Patents Examined by Dana D Ivey
  • Pedestrian protection system for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10807559
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle front end has a leg-contacting segment which, in a pre-impact position, is arranged completely above an approach plane of the vehicle (which is defined by way of a front approach angle of the motor vehicle), and can be adjusted into a post-impact position by means of a force deflecting apparatus by way of at least proportionally vertical deflection of an impact force which acts along the longitudinal direction. In a post-impact position, the contact segment is arranged at least partially below the approach plane and lower than a bumper crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Antje Sipido, Monika Teodorescu, Susanne Spaetgens, Joergen Hilmann, Tobias Duffe
  • Vehicle floor mat with supports for irregular vehicle floor
    Patent number: 10807509
    Abstract: A vehicle floor mat is provided for placement on a vehicle floor having surface irregularities, and includes a floor mat body having an upper surface, a peripheral edge, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has an integral depending support structure provided with a variable height such that the shape of the support structure complements the irregularities in the vehicle floor. Upon the vehicle floor mat being placed on the vehicle floor, said support structure engages the irregularities and upper floor mat surface is generally level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: THERMOFLEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Reband, Robert Price
  • Flooring apparatus
    Patent number: 10793211
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a flooring apparatus provides improved traction, improved wear resistance and improved structural support. The flooring apparatus may include an elongated member that includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface may include a cutout portion that extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. One or more inserts are positioned at least partially within the cutout portion. The insert may include a texturized top surface and may be constructed of a polymer material or other material with improved traction and, in certain embodiments, improved wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Kyle R. Gillin
  • Glove box self-locking feature
    Patent number: 10794094
    Abstract: A glove box retainer for a glove box comprises a tab or a catch on a forward portion of a movable bin received within a surround and a corresponding catch or tab on a forward portion of a surround disposed forward of the tab or catch on the movable bin when the movable bin is in a closed position. The movable bin displaces the tab or the catch on the movable bin so that it is juxtaposed against and displaced forward of the catch or tab on the surround to retain the glove box in the closed position during a frontal impact event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Vijaykumar Hegde, Matthew J. Hickey, Thomas Junior Luckett
  • Commercial motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10793203
    Abstract: A commercial motor vehicle having a chassis, an engine compartment defined between parallel elongate beams of the chassis, and a driver cabin positioned at least partially over the engine compartment. The driver cabin being supported on the chassis by spaced resilient suspension devices, and includes an upper cabin part and a lower cabin part. The upper cabin part is tiltable to allow access to the engine compartment by being hinged about a lower edge, while the lower cabin part remains associated with the chassis when the upper cabin part is tilted. The lower part of the driver cabin is supported by the resilient suspension devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DAF Trucks N.V.
    Inventor: Robert Jacobus Vreede
  • Tailgate provided with a trim that makes it possible to reduce the silkscreen printing of the window
    Patent number: 10792984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tailgate of a motor vehicle having at least one side post to which a window is added, the post constituting a U-shaped profile member with an open cross-section, in which the opening is turned towards the window, the profile member including a base provided with a first side flank and a second side flank. The second flank includes a trim which curves, opposite the Y0 of the vehicle, towards the first flank so as to at least partially close the opening of the profile member, the trim being added to the second flank without reducing the rear field of vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Philippe Coudron
  • Local energy absorber
    Patent number: 10791787
    Abstract: A cover covering an object includes an inner surface of the cover facing the object and spaced from the object, and an outer surface of the cover opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the cover. The local energy absorber includes an energy absorbing core layer operatively attached to the inner surface of the cover and a frangible face sheet layer attached to the energy absorbing core layer facing the object. The frangible face sheet layer is to initiate fracture of the frangible face sheet layer during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Louis G. Hector, Jr., Nilesh D. Mankame, Hanif Muhammad, Anil K. Sachdev
  • Arrangement of a headlight in a vehicle having damage protection for the event of a crash
    Patent number: 10788187
    Abstract: An arrangement of a headlight on a vehicle with protection from damage for the event of a crash, wherein the headlight has a housing with which it is attached to a body of the vehicle by at least one molded attachment feature. A sheet metal element is designed such that it forms a sliding surface for the body in the event of a crash and is arranged on the housing of the headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Franz-Georg Willeke
  • Vehicle door assemblies
    Patent number: 10780766
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first door, a second door and a first hinge assembly connected to the first door and the second door. The first door is movable between a first position and a second position about the first hinge assembly, and in the second position, the first door is received against the second door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Hagedorn, Cory Stuffelbeam, Craig Rackers, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Device and vehicle for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part
    Patent number: 10781623
    Abstract: A device for the contactless actuation of an adjustable vehicle part. The device has a capacitive proximity sensor with at least one elongated sensor electrode, and a body part to which the proximity sensor is indirectly or directly fastened. The body part in turn is or can be mounted on the vehicle in a specific mounting position. The sensor electrode extends obliquely relative to a lower edge of the body part in such a way that it is in an exact or at least approximately horizontal position with respect to its longitudinal extension when in the mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Florian Pirchheim, Jonas Reich
  • Vehicle side portion structure
    Patent number: 10766537
