Patents Examined by Keith J Frisby
  • Patent number: 10899307
    Abstract: A deployable headrest airbag includes an airbag chamber configured to be coupled to a headrest of a vehicle seat. The airbag chamber has a stowed position and a deployed position. In stowed position, the airbag chamber is disposed inside the headrest. In the deployed position, the deployable headrest airbag is disposed outside of the headrest to protect a head and a neck of a vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chin-Hsu Lin, Yi-Pen Cheng
  • Patent number: 10889261
    Abstract: A system includes a first anchor that is disposed adjacent an upper portion of a seat back and that is selectively positionable between a first position on a first axis and a second position along the first axis. The system further includes a second anchor disposed adjacent a lower portion of the seat back. The second anchor is selectively coupled to the first anchor. The system further includes a third anchor disposed adjacent the lower portion of the seat back, the third anchor being selectively coupled to the second anchor and separated by a distance on a second axis from the second anchor. The first anchor, the second anchor, and the third anchor are jointly positionable when the second anchor is coupled to the first anchor and when the third anchor is coupled to the second anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Charopoulos, Lukas Satas, John J. Baker, Jonathon R. Folks, Andrew W. Kooker
  • Patent number: 10882556
    Abstract: A bushing for an independent suspension assembly, said suspension assembly being adapted to pivot relative to a trailer or a vehicle frame, the bushing comprising: a sleeve body having a substantially cylindrical outer surface for engaging the suspension assembly; and an inner bore of the sleeve body extending along a first longitudinal axis, said first axis being eccentrically disposed with respect to a second longitudinal axis of the cylindrical outer surface; wherein during use the bore is adapted for engaging a spindle and allowing the suspension assembly to pivot relative to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cruisemaster Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Deon Van Deventer, Brayden Minetto
  • Patent number: 10875488
    Abstract: A passenger protection apparatus includes an inflator and an airbag. The inflator is configured to supply gas. The airbag is configured to deploy to surround a sitting position of a passenger by the gas supplied from the inflator. One end of the airbag is supported on an upper portion of a vehicle, and the other end of the airbag contacts an in-vehicle member and is supported by the in-vehicle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shota Kanegae
  • Patent number: 10864790
    Abstract: A method for producing a mounting arrangement for a link of a motor vehicle suspension that is or can be pivotably mounted on a subframe of the motor vehicle, having the following steps: providing the subframe, which has a first and a second mounting flange for mounting the link; providing at least one intermediate product of a bracket; integrally joining the intermediate product to a mounting flange of the subframe by welding; forming an elongated hole in the intermediate product by punching of the same; and forming at least one stop on the intermediate product for an adjusting eccentric for chassis adjustment by stamping the intermediate product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Behn
  • Patent number: 10850735
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline including a first axle assembly having a first drive ratio. A second axle assembly in selective driving engagement with the first axle assembly, the first and second axle assemblies having a second drive ratio when in driving engagement. A control system in electrical communication with the first and second axle assemblies, wherein the control system selectively engages the second axle assembly with the first axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: DANA HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10843658
    Abstract: A seat system for a motor vehicle has at least one vehicle seat, which can be adjusted between a first position in the forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle, and a second position counter to the forward direction of travel of the motor vehicle. A safety belt device is provided to secure an occupant seated in the vehicle seat in the first and second position. An optimized system in terms of weight, complexity and manufacturing costs, has the safety belt device include a respective belt system, held on corresponding holding points on the motor vehicle body-in-white side, for the first and for the second position of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Boese, Matthias Franz, Harald Lathwesen
  • Patent number: 10829080
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus which allows a reduced amount of base fabric and, enables gas to flow efficiently inside the cushion. An inflator (110) supplies gas, a cushion (104) in which base fabrics are formed into a bag shape and inflates and deploys to protect an occupant (118) during a vehicle emergency, a base fabric joint portion (120) which is provided to join main panels 108a and 108b of the cushion (104) in a linear manner and partitions the cushion (104) into a rear chamber (114), a front chamber (116), and an opening (123) provided midway along the base fabric joint portion (120). The base fabric joint portion (120) includes vent forming portions 125a and 125b arranged in two rows which extend from both ends of the opening (123) towards the front chamber (116) or rear chamber (114) and form a projecting vent (124). The projecting vent (124) permits flow of gas between the rear chamber (114) and the front chamber (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taguchi, Yutaka Nakajima, Hideho Fukuda, Mitsuo Nogami, Yuto Kobayashi, Makoto Fuma
  • Patent number: 10829074
    Abstract: An inflatable knee airbag having a flexible housing is disclosed. An inflatable knee airbag may provide protection for the lower anatomy of an occupant in a vehicle collision event. The disclosed inflatable knee airbag may include components, such as the inflatable airbag cushion, inflator, etc., within a flexible housing supported by a rigid or semi-rigid mounting plate. The flexible housing may conform to the shape of enclosed components, and may support and protect the enclosed components. The flexible housing may be lighter and more cost-effective than conventional housing methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: James Ernie Jacobson
  • Patent number: 10829177
    Abstract: A rolling motor vehicle (4) comprising a forecarriage frame (16), at least one pair of front wheels (10?), a rolling kinematic mechanism (20) to which each wheel (10?) is connected by means of a respective axle journal (60), a roll control system (100) comprising a rod (110) which connects the two front wheels (10?) directly to each other at the respective axle journals (60), the roll movements of the two front wheels (10?) and of the respective axle journals (60) causing changes in the lying position of said rod (110) with respect to a vertical projection plane which is transverse to a centre line plane of the motor vehicle (4), the rod (110) is usable directly or indirectly by the driver (P) as a command element to control the rolling movements of the two front wheels (10?) without having to put his feet on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. SPA
