Patents Examined by Lori L. Lyjak
  • Rear portion structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 11001302
    Abstract: A front end of an upper bracket in a vehicle longitudinal direction is welded to a top surface of a rear cross member, and a weld zone between the rear cross member and the upper bracket includes, in a plan view of a vehicle, a central portion extending along a vehicle width direction and a curved end portion extending in a curved shape from each end of the central portion in the vehicle width direction toward a front side of the vehicle or a diagonally front side of the vehicle, to thereby reduce a stress on each vehicle-widthwise end of the weld zone between the rear cross member and the upper bracket configured to connect a towing tool attachment to the rear cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Maiko Ikeyoshi
  • Vehicle structure for side impact load path management
    Patent number: 11001304
    Abstract: A side impact load management system for a vehicle having a vehicle frame includes a plurality of cross-vehicle support members extending from a first side of the vehicle to a second side of the vehicle. A first structural member extends in a first vertical plane parallel to a vehicle body axis defined by the vehicle frame and coupled to the vehicle frame, the first structural member connecting the plurality of cross-vehicle support members on the first side of the vehicle. A second structural member extends in a second vertical plane parallel to the vehicle body axis defined by the vehicle frame and coupled to the vehicle frame, the second structural member connecting the plurality of cross-vehicle support members on the second side of the vehicle. The first and second structural members are configured to transfer a side impact load simultaneously to the plurality of cross-vehicle support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Edward D. Moss, Mark J. McGuire, Peter M. Parlow, Keith J. Saari, Mark T. Dingman
  • Rear cross member structure for vehicle
    Patent number: 10994789
    Abstract: The rear cross member structure includes a cam bolt seating unit formed in a rear cross member and having a cam bolt which fixes a lower arm and is seated in the cam bolt seating unit, a cam bolt insertion hole unit formed in the cam bolt seating unit and having the cam bolt inserted into the cam bolt insertion hole unit, and a cam bolt guide unit protruding from the cam bolt seating unit and configured to guide a rotation of the cam bolt by being brought into contact with sides of the cam bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hong Rae Chung
  • Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus
    Patent number: 10994792
    Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus is adaptable for use with vehicles having downstream surfaces that are not streamlined. The apparatus consists of a series of nesting shapes and/or frameworks that extend rearward for use in a drag reducing configuration and collapse for use in a space saving configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Breidenbach
  • Vehicle top structure
    Patent number: 10994673
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof molding made of an elastic member disposed in a groove on a roof top surface formed in a coupling portion coupling a roof panel and a right side panel. The roof molding includes a lid portion covering an upper side of an opening portion of the groove. The roof panel includes a slope face descending toward the groove between a base face and the groove. An end of the lid portion of the roof molding extends to the slope face and is in contact with the slope face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Manjo, Tomoharu Tamaya, Koji Usui
  • Door for vehicle
    Patent number: 10988006
    Abstract: A door of a vehicle may include a door internal panel; a door external panel mounted outside a passenger compartment with respect to the door internal panel, detachably coupled to the door internal panel, and made of a lightweight material than the door internal panel; and a reinforcement member mounted between the door external panel and the door internal panel and fastened to the door external panel and the door internal panel to increase rigidity, reducing weight and cost of the door of the vehicle and easily replacing the door external panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Duckyang Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongmin Jeon, Kwang Seub Kim
  • Lower structure of vehicle
    Patent number: 10988179
    Abstract: A suspension member is mounted on the side members of an underbody. On the rear portion of the suspension member, spacers are provided between the suspension member and the underbody. Each spacer includes a bracket. The front end surface of the bracket is opposed to the rear wall surface of a main suspension body. During a frontal collision, the rear wall surface of the suspension member abuts against the bracket, whereby retreat of the suspension member is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihito Tomizawa, Yoshinori Domon, Akira Nishino
  • Decorative part for vehicle and method for manufacturing same
    Patent number: 10974661
    Abstract: A vehicle decorative part includes a decorative main body and a heater. The decorative main body is configured to be attached to a vehicle at a front side in a transmission direction of millimeter waves from a millimeter wave radar and has a millimeter wave transparency. The heater has a heating element that emits heat when energized. At least a part of the heating element is located in an irradiation region of the millimeter waves in the heater. As a millimeter wave attenuation reducing configuration that reduces attenuation of the millimeter waves passing through the heater, the heating element is incorporated in the heater in a condition where an area proportion of an area of a section of the heating element that occupies the irradiation region to an area of the irradiation region is set such that an attenuation amount of the millimeter waves is less than or equal to a permissible value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Okumura, Hideto Maeda
  • Motor vehicle floor assembly
    Patent number: 10960932
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle floor assembly, and further relates to a method of constructing a motor vehicle which reduces the number of fixing points (i.e., fastener attachment points) on a vehicle chassis. An example floor assembly includes a vehicle frame, a floor panel, and at least one underbody vehicle component forming a subassembly with the floor panel installed to an underside of the vehicle frame. The floor panel comprises at least one recess configured to receive a portion of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel T. Jackson, Ken George Dell
  • Active vehicle seat with morphing portions
    Patent number: 10960793
    Abstract: Actuators can be used in controlling a seat surface of a vehicle seat. The actuators can have an outer skin in connection with a hinge assemblies. The actuators can include a shape-memory material (SMM) member operatively connected to the hinge assemblies. The SMM member can be a shape-memory alloy (SMA) wire. The SMM member can change from a first configuration to the second configuration in response to an activation input, such as heat. The input can be delivered to the SMM member upon detecting an activation condition, such as detection of lateral acceleration. The actuators are operatively positioned relative to a seat surface such that, when the SMM member changes configuration, actuator causes the seat surface to morph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Miga Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Umesh N. Gandhi, Brian J. Pinkelman, Ryohei Tsuruta, Mark A. Gummin
