Patents Examined by Lori L. Lyjak
  • Patent number: 10434913
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having at least one side bolster mounted to the vehicle door such that when the door is open the adjoining bolster moves away from the side of the seat to provide an easier path for ingress and egress from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Anatoly Arutunoff
  • Patent number: 10434952
    Abstract: An anchor for removably attaching an accessory to a frame member having an outer surface and a slot defined in the outer surface. The anchor comprises a body that has a surface that is generally complementary in shape to a portion of the outer surface of the frame member that surrounds the slot, a shank that from the surface, the shank being sized to be received in the slot and defining an aperture extending from a free end of the shank toward the surface. The aperture is adapted to receive a fastener. The anchor also includes at least one projection extending from a side of the shank. A vehicle having the frame member and the anchor is provided. A method of attaching a component to a frame member using the anchor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Laurent Savard, Patrick Mathieu
  • Patent number: 10435076
    Abstract: A vehicle engine compartment assembly includes an upper longitudinal beam and a front subframe disposed under the upper longitudinal beam. The vehicle engine compartment assembly further includes a middle longitudinal beam and a connecting supporting member. The middle longitudinal beam is disposed between the upper longitudinal beam and the front subframe. The connecting supporting member is connected to each of the middle longitudinal beam, the upper longitudinal beam and the front subframe. In the vehicle engine compartment assembly, the middle longitudinal beam is added between the upper longitudinal beam and the front subframe, and the upper longitudinal beam, the middle longitudinal beam and the front subframe are connected together to form a stable structure having a shape of “”. When the vehicle suffers collision at a high speed, the impact force is transferred through three load transfer paths to improve the energy absorption effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU AUTOMOBILE GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangdong Huang, Peng Yue, Huanquan Yuan, Furong Geng, Jinhua Chen
  • Patent number: 10427723
    Abstract: A vehicle body is disclosed. The vehicle body includes a lateral sill panel device made of fiber-reinforced plastic, which is formed as a hollow profile with an external wall element as an impact face, and a floorpan structure including a transverse seat support made of fiber-reinforced plastic, which extends in the Y-direction of the vehicle body substantially to the external wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lennart Keuthage, Robert Loch
  • Patent number: 10427615
    Abstract: An assembly includes a body with a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a vertical axis. The assembly additionally includes a cargo area coupled to the body. The cargo area has a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced from each other along the lateral direction. A first fixation point is disposed on the first sidewall. The first fixation point has a first aperture with a first central axis generally parallel to the vertical axis. A second fixation point is disposed on the second sidewall. The second fixation point has a second aperture with a second central axis generally parallel to the vertical axis. The assembly further includes a removable cargo storage device with a first end and a second end. The first end is provided with a first post cooperable with the first aperture, and the second end is provided with a second post cooperable with the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark T. Traxler, John K. Quinlan, Yul Alvarado, Kevin J. Storck, Joseph Moroni
  • Patent number: 10421496
    Abstract: A vehicle roof stiffener includes a metal or metal alloy frame defining a central opening and at least one corner. The vehicle roof stiffener also includes a fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) portion including at least one transition structure comprising a metal or a metal alloy. At least some of the fibers of the FRP portion are embedded in the transition structure. The FRP portion is located in the at least one corner. In some examples, the frame includes an opening in the at least one corner, and the FRP portion spans the opening. In other examples, the FRP portion overlaps the frame at the at least one corner. The FRP portion located at the corner may improve rigidity of the roof stiffener to increase resistance to a racking motion and increase the overall stiffness of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Andrew K. Swayne, Ryan M. Hahnlen
  • Patent number: 10422170
    Abstract: Dual pivoting laterally translating hinges that attach between a stationary first substrate such as a vehicle body, and a rotating second substrate such as a vehicle door, and extend laterally when the second substrate is rotated. In some examples, the hinges include a knuckle and leadscrew mechanism that changes the hinge geometry when the second substrate is rotated, causing the leadscrew to rotate by either a set of gears or a rack and pinion. In some further examples, the hinges include a jackscrew that changes length as the second substrate is rotated, causing the hinge to extent laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Trentin, Dave Spink
  • Patent number: 10414447
    Abstract: A truck box assembly including a sidewall, a pair of doors, and a support assembly is provided. The sidewall may define an opening to provide clearance for a wheel house. Each of the pair of doors extends from one side of the opening. The support assembly may be mounted to a truck box and support the sidewall as the sidewall moves between retracted and expanded positions. Each of the doors may be moveable between an open position and a closed position filling the opening in the expanded position. The support assembly may include a mount post secured to the truck box at a standard interface plate (SIP) bracket and a horizontal member extending from the mount post and secured to the truck box at a stake pocket hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Erin Elizabeth Sauter, Ria Sinha McClellan, Michael William Danyo, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Mark Sauter
  • Patent number: 10414259
    Abstract: A profiled strip includes a first connecting area configured to connect to an edge area of a windshield of a motor vehicle, and a second connecting area configured to connect to a component to be adjoined to the windshield. The second connecting area has an open profile along at least one first partial section of a lengthwise extension of the profiled strip, which allows a connecting element of the adjoining component to be inserted into a receiving area delimited by the open profile. The second connecting area has a closed profile along at least one second partial section of the lengthwise extension of the profiled strip, which prevents the insertion of the connecting element into the closed profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ELKAMET KUNSTSTOFFTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Ortmueller, David Landeck
  • Patent number: 10407012
    Abstract: An off-center impact structure (a frame protrusion rupture mitigating structure) has a first end section, a mid-section and a second end section. The first end section is fixedly attached to an attachment section of a vehicle front side member. The mid-section extends laterally outward and defines an arcuate shape curving forward from the first end section and laterally outboard. The second end section of the off-center impact structure is located forward of the attachment section. The mid-section has a forward-facing surface formed with a plurality of vertically oriented recesses. In response to an off-center impact event where impacting force is applied to a distal end of the second end section, the off-center impact structure deforms bending along the mid-section with at least a portion of the vertically oriented recesses expanding in a bellows-like manner absorbing impact energy such that the second end section is moved rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Grattan
  • Patent number: 10406964
    Abstract: A stake pocket tie-down and a flatbed trailer that uses that stake pocket tie down. The stake pocket tie-down includes post section that fits into a stake opening of the flatbed trailer. The post section includes a pass-through opening and a top stationary platform having a shoulder for resting on a stake opening. A rotating base having a retention collar is located above the stationary platform. A rotating post is fixed to the rotating base and passes through and is rotatingly attached to the stationary platform. A swiveling D-ring is connected to the retention collar. That ring can rotate relative to the stationary platform. A securing device having a handle passes through the pass-through opening. A retention device retains the securing device in the pass-through opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: James R. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10406949
    Abstract: Vehicle seat comprising a vehicle seat upper part and a vehicle seat lower part, the vehicle seat upper part being movable relative to the vehicle seat lower part, and the vehicle seat upper part being able to be sprung and damped, relative to the vehicle seat lower part, by a suspension and damping element, the suspension and damping element comprising a reversibly deformable plastics element and an adjusting element, the plastics element and the adjusting element being in operative contact, and the spring characteristics of the suspension and damping element being able to be adjusted depending on the position of the adjusting element relative to the plastics element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Florian Schanderl, Johann Meier
  • Patent number: 10406897
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a vehicle having a cargo box. A first side rail and a second side rail are coupleable to opposite lateral sides of the cargo box. The first side rail and the second side rail include a side rail retention member. A tonneau cover is configured to cover the cargo box and extend between the first side rail and the second side rail. First and second sides of the tonneau cover include at least one tonneau cover retention member. The side rail retention members cooperate with the tonneau cover retention members to maintain the first side and the second side of the tonneau cover in cooperation with the first side rail and the second side rail respectively, and thereby resist lifting of the first side from the first side rail and the second side from the second side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TRUXEDO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Spencer, Tim Nelson
  • Patent number: 10399507
