Patents Examined by Karen Beck
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Patent number: 11358559Abstract: An occupant protection system for a vehicle may include an expandable curtain and/or an expandable bladder configured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state. In the deployed state, the expandable curtain may include first and second sides configured to extend along respective portions of first and second interior sides of the vehicle. The expandable curtain may also include a transverse portion extending between the first and second sides, and the first and second sides, and the transverse portion of the expandable curtain may form a contiguous barrier. The expandable bladder when deployed may be supported by the expandable curtain during contact by an occupant. The occupant protection system may also include a deployment control system configured to cause the expandable curtain and/or the expandable bladder to expand to the deployed state. The occupant protection system may be used in vehicles having a carriage-style seating arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Zoox, Inc.Inventors: Markus Jost, Timothy David Kentley-Klay, Andrew John Piper, Josh Alexander Jimenez
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Patent number: 11351947Abstract: [Problem] To provide a side airbag apparatus capable of quickly and properly restraining a passenger in the initial stage of deploying an airbag, along with a passenger protection apparatus including this side airbag apparatus. [Resolution means] The airbag employed in the present invention includes: a first chamber (C1) which houses the inflator and is deployed outside in the vehicle width direction of the frame side wall part; a second chamber (C2) which is deployed inside in the vehicle width direction of the frame side wall part; and a gas guide (100) arranged so as to surround the inflator inside the first chamber. In addition, the first chamber (C1) is deployed such that at least a portion thereof, as seen from the vehicle side, overlaps the frame side wall part. A first inner vent is formed at the boundary part between the gas guide and the first chamber, with gas introduced from the gas guide to the first chamber via this first inner vent.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventor: Yuto Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11345305Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag configured to be mounted to a support structure of the vehicle. The airbag is inflatable to deploy from a stored condition away from the support structure toward a vehicle seat in which the occupant is seated to one of a first deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat, and a second deployed condition in which the airbag is configured for a reclined condition of the vehicle seat. The airbag is configured to deploy to the first deployed condition in response to determining a non-reclined condition of the vehicle seat and to the second deployed condition in response to determining a reclined condition of the vehicle seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Alexandra E. Schroeder, Angelo R. Adler
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Patent number: 11345403Abstract: An engine mounting system for a work vehicle includes an engine mount configured to support an engine on a frame of the work vehicle. The engine mount has an engine mounting portion and a frame connection portion, an extent of the frame connection portion along a lateral axis of the engine mount is greater than an extent of the engine mounting portion along the lateral axis, the engine mounting portion has an opening configured to receive a fastener configured to couple the engine to the engine mount, the frame connection portion has a substantially flat contact surface configured to engage a corresponding substantially flat contact surface of a frame member of the frame, and the engine mounting portion does not contact the frame member while the substantially flat contact surface of the frame connection portion is engaged with the corresponding substantially flat contact surface of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Timothy Ralph Hertsgaard, John Thomas Rasset
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Patent number: 11338781Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module, a rear module, an engine, a transaxle, a front lift structure, and a rear lift structure. The front module is coupled to a front end of the passenger capsule. The front module includes a first longitudinal frame member, a second longitudinal frame member, and a front axle assembly. The rear module is coupled to a rear end of the passenger capsule and includes a rear axle assembly. The engine is coupled to the front module. The transaxle is coupled to the rear module. The transaxle includes a housing. The rear axle assembly includes a component that is directly coupled to the housing of the transaxle. The front lift structure includes protrusions extending from the first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member. The rear lift structure includes protrusions extending from opposing lateral sides of the structural shell.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Don Verhoff, Gary Schmiedel, Chris Yakes, Rob Messina, Brian Wilkins, Kent Schulte, Daniel R. Seffernick, Joseph Holda, Michael Peotter, David McGraw, Anthony Seefeldt, Dave Pelko, Jesse Gander, Jerry Reineking, Jesse Steinke
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Patent number: 11338675Abstract: A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user's breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user's breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Consumer Safety Technology, LLCInventors: Douglas Edward DeVries, Timothy J. McGrath
