Patents Examined by Joyce Eileen Hill
  • Patent number: 11433835
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a first energy absorbing member extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle. A reinforcement member extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle and is connected to the first energy absorbing member. A second energy absorbing member is connected to the reinforcement member. The second energy absorbing member includes a first bracket member configured to be connected to a vehicle body structure of the vehicle. A retaining member extends outwardly from the first bracket member. The retaining member has a first portion having a substantially constant first height and a second portion having a second height less than the first height. At least one first compression member is movably disposed in the retaining member. The at least one first compression member is configured to move through the retaining member responsive to an impact event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Aravind Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 11427064
    Abstract: A truck cover system including a rail, a clamp structure, a latch structure, and a weather seal. The rail defines a cover slot for a cover that extends over a truck bed. The clamp structure is configured to couple to a truck wall of the truck. The clamp structure includes a clamp fastener configured to tighten the clamp structure against the truck wall. The clamp structure also includes a connecting member extending in the vertical direction when the truck cover system is employed and the clamp structure is coupled to the truck wall. The latch structure is configured to couple to the rail and to the clamp structure. The latch structure includes a rail interface configured to couple to the rail and a latch body including a plurality of laterally-offset locking positions. The connecting member is configured to lock to one of the plurality of laterally-offset locking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CIXI CITY LIYUAN AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Enli Xu
  • Patent number: 11420505
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a first panel assembly that is movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to a first opening of the vehicle body, a second panel assembly that is movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to a second opening of the vehicle body, a front seat that faces rearward and is accessible from the first opening and the second opening, and a rear seat that faces forward and is accessible from the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, James J. Dowle, Jeffrey M. Riepling
  • Patent number: 11420683
    Abstract: Presented are fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite components for vehicle body structures, methods for making/using such components, and motor vehicles equipped with such components. A vehicle body structure includes one or more elongated support rails (e.g., a pair of lateral roof rails) each with an inner contoured rail panel joined to an outer contoured rail panel to define an internal rail cavity. One or more elongated support pillars (e.g., front, side, and/or back vehicle pillars) adjoin the support rail(s) and each includes an inner contoured pillar panel joined to an outer contoured pillar panel to define an internal pillar cavity coupled to the internal rail cavity. One or both contoured pillar panels and one or both contoured rail panels is/are formed, in whole or in part, from an FRP material. A structural reinforcement insert may be located inside the adjoined pillar and rail, filling a discrete region within the internal cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Bradley A. Newcomb, Julien P. Mourou, Giles D. Bryer, Joung Min Choi, Thomas S. Prevost
  • Patent number: 11407450
    Abstract: There is provided a reinforcement for a vehicle having a main body portion that is formed in a hollow beam shape, and extends in a vehicle width direction while having both end portions thereof in the vehicle width direction supported by structural components of a vehicle, and whose cross-sectional surface area in a vehicle front-rear direction becomes progressively larger from the end portions in the vehicle width direction towards a central portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Sakurai, Hiroyuki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 11400852
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle has a floor and a vehicle body with a pair of walls, a roof, and end shells disposed at the front and rear ends of the walls and roof. Each wall has a plurality of horizontal members each extending at least part way between the front and back end of the respective wall and a plurality of spaced apart vertical bows each extending at least part way between the bottom and top of the respective wall. Each of the vertical bows has an inner surface and an outer surface with a recess defined in the inner or outer surface, the recess configured to receive one of the plurality of horizontal members therein such that the horizontal member does not extend beyond a portion of the inner or outer surface adjacent the recess. An outer wall skin is attached to the outer surface of the bows or members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: ThorTech, Inc.
    Inventor: John Eugene Connolly
  • Patent number: 11396223
    Abstract: The wind deflector assembly moves between a retracted position below the roof opening and an extended position above and comprises a member extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is connected with an end to an elongated member and with an end to a stationary part. A pair of arms are connected to the stationary part by slidable hinges. The assembly is biased by a spring in a rearward longitudinal direction. The spring is connected to a second end of the arm. A biasing device urges the arm towards the extended position. The biasing device comprises first and second legs. The first leg loads the assembly between the arm and the stationary part so as to urge the arm towards the extended position. The second leg engages with and extends substantially along the arm. A second end of the first leg is pivotally connected to the stationary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Dirk Cornelis Dionisius Maria Van Oirschot
  • Patent number: 11390148
    Abstract: A rollo assembly for use in a vehicle with an opening, includes a shaft, a screen wound on/off said shaft where a forward end is provided with a beam and opposite channels guide edges of the screen and ends of the beam. Drive cables are provided with connecting members for drivingly engaging respective counter connecting members provided at ends of the beam. The shaft, beam and screen are combined into a detachable unit which, when the screen is substantially fully wound onto the shaft and the cables assume a position in which the connecting members at least partially protrude from a longitudinal end of the channels, can be moved relative to said channels for connecting or disconnecting the counter connecting members to or from the connecting members. A support maintains the connecting members of the cables, when maximally protruding from said longitudinal end of the channels, in a well-defined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Jur Johannes Maria Custers, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11390149
    Abstract: A guide assembly of an open roof assembly comprises a center rail element. The center rail element comprises a first wall member and a second wall member, the second wall member being arranged substantially parallel to the first wall member. A transverse wall member extends between the first wall member and the second wall member. A first guide channel is arranged in the first wall member and a second guide channel is arranged in the second wall member. A cable channel is provided on the transverse wall and is arranged between the first guide channel and the second guide channel. Thus, a modular center rail element is provided that may be used with all vehicle types without further vehicle specific adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11390150
