Patents Examined by Kevin P. Weldon
  • Patent number: 11124049
    Abstract: A withdrawal-type sun visor includes a housing received in a roof panel. The housing has a storage recess therein. The withdrawal-type sun visor also includes a sun visor assembly configured to be received in the housing and to be withdrawn along a windshield glass of a vehicle. The sun visor assembly includes a display unit having a display region and includes a discoloration unit configured to enclose at least a portion of the display unit. The transmissivity of the discoloration unit is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, Yong San Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Ho Hwang, Dae Ig Jung, Seung Hyeok Chang, Min Ho Cho, Hyung Jin Kim, Sang Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 11124242
    Abstract: A front end body structure (3) has a front wall portion (4) which forms a front surface (4b) in a front-rear direction (Da) and has edge portions which form an opening portion (4a) opened; and a ceiling wall portion (5) which is continuous with the front wall portion (4) and forms a ceiling surface (5a) facing an upper side. In t front wall portion (4), side edge portions (41, 42) on both sides in the width direction (Dw) and an upper edge portion (40) on the upper side among edge portions surrounding the opening portion (4a) have a multi-axial fiber-reinforced plastic material in which at least two directions along the outer surface are set as a fiber direction. At least a partial region of the ceiling wall part (5) including a central portion in the width direction (Dw) has a core material sandwiched between the multi-axial fiber-reinforced plastic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD
    Inventors: Koshi Tanimoto, Ryoji Okabe, Kouji Esaki
  • Patent number: 11117493
    Abstract: A seat raising mechanism and corresponding method allow raising a seat of a vehicle. The seat raising mechanism is configured to be inserted between a seat frame and a floor of a vehicle, and has a shape configured to match a shape of the seat frame, with an upper and lower surface having a substantially flat upper portion and an angled portion angled downward from the upper portion. A pin receiving hole is included in the upper surface of the seat raising mechanism to receive a pin of the seat frame and a threaded bolt attaches the seat raising mechanism to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Charles Lindsay, Joseph Alonzo Lund
  • Patent number: 11110972
    Abstract: A rear bolster for a cargo transport includes a sheet metal stamping having a forward side configured to face under the cargo transport, and a rear side configured to face rearward of the cargo transport. A vertically-extending base surface is formed by the rear side. A left taillight mount is provided adjacent a left widthwise end of the sheet metal stamping. A right taillight mount is provided adjacent a right widthwise end of the sheet metal stamping. A relief is embossed rearwardly from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature. The relief includes a first portion extending over and/or under the left taillight mount, a second portion extending over and/or under the right taillight mount, and a third portion continuous with the first and second portions and extending between the left and right taillight mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Fenton
  • Patent number: 11110838
    Abstract: An armrest for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor-vehicle side door armrest. In its general structure, the armrest has a stationary base part and a supporting part that is movable relative thereto, and additionally has a motor-driven adjusting device for the supporting part. The adjusting device comprises an electric motor and an eccentric that can be acted upon by the motor. The electric motor is configured as a component of a linear actuator connected to the eccentric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: John Kachnowski
  • Patent number: 11097602
    Abstract: A door service hole cover includes a cover component that is configured to cover a service hole, and a shock absorption component that is integral to the cover component. The shock absorption component includes a cabin inner component, at least a portion of which projects from the cover component toward the inside of the cabin and which is hollow and open toward the outside of the cabin; and a fragile portion formed on a side surface of the cabin inner component and configured to allow the cabin inner component to crush and deform upon application of a force acting in the direction of projection of the cabin inner component. Upon application of a force acting in the direction of projection, the cabin inner component crushes inwardly and deforms while being twisted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 11097678
    Abstract: A vehicle crush can adapted to couple a bumper beam to a side rail, including: a hollow box structure including front and rear portions, the front portion including or adapted to be coupled to a bracket assembly adapted to be coupled to the bumper beam, the rear portion adapted to be disposed within the side rail and defining a plurality of lateral holes; and one or more internal sleeves disposed within the box structure and defining a plurality of lateral channels aligned with the plurality of lateral holes of the box structure; the plurality of lateral holes of the box structure and the plurality of lateral channels of the one or more internal sleeves adapted to be aligned with a plurality of holes defined by the side rail when the rear portion of the box structure is disposed within the side rail and collectively receive a plurality of bolts therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Karlsson
