Patents Examined by D. Glenn Dayoan
  • Patent number: 11332195
    Abstract: A pair of reinforcing members that extend along the extending direction of the cowl panel and that face each other in the vehicle width direction are attached to the cowl panel, and the pair of reinforcing members in the cowl panel are attached to the cowl panel. A head-up display device is provided at a position corresponding to between the two. That is, since the head-up display device can also act as a reinforcing member, the reinforcing structure is continuously provided in the extending direction of the cowl panel. Therefore, the bending rigidity of the cowl panel can be enhanced. Thereby, securing of the installation space of a head-up display apparatus and the enhanced of the bending rigidity of a cowl panel can be made compatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ishioka, Taichi Minei
  • Patent number: 11332194
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure including: a pair of left and right first vehicle body framework members manufactured by die-casting, and being provided at vehicle width direction outer sides of a vehicle and extending along a vehicle front-rear direction; a pair of left and right second vehicle body framework members manufactured from sheet steel and being joined to a length direction end portion of a corresponding first vehicle body framework member and extending along the vehicle front-rear direction; and a load transmission portion provided at either the first vehicle body framework members or the second vehicle body framework members, the load transmission portion configured to abut the other the first vehicle body framework members or the second vehicle body framework members when a collision load acting substantially along the vehicle front-rear direction is input to the first vehicle body framework members or the second vehicle body framework members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ayaka Kagami, Soshiro Murata, Takashi Sagisaka, Takahiro Tashiro
  • Patent number: 11332059
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a vehicle interior includes a dashboard arranged in front of at least one front seat. A storage device is movable in a reversible manner, by way of a movement mechanism, from a not-in-use position in the dashboard into a use position in front of the front seat. The storage device is arrested at least in the use position. In the use position, the storage device has a carrying structure made up of two laterally arranged, inflated supporting elements. An approximately horizontally oriented table top is arranged on the two supporting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Schmid
  • Patent number: 11332200
    Abstract: A support arrangement for a haul truck comprises a space frame and a dump body operatively positioned on the space frame according to defined contact points. The space frame can include at least one rear support, at least one outer elongate support member, and at least one support rocker configured to pivot laterally about an axis. The dump body can include on a bottom thereof a rear pivot support and at least one flat contact surface, and on a front face thereof at least one vertical support structure. Each rear support of the space frame is configured to be pivotally coupled to the rear pivot support of the dump body. Each vertical support structure of the dump body is configured to be removably seated in a corresponding support rocker. Each flat contact surface is configured to be positioned adjacent to an outer lateral surface of an outer elongate support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David W Holthaus, Andres Munoz-Najar
  • Patent number: 11331985
    Abstract: An automatic sun visor assembly is disclosed for use in automobiles or in other equipment with windows or windshields. The invention is designed to automatically adjust the position of a visor to provide maximum protection from sunlight and to enhance safety by preventing direct sunlight from interfering with the operator's or the passenger's vision. The invention utilizes motors that include interfaces that allow their control by electronic controllers for automatically adjusting visor's position and orientation based on sensing of environmental conditions such as position of the sun, vehicle orientation and the position of operator's eyes. Specifically, the invention utilizes three motors that enable controlling visor position in three spatial dimensions. The use of an extendable spring wire in the invention enables the visor to stretch out and block direct sunlight from entering at angles where the traditional visors are unable to reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Jason Durfee
  • Patent number: 11332193
    Abstract: A crossmember arrangement for reinforcing a motor-vehicle body includes a crossmember for dissipating loads in the Y direction, an intermediate piece, which is connected directly or indirectly to the crossmember and is intended for fastening the crossmember to a supporting pillar, in particular a B pillar, and a fastening body, which is connected to the intermediate piece and is intended for butting with surface-area contact against the supporting pillar. The fastening body is configured in the form of a chamber profile which runs predominantly in the Y direction. Dissipation of high loads in a motor-vehicle body is made possible, along with straightforward installation capability of the crossmember arrangement in the motor-vehicle body, as a result of the fastening body of the crossmember arrangement, the fastening body is configured in the form of a chamber profile, running essentially in the Y direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Schmitt, Björn Dunst
