Patents Examined by Laura Freedman
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Patent number: 11383670Abstract: A side airbag apparatus includes an airbag that is configured to be deployed and inflated between a body side portion of a vehicle and an occupant seated in a seat in a passenger compartment by a pressure of gas supplied from an inflator. The airbag includes an outer bag and an inner bag, which is provided in the outer bag and accommodates the inflator. The inner bag includes an upper-side inflation portion, which projects forward when inflated to correspond to the shoulder of the occupant, a lower-side inflation portion, which projects forward when inflated to correspond to the lumbar region of the occupant, and a recessed portion, which is provided between the upper-side inflation portion and the lower-side inflation portion. The inner bag includes a connecting hole that connects the inside and the outside of the inner bag to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Shuji Yamamoto, Takashi Iida, Kenichi Fukurono, Koki Tanaka
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Patent number: 11383669Abstract: Airbag assemblies, such as overhead airbag assemblies, comprising overlapping pass-through chambers. In some embodiments, the assembly may comprise an airbag cushion configured to deploy from a vehicle roof structure and a head contact chamber configured to engage a head of an occupant of the vehicle upon deployment. An opening may be formed within the airbag cushion adjacent to the head contact chamber and may extend from a first surface of the airbag cushion configured to engage the occupant to a second surface of the airbag cushion opposite the first surface. The opening may be smaller along one or more dimensions than the head contact chamber upon deployment such that the head contact chamber cannot enter the opening without engaging one or more portions of the airbag cushion defining the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David W. Schneider, Frank Joseph Herzenstiel, II
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Patent number: 11377063Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, comprising an airbag panel (16) defining an inflatable airbag volume as well as including a front panel portion (18) and a rear panel portion (20), a tether (22) extending in the interior of the airbag (14) across the inflatable airbag volume, a discharge orifice (24) which is formed in the rear panel portion (20) of the airbag panel (16), as well as a first closing tab (26) and a second closing tab (28) for closing the discharge orifice (24), wherein the tether (22) extends from a first tether end (32) tightly connected to the front panel portion (18) in the direction of the discharge orifice (24) to an opposite second tether end (34), wherein the first closing tab (26) extends from a first tab end (36) tightly connected to the rear panel portion (20) to a second tab end (38) tightly connected to the second tether end (34), wherein the second closing tab (28) is fastened on the rear panel portion (20) adjacent to the discharge orificType: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignees: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A., SAFELIFE INDUSTRIAL DE COMPOMENTES DE SEGURANCA AUTOMOVEL S.A., TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBHInventors: Thomas Lind, Stefan Sapountzis, Ramon Bana Castro, Bartolomeu Franco, Alexandra Baibas Calvo, Diogo Goncalves Rocha
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Patent number: 11370472Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column housing, a tilt housing pivotally attached to the steering column, and a steering wheel shaft supported by the tilt housing. The tilt housing is moveable between a range of angular positions relative to the steering column housing. A tilt lever assembly, including a tilt lever that is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, mechanically actuates a tilt lock mechanism between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The tilt lever assembly has a tilt lever assembly center of mass that is positioned such that an inertial force acting in a forward direction on the tilt lever assembly center of mass urges the tilt lever towards the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Mahindra N.A. Tech CenterInventors: Matthew T. Brown, Huibert Mees, Marcel Kubisz
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Patent number: 11364872Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor. The vehicle includes a first track elongated along a vehicle-longitudinal axis and fixed to the floor. The vehicle includes a roof above the floor. The vehicle includes a second track elongated along the vehicle-longitudinal axis and fixed to the roof. The vehicle includes a post supported by and movable along the first track and the second track. The vehicle includes an airbag supported by the post and inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
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Patent number: 11358560Abstract: An airbag includes an airbag body having a first expansion portion, a second expansion portion, a first non-expanding part, and a second non-expanding part. While the airbag body is in a deployed state, the first expansion portion is disposed on a side of an occupant; the second expansion portion is disposed at a front side of the first expansion portion and is enlarged downward with respect to the first expansion portion; the first non-expanding part includes a first extending part extending downward from an upper part of the second expansion portion and a second extending part extending upward from a lower part of the second expansion portion, and has an opening between a tip of the first extending part and a tip of the second extending part; and the second non-expanding part is disposed rearwardly apart from the opening and extends at least partially along the first non-expanding part.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventor: Takuya Kamiyama
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Patent number: 11358561Abstract: An airbag for an airbag device includes an outer bag and an inner bag inflatable inside the outer bag. The outer bag includes a driver-side wall for receiving the driver and a vehicle-side wall that is supported by a ring surface of a ring portion of the steering wheel at airbag deployment, and includes an inlet port of inflation gas and a mounting portion on the steering wheel. The inner bag includes a supply port for supplying the gas to the outer bag. The inner bag completes inflation prior to the outer bag, and the outer bag is inflated with the gas supplied from the supply port. The inner bag as inflated has such a shape that the rear portion protrudes farther rearward than a rear end of the ring surface, and that a height from the ring surface is greater in the rear portion than in the front portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Tsutomu Ishii, Koji Kawamura
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Patent number: 11358429Abstract: A machine includes a chassis, a plurality of ground-engaging elements supporting the chassis above a ground surface, a motor for driving at least one of the ground-engaging elements and a plurality of assemblies supporting the chassis on the ground-engaging elements. Each of the assemblies is configured to selectively raise and lower the chassis relative to the ground surface and includes a first attachment component for attaching the assembly to one of the ground-engaging elements, a second attachment component for attaching the assembly to the chassis, an adjustment component for shifting the first attachment component between a plurality of operating positions relative to the second attachment component. A control system allows an operator to remotely control the adjustment components of each of the assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventor: James Slawson
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Patent number: 11351951Abstract: A vehicular airbag device capable of improving reduction of an occupant obstruction value during a diagonal collision. A vehicular airbag device opens an airbag door on an instrument panel. The outer shape of the airbag when fully deployed and expanded is line-symmetrical with respect to a center line of the opening in a vehicle left-right width direction, and a width dimension in the vehicle width direction at a position of a rear edge of the instrument panel in the vehicle longitudinal direction is greater than a width dimension in the vehicle width direction at a position of a center of the opening in the vehicle longitudinal direction which is more forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction than the rear edge position of the instrument panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT ABInventors: Tomohiro Sumiya, Kai Maenishi
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Patent number: 11351915Abstract: Provided are a horn switch and steering wheel capable of reducing a space for the horn switch. A horn switch 4 includes: a guide pin 41 provided with a first end part 411 axially slidably connected to a first opening 211 of a core metal 2, and a second end part 412 disposed to be locked to a second opening 322 of an airbag module 3; a stopper 42 provided with a flange part 421 fixed to the shaft part of the guide pin 41; a damper 43 disposed in a space between the second end part 412 and the flange part 421 and locked to the inner edge of the second opening 322; a horn spring 45 disposed between the flange part 421 and the core metal 2; a fixed-side contact 46 disposed in the core metal 2; and a movable-side contact 47 disposed in the airbag module 3.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.Inventor: Hiromi Matsuo
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Patent number: 11351944Abstract: A safety device for a vehicle adapted to be arranged facing an airbag, the safety device including: a channel suitable for guiding the airbag, the channel delimiting a central opening for deployment of the airbag, a panel at least partially covering the central opening when the airbag is in an uninflated state, and a net having a first plane-portion being entrapped in the channel and a second plane-portion being entrapped in the panel. The net further includes a third portion extending between the first plane-portion and the second plane-portion, at least a part of the third-portion being entrapped in a receiving portion of the channel, wherein the receiving portion includes at least a portion of reduced thickness.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIEInventors: David Onorato Estevez, Javier Martinez-Lera, Laurent Petit
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Axle assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle and heavy duty-vehicle having at least one such axle assembly
Patent number: 11345208Abstract: The invention relates to an axle assembly and a heavy-duty vehicle having such an axle assembly, which comprises a pivot bearing having a substantially vertically extending steering axis of rotation, a bogie rotatably arranged about the steering axis of rotation, a rocker mounted on the bogie so as to be pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, a wheel carrier operatively connected to the rocker having at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereon about a wheel axis of rotation, the wheel axis of rotation extending substantially horizontally and, when driving straight ahead, substantially transversely to the direction of travel, and a pneumatically actuatable power device, which is arranged between the rocker and the bogie.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: GOLDHOFER AGInventors: Horst Häfele, Felix Merkel -
Patent number: 11345204Abstract: A suspension system having a knuckle carrier. A pivot mechanism may pivotally couple a control arm to the knuckle carrier. The pivot mechanism may include a preload nut that may exert a preload force on a bearing assembly. A platform may be fixedly disposed on the knuckle carrier. The platform may support an air spring and may have an arm that is coupled to a stabilizer bar subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Edwin D. Lorenz, Adam P. Sadlik, Michael Schlundt, Rituja D. Marathe
