Patents Examined by Drew Brown
  • Patent number: 9212717
    Abstract: A gas spring assembly (200) with a flexible wall (206) being a rolling lobe (240) with an end member (204) including a side wall (238) and a plurality of corrugations disposed along the side wall. A cover (246) can be secured across a cavity (248) formed in the gas spring end member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company LLC
    Inventors: Paul P. Koeske, Stephen C. Street
  • Patent number: 9205854
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, systems, methods and devices are directed to a shopping cart with safety features which prevent or reduce the risk of injury caused to those using the cart as well as those in the vicinity of the shopping cart. A wheelbase of the shopping cart may have a set of wheels. Each wheel may have an airbag stored therein. The airbag may be deployable from any one of the wheels such the wheel is engulfed, fully or partially, within the inflated airbag. A pressure sensor may be attached to each of the wheels. The pressure sensor may constantly monitor the force being exerted in the wheel in order to identify moments when the traction may be comprised or when the cart may be at risk of toppling over. A speed or velocity sensor is attached to the wheelbase to monitor and detect for excessive speeds. The airbags may be inflatable by one or more compressed air or compressed gas cylinders or vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Man Lin Lee
  • Patent number: 9205856
    Abstract: The vehicle having a pair of left and right wheels includes a seating section configured such that a driver is able to take a seat by straddling the same, foot placement sections located beneath the seating section to be respectively provided at left and right positions with the seating section interposed therebetween, the foot placement sections being respectively supported by lower arms connected to the wheels, feet of the driver being placed on the foot placement sections, and a grip section gripped with a hand of the driver. Left and right steering may be performed by twisting the feet placed on the foot placement sections by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohshi Katoh, Kuniaki Gotou, Eishi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9205797
    Abstract: An airbag unit for a motor vehicle safety device includes an inflatable airbag formed of flexible material and provided in a rolled and/or folded package. The package is held under compression by a cover which extends around at least part of the package. The cover is formed from a ductile fabric material including polymeric fibers, at least some of the fibers fused to one another to impart a predetermined stable shape to the unit. A method of packaging the airbag includes providing an inflatable airbag formed of flexible sheet material; rolling and/or folding the airbag and at least partially wrapping it with an initially flexible cover to form an intermediate package, the cover formed from a ductile fabric material including polymeric fibers; simultaneously heating and pressing the intermediate package to form a compressed package in which at least some of the fibers are fused to one another, the compressed package having a stable shape defined by the fused fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Martin Östman, Mats Berntsson, Karin Ydrén, Magdalena Wingren
  • Patent number: 9188198
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, an input portion including an input gear, an idler portion including an idler gear, and an output portion including an output gear and an output member disposed outside of the housing and substantially coplanar with a drive portion of a rear wheel assembly. The housing can couple to an engine assembly such that rotation of an engine output member rotates the input gear. The input gear can move within the housing between a first position, in which the input gear engages the idler gear and is spaced apart from the output gear to indirectly rotate the output gear in a first direction via the idler gear, and a second position, in which the input gear engages the output gear and is spaced apart from the idler gear to directly rotate the output gear in a second direction. The output member rotates with the output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tanom Motors, LLC
    Inventors: Merrill C. Hall, David M. Ankin, Jody L. Rawson, John A. Willes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9186945
    Abstract: A cam adjustable shim assembly includes a bushing defining a bushing opening. The bushing opening extends longitudinally along a bushing axis to define a bushing bore. The cam adjustable shim assembly further includes a cam disposed in the bushing bore. The cam defines a cam bore extending longitudinally along a first cam axis offset relative to the bushing axis such that the cam bore is eccentric relative to the bushing bore. The cam adjustable shim assembly further includes a bolt at least partially disposed within the cam bore along a first cam axis. The bolt is engaged with the cam bore such that rotation of the bolt about the first cam axis causes the cam to rotate within the bushing about the bushing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Luttinen, Steven A. Lamouria
  • Patent number: 9187055