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a mirror system including: a retractor module configured to be installed onto the ceiling of a vehicle interior; a retractor assembly positioned within the retractor module, the retractor assembly having a retractable connector attached at one end to a mirror positioned outside of the retractor module, the retractor assembly configured to releasably maintain the connector in a retracted position and at least one extended position; and the mirror being pivotably connected to the connector around a horizontal axis such that the mirror can be in a substantially horizontal orientation and substantially vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rawaa Yaldo, Valor Yaldo
  • Patent number: 10399606
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a wheel within a wheel well, a fender panel assembly that includes a fender outer panel and a fender inner panel, the fender panel assembly at least partially surrounding the wheel well, and an overfender assembly connected to the fender panel assembly. The overfender assembly includes an overfender backing including a fender outer panel connection portion that connects to the fender outer panel and a fender inner panel connection portion that connects to the fender inner panel and an overfender garnish connected to the overfender backing. The overfender garnish and the overfender backing are formed separately of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Frederick, Scott P. Robison
  • Patent number: 10399614
    Abstract: A motor vehicle tail gate panel has one side facing the inside of the motor vehicle and one side facing the outside of the motor vehicle and including a box having an adhesion area on the side facing the outside of the motor vehicle for adhering a glass to the surface of the box. The box extends beyond the adhesion area on the side opposite this area so as to form at least one section that is visible from the outside of the motor vehicle, and the section has a shape that enhances the aerodynamics of the motor vehicle. As a result, additional spoilers may not be needed, which improves productivity and reduces production costs. Example embodiments also relate to a motor vehicle that includes the tail gate panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Pascal Depardon, Bertrand Hache
  • Patent number: 10391847
    Abstract: A locking device for a top of a convertible vehicle having a locking support, a locking hook, which can be shifted in a translational and rotational manner so as to be displaced between a release position and a locked position, and a driving mechanism for the locking hook, the driving mechanism comprising a driving wheel, which is driven by a driving motor and which drives a slide movable on the locking support, the slide being connected to the locking hook in such a manner that the locking hook undergoes a displacing movement when the slide is moved. A securing pin is arranged on a first component movable relative to the locking support, the securing pin engaging into a corresponding recess of a second component moveable relative to the locking support when the locking hook is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Franz Haberl, Christian Rudolfi
  • Patent number: 10391013
    Abstract: A powered ambulance cot and methods of raising and lowering the cot as well as loading and unloading the cot are disclosed. The cot includes a support frame and legs, each leg having a wheel. An actuator of an actuation system interconnects the frame and legs, and is configured to effect changes in elevation of the frame relative to the wheel of each of the legs. A control system controls activation of the actuation system, and detects both the actuator at a first location relative to the frame, where the first location is remote from a second location and which situates an end of the actuator that is remote from each wheel closer to the frame, and a presence of a signal requesting a change in elevation of said support frame to thereby cause the legs to move relative to the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ferno-Washington, Inc.
    Inventors: Colleen Q. Blickensderfer, Brian M. Magill, Timothy R. Wells, Preeti Sar, Derick C. Robinson, Nicholas V. Valentino, Michael D. Clark
  • Patent number: 10384522
    Abstract: A tonneau cover includes a hinge assembly including a first portion attached to a first panel and a second portion attached to a second panel. Each of the first portion and the second portion include release sections and secure sections and the second portion is detachable when moved to align the release sections with the secure sections. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Yilma, Pattrick Loew
  • Patent number: 10377436
    Abstract: A side cover structure for a motorcycle, which is to be arranged for covering a lateral side of the motorcycle, comprising a side cover that covers a lateral side of an air cleaner above the engine and includes a window for allowing vision therethrough. The side cover is provided with a side lower cover, which covers below the side cover and includes a surface portion for attaching from inside of the window of the side cover, and a garnish, which is made attachable/detachable to/from the outside of the window. The surface portion of the side lower cover carries a design shape thereon for being seen when the garnish is taken off from the side cover at the window. Such configuration provides the user to change the appearance of side cover structure of the motorcycle, thereby providing various styles of the side cover structure by the user preference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nattapat Janyapanich, Kunakorn Sriwirat, Navapon Plodprong, Natee Aromsuk, Chatriya Kwamchob