Patents Examined by Joseph Pape
  • Patent number: 8820810
    Abstract: An acceleration pedal is arranged on one side, in a vehicle width direction, of a steering column cover covering a steering column so as to move forward or slant forward through a press operation of a press face thereof. A guide face is provided at a specified portion of a lower face of the steering column cover which is positioned in front of a lower-face rear end portion in a steering-shaft axis direction and on an acceleration-pedal-arrangement side, wherein the guide face is configured to project downward below an extension line extending from the lower-face rear end portion in the steering-shaft axis direction and extend forward. Accordingly, a passenger's foot can be properly restrained from moving, in the vehicle width direction, off the pedal in a vehicle head-on collision, ensuring an appropriate ingress-and-egress performance of a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Ohtsubo, Hiroshi Kushida, Masaki Takemura, Tomoshi Mitsunari, Matsuhiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8814253
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may be used to provide aerodynamic quarter fender assemblies. Panels may be rigidly or hingedly attached to existing quarter fenders or may be used in lieu of an existing quarter fender. Embodiments may provide improved fluid flow control across the transition zone between the tractor and the trailer, but may be easily moved into a stowed position to allow access to areas of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: FlowBelow, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Bruce Lee
  • Patent number: 8814236
    Abstract: An example gusset for attaching a rear bumper assembly to a vehicle has a first attachment portion configured to attach to the bumper reinforcement bracket and the lower back panel of the vehicle, a second attachment portion configured to attach to the rear side member of the vehicle, and an angled portion presenting an oblique surface to a rear impactor to the vehicle. A pair of side portions are interconnected and spaced apart by the second attachment portion, and each side portion has an angled edge adjacent the angled portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Kors, Palaniappan Palaniappan, Sanjeev Gupta
  • Patent number: 8814248
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body having at least one side member located on the front side in front of a front wall is provided. The motor vehicle body having a first reinforcing element adjoining thereon in longitudinal direction, which, following the contour of a wheel housing panel, protrudes in vehicle transverse direction to the outside and which supports itself on a floor structure via second reinforcing element, which is arranged spaced from a lateral front wall portion adjoining the wheel housing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Patent number: 8807621
    Abstract: A unit for storing items in a motor vehicle interior includes a main storage compartment and a docking station for a portable electronic device such as a smart phone or a navigation device. A main cover is movably attached to the storage compartment to enclose the main storage compartment, and a docking cover encloses a sub-portion of the storage compartment. The docking cover is movable to an in-service position wherein its underside is exposed. A device holder is attached to the underside of the docking cover for holding a mobile electronic device in an access position when in the docking cover is in the in-service position. The docking cover and the portion are inset relative to a perimeter of the storage compartment, so that the docking station forms a portion of a main perimeter of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joerg Stephan
  • Patent number: 8801074
    Abstract: A body cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicles that enables enhancement of the user's comfort while increasing the rigidity of covering members constituting a center tunnel part. Step floors are configured of forward inclined parts disposed ahead of the floors in a forward rising shape, horizontal parts disposed either substantially horizontally or in a rearwardly rising shape behind these forward inclined parts, and bent parts connecting the forward inclined parts and the horizontal parts. The middle covers are provided on the lower edges thereof with downwardly extending parts extending toward the bent parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Yokouchi, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Tomotake Shimoji, Tetsuo Kojima
  • Patent number: 8801082
    Abstract: A vehicle body front part structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a center frame which extends along a vertical direction of a vehicle, a top end flange part that bends toward a rear being formed on a top end of the center frame; and a dashboard lower which has a first vertical wall, a bent part that is bent toward the rear being formed on a top edge of the first vertical wall. The top end flange part and the bent part are joined overlapping each other, and a closed cross-section structure part is formed between the center frame and the bent part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Naoi
  • Patent number: 8801080
    Abstract: A crash structure for attachment to a front subframe for a motor vehicle is provided. The crash structure includes an attachment area and a stiffening structure that reinforces the crash structure in the attachment area for the front subframe. The stiffening structure connects the crash structure to the front subframe in a friction-locked and/or formfitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lutz Uhlenbruch, Oliver Eichelhard
  • Patent number: 8801085
    Abstract: An impact-protection canopy for use with an operator work area of a plant vehicle is provided. The impact-protection canopy includes a shelf mounted on a support assembly which is, in turn, mountable on the plant vehicle. The shelf is mounted on the support assembly such that the shelf is movable to and from an extended working position over the operator work area and a retracted stowed position clear of the operator work area. In this way, the shelf can be positioned above the operator work area to provide protection to the operator from items falling from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: John Bourke
  • Patent number: 8794467
    Abstract: A tank flap module is provided for installation in a motor vehicle having a basin, which in the region of an elastically deformable floor section has a passage opening for receiving a fuel filler neck. The floor section adjoining the passage opening on a side facing the fuel filler neck has a surface structure provided for reducing the adhesive and/or sliding friction properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Christian Zentner
  • Patent number: 8783758
    Abstract: A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend generally below a storage container of the trailer at least partially along a length of the trailer. The side skirt wall includes (i) a first wall panel having a first end configured to be pivotably coupled to a rear wheel assembly of the trailer and (ii) a second wall panel having a first end pivotably coupled to a second end of the first wall panel and a second end configured to be pivotably coupled to a rear portion of the trailer. The side skirt wall is movable between a fully-extended position wherein the first and second wall panels cooperate to define a generally planar side skirt wall and a fully-retracted position wherein the first and second wall panels are angled relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Leonard W. Baker
