Patents Examined by Dana D Ivey
  • Vehicle frame structure
    Patent number: 11518438
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a pair of rear side members extending along a length of a vehicle in a lower part of the vehicle, and a first cross member coupling the pair of rear side members. The first cross member includes an intermediate member and a pair of coupling members. The intermediate member extends along a width of the vehicle at a location further downward with respect to the rear side members and is located under a motor unit. The pair of coupling members respectively extend downward or diagonally downward from the respective side members toward the opposite ends of the intermediate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Nagaya, Yoshimi Toda, Yozo Ikeda, Shingo Maeda
  • Vehicle front end assembly
    Patent number: 11511812
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure has a front side member that extends forward from a dashwall. An engine cradle is attached to the front side member with a lateral side portion of the engine cradle being located beneath and spaced apart from a lower surface of the front side member. An engine is installed to the engine cradle with a portion of the engine extending upward from the engine cradle adjacent to the inboard surface of the front side member. An inboard push structure has an inboard surface, an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is attached to an inboard surface of the front side member. The lower portion extends downward below a lower surface of the front side member. The inboard surface faces the engine proximate the lateral portion of the lateral side portion of the engine cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Renn, Masayuki Kato, David Coakley, Yasutsune Terashima, Shuichi Okada, Syu Hashimoto
  • Vehicle front end assembly
    Patent number: 11511811
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure has a front side member that extends forward from a dashwall. An engine cradle is attached to the front side member with a lateral side portion of the engine cradle being located beneath and spaced apart from a lower surface of the front side member. An engine installed to the engine cradle with a portion of the engine extending upward from the engine cradle adjacent to an inboard surface of the front side member, A push-off structure is attached to an outboard surface of the front side member adjacent to a front end surface of the front side member. A portion of the push-off structure extends outboard from the outboard surface. Another portion of the push-off structure extends downward below the lower surface of the front side member toward the lateral portion of the engine cradle and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Renn, Masayuki Katou, David Coakley, Yasutsune Terashima, Shuichi Okada, Syu Hashimoto
  • Vehicle body apparatus and system including a rocker insert
    Patent number: 11511808
    Abstract: An apparatus for a vehicle body including a rocker insert is provided. The apparatus includes a vehicle body including a plurality of metallic structure members and a lower portion operable to provide support to a floor surface within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a rocker insert mounted to an in-vehicle side portion of the lower portion. The rocker insert includes an elongated bar portion including a hollow center portion including internal reinforcing web features. The rocker insert is oriented with respect to the vehicle body such that a longitudinal axis of the elongated bar portion of the rocker insert is parallel to an in-vehicle forward direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Halonen, Terry A. Swartzell, Yiran Tong, Luke A. Reini, Andrew W. White, Michael D. Regiec, Warren J. Parsons, Monte L. Taylor
  • Motor vehicle having cross-braces and a group of corresponding motor vehicles
    Patent number: 11505257
    Abstract: For improving the driving dynamics of a motor vehicle with two rear longitudinal members which are spaced apart from one another and which each have a rear axle bushing for receiving a rear axle and are connected to one another by a cross-member which is at the rear in the main travel direction of the motor vehicle, the rear cross-member has in the plane of its extent an offset in the direction of the rear of the vehicle. When considered in the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, an upper cross-member is located above the rear cross-member, wherein the upper cross-member is attached to the rear longitudinal members in the region of the respective rear axle bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mihaly Gonda, Tatjana Schoierer
  • Vehicle structure for managing lateral loads in front crash events
    Patent number: 11505251
    Abstract: A system for managing lateral loads in a vehicle includes a crossmember and one or more structures that may be deformable. The crossmember is arranged laterally spanning a first longitudinal frame member, arranged on a first side of the vehicle, and a second longitudinal frame member of the vehicle, arranged on a second side of the vehicle. The structure is affixed to one lateral side of the vehicle, arranged longitudinally forward of the crossmember, arranged laterally outside of the first frame member, and is configured to deform during a small overlap collision. The structure, when under load, is configured to apply a lateral force on an end of the crossmember to cause lateral displacement of the vehicle. A vehicle may include a structure on each side of the vehicle to generate lateral displacement of the vehicle away from a colliding rigid barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Anish Shah, Akshat Chauhan, Alastair Donald, Mohammed Nomaan Khan
  • Supercapacitor mounting assemblies and vehicle mounting locations
    Patent number: 11505143
