Patents Examined by H. Gutman
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Patent number: 9902434Abstract: A vehicle including a fender panel support assembly includes a hood that at least partially covers an engine compartment. A front fender structure includes a connecting wall portion located at least partially below the hood in a vehicle vertical direction. A side structural member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. An offset deforming fender attachment bracket mounts the front fender structure to the side structural member. The offset deforming fender attachment bracket includes a fender attachment portion connected to the connecting wall portion of the front fender structure at a connecting location. A support leg is connected to the side structural member. The support leg extends toward the side structural member from a lateral edge of the fender attachment portion. The support leg includes an apex portion connected to the lateral edge of the fender attachment portion that is spaced outboard from the connecting location in a vehicle lateral direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Jeremiah T. Hammer
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Patent number: 9895964Abstract: A tonneau cover for covering a cargo box of a vehicle. The tonneau cover includes a plurality of flexible hinges, each of which is between two rigid members. Each flexible hinge includes an elastomeric material having a first portion connected to a first one of the rigid members, a second portion connected to a second one of the rigid members, and a web between the first portion and the second portion. A cut-resistant barrier is associated with the flexible web and bridges between the first portion and the second portion. The cut-resistant barrier is effective to resist penetration by a sharp edge.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Extang CorporationInventors: Mark A. Hickey, Jerome J. Facchinello, Joseph J. Koengeter
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Patent number: 9889784Abstract: A hauling device configured to retain debris in a main bucket having a frame and adapted to be towed by a motorized vehicle is further configured to enable hoisting and dumping the frame of the main bucket via a lifting mechanism. An auxiliary bucket is provided that has a frame detachably affixed and clear of the main bucket.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Inventors: Michael Lyles, Laura Hudson-Lyles
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Patent number: 9889900Abstract: Vertical movement of support members disposed on both left and right sides of a screen are guided by a pair of left and right fixed rail brackets. A manipulation lever manually operable so as to vertically move the screen and connected to at least one of the pair of support members includes a lever main portion which is rotatably supported on at least one of the pair of rail brackets and is connected to one of the support members, and a grip which is connected to the lever main portion. The grip is connected to the lever main portion such that the grip is operable between a projecting position where the grip projects from the lever main portion and a storage position where the grip is folded toward a lever main portion side.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Haruka Tsuda, Ippei Kawamura
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Patent number: 9889725Abstract: A simplified truck cap handle and lock assembly is provided. Unlike truck cap handle and lock assemblies known in the art, the assembly is comprised of a codeable lock that is disposed in a position that is not perpendicular to the glass access window of the cap. The lock of the present invention is rotated 90° from the perpendicular. Further, the lock is codeable because it is preferably keyed to match other locks and ignition key switch of the vehicle with which the assembly is used. The invention provides a unique locking structure having a number of components that form the assembly. The assembly is easy to use and easy to install in an aftermarket application. Further, the assembly can be easily converted to an electronic actuated version without any retooling of the component parts of the assembly. The assembly provides the user with tactile feedback as to its operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: VSI, LLCInventors: Lucas Boesel, Joshua J. Miller
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Patent number: 9879736Abstract: A ball ramp plate assembly includes a first ball ramp plate and a second ball ramp plate coaxially aligned so that first and second ball pockets are opposed with rolling elements disposed in the opposing first and second ball pockets. A plug extends through the first ball ramp plate and the second ball ramp plate and engages both ball ramp plates to maintain the first ball ramp plate and the second ball ramp plate against displacement with respect to each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Jonathan Jameson
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Patent number: 9873398Abstract: A vehicle interior structure has a driver's seat disposed inside a cabin, a rear passenger's seat disposed on a vehicle rear side of the driver's seat inside the cabin, and a partition panel arranged along a vehicle width direction between the driver's seat and the rear passenger's seat. Both ends of the partition panel in the vehicle width direction are disposed close to left and right side walls of the cabin, respectively. At least one of an upper edge and a lower edge of the partition panel is provided with a fragile section including a recess formed by a cutout extending toward a vertical center, and a protrusion protruding such that a distance from the vertical center to a tip of the protrusion in a vertical direction is greater than that of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Haruka Mochizuki, Wataru Suzuki
