Patents Examined by Laura Freedman
  • Patent number: 12291267
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an off-road vehicle having different features such as an engine assembly, a frame having a frame structure, and a rear mount assembly facilitating easy installation of the engine assembly, and a method of installing the engine assembly. Embodiments of the present disclosure also describe a removable frame member facilitating the installation of the engine assembly from a seating area into a rearward portion of the vehicle. The removable frame member is positioned at least partially forward of the installed engine assembly and in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The frame structure and the rear mount assembly provide more efficient assembly of the engine and transmission assembly into a tight space envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Randall Klaphake, Derek Sorenson, Todd Ethan MacDonald
  • Patent number: 12280731
    Abstract: A scrim including a body portion disposed on an airbag door, the airbag door being configured to open upon a deployment of an airbag, a bent portion disposed on a wall surface of an airbag chute, the airbag chute being formed in a mesh shape, and a hinge portion connecting the body portion and the bent portion, the hinge portion being configured to be partially folded to be seated in the airbag chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ik Keun Choi
  • Patent number: 12275474
    Abstract: A vehicle steering knuckle and a vehicle are provided. The vehicle steering knuckle includes a connecting portion, a weakening portion, a first positioning portion and a second positioning portion. The weakening portion and the first positioning portion are provided on the connecting portion; the first positioning portion is connected to a vehicle steering rod, and the second positioning portion is connected to a vehicle front suspension frame; one end of the weakening portion is connected to the connecting portion, the other end of the weakening portion is connected to the first positioning portion. The weakening portion includes at least one notch and at least one arc portion. The arc portion is provided at a connection position between the weakening portion and the first positioning portion, and the notch is provided in the arc portion, so as to enable the vehicle steering rod to break the weakening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignees: Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Liankong Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhongxiao Zhang, Huicai Lu, Liyou Li
  • Patent number: 12269413
    Abstract: An airbag assembly including an inflator to supply inflation gas and an airbag cushion configured to expand and deploy toward a seating position of a vehicle, the airbag cushion including a main chamber, a secondary chamber coupled to the main chamber, and a tether passing through the main chamber into the secondary chamber, wherein the tether is configured to be released to allow the secondary chamber to be inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Taylor, Russ Gans, Changsoo Choi, Tim Whited
  • Patent number: 12269417
    Abstract: An embodiment rear seat belt anchorage structure for a vehicle includes a rear cross member including a front cross member upper panel at a rear side of a rear seat and extending in a width direction, a front cross member lower panel coupled to a lower portion of the front cross member upper panel, and a rear cross member panel coupling the front cross member upper panel and a rear end of the front cross member lower panel in a height direction, a rear seat belt retractor mounting bracket on an upper surface of the front cross member upper panel and defining an opening through which a webbing of a rear seat belt extends, and a rear seatback mounting bracket on the front cross member upper panel and a front end of the front cross member lower panel and protruding toward the rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Jinyoung Mo, Haehoon Lee
  • Patent number: 12263886
    Abstract: A front frame structure for an electric vehicle includes front side frames disposed in extra spaces between left and right side walls in a vehicle width direction of a motor room and side surfaces of a power control unit; a frame-shaped rigid member disposed in an extra space in a front portion of the motor room; left and right impact absorbing members coupled to a front surface of the frame-shaped rigid member at positions directly facing the front side frames; a bumper beam coupling the impact absorbing members; a lower frame disposed in a lower portion of the motor room; and upper reinforcements coupled to upper surfaces of the front side frames. Outer side surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the upper reinforcements gradually protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from front ends toward rear ends of the upper reinforcements in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 12252192
    Abstract: In a steering device (PS1) according to the present embodiment, a preload applying mechanism (6) provides a rotation torque to one side in a rotation direction of a ball nut (4) by a reaction force generated by elastic abutment of a plunger (61) on a tooth tip of a first sector tooth (321) of a sector gear (32). Therefore, in the steering device (PS1), unlike conventional steering device, there is no need to provide a pressed portion to be pressed by the plunger (61) separately from the sector gear (32). Increase in size of a sector shaft (3) due to formation of the pressed portion can therefore be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Ishikawa, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 12252087
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling airbag deployment in a vehicle. The method may include the steps of receiving an input that a driver of the vehicle is pregnant, and changing an airbag deployment setting to account for a space reduction between the driver and an interior panel portion of the vehicle. In one implementation, the interior panel portion of the vehicle is a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie R Beck, Anthony N Gorney, Omer Kiyani
  • Patent number: 12246573
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suspension apparatus for a vehicle, the suspension apparatus including an axle carrier to which a wheel is rotatably coupled, a torsion beam axle having a trailing arm coupled to the axle carrier, the torsion beam axle being disposed in a width direction of a vehicle, a spring lower pad coupled to the axle carrier and having a bump stopper, a spring seated on the spring lower pad, and a shock absorber coupled to the axle carrier and disposed to be inclined toward a rear side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Jin Woo, Hye Chan Park, Jong Mook Park, Ho Youn Hwang
  • Patent number: 12233808
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle roof and an airbag supported by the vehicle roof. The airbag is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag defines an inflation chamber in the inflated position. The airbag includes a distal end below the vehicle roof in the inflated position. The vehicle includes an inflatable device supported by the vehicle roof. The inflatable device is a thermoplastic elastomer and inflatable to an inflated position. The inflatable device is in the inflation chamber of the airbag when the inflatable device and the airbag are in the inflated positions. The inflatable device includes a distal end in the inflation chamber of the airbag. The distal end of the inflatable device is below the vehicle roof and above the distal end of the airbag in the inflated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Zhenyan Gao
