Patents Examined by Greg Blankenship
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Patent number: 7325851Abstract: A power seat slide apparatus includes: a housing fixedly mounted on the first rail and possessing a reverse U-shaped cross section projecting upwardly with an upper wall, which forms an upper surface of the reverse U-shaped cross section, and first and second sidewalls, which forms side surfaces of the reverse U-shaped cross section. The housing further includes a notch defined by a first notch end surface of the upper wall and a second notch end surface of the first and second sidewalls. A nut member is fitted into the notch of the housing, supported inside the housing, and is held tight in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the first notch end surface and the second notch end surface. A screw shaft is freely rotatably supported by the second rail and is engaged with the nut member.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sadao Ito, Makoto Sakai, Eiichiro Tsuji
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Patent number: 7325850Abstract: The seat assembly includes a seat cushion. A front leg is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement of the seat cushion between a seating position and a forwardly dumped position. A support bracket is pivotally attached to the front legs at lower portions of the front legs. A track assembly is attached to the support bracket. The track assembly is secured in a lateral orientation to a floor of a vehicle with respect to the seat assembly; whereby the seat assembly may be moved to a plurality of positions within the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.Inventor: Omar D. Tame
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Patent number: 7325864Abstract: A rotating automotive grille assembly that produces a distinctive and unique appearance for the front end of a motor vehicle where a plurality of elongated bars rotates either by airflow or by a motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Inventor: Valentin Echeverria
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Patent number: 7322629Abstract: A locking hinge (10) includes a first hinge panel (12a) and a second hinge panel (12b) pivotably connected by a pivot pin (14) about a pivoting axis (P). A locking rod (16) is slidably received by one of the first or second hinge panels (12a, 12b) along a sliding axis (S). The sliding axis (S) is substantially parallel the pivoting axis (P). A vehicle door structure (50) includes a first panel (102a) pivotably connected relative a second panel (102b) by a first hinge (104a). A third panel (102c) is pivotably connected relative the second panel (102b) by the locking hinge (10). Pivotable movement of the second panel (102b) relative the third panel (102c) is prevented when the locking hinge (10) is in a locked state. The third panel (102c) is pivotably connected to a vehicle floor (106) by a second hinge (104c) to permit unobstructed access to a stowage cavity (125) under the vehicle floor (106) for stowing a collapsible stow-to-floor seat (150).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.Inventor: Steven D. McClintock
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Patent number: 7322627Abstract: A truck is disclosed with a vertically adjustable bed to facilitate cargo loading and unloading. The truck includes a U-shaped frame within which the vertically adjustable bed is located. The vertically adjustable bed is movable between elevated and lowered positions by hydraulic cylinders. When in its fully elevated position, the vertically adjustable bed is secured to the U-shaped frame by bed locking pins. When the vertically adjustable bed is in its fully elevated position, left and right tailgate doors are secured to each other by tailgate door locking screws. The left and right tailgate doors are secured to the vertically adjustable bed by tailgate bed locking pins and a lateral recess in the left and right tailgate doors designed to receive the rear edge of the vertically adjustable bed.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Clinton Jay Nicholson
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Patent number: 7322640Abstract: A hydroformed and roll-formed cross sill assembly for a vehicle and method of making same includes a pair of hydroformed tubular side members. The hydroformed and roll-formed cross sill assembly also includes a roll-formed beam member disposed between the tubular side members and at least one weld to secure the beam member to each of the tubular side members.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Chi-Mou Ni, Charles J. Bruggemann
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Patent number: 7303219Abstract: An exemplary interlocking bumper for mounting to frame rails of a vehicle is illustrated with a respective first bumper mounting receptacle coupled to each frame rail, such as by a frame rail mounting bracket. The interlocking bumper can further include a center bumper reinforcement that includes projections that are insertable into the first bumper mounting receptacles. Each projection of the center bumper reinforcement can define a second bumper mounting receptacle. Furthermore, the interlocking bumper can include first and second end cap bumper reinforcements each including a projection that is insertable into one of the second bumper mounting receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Freightliner, LLCInventors: Carl Trabant, Justin Yee, Steve Griffiths
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Patent number: 7303226Abstract: A truck work office solution for a mobile vehicle. The work-station will take advantage of existing adjustability features on the passenger seat so that the height of the work-surface can be customized for each driver, and swivel to point toward the rear of the cab as well. The passenger seat itself converts into a work station. The driver seat may be swiveled to face the passenger seat that converts into an office area. The passenger's seat is normally a static element present in all cabs, and certainly in the case of single drivers it remains unused for its intended purpose. Because drivers are bound to the driver's seat, they use the close proximity of the passenger's seat to make peripheral tasks and items more convenient. The conversion provides a sliding work surface, storage, as well as power outlets.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: William M. Bernstein, Catherine Sun, Zachary Beard, Rebecca Nathenson, Rachel Lin
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Patent number: 7300102Abstract: An improved seating system that includes a seat back assembly (10) that is fabricated to include a seat back (12) with a first panel portion (14) that is optionally secured to a second panel portion (16) with one or more fasteners such as welds, adhesives, tack-offs, steel brackets or otherwise. The first panel portion (14), the second panel portion (16) or both preferably are plastic. The seat back assembly (10) may include one or more integrated reinforcement structures (20).Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Vikas Gupta, Hein J. Koelman, Steve J. Rogers, Eric Kurtycz, Ravi Ramanathan
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Patent number: 7293820Abstract: A weather strip for a motor vehicle, which is capable of being attached to a flange provided in an opening portion of a vehicle body or a closing member for closing the opening portion irrespective of a configuration of the flange. The weather strip includes a base portion in which the flange provided in the opening portion or the closing member is adapted to be inserted, and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion for sealing between the opening portion and the closing member. An extension wall extends from an end of an outer side wall of the base portion by way of a bending part. The extension wall is bonded to a body panel defining the opening portion or the closing member, which is adjacent to the flange, with a double-sided adhesive tape.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Hashimoto, Masahiro Nozaki
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Patent number: 7293816Abstract: A structural rail system 10 for supporting an overhead console 12 in relation to a roof bow 13 within a vehicle. A pair of rail members 14, 16 are spaced apart and extend longitudinally. One or more brackets 18, 20, 22, 24 are oriented laterally in relation to the pair of rail members 14, 16. Accessories 26 are attached to the brackets 18, 20, 22, 24 and are housed within the console 12.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.Inventors: Jay Stone, Mark Niedzwiecki, John M. Tiesler, Matthew J. Brown
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Patent number: 7290819Abstract: A storage container adapted to be mounted to the bed of a pick-up truck. The container is designed to house golf paraphernalia, especially a golf bag (including a full array of clubs) and other golf equipment such as shoes. The container is securely mounted to the bed of the pick-up, but can be quickly and easily slid over the tailgate to allow for easy access. The container is fabricated from hard plastic or similar light-weight, rigid, weatherproof material. A hinged cover allows easy access to the interior of the container. The tailgate end of the bottom half of the container is provided with a hinged section to allow for easy loading and unloading of the golf paraphernalia. Wheels are mounted on the bottom of the container to permit portability if desired.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Inventor: Jeffrey W. Howard
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Patent number: 7284781Abstract: A tailgate for a pickup truck or other vehicle. The tailgate is convertible to a loading ramp to facilitate access to the cargo-holding area of the vehicle. The tailgate includes at least one extensible hook member on one side edge of the tailgate and a panel extensible from the other side edge of the tailgate. In use, the tailgate is removed from the truck, the hook member is extended, the panel is extended, and the hook member is engaged with a rear edge of the cargo-holding area with the tailgate and extended panel extending rearwardly to define the ramp.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.Inventor: David Grant
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Patent number: 7281745Abstract: A vehicle having a cargo extender mounted to a rear portion thereof, preferably a minivan or a sport utility vehicle, is provided. The cargo extender is preferably slidable between a retracted position stowed in an aesthetically-pleasing manner within the rear portion of the vehicle and an extended position where any contents of the extender can be accessed. Further, the cargo extender can be pivoted to different angular positions (as opposed to the generally horizontal position in which it is stored) to provide additional functionality thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: ADAC Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Joseph S. Meinke, Thomas R. Futryk
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Patent number: 7278678Abstract: A lift truck cab having front, side, and rear faces, and a roof, mounting structure attached to the roof for suspending the cab from a mast of the lift truck in a manner that permits the front and side faces when installed on the truck to be hung in the manner of curtains without the necessity of direct fastening of lower portions of the front and side faces to the chassis/body of the truck. The cab construction affords generous operator space, high visibility, a convenient electrical raceway and ready access to truck control circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Martin Sheet Metal, Inc.Inventor: Robert P. Martin
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Patent number: 7275785Abstract: An attachment mount apparatus connects a subframe component to the lower frame midrail structure for an automotive vehicle that is formed from a pair of tubular members manufactured through a hydroforming process. The two tubular members are formed with a pair of opposing semi-cylindrical depressions to receive a cylindrical mounting member internally of the frame structure. One of the semi-cylindrical depressions and the corresponding outer wall of the tubular member are pierced to receive the cylindrical mount and a mounting plate. The opposing semi-cylindrical depression serves as a stop to locate the cylindricalal mount along the centerline of the frame structure. The mounting plate spans the entire frame structure and is supported on four wall thicknesses to provide a stable mount structure for subframe components. The cylindrical mounting member is threaded to receive a fastener for the mounting of the subframe member.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ari Caliskan, Dean Gericke
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Patent number: 7273243Abstract: Seat for a rear row of seats in a vehicle, which seat can be collapsed into a recess positioned in the cargo area behind the row of seats for the purpose of expanding cargo space, so that the back side of the backrest, which is folded forward onto the seat portion, is facing upward, and is essentially flush with the cargo area floor. The seat improves the kinematics of known seats and thereby makes the seat more ergonomically favorable in terms of its operation. The conversion of the seat from its use position to its non-use position is achieved through a single operation, namely a continuous pull on a strap fastened at the back end of a two-component seat portion frame, unlike known complicated systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbHInventor: Michal Prugarewicz
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Patent number: 7270366Abstract: The present invention is a floor panel structure of a car body that can reduce noise within the automobile cabin. The present invention is a car body floor panel structure wherein the floor of an automobile has a floor panel connected to car body frame members, and also a predetermined mode of vibration is generated to suppress the generation of acoustic emission from the floor panel. The floor panel vibration mode adjusting structure has rectangular rigidity adjusting areas that are formed by causing the floor panel to protrude upward or downward in order to generate 2×1 mode or 2×2 mode vibration in the floor panel in a frequency band that nearly matches the tire cavity resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takanobu Kamura, Akinori Utsunomiya, Tsuyoshi Sugihara, Masaru Chikita
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Patent number: 7270368Abstract: A shroud supporting structure is provided which includes a shroud 5 which has a rectangular shape and whose opening is oriented in the front and rear directions of an automobile, in which: to front-end parts 3 of a pair of front side-frames 2 which is disposed on both right and left sides, first height portions A, B in both side parts 5c, 5d of the shroud 5 which correspond to the front-end parts 3 are attached; and protrusion portions 5f, 5g which protrude sideward in second height portions C, D that are located above the first height portions A, B in both side parts 5c, 5d are attached to brackets 6, 7 which protrude upward from the front-end parts 3 of the front side-frames 2.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Takahiro Aonuma, Tatsuo Nozaki
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Patent number: 7267394Abstract: A tubular front end structure for use with a unitized automotive frame. The tubular front end structure includes a pair of upper frame rail members that are welded to the A-pillar at vertically spaced positions. A first upper rail member provides support for the fender and bends downwardly and forwardly to support tubular upper and lower radiator supports. The other upper rail member connects to the other upper rail member and bends downwardly to connect with the lower frame rail at an intermediate position to provide support for the shock tower. The lower frame rail is formed with an “S-bend” to correspond to the shape of the unitized automotive frame and includes a bracket attached thereto at the S-bend to increase the section properties of the lower frame rail as required to maintain the section properties of the replaced frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tim Mouch, Michael Azzouz, Musa Azzouz