Patents Examined by Alexander S. Thomas
  • Patent number: 11143071
    Abstract: A hybrid acoustic silencer for a motor vehicle includes an insertion loss layer tuned for good insertion loss properties at specific frequencies and an absorption layer tuned for good absorption properties at specific frequencies. The insertion loss layer is configured to be adjacent to a sound radiating surface of the motor vehicle and the absorption layer is configured to face outward from the sound radiating surface of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Cascade Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Skestone, Michael Thomas Campbell
  • Patent number: 11142237
    Abstract: A tilt steering assembly includes an adjustable steering column and a damper connected to the steering column for maintaining the steering column position relative to an instrument panel. A column cover partially covers the steering column and the damper. The column cover includes a lower skirt, a cover member partially closing an opening defined by the lower skirt and the instrument panel for the steering column and damper, and a seal member provided beneath the cover member. The steering column and damper extend through the cover member. The seal member is fitted over the damper and includes an opening sized to receive the column cover. During adjustment of the steering column, the cover member is configured to flex outwardly creating a gap for movement of the steering column and damper, and the seal member is configured to press against an inner surface of the cover member to close the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Caleb Ziebold, Junichi Nakano, Surya Phani Krishna Nukala
  • Patent number: 11143352
    Abstract: A vacuum insulation assembly includes a number of vacuum insulation modules. Each module includes a first layer of material, a second layer of material substantially parallel to the first layer of material, a frame member disposed between the perimeter edges of the first and second layer of materials, a vacuum chamber formed between the first and second layer of materials and the frame member, and one or more spacers that generate a magnetic field. The spacers can be located on the interior, the exterior or disposed within the first and second layers of material. In one aspect, the spacers are permanent magnets, electromagnets, and the like, that are positioned such that the spacers provide a sufficient magnetic field to prevent the first and second layers of material from contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Matthew M. Tatarian
  • Patent number: 11130298
    Abstract: A method for repair of a damaged stiffened panel of isogrid type, wherein the repair method comprises a step of removal of material with the aim of removing at least one damaged rib and also steps of fitting at least one structural reinforcement connecting at least two nodes positioned about the damaged zone and of at least one wall reinforcement connecting the wall of the stiffened panel and the structural reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Fantin, Wilfrid Moyon, Phlippe Duret
  • Patent number: 11129515
    Abstract: A footwear mat assembly for preventing arthropods from entering footwear stored thereon includes a base including a base top surface including a footwear storage location adapted to receive a pair of footwear, and a raised barrier including a barrier bottom surface adhesively and removably secured to the base top surface, a barrier top surface carrying an arthropod-securing adhesive composition layer, and a barrier inner perimeter defining an opening adapted to receive the pair of footwear therethrough for placement on the footwear storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Charles Moore
  • Patent number: 11130256
    Abstract: A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, Mingwei Zhu, Jianwei Song
  • Patent number: 11122889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tabletop (6) which, when viewed from above, is a polygon with at least four corners and at least four table edges, wherein two straight lines (7), which extend along two table edges (1, 2), form an angle of 30° relative to each other, two straight lines (8), which run along two table edges (2, 3), form an angle of 60° relative to each other, and two table edges (1, 3) form an angle of 90° relative to each other. Tabletop (6) proposed by the present invention or a corresponding table may on the one hand be used individually, but on the other hand, also offers great flexibility with regard to the arrangement in groups of tables different in number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Einrichtwerk GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Ochsenfeld, Michael Ochsenfeld
  • Patent number: 11116344
    Abstract: An ergonomic modular ergonomic multi-layer platform with a synthetic tapered marginal border including a non-compressible wood base covered with at least one compressible mat disposed between the wood base and a top non-slip mat to provide occupational workers with a therapeutic, forgiving work surface to protect them from the health risks of working, walking and standing on a concrete floor or common anti-fatigue mat used in many factories today. The therapy platform is raised off the floor to offer suspension, thus promoting a spring effect for absorbing and returning compression force resulting in reduced stress loads and compression force for people who work, walk or stand fort extended periods of time. The therapy platform is modular in design so that the tapered borders of separate modular sections connect for a snug fit. The vertical edges of the wood sections also have connection points that provide a leveling effect and further enhance the fit of the module sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Johnson, Robert E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11118831
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel and a second panel, wherein the second panel is operably coupled to the first panel to define an insulating space therebetween. An airway system is disposed within the insulating space and includes portions of porous tubing configured to draw air along lengths of the porous tubing from the insulating space during an evacuation procedure. A plurality of connectors interconnect the portions of porous tubing of the airway system to inner walls of the insulating space. The connectors may include support members that extend between the panels within the insulating space to support the vacuum insulated structure under vacuum pressure. Further, first and second panels can include rigidifying structural configurations to combat vacuum bowing during the evacuation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil S. Ekshinge, Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Karen J. Querfurth
  • Patent number: 11111027
    Abstract: An aircraft has at least one cowling, a fixed structure, and a hinge system connecting the cowling to the fixed structure. The hinge system includes at least two hinges and at least two stops, including a first stop integral with the fixed structure and a second stop integral with the cowling, the first and second stops being configured to be in contact one against the other when the cowling is in the closed position and to ensure an absorption of a part of the loads between the cowling and the fixed structure at least along a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the hinge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Jean Geliot, Adeline Soulie
  • Patent number: 11110507
    Abstract: A convex portion projecting from a plate member includes a base, a convex body, and a guide. The base is part of the plate member. The convex body erects in a cylindrical shape from the base. The guide is at a top end of the convex body. The base includes a first inner circumferential surface, a second inner circumferential surface, and a third inner circumferential surface. The first inner circumferential surface is continuous with an inner circumferential surface of the convex body and extends in a direction opposite to an erecting direction of the convex body. The second inner circumferential surface is continuous with the first inner circumferential surface and intersects the erecting direction of the convex body. The third inner circumferential surface is continuous with the second inner circumferential surface and is larger in diameter than the first inner circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Iwakami
  • Patent number: 11091078
    Abstract: Clip includes a clip body provided with an accommodating space extending in a front-rear direction, and left and right wings coupled to the clip body in a left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Each of the left and right wings includes front edge and rear edge which extend away from the clip body along the left-right direction. In one or both of the left and right wings, the front edge slants linearly or non-linearly forward of the clip as the front edge extends away from the clip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: Zhiyu Ren, Yuji Kirita
  • Patent number: 11091907
    Abstract: An assembly comprising at least one first pocket (3) which contains a thermally insulating material (5) and in which a first controlled atmosphere prevails, and at least one second pocket (7) which surrounds the first pocket and in which a second controlled atmosphere prevails. The first controlled atmosphere is different from the second one and corresponds to a vacuum of 10 Pa or less. The thermally insulating material (5) preferably has open cells with a diameter greater than or equal to 1 micron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: Fabrice Chopard, Cedric Huillet
  • Patent number: 11085737
    Abstract: A ballistic resistant material and structure and methods for allowing and preventing projectiles from passing through the ballistic resistant defense structure. The ballistic resistant defense structure involves a ballistic multilayer arrangement comprised of V-Profiles 100 which are further comprised of V-shaped wedges arranged adjacent to each other, spaced slightly apart, with gaps. The gaps between the V-shaped wedges expand or contract depending on which side of the V-Profile a projectile strikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Robert D. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11084087
    Abstract: A riveted assembly includes a first panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a second panel member having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; and a rivet. The first and second panel members are positioned such that at least a portion of the second surface of the first panel member is in contact with at least a portion of the first surface of the second panel member. The rivet extends into and engages the first surface of the first panel member, and has an outwardly flared portion about which a portion of the first panel member and the second panel member are deformed, such that the rivet mechanically connects the first panel member to the second panel member at a connection region. The second surface of the second panel member has a differential height surface portion at least at the connection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATiONAL INC.
    Inventor: John Richard Potocki
  • Patent number: 11077929
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead system is presented. The pressure bulkhead system comprises an aft pressure bulkhead having a bulkhead interface surface, skin splice angles positioned adjacent to one another and joined to the aft pressure bulkhead, and a plurality of shims between the flange surface and the bulkhead interface surface of the aft pressure bulkhead. The skin splice angles form a circumferential surface and a flange surface, wherein the circumferential surface has a nominal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Patent number: 11077628
    Abstract: A method for repairing damage to a composite part includes creating an aperture through the composite part and preparing the surfaces surrounding the aperture on both sides of the part; inserting a plurality of resin impregnated fibers through the aperture and spreading the end portions of the plurality of fibers radially against the prepared surfaces on both sides of the part; and maintaining contact of the plurality of fibers with the prepared surfaces while the resin cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Denver Ray Whitworth, Vance Newton Cribb
  • Patent number: 11077638
    Abstract: In an edge structure of a fiber reinforced resin structure body, an edge part of the structure body is enabled to be efficiently reinforced, and the edge part of the structure body is enabled to be efficiently protected. The present invention relates to an edge structure of a fiber reinforced resin structure body having a first fiber reinforced resin portion (hereinafter referred to as “first portion”) and a second fiber reinforced resin portion (hereinafter referred to as “second portion”) composed using a fiber reinforced resin, the first portion having a layer part formed in layers. In the edge structure of a fiber reinforced resin structure body, the second portion has an edge-side cover part extending along an edge section of the layer part of the first portion, and a plurality of fibers in the edge-side cover part are arranged along the edge section of the layer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Daisuke Hatano, Kenta Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11066292
    Abstract: A device (1) for transferring a fluid from a mooring area to a ship is specified. The device (1) comprises an articulated supporting structure (2), which has at least one first and one second support (3, 4, 5), which are connected pivotably to one another by at least one pivot joint (6, 7) and which each have a longitudinal axis, wherein the first support (3) is fixed on the mooring area in such a way that the longitudinal axis of said support can be rotated substantially vertically and the first support (3) can be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof, and wherein the second support (4, 5) is pivotable in a vertical plane. The device (1) furthermore comprises at least one guide element (8), which is fixed on the supports (3, 4, 5) or on the at least one pivot joint (6, 7), and a first flexible line (9), which is supported by means of the guide element (8) and is guided substantially in the vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Holger Schulz, Christian Reiter, Ralf Egerer
  • Patent number: 11066321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold including a master mold having a first region master mold molding surface having a shape corresponding to a first region of a molded body, and a second region master mold molding surface having a shape corresponding to a second region of the molded body, and in which the master mold includes: an inner mold having the first region master mold molding surface; an outer mold having an accommodating concave portion capable of accommodating the inner mold therein and the second region master mold molding surface on at least a part of an outer edge of the accommodating concave portion; and a buffer material provided between the inner mold and a bottom surface of the accommodating concave portion, the buffer material being pressed and deformed with relative movement of the inner mold and the outer mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: AGC INC.
    Inventors: Takanori Fukushi, Satoshi Kanasugi, Masao Ozeki