Patents Examined by Melissa A. Black
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Patent number: 9714057Abstract: A pneumatically actuated air control device is provided. The device includes a control surface that affects the air flow along the device, and an at least one pneumatic motor configured to alter or change the configuration or orientation of the control surface or sections thereof. The device is configured such that when selective air pressure is supplied to the at least one motor, the control surface or sections thereof changes its configuration or its orientation with respect to the air flow, thereby affecting the air flow with respect to the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: PACCAR IncInventors: Jeffrey P. Smith, Bruce Bezner
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Patent number: 9713951Abstract: A window trim is used with a fixed window of a vehicle. The fixed window is fixed to the vehicle and has interior and exterior surfaces and a window edge. The window trim includes a trim body having a first section having a substantially linear configuration and a second section having an at least partially arcuate configuration defining a bend such that the second section extends back toward the first section and presents a contact surface engaging the window edge. The first section extends beyond the contact surface and along the interior surface. The window trim includes a reinforcement element having first and second reinforcement portions configured to correspond to the substantially linear and at least partially arcuate configurations of the trim body, respectively. The first and second reinforcement portions continuously extend as a single unit within the first and second portions, to support the trim body.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Muhsin Al-Kahwati
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Patent number: 9707831Abstract: A retaining system for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle body having a door opening with a frame disposed therearound. A door is mounted adjacent the door opening and includes a vertically moveable frameless window. An actuator is coupled to the frame and further coupled to a retainer member. The retainer member is moveable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the frameless window as powered by the actuator. A controller is configured for determining whether an instantaneous vehicle condition is met or present, and moving the retainer member to the engaged position to retain the frameless window against the frame or vehicle body when the vehicle condition is detected. The vehicle condition may include a predetermined vehicle speed, an aerodynamic pressure reading, a direct aerodynamic pressure or vacuum, a door lock activation, or other like condition for detection by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Paul L. Heirtzler, Donald P. Iacovoni
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Patent number: 9708015Abstract: A rear spoiler device for a vehicle with at least one rear door includes at least one lateral air-deflector element and a roof air-deflector element that can be adjusted between a default position and a travel position for contour extension and aerodynamic air conduction when the rear door is closed. The device comprises a wing, which has a first swivel joint to enable pivotable fastening to the rear door. The wing is adjustably attached to the lateral air-deflector element via at least one second swivel joint. At least one locking device is provided for locking the lateral air-deflector element with the wing. A coupling device is provided for coupling an adjustment of the locking device to the adjustment of the roof air-deflector element.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: WABCO GmbHInventors: Thomas Dieckmann, David Inkermann, Timo Richter, Frank Zielke
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Patent number: 9709120Abstract: An energy-absorbing structure is provided. The energy-absorbing structure includes a first panel member and a second panel member coupled together. The first panel member has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second panel member defines a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The second panel member further defines a first deformable wall extending from the first edge thereof and away from the first panel member and a second deformable wall extending from the second edge thereof and away from the first panel member. The first deformable wall defines a first plurality of apertures and the second deformable wall defines a second plurality of apertures. The first and second plurality of apertures may be defined as one of an array of perforations and a plurality of slots. The energy-absorbing structure may be provided as a hood for a motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: David B. Waskie, Jason M. Miller, Vijay Shankar Iyer, Scott W. Thorpe
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Patent number: 9701268Abstract: An attachment system for connecting a vehicle fascia birds beak element to a vehicle front end module bolster includes a bracket having a fascia-engaging portion and a bolster-engaging portion. The bolster-engaging portion includes one or more bracket locator structures configured for engaging cooperating structures disposed on the bolster to self-orient the bracket in a predetermined orientation. The system further includes a vehicle front end module bolster having a bracket-engaging portion that includes one or more bolster locator structures configured for engaging cooperating structures disposed on the bracket to self-orient the bracket in the predetermined orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Prashant Dubey, Flondezi Godette, Irfan Sharif, Vincent S. Carnes
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Patent number: 9694854Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a pair of rails spaced from each other. A beam is disposed between the pair of rails and defines a cavity. The beam includes walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement about the cavity. Each hinge is connected to two of the walls. A wedge is disposed between one of the rails and the beam adjacent the cavity for driving the walls and hinges toward an expanded position during a side impact.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, James Chih Cheng, Jamel E. Belwafa
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Patent number: 9688312Abstract: A system for adjusting a size of an access into a vehicle is provided. The system may include a pillar, which may be substantially vertical, and a track allowing the pillar to be moved. A latch may be attached to the pillar securing the pillar along the track. The pillar may be secured at one or multiple locations along the track. Multiple rolling mechanisms may be part of the pillar. These mechanisms may allow the pillar to glide back and forth enlarging or reducing the entrance into the vehicle from the front or rear entrances. The track may be interior to a front and rear door of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Maeshiro, James Hsin Yao Lee
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Patent number: 9688315Abstract: A vehicle includes an underbody and a cradle assembly. The assembly includes a cradle body and a flange extending to a distal end portion. The distal end portion includes a platform having at least one side and defining an aperture spaced from the side. A fastener is disposed through the aperture and in engagement with the underbody when the cradle body is in a first position. The platform defines a void and has a portion of material disposed adjacent to the void to present a release pathway. The cradle body is configured to move from the first position to a second position which separates the flange of the cradle body from the underbody by moving the fastener out of the aperture, through the void and the portion of material along the release pathway, and out the side of the platform when the cradle body moves to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, F.tech R&D North America, Inc.Inventors: Len V. Peschansky, Xiao Yu, Balbir S. Sangha, Zohir Molhem, Bikramjit Sarkaria, Joseph K. Moore
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Patent number: 9682619Abstract: A flap arrangement for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a flap, and more specifically a tank flap, a plunger on which the flap is rotatably mounted, and a base, and more particularly a tank trough on which the plunger is shiftably mounted in a projection direction (A).Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko Betzen, Markus Frommann, Klaus Gerst, Marco Haupt
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Patent number: 9676345Abstract: A headliner assembly for a motor vehicle includes a headliner and at least one dual shaft push pin for securing the headliner as well as at least one magnet fastener for securing the headliner to the body of the vehicle that cooperates with the dual shaft push pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Phil Joseph Linson, David Huelke
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Patent number: 9669875Abstract: A device for generating an impulse acting on a vehicle in a transverse direction of the vehicle, resulting from energy released in an offset impact of the vehicle against an obstacle, includes a compression-resistant beam extending in the transverse direction, a support member for attaching the beam in a rest position to a subframe or a body structure of the vehicle, an activator for moving the beam substantially in the transverse direction in the event of an accident, and a coupling device which cooperates is operatively connected, at least during movement of the beam in the transverse direction, with a drive unit or aggregate and deflects the drive unit relative to the vehicle's body in the transverse direction at least in the region of the operative connection.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Tobias Kramer, Stefan Rugies, Florian Bartl
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Patent number: 9650074Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure has: front side members that are disposed along a vehicle body longitudinal direction, and that have inclined portions that cause vehicle body front portion sides to be positioned higher than vehicle body rear portion sides; and a suspension member that is disposed at a vehicle body front side of the inclined portions, and that has inclined walls whose angle of inclination is made to be smaller than an angle of inclination of the inclined portions, the inclined wall being formed at regions that face the inclined portions, in a side view seen from a vehicle transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masakazu Shirooka
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Patent number: 9649966Abstract: A truck body for a machine is disclosed. The truck body has a bottom wall defining a front end and a rear end, a pair of lateral walls extending from the bottom wall, and a front wall extending between the pair of lateral walls at the front end. The truck body includes a pair of bottom beams pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The truck body further includes a plurality of tubes disposed on the pair of bottom beams. Each of the plurality of tubes is disposed adjacent to each other to at least define the bottom wall and the pair of lateral walls of the truck body.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Huijun Wang, Donald A. Stickel, III, Howard W. Ludewig, Danny L. McCaherty
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Patent number: 9649919Abstract: Technologies and implementations related to open bed vehicle cover and storage systems are generally disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Truck Lidz, Inc.Inventor: Michael Glenn Daniel
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Patent number: 9649992Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assembling a trim part (10) to a sup-porting part (12) of a vehicle, wherein the trim part (10) has an outer surface (16) and an inner surface (18) and is fixable to the supporting part (12) by fixing means (14) provided on the inner surface (18), a fixing connection being established by engaging the fixing means (14) with counter means (20) provided on the supporting part (12), the method comprising following steps of aligning the trim part (10) and the supporting part (12) such that the fixing means (14) and the counter means (20) can be engaged to each other, engaging the fixing means (14) with the counter means (20) by applying force to the outer surface (16) of trim part (10), and fastening an indicator (30) on the outer surface (16) for indicating the position of the fixing means (14).Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ovgu Sayan, Didem Colakel, Aycin Polat
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Patent number: 9643663Abstract: An air guiding device for a vehicle has a first air guiding element and a second air guiding element. A first hinge mechanism connects the first air guiding element hingedly to a rear of the vehicle, and a second hinge mechanism connects the second air guiding element hingedly to the first air guiding element.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Thomas Wolf
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Patent number: 9630653Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a sill structure, a roof rail structure, a pillar structure, and a reinforcement member. The roof rail structure has a box section defining a roof rail cavity. The pillar structure has a box section defining a pillar cavity in communication with the roof rail cavity. The reinforcement member extends through the pillar cavity and the roof rail cavity, the reinforcement member having a first end rigidly attached to the sill structure, and a second end terminating in the roof rail cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Emily Redmer, Taiji Ikeda
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Patent number: 9630652Abstract: A side structure for a vehicle is provided and includes a sill and a header spaced apart from the sill. A pillar outer body extends between the sill and the header and defines an inner channel open toward an interior of the vehicle. An inner cover is attached to the pillar outer body and extends between the sill and the header. The inner cover has a lower cover portion disposed proximate to the sill and formed of a first material having a first ductility and an upper cover portion disposed proximate to the header and formed of a second material having a second ductility less than the first ductility.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Santosh Balur, Andrew S Hulway, Gary J. Bailey, Radhakrishnan Raman
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Patent number: 9623730Abstract: A hinge pillar reinforcement, a front door, and a hinge bracket are provided. The hinge bracket includes a hinge attachment wall portion, a pair of front-and-rear vertical wall portions, a pair of upper-and-lower lateral wall portions, a pair of front-and-rear vertical flange portions respectively extending inward, an upper lateral flange portion including an upper resilient portion and extending upward from an inward end portion of the upper lateral wall portion, and a lower lateral flange portion including a lower resilient portion and extending downward from an inward end portion of the lower lateral wall portion. The pair of vertical flange portions are joined to a front wall portion and a rear wall portion of the pillar reinforcement, and the upper lateral flange portion and the lower lateral flange portion are joined to the pillar reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuyuki Mori, Ikuko Naganori