Safety Device Patents (Class 296/1.04)
  • Patent number: 9409522
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a door with a vehicle compartment includes an arm coupled with the compartment and with the door, a track fixed with the compartment, and a carrier pivotably coupled with the door and slidable along the track. The assembly further includes a spring coupled between the door and the compartment such that a contraction of the spring alone causes the door to move with rotation of the arm and movement of the carrier along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Simon, Christopher Emery Fesenmyer, Michael Neumann, Mike Sattler
  • Patent number: 8981965
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus to assist in parking a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a housing coupled to the vehicle and at least one laser coupled to the housing. The laser emanates light that impinges on a surface peripheral to the vehicle. The light indicates a target on the surface and a proximity to a boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Jatcom Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Hider, Janice Marie Hider
  • Patent number: 8910986
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle fascia assembly is provided. The fascia assembly includes a bumper cover and an impact sensor assembly attached to, without mechanically fastening, the bumper cover. The sensor assembly includes a housing configured to selectively rotate from a first position to a second position, a sensor disposed within the housing, and a wall preventing access to the sensor when the housing is in the first position. The sensor is accessible when the housing is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jayagopal Appukutty, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Erich Kemnitz
  • Patent number: 8894119
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle fascia assembly is provided. The fascia assembly includes a bumper cover and an impact sensor assembly attached to, without mechanically fastening, the bumper cover. The impact sensor assembly includes a housing, a sensor disposed within the housing, and a planar tab bonded to the bumper cover. The impact sensor assembly is spaced away from the bumper cover a distance no greater than a thickness of the planar tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kevin Kula, Steven Yellin Schondorf, Yeruva Satya Reddy, Erich Kemnitz
  • Publication number: 20140339842
    Abstract: A protector with a sensor is installed on a sliding door for detecting an alien substance by touch between two core wires in a hollow part. In a terminal part of the protector with the sensor, the core wires drawn out are connected with leads joined with a control unit, an insert fills up a space and the terminal part is die molded. Materials of the insert and the die molding material have compatibility with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimichi KAWAGUCHI, Takahiro YAMAKI
  • Patent number: 8876197
    Abstract: A road vehicle has an instrument panel substrate supported by a sheet metal body cowl. The body cowl is configured to be supported by a firewall of the vehicle. A fastener joins the instrument panel substrate and the body cowl comprising a magnetic member mechanically affixed to one of the instrument panel substrate or the body cowl at a predetermined location. The magnetic member attaches with a substantially horizontal magnetic surface of the other one of the instrument panel substrate or the body cowl. The magnetic member vertically separates from the magnetic surface in response to an impact force applied against the body cowl that is greater than a predetermined force. Furthermore, the magnetic attachment of the magnetic member to the magnetic surface prevents separation below the predetermined force. Thus, the conflicting demands of squeak and rattle performance versus pedestrian protection are easily satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sreenivas Kuchibhatla, Jeffrey P. Webb, Richard L. Routson
  • Patent number: 8869733
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an outrigger protection system for protecting an individual's foot from being crushed by a moving outrigger. The outrigger protection system includes a bottom plate and an outwardly extending protection element. The bottom plate is securable to the bottom of the conventional outrigger. The outwardly extending protection element can be integral with the either the bottom plate or the bottom of the outrigger and extends beyond the perimeter of the foot of the outrigger. If someone were standing in the way of the outrigger when the outrigger was being moved the protection element would strike the leg or shin. If, however, the outrigger protection system were to land on the foot, it would not crush the foot as it is non-weight-bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Alex Parnell
  • Patent number: 8864196
    Abstract: A pedestrian collision detection device is obtained that is capable of improving pedestrian detection performance in the vicinity of a bumper corner portion. A pedestrian collision detection device includes a chamber member disposed with pressure detectors, and an ECU is connected to the pressure detectors. Terminal portions of the chamber member are wrapped around so as to cover vehicle width direction outside end faces of bumper reinforcement at bumper corner portion sides. When a load of a specific value or greater is input to the terminal portions of the chamber member from a bumper cover side during a collision, the terminal portions obtain a reactive force from the bumper reinforcement and undergo compression deformation towards the vehicle width direction inside, and the pressure inside a pressure chamber of the chamber member changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehisa Shamoto
