Plastic Patents (Class 296/181.2)
  • Patent number: 11760419
    Abstract: An embodiment plastic composite material panel includes an outer plate portion bent in a predetermined shape and configured to be bonded to a vehicle body frame through an adhesive, and a material filling portion integrally formed with the outer plate portion, the material filling portion being thicker than the outer plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Minsoo Kim, Joonghyun Shin, Yoonkyoung Han
  • Patent number: 11724751
    Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan J. McKinney, Austin Graham, Kyle E. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11554815
    Abstract: A method produces a fiber-reinforced body component for a motor vehicle. The body component has at least one opening, in particular one door opening or one window opening. The method includes at least the following steps: providing the body component; applying a reinforcing element made of fiber composite material having reinforcing fibers embedded in a matrix, in order to stiffen the body component, the matrix being in an uncured state, and the reinforcing element being applied to an opening frame of the opening, which opening frame is formed by the body component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christoph Mersmann
  • Patent number: 11400982
    Abstract: Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: 11318999
    Abstract: A body side panel includes a metal panel and plastics that are integrally-molded on the metal panel to reinforce the metal panel. The plastics include a plastic layer formed on a surface of the metal panel and ribs raised from the plastic layer. The ribs have plural straight ribs formed radially from an end edge portion of the metal panel on its outer circumferential side along the surface thereof, and a joint rib jointing the plural straight ribs so as to intersect therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Takemoto, Toshikazu Torigaki, Tetsuro Naito
  • Patent number: 11077894
    Abstract: An assembly of subassemblies having a mating bond interface for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a first subassembly of molded composite material and a second subassembly of molded composite material. An adjustable mating interface couples the subassemblies together. The interface includes a groove and a flange disposed on the first subassembly and bonded within the groove. The groove is sized and shaped relative to the size and shape of the flange to allow a bonding position of the flange within the groove to be adjusted during assembly of the subassemblies so that the mating interface is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Allen Grajek, Jesse Brian Straight, Dustin Martin Fowler, Shane Caird Morse
  • Patent number: 10556744
    Abstract: A base frame (34) which is universally usable for different modular structured conveying vehicles (30), in particular for shuttles (32), wherein the conveying vehicles (30) can travel horizontally along a travelling direction (52) in a storage and order-picking system (10), wherein the base frame (34) comprises a supporting frame (36) and a structure (38) connected to the frame (36), wherein at least the structure (38) is made of plastic only, and wherein the structure (38) comprises a plurality of component-specific seatings (58) being formed integrally with the structure (38) and being configured to positively hold in a resilient clamp at least one of the following functional components (60) of the respective conveying vehicle (30): a bearing (62); a driving unit (64); a sensor (66); an actuator (68); a load-handling device (70); a communication unit (78); a cabling (76); and an electric controlling unit (80) wherein each of the functional components (60) is positively insertable in or on the respective com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SSI SCHÄFER PEEM GMBH
    Inventor: Max Winkler
  • Patent number: 10300951
    Abstract: A vehicle floor assembly may include a frame and a floor panel attached to the frame via a plurality of mount fasteners, a plurality of string attachments, each welded to the frame and the floor panel to further attach the frame and the floor panel in addition to the mount fasteners and to provide additional resistance to buckling of the floor panel or the frame during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nour-Eddine Fellague
  • Patent number: 10286956
    Abstract: An impact protection element for a vehicle is disclosed. The impact protection element includes a side sill composed of fiber-reinforced plastic, where the side sill is formed as a hollow profiled element and includes an outer wall element, which forms an impact surface, and an inner wall element, which lies opposite the outer wall element and can be connected to a vehicle structure. A reinforcing element composed of fiber-reinforced plastic is disposed in the side sill and includes at least one flat connecting surface which connects the outer wall element to the inner wall element and is oriented substantially parallel to the XY plane of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lennart Keuthage, Robert Loch
  • Patent number: 10266124
    Abstract: A camera apparatus is provided. A bracket is fixed to a windshield of a vehicle. A camera case is fixed to the bracket. A camera module is fixed to the camera case and includes a lens. A hood intercepts light. When the camera apparatus is fixed to the vehicle, an inclination angle of an optical axis of the lens with respect to the camera case is adjusted so that an object present ahead of the vehicle is captured within an angle of view of the camera module. The camera apparatus detects a position of the object. The object includes a lane and another vehicle. Information on the object is used for lane departure alarm control, light control, or collision avoidance control. The type of the inclination angle of the optical axis with respect to the camera case or the type of a shape of the hood is visually displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nakano, Takeshi Kazama, Koji Wato
  • Patent number: 10252754
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reinforcing a vehicle subframe comprising one or more hollow sheet metal parts, comprising: determining at least one area on a hollow sheet metal part of a subframe with respect to specified conditions; preparing a reinforcement part which is insertable into the hollow sheet metal part at the determined area, wherein the reinforcement part comprises: a carrier having at least one hollow chamber; and a pre-foam of a foam material, which is able to expand after being heated, the pre-foam being isolated from the at least one hollow chamber and distributed at least partly on the periphery of the carrier; and installing the reinforcement part within the hollow sheet metal part at the determined area and heating the pre-foam such that it expands. The present invention also relates to a vehicle subframe reinforced by said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Qing Feng, Jingfen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10035545
    Abstract: The sill panel is of multi-part design and consists of a lower sill panel part facing the carriageway and composed of nonwoven fabric (LWRT) and of an upper adjoining sill panel part composed of plastic (PTT). The two sill panel parts are connected to each other by means of an edge-side overlap which is adhesively bonded or welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eberhard Palmer
  • Patent number: 10029734
    Abstract: An elongated beam, or rocker assembly, is disclosed that includes a first panel and a second panel attached to the first panel to define a cavity. A reinforcement is disposed in the cavity that includes a first tubular member adhesively connected to the first panel inside the cavity and a pair of tubular members are connected with an adhesive to the second panel, to each other, and the first tubular member. The tubular members are arranged in a triangular array within the cavity and extend along the length of the elongated beam. The wall thickness and bending strength of the tubular members are selected to provide an insert that collapses preferentially with the outer tubular member of the insert collapsing before the inner tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shaikh Akhlaque-e-rasul, Zhenyan Gao, Cheng Luo, William Moore Sherwood
  • Patent number: 10011301
    Abstract: A rear floor arrangement structure for a vehicle is provided. The rear floor arrangement structure includes a bottom part and a cross part that extends in a width direction of a vehicle body from one side of the bottom part. Additionally, a collision dispersion member is disposed at the bottom part and the cross part and the collision dispersion member extends along a collision direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Patent number: 9821731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle floor having a lower floor made from a composite material; and an upper floor made from a composite material, extending opposite at least part of the lower floor, the lower and upper floors being connected to one another. The floor includes at least one cavity at least partially delimited by the lower or upper floor and communicating with the exhaust line of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FAURECIA BLOC AVANT
    Inventors: Séverine Dubois, Cyrille Guyon
  • Patent number: 9738322
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle body includes the following components: a sill, roof frame, hinge pillar, outer shell and inner shell. The assembly is characterized by being very rigid and very firm, and having a high degree of structural possibilities whilst being relatively light in weight. The sill and the roof frame are formed by hollow profiles. The hinge pillar is made from an extruded fibrous composite. The sill, the roof frame and the hinge pillar are surrounded on the outer side and the inner side, at least partially, by the outer shell and the inner shell, such that the assembly components form a composite unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Matthiessen, Mark Muehlhausen, Thomas Schneidewind
  • Patent number: 9623638
    Abstract: A skin component for a vehicle for use as a roof module, an engine compartment hood or a trunk lid is disclosed. The skin component includes at least one supporting layer and a protective layer. The protective layer includes a fiber-reinforced band that is installed along at least one outer edge of the skin component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Lungershausen, Tino Jacob
  • Patent number: 9387884
    Abstract: A method for forming a vehicle body, comprising: forming a rigid tub; mating the rigid tub to a first mold for a superstructure of the vehicle body; and subsequently rigidifying material in the first mold while part of that material is in contact with the tub to thereby form the superstructure of the vehicle body integral with the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: McLaren Automotive Limited
    Inventor: Claudio Santoni
  • Patent number: 9233720
    Abstract: A product comprising a lateral beam system which may include a 4-bar beam having a first bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a vertical arc and a second bend forming a constant sweep across the length of the lateral beam creating a horizontal arc and which may also include a plurality of brackets which may be attached to the 4-bar beam and wherein the lateral beam system may be attached to a vehicle at an angled toward the front of the vehicle and a method of making the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert N. Saje, John C. Johnson, Terry A. Swartzell, Kevin J. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 9227672
