On Dash Patents (Class 296/37.12)
  • Patent number: 8827341
    Abstract: A vehicle portable device holder is provided which includes a housing defining a storage space for storing an extending member. The extending member is configured to travel between a stored and a use position. A cradle may be attached to the extending member while in the use position so that a portable device may be secured and accessed by passengers inside the vehicle. When no longer being used, the cradle may be removed from the extending member so that the extending member may be properly stowed in the stored position within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Vincent Sofield
  • Patent number: 8807621
    Abstract: A unit for storing items in a motor vehicle interior includes a main storage compartment and a docking station for a portable electronic device such as a smart phone or a navigation device. A main cover is movably attached to the storage compartment to enclose the main storage compartment, and a docking cover encloses a sub-portion of the storage compartment. The docking cover is movable to an in-service position wherein its underside is exposed. A device holder is attached to the underside of the docking cover for holding a mobile electronic device in an access position when in the docking cover is in the in-service position. The docking cover and the portion are inset relative to a perimeter of the storage compartment, so that the docking station forms a portion of a main perimeter of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Stephan
  • Patent number: 8807622
    Abstract: An urging device is interposed between a first member and a second member. The urging device includes a supporting base formed on the first member, an abutting body including turning axes supported rotatably on the supporting base, and elastically contacting the second member, and an elastic member held in the abutting body and urging the abutting body by one end thereof in an elastically contacting direction. The supporting base includes bearing portions supporting the turning axes, and a locking portion locking the other end of the elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 8807408
    Abstract: A storage area, particularly for vehicles, comprising a frame having opposite legs and a plurality of bars extending from one of the opposite legs of the frame to the other leg. The bars are each implemented as a detented system, so that they can be displaced independently of each other between a starting position and an ending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Raimund Kreis
  • Patent number: 8794668
    Abstract: A storage device (6) having at least one front portion (14) and one rear portion (12) defining together a storage space (8). The front portion (14) and the rear portion (12) are attached to each other by a separable attachment device (16). The attachment device (16) is laid out so as to allow separation of said front portion (14) from the rear portion (12) under the effect of an external force greater than a predetermined threshold, so that the front portion (14) or the rear portion (12) is detached from the other portion and penetrates into the storage space (8) under the effect of said external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Gwenael Monnier
  • Publication number: 20140203585
    Abstract: A vehicle portable device holder is provided which includes a housing defining a storage space for storing an extending member. The extending member is configured to travel between a stored and a use position. A cradle may be attached to the extending member while in the use position so that a portable device may be secured and accessed by passengers inside the vehicle. When no longer being used, the cradle may be removed from the extending member so that the extending member may be properly stowed in the stored position within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Vincent Sofield
  • Publication number: 20140183896
    Abstract: A multibox for vehicles includes a housing, a sliding plate, a cover and a knob unit. The housing has a receiving space for receiving articles. The sliding plate is disposed around the housing to translate forward and rearward by a force of a spring of the housing. The cover finishes a front surface of the receiving space of the housing and is supported on the sliding plate by a hinge structure though hinge arms thereof. The cover is rotated upward and downward by a force of a spring. The knob unit is disposed at one side of a front surface of the housing to lock or unlock the housing and the cover through a pushing operation. The multibox is opened and closed by translation of the sliding plate and rotation of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD., DONGKOOK IND. CO., LTD., KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Phil-Je CHO, Ju-Han SHIN, Tae-Hyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20140183897
    Abstract: A modular dashboard assembly for a vehicle, such as a tactical vehicle, is described. In some cases, the dashboard assembly includes a smart back plane and removably attachable front modules. The back plane may facilitate communications between components within the front modules and systems with the vehicle, or between components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.
