Patents Examined by Joseph D. Pape
  • Vehicle tailgate cargo stabilizer
    Patent number: 11648992
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate configured to secure cargo and methods of using the same. The vehicle tailgate tray have a base portion. The base portion may have a top surface and be attachable to the vehicle. The vehicle tailgate may further have a top portion. The top portion may have a bottom surface and be attachable to the base portion. The top surface and the bottom surface may face each other and be configured to receive and fix the cargo when the top portion and the base portion are attached together. The bottom surface may be configured to adapt to a shape of the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: James Dennis Cunningham
  • Structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 11648984
    Abstract: A structure of a vehicle disclosed herein may include: a windshield; an instrument panel located below the windshield; in-vehicle equipment disposed such that the in-vehicle equipment projects upward above an upper surface of the instrument panel and is fixed to the instrument panel; and an impact relieving mechanism configured to, when a rearward and downward collision load is applied to the in-vehicle equipment, relieve the collision load by moving the in-vehicle equipment rearward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shotaro Inoue, Marie Sakata, Masayuki Tado
  • Pickup camper
    Patent number: 11648869
    Abstract: A pickup camper is described. Embodiments of the pickup camper can include, but are not limited to, a camper body and a roof assembly. The camper body can include a front panel, a left-side panel, a right-side panel, a cross-member, and a back panel. The roof assembly can include a panel rotatably and removably coupled to the left-side panel, a panel rotatably and removably coupled to the right-side panel, a panel rotatably and removably coupled to the cross-member, and a roof panel rotatably and removably coupled to the front panel. In a travel configuration, the roof assembly components can be folded down on one another with the roof panel covering the other panels. In a deployed configuration, the roof assembly components can be rotated upwards to increase an overhead height inside the pickup camper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: William R. Freshour
  • Retrofit rear curbside door for vehicle
    Patent number: 11648828
    Abstract: A rear curbside door assembly includes a door frame, a door, and a support member. The door frame includes first and second side frame members, an upper frame member and at least one stair. The second side frame member is spaced from the first side frame member and is configured for releasable attachment to a D-pillar of a body of a vehicle. The upper frame member extends between the first and second side frame members. The at least one stair extends between the first and second side frame members and is spaced from the upper frame member. The door is pivotally coupled with the door frame. The support member is configured for releasable attachment to a body of a vehicle. The support member is releasably attached to the first side frame member. A vehicle including a rear curbside door assembly and methods thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Driverge Vehicle Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Leonard M. Hamrick, Dennis W. Summers, Mark Joseph Minatel
  • Vehicle door
    Patent number: 11642946
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a window and further includes window glass, an outer panel made of resin, and a belt molding. The outer panel is placed outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the window glass and faces the window glass in at least part of the peripheral edge of the opening. The belt molding is fixed to the inner surface of the outer panel facing the window glass and seals a gap between the window glass and the outer panel. The belt molding includes a base member and a belt molding body. The base member is bonded to the inner surface of the outer panel and has an attachment surface facing the window glass. The belt molding body is supported on the attachment surface of the base member via a plurality of fixed points provided such that the fixed points are distanced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaru Toyota, Sho Tsumita, Yoshiyuki Ryuno
  • Spline joints and container having same
    Patent number: 11643153
    Abstract: A container including a first panel with a first edge having a first protrusion with a first contoured profile with at least one projection, a second panel with a second edge having a second protrusion with a second contoured profile with at least one projection, and a spline with a first channel that defines a recess with an interior profile, and a second channel separate from the first channel that defines a recess with an interior profile. The first and second channels receive the first and second protrusions, respectively, such that the first contoured profile is complementary to a portion of the interior profile and the second contoured profile is complementary to a portion of the interior profile. The first and second panel include a mid-section extending from the first and second edges, respectively. The first and second edges have a greater thickness than the thickness of the mid-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Fenton
  • Seat device for vehicle and electrical device for vehicle
    Patent number: 11643032