  • Patent number: 11084538
    Abstract: A connection member includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The connection member also includes a third side connecting the first and second sides, the third side including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, a first edge separating the first portion from the second portion and a second edge separating the second portion from the third portion. A first flange extends along the first edge and a second flange extends along the second edge such that the first and second flanges are separated by the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Kielbik, Robert N. Saje, John J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11072369
    Abstract: A cargo transport rear frame includes a pair of posts, an upper cross member, and a rear bolster. The posts are spaced in a width direction, and extend in a height direction. The upper cross member extends along the width between the posts. The rear bolster extends between lower ends of the posts such that the rear bolster is spaced below the upper cross member. The posts, the upper cross member, and the rear bolster bound the rear cargo opening. The rear bolster has a first side facing in a forward direction, and the rear bolster has a second side facing in a rearward direction to be exposed to a rear side of the cargo transport rear frame. The rear bolster comprises a sheet metal stamping including a base surface and a relief embossed in the rearward direction from the base surface to form a loading dock engagement feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: STI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Fenton, Jason Alan Drost
  • Patent number: 11072370
    Abstract: An underbody structure for a motor vehicle has: at least one underbody panel; and at least one air guide. The air guide is assigned to the underbody panel and has at least one separation edge for bringing about a flow separation. The air guide is passively pivotable back at least in sections behind a plane formed by a carriageway-side outer side of the underbody panel such that the separation edge is capable of yielding upon contact with an obstacle in order to avoid damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Koeppe, Oliver Fischer
  • Patent number: 11059523
    Abstract: An adjustable datum pin assembly for temporarily affixing a bumper cover, fender, side panel, roof spoiler, or the like (i.e., a vehicle component) to an associated vehicle structure, the adjustable datum pin assembly including: a fixed lower portion adapted to be coupled to the associated vehicle structure; a translatable upper portion translatably coupled to the fixed lower portion, wherein the translatable upper portion includes an attachment structure adapted to be coupled to the bumper cover, fender, side panel, roof spoiler, or the like; and a friction mechanism disposed between the translatable upper portion and the fixed lower portion adapted to resist translation of the translatable upper portion with respect to the fixed lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Mikael Torgilsson, Mirko Milesic, Oliver Angelöv, Darko Dekic
  • Patent number: 11052850
    Abstract: Vertical brackets extend downwardly from a trailer or semi-trailer frame to a transverse tubular bar to form an underride guard. The transverse tubular bar includes a top, a bottom, a rear impact side and a forward side and extends beyond the vertical brackets to define two end portions. The top and bottom have slits therethrough on the outer half of the end portions extending from inwardly of the rear impact side toward the forward side at an angle toward the vertical brackets. The slits extend toward the vertical brackets at an angle at least 45° through a portion of their length and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle through a second portion. The forward side includes two converging surfaces from the top and bottom. The slits extend from the top and bottom no more than half way to the convergence of the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Bennett
  • Patent number: 11040749
    Abstract: A legs apron for a motor vehicle includes a middle portion having a longitudinal axis; a first side portion and a second side portion, which extend laterally on opposite sides. The side portions define a first and a second folding portion, which extend according in a prevalent direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The legs apron has an operating configuration in which the side portions are folded along the folding portions to extend over a respective side transversely with respect to the middle portion. The apron has protection against impacts to protect the lower limbs of the driver. First and second protective bar couple to the first and second side portions. The protective bars each extend parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The protective bars are proximal to the first and second folding portions, to protect at least the femoral portions of the driver's legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Maffe'
