Patents Examined by Karen Beck
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Patent number: 11414036Abstract: A torso stabilization restraint configured to restrain a user in a seat, includes an inflatable first module, an inflatable second module, an inflatable third module, and connectors arranged on one or more of the modules. The connectors are configured to reversibly connect a) the first module and the second module, and b) the second module and the third module when the first, second, and third modules are inflated. When the first, second, and third modules are inflated and connected, the torso stabilization restraint and the seat combine to exert radially inward directed pressure on a torso of the user. The first and second modules are deployable from a seat. The second module is deployable from a seat belt, is arranged between the first and second modules, and is configured to couple to the first and second modules when the modules are inflated.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Craig A. Markusic
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Patent number: 11400809Abstract: A method for operating a power take-off shaft of an agricultural tractor with an attachment hoist includes providing a power take-off shaft spatially assigned to the attachment hoist, a hoist controller and a control unit. The method also includes detecting an operating state of the power take-off shaft via a first sensor and an upper operating position of the attachment hoist via a second sensor. The method further includes restricting the upper operating position to a first maximum value by the control unit if the first sensor detects that the power take-off shaft is not operating, and restricting the upper operating position to a second maximum value by the control unit if the first sensor detects that the power take-off shaft is operating, where the second maximum value is less than the first maximum value.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Abhijeet Hingne
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Patent number: 11396215Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimation of a ride height of a vehicle axle via a linear displacement sensor. In one example, a method may include, during motion of vehicle wheels, estimating a change in ride height of an axle based on a distance of axial movement between a first axle constant velocity universal (CV) joint and a differential unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Perry M. Paielli, Scott R. Green
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Patent number: 11390232Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a tubular inflatable seat belt configured to be moved between an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The inflatable seat belt, when in the inflated condition, is configured to permit the occupant to enter and exit a vehicle seat. The inflatable seat belt, when in the deflated condition, is configured to restrain a seated occupant. An airbag is attached to a lap belt portion of the inflatable seat belt. The airbag is inflatable from a stored condition on the inflatable seat belt to a deployed condition in which the airbag has a lower airbag portion extending from the lap belt portion along the seated occupant's legs and an upper airbag portion extending from the lap belt portion upward in front of the seated occupant's torso.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Alexandra Schroeder
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Patent number: 11390238Abstract: A seat-mounted airbag device may include a seatback cushion built in a seatback of a vehicle. The seatback cushion includes side portions configured to be deployed from both side peripheral portions of a seat to a front of the seat to protect sides of an occupant when deployed by gas supplied by an inflator into the seatback cushion. Chest portions of the seatback cushion extend from front ends of the side portions to surround a chest of the occupant to protect the chest of the occupant. The airbag device includes one or more seatback tethers connected to a seat frame and mounted in the seat. When the seatback cushion is deployed, the seatback tethers are deployed along with the seatback cushion to support the chest in a top-bottom direction thereof, thereby supporting an upper body of the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyo Shub Shin, Hyock In Kwon, Joo Seon Yoo, Choong Ryung Lee, Sang Won Hwangbo
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Patent number: 11383666Abstract: A side airbag (SAB) of a vehicle includes: a main chamber disposed in a seat to be deployed from a side surface portion of the seat and, when deployed, configured to cover at least one of a thoracic region, an abdomen region, or a pelvis region of an occupant; a main inflator configured to supply gas to the main chamber to deploy the main chamber; and an auxiliary chamber communicating with the main chamber to allow the gas inside the main chamber to be supplied to an interior of the auxiliary chamber and connected to the main chamber to be deploy above the main chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Joo Seon Yoo, Hyock In Kwon, Hyo Shub Shin
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Patent number: 11377058Abstract: Provided is a vehicle seat having a seat cushion, a submarine bar, an airbag main body, a bag retainer, and a transmission member. The seat cushion is shifted by a tilting mechanism or a lifting mechanism. The submarine bar is suspended across side frames. The airbag main body inflates and deploys inside the seat cushion. The bag retainer is at least partially disposed inside the airbag main body and retains an inflator. The transmission member transmits, to the submarine bar, a load that acts on the bag retainer when the airbag main body inflates and deploys in a state where the seat cushion has been shifted upward.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Takashi Iida, Shuji Yamamoto, Shigemi Mase, Hiroyuki Tomita
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Patent number: 11370383Abstract: A vehicle curtain airbag apparatus includes an inflator and an airbag. The airbag includes an airbag body, an inner tube, and a pocket portion. The inner tube includes a tube body and an insertion portion. The pocket portion is provided in a front end portion of the tube body in an insertion direction of the inner tube. A front end portion of the pocket portion in the insertion direction is joined to the tube body at a first joint portion, which extends in an intersecting direction. The intersecting direction intersects the insertion direction. At least one of the opposite end portions of the pocket portion in the intersecting direction is joined to the tube body at a second joint portion that extends in the insertion direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Ryosuke Jinnai, Eric Bush
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Patent number: 11370379Abstract: A mounting element (1) for vehicle-side assembly of an airbag module (100) is suggested with at least one mounting plate (3) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle side which in its plate plane (E) can be non-rotatably coupled to an airbag (2), wherein the mounting plate (3) includes an extension (4) through which the mounting element (1) can be fixed, perpendicularly to the plate plane (E), non-rotatably to the airbag (2) or to a retaining element (9) maintaining the latter in its folded state. Furthermore, an airbag module (100) is suggested with an airbag (2), an inflator for providing inflating gas for the airbag (2) and at least one mounting element (1) according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.Inventors: Maria del Pilar Abelenda Alcalde, Jose Manuel Arean Bujan, Pedro Jose Santin Navarro, Philippe Shneeweiss
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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