Patents Examined by Gregory Blankenship
  • Patent number: 11858440
    Abstract: A bumper hitch that houses a sewer hose, the bumper hitch attaches to a recreational vehicle. The bumper hitch comprises of a rectangular housing that has an open upper section. A central hitch that extends perpendicularly outward from a central rear section of the rectangular housing. The rectangular housing has a drain. A rectangular door is pivotally attached to the open upper section of the rectangular housing. And, a drain plug is removably attached to the drain. The bumper hitch can further comprise of a solar panel light system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Eduardo M Cantelar
  • Patent number: 11850921
    Abstract: A vehicle window glass includes a glass body provided with a through hole and an insert which is a hollow columnar body and at least one end of which is an open end. The insert is fixed in the through hole of the glass body. It is possible to obtain direct connection between the vehicle window glass and the large-size irregular decoration part with the cooperation of the through hole on the glass body and the insert in the through hole. This connection ensures positioning accuracy and fixing reliability and can be widely applied to various occasions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Jing Yu, Xiaobing Xu
  • Patent number: 11840279
    Abstract: A secondary retention device includes a bolt inserted through a cab floor and a modular saddle mount. A nut and the bolt retain the cab floor and the modular saddle mount together. A first alternative includes a yoke extending upward from the modular saddle mount, an extension plate extending downward from a bottom of the cab floor and a lock pin. A second alternative includes a bent over edge of the cab floor, a bent-up edge of the modular saddle mount and the lock pin. A third alternative includes a retention plate extending downward from the cab floor, a slot opening formed through a modular saddle mount to receive the retention plate and a fastener. A fourth alternative includes a curved tab extending upward from a modular saddle mount and a slot opening formed through the cab floor to receive the curved tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY NA, INC., ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick, Steven Melotik, Mark McKinley
  • Patent number: 11840871
    Abstract: A closing aid for a luggage compartment flap is described, which closing aid comprises an actuating element, a movement element and a connecting element. The actuating element is integrated in a locking mechanism of the luggage compartment flap. The connecting element connects the actuating element to the movement element and transmits a movement of the actuating element to the movement element such that the luggage compartment flap fastened to the movement element is moved at least part of the way from an open position to a closed position. A luggage compartment and a vehicle having a closing aid of this type are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Schneider
  • Patent number: 11840283
    Abstract: A multifunction tailgate including a first door and a second door that are each selectably pivotable relative to the vehicle between an open position and a closed position along both a horizontal axis and a second vertical axis. At least one of the first door and the second door includes an exterior structure including an exterior panel, an inner panel, and a pair of side panels that collectively define a cavity, a trim panel coupled to the inner panel, and a reinforcement panel is positioned between the inner panel and the trim panel. The reinforcement panel is formed of a polymeric material, and is configured to provide structural support to the trim panel to assist in absorbing static and dynamic loads received by the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Robert J Gibbs, Piyush Agarwal, Christopher Duke, Eric Ghoukasian Khouygani
  • Patent number: 11840284
    Abstract: A modular saddle mount retained with isolator in a frame for reducing vibration in heavy equipment cabs preferably includes a heavy equipment modified frame cross member, two modular saddle mounts and at least two vibration isolators. The modified frame cross member includes a frame cross member, two sets of opposed mounting blocks and two cutout filler plates. The two cutout filler plates are secured in first and second cutouts. Each opposed mounting block is secured to an outside of the frame cross member. The modular saddle mount preferably includes a saddle base member and a pair of fastening inserts. A fastening cutout is formed in each end of the saddle base member. The pair of fastening inserts are retained on an inside surface of the saddle base member at opposing ends thereof. At least one isolator opening is formed through the base saddle member to receive a vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignees: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY NA, INC., ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick, Mark McKinley, Steven Melotik
  • Patent number: 11840282
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a hood swingable in an up-down direction between an open position, in which the hood is positioned expose an engine room, and a closed position, in which the hood is positioned to close the engine room, and at least one damper to urge the hood toward a side of the open position. The damper is swingable in the up-down direction to rise toward a standing position in response to the hood being swung from a position closer to the closed position toward a position closer to the open position and fall toward a lying position in response to the hood being swung from the position closer to the open position to the position closer to the closed position. An urging mechanism is provided to, while the damper is in a position closer to the lying position than an intermediate position, apply to the hood an urging force to urge the hood from the position closer to the closed position toward the position closer to the open position against the load of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamamoto, Tadashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11834103
    Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcements and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. McKinney, Austin Graham, Kyle E. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11833982
    Abstract: An exterior decoration device includes: a garnish frame including an upper surface and a reaction force hook protruding inclinedly from a rim portion of the garnish frame and configured to be elastically deformed; a level difference adjustment bolt configured to form a dispersion adjustment structure in a state of being coupled to the garnish frame, protruding in a direction opposite to the garnish exposure member, and configured to adjust both a surface level difference of the garnish exposure member and a hook level difference of the reaction force hook by inducing a rotation of the dispersion adjustment structure and changing a protrusion length from the garnish frame; and a fastening tool configured to define an excessive torque cut-off structure together with the level difference adjustment bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Geun-Hyung Nam, Eun-Soo Park, Seung-Mok Lee, Yong-Won Jeong
  • Patent number: 11834874
    Abstract: A safety latch mechanism for anchoring an open center gate in a livestock trailer includes a spring-biased post attached to the center gate's free edge having a lifting lever at an upper end. An arcuate track embedded within the truck bed traces the path of the center gate's free edge when moving between a fully opened and a fully closed position. The track includes a series of juxtaposed, segregated compartments for receiving a lower end of the post. Accordingly, the center gate can be locked in a multitude of angular positions between the fully open and fully closed positions by lifting the lever and releasing it into one of the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: John Randal Ripley
  • Patent number: 11837112
    Abstract: A display device or a driving support system which enables a driver to obtain information easily is provided. A display device or a driving support system which is unlikely to impose a burden on a driver is provided. A display device or a driving support system which is suitable for space saving is provided. A display device or a driving support system which is capable of large-area display is provided. A display device or a driving support system which does not impair the aesthetic appearance of the car interior is provided. The display device includes a display panel which has flexibility and can be transformed between a first form and a second form, and a driving means having a function of reversibly changing the display panel between the first form and the second form. The first form is a form in which a display surface of the display panel is suspended, and the second form is a form in which the display panel is stored upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Yoshizumi, Ryota Tajima
  • Patent number: 11827501
    Abstract: A forklift includes a cabin and a seat for use by a driver arranged in the cabin. The cabin has a lateral opening to enter and exit the cabin, and the seat is mounted rotatably relative to the cabin. There is a safety bracket for preventing the driver from involuntarily exiting the cabin through the lateral opening, and for providing lateral impact protection. The safety bracket is mechanically connected to the seat to be rotatable together with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: PALFINGER AG
    Inventors: Eric O'Keeffe, Patrick Keenan, Matthias Kalin
  • Patent number: 11827135
    Abstract: A system for transporting food within a vehicle comprises providing a recessed cavity within the floor of the vehicle and placing a food container within the recessed cavity. In certain embodiments, the recessed cavity may be provided within the trunk or flatbed of the vehicle and may include a heat-resistant and/or non-slip lining. In some further embodiments, the recess may include a cover having a top surface matching that of the vehicle floor, that may situate within the recessed cavity when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Elvin Crow, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11827159
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo area liner system for efficiently and removably lining a cargo area of a vehicle such as the bed of a pickup truck. The liner may be installed on the vehicle in addition to a hard shell liner as is common with pickup trucks. The liner includes a pair of inner connectors for removably securing the liner to the cargo area of the vehicle. The liner also includes a pair of outer connectors to which corresponding cover connectors on a cover may removably engage to removably secure a cover over the liner to enclose the cargo area. Securing connectors near the rear end of the liner may be utilized to secure the liner around a bed of a pickup truck. Straps may extend through openings in the liner to removably secure the front end of the liner to the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Stevens
  • Patent number: 11820307
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the safety and performance of an automobile in crash events is disclosed. The apparatus includes a front crash pad, rear crash pad, and a connection beam. Both crash pads and the connection beam are coupled to an automobile in such fashion as to absorb and dissipate energy by converting kinetic energy into strain energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tesseract Structural Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry L. Renegar
  • Patent number: 11801904
    Abstract: Techniques are directed to a modular vehicle belly armor kit, as well as systems and methods which utilize such a kit. The kit includes a bottom plate, a top plate, and a plurality of wall sections connecting with the bottom plate and the top plate to form an armor structure that protects a belly portion of the vehicle. After the modular vehicle belly armor kit is positioned underneath a vehicle, the bottom plate may be placed in contact with the vehicle. After the bottom plate is placed in contact with the vehicle, the bottom plate may be fastened to vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Wyatt Coleman Huling, Giovanni Eduardo Sequeira, Edward Lawrence Broom
  • Patent number: 11794832
    Abstract: A trailer for providing a usable space. The trailer includes a wheeled underframe with a base element which is at least partially open at a top, a roof element with a roof surface and four adjacent side walls, and a connection element which connects the base element to the roof element in a set-up state. The connection element has an upper surface with at least two adjacent, opposite side walls. In a travel state, the roof element surrounds the connection element and the base element from an outside at the top and at least partially at the sides. To provide the set-up state of the trailer, the roof element extends a dimension of the base element by being erected substantially vertically, and the connection element increases a height of the base element by being erected, so as to provide a firmly enclosed usable space in an interior of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: PETER HARTZ MARKETING GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Hartz
  • Patent number: 11787478
    Abstract: In an automobile inner panel and an automobile panel that includes the automobile inner panel, panel rigidity of the panel is secured while achieving a weight reduction. An automobile inner panel 2 has a plurality of sub-units 10 that each include a flange 11, an inclined wall 12 continuous with the flange 11, and a bottom portion 13 continuous with inclined wall 12 and separated from the flange 11. The bottom portions 13 and 13 of the sub-units 10 and 10 which are adjacent to each other are butted against each other and are directly continuous with each other. A maximum value of a distance D1 between two of the flanges 11 and 11 of two of the sub-units 10 and 10 in which the bottom portions 13 are arranged separated from each other and which are adjacent to each other is 250 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuichi Nishimura, Koichi Hamada, Atsuo Koga, Takeshi Kawachi, Yasunori Sawa, Tohru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11780507
    Abstract: A composite material laying structure, a composite material vehicle body, and a composite material laying method, the composite material laying structure comprising a profile provided with multiple quadrilateral cavities reinforced by lap joints after butt joint connection, the quadrilateral cavities comprising square cavities and profile cavities, and the square shape of the square cavities transitioning along the profile into the trapezoidal shape of the profile cavities. The present composite material laying structure employs the laying structure of the composite material profile and a butt joint lap-joint form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sansan Ding, Peng Xiao, Yulong Gao, Hongwei Zhao, Peipei Wu
  • Patent number: 11780512
    Abstract: An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined geometry and ratio of links to each other for movement of the active front deflector assembly between at least a deployed position and a retracted position. The deflector panel is positionable at multiple heights. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. A drive shaft transmits the drive from one side to the other side. The deflector is both rigid and semi rigid to absorb impact energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry J. Zielinski, Anthony J. Povinelli, Martin R. Matthews, Jeffrey B. Manhire