Patents Examined by Karen Beck
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Patent number: 11858331Abstract: An electric vehicle body structure includes an installation space being downwardly open and upwardly delimited by a floor body-panel profile section. A traction battery is inserted into the space from below, a battery housing flange under the profile section is screwed from below to the profile section at a screw connection having a vertical screw bolt penetrating a housing flange passage and screw hole in the profile section and screwed to a weld nut at a flange housing opposite side of the profile section. The flange is clamped between screw bolt head and profile section. A crash displaces the battery until an inner passage wall presses screw bolt against screw hole edge, subjecting the screw bolt to shear load reduced by an elongated weld nut shaft projecting into the screw hole. The screw bolt presses against the screw hole edge, with the weld nut shaft in intermediate position.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventor: Werner Krauth
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Patent number: 11845392Abstract: An assembly includes a roof rail. The assembly includes a vehicle seat having a seatback. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the roof rail. The airbag is inflatable vehicle-inboard from the roof rail to an inflated position. The airbag surrounds the seatback when the airbag is in the inflated position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq
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Side airbag device, vehicle seat provided with same, and method for manufacturing side airbag device
Patent number: 11833990Abstract: This invention relates to a side airbag device stored inside a vehicle seat and fixed to a side frame. The device includes an airbag that expands and deploys to restrict an occupant; an inflator that supplies expansion gas to the airbag; and a bracket connected to the side frame that holds the airbag and the inflator. The airbag includes a prepush chamber having an inflator stored therein and mainly deploys inside of the side frame; and a main chamber connected to the prepush chamber and mainly deploys forward of the side frame. The bracket includes a first surface oriented in the forward direction of the vehicle; and a second surface oriented to the inside of the seat in the width direction of the vehicle. When the airbag is stored by being folded and/or rolled, at least the main chamber is disposed on the first surface of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Shima, Tsutomu Sakurai -
Patent number: 11834102Abstract: A vehicle roof brace support apparatus includes a support beam with at least two fasteners located on opposite ends of the support beam. The fasteners are configured to couple the support beam to a vehicle roof or vehicle frame so that the support beam is suspended below a roof brace of the vehicle roof. The vehicle roof brace support apparatus further includes a plurality of jacks coupled to the support beam and configured to engage the roof brace in order to stabilize the roof brace when the vehicle roof is being repaired.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Inventor: Mitch Mundorf
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Patent number: 11827173Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (12) comprising a restraint airbag (30) which is inflated in a situation of restraint and, in an inflated state, has a restraining effect on an occupant (16), and at least one backup member (36, 36a, 36b) which, in a restraining state, is at least in portions in contact with the inflated restraint airbag (30) and is configured so that it backs the restraint airbag (30) and in particular absorbs a force (F) applied to the restraint airbag (30) by contacting a vehicle occupant (16), wherein, in the inflated state, the restraint airbag (30) is interposed between the backup member (36, 36a, 36b) and the vehicle occupant (16), wherein the backup member (36, 36a, 36b) is arranged, in an initial state, on or in the airbag module. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat and a vehicle comprising an airbag module according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBHInventors: Werner Freisler, Theresa Betz, Frederic Myers
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Patent number: 11820311Abstract: A seat airbag device for a vehicle is proposed. The seat airbag device for a vehicle includes: a main chamber located in a vehicle seat at a side portion of an occupant and configured to be deployed toward a front portion of the vehicle when gas is injected thereinto; a sub-chamber connected to a front end of the main chamber and configured to be deployed in a direction intersecting a deployment direction of the main chamber when the gas is injected thereinto; and an expansion portion expanded from the front end of the main chamber and connected to an upper portion or a lower portion of the sub-chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sang Won Hwangbo, Choong Ryung Lee
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Patent number: 11820319Abstract: The airbag device includes a first airbag cushion part and a second airbag cushion part installed on each side of a seat of a vehicle, a first active vent provided in the first airbag cushion part and a second active vent provided in the second airbag cushion part, and a controller that controls the first active vent or the second active vent to open and the other to close when the first airbag cushion part and the second airbag cushion part are expanded and deployed.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Mitsuo Nogami
