Patents Examined by H. Gutman
  • Patent number: 8944496
    Abstract: Left and right roof rails for supporting a roof panel include left and right inner rails; and left and right outer panels located on the outsides of the left and right inner rails in the width direction of the vehicle. Each of the outer panels is formed in a stepped shape and includes a stepped section at an intermediate stage and an upper outer flange at a lower stage. The upper outer flanges are joined to the upper surfaces of the associated inner rail. The left and right ends of the roof panel are joined to the stepped surfaces of the stepped sections by adhesion sections and temporarily securing sections. The temporarily securing sections are weld portions that provide temporary affixation until the adhesion sections can exhibit an adhesion force, and the temporarily securing sections are covered with filling agent layers that are filled into the stepped sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Hida, Hitoshi Mizohata
  • Patent number: 8944516
    Abstract: A cargo hauling system is dimensioned to fit within a bed of a light truck. The bin moves forwardly and rearwardly relative to the truck bed along rollers provided on a tailgate of the truck. The tailgate is modified by reinforcing a perimeter of the tailgate, adding rollers to the tailgate, substituting reinforced linkages and hinges for factory originals, and adding a support member that extends between the trailer hitch and tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Paul G. Eidsmore
  • Patent number: 8931987
    Abstract: A pickup truck cargo area separator is provided that operably divides the cargo area of a pickup truck into distinct segments using slidably adjustable members. A first member is positioned laterally across a pickup truck cargo area, while a second member slidably connects to the first member to form a T-shaped divider assembly. The T-shaped assembly separates the cargo area into three defined zones. The members are lengthwise adjustable using a telescoping construction and are lockable in a static state once deployed, wherein the members abut against the interior surfaces of the cargo area to remain in place during use. End caps positioned on the lateral member ensure a tight fitment thereof across the cargo bed, while the height of the members act as internal barriers within the cargo area for confining cargo items in specific zones during transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Edward Hibbard
  • Patent number: 8926000
    Abstract: Front diffusers are provided on a front underbody covering of a vehicle, in a manner lying laterally on the inside next to the two front wheel houses. Each front diffuser has a longitudinally directed air duct integrated into the front underbody covering and has a pivotable flap. The flap is connected to an actuating device that can be actuated by a switch in the passenger compartment for shifting the device between a first position flush with the outer skin and a second upwardly pivoted position. The second, upwardly pivoted position of the front diffuser or of the flap produces an increase in downforce at the front axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian del Gaizo, Klaus Lutz, Norbert Schwan, Henning Witte
  • Patent number: 8926242
    Abstract: A device for securing a mobile device in an aircraft cabin includes a first connection element having a bar receiving member. The device further has a second connection element which includes a bar which is suitable for co-operating with the bar receiving member of the first connection element, the bar being moveable between an unlocking position and a locking position, in which the bar of the second connection element is able to be brought into engagement with the bar receiving member of the first connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Gerhard Giesa, Dieter Behlich, Thomas Rathmann-Ramlow
  • Patent number: 8920084
    Abstract: A buoy rope assembly includes a main rope segment having a plurality of rope strands and first and second ends, a first end loop provided on the first end of the main rope segment, a second end loop provided on the second end of the main rope segment, at least one sinusoidal intermediate loop defined by at least one of the rope strands and at least one removable member releasably coupled to the first end loop, the second end loop or the at least one in-plane intermediate loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffery Daniel Dahl, Daniel Paul Hawkins
  • Patent number: 8919867
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including a structural pillar. A headliner at least partially covers an exposed interior surface of the pillar. An interior garnish is secured to the headliner and is configured to conceal a lower edge portion of the headliner and cover at least a portion of the pillar. The interior garnish includes a main body having a pillar facing surface, a passenger compartment facing surface, a first longitudinal side portion, an opposite second longitudinal side portion, and an upper end portion. The interior garnish further includes a first engagement member located adjacent the first side portion and a second engagement member located adjacent the second side portion. The first engagement member is configured to hold the interior garnish in an install position relative to the headliner, and the second engagement member is configured to secure the interior garnish to the headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Corey Davis
