Patents Examined by Gregory Blankenship
  • Patent number: 8297687
    Abstract: In a vehicle body for a motor vehicle, a crossbeam is situated between two longitudinal girders of a front frame. The crossbeam is formed from the vehicle front wall, the cover plate and the bulkhead plate. The bulkhead plate is led up to a plate of a wheel arch laterally outside the longitudinal girders. The vehicle body thus has a particularly high stability at a low weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Patent number: 8287035
    Abstract: A frame structure is provided for the underbody of a self-supporting motor vehicle bodywork. The frame structure includes, but not included with an elongate tunnel and two sillboards parallel hereto. The sillboards are disposed on both sides of the tunnel. The frame structure also includes, but is not limited to a dashboard cowl with closing plate, which is connected directly to both sillboards and the tunnel, a wheel housing with a downwardly open main structural arc, the ends whereof are connected to the underbody, and on its side facing the underbody (e.g., the vehicle inner side) the main structural arc has a damper receptacle in its upper area, from which a supporting strut connected to the underbody projects downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronny Bufe, Stefan Gloger, Jens Hartmann, Matthias Schlelein, Matthias Seyfried, Ralph Stenger, Dirk Strehl, Joachim Köhr, Heinz-Günter Lang, Hans-Joachim Patschicke
  • Patent number: 8287025
    Abstract: The removable windshield sun screen device provides for screening sun that typically comes in adjacent to and near a rearview mirror inside a windshield of an auto. An area surrounding the rearview mirror is typically not sufficiently shielded by existing auto sun visors, hence the value of the present device. Further, the present device is pliable and removable, and therefore easily transported and stored. The device may be removably fastened to a windshield interior by more than one means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Gerald Bandola, Pearl Bandola
  • Patent number: 8287022
    Abstract: The device includes supports (30), a shelf (32) rotatably mounted about a transverse axis (B-B?) and a mechanism (34) for articulation of the shelf (32) relative to the supports (30). The mechanism (34) includes an abutment surface (76) delimited by the shelf (32) and a complementary abutment surface (90) delimited by the support (30), which are intended to slide on each other during the pivoting of the shelf (32) about its transverse axis (B-B?) in order to prevent radial movement of the shelf (32) towards the front with respect to the transverse axis (B-B?). The mechanism (34) includes a retaining surface (82) integral with the shelf (32) and a complementary retaining surface (96) defined by each support (30) which co-operate for each inclined position of the shelf (32) in order to prevent radial movement of the shelf (32) towards the rear with respect to the transverse axis (B-B?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Industrie
    Inventors: Jacques Decorme, Franck Jeunehomme
  • Patent number: 8282146
    Abstract: Provided is an automotive rear vehicle body structure which increases the amount of energy that can be absorbed, improves the safety of the vehicle occupant and protects a fuel tank in a reliable manner at the time of a rear end collision while allowing a spare tire to be placed within a cabin. In an automotive rear vehicle body structure having a H-type torsion beam wheel suspension system (12) pivotally supported by side sill extensions (2a, 3a) on either side of the vehicle body, the wheel suspension system including a pair of trailing arms (13, 14) and a torsion beam (15) connecting intermediate parts of the trailing arms with each other, a pair of rear side frames (6, 7) extend rearwardly from side sills (2, 3), and a spare tire pan (10) is defined by downwardly bulging a part of a rear floor panel (11) located between the rear side frames (6, 7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Izutsu, Kanji Fujii, Yutaka Kobashi, Hidenori Matsumoto, Katsuya Hishiki, Masami Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 8276954
    Abstract: A bumper system for motor vehicles has a cross-member and two crush boxes. The cross-member is made from steel and the crush boxes are made from aluminum, or vice versa. The bumper member that is made from steel has a zinc coating on at least the joint area thereof. A braze weld fixedly connects the crush boxes to the cross-member along associated joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Michael Wibbeke
  • Patent number: 8256829
    Abstract: A modifiable structural assembly comprising an active material based insert positioned within a hollow structural member, wherein the insert defines a first insert dimension, is configured, when activated, to change the first insert dimension to a second insert dimension, and selectively achieving the first or second dimension facilitates positioning the insert, or changes a characteristic of the assembly, such as the stiffness, damping effect, or energy absorption rate, once the insert has been positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8256826
