Patents Examined by Keith Frisby
  • Patent number: 9616915
    Abstract: A steering system includes an engaged member fixed to an upper jacket, an engaging member rotatably supported by a lower jacket, and an impact absorbing member including a movable portion that moves together with the engaging member at the time of a secondary collision, to absorb impact made at the time of the secondary collision. The engaged member has a plurality of engaged teeth. The engaging member comes into engagement with the engaged teeth in accordance with an operation of an operation member. At the time of the secondary collision, the engaging member is disengaged from the lower jacket, and moves along with the upper jacket while in engagement with the engaged teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayoshi Sakuda, Atsumune Nagatani, Yu Myohoji
  • Patent number: 9604664
    Abstract: Column moving direction is referred to as first direction, opposite direction to the first direction is referred to as second direction, and direction which is orthogonal to the first direction is referred to as third direction. First suspending bolt is in contact with cylindrical surface which is formed by end portion of first elongated slot in second direction to thereby be positioned in relation to the second direction and the third direction. Second suspending bolt is positioned only in relation to the second direction by inner surface of end portion of second elongated slot in the second direction. Positions of portions of the end portions of the elongated slots which are situated farthest in the second direction are made equal to each other with respect to the second direction, and both the suspending bolts are aligned in position with respect to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Tanaka, Hiroyuki Yao, Shigeru Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9604556
    Abstract: A vehicular seat includes: a seat cushion that is disposed offset with respect to a vehicle width direction center of a vehicle; an airbag that is provided in the seat cushion and which, upon receiving a supply of gas, is expanded and deployed in such a way as to suppress a seated occupant from moving toward the front of the vehicle; and gas supplying device which, when actuated at the time of a frontal impact of the vehicle, supplies gas to the airbag in such a way that a vehicle width direction outer side section of the airbag with respect to a vehicle width direction center of the seat cushion is expanded and deployed before an inner side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Fukawatase
  • Patent number: 9604661
    Abstract: Construction is achieved in which a held bracket section 30 is integrally formed with the end section of an outer column by a hydroforming method, so as to be able to substantially ensure the strength and rigidity of the held bracket section 30. A spacer 37 that is made of a material that is softer than the metal plate of the outer column 20a is assembled in the inside of the held bracket section 30 and between a pair of left and right held plate sections 31. Holes for inserting a rod for fastening the position of the steering wheel are provided in portions of the spacer 37 and held plate sections 31 that are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Masajirou Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9597942
    Abstract: A rotational damper for a motor vehicle, includes a gyro element which includes a first shaft mounted such that it can be rotated with respect to a first component and is connected to a second component which performs a relative movement with respect to the first component, wherein the first shaft has a frame, in which a second shaft lies orthogonally and is mounted rotatably, wherein the second shaft has a frame, in which a third shaft is mounted orthogonally with respect to the second shaft and such that it can be rotated in the second frame, wherein the second shaft and the third shaft are each connected to a shaft drive, and the third shaft has an inertia weight, wherein a rotation of the second shaft by the second shaft drive brings about a change in the angular velocity or the moment of the first shaft which is connected to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: AUDI AG, KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FÜR TECHNOLOGIE
    Inventors: Tilo Koch, Frank Gauterin, Bastian Scheurich
  • Patent number: 9598104
    Abstract: A steering knuckle assembly and a method of manufacture. The steering knuckle assembly may have a steering knuckle and a stop bolt assembly. The stop bolt assembly may have an adapter, a stop screw, and a jam nut. The adapter may be received in a mounting hole in the steering knuckle. The stop screw may be threaded into the adapter. The jam nut may be disposed between the adapter and the stop screw to inhibit rotation of the stop screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Duy Lam, Steve Hunter
  • Patent number: 9598038
    Abstract: An air bag system includes: a pad including a ceiling wall portion which covers an air bag and a side wall portion which extends into a cylindrical shape; a mounting base which holds the pad and holds the air bag by causing an annular retainer; and switch members which make up a horn switch mechanism so that the mounting base is mounted on a steering wheel main body, wherein: the switch members are provided below the air bag; and movable-side members are provided so that a portion at a side facing the inlet opening on an upper side thereof is brought into abutment with the retainer via a circumferential edge of the inlet opening of the air bag and a portion at a side thereof is brought into abutment with a lower surface of the side wall portion of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Banno
