Patents Examined by Drew J. Brown
  • Patent number: 12202456
    Abstract: An automatic vehicle braking arrangement includes a vehicle control unit configured to determine whether one or more conditions that must occur to activate an automatic braking function of the vehicle are occurring, to automatically activate the automatic braking function after determining that the one or more conditions are occurring, and to automatically release the automatic braking function after determining that one or more conditions that must occur to release the automatic braking function are occurring. A method for operating such an arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chidambaram Subramanian, Abram McConnell Bradley, IV
  • Patent number: 12203925
    Abstract: Embodiments include breath intoxicant monitoring systems and methods of operating a breath intoxicant monitoring system. In an embodiment, a breath intoxicant monitoring system, includes a first detection element, a second detection element, and a control module. The first detection element can be operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath and to provide a continuous signal indicating the level of intoxicant. The second detection element can be operable to detect a level of the intoxicant. The second detection element includes a different type of element than the first detection element. The second detection element can have greater accuracy than the first detection element. The control module to selectively operate the second detection element based on the signal received from the first detection element, and to indicate whether the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeds a threshold. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Consumer Safety Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Ruland, Douglas Edward DeVries
  • Patent number: 12195075
    Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonghan Kim, Sanghyun Park
  • Patent number: 12194845
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Safranski, Robbi L. Peterson, Richard L. Sunsdahl, Aaron D. Deckard, Louis J. Brady
  • Patent number: 12194948
    Abstract: An airbag of a vehicle occupant restraint system has an actively releasable tether element (14) disposed in an interior (16) of the airbag (10) which is connected, at an airbag-side fixation (18), permanently to the airbag (10) in the region of a contact zone (20) for the occupant, and which comprises a detachable fixing point (22) for the release. The airbag (10) can take up a smaller first filled volume (V1) in which the tether element (14) and the detachable fixing point (22) are not released, and a larger second filled volume (V2) in which the tether element (14) is released at the actively detachable fixing point (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignees: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH, AUDI AG
    Inventors: Simon Schmid, Silke Leger, Markus Schlipf, Simon Kramer, Jochen Dünnebier, Andreas Geist
  • Patent number: 12179880
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The wheel of the vehicle may be a powered wheeled vehicle with an engine and a transmission system. The transmission system may be used to select a gear ratio to a powered wheel of the wheeled vehicle, such as a single wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jenika Bishop, Giancarlo Battaglini, James A. J. Holroyd, Brett Nagel, Michael J. Whiting
  • Patent number: 12179536
    Abstract: An under beam lift assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle that is removably connectable with an axle/suspension system of the heavy-duty vehicle. The under beam lift assembly includes structure that enables the lift assembly to pivot in an axis different than an axis of a pivotal connection between a suspension assembly and a hanger of the axle/suspension system. The under beam lift assembly is free of contact with the pivotal connection between the suspension assembly and the hanger of the axle/suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gavin M. Rundell, Dominic J. Romito, Jason W. Jones, R. Scott Fulton
  • Patent number: 12179861
    Abstract: An electrical portal wheel hub system is coupled with a wheel of a vehicle and utilizes an electric motor/generator configured to drive the wheel or generate power through application of braking torque to the wheel, and may be coupled with two or more wheels of the vehicle, wherein generated power is provided to a portal hub battery. The portal hub battery may provide power to the electric motors, or to other electrical devices or batteries of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a trailer or non-driven wheels having a connecting axle and an electrical portal hub may be coupled to these otherwise, non-driven wheels. The vehicle may be an electric vehicle and the electrical portal wheel hub system may provide power to a vehicle battery that provides power to drive the wheels of the vehicle. A controller may control power from the portal hub battery to the electric motor/generators and or other battery and devices to provide energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Inventors: Robert P Thomas, Jordan Thomas
  • Patent number: 12179832
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the technical field of steering columns, and specifically discloses a telescopic multifunctional steering column. An upper column is fixedly mounted inside a steering wheel. An outer surface of the upper column is sleeved with a lower column. In the disclosure, slidable connection is realized through a spline groove and a spline shaft, so that the steering column can extend and retract, which ensures stability and sliding smoothness of the column during the extension and retraction process. By connecting a pull bolt with a locking switch of a lifting rod through a wire rope, when the pull bolt is pulled up, a driver can adjust a length of the column according to his own needs, which improves driving flexibility and comfort. When the pull bolt retracts, the steering column is locked at a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Dongguan Excar Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhui Zhou, Runguang Zhou, Bo Wu
  • Patent number: 12172518
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, front and rear wheels, a powertrain comprising an engine and transmission, and various other systems and components. The frame includes various features for supporting components and systems of the vehicle. For example, a rear portion of the frame is configured to support a utility bed, a portion of a cooling system, a portion of an air intake system, and a portion of an exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua A. Rasa, David D. Helgeson, Donald S. Hansen, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Stephen L. Nelson, Jeffrey I. Peterman, Owen A. Dickinson, Timothy J. Giese, Ryan K. Lovold
  • Patent number: 12172583
