Patents Examined by Melissa Ann Bonifazi
  • Patent number: 11926368
    Abstract: Vehicle cab suspension control systems are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the cab suspension control systems can include front cab-to-frame mounts that include controllable elastomer-based isolators that can provide real time variable damping to improve ride quality and/or road holding and reduce cab roll in response to, for example, input from one or more cab and/or frame mounted accelerometers, position sensors, etc. Embodiments of the control systems described herein can utilize a single vehicle controller (e.g., an ECU) to control all of the cab suspension components (e.g., semi-active damping technologies, air spring technologies, etc.) employed on a vehicle to provide a single suspension control solution that can provide improved ride performance, road holding, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Link Manufacturing, LTD
    Inventors: Tye B. Davis, William E. Ott
  • Patent number: 11912218
    Abstract: A bumper crossmember comprising a wave structure oriented in the vertical direction (z direction), wherein the wave structure comprises at least three apex structures which extend in the bumper crossmember longitudinal direction and are adjacent in the vertical direction. This crossmember comprises a first length section that follows its longitudinal extent, at least one second length section that follows its longitudinal extent, and at least one transition section that is arranged respectively between these length sections. In the second length section, the wave structure is inverted with respect to the first length section, in that the opening direction of the apex structures switches in the transition section. In the transition section, there is at least one additional apex-forming structure, the apex of which is offset in the frontal direction (x direction) with respect to a frontal plane (yz-plane) in which at least two apex structures that are adjacent in the longitudinal sections lie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Patrick Tlauka, Cristina Matthey, Ralf Stegmeyer, Rolf Peter Röttger, Marco Töller, Rolf Schwarzer, Stephan Lagin, Maria Schmitt, Lena Kremer
  • Patent number: 11897404
    Abstract: Bumper reinforcement produced by molding a thermoplastic material and intended to be integrated into a motor vehicle front assembly between a bumper and a technical part. The bumper reinforcement comprises at least one mounting plate that is intended to bear at least one sensor, said mounting plate being integrally formed with said bumper reinforcement and connected by its perimeter thereto via a fragile material bridge such that, in the event of a frontal impact resulting in deformation of the bumper reinforcement and impacting the mounting plate, the mounting plate detaches fully or partially from the bumper reinforcement under the effect of the rupture of the material bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUM
    Inventor: Stéphane Ginja
  • Patent number: 11891122
    Abstract: Provided is a frame which is made of a fiber reinforced composite and has an increased bending strength by suppressing occurrence of buckling. The frame which is made of a fiber reinforced composite includes: a compressive wall part where a compressive stress occurs in a longitudinal direction of the frame when the frame receives a bending load in a normal direction perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal direction; and a side wall part extending in the normal direction and defining one of corners with the compressive wall part. The compressive wall part includes a longitudinal alignment layer having reinforcement fibers aligned in the longitudinal direction. The side wall part has a surface section composed of a normal directional alignment layer having reinforcement fibers aligned in a direction different from the longitudinal direction, and serving as a differential alignment layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, NIPPON STEEL Chemical & Material Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikara Kawamura, Tetsuya Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 11885160
    Abstract: A self-aligning locking device for a vehicle sliding door assembly includes a sliding door threshold configured to be mounted on a door panel. The threshold is configured to slide along a sliding axis. The threshold includes a latch and a tongue at a car body-engaging end of the latch. The locking device also includes a groove block and a hook plate both configured to be coupled to the car body. Optionally, the locking device can include a switch sensor. The tongue of the threshold is configured to engage the groove to maintain alignment of the hook plate to mate with the latch to lock the threshold to the car body. The optional switch sensor can be configured to generate a signal indicating a locked state of the hook with the latch responsive to actuation of the switch sensor by the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luc Vachon, Samuel Blanchard, Frédéric Augé
  • Patent number: 11872961
    Abstract: A collapsible trunk for use with a vehicle having a wheel well. The trunk comprises a base wall and a side wall pivotally connected thereto. The side wall extends from the base wall and terminates at an upper edge. The side wall and base wall collectively define a storage cavity. The base wall and the side wall each have an expandable portion conformable to the wheel well in response to placement of the base wall and the side wall over the wheel well. The trunk is selectively transitional between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the base panels overlap each other, and in the deployed configuration, the plurality of base panels are co-planar to each other. The upper edge of the side wall moves away from the base wall as the trunk transitions from the collapsed configuration toward the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 11845389
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper structure to be applied to a vehicle includes an impact absorber to be disposed on a front end side or a rear end side of the vehicle so as to extends in a vehicle width direction. The impact absorber includes small reaction section and a large reaction section. The small reaction section is to be disposed on an outer end side in the vehicle width direction. The small reaction section is configured to generate a predetermined reaction against a colliding object. The large reaction section is to be disposed on an inner side of the small reaction section in the vehicle width direction. The large reaction section is adjacent to the small reaction section. The large reaction section is configured to generate a larger reaction against the colliding object than the predetermined reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Kishi, Wataru Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 11827277
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement comprising a rigid polymeric structure having a longitudinal axis and including a first portion having an opening for connecting the structure to a secondary surface and a second portion including a stop device having a terminal end that extends beyond any other surface of the structure, a fastening device for locating into the opening an adhesive associated with one or more of the first and second portion, wherein at least a section of the second portion lies in a plane that is skew to a plane in which the first portion lies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Deachin, Eric White
  • Patent number: 11827133
    Abstract: A console assembly for use in a vehicle provided with a floor. The console assembly includes a guide member, coupled to the vehicle floor, a moving portion, a gearbox assembly, a transmission assembly, and a disengaging device. The gearbox assembly includes a gear configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction to move the moving portion between a first position and a second position. The transmission assembly is configured to operate in a number of operating states, including an engaged state and a disengaged state. The disengaging device is configured to change the operating state of the transmission assembly between the engaged state and the operating state so that the moving portion is movable while the transmission assembly is in the disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE SE & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, COBURG
    Inventor: James Elsarelli
  • Patent number: 11807178
    Abstract: A cross member for a bumper beam includes an outer beam, an inner reinforcement element extending inside at least a part of the outer beam inner volume and comprising at least two reinforcement ribs protruding towards the front beam wall, the reinforcement ribs being connected together at least at their back end, opposite to the front beam wall, by an upper transversal branch and a lower transversal branch, the upper and lower transversal branches being attached respectively to the upper and lower beam flanges of the outer beam, wherein each reinforcement rib abuts the front beam wall and the length of the upper transversal branch is less than the length of the upper beam wall and the length of the lower transversal branch is less than the length of the lower beam wall, the lengths being measured in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ArcelorMittal
    Inventors: Elie Gibeau, Yannis Kheyati, Nabil Menegady
  • Patent number: 11801800
    Abstract: An energy absorbing device is designed to increase the amount of absorbed energy and control the deformation of the device in case of an impact. The energy absorbing device consists in a hollow longitudinal member extending along a first longitudinal axis and a longitudinal guide extending along a second longitudinal axis, arranged within the longitudinal member and suitable for guiding the deformation of the longitudinal member in case of an impact. The length ratio between the longitudinal guide and the member is comprised between the values of 1/5 and 3/5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ARCELORMITTAL
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Colmont, Thierry Derchu, Sébastien Albeaux, Guillaume De Taillac
  • Patent number: 11794558
    Abstract: A mobile accommodation, particularly a recreational accommodation such as a boat, camper or caravan, comprises a room enclosed by walls (10), wherein at least one of the walls comprises an opening (15) in which an optionally transparent window is arranged. Arranged on a first side all around the opening (15) is a casing frame (30) in which the window is mounted. A border device (20) is provided all around the opening on an opposite side. The casing frame (30) and the border device (20) are connected to each other for axial adjustment transversely of the wall (10) while enclosing a wall part of the wall. The border device (20) comprises a relatively stiff frame body (21) which carries on a side facing toward the wall a flexible skirt (25) and lies sealingly against the wall therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: POLYPLASTIC GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Kenzie Van Der Klooster, Pieter Sietze Krijgsman, Bianca Catharina Van Bemmel-Welle
  • Patent number: 11794822
