Patents Examined by Lori L. Lyjak
  • Motor vehicle spoiler having a removable lower face
    Patent number: 10308293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rear spoiler (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a first part (10) which is intended to be fastened in a position assembled on the rear of the vehicle, and which forms the upper face of the spoiler (1), and a second part (20), which forms at least one part of the lower face of the spoiler (1), and which is adapted to cover an upper edge (985) of a rear window (98) of the vehicle when this second part (20) is in the assembled position, the second part (20) being removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Issam Khayat
  • Modular bumper beam
    Patent number: 10300873
    Abstract: An energy absorber for a vehicle, comprising: a continuous beam to extend across a width of vehicle, the beam defining a plurality of inward facing cavities in a center section, with adjacent inward facing cavities separated from one another by an inward facing rib, and at each end portion a plurality of outward facing cavities, with adjacent outward facing cavities separated from one another by an outward facing rib, wherein the center section includes a panel that is continuous on its outward side, and that forms a relative bottom of each of the plurality of inward facing cavities with its inward face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Somasekhar Bobba Venkat, Dhanendra Kumar Nagwanshi, Srikant Sekhar Padhee
  • Pillar structure
    Patent number: 10300955
    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: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakamoto, Naohiko Ueno
  • Airflow baffle for commercial truck fuel efficiency improvements
    Patent number: 10300965
    Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reduction device for use on an over-the-road cargo vehicle. The vehicle has a prismatically shaped cargo area, which includes a rear face of the cargo area substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The device comprises a plurality of resilient prongs arranged along a rear edge of the vehicle body, extending from a respective fixed end secured to the vehicle body rearward in a flow-wise direction beyond the rear edge of the vehicle body to a respective free end. Each prong is separated from an adjacent prong in the plurality, and each is flexible to permit deflection, under the influence of airflow over the vehicle at a predetermined speed, above and below a first plane defined by the surface of the vehicle to which the plurality of prongs is secured. Each prong is further resistant to deflecting in a direction parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kent Meredith, Mario Kosseifi, John Pastore
  • Vehicle substructure
    Patent number: 10293858
    Abstract: A vehicle substructure includes a first undercover disposed in a lower portion of a vehicle and a second undercover disposed side by side with the first undercover in the lower portion of the vehicle. The second undercover is fastened to a skeleton member of the vehicle via a fastening bolt inserted into a bolt hole provided in the second undercover. A part of the first undercover is disposed below the second undercover to cover the fastening bolt fastening the second undercover from below the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukio Nakagawa, Koichi Fukui
  • Vehicle aerodynamic apparatus
    Patent number: 10293870
    Abstract: A vehicle having a transverse panel and a transverse aerodynamic member, and a control unit. The transverse aerodynamic member is movable to an operating position in which it is spaced apart from the transverse panel. In that operating position, the transverse aerodynamic member is operable to direct airflow downwardly at the rear of the vehicle to control the vertical propagation of the wake formed behind the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Gaylard, Christopher Thompson, Ross Turner
  • Armrest core, armrest incorporating that armrest core and method of manufacturing that armrest assembly
    Patent number: 10286821
    Abstract: An armrest core includes a lattice having a plurality of void channel clusters. The void channel clusters have a section geometry characterized by a lateral dimension D1 and a vertical dimension D2 where D1<D2. An armrest assembly includes the armrest core and an outer cover overlying the armrest core. A method of manufacturing the armrest assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Wheelchair dock
    Patent number: 10285880
    Abstract: A wheelchair-dock system includes a floor including an elongated depression, a movable member, an actuator drivingly coupled to the member, and a position sensor coupled to the member. The depression defines a lateral direction. The member is movable in the lateral direction between an extended position over the depression and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Dana Conner, Clara Bennie
  • Structure of underrun protection
    Patent number: 10286866
    Abstract: A structure of an underrun protection bound to a plurality of brackets disposed at the front or rear portion of a frame of a vehicle is disclosed. A hollow having a closed section is defined by a distal face of a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a proximal face of the longitudinal direction, an upper face, and a lower face. Lightening holes are formed on at least one of the upper face and the lower face of the underrun protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Shigeki Kurihara
  • Sliding panel assembly
    Patent number: 10272753
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield, an opening that is located rearward of the windshield, and a sliding panel. The sliding panel has a panel portion and a frame portion, and the frame portion is connected to the panel portion. The sliding panel obstructs the opening in a closed position and is moveable to an open position in which at least part of the opening is unobstructed. The sliding panel is at least one of translucent or transparent. The frame portion does not block visibility through the sliding panel adjacent to a front transverse edge of the panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Philipp J. Wolf
  • Modular vehicle bed cover apparatus
    Patent number: 10272754
    Abstract: An apparatus for covering at least a portion of an open bed of a vehicle includes a pair of support frames, where opposing ends of the support frames are removably mounted to opposing edges of the vehicle bed, and a rigid cover panel that is mounted between the support frames to cover the bed. A slot is formed in each support frame that extends along the length of each support frame. The rigid cover panel has edges that may removably slide into the slots of the support frames. The cover panel is held in place by inserting opposite edges into the slots of the support frames and then removably fixing the support frames at a selected location to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Brian R. Johnson
