Patents Examined by Paul A Chenevert
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Patent number: 9896138Abstract: A drag reducing device for reducing aerodynamic drag at a trailing end of a moving bluff body includes a first and a second panel, which are movable connected to each other to move together from a collapsed to an extended configuration. At least one bias element is provided for exerting a spring force to the first panel structure to support the movement of the panels. The bias element includes a bendable spring rod. The spring rod extends along a curvature in a pre-tensioned condition in between the first and second panel from a back region B of the drag reducing device to a front region F of the drag reducing device, such that the spring rod exerts a spring force to the panel structure. The spring rod effectively supports at least one panel, while at the same time maintains a simple and reliable configuration of the drag reducing device.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: WABCO Europe BVBAInventors: Robby De Bock, Wouter Dirk Van Dorsser, Hessel Jacobus Jongebreur, Gandert Marcel Rita Van Raemdonck, Hjalmar Luc Maria Van Raemdonck
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Patent number: 9884540Abstract: A support rail for a movable, flatbed trailer-mounted tarp enclosure system having a tarp cover, a plurality of substantially U-shaped bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and rolling carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which roll along the support rail, the support rail including a first elongate rail section which is fixed to the trailer and extends substantially parallel to a cargo support surface of the trailer, a second elongate rail section which is movably connected to the trailer, and a support mechanism which connects the second elongate rail section to the trailer such that the second elongate rail section may be moved between a first position extending continuously to the first elongate rail section along a common axis and a second position parallel to but at a different level from the first elongate rail section.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Inventors: Walter Peter DeMonte, Timothy Paul DeMonte, Sheri Lyn LeBlanc
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Patent number: 9878600Abstract: A vehicle hood shield for use in protecting a vehicle hood from damage while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle hood shield can be attached through the use of different adhesive taping configurations. Further, in some embodiments an attachment clip can be used to retain the vehicle hood shield to the vehicle hood.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Lund, Inc.Inventors: Brent Lorenz Rose, Roberto Melo Braga, Jonathan Shroyer, William Franklin Bibb, VI
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Patent number: 9873313Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle having a linkage, which is displaceable between a closed and storage position and which, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top on both sides, includes a link arrangement, having a first roof frame element being disposed in the front and a second roof frame element being arranged, in the closed position, toward the rear with respect to the front roof frame element, wherein the two roof frame elements are connected to each other via first and second control links of a four-arm hinge arrangement and can be displaced with respect to each other using a coupling rod, which is linked to a main link of a main four-arm hinge mechanism, the second roof frame element being linked to said mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: WEBASTO-EDSCHA CABRIO GMBHInventor: Heinrich Wüllrich
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Patent number: 9873460Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a left tunnel frame extending along a floor tunnel to a dash lower panel, a left dash frame extending upward from a front end of the left tunnel frame to a dash upper panel, and a dash cross member extending in a vehicle-body width direction and across the left dash frame. The left dash frame is provided on a vehicle-cabin-side surface of the dash lower panel. The dash cross member is provided on an engine-room-side surface of the dash lower panel. The dash cross member bridges a left front pillar and a right front pillar.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaaki Tatsuwaki, Patrick Ellison
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Patent number: 9862422Abstract: A rocker panel assembly for a vehicle includes an upper rocker panel, a lower rocker panel, and a fastener. The fastener connects the upper and lower rocker panels. The fastener has a frustoconical tip to locate the fastener on the lower rocker panel, a body with a plurality of fins to stabilize the fastener between the upper and lower rocker panels, and a shoulder including an arrow-head configured to clamp the lower rocker panel to the upper rocker panel between the shoulder and a head of the fastener.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Lee Jarvis, Steven C. Dworack
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Patent number: 9849917Abstract: This cowl top cover has a cover body section and a vertical wall section which extends vertically from the front end of the cover body section. The vertical wall section is provided with a vertical wall body, an opening which is formed in the vertical wall body, and a cover section has a cover-side bending promotion section which extends in the width direction of the vehicle and which promotes the bending and deformation of the cover section to one side of the length direction of the vehicle. As a result of this configuration, the cowl top cover can consistently exhibit a sufficient impact absorption function when subjected to an impact.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignees: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryo Ishihara, Chikara Sano, Nao Iwata, Hidenori Kameoka
