Patents Examined by Pinel Romain
  • Patent number: 9616937
    Abstract: In a vehicle rear structure that is one example of a vehicle body structure, a rear suspension tower that is made of die-cast aluminum and a wheel housing outer that is made of a metal material having a higher fatigue strength than the die-cast aluminum of the rear suspension tower, are joined together via an extension panel that is made of a metal material having a higher fatigue strength than the die-cast aluminum of the rear suspension tower. Further, a step portion is formed between an inner peripheral portion and an outer peripheral portion of the extension panel to form a deformable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9616939
    Abstract: There are provided a pair of diagonally-extending inclination members which are formed in a substantially X shape in a plan view and provided above or below a floor panel. Each of the pair of inclination members is configured to interconnect a connection portion of one of right-and-left side sills and a hinge pillar and a connection portion of the other of the right-and-left side sills and a center pillar. Thereby, a load-transmission efficiency between a front end of the above-described one of the right-and-left side sills and the other of the right-and-left side sills can be improved in the SOL or vehicle side collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotaka Natsume, Kenji Maruyama, Hidetaka Goto, Isamu Kizaki, Satoshi Nakamura, Kohji Hashida
  • Patent number: 9616935
    Abstract: Vehicle structures and methods of assembling the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of assembling a unibody structure of a vehicle includes assembling a door surround ring comprising a forward pillar portion, a roof rail portion, a rearward pillar portion, and a rocker portion. The method also includes, subsequent to assembling the door surround ring, installing the door surround ring into a vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring to the vehicle side outer panel. The method further includes, subsequent to installing the door surround ring into the vehicle side outer panel, coupling the door surround ring and the vehicle side outer panel to a vehicle interior structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler E. Schnug, Kuo Sun, Mark D. Clauser, Yizhou Fan, Donald E. Maynard, Kevin J. O'Beirne
  • Patent number: 9610911
    Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
  • Patent number: 9605469
    Abstract: A door assembly for a motorized vehicle includes a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position, a first member defining a first axis, and a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis. A linkage assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm are pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot. A cross member has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first pin for slidably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member. The door is movable between the open and closed positions as the first member pivots about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Henseleit, Justin Gilmore
  • Patent number: 9605465
    Abstract: A door assembly for a motorized vehicle includes a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position, a first member defining a first axis, and a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis. A linkage assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm are pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot. A cross member has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member. The door is movable between the open and closed positions as the first member pivots about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Wojdyla, Sajed Dosenbach, Michael R. Pugh, Christopher Wegner, Greg Perkins
  • Patent number: 9605466
    Abstract: A door assembly for a motorized vehicle includes a door configured to move between an open position and a closed position, a first member defining a first axis, and a first support member pivotally coupled to the door and defining a second axis. A linkage assembly includes a first arm and a second arm. The first arm and the second arm are pivotally coupled to one another, where the first arm is coupled to the first member at a location offset from the first axis and the second arm defines a first slot. A cross member has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first pin for slideably engaging the first slot and the second end being coupled to the first member. The door is movable between the open and closed positions as the first member pivots about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Wojdyla, Michael R. Pugh, Sajed Dosenbach, Christopher Wegner, Greg Perkins
  • Patent number: 9592756
    Abstract: Seat assemblies for vehicles are disclosed. A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a back portion, a seat portion pivotably connected to the back portion, a first release assembly connected to the back portion and the seat portion, a second release assembly connected to the seat portion, and a handle mechanically coupled to the first release assembly and the second release assembly. The first release assembly is configured to transition between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The second release assembly is configured to transition between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When the handle is rotated from a first position to a second position, the first release assembly transitions between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration such that the back portion pivots relative to the seat portion, and the second release assembly transitions between the engaged configuration and the disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles S. Hansen, Todd R. Muck
  • Patent number: 9586545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper for a motor vehicle, in particular a front bumper, having at least two deformation bodies which are at a distance from one another and of which the center or longitudinal axes, in the mounted state, are oriented substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, and having a plurality of crossmembers which have a closed profile and which are arranged one above the other and are connected to the deformation bodies. The crossmembers are formed from a group of at least three crossmembers, wherein the respective crossmember of the group has a cross-sectional profile which comprises at least five corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE AG
    Inventors: Martin Kibben, Rolf Peter Röttger, Markus Zörnack
  • Patent number: 9579956
    Abstract: A sliding window for a vehicle includes: a sliding panel which is attached to a vehicle body in a slidable manner; a guide rail which is integrated with the vehicle body and extending in the slide direction of the sliding panel; and a sliding bracket which integrally includes a sliding portion slidably coupled to the guide rail and a fixed portion fixed to the sliding panel. The guide rail is provided with a fitting hole into which a clip of a trim board is fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR LIGHT TRUCK CO., LTD., HI-LEX CORPORATION, SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Sudou, Masanao Asaoka, Ryota Nishikawa, Makoto Iwata
  • Patent number: 9573627
