Patents Examined by Dennis H. Pedder
  • Patent number: 11660938
    Abstract: A shading device for a vehicle roof includes at least one shading length that can be rolled up for shading a light-permeable and/or open area of the vehicle roof, a tension bow that is movably mounted in a direction of travel (V), to which the shading length-is fastened, a drive mechanism that can be operated by a drive motor to move the tension and a control unit for activating the drive motor. The shading device includes at least one opposing force element for restricting a traveling movement of the tension bow, and the control unit is designed to activate the drive motor based on an opposing force when the tension bow reaches an end position (P1, P2) defined by the stop element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Josef Appel
  • Patent number: 11661021
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes front frames, first and second bumper beams, sub-frames, gussets, and load transmission members. The front frames extend in a front-rear direction. The first bumper beam is disposed in front of the front frames. The first bumper beam extends in a vehicle width direction. The sub-frames are disposed below the front frames. The sub-frames extend in the front-rear direction. The second bumper beam is coupled to front ends of the sub-frames. Ends of the second bumper beam protrude further outward than the first bumper beam. Each gusset is coupled to a corresponding one of ends of the second bumper beam and a corresponding one of intermediate portions of the sub-frames. The gussets transmit an impact load to the intermediate portions. The load transmission members are coupled to the sub-frames. The load transmission members are disposed on outer side surfaces of the front frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 11662423
    Abstract: A holder (2) for fixing a sensor (1) to a motor vehicle includes a frame (7) and walls that bound an opening (8) for receiving and fixing the sensor. At at least two opposing walls (10, 11) each respectively have at least one clamping portion (14) for clamping the sensor (1) in place in the opening. At least two further opposing walls (12, 13) each respectively have at least one receiving portion (19, 20) for receiving a portion (6) of the sensor (1), wherein at least one of the receiving portions (19) has a spring portion (18) for pretensioning the sensor (1) toward the opposing wall (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Liviu Gligor, Alexandru Lapugean, Lars Snowdon
  • Patent number: 11654975
    Abstract: A vehicle frame rail includes a first half having a hole, a second half having a hole, a spacer locating member and a spacer. The second half is connected to the first half such that the hole in the first half is aligned with the hole in the second half and so as to form an enclosed space between the first half and the second half. The spacer locating member has a body section and a hole. The body section of the spacer locating member is spaced apart from the first half and the second half. The spacer has a first end, a second end and a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The spacer is located in the hole of the spacer locating member such that the bore is aligned with the hole in the first half and the hole in the second half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: AM General LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey R Spehar, Hariton N Poparad, Mark Cutshall, John T McNally
  • Patent number: 11654968
    Abstract: A chassis frame module for an electric vehicle may include: a main frame; a front frame connected to the front of the main frame; and a rear frame connected to the rear of the main frame. The front frame may include: a first front frame disposed at the front of the main frame; a second front frame extending from the first front frame toward the main frame; and a front joint part configured to connect the main frame and the second front frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Jin Woo, Hyoun Young Oh
  • Patent number: 11654754
    Abstract: A panel for use in an open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a substantially rectangular panel main body made of transparent material, and at least one elongated reinforcing bracket positioned at least partly in the vicinity of an edge of said panel main body and firmly connected thereto. The panel bracket is made of a material which is thinner than that of the material of the panel main body and includes a structure to fix the reinforcing bracket to an operating mechanism configured to support the panel and control movements thereof. The edge of the panel main body comprises at least an inward recess and the reinforcing bracket comprises at least an upward step into the recess. The upward step extends along at least a portion of the recess and is dimensioned to accommodate a part of the operating mechanism under it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Anton Martijnszoon Albers
  • Patent number: 11654759
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include seals, vehicles, and methods for providing a seal for a door that is configured to travel laterally relative to a door opening. In an illustrative embodiment, a seal assembly includes first and second upper and lower lateral seals configured to seal outer and inner surfaces of the upper and lower edges of the door, respectively, as the door laterally moved into a closed position. The seal includes first and second front and rear transverse seals configured to seal the outer and the inner surfaces of the front and rear edges of the door, respectively, in response to the door laterally moving into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rajinder Singh, Rick Bargardi, Mohit Nagallapuram, Jeffrey D. Elliott, David Tobon
  • Patent number: 11654974
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a floor assembly having a center floor and a rear floor, a pair of side structures connected to both sides of the floor assembly, and a pair of side sills connected to both side edges of the floor assembly, wherein each side sill includes an inner side sill facing an interior of the vehicle body, an outer side sill facing an exterior of the vehicle body, and first and second side sill reinforcements disposed between the inner side sill and the outer side sill, and wherein a rear end portion of the first side sill reinforcement overlaps a front end portion of the second side sill reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Ho Choi, Jong Seop Song
  • Patent number: 11654847
    Abstract: A crash box may include one or more layers arranged to absorb crash energy. In some embodiments, the crash box includes a first layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the first layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy, and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer having an outer skin defining a periphery of the second layer and at least one of: 1) a rib and web structure, and 2) an array of tubes disposed within the outer skin for absorbing crash energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Tesseract Structural Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry L. Renegar
  • Patent number: 11655660