  • Convertible door assembly for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10272747
    Abstract: A convertible door assembly includes (a) an upper door section, defining a window opening, (b) a lower door section, (c) a releasable locking feature, retaining the upper door section to the lower door section, and (d) a window. The window is displaceable between a raised position, closing the window opening and a lowered position, concealed within an internal door cavity formed in the upper door section and the lower door section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Adrian Nania
  • Crushable door assembly
    Patent number: 10272864
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a monolithic base including a top panel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The monolithic base includes an attachment panel extending downwardly from the first end at an acute angle. The monolithic base includes an outer panel extending downwardly from the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Yang Tay, John Pinkerton, Aleksandar Spasovski, Michael Dong, Joseph Edward Abramczyk
  • Vehicle body structure and coating method of vehicle body
    Patent number: 10272956
    Abstract: A component that is assembled to a vehicle body can be temporarily fastened to a position different from an original assembling position, and can be favorably coated, without using a special jig. A fuel lid cover (33) is temporarily fastened to a rear door (43) that is different from a predetermined assembling position, with use of an opening portion (33K) of a hinge (33) that is attached to the fuel lid cover (32). Further, the vehicle body (10) is provided with a flange portion that functions as a step portion that forms a space between the hinge (33) of the fuel lid cover (32) and the vehicle body (10), when the fuel lid cover (32) is temporarily fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Goto, Yoshiharu Komatsu
  • Dual chamber crush can with nano-porous material
    Patent number: 10266137
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include at least one crush can, a controller and a pump. The crush can may include front and rear chambers. The controller may receive a first signal indicative of a loading condition generated at the time of an impact, and the pump may displace a nano-porous liquid in response to a second signal from the controller into at least one of the front and rear chambers of the crush can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, Rahul Arora, Saeed David Barbat, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Noise reduction members for motor vehicle fenders
    Patent number: 10259402
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for further improving the quietness in a vehicle cabin while reducing an increase in the weight of a motor vehicle. A noise reduction member, arranged in a fender inner space defined between a fender panel serving as an exterior panel for a motor vehicle and an inner fender forming a wheelhouse, includes a pair of wall portions which are made of a foamed material and arranged to be spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobukazu Onishi, Yoshihiro Kohara
  • Bumper collision sensor for an automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 10259412
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body having a width direction. A fascia with a long dimension oriented in the width direction is coupled to the vehicle body. A compressible layer is disposed between the fascia and the body, with a first face proximate the fascia and a second face proximate the body. The first face is provided with a first recess to define a first cavity between the fascia and the compressible layer. The second face is provided with a second recess to define a second cavity between the compressible layer and the body. The first recess and the second recess have long dimensions oriented in the width direction. A pressure sensor is disposed in the second cavity. The fascia has a fascia face proximate the compressible layer and a rib member projecting from the fascia face. The rib member is disposed at least partially in the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventors: Rajendra Prasad H. Krishnappa, Andrew Dwoinen
  • Lateral tailgate support for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10259300
    Abstract: A tailgate support is arranged in a sealing channel between an inner panel of the lid bodyshell and a lateral covering of the rear lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Anika Stahl, Marco Schmidt, Andreas Koenig, Steffen Buchwald, Matthias Pfaeffle
  • Vehicle trim assembly comprising a storage compartment and a shutter
    Patent number: 10252667
    Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly (2), comprising: a storage compartment (6) defining a storage space (8) emerging through an opening (26); and a shutter (10) moving relative to the storage compartment between a closing position, in which it closes off the opening, and an open position, in which it is freed from the opening. The shutter (10) comprises at least one transmission zone (50) able to be steered between a viewing configuration, in which the transmission zone allows the visible light to pass through the shutter and makes it possible to distinguish the contents of the storage space through the shutter, and a concealing position, in which the transmission zone does not make it possible to distinguish the contents of the storage space through the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Omar Ben Abdelaziz
  • Aerodynamic system and adjustable fairings
    Patent number: 10252755
    Abstract: Embodiments provide an aerodynamic fairing system that may comprise a base configured to mount to a vehicle, an arm coupled to the base at a proximate end and extending laterally, an a fairing mounted to the arm having an inboard and an outboard surface. The fairing outboard surface may provide an aerodynamic outer surface to direct flow to an angle to the rear. The arm may a fixed or adjustable length arm. The arm may provide a mounting area for a mud flap such that aerodynamic system may act as a mud flap hanger. Embodiments also provide an adjustable mud flap hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: FLOWBELOW AERO, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Butler, Kyle Walker, Redza Shah, Timothy Uys