    Inventors: Michael Y. Utsugi, Shawn M. Doyea, Ryan Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20140175824
    Abstract: Disclosed is a glove box for a vehicle including: an opening formed in an instrument panel; a box-shaped body which is ejectable and retractable through the opening and which is provided with a guide rail and a rack gear, the guide rail including a linear portion linearly extending in a direction in which the box-shaped body moves and a curved portion extending in a curve from an end of the linear portion, the rack gear being formed along one side of the guide rail; and an actuator provided with a pinion gear which meshes with the rack gear, and a drive unit which transfers driving force to the pinion gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sung Hae Park, Yong Chul Kim, Kwang Ok Han
  • Publication number: 20140152037
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a storage structure for a passenger vehicle defining a passenger compartment. In one aspect, the storage structure comprises: a storage compartment configured for providing a storage space apart from the passenger compartment and defined at least in part by an overhead surface; a storage element positionable in the storage compartment; and a suspension assembly for suspending the storage element from the overhead surface, the assembly including a first portion on the overhead surface and a second portion connectable to the storage element and configured for selective mateable engagement with the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Mally
  • Patent number: 8740278
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a storage structure for a passenger vehicle defining a passenger compartment. In one aspect, the storage structure comprises: a storage compartment configured for providing a storage space apart from the passenger compartment and defined at least in part by an overhead surface; a storage element positionable in the storage compartment; and a suspension assembly for suspending the storage element from the overhead surface, the assembly including a first portion on the overhead surface and a second portion connectable to the storage element and configured for selective mateable engagement with the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Mally
  • Publication number: 20140132023
    Abstract: Provided is a storage box comprising an outer panel and an inner panel which are easily and firmly combined with each other without employing vibrational welding or screws. The outer panel and the inner panel are integrally combined by claw engagement portions. The claw engagement portions comprise at least one positioning claw engagement portion for determining relative positions of the outer panel and the inner panel, and at least one undetectable claw engagement portion for restricting the outer panel and the inner panel from moving in directions to be separated from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto WATANABE, Masanori MIZUNO, Michiyoshi IWAI, Tomohiro SATO
  • Patent number: 8714614
    Abstract: An instrument panel allows increase in the strength of supporting a striker, and improvement of the rigidity of an opening part formed in a front wall of an instrument panel body, thereby easily maintaining a constant gap at a joint between the opening part and a glove compartment, even if the instrument panel or the glove compartment is made larger. An opening part is formed in a front wall of an instrument panel body, a glove compartment is provided on a back side of the opening part, a lower end portion of the opening part is fixed to brackets extending from a steering member, a reinforcement including a striker is fixed to a back surface of an upper end portion of the opening part, one end portion, on the inner side of the vehicle interior, of a cover panel that covers an upper portion of an article storage part is fixed to the reinforcement, and an opposite end portion of the cover panel is fixed to the brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Akinori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8714615
    Abstract: A motor vehicle interior structure comprises a receptacle having an opening; a door for covering the opening; a pivot connection of the door to the receptacle for movement around a first axis of rotation; and a member for impeding the displacement of the door. The member includes a movable piston carried by a body that is attached to the receptacle. The structure further includes a link pivotally mounted on the receptacle and interconnecting the piston and door via first and second connecting points, respectively. The link pivots about a second axis of rotation and the first and second connecting points are located relative to the second axis of rotation so that a rotary movement in the counter-clockwise direction of the first connecting point around the first axis of rotation drives the second connecting point into rotation around the second axis of rotation in the clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Nicolas Mercey, Guillaume Malatre
  • Patent number: 8714093
    Abstract: An instrument panel (10) for a motor vehicle, with an upper side comprising a raisable cover (30) which, at a forward edge, as observed in the direction of forward movement of the vehicle, is supported for pivoting relative to a shell (20) of the panel, and with a storage space (40) delineated thereunder. The instrument panel has a board unit (50) which at a transverse edge is supported for pivoting relative to the shell (20) between the cover and the storage space, and comprises a pair of board leaves (60,70) pivotably connected to one another at an opposite transverse edge in such a way that a first board leaf (70) can be deployed, from a retracted working position abutting against the second board leaf (60) under the cover, to a deployed working position situated in a substantially horizontal plane with the second board leaf (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Tomas Rignér, Daniel Johansson, Joel Åhl, Carl Pantzar
  • Publication number: 20140110962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for covering a storage compartment (10), in particular a glove compartment in the interior of a motor vehicle, with a cover plate (22), the inner surface (30) of which in opened state forms a storage surface. The device is characterized in that the cover plate (22) is able to be moved from its closed position by means of at least one guide (40, 42) for the formation of the storage surface into a horizontal storage position or into a stowage position, wherein the storage compartment (10) is at least partly opened in the storage position and in the stowage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Thorsten Bohnenberger
  • Patent number: 8702144
    Abstract: There is provided a structure with which a lid can be easily removed from a vehicle instrument panel, and the lid hardly drops off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Kamioka, Nam Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 8668239
    Abstract: A storage compartment device for an interior panel part of a vehicle and having a housing with at least one access opening, through which a drawer is at least partially movable. The drawer has side walls and a base that is able to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position through the access opening of the housing. A guiding device is provided for moving the drawer between the retracted position and the extended position, which is constructed for guiding the drawer on moving between the retracted position and the extended position along a continuous curved path of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Doll
  • Patent number: 8668238
    Abstract: A glove box structure for a vehicle includes a storage portion and a lid portion. The lid portion is openably mounted on a instrument panel of the vehicle and includes an inner panel, honeycomb structure ribs, an intermediate panel, and an outer panel. The inner panel is disposed on a storage portion side. The honeycomb structure ribs integrally formed with the inner panel. Each of the honeycomb structure ribs is disposed on a first surface of the inner panel. The first surface is disposed on an opposite side of the inner panel to the storage portion. The intermediate panel is attached to at least one of the honeycomb structure ribs to increase a shock transfer capability of the inner panel. The outer panel is mounted on the inner panel. The intermediate panel is sandwiched between the outer panel and the honeycomb structure ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Kuwano, Masamitsu Shiono, Katsuhiko Sato, Tsukasa Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140062120
    Abstract: A storage structure of a saddle riding type vehicle with enhanced ease of storage and removal of small storage articles. An article storage unit is provided so as to include an opening in a rear surface of a front portion cover and at a position facing a rider and to be longer in a longitudinal length extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to a height direction. In addition, a removable tray including riser walls along its periphery is disposed at a position closer to a lid than an inner wall of the article storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Tetsu HORIUCHI, Hiroyuki SHINMURA
  • Publication number: 20140054918
    Abstract: A GPS mount has a bracket with a base piece which has holes spaced so as to match the factory-installed screw holes in a vehicle dash tray. The factory screws are removed and inserted through the base piece hole, then replaced, securely holding the base piece in place. A mount plate is attached to the base piece and elevated above the dash tray. The mount plate has a smooth surface for secure placement of the suction cup of a GPS, cell phone, or other electronic device holder. The GPS mount is especially suited for pickup trucks manufactured by Dodge and/or Ram, for at least the model years 2009-2014.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventor: Duane Tujague
  • Patent number: 8651548
    Abstract: A moving apparatus forcefully closes a movable body after moving the movable body to a prescribed position and includes first and second sliders and an impelling device. After the movable body has been opened, the first slider is locked in position and the second slider is attached to the movable body. As the movable body is being closed and moved to the prescribed position, the second slider moves relative to the first slider tensioning the impelling device. Once the movable body has reached the prescribed position, the second slider releases the movable body and is locked in position, and the first slider is attached to the movable body. The impelling device then urges the first and second sliders towards one another causing the movable body to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yuichi Shirase
  • Patent number: 8646824
    Abstract: A trim element is provided. The trim element includes an upper surface extending between a front edge and a rear edge, a holder is arranged on the upper surface and a flap. The flap is rotatably movable around an axis (A) of rotation between a retracted position, in which the flap extends substantially parallel to the upper surface, and an upright position, in which the flap forms a non-zero angle with the upper surface. The flap includes a front edge and a rear edge. The axis of rotation (A) of the flap extends near the rear edge of the flap. The flap pivots towards the rear edge of the upper surface between its retracted position and its upright position. A motor vehicle dashboard is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Sergio Da Costa Pito, Christian Brancheriau, Christophe Brunard, Didier Ponthieu, Clement Pinson
  • Patent number: 8646393
    Abstract: A device configured to provide a writing support in a motor vehicle. The device includes: a tablet that can be mounted in the motor vehicle element that includes an opening; a translation mechanism for allowing translationary movement of the tablet between a rest position in which the tablet is housed in the motor vehicle element and an intermediate position in which the tablet is extracted from the motor vehicle element through the opening; a rotation mechanism that rotates the tablet to allow the tablet to be rotated from the intermediate position into a position of use in which the tablet is inclined to form a writing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Arnaud Souillac
  • Patent number: 8641121
    Abstract: An improved mounting mechanism for mounting and holding electronic and other devices in vehicles which increases safety in a vehicular and improves the ability of an operator to incorporate the captured device in their instrument scan. In one embodiment, the improved mounting mechanism captures a device and holds it in a housing using mounting holes located or attached to a panel while allowing for easy removal of the portable device, efficient cable capture, and proper viewing angles. Another embodiment provides an alternate mounting scheme for attaching to an instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: AirGizmos, LP
    Inventors: Michael Jack Schipper, Max Alan Probasco
  • Patent number: 8616606
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a glove and storage box assembly (1) which is located in vehicles, into which articles are placed, opened slowly and prevented from vibrating after being opened, has low production cost, does not resist while being dosed and does not make a sound during opening and closing. The inventive glove and storage box assembly (1) essentially comprises at least one shell (2) which has at least one clearance (3) providing access to the chamber formed in the vehicle cockpit in order that articles are placed on thereof and at least one cover (4) which is disposed on the shell (2) and ensures to access the clearance (3) from out-side by opening and closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi Anonim Sirketi
    Inventor: Hasan Ayarturk
  • Patent number: 8602476
    Abstract: A storage compartment device for an interior panel part of a vehicle, having a housing with at least one access opening, through which a drawer is at least partially movable. In addition, a drawer with side walls and a base is present, which is movable between a retracted and an extended position through the access opening of the housing. A drawer cover can be moved between a covering position and an exposing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Doll
  • Patent number: 8596681
    Abstract: An internal deployable vehicle panel assembly includes an inner panel, an outer panel and a deployable energy absorber. The inner panel includes a first mounting structure that movably couples the inner panel to a vehicle component to move between a closed position to cover an access opening to a vehicle storage compartment and an open position to reveal the access opening. The outer panel includes a second mounting structure that is removably coupled to a third mounting structure of the inner panel. The deployable energy absorber is disposed between the inner and outer panels in an undeployed state. The deployable energy absorber is free from fixed attachment to the outer panel and energizable to a deployed state in which the deployable energy absorber separates the outer panel from the inner panel and displaces the outer panel away from the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Strunk, Darin Evans
  • Patent number: 8596704
    Abstract: A closure for a storage compartment of a motor vehicle including an electromagnet having an armature wherein the armature can by moved by excitation of the electromagnet, and wherein a movement of the armature can be transmitted to a locking element which, due to a restoring force of a spring, is in a locked position for the storage compartment when the electromagnet is not energized, a means for generating an electric current for exciting the electromagnet, and means for measuring the electric current flow used for exciting the electromagnet, wherein the means for generating the current are designed to control the electric current such that, after turning on the current after measuring when a maximum current is reached and subsequent dropping below said maximum current, the current is reduced to a predetermined minimum value, wherein the minimum value is such that the armature is held in its position against the spring force acting on the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Innenraum Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Vincent Chevroton, Christophe Pignon