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is described having front and rear passenger area, and an HVAC system provides treated air to both front and rear areas. The front area includes a tunnel extending longitudinally rearwardly, and a low profile duct extends within the tunnel to communicate treated air to the rear passenger area. The frame has been modified to mount a drive shaft carrier bearing to maximize the arear under the tunnel for hose routing. The frame has been modified to maximize the ingress area for the foot of the rear passenger. The frame has been modified to better seal the vehicle when doors are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle J. Schounard, Shawn D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 11794677
    Abstract: A bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle, having a crossmember which is able to be coupled to a motor vehicle by means of crash boxes. The crossmember is designed as a hollow profile which is open on one side. An opening of the hollow profile faces forwards. The crossmember is designed in its end portions to run with an orientation obliquely downwards with respect to the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Umesh Kalekar, Elmar Mollemeier, Mirko Paare, Martin Schroeter
  • Patent number: 11794660
    Abstract: A collapsible trunk for use with a vehicle having a wheel well. The trunk comprises a base wall and a side wall pivotally connected thereto. The side wall extends from the base wall and terminates at an upper edge. The side wall and base wall collectively define a storage cavity. The base wall and the side wall each have an expandable portion conformable to the wheel well in response to placement of the base wall and the side wall over the wheel well. The trunk is selectively transitional between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the base panels overlap each other, and in the deployed configuration, the plurality of base panels are co-planar to each other. The upper edge of the side wall moves away from the base wall as the trunk transitions from the collapsed configuration toward the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Singer
  • Patent number: 11794669
    Abstract: A fastening structure for a vehicle includes an upper trim of which an outer clip inserted into a panel is formed thereon, and a lower trim of which an inner clip inserted into the outer clip is formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, A-SUNG PLATECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han Shin, Janghyun Cho, Kyusung Park, Giung Park
  • Patent number: 11780390
    Abstract: A bumper for vehicle may include an injection-molded bumper cover; and a reinforcing structure provided in a linear shape with fiber reinforced composite material and coupled by direct fitting onto a rear surface of the bumper cover to reinforce a rear side of the bumper cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, Seoyon E-Hwa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-han Shin, Sung-noh Lee, Dong Eun Cha, Ki Hong Lee, Dae Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11780392
    Abstract: A bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle has a crossmember which can be coupled to the motor vehicle via crash boxes and is produced as a press-formed component of the same material and in one piece therewith, with a top-hat-shaped cross section. The crossmember is designed in a respective end region to run with an orientation obliquely downwards with respect to the vertical direction of the motor vehicle, and the end region is of ring-shaped design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Mirko Paare, Elmar Mollemeier
  • Patent number: 11780525
    Abstract: A saddle ride type vehicle including a movable windscreen structure capable of improving operability at low cost. A shaft is supported by a fixing member so as to be vertically movable, the shaft passes through a lower upright portion of a screen attachment member provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the fixing member, and an operation unit is slidably provided at the end portion of the shaft. The operation unit includes a grip portion gripped when being slid and a flange portion disposed inside in the vehicle width direction of the grip portion, the grip portion includes an outer grip portion disposed outside in the vehicle width direction and an inner grip portion disposed inside in the vehicle width direction of the outer grip portion, and the flange portion is formed to have a larger diameter than the inner grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Puntawee Poonsawat, Pongsanat Yingyongdamronggun, Shinichiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 11772710
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented herein for providing a reinforcement structure to reduce a Head Impact Criteria value associated with an object impacting a hood assembly that comprises the reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure is arranged between an outer hood structure and an inner hood structure. The reinforcements structure comprises a main reinforcement and a reinforcement extension configured to extend laterally away from the main reinforcement. The reinforcement extension comprises a rib structure configured to accommodate an upper profile of a rigid front fascia feature and a rear flange configured to extend rearward over the rigid front fascia feature. The reinforcement extension is structured to be stiff enough to deform in a manner that reduces the amount of time an impacting structure reaches a peak acceleration value while also reducing the achievable peak acceleration value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Alfonso Marquez Lopez, Jerry Faber, Vamsi Charan Pulugurtha