Patents Examined by Mary E Young
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Patent number: 11518334Abstract: Various implementations include a steering assembly including a hub assembly and airbag module. The hub assembly includes one or more hub assembly attachment tabs each defining a fastener opening. The airbag module includes one or more airbag module attachment tabs each defining a fastener opening. One of the hub assembly or the airbag module includes one or more temporary fasteners, and each of the temporary fasteners is couplable to a portion of the other of the hub assembly or the airbag module. One of the hub assembly or the airbag module includes one or more alignment portions structured to align each fastener opening in the hub assembly attachment tabs with a respective fastener opening in one of the airbag module attachment tabs when the temporary fasteners of the hub assembly or the airbag module are coupled to the portion of the other of the hub assembly or the airbag module.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLCInventors: Justin Mills, Doug Osterfeld
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Patent number: 11505150Abstract: Provided is a movement apparatus that can ensure safety to a movement apparatus user even without safety knowledge about a safety device of the movement apparatus. The movement apparatus of the invention includes a safety device that is configured to restrain an occupant or a baggage, an information presentation unit that is configured to present safety device information related to the safety device, an information input unit that is configured to input consent information that consents a start of traveling in a current state of the safety device, and a travel mechanism that starts traveling only when the consent information is input.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Ryoko Ichinose, Tooru Miyasaka
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Patent number: 11427048Abstract: Provided is a trailing arm riding mower suspension system that includes trailing arms adapted to support hydraulic motor units and having leading ends pivotally coupled to a mower frame by way of leading end spherical joints and trailing ends having hydraulic drive unit mounts, where the trailing arms are adapted to pivot about leading end pivot locations defined by the leading end spherical joints.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Bad Boy Mowers, LLCInventors: Warren Long, Charles Bradley Covington
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Patent number: 11390325Abstract: A work vehicle according to the present invention includes left and right axle cases of a rigid axle type, and left and right suspension mechanisms movable in the up-down direction relative to body frames and separately supporting the left and right axle cases, respectively. The work vehicle also includes (i) a first projection projecting downward from the left or right one of the body frames, (ii) a second projection projecting upward from that position on either the left and right axle cases or a frame body integrated with the axle cases which is opposite to the first projection in the left-right direction, and (iii) a lateral rod having a first end connected with the first projection and a second end connected with the second projection.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Masahiro Azuma, Tatsuya Nagatomi
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Patent number: 11364759Abstract: Adjustable vehicle suspension link systems suitable for connecting a first component to a second component in a vehicle suspension may include an outer assembly. An outer assembly connecting joint may be provided on the outer assembly. The outer assembly connecting joint may be configured for coupling to the first component of the vehicle suspension. An inner assembly may be disposed at least partially inside and in length-adjustable and securable relationship to the outer assembly. An inner assembly connecting joint may be provided on the inner assembly. The inner assembly connecting joint may be configured for coupling to the second component of the vehicle suspension. Adjustable vehicle suspension link methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: High Lifter Products Inc.Inventors: Jesse L. Johnson, Garrett Russell Gibson
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Patent number: 11338758Abstract: A rooftop airbag apparatus may include: a rear cushion installed above a rear seat, connected to a rear inflator, and expanded and deployed as gas is injected from the rear inflator; and a rear tether connected to the rear cushion to bend a front side of the rear cushion downward when the rear cushion is deployed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hae Kwon Park, Seok Hoon Ko
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Patent number: 11332207Abstract: A booster for a trailer system is provided comprising a control system in communication with a sensor(s) for determining the direction and speed of the booster when in motion. The control system comprises instructions corresponding to one or more booster operations such as: detection of a reverse state, retraction of a suspension system when the reverse state is detected; engagement of a steer axle lock when the reverse state is detected; detection of a forward state; extension of the suspension system when the forward state is detected; disengagement of the steer axle lock when the forward state is detected; detection of a high-speed forward state; engagement of the steer axle lock when the high-speed forward state is detected; detection of a low-speed forward state; and disengagement of the steer axle lock when the low-speed forward state is detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Brandt Industries Inc.Inventors: Raymond Strelic, Brett Burke, Anneke Snow
