Patents Examined by Kiran B. Patel
  • Vehicle component for a vehicle
    Patent number: 11161468
    Abstract: A vehicle component for a vehicle has a component body which extends longitudinally in a longitudinal direction, wherein the component body has deformation zones which are spatially distributed in the longitudinal direction and are formed in the component body of sheet metal material. At least two locally distributed and spaced-apart deformation zones have different tensile strengths configured to influence a deformation course of the component body upon a force acting on the component body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Frost, Andreas Hitz, Mathias Lohberg, Martin Schroeter
  • Vehicle deflector assembly and load absorbing method
    Patent number: 11161550
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes, among other things, a lower main rail of a vehicle, a deflector assembly that is disposed adjacent a forward end portion of the lower main rail, and a positioning bracket of the deflector assembly. The positioning bracket is secured directly to the lower main rail and configured to separate from the lower main rail if a load that exceeds a threshold load is applied to a front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Electric vehicle and vehicle body structure of electric vehicle
    Patent number: 11161401
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure of an electric vehicle is provided, including a floor panel and a battery pack anti-collision structure. A battery pack and a motor are disposed below the floor panel, and the motor is located behind the battery pack. The battery pack anti-collision structure is disposed between the battery pack and the motor, and is configured to prevent the motor from crashing into the battery pack when a rear collision occurs to the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yubo Lian, Feng Yang, Xinchun Liu, Ming Ji, Bengang Yi
  • Bumper reinforcement for automobile
    Patent number: 11155224
    Abstract: To compensate for a decrease in reaction force of a bumper reinforcement, which is made of an aluminum alloy extrusion having two end portions subjected to bend forming and crushed portions on the respective end portions, against an impact load in end impact involved in crushing, and compensate for a decrease in energy absorption amount of the bumper reinforcement. Assuming a space between two flanges includes a first region from a center line of the thickness between the flanges to an outer flange and a second region from the center line to an inner flange in a cross section of the crushed portion perpendicular to an extrusion direction, area of the webs located in one (for example, the first region) of the two regions is larger than area of the webs located in the other region (for example, the second region).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Morita, Narikazu Hashimoto, Tsunetake Tsuyoshi, Koji Tabata
  • Vehicle sun visor assembly
    Patent number: 11155145
    Abstract: A slide-on-rod assembly includes a tube and a carriage configured to move within the tube. The carriage has a first contact surface, the carriage includes a wing rotatably coupled to a body of the carriage, the wing has a second contact surface, the first contact surface of the carriage is configured to contact a corresponding first contact surface of the tube, and the second contact surface of the wing is configured to contact a corresponding second contact surface of the tube. The slide-on-rod assembly also includes a biasing member coupled to the at least one wing and to the body of the carriage. The biasing member is configured to drive the first contact surface of the carriage into contact with the corresponding first contact surface of the tube and the second contact surface of the wing into contact with the corresponding second contact surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Daimay France SAS
    Inventor: Patrick Welter
  • Vehicle bumper cleaning device and methods of making and using the same
    Patent number: 11155225
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper cleaning device includes a selectively longitudinally movable, laterally-extending, bumper sweeper comprising a first end and an opposed second end and configured for disposition proximate an upper surface of a vehicle bumper. The vehicle bumper cleaning device also includes a selectively movable first actuator attached proximate the first end of the bumper sweeper. The vehicle bumper cleaning device also includes a selectively movable second actuator attached proximate the second end of the bumper sweeper, the selectively movable first actuator and the selectively movable second actuator configured to selectively and reversibly move the bumper sweeper rearward and forward across the vehicle bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Paxton S. Williams
  • Vehicle lower portion structure
    Patent number: 11155195
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure is provided with electromagnetic wave emitting components that are disposed at a rear surface side of a floor panel provided in a lower portion of a vehicle, and a carpet component that has a backing layer in which is dispersed a magnetic material, and a carpet pile that is provided on a front surface side of the backing layer, and that is disposed at a front surface side of the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hayashi Telempu Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Tanaka, Yuichi Kondo
