Patents by Inventor Darin D. King

Darin D. King 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).

  • Patent number: 9475412
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat that comprises a seat bottom, a seat back, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The seat back is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The first biasing member is coupled to each of the seat back and the bed frame. The second biasing member is coupled to each of the seat back and the bed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: TS Tech Americas, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey Heit, Hiroshi Okazaki, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Takayuki Inoue, Jacob Zachary Sorrell
  • Patent number: 9016759
    Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, a side wall, and a door. The door at least partially defines a passageway and is pivotally coupled with the side wall and pivotable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing portion is configured for selective routing through the handle and releasable coupling to an adjacent portion of the utility bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brandon Ricketts, Hidemi Minami, Yoshiaki Noda, Darin D. King, Casey Heit, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 8864174
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roll cage, at least one rear seat, and at least one rear seat belt assembly. Each rear seat is positioned within a rear protected area at least partially defined by the roll cage. Each rear seat belt assembly is associated with a respective one of the rear seats, and includes a retractor assembly attached to the roll cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Hidemi Minami, Takeshi Kobayashi, Jeremy T. McGuire, Drey Dircks, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Noriyuki Muto, Casey Heit, Jacob O. Borth, Christopher Michael Krajewski, Christopher Joe Kranz
  • Publication number: 20140217715
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roll cage, at least one rear seat, and at least one rear seat belt assembly. Each rear seat is positioned within a rear protected area at least partially defined by the roll cage. Each rear seat belt assembly is associated with a respective one of the rear seats, and includes a retractor assembly attached to the roll cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: TK Holdings Inc., Honda Motor Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemi Minami, Takeshi Kobayashi, Jeremy T. McGuire, Drey Dircks, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Noriyuki Muto, Casey Heit, Jacob O. Borth, Christopher Michael Krajewski, Christopher Joe Kranz
  • Publication number: 20140217767
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat that comprises a seat bottom, a seat back, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The seat back is pivotable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The first biasing member is coupled to each of the seat back and the bed frame. The second biasing member is coupled to each of the seat back and the bed frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: TS Tech Americas, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey Heit, Hiroshi Okazaki, Darin D. King, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Takayuki Inoue, Jacob Zachary Sorrell
  • Publication number: 20140216399
    Abstract: A method is performed by a controller on a vehicle. The method includes determining a rotational speed of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle. In response to confirming occurrence of at least one first condition, the controller determines whether the rotational speed is within a first range. Upon determination by the controller that the rotational speed of the crankshaft is within the first range, the controller initiates engagement of a clutch to result in coupling of the crankshaft with a rotor of a generator. While the clutch is engaged, the controller determines whether the rotational speed of the crankshaft is within a second range. The controller adjusts the throttle of the internal combustion engine upon determination by the controller that the rotational speed of the crankshaft is not within the second range, to bring the rotational speed of the crankshaft into the second range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Smith, Stephen F. Winter, Scott Daniel Batdorf, Jeremy Merzlak, Alexander Moreno, Anthony P. Mascadri, Darin D. King, David Neal Karo
  • Publication number: 20140210241
    Abstract: An MUV having a utility bed including a bed floor having at least one panel. The bed floor panel is convertible between a planar storage surface and at least one passenger seat back by displacement of a lever. The bed floor being devoid of a latch handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Vincent Peterson, Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8783754
    Abstract: An MUV having a utility bed including a bed floor having at least one panel. The bed floor panel is convertible between a planar storage surface and at least one passenger seat back by displacement of a lever. The bed floor being devoid of a latch handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Vincent Peterson, Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8585116
    Abstract: A utility bed comprises a bed frame, a bed floor, an end wall, a seat back, and a seat bottom. The bed floor comprises a first and second floor portion. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between a cargo support and an opened position. The end wall is slideably coupled with the bed frame and is slideable between a cargo hauling position and a seating position. The seat back is coupled with the end wall. The seat bottom portion is pinned directly to the end wall and is pivotable about a first axis. When the end wall is slid from the cargo hauling position to the seating position, the seat bottom portion is pivotable from the stored position to the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8567847
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a utility bed, and a flexible seal. The utility bed includes a left side, a right side, a bed frame, and a forward wall supported by the bed frame. The utility bed is pivotally coupled with the frame and pivotable between a hauling position and a dumping position. The flexible seal is attached to at least one of the bed frame and the forward wall of the utility bed. The flexible seal extends downwardly below the forward wall of the utility bed and laterally at least partially between the left side and the right side of the utility bed. When the utility bed is in the hauling position, the flexible seal contacts the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin D. King, Noriyuki Muto, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Jacob O. Borth
  • Patent number: 8505938
    Abstract: A sway bar assembly includes a sway bar, a biasing member, and a winder assembly. The sway bar includes a central portion, a left end portion, and a right end portion. The central portion is configured for pivotal coupling to a frame of a vehicle. The left end portion is configured for coupling with a left support arm. The right end portion is configured for coupling with a right support arm. The biasing member is configured to be fixed to a frame of a vehicle. The winder assembly is coupled with the biasing member and configured to facilitate selective movement of the biasing member with respect to the sway bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8348322
    Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, bed floor, pair of carrier arms, end wall, seat bottom, and seat back. The bed floor includes first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between cargo support and seating positions. Each carrier arm includes first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled with the bed frame such that the carrier arms are pivotable about an axis. The end wall is coupled with the second end of each carrier arm. The seat bottom and seat back are respectively coupled with the first floor portion and the end wall. The carrier arms facilitate movement of the end wall between cargo hauling and seating positions. When the first floor portion and the end wall are in their respective seating positions, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Publication number: 20120299265
    Abstract: A sway bar assembly includes a sway bar, a biasing member, and a winder assembly. The sway bar includes a central portion, a left end portion, and a right end portion. The central portion is configured for pivotal coupling to a frame of a vehicle. The left end portion is configured for coupling with a left support arm. The right end portion is configured for coupling with a right support arm. The biasing member is configured to be fixed to a frame of a vehicle. The winder assembly is coupled with the biasing member and configured to facilitate selective movement of the biasing member with respect to the sway bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8313133
    Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, a bed floor, a sidewall, and a locking mechanism. The bed floor is pivotally coupled with the bed frame and is pivotable between an upright position and a cargo support position. The sidewall comprises a door portion and a wall portion. The door portion is pivotally coupled with the bed floor and pivotable between a closed position and an opened position. The locking mechanism is associated with the sidewall. The locking mechanism is configured to retain the bed floor in the upright position with the door portion of the sidewall in the opened position. Vehicles including a utility bed are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8308223
    Abstract: A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle includes a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, and an overload indicator. Upon a rollover event during operation of a vehicle, to which the net structure is attached, with the net structure in a lowered, closed configuration, an operator of the vehicle may impact the net structure, causing the net structure to deflect outwardly. This outward deflection of the net structure may cause the overload indicator to become visible, which provides an indication to an operator or other person associated with the vehicle that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised, such that replacement of the net structure may be warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Publication number: 20120193932
    Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, bed floor, pair of carrier arms, end wall, seat bottom, and seat back. The bed floor includes first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between cargo support and seating positions. Each carrier arm includes first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled with the bed frame such that the carrier arms are pivotable about an axis. The end wall is coupled with the second end of each carrier arm. The seat bottom and seat back are respectively coupled with the first floor portion and the end wall. The carrier arms facilitate movement of the end wall between cargo hauling and seating positions. When the first floor portion and the end wall are in their respective seating positions, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a rear seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Publication number: 20120193931
    Abstract: A utility bed comprises a bed frame, a bed floor, an end wall, a seat back, and a seat bottom. The bed floor comprises a first and second floor portion. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between a cargo support and an opened position. The end wall is slideably coupled with the bed frame and is slideable between a cargo hauling position and a seating position. The seat back is coupled with the end wall. The seat bottom portion is pinned directly to the end wall and is pivotable about a first axis. When the end wall is slid from the cargo hauling position to the seating position, the seat bottom portion is pivotable from the stored position to the seating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8152672
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes an axle, a differential, a differential lock, a blocking member, and a pump. The differential is coupled with the axle and configured to facilitate operation of the axle at an axle speed. The differential lock is associated with the differential and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The blocking member is associated with the differential lock and is movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, the differential lock is inhibited from moving to the locked position. The pump includes an outlet in fluid communication with the blocking member. The pump is operably coupled with the axle and is configured to facilitate movement of the blocking member into the blocking position when the axle speed is above a threshold speed. Vehicles including a differential assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darin D. King, Daniel T. Sellars, Ryan J. Holoweiko, Jason W. Grundey
  • Publication number: 20120032431
    Abstract: A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle includes a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, and an overload indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Publication number: 20110241325
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roll cage and a net structure attached to the roll cage. The roll cage at least partially defines a protected area and at least partially defines an access opening communicating with the protected area. The net structure is selectively configurable in a lowered, closed configuration to at least inhibit passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening, and is further selectively configurable in a generally rolled-up, open configuration to facilitate passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Darin D. King, Ryan J. Holoweiko, Drey A. Dircks, Michael V. Peterson, Jason W. Grundey