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Patent number: 11214230Abstract: A belt guide system of a vehicle guides a restraining belt between an automatic belt mechanism and a passenger area in which the restraining belt can be placed onto an occupant of the vehicle. The belt guide system includes a belt slide on which the restraining belt bears at least in part. The belt slide has a deflection region on which the restraining belt is guided to change the angle. A friction-reducing element, by which the friction of the restraining belt is reduced on the deflection region relative to the rest of the restraining belt, is provided on the deflection region.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Florian Klingseisen, Andreas Loecherer, Matthias Sagerer
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Patent number: 11207934Abstract: A vehicle suspension assembly includes an axle member, a pair of mounting brackets configured to couple to a vehicle frame, and a trailing arm arrangement that includes a first trailing arm portion having a first end pivotably coupled to one of the pair of mounting brackets, and a second end rotationally coupled with the axle member at a first position, a second trailing arm portion having a second end pivotably coupled to the other of the pair of mounting brackets, and a second end rotationally coupled with the axle member at a second position, and a first torsional member having a first end fixedly coupled to the first trailing arm portion and a second end fixedly secured to the axle member at a third position, the first torsional member configured to transmit torsion of the axle member to the first trailing arm portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventor: Randy L. Schutt
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Patent number: 11192475Abstract: A rear-facing occupant protection device is provided. The rear-facing occupant protection device is applied to a vehicle in which a seatback of a front seat is mounted in a rear-facing state in which a back surface of the seatback faces a vehicle-body-side vertical wall portion disposed at a front end of a vehicle cabin, or mounted such that the seat back is capable of taking the rear-facing state. The rear-facing occupant protection device includes: an energy absorbing portion disposed on at least one of a back surface of a seatback pad of the seatback and a rear surface of the vehicle-body-side vertical wall portion, the energy absorbing portion being configured to be deformed so as to absorb energy at a time of a frontal collision of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuya Mori, Makoto Sekizuka
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Patent number: 11173864Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag having a stored condition in which the curtain airbag is deflated, flattened, and rolled and/or folded. The apparatus further includes a wrap that comprises an integral woven portion of the curtain airbag formed from a fabric extension of an upper edge of the curtain airbag. The wrap is configured to be wrapped about a circumference of the rolled and/or folded curtain airbag to package the curtain airbag in the stored condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventor: Dylan Moran
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Patent number: 11148497Abstract: A stilt part may be utilized for a suspension damper strut of the wheel suspension of a vehicle. The stilt part may comprise a shank portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the stilt part and a connecting portion adjoining an end of the shank portion. The connecting portion may be configured to connect a lower link of the wheel suspension. The shank portion may include a convex region that is bent away from the longitudinal axis. The convex region may provide clearance for a drive shaft of a wheel. The shank portion may be formed from at least two shell elements that are connected, in some cases welded, together along at least one longitudinal seam.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventor: Klaus Schmidt
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Patent number: 11148717Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening element (100) for fastening a first component (6) to a second component (4). The fastening element (100) comprises a body (102), which comprises a first engagement portion (104) on a first side (106), wherein the first engagement portion (104) comprises either a recess or a projection for mating with a complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component. The body (102) further comprises a first set of through holes (110) for receipt of fasteners, wherein the first set of through holes are positioned in such a way that the first engagement portion (104) of the body and the complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component may be held against each other in an engaged state via the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Volvo Truck CorporationInventor: Anantha Rama Krishna Lakshmi Narayana Alla