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle includes: a support member detachably attached to a floor of the vehicle; an occupant seat movably supported by the support member and provided with an electrical component; and a wireless power supply mechanism configured to supply electric power to the electrical component. The wireless power supply mechanism includes a power transmitting unit attached to the floor, and a power receiving unit attached to the support member so as to face the power transmitting unit and configured to receive the electric power wirelessly from the power transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chase Hemmelgarn, Steven Johnson
  • Automobile door
    Patent number: 11639087
    Abstract: Provided is an automobile door (600) including: a first impact absorbing member (122) that traverses the automobile door (600) so as to extend between both end portion regions in a vehicle height direction; a second impact absorbing member (124) that traverses the automobile door (600) so as to extend between both end portion regions in a vehicle length direction; an exterior material (110); and a belt line reinforcement (300), in which bending rigidity in a vehicle width direction of a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the belt line reinforcement (300) at a support portion is larger than bending rigidity in the vehicle width direction of a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the first impact absorbing member (122) at an intersection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiya Suzuki, Satoshi Hirose, Tohru Yoshida, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
  • Composite flooring for recreational vehicles
    Patent number: 11634184
    Abstract: A composite floor is provided comprising a skeletal framework, foam core inserts, an impact resistant sheet, and a weather resistant sheet bonded together with adhesive. Recreational vehicles incorporating such floors are also contemplated, as are methods of making the composite floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Thor Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bullock, Jon Brock, Jeff Snyder
  • Side door structure for vehicle
    Patent number: 11628711
    Abstract: Aside door structure for a vehicle includes a door beam that has hollow sections which are open at two ends in a longitudinal direction, and a hinge reinforcement member including a bent plate body in a crank shape that is joined to one of a front end and a rear end of the door beam. The hinge reinforcement member forms the crank shape by integrally forming a middle portion that closes an opening in the one of the front end and the rear end of the door beam and is joined to a stepped vertical wall of an inner panel of a side door, an outer end portion that is joined to a stepped outer side wall of the inner panel and an outer wall of the door beam, and an inner end portion that is joined to an inner wall of the door beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Soma, Eiji Hirano, Yu Iemura
  • Pickup truck tailgate
    Patent number: 11628892
    Abstract: The pickup truck tailgate is a replacement tailgate for a pickup truck. The main body or field of the tailgate is made of a metal mesh which allows for smooth air flow through the bed of the truck. The tailgate is also provided with a removable inner section that slides outward. When the tailgate is in a down position, this section may be slide outward to allow for a longer bed area or raised upward when the tailgate is in the vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Nathan Fisher
  • Floor connection structure of vehicle under body
    Patent number: 11628890
    Abstract: An embodiment floor connection structure of a vehicle under body configured to connect a floor panel to side sills on both sides of the under body includes a plurality of box panels, each of the box panels including an opened portion and a closed portion, wherein the box panels are configured to be connected to each other along a vehicle width direction, and wherein a first box panel is coupled to a first side sill through the opened portion of the first box panel and a second box panel is coupled to a second side sill through the opened portion of the second box panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Door structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 11618304
    Abstract: A hinge reinforcement comprises a reinforcement face portion which faces a door-hinge attachment face portion, an inside connection portion which longitudinally extends in a direction approaching a door center from an inside end portion, in a vehicle width direction, of the reinforcement face portion and is fixed to a door inside face portion, a first joint portion which longitudinally extends in the direction approaching the door center from the reinforcement face portion and is fixed to an impact bar, and a second joint portion which longitudinally extends in a direction away from the door center from an outside end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the reinforcement face portion and is fixed to a door flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reiko Tokuno, Shinsuke Hirao, Masahiro Nakashige
  • Flatbed trailer assembly
    Patent number: 11618363
    Abstract: A flatbed trailer assembly for defining ramps on a trailer includes a flatbed trailer that has a deck and a perimeter wall surrounding the deck to retain objects on the deck while transporting the objects. The perimeter wall has a pair of removable sections that is each removably attached to the deck. Each of the removable sections is positionable in a ramp orientation having the removable sections angling downwardly from the deck. In this way the pair of removable sections defines a pair of ramps. Thus, a wheeled vehicle may be driven onto the flatbed trailer on each of the ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Paul Boykin, Sr.
