Patents Examined by Jason Morrow
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Patent number: 8870274Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Udo Mildner
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Patent number: 7384093Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Lippert Components, Inc.Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
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Patent number: 7364219Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2003Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Advanced Transport Systems, LimitedInventors: Martin V. Lowson, Paul Bailey, Christopher V. Cook
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Patent number: 7331625Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.Inventors: Steven Martin Kowalski, David J. Krysiak
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Patent number: 7264304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.Inventor: Carlo Carcioffi
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Patent number: 7252314Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Tamura, Yoshiaki Nakazawa, Michitaka Yoshida, Katsutoshi Takagi, Mitsutoshi Kano
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Patent number: 7243976Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Okada, Nao Mizumoto
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Patent number: 7240947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Inventors: John Kuznarik, Shirley Kuznarik
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Patent number: 7240957Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Alan George Dry, Kerry Houser, Steve Citko, Donald Ketelhut, Mark S. Loehr
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Patent number: 7240942Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Inventor: Robert D. Grafton
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Patent number: 7240951Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.Inventor: Joshua Willerton
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Patent number: 7234758Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Actuant CorporationInventor: Gary D. Peter
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Patent number: 7232180Abstract: A suspension system for the cab of a lorry comprises a rotational damper preferably of a magneto-rheological type.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per AzioniInventors: Marco Biasiotto, Francesco Butera, Stefano Alacqua
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Patent number: 7229113Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Joseph M. Lendway, IV, Charles J. Bruggemann, David A. Gatny
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Patent number: 7222897Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Netshape Energy Management LLCInventors: Darin Evans, Melvin Guiles
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Patent number: 7222895Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Inventor: Toshiyuki Ohara
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Patent number: 7219947Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignees: Kyowa Sangyo Co, Ltd, Shinwa Seiko Co, LtdInventor: Yoshihiro Takabatake
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Patent number: 7219942Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Audiovox CorporationInventor: George C. Schedivy
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Patent number: 7216912Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masao Takeshima
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Patent number: 7216916Abstract: A removable flipper panel system for a vehicle includes a rod housing mounted on a seat support member which is movable with respect to a load floor of the vehicle. A load bearing blow-molded hard panel hides the gap which is formed between seat and load floor when the seat moves. The system includes a rod and spring assembly mechanism having a configuration to sustain the panel in adjustable positions between a generally planar position and an upright position. The flipper panel attaches to the seat to provide movement for the panel in the planar position to hide the gap and space between the seat and the load floor and to maximize the cargo area. The attachment of the flipper panel to the seat has a locking feature permitting the flipper panel to be removed easily.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignees: General Motors Corporation, ABC Group, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Czerwinski, Seyed R. Hashemizad, James Axiotis, Mosen Sepasi