  • Patent number: 10994683
    Abstract: A payload perimeter protecting bumper and method of stopping an approaching vehicle from coming too close to a parked vehicle which includes a male receiver insert structure, which is configured to be inserted into and coupled to a hitch receiver on a truck, an intermediate portion disposed between male receiver insert structure and bumper member, which provides for the pivoting ability. The bumper member has an elongated pivotable structural member. The system is configured so that if you were to be trapped, you could unlock the pivot limiting pin and pivot upward the elongated pivotable structural member, thereby creating more space to move to exit the parking spot. In some embodiments, the elongated pivotable structural member could have a remote controlled linear actuator, with a length that could be automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas D Krutzfeldt
  • Patent number: 10995531
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having at least one side door opening formed in the body of the same and having a sliding door closing the same, wherein the side door opening has a sill structure for supporting and movably guiding the sliding door, wherein the sill structure has a hollow profile oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x-direction) and formed as a welded part, and wherein the hollow profile on the vehicle exterior has a welding flange, extending along the sill structure and oriented in the vehicle vertical direction (z-direction), as a mounting flange for a door seal, which delimits an indentation formed in an upper section of the outer contour of the hollow profile. It is provided advantageously that a recess having at least one guide rail for a roller guide of the sliding door is disposed above the indentation, which recess is detachably secured to the sill structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Rodermund, Markus Thomitzek
  • Patent number: 10988084
    Abstract: A cargo storage assembly for use on a floor of a vehicle may include an outer sidewall assembly defining an interior and an inner sidewall assembly disposed within the interior and slideably coupled with the outer sidewall assembly. A top panel may be coupled with the inner sidewall assembly and defining a floor surface, wherein the floor surface is operable between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jevon Gerweck, Steven Ebejer, Jason Wiedmayer
  • Patent number: 10981603
    Abstract: A front body structure of the vehicle includes a pair of left and right rear joint members that join front side frames and the sub-frame in a vehicle up-down direction in substantially the same positions in a vehicle front-rear direction as rear reinforcing parts of the suspension housings, and third link members that separate internal spaces of the front side frames in substantially the same positions in the vehicle front-rear direction as the upper ends of rear joint members. The front body structure further includes a tower bar that joins a cowl box and the rear reinforcing parts of the suspension housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Shigeaki Watanabe, Hidenori Matsuoka, Kazuki Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 10981484
    Abstract: A collapsible cup holder for an automobile comprises a base, a tray slidably supported on the base and slidable between an extended position, wherein the tray extends laterally outward from the base, and a recessed position, wherein the tray is recessed within the base, and a cup support slidably supported on the tray and slidable between an open position relative to the tray, wherein the cup support and the tray define a space adapted to removably receive a beverage container, and a closed position relative to the tray, wherein when the tray is moved from the extended position to the recessed position, the cup support is adapted to move from the open position to the closed position, and to fit within the base in an overlapping relationship with the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Bone, Scott J. Fast
  • Patent number: 5957393
    Abstract: An air regulator system for a powder coating system and method of operating the system whereby air regulators constructed with inexpensive, on-off servo control valves are positioned side by side and secured to a common bracket and are operated with a pulse width modulating circuitry that quickly and accurately controls the regulator. The circuitry is carried on a circuit board which is also mounted to the common bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: P. Richard Price
  • Patent number: 5687907
    Abstract: An exhaust nozzle (12) for providing both yaw and pitch thrust vectoring includes an upper flap assembly (18) and a lower flap assembly (20). Each flap assembly (18, 20) includes a forward stub flap (51, 53) with lateral hinges (32, 34) and a plurality of individual flap sections (52) extending longitudinally downstream and adjacently engaged for defining the upper and lower gas flow boundaries. The forward end of each flap section (52) is pivoted vertically (54) in the same plane as vertical sidewall hinges (48, 50). Yaw thrust vectoring is achieved by pivoting the sections (52) and sidewalls (22, 24), while pitch thrust vectoring is achieved by moving the flap assemblies (18, 20) about the respective forward hinges (32, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Davis C. Holden