Patents Examined by Drew J. Brown
  • Patent number: 11912329
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle, includes: a handle element for actuating the steering by hand; a lever element for transmitting a torque to a steering axle of the steering column of the vehicle in order to steer the vehicle; and a coupling device for coupling the handle element to the lever element so as to convert a force in order to convert a steering movement carried out on the handle element into a rotational movement of the lever element about a steering angle with respect to the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Froemel, Stefan Goldammer, Tobias Lachner, Martin Wiesinger
  • Patent number: 11912096
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping profile and a driver actuatable input. The driver actuatable input may be positioned to be actuatable by the driver in the absence of requiring a removal of either of the hands of the driver from a steering device of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon P. Graus, Brian D. Krosschell
  • Patent number: 11904928
    Abstract: A method of operating a steering column of a motor vehicle, which includes a height adjuster including an electric motor and a controller to control the electric motor to raise and lower along an adjustment path of a steering assembly connected to the steering column. The control is effected by pulse width modulation and, by varying a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation, an electrical voltage is adapted in such a way that the raising and/or lowering is effected over an adjustment path at a constant adjustment speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC MOTORS & ACTUATORS (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventor: Max Schwing
  • Patent number: 11904929
    Abstract: A height adjustment device of a steering column of a motor vehicle includes an electric motor and a reduction gear. The electric motor drives a threaded spindle to raise and lower a steering assembly connected to the steering column. The threaded spindle is engaged with a spindle nut, a rotational movement of the threaded spindle is converted into a translational movement of the spindle nut in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the threaded spindle, and the threaded spindle is surrounded on a circumferential side by at least one spring that exerts a spring force on the spindle nut to counteract a weight force of the steering assembly acting in the direction of the axis of rotation of the threaded spindle. The at least one spring includes a compression spring between the reduction gear and the spindle nut and tensioned when the steering assembly is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC MOTORS & ACTUATORS (GERMANY) GMBH
    Inventor: Max Schwing
  • Patent number: 11904785
    Abstract: A safety apparatus may include a tray table coupled to an interior surface of a vehicle via a release mechanism. The safety apparatus may also include a collision detection system communicatively coupled to the release mechanism. The collision detection system is configured to engage with the release mechanism if the tray table is in an open position, and to de-couple the tray table from the interior surface of the vehicle or to break away the tray table from a portion of a tray table structure if a collision is detected with respect to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GM Cruise Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Rajat Basu
  • Patent number: 11904930
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a casing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending in a length direction. The casing unit may have at least two casings that are adjustably guided relative to one another through a range of adjustment travel in the length direction. Part of the adjustment travel may correspond to a transitional portion, and part of the adjustment travel may correspond to a functional portion. The casings may be guided with a greater play in the transitional portion than in the functional portion. One casing may have a guide track and another casing may have a guide element that engages in the guide track and is guided in the length direction and has a guide play in the guide track that is greater in the transitional portion than in the functional portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Deeg, Eric Caron
  • Patent number: 11904933
    Abstract: According to a steering column for a vehicle according to the present embodiments, a wide convenient space can be secured for a driver in a teles-in state by increasing a teles-stroke while securing an installation space for the steering column, the installation of the steering column is spatially convenient despite the increased teles-stroke, and a teles operation can be quickly performed without increasing the output of a motor, and thus a convenient space can be quickly secured for a driver without degraded noise performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Chul Ku, Sung Hun Park, Kwon Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11904979
