Patents Examined by Paul A Chenevert
  • Patent number: 9758107
    Abstract: A vehicle cover, such as a tailgate adapted for being raised and lowered relative to the vehicle or a vehicle bumper, includes an adjustable support for supporting an object, such as a gun or fishing pole. In one embodiment, the tailgate includes a recess adapted for receiving the support in an inactive condition. The support has an active condition projecting from the recess for engaging and supporting the object. The support is actuated in various manners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Vincent Anthony Chimento, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Kevin Michael O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 9751568
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a side sill having an internal space partitioned by a vertical rib and a horizontal rib intersecting the vertical rib. The vertical rib separates the side sill into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The inner lateral side sill portion includes a cutout extending vertically therethrough. A pillar has an internal space partitioned by a longitudinally extending first rib and a laterally extending second rib intersecting the first rib. The first rib separates the pillar into an outer lateral portion and an inner lateral portion. The inner lateral pillar portion is disposed through and secured in the cutout of the portion, and an axial end face of the outer lateral pillar portion is in abutment with the outer lateral side sill portion. The side sill and the pillar are welded to each other along an interface between the two components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Edward W. Bach, Hirokazu Matsuura, Adam J. Rompage
  • Patent number: 9744922
    Abstract: A heat shield for shielding of hot areas of a combustion engine. The heat shield has at least one metal sheet layer with a first and a second surface. The at least one metal sheet layer has at least one passage opening for the passage of a fastening element. The layer also has a sleeve which passes through the passage opening. The heat shield further has a decoupling element from flexible material arranged between a circumferential edge of the passage opening and the sleeve. The decoupling element and the sleeve each have a) an annular shank area, which penetrates the passage opening, b) a first collar, which on the first surface extends radially outward relative to the circumferential edge of the passage opening, and c) a second collar, which extends adjacent to the second surface radially outward relative to the circumferential edge of the passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Ostermeier, Marc Sauter
  • Patent number: 9738330
    Abstract: An air-guiding device which is arranged in a top rear region of a vehicle and includes an air-guiding element which is shiftable from a retracted inoperative position to an extended operating position, wherein, in both positions, the air-guiding element serves for guiding air in the rear region of the motor vehicle. At least one propeller of the air-guiding device which, together with the air-guiding element, is shiftable between the retracted and extended positions, wherein the propeller, in the extended operating position, is fixable in a first operating state, wherein the at least one propeller, in the extended operating position, is operable in a second operating state in order to produce a throughflow in the direction of travel, and wherein the at least one propeller, in the extended operating position, is operable in a third operating state in order to produce a throughflow opposed to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 9731602
    Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle includes a display part installed at a front surface of a center fascia of the vehicle to display an image, a housing for supporting the display part, and a driving part for moving the housing in a upper side and a lower side direction with respect to the center fascia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Uk Kim, Hyun Jin Park, Sung Eun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9714530
    Abstract: An inertia locking mechanism for a bin having a bin lid and subjectable to an applied force resulting in an acceleration includes a housing attachable to the bin, a bracket attachable to the bin lid and having a locking feature, a locking pin, a biasing member, and a trigger. The locking pin is linearly moveable in the housing. The trigger has a triggering mass and is connected to the housing via a trigger pivot. The triggering mass is offset from the trigger pivot such that the triggering mass applies a torque to the trigger when the acceleration occurs in each of the front, rear, left, and right directions. The trigger is configured to release the locking pin when the acceleration exceeds a threshold acceleration such that the biasing member urges the locking pin into the locking feature of the bracket to lock the bin lid in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Douglas J. Amick, John T. Goscicki, Timothy A. Kiester, Kenton L. West
  • Patent number: 9714058
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion relative to a road surface. The vehicle additionally includes a spoiler assembly mounted to the vehicle body. The spoiler assembly includes a spoiler body arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The spoiler assembly also includes a mechanism configured to vary a position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end. Such varying of the position of the spoiler body relative to the first vehicle body end is intended to control a movement of the ambient airflow relative to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden, David Dominguez
