Patents Examined by H. Gutman
  • Offshore cargo rack for use in transferring fluid holding tank loads between a marine vessel and an offshore platform
    Patent number: 8506219
    Abstract: A cargo rack for transferring loads between a marine vessel and an offshore marine platform provides a frame having a front, a rear, and upper and lower end portions. The lower end portion has a perimeter beam base, a raised floor and a pair of open-ended parallel fork tine tubes that communicate with the perimeter beam at the front and rear of the frame. Openings in the perimeter beam base align with the forklift tine tubes. The frame includes fixed side walls extending upwardly from the perimeter beam. A plurality of gates are movably mounted on the frame, each gate being movable between open and closed positions, the gates enabling a forklift to place fluid holding tanks on the floor by accessing either the front of the frame or the rear of the frame. A manifold arrangement with fittings enables transfer of fluid in any tank to a common outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Danny Ness
  • Intuitive control system for power assisted vehicle doors
    Patent number: 8506002
    Abstract: A heavy vehicle door or ramp is opened and closed using an intuitive control system. The door includes a latch assembly, a lock assembly, and a power unit to assist in opening and closing the door. The door includes an interior joy stick handle and an exterior lever handle. From outside the vehicle, the door is opened and closed by pivoting the lever handle downwardly and upwardly, respectively. From the interior of the vehicle, the joy stick handle is pulled inwardly to close the door and pushed outwardly to open the door. Pivoting the joystick handle forwardly engages the blast locks, while pivoting the joystick handle rearwardly unlatches the latch assembly and disengages the blast locks. The power assist unit is actuated by pivotal movement of the outside door handle and lateral pivotal movement of the interior joystick handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Trimark Corporation
    Inventors: Tom F. Sonnek, Brandon L. Hemann, Robert W. Donaldson
  • Fascia coupling bracket
    Patent number: 8505995
    Abstract: A fascia fixture interposed between an extended-directional end portion of a fascia and an auto body. The fascia fixture is interposed in such a way as to be extended in the extended direction of the fascia. The extended-directional end portion of the fascia is mounted on the auto body in such a way as to comprise a part of a wheel house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jason Aaron Meyers, Bradley David Smith
  • Cargo restraint system and method for restraining cargo
    Patent number: 8500379
    Abstract: A cargo restraint system is provided. The system includes a fixed-hook assembly including a frame and a hook extending from the frame. The system also includes a fabric strap including a first end and a second end and a tensioner assembly configured to receive and maintain the second end of the fabric strap therein when in a locked configuration, wherein the tensioner assembly is configured to reduce in length when placed in the locked configuration. At least a portion of the fabric strap is received within the fixed-hook assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: William Ryan Harrigan, Thomas Reiner, Myles A. Rohrlick, Michael Patterson Johnson, Anibal J. Garcia
  • Container data center
    Patent number: 8500377
    Abstract: A container data center includes a container, and two spaced cabinets arranged in the container. A supporting apparatus is connected between the cabinets. The supporting apparatus includes two connecting members and an operation member. The first ends of the connecting members are fixed to the corresponding cabinets. The second ends of the connecting members are connected to opposite ends of the operating member. The operating member can be lengthened or shortened by rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Chung Hsiao
  • Mobile pallet with locking mechanism for a container
    Patent number: 8491240
    Abstract: A mobile pallet for loading into a container, the pallet comprising: a pallet chassis defining a leading end, a rear end and opposite sides of the pallet; wheels supporting the chassis for mobility; and at least one locking mechanism on one side of the pallet capable of extending outwardly of the pallet and locating against an adjacent inner side wall of the container to create a wedge between the pallet and the side wall thereby locking the pallet in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Maurice Baker Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Maurice Baker
  • Combination trailer
    Patent number: 8491030
    Abstract: A combination trailer is provided that includes a rear self-discharge trailer having a bottom surface, a front portion, a back portion, and two opposing side panels. The side panels of the combination trailer have a height that is less than the height of the front portion. An enclosure system is also included in the combination trailer and selectively covers an open top of the rear self-discharge trailer. One or more one locking pin assemblies are also included in the combination trailer and are attached to at least one of the side panels of the rear self-discharge trailer such that the locking pin assemblies can be used to secure the enclosure system in a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: First Class Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Stroup, Benjamin J. Pritchett
  • Door trim for vehicle
    Patent number: 8491033
