Patents Examined by Lori L. Lyjak
  • Fairing assembly for a commercial vehicle
    Patent number: 10370039
    Abstract: A fairing assembly for a commercial vehicle is disclosed. The fairing assembly includes a fairing and a mounting system for mounting the fairing on a frame of the commercial vehicle. The mounting system includes a first mounting bracket assembly mounted on the fairing and a second mounting bracket assembly configured to be mounted on the frame. The mounting system is configured to hold the fairing in a covering position for laterally covering at least a major portion of a wheel of the commercial vehicle and allow the fairing and the first mounting bracket assembly to pivot from the covering position into an intermediate position and translationally move along the second mounting bracket assembly in a transverse direction of the commercial vehicle from the intermediate position into a stowed position in which the fairing rests on the second mounting bracket assembly via the first mounting bracket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ryan Geary, Michael Gatza, Nathan Hill, Kristen Crosby
  • Aerodynamic drag reducing apparatus
    Patent number: 10370043
    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: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Scott Breidenbach
  • Vehicle pillar structure
    Patent number: 10363970
    Abstract: A vehicle pillar structure including: a pillar outer panel that extends with a length direction substantially in a vehicle vertical direction and configures a first part of a vehicle pillar, the vehicle pillar including a first column extending substantially along the vehicle vertical direction and a second column disposed at a predetermined spacing from the first column and extending substantially along the vehicle vertical direction; a pillar inner panel that configures a second part of the vehicle pillar, that extends with a length direction in the substantially vehicle vertical direction so as to face the pillar outer panel; and a weld portion at which an end in a short direction of one of the pillar outer panel or the pillar inner panel is abutted against a flat face provided at the other of the pillar outer panel or the pillar inner panel, and welded to the flat face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuki Komoriya, Motoya Sakabe, Koki Ikeda
  • Vehicle framework structure
    Patent number: 10363973
    Abstract: A vehicle framework structure includes a tunnel disposed in a central part of a floor panel of a vehicle in a vehicle width direction so as to extend in a vehicle front-rear direction, a pair of rockers, a floor lower cross structure, and a floor frame. A front end of the floor frame in the vehicle front-rear direction is connected to a front side structure provided in a vehicle front part so as to be disposed between one of the rockers and the tunnel in the vehicle width direction and to extend along the vehicle front-rear direction, and a rear end of the floor frame is connected to the one of the rockers and the floor lower cross structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Saeki
  • Insert for a multi-part vehicle door
    Patent number: 10363798
    Abstract: An insert for a vehicle door that has one part that is separable from another part of the door. The insert may have a body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end and through the center of mass of the body, an opening at the first end, and an inner surface that defines a cavity extending from the opening toward the second end. The inner surface has a first portion and an opposing second portion wherein the distance from the first portion to the axis decreases from the first end toward the second end of the cavity along at least a portion of the cavity. The distance from the second portion to the axis increases from the first end toward the second end of the cavity along at least a portion of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Richard M Kleinhoffer
  • Tailgate towing replacement accessory
    Patent number: 10358077
    Abstract: A truck having a towing accessory adapted to carry a second vehicle comprising a truck bed having a proximal end and a distal end and a towing accessory attached to the distal end of the truck bed, wherein the towing accessory is adapted to support a pair of wheels of a second vehicle by extending the length of the truck bed. The towing accessory includes a first frame member and a second frame member with lengths spanning a width of the truck bed and spaced substantially parallel to one another. The first frame member and the second frame member are connected by a support adapted to secure a pair of wheels of the second vehicle within the towing accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventors: Todd Berrier, Ginger Berrier
  • Protective radiator shroud for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10358102
    Abstract: A protective radiator shroud for a motor vehicle that is provided with a receiving area for a license plate holder and with a license plate holder. A deformable, plate-shaped energy absorber is arranged between the receiving area of the protective radiator shroud and the and the license plate holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Andreas Bischoff
  • Semitrailer configured as a mobile presentation enclosure with improved access for individuals
    Patent number: 10358076
    Abstract: A semitrailer is configured as a mobile presentation enclosure where the semitrailer rests on the ground when detached from a truck which enables individuals to easily access a floor top surface in an interior of the semitrailer by taking one step up onto the floor top surface in the interior of the semitrailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Craftsmen Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Helmsing, Brian Orf, John E. Szyhowski, Todd Rio, Eric Held, Mark D. Steele
  • Assembly capable of deploying stowed items in a passenger compartment of a vehicle
    Patent number: 10351066
    Abstract: An assembly capable of deploying stowed items in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a door and a storage unit having an opening for allowing ingress and egress of items into and out of a storage compartment of the unit, respectively, in an open position of the door. A support member supported within the storage compartment is configured to movably hold an item in the storage compartment and is configured to allow the item to be readily removed from the unit in an extended position of the support member. An actuator is configured to controllably move the support member away from its retracted position towards its extended position through stored potential energy without consuming electrical energy. The door moves towards its open position during movement of support member towards its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Munro, Richard D. Adamson, Sr.