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Patent number: 11338759Abstract: [Problem] To expand and deploy a hood-shaped airbag in a reliably sandwiched condition between the top of a shoulder of a seated occupant and a seatbelt in a normal set condition during a collision, and reduce injury to the occupant by a device other than an airbag such as a seatbelt or the like. [Resolution Means] An airbag device 11 contains an airbag 12 and inflator 13 integrally covering the head 2a and a side portion of a seated occupant 2. The airbag 12 in a flat condition prior to folding has a plurality of chambers 12c demarcated in a longitudinal direction. The chamber 12c has a head protecting chamber 12ca stored in an upper portion of a backrest portion 1b of a seat 1 and a pair of side protecting chambers 12cb stored in opposing positions separated in a vehicle width direction on both left and right sides of the backrest portion 1b.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yutaka Nakajima, Atsushi Nakashima, Takayuki Shimizu
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Patent number: 11338676Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a body supported by the frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame, at least one axle connected to the frame, a suspension system connecting the at least one axle to the frame, and a load sensing and control system including at least one load sensor connected to the suspension system and a controller operatively connected to the at least one load sensor and the prime mover. The controller being operable to calculate a vehicle loading factor before the vehicle moves and to prevent operation of the prime mover if the vehicle loading factor that exceeds a selected load threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brian K. Saylor, Christopher J. Mettrick
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Patent number: 11332104Abstract: A military vehicle includes a passenger capsule including a roof, a floor, and sidewalls that define an interior, a driver seat and a passenger seat disposed within the interior of the passenger capsule, and a belly deflector coupled to an exterior of the passenger capsule and positioned beneath the floor. The belly deflector is spaced from the floor such that the floor is configured as a floating floor. The floor and the belly deflector provide two levels of underbody protection.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Don Verhoff, Gary Schmiedel, Chris Yakes, Rob Messina, Brian Wilkins, Kent Schulte, Daniel R. Seffernick, Joseph Holda, Michael Peotter, David McGraw, Anthony Seefeldt, Dave Pelko, Jesse Gander, Jerry Reineking, Jesse Steinke
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Patent number: 11292327Abstract: The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to trail compliant side-by-side all terrain vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Jason C. Plugge, Alan A. Meyer
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Patent number: 11285903Abstract: An airbag includes: a first inflatable section that is inflated and deployed forward from the upper portion of a seat back through the left side of a head of an occupant; a second inflatable section that is inflated and deployed forward from the upper portion of the seat back through the right side of the head of the occupant; and a third inflatable section that is continuous with lower portions of front portions of the first inflatable section and the second inflatable section and that is inflated and deployed in front of the chest of the occupant. The front portions of the first and second inflatable sections extend in directions intersecting the vehicle front-rear direction so as to be closer to each other toward the front side. The front portions meet each other at a front end of the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Joyson Safety Systems Japan K.K.Inventors: Akira Kokeguchi, Shinichi Takeuchi, Norihisa Okada, Hiroyuki Ito, Takashi Saso, Takayuki Shimizu
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Patent number: 11279312Abstract: In a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat cushion (2) and a seatback (3), the seatback comprises a seatback frame (20) including a right and a left side member (24) extending vertically, a side airbag unit (30) attached to one of the side members, a flexible seatback pad (21) provided with a pad side slit (44) to permit an airbag to be deployed opposite to the side airbag unit, a skin member (22) having a skin side slit (51) in a part thereof corresponding to the pad side slit, and a retaining sheet (60) connected to a part of a back side of the seatback pad opposing the side member, and to the side member so as to fixedly secure a position of the seatback pad relative to the side member.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Kota Akai, Masahiro Okabe
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Patent number: 11273805Abstract: A military vehicle includes a passenger capsule having a front end and a rear end, a front module coupled to the front end, and a rear module coupled to the rear end. The front module includes a front axle, a front differential, an engine, and a transmission. The front differential is coupled to the front axle. The front differential functions as a structural component of the front module. The front differential defines an engine mount. The engine is at least partially supported by the engine mount of the front differential. The transmission is coupled to the engine. The rear module includes a rear axle and a transaxle. The transaxle includes a housing, a transfercase disposed within the housing, and a rear differential disposed within the housing. The transfercase is coupled to the transmission, the front differential, and the rear differential. The rear differential is coupled to the rear axle.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Don Verhoff, Gary Schmiedel, Chris Yakes, Rob Messina, Brian Wilkins, Kent Schulte, Daniel R. Seffernick, Joseph Holda, Michael Peotter, David McGraw, Anthony Seefeldt, Dave Pelko, Jesse Gander, Jerry Reineking, Jesse Steinke
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Patent number: 11273804Abstract: A military vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module coupled to a front end of the passenger capsule, and a rear module coupled to a rear end of the passenger capsule. The passenger capsule has a frame rail-less monocoque hull structure. The front module includes a first longitudinal frame member coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule proximate a first side thereof, a second longitudinal frame member coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule proximate an opposing second side thereof, and an underbody support structure coupled to the front end of the passenger capsule, the first longitudinal frame member, and the second longitudinal frame member. The underbody support structure is positioned beneath the first longitudinal frame member and the second longitudinal frame member.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Don Verhoff, Gary Schmiedel, Chris Yakes, Rob Messina, Brian Wilkins, Kent Schulte, Daniel R. Seffernick, Joseph Holda, Michael Peotter, David McGraw, Anthony Seefeldt, Dave Pelko, Jesse Gander, Jerry Reineking, Jesse Steinke
