Patents Examined by Keith J Frisby
-
Patent number: 11332096Abstract: A knee airbag device includes: an airbag case disposed at a lower face part of an instrument panel; a knee airbag accommodated within the airbag case in a folded state, the knee airbag inflating and deploying toward a vehicle rear side and a vehicle upper side upon being supplied with gas; and an airbag door part disposed at a vehicle lower side of the airbag case, the airbag door part having a substantially U-shaped rupture target part, the rupture target part is open toward a vehicle front side as seen in a plan view, at a portion, of a bottom wall part configuring a vehicle lower side face of the airbag door part, disposed rearward of an intermediate part of the airbag door part in a vehicle front-rear direction, and the portion of the bottom wall part disposed rearward of the intermediate part opening toward a vehicle lower side upon rupture of the rupture target part caused by inflation pressure of the knee airbag.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Seiji Hioda
-
Patent number: 11332093Abstract: An assembly includes a steering wheel having a hub rotatable about a rotational axis and a rim spaced radially from the hub. The assembly includes a first airbag supported by the hub and inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The assembly includes a second airbag inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. The second airbag extending annularly around the rotational axis. The first airbag and the second airbag being spaced from each other along the rotational axis when the first airbag and the second airbag are in the uninflated position. The rim being between the first airbag and the second airbag when the first airbag and the second airbag are in the inflated position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque
-
Patent number: 11325551Abstract: A vehicle airbag control system has an airbag module, a detector and an electronic controller. The airbag module has an airbag that is configured to be positioned below a vehicle floor panel in an undeployed state. The airbag that is configured to be positioned to be above the vehicle floor panel in the deployed state. The detector is configured to detect a presence of an obstruction over the airbag module at a location above the vehicle floor panel. The electronic controller is programmed to deploy the airbag based on a detected result of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Stephanie Campbell, Karla Polyakova, Tyler Sauerwein, Alisha Martin
-
Patent number: 11313705Abstract: A vehicle body front structure has: an object detection device disposed in a vehicle front end section of a vehicle to detect an object ahead of the vehicle; and a pair of bracket members which are spaced apart from each other in a vehicle width direction and which support the object detection device. Each of the pair of bracket members includes: a forwardly extending portion that extends forward from a vehicle body member; and a downwardly extending portion that extends downward from the forwardly extending portion and supports the object detection device. The vehicle body front structure further has a bracket member locking member which couples the forwardly extending portions to each other in the vehicle width direction and to which an exterior member of the vehicle is attached.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO. LTD.Inventors: Yasuyuki Kato, Daisuke Naoi
-
Patent number: 11312407Abstract: Provided is a vehicle steering column. A lower column has an open area, an axial slot provided in a central portion of the open area, a connecting portion connecting portions of the lower column located on both sides of the open area, a cut portion corresponding to the slot and provided on one side of the connecting portion, and a pair of protruding opposite end portions. A hinge pin is fitted into the opposite end portions of the lower column. An upper column is fitted into the lower column. A telescopic fixing plate of the upper column is provided in a location corresponding to the slot, and has a plurality of catch recesses spaced apart from each other. A telescopic catch member is located in the cut portion between the opposite end portions to be rotatably supported by the hinge pin, and has a catch protrusion engaging with the catch recesses.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: MANDO CORPORATIONInventors: HyunBi Kwon, Sang Hyun Park
-
Patent number: 11305717Abstract: A knee airbag apparatus includes an airbag that is configured to be accommodated in a holder arranged in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The airbag includes an upper inflation portion and a lower inflation portion. The upper inflation portion is configured to be deployed and inflated from the holder along a rear surface of the instrument panel in a rear upward direction to protect a knee of a lea of the occupant. The lower inflation portion is configured to be deployed and inflated from the holder in a downward direction or a diagonally rear downward direction such that a lower end of the lower inflation portion reaches a position where the lower end contacts an instep of a foot of the leg of the occupant or a position lower than the instep to protect the foot of the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Aviral Shrivatri, Shiro Ohara, Eugene Lee
-
Patent number: 11299123Abstract: A front airbag device for a vehicle is proposed. In the front airbag device, an airbag cushion is mounted in front of a passenger and is expanded to be positioned at a front surface of the passenger, a triangular main tether and a triangular support tether are positioned inside the airbag cushion, and one side of the main tether and one side of the support tether are spaced apart from each other and are coupled to the airbag cushion in a sewn manner, so that the main tether and the support tether support a front surface portion of the airbag cushion to protect a front surface of the passenger.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hae Kwon Park, Seok Min Lee
-
Patent number: 11292420Abstract: Inflatable airbag assemblies and methods are disclosed for a vehicle seating position having a utility component or occupant accessory that at least partially extends over a seat of the vehicle seating position. The utility component/occupant accessory may be stowable, and may be adjustable upward-downward, fore-aft, rotationally, etc. The utility component/occupant accessory may house an inflatable airbag cushion of the inflatable airbag assembly, which may deploy in a collision event so as to be disposed between the utility component/occupant accessory and the vehicle seating position.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Changsoo Choi, Harry Park, Vinay Genthikatti
-
Patent number: 11292417Abstract: A knee airbag device includes: a knee airbag that is housed in a folded state at a lower end portion of an instrument panel, and that, due to gas being supplied thereto, is inflated and expanded along the instrument panel; an airbag case that houses the knee airbag; an airbag door portion that structures a lower surface of the airbag case, and that, due to a planned rupture portion rupturing due to inflation pressure of the knee airbag, is opened toward a vehicle front side; and a flap that is housed within the airbag case, one end portion of the flap being fixed to the airbag case, another end portion of the flap being a free end, and that, at a time of inflation and expansion of the knee airbag, unfolds, and covers the airbag door portion from a vehicle rear side.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Seiji Hioda
