Patents Examined by Jason S Morrow
  • Patent number: 11634013
    Abstract: A liftgate structure having a structural inner panel with an outside surface and an inner surface having a lower perimeter surface area extending across substantially the entire width of the structural inner panel. The structural inner panel includes a wiper motor housing recess formed on the inner surface. A plurality of brackets are connected to the outside surface of the structural inner panel, where each of the brackets has at least one friendly hole. The liftgate structure further includes a tether having 2 ends each having at least one over molded retainer for connecting the tether to a wiper motor housing positioned within the wiper motor housing recess of the structural inner panel. Additionally the tether is positioned through each of the at least one friendly holes of the plurality of brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: MAGNA EXTERIORS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Kuntze, Paul Woodson, Riad Chaaya, Mike Pabian
  • Patent number: 11623555
    Abstract: A roof handle for vehicles comprises a carrier which can be fixed to a vehicle roof and on which a handle body is pivotably mounted, and is pivotable between a holding position, in which a user exerts a substantially downwardly directed weight force on the handle body, and a starting position, in which the handle body is pivoted by a spring into a folded-up position with respect to the vehicle roof, the carrier comprising a molded body made of plastic on which at least one insert made of metal is provided, and the handle body being held on the insert made of metal via bearing elements. As a result, the roof handle can have a low dead weight and be optimally adapted to the geometry of a vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: HERO GMBH
    Inventors: Volker Steck, Martin Meister, Milto Benjamin
  • Patent number: 11618510
    Abstract: A cargo body panel includes an interior side, an exterior side, a primary recess, a secondary recess positioned within the primary recess, and a logistics track. The interior side defines an interior plane. The exterior side defines an exterior plane. The primary recess includes a primary recess interior side defining a primary recess interior plane and a primary recess exterior side defining a primary recess exterior plane. The primary recess interior plane is recessed from the interior plane in a direction toward the exterior plane. The secondary recess includes a secondary recess interior side defining a secondary recess interior plane and a secondary recess exterior side defining a secondary recess exterior plane. A distance between the secondary recess interior plane and the interior plane is greater than a distance between the primary recess interior plane and the interior plane. The secondary recess exterior plane is non-coplanar with the exterior plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Fenton
  • Patent number: 11613198
    Abstract: The space expanding camper bed transformers and kit of the present invention are a safe and secure means to convert a short bed of a short bed pickup truck into a fully operational recreational vehicle when installed under a camper shell. The wider version of bed transformers has a bi-folding tray for supporting a mattress that is folded out of the way such that half of the sleep area is open for the installation and use of a combination toilet and shower unit at all times. The narrower, regular ned transformer apparatus is long and narrow expanding to triple the surface area and is placed over a refrigerator and stove units. The camper kit is one of each type of bed transformer combined with a bathroom, refrigerator, and stove under a camper shell with openable sides to create short bed truck recreational vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Howard Carlseen
  • Patent number: 11613310
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an electric vehicle includes a front cage, a rear floor, an intermediate section, a utility cabinet, and a flatbed. In other embodiments, an electric vehicle includes a front cage, a rear floor, an intermediate section, and a flatbed. In some embodiments, the front cage at least partially defines an operator cabin, the rear floor is positioned rearward of the front cage in a longitudinal direction, and the intermediate section is disposed at least partially between the front cage and the rear floor in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: 11613170
    Abstract: A stowable check strap assembly for a vehicle having a body and a removable door. The assembly includes a bracket configured to rotatably couple to the vehicle body, and a check strap rotatably coupled to the bracket and configured to be operably and removably coupled with a door detent coupled to the removable door. The bracket is rotatable between a deployed position where the check strap is positioned to extend outwardly from the vehicle body and engage the door detent, and a stowed position where the check strap is positioned to be and is rotated toward the vehicle body for stowage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Dorinel Neag, David Barnier, Jr., Dennis G Willyard, Michael E Lafleur
  • Patent number: 11607930
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes: a door panel; a window frame connected to the door panel; a glass run disposed on the window frame; and a division channel extending from the glass run in a height direction of the vehicle, wherein the glass run has a joint portion to which a top end of the division channel is connected and an extension portion extending from the joint portion toward the door panel, the division channel has a mounting bracket connected to the top end of the divisional channel, and the mounting bracket is connected to the joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Young Min An, Seong Geun Jin
  • Patent number: 11607940
    Abstract: A window stabilization system for a window of a vehicle includes a first inflatable bladder positioned adjacent a path along which the window passes such that the inflatable bladder will engage a surface of the window when the window is opened at least a predetermined amount and the inflatable bladder is inflated; an inflator in fluid communication with the first inflatable bladder configured to pump a fluid into the inflatable bladder such that when the first inflatable bladder is inflated a predetermined amount, the first inflatable bladder comes into physical contact with a surface of the window when the window is opened at least a predetermined amount; and a bladder control system to control operation of the inflator in response to data received regarding operation of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Harris, Scott L. Frederick
  • Patent number: 11608003
    Abstract: A vehicular storage arrangement includes a storage compartment, a resiliently normally bendable divider for dividing the storage compartment, and a mount for the divider in the storage compartment. The mount is configured to make slidable peripheral engagement with the divider, under which the mount is configured to support the divider in a mounted position, and urge the divider to normally bend in the mounted position, thereby tightening the slidable peripheral engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sathya Shankar Kuttumukkula Chandrasekaran, Robert J. Hazlewood, Vikas Bhatia, Patrick J. Edgar
  • Patent number: 11603028
    Abstract: Various accessories for motor vehicles with removable doors are described herein. In particular, the accessories may be mounted to a motor vehicle when a traditional, or factory, door is removed. Example accessories include covers, grab handles, tube doors, and pieces of furniture, each of which may include one or more lights or other electrically powered devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Amy Lynn Marentic, David Brian Glickman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith
  • Patent number: 11603023
    Abstract: The technology provides a lockout assembly that covers a latching mechanism, where the latching mechanism would enable a passenger to fold down the rear seat(s) of a vehicle. This can be particularly beneficial when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous driving mode, because certain areas within the vehicle may be restricted from passenger access. For instance, access to the trunk or cargo area may be limited to authorized service personnel. The lockout assembly includes a base unit and a cover. The cover is releasably secured to the base unit using one or more clip members. The base unit is fixedly secured to a receptacle of the latching mechanism using one or more fastener members, such as a screw. Once the cover is releasably secure, it may be completely or substantially flush with an inner edge of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Richard Morabito
  • Patent number: 11597299
    Abstract: An automated driving vehicle, including facing seats, a floor deck and a luggage deck. The facing seats includes a front seat assembly having at least a front seat and a front backrest, and a rear seat assembly having at least a rear seat and a rear backrest, the front and rear seat assemblies being disposed to cause the seated passengers to respectively face rearward and forward directions of the vehicle. The floor deck is provided to allow the passengers to rest their feet, the floor deck having no level difference. The luggage deck is for at least one piece of luggage to be placed thereon, and includes a front luggage deck disposed forward of a front end of the floor deck in the forward direction of the vehicle, and a rear luggage deck disposed rearward of a rear end of the floor deck in the rearward direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Arato Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11597306
    Abstract: A multi-functional door for a vehicle includes a door body disposed on one side of the vehicle and configured to be opened or closed. The door body has an inner side surface facing an indoor space of the vehicle and an outer side surface facing the outside of the vehicle. The multi-functional door further includes a door seat that is coupled to the inner side surface of the door body and is configured to be enclosed in or unfolded from the door body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Heon Lee, Jin Ho Hwang, Dong Eun Cha
  • Patent number: 11597300
    Abstract: A vehicle body of a vehicle may include a floor portion which is provided for a driving unit of the vehicle to be mounted therein, and a seat frame member mounted with a seat of the vehicle while being selectively coupled to a plurality of points on the floor portion, to form the vehicle body, for achieving seat mounting and vehicle body configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Sang Heon Lee, Jin Ho Hwang, Hyun Song
  • Patent number: 11597444
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a motor vehicle front end module is disclosed. The supporting structure includes a lower crossmember, a first lateral upright, a second lateral upright, an upper crossmember, and a support wing fixed to one end of the upper crossmember with connection means. The first lateral upright, the second lateral upright, and the upper crossmember define a frame that is formed of a hybrid material comprising a plastics material and a metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventor: Sébastien Velasco
  • Patent number: 11597326
    Abstract: A center console for a vehicle includes a base. The base is coupled to the vehicle and includes a receptacle. The center console includes a body that is coupled to the base and that includes a shelf. The body is operable to move relative to the base between a retracted position, wherein the shelf covers the receptacle, and an extended position, wherein the receptacle is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Stephen Neal Jacobsen, Michele Marie Mathews
  • Patent number: 11597328
    Abstract: Vehicle seats that includes: a pair of seatbacks of front seats spaced apart in a vehicle width direction; and a pair of retaining portions provided at rear face sides of the pair of seatbacks, the pair of retaining portions configured to allow a rod-shaped member to span between the seatbacks, the rod-shaped member being grippable by a vehicle occupant sitting at a rear seat middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Nobuhiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 11591028
    Abstract: A front end module assembly has a front end module structure of a vehicle, a heat exchanger support and a first heat exchanger unit. The heat exchanger support is supported to the vehicle front end module structure. The heat exchanger support has an opening. The first heat exchanger unit is accommodated in the opening of the heat exchanger support so that the transmission cooler is supported to the vehicle front end module structure via the heat exchanger support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Alvaro Menez Sánchez
  • Patent number: 11584206
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body including a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a vehicle interior with passenger seating, and a multi-component hard top assembly configured to selectively and removably couple to the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior. The multi-component hard top assembly includes a rear window assembly configured to selectively and removably couple to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Michael S Boyle, Joshua Hall, Robert Rizzo, Cole T Schaenzer, Christopher J Allen, Jimmy L Suder, Jeffery E Long, Robert H Perkins, Mikil L Sockow, David C Fischer
  • Patent number: 11584312
    Abstract: A water channel structure for a motor vehicle includes a water channel side wall where the water channel side wall has an overlap region which is arrangeable in the motor vehicle overlapping a side wall of a motor vehicle body in an overlap plane. A set-off region is disposed on the overlap region where at least a part of the set-off region is spaced apart from the overlap plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Bachner, Sven Barsch