Patents Examined by Melissa A. Black
  • Patent number: 10814918
    Abstract: A sub-frame mounting structure is provided. The sub-frame mounting structure includes an outer pipe that is mounted on a vehicle body and an inner pipe that is inserted into and coupled to the outer pipe and detached from the outer pipe when an impact load of a predetermined size or greater is transferred thereto. An anti-rotation structure prevents a relative rotation between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. A sub-frame is fastened to the inner pipe to support the vehicle body through the outer pipe to stably support the vehicle body by the sub-frame and to detach the sub-frame from the vehicle body during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Samjin Jeonggong Co., Ltd., Sungwoo Hitech Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seho Ryu, Yong Kew Kim, Sea Cheoul Song, SeungMin Kang, Sung Sik Park, Suk Ho Choi, Tae Hyun Kim, Ki sung Nam, Min Je Lee, Sang Eon Park
  • Patent number: 10807539
    Abstract: A vehicle organizer capable of underseat storage when mounted upon a tunnel-hump, including a flexible receiving member having an elongate base portion and perpendicularly disposed opposing sidewalls extending upwardly from the elongate base portion, wherein the open enclosure is configured for underseat storage while the flexible receiving member is mounted atop the tunnel-hump, a pair of flaps extending from the axial plane of the flat common bottom plane, wherein the pair of flaps have opposing weighted ends for stable mounting upon the tunnel-hump, and a receptacle having a planar bottom and sidewalls configured for removable seating within the second open enclosure whereby the receptacle is prevented from tipping, and wherein the vehicle organizer is configured for the underseat storage when the receiving member is mounted atop the tunnel-hump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventor: Tim Dexter
  • Patent number: 10745066
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing aerodynamic drag on a tractor-trailer includes a panel configured to extend along a length of the trailer, the panel having first and second ends and being contoured along a lengthwise direction of the panel from the first end to the second end. Another apparatus includes a panel including a base and an array of rib-like protrusions extending outwardly from the base. Another apparatus includes a panel including an inner portion and an outer portion coupled to each other along first and second seams to define a cavity and including an air inlet for allowing air influx into the cavity from free-stream air flow during transit of the tractor-trailer to transition the panel from a retracted state to a deployed state. When in the deployed state, the panel is configured to alter an external topography of the tractor-trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Shaurya Prakash, Kaushik Krishna Rangharajan, Zachary Zezinka, Joseph D. West, Albert Terrence Conlisk
  • Patent number: 10525917
    Abstract: A vehicle, front end assembly, and a method for creating a front end assembly including an upper bumper cover portion including an upper wall, a lower wall, and an exterior wall facing forward in a vehicle-longitudinal direction that extends between the upper wall and the lower wall and a bumper cover retainer that extends along a width of a rear edge of the upper wall, the bumper cover retainer having a sidewall engaging the upper wall of the upper bumper cover portion as the upper wall deflects rearward in the vehicle-longitudinal direction in response to a front impact to the upper bumper cover portion to inhibit movement of the upper wall rearward in the vehicle-longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Nicholas H. Augustyn, Revathy Dasan Muthiah
  • Patent number: 10501126
    Abstract: In a mounting structure of an exterior part, a molding has a recess capable of being fitted to an outer periphery of the exterior part, as seen in a cross-sectional view. The outer periphery includes a recessed corner portion at which two sides of the outer periphery cross each other. One of the two sides constituting the recessed corner portion includes a protrusion capable of being fitted into the recess of the molding. The other of the two sides includes a cutout portion disposed adjacent to the protrusion, the cutout portion permitting insertion of the molding therethrough under a condition where the exterior part is mounted on a front surface of a main member. The exterior part is mounted on the front surface of the main member under a condition where an end portion of the molding mounted on the one side is inserted into the cutout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA ACCESS CORP.
