Patents Examined by Faye M. Fleming
  • Patent number: 12214640
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pneumatic adjustment apparatus for a vehicle. The pneumatic adjustment apparatus includes a block including a flow path formed therein, the flow path being configured for a fluid to move through the block, a compressor coupled to the block and configured to communicate with the flow path and to compress the fluid, a driver coupled to the block, connected to the compressor, and configured to drive the compressor, and a controller coupled to the block and configured to open and close the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hoon Baik, Jong Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 12214620
    Abstract: The adjustable track-width system may include a first axle member having a top section and a bottom section and a second axle member having a top section and a bottom section, where the second axle member is receivable by the first axle member and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the first axle member. The adjustable track-width system may further include two or more shims that determine a clearance between the first axle member and the second axle member at the first and second positions, where at least a portion of a first shim may be between the top section of the first axle member and the top section of the second axle member and at least a portion of a second shim may be between the bottom section of the first axle member and the bottom section of the second axle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wubben
  • Patent number: 12214742
    Abstract: A drive device for a pivotable vehicle flap includes a flap part associated with the vehicle flap, a body part associated with a vehicle body and a hinge arrangement which hingedly connects the flap part and the body part, the hinge arrangement allowing the flap part to be pivoted about a first axis of rotation for opening and closing the vehicle flap and about a second axis of rotation for raising the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position. The device drive also includes a first actuator for opening and closing the vehicle flap during normal operation, a second actuator for raising the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position and a coupling device for coupling the first actuator to one of the flap part and the vehicle flap. The coupling device includes a fastening part and a first coupling element coupled to the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Bartschies
  • Patent number: 12208762
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to reducing the likelihood of injury to a passenger in a collision. In one example, a computing device may determine that an impact between a vehicle and an object external to the vehicle is imminent. The computing device may determine a protection range for a vehicle's airbag based on characteristics of the passenger, including the passenger's seating location within the vehicle. An airbag extension system may position an airbag package, including the vehicle's airbag, such that the vehicle's airbag is within the protection range of the passenger's seating location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Courtney McCool
  • Patent number: 12208681
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a power take-off (PTO) assembly. The PTO assembly, in one example, includes a bi-directional pump in fluidic communication with a fluid reservoir and a hydraulic system and a disconnect clutch configured to mechanically disengage and disconnect the bi-directional pump from a transmission when a prime mover is in operation, and mechanically engage and connect the bi-directional pump to the transmission when the prime mover is shut down. The PTO assembly further includes an electro-mechanical valve configured to trigger engagement and disengagement of the disconnect clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: DANA BELGIUM N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt Cattoor, Jan A. Bedert, Filip D. Schacht
  • Patent number: 12202428
    Abstract: An interior panel for a vehicle includes a first plate, a second plate, and a hinge extending between and interconnecting the first plate and the second plate. The hinge establishes a plate pivot axis about which the first plate is configured to pivot from a closed position to an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos Gerardo Lopez Martinez
  • Patent number: 12202542
    Abstract: A chassis assembly for a vehicle is provided. The chassis assembly includes: an upper frame structure having at least two longitudinally extending upper side regions arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal centre line. The upper side regions are connected to each other by upper connection portions. A front crash structure is configured to absorb energy during an impact generated from a vehicle collision, and extends in a transverse direction. The upper frame structure is connected to said front crash structure; wherein said chassis assembly further comprises: a lower frame structure having at least two longitudinally extending lower beams arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line, said lower beams being connected to each other by lower connection portions, and said lower frame structure is connected to said upper frame structure and to said front crash structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jan Hendriks
