Patents Examined by Joselynn Y Sliteris
  • Occupant protection apparatus and occupant protection method
    Patent number: 8651515
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag that can form a plurality of chambers with a single inflator and protects an occupant from an impact on a side door by deploying the airbag between the occupant and the side door. The chambers of the airbag includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber that can be deployed above and below a door arm rest in a vehicle vertical direction, and a chest chamber 12c that is disposed closer to the inner side of an occupant compartment in the vehicle width direction than the upper and lower chambers and can be deployed around a chest region of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Baba, Isamu Nagasawa
  • Trailing beam mounting and alignment apparatus
    Patent number: 8622406
    Abstract: The present invention provides an eccentric pivot member for effecting fore and aft movement of a leading end of a trailing beam member of a trailing beam suspension in response to rotation of the pivot member. Ratchet collars are provided which act between the eccentric pivot member and a suspension hanger to mechanically secure the assembly against rotation and any associated inadvertent misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas Eveley
  • Air bag with pressure-managed gas delivery inflatable duct
    Patent number: 8596678
    Abstract: An inflatable side airbag has an inflatable duct for the delivery of inflation gas. The inflatable duct of the inflatable side airbag provides for rapid deployment of a multi-chamber air bag while controlling the rate of inflation and the relative pressure of the chambers. The inflatable duct allows a single inflator to inflate a high pressure pelvis chamber and a lower pressure thorax chamber while preventing fluid communication between the two chambers upon completion of inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Ravenberg, Balaskandan Shankar, Patrick Jamison, Arthur Yakumo, Larry F. Lunt
  • Vehicle seat belt-offering device and three-point automatic belt
    Patent number: 8590934
    Abstract: A three-point automatic belt has an offering arm, which is rotatably mounted by means of a drive, for a seat in a vehicle. A rotatably mounted offering arm is designed as a belt strap part, which is stiffened in one plane, of a belt strap, and can be deflected by means of an electromotive drive. The deflectable, stiffened belt strap part can be deflected into a forward end position, in which the belt strap is offered to a vehicle occupant, into an intermediate or boarding position and into a rearward end position in which access to a storage compartment and/or a rear space and/or a rear seat is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Frank Fruehauf, Rolf Pemsel, Thomas Siegel
  • Motor vehicle having head airbag
    Patent number: 8585077
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, in particular a passenger automobile, is provided with a vehicle body, at least one head airbag and one gas generator for filling the head airbag. The gas generator being fastened to an element of the vehicle body that extends essentially in the vehicle transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Ulrich Rick
  • Head-protecting airbag apparatus
    Patent number: 8573638
    Abstract: In a head-protecting airbag apparatus, an airbag is folded up and housed in a case that is made from synthetic resin and has an inverse U-shaped sectional contour opening downward. The airbag includes a plurality of mounting portions, and the mounting portions are taken out to an outer circumference of the case to be fastened to the vehicle body structure. The case includes a retaining projection that is inserted through a retaining hole formed on the upper rim of the airbag for retaining the upper rim of the airbag, and a retaining tongue that has a cantilever structure so as to be flexible toward an inner side of the case. A section of the airbag in a vicinity of the retaining hole is placed over an outer circumferential surface of the retaining tongue such that the retaining projection is inserted through the retaining hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeki Hayashi, Taizo Suemitsu
  • Saddle-type vehicle
    Patent number: 8567813
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Hanafusa
  • Independent strut suspension
    Patent number: 8534686
    Abstract: A suspension system may be provided. The suspension system may comprise a wheel support idler and a strut. A top end of the strut may be attached to a bottom of the wheel support idler. The suspension system may further comprise a spring configured to absorb shock from the strut. A bottom of the spring may be attached to a top of the wheel support idler. The suspension system may further comprise a first tower and a second tower. The wheel support idler may be configured to slide up and down on the second tower and the wheel support idler may not contact the first tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: James Slawson
  • Inflatable curtain airbag with an integrated pillar guide
    Patent number: 8500162
    Abstract: Inflatable curtain airbags deploy smoothly with an integrated pillar guide that minimizes interference with a vehicle pillar. The integrated pillar is a thin piece of semi-flexible, semi-rigid material housed in a pocket that is coupled to a curtain airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Moffitt, Timothy A. DePottey
  • Heavy-duty axle-to-beam connection
    Patent number: 8490989
    Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for axle/suspension systems includes a connector having a U-shaped cross section and includes two pairs of legs. Each of the legs is formed with an opening. The connector extends longitudinally along the axle and is also formed with a pair of window weld openings adjacent to the axle. The connector provides a conforming fit of the connector to the axle when the connector is pulled over the axle using the leg openings and is attached to the axle and beam of the axle/suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Piehl, Kevin J. Erdmann
  • Enclosed decoupling stabilizer
    Patent number: 8485539
    Abstract: A stabilizer for a vehicle suspension system includes a fixed housing having a canister and end caps forming an enclosure. A rod moves axially relative to the housing. Abutment members on the rod are separated by a spring and confront or telescope into end stops in the housing, depending upon a rotated position of the end stops relative to the abutment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Bidlake, Dennis M. Mark
  • Airbag covering
    Patent number: 8469391
    Abstract: In the case of an airbag covering which comprises an opening flap (9) connected to an interior trim panel (10) via predetermined breaking points (17), a hinge plate (1) which is connected in a planar manner to the opening flap (9) via a hinge flap (2), and a firing channel (14) which is formed from a frame part (4) and hinge plate (1) and forms a combined component (15) with the hinge plate (1), the opening flap (9) is displaced in the direction of the vehicle interior upon opening of the airbag covering by the formation of an expansion fold (6) arranged parallel to the hinge pin (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Beguform GmbH
    Inventor: Engelbert Grüner
  • Curtain airbag assembly
    Patent number: 8459695
    Abstract: A curtain airbag assembly is provided having a number of airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d arranged in a side by side relationship. Lower ends of the airbags 7a, 7b, 7c and 7d are linked to the adjacent airbag by an airbag tether connector assembly 10. Each of the tether connector assemblies includes first and second connectors 20, 30 that engage with one another and snap together to fasten together two tethers 26, 36. In the event that the first and second connectors 20, 30 are not correctly coupled together an indication of this fact is providing in one of a number of manners thereby reducing the risk that a vehicle 5 fitted with such a curtain airbag assembly can enter service with one or more tethers 26, 36 not connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Charles Spencer, Marcus John Scott Ward
  • Saddle-type vehicle
    Patent number: 8424902
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle equipped with an airbag apparatus in which an increase in the number of component parts can be restrained. A motorcycle is a vehicle in which seat rails are included in a rear portion of a body frame with a rider seat having a front end portion upwardly inclined towards the front side of the vehicle that is mounted on the seat rails. An airbag module accommodating an airbag therein and fixed by an airbag mounting stay extending upwardly from the body frame and is disposed on the front side of the rider seat. A seat hook for holding the front end portion of the rider seat extends from the airbag module or from the airbag mounting stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Hanafusa
  • Clip structure and holding structure for interior member of vehicle
    Patent number: 8403356
    Abstract: Provided is a clip structure which can prevent components from falling off an attaching body or an attached body with a simple structure. Further provided is a holding structure for an internal member of a vehicle which can prevent the components from falling off an exterior member or an interior member with a simple structure. A clip assembly (11) includes a first clip having a clip (34) attached to a bracket (25), and a joint (36) as a removable portion connected to the clip 34; and a pin (38) as a second clip connected to the joint (36) and sandwiching a roof head lining (14) between the pin (38) and the joint (36). A holding load (F5) for releasing connection between the clip (34) and the joint (36) is sufficiently small compared to a holding load (F6) for releasing connection between the joint (36) and the pin (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tago, Michinori Kakumu, Sinji Tanaka, Motonori Kitayama
  • Head protection air bag system
    Patent number: 8376397
    Abstract: In a head protection air bag system of the invention, an air bag includes an edge side shield portion which is accommodated in a pillar portion. The edge side shield portion is mounted on a body side by a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion which is positioned further downwards than the first mounting portion. An auxiliary mounting portion which is fastened together with the second mounting portion is provided in a position where a longitudinal position of the edge side shield portion coincides with the second mounting portion and a vertical position thereof coincides with the first mounting portion. An extension which extends in a straight line from the first mounting portion is provided on the auxiliary mounting portion. In the edge side shield portion, a portion between the second mounting portion and the first mounting portion is connected to the extension by a connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamamura, Yuji Sato
  • Airbag configuration for a vehicle seat and vehicle seat having the airbag configuration
    Patent number: 8371609
    Abstract: An airbag configuration is provided for a vehicle seat having an airbag that can be expanded by a gas upon the activation. The airbag configuration is covered by a cover that covers the airbag relative to the surroundings in the inactivated state, the cover having a target weakened area that is implemented to open the cover upon the activation and permit the airbag to expand into the surroundings, and having a connector, the connector connected to the cover in the target weakened area, the connector being fastened in a fastening area to the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gunnar Ohlsson, Henrik Svanberg, Maria Bowallius
  • Inflatable airbag assemblies with lateral and longitudinal tethers
    Patent number: 8371612
    Abstract: Lateral and longitudinal internal tethers can be used to restrict an inflatable airbag to a predetermined shape when inflated. A longitudinal tether extends from a rear portion or throat portion of the airbag to a front face. The portion of the front face that cushions an occupant can have a concave or planar shape, depending on the lengths of the lateral and/or longitudinal tethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Airbag system
    Patent number: 8365857
    Abstract: In an airbag system, an airbag obtained by closing each of opposite end portions of a folded metal tube with an end cap is attached to an attachment surface of a front pillar, and the airbag is deployed along the front pillar with a gas produced by an inflator. Therefore, a pedestrian who collides with the front pillar can be protected by the airbag. Since the portion of the airbag, which is away from the end cap toward an intermediate part of the airbag in a longitudinal direction of the airbag by a predetermined distance, is connected to the attachment surface, which is located outside the end cap in the longitudinal direction of the airbag, with a stay being interposed in between, the difficulty in an inflation in a part of the airbag in the vicinity of each end cap, due to the end cap being pressed against the attachment surface when the airbag is inflating, is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Okamoto, Eric Drake, Bengt Pipkorn
  • Vehicle subsystem control method and apparatus
    Patent number: 8370038
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling at least one active subsystem in a vehicle chassis. The method includes, but is not limited to the steps of evaluating a driver's driving style based on data (ax(K), ay(K)) representative of acceleration of the vehicle and setting an operating state of the subsystem according to the driving style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Youssef Ghoneim