Patents Examined by Joseph D. Pape
  • Patent number: 11660997
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of roof top tent systems that can have an upper portion and a lower portion attached to the upper portion along a first end portion of the upper and lower portions, at least one hinge that can extend along a length of a first end of the tent system, and a first structural panel in the lower portion of the tent system. In some embodiments, the at least one hinge can hingedly attach the upper portion to the lower portion of the tent system and/or can comprise a flap or web of material that extends from the upper portion of the tent system to the lower portion of the tent system. The at least one hinge can include and/or be made from a fabric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Go Fast Campers LLC
    Inventors: Wiley Christopher Davis, Brandon Keith Davey
  • Patent number: 11660929
    Abstract: A vehicle headliner air duct assembly includes a headliner having a first surface and a second surface. A radiused edge is defined between the first surface and the second surface. A headliner duct is coupled to the first surface and the second surface of the headliner. The headliner duct defines an inlet. The inlet is disposed on the radiused edge. A connector duct is coupled to a vehicle body and at least partially overlaps the headliner duct proximate to the inlet to form a duct interface. The connector duct defines an outlet disposed on the radiused edge. The outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet via the duct interface. The duct interface is disposed on the radiused edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alfredo Ivan Trujillo Rolon
  • Patent number: 11661110
    Abstract: A front portion of a vehicle body includes front side frames, a subframe, and a vehicle compartment front structure body. The subframe has a subframe body, a front fastening portion fastened to the front side frame in a front region of the subframe body, and a rear fastening portion fastened and fixed to the vehicle compartment front structure body in a rear region of the subframe body. The rear fastening portion has a first convex portion protruding toward a vehicle rear side. A part of a steering gear box constitutes a second convex portion protruding upward from the subframe body. The front fastening portion has a third convex portion protruding upward from the front region of the subframe body. The vehicle compartment front structure body has a first inclined guide portion, a second inclined guide portion, and a third inclined guide portion having front surfaces to contact the convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Anzai
  • Patent number: 11660939
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a door, a latch mechanism and a secondary reinforcement member (an attenuation member). The door has an inner door panel and a reinforcement member installed thereto the inner door panel. The latch mechanism is installed the inner door panel such that in a latching orientation the latch mechanism retains the door in the closed orientation and in a release orientation the door can move to the open orientation. A rearward portion of the reinforcement member is outboard and level with a portion of the latch mechanism. The secondary reinforcement member is fixedly attached to a central area of the reinforcement member spaced apart from the rearward area of the inner door panel and spaced apart from a forward area of the inner door panel. In response to an impact event, the reinforcement member deforms and contacts the latch mechanism preventing movement of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David Kovie, Mahiuddin Ahmed, Christopher Herrala
  • Patent number: 11660942
    Abstract: A lift assist lock-down assembly for a soft top assembly, the lock-down assembly operably coupled to first and second bows selectively rotatable between an open/sunroof position and an open/downward position. A handle member is rotatable between unlocked and locked positions. A cam and a cam lockout selectively prevent the bows from rotating. When locked in a first position, the bows are prevented from rotating generally rearward/downward, thereby preventing the soft top assembly from moving into the open/downward position. When locked in a second position, the bows are prevented from rotating generally forward/upward, thereby generally preventing the soft top from bouncing or from moving into the open/sunroof position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Lewis, Tavis Lutzka
  • Patent number: 11660948
    Abstract: Cover (10) for a hood (31) of a motor-vehicle (30), comprising: a main sheet (20) adapted to cover an external surface of the hood (31); an under-hood covering portion (26) adapted to at least partially cover an internal surface of a portion of the hood proximal to a windshield, wherein the portion of under-hood cover (26) and the main sheet (20) are made in a single piece, the portion of under-hood cover (26) having one or more cuts extending along at least two different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CONFEZIONI ANDREA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Tavelli, Federico Fidanza
  • Patent number: 11654752
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a vehicle sun visor includes a mounting bracket having a first locking element and a first rotation element. The mounting assembly also includes a cover having a second locking element and a second rotation element. The first locking element is configured to engage the second locking element while the cover is in a transport position to block movement of the cover relative to the mounting bracket, the first rotation element is configured to engage the second rotation element while the cover is in an extended position to enable rotation of the cover relative to the mounting bracket, and the cover conceals a fastener opening of the mounting bracket while the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventor: Guillaume Duthoit
  • Patent number: 11654830
    Abstract: A covering apparatus for a loading space of a motor vehicle, with a covering arrangement having a plurality of dimensionally stable slats coupled to one another in an extended covering state and positioned in a manner stacked one on top of another in a receiving space in a stowed inactive position. The slats are coupled permanently to one another among one another by at least one flexible connecting strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Salewski
  • Patent number: 11654848
    Abstract: A rear bumper structure includes a lower side member at both sides of a vehicle parallel to a length direction of a floor panel and below the floor panel, an upper side member at both sides of the vehicle parallel to the length direction of the floor panel and above the floor panel and connected to the lower side member by a rear cross member, a bracket having a first end fixed to the lower side member and a second end extending in a bent form toward the rear of the vehicle, a bumper having a first end hinge-coupled to the second end of the bracket and a second end extending in a bent form from the first end toward an outside of the vehicle, and a crash box fixed to the second end of the bumper and coupled to the upper side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Hosung Kwon
  • Patent number: 11648897
    Abstract: A crash impact attenuator is adapted for deployment on a vehicle, and includes a cartridge portion having at least one energy absorbing module, as well as a backup system having a backup frame, which is adapted to attach the cartridge portion to the vehicle. The backup system includes an actuator configured to pivot the cartridge portion between a deployed orientation and a stored orientation about a pivot axis disposed on a lower half of the backup system. The backup system further includes a lockout frame member having a contact surface on one end thereof, the lockout frame member being actuatable between a deployed orientation wherein the contact surface engages a portion of the backup frame to support the backup frame against vehicular impact forces and a stowed orientation wherein the contact surface is not engaged with the backup frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TRAFFIX DEVICES, iNC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey B. Maus, Ryan Selvius
  • Patent number: 11648984
    Abstract: A structure of a vehicle disclosed herein may include: a windshield; an instrument panel located below the windshield; in-vehicle equipment disposed such that the in-vehicle equipment projects upward above an upper surface of the instrument panel and is fixed to the instrument panel; and an impact relieving mechanism configured to, when a rearward and downward collision load is applied to the in-vehicle equipment, relieve the collision load by moving the in-vehicle equipment rearward and downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shotaro Inoue, Marie Sakata, Masayuki Tado
  • Patent number: 11648828
    Abstract: A rear curbside door assembly includes a door frame, a door, and a support member. The door frame includes first and second side frame members, an upper frame member and at least one stair. The second side frame member is spaced from the first side frame member and is configured for releasable attachment to a D-pillar of a body of a vehicle. The upper frame member extends between the first and second side frame members. The at least one stair extends between the first and second side frame members and is spaced from the upper frame member. The door is pivotally coupled with the door frame. The support member is configured for releasable attachment to a body of a vehicle. The support member is releasably attached to the first side frame member. A vehicle including a rear curbside door assembly and methods thereof are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Driverge Vehicle Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Leonard M. Hamrick, Dennis W. Summers, Mark Joseph Minatel
  • Patent number: 11648992
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate configured to secure cargo and methods of using the same. The vehicle tailgate tray have a base portion. The base portion may have a top surface and be attachable to the vehicle. The vehicle tailgate may further have a top portion. The top portion may have a bottom surface and be attachable to the base portion. The top surface and the bottom surface may face each other and be configured to receive and fix the cargo when the top portion and the base portion are attached together. The bottom surface may be configured to adapt to a shape of the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: James Dennis Cunningham
  • Patent number: 11648869