  • Patent number: 8915685
    Abstract: A strap corner protector multifunctional installation tool may include a plate having a front side, a rear side, a top end and a bottom end. The plate may be bent into a J-shape with a curved section ending in front of the front side of the plate. At least two upper posts may be attached to the top end of the plate. At least one lower post may be attached to the bottom end of the plate. At least two back posts may be attached to the rear side of the plate. A threaded protrusion may be attached to the bottom end of the plate. A pole may be connected to the strap corner protector multifunctional installation tool. Various accessories for securing cargo may be installed and positioned through the use of the strap corner protector multifunctional installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: Epifanio Reyes Flores, Ricardo Flores
  • Patent number: 8915683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a latch device for securing and/or guiding at least one cargo item on a cargo deck, wherein the latch device comprises: a sliding guide carriage extending longitudinally; a bearing in which the sliding guide carriage is movably supported in such a way that the sliding guide carriage is pivotable out of a restraining position into an inoperative position; at least one releasing device which is attached to the latch device by way of at least one articulation in such a way that the releasing device can be brought out of a blocking position into a releasing position, wherein in the blocking position the releasing device acts on the sliding guide carriage in such a manner that said carriage is locked in the restraining position, wherein the releasing device has at least one releasing device ramp section which is designed and arranged in such a manner that a cargo item approaching longitudinally pivots the releasing device out of the blocking position into the releasing position
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Holzner
  • Patent number: 8910987
    Abstract: A rear body panel has a pillar portion extending upward from a vehicle body waistline defined along the rear body panel. An outboard facing surface of the pillar portion has a front peripheral edge section at least partially defining a side opening. A rearward facing surface of the pillar portion has an inboard peripheral edge section partially defining a rear window opening. The rear window glass is installed within the rear window opening overlaying at least a portion of the inboard peripheral edge. A first section of the exterior trim panel extends rearward from the front peripheral edge section along the outboard facing surface at the vehicle body waistline. A second section extends in a lateral inboard direction from a rearward end of the first section to the inboard peripheral edge section along the rearward facing surface to the rear window opening at the vehicle body waistline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Greggs
  • Patent number: 8894136
    Abstract: A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body that is configured such that the ends of an arch member are mounted to rail members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and such that a roof panel is supported by the arch member. The structure includes the rail members; the arch member, which extends in the width direction of the vehicle and the ends of which are mounted to the rail members; and the roof panel supported by the arch member. In each of the rail members, an outer extension section is integrally provided to a rail outer section and an inner extension section is integrally provided to a rail inner section. The arch member is provided with an arch upper member that can be installed on the outer extension section and an arch lower member that can be installed on the inner extension section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Shono
  • Patent number: 8888421
    Abstract: A pickup trunk is provided for a pickup truck having a bed with side walls and a tailgate. The pickup trunk includes a holder to receive cargo therein. A manually adjustable retainer mechanism is for retaining the holder with the cargo in a stationary position on a back portion of the bed between the side walls of the pickup truck adjacent to the tailgate, so as to allow for easy access and retrieval of the cargo from the holder when the tailgate is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis Coull
  • Patent number: 8870501
    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: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Danny Ness
  • Patent number: 8870503
    Abstract: A hook for securing cargo includes a body formed by side members and a top member attached thereto. An opening in the body of the hook is defined by the side members and the top member. An extension member protrudes outwardly from a surface of the body. The hook is designed to releasably receive a portion of a strap to secure the strap thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cargo Strategies LLC
    Inventor: Michael Edwin Stromberg
  • Patent number: 8857890
    Abstract: A hypocycloid reducer 70 for reducing rotation of a flat motor 60 to output the speed-reduced rotation to a drum is provided between the drum and the flat motor 60, a rotor shalt member 65 which is rotated with the same rotation number as the flat motor 60 is axially aligned with the drum is provided on the same side as the flat motor 60. An output rotation body 74 for outputting the speed-reduced rotation is axially aligned with the drum and provided on the same side as the drum. Since the rotor shaft member 65 and the output rotation body 74 are axially aligned with the drum, turning force can be transmitted bi-directionally between the rotor shaft member 65 and the output rotation body 74. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate an electromagnetic clutch to reduce the driving apparatus in size and weight, and since wires and control logic of the electromagnetic clutch are not needed for the driving apparatus, the driving apparatus can be reduced in production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Okada, Ryuichi Nakajima, Tatsuyuki Saito, Zentaro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8858139
    Abstract: A retainer device retains an object within a cargo area of a vehicle. The cargo area is defined at least partially by a cargo area floor, a rear panel that extends upright from the cargo area floor, and a plurality of side panels that extend upright from the cargo area floor and that are disposed at respective sides of the rear panel. The retainer device includes a retaining member operable for retaining the object thereto. The retainer device also includes a coupling member that moveably couples the retaining member to an interior surface of the rear panel. The retaining member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Gregg R. Prottengeier, Rolland Vortriede, James W. Finck, Dahlia Dallo
  • Patent number: 8845250
    Abstract: A tie-down anchor for insertion into a stake opening in the sidewall of the bed of a pick-up truck. The tie-down anchor is constructed for releasable engagement with the sidewall, and arranged for receiving and releasably engaging at least one tie-down line. The tie-down anchor comprises a continuous, elongate flexible frame having first and second side members extending apart from a common transition point. The tie-down anchor is moveable from a first position, disengaged from a pick-up truck sidewall, to a second position, disposed through a stake opening, engaged with the pick-up truck sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Helms
  • Patent number: 8845004
    Abstract: An attachable vehicle roof canopy comprising: a weather protective canopy comprising a weather protective material comprising sun blocking material, a bottom edge, a top edge, two side edges, and four corners; a slide out rod means extending from the bottom edge to the top edge and beyond; at least one upper connecting means for connecting the attachable vehicle roof canopy to a vehicle roof of a tractor or a golf cart: and at least one lower connecting means for connecting the attachable vehicle roof canopy to a vehicle roof of a tractor or a golf cart; and a golf cart comprising the attachable vehicle roof canopy. The attachable vehicle roof canopy adds additional protection to the occupants of a vehicle such as a tractor or a golf cart from rain and sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Arlen DeVoss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8840189
    Abstract: In case a burden is discharged from a vessel (3), the vessel (3) is raised obliquely backward with respect to a vehicle body (2) by a hoist cylinder (10). However, when discharging work is stopped on the way, the vessel (3) is temporarily lowered to a position at which this sits on the vehicle body (2). When the vessel (3) lowers, a weight of the burden left loaded thereon acts on the hoist cylinder (10) as a load in addition to the weight of the vessel (3). A controller (35) determines whether the vessel (3) lowers in a burden loading state based on various detection signals. When the vessel (3) lowers in the burden loading state, switching of directional control valves (20) and (21) is controlled so as to decrease a contracting speed of the hoist cylinder (10), thereby prevent the vessel (3) from colliding against the vehicle body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Minoshima, Michio Fushiki, Katsumi Tamura, Takao Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 8834082
    Abstract: A system for transporting an airfoil over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a root bracket that supports a root end of the airfoil on the first railcar, and is oriented to align a tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A blade support is fixed to the second railcar and is disposed to support the airfoil along its midsection. A weight is hung from a tension member on the second railcar such that the force of gravity induces tension forces along the tension member. An urging member is disposed on the second railcar and oriented to engage the airfoil between the blade support and the tip end of the airfoil. The urging member is coupled to the tension member such that the tension forces are transferred to the urging member to induce lateral forces against the airfoil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Transportation Technology Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Landrum, T. Christopher King