Patents Examined by Drew J. Brown
  • Patent number: 11845485
    Abstract: A rake actuator assembly for a vehicle steering system includes an electric actuator. The rake actuator assembly also includes a leadscrew driven by the electric actuator. The rake actuator assembly further includes an actuator nut translated along the leadscrew during rotation of the leadscrew. The rake actuator assembly yet further includes a leadscrew housing defining a mounting recess or hole sized to receive a mounting protrusion extending from a mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher W. Gibbs, Dusten L Dittenbir
  • Patent number: 11845487
    Abstract: An article for a steering column assembly (10) including a connection member (60) having a base portion (62) adapted to be attached to a column tube (30) of the steering column assembly (10) and opposing side walls (64) extending from the base portion (62). The article further includes an energy absorption member (80) having a first generally flat segment (82), a second generally flat segment (84) generally parallel to the first generally flat segment (82), and a curved portion (86) therebetween. The energy absorption member (80) extends from the base of the connection member (60). The present teachings also envision a telescoping adjustment subassembly and a steering column assembly (10) employing the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: NSK Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Isabel Chong Hok Yuen, Victor Corona Martinez, David Ray Hartman
  • Patent number: 11845486
    Abstract: A steering column cover of a steering column has steering column elements that can be moved relative to one another in the direction of the steering column axis. The steering column cover includes a plurality of casing elements, which surround the steering column, are arranged one behind the other in the axial direction, and telescopically engage in one another. The casing elements are coupled to one another by way of a gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Kremer, Christian Voeller
  • Patent number: 11840142
    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 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Safranski, Robbi L. Peterson, Richard L. Sunsdahl, Aaron D. Deckard, Louis J. Brady
  • Patent number: 11834125
    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: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jenika Bishop, Giancarlo Battaglini, James A. J. Holroyd, Brett Nagel
  • Patent number: 11833992
    Abstract: An embodiment occupant restraining apparatus includes a base to be fastened to a body of a vehicle, a support having a first end hinge-connected to the base and a second end configured to support a deployed airbag, and a bellows configured to be expanded by gas to pivot the support. During deployment of the airbag, the bellows is configured to receive the gas in concert with the deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Seung-Kyu Kang
  • Patent number: 11827070
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for vehicle suspension ball joints that are firmly affixed for operation, are easily adjustable in a generally vertical direction for precise tuning of suspension geometry for dynamic performance in multiple axes using an array of cylindrical shims tuned to match fastener distance and height with a socket that has mounting bolts that engage a scalloped cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Maverick Undercar Performance, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Bell, Steve Strasburg
  • Patent number: 11827269
    Abstract: Provided is a steering apparatus. The steering apparatus includes a console unit allowed to be switched left and right in front of a driver's seat and a front passenger seat in a vehicle, a handle unit connected to the console unit and configured to steer the vehicle, and a rail unit disposed on a bottom surface of the console unit and configured to provide a path through which a position of the console unit is switched left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Joon Ahn, Seung Hwan Lee, Kyung Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11827268
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a vehicle steering column comprising: a hollow-shaped upper tube in which a steering shaft is fitted; a middle tube coupled to the outer circumferential side of the upper tube so as to allow the axial telescopic movement of the upper tube; a lower tube coupled to the outer circumferential side of the middle tube so as to allow the axial telescopic movement of the middle tube; a mounting bracket coupled to the outer circumferential side of the lower tube; and a telescopic link member which is coupled at one end thereof to a telescopic motor and a telescopic speed reducer, provided at the lower tube, and is coupled at the other end thereof to the upper tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jong Han Kim, Sang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 11820450
    Abstract: A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventor: Robby Gordon
  • Patent number: 11820310
    Abstract: An apparatus for resisting entry of objects through a panel. The apparatus includes a weakened portion that extends laterally across a width dimension of the panel. The apparatus includes a stop structure spaced from the weakened portion that extends laterally across the width dimension of the panel to limit deformation. A bottom edge of the panel is configured to rotate about an axis extending along the weakened portion to abut the stop structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zoellner, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Christopher D. Jones, David E. Kingman, Derek C. Scott, Jesse T. Buehler, Rikard Fredriksson, Stephen B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 11821501
    Abstract: A system for a power take-off mechanism for a powertrain system is provided. The system includes an electrically powered torque generating device including a torque generating device output shaft and a transmission output shaft receiving mechanical power from the torque generating device output shaft. The system further includes a clutch selectively disengaging the transmission output shaft from the torque generating device output shaft and a power take-off module receiving mechanical power from the torque generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dongxu Li, Chengwu Duan, Norman K. Bucknor, Chunhao J. Lee, Lei Hao
  • Patent number: 11820195
    Abstract: A frame structure of a commercial vehicle having an independent suspension system may include: a front outrigger mounted at lower front ends of wheel housings along a wide direction of a vehicle; a rear outrigger mounted at lower rear ends of the wheel housings along the width direction, wherein the wheel housings are arranged between the front and rear outriggers in a vehicle body length direction; a center reinforce unit mounted on an inner lower side of the wheel housing and disposed between the wheel housings, the center reinforce unit configured to connect the front and rear outriggers along the vehicle body length direction; a side reinforce unit mounted on an inner side of the wheel housing and connected to the center reinforce unit; and a lower reinforce unit configured to be connected to the center reinforce unit and coupled to the first suspension mounting assembly through the rear outrigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Woo Moon
  • Patent number: 11821459
    Abstract: A system and method for a universal housing. The universal housing has a central void. The system also includes a sleeve sized to be received within the central void. The universal housing can be used to house a ball joint and a uniball interchangeably. This allows the consumer to switch between a ball joint or a uniball joint without replacing the support arm. This aids in flexibility and versatility as well as decreases the product and labor costs associated with changing from one type to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Jeff Kester, Jesse Johnson
  • Patent number: 11814006
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle, in which a lateral tether is disconnected or a front tether is disconnected, in the event of a collision accident, depending on whether a passenger seated in a passenger seat is in a normal seating state or a relaxed seating state, such that a deployed airbag cushion may effectively protect not only a passenger seated in the passenger seat in the normal seating state but also a passenger seated in the passenger seat in the relaxed seating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Min Lee, Dong Young Kim, Ga Ram Jeong, Jae Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11814097
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly is disclosed, which comprises a collapsible steering column shroud that supports a collapsible steering shaft. The steering shaft has a first end for connection to a steering wheel of a vehicle a mounting bracket that supports the steering column shroud relative to the vehicle. The mounting bracket comprises a fixed portion secured to a fixed part of a vehicle body and a releasable portion secured to the steering shaft. The releasable portion is also secured to the fixed portion of the mounting bracket by one or more frangible connectors. The connectors are adapted to break in the event of a crash to permit the releasable portion and the steering shaft to move relative to the fixed portion. The fixed portion includes a first anvil which has a rounded nose that faces towards the steering wheel, and a guide part which is offset from the first anvil in a direction away from the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Steering Systems Poland Sp. Z.o.o.
    Inventors: Pawel Ponikiewski, Artur Wojtalik, Dawid Klimek, Lukasz Dudzic
  • Patent number: 11807293
    Abstract: An adjustment drive for a steering column for a motor vehicle may include a housing that is able to be connected to the steering column, in which a gear wheel that is able to be rotatingly driven by a motor is mounted in a bearing assembly so as to be rotatable about a spindle axis, and on which a threaded spindle that engages in a spindle nut is axially supported in a direction of the spindle axis. To enable less complexity in manufacturing and assembling, an energy absorbing installation is disposed between the threaded spindle and the housing. When repositioning the threaded spindle relative to the housing in the direction of the spindle axis, the energy absorbing installation is configured to absorb kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Sebastian Huber, Jean-Pierre Specht, Tim Bayer
  • Patent number: 11807325
    Abstract: A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Robby Gordon
  • Patent number: 11807301
    Abstract: A side-by-side vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a rear, independent trailing arm suspension system and a drive train. The drive train may include an output from a power train coupled to a jack shaft to drive the vehicle. The jack shaft may be positioned entirely below the power train. A brake and sprocket may be positioned along the jack shaft. Additionally, the power train may be adjustably mounted to a frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Rodriguez, John M. Nutter, Marc P. Vanderhoof, Michael D. Schneider
  • Patent number: 11807058
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle, includes a coil spring interposed between a vehicle body and an axle. An end turn portion on at least one end of the coil spring is covered by a viscoelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuneo Yamaguchi, Hidenori Yoshioka