  • Patent number: 8585117
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle glove box (1) that enables easy reading of a serial code of an airbag device. The vehicle glove box (1) is installed in a vehicle instrument panel (IP) and includes a storage unit (10) for having goods to be stored therein. The storage unit (10) includes a second opening (11b) and a second lid (40) for opening and closing the second opening (11b). The opening (11b) is formed to face both an air conditioner filter (F) and a serial code (SC) of an airbag device (AB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouzou Kobayashi, Tomohiko Nara
  • Patent number: 8573669
    Abstract: A storage container having a pivotable door pivotable between an open and closed position is provided. The storage container includes a housing configured to hold the pivotable door and a biasing member operable to bias the pivotable door between the open and closed position. A mount is disposed on the pivotable door. The mount includes a loading member. The biasing member is operatively connected to the mount. The biasing member is configured to engage the loading member so as to retain the biasing member in a fixed position with respect to the pivotable door prior to assembling the pivotable door to the housing. A method for installing or assembling a storage container having a pivotable door is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Earl Merkel, Roy Thorsell
  • Patent number: 8562058
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment is provided having a housing defining an outer casing and an inner storage space and a shelf disposed within the inner storage space such that the storage space is effectively divided into multiple storage compartments. A light source is operably coupled to the outer casing at an aperture opening into the storage space. The light source is divided by the shelf assembly and positioned to provide light illumination to the multiple storage compartments, as the light source is partially disposed in each of the multiple storage compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8562057
    Abstract: A multi-torque double pivot hinge includes a first leaf having a first body and a second leaf having a second body. A first hinge shaft extends through the first body and defines a first pivot axis. A second hinge shaft extends through the second body and defines a second pivot axis. A connector connects the first leaf to the second leaf. The second leaf together with the connector is rotatable about the first pivot axis between a closed position and an intermediate open position. The connector engages the first leaf in the intermediate open position which prevents rotation of the connector past the intermediate open position and transfers a pivoting axis from the first pivot axis to the second pivot axis. The second leaf is then rotatable about the second pivot axis between the intermediate open position and a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Schlater, Trenton W. Hobbs, Paul D. Nguyen, Ryan W. Van Voorhis
  • Patent number: 8562056
    Abstract: An audio apparatus for a vehicle having an audio unit and storage box for storing goods integrally formed with each other and mounted in a mounting opening formed in an instrument panel. A lid for opening and closing the storage box is pivotally supported on the storage box audio unit side of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Furumi, Yoshimi Inomata
  • Patent number: 8556118
    Abstract: The moving mechanism has a first stationary-side gear part and a second stationary-side gear part provided on a support body side; a movable-side gear part and a pinion gear provided on a supported part of a movable body; and a guide device positioned so that the movable-side gear part engages with the first stationary-side gear part and the pinion gear engages with the second stationary-side gear part. The first stationary-side gear part is formed along an arc of a virtual circle, and has teeth oriented toward a center side of this virtual circle; the second stationary-side gear part is provided adjacent to this first stationary-side gear part on the center side of the aforementioned virtual circle, is formed along an arc of a separate virtual circle from this virtual circle, and has teeth oriented toward a center side of this separate virtual circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8550529
    Abstract: A vehicle equipment designed to detachably hold an electronic appliance provided with a screen and manually activatable function keys. This equipment has a cavity (11) designed to hold the appliance and which for that purpose is open at the front. The cavity contains thrust elements (17, 19) in order to wedge the electronic appliance therein, and a cable guide shoe (160), urged by at least some of the thrust elements. This shoe has a passage, or a marked-out passage ready to be cut out (161) through which a lead and its connector (23, 23a) for connecting to the electronic appliance can pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Pascal Clochard
  • Publication number: 20130257082
    Abstract: A coin box assembly having an anti jamming feature for a vehicle. The coin box assembly can have a coin box with a back wall with a top end, a front wall, and a pair of side walls extending between the back wall and the front wall. The coin box assembly can also have a cover that encloses the coin box when box is in a closed position. The back wall is dimensioned such that the top end is a predefined distance from the cover, the predefined distance providing a clearance. The clearance allows the coin box to pivot between the closed position and an open position, and yet prevents a small object such as a coin from being located between the back wall top end and the cover and thereby preventing the coin box from pivoting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Earl Merkel
  • Publication number: 20130257084
    Abstract: A storage compartment configured to attach to a structure, and a method of assembling an instrument panel is provided. The storage compartment includes a base and a cover disposed above the base. The cover includes a first top portion, a second top portion, and a stop. The first top portion is fixedly mounted to the support portion of the base. The second top portion is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, in the retracted position the second top portion is substantially disposed over the first top portion, in the extended position, the second back wall of the second top portion is displaced from the first top portion. Once the second top portion of the cover is moved to the extended position, the stop engages the second top portion so as to prevent the second top portion from moving to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
    Inventors: Jonathan Joseph Quijano, Hisamitsu Tatsunami
  • Publication number: 20130257083
    Abstract: A storage container having a pivotable door pivotable between an open and closed position is provided. The storage container includes a housing configured to hold the pivotable door and a biasing member operable to bias the pivotable door between the open and closed position. A mount is disposed on the pivotable door. The mount includes a loading member. The biasing member is operatively connected to the mount. The biasing member is configured to engage the loading member so as to retain the biasing member in a fixed position with respect to the pivotable door prior to assembling the pivotable door to the housing. A method for installing or assembling a storage container having a pivotable door is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Earl Merkel, Roy Thorsell
  • Patent number: 8544927
    Abstract: Assembly including a vehicle equipment designed to detachably hold an electrically powered electronic appliance (3) provided with a display screen (5) and manually activatable function keys (7), is characterized in that the equipment has a cavity (11) in which the appliance (3) is held and which for that purpose is open at the front where the cavity (11) is bordered by a part (13a) made of soft material connected to a plate (15) mounted so that it can rotate about an axis (15a) that is transverse to the back of the cavity (11), the appliance (3) being pressed up behind and/or against this part made of soft material (13a) under the effect of first and second thrusting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive France
    Inventor: Pascal Clochard
  • Patent number: 8540300
    Abstract: A coin box assembly having an anti jamming feature for a vehicle. The coin box assembly can have a coin box with a back wall with a top end, a front wall, and a pair of side walls extending between the back wall and the front wall. The coin box assembly can also have a cover that encloses the coin box when box is in a closed position. The back wall is dimensioned such that the top end is a predefined distance from the cover, the predefined distance providing a clearance. The clearance allows the coin box to pivot between the closed position and an open position, and yet prevents a small object such as a coin from being located between the back wall top end and the cover and thereby preventing the coin box from pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Earl Merkel
  • Patent number: 8511733
    Abstract: A panel end cap storage unit is disposed on an instrument panel end cap adjacent a vehicle door and is configured such that the unit is not accessible when the vehicle door is closed. In this way, the present invention provides a nonvisible secure storage unit that is only accessible when the adjacent vehicle door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Thomas William Pietila, Anthony Ligi, Bhavani Thota
  • Patent number: 8505996
    Abstract: Disclosed is a storage box for an automobile, in which a box door opens upward. The storage box includes: a box housing defining a storage space, and including a gear bar disposed therein; a box door opening and closing the storage space, and including a first hinge point and a second hinge point below the first hinge point formed thereon; a bridge slidably disposed on the box housing and rotatably coupled to the first hinge point, to be slid by the box door when the box door is opened and closed; a supporting member rotatably coupled to the second hinge point; and a rotating body engaged with the gear bar and the supporting member and rotatably disposed on the bridge, moving along the bridge and rotating during sliding of the bridge, and enabling the supporting member to raise and support the box door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ju han Shin
  • Patent number: 8491037
    Abstract: A dashboard assembly that includes a cross-car beam extending across at least a portion of the width of the automobile. Also included is a cross-car beam post secured to the cross-car beam. Further included is an energy absorbing bracket operably connecting the cross-car beam post to a glove box assembly, where the energy absorbing bracket comprises a plurality of apertures for permitting deflection of the bracket in the event of movement of the cross-car beam post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas HueiCheng Sheng, Chi-Chin Wu
  • Patent number: 8485582
    Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle includes a storage section which has a space and has an engagement hole provided on the back side in a mounting direction and in which an article is put in and taken out through an opening portion, and a detachable separator which partitions the space in the storage section, is formed in a substantially L shape having two plate sections intersecting one another when viewed from the mounting direction into the storage section, has a projecting portion which protrudes toward the front in the mounting direction and is engaged with the engagement hole, and is mounted in the engagement hole at a partitioning position to divide the space into two compartments and a compartment expanding position to form a single compartment larger than either of the two compartments in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sakai, Yuji Saitoh, Junpei Okuno
  • Publication number: 20130161977
    Abstract: A storage device (6) having at least one front portion (14) and one rear portion (12) defining together a storage space (8). The front portion (14) and the rear portion (12) are attached to each other by a separable attachment device (16). The attachment device (16) is laid out so as to allow separation of said front portion (14) from the rear portion (12) under the effect of an external force greater than a predetermined threshold, so that the front portion (14) or the rear portion (12) is detached from the other portion and penetrates into the storage space (8) under the effect of said external force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Gwenael Monnier
  • Publication number: 20130154298
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a complete vehicle ecosystem are provided. Specifically, systems that when taken alone, or together, provide an individual or group of individuals with an intuitive and comfortable vehicular environment. The present disclosure includes a universal chassis that may be mounted in the head unit of a vehicle. The chassis may accept one or more modules that each have common dimensions. With a common form factor, the universal chassis is configurable as different modules with different functionality may be inserted into the chassis with ease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventor: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
  • Patent number: 8459715
    Abstract: An engaging portion 11 provided at an article storage box 10 pivotally engages with an axle portion 7 provided at a peripheral edge portion 4S of an opening 4 of an instrument panel 1 so that the article storage box 10 can swing so as to be switchable between a closed state and an opened state. The article storage box 10 includes a box body 20 and a lid 30. The engaging portion 11 is provided at one of the box body 20 and the lid 30, and a support portion 27 receiving and supporting the engaging portion 11 on a side of the engaging portion 11 opposite to a side of the engaging portion 11 on which a force applied from the axle portion 7 to the engaging portion 11 is exerted is provided at the other of the box body 20 and the lid 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Iwamoto, Kenzaburo Azuma
  • Publication number: 20130140842
    Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle includes a storage section which has a space and has an engagement hole provided on the back side in a mounting direction and in which an article is put in and taken out through an opening portion, and a detachable separator which partitions the space in the storage section, is formed in a substantially L shape having two plate sections intersecting one another when viewed from the mounting direction into the storage section, has a projecting portion which protrudes toward the front in the mounting direction and is engaged with the engagement hole, and is mounted in the engagement hole at a partitioning position to divide the space into two compartments and a compartment expanding position to form a single compartment larger than either of the two compartments in the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8454073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing screen device for closing an opening (3) by a cover in a motor vehicle component, including a drive mechanism through which a closing screen (5) can be drive-displaced from an uncovered opening position exposing the opening (3) to a closed position closing the opening (3), and in said closing position, the closing screen (5) is located flush to the edge area of the motor vehicle component which surrounds said closing screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Grandel, Georg Nehm, Marcel Rigorth, Günter Urlaub