Patents Examined by Joselynn Y Sliteris
  • Patent number: 10035377
    Abstract: An axle attachment includes a guide element having a guide-side attachment region that is curved in a concave manner and a guide-side fixing region adjoining the guide-side attachment region along the curvature line, and a clamping element having a clamping-side attachment region that is curved in a concave manner and that is arranged opposite the guide-side attachment region, and a clamping-side fixing region. A fixing element engages into a guide-side fixing region and into an opposing clamping-side fixing region and forces the regions against each other in order to fix an axle body to the axle attachment in a force-fitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Hock
  • Patent number: 10035488
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes a gas generator main body and an airbag. The gas generator main body includes a gas outlet portion, which includes gas discharging holes, and a non-outlet portion. The airbag includes an inflation portion, which is inflated by inflation gas, and a storage chamber, which is arranged outside the inflation portion and stores the gas generator main body. The storage chamber includes an insertion port for inserting the gas generator main body and a partition wall. The partition wall includes a pass-through portion through which the non-outlet portion is passed. The partition wall separates the storage chamber and the inflation portion from each other and restricts leakage of inflation gas in the inflation portion to the storage chamber through the gap between inner wall surface of the pass-through portion and the non-outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matsuo Nagata, Kazuaki Bito, Akira Suzuki, Koji Shibayama, Akihisa Tange
  • Patent number: 10000180
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection airbag device includes an airbag case, a pair of inflators and an airbag. The airbag case is disposed at a lower face side of a hood rear end portion with a length direction thereof extending along a vehicle width direction. A vehicle width direction middle region of the airbag case, when viewed in a vertical cross-section extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, has a cross-sectional height in a vehicle up-and-down direction smaller than a cross-sectional height in the vehicle up-and-down direction of a general portion of the airbag case located at outer ends in the vehicle width direction of the middle region. The inflators are accommodated at both of vehicle width direction ends of the middle region. The airbag in the airbag case inflates from pressure of gas generated by the inflators, and deploys rearward through a gap between the hood rear end portion and a windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naoya Higashimachi
  • Patent number: 9963164
    Abstract: A steering device includes: an inner pipe; an outer column that includes an embracing main body section embracing the inner pipe and a clamp configured by both tightening sections formed in width-direction both edge parts of a slit section, the slit section being formed in a lower part of the embracing main body section and along an axial direction; a fixed bracket that includes fixed side sections holding therebetween the outer column; and a tightening fixture that tightens the fixed bracket and the outer column. The steering device further includes: first contact sections that are formed on respective outer surface sides of both the tightening sections of the outer column; and third contact sections that are located above an axis of the embracing main body section of the outer column and formed to project in a horizontal diameter direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Takahashi, Yuji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9937881
    Abstract: A knuckle structure is provided with: a knuckle for rotatably supporting a drive shaft connected to the output shaft of a motor; and a grounding member having a grounding harness, the grounding member electrically connecting the knuckle and a vehicle body. The grounding member is connected to a grounding connection section provided on the protrusion of the knuckle and facing rearward of the vehicle. The grounding connection section is provided between a brake caliper extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and the knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Tanaka, Akira Takeishi, Masahiko Komatsubara, Hiroaki Morikubo, Koichi Ono, Taro Genda
  • Patent number: 9932011
    Abstract: An airbag includes a main inflation portion, in which an inflator is arranged, and an auxiliary inflation portion, the volume of which is smaller than that of the main inflation portion. The main inflation portion is deployed forward in a space between an occupant and a side wall of the vehicle. Prior to the deployment of the main inflation portion outside the seat back, the auxiliary inflation portion is inflated inside the seat back with inflation gas from the inflator to push the occupant toward the inner side. The main inflation portion and the auxiliary inflation portion each have a communication port that connects the main inflation portion and the auxiliary inflation portion to each other. The airbag includes an inflation promoting structure, which promotes the inflation of the auxiliary inflation portion compared to the inflation of the main inflation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Hiraiwa, Yuji Sato, Takashi Iida, Masashi Hotta
  • Patent number: 9919573
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy-duty trailer (10) in which at least one of the wheels (12) has a MacPherson independent wheel suspension (16). The wheel (12) can be a steered wheel, wherein the steering cylinders (94) of the steering device (40) enclose an angle (a) with the longitudinal direction (L) of the trailer. The transverse control arms (30l, 30r) can also be articulated onto the trailer frame at least in the longitudinal center plane (E) of the trailer (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GOLDHOFER AG
    Inventors: Herbert Swoboda, Georg Maier
  • Patent number: 9862349
    Abstract: A vehicle curtain airbag device has a curtain airbag. The curtain airbag is configured such that: a front end side is Z-folded toward a vehicle width direction inner side, the curtain airbag is further folded top-to-bottom, and, in the stowed state, a front end portion at the Z-folded region is covered by a rear end portion of a front pillar garnish; a corner portion at a front end side and an upper end side of the front side sub chamber is formed in a circular arc shape; and in a mid-deployment state, a front end side and an upper end side of the Z-folded region are covered, the corner portion overlaps a vehicle width direction outer side of the rear end portion, and a rear end of the corner portion is positioned further to a vehicle rear side than a rear end of the front pillar garnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Fujiwara, Atsushi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9834257
    Abstract: A subframe structure for a front of the vehicle includes a front subframe made of steel and a rear subframe made of a light metal. The front subframe comprises left and right side members extending in approximately parallel with each other and including flange sections, the rear subframe comprises left and right rear side sections including flange sections, and a rear cross section connecting the left and right rear side sections. The left and right rear side sections are stacked on the left and right side members, and the flange section are joined together so as to define left and right closed sections, therebetween, and the left and right side members are further fastened to the left and right rear side sections by bolts extending through the left and right closed sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9834171
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag mounted in a fender region laterally adjacent a hood and forward of a vehicle side door which provides a means for deployment through a discrete door to provide protection to a pedestrian from impacting the frontal area of a vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9764777
    Abstract: A different materials joint structure includes: an iron member; an aluminum member disposed on the iron member and integrally joined with the iron member; and a sealant disposed between the iron member and the aluminum member. The aluminum member includes a lateral edge section projecting outwardly from the iron member and extending downwardly, the lateral edge section and a surface of a lateral end of the iron member define a concave section therebetween, and the sealant protruding outwardly from a position between lateral sections of the iron member and the aluminum member is held in the concave section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosuke Ohhama, Tetsuya Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9758007
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment apparatus includes: vehicle height adjustment units respectively provided to correspond to wheels of a vehicle body, and adjusting a vehicle height in response to the supply and discharge of a working fluid; a pressure tank storing the working fluid; a compressor pressure-feeding the working fluid; a valve body block formed by opening and closing valves, and interposed between the pressure tank and the compressor, and the vehicle height adjustment units; and a control unit adjusting a vehicle height by controlling the valve body block, wherein the valve body block is connected to the pressure tank, and working fluid outlet and inlet of the compressor, and upon the completion of the pressure feed of the working fluid, the control unit controls such that the working fluid outlet and inlet are communicated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke Kondo, Takanori Suzuki, Atsuto Ogino
  • Patent number: 9751560
    Abstract: The axle assembly has an elongated shaft that is connected to a mounting bracket. A first end of an arm is connected to the elongated shaft. The arm extends rearwardly from the elongated shaft and connects to a bearing bracket at a second end. The bearing bracket has a pair of flanges and a pin that passes through the flanges and is received within an opening of a rotatable arm. The rotatable arm is connected to an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin Flander, Jim Dean, Michael H. Dick
  • Patent number: 9731634
    Abstract: The outer shape of an airbag is formed by an airbag main body. The airbag has an insertion opening, which extends along the periphery of the airbag. The gas generator includes bolts. The lower part of the airbag main body is configured by a lower fabric portion, which has first insertion holes in the periphery. The bolts are inserted into the first insertion holes and fastened to the seat portion. A harness, which is connected to the gas generator, is drawn out of the airbag main body through the insertion opening. Among the first insertion holes, the one that is farthest from the harness is a first specified insertion hole. The lower fabric portion has a first slit, which extends from the inner periphery of the first specified insertion hole in a direction away from the adjacent general insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanto, Akihiro Nukaya
  • Patent number: 9725108
    Abstract: A collapsible steering column assembly includes a shroud comprising an outer tube that supports a steering wheel through a bearing and an inner tube that is fixed to a part of the vehicle, the column assembly being able to collapse telescopically by the outer tube moving over the inner tube, the assembly further including an energy absorbing strap that is fixed to the inner tube and a plough which is fixed to the outer tube, whereby in use the assembly is so arranged that upon a telescopic collapse the relative movement between the inner tube and the outer tube forces a part of the plough through the strap to progressively peel away a part of the strap from the remainder of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: David Michael Sharman, Stephen George Moulson, Jason Hales
  • Patent number: 9713998
    Abstract: An airbag system includes an airbag. The airbag includes a face portion configured such that when the airbag is inflated; the face portion forms a corrugated section. The corrugated section has a plurality of corrugations. The plurality of corrugations is configured to impede movement of an occupant's head from a center of the airbag toward a side of the airbag during impact. The plurality of corrugations is formed using a plurality of tethers attached to the face portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammed Omar Faruque, James Chih Cheng
  • Patent number: 9694644
    Abstract: Pitch of a trailer being towed by a tractor along a roadway is controlled to reduce aerodynamic drag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Robert Czlapinski
  • Patent number: 9676407
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a steering spindle and a cover. The steering spindle may include an input shaft configured to rotate with a steering wheel, an output shaft rotatably mounted in a steering gear housing, and a swivel joint arranged between the shaft and the output shaft. A portion of the steering spindle within a footwell of the vehicle may be covered by the cover. The cover may include a fastening device and an opening on a side facing away from the footwell. The opening of the cover may extend across a portion of the output shaft, the swivel joint, and a portion of the input shaft. The cover may be fastened to the steering gear housing by the fastening device so the cover does not rotate with the steering spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kristian Tebbe, Dirk Sickert, Joachim Heidel, Jens Hohmann
  • Patent number: 9663055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety protection apparatus for motor traffic means, comprising a support frame fixedly connected to a seat of a motor traffic means and a protection cabin for accommodating an infant. The upper end of the protection cabin is rotatably connected to the support frame, and a damping shock-absorption component is provided between the protection cabin and support frame or the seat. The apparatus of the present can be adapted for motor traffic means such as a passenger car, a truck, or a steamboat, etc., and, adapted respectively for adults and infants. The apparatus of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: protecting the passengers from direct damage from external force by providing a protection cabin; buffering the shock caused by emergency braking or collision by providing a rotatable mechanism, consuming energy by a damping component and providing comprehensive protection for infants or adults in prone position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventors: Bing Jiang, Bolun Jiang
  • Patent number: 9650070
    Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame and a steering assembly. Wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a steering wheel operably coupled to rear wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via a cable system. The cable system may include a first cable portion, a second cable portion and a pulley assembly. The first and second cable portions may each contact a steering column pulley at respective first ends of the first and second cable portions. The steering column pulley may be configured to pull a corresponding one of the first cable portion or the second cable portion based on a direction of rotation of the steering wheel. The first and second cable portions may each be in operable communication with a steering disc at respective second ends of the first and second cable portions. The steering disc may provide translation of movement of the first cable portion and the second cable portion into corresponding movement of the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Urban Stark