  • Locking assembly for vehicle armrest
    Patent number: 10352071
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment includes a base bin defining a storage cavity and configured to couple to a vehicle floor, a door coupled to the base bin and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the door having a latch mechanism configured to selectively engage the base bin to facilitate maintaining the door in the closed position, and a locking assembly coupled to the door and configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking assembly is configured to selectively engage the base bin in the locked position to facilitate preventing movement of the door from the closed position to the open position. The locking assembly is separate and independent of the latch mechanism such that the latch mechanism remains movable when the locking assembly is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Muntean, Gregory A Wasek, Andrew Kuzdak, III
  • Front vehicle body reinforcing structure
    Patent number: 10343721
    Abstract: A front vehicle body reinforcing structure includes: a shock absorber housing; a fender apron upper member connected to an upper end of an outer surface of the shock absorber housing in the width direction of the vehicle body; a front side member disposed inwardly in the width direction of the vehicle body at a lower portion of the fender apron upper member, and connected to a lower end of an inner surface of the shock absorber housing in the width direction of the vehicle body; and a fender apron member connecting the front side member and the fender apron upper member. The front side member and the fender apron member may form a three-dimensional box structure, and the fender apron member may be inserted into the front side member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Do Hoi Kim, Jongduk Yu, Chang Ho Park, Sung Woo Kim, Jongsoo Kim, Dong Kyu Kim, Hae Woong Kim, Changki Hong
  • Bracket assemblies and vehicles using the same
    Patent number: 10343624
    Abstract: Bracket assemblies to connect a first part and a second part where the two parts form an angle with one another including a first articulation member that includes a first joint portion with a first pivot connection that is coupled with the first part, the first articulation member also including a second joint portion having a second pivot connection that is coupled with the second part. In some examples, there is a second articulation member that is pivotably connected to the first articulation member and the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Techologies, LLP
    Inventor: Simon Luciew
  • Component for a vehicle
    Patent number: 10336383
    Abstract: A component, in particular a body component, for a vehicle, has at least one test section which is arranged in a predetermined area of the component and which is connected in one piece to the rest of the component by way of at least one connecting element. The connecting element is embodied as predetermined breaking point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Schnaufer, Jan Jaap Timmerman, Peter Jahnke, Andre Koch
  • Pillar structure
    Patent number: 10336375
    Abstract: A pillar structure includes: a pillar inner panel; and an outer reinforcement including a flange portion welded to the pillar inner panel, an outer portion located at a more vehicle-outward position than the flange portion and having a thicknesses that varies in the up-down direction of the vehicle, and a coupling portion coupling the flange portion to the outer portion. The outer reinforcement has a plate-thickness gradual change region where a thickness of the outer reinforcement gradually changes in the front-rear direction of the vehicle such that a thickness of the flange portion becomes equal to or less than a thickness of the thick-plate region between a thick-plate region where a thickness of the outer portion is more than a predetermined thickness and the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakamoto, Naohiko Ueno
  • Tonneau cover system with automatic stowing latch
    Patent number: 10328780
    Abstract: A tonneau cover can include at least one pair of cooperating locking elements coupled thereto with the cooperating locking elements being positioned to engage and automatically lock with each other when rearward sections of the tonneau cover are folded onto the forward section and into a stack. Thus, the cooperating locking elements can operate to retain the sections together in the stack when locked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Extang Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan W. DeLong
  • Component for vehicle interior
    Patent number: 10328881
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior configured to deform under a load is disclosed. An armrest for a vehicle interior configured to deform under a load is disclosed. A method for forming the armrest is disclosed. The armrest may comprise a substrate and base formed on the substrate. The base may comprise a core and a surface (or skin). The core may comprise a material configured to deform under a load (e.g. impact). The method for forming the armrest may comprise the steps of: (a) placing the substrate in a mold and (b) forming the base on the substrate. A coating may be provided in the mold. The substrate may be formed from a plastic material such as a thermoplastic material to provide a structure. The base of the armrest may be formed from a plastic material such as a polyurethane foam material to form the core with integral surface/skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Ronald A Bozio, Javier Avila
  • Front end assembly for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10328975
    Abstract: A front end assembly for a motor vehicle has improved load absorption for forces acting on the front of the front end assembly. The front end assembly has at least one impact-absorbing crossbeam; at least one support beam which can be arranged vertically on the motor vehicle and towards the rear of the impact absorbing crossbeam, can be secured to a motor longitudinal support of the motor vehicle, and has at least one upper end portion that can be arranged at least partly above the motor longitudinal support. At least one support strut extends rearwards and downwards from the impact-absorbing crossbeam and via which the forces acting on the front of the impact-absorbing crossbeam can be partly transmitted to a front axle support of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oeztzan Akif, Wilhelm Riedl, Gerhard Fichtinger
  • Method and apparatus for blind stitching a formed component and components formed from the method
    Patent number: 10315383
    Abstract: A method of applying stitching to an outer skin layer of an interior component is provided herein, the outer skin layer having a contoured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Wenzel, Ramez M. Habhab
  • Pillar member and roll formed member of vehicle
    Patent number: 10315701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pillar member of a vehicle, which is characterized by comprising: a pillar main body portion; and a connecting and joining portion provided on both ends of the pillar main body portion and coupled to a vehicle body. The pillar main body portion and the connecting and joining portion are consecutively formed. The connecting and joining portion includes: a first connecting and joining portion provided on one side of the pillar main body portion; and a second connecting and joining portion provided on the other side of the pillar main body portion so as to face the first connecting and joining portion. The pillar main body portion is consecutively formed through a roll forming technique in a region between the first connecting and joining portion and the second connecting and joining portion, and has an odd number of closed cross section portions formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: POSCO
    Inventors: Don-Gun Kim, Han-Ho Choi
  • Hybrid tonneau cover
    Patent number: 10308101
    Abstract: A tonneau cover for a cargo bed of a truck includes a rail system, and a panel secured to the rail system. At least a portion of the rail system or the panel is a layer jamming member having a layer jamming material operable to exhibit a first stiffness in response to a first confining pressure and a second stiffness in response to a second confining pressure. The layer jamming member may include all or a portion of the panel to provide specific regions of the cover, and/or may include portions of the rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Wonhee M. Kim, Paul W. Alexander, Julien P. Mourou