  • Barrier assembly for an energy storage system and a vehicle that utilizes the barrier assembly
    Patent number: 11148720
    Abstract: A barrier assembly for an energy storage system includes a panel and an energy storage pack. The panel includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposing the outer surface. The energy storage pack is spaced from the panel relative to the inner surface of the panel. The barrier assembly further includes an intermediate structure disposed between the inner surface of the panel and the energy storage pack. The intermediate structure is configured to absorb energy when a load is applied to the outer surface of the panel and configured to redistribute the load along a plurality of load paths through the intermediate structure as the load is applied to the panel. A vehicle includes the barrier assembly discussed above. The vehicle includes a support structure and the barrier assembly is coupled to the support structure. The inner surface of the panel faces toward the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Travis W. Walker, Robert N. Saje, Eric A. Mathieson, Michael T. Chaney, Warren J. Parsons
  • Bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 11148624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a crossmember, a body element, a crash box arranged between crossmember and body element. The invention is distinguished in that a) a front axis of rotation is formed by a structural element, and a rear axis of rotation by a further structural element in the region of an inner wall of the crash box, and b) a tension relief element or a tension delay element is arranged in the region of an outer wall of the crash box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Martin Vovesny
  • Vehicular lower structure
    Patent number: 11148728
    Abstract: A floor cross member includes an extension portion at a front flange. The extension portion is bent at the front end of the front flange, and extends downward to the front side so that the front end of the extension portion is connected to the front floor panel. The reinforcement member is provided for the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Saeki
  • Vehicle seat structure flexibility within shear integral structures
    Patent number: 11148718
    Abstract: A structural arrangement for a vehicle includes a body structure defining a longitudinal vehicle body axis and a lateral vehicle axis orthogonal to the longitudinal vehicle body axis. The body structure includes a lattice shear structure having a first structural member extending laterally from one side to an opposite side of the vehicle and a second structural member parallel to and longitudinally spaced apart from the first structural member, an upper shear panel extending longitudinally and laterally across the vehicle and joined to the lattice shear structure, and a seat attachment structure having a first end and a second end opposite the second end. The seat attachment structure is oriented longitudinally and is joined to both of the first and second structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Mathieson, Michael T. Chaney, Robert N. Saje, Warren J. Parsons, Travis W. Walker
  • Truck bed extension system and method of use
    Patent number: 11148598
    Abstract: A truck bed extension system, includes a truck bed; an extension, having a frame with a first sidewall and a second sidewall; a base extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall; and an interior cavity formed by the frame and the base; a mounting apparatus, having a first rail mounted to the first sidewall; a second rail mounted to the second sidewall; a first slide mounted to a first truck bed wall; and a second slide mounted to a second truck bed wall; the first rail is in sliding communication with the first slide; the second rail is in sliding communication with the second slide; and the extension slides into the truck bed via the mounting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Francis Eman-Henshaw
  • Fan and canopy assembly for riding vehicle
    Patent number: 11142042
    Abstract: A riding vehicle is provided with a downdraft fan assembly mounted on a vehicle roll bar for providing a flow of ambient air over the vehicle operator and a canopy carried by the fan assembly and providing solar and precipitation protection for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: William Russ
  • Flow restricting deflector
    Patent number: 11142260
    Abstract: Drag reducing systems for vehicles are provided. In one aspect, a drag reducing system generally includes a flow restricting deflector couplable to a mount and positioned upstream in a path of airflow to an object. The flow restricting deflector generally includes a body portion and a plurality of flow choking orifices configured to provide a choked airflow condition. In another aspect, the drag reducing system is configured for positioning adjacent a wheel and tire combination of a vehicle upstream in a path of airflow to the wheel and tire combination. The flow restricting deflector may be coupled to and extending downward from a splash shield adjacent the wheel and tire combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Bumper beam with reinforcement patch