  • Grounds maintenance vehicle with removable control tower skin
    Patent number: 10952378
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a grounds maintenance vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes a frame and a control tower disposed at or near a rear end of the frame. The control tower includes a support structure that defines an interior space of the control tower and a nonplanar removable skin connected to the support structure. The removable skin includes a front side disposed over a front side of the support structure and a lateral side disposed over at least one of a left side or a right side of the support structure. A portion of at least one of the front side or lateral side of the removable skin is disposed above an uppermost surface of the prime mover. Further, the removable skin is adapted to be at least partially removed from the support structure to facilitate additional access to the interior space of the control tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: EXMARK MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christian S. C. Bryant, Nickolas T. Moore, Patrick D. Sands
  • Vehicle body front structure
    Patent number: 10953827
    Abstract: A vehicle body front structure includes: a side frame extending in a front-rear direction in a front part of a vehicle body; a branch frame provided on a vehicle width direction outer side of the side frame; and a coupling member attached to and between the side frame and the branch frame. The branch frame has a rear end portion housed in the side frame and fixed to a vehicle width direction inner wall portion of the side frame. A ridgeline formed on the branch frame is aligned with a ridgeline formed on the inner wall portion of the side frame in the front-rear direction. A ridgeline formed on the coupling member is aligned with a ridgeline formed on an outer wall portion of the side frame in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayasu Yoshida, Takuya Morisawa
  • Detachable transportation vehicle seat assembly
    Patent number: 10953768
    Abstract: A detachable transportation seat assembly for facilitated and secure attachment to the rear row of a mass transportation vehicle, which is releasable and replaceable as desired to enable access to vehicle componentry under the rear seat, or behind the rear wall. A pivot bar on the front of a single or a collection of rear row vehicle seats projects to cooperate with a pivot hook retention bracket, to facilitate removal of the seat or seats, or, alternatively, to facilitate the restoration of the seats for use by passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Freedman Seating Company
    Inventors: William Bellin O'Connor, Vlad Balef, Paul Vidri
  • Motor vehicle floor
    Patent number: 10946771
    Abstract: A motor vehicle floor system includes an integral seat attachment point, and an over-molded seat attachment insert of a floor. The integral seat attachment point is provided on the seat attachment insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel T. Jackson, Kenneth George Dell
  • Hinge for a folding windshield
    Patent number: 10947760
    Abstract: A hinge for a folding windshield is provided for vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) utility vehicles (UTVs), golf carts, and other vehicles. The hinge includes an integral stiffening member or brace to prevent the windshield from bowing due to wind pressure and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: NIVEL PARTS & MANUFACTURING CO., LLC
    Inventors: Charles Dunn Kim, David Blum
  • Chassis assembly for autonomous ground vehicle
    Patent number: 10946912
    Abstract: A chassis and skin of a delivery Autonomous Ground Vehicle include an aluminum structure and polymer panels affixed to the AGV by fasteners. The panels are mutually overlapping. A method of assembly includes hooks and clips to put and hold the panels in place during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Hostein, Ennio Claretti, Nicolas Kurczewski, Brett Skaloud, Andrew Stubbs
  • Locking rotatable handrail for stairs
    Patent number: 10946780
    Abstract: A handrail assembly comprising a top bracket and a handrail pivotally connected to the top bracket. The handrail is movable relative to the top bracket between a stowed position and a deployed position. The handrail is able to be locked in position. The handrail can move between the stowed position and the deployed position when the handrail is not locked in position, but held in the stowed position or the deployed position when the handrail is not locked in position. The handrail cannot move between the stowed position and the deployed position when the handrail is locked in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Stromberg Carlson Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bacon, Charles A. Brammer
  • Electric vehicle
    Patent number: 10940891
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, including, a user compartment and a front section including a portion of a vehicle chassis, a crash absorbing member located in the front section and connected to the portion of the vehicle chassis, the crash absorbing member including a first extruded profile, preferably an aluminum profile, having a main extension direction in a transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, whereby the extrusion direction of the first extruded profile extends substantially in the transverse direction (y) of the vehicle, and wherein further the first extruded profile includes at least two cells (C1, C2) being defined by outer walls and at least one intermediate wall separating the at least two cells (C1, C2), wherein the at least one intermediate wall has a main extension direction in the transverse direction (y) and a second extension direction which extends substantially in a vertical direction (z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Johan Eklund
  • System and method for power tailgate safety
    Patent number: 10941602
    Abstract: A pick-up truck includes a pick-up bed, a tailgate connected to the pick-up bed, a motor configured to move the tailgate along a path, a camera, and processors. The processors stop the tailgate while the tailgate is automatically moving in response to detecting, via the camera, any object within the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Muhannad Anwar Hamdan, Raed Younis
  • Bumper beam having an 8 shaped cross-section
    Patent number: 10940815
    Abstract: A bumper beam made of at least one roll formed steel sheet is described. The bumper beam contains an upper beam and a lower beam extending in a transversal direction, the upper beam and the lower beam each having a closed cross-section defined by a front wall, a rear wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, the upper wall and the lower wall joining the front wall to the rear wall, and a central wall extending between the front walls, the rear walls of the upper beam and of the lower beam forming both the lower wall of the upper beam and the upper wall of the lower beam, the central wall extending in at least two different planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: Damien Herisson, Jimmy Lam, Dan Hasenpouth, Elie Gibeau, Ivan Viaux