Patents Examined by James A English
  • Configurable vehicle frames and associated methods
    Patent number: 11518206
    Abstract: An example vehicle frame disclosed herein includes end frames having wheels coupled thereto, and a central frame coupled between the end frames, the central frame positioned at an offset relative to the end frames, the vehicle frame rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame between a first position and a second position, the central frame at a first distance from the ground when the vehicle frame is in the first position, the central frame at a second distance from the ground when the vehicle frame is in the second position, the first distance greater than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Marielle Conrad, Benjamin Jordan Curtis, David Earl Ooms, Yejin Han
  • Protective system comprising an airbag system with an inflatable helmet communicating with an external device
    Patent number: 11518328
    Abstract: A protective system is provided including an airbag system for protecting a body part of a user in case of an accident, including a control unit and a communication interface. The protective system further includes an external device having a communication interface. The communication interface of the airbag system is configured to communicate with the external device using wireless communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HÖVDING SVERIGE AB
    Inventor: Heino Wendelrup
  • Battery box with reinforcement element
    Patent number: 11518227
    Abstract: A battery box for a motor vehicle for receiving battery cells has a structural frame with at least two structural components joined to one another at the end face. Each structural component has at least one profile segment that is partially hollow and has a substantially L-shaped cross section. A reinforcement element for absorbing collision energy in the event of a collision is arranged within at least one of the profile segments. The reinforcement element is a molded part having a plurality of open cells, which are arranged adjacent to one another and with their longitudinal extent substantially parallel to one another. When the battery box is mounted in the motor vehicle, the open cells are oriented with their longitudinal extent substantially parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Linde + Wiemann SE & Co. KG, BMW AG
    Inventors: Werner Schmidt, Alex Zeiser-Rasumak
  • Child safety seat
    Patent number: 11518331
    Abstract: A child safety seat includes a first and a second restraining device, and an alert device and a first and a second switch serially connected in a series circuit. Each of the first and second restraining device is deployable to engage with a corresponding structure provided in a vehicle, each of the first and second restraining devices being operable independently and having an idle position and a deployed position. The first and second switches are respectively coupled operatively to the first and second restraining device, and are respectively closed when the first restraining device is in the deployed position and the second restraining device in the idle position. The alert device is thereby activable to emit an alert signal when the first restraining device is in the deployed position and the second restraining device in the idle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Zheng-Wen Guo
  • Motorized convertible knee scooter
    Patent number: 11517493
    Abstract: A convertible, self-propelled, motorized mobility assistance device in a plurality of embodiments is provided, comprising a scooter-like chassis (1400) with support deck (300) portion, a handlebar (700), and at least one removable, interchangeable knee rest (800) or seat attachment (1300); wherein the device is mounted atop and driven by at least three motorized wheels (400, 500) which are connected to a source of power and propulsion (1200), and drive (1100). The device further includes a steering system, braking system, and mechanisms for height-adjustability, comfort, and portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Priscilla Tang, Steven Fogel
  • Methods and systems for pre-fixing an airbag module during installation
    Patent number: 11518334
    Abstract: Various implementations include a steering assembly including a hub assembly and airbag module. The hub assembly includes one or more hub assembly attachment tabs each defining a fastener opening. The airbag module includes one or more airbag module attachment tabs each defining a fastener opening. One of the hub assembly or the airbag module includes one or more temporary fasteners, and each of the temporary fasteners is couplable to a portion of the other of the hub assembly or the airbag module. One of the hub assembly or the airbag module includes one or more alignment portions structured to align each fastener opening in the hub assembly attachment tabs with a respective fastener opening in one of the airbag module attachment tabs when the temporary fasteners of the hub assembly or the airbag module are coupled to the portion of the other of the hub assembly or the airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Justin Mills, Doug Osterfeld
  • Side air bag device
    Patent number: 11518339
    Abstract: A side airbag device for restraining an occupant at an early stage by changing a thickness of a chamber includes a cushion formed in a bag shape by combining an outer panel located at an outer side in a vehicle width direction and an inner panel located at an inner side in the vehicle width direction. A baffle spans between the outer panel and the inner panel in an inside of the cushion and partitions the inside of the cushion into a front chamber located at a vehicle front side and a rear chamber located at a vehicle rear side. An inflator is disposed in the rear chamber, and a first tether and a second tether extend from the baffle toward a vehicle rear. The tethers respectively extend from the baffle via both sides of the inflator in the vehicle width direction so as to be connected with a rear end of the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Yuto Kobayashi
  • Vehicle front portion structure
    Patent number: 11518440
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes a motor, a stabilizer having an extending portion disposed at a vehicle front side of the motor and that extends further in a vehicle width direction than a length of the motor, and having an arm portion that extends toward a vehicle rear side from each end of the extending portion, a plurality of motor fixing portions, a part of the motor fixing portions being disposed at respective outer sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the motor and at a position between the motor and the extending portion, and a plurality of stabilizer support portions that support respective end parts of the extending portion, the stabilizer support portions being disposed further toward a front side than the motor fixing portions, and at least a part of the stabilizer support portions being aligned with the motor fixing portions in the vehicle front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Murai
  • Cooling device for vehicle
    Patent number: 11518273
    Abstract: A cooling device for a vehicle, includes a cooling circuit including a first circuit in which a cooling liquid circulates through a power control unit and a second circuit connected in parallel with the first circuit and in which the cooling liquid circulates through a battery without passing through the power control unit; and a flow-rate control unit that controls a proportion of a flow rate of the cooling liquid between the first circuit and the second circuit, and when the battery is being charged with the electric power of the external power supply, the control unit controls so that the flow rate of the cooling liquid flowing through the second circuit is greater than the flow rate of the cooling liquid flowing through the first circuit on a side of the power control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daisuke Tokozakura
  • Power source device and electric vehicle equipped with power source device
    Patent number: 11511648
    Abstract: A coolant passage, which is included in a cooling plate thermally coupled to a plurality of battery cells and includes longitudinal coolant passages connected to an inlet side and an outlet side for a coolant and lateral coolant passages connecting the longitudinal coolant passages in parallel with each other, cools the battery cells by allowing the coolant to flow in both the longitudinal coolant passages and the lateral coolant passages via the cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotake Yoshida, Takahide Takeda
  • Rattle noise reducing electric power steering column assembly and method
    Patent number: 11511786
    Abstract: An electric power steering assembly for a steering column includes a lower assist shaft defining a first bore. The assembly also includes a needle bearing at least partially disposed within the first bore. The assembly further includes an upper assist shaft assembly defining a second bore and having a journal surface at an end thereof. The assembly yet further includes a torsion bar having a first end disposed in the first bore and a second end disposed in the second bore, the torsion bar having a torsion bar run-out that forces the journal surface to remain in contact with an inner surface of the needle bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Hammerbacher, John M. Andres
  • Method of operating an adjustable roll stabilizer
    Patent number: 11511593
    Abstract: A method of operating an adjustable roll stabilizer (1) of a motor vehicle. The adjustable roll stabilizer (1) includes an actuator (2) which can rotate relative to a rotational axis (3) in order to twist two stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) connected thereto relative to one another about the rotational axis (3). The stabilizer sections (6a, 6b) are radially spaced away from the rotational axis (3) and each is coupled to a wheel suspension (7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). The actuator (2) is controlled on the basis of a system target torque specified for the vehicle, and the specified system target torque is tested for acceptability in relation to a roll torque distribution (?) that is acceptable for the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lekon, Hubertus Eilers, Gerald Holz, Michael Beller, Thomas Hodrius, Joachim Engel
  • Vehicle body structure
    Patent number: 11511697
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes an interior side wall, a floor structure and an airbag support member. The interior side wall defines a first door opening. The floor structure at least partially defines a passenger compartment of a vehicle along with the interior side wall. The floor structure defines seat supporting section adjacent to the first door opening. The airbag support member has an upper end and a lower end and an airbag attachment portion. The lower end is attached to the interior side wall at a first location above the floor structure between the first door opening and the seat supporting section, the upper end being attached to the interior side wall structure at a second location above the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Alejandro Martinez
  • Suspension system
    Patent number: 11511583
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle is provided. The system utilizes pistons, one on each side of the vehicle, engaged with a vehicle body at a distal end and having a fluid chamber at the proximal end. The system further has a central chamber having a rod freely laterally moving therein. A fluid communicates between the central chamber and each piston fluid chamber. Upon nonlinear forces applied to the vehicle, the rod is urged in one direction or another. This urging applies force to the fluid in the central chamber, and in turn, to the piston in the corresponding side of the vehicle, urging the piston up and in turn urging the vehicle body up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: Kjell Robt Waerstad, Hilde Marie Waerstad
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 11511806
    Abstract: A vehicle may include: a floor panel; a rocker extending along a side edge of the floor panel; a rear side member located on a rear side of the rocker and extending along a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and a suspension. The suspension may include a trailing arm; and a bracket connected to the trailing arm via a bush. The bracket may be fastened to the rocker at a first fastening point by a first bolt and fastened to the rear side member at a second fastening point by a second bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Kimura, Tomohiro Matsumoto
  • Support structure for vehicle component
    Patent number: 11505249
    Abstract: A support structure is provided for a vehicle component disposed inside a power-unit chamber where a powertrain unit of the vehicle is disposed. The support structure includes the power-unit chamber including a side frame extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, and a suspension tower housing formed overlapping with a part of the side frame in a plan view seen from above the vehicle. The vehicle component is disposed at a location where the vehicle component overlaps with the side frame in the plan view and forward of the suspension tower housing in the vehicle front-and-rear direction. The vehicle component is supported by one of the side frame, and a support member coupled to an inward side surface of a closed-cross-section member connected to the side frame at a location forward of the suspension tower housing in the vehicle front-and-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Kirita, Shinji Yamauchi
  • Movement apparatus and movement apparatus system
    Patent number: 11505150
    Abstract: Provided is a movement apparatus that can ensure safety to a movement apparatus user even without safety knowledge about a safety device of the movement apparatus. The movement apparatus of the invention includes a safety device that is configured to restrain an occupant or a baggage, an information presentation unit that is configured to present safety device information related to the safety device, an information input unit that is configured to input consent information that consents a start of traveling in a current state of the safety device, and a travel mechanism that starts traveling only when the consent information is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoko Ichinose, Tooru Miyasaka
  • Locking web retractor with controllable lock
    Patent number: 11505160
    Abstract: A locking web retractor includes a frame including spaced-apart side walls, a spool rotatably mounted between the side walls, the spool rotatable in a web take-up pay out directions, locking components operatively coupled to the spool, a ferromagnetic component movable relative to the locking components between an unlocking position in which the ferromagnetic component does not cause the locking components to prevent the spool from rotating in the web pay out direction and a locking position in which the ferromagnetic component causes the locking components to prevent the spool from rotating in the web pay out direction, a magnet responsive to actuation to cause the ferromagnetic component to move from the unlocking position to the locking position to cause the locking components to prevent the spool from rotating in the web pay out direction, and means for actuating the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris P. Jessup
  • Attachment interface for connecting a vehicle composite component
    Patent number: 11499590
    Abstract: An attachment interface is provided for connecting a vehicle composite component having a plate portion that is made of a fiber reinforced polymer and has a passage extending in a through manner along an axis. The attachment interface provides a metal attachment device, which includes an inner portion engaging the passage and an outer portion defining a connection point suitable to be connected to another vehicle element. The plate portion is axially sandwiched between two layers made of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material selected from the group consisting of BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), LFT (Long Fiber Thermoplastic) and DLFT (Direct Long Fiber Thermoplastic).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Remi Sarlin, Laurens Verhulst, Michiel Warmerdam
  • Crane control
    Patent number: 11498815
    Abstract: A crane control for a crane includes at least one operating unit operable by an operator for controlling working functions of the crane. Control signals can be input to actuators of the crane by the operating unit, and a mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the operating unit in a driving cab of the vehicle and a support arrangement connects the operating unit to the mounting arrangement. The support arrangement for the operating unit is supported limitedly moveably between at least two positions, a first position of which is in the form of a working position in which the operating unit is between a steering arrangement of the vehicle and a driving seat, and a second position of which is in the form of a storage position in which the operating unit is moved away from the steering arrangement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: EPSILON Kran GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Schoerghofer, Johannes Steindl