  • Patent number: 12195104
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a steering apparatus including a steering wheel which is manipulated by a driver of a vehicle and a steering column which is turned by the steering wheel. The steering apparatus may include a rotation restraint mechanism which is able to restrict the rotation of the steering column by providing mechanical feedback to the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taesik Kim, Eulgo Jung
  • Patent number: 12194941
    Abstract: A vehicle ensures deployment stability of a compact knee airbag while improving design flexibility, by disposing the knee airbag in a lower portion of a storage box. The vehicle includes a knee airbag arranged in front of a passenger seat in a lower portion of a glove box. The glove box has a housing which is fixed to an instrument panel by a plurality of support portions and which demarcates a storage space. An instrument panel member fixed to the vehicle body is disposed above a ceiling wall of the housing. The ceiling wall has a displacement regulation wall portion which bulges upward compared to another portion of the ceiling wall and is spaced apart from the instrument panel member such that the displacement regulation wall portion abuts the instrument panel member when the knee airbag is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikara Sato, Xiaoguang Liu, Shiori Tontani, Ayumi Hamamoto, Kansei Yamaguchi, Hideharu Kaeriyama, Nozomi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12194954
    Abstract: A seat belt energy management loop to reduce off-axis loading is disclosed. The seat belt energy management loop includes a substantially flat bracket welded to the chassis of a vehicle and including a plurality of openings for mounting a roll hoop and a seat belt retractor to the bracket. An integral loop is formed as an integral part of the bracket and extends from the bracket in substantially perpendicular relation to the bracket. The integral loop includes a seat belt guide segment extending from the bracket, a pair of curved end segments extending from the seat belt guide segment, and a straight segment extending between the pair of curved end segments, together forming a seat belt opening through which a retractable seat belt of the retractor extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mazour, Parag P. Patil, James A J Holroyd
  • Patent number: 12194804
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a wheel of an axle of a motor vehicle, including a pivot bearing supporting the wheel, which is articulated in an upper link level via at least one link on the motor vehicle body. The pivot bearing includes a pivot bearing arm on which the link is mounted by a ball joint having a ball pin, the ball pin is aligned extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle and the ball of the ball pin is received in a receptacle on the link side and the shaft of the ball pin is received in a receptacle on the pivot bearing arm side. The receptacle on the pivot bearing arm side is formed as a longitudinally slotted clamping hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Dominik Mohrlock
  • Patent number: 12187232
    Abstract: A safety arrangement for a vehicle interior. The safety arrangement includes a seat with an airbag configured to be deployed in the vehicle interior in case of an impact and a console box arranged adjacent/beside the seat. The console box may include a storage compartment for storing articles and a lid for closing/opening the storage compartment. The lid is moveable between a fully open position and a close position. Particularly, the lid is coupled to the console box by a hinge assembly facilitating the lid to move between the fully open position and the closed position. The hinge assembly biases the lid in a first position to prevent the lid from overlapping a deployment path of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Faurecia India Private Limited
    Inventors: Pramod Gadhari, Vishnu Mamdyal, Rohit Shingi
  • Patent number: 12187345
    Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle that includes a cast main body, a left apron, a right apron, a left mounting feature, a right mounting feature, a left strut cap, and a right strut cap. The left apron is fixed to a left upper rail and defines a first opening extending therethrough. The right apron is fixed to a right upper rail and defines a second opening extending therethrough. The left mounting feature extends at least partially around a first periphery of the first opening. The right mounting feature extends at least partially around a second periphery of the second opening. The left strut cap is secured to the left mounting feature such that the left strut cap covers the first opening. The right strut cap is secured to the right mounting feature such that the right strut cap covers the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Conor Daniel Hennessey, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Ari Garo Caliskan, Musheeruddin Zubair Syed
  • Patent number: 12179682
