Patents Examined by Jason S Morrow
  • Closure panel with increased weather-blocking capacity
    Patent number: 11535091
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an aperture. A closure panel is coupled to the body and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure panel covers the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. A support member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the body. The second end is coupled to the closure panel. The support member is operable between a compressed position and an extended position. The extended position of the support member corresponds with the open position of the closure panel. A collapsible member is coupled to the body and the support member. The collapsible member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The collapsible member includes a first section and a second section. The collapsible member also includes a fluid drainage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Peter Phung, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Bunk bed/ storage shed arrangement
    Patent number: 11535146
    Abstract: A bunk bed apparatus is provided, having at least upper and lower bunks, and which encloses a storage area under the lower bunk when the lower bunk is usable for sleeping, and encloses a larger storage area under the upper bunk when only the upper bunk is usable for sleeping, the lower bunk being moved to form an enclosing wall of the larger storage area. The apparatus can be disposed within a vehicle, such as an RV, adjacent a closable opening to the exterior of the vehicle, which gives full access to both sizes of the storage area. The apparatus can be formed with a slideable end wall which contains a pocket for receiving and storing an access ladder for the upper bunk, and that end wall can form a closable opening for the storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Vincent J. Cline
  • Vehicle bumper assembly
    Patent number: 11535182
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a pair of frame rails and a bumper assembly. The bumper assembly includes a bumper beam supported by the frame rails and an airbag. The airbag includes a first airbag chamber supported by the bumper beam and inflatable to an inflated position, and a second airbag chamber supported by the bumper and inflatable to an inflated position. The first airbag chamber is disposed in a cross-vehicle direction relative to the second airbag chamber. The first airbag chamber has a first volume in the inflated position. The second airbag chamber has a second volume in the inflated position. The first volume is different than the second volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Jamel E. Belwafa, Saeed David Barbat
  • Grab bar assembly for a vehicle
    Patent number: 11529901
    Abstract: A grab bar assembly includes a support beam adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and defining a longitudinal axis, a grab bar having an inner beam disposed within the support beam and movable relative to the support beam in first and second directions along the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes a locking plate attached to the inner beam and a locking mechanism coupled to the support beam and having a latch movable between a lock position engaging the locking plate to fix the grab bar in a location relative to the support beam and a release position disengaging the locking plate to permit adjustment of the grab bar and the inner beam along the longitudinal axis in one of the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: KA Group AG
    Inventors: Timothy Clayton Smith, Jesse L. Henrikson, Reyna Lynn Wygant
  • Structure for preventing sliding door from swaying
    Patent number: 11525294
    Abstract: A structure includes a rail mounted on a vehicle body, a rail roller device connected to the rail, a slider mounted on the rail roller device, a movement support device having a first side fixed to a door and a second side connected to the slider, and a catch-pawl locking device including catches and pawls locked to or unlocked from one another while rotating. The catches and the pawls include a first catch and a first pawl for restricting a movement of the rail roller device in a first direction when the first catch and the first pawl are locked to each other, and a second catch and a second pawl for restricting a movement of the movement support device in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the second catch and the second pawl are locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyung-In Yun
  • Vehicle accessories
    Patent number: 11524633
    Abstract: A bumper assembly is provided for a vehicle having a frame. The bumper assembly includes a winch cradle defining a cradle mounting aperture corresponding to a first frame aperture of the frame. A bumper member is configured to at least partially surround the winch cradle and extend laterally from the winch cradle across a portion of the vehicle. The bumper member defines a bumper mounting aperture corresponding to a second frame aperture. The winch cradle is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the bumper member and the bumper member is configured to couple to the vehicle frame independent of the winch cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Hatch, Troy Unger, Joseph C. Uhde
  • Automated vehicle sunscreen
    Patent number: 11524555
    Abstract: An automated vehicle sunscreen comprises a deployable sunscreen secured within the headliner region of an automobile vehicle's interior. The sunscreen may be deployed mechanically by means of a motor in communication with the automobile vehicle's power source. Controls for the sunscreen may be disposed upon the dashboard of the automobile vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Sally Luker
  • Dual mode, easy to service tarp
    Patent number: 11518224
    Abstract: A tarp for a vehicle bed is developed for engagement with a reel that is rotated by a motor for rolling and unrolling the tarp across a vehicle bed. When the tarp has been unrolled and fully covers the vehicle bed, the tarp stretches across the vehicle bed and has side edges supported upon the respective upper edges of the bed side walls. The features or structures of the tarp that are kinematic are designed such that they may be permanently attached to the other members in the machine or tarp system, which thereby meets functional needs of the tarp, and provide long term consistent deployment of the tarp covering sections. The material used in this kinematic part of the tarp is chosen such that the life of this component is improved. Additionally, covering sections are provided in this tarp configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Roll Rite LLC
    Inventors: Scott Kartes, Shane Hines, Stephen Hunter
  • Mobile table assembly of vehicle
    Patent number: 11518286
    Abstract: A mobile table assembly of a vehicle includes: a guide rail disposed in a roof of a vehicle; a supporting bar having an upper end coupled to the guide rail and movable along the guide rail, and a lower end extending in a direction away from the roof and positioned in an interior of the vehicle; a rail actuator configured to move the upper end of the supporting bar on the guide rail; and a table coupled to the lower end of the supporting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Ho Hwang, Dong Eun Cha, Sang Heon Lee
  • Vehicle flap
    Patent number: 11518222
    Abstract: A vehicle flap, such as a tailgate, has an inner shell, such as an inner metal sheet, an outer shell, such as an outer metal sheet, connected to the inner shell, and at least one reinforcement tube. The reinforcement tube is arranged between the inner shell and outer shell and is connected to the inner shell and/or outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Anhalt, Simon Randler
  • Delivery vehicle with flexible storage
    Patent number: 11518291
    Abstract: A delivery vehicle has separate compartments with a common sidewall. Doors that are interchangeable between the compartments close the compartments. A latching assembly between the doors and sidewall limits movement of the sidewall when only one of the doors is closed. The compartments are combined into a single compartment by moving the sidewall when the doors are open. A hinge assembly connects the doors. A contact and wiper assembly between the doors carries power and commands for the hinge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Annette L. Huebner, Paul K. Dellock
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 11518283
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle including: an arm rest placed between a vehicle seat and a side door; and a moving mechanism configured to move the arm rest in the thickness direction of the side door such that the arm rest takes a usage position and a stored position. The usage position is a position at which the arm rest is usable for an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The stored position is a position at which the arm rest is stored in a storage portion provided in the side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tatsuya Shimizu
  • Tonneau system with stretchable cover
    Patent number: 11518223
    Abstract: A tonneau system for a cargo compartment of a vehicle comprises a tonneau frame assembly and a tonneau cover removably connected to the tonneau frame assembly. The tonneau cover comprises an elastic material that allows it to stretch over cargo loaded into the cargo compartment. The tonneau cover exerts a compressive force on the cargo to hold the cargo in place while the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventor: Dennis Jay Potter
  • Sun visor and method of assembling a sun visor
    Patent number: 11518220
    Abstract: A sun visor comprises a sun visor body (2) and a vanity mirror assembly (1) comprising a vanity mirror (11) mounted on a support (12). The sun visor comprises a first set of clips (31, 32) configured for snap-fit connection of the vanity mirror assembly (1) onto the sun visor body (2) so that the vanity mirror assembly (1) is held firmly against the sun visor body (2) by the first set of clips, and a second set of clips (41, 42; 51, 52) configured for snap-fit connection of the vanity mirror assembly (1) onto the sun visor body (2) allowing for movement of the vanity mirror assembly (1) in relation to the sun visor body (2). If the snap-fit connection by the first set of clips fails after an impact, the vanity mirror assembly may remain attached to the sun visor body by the second set of clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: GRUPO ANTOLIN INGENIERIA, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Stephane Richard, Alain Philippe
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 11505052
    Abstract: A vehicle may include: a body including an opening; a door constituted of metal, the door being configured to open and close the opening; a rail garnish constituted of resin, the rail garnish being disposed along an edge of the opening; and a seal member disposed along an edge of the door and configured to seal a gap between the door and the body when the door closes the opening. The rail garnish may include a fixed portion, a contact portion, and a first bend and a second bend disposed between the fixed portion and the contact portion. The first bend and the second bend each may extend along the contact portion in a longitudinal direction of the rail garnish and are bent in different directions. A thickness of the rail garnish may be locally small at one or both of the first bend and the second bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Osanai, Toshinobu Ogura
  • Motorcycle fairing
    Patent number: 11505270
    Abstract: A motorcycle fairing includes a fairing body having a mounting surface for mounting an audio speaker. The fairing body defines an internal space for accommodating a portion of the speaker. The fairing includes an external wall portion. An internal wall is configured, along with the external wall portion, to seal the internal space. An upper portion defines an inboard portion and an outboard portion. An upper surface of the inboard portion is positioned below an upper surface of the outboard portion. An edge is defined by the upper surface of the outboard portion. The upper surface slopes downward on each side of the edge. The edge extends in an inboard-to-outboard direction in a forward-to-rearward direction. In some configurations, the inboard portion defines an airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Lobban, Steven Thomas
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 11505039
    Abstract: A division bar that divides a front or rear windshield into an upper windshield and a lower windshield is provided, and the upper windshield is more fragile than the lower windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuchi Yamanouchi, Masaki Shitara, Ryo Hattori
  • Vehicle privacy screen
    Patent number: 11505103
    Abstract: A privacy screen for a vehicle that can provide for an enhanced passenger experience. The privacy screen includes a blocking body configured to at least partially shroud a shielded seat of the vehicle. The blocking body has an inner seat facing surface, an outer shielding surface, and a concave contour that is configured to extend at least partially around the shielded seat. The privacy screen further includes a passenger enhancement feature that is configured to be controllable via input from a passenger of the vehicle that is remote from a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIOR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Davide Di Censo, Cedric Ketels, Thomas Dessapt, Robert Fitzpatrick
  • Vehicle interior structure
    Patent number: 11505135
    Abstract: An impact absorbing member is disposed between a roof panel and a top ceiling disposed below the roof panel. The impact absorbing member includes a base plate portion and a hollow, cone-shaped portion extending upward from the base plate portion. The cone-shaped portion has a fragile portion that facilitates vertical crush and deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamagiwa, Hiroyuki Matsuda, Katsunori Monden, Hiroshi Nagai
  • Roller blind system for a vehicle roof
    Patent number: 11498399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller blind system for a vehicle roof, comprising two roller blind assemblies, wherein he roller blind web of the first roller blind assembly is designed to be longer in the extension direction than the roller blind web of the second roller blind assembly. At least one compression-resistant drive cable is provided, a first section of which is firmly attached to a pulling hoop of the first roller blind assembly and a second section of which can be detachably engaged with a pulling hoop of the second roller blind assembly. According to the invention, a locking mechanism is provided, which has an elastically deformable clip-on connection, by means of which the second section of the drive cable can be detachably engaged with the pulling hoop of the second roller blind assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Vasile-Marius Alban, Werner Winkler, Constantin Ardelean, Andrei Popovici, Josef Haas