Patents by Inventor Kenichi Kitayama

Kenichi Kitayama 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: 8550537
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle comprising a body panel including a flange defining an opening. The opening is shaped to receive a component selected from a door, a trunk or a tailgate. The component includes a main body panel and an interior lining having a substantially coplanar region facing the flange when the component is in a closed position. An elongated resilient sealing member is secured to the coplanar region of the component. The sealing member includes a base engaging the interior lining and a tubular body projecting from said base opposite the lining. An arm extends from an edge of the base and overlaps the interior lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Masatoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 8469409
    Abstract: A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Plett, Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8376449
    Abstract: A spoiler assembly for a rear hatch closure assembly on a vehicle includes a base member extending laterally across the hatch closure assembly, a latch mounted to the base member, and a shell member secured to the base member to cover and conceal the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8333426
    Abstract: A rise-up panoramic roof provided on a roof opening of a body of a vehicle comprises a frame member and a lift assembly. The frame member has a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion is hingedly connected to the vehicle body such that the frame member does not slide relative to the body. The frame member is configured to hold a roof panel. The lift assembly is configured to move the frame member between a closed position where the rear portion of the frame member closes the opening of the vehicle body and a raised, open position where the frame member is raised from the vehicle body and the rear portion is located above the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Inc., Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Yoshitaka Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8328270
    Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a vehicle body defining an opening, a latch assembly mounted to the vehicle body, a track mounted to the vehicle body, a slidable closure movable with respect to the vehicle body for selectively covering the opening, and a roller and striker assembly connected with the slidable closure for movement with the slidable closure. The roller and striker assembly includes a roller riding on the track and a striker for cooperating with the latch assembly. The roller moves with respect to the track to allow the slidable closure to move with respect to the vehicle body. The striker engages with the latch assembly to preclude movement of the slidable closure with respect to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Michael A. Schrader
  • Patent number: 8308221
    Abstract: A roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure includes a bracket secured to an associated sliding vehicle closure and a ball-type roller secured to the bracket at a location spaced apart from the associated sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the associated sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8215701
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle including a vehicle body having a passage receiving a door. A plurality of sealing elements are located between the door and the vehicle body. A first sealing element having a resilient surface portion and a relatively more rigid body portion shaped to engage a body flange is provided to seal an upper region of the passage. A second sealing element comprising a resilient section and a mating section adapted to mate with a door panel is provided and cooperates with the vehicle body to seal the lower region of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20120153666
    Abstract: An automobile vehicle including a vehicle body having a passage receiving a door. A plurality of sealing elements are located between the door and the vehicle body. A first sealing element having a resilient surface portion and a relatively more rigid body portion shaped to engage a body flange is provided to seal an upper region of the passage. A second sealing element comprising a resilient section and a mating section adapted to mate with a door panel is provided and cooperates with the vehicle body to seal the lower region of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20120139287
    Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a vehicle body defining an opening, a latch assembly mounted to the vehicle body, a track mounted to the vehicle body, a slidable closure movable with respect to the vehicle body for selectively covering the opening, and a roller and striker assembly connected with the slidable closure for movement with the slidable closure. The roller and striker assembly includes a roller riding on the track and a striker for cooperating with the latch assembly. The roller moves with respect to the track to allow the slidable closure to move with respect to the vehicle body. The striker engages with the latch assembly to preclude movement of the slidable closure with respect to the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Michael A. Schrader
  • Publication number: 20120112494
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle comprising a body panel including a flange defining an opening. The opening is shaped to receive a component selected from a door, a trunk or a tailgate. The component includes a main body panel and an interior lining having a substantially coplanar region facing the flange when the component is in a closed position. An elongated resilient sealing member is secured to the coplanar region of the component. The sealing member includes a base engaging the interior lining and a tubular body projecting from said base opposite the lining. An arm extends from an edge of the base and overlaps the interior lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Masatoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 8167357
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a hatch frame slidably mounted thereto. A hatch closure is pivotally mounted to the hatch frame. The hatch frame is slidably movable between a slide closed position and a slide open position and the hatch closure is pivotally movable between a pivot closed position and a pivot open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8152230
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a tailgate, a panoramic roof assembly and a dual-action rear hatch. The panoramic roof assembly has a plurality of positions including a closed position and a raised position. The dual-action rear hatch has a sliding mode wherein the hatch is movable from a closed position to a slide forward position wherein the rear hatch is received under the roof assembly when in the raised position, and has a flip-open position wherein the rear hatch is flipped-open while in a slide closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8136862
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes a multi-piece frame. The multi-piece frame includes a left frame assembly, a right frame assembly, an upper frame member and a lower frame member. The upper frame member and lower frame member extend laterally along a respective top section and a bottom section of the frame for interconnecting the left and right frame assemblies. The multi-piece frame defines a generally continuous closed boxed structure which extends about a periphery of the multi-piece frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Bator, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8132846
    Abstract: A slide hatch assembly for selectively closing a rear cargo opening on a vehicle includes a hatch frame slidably mounted to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The hatch assembly further includes at least one front rail mounted to the vehicle body and at least one rear rail mounted to the vehicle body. At least one front roller assembly slidably connects the hatch frame to the at least one front rail and at least one rear roller assembly slidably connects the hatch frame to the at least one rear rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120032473
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a tailgate, a panoramic roof assembly and a dual-action rear hatch. The panoramic roof assembly has a plurality of positions including a closed position and a raised position. The dual-action rear hatch has a sliding mode wherein the hatch is movable from a closed position to a slide forward position wherein the rear hatch is received under the roof assembly when in the raised position, and has a flip-open position wherein the rear hatch is flipped-open while in a slide closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120032474
    Abstract: A spoiler assembly for a rear hatch closure assembly on a vehicle includes a base member extending laterally across the hatch closure assembly, a latch mounted to the base member, and a shell member secured to the base member to cover and conceal the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120032471
    Abstract: A slide hatch assembly for selectively closing a rear cargo opening on a vehicle includes a hatch frame slidably mounted to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The hatch assembly further includes at least one front rail mounted to the vehicle body and at least one rear rail mounted to the vehicle body. At least one front roller assembly slidably connects the hatch frame to the at least one front rail and at least one rear roller assembly slidably connects the hatch frame to the at least one rear rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120032469
    Abstract: A rise-up panoramic roof provided on a roof opening of a body of a vehicle comprises a frame member and a lift assembly. The frame member has a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion is hingedly connected to the vehicle body such that the frame member does not slide relative to the body. The frame member is configured to hold a roof panel. The lift assembly is configured to move the frame member between a closed position where the rear portion of the frame member closes the opening of the vehicle body and a raised, open position where the frame member is raised from the vehicle body and the rear portion is located above the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Yoshitaka Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20120032472
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a hatch frame slidably mounted thereto. A hatch closure is pivotally mounted to the hatch frame. The hatch frame is slidably movable between a slide closed position and a slide open position and the hatch closure is pivotally movable between a pivot closed position and a pivot open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20110314740
    Abstract: A window opening device for use in an automobile door. The device including a motor having a drive gear comprised of a tooth region and a head region. The diameter of the head region is greater than the diameter of the tooth region. A sector gear engages the tooth region and the head region overlaps the sector gear. A first lever arm has a drive end engaging the sector gear and a window end engaging a window. The motor is secured to a body plate configured for mounting to a door. The body plate includes an opening through which the drive gear passes to facilitate engagement with the sector gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Kenichi Kitayama