    Abstract: A door trim for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a fixed body including an opening and a movable body that opens and closes the opening. At least one of the fixed body and the movable body includes an attachment portion. The door trim comprises an elongate shape and a cover. The cover is attached along the attachment portion in a manner to cover the attachment portion. The door trim comprises a reinforcing member for reinforcing the cover. The reinforcing member is provided between the cover and the attachment portion to directly oppose the attachment portion. At least one of the cover and the reinforcing member is directly assembled to the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryousuke Sakamaki, Masaaki Shimizu
  • Platform body
    Patent number: 8491060
    Abstract: Platform body (1, 80) comprising a bottom (21) to which two opposite sides (31, 32, 41, 42, 63, 83, 84) are connected that either consist of long sides or of short sides as well as at least one additional side for the formation of a cargo volume (LV), said bottom having a bottom surface of a surface length between the opposite sides of the platform body (1, 80) that is larger than the spacing between said opposite sides, at least one part of said bottom being curved inward toward the cargo volume (LV), wherein at least one tie means (22) is mounted with one end thereof connected to one of the opposite sides of the platform body (1, 80) and with the other end thereof connected to the other opposite side of the platform body (1, 80) in order to eliminate deflection of said sides when the bottom of the platform (1, 80) is loaded by goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: SSAB Technology AB
    Inventor: Bo Lindström
  • Device for reducing loads on latches and loads on cargo containers
    Patent number: 8491241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing latch loads during the process of loading and flying air cargo containers inside cargo holds of aircraft. The device exhibits a floor plate of a cargo unit of a transport means, an edge profile, a rail bumper as well as a first damping unit. The first damping unit is situated between the edge profile and the floor plate, or between the edge profile and the rail bumper of the cargo unit. The first damping unit is designed for damping a movement by the cargo unit in a direction of movement of the cargo unit so as to reduce the loads placed on the cargo unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Glatz, Markus Kaulbars, Ulrich Meier-Noe, Achim Merklinger, Ludger Merz
  • Upper roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure
    Patent number: 8485587
    Abstract: An upper roller assembly for a sliding vehicle closure system includes a first bracket secured to a sliding vehicle closure. A ball-type roller is secured to the first bracket at a location spaced apart from the sliding vehicle closure for engaging and moving along an upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure. The ball-type roller is fixed in position relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. A second bracket is connected to first bracket. The second bracket is moveable relative to the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. Guide rollers guide movement of the sliding vehicle closure during opening and closing thereof. The guide rollers are rotatably connected to the second bracket for engaging and moving along the upper guide rail during opening and closing of the sliding vehicle closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven R. Thiele
  • Back-up power for controlling an access opening in a body of a vehicle
    Patent number: 8485586
    Abstract: A system for controlling an access opening in a vehicle body includes first and second doors arranged to selectively open and close first and second portions of the opening. The system also includes a power-activated device operatively connected to the first door and configured to be selectively retracted before at least one of the first and second doors is opened. The power-activated device is also configured to be protracted when the first and second doors are closed to thereby seal the first and second portions of the access opening. The system additionally includes a primary energy storage device configured to supply power to the power-activated device. Furthermore, the system includes an auxiliary energy storage device configured to supply back-up power to the power-activated device when the power supplied by the primary energy storage device is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James S. Netherland, III, Scott P. Charnesky
  • Vehicle floor mat
    Patent number: 8474898
    Abstract: A floor mat is positionable in front of a vehicle seat on a vehicle floor of a vehicle having at least one structural member that contacts the vehicle floor and is disposed rearward of a front edge of the vehicle seat. The floor mat includes a main body and an engagement structure. The main body has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end that is longitudinally spaced from the first end. The engagement structure is defined at a peripheral edge of the main body between the upper and lower surfaces. The engagement structure has a first edge portion that extends in a longitudinal direction and a second edge portion that laterally extends from the first edge portion. The second edge portion is positionable to engage the at least one structural member to restrain horizontal movement of the main body in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Uri Bielawski, Martin Petersen
  • Reconfigurable seating arrangement
    Patent number: 8469431
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reconfigurable seating arrangement (10) for car, bus, trains, or the like, comprising first (1) and second (2) frame section elements connected with a backrest part (IA) and a seat part (2A), respectively. A connection and reconfiguration device (3) connects said first frame section element (1) with said second frame section element (2) so that the seating arrangement (10) can be reconfigured between a first functional state wherein the seat part (2A) and the backrest part (IA) form a seat having a backrest, and a second functional state wherein the lower part of the seat part (2A2) forms vertical support to wheelchair (20) or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Cha Be Di AB