  • Patent number: 8610598
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus to aid in parking a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mounting member, a horizontal member, a vertical member, and an indicator. The horizontal member is coupled to the mounting member. The horizontal member extends from the vehicle and defines a required distance from a side of the vehicle to a first periphery of a parking space. The vertical member is coupled to the horizontal member that defines a second periphery. The indicator is coupled to the vertical member such that the first periphery may be compared with the second periphery in aligning the vehicle within the parking space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Jatcom Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Hider, Janice Marie Hider
  • Patent number: 8485580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for protecting the head of a child from bumps against the roof and rear doorframe of a vehicle as the child is placed in the child safety seat or removed from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Sarah Ackerstein Klein
  • Publication number: 20130152520
    Abstract: Ribs 13 are protruded from a lid 8 and a housing body so as to prevent a sphere B with a diameter of 100 mm stipulated in outer protrusion requirements from contacting with a latch 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS LTD
    Inventors: Kuniharu Tobe, Masahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 8342593
    Abstract: An anti-extremity pinch garnish for preventing pinching of extremities between a hinged edge portion of a vehicle closure and an adjacent portion of a vehicle body to which the vehicle closure is pivotally mounted includes a first portion secured to the vehicle body adjacent an opening defined therein and a second portion integral with said first portion and configured to obstruct entry of an extremity between the hinged edge portion of the closure and the adjacent portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Ruby, III, Michael E. Franz
  • Patent number: 8287033
    Abstract: In a construction machine such as a hydraulic excavator in which a boom of a working attachment is arranged to one of the left and right sides of a cab into which an operator gets on, a load transmission member for transmitting a lateral load imposed on the cab at the time of rollover of a machine main body to the boom serving as a load receiving member is attached to a side surface of the boom in a state that the load transmission member is elastically deformable taking a boom attachment point as a supporting point, further, a projection piece is provided for this load transmission member, and a clearance is formed between this projection piece and a left end surface of a top plate of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Yamamoto, Yoshiaki Murakami, Masakazu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8191953
    Abstract: A vehicular console storage system has a pivotable lid and a striker movable with the lid. A pawl is mounted in a fixed location for selectably receiving the striker, wherein the pawl is movable between a latching position and a release position. The pawl holds the striker so that the lid is held closed when in the latching position, and the pawl has a cam surface. A spring-loaded cam follower is at least in partial contact with the cam surface and is movable between an extended position and a retracted position to provide a first resistance to motion of the pawl from the latching position to the release position. The first resistance is easily overcome by manual manipulation by a user. A movable lever has an activated position and a deactivated position, wherein the activated position interferes with movement of the pawl from the latching position to the release position. An inertial sensor is provided for moving the movable lever to the activated position in response to a predetermined acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Simon, Raymond A. Oldani
  • Publication number: 20110298237
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for protecting the head of a child from bumps against the roof and rear doorframe of a vehicle as the child is placed in the child safety seat or removed from it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: SARAH ACKERSTEIN KLEIN
  • Patent number: 7967359
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for deflecting mud from the foot area of an all terrain vehicle includes a substantially vertical barrier disposed adjacent to the foot area of the all terrain vehicle. The apparatus comprises a mud deflector stretched between a front fender and a rear fender. The apparatus may comprises a mud deflector configured from an elastomeric material stretched between a front fender and a rear fender and attached to the front and rear fenders by a plurality of attachment clips. In certain embodiments the apparatus may comprise a mud deflector configured from a rigid material attached to the front and rear fenders of the all terrain vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Wayne A. Bowles
  • Patent number: 7959202
    Abstract: A vehicle tray having an open-prevention mechanism may include a rotating member integrally connected to a tray cover and rotatably coupled to the tray to support the tray cover, and an inertia detecting member pivotally coupled to the tray, a portion of the inertia detecting member being selectively engaged with a stopper portion of the rotating member according to an impact to prevent rotation of the rotating member when the impact greater than a predetermined level is applied to the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Gye Young Ahn