    Abstract: A pickup camper is described. Embodiments of the pickup camper can include, but are not limited to, a camper body and a roof assembly. The camper body can include a front panel, a left-side panel, a right-side panel, a cross-member, and a back panel. The roof assembly can include a panel rotatably and removably coupled to the left-side panel, a panel rotatably and removably coupled to the right-side panel, a panel rotatably and removably coupled to the cross-member, and a roof panel rotatably and removably coupled to the front panel. In a travel configuration, the roof assembly components can be folded down on one another with the roof panel covering the other panels. In a deployed configuration, the roof assembly components can be rotated upwards to increase an overhead height inside the pickup camper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Inventor: William R. Freshour
  • Patent number: 11642946
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a window and further includes window glass, an outer panel made of resin, and a belt molding. The outer panel is placed outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the window glass and faces the window glass in at least part of the peripheral edge of the opening. The belt molding is fixed to the inner surface of the outer panel facing the window glass and seals a gap between the window glass and the outer panel. The belt molding includes a base member and a belt molding body. The base member is bonded to the inner surface of the outer panel and has an attachment surface facing the window glass. The belt molding body is supported on the attachment surface of the base member via a plurality of fixed points provided such that the fixed points are distanced from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaru Toyota, Sho Tsumita, Yoshiyuki Ryuno
  • Patent number: 11643153
    Abstract: A container including a first panel with a first edge having a first protrusion with a first contoured profile with at least one projection, a second panel with a second edge having a second protrusion with a second contoured profile with at least one projection, and a spline with a first channel that defines a recess with an interior profile, and a second channel separate from the first channel that defines a recess with an interior profile. The first and second channels receive the first and second protrusions, respectively, such that the first contoured profile is complementary to a portion of the interior profile and the second contoured profile is complementary to a portion of the interior profile. The first and second panel include a mid-section extending from the first and second edges, respectively. The first and second edges have a greater thickness than the thickness of the mid-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Fenton
  • Patent number: 11643032
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle includes: a support member detachably attached to a floor of the vehicle; an occupant seat movably supported by the support member and provided with an electrical component; and a wireless power supply mechanism configured to supply electric power to the electrical component. The wireless power supply mechanism includes a power transmitting unit attached to the floor, and a power receiving unit attached to the support member so as to face the power transmitting unit and configured to receive the electric power wirelessly from the power transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chase Hemmelgarn, Steven Johnson
  • Patent number: 11639087
    Abstract: Provided is an automobile door (600) including: a first impact absorbing member (122) that traverses the automobile door (600) so as to extend between both end portion regions in a vehicle height direction; a second impact absorbing member (124) that traverses the automobile door (600) so as to extend between both end portion regions in a vehicle length direction; an exterior material (110); and a belt line reinforcement (300), in which bending rigidity in a vehicle width direction of a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the belt line reinforcement (300) at a support portion is larger than bending rigidity in the vehicle width direction of a cross section perpendicular to an extending direction of the first impact absorbing member (122) at an intersection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiya Suzuki, Satoshi Hirose, Tohru Yoshida, Yoshiaki Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 11634184
    Abstract: A composite floor is provided comprising a skeletal framework, foam core inserts, an impact resistant sheet, and a weather resistant sheet bonded together with adhesive. Recreational vehicles incorporating such floors are also contemplated, as are methods of making the composite floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Thor Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bullock, Jon Brock, Jeff Snyder
  • Patent number: 11628711
    Abstract: Aside door structure for a vehicle includes a door beam that has hollow sections which are open at two ends in a longitudinal direction, and a hinge reinforcement member including a bent plate body in a crank shape that is joined to one of a front end and a rear end of the door beam. The hinge reinforcement member forms the crank shape by integrally forming a middle portion that closes an opening in the one of the front end and the rear end of the door beam and is joined to a stepped vertical wall of an inner panel of a side door, an outer end portion that is joined to a stepped outer side wall of the inner panel and an outer wall of the door beam, and an inner end portion that is joined to an inner wall of the door beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Soma, Eiji Hirano, Yu Iemura