  • Patent number: 11332062
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a vehicle body structure, a first tie-down assembly and a second tie-down assembly. The vehicle body structure defines a cargo area having a floor structure, a first pillar structure and a second pillar structure. The first and second pillar strictures are spaced apart from one another and are rigid strictures that extend upward from the floor structure. The first tie-down assembly is attached to the first pillar structure. The second tie-down assembly is attached to the second pillar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jorge Alberto Flores Mariles, Carlos Ivan Cano Lopez
  • Patent number: 11326383
    Abstract: A glove box assembly includes a glove box housing and a glove box door movable between a first, closed position and a second, open position relative to the glove box housing to selectively provide access to an interior of the glove box housing. An actuation system is connected to the glove box door and a control mechanism is operably coupled to the actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is operable in response to the control mechanism to move the glove box door to one of the closed position or the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel O. Rapetti, Kenneth D. Snow, Ian J. Dow, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 11325649
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a sleeve for repairing or reconstructing a frame rail of a motor vehicle. An exemplary repair sleeve includes a base wall, first and second side walls projecting from opposite sides of the base wall, and a sectioned wall including first and second sections spaced-apart from one another such that the two side walls are moveable relative to one another in a pre-installed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Gerry Bonanni, Ryan Smith, Shawn Michael Morgans, Steven William Gallagher, Chunhui Kevin Lee
  • Patent number: 11325451
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a frame sub-assembly that includes a driver side section, a passenger side section, and a connection member coupling the driver side section to the passenger side section. The assembly further includes a door sub-assembly disposed between the driver side section and the passenger side section. The door sub-assembly and the frame sub-assembly are pivotable together about a first axis between a tailgate closed position and a tailgate open position. The door sub-assembly is pivotable relative to the frame sub-assembly about a second axis between a door closed position and a door open position. The door sub-assembly in the door open position provides a cargo bed access opening that extends vertically downward at least as far as a floor of the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adrian Nania, Amol Borkar
  • Patent number: 11319001
    Abstract: An assembly for releasably engaging an upper vehicle part with a base vehicle part comprises the upper vehicle part, the base vehicle part and a securing assembly for ensuring that the upper vehicle part is secured to the base vehicle part in an operational state of the vehicle. The securing assembly comprises an inter-connecting member adapted to extend from the upper vehicle part to the base vehicle part in said operational state, said inter-connecting member having a body portion and a projecting portion defining an abutment surface. The securing assembly further comprises a releasable fixation support having a recess adapted to accommodate a part of the body portion, wherein another part of the releasable fixation support is capable of restricting displacement of said inter-connecting member in a direction towards said upper part vehicle by engaging with said abutment surface of said projecting portion in said operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Björn Olsson, Tonie Jurgec, Jan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 11318892
    Abstract: A component for use in a vehicle that may be subjected to an event/external force is disclosed. The component may comprise a bin; a cover moveable between closed and open positions; a latch mechanism to hold and release the cover; a catch mechanism moveable to a blocking position to prevent the cover from opening. The cover may be retained by the catch mechanism in the closed position. The catch mechanism may comprise a pin moveable relative to the cover within a catch/track of the cover. The catch mechanism may move from the blocking position to a second blocking position to prevent the cover from opening. The catch mechanism may release the cover to facilitate opening of the cover in response to (a) a first actuating force applied to the cover; (b) release of the first actuating force; and (c) a second actuating force applied to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Hodgson
  • Patent number: 11318995
    Abstract: A vehicle platform with a variety of impact safety features including front and rear impact features as well as side impact features designed to protect the passenger compartment as well as the battery compartment and vehicle chassis components. Some features may include crumple zone components, deflectors and modular energy absorption units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Alexi Charbonneau, Naesung Lyu, Mahesh Chinchani, Salman Khan, Yufeng Long, Morteza Kiani, Daniel McCarron, William Rohr, Aniruddha Ranade
  • Patent number: 11318902
