Patents Examined by Laura Freedman
  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 12172595
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle roof, a liftgate rotatably connected to the vehicle roof, and an airbag. The airbag has a first segment supported by the vehicle roof and a second segment supported by the liftgate. The first segment of the airbag defines a first inflation chamber and the second segment of the airbag defines a second inflation chamber. The airbag includes a conduit fluidly connecting the first inflation chamber and the second inflation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zhibing Deng, Joseph E. Abramczyk, Deepak Patel
  • Patent number: 12172596
    Abstract: An airbag that includes a center chamber extending in a width direction of the vehicle in the vicinity of a lower edge of a windshield, and side chambers extending upward from both left and right end sections of the center chamber at least along an A-pillar, and is configured such that gas supplied from the inflator flows from the center chamber to the side chamber, a folded section is formed at which the side chamber is folded back toward the center chamber to be overlapped in a stowed state of the airbag, a pair of left and right partition panels for partitioning the center chamber and the side chambers are provided in the vicinity of the folded sections, and each of the pair of partition panels is provided with a check valve that prevents backflow of gas from the side chamber to the center chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Akifumi Hanawa, Satoshi Ito, Atsushi Tamura
  • Patent number: 12168415
    Abstract: A deployable restraint system includes an inflatable structure and a tether. The inflatable structure comprises a main chamber and a pair of auxiliary chambers coupled to the main chamber and sealed with respect to the main chamber. The tether is coupled to the inflatable structure via an anchor and configured to guide the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Adam J. Golman, Jesse T. Buehler, Nathaniel J. Dennis
  • Patent number: 12168382
    Abstract: A front frame assembly for a motor vehicle includes a suspension attachment structure fixable to a body cell, one or more attachment elements fixed relative to the suspension attachment structure to allow a suspension of the motor vehicle to be coupled to the suspension attachment structure, and an absorption element to absorb a front crash of the motor vehicle, the absorption element being fixed relative to the suspension attachment structure and extending in a projecting manner relative to the suspension attachment structure along a first straight axis until ending with one end opposite the suspension attachment structure, wherein the assembly comprises a channel extending with continuity through the absorption element and the suspension attachment structure between an inlet opening obtained at the end along the first axis and an outlet opening obtained in the suspension attachment structure along a second axis transversal to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Testa
  • Patent number: 12162422
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes a first bag, a second bag, and a deployment controller. The first bag deploys in front of an occupant of the vehicle. The second bag deploys adjacent to the first bag. The deployment controller selects a first deployment mode in which the first bag deploys or the second bag does not deploy and a second deployment mode in which the first bag and the second bag deploy according to a collision mode. The first bag includes a first air chamber and a second air chamber protruding from the first air chamber toward the second bag. The occupant protection device further includes a deployment restriction member that restricts an amount of protrusion of the second air chamber from the first air chamber. The deployment restriction member is disabled in the first deployment mode and enabled in the second deployment mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Mashiko, Takehiro Kurihara
  • Patent number: 12151530
    Abstract: A trailer includes: one or more adjustable suspension actuators; an actuator control module configured to actuate the one or more adjustable suspension actuators; and an adjustment module configured to selectively adjust the one or more adjustable suspension actuators while the trailer is moving based on one or more operating parameters of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cunningham, Adam Golembeski, Derek Rouse
  • Patent number: 12145651
    Abstract: A siderail member for a subframe assembly of a vehicle, including: an elongate body, wherein the elongate body includes a hollow extruded structure including an inboard wall, an outboard wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and one or more internal walls. Optionally, the bottom wall has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the top wall. Optionally, the outboard wall has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the inboard wall. Optionally, the one or more internal walls include a top internal wall and a bottom internal wall forming a plurality of horizontally-disposed cells within an interior of the elongate body. The bottom internal wall has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of the top internal wall. The hollow extruded structure is manufactured from an aluminum material. Optionally, the top wall of the hollow extruded structure defines a flexure recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Johan Eklund, Anders Sandahl, Jens Raine, Domenico Macri, Emil Claesson, Per Zachrison, Kaldon Kalasho, Robin Larsson, Martin Granlund, Patrik Ljungbäck
  • Patent number: 12145527
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle includes a roof airbag device including a roof cushion mounted on a roof of a vehicle body and protruding toward a lower side of a vehicle compartment in a deployed state, a curtain airbag device including a curtain cushion mounted on the vehicle body around a side window to cover the side window in the deployed state, and a coupling unit configured to couple the roof cushion to be supported on the curtain cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seungkyu Kang, Jong-Hun Choi, Eun Mook Park
  • Patent number: 12139093
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag for a motor vehicle, the airbag comprises a pair of superimposed layers of fabric which are interconnected by a peripheral seam extending around and defining the bounds of a single inflatable chamber between said layers. The inflatable chamber has an inlet region comprising a fluid inlet connected to an inflator. First and second peripherally spaced-apart regions of the peripheral seam are secured to one another such that the inlet region is superimposed with at least one other region of the inflatable chamber to thereby induce an inflated shape to the chamber upon inflation of the airbag by a flow of gas from said inflator, the inflated shape being characterised by least one said other region of the inflatable chamber lying adjacent said inflator upon inflation of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Mateusz Kedziersk, Przemyslaw Siecla
  • Patent number: 12134428
    Abstract: A steering system includes a first wheel and a second wheel laterally spaced apart from the first wheel, and a third wheel and a fourth wheel laterally spaced apart from the third wheel. The first wheel is rotatably coupled to a first knuckle and the second wheel is rotatably coupled to a second knuckle. The third wheel and the fourth wheel are both pivotally fixed in a forward-aligned orientation. The steering system includes a first tie rod having a first end pivotally coupled to the first knuckle and a second end pivotally coupled to a mechanical linkage, a second tie rod having a first end pivotally coupled to the second knuckle and a second end pivotally coupled to the mechanical linkage, and an electrical actuator coupled to the mechanical linkage. The mechanical linkage is arranged in front of the electrical actuator relative to a travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Williams, Jihong Hao, Prabhu Shankar, Devin Rosencrance
  • Patent number: 12128728
    Abstract: A dual rate torsion bar suspension system is connected to a control arm and includes a first rate torsion bar and a second rate torsion bar connected to one another in order to provide the suspension system with a dual rate torque resistance. A cam mechanism is employed for isolating the second rate torsion bar from the first rate torsion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Anderson Les, Jeffery L. Vogt
  • Patent number: 12116077
    Abstract: A scooter apparatus including a steering assembly having a pivotable steering member having a pivotal axis; a handle-bar securely attached to the steering member; a pair of front wheels; a steering mechanism configured to steer the front wheels; a wheel s-pivoting-mechanism configured to pivot the pair of front wheels; and a steering-tilt assembly configured to tilts the steering member towards the inside periphery of the turning curve, when pivoting the steering member. The rate of the tilt of the steering member, towards the inside periphery of the turning curve, is proportionally related to the pivoting rate of the steering member, and configured to vary depending on speed. The scooter further includes a deck assembly having a standing board and a rear wheel assembly. An interface assembly interconnecting the deck assembly with the steering assembly. The scooter is foldable and may include a detachable bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: TROLLYPACK LTD.
    Inventors: Niri Klier, Orel Serfaty
  • Patent number: 12109966
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an airbag apparatus for a vehicle seat, comprising at least one airbag module, wherein the at least one airbag module comprises at least one airbag and is designed for attachment to a backrest and/or to a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, and a catch strap mechanism for the airbag module, wherein the catch strap mechanism comprises at least one catch strap arrangement attached to the airbag, the catch strap mechanism being designed for attachment to the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Arndt Söhnchen, Ronald Jabusch, Hans-Jörg Langhoff, Antto-Christian Glaesser, Alexandru Cirstea, Jens Ehlers
  • Patent number: 12109970
    Abstract: A deployable restraint system including a panel, a tether coupled to the panel, and an actuator that moves the tether to deploy the panel. The panel and the tether are placed in tension between one of two sides of a compartment and a top of the compartment when the tether is moved by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, Jesse T. Buehler, Adam J. Golman
  • Patent number: 12109973
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection device includes a left airbag and a right airbag are of configurations that expand on a left and a right respectively of a wiper pivot disposed centrally in a vehicle width direction. Cowl cover portions of the left airbag and the right airbag that cover an upper face side of a cowl are of a configuration such that end side regions on sides in proximity to each other are caused to come into contact in a position above the wiper pivot. The end side region of one of the cowl cover portions covers the wiper pivot from above in such a way as to be able to restrict contact between a pedestrian and the wiper pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Ozeki, Atsushi Kashio, Hiroki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 12090946
    Abstract: A rear-seat airbag is configured to expand and deploy from a lower portion of a center console of a vehicle toward a center portion of a row of rear seats. The rear-seat airbag includes a first airbag and a second airbag. The first airbag is configured to restrain an upper body of a passenger sitting in the center portion of the row of rear seats. The second airbag is configured to restrain a lower body of the passenger sitting in the center portion of the row of rear seats. The first airbag is coupled to the second airbag such that, when the rear-seat airbag expands and deploys, the first airbag covers a half or more of the second airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa