Patents Examined by Keith J Frisby
  • Patent number: 12275451
    Abstract: An integrated locking feature for a rake lock mechanism of a steering column assembly includes a toothed portion. The integrated locking feature also includes a driver portion. The integrated locking feature further includes a spring portion coupling the driver portion and the toothed portion, wherein the toothed portion, the driver portion and the spring portion are integrally formed with each other as a single, uniform structure, wherein the spring portion has a thickness less than a thickness of the toothed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Buzzard, Michael P. Anspaugh, Matthew J T Vincent, Todd Barshaw
  • Patent number: 12275364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering wheel component (2) and a steering wheel assembly comprising the steering wheel component (2). The steering wheel component (2) comprises an airbag door cover (21), wherein the airbag door cover (21) has an integral panel (210), wherein the panel (210) has a first area (31) for closing an airbag housing (22) and a second area (32), which is arranged beside the first area (31) and is configured as an operating surface for a multifunction switch (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Yanfeng International Automotive Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng Liu, Zhiyuan Chen, Lei Yang, Kuan Liu
  • Patent number: 12275454
    Abstract: The vehicle frame assembly comprises a frame having two rails, an electric subassembly secured between the rails, and an energy absorbing device secured to the frame rearward of the electric subassembly. It comprises at least one elongate member having, in the normal state, a mounting portion secured to the frame, with a transverse segment; and a leg extending downwards and facing the electric subassembly along the longitudinal direction. The leg has an upper end connected to the transverse segment, a free lower end, and an inclined segment extending downwards and forward. Further to a rearward movement of the electric subassembly resulting from a frontal collision, the elongate member is deformed according to a downward and rearward pivoting movement of the inclined segment relative to the mounting portion, thereby absorbing energy from the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Satbir Sohal
  • Patent number: 12269558
    Abstract: A recumbent tricycle assembly for safely and comfortably riding in a reclined position includes a frame having a front portion that is pivotably coupled to a rear portion. A wheel assembly is rotatably coupled to the frame. The wheel assembly includes a pair of front wheels and a rear wheel. A steering assembly includes a left-hand grip bar and a right-hand grip bar. Manipulation of the left-hand grip bar and the right-hand grip bar steers the frame. A seat is positioned between the front wheels and the grip bars such that each of the left-hand grip bar and the right-hand grip bar is accessible to the user when sitting in the seat. A drive assembly mechanically coupled to the wheel assembly rotates the pair of front wheels and the rear wheel. A brake assembly coupled to the wheel assembly halts rotation of the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Inventor: Mark Jozwicki
  • Patent number: 12263712
    Abstract: A wheel-side device provided for each of a plurality of wheels of a vehicle includes: a drive mechanism provided on a suspension arm connecting a wheel support member that supports the wheel and a body-side member of the vehicle and including a drive actuator, an output shaft of the drive actuator being connected to the wheel via a constant velocity joint to rotationally drive the wheel; and a steering actuator provided between the suspension arm and the wheel support member without a link member interposed therebetween and configured to steer the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidehiro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 12263805
    Abstract: A height adjuster for a vehicle seatbelt comprises: a rail having windows, each of the windows corresponding to a different height adjustment of the height adjuster for the vehicle seatbelt; a slider; a first pin slidingly mounted to the slider, the first pin being moveable in a second direction between (i) an extended position in which the first pin engages with one of the windows and the slider is restricted, and (ii) a retracted position where the first pin does not engage with any of the windows and the slider is not restricted; an actuator for moving the first pin to the retracted position; and a member coupled to the actuator and abutting the first pin in the extended position to restrict the first pin from moving in the second direction, the actuator configured to move the member upon actuation to allow the first pin to assume the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrey Ivov Kossev
  • Patent number: 12258728
    Abstract: A remote-control unit is provided that suppresses the generation of “shaking” in a remote-control lever when the remote-control lever is operated. The remote-control unit includes a remote-control lever, a fixed rail, a movable rail, a first support member, and a second support member. The fixed rail and the first support member are fixed to a working vehicle, the movable rail slidably engages with the fixed rail, and is configured to be movable in a direction that the fixed rail is disposed. The first support member supports the second support member by way of a first resin member at a position different from a position on the fixed rail and from a position on an extension of the fixed rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TAKEUCHI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hokuto Shimizu, Naoki Jimbo, Yuichi Shioiri
  • Patent number: 12247652