    Abstract: A motor car including a central body with a nose having a tapered shape, an intermediate portion in which a driver's compartment is formed, and a tail portion having a tapered shape. The body is shaped such that, during movement, it generates a substantially zero overall lift. A pair of steering front wheels is connected externally to the front portion of the central body and each of them has, associated therewith, a front fairing which leaves a top portion of the wheel uncovered. These fairings are connected to the ends of a front transverse wing which extends from both sides of the nose of the central body and which is profiled so as to generate a negative lift during movement. A pair of rear wheels are connected to the tail portion of the central body and each of them has, associated therewith, a front fairing and rear fairing which leave a top portion of the wheel uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Leonardo Fioravanti
  • Patent number: 8246101
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a stationary glazing panel, a moving glazing panel, and a drive mechanism to selectively move the moving glazing panel. A window frame supports the stationary glazing panel. A mounting frame is located at least partially below the moving glazing panel and is configured to capture any water entering the vehicle at the moving glazing panel and to direct the water to a drain. Outer surfaces of the glazing panels are flush to each other. In one disclosed embodiment, tops of the stationary glazing panel and the moving glazing panel are exposed. In another disclosed embodiment, the side and top of the stationary glazing panel are flush mounted. In another disclosed embodiment, the side and top of the stationary glazing panel is flush mounted and a trim member visually covers the top of the moving glazing panel when the moving glazing panel is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Robert John Cicala
  • Patent number: 8246092
    Abstract: Disclosed is a profiled element (66) which is designed as a hollow profiled support section and is used for fastening a bumper to longitudinal beams (30) of a vehicle. Said profiled element (66) is assigned to a longitudinal beam (30) made of steel as an insertable section for the interior (32) of the longitudinal beam (30). The final edge (67) of at least two opposite walls (68) of the insertable section of the profiled element (66), which is made of a light metal material, is attached inside an insertion member (70) which, as a separation layer, prevents adjacent surfaces that are made of light metal and iron-carbon alloys from corroding. The insertable section is inserted into the longitudinal beam (30) along with the insertion members (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Simon Frank
  • Patent number: 8240748
    Abstract: A modular vehicle includes a base body having a frame, driver compartment, chassis, motor and wheels, a removable modular component adapted to be locked and unlocked therefrom, and locks that fasten the removable modular component within the base body. The removable modular component provides added structural rigidity to the frame when installed, and can comprise at least 20 percent of the overall volume and at least 20 percent of the overall weight of the entire vehicle. Locks permit the modular component to be removed and replaced with another removable modular component when said locks are unlocked. Various modular components can be directed toward medical, weapons, fire equipment, rescue equipment, hunting supplies, reconnaissance, command center, outback vehicle, or a survival camper. A triangular truss support system provides increased support and protection for the underside of the vehicle, such as for when the vehicle runs over an IED or other destructive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Draco Trust
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8240733
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle floor, a vehicle seat, and an automobile carpet. The vehicle seat includes risers mounted to the vehicle floor. The automobile carpet attaches to the vehicle floor and includes a topcoat and a backing coupled with and disposed vertically below the topcoat. At least a portion of the backing is removed from the topcoat to define a removed section disposed below and longitudinally aligned with the vehicle seat. A method for installing the automobile carpet and the automobile carpet are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric C. Wendling, Paul T. Aebker, Hiroaki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8240741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a covering frame for a tarpaulin structure, comprising a number of bows, which can be displaced along lateral longitudinal beams (4) and which each have a slide (6) at the ends thereof. Folding means (9) for force-folding a tarpaulin are provided in the vicinity of the slides (6). The invention also relates to a slide (6). A reliable and cost-effective assembly is achieved by virtue of the fact that the folding means (9) can be inserted into a guide (62a) of the slide (6) along the axis of the guide (62a). In addition, a profile of a longitudinal beam (4) for use in a covering frame is provided in order to guide a slide (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: VBG Group Truck Equipment GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Remmel, Marion Heynen, Karl Kemmerling
  • Patent number: 8235432
    Abstract: A supplemental impact protection system for an automotive vehicle includes an external energy management structure having a first position for normal vehicle operation and a second position for deployment during an impact event. A mounting system allows selective positioning of the energy management structure in either the first or second position, as determined by a controller which assesses an impact potential of the vehicle and operates the mounting system to move the energy management structure to the second, or deployed, position in the event that the assessed impact potential satisfies a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Sean Ryan, Rich Ruthinowski, Manoharprasad K. Rao