  • Publication number: 20110089713
    Abstract: A door trim 10 having a side-impact absorption capability includes a base 22 having suction holes 23 and grooves 24 on a rear side between the adjacent suction holes 23. The base 22 is covered with a top cover 50 that is clung to a surface of the base 22 by applying vacuum through the suction holes 23. The suction holes 23 and the grooves 24 deform in conjunction with each other in a side collision and this improves the side-impact absorption capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mamoru YAMAGUCHI, Yoshiaki MAESOBA
  • Publication number: 20100060023
    Abstract: The “ATV Universal Safety Bar” is universal in nature meaning that it is intented to fit most any ATV that has a rear trailer towing device. Its purpose is to prevent an ATV from flipping backward, causing injury or death. The intended purpose of this device is for safety. It should fit most all older ATV's as well as new ones. It is designed with a spring action when the wheel comes in contact with the surface and when the front of the ATV begins to rear upward. The safety bar will probably be manufactured to be assembled by the consumer. The metal tubing (pipe) will be approximately 3? in diameter about 1?6? long. The spring shock that the wheel is mounted to will be approximately 6? long. The wheel mounted to the spring shock will be approximately 5? in diameter. The coupling connected to the trailer towing mount can have at least two different designs to fit various ATV's.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Terry Wayne Adkins
  • Patent number: 7651157
    Abstract: A safety device a for a vehicle including a load distributing member for arrangement in front of a vehicle seat so as to be exposed to an impact load from a vehicle occupant as the occupant moves forwardly in an impact situation, and a load deformable member arranged to retard the forward movement of the occupant, wherein the load deformable member is intended to be attached to the load distributing member and to a supporting member, which supporting member is intended to hold at least a part of the load deformable member in place in relation to the vehicle, and wherein the load distributing member is sufficiently rigid to allow the impact load to be distributed to the load deformable member. The safety device is characterized in that the load deformable member is intended to be arranged with regard to the load distributing member and the supporting member so as to be deformed by tensile and/or shear forces in the event of an impact situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tony Jonsson
  • Patent number: 7591095
    Abstract: A warning plate assembly for indicating the excess width of a tractor, in particular an agricultural tractor. The assembly comprises a holder having a fixing part (1) attached to the vehicle and a deployable arm (3) carrying the warning plate (9). The deployable arm (3) is swivellable about a vertical swivel axis (2a) of the fixing part between a lockable deployed position, in which the deployable arm and the warning plate are disposed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a lockable retracted position in which the deployable arm is disposed substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The length of the deployable arm (3) is adjustable (6,7) to cater for different widths of vehicle. The warning plate may be in two halves (10,11) hinged about a vertical axis so that the halves can be folded one over the over for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Anton Kollmann
  • Publication number: 20090230709
    Abstract: A large utility vehicle featuring a side sliding door and bottom-mounted scuff plate, occupant safety features, capable of high-speed performance, off-road, rough terrain transport, Motion-Pictures-taking, surveillance, pick-up, or/and rescue and other unique advantages for a new type utility vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Lawrence Beauchamp
  • Publication number: 20090200818
    Abstract: A retention system with a cover (3), which includes at least one attachment element (6), by means of which the cover (3) can be attached to a seat (2) for the restraint of a passenger covered with the cover (3) by two-dimensional absorption of force by means of the cover (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Gerhard Giesa, Thomas Rathmann-Ramlow
  • Patent number: 7520555
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformable structure to attach a child seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle is provided. The energy-absorbing deformable structure comprises a loop of metal rod including a base end configured to be coupled to the mounting portion of the vehicle, a distal end configured to be coupled to a child safety seat, and a plurality of sinuous deformable portions positioned intermediate to the base end and the distal end, wherein each of the sinuous deformable portions includes an inwardly extending portion that extends inward from a perimeter of the deformable structure to a substantially central interior region of the deformable structure; wherein the sinuous deformable portions of the deformable structure are configured to be deformed when the base end and distal end are pulled in tension, thereby absorbing energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Reddy Malapati, Chris O'Connor, Rodney Simon, Pardeep Kumar
  • Publication number: 20090071737
    Abstract: A utility vehicle (100) with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. The ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features enhance the utility of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Joshua J. Leonard, Richard Raymond Maki, Eric Bjerketvedt, Mitchell D. Johnson, Bradley Robert Morisch, Brian D. Krosschell, Louis J. Brady, James Bergman, Larry Holter, Richard Nelson, Lionel Hoff, Doug Moman, Michael D. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20090072587
    Abstract: A hood pop-up system for a vehicle that pops up a hood of the vehicle when a collision of the vehicle takes place, which includes: a hood pop-up unit which pops up the hood positioned at a closed position and supports the popped-up hood at a hood support position that is higher than the closed position; and a hood pop-up restricting unit which restricts upward movement of the popped-up hood at an uppermost pop-up position that is higher than the hood support position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Yusuke INOMATA, Mitsuo EHAMA, Nobuhiro IWAI, Yuusuke TSUSHIMA, Toshihiro YOSHITAKE, Kazuo HOSHINO
  • Patent number: 7475928
    Abstract: A collapsible safety barrier for protecting the rear window of the pickup truck and occupants in the cab, from any shifting cargo being transported in the bed. A collapsible safety barrier attached to the inside front bed rail of a pickup truck beneath the exterior of the rear cab window. When erected in the upright position, above said barrier protects passengers in truck cab from shifting cargo in the bed of the truck. In addition, from the erected position, said barrier permits protecting the front window of any installed truck cap from shifting or loading cargo. When not in use, said barrier retracts up to 180 degrees to an inverted position within the confines of a truck bed. When collapsed, it allows use of a rear split window for accessing the cargo area from within the cab or installation of truck bed cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Peter Clum, Jennifer Clum
  • Publication number: 20080258484
    Abstract: An electro-magnetic mechanism comprises a spring-operated rod (1) having a recess (1a) and a latching member (2) engageable in the recess to block motion of the rod. A release member (4) retains the latching member engaged in the recess (1a) in a first position of the release member and allows the latching member to be disengaged from the recess in a second position of the release member (4). A magnet (5) retains the release member in the first position and the mechanism includes means such as a spring (7) for urging the release member (4) to the second position. A coil (8) is arranged to demagnetise the magnet (5) at least such that the release member moves to the second position, the latching member (2) is disengaged from the recess (1a) and the rod (1) moves axially by spring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Niall Caldwell, Fergus R Mclntyre
  • Publication number: 20080258489
    Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle with a front portion and at least two headlamps spaced apart from each other is described. The vehicle includes a front hood which, in an accident, is displaced from its closed initial position into a raised safety position in which a gap is formed between the front hood and the front portion. To increase pedestrian protection, in the regions of the headlamps the safety device includes at least one covering element which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the gap is closed by the covering element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Martin Ebner, Oliver Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20080258485
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, including a plate member which is disposed at a front face of the vehicle, which includes front and rear portions, and which is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading end part of the front portion protruded from the front face of the vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg portion, wherein the leading end part includes at least one horizontally extending portion and a plurality of vertically extending portions each having an anterior surface substantially orthogonal to a horizontal plane, the horizontally extending portion and the vertically extending portions being formed integrally with the leading end part so as to be alternately disposed in the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle and extend in a staircase-like form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicants: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanobu Fukukawa, Yoshihiro Ogura, Kaoru Ito, Kuniaki Hasegawa, Hiroki Kurokawa, Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Naoki Goda
  • Patent number: 7416213
    Abstract: A safety device for reducing risk of injury to a vehicle occupant in the event of lateral impact accidents, includes at least one cushion element which is arranged on the vehicle, laterally adjacent to an occupant position, and can be moved by an actuating device from a rest position into a deployed position in the direction of the occupant position. The actuating device is driven by a vehicle-mounted drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Michael Fehring, Rainer Justen, Paul Ott, Axel Querengaesser
  • Patent number: 7407215
    Abstract: A tether anchor assembly is coupled to a vehicle allowing a child seat tether to be connected thereto. The anchor assembly includes a mounting bracket, a receiver bracket, a nylon loop and a boot. The mounting bracket is configured to be fixedly secured to the vehicle. The nylon loop extends through both the mounting bracket and receiver bracket. The boot includes a channel for concealing the receiver bracket and the loop when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: George Mike Chalhoub
  • Publication number: 20080136204
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformable structure to attach a child seat to a mounting portion of a vehicle is provided. The energy-absorbing deformable structure comprises a loop of metal rod including a base end configured to be coupled to the mounting portion of the vehicle, a distal end configured to be coupled to a child safety seat, and a plurality of sinuous deformable portions positioned intermediate to the base end and the distal end, wherein each of the sinuous deformable portions includes an inwardly extending portion that extends inward from a perimeter of the deformable structure to a substantially central interior region of the deformable structure; wherein the sinuous deformable portions of the deformable structure are configured to be deformed when the base end and distal end are pulled in tension, thereby absorbing energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Reddy Malapati, Chris O'Connor, Rodney Simon, Pardeep Kumar
  • Patent number: 7338112
    Abstract: Systems and methods for mounting an easily removable, external protective system on a vehicle such as an internal combustion vehicle such as a car, truck, SUV, etc. One function of the system is to allow the occupants to enter and exit the vehicle without removing the system. Certain embodiments of the invention will be discussed and illustrated principally as it applies to Land Rovers' Discovery SUV. However it can be applied to any of a variety of vehicles, or even other mobile units such as camper shells. The invention can be advantageous, for example, as it provides protection for the body of the vehicle from many impacts where it would normally be vulnerable. The system comprises removable external tubing attached to fixed mounting points and can be comprised of several mounting systems (see diagrams for specific construction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Exocage Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Ian D. Gilliland, William J. Dotinga, Jonathan D. Cowles
  • Patent number: 7322625
    Abstract: The Detachable Clearance Wands provide a driver of a large vehicle having slideout compartments with a clear dimension for the extension length of the slideout. The wands are attachable to the vehicle's side prior to parking it to provide the extension length without risk of damage to the slideout. The wands are length-adjustable so that they can be configured for any length slideout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: PCZ Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: David Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7287793
    Abstract: Detachable Clearance Wands are disclosed. The wands provide a driver of a large vehicle having slideout compartments with a clear dimension for the extension length of the slideout. The wands are attachable to the vehicle's side prior to parking it to provide the extension length without risk of damage to the slideout. The wands are length-adjustable so that they can be configured for any length slideout. In an alternate embodiment, the wands are comprised of several pieces of wand material interconnected to one another, such that the wand can be collapsed for consolidation and storage when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: DC2 Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: David Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7163256
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a lock with a movable locking element, particularly a rotary latch, which lock, in addition to being equipped with an electric unlocking device for the locking element, is equipped with a mechanical emergency unlocking device for the locking element. The emergency unlocking device includes a first pulling element which triggers the locking element independently of the electric unlocking device into a release position, in which release position a closing element is released which is fastened to a vehicle body part to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Haunstetter
  • Patent number: 7156443
    Abstract: A golf cart safety bar device is activated by occupied cart seats operatively installed on the cart frame to swivel about hinges and on spring biases. The safety bar device includes a pair of laterally adjacent driver/passenger seat bottoms each having a front end and a rear end. A weight is installed internally or externally of the cart frame to hold up the seat front at rest until the seating passenger depresses it. The weight means provides an eccentric weight about its own axis of rotation. A safety bar is fixed at one end to the weight means with the opposite end protruding upright at rest in preparation for a passenger to board the cart without a blocking. When passengers sit the safety bars are lowered limiting lateral outward movement of passengers from the cabin. The safety bars block the entrances or exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Man Young Jung
  • Patent number: 6715820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of tamper proofing a transport vessel such as a railroad car, a cargo truck or an ocean container. The transport vessel has a portion, such as an opening or a fitting, with multiple locations at risk of tampering. The portion of the transport vessel is covered with a pliable cover to cover the multiple locations. The cover is then sealed over the portion with a tamper proof seal in a manner effective to prevent removal of the cover, and to prevent access to the locations without tampering with the seal or the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Jones-Hamilton Company
    Inventor: Victor E. Haas