    Abstract: A tailgate toolbox is disclosed wherein a toolbox is adapted to slide and be encased within the tailgate hutch of a vehicle, such as a pick-up truck. The tailgate hutch generally being made with material that is strong and durable to protect the cargo space, the toolbox stored therein stays protected and may be built with lighter material further making it portable. Additionally, a cavity in the tailgate hutch provides space that is otherwise wasted and thus storing a toolbox therein takes up no additional space. Furthermore, securely encased within the tailgate hutch, the toolbox stays secure and prevents its theft. The toolbox disclosed includes pre-designed compartments for storing standard tools to prevent rattling as the cargo vehicle sometimes moves through rough terrain. The toolbox also includes a handle to enable it to be easily pulled out of or stowed back into the cavity of the tailgate hutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Inventor: Zacharia Rumph
  • Patent number: 12172696
    Abstract: A longitudinal beam assembly includes an integrally formed longitudinal beam and a mounting tower. The mounting tower is mounted on the longitudinal beam. The longitudinal beam is provided with a first suspension mounting portion, and the first suspension mounting portion is configured to mount a suspension lower swing arm. The mounting tower is provided with a shock absorber mounting portion and a second suspension mounting portion. The shock absorber mounting portion is configured to mount a shock absorber and the second suspension mounting portion is configured to mount a suspension upper swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Shuai Liu, Xiaowei Sun, Kai Wu, Liwen Jiang
  • Patent number: 12168470
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle, comprising a support unit by which a positioning unit is adjustably held, and an adjustment device which is designed to adjust the positioning unit relative to the support unit. Associated with the steering column is a control unit which is designed to receive a signal, to evaluate the signal in terms of a predefined release condition, and to produce a release state of the steering column when the signal meets the release condition, and to produce a locked state of the steering column when the signal does not meet the release condition. Adjustment of the positioning unit is thus enabled exclusively in the release state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Christian Pichonnat, Andreas Willi
  • Patent number: 12168472
    Abstract: A steering device includes: an upper column having a cylindrical shape that is disposed on a radially outer side of a steering shaft; a lower column having a cylindrical shape that is fitted to the upper column and is capable of relatively moving in an axial direction with respect to the upper column; an attachment portion that is attached to the upper column and provided with a column long hole; a column bracket that includes a side plate portion located on a side of the upper column and is attached to a vehicle body; a liner slot that is inserted into the column long hole of the attachment portion and restricts an axial movement; and a pin that extends along a vehicle width direction and penetrates through the side plate portion and the liner slot, in which the liner slot is provided with a through-hole through which the pin penetrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Morishima, Tasuku Oishi, Jotaro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12162529
    Abstract: An adjustable riser assembly for a vehicle, wherein the riser assembly comprises a hollow outer body, an inner body telescopically slidingly disposable within the outer body, and a hand operated height adjustment pin assembly structured and operable to set and retain a selectable position of the inner body and a position of the outer body relative to each other to thereby set and retain and adjustable overall length of the adjustable riser assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Michael Olin, Peder Randal Cudrio Erickson
  • Patent number: 12151736
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle including a first component, a second component, wherein the first component and the second component are adjustable relative to one another in two non-parallel adjustment directions. A position detection device having a sensor connected to the first component including at least one sensor unit and a sensor target connected to the second component comprising at least one target unit, wherein the sensor is configured to detect relative position of the sensor target, wherein the target unit includes a measurement portion extending in the two adjustment directions which has a local measuring quantity varying in each of the two adjustment directions that can be detected locally by the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Andreas Willi, Daniel Kreutz, Simon Blaettler, Patrick Riedmann, Tamás Fejes
  • Patent number: 12151737
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column includes a first jacket. The steering column also includes a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column further includes an adjustment lever. The steering column yet further includes a locking mechanism, wherein the adjustment lever selectively moves the locking mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position prevents axial adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket in both axial directions, and the unlocked position allows adjustment of the first jacket relative to the second jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Floyd E. Eschenbacher, Matthew L. Messing
  • Patent number: 12151745
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses include a cab floor defining a center plane, a seat slide actuator coupled to the cab floor and selectively moveable in a direction transverse to the center plane relative to the cab floor, and a seat supported by the seat slide actuator and moveable therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: James Lee
  • Patent number: 12151771
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing an active valve customizable tune application is disclosed. The system includes a mobile device having a memory, an active valve tune application, and at least one processor. The processor initiates the active valve tune application, receives, from a database, an active valve suspension tune having a number of performance range adjustable settings, and receives user related input information. At least one of the performance range adjustable settings is modified based on the received input information to generate a modified active valve suspension tune. The system includes an active suspension of a vehicle, wherein the modified active valve suspension tune is implemented by the active suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Everet Owen Ericksen, Evan Peterson, Nobuhiko Negishi, James T. Pickett, Andrew Diao, Mike Fraguglia
  • Patent number: 12151547
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an automobile and method of assembling same. The frame assembly includes a battery housing at least partially integral with an automobile frame. The frame includes longitudinal beams that extend between front frame rails and rear frame rails. The battery housing includes two portions, a upper cover integrated with the longitudinal beams and a base plate that connects to the upper cover or the longitudinal beams with a releasable connection. The base plate includes a connection flange that includes at least one seal. When connected, at least one battery module is enclosed in the battery housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Langworthy, Joseph Yaldo, Ryan Warpup, Sunny Kharbanda, Shrikanth Gujjal