    Abstract: A scooter device that can be propelled by side to side movement of a user is disclosed. The scooter device includes at least a first front wheel, at least a second and a third rearward located wheel, a frame structure through which the first wheel is coupled to the second and third wheels, wherein the second and third rearward located wheels are mounted in a biased direction arrangement and a steering mechanism that has a vertically ascending control member and is coupled to the first wheel such that turning of the steering mechanism achieves a turning of the first wheel, the steering mechanism further coupled to the frame structure such that the steering mechanism may be tilted relative to the frame structure. The frame structure can includes a first foot placement platform extending above the second wheel and a second foot placement platform extending above the third wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Razor USA LLC
    Inventors: Ian Desberg, William Griggs
  • Patent number: 11891009
    Abstract: An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel. The deployable panel has a proximal end rotatably connected to the dash. The deployable panel is rotatable about the proximal end from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The proximal end is engaged with the dash in the deployed position and the deployable panel has a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag has a back panel abutting the deployable panel in the inflated position and an impact panel opposite the back panel. A tether is connected to the deployable panel and the impact panel. The tether extends through the back panel from the deployable panel to the impact panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Axel Smitterberg, Russell Joseph Mihm, Johnathan Andrew Line, Chuck R. Reese, James Robert Chascsa, II
  • Patent number: 11891111
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an axially adjustable steering column having an adjustment lever, the locking mechanism includes: a locking cam including a hub, an upper arm, and a leg defining a set of teeth, the upper arm and the leg extend from the hub in a same direction to define a space therebetween, the upper arm includes an interface surface facing the leg that interfaces with the adjustment lever to move the locking cam between a locked position and an unlocked position; and a pin extending through the locking cam to allow the locking cam to pivot about the pin between the locked position and the unlocked position. In the locked position, the set of teeth of the leg engage with a set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column. In the unlocked position, the set of teeth of the leg are spaced apart from the set of teeth of the axially adjustable steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher
  • Patent number: 11891116
    Abstract: A telescope drive bracket for coupling a telescoping actuator to an upper steering jacket, the telescope drive bracket includes a plate including a first end, an opposite second end, and a pair of sides extending from the first end to the second end, a strap retainer formed with the plate and including a reaction wall extending in parallel with the plate, and a strap including a first portion engaging the strap retainer, a second portion extending along the plate, and a bent portion between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion and the second portion extend from the bent portion in a same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Zachery P. Schultz, Raymond J. Neifert, Robert D. Maida
  • Patent number: 11891113
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes an upper jacket. And a lower jacket. The steering column assembly further includes a column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket is operatively coupled to the column mounting bracket and translates relative to the column mounting bracket, wherein the column mounting bracket defines a first set of tapered rail slots, each of the first set of tapered rail slots disposed on opposite sides of the column mounting bracket and extending longitudinally along the column mounting bracket, wherein the lower jacket defines a second set of tapered rail slots, each of the second set of tapered rail slots disposed on opposite sides of the lower jacket and extending longitudinally along the lower jacket. The steering column assembly yet further includes a first pair of sliding wedge bushings disposed within the first set of tapered rail slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob A. Caverly, Randy W. Jones, Scott A. Stinebring
  • Patent number: 11891108
    Abstract: An auxiliary unstow mechanism for a vehicle steering column includes a telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) in communication with the telescope actuator assembly to control the telescope actuator assembly. The auxiliary unstow mechanism further includes a latch actuator operatively controlling a latch assembly that controls a locked condition and an unlocked condition of vehicle steering column axial position. The auxiliary unstow mechanism yet further includes a second ECU in communication with the first ECU and the latch actuator, the second ECU controlling the latch actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Keyur R. Patel, Blake J. Riley
  • Patent number: 11891110
    Abstract: A steering column has a tubular jacket supported by a mount bracket. The tubular jacket extends along a central axis between lower and upper ends, and is pivotal about a pivot axis. The mount bracket has first and second sidewalls spaced from one another for movement of the tubular jacket therebetween. The first and second sidewalls have first and second lock features, respectively. A lock bolt extends along a lock bolt axis transversely to the central axis. First and second lock cams are operably supported by the lock bolt for rotation about the lock bolt axis between locked and unlocked states. The first and second lock cams have respective first and second lock cam lock features for engagement with the first and second lock features, respectively, to releasably lock the tubular jacket against pivotal movement about the pivot axis in opposite first and second directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Messing, Jacob A. Caverly, Margaret R. Szeliga
