Patents by Inventor Blaine C. Benson
Blaine C. Benson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240044185Abstract: A back door assembly includes a door; a pair of hinges that rotatably couple the door to a frame of the vehicle, the pair of hinges define an axis of rotation about which the door is rotatable; and a pair of latching mechanisms configured to secure the door to the frame, the pair of latching mechanisms are spaced apart from the pair of hinges in a vehicle vertical direction when the door is in a closed position, the pair of latching mechanisms are aligned with the pair of hinges in the vehicle vertical direction when the door is in the closed position such that an axis extending through the pair of latching mechanisms is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the pair of hinges.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2022Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Blaine C. Benson
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Patent number: 11161397Abstract: A system for reducing strain on a vehicle door comprises the vehicle door. The vehicle door comprises an inner panel and a division bar comprising a first portion and a second portion. The system further comprises a relief bracket configured to reduce strain on the inner panel when the vehicle door is closed. The relief bracket comprises a first portion coupled to the second portion of the division bar, a second portion coupled to the inner panel, and a relief portion extending between the first portion and the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Keith O'Brien, Alyssa J. Flowers-Bouman, Erik Andersen, Wasim Ukra
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Publication number: 20210031600Abstract: A system for reducing strain on a vehicle door comprises the vehicle door. The vehicle door comprises an inner panel and a division bar comprising a first portion and a second portion. The system further comprises a relief bracket configured to reduce strain on the inner panel when the vehicle door is closed. The relief bracket comprises a first portion coupled to the second portion of the division bar, a second portion coupled to the inner panel, and a relief portion extending between the first portion and the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Keith O'Brien, Alyssa J. Flowers-Bouman, Erik Andersen, Wasim Ukra
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Patent number: 10787064Abstract: A door assembly, of a vehicle that includes a first pillar structure and a second pillar structure, includes a door outer panel, a door inner panel coupled to and positioned inwardly of the door outer panel, and an impact beam positioned between the door outer panel and the door inner panel. The door impact beam includes a first end and an opposite second end, the first end overlaps the first pillar structure and the second end overlaps the second pillar structure. The door assembly further includes an inner bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the door inner panel and the first end of the impact beam, and an outer bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the inner bulkhead and the first end of the impact beam, the outer bulkhead overlaps a portion of the inner bulkhead.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Keith O'Brien, Michitomo Matsuoka
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Publication number: 20200130482Abstract: A door assembly, of a vehicle that includes a first pillar structure and a second pillar structure, includes a door outer panel, a door inner panel coupled to and positioned inwardly of the door outer panel, and an impact beam positioned between the door outer panel and the door inner panel. The door impact beam includes a first end and an opposite second end, the first end overlaps the first pillar structure and the second end overlaps the second pillar structure. The door assembly further includes an inner bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the door inner panel and the first end of the impact beam, and an outer bulkhead coupled to the door inner panel and positioned between the inner bulkhead and the first end of the impact beam, the outer bulkhead overlaps a portion of the inner bulkhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Keith O'Brien, Michitomo Matsuoka
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Patent number: 10479411Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines a front door opening, and includes an A-pillar framing the front door opening, and a door over the front door opening. The front door includes an inner door panel and an outer door panel defining an interior door cavity therebetween. The vehicle also includes an impact beam and a transfer member housed in the interior door cavity. The impact beam has a forward end that laterally overlaps the A-pillar. The transfer member laterally overlaps the A-pillar in common with the forward end of the impact beam, and faces the inner door panel from laterally between the forward end of the impact beam and the inner door panel. When the vehicle experiences a side impact event, the A-pillar assumes side impact energy via transfer from the forward end of the impact beam through the transfer member.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Keith O'Brien, Justin E. Dominic
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Patent number: 10427510Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle door including a door body portion, a door frame portion and a door window that is retractable from the door frame portion and extendable into the door frame portion. The door frame portion includes an upper portion including a glass run channel that receives an upper edge of the door window with the door window in a closed configuration. A glass run sealing member is located in the glass run channel. The glass run sealing member includes an exterior side including an interior face that faces toward the glass run channel. The glass run sealing member includes a hinged sealing projection structure including an inboard sealing member that extends from the interior face into the glass run channel and an inboard sealing sub-member connected to the inboard sealing member. The inboard sealing sub-member rotates into contact with an exterior side of the door window as the inboard sealing member moves with an upper edge of the door window as the door window enters the glass run channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Blaine C. Benson
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Publication number: 20190233017Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines a front door opening, and includes an A-pillar framing the front door opening, and a door over the front door opening. The front door includes an inner door panel and an outer door panel defining an interior door cavity therebetween. The vehicle also includes an impact beam and a transfer member housed in the interior door cavity. The impact beam has a forward end that laterally overlaps the A-pillar. The transfer member laterally overlaps the A-pillar in common with the forward end of the impact beam, and faces the inner door panel from laterally between the forward end of the impact beam and the inner door panel. When the vehicle experiences a side impact event, the A-pillar assumes side impact energy via transfer from the forward end of the impact beam through the transfer member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Keith O'Brien, Justin E. Dominic
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Publication number: 20180222302Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle door including a door body portion, a door frame portion and a door window that is retractable from the door frame portion and extendable into the door frame portion. The door frame portion includes an upper portion including a glass run channel that receives an upper edge of the door window with the door window in a closed configuration. A glass run sealing member is located in the glass run channel. The glass run sealing member includes an exterior side including an interior face that faces toward the glass run channel. The glass run sealing member includes a hinged sealing projection structure including an inboard sealing member that extends from the interior face into the glass run channel and an inboard sealing sub-member connected to the inboard sealing member. The inboard sealing sub-member rotates into contact with an exterior side of the door window as the inboard sealing member moves with an upper edge of the door window as the door window enters the glass run channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: BLAINE C. BENSON
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Patent number: 9809091Abstract: A spacer is provided for mounting on a vehicle impact beam. The spacer includes a first surface having a first radius of curvature centered on a first axis, and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a second radius of curvature centered on a second axis extending parallel to the first axis and spaced apart from the first axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Blaine C. Benson
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Publication number: 20170274743Abstract: A spacer is provided for mounting on a vehicle impact beam. The spacer includes a first surface having a first radius of curvature centered on a first axis, and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface having a second radius of curvature centered on a second axis extending parallel to the first axis and spaced apart from the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventor: Blaine C. Benson
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Patent number: 9216771Abstract: A panel for a vehicle. The panel includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an underside surface, and the inner panel is located adjacent to and along the underside surface of the outer panel, but spaced apart from the outer panel. The inner panel also exhibits a bow over a substantial portion of its length, with the bow being in a direction toward the outer panel. The bow induces a moment in the inner panel during impact of the vehicle in a collision that causes the inner panel and, resultantly, the outer panel to undergo a predetermined deformation in an upward direction relative to the vehicle. The panel may be provided as the hood of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Mark D. Clauser, Min Zhu
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Publication number: 20150069786Abstract: A panel for a vehicle. The panel includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an underside surface, and the inner panel is located adjacent to and along the underside surface of the outer panel, but spaced apart from the outer panel. The inner panel also exhibits a bow over a substantial portion of its length, with the bow being in a direction toward the outer panel. The bow induces a moment in the inner panel during impact of the vehicle in a collision that causes the inner panel and, resultantly, the outer panel to undergo a predetermined deformation in an upward direction relative to the vehicle. The panel may be provided as the hood of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blaine C. Benson, Mark D. Clauser, Min Zhu