    Abstract: A support mechanism for an open-roof assembly, comprising a moveable panel, comprises at least one of a front flexible portion and a rear flexible portion. A guide assembly of the open-roof assembly comprises an elongated guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction, a front mechanism slideably arranged in the guide rail and a rear mechanism arranged in the guide rail. The front mechanism and the rear mechanism are provided with means for providing a relatively high mechanism stiffness, while the at least one of the front and rear flexible portions is provided with a relatively low bending stiffness in the width direction and with a relatively low rotational stiffness in respective main directions such that orientation deviations between the panel support assembly and the guide assembly result in larger rotational deformation in the at least one of the respective flexible portions than in the respective mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11390226
    Abstract: A vehicle floor silencer includes a base portion and a flange formed along an edge of the base portion. The flange includes a step, a wall extending from the step, and at least one wall support element extending from the wall to the step and structured to prevent at least an associated portion of the wall from deflecting in a direction toward an end of the step. The wall support is structured to prevent deflection of the wall along an edge of the floor silencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhijeet Anil Hoshing, Taylor E. Darling, Jonathan Quijano
  • Patent number: 11376933
    Abstract: A sunroof panel for a vehicle includes a mounting surface at which a first roof element is mounted, a first frame including a first plate that includes a first mounting surface, the first frame including a first stepped plate that extends from a longitudinal end portion of the first plate to generate a step relative to the first plate, a second frame including a second plate that includes a second mounting surface, a joining portion joining the first frame and the second frame in a state where the first stepped plate and an end portion of the second plate overlap each other to cause the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface to be coplanar with each other, and a film attached to the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface to cover a gap formed between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Yoshikawa, Makoto Muranaka, Tatsuya Matsui, Satoshi Kono
  • Patent number: 11376931
    Abstract: An extendable roof system for carts, or more specifically golf carts, the extendable roof system having at least one extendable side panel stored inside a housing attached to a cart roof top, and a method of using such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: J AND J CREATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ritchey, John Joseph Bellanca
  • Patent number: 11376930
    Abstract: A cab capable of shielding solar radiation comprises a pair of front pillars and a pair of vertical beams; a front window glass member mounted movably along guide rails formed along the front pillars and the vertical beams, between a closing position for closing a front window formed between the front pillars and an opening position for opening the front window accommodated between the vertical beams; a roll screen and a winding member, wherein the winding member is disposed behind the inner surface of the front window glass member positioned at the closing position and in front of the front end of the front window glass member positioned at the opening position and on the outer side of the pair of guide rails; and a holding means attached to the front pillars and configured to releasably hold the leading end of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Hidenobu Tajima, Shigeyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11358455
    Abstract: A deflector device capable of holding a mesh support across a straight portion and a corner portion of a holding member without a through-hole being formed in the corner portion of the holding member. A corner-side recess, which receives a hook portion and is formed as a concavity in which a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a direction of extension of a corner portion is open on a lower side, is formed in said corner portion. A pair of facing inside surfaces of the corner-side recess are configured to pinch and hold the hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Toru Shibue, Kazuki Kakihara
  • Patent number: 11358457
    Abstract: A roof arrangement for a vehicle roof with a roof opening may have a movable roof element for optionally closing or at least partially opening the roof opening, wherein the roof element is held by a frame; a first strand-like sealing profile; a second strand-like sealing profile which is formed separately from the first sealing profile, wherein the first sealing profile is configured for sealing in relation to the movable roof element and is fastenable to the vehicle roof; and the second sealing profile is fastened to the frame and is configured for sealing in relation to the frame, wherein the second sealing profile has a drip lip which lies against the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Matthias Frank, Stefan Schäufler, Andreas Josef Zunzer, Reinhard Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11358448
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system, comprising: (a) a retractable tonneau cover having a plurality of interconnected panels; (b) a first retainer secured to a first sidewall of a cargo box of a vehicle; and (c) a second retainer secured to an opposing second sidewall of the cargo box, wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are substantially parallel to each other so that the tonneau cover spans between the first retainer and the second retainer; and wherein the plurality of panels each include a bearing positioned within the first retainer to guide the tonneau cover in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Alyce Voegele
  • Patent number: 11332004
    Abstract: A door assembly that includes a pocket having a biasing bore configured to accommodate a biasing member; a bezel attached to the pocket; and a door having a cam and at least one axle. The bezel has at least one axle slot. The at least one axle is received into the at least one axle slot and the biasing member is configured to apply an urging force onto the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Nicholas Smith
  • Patent number: 11332196
    Abstract: A first loop-shaped structure section is provided on a forward side of and closely to a damper support section so as to have a loop shape in a vehicle elevational view. A second loop-shaped structure section is provided around a rear-gate opening portion so as to have a loop shape in the vehicle elevational view. A third loop-shaped structure section is provided to extend continuously along a lower side wall part interconnecting lower wall parts of the first and second loop-shaped structure sections, a side wall part of the first loop-shaped structure section, an upper side wall part interconnecting upper end portions of upper wall parts of the first and second loop-shaped structure sections, and a side wall part of the second loop-shaped structure section so as to have a loop shape in a vehicle side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Kiyoshita, Takeshi Nakamura, Naoto Mitsuishi
  • Patent number: 11325651
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle body structure, including: a die-cast rear floor side member; and a metal rear floor side member rear, a joint section including: an inner joint section provided at a side of the rear floor side member, the inner joint section including at least three joining faces including an upper face provided at an upper portion, in a vehicle vertical direction, of the inner joint section and two faces positioned with orientations intersecting the upper face in a cross-section profile of the inner joint section sectioned along the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction, and an outer joint section provided at the side of the rear floor side member rear, the outer joint section abutted against and joined to the three joining faces of the inner joint section from an outer side of the inner joint section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Soshiro Murata, Takashi Sagisaka, Ayaka Kagami, Hidenori Tago