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to supercapacitor systems for supporting relatively high power transient electrical loads within vehicles. An exemplary supercapacitor system includes a mounting assembly and a supercapacitor housed within the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may be employed to mount the supercapacitor system within a vehicle, such as within a cowl assembly or cargo space of the vehicle. The mounting assembly may include multiple panels. At least one of the multiple panels may be made of a thermally conductive polymer, and at least one other panel of the multiple panels may be made of a polymer that is reinforced by a structural foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, Zeljko Deljevic, John Budaj
  • Crossmember for motor vehicle construction
    Patent number: 11505266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crossmember for motor vehicle construction, having at least two modules that can be arranged one above the other, wherein each module has an inner side wall and an outer side wall, which are connected to one another at their upper ends by an upper wall and at their lower ends by a lower wall, wherein the upper wall of the lower module has, over the longitudinal extent thereof, a raised portion or depression, which engages in a complementary depression or raised portion of the lower wall of the upper module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Rodscha Drabon, Siegmund Czerr, Hendrik Reineke, Stefan Grottke
  • Vehicle lower part structure
    Patent number: 11498623
    Abstract: A vehicle lower part structure includes: center rail portions disposed at a central part in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; front rail portions disposed forward of the center rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; rear rail portions disposed rearward of the center rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; front connecting rail portions connecting the center rail portions and the front rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; rear connecting rail portions connecting the center rail portions and the rear rail portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; first mount portions supporting a vehicle body constituting a cabin; and second mount portions supporting the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jumpei Watanabe, Yasuhiro Hara, Norimasa Koreishi, Hirotaka Ishioka
  • Drag reducing device
    Patent number: 11498628
    Abstract: A drag reducing device includes an air flow turning component having a curved surface adapted to turn air flow passing over the curved surface, a first mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to a rear door of the vehicle, and a second mounting component for connecting the air flow turning component to one of the opposite side walls of the vehicle. The mounting components are configured so that the air flow component is automatically in a deployed position when the rear door is closed, so the air flow turning component turns air flow passing along the side the vehicle inward to thereby reduce drag. The mounting components are further configured so that the air flow component is automatically stowed between the rear door and the vehicle side wall when the door is fully opened. The air turning component is sized for a minimal prominence when stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder, John Vogel, James R. Tuerk
  • Vehicle-body structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 11492047
    Abstract: A cowl panel comprises an upper face portion where a windshield is joined, a forward protrusion portion extending downwardly from the upper face portion, protruding forwardly, a rearward protrusion portion extending downwardly from a rear lower end of the forward protrusion portion, protruding rearwardly, and a lower face portion extending forwardly from a lower end of the rearward protrusion portion. A reinforcing member which is positioned on a forward side of the forward protrusion portion and the rearward protrusion portion of the cowl panel and joined to the forward protrusion portion and the lower face portion is provided. The reinforcing member comprises a straight portion which substantially straightly extends downwardly from a joint part where the reinforcing member is joined to the forward protrusion portion, and the straight portion is provided with a fragile part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuru Wakabayashi, Seisuke Mitsunaga, Hidekazu Shiraishi, Shingo Ono
  • Deformation structure and pedestrian protection device having a deformation structure
    Patent number: 11491949
    Abstract: A deformation structure includes at least one first layer and a second layer, which are arranged spaced apart from one another in a deformation direction and such that they can be displaced relative to one another. The first layer and the second layer have complementary protrusions and recesses, which are designed in such a way that the protrusions of the first layer and recesses of the second layer, as well as the protrusions of the second layer and recesses of the first layer can dip into one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oeztzan Akif, Taras Steliha
  • Vehicle frame structure
    Patent number: 11485420
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a front wall portion and a rear wall portion that are respectively provided in front and rear end portions of a vehicle, a side wall portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to separate the vehicle cabin from the exterior of the vehicle cabin, and a connecting portion that includes a first end portion and a second end portion, and has a closed section structure that is curved so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width and front-rear directions in a plan view. The first end portion is connected to an inner side of one of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the second end portion is connected to an inner side of the side wall portion in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hirotaka Ishioka, Yasuhiro Hara, Norimasa Koreishi, Jumpei Watanabe
  • Vehicle roof-mounted shading apparatus
    Patent number: 11472275
    Abstract: A self-contained, self-extending, roof-mounted shading apparatus, capable of both vertical and horizontal movement to provide shade for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Shady Spot, Inc.
    Inventors: Winifred Gurley, Paul Gurley
  • Motor vehicle provided with a release system for uncoupling a cross member in the engine compartment in case of a front crash
    Patent number: 11472483
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a passenger compartment and two longitudinal members provided with respective rear portions arranged longitudinally in the area of the passenger compartment and with respective struts, which project forward relative to the passenger compartment; the motor vehicle further has a powertrain, which is supported by the cross member and/or by the struts, and a cross member with front connection points connected to the longitudinal members so as to be suspended, by means of respective breakable connection members, and with rear connection points connected to the aforesaid rear portions by means of connection devices having weakened areas designed so as to break when a given load threshold is exceeded, in order to completely uncouple the cross member from the longitudinal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: FCA ITALY S.p.A., TOFAS TURK OTOMOBIL FABRIKASI ANOMIN SIRKETI
    Inventors: Luigi Catena, Marco Arbizzani, Tayfun Öztürk
  • Vehicle front structure
    Patent number: 11465688
    Abstract: A vehicle front structure that reduces a shock load applied to immediately under a front grille by using a bumper beam as a support. A vehicle front structure includes a shock absorbing member at an interior of a bumper face on the side near an upper portion thereof which absorbs a load from the diagonally upper front side. The shock absorbing member is at the interior of the bumper face below a front grille, and includes a load receiving portion that receives a load, a locking portion locked to an upper end edge of a bumper beam located behind and below the load receiving portion, at the time of receding of the shock absorbing member, and a connecting portion connecting the load receiving portion and the locking portion. A deformation facilitating portion with respect to a load from the upper front side is thus configured at the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Aizawa, Tetsuo Nagata, Ryosuke Kawafune, Yuta Mishima
  • Structural component for a superstructure of a vehicle, and vehicle superstructure
    Patent number: 11447181
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a structural element. In one example, a system comprises a structural element arranged between a steering column and a front bumper, wherein the structural element at least partially surrounds the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Stefan Schneider, Michael Spurling, Joergen Hilmann, Dominik Mueller, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Vehicle body structure of convertible vehicle
    Patent number: 11440591
    Abstract: A reinforcement extending in the front-back direction of a vehicle and connecting a rear side member and a center pillar is provided. The reinforcement includes a gusset, an intermediate connecting member, and a pillar-side member. The gusset is connected to the rear side member, and the front end portion of the gusset is connected to the rear surface of the intermediate connecting member. The front surface of the intermediate connecting member is connected to the rear end portion of the pillar-side member. The pillar-side member is connected to the center pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sakurai, Kenya Fujimoto, Satoshi Ogawa
  • Half mirror
    Patent number: 11433743
    Abstract: Provided is a half mirror which is used for a windshield constituting a head up display, and in which a feeling of glare is suppressed, and a boundary between a region which selectively reflects visible light and a region which reflects visible light is made inconspicuous. The half mirror has a reflection layer including a non-reflection region which does not reflect visible light, a reflection region which selectively reflects visible light, and a mixed region which is provided between the regions and in which a non-reflection portion which does not reflect visible light and a reflection portion which selectively reflects visible light are mixed, and in the mixed region, an area of the reflection portion is gradually increased from the non-reflection region toward the reflection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeaki Nimura, Hiroshi Inada, Rie Takasago
  • Front guard for working vehicle
    Patent number: 11433838
    Abstract: A front guard includes: a lower frame; and an upper frame and is configured to be swung to change a posture between a standing posture and a forward-leaning posture with respect to the lower frame. The lower frame has: a first lower member; and a second lower member. The upper frame has: a first stretching portion; a second stretching portion; and a connector portion. The connector portion has: a first portion; a second portion; and a middle portion. The first portion shifts forward as extending from the first stretching portion side to the middle portion side. The second portion shifts forward as extending from the second stretching portion side to the middle portion side. The middle portion extends in the vehicle width direction to connect the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zachary Thompson, Carlos Cabrera, Junta Kuwae, Taiki Furuki