  • Patent number: 8226133
    Abstract: A bumper attachment device is provided for attaching a bumper to a vehicle body disposed between the body and the bumper. A bumper support which can support the bumper and an attachment insert that can be rotatably attached to a securing part secured to the body are provided. The attachment insert has an insertion part inserted into and through a through hole in the bumper support, the insertion part is inserted into and through the through hole, and the insertion part is turned in the through hole while supporting the bumper support; in this way, a part of the attachment insert is caused to abut a part of the bumper support, and through that abutment, the position of the bumper support relative to the body is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Takahiro Sano
  • Patent number: 8226147
    Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivoting seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. The latch includes a bracket secured to a surface of the frame. An elongated gear rack exhibits upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces and is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket, a forward extending end of the gear rack connecting to the seatback such that the gear rack is biased in a first lineal direction relative to the bracket. A pair of locking members are pivotally secured to the bracket and are biased in first directions to engage selected teeth associated with the upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces of the gear rack. The locking members are concurrently pivoted out of contact with the gear rack to permit readjustment of the seatback in a second counter-biasing direction, following which they re-engage additional selected teeth associated with gear rack surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Bruck, Harry Keith Brantley
  • Patent number: 8220865
    Abstract: A connecting arrangement (1) is provided for connecting a stiffening beam (2) to a bracket (3) in a motor vehicle. The stiffening beam (2) and the bracket (3) having mounting sections (4, 5) that can be plugged into one another. The mounting sections (4, 5) each have two slots (6, 7) situated opposite one another. The slots (6, 7) at least partially overlap in pairs and are offset from one another by a predetermined angle (?) in the mounted position of the mounting sections (4, 5) to facilitate the insertion of a fastening element (12) into the slot pairs (6, 7). The connecting arrangement (1) simplifies the mounting of the fastening element (12) and enables an even retroactive correction or alignment of the connecting arrangement (1) in the plugging-together direction (13) of the mounting sections (4,5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Brunner
  • Patent number: 8220860
    Abstract: Control device for both opening and closing the sheets or tarpaulins used to cover the open top bodies in the industrial, agricultural and/or similar vehicles wherein driving pulleys (6a-6b) are set in motion by means of bevel gears (7a, 7b and 7c), wherein the gear (7a) with the first driving pulley (6a) and the gear (7c) with a second driving pulley (6b) are mounted coaxially one in front of the other on the opposite sides of the central bevel gear (7b) which is manually driven by means of the crank (81) and its driving shaft (8), and in that the lengths of the cable rings (3c and 3f) driven by the driving pulleys which extend between additional pulleys (5d-5?d and 5s-5?s) are disposed parallel one another so that the upper lateral lengths (3a) of the cable rings move in the same directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Trakover S.R.L., Tecnoengineering
    Inventor: Cesarino Pivetta
  • Patent number: 8215693
    Abstract: A vehicle trunk compartment cargo management system is comprised of a trunk floor panel, a seatback and a pair of dividers. The trunk floor panel provides a vehicle trunk compartment floor surface. The seatback has a pair of pockets. Each pocket secures a seatback flange extending from a divider oriented in an upright position. Each divider has a seatback flange which fits within a seatback pocket to secure the divider in an upright position to the seatback. The dividers are pivotally attached to the trunk floor panel such that they may pivot between an upright position and a closed position. When the dividers are locked into an upright position they form three sub compartments within the vehicle trunk compartment. An optional cargo net fits over the dividers to cover the sub compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Greg Ulita
  • Patent number: 8215704
    Abstract: A heat expandable baffle having a shape corresponding to, but smaller than, the shape of the cross section of a cavity to be sealed, and comprising a rigid support plate, a carrier for a heat expandable material and a heat expandable material mounted only to the outer periphery of the carrier. When activated by heating, the expandable material expand radially from the carrier to seal the cross sectional gap between the carrier and the cavity wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Monnet, Fabrice Prunarety, Sébastien Peget, Gregory Magnet