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Patent number: 9849765Abstract: A side rail can define an exterior channel. A coupling strip can be slidably retained within the exterior channel of the side rail and can be positioned to selectively engage with a coupling strip of a tonneau cover. An end cap can be positioned on an end of the side rail. The end cap can include an exterior tab extension received within the exterior channel, and the exterior tab extension can have an end face positioned within the exterior channel and spaced from a corresponding end of the exterior channel. The end face of the exterior tab extension can be positioned to engage an opposing end face of the coupling strip within the exterior channel to positively limit longitudinal sliding movement of the coupling strip within the exterior channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Truxedo, Inc.Inventor: Joel L. Carlson
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Patent number: 9840206Abstract: A utility board that may be securely attached to a tailgate. The utility board may include a cutting board, a channel for collecting fluids, one or more connection sites that may be located in various positions about utility board. The utility board may optionally include a rinsing device, electrical outlets, one or more heating elements, one or more utensil holders, and/or accessories for use in recreational activities such as playing games.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Inventors: Steven Bales, Cory Weech, Michael Mehdipour
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Patent number: 9834255Abstract: A floor body for a vehicle may include a floor panel forming a lower portion of a vehicle, side sill members extending in a length direction of the vehicle and coupled to both sides of the floor panel, a center side area being a virtual area with a shape extending in a length direction on the floor panel and passing through a point at which a center side member extending in the length direction of the vehicle from both sides of a central portion of the floor panel is provided, and a cross member disposed on the floor panel and extending in a width direction of the vehicle to pass through the center side area and formed so that a portion of the cross member positioned outside the center side area is thicker than that of a portion of the cross member positioned in the center side area.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.Inventors: Hee Seouk Chung, Deok Hwa Hong
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Patent number: 9822579Abstract: A vehicle door structure includes a door lock unit configured to lock a sliding door and a swing door when the sliding door is in a fully opened state, and a lock detection unit configured to detect a locked state between the sliding door and the swing door by the door lock unit. The door lock unit has a locking pin disposed at a guide body, a locking pin biasing member configured to bias the locking pin toward the swing door, and a fitting section formed at a slide rail and fitted onto the locking pin. The lock detection unit detects the locked state between the sliding door and the swing door by detecting the locking pin being fitted into the fitting section.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Katsuya Maruyama, Hiroshi Kuno
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Patent number: 9816251Abstract: Provided is a cab which can improve the workability of ripping. The cab includes an operator's seat placed in the cab and a right armrest placed rightward of the operator's seat in the cab. A front end portion of the operator's seat is tilted rightward with respect to a front-rear direction (the direction of X) of the cab as seen in a plan view. The right armrest includes a front region including a front end of the right armrest and a rear region including a rear end of the right armrest. The rear region includes a portion placed at a shorter distance from a midline bisecting the operator's seat as seen in a plan view, than a distance between the front region and the midline.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventor: Akira Sasakawa
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Patent number: 9809095Abstract: A movable carriage for a movable, tarp enclosure system includes a main body, plural primary support wheels connected to the main body and configured to engage and roll along support rails while supporting the movable carriage, at least one smaller stabilizing wheel connected to the main body and configured to engage the support rails for stabilizing and/or aligning movement of the movable carriage as it moves along the support rail supported by the primary support wheels, and a housing to which the at least one stabilizing wheel is rotatably secured. The housing is provided with one of a guide track and a channel which securely and sliding receives the guide track therein, the main body is provided with the other of the guide track and the channel, and the housing is secured to main body by engaging the guide track within the channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Walter Peter DeMonte, Timothy Paul DeMonte, Sheri Lyn LeBlanc
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Patent number: 9809096Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a movable, tarp enclosure system including first, second, and third arms, and first and second support brackets which are all connected together in a substantially triangular, adjustable configuration in which the first arm is rotatable relative to support brackets and when the first arm is rotated, the first bracket moves linearly along the first arm toward and away from the second bracket. The second arm has one end thereof pivotally connected to the first bracket such that the first end of the second arm moves together with the first bracket, the third arm has an engagement member provided on one end thereof which is configured to operatively engage a vertically intermediate portion of an end one of the bows, and the third arm has a length adjusting mechanism for adjusting a length thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Walter Peter DeMonte, Timothy Paul DeMonte, Sheri Lyn LeBlanc
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Patent number: 9802650Abstract: This vehicle of monocoque construction is formed by fastening together resin parts which are an upper body integrally made of a transparent thermoplastic resin composition, a lower body integrally made of a thermoplastic resin composition and a floor integrally made of a thermoplastic resin composition, wherein the vehicle is characterized in that the lower body is provided with a flange part rising up from the entire perimeter of the bottom surface and, in the center of the bottom surface, a convex rib part that continues rearward from the front of the vehicle, and the upper body and the floor being fastened to the flange part and the convex rib part of the lower body. In so doing, there can be provided a vehicle which is lightweight, affords a good field of view during driving, is simple in construction, and has the necessary rigidity.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: TEIJIN LIMITEDInventors: Shintaro Nishida, Yuka Saito, Kunio Iwasaki, Shigeru Aoki
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Patent number: 9803959Abstract: An armor system configured to be coupled to a frame surrounding a window in a vehicle or other structure, such as a building. The armor system may be configured to provide any desired ballistics protection rating. The armor system includes a ballistics-grade armor panel and at least one insert embedded in the ballistics-grade armor panel. The insert extends around at least a portion of a periphery of the ballistics-grade armor panel. The one or more inserts may be configured to reduce the parasitic weight of the armor system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.Inventors: Carlo Scarinci, David Palermo
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Patent number: 9796425Abstract: A step portion that is farther toward a vehicle width direction outside than a cabin inside vertical wall portion, is set on a door inner panel. A portion of the step portion is a first overlapping portion that is arranged in a position overlapping with an outside vertical wall portion of a center pillar in a vehicle side view. A portion of the outside vertical wall portion of the center pillar is a second overlapping portion that faces the first overlapping portion at a distance that is narrower than a distance between the step portion and the cabin inside vertical wall portion. A third overlapping portion that is connected to the first overlapping portion in a position overlapping with the second overlapping portion of the center pillar in the vehicle side view, is set on an end portion of a beltline reinforcement in a length direction thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinobu Tanaka, Takuya Oshima, Kenjiro Yamada, Tatsunori Mori, Yasuhiko Fukuzumi, Shuuitsu Yamamoto
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Patent number: 9776478Abstract: A sunscreen system includes a control unit and a sunscreen having a first nonplanar glass layer and a nonplanar display layer having a first side and an opposite second side. The first side is adhered to the glass layer. The display layer includes multiple display subareas covering the overall surface of the display layer. Each separate display subarea may be controlled by the control unit to change the subarea's transmittance. A nonplanar design allows integration in a vehicle body and multiple display subareas allows partial area-wise blocking of light. All electronic components can be provided in or adjacent to the sunscreen or be arranged at another location in the vehicle, leading to a flexible design which allows a larger area panoramic roof due to reduction of mechanical components in the roof structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Joakim Dryselius, Daniel Olsson
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Patent number: 9758194Abstract: There is provided a vehicle rear portion structure that can improve torsional rigidity of a rear body that has side members and a cross member. A bracket has a top wall portion to which an HV (high voltage) battery is fixed. Further, the bracket has a first leg portion, that extends from a front end portion of the top wall portion toward a vehicle lower side and that is fixed to a first rear cross member, and a second leg portion, that extends from a vehicle transverse direction outer side end portion of the top wall portion toward the vehicle lower side and that is fixed to a rear side member.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yudai Inagaki, Osamu Shimasaki, Kenichiro Yoshimoto, Kazunori Yokoe
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Patent number: 9758998Abstract: A motor vehicle door is configured to hingedly mount to the body of a motor vehicle. The door includes a door structure having a hinge reinforcement arranged on an interior side of the door structure. The hinge reinforcement includes a respective mounting flange section abutting the door structure on at least two opposing outer edges and a force absorption area between the at least two opposing mounting flange sections. The force absorption area is situated at a distance from the door structure to define a hollow space there between. The force absorption area is supported against the door structure by at least one bushing.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske