Patents Examined by Melissa A. Black
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Patent number: 10160389Abstract: A cargo screen assembly for opening or closing an upper portion of a cargo space defined between a rear seat and a back door of a vehicle, the cargo screen assembly may include a cargo screen rail mounting groove formed horizontally in a rear surface of the rear seat of the vehicle, a plurality of side trims protruding rearward from respective opposite end portions of the rear surface of the rear seat, and a plurality of cargo screen rails configured to be inserted into the respective side trims or the cargo screen rail mounting groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Yeon-Sim Yoon
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Patent number: 10160397Abstract: Provided are a cargo system for supporting cargo on a vehicle, and a vehicle provided with the cargo system. The cargo system includes a plurality of racks to be arranged at different positions along a length of the vehicle comprising. The racks include a frame assembly configured to cooperate with an internal structure of the vehicle. A rack arm is adjustable relative to the frame assembly, and a coupling system couples the rack arm to the frame assembly in a plurality of different positions. The different positions include at least: (a) a recessed position relative to a body panel of the vehicle, and (b) a deployed position extending vertically above the body panel of the vehicle for supporting the cargo vertically above a portion of the vehicle. A rack support cooperates with the rack arm and is configured to support the cargo.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Inventor: Milorad Zlojutro
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Patent number: 10150512Abstract: An automobile pillar structure is provided that includes a transparent portion that configures a skeleton of a pillar of a vehicle, the transparent portion being made of transparent resin, and being disposed such that a lengthwise direction thereof coincides with a vehicle vertical direction; and a glass holding portion that is disposed at least at a vehicle width direction outer side of the transparent portion, and that holds a glass, the glass holding portion being configured such that width dimension along a direction intersecting the lengthwise direction of the transparent portion is set equal to or less than an interpupillary distance of a driver.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masaru Toyota
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Patent number: 10150397Abstract: A housing structure has a top wall, a pair of tracks and a lid. The top wall has an opening above a storage compartment therein. The opening has a first edge portion. A section of each of the tracks extends along opposite sides of the opening. The lid includes an end portion and a flexible portion. The flexible portion has lateral edges that extend into respective ones of the pair of tracks for selective sliding movement along the pair of tracks between a fully closed position blocking access to the storage compartment, a fully open position exposing the storage compartment via the opening and a plurality of intermediate positions between the fully closed position and the fully open position. The end portion defines a concave leading end. With the lid in a first intermediate position, the concaved leading end and the first edge portion define a cup holder space.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventor: Jorge Sotelo
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Patent number: 10150517Abstract: A vehicle body includes a longitudinal roof spine and a plurality of roof bows extending laterally from the roof spine to a plurality of pillars that extend upwardly from a lower body structure. The roof bows and pillars are connected by corner connectors that include a plug end that is received in an opening defined at an outer end of the roof bow. The opening is defined in a bottom wall of the outer end of the roof bow and is assembled over and supported by the plug end. The opening in the bottom wall of the roof bow is defined between the two side walls.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Jon A. Wilcox
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Patent number: 10137935Abstract: A support for a motor vehicle body-in-white includes a straight longitudinal portion that includes at least one cavity which is delimited by walls of the support and inside of which a reinforcing element is accommodated and is fastened in the longitudinal direction of the support. The reinforcing element is force-locked to the support so as to be fastened in the longitudinal direction of the support.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andre Koch, Stefan Mieslinger
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Patent number: 10131384Abstract: An apparatus is for extending a vehicle bed. A tailgate is provided for lowering to provide a tailgate opening for providing access to the vehicle bed. The tailgate includes a retractable member adapted for extending vertically from the tailgate when lowered. A retractable webbing is provided for associating with the retractable member and adapted for moving to a deployed position to at least partially span the tailgate opening in a lowered condition. A ladder for use in climbing into the vehicle bed may form the retractable member, or may be provided in addition to it. Plural webbings may also be provided for spanning multiple retractable members associated with the tailgate.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Travis Justin Raines, Pattrick Loew
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Patent number: 10124845Abstract: An extensible trailer has a rear frame supporting a front cargo deck, and a front frame supporting a front cargo deck. The rear frame has a yoke fixed to it for the front frame to slide in and out of, between collapsed and extended extremes. When collapsing the trailer, the front frame slides into the yoke as the front cargo deck rides up over a front edge of the rear cargo deck, until it lands on top of the rear cargo deck, where it stays all the while the trailer is in the collapsed position. When extending the trailer, the front frame slides out from the yoke as the front cargo deck slides back over the rear cargo deck's front edge, until it lands on top of the front frame, where it stays all the while the trailer is in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Inventor: Thomas C. Boltz
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Patent number: 10119790Abstract: The present invention refers to a bullet- and blast-resistant window, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, which comprises a ballistic block having a peripheral face and a plurality of panes of glass, ceramic or plastic material bonded to each other over their surfaces in a layered composite, and interposed bonding interlayers of plastic material or adhesive, wherein an edge groove having slopes at least partly inclined for engagement with a part of the vehicle body and extending on and along at least a part of the peripheral edge of the window.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ISOCLIMA S.P.A.Inventor: Alberto Bertolini
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Patent number: 10118651Abstract: Interior panel and body assembly features for vehicles that include the placement of panel tabs on vehicle interior panels, with the panel tabs on the interior panels having features for interactive attachment of the interior panels with vehicle body portions via corresponding body tabs on each vehicle body portion. The interactive attachment aspects of the panel tabs operating with the body tabs may further assist in properly locating each interior panel relative to a vehicle body portions. When the interior panel is installed on the vehicle body, each panel tab attaches the interior panel to the corresponding body portion via a body tab, so as to enhance the strength of the attachment, such as at an edge location where standard attachment clips cannot be used, thereby improving positioning and good fit and finish, while maximizing interior space capacity.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Alexander B Dureiko, Ryan M Stokes, Christopher D Hinz, Andrew Edward Barrow
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Patent number: 10118562Abstract: A system for providing storage on a vehicle roof is provided. The system comprises at least one partially hollow pillar for supporting the vehicle roof, a rail adapted to being raised and lowered relative to the vehicle roof between a deployed position for receiving cargo and a non-deployed position. An actuator is positioned at least partially along or within the at least one pillar for moving the rail relative to the roof. The actuator may comprise a pinion and a rack providing support for the rail. One or more supports may be connected to the rail for sliding as the rail is raised and lowered, including an active support for raising and lowering the rail in response to actuation. One or more passive supports for the rail may be slidably received in different pillars from the active support.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jose Humberto Gutierrez Gaspar, Jesus Alejandro Pena Casimiro, Juan Pablo Rios Rendon, Gabriel Yaokoatl Horta Hernandez, Norberto Mondragon Hernandez
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Patent number: 10112462Abstract: A vehicle visor accessory device for selectively extending shading capabilities of a visor may comprise a sleeve structure configured to removably mount on the visor. The sleeve structure may be elongated with an upper end for positioning toward the upper edge section of the visor and a lower end for positioning toward the lower edge section of the visor, and have a first opening located at a first side edge of the sleeve structure through which a portion of the visor is slidable. A notch may be formed in the sleeve structure. An extension structure may be integrated with the sleeve structure. The sleeve structure may have a substantially hollow interior between first and second faces to slidably receive at least a portion of the visor and the extension structure may have a solid interior between the faces to extend light blocking coverage of the visor.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Inventor: Judith J. Zabdyr
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Patent number: 10112463Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door inner, a beam having a first end and a second end spaced from each other along a longitudinal axis, and a bracket. The bracket is fixed to the door inner and the beam, with the bracket between the door inner and the first end of the beam. The beam includes a cutout extending along the longitudinal axis to the first end.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Zhibing Deng, Diego Freitas Araujo, M. Harish Kumar, Michael Tyson, I
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Patent number: 10112503Abstract: A vehicle seat system includes a seat having a base and an elongated shaft extending from the base. The system also includes a seat mount secured to a vehicle and configured to removably secured the seat to the vehicle. The seat mount has a body forming an inner cavity; a slide bar configured to slide within the cavity of the body; a spring disposed with the cavity and secured to the slide bar; a plurality of channels formed on a top surface of the body; a plurality of arms pivotally attached to the slide bar; a quick-release device configured to engage with the slide bar and configured to hold the slide bar in a fixed position; and a pull device connected to the quick-release device and configured to release the slide bar from the fixed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Inventor: Gregory A. Sparkman
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Patent number: 10112466Abstract: A tonneau cover system includes a cover and a pivot mechanism. The cover includes a plurality of panels hingedly coupled together, and is foldable between an extended configuration and a folded configuration. The pivot mechanism includes a first link bar and a second link bar. The first link bar has an upper end pivotally connected to a forward panel and the second link bar has an upper end pivotally connected to the forward panel. With the cover in the folded configuration, the pivot mechanism may move the stack from an initial stack configuration in which the forward panel is in the first plane to a storage stack configuration in which the forward panel of the cover extends upright along a second plane, and to simultaneously move the forward edge of the forward panel rearwardly and above the first plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Extang CorporationInventor: Jerome J. Facchinello
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Patent number: 10112650Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a main frame part including a side sill extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle frame assembly. The side sill has a C-shaped cross-section with a top and bottom walls, an inboard sidewall interconnecting the top and bottom walls, and an open outboard sidewall. A rear frame part is secured to the main frame part and includes a rear frame member extending in the longitudinal direction. The rear frame member has a U-shaped cross-section with an inboard and outboard sidewalls, a bottom wall interconnecting the inboard and outboard sidewalls, and an open top wall. The inboard sidewall at a rearward end portion of the side sill includes a section bulging away from the open outboard sidewall in a lateral direction of the vehicle frame assembly, and the inboard sidewall of the rear frame member is secured to the bulging section of the side sill.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Neil D. Salmons, Robb L. Augustine
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Patent number: 10112651Abstract: Front side frames and respective floor frames form upper horizontal portions, inclined portions, and lower horizontal portions. Each of the upper horizontal portions substantially horizontally extends. Each of the inclined portions is formed so as to extend rearward and so as to be inclined downward from a rear end of the upper horizontal portion. Each of the lower horizontal portions substantially horizontally extends rearward from a rear end of the inclined portion. A horizontal wall-shaped first reinforcing member extends rearward from the upper horizontal portion, and a vertical wall-shaped second reinforcing member extends from a rear end of the first reinforcing member to a bottom of the inclined portion. Front subframe supports that support the subframe are provided under triangular sectional portions formed by the inclined portion, the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoya Takeda
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Patent number: 10106056Abstract: An occupant support for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a foundation. The vehicle seat is configured to support an occupant of the vehicle above a floor of the vehicle. The foundation is configured to interconnect the vehicle seat to the floor to permit movement of the vehicle seat relative to the floor along a linear path.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLCInventors: Jeffery T. Bonk, Dale J. Frye
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Patent number: 10106207Abstract: A support structure for a vehicle cargo bed dividing member includes a base, a first projection extending from the base, and a second projection extending from the base opposite the first projection so as to define a first cavity therebetween. The first projection defines a cavity first wall portion, and the second projection defines a cavity second wall portion positioned opposite the cavity first wall portion. The first projection also defines a cavity third wall portion extending opposite the cavity second wall portion from an end of the cavity first wall portion and in a direction away from the cavity second wall portion. The cavity third wall portion and the cavity second wall portion are structured to maintain a cargo bed dividing member in a pre-support position prior to positioning of the dividing member between the cavity second wall portion and the cavity first wall portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Ethan D. Fassezke, Ryan C. Harris
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Patent number: 10106203Abstract: A body structure includes: a pair of side sills separated in the vehicle width direction; a front floor panel provided between the pair of side sills; a floor tunnel extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the center in the vehicle width direction of the pair of side sills, and bulging upward from the front floor panel; and a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction at a rear end portion of the floor tunnel, and is characterized in that: the cross member includes a vertical wall extending upward with respect to the front floor panel; and the vertical wall extends continuously in the vehicle width direction between the pair of side sills, is joined to the rear end portion of the floor tunnel, and closes an opening of the rear end portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobuyuki Nakanishi, Akihisa Kudoh