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Patent number: 11814102Abstract: A vehicle front structure includes side frames in pairs, a bumper beam, a pair of lower frames, a lower beam, and wheels in pairs. Each of outer end parts of the bumper beam in a vehicle width direction and a corresponding one of outer end parts of the lower beam in the vehicle width direction overlap a corresponding one of the wheels as seen from the vehicle front side. In the vehicle width direction, a position of each of vehicle-width-direction outer ends of the bumper beam and a position of a corresponding one of vehicle-width-direction outer ends of the lower beam substantially coincide with a position of a mounting part of a corresponding one of brake devices that are disposed radially inside the wheels respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshio Wada
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Patent number: 11807166Abstract: An assembly includes a first seat and a second seat spaced from the first seat. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the first seat. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position between the seats. The airbag has a main chamber, a pair secondary chambers supported by the main chamber, and a tether releasably connected to the secondary chambers. The secondary chambers are maintained by the tether in an undeployed position relative to the main chamber and the secondary chambers are releasable by the tether to a deployed position in a cross-vehicle direction relative to the main chamber. The assembly includes a computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify that an occupant is seated in the first seat, identify that an occupant is seated in the second seat and release the tether based on the identification of the occupants seated seats.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zhibing Deng, Joseph E. Abramczyk, Deepak Patel
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Patent number: 11807151Abstract: A vehicle may be configured with an adjustable horizontal planar platform for receiving a load, such as a boom arm of a crane and transporting the load to a new location. In some cases, the platform is configured to swivel and tilt in order to maintain an alignment with a second vehicle during transport of a load.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Inventor: James Larry Jester
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Patent number: 11795664Abstract: A machine comprises a first ground engaging unit connected to a first leg, a second ground engaging unit connected to a second leg, and a hydraulic system to control heights of the legs, the hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to allow fluid into the fluid circuit, a control valve system to let fluid into the load holding valve, the control valve connected to a hydraulic fluid source and a reservoir, a first lock valve to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in a first direction, a second lock valve to control flow of fluid between the second and first legs in a second direction, and first and float valves configured to connect the first and second legs to the control valve system, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
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Patent number: 11780330Abstract: A system and method for disabling the travel of a vacuum truck is provided in which a vacuum boom initiates an interlock signal when positioned back into a travel cradle. An additional positional tank bed further includes an interlock signal when the bed is in a secured in a travel position. The vacuum truck is prevented from having its brakes released or prevented from being put into a travel gear if either the truck bed or vacuum boom are not in secure travel positions. The present system and method utilize pneumatic operating signals available from the vehicles power take off and blower mode switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Inventor: Arthur Karas
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Patent number: 11772540Abstract: A guiding vehicle (100) for an intralogistics system, wherein the guiding vehicle (100) is remote controlled or autonomous and configured to be connected to a self-propelled load bearing cart (200), and guide and control the propulsion of the self-propelled load bearing cart (200) such that the load bearing cart (200) can transport a load in the intralogistics system. The guiding vehicle (100) comprising a mechanical connector (170) for mechanically connecting the guiding vehicle (100) to the load bearing cart (200) and a connector for transferring data. The guiding vehicle (100) is configured to receive navigation data from the self-propelled load bearing cart (200), using the connector for transferring data, in the form of information concerning the movement of a drive wheel of the load bearing cart (200) obtained from at least one motor of the load bearing cart (200) or from at least one encoder connected to the drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: FQ IP ABInventor: Per Augustsson
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Patent number: 11766985Abstract: An airbag device installed in a vehicle seat having a seat cushion forming the seat surface and a seatback forming the backrest, and an inflator that generates expansion gas and an airbag that is deployed by the expansion gas released from said inflator. The airbag includes a pair of left and right side chambers that deploy forward from the side of the seatback and primarily protect the occupant's waist to shoulders, and an upper chamber that is continuous with the side chambers, deploys forward above the side chambers, and mainly protects the occupant's neck and head. On the left and right sides of the seatback, the location on the side where the seatbelt crosses near the shoulder is the first side, and the side opposite to said first side is the second side. A recess is formed on the first side of the airbag where the seatbelt fits.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Takayuki Shimizu, Atsushi Nakashima