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Patent number: 9868472Abstract: A bonnet inner panel includes a central protrusion portion protruding upward in a vehicle elevational view and a rear protrusion portion located in back of the central protrusion portion, which are arranged side by side in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a deep-drawn groove is provided between the both protrusion portions to extend in a vehicle width direction, and a hinge reinforcement is provided to extend from a position beside the rear protrusion portion to a position at a rear end of the central protrusion portion, passing through beside the deep-drawn groove. Thereby, the hinge support rigidity of the rear portion of the bonnet having the central protrusion portion can be increased, so that occurrence of any improper deflection or vibration caused to the bonnet by the traveling vibration, the traveling-air pressure or the like can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Kohji Takada, Kozo Ishizuka, Hirokazu Yamauchi, Akira Miyake, Yousuke Inamitsu, Hideaki Fujii, Takashi Hamada, Soukichi Kikuchi, Atsushi Koriyama, Tsuyoshi Nishihara, Izumi Sadanaga
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Patent number: 9862309Abstract: A vehicle sill illumination assembly has a main body, an illumination panel and a controller. The main body includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion that together define an inverted U-shaped structure as viewed in cross-section. The first portion has an upright surface. The second portion extends horizontally inboard from an upper edge of the first section. The third portion extends downward from an inboard side of the second portion. The illumination panel is installed to an area of the first portion of the main body such that the illumination panel faces in an outboard direction with the main body installed to a vehicle sill structure. The controller is located within the main body and is configured to control illumination of the illumination panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Sean Oliverio
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Patent number: 9855883Abstract: A pneumatic locking system configured to secure a container to a vehicle chassis. The locking system can include a hook pivotable between an unlocked orientation and a locked orientation relative to the chassis and an inflatable bellows intermediate the hook and the chassis, wherein inflation of the inflatable bellows is configured to pivot the hook from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation. The locking system can further include an air line system fluidically coupled to the inflatable bellows and an air supply system. The air line system can include a valve controllable by a switch, wherein actuation of the valve is configured to supply air from the air supply system to the inflatable bellows and pivot the hook to the locked orientation.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Wastequip, LLCInventor: Nathan L. Martindale
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Patent number: 9855881Abstract: A vehicle gutter spout cover comprising: a receptacle with a generally smooth outside surface; an orifice located on the receptacle and configured to allow the receptacle to slide over and enclose at least a portion of a gutter spout; and an adjustable length connecting means attached to the receptacle. A vehicle gutter spout cover system comprising: a vehicle; at least one gutter located on the vehicle; at least one gutter spout in fluid communication with the gutter; a receptacle with a generally smooth outside surface; an orifice located on the receptacle and configured to allow the receptacle to slide over and enclose at least a portion of the gutter spout; an adjustable length connecting means attached to the receptacle; and a vehicle cover configured to cover a vehicle and the gutter spout, with the receptacle generally enclosing at least a portion of the gutter spout.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Inventor: Michael P. Hagen
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Patent number: 9850104Abstract: The present invention concerns a gripper for gripping, moving, orienting, and depositing a pallet. The gripper includes a gripping means for gripping the pallet at the longitudinal side members of a pallet. The gripper is suitable for being hinged to an automated manipulator moving along a support structure, thus making it possible to move, orient, and deposit a pallet in a loading position on the support structure or in an unloading position, for example, on the ground.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: LOHR ELECTROMECANIQUEInventor: Daniel Scheer
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Patent number: 9840282Abstract: A collision countermeasure apparatus includes an impact absorbing body attached to an outboard side of a sub-frame and a rigid link. The rigid link is attached to the impact absorbing body at an outboard location and extends upward to an outer side of a frame rail. A frontal impact with a rigid barrier outboard of the frame rail drives the impact absorbing body into the link to force the link into the outer side of the frame rail. The force applied to the frame rail by the impact absorbing body laterally displaces the vehicle to reduce the extent of intrusion into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa
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Patent number: 9840167Abstract: A walk-in apparatus for a seat of a vehicle, including an upper rail connected to the seat; a lower rail connected to a floor of the vehicle; a lead screw connected to the lower rail; a male helical gear connected to the lead screw, the male helical gear including external splines; and a female helical gear connected to the upper rail. The female helical gear includes internal splines configured to engage with the external splines of the male helical gear, and the male helical gear and the female helical gear are selectively separable. A torque transferred between the internal splines of the female helical gear and the external splines of the male helical gear when connected moves the upper rail relative to the lower rail.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael Mixon, Ryosuke Mizuno, Kamin Manatpon