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Patent number: 11273705Abstract: Front and rear independent suspension mechanisms accommodating an increased range of motion to better absorb shock originating at the wheels of a riding mower to insulate the operator and reduce stress on the mower chassis and other mechanical components. The front suspension can include a front axle with pivot pockets allowing 360 degree rotation of pivots engaged within the pockets, thereby providing a greater range of absorption of shock entering the front axle at varying angles. The rear suspension can include a vertically pivoting transmission platform, providing for controlled vertical motion in the transmission while the transmission is powered by an engine by way of a belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch
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Patent number: 11273786Abstract: A motor vehicle with at least one first seat (10) and at least one second seat (12) is described. The second seat (12) is located rear of the first seat (10) and the first seat has one position of operation in which it faces the second seat (12). An air-bag module with an inflatable airbag device (20) being positioned between the first seat (10) and the second seat (12) when in its fully deployed state is provided. Said inflatable airbag device (20) has a first impact surface (22) pointing towards the first seat (10), a second impact surface (24) pointing towards the sec- and seat (12), a main support surface (26) adjacent to or abutting a structural element of the vehicle, and a connecting surface (28) remote from the support surface (26) and extending between the impact surfaces (22, 24). Especially in order to improve the deployment behaviour, the connecting surface (28) is at least partially concave, such that a recess (R) is formed.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Martin Ostling, Christer Lundgren
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Patent number: 11260835Abstract: A military vehicle includes a passenger capsule, a front module coupled to a front end of the passenger capsule, a rear module coupled to a rear end of the passenger capsule, a front axle coupled to the front module, a rear axle coupled to the rear module, an engine coupled by the front module, a front differential coupled to the front axle, a transaxle, and an actuator. The transaxle is coupled to the engine, the rear axle, and the front differential. The transaxle includes an internal mechanical disconnect that facilitates decoupling the transaxle from the front differential. The actuator is accessible from an exterior of the passenger capsule to engage the internal mechanical disconnect.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLCInventors: Don Verhoff, Gary Schmiedel, Chris Yakes, Rob Messina, Brian Wilkins, Kent Schulte, Daniel R. Seffernick, Joseph Holda, Michael Peotter, David McGraw, Anthony Seefeldt, Dave Pelko, Jesse Gander, Jerry Reineking, Jesse Steinke
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Patent number: 11260821Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag inflatable from a stored condition to a deployed condition in which the curtain airbag is positioned between a side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. The curtain airbag comprises a mounting tab comprising overlying layers of airbag material that define a pocket and through each of which a mounting tab aperture extends. A bracket comprises a plate with a bracket aperture extending therethrough. The bracket is positioned in the pocket so that the bracket aperture is aligned with the mounting tab apertures. A fastener has a portion extending though the mounting tab apertures and the bracket aperture. The fastener blocks the bracket from removal from the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Luis Raul Valles Rey, Dylan Moran
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Patent number: 11247631Abstract: A head protecting airbag device is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle provided with an assist grip that is mounted on an upper edge of a window by front and rear attachment portions. An airbag includes a gas inflow portion which is inflatable with an inflation gas and a non-inflow portion which admits no inflation gas. The gas inflow portion includes a shielding portion which covers an area of the window below the assist grip. The non-inflow portion includes a thickness regulating portion which regulates the thickness of the shielding portion when the airbag is inflated. In the shielding portion, the thickness regulating portion is disposed on a front upper portion of the shielding portion below the front attachment portion of the assist grip, and is not disposed below the rear attachment portion of the assist grip.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventor: Kenji Kakimoto
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Patent number: 11242024Abstract: In a vehicle seat equipped with a far-side airbag device, an inner side frame is disposed inside a side part of a seat back that is a part on a center side in a vehicle width direction. An inflator, and a side airbag that inflates and deploys toward a vehicle front side when gas is supplied from the inflator housed inside, are mounted on an outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the inner side frame. Here, a support part that extends farther toward the vehicle front side than a front end, in a vehicle front-rear direction, of an outer side frame provided inside a side part of the seat back that is a part on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, is disposed at a front end, in the vehicle front-rear direction, of the inner side frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto Aki, Masato Kunisada, Yoichiro Tanigawa