    Inventors: Ryo Shiogai, Masahiro Abe
  • Patent number: 10493827
    Abstract: A zipper less removable window system having removable windows for use with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle. A plurality of attachment devices of the zipper less removable window system connect the windows to the foldable, stowable roof and to the vehicle without the use of zippers. The operator zipper effort caused by traditional windows is thereby eliminated and misalignment issues present with traditional zippered windows is eliminated or reduced. The stress placed on the portions of the windows connectable to the foldable roof during installation and removal, including around curved portions of the removable window, is eliminated or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis, Tavis Lutzka, Eric J. Hanson
  • Patent number: 10480237
    Abstract: A door component has a controllable damper device that contains a magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid. Two connection units of the damper device can be moved relative to each other. One of the two connection units can be connected to a support structure, and the other connection unit can be connected to a pivotal door device in order to damp a movement of the door device between a closed position and an open position in a controlled manner. The magnetorheological damper device has a piston unit and a cylinder unit which surrounds the piston unit. The piston unit divides a cylinder volume into two chambers. The piston unit has a first piston rod, which extends through the first chamber, and a second piston rod, which extends through the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTUS Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Markus Mayer
  • Patent number: 10471997
    Abstract: A vehicular trunk lid panel includes an inner panel that includes an inner upper surface section and an inner rear surface section, an outer panel that includes an outer upper surface section and an outer rear surface section, and a plurality of adhesive members, in which the inner upper surface section includes a plurality of beads, each bead includes a support section that supports the adhesive members, each adhesive member is arranged on the support section so as to be arrayed intermittently along a predetermined direction, and a support section interval between the support sections adjacent to each other with respect to a crossing direction is smaller than an adhesive member interval between the adhesive members adjacent to each other on each of the support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10471999
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes: a fender panel; an apron member disposed below an inner wall section of the fender panel; a fender protector having a lateral wall mounted on the inner wall section of the fender panel, and a vertical wall extending from an inner end of the lateral wall toward a lower side in the vehicle up-down direction, the vertical wall having an inclined part and a lower wall part, the inclined part being bent from the inner end of the lateral wall toward the lower side and extending so as to incline relative to the vehicle up-down direction, the lower wall part being provided so as to extend from a lower end of the inclined part via a bend toward the lower side; and a sealant provided between a lower end portion of the lower wall part and the apron member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yohei Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10464444
    Abstract: A connection element for connecting vehicle parts to each other comprises: a fastening section operative to be fastened to a first vehicle part, the fastening section comprising a planar face having a first side for abutting the first vehicle part and a second side opposite the first side, the fastening section further comprising a wall section protruding from the planar face at said second side and at least partially bordering the planar face at said second side; a drainage opening formed in the planar face and being surrounded by an edge, the drainage opening being operative to drain liquid from the second side of planar face towards the first side; and an indentation at least partially formed on the planar face in the vicinity of the drainage opening, the edge of the drainage opening extending across the indentation such that the edge of the drainage opening in the region of the indentation is raised towards said second side of the planar face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Leo Ioppolo, Sean Sabo
  • Patent number: 10464401
    Abstract: A tonneau cover that includes a single panel and at least one living hinge. The single panel comprises a plurality of panel sections defined in the single panel. The panel sections are adapted to move relative to each other about the living hinge. The tonneau cover is adapted to be placed over a top end of a cargo box of a pickup truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Tectum Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Facchinello, Jeffrey S. Quinn, Kelly J. Kneifl
  • Patent number: 10457121
    Abstract: An encapsulated fixed window module for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The module includes a fixed window pane having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a peripheral edge extending between the exterior and interior surfaces. The module also includes an overmolded trim strip extending along at least a portion of the peripheral edge, the overmolded trim strip having an exterior edge, an interior edge, and peripheral edges extending between the exterior and interior edges. One of the peripheral edges of the overmolded trim strip covers at least in part the peripheral edge of the fixed window pane. The module further includes an esthetic component covering at least a portion of the exterior edge and extending along at least a portion of the overmolded trim strip, the esthetic component having an esthetic exterior face. The at least one of the exterior edge and the esthetic exterior face can be substantially coplanar with the exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON SEALING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jack Tallent, Phil Park
  • Patent number: 10457333
    Abstract: A right-hand drive conversion for a medium duty truck. The conversion process includes removal of dash assembly components and a sub-dash from the cab of a medium duty truck, such as a Freightliner M2. The conversion dash assembly includes a unitary dash and a plurality of brackets. The brackets are mounted to the left and right cab walls and the firewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SportChassis, LLC
    Inventors: Macolm Allen, James Burnam, Chris Brinkley, Nicholas Walenciak
  • Patent number: 10449845
    Abstract: A sealing profile includes an elastomer body with a first and a second profile section. The first profile section is harder than the second profile section and has an elongated cross section with an exposed flank. A first plane that is tangential with respect to the exposed flank subdivides the second profile section in the relaxed state into a first and a second sealing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank-Olaf Berndt, Marco Will
  • Patent number: 10449843
    Abstract: A soft top assembly which includes lift assist and improved fabric management. The assembly includes front side rails pivotally connected to rear side rails. A plurality of fabric control bows with control linkages provide fabric control to the top material during pivoting of the front side rails. A first and second gas strut are attached to the rear side rails to assist lifting and controlled motion as the top is moved between a closed position and open sunroof position, as one strut is fully loaded and compressed while the other strut is fully loaded and open, for lift assist and dampening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis, Tavis Lutzka, William H. Haberkamp, Eric D. Getzschman, Jose N. Vigil, Andy Waite
  • Patent number: 10442371
    Abstract: An attachment member includes a bracket that has plate-like attachment portions, locking holes that penetrate the respective plate-like attachment portions, flexible locking pieces formed along opening edges of the respective locking holes, bend-allowing holes that allow the respective flexible locking pieces to elastically bend so as to expand the opening area of the respective locking holes, assembly members configured to be joined to the bracket so as to cover the respective plate-like attachment portions, locking fit-in portions formed in the respective assembly members and are configured to be fitted into the respective locking holes, and locking projections formed at the respective locking fit-in portions and are engageable with the respective flexible locking pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yu Kimura
  • Patent number: 10442390
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front fascia having a lower bumper region extending outwardly in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a bottom of a front end assembly. An undercover assembly is located rearward of the front fascia and has an undercover body including a front edge located at the lower bumper region. The undercover assembly includes an undercover reinforcement member that is connected to a surface of the undercover body and extends along a length of the undercover body to increase a stiffness within at least a region of the undercover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Hinduja Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Nicholas H. Augustyn, Revathy Dasan Muthiah
  • Patent number: 10434854
    Abstract: A disclosed cover system for a vehicle cargo area includes at least one panel including folding legs, a hinge, and at least one clasp securing the panel to the hinge. In a clasped position the panel is secured to the hinge and in a released position the panel is removable from the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Yilma, Pattrick Loew
  • Patent number: 10435101
    Abstract: A retractable top for a motorcycle including a windshield and a storage compartment, the retractable top is provided with at least one hinge secured to the storage compartment, at least one folding member for pivotably securing a front section of the retractable top to an adjacent section of the retractable top, and at least one buckle for securing the front section of the retractable top to the windshield. Each buckle includes a first hook disposed on an inner surface of the windshield, a pivotal loop configured to place on the first hook, a second hook disposed on an inner surface of the front section of the retractable top, and a third hook pivotably secured to the pivotal loop and configured to secure to the second hook. The retractable top and the windshield are configured to releasably fasten together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ADIVA Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Komasato Rinda
  • Patent number: 10428572
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a vehicle part which is movable relative to a body of a vehicle, includes a drive arrangement having a drive unit and a movement state sensor, an adjusting element which is displaceable relative to the drive arrangement via the drive unit and a control unit for controlling the drive unit. The control unit is designed to actuate the drive unit according to an actual movement state. The disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle having a body and a vehicle part movable relative to the body, which part is equipped with an adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Stabilus GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Oster, Andreas Ritter