    Patent number: 11142152
    Abstract: A bumper beam to be arranged horizontally on a motor vehicle, the bumper beam comprising an elongate main cross member produced of a bent plate, wherein the main cross member comprises an elongate bottom portion with two elongate web portions on either side thereof, said elongate bottom portion and elongate web portions being arranged to extend horizontally, when arranged on a vehicle, over at least a first length between two spaced apart attachment sections for attaching the bumper beam to two spaced apart mounting brackets crash boxes, and wherein the web portions are arranged above and below the bottom portion to extend outwards, away from the vehicle when arranged on said vehicle. A patch is arranged along the elongate bottom portion to cover a region that extends horizontally from each attachment section and along at least a section of the first length between two spaced apart attachment sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Gestamp HardTech AB
    Inventors: Johan Nilsson, David Gustafsson
  • Extended roof reinforcement structure
    Patent number: 11136065
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, and in particular a vehicle body structure for a motor vehicle, with an extended roof reinforcement structure. An example vehicle includes an A-pillar, a roof side rail, a dash panel, and a reinforcement structure extending at least partially through the roof side rail and the A-pillar to a front end forward of the dash panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Prescott Hickey, Christopher John May, Michael Kozak, Jamil M. Alwan, Chelliah Madasamy, Matthew B. Makowski, Mazhar Mohammed Hussain
  • Vehicle body structure and vehicle
    Patent number: 11124238
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure and a vehicle are provided. The vehicle body structure includes a front longitudinal beam, a front compartment crossbeam, and a dash panel. The front longitudinal beam includes a left front longitudinal beam and a right front longitudinal beam that are disposed at an interval in a transverse direction. The front compartment crossbeam is mounted on the left front longitudinal beam and the right front longitudinal beam, and is located in front of the dash panel. A projection area of the front compartment crossbeam on the dash panel in an X direction at least partially covers a projection of a preset area surrounding a pedal center point on the dash panel in the X direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yubo Lian, Ming Ji, Xinchun Liu, Rongrong Zhang, Maoyan Liang
  • Electric or hybrid sport car
    Patent number: 11117625
    Abstract: An electric or hybrid sport car comprising a vehicular frame and a floor formed by a fixed portion with the vehicular frame and a removable base and wherein a bottom part of the base consists of a so-called platform, which consists of a plate made of metal or high-resistance composite material, exposed to the outside so as to operatively face the ground on which the car rests. A rear part of the platform diverges from the ground proceeding towards a rear part of the car, and wherein said rear part of the platform supports a support frame of a rear battery pack, and wherein said support frame comprises a plurality of support layers for as many battery layers, which include columns operatively vertical and structures parallel to the rear portion of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: FERRARI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Automotive framework member
    Patent number: 11117624
    Abstract: An automotive framework member 1 includes a first steel sheet 10, a second steel sheet 20, and a first weld metal part 40 joining an interface between the first steel sheet 10 and the second steel sheet 20, in which tensile strength of the first steel sheet 10 is 1.0 GPa or more and 1.6 GPa or less, tensile strength of the second steel sheet 20 is 1.8 GPa or more and 2.5 GPa or less, the first steel sheet 10 includes a groove part 18, the second steel sheet 20 is overlapped with the groove part 18, and a minimum Vickers hardness of a region within 4 mm of a periphery of the first weld metal part 40 of the second steel sheet 20 is 80% or more of a hardness of an outside of the region of the second steel sheet 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ito, Hiroki Fujimoto
  • Vehicle body panel reinforcement
    Patent number: 11110967
    Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a body panel, a first spring anchor, a second spring anchor; and an elongated spring having a first end disposed at a first spring anchor and a second end disposed at a second spring anchor. The spring is preloaded when assembled to form an apex between the first end and the second end. The apex is disposed adjacent to the body panel to provide an outward force on the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Bradley Mondora, Neil R Kauppila, Jordan MacIntire