    Abstract: A grille assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle grille having an opening with at least a pair of opposed edges, and at least one tab extending along at least one edge of the pair of opposed edges. The at least one tab has a base portion, an end portion, and two opposed faces extending between the base portion and end portion. The at least one tab is tapered such that a cross-sectional area of the tab taken along a plane extending perpendicular to either face of the opposed faces of the tab decreases in a direction extending from the base portion toward the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Praveen Kumar
  • Patent number: 11318900
    Abstract: A bumper beam of a vehicle according to the present invention includes a pair of mounting portions for being fixed to a vehicle member, a supporting portion having a cross-section in which a front surface is closed and a rear surface opens and having both ends supporting the pair of mounting portions, a web disposed in front of the supporting portion, an energy absorbing portion supporting a rear surface of the web and supported by the front surface of the supporting portion to absorb energy generated when a colliding object collides to with the web, and an energy transmitting portion connecting the energy absorbing portion and the pair of mounting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Lotte Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Myung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11318874
    Abstract: Devices and related methods are disclosed for redirecting gravel, sand or other loads of a dump truck upon discharge from the dump truck. For example, a dump truck load diverter is disclosed which includes a diverter body having a tetrahedral-esque form factor defined by four primary faces and a plurality of chamfer faces, the four primary faces consisting of a primary diverting face, a pair of secondary diverting faces and a base face, the pair of secondary diverting faces being arranged perpendicularly to each other and to the base face. The diverter body may be sized relative to a bed of a dump truck to obstruct a substantial portion of a dump passage area when positioned in one of a plurality of load spreading configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Roy Ratzlaff
  • Patent number: 11318825
    Abstract: Sunroof drive apparatus and related sunroof assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed assembly includes a sunroof panel, a rail, a guide block attached to part of the rail, a bracket beneath the sunroof panel, a link in the rail removably connected to the guide block, and a drive shoe in the rail slidably coupled to the link. The drive shoe includes first and second slots to receive respective first and second pins of the link. The link can rotate about a rotation axis from a first orientation in which the link is inseparable from the guide block to a target orientation in which the link is separable from the guide block. When the first pin enters a locking area at an end of the first slot, the drive shoe imparts one or more loads on the first pin that urge the link into the target orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob Grimaldo, Micah Wedekind, Michael Mixon, Tatsuya Matsui
  • Patent number: 11318890
    Abstract: Reconfigurable cargo screen assemblies for a vehicle are provided. The assembly includes a retracting component including a cassette member, a retractable screen, a first end beam, and a retraction mechanism. A first end of the retractable screen is connected to the first end beam, and a second end of the retractable screen is retractably connected within the cassette member by the retraction mechanism. The assembly further includes a middle cover component including a rod member, a middle screen, and a second end beam. A first end of the middle screen is connected to the rod member, and a second end of the middle screen is connected to the second end beam. Also included is a back component having a connection beam and a back screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Monica Sjöstedt, Peter Landqvist, Tony Nilsson
  • Patent number: 11318997
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a hood structure to enhance capacity to absorb a collision energy. A hood member comprises a hood outer panel and a hood inner panel disposed on a back face of the hood outer panel. The hood inner panel comprises a general face portion disposed apart from the back face of the hood outer panel, a raised portion raised in a direction of the back face of the hood outer panel 4 from the general face portion and an opening portion formed in an upper face portion of the raised portion. In addition, the hood inner panel comprises a slit portion that extends across an edge line of the raised portion from the opening portion and is formed to slit an inclined face portion of the raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masataka Nishino, Shoya Murakami
  • Patent number: 11318876
    Abstract: A cargo retainer for use with a vehicle includes a mat having a top side, a bottom side, a leading portion, a trailing portion, and an aperture for securing the trailing portion to the vehicle via a fastener. The cargo retainer includes a retention anchor configured to attach to the vehicle. The retention anchor has a top portion and a cleat portion such that the top portion is coupled with the leading portion of the mat. The cleat portion of the retention anchor extends away from the bottom side of the mat and is adapted to be inserted into and retained by a gap formed between a cargo area of the vehicle and either a tailgate of the vehicle or a bumper of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Home Depot Product Authority, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Jackson