  • Patent number: 9598040
    Abstract: An airbag module-equipped seat in which the periphery of an attachment portion of a guide member that guides a deployment direction of an airbag has a compact size and the guide member can be attached easily while maintaining satisfactory deployment performance of the airbag. This seat includes an airbag module attached to a side frame, a guide member that guides a deployment direction of the airbag module, and an attachment member for attaching the guide member to the side frame. The side frame has an attachment hole for the attachment member at a position different from a shaft portion for attaching the airbag module. The attachment member has a holding space in which an end of the guide member is held in a detachable manner, and is inserted into the attachment hole in a state in which the end of the guide member is held in the holding space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Hiroshi Baba, Makoto Takeuchi, Hiroshi Izawa
  • Patent number: 9592791
    Abstract: A vehicle seatbelt apparatus includes a seatbelt web wrapped in a reel around a motor-rotated shaft. A latch is selectively engageable with the reel to lock a seatbelt retractor from movement in one direction while allowing movement of the retractor under motor rotation of the shaft in response to pre-crash vehicle braking deceleration, a vehicle downhill angle or a vehicle lateral “g” force exceeding a threshold. When a retractor locked position is detected, the motor is activated to retract the seatbelt web for a predetermined time period to urge the passenger toward a center upright position in a vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Y. Yoon
  • Patent number: 9588018
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle, includes a computer storing software on a computer readable media, configurable for setting up recording of vehicle operations, selecting from a plurality of customizable triggering operations according to Boolean logic, and a vehicle communication interface detachably connected to the computer, being setup by the computer for recording of vehicle operation while the vehicle is operating and recorded information stored in a computer readable media of the vehicle communication interface being reviewed by the computer, and detachably connected to the vehicle for recording of the vehicle operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Alex Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
  • Patent number: 9586456
    Abstract: An automobile includes an active suspension system and a leveling system. The leveling system receives high pressure fluid from the active suspension system in order to change static vehicle height and compensate for static load changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Koen Reybrouck
  • Patent number: 9586617
    Abstract: A steering intermediate arm for linking dual steer axles on a vehicle is mountable for pivoting movement on a vehicle frame rail about a non-horizontal axis. The intermediate arm provides for a connection between a first linking rod extending rearwardly from a pitman arm and a second linking rod extending rearwardly to a steering arm of a rearward steerable axle of the dual steerable axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO DO BRASIL VEICCULOS LTDA.
    Inventors: Luis Fernando de Mello Welin, Henrique Rezende
  • Patent number: 9580036
    Abstract: An apparatus for fixing a curtain air bag cushion to a pillar of a vehicle includes a cushion bracket configured to be attached to the pillar. The cushion bracket has a fixing portion provided with a bolt hole, a support portion provided with a cover hole, and locking grooves between the fixing portion and the support portion. A cushion tab cover is configured to pass through the cover hole. A cushion band has a cover end coupled to the cushion tab cover and a hole end provided with a band hole. The band hole is configured to receive the first side of the cushion bracket such that the hole end of the cushion band is seated in the locking grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jun Yeol Choi
  • Patent number: 9580034
    Abstract: The present invention provides a steering wheel. Among respective hooks of a module, the hooks being adapted to engage with wires which are disposed in respective opening portions of a steering wheel main body, an adjustment rib which is provided so as to be protrusive to an outer circumferential face of one side hook comes into contact with an inside face of one side opening portion, and restrains a position of such one side hook in such one side opening portion. An adjustment pin which is protrusively provided at a position different from that of the adjustment rib on the outer circumferential face of such one side hook elastically comes into contact with the inside face of such one side opening portion by the adjustment rib coming into contact with the inside face of such one side opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Saito, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Mamoru Takagi, Takashi Mitobe, Yohei Kiuchi
  • Patent number: 9573557