  • Patent number: 11884316
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The steering column includes an outer jacket located at the first end, a middle jacket telescopically connected to the outer jacket and extending towards the second end, and an inner jacket telescopically connected to the middle jacket and extending further towards the second end. The steering column assembly also includes at least one axial adjustment actuator that telescopically moves the middle jacket with respect to the outer jacket. The at least one axial adjustment actuator includes a first gear rack fixed to the outer jacket and a second gear rack fixed to the inner jacket, at least one gear located between, and in tooth meshed engagement with, the first gear rack and the second gear rack and driven to translate the inner jacket relative to the outer jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Tinnin, Zachery Schultz, Joen Bodtker
  • Patent number: 11885103
    Abstract: A power system for a working machine, including a prime mover drivingly connectable to a main shaft; a planetary gear set including a rotatable first member drivingly connected to the main shaft, a rotatable second member and a rotatable third member for propulsion of the working machine; a hydraulic system including at least one hydraulic actuator for performing a working function of the working machine; an electric energy storage system; a first hydraulic machine mechanically coupled to the main shaft and hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic system; a first electric machine mechanically coupled to the main shaft; a second electric machine mechanically coupled to the rotatable second member, wherein the electric energy storage system is electrically connected to the first and second electric machines, and wherein the power system further includes a second hydraulic machine mechanically coupled to the rotatable second member and hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Karl Uebel, Per Mattsson, Daniel Stålberg
  • Patent number: 11879545
    Abstract: A parking brake includes an inhibitor device (31), which can be associated with a drive shaft (3) for rotating therewith, the inhibitor device (31) being actuated by centrifugal force. The parking brake further includes a locking member (33) adapted to engage the inhibitor device (31) when actuated. The inhibitor device (31) is configured to prevent the engagement of the locking member with the inhibitor device when the inhibitor device rotates at a speed greater than a minimum speed, so as to prevent the application of the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Walter Mariotti, Marcello Fiaccavento, Carlo Magagnini
  • Patent number: 11866091
    Abstract: A steering column for vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper column, a lower column, a pinion pulley, a guide roller, a telemotor, and a belt. A steering shaft is disposed in the upper column, and the rack bar is disposed on an outer surface of the upper column. The upper column is disposed in the lower column. The lower column includes an opening portion in which the rack bar is disposed, a first protruding portion formed at one side of an outer peripheral surface, and a second protruding portion formed at the other side of the outer peripheral surface. The pinion pulley is rotatably coupled to the first protruding portion, and the guide roller is rotatably coupled to the second protruding portion. The telemotor is fixedly coupled to an outer surface of the lower column. The belt connects the pinion pulley and the telemotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Donghun Shin
  • Patent number: 11866090
    Abstract: A steering column includes an outer jacket that is adjustably secured to a carrier unit and clamped to a telescopically adjustable inner jacket. The outer jacket has a tubular body with a clamping slot extending longitudinally. Opposing side plates disposed alongside the clamping slot extend longitudinally. The side plates are connected to the tubular body and each have a longitudinally-extending elongated hole spaced apart from the tubular body in an outer region that protrudes from the tubular body. A clamping bolt extends through the elongated holes and an opening of the carrier unit. The clamping bolt applies a clamping force to load the side plates. An inner region of each side plate is fixed to the tubular body. A support element is connected to each side plate between the elongated hole and the inner region and is connected to the tubular body in an edge region of the clamping slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Robert Galehr, Balint Kalman Nagy
  • Patent number: 11866087
    Abstract: A steering column assembly is disclosed that comprises: a housing having outer, intermediate and inner elongate, telescopically mounted housing portions movable relative to one another along an adjustment axis; a steering column rotatably mounted in the inner elongate housing portion and being configured at one end for attachment of a steering member (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Damian Uchyla, Artur Wojtalik, Radoslaw Szymoszek, Marcin Brzoska