Patents Examined by Joyce Eileen Hill
  • Patent number: 11667333
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a front side frame extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body; a side frame disposed laterally outside the front side frame in a vehicle width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body; and a damper housing disposed laterally inside the side frame in the vehicle width direction. The side frame extends obliquely in a frontward and downward direction from a bent portion formed in proximity to the damper housing, and has a rectangular cross-section formed by a U-shaped member having a generally U-shaped cross-section and a lid member disposed on an open side of the U-shaped member. A first bendable portion is formed at a front end portion of the side frame by setting a strength of the lid member lower than a strength of the U-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Abiko, Ryo Kita, Yuta Deguchi
  • Patent number: 11660938
    Abstract: A shading device for a vehicle roof includes at least one shading length that can be rolled up for shading a light-permeable and/or open area of the vehicle roof, a tension bow that is movably mounted in a direction of travel (V), to which the shading length-is fastened, a drive mechanism that can be operated by a drive motor to move the tension and a control unit for activating the drive motor. The shading device includes at least one opposing force element for restricting a traveling movement of the tension bow, and the control unit is designed to activate the drive motor based on an opposing force when the tension bow reaches an end position (P1, P2) defined by the stop element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Josef Appel
  • Patent number: 11654760
    Abstract: A seal structure is applied to a vehicle including a vehicle body that includes a roof opening, and a movable panel and a fixed panel that close the roof opening. The seal structure includes a flange extending along an opening edge of the roof opening, and a weather strip that includes a holding groove into which the flange is inserted, and blocks a gap generated between the vehicle body, and the movable panel and the fixed panel. A tip of the flange includes a plurality of notches with respect to an extending direction of the flange. The weather strip includes an inner wall and an outer wall facing each other across the holding groove, and a connection wall that connects the inner wall and the outer wall in a position corresponding to the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventor: Akitoshi Shoji
  • Patent number: 11654758
    Abstract: A sealing plug profile for fitting to an arrangement for a vehicle roof has a sealing element and a baseboard which is coupled to the sealing element and which extends along a longitudinal axis (LF). The baseboard may have a first base hollow space and a second base hollow space and a central web which separates the first and the second base hollow space from each other in a predetermined manner so that the first and the second base hollow space form two mutually separate hollow spaces within the baseboard, which are each delimited in a predetermined manner along the longitudinal axis (LF) by the central web and an edge of the baseboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Josef Zunzer, Michael Böhm
  • Patent number: 11655660
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part thereof, comprises a closure which is movable by an operating mechanism including at least a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction of the roof system. A slide which is slidable in the guide rail cooperates at least with a closure support. The slide comprises a body and at least two curves provided in the body and each cooperating with at least a cam. The cams are provided on at least the closure support and the curves have such extent that they cross each other between their ends. The curves are arranged in substantially parallel walls of the body of the slide that face away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 11654759
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include seals, vehicles, and methods for providing a seal for a door that is configured to travel laterally relative to a door opening. In an illustrative embodiment, a seal assembly includes first and second upper and lower lateral seals configured to seal outer and inner surfaces of the upper and lower edges of the door, respectively, as the door laterally moved into a closed position. The seal includes first and second front and rear transverse seals configured to seal the outer and the inner surfaces of the front and rear edges of the door, respectively, in response to the door laterally moving into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rajinder Singh, Rick Bargardi, Mohit Nagallapuram, Jeffrey D. Elliott, David Tobon
  • Patent number: 11639086
    Abstract: A vehicle door comprising a mount, a encapsulated fixed window module, a movable window, and a sliding joint, the windows comprising outer surfaces which are aligned with each other as well as with an outer surface of a first trim attached to the first ascending strand and fixed to the first ascending post, and an outer surface of a second trim attached to the second ascending strand and fixed to the ascending profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON
    Inventors: Olivier Blottiau, Cyril Lajoux
  • Patent number: 11634025