    Abstract: An instrument panel reinforcement structure has: a housing (24), that is made of metal and is disposed within an instrument panel (16), of a head-up display device (20) that projects image information onto a front windshield glass (14); and an instrument panel reinforcement (18) that is made of metal, and extends along a vehicle transverse direction within the instrument panel, and is joined to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shizuo Sanjo
  • Patent number: 9566925
    Abstract: A vehicle front bumper with a middle portion and end or lateral portions, the end or lateral portions each having a polygon shaped rearward and downward angled forward facing surface, at least one of which has a utility well perimeter opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Addictive Desert Designs LLC
    Inventor: Jared A. Hare
  • Patent number: 9561747
    Abstract: A device for covering at least part of a container using a tarpaulin, comprising: a rod for rolling the tarpaulin thereonto and unrolling of the tarpaulin therefrom; a support arm mountable to the container for rotatably supporting the rod, the support arm being pivotally movable relative to the container; a rod actuator for selectively rotating the rod; and an arm biasing element for biasing the support arm towards a predetermined position. Rotating the rod using the rod actuator to roll the tarpaulin therearound moves the support arm towards a support arm first position to move the tarpaulin to a tarpaulin retracted configuration and rotating the rod using the rod actuator to unroll the tarpaulin therefrom moves the support arm towards a support arm second position to move the tarpaulin to a tarpaulin extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventor: Real Royer
  • Patent number: 9555747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal trim part for a vehicle, comprising at least two layers. A decorative skin (1) forms an upper layer and has a depression (3), in which a decorative element (8) is arranged. The decorative element (8) is connected to the decorative skin (1) by means of a bonded connection, such as a weld seam, in particular an ultrasonic weld seam (16). The invention further relates to a method for producing an internal trim part and to a device for performing said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Maxime Musy, Andreas Meyer, Martin Schulz
  • Patent number: 9555755
    Abstract: A rear guard assembly for mounting to a chassis of a motor vehicle. The rear guard assembly can comprise a rearward-facing guard plate and a pair of braces mounted to the rearward-facing guard plate. Each brace can comprise a collapsible shock absorber comprising a first end and a second end, wherein a longitudinal axis is aligned with the first end and the second end. Each brace can comprise a plurality of outwardly-deflecting portions between the first end and the second end, wherein a lateral axis traverses the outwardly-deflecting portions and is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the outwardly-deflecting portions are symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis. A spacing block can be positioned intermediate the outwardly-deflecting portions and the rearward-facing guard plate. A support assembly can be connected to each brace and can include fixed arms and pivot arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: WASTEQUIP, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Franiak, Nathan L. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9555748
    Abstract: A vehicle-use resin cover including: a resin cover main body configured including an opening, and anchoring portions formed at locations running along a peripheral edge of the opening; a resin cap member, which is mounted in the opening and is configured including a cap main body that covers the opening, and anchored portions, which are provided to an outer peripheral portion of the cap main body so as to correspond to the anchoring portions and are anchored by the anchoring portions; a recessed portion, which is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening and is in communication with the opening at the cap member side of the recessed portion, and through which a leading end of a tool for removing the cap member is insertable; and a marker portion provided to the outer peripheral portion of the cap main body at a position facing the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Shirai, Taisuke Matsuzaki, Yuta Takagi
  • Patent number: 9550408
    Abstract: A door frame for a vehicle having improved anti-corrosive performance, and a method of manufacturing the door frame may includes: a three-stage superimposed portion which has a structure in which an upper steel plate layer, an intermediate steel plate layer, and a lower steel plate layer are superimposed, and in which a sealer for anti-corrosive performance is applied between the upper steel plate layer and the intermediate steel plate layer; and a curved portion which is formed at an upper side of the intermediate steel plate layer at a first end of the three-stage superimposed portion to prevent the applied sealer from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving anti-corrosive performance, and a method of manufacturing the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Min-Woo Cho
  • Patent number: 9539887
    Abstract: A support strap for holding a seal strip of a convertible top against one or more body panels of the vehicle. The seal strip has a body panel engaging portion and an attachment portion. A tensioner is operatively attached to the support strap to reduce the flexibility of the support strap and apply pressure to the seal strip to improve the effectiveness of the seal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dilluvio, Wolfgang Richter
  • Patent number: 9540053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a molded article (11) of a rubber polymer to which another article (12) is detachably connected. The method comprises the steps of providing a coupling means (2), comprising a first (2a) and second (2b) member, both of which are provided with interlocking elements (21,22) along connectable edges, the interlocking elements (21,22) being configured to interlock in a substantially continuous way along the edges in the connected state, and unlock in the disconnected state; integrating the first member (2a) and the molded article (11), such that its interlocking elements (21) are available for connection; integrating the second member (2b) and the other article (12), such that its interlocking elements (22) are available for connection; and interlocking the interlocking elements (21,22) of the first and second member (2a,2b) to produce the detachable connection between the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Apollo Tyres Global R&D B.V.
    Inventors: Louis-Philippe Antoine Eugene Maria Reuvekamp, Gerard Nijman, Bart Maria Oude Luttikhuis
  • Patent number: 9540052
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame assembly supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members, and a powertrain assembly. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a body generally surrounding the frame assembly and including a hood, dashboard assembly, and a side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Burt, II, Brent C. Eaton, Michael C. Bohnsack, Andrew J. Miller