Patents Examined by Lori L. Lyjak
  • Back beam for vehicle having charge/discharge function, method of manufacturing the same, and operating system of vehicle using the same
    Patent number: 10752194
    Abstract: A back beam for a vehicle having a charge and discharge function utilizing carbon fiber used as a reinforcing material in a back beam of a vehicle, may include a reinforced negative electrode portion formed of carbon fiber and formed to extend in the width direction of the vehicle, a positive electrode portion disposed opposite to at least a portion of the reinforced negative electrode portion, a solid electrolyte portion disposed between the reinforced negative electrode portion and the positive electrode portion to be in contact with the reinforced negative electrode portion and the positive electrode portion, and a molding portion formed of resin and surrounding the reinforced negative electrode portion, the positive electrode portion and the solid electrolyte portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Won Ki Song
  • Vehicle body structure
    Patent number: 10752291
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a front side member, a body attachment structure and an off-center impact structure. The front side member defines a hollow interior, an outboard wall and an inboard wall. The body attachment structure is attached to the outboard wall of the front side member. The off-center impact structure has a first end portion, a second end portion and a main section extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. The first end portion extends through an outboard forward opening and into the hollow interior of the front side member and is rigidly connected to the front side member forward of the body attachment structure. The second end portion is attached to the front side member at a location rearward of the body attachment structure with the main section extending outboard of the body attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Canopy downdraft fan assembly
    Patent number: 10752080
    Abstract: A canopy downdraft fan assembly for being able to direct air flow like a curtain as selected. The canopy downdraft fan assembly includes a canopy assembly including support members adapted to be mounted upon a prime mover and including a canopy mounted upon the support members; and an air flow generating assembly in communication with the canopy assembly and including fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SPORTECH, LLC
    Inventors: Grayson Kroyer, Mario Negri, Marc McCauley
  • Storage system
    Patent number: 10744949
    Abstract: A vehicle including a storage bin and a restraint control system. An actuation assembly is configured to activate in response to a signal from the restraint control system. A tether is operable between undeployed and deployed positions and the actuation assembly is configured to deploy the tether over an opening defined by the storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologes, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Andrus, Chris O'Connor, Jim Carene, Amanda Villerot, Sue Muscat
  • Adjustable vehicle visor
    Patent number: 10737558
    Abstract: An adjustable vehicle visor. The adjustable vehicle visor includes a track securable to a vehicle ceiling, wherein an actuator is slidably disposed within the track. A motor is connected to the actuator and can move the actuator along the track when the motor is actuated. An arm having a longitudinal aperture extending between opposing ends thereof is affixed to the actuator along the longitudinal aperture, such that the arm can rotate about the actuator when the motor is actuated. A visor is pivotally affixed to the arm, the visor having a telescopic panel therein that can selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position. A remote device is in wireless communication with the motor, wherein the remote device can transmit a control signal to actuate the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Mark Stevens
  • Fuel cell vehicle
    Patent number: 10737565
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle capable of reducing an impact on a fuel cell stack thereof in the vehicle-width direction is provided. The fuel cell vehicle includes: the fuel cell stack; a stack frame to which the fuel cell stack is adapted to be mounted, and disposed in a front compartment of the vehicle; and a pair of front side members disposed on both the right and left sides of the stack frame and disposed to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The fuel cell stack is disposed so as to be fitted within the width in the vehicle-width direction of the stack frame in the vehicle-width direction. The stack frame entirely overlaps the front side members when viewed in the vehicle-width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yugo Ichida, Hiroaki Nishiumi
  • System with windows
    Patent number: 10730368
    Abstract: A system such as a vehicle may have windows. A window may have a structural window layer such as a structural window layer formed from laminated glass layers. A thin chemically strengthened glass layer may be coupled to an inwardly facing surface of the structural window layer. A guest-host liquid crystal light modulator layer or other electrically adjustable optical component layer may be interposed between the chemically strengthened glass layer and the structural window layer. An infrared light-blocking coating may be formed on an inwardly facing surface of one of the pair of laminated glass layers. The inwardly facing surface of the thin chemically strengthened glass layer may be provided with a coating that includes a low emissivity layer to block heat and that serves as an antireflection coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Masschelein, Martin Melcher, Derek C. Scott, David E. Kingman
  • Mounting structure for curtain airbag device
    Patent number: 10730561
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a curtain airbag device includes: a first pillar extending along a vehicle upper-lower direction; a second pillar disposed on a vehicle rear side at a predetermined interval with respect to the first pillar, and extending along the vehicle upper-lower direction; a transparent member interposed between the first pillar and the second pillar; a front pillar garnish covering the first pillar and the second pillar and having a lower end portion protruding along at least one of a vehicle front-rear direction and a vehicle width direction; and a curtain airbag device configured to include a curtain airbag, configured to be inflation-deployed in a curtain shape in a vehicle cabin side portion, and having a front end portion fixed at a position in the first pillar or the second pillar corresponding to the lower end portion of the front pillar garnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takamichi Komura, Osamu Fukawatase
  • Vehicle lower portion structure
    Patent number: 10723393
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure includes a resinous floor panel constituting a vehicle cabin floor surface, and a metallic reinforcing member. The reinforcing member is disposed to be bridged between vehicle skeleton members on a lower side of the floor panel and is configured to support a vehicle-mounted object disposed on the lower side of the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Izuhara, Shintaro Kitakata, Kentaro Nakamura
  • Trim element comprising a deformable outer surface and associated vehicle
    Patent number: 10723285
    Abstract: A dashboard of a vehicle has a structure that includes at least one first element and at least one second element, and a skin covering at least part of the first element and the second element. The structure and the skin together define an outer surface of the dashboard. The first element and the second element are able to be moved relative to one another, with the movement causing a deformation of the outer surface of the dashboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Nicolas Pegorier, Fernandez Rayar
  • Vehicle member join structure
    Patent number: 10723392
    Abstract: A vehicle member join structure includes a sheet-shaped first member made of a lightweight metal, a sheet-shaped second member made of a ferrous metal, a rivet made of a ferrous metal and including a shaft that penetrates the first member and a head that remains at an outer surface of the first member, the shaft being welded to the second member so as to connect the first member and the second member together, and a waterproof section that prevents water ingress by covering a region where the rivet and the first member contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ayaka Kagami, Soshiro Murata, Yasuhide Matsuo, Yasushi Azuma
  • Vehicle body front part structure
    Patent number: 10717469
    Abstract: A vehicle body front part structure includes: a pair of left and right front side frames extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a front bulkhead connected to front ends of the front side frames. The front bulkhead includes: a pair of upper and lower lateral members extending in the left-right direction; and a pair of left and right vertical members extending in the up-down direction so as to connect ends on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the lateral members to each other. A forward extension part extending toward the front of the vehicle is provided at a lower end of the vertical member. A first load transmission member located on a more outer side in the vehicle width direction than the front side frame is fixed to the forward extension part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyohiko Matsuoka, Tomohito Kamada, Akira Haga
  • Configurable vehicle console
    Patent number: 10717358
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a console that includes a separator sheet extendable beyond boundaries of the console, and at least one of a human-machine interface; a passive restraint, a storage container, and a vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Uday Kiran Patil
  • Drain valve
    Patent number: 10717473
    Abstract: A drain valve (10), such as for a vehicle body structure, having: at least one frame (12); and at least one flap (14) secured to the at least one frame (12); at least one drain opening (13); wherein the at least one drain valve (10) is located within the at least one drain opening (13); wherein the at least one drain valve (10) has at least two positions: a sealed position, in which the at least one flap (14) prevents airflow; and an open position, in which the at least one flap (14) allows liquid to flow through the at least one drain valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Richardson, Alexander Mangiapane, Nick Holstine
  • Pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10710529
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection device for a motor vehicle, in particular for a front part of the motor vehicle, includes a bumper crossbeam and a deformation element arranged in front of the bumper crossbeam. The deformation element has a bending section, the end of which is in contact with a surface or which comes into contact with the surface in the event of a collision, in particular a front collision of the motor vehicle. The end of the bending section is designed such that it can move along the surface as a result of the collision, wherein the surface has an engaging device with which the end of the bending section can be, in particular, engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oeztzan Akif, Gerhard Fichtinger, Wilhelm Riedl
  • Insertable window assembly
    Patent number: 10710625
    Abstract: An insertable window assembly for incorporating a window into a canopy on a baby carriage includes an infant transport that has a resting surface and a canopy at least partially covering the resting surface. The canopy has a top surface and a bottom surface, and a receiving aperture extending through the top surface and the bottom surface. The receiving aperture facilitates a caregiver to see the infant in the infant transport. A window is attached to the infant transport and the window is positioned on the canopy to cover the receiving aperture. A cover is attached to the window and the cover is removably positioned over the window. The cover is comprised of an opaque material to inhibit light from flowing through the window and into the infant transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: Phyllis Foster
  • Cargo blanket spreading apparatus and method
    Patent number: 10710493
    Abstract: Apparatus for covering product containers loaded in a cargo container is disclosed. The apparatus includes an automated cord reel including a spool and a motor configured to drive the spool. The spool when activated reels in a cord attached to a cargo blanket to spread the cargo blanket over product containers in the cargo container in a smooth motion and/or relatively constant speed to prevent snagging on the product containers. The automated cord reel may be configured as a mobile unit with wheels. A brake system may be provided to prevent movement of the automated cord reel during operation. The automated cord reel may have a battery to provide electric power to the motor. A magnetic floor brake may be configured to hold a cart body in a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KNW Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kerley, Adam Newman, Benjamin G. Witek
  • Vehicle front structure
    Patent number: 10710642
    Abstract: In a vehicle front structure including a cowl top side, a front pillar, and a side member outer, an upper wall portion of an inner of the cowl top side is provided with an inclined portion provided continuously with a top face portion extending downward toward the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction from a boundary portion between the side member outer and a base of the front pillar, and a flat portion connected to a front face portion along the vehicle up-down direction in the side member outer in a state where the flat portion is brought into surface contact with the front face portion of the side member outer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Saeki, Takanori Uehata
  • Convertible vehicle interior
    Patent number: 10703224
    Abstract: A vehicle passenger compartment that defines a vehicle interior delimited in part by a floor, the interior having at least one front row of seats that includes at least two front seats, and at least one rear row of seats that includes at least two rear seats. The front and rear rows of seats are arranged behind one another in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle passenger compartment, each front seat being rotatable around a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the floor. Each rear seat is translatable in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the rotation axis such that the rear seats can be moved away from or closer to one another in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Eric Vanel, Fabrice Aycoberry, Thierry Devoulon
  • Methods and apparatus for pivotally mounting trailer skirt
    Patent number: 10696335
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for mounting a trailer skirt to a trailer. This includes attaching a trailer skirt to a trailer, the trailer skirt configured to pivot in a longitudinal direction of the trailer skirt. In certain embodiments, such methods are accomplished using a trailer-skirt coupling apparatus, the apparatus including a trailer mounting bracket configured for mechanically coupling the apparatus to a trailer and a skirt-supporting member operably attached to the trailer mounting bracket in a cantilevered configuration, where in the cantilevered configuration, the skirt-supporting member is configured to pivot in a longitudinal direction of the trailer skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Philippe Macherel, Calvin Rhett Bradley, David C. Lung, Larry Satterfield