-
Patent number: 11292414Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for protecting an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag having a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated, flattened, and rolled and/or folded. A packaging wrap is formed from a fabric sheet. The packaging wrap includes a cover and an elongated tail that extends from the cover. The cover is configured to be wrapped or folded about the rolled and/or folded airbag to envelope and package the airbag in the stored condition. The tail is configured to be wrapped around the cover and the airbag packaged therein to secure the airbag packaged in the cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Manuel Schaefer, Rico Scott Bertossi
-
Patent number: 11285908Abstract: An airbag package includes a one-piece woven airbag in a folded shape, a plurality of markers that are formed on the airbag, and a plurality of tape members that are bound around the airbag at locations of the markers for keeping the folded shape of the airbag. Each of the markers is composed of a weave structure that is different from that of surroundings in the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventor: Kenji Kakimoto
-
Patent number: 11285994Abstract: A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Inventor: Robby Gordon
-
Patent number: 11285906Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a steering wheel having a hub, an airbag supported by the hub and inflatable to an inflated position, and an inflatable device supported by the hub and inflatable to an inflatable position. The inflatable device defines an inflation chamber. The inflatable device is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
-
Patent number: 11279311Abstract: A restraint system for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle (20) includes a first inflator (74) for providing inflation fluid at a first fluid pressure and a second inflator (76) for providing inflation fluid at a second fluid pressure greater than the first fluid pressure. An airbag (70) includes a stored condition within a roof (32) and is inflatable to a deployed condition extending into a cabin (40) and aligned with a seat (50) for the occupant (60). The airbag (70) includes a first portion (98) defining a first chamber (100) fluidly connected to the first inflator (74) and a second portion (102) defining a second chamber (104) fluidly connected to the second inflator (76) and fluidly isolated from the first chamber (100). The first portion (98) moves relative to the second portion (102) in response to occupant (60) penetration into the airbag (70).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Alexandra E. Schroeder, Kurt F. Fischer
-
Patent number: 11279310Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a curtain airbag to a vehicle includes a fabric mounting portion formed from or connected to the curtain airbag. The fabric mounting portion has a fastener retainer for retaining a fastener in the mounting portion during installation of the curtain airbag in the vehicle. The fastener retainer is formed from the mounting portion fabric and defined by one or more slots that extend through the mounting portion fabric, leaving the fastener retainer connected to the remainder of the mounting portion by one or more tabs. The mounting portion also has a retainer opening extending through the fastener retainer and sized to form an interference fit with the fastener so that the fastener retainer holds the fastener. The one or more tabs in combination with the one or more slots permits the fastener retainer to move relative to the remainder of the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignees: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC., DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.Inventors: Ernesto Uribe, Miguel Sobradelo Sineiro, Pedro Lorenzo Rodriguez
-
Patent number: 11273785Abstract: A seat includes a seatback that defines a first axis extending between a top and a bottom of the seatback. The seatback defines a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The seat includes a lap bar supported by the seatback. The lap bar is translatable along the first axis and rotatable about the second axis. The seat includes an airbag supported by the lap bar.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
-
Patent number: 11267501Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, the steering shaft and the steering device having corresponding rotation with each other. Also included is an anti-rotation assembly selectively engaged with a surface of the steering shaft to maintain the steering shaft and the steering device in a stationary condition when the steering shaft is rotationally decoupled from road wheels operatively coupled to the steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Collier, Richard P. Nash
-
Patent number: 11260823Abstract: An airbag for a passenger seat is folded and stored in a storage so as to be deployed towards the passenger seat in such a manner as to enlarge towards the left and right when exiting the storage. The airbag includes a bag body that includes a mount-side portion to be mounted on the storage, and a cover panel that is made of a flexible sheet-shaped material and covers an outer circumference of the mount-side portion of the bag body. The cover panel is configured to cover an edge of a peripheral member of the storage at least in left and right sides of the storage at airbag deployment. The cover panel is joined to the bag body in such a manner that its edge portion is capable of slipping relative to the bag body at least in the left and right portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Takuya Hiraiwa, Shinichi Ishida, Keita Suzuki, Motoyuki Tanaka
-
Patent number: 11260819Abstract: An airbag apparatus equipped in a vehicle seat having a seat cushion that forms a seating surface and a seat back that forms a backrest includes: an inflator that generates inflation gas; and an airbag housed within at least the seat back and deployed by inflation gas released from the inflator. The airbag includes a pair of left and right side chambers that deploy towards the front from a side portion of the seat back and an upper chamber that deploys above the head of a passenger. The airbag is rolled in a direction that intersects the longitudinal direction from a flat unfolded state prior to being housed or folded to be compressed into a long bar shape. A folded portion is formed by folding at least a location corresponding to the upper chamber of the long bar shaped airbag to house the folded portion above the seat back.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Takayuki Shimizu, Atsushi Nakashima
-
Patent number: 11260818Abstract: A seat cushion airbag apparatus includes a support portion, an airbag, and a fastening portion. The support portion is arranged below the cushion portion of a conveyance seat. The airbag is arranged between the cushion portion and the support portion and at the center portion in the width direction of the conveyance seat. The fastening portion fastens the airbag to the support portion and is disposed in the lower portion of the airbag in the inflated state at a position rearward of the center in the front-rear direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Iida, Shigemi Mase, Shigeyuki Suzuki, Hitoshi Ida, Yasushi Masuda, Tadashi Yamada, Yusuke Kojima, Shuji Yamamoto