  • Patent number: 8777288
    Abstract: Disclosed is a roof rack for carrying cargo items with a pickup truck. The device comprises a load bar for supporting cargo items, a pair of telescoping uprights attached to the load bar, and a pair of mounts attached at a first end to the telescoping uprights, and to the side rails of the pickup truck at a second end. The load bar, telescoping uprights, and mounts are movable from an extended position to a folded position. This allows the uprights to be extended for use when carrying cargo items, and folded down for storage. The rack permits a user to transport large items with a pickup truck without requiring use of the pickup bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Abram Johnasen
  • Patent number: 8777289
    Abstract: A seat anchoring system that anchors seats in a seating arrangement in a vehicle is provided. The seat anchoring system includes a base and multiple fastening devices, where the fastening devices are attached to the base and extend away from an upper face of the base. The base has a shape similar to an inside configuration of a mounting rail such that the base is inserted into the mounting rail and positioned to any desirable location along the mounting rail. Further, the fastening devices extend through the mounting rail and attach the seat to the mounting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: CVG Management Corporation
    Inventors: Davey Joe Jones, Gordon Dale Cooley, Ray Miller, Jimmy Akins
  • Patent number: 8770654
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a front hood, a front window supported on a lower edge by a window support, and a water box below a gap between the front window and the front hood. A water box cover is fastened to the window support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joachim Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8770643
    Abstract: Motor vehicles assembled using a cutaway truck chassis may contain one or more batteries. These batteries may be accessible presenting potential for harm. The tamper resistant compartment for a battery in a passenger vehicle reduces access and visual interest that some may have in the batteries, while simultaneously providing easy access to mechanics. The tamper resistant compartment encompasses a box that is securely mounted to the chassis. The batteries inside the box may be connected to a remote battery stud and a battery shut-off switch. A movable panel integrated to the vehicle body serves as a covering and a door integrated to the movable panel provides access to the remote battery stud and battery shut-off switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell Edward Auerbach, Robert B. Riggs, Scott Suumeyer, Matthew Joseph Flaherty, Steven W Imel
  • Patent number: 8764091
    Abstract: A cluster panel assembly comprising a bridge bezel operably and releasably coupled to a surround bezel is disclosed, wherein the bridge bezel is disposed adjacent a steering column and further comprises a plurality of attachment locations for coupling the bridge bezel to the surround bezel, wherein the attachment locations comprise a set of fasteners adapted to be released in a car-forward sequence as an impact load is imparted on the bridge bezel from the steering column during a collision event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Clark, Mark Wells
  • Patent number: 8764097
    Abstract: A cover for covering at least partially a vehicle comprises a cover body and at least two clips connected the cover body. Each of the at least two clips includes a first portion connected at least partially to the cover body. The first portion is adapted to bias the cover body toward the vehicle when the cover covers the vehicle. A second portion has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the first portion. The second portion is adapted to selectively connect to a first vehicle portion. A third portion has a first end and a second end. The third portion is adapted to selectively abut against a second vehicle portion. The first end of the third portion is connected to the second end of the second portion. The third portion is at an angle with respect to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Fournier, Jean-Simon Lavallee, Daniel Girard, Annie Leclerc
  • Patent number: 8764080
    Abstract: A modular reconfigurable bumper system for an off road vehicle includes a center base mountable to the front of the vehicle. The center base has ends, a top face, and a front face. A pair of first mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the front face of the center base adjacent its ends and a pair of second mounting locations having associated mounting holes are located on the top face adjacent the ends of the center base. A pair of third mounting locations are located on the ends of the center base. A plurality of optional accessories including end plates, end extenders, an overrider, a prerunner, a stinger, and D-rings are selectively mountable to the center base, all via the first, second, and third mounting locations. The system also includes a rear bumper assembly mountable to the back of the vehicle and having a hinged spare tire carrier and D-rings selectively attachable to the rear bumper via common fourth mounting locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Omix-Ada
    Inventors: David E. Hardy, Patrick W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8764087
    Abstract: A device for retaining a functional part, for example, a roof handle, in a vehicle is provided that includes a retaining element to which the functional part can be indirectly or directly fixed. The retaining element has at least one retaining element-side hinge region around which a retaining element portion can be folded and/or pivoted relative to a further retaining element portion when a pressure force acts substantially toward the retaining element. The at least one hinge region, as viewed in cross-section, can be formed by a retaining element profile section projecting from the retaining element plane, which section, when a pressure force acts on the retaining element folds open or closed about a folding axis and/or a pivot axis formed on the profile section side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bodo Specht, Hermann Tietge, Rico Voigt, Gerhard Reder
  • Patent number: 8764092
    Abstract: A protective device for a vehicle wiper assembly is provided. The protective device is configured to selectively at least partially cover the wiper assembly and prevent the wiper assembly from being pulled away from the vehicle. For example, the protective device may prevent entanglement of the wiper assembly with external elements such as those found in automatic car wash facilities. The device may include a member movable between first and second positions such that the member in the second position is configured to at least partially cover or encapsulate the wiper assembly. An active material actuator may be used to move the member between the first and second positions. In another embodiment, the device includes a member operatively connected to and configured to stiffen a pivot point of the wiper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Webb, Nicholas W. Pinto, IV, Paul W. Alexander, Wendell G. Summerville