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag includes an airbag main body and an auxiliary airbag portion. A tether is located in the airbag main body. The rear end of the tether is connected to the boundary area between the airbag main body and the auxiliary airbag portion or to a part in the vicinity of the boundary area. The front end of the tether is connected either to a side wall portion closer to the auxiliary airbag portion or to the front wall portion of the airbag main body. The part of the front end of the tether that is connected to the front wall portion is farther from a side wall portion farther from the auxiliary airbag portion than the area in the front wall portion of the airbag main body onto which the part connected to the rear end of the tether is projected forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Vinay V. Genthikatti, Linhuo Shi
  • Patent number: 9186944
    Abstract: A cam adjustable shim assembly includes a bushing defining a bushing opening. The bushing opening extends along a first axis. The cam adjustable shim assembly further includes a cam disposed in the bushing opening and a bolt at least partially disposed within the cam. The bolt extends along a second axis. The second axis is offset relative to the first axis such that the bushing opening is eccentric relative to the bolt. The bolt is fixed to the cam such that rotation of the bolt about the second axis causes the cam to rotate within the bushing about the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James L. Luttinen, Steven A. Lamouria
  • Patent number: 9187058
    Abstract: An airbag device includes: an airbag; an inflator; a gas discharge state switching member; and a tether belt which is one example of a connecting member. The gas discharge state switching member is switched over from a gas discharge state to a gas non-discharge state by being pulled into the inside of the airbag. The tether belt connects the gas discharge state switching member and a portion of an inner peripheral portion of the airbag to each other. An arranged position of the gas discharge state switching member, a position where the tether belt is connected to the inner peripheral portion of the airbag, and a passing line of the tether belt are disposed at portions which avoid a portion of the airbag which comes into contact with an occupant in a regular posture state when the airbag receives the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamaji, Satoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9180901
    Abstract: When an adjustment lever 32 is rotated in order to adjust the position of a steering wheel 1, the adjustment lever 32 is prevented from vigorously rotating, which prevents making the driver who operates the adjustment lever 32 feel discomfort. An expandable damper 35 that provides resistance to the rotation of the adjustment lever 32 is provided between a protrusion 34 that rotates together with the adjustment lever 32 centered around an adjustment rod and an extending portion 37 that is provided on a support-plate portion 15c. The expandable damper 35 has a cylinder portion 38 and a damper rod 39 that are combined so as to be able to displace relative to each other in the axial direction by way of grease 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichi Moriyama, Daisuke Terasawa
  • Patent number: 9180835
    Abstract: Axial forces on the shins of small-bodied occupants and medium-bodied occupants may be suppressed or prevented, and protective performance of the knee areas of large-bodied occupants is assured. A vehicle knee airbag device is equipped with a knee airbag main body portion that is formed in a thin bag shape and that inflates and expands from below to above along a design surface of an instrument panel floor when gas is supplied thereto. A protection portion of the knee airbag main body portion has a size capable of covering both knees of an occupant, from small-bodied occupants to large-bodied occupants. A U-shaped lower tether is disposed in an upper portion of the interior of the protection portion; vertical direction dividing portions of the lower tether extend to the upward side from portions that correspond with both knees of medium-bodied occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Makoto Ozeki
  • Patent number: 9174603
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device inflatable between a vehicle surface and the vehicle occupant. The protection device includes a front panel having a portion presented toward the occupant when the protection device is in an inflated condition. A vent includes at least one opening for releasing inflation fluid from the protection device and has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether has a first segment connected to the vent and the front panel of the protection device for actuating the vent and a second segment connected to the front panel and a rear portion of the protection device. Tear stitching connects portions of the second segment of the tether to form a slackened portion of the tether. The tear stitching remains intact such that the first segment is slackened and the vent in the non-actuated condition in response to initial deployment of the protection device below a predetermined degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Patrick Landis
  • Patent number: 9174600
    Abstract: An impact absorbing device includes a plate and a panel having a panel thickness. An intermediate portion has a portion thickness and extends between the plate and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the plate and the panel. A port is in communication with the chamber. The portion thickness is less than the panel thickness. The impact absorbing device is movable to a deployed position to contact an occupant during a collision. Since the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness, the intermediate portion expands more quickly, providing an impact surface for the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Robert William McCoy, James Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 9168977
    Abstract: A driven wheel suspension system for a vehicle (100) having a chassis (12) suspended from a driven wheel (10) is disclosed. The suspension system includes a suspension mechanism including a driven wheel carrier member (11) rotatably connected to the driven wheel (10). The suspension mechanism is configured to isolate the movement of the driven wheel 10 from the movement of the chassis (12). The driven wheel (10) is movable a distance relative to the chassis (12) which defines a suspension travel. The driven wheel suspension system further includes a drive train including a looped power transmission element configured to transmit power between the driven wheel (10) and a power source mounted on the chassis (12). An idler member (31) is rotatably mounted on an idler carrier member (20) that is movable relative to both the chassis (12) and driven wheel earner member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Hugh McLeay
  • Patent number: 9168942
    Abstract: The vehicle a pair of left and right wheels includes a seating section configured such that a driver is able to take a seat by straddling the same, foot placement sections located beneath the seating section to be respectively provided at left and right positions with the seating section interposed therebetween, the foot placement sections being respectively supported by lower arms connected to the wheels, feet of the driver being placed on the foot placement sections, and a grip section gripped with a hand of the driver. Left and right steering may be performed by twisting the feet placed on the foot placement sections by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohshi Katoh, Kuniaki Gotou, Eishi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9156424
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for packing or deploying airbag cushions, such as driver side airbag cushions, to improve unfolding kinematics and/or otherwise improve performance. In some implementations of methods for packing an airbag cushion, a first portion of an airbag cushion may be compressed and then secured in a compressed configuration using a first wrap. A second portion of the airbag cushion may then be compressed and secured in a second compressed configuration using a second wrap. The resulting airbag cushion assembly may be configured to separate the wraps sequentially, rather than simultaneously, during inflation of the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: ChangSoo Choi, Brian Joseph Borton
  • Patent number: 9156502
    Abstract: A vehicle bonnet safety assembly, the vehicle comprising: a bonnet; a windscreen; a chassis, to which the bonnet is hingedly joined by means of actuators; the assembly further comprises: an elongated guide fixedly mounted, and supported along its length, on the bottom side of the bonnet; a sliding member provided inside the elongated guide to slide along the length of the elongated guide until it engages a stop coupled to the elongated guide; whereas the sliding member is mounted in the elongated guide such that it is prevented from sliding out and sliding back the elongated guide thereby creating a field of visibility on the road for a driver when the bonnet flips over the windscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Digital Broadcast S.A.
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Micewicz
  • Patent number: 9150173
    Abstract: An embracing mechanism for vehicle wheels including: a forward-pushing base disposed in front of a wheel, a backward-pulling base disposed behind the wheel, and a downward-pressing base disposed above the wheel. The forward-pushing base is connected to the backward-pulling base via an upper transmission box and a lower transmission box. The lower transmission box is provided with a front resistant spring and a rear resistant spring. The downward-pressing base is hinged to the forward-pushing base and the backward-pulling base via hinge parts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Shenli Chen
  • Patent number: 9150241
    Abstract: Construction of a tilt steering apparatus is provided that is capable of preventing the occurrence of unpleasant noise during height adjustment of a steering wheel 1, and maintains sufficient durability and smooth operation. The tilt steering apparatus of the present invention is provided with stoppers 65 in at least two locations in a buffer member 21 c that are rotationally symmetric about the center axis of an adjustment rod 14, and that when a driven-side cam 15b is rotated as the axial dimension of a cam apparatus 47 is expanded or contracted, controls rotation of the driven-side cam 15b so that a convex engaging portion 39c does not collide with the front-side edge or rear-side edge of a vertically long hole 35b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Youhei Nakazato, Kou Yamamoto, Noritomo Narita
  • Patent number: 9150175
    Abstract: A vehicle front end assembly includes a radiator assembly, a fascia component overlapping the radiator assembly, and a grill laterally aligned with the radiator assembly. The grill and radiator assembly define an airflow space longitudinally therebetween. The vehicle front end assembly further includes an airbag coupled between the fascia component and the radiator assembly, and the airbag is disposed outside of the airflow space in both deflated and inflated configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Dean M. Jaradi