  • Patent number: 12233804
    Abstract: The occupant protection device comprising: a base portion fixed to a ceiling portion of the vehicle; an operation portion connected to the base portion via a hinge and configured to move back and forth between a first position serving as an initial position and a second position used to suppress movement of the occupant when inertial force acts on the occupant, the operation portion configured to align with the ceiling portion at the first position; and a control unit. The operation portion is movable repeatedly from the first position to the second position through the movement control by returning to the first position after having moved from the first position to the second position. The occupant protection device further includes a buffering means configured to buffer a collision impact on the occupant against the operation portion when the operation portion moves to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Daicel Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 12227140
    Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag inflatable from a stored condition adjacent a roof of the vehicle to a deployed condition in which the curtain airbag is positioned between a side structure of the vehicle and the vehicle occupant. The apparatus also includes a tether for anchoring the curtain airbag to the vehicle structure. The tether includes a length of woven fabric material having longitudinal slits spaced from each other along the length of the tether. The tether is doubled over onto itself to position the slits overlying each other and to form a loop at the terminal end of the tether. A fastener extends through the aligned slits and being configured to connect the tether directly to the sheet metal of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventors: Fernando Rios, David Loya Cano
  • Patent number: 12227144
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a brake, a vehicle subsystem, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive an indication that an operator is attempting to exit the cabin and automatically engage the brake in response to the indication to prevent movement of the vehicle. The vehicle subsystem remains operational while the brake is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Archer, Neil Bjornstad, Michael J. Holeton, Patrick D. Martin
  • Patent number: 12221158
    Abstract: A spring hanger assembly may be formed pieces shaped to increase the stiffness and strength. The spring hanger assembly may comprise separate pieces, such as an inner section and an outer section. The spring hanger assembly may be attached to a frame using fasteners or hucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: NORCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Garceau, William A. Aske, Leonard D. Yoder
  • Patent number: 12221054
    Abstract: An extruded side curtain airbag ramp including a tear-resistant material forming at least one attachment feature and method for manufacturing said extruded side curtain airbag ramp. The airbag ramp according to the present invention incorporates a plurality of extruded materials and provides an easier manufactured product and attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Vintech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Schoonover, Robert Rutoski
  • Patent number: 12214745
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor device comprising: a weight body housing installed in a body so as to be rotatable around a shaft coupled to the body, a weight body being installed in the weight body housing, a ball assembly for sensing a change in inclination of a vehicle, a sensor housing in which the ball assembly is movably installed, and a sensor lever installed in the sensor housing and rotated by the movement of the ball assembly. The sensor lever is configured to linearly reciprocate, by rotation, a pilot lever provided in a locking device. The sensor lever is installed in the sensor housing to which the ball assembly is coupled. The sensor lever is rotated around a hinge shaft by the movement of the ball assembly according to a change in inclination of the vehicle to linearly reciprocate the pilot lever connected to the sensor lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Chan Ki Moon
  • Patent number: 12194955
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor includes a housing including a first side wall and a second side wall facing each other, a winding drum configured to wind up a webbing, a locking base, a torsion bar including one end side, which is opposite to the locking base, coupled to the winding drum without being rotatable relative to the winding drum, and the other end side coupled to the locking base without being rotatable relative to the locking base, a pretensioner including: a pretensioner casing attached to the first side wall; and a drive wheel attached to the locking base, a lock member located in the locking base, and a stopper member being screwed onto a male screw of the locking base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Yokoyama, Satoshi Suminaka, Takayoshi Ijiri, Noriko Kurauchi, Eri Fujiwara, Daiki Hijikata
  • Patent number: 12194947
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device includes: a center airbag that is provided at a side portion at a vehicle width direction inner side of a seatback of the vehicle seat, and that inflates and deploys toward a vehicle width direction inner side of an occupant seated at the vehicle seat due to gas ejected from an inflator being supplied to an interior of the center airbag; and a string-like member, one end portion of the string-like member being attached to a seat front side end portion of the center airbag and another end portion of the string-like member being attached to a retracting device, and the string-like member being pulled toward a seat front side due to the string-like member being retracted by the retracting device at a timing at which the occupant is restrained by the center airbag that has been inflated and deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshiya Kudou
  • Patent number: 12187092
    Abstract: A tandem axle suspension system includes a first leaf spring having a first eye end and a second eye end, a second leaf spring having a third eye end and a fourth eye end and an assembly for converting double eye leaf springs of a tandem axle suspension system into slipper springs. That assembly includes a keeper including a first guide track and a second guide track, a first follower adapted for receipt of the first eye end and sliding movement along the first guide track and a second follower adapted for receipt of the third eye end and sliding movement along the second guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: RV Ride Control, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Mater, Jr., Audreg R. Dismuke
  • Patent number: 12187376
    Abstract: An electric powered personal mobility vehicle that includes at least one front wheel and an electric motor that provides rotational force to a wheel of the vehicle. The electric motor is supported by the vehicle and is powered by a rechargeable battery that is also supported by the vehicle. The vehicle can also include swivel caster wheels each configured to rotate about a wheel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: RAZOR USA LLC
    Inventors: Robert Chen, Robert Hadley, William Griggs