    Abstract: A composite vehicle body panel includes a fiber reinforced plastic panel and a steel flange disposed in the fiber reinforced plastic panel and having an edge protruding outward from the fiber reinforced plastic panel beyond an outer edge of the fiber reinforced plastic panel. The composite vehicle body panel can be used in vehicle structures manufactured on standard vehicle productions lines, thereby easing vehicle manufacturing, improving productivity, and providing increased rigidity to the vehicle bodies. A method of manufacturing the composite vehicle body panel and a vehicle structure using the panel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dae Seung Kim, Heui Won Yang, Seongwook Seo
  • Patent number: 9096269
    Abstract: A structure for a passenger vehicle interior is a structure for constituting the vehicle interior of a passenger vehicle, is formed in a monocoque structure in which the entire structure from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle interior is integrally formed by a fiber-reinforced resin, has a bowl-shaped structure part which is provided at least on the front side among the front side and the rear side of the structure and which opens toward the rear side, and has a side-wall part formed as a vertical wall that is continuous with the bowl-shaped structure part and extends in a front-rear direction of the structure, at each of both side parts of the structure, and a manufacturing method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukitane Kimoto, Toshihide Sekido, Nobuhiko Shimizu, Toru Yamanaka, Kosaku Hashimoto, Yoshito Kuroda, Takao Sano, Hiroki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8991900
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle skeleton member including a composite material of a thermoplastic resin and a carbon fiber, wherein the composite material is a unidirectional carbon-fiber composite material (A) that a form of the carbon fiber in the composite material is a continuous fiber aligned in one direction and/or a random carbon-fiber composite material (B) that a form of the carbon fiber in the composite material is a discontinuous fiber arranged two-dimensionally randomly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamaji, Yutaka Yagi, Masatomo Teshima, Koji Suzuki, Toru Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8827340
    Abstract: A method for fastening an in particular tub-shaped floor panel to an in particular frame-like vehicle structure is provided. The method includes applying an adhesive to a contact surface of the floor panel and/or of the vehicle structure, and joining the floor panel and the vehicle structure. The method includes expanding and/or activating the adhesive by heating the joint vehicle structure-floor panel composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fabian De Luca, Juergen Hulbert
  • Publication number: 20140203142
    Abstract: Refractive body panels replace traditional metal or fiberglass panels and consist primarily of dyed and moldable plastic in a prism configuration under clear polycarbonate; a bi-layer unit working in concert to scatter and/or change the direction of light to illuminate the exterior and increase safety and performance; the bi-layer unit works together to reduce the weight of a vehicle; the dyed prism allows for panels in various colors: the panels attach to a vehicle's frame as a direct pre-market or post-market replacement (including polyurethane bumpers) and require minimal modifications to the structural design of foot-powered vehicles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, boats, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Anthony Travalini
  • Patent number: 8714630
    Abstract: A flat vehicle body component made of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic has at least one interconnecting web that protrudes from the flat vehicle body component and that is made entirely of the matrix material epoxy resin. A mounting part at least partially envelops the interconnecting web in a force locking manner, so that the mounting part is clamped securely on the interconnecting web. The mounting part has at least one hole that can be used for fastening another component. An additional component may be fastened in the hole in a conventional manner, so that the carbon fiber reinforced plastic component does not need corresponding holes. The interconnecting web may be integrally molded on the vehicle body component during its manufacture so that practically no additional engineering effort is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Schmied, Carsten Mueller, Rastislav Takacs, Thomas Schnaufer, Siegfried Stoeckl
  • Patent number: 8690226
    Abstract: The invention provides a structure for automotive vehicle manufactured by rotational molding process having enough stiffness, strength and durability to sustain the weight of passengers without requiring any supporting sub-frames. The multilayer structure along with foam layer is used to provide additional impact strength and reliability to the structure of the vehicle against accidents. The single step production of structurally complex shaped body parts for automotive vehicle enables economic manufacturing and assembly of the automotive vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tata Technologies Pte Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Stephen Ellis, Nigel Giddons, John William Taylor, Kanu Chunilal Mehta, Gavin John Stormer, Kevin Fisher
  • Publication number: 20130249242
    Abstract: A structure for a passenger vehicle interior is a structure for constituting the vehicle interior of a passenger vehicle, is formed in a monocoque structure in which the entire structure from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle interior is integrally formed by a fiber-reinforced resin, has a bowl-shaped structure part which is provided at least on the front side among the front side and the rear side of the structure and which opens toward the rear side, and has a side-wall part formed as a vertical wall that is continuous with the bowl-shaped structure part and extends in a front-rear direction of the structure, at each of both side parts of the structure, and a manufacturing method therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukitane Kimoto, Toshihide Sekido, Nobuhiko Shimizu, Toru Yamanaka, Kosaku Hashimoto, Yoshito Kuroda, Takao Sano, Hiroki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8511742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle component made of plastic, in particular a vehicle body shell component, with at least one supporting layer, with at least one outer skin and with at least one tear-resistant splinter protection layer. According to the invention, the splinter protection layer is formed as a splinter protection fabric and is embedded in the at least one supporting layer, in particular in the edge region thereof, or between two adjacent layers. The splinter protection fabric has the effect of avoiding sharp-edged breaks of the vehicle component in an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Dirk Legler, Jan Woköck, Adam Wagner, Thomas Peter, Michael Kölbl, Thomas Stemmer, Petra Heuser, Detlev Mies, Hans-Jürgen Liebig
  • Publication number: 20130193713
    Abstract: A method for producing a body of a passenger car is provided. A plurality of body components are connected to each other, the body components are provided at least in part with a plastic. The body is produced in a combined internal high pressure forming and injection molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Eckhard Reese
  • Publication number: 20130147232
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a main body and a low body coupled to a lower portion of the main body, wherein the main body includes a main inner skin made of fiber reinforced plastic, a main core frame coupled to the main inner skin, a main reinforcing frame coupled to the main core frame, and a main outer skin coupled to the main reinforcing frame and made of fiber reinforced plastic, wherein the main inner skin, the main core frame, the main reinforcing frame, and the main outer skin of the main body are formed integrally by molding, and wherein a front surface, a back surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, and an upper surface of each of the main inner skin, the main core frame, the main reinforcing frame, and the main outer skin are formed integrally by molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byung Ha Min
  • Patent number: 8419108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a tailgate box and at least one link designed to be fitted on the box. The box is designed to receive a part that is fastened to the box by adhesive, said box having for this purpose an adhesive track, the box also including at least one lateral upright comprising a section member of open cross-section with the opening therein interrupting the adhesive track. The link comprises an additional segment of adhesive track, and the link and the upright being shaped so that the link can be fitted on the upright in such a manner that it closes the cross-section of the section member and causes the additional segment to span the interruption in the adhesive track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Franck Leterrier, Bertrand Hache
  • Publication number: 20130076069
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a support structure formed of a chassis frame and a vehicle body. The chassis frame and vehicle body are bolted together by four bolt locations in the area of upper supports of the spring struts of the front and rear axle. The chassis frame and vehicle body are also glued to each other along segments of the support structure thereof extending parallel to each other, wherein adhesive surfaces are located in the area between the front and rear bolt locations. The adhesive in the middle area of the motor vehicle ensures a large surface area for force application from the chassis frame into the vehicle body and vice versa, which is supplemented by the bolt locations outside of the adhesive joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
  • Publication number: 20130015008
    Abstract: An exterior cover (shroud) for a saddle-type vehicle is formed by integrally uniting a plurality of resin members including a front cover section and a rear cover section. The shroud is insert molded to form an overlapping part where the front cover section and the rear cover section overlap with each other. The front cover section has an external-appearance-surface side at the overlapping part. The rear cover section has a non-external-appearance-surface side, which overlaps with the front cover section at the overlapping part. The rear cover section has a rib extending on the non-external-appearance-surface side. Such exterior cover prevents a sink mark from being generated in the external appearance surface of the front cover section, and improves the external appearance of vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shiro YAMA, Yusuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8276975
    Abstract: An FRP panel for an automobile, comprising a panel element to which a difference in rigidity and/or a difference in strength is provided between a first FRP layer on a first surface side and a second FRP layer on a second surface side on the opposite side of the first surface. The FRP panel for the automobile having a crushable structure suitable for absorbing impact can be realized, and the impact on a pedestrian in collision can be suppressed by properly absorbing the impact to protect the pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukitane Kimoto, Hiroshi Kiyama, Shigeru Kawashima, Yuugo Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8221874
    Abstract: A durable composite sheet is provided, with a method of manufacturing the composite sheet. The method includes using a crack-resistant reinforcement panel between a gel coat and a reinforcement panel, which may be of lauan or of other materials. At least one outer coat of material is applied onto a mold surface. A barrier layer may be formed on the outer coat, preferably by spraying. At least one coat of a resin material, containing a curable resin and optionally a filler, and a fibrous reinforcement material are applied over the outer coat (over the barrier layer if present) to form a reinforcement layer. The reinforcement panel is applied to the crack-resistant reinforcement layer, and is bonded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Crane Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Robert Barney, Todd B. Irick
  • Patent number: 8070213
    Abstract: A method of reducing discordance among components of a molded trim piece assembly includes making each of the plurality of components according to a component configuration pattern adapted to mitigate deformation of the plurality of components, and making each of the plurality of components according to a joint configuration pattern adapted to mitigate misalignment between the plurality of components at a joint. A machine includes a molded trim piece assembly configured to amount to a body of the machine, such as to a fender of the machine, which includes a plurality of components having a component configuration pattern adapted to mitigate deformation of the plurality of components and a joint configuration pattern adapted to mitigate misalignment at a joint between the plurality of components, when mounted to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Egging, Darshit Gohel, Steven Wells
  • Patent number: 8047594
    Abstract: A detachable body for a motorcycle trike has a rigid trunk section with an interior volume, the body being configured for location between rear wheel assemblies of the trike. A door adjacent the volume is operable to allow access to the volume. At least two attachment features provide for releasably attaching the body to a frame of the trike, the attachment features being operable without the use of tools for attaching and detaching the body from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Lawayne L. Matthies
  • Publication number: 20110193315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tricycle having one front wheel and two rear wheels, the tricycle including: a seat frame mounted on a support frame to which the rear wheels are coupled, and having a concave seat formed at the front center thereof; side plates and a rear plate fixed at the bottom ends thereof to the both sides and the rear side of the seat frame; a plurality of space bars disposed spaced apart from each other between the side plates formed on the both sides of the seat frame; and a canopy mounted supportedly onto the plurality of space bars disposed between the side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Laura Hija J. Kim
  • Publication number: 20110101731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle component made of plastic, in particular a vehicle body shell component, with at least one supporting layer, with at least one outer skin and with at least one tear-resistant splinter protection layer. According to the invention, the splinter protection layer is formed as a splinter protection fabric and is embedded in the at least one supporting layer, in particular in the edge region thereof, or between two adjacent layers. The splinter protection fabric has the effect of avoiding sharp-edged breaks of the vehicle component in an accident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Dirk Legler, Jan Woköck, Adam Wagner, Thomas Peter, Michael Kölbl, Thomas Stemmer, Petra Heuser, Detlev Mies, Hans-Jürgen Liebig
  • Publication number: 20110080020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a bodyshell structure for a motor vehicle, wherein a sheet-like textile support element impregnated with a curable matrix material is provided and, following the positioning of suitable reinforcing and moulding elements, moulded around at least one mould core, whereupon the matrix material is cured. After the removal of the at least one mould core, a single-piece bodyshell structure joined by adhesive force remains. The invention further relates to a bodyshell structure produced by means of this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Ilzhoefer, Asmir Salkic
  • Publication number: 20110057476
    Abstract: A side wall for a motor vehicle has an inside shell made of steel plate and an outside covering connected with (particularly welded to) the inside shell. The outside covering comprises an inside panel made of a steel alloy and an outside panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Markus BECK, Steffen Dingfelder, Karl-Heinz Fueller, Berthold Hopf, Oliver Quirin, Oliver Roecker
  • Patent number: 7901537
    Abstract: A cargo trailer includes a floor, a roof and a side wall extending vertically upward between the floor and roof. The side wall includes a substantially gas impermneable outer liner panel and a substantially gas impermeable inner liner panel. The inner liner panel includes at least one glass and polymer layer and one gas impermeable barrier layer. The inner liner panel can also be used to form the roof and replace the outer liner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Great Dane Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John M. Jones, Charles R. Fetz, Daniel J. McCormack, Maung Aye Than, Melanie R. Tatum
  • Patent number: 7850225
    Abstract: A motorcycle having an external appearance rich in change without increased cost. A front-side side cover has first edge parts adjoining a body frame. Portions of the first edge parts are in approximately the same position in a vehicle width direction as outermost faces of an outer surface of the body frame adjoined to outermost faces of outer surfaces of the portions. The remaining portion of the first edge parts is inside the outermost face of the outer surface of the body frame adjoined to the outermost face of an outer surface of the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Nobuhira, Toshiaki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7850221
    Abstract: A cowling structure is provided for a motorcycle in which a radiator is disposed behind a front wheel of the motorcycle. The cowling structure includes a main cowling and a sub cowling. The main cowling covers a periphery of the radiator from the front of a handlebar. The sub cowling is provided in the rear of the cowling through a space. The sub cowling is separate from the cowling. The cowling structure allows wind to effectively hit a radiator, and reduces a force necessary for inclining a vehicle body at the time of cornering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Nakata, Takanori Okuma, Shinichi Kokubu, Hiromasa Yamaguchi, Yasushi Sato, Hiroto Yoshiki
  • Patent number: 7678469
    Abstract: A decorative sheet that may be attached to a surface of an object includes a base member, which has first and second opposed principal surfaces; a protective layer, which is arranged over the first principal surface of the base member; and a coloring layer, which is arranged either over the second principal surface of the base member or between the base member and the protective layer and which includes a pigment. The protective layer has a thickness of about 30 ?m to about 60 ?m and includes about 1.4 wt % to about 4.0 wt % of UV absorbent material. The coloring layer has a thickness of about 15 ?m to about 80 ?m and includes about 1.0 wt % to about 4.0 wt % of UV absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohiro Morozumi, Yasuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7669678
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an all terrain straddle-type vehicle for carrying a load including a rider. The vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a rear fender, a front fender, and a body panel. The wheels, including front and rear wheels coupled to the frame. The fenders are secured to the frame for covering the wheels. The fenders are formed from a plastic material having a smooth portion and a textured portion thereon. The smooth and textured portions are disposed adjacent to one another and formed integrally on the fender. The textured portion is positioned on the fender in a location of frequent rider or other load contact. The body panel is secured to the frame forward of the rear fender. The body panel includes a textured portion situated in a location of frequent rider contact. A method of manufacturing a fender is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Benedict, Ole E. Tweet
  • Patent number: 7661754
    Abstract: A skeleton or frame for building an enclosed structure with a load bearing support system for supporting one or more levels of accessories to provide one or more additional levels of load bearing surfaces. The frame comprises at least two side portions comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced sidewall posts and at least one transverse member connecting the two side frames for mounting various panels (e.g., a roof, floor, wall, door, window, sunroof, refrigerator unit, air conditioner unit, etc.) and accessories (e.g., a shelf, drawer, bin, cabinet, platform, cot, sliding rack, bucket, bench and the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: JDM Venture, LLC
    Inventor: William Taylor
  • Patent number: 7659007
    Abstract: A decorative sheet includes a base member having a principal surface, and a decoration layer disposed on the principal surface of the base member. The base member is formed from a first resin material. The decoration layer includes a resin layer formed from a second resin material having a deflection temperature under load which is lower than that of the first resin material, and a metal layer which is in contact with the resin layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Suzuki, Naohiro Morozumi
  • Patent number: 7568753
    Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles with reconfigured, or flexed panel, bodies. The bodies include at least one reconfigured, or flexed, body panel that is retained in a biased, or flexed, configuration and/or against its internal bias to move from the flexed configuration. In some embodiments, the body has an exterior shape that is determined at least in part by the at least one flexed body panel. In some embodiments, the at least one body panel is integrally formed with other portions of the ride-on's body, and in some embodiments, a portion of the body panel remains in an unflexed configuration when another portion of the body panel is retained in the flexed configuration. In some embodiments, the vehicles include at least one retainer that engages a flexed panel and retains the panel in a defined position relative to another portion of the ride-on's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert L. Arendt, John L. Jones, Jr., Michael B. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 7537271
    Abstract: Vehicles, such as all terrain vehicles, can be provided with a frame and a fender assembly. The fender assembly can have layered fender panels attached together with a bolt and T-nut. A channel can be formed between the fender panels to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway. A seat includes a compression surface for sandwiching the fender assembly with respect to the frame. Front and rear fender assemblies can be attached to the frame by a midpoint fastener passing through respective apertures in each of the front and rear fender assemblies, through a grommet, and into the frame. A stay assembly attaches a mudguard to the fender assembly, and can involve a swivel clip. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Hlopick, Darin D. King, Daniel Thomas Sellars, Matthew Alexander, Scott Daniel Batdorf