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Patent number: 9834119Abstract: Vehicle seating, selectively deployable at the rear of a vehicle for providing temporary outdoor seating. The seating is moveable between a first, stowed position in which the seating surface is locatable on or within a load floor of the vehicle and a second, deployed position in which support legs and a seating surface connected thereto are pivoted up and out of the load floor so that the seating surface overlaps with or extends beyond a rearmost edge of the vehicle and an engaging member engages the support surface to provide load bearing support for the seating surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover LimitedInventors: Hugo Nightingale, Sandy Boyes
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Patent number: 9834268Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle is capable of achieving miniaturization of a front cowl while ensuring a flow rate of air introduction. An opening penetrating through a longitudinal direction of a vehicle is formed below the center in a height direction of a vertically long windshield. First traveling air is passed through the opening formed in the windshield. A direction of the first traveling air is then changed by a guide member, and is moved upward along a back surface of the windshield. Excessive vacuum on the back surface of the windshield is corrected. Since an opening is formed in the windshield, it is not necessary to increase a width of the front cowl, and miniaturization of the front cowl can be achieved. Since the windshield is formed as a vertically long windshield, the opening can be formed to be vertically long, and an opening area can be ensured.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Gen Tanabe, Satoshi Seo, Akihiro Komatsu, Takefumi Okubo, Masao Akieda
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Patent number: 9834269Abstract: A traveling wind intake structure for a saddled vehicle, comprising a meter visor covering a meter from above; and a wind screen covering the meter visor from above, wherein an introduction portion for introducing a traveling wind rearward of the wind screen is formed between a lower end of the wind screen and a vehicle body, a gate-type louver member is provided between the wind screen and the meter visor, and is formed by a plate-shaped guide member for guiding rearward the traveling wind introduced through the introduction portion, and leg members extending downward from left and right end portions of the guide member in a vehicle width direction, and the leg members are each provided with a shaft portion extending along the vehicle width direction and supporting the louver member in a frontward and rearward swingable manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masashi Hagimoto, Nobutaka Wakita, Atsushi Kusuda, Kihoko Kaita
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Patent number: 9827922Abstract: A headlining having a heat shielding function for a vehicle and a manufacturing method for producing the headlining, in which a heat shielding layer having a heat shielding effect is stacked on a polyurethane foam sheet as a substrate having an excellent insulating effect and integrally formed therewith to prevent heat from being transferred to an inside of the vehicle through a roof panel occupying a wide portion exposed to an outside of the vehicle. In so doing, it is possible to create comfortable indoor environment of the vehicle even in hot summertime, to restrict an increase in an internal temperature of the vehicle and thus to reduce an operation time of an air conditioner and to enhance fuel efficiency of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: DAEHAN SOLUTIONS CO., LTDInventors: Choong Ho Kwon, Jang Seok Park
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Patent number: 9827914Abstract: A height adjustable floor system for a motor vehicle includes a load compartment floor having front and rear floor members that are pivotally connected together to permit relative rotation about a transverse axis. The load compartment cover can be positioned in upper and lower load carrying positions and be moved between these positions with the aid of a pair of first side supports each having a continuous groove defining a path to be followed by a pair of spaced apart guide members located on left and right sides of the front floor member near to a front end thereof. The rear floor member is used to facilitate the transitioning of the load compartment floor between the two load carrying positions and the first side supports are so configured that in the load carrying positions load is not transferred from the load compartment floor to the guide members.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andy Murray, Daniel Berry
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Patent number: 9821853Abstract: In a vehicle front part structure of a vehicle body, a gusset member is disposed in front of a front pillar. The gusset member is positioned so as to overlap with at least a front tire in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The gusset member covers at least a portion of a lower portion of the front pillar on a front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The gusset member has a stepped portion on a front side thereof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The stepped portion extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle body and makes a portion of the gusset member disposed inside in the vehicle width direction positioned relatively in front of a portion of the gusset member disposed outside in the vehicle width direction in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KYUSHU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasushi Torikawa, Shigeru Kaji, Kenji Chiba