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part thereof, comprises a closure which is movable by an operating mechanism including at least a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction of the roof system. A slide which is slidable in the guide rail cooperates at least with a closure support. The slide comprises a body and at least two curves provided in the body and each cooperating with at least a cam. The cams are provided on at least the closure support and the curves have such extent that they cross each other between their ends. The curves are arranged in substantially parallel walls of the body of the slide that face away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 11654973
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure for reinforcing a pop-up seat mounting part includes a pair of rear side members engaged with a floor panel of a vehicle body, the pair of rear side members being spaced apart from each other by a spacing distance, a transverse member having a length corresponding to the spacing distance between the pair of rear side members, the transverse member being connected at opposite ends thereof to ends of upper surfaces of the pair of rear side members, and a back panel in contact with one surface of the transverse member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Hak Kang, Seung Hyun Kang
  • Patent number: 11648829
    Abstract: An assembly for moving a vehicle roof cover may have a mechanical component coupled to the cover; a carriage guided in a guide rail; and a deployment element which is extended in an elongate manner along a longitudinal axis. The mechanical component may be coupled to the deployment element at a first end of said deployment element, to transmit a movement of the carriage along a longitudinal direction in sections to the mechanical component. A locking pin may be arranged at a second end of the deployment element; the locking pin can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the deployment element, movable between a first state and a second state, wherein the deployment element is locked in the first state preventing movement along the longitudinal direction relative to the carriage, and is locked in the second state preventing movement along the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Jan Rolwes
  • Patent number: 11648987
    Abstract: A resin roof is provided with a roof main body including an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer structures a roof panel of a vehicle. The inner layer is provided in a predetermined region that excludes a peripheral edge portion of the outer layer. A first joining portion is provided at the peripheral edge portion of the outer layer and is joined by a first adhesive to a first joined portion that is provided at a vehicle body side first base member. A second joining portion is provided at the inner layer and is joined by a second adhesive to a second joined portion that is provided at a vehicle body side second base member. One of the first adhesive or the second adhesive is configured with higher adaptability than another of the first adhesive or the second adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouichirou Ueno, Taichi Minei, Masaro Kimba
  • Patent number: 11643145
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: AUTOTECH ENGINEERING S.L.
    Inventors: Marti Meca Martinez, Xavier Valencia Carrio
  • Patent number: 11643146
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate steel structure (10) for a vehicle comprising:—first steel sheet element (11), and a second steel sheet element (12), said first and second steel sheet elements constituting opposite ends of the elongate steel structure and said first and second steel sheet elements overlapping each other in a mid-portion of said elongate steel structure, wherein the first and the second steel sheet elements have an overlapping hat profile including a central portion (17), two webs (18), and two flanges (19), wherein at least one of the first and second steel sheet elements include cut-outs (13) along the flanges (19) such that the overlap is interrupted along said flanges (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventors: Hans Bodin, Joakim Johansson
  • Patent number: 11643148
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes: a supported frame disposed frontward or rearward of a vehicle cabin along a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a support frame disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the vehicle cabin along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and configured to support an end portion of the supported frame closer to the vehicle cabin; a stiffener disposed in the support frame along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and configured to form a closed cross-section with the support frame; and a bulkhead disposed in the support frame, adjacent to a portion of the stiffener closer to the supported frame, and facing the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An upper edge portion of the bulkhead is integrally formed as a single piece with an end portion of the stiffener closer to the supported frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takehiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 11643147
    Abstract: An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a front pillar outer that is inexpensive, lightweight and strong. A front pillar outer includes a glass-face-side flange part, a door-side flange part, and a main body part that connects the glass-face-side flange part and the door-side flange part to each other. In a partial area of the door-side flange part in a longitudinal direction thereof, a first plate part that is connected to a side edge of the door-side flange part is folded so that the first plate part is overlaid on the door-side flange part. In a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second plate part that is connected to a side edge of the glass-face-side flange part is folded so that the second plate part is overlaid on the glass-face-side flange part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichiro Otsuka, Masafumi Azuma, Naoki Kimoto
  • Patent number: 11643150
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo structure includes a reinforcement panel, an upright strut member having an upper end, a front wall structure having an attachment bracket fixed to an outboard upper end of the front wall structure and a bracket. The bracket is fixedly attached to a forward portion of the reinforcement panel and the upper end of the upright strut member. The bracket is further secured to the attachment bracket of the front wall structure via mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Pencak
  • Patent number: 11639136
    Abstract: A storage system for a vehicle door may include: a vehicle door; a map pocket assembly movable with respect to the vehicle door; and a guide mechanism guiding a movement of the map pocket assembly, wherein a storage compartment is defined between the map pocket assembly and the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, SEOYON E-HWA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Chan Kim, Je Sun Han, Hee Keun Kim
  • Patent number: 11639200
    Abstract: A resin roof is provided with a main roof and a sub-roof. The main roof includes an outer layer fabricated of resin, which structures a roof panel of a vehicle, and an inner layer fabricated of foam resin, which is provided in a predetermined region that excludes a peripheral edge portion of the outer layer. The sub-roof is fabricated of resin and provided at a vehicle body side. In plan view, the sub-roof is provided between a left and right pair of roof side rails of the vehicle. A joining portion at the peripheral edge portion of the outer layer is joined to the sub-roof. Thus, together with the outer layer, the sub-roof structures the roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouichirou Ueno, Taichi Minei