    Inventor: Håkan Andersson
  • Trailer hitch coupler storage assembly and system
    Patent number: 8469429
    Abstract: A trailer hitch coupler storage assembly includes a receiver with a closed loop perimeter wall that includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall coupled together in a generally rectangular configuration. The perimeter wall includes an upper edge and a lower edge. A plurality of dividing walls is attached to and extends between the front and rear walls to divide the receiver into a plurality of slots. The slots are each configured to receive a hitch coupler. A bracket is attached to the receiver and extends away from the receiver. The bracket is configured to be mounted to a wall of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Seth Spronk
  • Cover coupling structure
    Patent number: 8465079
    Abstract: There is provided a cover coupling structure including: a coupling groove that is provided to an elongated shaped tonneau cover apparatus including a tonneau cover, the coupling groove including a coupling portion coupled to one end of a sheet-form cover, and an opening portion that is open to the outer peripheral side of the tonneau cover apparatus and is in communication with the coupling portion; an anchor portion provided to the one end of the cover and coupling the one end of the cover to the coupling portion by anchoring to the coupling portion; and a resiliently deformable portion that anchors the anchor portion to the coupling portion, and is set with an external profile dimension along a direction orthogonal to a first face of the cover that is larger than the height dimension of the opening portion when the resiliently deformable portion has been resiliently deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Saito, Takahiro Yajima
  • Convertible top cover and headliner interconnected by bows
    Patent number: 8465081
    Abstract: A convertible top having a cover and a headliner interconnected by transverse bows having fore and aft slots that are connected to either the cover or the headliner by flexible welts. A method of making a convertible top with welts that are assembled to the bows by sliding first and second welts lengthwise into fore and aft slots formed on the bows. The bows are assembled to the top stack after the cover and headliner are attached to the bows. One or more bows may include a central portion and two end portions that are assembled to opposite ends of the central portion in a range of predetermined positions. A method is disclosed for making a bow by extruding the central portion of the bow and molding the right and left end portions of the bow in a thixotropic molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Just
  • Tie-down assembly
    Patent number: 8465236
    Abstract: A tie-down assembly to be mounted in a deck portion to secure an object to the deck portion, including a frame and a pair of ratchet subassemblies. Each ratchet subassembly includes an elongate ratchet body to which a selected one of two straps is attachable, and a ratchet head secured to the ratchet body. Each of the ratchet bodies is mounted in the frame to permit rotation thereof in a predetermined rotary direction to tighten the selected one of the straps attached thereto, for securing the object to the deck portion. Each ratchet subassembly additionally includes a pawl, for preventing rotation of the ratchet head engageable therewith about the axis thereof in a direction opposite to the predetermined rotary direction. Each of the ratchet bodies is rotatable in the same predetermined rotary direction to tighten the selected one of the straps attached thereto respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: David J. Empey
  • Method of designing a driver's compartment
    Patent number: 8465078
    Abstract: A method of designing a driver's compartment for accommodating different driver's sizes, the compartment having a floor and a top end. The method includes: designing a driver's seat having a seat reference point (SRP) designating the position of a seat rear part and a seat pan height reference point (SPHRP) defining the position of the front portion of the seat. A seat moving mechanism moves the SRP vertically between a smallest position, where the SRP is at a vertical height H1 from the top end, and a largest position where the SRP is at a vertical height H2 from the top end, where H2 is greater than H1. The vertical height H3 of the SPHRP from the floor is maintained and constant. Front portion of the seat remains fixed. The top end is disposed at a vertical distance H4 from the floor, where H4 is the sum H1 and H3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Plasan Sasa Ltd.
    Inventor: Nir Kahn
  • Adjustable seating assemblies for vehicles
    Patent number: 8465077
    Abstract: A vehicle having an adjustable seating assembly and related method. One member of the seating assembly may be adjusted to provide a backrest to a straddle type seat of the vehicle. As such, when a carrier bed having an accessory platform is located rearward of the straddle type seat, the one member may optionally be used to provide a wall portion of the carrier bed. The one member may also be adjusted to provide an extension to the straddle type seat. When an accessory platform is located rearward of the straddle type seat, an additional member of the seating assembly may be adjusted to provide a backrest to one or more of the straddle type seat or an extended straddle type seat. The additional member may also be adjusted to form a segment of the accessory platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Ostroski, Roy Sunsdahl, Scott Taylor