  • Patent number: 9707899
    Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a console having a side wall dimensioned to receive a bin therein and a bin including a side wall having a top edge including a pair of opposed strikers. A hinged bin lid includes a dual pawl latching mechanism disposed on a bottom surface thereof whereby the dual pawl latching mechanism does not extend beyond an exterior dimension defined by the bin lid. The bin lid may include a pair of opposed bin lid side walls. The latching mechanism is disposed on the bin lid bottom surface whereby a gap is defined between an outer portion of the latching mechanism and an inner portion of the opposed bin lid side walls. The console side wall includes a top edge configured to define a mating surface for the bin lid side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Thomas
  • Patent number: 9705494
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes an electrically non-conductive fascia panel and an electrical conductor mounted to the fascia panel. The conductor capacitively couples to an electrically conductive object proximal to the fascia panel while the conductor is driven with an electrical charge such that capacitance of the conductor changes due to the conductor capacitively coupling with the object. The assembly may further include a controller operable for driving the conductor with the electrical charge and for measuring the capacitance of the conductor to determine whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the fascia panel. The controller controls a vehicle function such as movement of a movable panel like a lift gate associated with the fascia panel depending on whether an electrically conductive object is proximal to the fascia panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: UUSI, LLC
    Inventors: Todd R. Newman, John M. Washeleski
  • Patent number: 9701344
    Abstract: A bead portion is provided at a compression-side wall portion to be recessed toward an inside of a main closed cross section. A first reinforcing member is provided in the closed cross section and joined to a tension-side wall portion so as to form a first sub cross section extending in a longitudinal direction between the tension-side wall portion and the first reinforcing member. A second reinforcing member is provided in the closed cross section and joined to a portion of the compression-side wall portion where the bead portion is provided so as to form a second sub cross section extending vertically between the portion of the compression-side wall portion and the second reinforcing member. The first and second reinforcing members are configured to be spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Kodama, Chikara Kawamura, Masanori Honda
  • Patent number: 9694657
    Abstract: A side rail can define an exterior and an interior channel. A coupling strip within the exterior channel of the side rail 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 having an end face can include an interior extension within the interior channel and an exterior tab extension within the exterior channel between the longitudinal raised side portions. A retaining fastener can extend through the exterior tab extension and can fix the end cap to the side rail without the retaining fastener passing through the coupling strip. The exterior tab extension can limit longitudinal sliding movement of the coupling strip within the exterior channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Truxedo, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 9694715
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a removable vehicle seat having a front latch, a rear latch, and a seat mounting bracket adapted to be coupled to a vehicle floor. The front latch includes a striker receiving slot having a slot width, and the seat mounting bracket includes a front and rear striker, where the front striker is configured to be received in the receiving slot. The front striker includes an engagement portion having a flat, angled engagement surface in cross-section. In an installation position of the seat, the front latch receives the engagement portion with the engagement surface being substantially parallel to the receiving slot thereby providing for a clearance fit. In an installed position of the seat, the receiving slot is angled relative to the engagement surface such that the front striker engages opposing walls of the receiving slot thereby establishing an interference fit between the striker and front latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael P Gebauer, Jason Bahlman, Sumit Mathur
  • Patent number: 9688128
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a vehicle window is described. The sealing arrangement includes a retaining rail having a latching channel that is formed by a guide rail and a spring leg having a latch hook, the retaining rail being affixed to a window pane. The sealing arrangement further includes a cover having a guide channel that is formed by a positioning stop and by a latching rail having a locking element. The guide rail is arranged in the guide channel and the latching rail is arranged in the latching channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Alwin Timmermann
  • Patent number: 9688125
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle back door includes forming a chamber by joining, with an adhesive, an inner panel made of resin to an outer panel made of resin; and inserting a first holding jig inside the chamber through a hole formed in the outer panel and allowing the adhesive to harden in a state in which a joint portion between the inner panel and the outer panel is sandwiched between and held by the first holding jig and a second holding jig placed outside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Ayukawa