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Patent number: 11135996Abstract: A seatbelt device includes a webbing; a tongue; a buckle, in buckled up the webbing, a portion of the webbing configures a lap webbing; a lower restraint member a portion thereof disposed inside a vehicle seat cushion, the lower restraint member, together with the lap webbing, forming a loop opening along a seat front-rear direction, a length direction one side of the lower restraint member being pulled so as to tighten the loop, and the lower restraint member configured to press the body of the occupant from a seat lower side; and a tensioning device actuated in a case of a front-on collision or in a case in which a front-on collision is predicted, the tensioning device pulling the length direction one side of the lower restraint member to tighten the loop, and the tensioning device pulling the lap webbing so as to move toward a seat lower front side.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhito Yamamoto
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Patent number: 11130381Abstract: An air spring unit for a vehicle is described. The air spring unit forms a rolling fold and a cardanic fold. A type of bellows guidance of the air spring, the cardanic fold begins, at the rolling fold side, below that end of the external guide of the air spring unit which is at the air spring cover side. A cardanic fold of axially short construction is realized which, despite a small axial structural space, has the elasticity of a cardanic fold of tall construction.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHGInventor: Jens-Uwe Gleu
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Patent number: 11110880Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided having a seat frame and a foam cushion supported on the seat frame. An airbag module is positioned in an opening formed in the foam cushion. A trim cover assembly covering the foam cushion and airbag module has an interlay material sewn to a trim panel at an interlay seam. The interlay material extends from the interlay seam to cover an outboard surface of the airbag module inside the trim panel to ensure the airbag module is not visible through the trim panel.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Judith Ter Haseborg, Thorsten Vogel
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Patent number: 11110886Abstract: A vehicular passenger restraint device including a seatbelt capable of restraining a passenger seated in a rear seat 10 includes a belt guide 50 disposed on the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, of an upper portion of a seat back 12, and the belt guide 50 is configured such that an inner longitudinal surface portion 52 is tiltable toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction by a load applied from the seatbelt at the time of collision. A lock release switch 14 for the seat back 12 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the belt guide 50. A regulation member 55 regulating the inner longitudinal surface portion 52 between the belt guide 50 and the lock release switch 14, not to be incline toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction by a predetermined angle or more.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Junsuke Inoue
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Patent number: 11097778Abstract: A vehicle rear structure includes a pair of laterally spaced apart rear side members extending along a longitudinal axis of a vehicle, and cross members extending between the pair of rear side members. Each of the rear side members includes a curve portion curved to be more inward at a rearer portion, and longitudinally-extending front and rear portions respectively disposed in front and at rear of the curve portion. A center cross member connects the front portions of the pair of rear side members. A first rear cross member connects boundary portions of the pair of rear side members. Each of the boundary portions is located between the curve portion and the rear portion of each of the rear side members. An intermediate cross member connects the curve portions of the pair of rear side members.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masanori Yoshimoto
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Patent number: 11097686Abstract: Apparatus and system for an adjustable seatbelt guide are disclosed. The seatbelt guide is attached to a mechanical stop associated with a seat. The mechanical stop, such as a striker, is adapted to limit reclining movement of a seatback, especially with respect to a rear seat of a vehicle. The mechanical stop and attached seatbelt guide may move positions with or without the seat in order to maintain seatbelt geometry. When the seat is folded down, the seatbelt guide may maintain the seatbelt in the parked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventors: Gert Aldeborg, Lars Modh
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Patent number: 11097797Abstract: A wheel securing apparatus includes a first tube having a plate positioned at a first end; a second tube engaged with the first tube such that the second tube is to extend away from the first tube; a cuff attached to a first end of the second tube and to engage with the wheel; a brace engaged with the first tube; a ratcheting wheel having teeth to engage with a openings associated with the first tube, the ratcheting wheel supported by the brace; and a handle engaged with the ratcheting wheel and to extend the second tube away from the first tube via movement of the teeth with the openings; the plate secures within a wheel guard and the cuff secures to the wheel via pressure created by extending the first tube away from the second tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Inventor: Ryan Zeller