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Patent number: 11345300Abstract: A restraint system (10) for helping to protect an occupant (60) of a vehicle (20) having a roof (32) and a cabin (40) including a seat (50) for the occupant (60) has an airbag (70). The airbag (70) has a stored condition within the roof (32) and is inflatable to a deployed condition extending into the cabin (40) and aligned with the seat (50). The airbag (70) includes a first portion (94) defining a first chamber (100) and a second portion (104) defining a second chamber (110). The first portion (94) is connected to the vehicle (20) and includes a vent (106). The first portion (94), in response to occupant (60) penetration with the second portion (104), vents inflation fluid from the vent (106) and elongates to enable folding of the airbag (70) away from the occupant (60).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Alexandra E. Smith
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Patent number: 11338840Abstract: A clamping device for a longitudinally adjustable and/or vertically adjustable steering column of a vehicle, has an actuating lever, an actuating component, a tie bolt and a mating component, wherein the actuating component is assigned to the actuating lever, and the mating component is assigned to the tie bolt, and wherein the actuating component is movable relative to the mating component between a release position and a fixing position. A solid damping element is provided for damping a relative movement between the actuating component and the mating component. An adjusting device is furthermore shown.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Andreas Birkheim
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Patent number: 11338760Abstract: A cushion of an airbag apparatus may include: a rear panel having a gas inlet formed at the rear thereof, and a first connecting end formed along the edge thereof and deployed forward when gas is introduced into a primary filling room open to the front; and a front panel having a second connecting end formed along the edge thereof at the front of the rear panel and coupled to the first connecting end, and a passenger support region which is formed at the front surface thereof and deployed forward when gas is introduced into a secondary filling room open to the rear.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Min Seok Koh
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Patent number: 11332094Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body having an opening. The assembly includes a track supported by the vehicle body. The track extends along the opening. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the vehicle body. The airbag is slidably engaged with the track. The airbag is inflatable across the opening and along the track to an inflated position. The assembly includes a pyrotechnic device supported by the vehicle body and connected to the airbag. The airbag is slidable along the track by the pyrotechnic device to the inflated position.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: S. M. Iskander Farooq, Anil Kalra, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi
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Patent number: 11325558Abstract: An airbag apparatus may include: an inflator configured to jet gas in case of a collision of a vehicle; a first cushion inflated by the gas jetted by the inflator, and configured to support the head of a passenger in case of a head-on collision of the vehicle; a second cushion connected to the first cushion so as to be supported by the first cushion, and configured to suppress the head of the passenger from moving in a diagonal direction in case of an oblique collision of the vehicle; a connection tube configured to connect the first and second cushions such that the gas of the inflator moves from the first cushion to the second cushion; and a control tether connected to the first cushion and the connection tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Rae Ick Jang, Su Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 11325637Abstract: A steering system includes a steering operation shaft, a lower shaft, an upper shaft, and an intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft includes a tubular member including a hollow portion; and a shaft member. An oil groove that retains lubricating oil is provided in a predetermined range in an axial direction of the intermediate shaft on at least one of an outer peripheral surface of the shaft member at a part housed in the hollow portion and an inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the tubular member. A sectional area of the oil groove in an upper shaft-side part of the predetermined range is larger than a sectional area of the oil groove in a lower shaft-side part of the predetermined range, the upper shaft-side part being located on a side of the upper shaft, and the lower shaft-side part being located on a side of the lower shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Yasunori Kamitani, Gaku Takimoto
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Patent number: 11325542Abstract: An airbag device attached to a vehicle body frame member and covered by a garnish is configured such that when a bag body is deployed, the airbag device pushes out the garnish to create a gap between the garnish and the vehicle body frame member to allow the bag body to be inflated out of the gap. The clip for securing the garnish to the vehicle body frame member includes a first member configured to be fixed to the vehicle body frame member, a second member configured to be fixed to the garnish, and a connecting member for keeping the first member and the second member connected when the airbag is deployed. The connecting member is tiltable with respect to the first member and the second member so that the movable range of the clip can be maximized without using flexible material for the connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: NIFCO INC.Inventor: Hajime Naoi