  • Vehicle body structure
    Patent number: 11618305
    Abstract: A door structure is moveable to and from of a closed orientation covering a door opening and an open orientation exposing the door opening of a vehicle. The door structure has an inner door panel with an interior latch handle attachment area and an attenuation slot adjacent to the interior latch handle attachment area. The attenuation slot is defined between a first slot edge and a second slot edge. The interior latch handle is installed to the interior latch handle attachment area. A portion of the interior latch handle is located adjacent to the first slot edge of the attenuation slot. In response to an impact event proximate a central area of the door structure, the door structure and the interior latch handle attachment area deform such that the first slot edge and the interior latch handle move relative to the second slot edge of the attenuation slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Kovie, Mahiuddin Ahmed, Christopher Herrala
  • Active extension type car front bumper
    Patent number: 11608018
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an active extension type car front bumper. Three fixed sleeves are rigidly connected to a cross beam of a U-shaped fixed frame, an impact rod is fitted in each fixed sleeve, a front end of each impact rod passes through the cross beam and is fixedly connected to the bumper, and a rear end of each impact rod is fixedly connected to a movable cross beam arranged horizontally left and right. Left and right longitudinal beams of the U-shaped fixed frame are each provided with a movable longitudinal beam that is movable forward and backward. Left and right ends of the movable cross beam respectively extend into the left and right longitudinal beams. A rear end of each movable longitudinal beam is fixedly connected to a hydraulic mechanism. An energy absorption mechanism is provided between every two adjacent fixed sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Jiangsu University
    Inventors: Hongtao Xue, Dianyong Ding, Meng Wu, Ziming Zhang
  • Moveable crossmembers adjacent vehicle doors
    Patent number: 11607936
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a front pillar and a rear pillar spaced along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. The front pillar and the rear pillar define a door opening. The assembly includes a first track supported by the front pillar and a second track supported by the rear pillar. The assembly includes a lower bar and an upper bar movable upwardly relative to the lower bar along the first track and the second track. The upper bar is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The assembly includes a crossmember pivotally coupled to the lower bar and the upper bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saeed D. Barbat, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque
  • Front vehicle-body structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 11608116
    Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure is provided that allows for lower deceleration for occupants by facilitating breakage of frame members in the event of an oblique collision. Embodiments include a suspension housing formed with a suspension damper supporting portion, an upper arm supporting portion, and a lower arm supporting portion. A first frame connects an upper portion of the suspension housing and an upper portion on a vehicle-width-direction inner side of a dash panel, a second frame connects the upper portion of the suspension housing and an upper portion of a hinge pillar, and a third frame connects a lower portion of the suspension housing and a lower portion on the vehicle-width-direction inner side of the dash panel. In the event of an oblique collision, the first frame and the second frame break inward in vehicle plan view, and the third frame breaks in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taiki Yotsuyanagi, Ryo Shimoda
  • Reinforcement structure and method employing bulkheads
    Patent number: 11608131
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZEPHYROS, INC.
    Inventors: Henry E. Richardson, Gary Vanlerberghe, Dean Schneider
  • Bumper protectors including mounting and stowing features
    Patent number: 11602983
    Abstract: A bumper protector for mounting to a vehicle includes a cushioning portion configured to abut a bumper of the vehicle. A main mounting strap is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to be secured to the vehicle. A first support arm is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to extend around a first corner of the bumper. A first mounting bracket is carried by the first support arm, and the first mounting bracket is configured to extend into a first wheel well of the vehicle and be secured to the vehicle. A second support arm is carried by the cushioning portion and is configured to extend around a second corner of the bumper. A second mounting bracket is carried by the second support arm, and the second mounting bracket is configured to extend into a second wheel well of the vehicle and be secured to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: KEYSTONE GLOBAL LLC
    Inventors: Eric Malina, Ronny Malina