at a laterally outer end portion of the extension portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Noguchi, Ukyo Watanabe
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Patent number: 11745570Abstract: The present invention is a retractable sunshade assembly that can be connected to an open-top of a vehicle that has roll bars. The sunshade assembly includes one or more clamps, a pair of parallel support beams, and a sunshade panel. The one or more clamps fasten to roll bars on a driver side and on a passenger side, The pair of parallel support beams connect onto the clamps, such that the supports panels are horizontally aligned to the respective roll bars and parallel to each other. The sunshade panel is configured to connect to and span between the pair of support beams which serve as a guide for the sunshade panel to retract and extend within. A latch mechanism connected to a handle can be actuated to hold the sunshade panel in a desired location along the pair of support beams, enabling customized levels of sun shading.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Inventors: Robert Lang, Jed L. Firebaugh