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Patent number: 11760413Abstract: The invention relates to an axle support, also referred to as a subframe, for a motor vehicle, having at least two longitudinal members, at least one cross member joining together the longitudinal members, at least two attachment points for attaching a steering gear housing to the axle support and a device for positioning the steering gear housing on the axle support prior to mounting of the steering gear housing on the axle support. In order for such an axle support to offer a cost-effective and rapid positioning of a steering gear housing, the device for positioning the steering gear housing according to the invention has at least two mounts, one mount of which being attached to one of the longitudinal members and/or the cross member and another mount of the mounts being attached to another of the longitudinal members and/or the cross member, wherein the respective mount has at least two indentations for receiving positioning protrusions provided on the steering gear housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbHInventor: Mario Krolo
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Patent number: 11760299Abstract: An airbag apparatus is configured to be used for a vehicle seat including an accommodation portion. The airbag apparatus includes an airbag. The airbag is configured such that a portion of the airbag ejected from the accommodation portion to the position beside the headrest is deployed and inflated in a position rearward of the seat back, and is inflated and deployed away from the accommodation portion in the width direction in a position rearward of the headrest, and that another portion of the airbag ejected from the accommodation portion to the position beside the headrest is deployed and inflated in a position forward of the seat back, and is deployed and inflated in a position forward of a head of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat and away from the accommodation portion in the width direction, so as to wrap around the head.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuji Yamamoto, Koji Kawamura, Motoyuki Tanaka, Toshihito Yanagisawa, Yusuke Kojima, Yusuke Kawamura, Yuto Hiraiwa, Yuya Suzuki
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Patent number: 11760298Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag (CAB) having a packaged condition in which the CAB is rolled and/or folded to be installed along a roof rail in a vehicle. The CAB is configured to be inflated and deployed along a side structure of the vehicle structure. The apparatus includes an anti-twist structure for being positioned within the rolls and/or folds to inhibit relative twisting of the packaged CAB within the rolls and/or folds. The apparatus includes a CAB mount for extending about and supporting the packaged CAB in the vehicle. The CAB mount cooperates with the anti-twist structure to fix the position and orientation of the anti-twist structure, and thus the packaged CAB, relative to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Greg Kosten, Dylan Moran, Kevin Ruedisueli, Courtney McKeon, Luis Raul Valles Rey
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Patent number: 11752966Abstract: The present invention is a side airbag device housed in the side support part of a vehicle seat and includes an airbag for restraining an occupant and an inflator. The airbag includes a first bag housing the inflator which is capable of inflating and deploying, and a second bag capable of inflating and deploying on the side of the first bag. The second bag is configured to be deployed by inflation gas flowing in from the first bag. At the upper edge of the second bag, an inclined part is formed that is inclined to be lower at the front thereof than at the rear thereof when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The front portion of the inclined part is configured to be located lower than the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper arm of the occupant seated in a vehicle seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Tsutomu Sakurai
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Patent number: 11745694Abstract: For example, even when an occupant is seated offset in a left-right direction, an airbag is reliably expanded and deployed. An airbag device contains: an airbag that protects at least a side portion of a shoulder region, upper arm region, and chest region of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat; and an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag. The airbag has a pair of side part protection chambers that are housed on at least both left and right sides of the vehicle seat. The side part protection chambers, when expanded and deployed, expand and deploy forward independently from both left and right sides of the vehicle seat. A pair of the inflators are provided to allow gas to be supplied to each side part protection chamber, and the ignition timing of the inflators can be controlled separately.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Yutaka Nakajima, Yoshiki Ito
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Patent number: 11732443Abstract: A safety mechanism for use on a vehicle is provided. The safety mechanism comprises a buffer and a sensor that is configured to send an electrical signal to processing circuitry in the vehicle when the sensor is activated. Sufficient movement of the buffer activates the sensor. A drive line may also be provided with the buffer connected to the drive line. Movement of the buffer may cause rotation of the drive line, and sufficient rotation of the drive line may activate the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Inventor: Zachary Paul Liollio