Patents Examined by Hilary L Gutman
  • Suspension member
    Patent number: 11440587
    Abstract: A suspension member includes a cross member and front body mounts. The cross member includes a main panel including a lower panel and an upper panel joined together, and a reinforcing panel joined to the main panel. The cross member is a member including a front wall, an upper wall, a rear wall, and a lower wall, and having a closed sectional shape defined by the front wall, the upper wall, the rear wall, and the lower wall. The reinforcing panel includes a lower flange constituting a front portion of the lower wall, and an intermediate wall extending upward from a rear end of the lower flange and joined to the upper wall. On opposite sides of the cross member in a vehicle-width direction, bottom walls of the front body mounts are joined to the flange, and side walls of the front body mounts are joined to the main panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenta Kamiya
  • Electromagnetic seat attachment and seat power
    Patent number: 11413987
    Abstract: A seat assembly, a multi-passenger vehicle, and a method for attaching seats to a floor of a vehicle that employ an electromagnetic coupling between the seats and the floor. A power supply supplies electricity to the electromagnetic coupling to secure the seats to the floor and is turned off to release the seats from the floor without tools or workers bending down below the seats to remove coupling devices. The seats can therefore be readily repositioned or rearranged to adjust the spacing between the seats. Resident induction coupling is included between the floor of the vehicle and the seats to provide wireless power to the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brett Dayton Sjostrom, Kenneth M. LaSalle, Jose A. Cantos
  • Mounting arrangement and method of installing an audio unit in a vehicle dashboard
    Patent number: 11414024
    Abstract: A vehicle dashboard assembly includes a dashboard defining a component opening and a slot in the component opening, the slot having a first slot portion, a second slot portion extending from the first slot portion, and a third slot portion extending from the second slot portion and higher than the first slot portion. The assembly further includes a component configured to be received in the component opening, and at least one bracket coupled to the component and comprising a projection extending from a side of the bracket and configured to be received in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CALSONIC KANSEI NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Tim Zimkiewicz, Christopher Dawson, Alan Fontanin, Rene Zarco Garcia
  • Leg extension control devices and systems for vehicle seating
    Patent number: 11407341
    Abstract: A safety system includes a safety response device positioned proximal to an aircraft seat. The safety response device is operable to deploy thereby controlling the leg extension condition of legs of an occupant of the aircraft seat. A triggering system is operable to activate the safety response device when a deceleration is detected. The safety response device can be operable to maintain the legs of a seated occupant in an un-extended condition thereby protecting the legs from extending when a rapid deceleration occurs. The safety response device can be operable to transition the legs of a seated occupant from an un-extended condition to an extended condition at a predetermined rate. The safety response device can be, for example, and airbag or a kick plate. The device may automatically return to a stowed condition a predetermined time after deployment to permit egress from the seat and aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Simecek, Jeff B. Thompson, Bradley D. Barg
  • Cold steel slurry box device
    Patent number: 11396419
    Abstract: This invention is directed toward a self-contained heated portable vacuum slurry box which is manufactured from steel rated for cold temperatures. The slurry box generally includes a vacuum tank, a structure attached to the tank, a mechanical bay containing a power unit, and a tailgate, a The invention herein utilizes a selection of steel that allows for a vacuum slurry box to function in the cold environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Magtech Alaska, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan Peterkin
  • Modular truck bed rack system and portions thereof
    Patent number: 11377160
    Abstract: A rack system that is configured to allow the omission of cross bars. The cross bars can be easily removable and replaceable or can be adjustable along a length of the rack system. In some configurations, the rack system includes at least one side support arrangement comprising a first vertical support and a second vertical support. Two or more side support arrangements can be provided on each side of the truck bed. Pairs of support arrangements on one side of the truck bed can be connected by one or more longitudinal supports. Accessories, such as tool boxes or gas cans, can be connected to the one or more longitudinal supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventor: Bernhard Leitner
  • Vehicle occupant protection device
    Patent number: 11377002
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device includes a vehicle seat, a steering wheel, a steering moving mechanism, and a control unit. The vehicle seat includes a seat back and a headrest, the vehicle seat being configured to turn between a position where the vehicle seat is directed toward a vehicle front side and a position where the vehicle seat is directed toward a vehicle rear side. The steering wheel is provided ahead of the vehicle seat in a vehicle front-rear direction. The steering moving mechanism is configured to change a position of the steering wheel. The control unit is configured to move the steering wheel to a support position where the seat back and the headrest are supported by the steering wheel from the vehicle front side, by the steering moving mechanism, when the vehicle seat is directed toward the vehicle rear side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Ohno
  • Vehicle console with modular accessories
    Patent number: 11370339
    Abstract: A removable console for use in a row of vehicle seating includes a base and receptacles formed along the base. One of a plurality of interchangeable and accessory modules can be attached to the console base in each receptacle and optionally powered by the console base when installed. A latch holds each installed accessory module in the respective receptacle. Each latch can include electrical contacts to power an installed module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Cedric Ketels, Thomas Dessapt, Davide Di Censo, Abdelkarim Chaiblaine, Andreos Kaplanov, Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Recreational vehicle drinking water supply systems
    Patent number: 11370345
    Abstract: A drinking water supply arrangement is provided for a RV, which uses fluid conduits separate from the other fresh water supply lines of the RV, separates the pump from the living RV compartment, provides independent pump controls, and stores conventional containers of drinking water in an exteriorly accessible, temperature controlled compartment, isolated from the living compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher J. Barth, Mervin L. Hostetler, Ernest S. Miller
  • Cargo trailer with tensioned wall panels and process of manufacture
    Patent number: 11358656
    Abstract: A cargo trailer wall structure of panels includes adjacent outer sheets, posts spaced along one side of the outer sheets and fasteners therebetween. The posts are formed into central webs and attachment ribs to either side of the central webs. The attachment ribs have concave surfaces abutting against the outer sheets and rows of holes matching rows of holes in the outer sheets. The elongate concave surfaces are aligned with the rows of holes of the attachment ribs. The fasteners draw the sheets and posts together and distort the outer sheets into contact against the concave surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Bennett
  • Vehicle with twin canopy doors
    Patent number: 11358445
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a frame structure, a body mounted to the frame structure, and a door structure defining a first side segment defining a portion of a first side of the vehicle, a second side segment defining a portion of a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side, and a roof segment extending from the first side segment to the second side segment and defining a portion of a top of the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a door mechanism coupled to the door structure and configured to move the door structure between a closed position and an open position, relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Glydways, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Shahoian, Patrick Kessler
  • Collapsible gate for a transport trailer
    Patent number: 11351905
    Abstract: A gate assembly comprising of a track comprising a vertical portion and two angular portions on opposing sides of the hopper. A pair of rectangular gates each comprising a longitudinal edge and opposing lateral edges slidingly engaged on the track allows the gates to move between a lowered, closed position and a raised, open position. A hinge combines the longitudinal edge of each of the pair of rectangular gates and allows them to pivot toward and away from each other during closing and opening, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CEI Equipment Company, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Walker
  • Trailer and arrangement for delivery of products
    Patent number: 11345269
    Abstract: An invention relates to picking, storing, and transporting of products. One objective is to reduce or eliminate manual work, or unnecessary process stages. The invention concerns a trailer (100) for a delivery of the products, wherein the trailer comprises an attachment point (101) for attaching the trailer to a road vehicle, a body with wheels, and a wall (104) attached to the body. The wall includes openings (105, 106) to a trunk that is limited by at least the body and the wall. The trailer comprises closures (109, 110) to cover and disclose the openings, and the trailer is configured to open a first closure (109) in response to a correct identifier. The trailer is further configured to receive a cart to a storing place so that, at the storing place (111), the cart holds a first repository (107) beside the first opening and a second repository (108) beside the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Juha Merta, Tapio Saviranta
  • Dynamically active front windsheild
    Patent number: 11331983
    Abstract: A dynamic front windshield system in a sports vehicle having a convertible roof, the system directed to improve aerodynamic performance of the sports vehicle while continuing to protect a seated driver from a wind, the system comprising: a central retracting windshield; at least one stationary side front windshield; and a plurality of sensors configured to sense a seating position of the seated driver; wherein the system is configured to lower the central retracting windshield in response to a sensed seating position of the seated driver while driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Snir Golan
  • Tailgate apparatus for dump trucks and dump trailers
    Patent number: 11325517
    Abstract: A tailgate apparatus for a dump body is described herein. The dump body includes a floor, a front wall coupled to and extending upwardly from the floor and two opposing side walls coupled to and extending upwardly from the floor. Each side wall is coupled to the front wall. The two side walls define an opening at a rear end of the floor. The tailgate apparatus includes a tailgate sized to cover the opening and two opposed side arms extending from the tailgate towards the front wall. Each side arm is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the side walls. The tailgate apparatus also includes a pair of linkages for linking the side arms to the side walls. The linkages enable the tailgate to pivot between a closed position where the tailgate covers the opening and an open position where the tailgate is positioned closer to the front wall than the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: BEARCLAW EQUIP INC.
    Inventors: Elwin Bearinger, Darrell Shartner
  • Bumper reinforcement
    Patent number: 11318899
    Abstract: A bumper reinforcement includes an aluminum alloy extrusion body having a pair of flanges to be positioned on a vehicle body side and on a collision side and a pair of webs to be positioned in a vehicle vertical direction. The pair of webs connect the pair of flanges at joint portions such that the pair of webs and the pair of flanges form a closed cross section, and the pair of webs do not have a welded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Morita, Narikazu Hashimoto
  • Roof system for a vehicle, vehicle with such a roof system, roof element and production method
    Patent number: 11318823
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle includes a fixed roof element, forming a fixed roof segment of a vehicle roof bounding a passenger compartment and situated in a rear area of the vehicle roof, a roof opening and closing mechanism, which allows a relative movement of a movable roof element in relation to the fixed roof element and/or a relative movement of a movable roller blind in relation to the vehicle roof. The fixed roof element is designed as a single-piece roof element having at least one impact energy absorption section and at least one receiving section locally distinct from the impact energy absorption section for receiving electrical and/or mechanical function elements, by which or in the interplay of which with other function elements a movement of the movable roof element for opening and closing of the roof opening and/or driving the roller blind can be effectuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Geoffrey Tanaka-Wissel, Alexander Walter
  • Seating arrangement for vehicle
    Patent number: 11312265
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle having a cabin space is provided. The seating arrangement includes a vehicle, at least one front seat within the vehicle, and at least one rear seat arranged behind the at least one front seat of the vehicle. The at least one front seat is rigidly fixed to and suspended from a portion of the vehicle, thereby providing a free space underneath the at least one front seat, such that an occupant of the vehicle seated in the at least one rear seat is able to position at least a lower portion of one or both legs thereof in the free space underneath the at least one front seat. A flexible covering, such as bristles may be attached to the periphery of the vehicle floor opening, so that a driver's foot can pass from inside the vehicle cabin, to the ground outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Iwan Liong, Azucena Pernia Martinez
  • Cargo securing systems with synthetic tiedown chains
    Patent number: 11305684
    Abstract: A cargo securing system which incorporates synthetic chains in a manner which addresses the increased pitch of the synthetic link and the increased elongation of the synthetic chain, while still allowing the usage of conventional prior art load binders in a timely and safe manner. The system includes a length-adjusting coupling device for connecting a load binder to a section of chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Peck & Hale, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John L. Szeglin, Joseph Royt
  • Three-in-one windshield
    Patent number: 11305619
    Abstract: A windshield assembly for an off-road vehicle includes a pair of windshield members that may be configured without tools to adopt multiple configurations, including: a) a first configuration that is a full windshield configuration in which the windshield extends substantially from the hood of the vehicle to the roof of the vehicle, thus providing full coverage for the cockpit; b) a second configuration that is a flip-down windshield configuration in which the upper portion of the windshield is flipped downward and/or forward, thus providing airflow into the cockpit; and c) a third configuration that is a half windshield configuration in which the upper portion of the windshield has been detached and removed from the lower portion, thus leaving only a half windshield to protect the cockpit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Vanover