Patents Examined by Drew J. Brown
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Patent number: 11787359Abstract: In a vehicle seat having an airbag module placed in the seatback thereof, the load that may be applied to the back side of the seatback is prevented from being applied to the airbag module. The vehicle seat (1, 300, 400) comprise a seatback frame (19) including a pair of side members (26, 301) extending vertically along either side thereof and providing a structural framework of a seatback, a plate member (20, 402) positioned behind the seatback frame and including an extension (32, 410) extending in an outboard direction from the side member located on an outboard side of the seatback frame, a mounting member connected to the outboard side member, and an airbag module (23) positioned on a front side of the extension and connected to the outboard side member via the mounting member, a clearance (S) being defined between the airbag module and the extension.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Katsuya Isomura, Sosaku Omori, Keita Wakesu, Kenji Matsuoka, Yuta Sugaya
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Patent number: 11780517Abstract: A utility trailer includes a deck frame, siderails extending along each side of the deck frame, a front rail extending along a front of the deck frame, and a rear gate/ramp across a rear of the deck frame. Each siderail rotates between an upright position extending away from the respective side the deck frame and a stowed position aligned with and over the deck frame. The front rail rotates between an upright position extending away from the deck frame and a stowed position aligned with the deck frame and over the folded siderails. The rear gate/ramp rotates between an upright position and a lowered position having one end resting on a surface below the utility trailer, and also rotates between the upright position and a stowed position aligned with the deck frame and over the folded siderails.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Norstar Holdings LLCInventors: Abram Loewen Harms, Jesko Jeff Schmitt Fehr, Vanessa Alejandra Perez Navarro
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Patent number: 11780401Abstract: An occupant protection system may comprise an expandable curtain, expandable bladder and tether. The curtain may be configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state. In the deployed state, the curtain may comprise a transverse portion having a support side face and a rear side face. The bladder may be configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed, wherein in the deployed state, the bladder comprises an occupant facing surface and a rear surface configured to face the support side face of the curtain. The tether may be attached at a first location to the bladder and at a second location such that in the deployed state of the curtain and bladder, the tether extends behind the rear side face of the curtain and frictionally engages the rear side face of the curtain, thereby creating a resistance to lateral movement of the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Michal Jan Swiniarski, Mark Alan Bates, Markus Jost, David Maurice Libeaut
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Patent number: 11780530Abstract: A spacer for connecting a suspension component to a frame of a bicycle includes a spacer body and a flexible portion disposed at one end of the spacer body and configured to exert an axial bias force under compression. The spacer body and the flexible portion form a unitary part.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SRAM, LLCInventor: David Camp
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Patent number: 11772589Abstract: The single cell partition forms a barrier between front and rear passenger areas of a vehicle, and provides access to a portion of the rear passenger area by occupants of the front passenger area who are not in custody. In addition, the single cell partition protects and secures custodial occupants contained therein from non-custodial occupants present in the additional available space in the rear passenger area.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: TROY SHEET METAL WORKS, INC.Inventor: Mark Bornais
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Patent number: 11772442Abstract: A vehicle includes an assembly for providing suspension and steering for a wheel. The assembly includes an inner knuckle and a steering knuckle. The inner knuckle is coupled to an upper control arm at an upper joint and a lower control arm at a lower joint, forming a double wishbone suspension. The upper joint and the lower joint define a first axis. The steering knuckle is coupled to the inner knuckle at a steering joint that forms or otherwise defines a kingpin axis. The steering joint includes a revolute joint, a ball joint, or both. The steering knuckle is configured to be engaged with a tie-rod coupled to a steering mechanism. The kingpin axis is nearer a center of the wheel than the first axis, thus preventing or otherwise limiting torque steer. The upper and lower joints are constrained from significant steering rotation by suitable bushings, anti-steer arms, or both.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Mason Verbridge, Max Koff
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Patent number: 11766991Abstract: A pretensioner for a seat belt device in a vehicle includes a cable connected to the seat belt device at a first end of the cable. The pretensioner also includes a base frame containing a pipe. A rod is located within the pipe, and one end of the rod is configured to be subjected to pressure from gas provided by a gas generator. A second end of the cable and a second end of the rod are connected to a swage block. The rod is configured to be driven within the pipe in the pretensioning direction by gas from the gas generator when the gas generator initiates in response to an acceleration of the vehicle greater than a predetermined high acceleration thereby causing the swage block to move and pull the cable to thereby cause a corresponding movement of the seat belt device.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLCInventor: Mark Gray
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Patent number: 11767051Abstract: According to various example embodiments, there is provided a steering column for an automotive vehicle including, an inner tube 100 surrounding a steering shaft 120, an outer tube 110 into which the inner tube 100 is inserted, a nut screw 230 mounted on the outside of the outer tube 110 and fixed to the inner tube 100, and a first lead screw 210 which is inserted into the nut screw 230 and screwed therein and is rotated by a motor. In the steering column for the automotive vehicle, the nut screw 230 and the inner tube 100 are transferred together by translational motion by rotation of the first lead screw 210.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: Jong Han Kim, Sang Hyun Park
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Patent number: 11766989Abstract: A hood and bumper assembly of a vehicle includes a hood assembly, and a hinge about which the hood assembly rotates between an open position and a closed position. A bumper bracket is secured to a fixed support of the vehicle, and a bumper is located between the bumper bracket and the hood assembly to absorb an impact force of the hood assembly. The bumper bracket is configured to release from the fixed support when the impact force exceeds a preselected threshold to dissipate the impact force. A bumper assembly for a hood of a vehicle includes a bumper bracket secured to a fixed support of the vehicle, and a bumper positioned between the bumper bracket and the hood to absorb an impact force. The bumper bracket is configured to release from the fixed support when the impact force exceeds a preselected threshold to dissipate the impact force.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Vivekananda Kinila, Anandakumar Marappan, Vikram S. Patil
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Patent number: 11766912Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a height of an electric vehicle with an adjustable suspension system. In one example, a method comprises: during a vehicle stop event, adjusting a height of a skateboard frame of an electric vehicle via an adjustable suspension system, based on at least one sensor input indicative of a desired skateboard frame height. In this way, user activities, including loading and unloading, may be facilitated.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLCInventors: Mathilde Charmeau, Ali Idrici, Sylvain Castonguay
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Patent number: 11766908Abstract: A retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising an actuator, a retraction linkage assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, a suspension assembly at least partially connected to the retraction linkage assembly and movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive, wherein when the retraction linkage assembly and the suspension assembly are protracted then the retraction linkage and/or suspension assembly supports and/or holds at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Gibbs Technologies LimitedInventor: Alan Timothy Gibbs
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Patent number: 11760296Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle, which includes: an airbag cushion which is inflated and deployed in a forward direction from both sides of a passenger upon vehicle collision to protect both sides of the passenger; and an inflater configured to generate gas by an impact detection signal and to supply the gas to the airbag cushion, wherein the airbag cushion includes a first airbag configured to protect both sides or one side from passenger's shoulder to passenger's lower body part; and a second airbag configured to protect passenger's head and both sides of passenger's shoulder, and can restrict and protect passenger's upper body and lower body by inflating and deploying the first and second airbags toward both sides of the passenger upon vehicle collision.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Dong Hyun Jang, Seung Jin Lee, Dong Young Kim
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Patent number: 11753065Abstract: A handwheel actuator for a steer by wire system of a vehicle may include a column for operably coupling a handwheel to other components of the steer by wire system and a feedback actuator operably coupled to the column to provide tactile feedback to the operator responsive to movement of the handwheel. The column may include a lower column portion and an upper column portion that are movable relative to each other to alternately retract the handwheel away from an operator seated in the vehicle or extend the handwheel toward the operator. The column may further include a frictional engagement assembly and a time-specific release initiator. The frictional engagement assembly may be engaged to fix the lower column portion relative to the upper column portion at a selected distance from the operator, and disengaged to enable movement of the upper column portion relative to the lower column portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Erik William Soderlind, Taras Palczynski, Steven Bryan Amburgy