    Abstract: A valve for a cold gas generator for an airbag in a vehicle includes: a valve chamber; a control chamber; a control piston; an overflow channel; a retaining element; and a shutoff element. The valve chamber includes an inlet from the cold gas generator and an outlet to the airbag. The control piston separates the control chamber and the valve chamber. The control piston is movable between an open position and a closed position, the control piston releasing the outlet in the open position and closing it in the closed position. The control piston has (i) a first active piston surface on the side of the valve chamber, and (ii) a second active piston surface on the side of the control chamber. The first piston surface is smaller than the second piston surface. The overflow channel fluidically connects the valve chamber and the control chamber to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Wolf, Rudolf Heinz, Andreas Illmann, Horst Jung, Nikola Jovicic, Stefan Woerz, Guenther Hohl, Uwe Iben, Raed Hamada, Elmar Vier, Werner Nitschke, Dietmar Kratzer, Peter Wassermann
  • Patent number: 9567034
    Abstract: A foldable and portable electric vehicle for the transport of a single person comprises a foldable chassis with a support plate, a folding system for folding the chassis, a front driving wheel, a rear wheel, a foldable handlebar, an integrated system of command, control, monitoring and signaling, a mechanical brake on the rear wheel, a suspension on the rear wheel and a suspension on the front wheel, and a steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NEXTROM INDUSTRIES SRL
    Inventor: Sorin Sirbu
  • Patent number: 9566938
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator, including a housing having therein an ignition device chamber, which is provided with a gas discharge port and accommodates an ignition device, and a pressurized gas chamber filled with a pressurized gas, the ignition device chamber and the pressurized gas chamber being separated by a partition wall having a communication hole, the partition wall being in a cup-like shape which includes a bottom surface and a circumferential wall surface, projects toward the pressurized gas chamber and has a flange portion at a portion corresponding to an opening in the cup-like shape of the partition wall, only the circumferential wall surface having the communication hole, the flange portion being fixed to the housing, a disk closing member being disposed inside the partition wall to be movable in the axial direction of the housing with a distance from the bottom surface, prior to activation, the communication hole being closed by a circumferential surface of the disk closi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: DAICELL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoharu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9561699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis link including a single-shell sheet metal main body, on which a plurality of bearing regions are formed for attaching bearing elements by which the main body can be connected to the bodywork and to a movable part of a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle. The main body includes two arms which merge into one another and define a main-body plane and a concave edge region of the main body. The concave edge region extends from a wheel-side bearing region towards a bodywork-side bearing region and is at an angle relative to the main-body plane. For such a chassis link having a high inherent stiffness and a low weight the invention proposes that the angled, concave edge region includes, along at least one curve length portion, at least one oblique surface which, when viewed in cross section, encloses an angle in the range of from 25° to 75° with a surface, adjacent thereto, of the angled, concave edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Haselhorst, Viktor Friesen, Denis Geβner
  • Patent number: 9550525
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes: a cylindrical slider which is disposed on an outer side of a support member so as to slide in a front-to-rear direction and which is biased to the rear; a cap member which covers at least respective rear end portions of the support member and the slider from the rear; a movable-side contact portion which is provided inside the cap member; an annular damper holder which is mounted inside the cap member; an annular elastic member which is interposed between the slider and the damper holder; a transmitting portion which is provided in an inner circumferential portion of the damper holder; and a movement catch portion which is provided on an outer circumferential portion of the slider so as to be positioned immediately before the transmitting portion and to which a forward movement of the damper holder is transmitted through the transmitting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ishii, Osamu Hirose, Kenji Sasaki, Toshihito Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 9549861
    Abstract: An early warning method and a device for preventing a wheelchair from tipping over are described. The early warning method includes projecting a laser light pattern, scanning the laser light pattern, making a comparison to determine whether the ground is a barrier terrain, and issuing an early warning to the user in situations of risk. The laser light pattern is projected onto the ground and compared with a standard pattern. The early warning is generated and is one selected from a group consisting of a beep, a warning message and a vibration to alert the wheelchair user to the danger of the barrier terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shih-Chung Kang, Pei-Chun Lin, Yung-Shun Su, Ci-Jyun Liang, Pei-Yi Lee, Yao-Yu Yang, Kevin Lin, Chuan-En Lee