    Abstract: A vehicle side portion structure that includes: a pair of rockers arranged at each of two outer sides of a vehicle width direction of a floor panel of a vehicle, the rockers extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction; and a plurality of cross-members that are arranged with length directions thereof in the vehicle width direction, both length direction end portions of each cross-member being fixed to the pair of rockers, and the cross-members being disposed to be spaced in the vehicle front-and-rear direction. A separation distance between neighboring cross-members in the vehicle front-and-rear direction is specified such that a bending reaction force of the rockers in response to an impact load applied during a side collision of the vehicle is equal to or greater than the impact load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kyosuke Kawase
  • Door trim
    Patent number: 10766432
    Abstract: A door trim includes a door trim base that has a fitting hole, and an ornament. The ornament has a fitting lug, and is configured to be attached to the door trim base with the fitting lug fitted into the fitting hole. The ornament includes an ornament base in which the fitting lug is provided and a high-brittleness portion that is fixed to the ornament base and of which at least a portion is more brittle than the ornament base and the door trim base and the ornament are connected to each other by a strap that has an excess length when the fitting lug is fitted into the fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Fujita, Manabu Ohtsuka
  • Structural member and vehicle
    Patent number: 10759478
    Abstract: A structural member (10) includes: a hat member (1); and a closing plate (2). The hat member (1) includes: a top-surface portion (1a); a pair of side walls (1b) extending from both edges of the top-surface portion (1a); and flanges (1c). The closing plate (2) is in contact with the flanges (1c). Each of the side walls (1b) includes a low-strength portion (1s) extending from one edge of the side wall (1b) to a position at a distance Sh. The distance Sh is 20 to 40% of the height H of the side wall (1b). The yield strength of the low-strength portion (1s) is 60 to 85% of the yield strength of the side wall (1b) as measured at a position (1mid) of one-half of the height of the side wall (1b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirose, Yuichi Ishimori, Hiroshi Fukuchi
  • Extendable safety rails for trailer
    Patent number: 10752297
    Abstract: An extendable safety rail assembly for an utility trailer is provided. The assembly includes: a plurality of extendable side rails, provided with a set of horizontally tubular bars rails braced along the length thereof for rigidity on stationary sleeve assemblies, terminating with a set of vertical end posts at each rail end, each post adaptable for vertical movement slidably fitting inside suitably sized sleeves of stationary sleeve assemblies mounted onto trailer sides; and a locking mechanism is adapted to lock at least one of extendable side rail of the plurality of extendable safety rails at different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Rick Bullis
  • Sleeper panels and cab panels
    Patent number: 10752295
    Abstract: A sleeper panel is provided for use with each of the passenger and driver sides of a sleeper cab. The entire upper ends of the sleeper panels have a top flange which is secured to the underside of the sleeper cab. Structure is provided to maintain the curved portions of the sleeper panel in their desired radius of curvature. A cab panel is also described which is ideally suited for use on a truck cab so as to be positioned forwardly of the sleeper panels thereby providing an esthetic appearance to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Adam J. Wurzer, Terry D. Wurzer, David T. Wurzer
  • Vehicle body upper section structure
    Patent number: 10745053
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body upper section structure including: a pair of roof side rails that are spaced apart in a vehicle width direction and that extend along a vehicle front-rear direction; a roof reinforcement that extends along the vehicle width direction between the pair of roof side rails; extensions that each join a vehicle vertical direction lower side of a respective one of the pair of roof side rails to a respective vehicle width direction inward side of the roof reinforcement; and a beaded section that is provided at each extension, the beaded section projecting toward a lower side in the vehicle vertical direction and extending in the vehicle width direction such that a projection depth of the beaded section toward the lower side becomes deeper on progression from an inner side toward an outer side in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shin Terada, Hiroyuki Kurokawa
  • Outer skin module of a vehicle door and vehicle door having such an outer skin module
    Patent number: 10744860
    Abstract: An outer skin module of a vehicle door has a side impact support for stiffening the vehicle door, a shell-shaped outer skin having a shell edge, and a peripheral mounting frame on its edge, which is connected to the shell edge of the outer skin for fixing the outer skin to a door shell of the vehicle door. The mounting frame and the side impact support are designed as one-piece module components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Soldner, Markus Vallerius
  • Rear structure of motor vehicle comprising a reinforcement for rear-end collisions
    Patent number: 10737727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rear structure of a motor vehicle (201), said structure comprising: a floor having a rear area intended for accommodating a rear bench, said area being raised forming a projection (209B) relative to an area of said floor adjacent to the front; two rear structural profile members (207) extending longitudinally towards the rear under the rear area of the floor away from the projection (209B); characterised in that the structure (201) also comprises: two reinforcements (215) on the two structural profile members (207), respectively; each of said reinforcements (215) being attached to the corresponding profile member (207) and to the floor, at the projection (209B), and configured to limit a tendency of said profile member (207) to pivot vertically upwards in the event of a rear impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventor: Marc Peru
  • Device for protecting the bumper of a vehicle and method of use
    Patent number: 10723298
    Abstract: A device for protecting the bumper of a vehicle having an undercarriage includes a bumper protector which is connectable to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The bumper protector includes a cushion which is positionable to (1) a retracted position beneath the undercarriage of the vehicle, and (2) an extended position outwardly projecting from the vehicle. In the extended position the cushion is rotatable to an upright position adjacent to the bumper of the vehicle. The cushion protects the bumper during a collision with another vehicle or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Enercio Antonio Espejo
  • Floor mat with integral grommet
    Patent number: 10723252
    Abstract: A floor mat with integral grommet is provided for a vehicle having a floor with at least one upstanding post. The mat includes a core, an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, a grommet is integrally formed with the mat and contained between the upper surface and the lower surface. The grommet includes a grommet body having a first, upper edge and a second, lower edge, a post-engagement throughbore defined by the body. A flange extends radially outwardly from the body between the upper edge and the lower edge for engaging the mat core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: THERMOFLEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Price, David Reband, Thomas Harter, Robert M. Miller