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 10821797
    Abstract: A disclosed vehicle wheel sensor module includes a housing having a mount portion for attachment to a vehicle suspension assembly, a wheel speed sensor supported within the housing, a ride height sensor including a lever movable responsive to movement of a vehicle suspension component and a single connector providing electrical communication with the wheel speed sensor and the ride height sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lee Mawhinney, Steven J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 10800368
    Abstract: A pair of first airbags and a pair of second airbags are stowed in opposing regions of side wall portions of a vehicle seat. The first airbags are positioned at a seat front side relative to a shoulder area of a seat occupant in a seat side view. The second airbags are positioned at the seat front side relative to a waist area of the seat occupant in the seat side view. The pair of first airbags and the pair of second airbags are supplied with gas, inflate and expand towards the seat width direction inner sides thereof, and are structured such that each pair of airbags, in the inflated and expanded states thereof, push against one another at a seat width direction middle side of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10787217
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tilting mechanism for wheeled vehicles such as bicycles both electrical and manually powered, motorcycles, mopeds, scooters and the like. The wheeled vehicle, preferably with three wheels or more, driving like a 2-in-line vehicle and handles the same way in the turns and when driving straight. The tilting mechanism for a multiple wheeled vehicle, comprising a tilting mechanism that allows for leaning body and wheels into a turn and independent adjustment of the turning radius, while inducing an effect to the two front wheels similar to Ackerman steering compensation. The principle of the tilting mechanism is a parallelogram structure, which comprises a top rod, a bottom rod and a pair of connecting rods, pivotally connected to each other. To each of the connecting rods a pair of steering elements is pivotally connected and on two steering elements a pair of wheels is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: BUTCHERS & BICYCLES APS
    Inventors: Morten Mogensen, Morten Wagener
  • Patent number: 10787074
    Abstract: An accelerator pedal is located forward of the driver seat. The accelerator pedal is supported by a bracket and is movable by stepping on than accelerator pedal. An accelerator position, sensor is located higher than the bracket and detects a deflection amount of the accelerator pedal. A wire connects the accelerator pedal and the accelerator position sensor to each other. The vehicle can prevent the accelerator position sensor from being splashed with mud and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10773564
    Abstract: A swing arm suspension for suspending a rear drive wheel in a three-wheeled electric vehicle has an adjustable arm which allows the tension on the drive belt to be easily adjusted for installing or removing the drive belt or adjusting tension for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ELECTRAMECCANICA VEHICLES CORP.
    Inventors: Daniel Stanley Watt, Jerry Kroll, Scott Stuart Hargrove, Henry Reisner, Edward Theobald
  • Patent number: 10766531
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a front axle assembly having an axle beam with a slot, a wheel assembly including a steering knuckle coupled to a wheel flange assembly, and a steering sensor pin assembly is provided. The steering sensor pin assembly includes a steering sensor pin having a first end and a second end opposite the first end having a flat face, and a kingpin connected to the steering knuckle. The kingpin has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a hole from the top surface to the bottom surface. The hole is aligned with the slot in the axle beam, and the steering sensor pin is positioned in the hole for coupling the kingpin to the axle beam via the flat face of the steering sensor pin being coupled to the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Michael Jensen, Jie Tu
  • Patent number: 10759371
    Abstract: A pair of first airbags and a pair of second airbags are stowed in opposing regions of side wall portions of a vehicle seat. The first airbags are positioned at a seat front side relative to a shoulder area of a seat occupant in a seat side view. The second airbags are positioned at the seat front side relative to a waist area of the seat occupant in the seat side view. The pair of first airbags and the pair of second airbags are supplied with gas, inflate and expand towards the seat width direction inner sides thereof, and are structured such that each pair of airbags, in the inflated and expanded states thereof, push against one another at a seat width direction middle side of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 10759243
    Abstract: A wheel suspension (1) for a motor vehicle, having a wheel carrier (3) which is mounted so that the wheel carrier (3) can pivot relative to a wheel-guiding control arm (4). The wheel-guiding control arm (4) includes a longitudinal control arm section (4a) with a forward body-side bearing (11) and a transverse control arm section (4b) with a rear body-side bearing (12). The rear body-side bearing (12) is designed as a ball joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Clemens Hacker, Knut Heidsieck
  • Patent number: 10752200
    Abstract: An airbag has a main bag portion that is provided with an occupant protective surface which is disposed to face the occupant and an auxiliary bag portion that can be disposed on the left side of the storage part, between the main bag portion and a vehicle body-side member, when the inflation is completed. The auxiliary bag portion is configured to enable an inflating gas to flow into an inside thereof through the main bag portion, is configured to be inflated under control of a control mechanism in association with a collision mode of a vehicle, and is configured to be interposed between the main bag portion and the vehicle body-side member and to be capable of pushing a region of the occupant protective surface on a side of the auxiliary bag portion, which is inflated, toward a side of the occupant, when the inflation is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naohiko Ishiguro, Ryotaro Ishida, Hiroyuki Nakanishi, Wataru Miuta
  • Patent number: 10744919
    Abstract: An operator seat system is provided that includes an operator seat and an armrest control center with an I/O (input/output) system that is connected to and moves with the operator seat. An armrest control center mount system may include a seat mount and an armrest control center mount that are attached to each other with an adjustment system that allows adjustment of the armrest control center with respect to the operator seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel