Patents Examined by Jason Morrow
  • Patent number: 8870274
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a side member in shell design for a rear frame of a self-supporting body of a motor vehicle, having a lower shell and an upper shell which are connected to each other in a fixed manner and at least in portions for a closed hollow member, wherein the lower shell is assembled from three shell parts, which in extension direction of the side member are arranged one after the other, wherein a middle shell part arranged between the two other shell parts at least in portions is formed as metal cast component, in particular steel cast component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Patent number: 7384093
    Abstract: A lifting system is used to move an item between a use position and a stowed position in a vehicle. The item may be an article of furniture, an appliance, a storage unit, a platform, or the like. The lifting system may be motorized and/or utilize a flexible drive to move the item. The lifting system may be used to reciprocally move the item between the use position and the stowed position in a recreational vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7364219
    Abstract: A door (6), for example in a vehicle, is mounted at one edge (8) for acurate movement about the axis of a shaft (16), and at the other edge (10) for displacement substantially in the plane of the door opening along rails (26, 28). Thus, on opening, the edge (8) swings outwards from the door opening before moving longitudinally away from the door opening, with the edge (10) being guided along the rails (26 and 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Transport Systems, Limited
    Inventors: Martin V. Lowson, Paul Bailey, Christopher V. Cook
  • Patent number: 7331625
    Abstract: A closure panel assembly for a vehicle comprising a closure panel capable of movement between an open position and a closed position, and a garment hook assembly mounted to the closure panel. When the closure panel is closed, the garment hook is presented to an interior space of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Martin Kowalski, David J. Krysiak
  • Patent number: 7264304
    Abstract: A vehicle body (1) having a central cell (2) made of composite materials; a front auxiliary frame (3) anchored to the front end of the central cell (2); and a rear auxiliary frame (4) anchored to the rear end of the central cell (2); the front auxiliary frame (3) and the rear auxiliary frame (4) dissipated by the vehicle in the event of collision, without directly involving the central cell (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Carcioffi
  • Patent number: 7252314
    Abstract: A crash energy absorption member formed from a tubular body for absorbing impact energy by buckling when it receives an impact load in the axial direction from one end in the axial direction. It has a transverse cross-sectional shape along at least a portion in the axial direction which is a closed cross section having a plurality of vertices in which there is no flange on the outside of the closed cross section, and in a region of at least one side of a basic cross section formed from the largest outline obtained by connecting a portion of the plurality of vertices by straight lines, a groove which is recessed towards the inside of the outline is provided in a location other than at an end point of the side. Thus, the crash energy absorption member can achieve a prescribed amount of shock absorption by stably buckling in the axial direction without bending and without an increase in weight due to the addition of a partition or due to an increase in plate thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tamura, Yoshiaki Nakazawa, Michitaka Yoshida, Katsutoshi Takagi, Mitsutoshi Kano
  • Patent number: 7243976
    Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus for an opening and closing body of a vehicle. The opening and closing apparatus includes a reciprocating member connected at its connecting portion to a motor so as to be moved to reciprocate along a plane perpendicular to a hinge shaft, the reciprocating member having a side surface parallel with the plane perpendicular to the hinge shaft. A connecting member is provided having a first end section pivotally attached to an end portion of the reciprocating member, and a second end section fixed to the opening and closing body. A deflection-suppressing device is provided to a stationary body connected to the vehicle body. A part of the side surface of the reciprocating member is slidably contacted with the deflection-suppressing device and is located between the connecting portion of the reciprocating member and the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okada, Nao Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 7240947
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment sets forth an apparatus, including a non-collapsible single unit stair comprising: a pair of opposing side rails supporting at least a top step and a bottom step; a coupler adapted to couple the apparatus to an edge of a horizontal surface; and a height adjustable user-support arm, coupled to one of the side rails with a rotatable coupling, wherein the user-support arm is moveable between a support position and a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventors: John Kuznarik, Shirley Kuznarik
  • Patent number: 7240951
    Abstract: A passenger compartment visor assembly of a vehicle is disclosed. The visor assembly (10) includes a first member (16) and a second member (18). A support member (28) is positioned between the first member (16) and the second member (18). The first member (16) and the second member (18) are moveable relative to support member (28) between an open position and a closed position. The first member (16) and second member (18) each include an inner surface (20, 24) and an outer surface (22, 26). At least one of the inner surfaces (20, 24) includes at least one integrally-formed storage receptacle (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Willerton
  • Patent number: 7240957
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an automotive door armrest is provided and comprises molding an armrest support surface into a lower door panel. A frame assembly is formed to comprise at least one through socket having an open upper socket face and an open lower. The frame assembly is overmolded such that an overmold surface is formed over the open upper socket face. A foam bun is inserted into the lower socket face. The frame assembly is mounted onto the armrest support surface such that the foam bun becomes secured within the at least one through socket. The frame assembly is affixed to the lower door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Kerry Houser, Steve Citko, Donald Ketelhut, Mark S. Loehr
  • Patent number: 7240942
    Abstract: A sliding tray trunk for a vehicle having a mounting base attached to a vehicle, a storage device slidably attached on top of the mounting base, a locking cover that secures the storage box over the lower storage box, and one or more stops to limit sliding of the storage device on the mounting base to a predetermined distance is provided. The mounting device can be a lower storage box, on the top of which the storage device is slidably attached. The lower storage box has a substantially rectangular shape. The lower storage box has two rails on which the storage box can slide. A plurality of wheels are rotatably attached on each of the rails, and the storage device slides by rotation of the wheels. Alternatively, the mounting base can include a security panel connected to the mounting base by braces and struts and rimmed with a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Robert D. Grafton
  • Patent number: 7234758
    Abstract: A gear operated pivoting travel lock secures a slide-out section of a vehicle in a retracted position. The travel lock includes a gear box, containing two mating worm gears, that mounts to a wall of the slide-out section. The drive gear is mounted at the end of an operating member and the driven gear is mounted to an axle. Two pivot arms are mounted at the ends of the axle. Turning the operating member, preferably by a handle member, rotates the drive gear to mesh with the driven gear. As the driven gear rotates, the pivot arms swing out from a collapsed position to an engaged position. When the slide-out section is retracted within the vehicle, a pressure pad at the end of the pivot arms clamps against an interior surface of the vehicle wall. When the travel lock is collapsed the slide-out section can be moved between the retracted and extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventor: Gary D. Peter
  • Patent number: 7232180
    Abstract: A suspension system for the cab of a lorry comprises a rotational damper preferably of a magneto-rheological type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Biasiotto, Francesco Butera, Stefano Alacqua
  • Patent number: 7229113
    Abstract: A structural assembly for a vehicle and method of making same includes a hydroformed tubular member extending axially, a reinforcement disposed within and generally perpendicular to an axis of the tubular member, and at least one securement to secure the reinforcement to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Lendway, IV, Charles J. Bruggemann, David A. Gatny
  • Patent number: 7222897
    Abstract: A bumper system includes a tubular beam and a thermoformed energy absorber with crush boxes formed into a base flange, such as by vacuum or thermoforming processes. The crush boxes have planar energy-absorbing sidewalls a depth of about 10 mm to 35 mm, wall thicknesses of about 1 mm to 3 mm, and are formed from polyethylene or other thermoform materials having a memory. The base flange can include thermoformed features engaging recesses in the beam, and is combinable with injection-molded or foam energy absorbers for design flexibility. In one form, the energy absorber includes a thermoformed first sheet forming crush boxes and a second sheet bonded to the first sheet to define apertured air pockets. A method of manufacture includes providing a plurality of separately usable thermoformed energy absorbers which can be used in conjunction with a common vehicle structure to vary the absorption characteristics of a vehicle bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Netshape Energy Management LLC
    Inventors: Darin Evans, Melvin Guiles
  • Patent number: 7222895
    Abstract: An article that is mounted for protecting an automobile body is stored within the automobile body by electric power when the automobile body does not need to be protected. A device stores within the automobile body by electric power an article (2) having an article (1) for protecting the automobile body mounted thereto and being of the same material as the automobile body. The device installs by electric power the article for protecting the automobile body into a state in which it protects the automobile body, primarily, when the automobile is parked. The device stores by electric power the article for protecting the automobile body when the automobile is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Ohara
  • Patent number: 7219947
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle is provided that can prevent an extendable plate from being removed from the sun visor body. In a sun visor for a vehicle in which an extendable plate (40) is mounted within a sun visor body (20) such that the extendable plate can be drawn out, a removal-preventing member (55) protruding in an inclined configuration is formed on one side surface of the extendable plate. Conversely, a removal preventing recess (52) is formed within the sun visor body (22) for engaging with a tip end portion of the removal-preventing member and for preventing the extendable plate from being removed. A recess wall surface on one side of the removal-preventing recess is formed as an inclined surface (53) for guiding the tip end portion of the removal-preventing member in a wedging direction into the removal-preventing recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignees: Kyowa Sangyo Co, Ltd, Shinwa Seiko Co, Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Takabatake
  • Patent number: 7219942
    Abstract: An overhead system for use in a vehicle, comprises a bracket mounted on at least two rails of a vehicle rail assembly, wherein the at least two rails are positioned on a headliner of the vehicle, and a console mounted to the bracket, wherein the console includes a front-side portion, a back-side portion, a left-side portion and a right-side portion, and a plurality of notches are positioned on the front-side and back-side portions for fitting around the at least two rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Audiovox Corporation
    Inventor: George C. Schedivy
  • Patent number: 7216912
    Abstract: A storage section structure of a saddle-ridden type vehicle for ensuring adequate storage capacity and allowing the storage workability to be increased while making it possible to improve the external appearance. A storage indent is indented downwardly and is provided on an inclined plane portion of a fender that covers a wheel. A lid is provided that opens and closes an opening of the storage indent. The lid is also swingably provided on the inclined plane portion of the fender. In this way, it is possible to prevent the projection of the structure from the outer surface of the fender while making it possible to widen the storage space above the fender and widen the opening section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Takeshima
  • Patent number: 7216925
    Abstract: A height control linkage for a vehicle cab suspension comprising elongated lower and upper linkage members, each of which has upper and lower ends. The lower linkage member has external, vertically spaced-apart, alternating ridges and grooves formed thereon for at least a portion thereof above its lower end. The lower end of the upper linkage member has a generally C-shaped cross-sectional portion defining a gap. The generally C-shaped portion of the upper linkage member has internal, vertically spaced-apart, alternating ridges and grooves which are complementary to the external ridges and grooves of the lower linkage member. The upper end of the lower linkage member is adapted to be vertically adjustably snap-fitted through the gap of the upper linkage member to connect the lower linkage member to the upper linkage member. A snap-clip is provided to maintain the linkage members in their connected relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Link Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Lynn Abele, Gregory W. Hulstein