Patents Examined by Joseph D. Pape
  • Patent number: 11919361
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment. The passenger compartment includes an upper region and a lower region. The passenger compartment also includes a floor. A plurality of track assemblies are positioned on the floor and extend along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each of the plurality of track assemblies includes a first rail assembly and a second rail assembly. Ductwork is positioned between adjacent track assemblies of the plurality of track assemblies. The plurality of track assemblies and the ductwork are coupled together as a floor panel such that installation of the floor panel within the passenger compartment results in a simultaneous installation of the plurality of track assemblies and the ductwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Scott Culver Anderson, Clay Mastin, Justin D. Sorum, Albert Kim, Abbas Ghamlouche
  • Patent number: 11912113
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a door that turns between a fully-closed position and a fully-open position to open or close a door opening, and hinges that support a front edge portion of the door and are provided such that the trajectory of the center of gravity of the door when the door turns from the fully-closed position to the fully-open position is curved upwardly in an up-down direction and the highest point of the trajectory is positioned between both ends of the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11912185
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body, an access aperture that is defined by the body, a closure panel, and an auxiliary panel. The closure panel is movably coupled to the body. The closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position such that the closure panel selectively covers the access aperture. The auxiliary panel is removably coupled to the closure panel. The auxiliary panel is movable between an engaged state and a disengaged state relative to the closure panel. The auxiliary panel travels with the closure panel when the auxiliary panel is in the engaged state. The disengaged state of the auxiliary panel corresponds with a use position of the auxiliary panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Francisco Santos Zubiaur, Carlos Ricardo Rios Guadarrama
  • Patent number: 11912346
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a passenger compartment supported by the chassis, and a box supported by the chassis spaced from the passenger compartment. The box including a lower bed fixedly mounted to the chassis, an upper bed, and a tail gate pivotally connected to the upper bed. Each of the upper bed, and the tail gate is shiftable relative to the lower bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Bernal, Orlando Espana
  • Patent number: 11897426
    Abstract: A damper for a vehicle cargo panel includes an adaptor body that has an attachment surface and an engagement surface. A plurality of flexures outwardly extend from the engagement surface of the adaptor body and has a planar extension that is coupled to the engagement surface and a curved end. The plurality of flexures is operable between an extended condition and a compressed condition. A coupling member is disposed on the adaptor body and is configured to couple the adaptor body to said vehicle cargo panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diego Fabricio Villacrés Mesías, Jose Nicolas Juarez Espinoza, Humberto Memetla Martinez
  • Patent number: 11897427
    Abstract: A cargo space cover for a vehicle, the cargo space cover comprising a body comprising a first panel, a second panel, a tote bottom, a first tote wing, and a second tote wing; and at least one coupling portion. The cargo space cover operates in a cover configuration and a tote configuration. While the at least one coupling portion of each the first edge of the first panel and the second edge of the second panel each couple to an a first side wall of the interior of the vehicle and a second side wall of the interior of the vehicle, the cargo space cover is held in the cover configuration. While two of the first panel, the second panel, and the tote bottom operably couple to each of the first tote wing and the second tote wing the cargo space cover is held in the tote configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alejandro Rosas Vazquez, Maria Fernanda Medina Luna
  • Patent number: 11891004
    Abstract: Vehicle side protector is disclosed. The vehicle external side protector vehicle external side protector has at least two 2-piece vertically moveable guards of a height from bottom of wheel to desired height up the vehicle and a connecting guard stretching from the first to the second vertically moveable guard. The 2-pieces of a vertically moveable guard are connected by a lever; and the length of the vehicle external side protector is less than the distance from the outer perimeter of a front wheel to the outer perimeter of a back wheel of a vehicle side to deploy and retract from underneath the vehicle and be stored underneath the vehicle in parallel plane to the vehicle's undercarriage. The vehicle external side protector rests on a track with an end point block; and connected to an actuator. Also disclosed are vehicle external front and back protectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Rocco Maurello
  • Patent number: 11884325
    Abstract: A platform structure for an electric vehicle is proposed. More particularly, according to the platform structure for an electric vehicle, a frame configured by coupling pipes to each other to form a lattice structure is installed to have a vertical double structure, and each pipe constituting an upper frame and each pipe constituting a lower frame intersect with each other such that rigidity of the platform structure is secured and the manufacturing period thereof due to easy manufacturing is decreased to reduce manufacturing cost. The platform structure for an electric vehicle includes a frame of the platform structure configured in such a manner that pipes are coupled to each other by brackets to form a lattice structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: MOHENIC MOTORS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae-Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 11878576
    Abstract: The vehicle door structure includes: a door outer panel including a projected section that projects outward in a vehicle width direction, a recessed section that is separated from the projected section and recessed inward in the vehicle width direction, and a boundary section between the projected section and the recessed section; and a panel reinforcement fixed to an inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel. The panel reinforcement includes: a first frame section that extends in a vehicle front-rear direction; and a second frame section at a position that overlaps the boundary section in the vehicle side view and is configured to be able to transmit a load to the first frame section at the time when the load in an inward direction of the vehicle width direction is applied to the boundary section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Nakayama, Kyohei Yukita, Tomohiro Komaji
  • Patent number: 11872910
    Abstract: A stationary vehicle seating system, including: a hanger bracket assembly configured to engage at least one hinge assembly of a stationary vehicle; and a seat structure that hangs from the hanger bracket assembly when the hanger bracket assembly is engaged with the at least one hinge assembly. A seat structure supporting method includes hanging a seat structure from a hanger bracket assembly that is engaged with at least one hinge assembly of a stationary vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Adrian Aguirre, Dustin Shedlarski, Micah Jones, Hussein H. Berry, David Brian Glickman
  • Patent number: 11858465
    Abstract: A console assembly for a vehicle includes a compartment side wall. The compartment side wall extends from a compartment floor to an upper rim of the compartment side wall. The console assembly includes a receptacle side wall that extends upward from a receptacle floor of the console assembly to define a receptacle. The console assembly further includes a panel that has opposite first and second sides. The panel is pivotable between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the panel, the panel, the compartment side wall, and the compartment floor define a compartment of the console assembly, and the first side of the panel faces the compartment. In the second position, the panel covers the receptacle of the console assembly and a surface of the first side of the panel is substantially planar with a surface of the compartment floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Paul Thomas, Stephen Neal Jacobsen, Michele Marie Mathews
  • Patent number: 11858319
    Abstract: An automatic sunvisor assembly for vehicle is disclosed. The automatic sunvisor assembly comprises sunvisor(s) positioned over the front seats of the vehicle, ambient light sensor positioned inside the vehicle adapted to sense the intensity of sunlight; a processor to collect and compare the intensity of sunlight sensed by the ambient sensors in real time; and two high-torque servo motors connected to each of the sunvisors to move the at least one sunvisor. The processor identifies the ambient light sensor sensing higher intensity of sunlight, generates signals, and transmits signals to the high-torque servo motor, and the signals received by the high-torque servo motor determines a direction of movement of the sunvisor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Mirza Faizan
  • Patent number: 11858321
    Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a sunvisor panel and an energy absorbing structure. The sunvisor panel has a first end and a second attachment end. The first end is supported to a vehicle for pivotal movement about an upright axis and movement about an offset axis that is not parallel to the upright axis. The energy absorbing structure is installed to the vehicle. The energy absorbing structure has a downwardly extending projection with a second attachment end that aligns with the first attachment end such that with the first attachment end of the sunvisor panel pivoted to the second attachment end, the first attachment end releasably attaches to the second attachment end. The energy absorbing structure is configured to pivot upward in response to an object contacting the sunvisor panel, transferring forward momentum to the second attachment end and to the energy absorbing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Francus, David Smolik
  • Patent number: 11858320
    Abstract: A vehicle sunvisor assembly includes a support structure, a sunvisor panel and an energy absorbing structure. The support structure is attached to a vehicle body structure adjacent to a first area of a windscreen. The sunvisor panel has first end and a second end. The first end is supported by the support structure and pivots about an upright axis and about an offset axis that is not parallel to the upright axis. The energy absorbing structure is installed to the vehicle body structure adjacent to a second area of the windscreen spaced apart from the first area and has a downwardly extending projection. A second attachment end of the sunvisor panel aligns with the downwardly extending projection. The energy absorbing structure is configured to absorb energy from an object moving in a forward direction contacting the sunvisor panel with the first attachment end being attached to the second attachment end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Francus, David Smolik, Stacey Warner, Evan Alford
  • Patent number: 11850924
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure of an automobile exterior panel improving performance in absorbing an impact load, the reinforcing structure of an automobile exterior panel including an outer panel of a sheet shape, a plurality of first and second reinforcing members of long shapes arranged at a vehicle inner side from the outer panel the second reinforcing members crossing the first reinforcing members, an inner panel of a sheet shape arranged at a vehicle inner side from the first and second reinforcing members, and support members provided at a vehicle outer side from the inner panel and supporting the first or the second reinforcing members from a vehicle inner side, the support members supporting first or the second reinforcing members at a plurality of crossing parts where the first and the second reinforcing members cross or between adjoining crossing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Sawa, Toshiya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11840127
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a reinforcement member, a latch mechanism and a secondary reinforcement portion. The reinforcement member is installed to an inner door panel of a door structure and extends from a forward area of the door structure to a rearward area of the door structure. The latch mechanism is installed to the rearward area of the inner door panel and is positioned such that a section of a rearward portion of the reinforcement member is outboard and level with a portion of the latch mechanism. The secondary reinforcement portion is fixedly attached to a central area of the reinforcement member spaced apart from a forward area of the inner door panel. In response to an impact event where force is directed to a central area of the door structure, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism retaining the latch mechanism in the latching orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kovie, Mahiuddin Ahmed, Christopher Herrala, David Iozzo
  • Patent number: 11833932
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat-sliding apparatus for a vehicle. The seat-sliding apparatus includes a lower rail fixed to the vehicle, an upper rail, which is coupled to a seat and slides along the lower rail, a rail groove portion, which is formed in at least one surface of the lower rail and has therein a plurality of grooves, a tooth portion having teeth positioned between the grooves in the rail groove portion, a sloped portion, which is positioned at at least a portion of the rail groove portion and in which heights of the teeth of the tooth portion decrease toward a center of the rail groove portion from one end of the rail groove portion in a longitudinal direction, and a locking unit, which is positioned at the upper rail and is selectively engaged with the rail groove portion so as to hold the upper rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI TRANSYS INC.
    Inventors: Seong Jun Hwang, Gyong Min Kim, Sung Min Shim
  • Patent number: 11834004
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo area structure has a first wall portion and a second wall portion spaced apart from one another by a first distance. The first wall portion and the second wall portion define respective first and second pairs of slots. Recessed surfaces defined within the first pair of slots are a second distance away from recessed surfaces of the second pair of slots. The second distance is larger than the first distance. A first end a panel has a first pair of projections extending therefrom. A second end of the panel has a second pair of projections extending therefrom. The panel and the first and second pair of projections are dimensioned and shaped such that the panel can be positioned in an upright or vertical orientation, a shelf or horizontal orientation and a stowed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Morales
  • Patent number: 11833955
    Abstract: A modular bed and seat system for use in a vehicle having a rear cargo area includes a pair of side boxes, a front side thereof having at least one extension rail aperture. Each side box contains at least one extension rail movable from a retracted position to an extended position partially extending out of one of the extension rail apertures. Each extension rail and an inner side of each side box include at least two mounting apertures. A plurality of support panels each include rigid mounting prongs adapted for engaging the mounting apertures. In use, with the side boxes mounted to the two side walls of the rear cargo area of the vehicle, and with the extension rails set to desired positions, each support panel is placed to engage with the mounting apertures on either. As such, a variety of support panel configurations is achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Royce Sullivan, Jerry Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11833892
    Abstract: A reinforcement assembly comprising a carrier including a connection means to connect to a panel, a rim portion for receiving an adhesive, the rim portion surrounding a central opening portion, and a plurality of apertures located in the rim portion, the apertures adapted for receiving the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventor: Bill Barz