    Abstract: A mechanism (1) for pivoting a charging or tank flap (2) on a charging or filler neck housing (3), which is accommodated or can be accommodated in a body component of a motor vehicle, wherein the mechanism (1) is configured, by superposing at least two at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movements having different rotation radii or at least one at least temporarily simultaneous circular rotational movement and at least one linear movement, to pivot the charging or tank flap (2) reversibly between a first orientation, in particular a closed position of the charging or tank flap (2), and a second orientation, in particular an open position of the charging or tank flap (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Rudolf, Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Hegwein
  • Patent number: 11628885
    Abstract: A vehicle-body structure of a vehicle of the present invention comprises a bumper support portion provided at a vehicle body of the vehicle to support to bumper, a connection portion connecting the bumper and the bumper support portion and supporting the bumper, and a slide allowance portion configured to allow the bumper to slide in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the bumper support portion when a longitudinal load having a specified magnitude or larger is applied to the bumper from a vehicle outside, wherein the connection portion is provided on an upper face of the bumper support portion, and the slide allowance portion is configured to allow the longitudinal sliding of the bumper independently from the supporting of the bumper by the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuya Nishio
  • Patent number: 11628708
    Abstract: A vehicle apparatus configured to selectively position and enclose an opening formed in at least one panel of a vehicle includes a sliding panel and a positioning mechanism. The sliding panel includes an electrical device in communication with a control circuit of the vehicle and the positioning mechanism is configured to slidably position the sliding panel along a positioning track between an open position and a closed position. A control connection is configured to transmit control signals between the control circuit of the vehicle and the electrical device. The control connection extends from a portion of the vehicle to a connection interface of the electrical device, and the connection apparatus is configured to communicate a control signal to adjust an operating state of the electrical device in both the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Luke A. Bomers
  • Patent number: 11623594
    Abstract: A vehicle including a rear bumper having an upper surface, a power source, and a heating element in communication with the power source is provided. The heating element extends in a vehicle lateral direction and along substantially an entire portion of the upper surface of the rear bumper. The heating element may operable when a tailgate is in a closed position. Thus, debris, such as ice, dirt, and the like, accumulating on the upper surface of the rear bumper may be melted by the heating element prior to the tailgate opening. The heating element may be configured to heat substantially an entire portion of the upper surface of the rear bumper. The heating element may be configured to heat upon a condition being satisfied such as, for example, a vehicle start operation or outside temperature being below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paxton S. Williams
  • Patent number: 11623616
    Abstract: A vehicle including a sprayer assembly for washing away debris, such as ice, dirt, and the like, accumulating on an upper surface of a rear bumper of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a rear bumper having an upper surface, a reservoir including a supply of fluid and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, the plurality of nozzles being spaced apart from one another in a vehicle lateral direction, the plurality of nozzles configured to spray the fluid from the fluid reservoir at the upper surface of the rear bumper. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a tailgate positionable between an open position and a closed position, and the nozzles are operable when the tailgate is in the closed position. As such, the nozzles may emit a spray of fluid when the tailgate is in the closed position to wash away the debris prior to the tailgate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paxton S. Williams
  • Patent number: 11618484
    Abstract: A customer-specific vehicle door leaf, in particular a customer-specific rail-vehicle door leaf, preferably an inwardly opening customer-specific vehicle door leaf for an entry door. The door leaf includes a panel and a general vehicle door leaf, wherein the general vehicle door leaf preferably has a supporting vehicle door leaf frame, and the general vehicle door leaf itself is pressure-tight and/or waterproof, and the panel is provided on the vehicle door leaf frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hengstenberg, Herbert Kammerloher, Thomas Wimberger
  • Patent number: 11597334
    Abstract: A console assembly having a hood and a shroud. The hood has one or more base mounting points configured for installation to a vehicle body structure, and one or more accessory mounting points spaced from and rigidly connected to the one or more base mounting points. The shroud defines an enclosed volume, and is configured to install over the hood, with the one or more base mounting points contained within the enclosed volume, and the one or more accessory mounting points located outside the enclosed volume. When the hood is attached to the vehicle body structure and the shroud is installed over the hood, the hood is configured to convey respective loads applied to the one or more accessory mounting points to the one or more base mounting points independently of the shroud. A hood assembly and a method for installing a console assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Havis, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Telesco, Joseph Bernert, Christopher Bernert, Adam Carriere, Samuel Legg
  • Patent number: 11577588
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part, comprising a panel, and a first device for moving the rear side of the panel towards a raised position relative to the closed position and above an adjoining roof part. The control slide and the lifting member are guided by a guide rail having grooves and extending in longitudinal direction alongside the opening and below the adjoining roof part. A support lever cooperates with the control slide and supports the panel in positions in which it is above the adjoining roof part. The support lever is guided in the guide rail and is adapted to also pass through the passage opening. The support lever takes over support of the panel from an intermediate guide connection of the lifting lever and the intermediate guide connection is then disengaged from the guide curve in the control slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 11577594
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle roof having a roof opening may have a movable roof element for optionally closing and at least partially uncovering the roof opening, a strand-shaped sealing profile which is adapted on a sealing side for sealing against the movable roof element and can be fastened to a fastening side on the vehicle roof. The sealing profile may have a sealing tube which is elongated along a longitudinal axis (X) and which surrounds a hollow chamber, and a recess which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) through the sealing tube, such that the fastening side is fluid-connected to a side of the sealing tube facing away from the fastening side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Andreas Josef Zunzer, Stefan Schäufler
  • Patent number: 11577589
    Abstract: An open roof assembly for use in a vehicle roof of a vehicle comprises a moveably arranged closure member for selectively covering or at least partially exposing an opening in the vehicle roof. Further, an electric motor operatively coupled to the closure member is provided for moving the closure member. A control unit is operatively coupled to the electric motor for controlling the closure member. The control unit is configured to control a position of the closure member during normal driving conditions, and to release control of the position of the closure member, when a vehicle acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold. Thus, upon a high force on the closure member, induced by the high acceleration and weight of the closure member, damage may be prevented by absorbing the high forces in a motion of the closure member and a resistance of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Peter Anton Vervoort, Perry Johan Jacob Lambert Van Vegchel
  • Patent number: 11560101
    Abstract: A roof structure of a motor vehicle includes an outer sheet and a headliner below the outer sheet. A telematics control unit (TCU) is disposed in an insulated space of the roof structure. The TCU is configured to provide Wi-Fi within a passenger space of the vehicle above an electrically non-conductive grille extending across an opening in the headliner. The grille permits airflow between the insulated space and a passenger space below the headliner to cool the TCU, without interfering with Wi-Fi signals from the TCU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Paul Kenneth Dellock, John Budaj
  • Patent number: 11560747
    Abstract: A sunroof panel and sunshade assembly system includes a moveable sunroof panel operable to selectively move to a first closed position within a sunroof opening of a vehicle and a sunshade operable to selectively move to a second closed position within the sunroof opening. The sunshade includes a leading-edge portion and a spring force displacement member within the leading-edge portion of the sunshade, wherein the spring force displacement member is operable to deform when the sunshade contacts an obstruction while the sunshade is moving. The system further includes an electric machine providing motive force to the sunshade and a computerized sunroof panel and sunshade controller. The controller operates programming to monitor operation of the electric machine, determine a presence of the obstruction based upon the monitored operation, and command the electric machine to stop and reverse the sunshade based upon the determined presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yusuf Anderson, Terrence P. Costigan, Besy J. Philip, Elton J. Tate, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11548453
    Abstract: A split roof lining and datum scheme includes first, second and third roof lining assemblies. The first and second roof lining assemblies are aligned and directly connected to a roof installation of a vehicle using alignment features mated with datums in the roof installation. The third roof lining assembly is aligned and directly connected with the first and second roof lining assemblies using alignment features mated with datums in the first and second roof lining assemblies. The third roof lining assembly is not directly connected to the roof installation. Cover assemblies, optionally including light sources, cover interfaces between the first and third roof lining assemblies and between the second and third roof lining assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: John F. Howard, Jr., Yuze Li, Akira Miyazaki