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly structure of a dust cap being coupled to an assembly part of a rack housing which is open such that a steering shaft is inserted therethrough, wherein the dust cap includes a body provided in a hollow tube shape through which the steering shaft passes, a first coupling portion bent to extend outward from the body and press-fitted onto an outer circumferential surface of the assembly part, and a second coupling portion provided to be spaced a certain interval from the first coupling portion and inserted into the assembly part, and the second coupling portion is provided such that, when assembled to the assembly part, a gap is formed between the second coupling portion and an inner surface of the assembly part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hwasick Yoon
  • Patent number: 12246772
    Abstract: An automobile suspension structure includes: a subframe; a first link; and a second link, in which the subframe includes: a pair of side members; a pair of cross members; and a link attachment part, the link attachment part is arranged to be continuous with an end of the cross member, the link attachment part includes: a first link attachment part; and a second link attachment part, the link attachment part is joined to an upper surface and a lower surface of the side member in an automobile height direction and an outer surface of the side member in an automobile width direction, the first link attachment part and the second link attachment part are arranged with the side member sandwiched therebetween in the automobile height direction, the first link is attached to the first link attachment part, and the second link is attached to the second link attachment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soma Sonobe, Naoki Kimoto, Takeshi Kawachi
  • Patent number: 12240408
    Abstract: A collision protection system for a vehicle, the collision protection system including a seat having a seat bottom attached to a floor of the vehicle. The collision protection system also includes a foot rest disposed adjacent to, attached to, or integrally formed with the floor of the vehicle. The collision protection system also includes an airbag that deploys from, adjacent to, or around the foot rest. The airbag deploys over a portion of legs of a user occupying the seat to protect the legs of the user during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Johan Rosenberg, Sebastian Rutelin, Venti Saslecov
  • Patent number: 12240410
    Abstract: A drive device for a pivotable vehicle flap includes a flap part associated with the vehicle flap, a body part associated with a vehicle body and a hinge arrangement which hingedly connects the flap part and the body part. The hinge arrangement allows the flap part to be pivoted about a first axis of rotation for opening and closing the vehicle flap and about a second axis of rotation for raising the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position. The drive device further includes a first actuator for opening and closing the vehicle flap in normal operation, a second actuator for raising the vehicle flap into a pedestrian protection position and a coupling device for coupling the first actuator to one of the flap part and the vehicle flap, including a fastening part which is fixedly connected to the one of the flap part and the vehicle flap. The coupling device includes at least one first lever coupled to the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Edscha Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Bartschies
  • Patent number: 12233935
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a casing unit in which a steering spindle is mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis that extends in a longitudinal direction. The casing unit has at least two casing tubes that have a polygonal cross section and are guided such that they can be adjusted relative to one another in the longitudinal direction. Rolling bodies that have a rolling body radius are arranged between the casing tubes such that the rolling bodies can roll in the longitudinal direction in at least three raceways that are distributed circumferentially. To increase rigidity and improve compactness, center points of the rolling bodies are at a radial spacing that is less than or equal to the rolling body radius from an envelope circle that circumscribes the casing tube, on which the rolling bodies can roll on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Tim Bayer, Simon Blaettler, Daniel Kreutz
  • Patent number: 12227075
    Abstract: Road vehicle comprising a passenger compartment configured to accommodate a driver and at least one passenger alongside the driver; a vehicle dashboard; a steering wheel; a content display device comprises: a support element hinged in the area of a central portion of the vehicle dashboard, at the front between a driver's seat and a passenger's seat; at least one screen mechanically connected to the support element and configured to be visible to a passenger and/or to a driver while driving; a time measurement system, in particular a chronograph; the vehicle comprises mechanical controls arranged, namely mounted, in the area of the steering to give instructions to the time measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Ive, Eugene Whang, Jeremy Bataillou, Anthony Ashcroft, Suhang Zhou, Benoit Louzaouen, Jemima Kiss, Christopher Wilson, Wan Si Wan, Biotz Natera, James Mcgrath, Roger Guyett, Joseph Luxton, Michael Matas, Patrick Kessler, Maximilian Romani, Vito Conigliaro
  • Patent number: 12221061
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a control module which limits power source rotational speed beneath a controlled rotational speed value based both on whether a protection device such as a safety belt is engaged or disengaged and on whether the vehicle velocity is greater than or less than a velocity threshold. If the safety belt becomes disengaged while the power source is spinning above the controlled rotational speed value, the control module gradually and safely reduces power source rotational speed. If/when the safety belt becomes reengaged, the control module logic will ensure that the power source rotational speed is released from the controlled first value without immediate change in vehicle response. The invention effectively reduces safety hazards of safety belt disengagement while not creating safety hazards of its own in a wide range of discussed situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Zhejiang CFMoto Power Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Haifeng Liang, Linglong Meng, Jeffrey D. Shewchuk
  • Patent number: 12214639
    Abstract: A suspension assembly and method of use is provided. The suspension is for an axle on a trailer or other vehicle. The suspension assembly has a cross support member connected with or integrally formed with a hanger bracket at the first end of the cross support member. A trailing beam is connected to the hanger bracket. The trailing beam and a mount are coupled with a load air bag and a lift air bag, with the bags located on each respective side of a pivot axis for the trailing beam. This establishes a teeter-totter configuration of the suspension assembly allowing independent wheel travel side-to-side of the suspension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Transportation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin K. VanDenberg, Lyle Edward Turkson, David H. Croston
  • Patent number: 12214743
    Abstract: A seat includes a seat base including a first side and a second side, and a seat back including a first side portion and a second side portion. The seat back is pivotable between an upright configuration and a highly reclined configuration. A torso belt system is arranged at the seat system. The torso belt system includes a retractor mechanism positioned adjacent to one of the seat base and the seat back. An amount of flexible webbing includes a first end anchored at the retractor mechanism and a second end. A selectable anchor is connectable to the second end of the amount of flexible webbing. The selectable anchor is selectively arranged in a first position at the seat base when the seat back is in the upright seating configuration and in a second position at the seat back when the seat back is in the highly reclined seating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tyler P. Morris, Ryan Aaron Gellner, Nick Colonna
  • Patent number: 12208765
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a passenger cabin with a front end, the body having a bulkhead at the front end of the passenger cabin. The vehicle includes a telescoping member supported by the bulkhead and movable from a stowed position to a deployed position. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the telescoping member and movable from the stowed position to the deployed position, the airbag inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Zhenyan Gao, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 12202312
    Abstract: There is provided a torsion beam joint structure in a torsion beam suspension including a torsion beam and right and left trailing arms connected to end portions of the torsion beam. The torsion beam has front and rear wall portions, an upper wall portion, and an opening provided at a lower side in an upper-lower direction of the vehicle. The front wall portion and the rear wall portion have a set of joint portions on their right side and left side in the vehicle width direction, by which the front wall portion and the rear wall portion are joined to each of the trailing arms. The set of joint portions includes an outer joint portion located on an outer side at a lowermost position, and an inner joint portion located on an inner side at an uppermost position. The inner joint portion is located higher than the outer joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., F-TECH INC.
    Inventors: Hisashi Ishimatsu, Kei Furuki, Daichi Oshita
  • Patent number: 12194950
    Abstract: A seatbelt device for a motor vehicle, including: a diagonal belt portion and a lap belt portion, each of which is connected to a seatbelt retractor that can be fixedly secured to the vehicle, a seatbelt buckle that can be fixedly secured to the vehicle, and a seatbelt tongue that can be locked to the seatbelt buckle. One end of the lap belt portion is secured to the seatbelt tongue, and one end of the diagonal belt portion is secured to a fitting, the fitting being rotatably connected to the seatbelt tongue. At least one sensor is provided and designed to detect the rotational angular position of the fitting with respect to the seatbelt tongue and/or the seatbelt buckle. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Niklas Brunnegard, Linus Larsson, Elias Mathiasson
  • Patent number: 12194940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising: a framework, a safety module comprising a first decorative component, a base component, at least one centering component, attached and fixed to the base component by an irreversible connection and arranged to position the safety module with respect to the base component, at least one second decorative component mounted on the framework, wherein the irreversible connection is arranged to permit an adjustment of the position of the centering component on the base component before fixing the centering component on the base component, characterized in that the irreversible connection is provided by laser welding of the centering component on the base component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Hugues Doursoux, Mickael Peyrot, Thierry Matrat, Thomas Letierce, Sylvain Perrault, Fabrice Moinard, Olivier Bertrand, Marcus Weber