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Patent number: 11753102Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle includes a retainer that is provided behind a head pipe; an inflator; and an airbag that is housed in the retainer, inflates by gas discharged by the inflator, and is deployed in front of an occupant. The airbag is housed in the retainer in a state of being folded bilaterally asymmetrically with respect to a horizontally central portion of the airbag in a cross section in a vehicle top view.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kei Takahashi, Takashi Sato, Yutaka Aikyo
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Patent number: 11752822Abstract: A vehicle suspension system may include a first suspension assembly operably coupling a first wheel to a chassis of a vehicle, a second suspension assembly operably coupling a second wheel to the chassis where the first and second wheels form a pair of front wheels, a third suspension assembly operably coupling a third wheel to the chassis, a fourth suspension assembly operably coupling a fourth wheel to the chassis where the third and fourth wheels forming a first pair of rear wheels, and a payload extension kit that is attachable to the chassis non-permanently. The payload extension kit may include a fifth suspension assembly operably coupling a fifth wheel to a sub-frame extension of the payload extension kit, and a sixth suspension assembly operably coupling a sixth wheel to the sub-frame extension, where the fifth and sixth wheels form a second pair of rear wheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Cameron Leith, Jonathan Payne
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Patent number: 11752826Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle may include determining a proximity to a stuck condition based on measured vehicle motion parameters and a wheel speed measured by a wheel speed sensor associated with one or more wheels of the vehicle. The method may further include generating a notification to a driver of the vehicle in response to the proximity to the stuck condition indicating that the vehicle is either in a stuck condition or a nearly stuck condition, and responsive to driver selection of an unstuck mode, executing an unstuck algorithm to automatically control operation of the vehicle to achieve a free condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Matthew Johnson, Keith Weston, Jonathan Sullivan, David Michael Russell, Rohit Hippalgaonkar
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Patent number: 11753110Abstract: A rear suspension for a three-wheeled reverse trike includes a front lever arm pivotably affixed to a frame pivotable about a front lever arm pivot axis. A slider is translatably attached to the front lever arm. A first pushrod is pivotably connected at a first end to the slider and pivotably connected at a second end to at least one of a front upper or lower control arms for the front wheels. A rear lever arm is pivotably affixed to the frame and pivotable about a rear lever arm pivot axis, the rear lever arm extending to a rear lever arm distal end. A rod pivotably connects the front and lever arms. A first pivotable end of the rear upper control arm is pivotably connected to the rear lever arm distal end, and a second pivotable end of the rear upper control arm is pivotably connected to a rear spindle.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Inventor: Marc Gregory Martino
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Patent number: 11745697Abstract: There are provided a side panel constituting a vehicle side face at a higher level than a damper attachment portion suspending a rear wheel, a retractor fixed to a cabin-inside face of the side panel, a frame member forming a closed-cross section extending vertically in corporation with the side panel, and a reinforcing member fixed to the side panel. The reinforcing member comprises a retractor attachment portion to attach the retractor, a gusset portion to partition the closed-cross section of a C pillar reinforcement vertically, and a vibration-damping joint portion joined to the side panel via a vibration-damping material. Herein, the reinforcing member is formed integrally by a member which is configured to be continuous over a range of the retractor attachment portion, the gusset portion and the vibration-damping joint portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Shuji Muraoka, Kosuke Nagatomo
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Patent number: 11745687Abstract: A curtain airbag for a vehicle comprising: an airbag main body, an air chamber defined by the airbag main body; and a strip-shaped component, abutting the airbag main body. The strip-shaped component is electrically conductive, and is configured to deform or break when the airbag main body is twisted so that resistance of the strip-shaped component changes.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Liyan Wei, Enwei Jin
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Patent number: 11745786Abstract: A steering control system includes a hub connectable to a steering shaft defining a steering axis. An airbag receiving zone is formed in the hub. A steering wheel is connected to the hub, the steering wheel includes a central hub member, a plurality of spokes each having a first end extending from the central hub member and a second end, and a steering wheel rim connected to the second end of each of the plurality of spokes. The central hub member being slidably mounted to the hub along the steering axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Thomas E. Houck