Patents Examined by Joseph D. Pape
  • Patent number: 11780304
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a truck cover system that includes a side rail, a cover, and a latching mechanism. The latching mechanisms include a housing attached to the cover, a latch extending through a first end of the housing and configured to engage with a bottom portion of the side rail, a cap attached to a second end of the housing, a plunger attached to the latch and having a first plunger end partially extending through an opening of the cap, an anchor element attached to the first plunger end preventing the first plunger end from entering the housing, and a spring wrapped around the plunger. When the spring is compressed, the latch may disengage with the side rail, and, when the spring is uncompressed, the latch may engage with the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Cixi City Liyuan Auto Parts Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Enli Xu
  • Patent number: 11780373
    Abstract: Various vehicle systems are proposed for accessing and utilizing vehicle cargo spaces on vehicles equipped with a tailgate assembly. The vehicle systems may include deployable and/or rotatable stairgate systems, deployable step systems, etc. designed for the accessing the vehicle cargo spaces. The proposed systems may include various deployment mechanisms that enable the stairgate/step systems to slide, pivot, rotate, swing, and/or otherwise adjust for providing ease of access and increased flexibility when stepping up to access the vehicle cargo space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Dawn Piechocki, Dennis Yee, Darshan Arun Nayak
  • Patent number: 11780391
    Abstract: An under-protector fastening structure includes a bumper assembly coupled to a chassis frame, wherein the bumper assembly includes a bumper inner member and a bumper cover coupled to an outer side of the bumper inner member, and an under-protector coupled to the bumper inner member of the bumper assembly in a direction vertical to a length direction of a vehicle body, wherein the under-protector includes an under-protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member and an under-protector panel coupled to the under-protector mounting assembly, and wherein the under-protector mounting assembly includes a pipe member extending in the direction vertical to the length direction of the vehicle body, a mounting bracket coupled to the pipe member and the bumper inner member, and an under-protector fixing bracket having a first side coupled to the mounting bracket and a second side coupled to the under-protector panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Dong Ku Seon
  • Patent number: 11772707
    Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle rear module that includes: a clear member monolithically including a lamp section and a window section; and a colored member for shielding at least part of a vehicle interior from the exterior. The method for producing the vehicle rear module comprises: a step for injecting a transparent resin from a single resin injection hole into a first cavity to form the clear member; and a step for injecting a colored resin from a plurality of resin injection holes into a second cavity to form the colored member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Tsutsumi, Daisuke Mochizuki, Hideaki Yamamoto, Takenao Yoshimura, Yuki Takahashi, Masaaki Nakabayashi, Hiroaki Hara, Masayuki Kobayashi, Masaru Kaneko
  • Patent number: 11772576
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an interior trim part for a motor vehicle, which comprises: a support component and a cover layer on a visible side of the support component, wherein the support component has an opening which is covered by the cover layer, and an insert, which is received in the opening and has a top side which is covered by the cover layer, wherein the insert receives an electrical function module or is coupled to the same, which function module is equipped in order to emit and/or receive light and/or signals through the surface of the insert and the cover layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: International Automotive Components Group GmbH
    Inventors: Huib Seegers, Henk Rijpkema, Carter Scott Cannon
  • Patent number: 11766969
    Abstract: A configurable storage assembly for a storage compartment of a vehicle, the storage assembly including a plurality of panels extendable between a retracted position and an extended position, one or more attachment features coupled to the first end of each wall portion, and one or more receiving features coupled to the vehicle, the receiving features are configured to be selectively coupled to the attachment features. Each panel includes a wall portion having a first end and an opposite second end, the second end of the wall portion extending from a surface of the vehicle. In the retracted position, the attachment feature of each panel is spaced apart from the receiving features. In the extended position, the attachment feature of each panel is coupled to one of the receiving features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikio David
  • Patent number: 11766963
    Abstract: A reconfigurable RV is provided, having a multi-section wall separating a living quarters and a garage, that wall being vertically adjustable by elevation of the living quarters floor to selectively move between multiple modes of use, including full down, loft, and full up. The vertical adjustment of the wall permits changes in the usable area of the garage floor, according to the ceiling height needed in the garage and living quarters concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Dennis Hoover, Thomas L Ison
  • Patent number: 11760423
    Abstract: To improve the collision performance of a panel member of an automobile. A panel member 1 includes a plurality of circular recessed parts 10 linearly arranged, wherein: when it is assumed that a portion where three recessed parts 10 are linearly aligned is called a recessed part group G, there are at least a first recessed part group G1 and a second recessed part group G2 arranged in parallel with the first recessed part group G1; and an angle formed between a first straight line L1 linking a center of the recessed part 10 in the first recessed part group G1 and a center of the recessed part 10 in the second recessed part group G2 located at a position closest to the recessed part 10, and, a second straight line L2 linking centers of the recessed parts 10 in the first recessed part group G1 is 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Hirose, Keiichi Sato, Yoshimichi Kawai
  • Patent number: 11760176
    Abstract: An articulating soft front cockpit cover assembly including an auxiliary tensioning link, coupling link and cross-car bow. A pivot point rotatable joining the auxiliary tensioning link and coupling link is located at the top of the auxiliary tensioning link. A bracket is provided on the auxiliary tensioning link or coupling link and extends cross-car and attaches to the front or rear edge of the cross-car bow. The soft front cockpit cover assembly in sealing engagement with a rearward top portion of a roof. The articulating portion movable between at least a closed position over about the front vehicle cockpit and at least one open position for an open-air feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11752841
    Abstract: A lock release tool including a stopper block, a finger grip extending from the stopper block, and a key tab extending from the stopper block. The key tab is sized for insertion within a keyhole slot in a locking assembly, the stopper block is sized to limit insertion of the key tab within the keyhole slot, and the key tab includes a contact surface at a distal end thereof. The contact surface is configured to release the locking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Alicia Marie Eleyet, Carlos Andres Neyra Rocha
  • Patent number: 11752846
    Abstract: A system can include a motor for driving a tarp roller across a trailer for covering and uncovering the trailer with a tarp. The system can also include a power supply for powering the motor. The system can further include a sensor coupled with the motor for sensing power consumed by the motor as the motor is powered to drive the tarp roller across the trailer. A controller can be communicatively coupled with the sensor and operatively coupled to the motor and the power supply for switching an energy characteristic of the power supplied to the motor from the power supply between a first characteristic associated with a lower torque and a second characteristic associated with a higher torque by monitoring the power consumed by the motor and switching the energy characteristic when the power consumed by the motor indicates the lower torque is insufficient to drive the tarp roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Timpte Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Bielfelt, Ryan H. Bakersfield
  • Patent number: 11752944
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo compartment structure includes a first side trim and a second side trim that include a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion receiving a cargo floor board thereon. The first side trim further includes a first upper support portion above the first projecting portion and a first lower support portion under the first projecting portion. The first upper support portion supports a first end of a cargo cover assembly in a first state and includes a first upper opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the first state. The first lower support portion supports the first end in a second state and includes a first lower opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the second state. The first lower opposite surface is more to a vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction compared to the first upper opposite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinya Abe, Shigeki Sumiya, Yoshiki Funahashi
  • Patent number: 11745567
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle body including a door opening and a first member and a second member each supported by the vehicle body. The first member and the second member are rotatable relative to each other and relative to the vehicle body across the door opening from an undeployed position to deployed position. The first member and the second member engage each other in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Patel, Zhibing Deng, Joseph E. Abramczyk
  • Patent number: 11745804
    Abstract: A front vehicle-body structure may include a pair of front side members each disposed in a vehicle length direction at both sides of a front vehicle-body, a pair of mounting brackets each engaged with a corresponding front side member among the pair of front side members and disposed to protrude from an internal panel of the corresponding front side member in a width direction of the vehicle to face each other, a cross bar having an upper surface, a front surface, and a rear surface, having a cross-section having an open bottom side and an open lateral end portion, and engaged with the mounting bracket in a vehicle height direction thereof, and an engagement unit of engaging the cross bar to the pair of mounting brackets with a predetermined gap between the pair of front side members and the lateral end portion of the cross bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Eonpyo Kim