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect a driver side occupant of a vehicle having a steering yoke includes an airbag mounted to the steering yoke. The airbag is inflatable from a stored condition concealed in the steering yoke to a deployed condition in which the airbag is positioned between the steering yoke and the occupant. The apparatus also includes an airbag wrap for packaging the airbag in the stored condition. The airbag wrap is configured to bias the airbag to deploy initially in an initial deployment direction transverse to a steering axis of the steering yoke through a deployment opening defined by the airbag wrap and a pleat formed in the airbag wrap and secured with a tear stitch. The pleat is configured to initially reduce the size of the deployment opening, which limits initial deployment of the airbag through the deployment opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignees: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC., TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Fischer, Aditya Mohanty, Clark Trusty, Christopher Baucher, Miguel Carlon, Scott Bentley
  • Patent number: 12172694
    Abstract: A steering decoupling device includes an output clutch jaw, an input clutch jaw, a housing encompassing the output clutch jaw and the input clutch jaw, a thrust washer and a heavy-duty internal retaining ring for ensuring that the output clutch jaw is securely mounted within the housing, a disc spring residing within the housing configured to provide tension between the output clutch jaw and the input clutch jaw, an intermediate shaft that includes output clutch jaw, and a steering shaft that includes the input clutch jaw, the intermediate shaft and the steering shaft configured to translate relative to each other from a first position in which the output clutch jaw and the input clutch jaw are engaged to a second position in which the output clutch jaw and the input clutch jaw are disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Inventor: Paul LaPlante
  • Patent number: 12172488
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes a trailing axle carried by a frame of the assembly. The frame can retract to a retracted state from an extended state and extend from the retracted state to the extended state. The retraction and extension can occur along a longitudinal axis of the frame. An operator can pivotally raise and lower a free end of frame in the retracted or extended state along an arcuate path when the vehicle suspension assembly connects to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Holcombe CVI, LLC
    Inventor: Brent Anthony Holcombe
  • Patent number: 12172724
    Abstract: A steering knuckle includes a housing and an extension arm. One end of the extension arm is disposed on the housing on a side corresponding to a position of a rear wheel. A first assembly hole configured to fit a ball joint tie rod is created at another end of the extension arm. The housing includes a bottom face as well as a first end face and a second end face disposed opposite to each other on the bottom face. A second assembly hole configured to fit a ball joint lower control arm is created on the first end face. A third assembly hole configured to fit a ball joint upper control arm assembly is created on the second end face. A connecting line between the second assembly hole and the third assembly hole forms a kingpin axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Changxing Sun, Xiaowei Yu
  • Patent number: 12168414
    Abstract: An airbag device includes a far-side airbag and a first deployment controller configured to control deployment of the far-side airbag. The far-side airbag is provided in a seat backrest of the seat at a location adjacent to a center console, and includes shoulder and head protection air chambers configured to protect respectively a shoulder and a head, of an occupant. The shoulder protection air chamber includes air chamber elements configured to deploy in a vertical tubular shape. The head protection air chamber is configured to deploy in a semicircular shape. A base fabric of the far-side airbag in a deployed state is longer at a side adjacent to the center console than at a side adjacent to the seat. The shoulder protection air chamber is provided with a restraining tether configured to squeeze the shoulder protection air chamber toward the seat when the shoulder protection air chamber is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 12168376
    Abstract: In a truck crane, in a state where an air suspension is in an exhaust state and a locking member is not in a locked position, a control unit restricts a movement of a front outrigger and a rear outrigger to a ground contact position, and in a state where the air suspension is in the exhaust state and the locking member is in the locked position, the control unit allows the movement of the front outrigger and the rear outrigger to the ground contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Yamashina
  • Patent number: 12162531
    Abstract: A vehicle steering device comprises an upper tube having a steering shaft rotatably coupled to an inside thereof, a lower column having the upper tube inserted thereinto and having a recess formed in an outer surface of distance portions disposed to face each other with a cut hole axially formed in an outer circumference disposed therebetween, a mounting bracket coupled to respective outer surfaces of the distance portions and having tilt slots formed in two opposite sides thereof, a fixed gear member provided on an outer surface of one side of the mounting bracket and having a communication hole communicating with the tilt slot, and a movable gear member movably coupled to the fixed gear member and positioned in the recess through the communication hole and the tilt slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hanbin Cho