  • Patent number: 9676346
    Abstract: A fastener with an dampener is provided. The dampener is integrated with the fastener thus eliminating the need for an additional dampener installation. The fastener includes a shaft, a head connected to the shaft, and a dampener connected to the head. The dampener includes a piston and a compression chamber that is adapted to reduce vibration and noise when installed between two panels. The dampener is mounted to the underside of the head of a bolt, or to a trim piece. In other embodiments, the dampener is connected to the head of a clip. The dampener is adapted to rest between the head of a bolt and an adjacent panel thereby slightly spacing out the bolt head from the panel, such as sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Zielinski, Allan A. Pett, Eric M. Ehlert
  • Patent number: 9663053
    Abstract: A collision detection device includes a chamber member, a pressure sensor, a collision detection ECU, and a projecting portion. The chamber member is disposed on a vehicle-front side of a bumper reinforcement in a bumper cover and includes a chamber main body having therein a hollow portion. The pressure sensor detects pressure in the hollow portion of the chamber main body. A clearance is formed between the chamber member and a front surface of the bumper reinforcement at least on a part of a rear surface of the chamber main body. The collision detection ECU detects a collision of an object with the bumper cover based on a pressure detection result by the pressure sensor. The projecting portion is provided to project from the rear surface of the chamber main body, and an end of the projecting portion is in contact with the front surface of the bumper reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Saitoh, Takatoshi Tanabe, Daisuke Nakane
  • Patent number: 9656696
    Abstract: A device for attaching a cross-member of a dashboard to a front pillar lining, the device including: a reinforcing element including a first positioning element for cooperating with a second positioning element secured to the dashboard such that they occupy a relative determined position. An attachment element is used to immobilize the assembly in the determined position. The attachment element is configured such that the connection between the first positioning element and the reinforcing element includes a position regulating mechanism configured to vary between an unlocked state in which the position of the first positioning element is adjustable in relation to the reinforcing element, and a locked state in which the first positioning element is fixed in relation to the reinforcing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Luis Filipe De Almeida, Olivier Duong
  • Patent number: 9656590
    Abstract: A structure such as a toy hauler recreational vehicle includes a bed lift that moves a bed vertically between a lowered position, a raised position, and an upright position. The bed is oriented horizontally and positioned to receive one or more persons to sleep on it in the lowered position. The bed is oriented horizontally and stowed adjacent to a ceiling of the vehicle in the raised position. At least a portion of the bed is oriented vertically and stowed adjacent to a wall of the structure when the bed is in the upright position. The bed lift can include a mounting member that: (a) moves between a first position where the bed is oriented horizontally and a second position where the bed is oriented vertically and/or (b) is vertically offset to allow the bed to be lowered below or adjacent to the bottom of the bed lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Johnson, Andrew Murray, Aaron Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 9636977
    Abstract: There are provided an openable roof capable of covering over a passenger cabin, a back window provided in back of the openable roof to be apart from a rear end of the openable roof which is in a state in which the openable roof covers over the passenger cabin, a link mechanism connecting the openable roof and the back window to a vehicle body such that the openable roof and the back window swing relative to the vehicle body, a storage room provided in back of the passenger cabin to store the openable roof and the back window, and a shielding member to shield a gap between the openable roof and the back window which are in a state in which the openable roof and the back window cover over the passenger cabin. This shielding member is provided not to be storable in the storage room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Matsumoto, Takashi Senoo, Masaki Oda
  • Patent number: 9637075
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle lower section structure including a rocker that extends in a vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle width direction outer side, a tunnel section that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction at a central portion in the vehicle width direction, a pair of dash cross members that extend in the vehicle width direction at a lower side of a dash panel, that are separated by the tunnel section, tunnel reinforcement that is disposed at a lower side in the vehicle up-down direction that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, wherein a first front flange is formed at a front end of the dash cross member in the vehicle front-rear direction, and wherein a second front flange is disposed at a position opposing the first front flange across the dash panel or a floor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hyuga Atsumi, Tetsuo Nuruki, Daisuke Teramoto, Kayoko Hasegawa