  • Patent number: 11745800
    Abstract: A subframe structure includes: right and left vehicle body side frames; a vehicle body cross-member extending in the vehicle width direction between the vehicle body side frames; a load transmission member connecting a portion of each vehicle body side frame that extends longitudinally frontward from a bent portion of the vehicle body side frame and a portion that is located laterally centrally relative to the laterally outer end portions of the vehicle body cross-member; right and left longitudinal members extending along the vehicle body side frames; and a front cross-member extending in the vehicle width direction between the longitudinal members. The front cross-member has a first attachment portion attached to each longitudinal member, an extension portion extending in the vehicle width direction from the first attachment portion, and a second attachment portion attached to the load transmission member at a laterally outer end portion of the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Noguchi, Ukyo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11745570
    Abstract: The present invention is a retractable sunshade assembly that can be connected to an open-top of a vehicle that has roll bars. The sunshade assembly includes one or more clamps, a pair of parallel support beams, and a sunshade panel. The one or more clamps fasten to roll bars on a driver side and on a passenger side, The pair of parallel support beams connect onto the clamps, such that the supports panels are horizontally aligned to the respective roll bars and parallel to each other. The sunshade panel is configured to connect to and span between the pair of support beams which serve as a guide for the sunshade panel to retract and extend within. A latch mechanism connected to a handle can be actuated to hold the sunshade panel in a desired location along the pair of support beams, enabling customized levels of sun shading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Lang, Jed L. Firebaugh
  • Patent number: 11745809
    Abstract: An active underbody panel system having a frame arrangement mounted under the vehicle and at least one deployable panel moveable between stowed and deployed positions to improve aerodynamics under the vehicle. A deployment/retraction mechanism is provided having a pair of linkage assemblies and driven by an actuator, which allows the deployable panel(s) to be moved automatically downward into the air flow as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mandl, Martin R. Matthews, Thomas E. Cobb
  • Patent number: 11745569
    Abstract: Provided herein is an auto locking mechanism for use with a flat bed and a sliding tarpaulin system. The auto locking mechanism comprises a stationary guide having a longitudinal axis, where the stationary guide is securable to the flat bed between the flat bed and the sliding tarpaulin system, and a mobile component slidably coupled to the stationary guide along the longitudinal axis. The auto locking mechanism also includes an actuator that is operatively coupled to the mobile component. The actuator is adapted to impart motion to the mobile component relative to the stationary guide. The auto locking mechanism further includes an engagement arm secured to the mobile component for engagement with the sliding tarpaulin system. Movement imparted on the mobile component by the actuator slides the mobile component and the engagement arm relative to the stationary guide, thereby moving the sliding tarpaulin system relative to the flat bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: PETELKA INVESTMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Brian W. Petelka
  • Patent number: 11745802
    Abstract: A side sill assembly of a vehicle with reinforced stiffness includes a side sill inner, a side sill outer, and a reinforcement unit provided between the side sill inner and the side sill outer. The reinforcement unit includes an upper member having a first upper surface and a first lower surface located lower than the first upper surface, wherein the first upper surface and the first lower surface are alternately disposed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a lower member having a second upper surface and a second lower surface located lower than the second upper surface, wherein the second upper surface and the second lower surface are alternately disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and an intermediate member bonded to the upper member and the lower member, respectively, between the upper member and the lower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Won-Jung Song
  • Patent number: 11738625
    Abstract: A removable panel assembly for a vehicle window, the panel assembly includes a removable panel sized and shaped to overlie at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of a vehicle window. A first retainer is configured to secure the panel in abutting relation to the window, the first retainer including a first engagement element configured to engage a first edge of the window and a second engagement element configured to engage an inward-facing surface of the window. A second retainer is configured to secure the panel in abutting relation to the window, the second retainer including a third engagement element configured to engage a second edge of the window and a fourth engagement element configured to engage the inward-facing surface of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: K2 Products LLC
    Inventors: Stephen M Kellerman, Charles P Kellerman