Patents Examined by Michael W Smith
  • Patent number: 9551307
    Abstract: An engine cover system for joining a cover with an intake manifold body. A plurality of structural ribs project from an external surface of the body including a pair of parallel ribs. Each parallel rib carries an integrally-molded U-shaped receiver strip extending transversely from the parallel ribs to form slots having closed ends proximate a first edge of the body and slot openings defined by respective edges of the receiver strips. The engine cover is comprised of a shroud, first and second radial arms, and first and second hinge pins projecting from the first and second radial arms, respectively. The hinge pins are configured to slide into the slots via the slot openings into the closed ends. First and second elastomeric ferrules are installed on the first and second hinge pins, respectively, configured to be compressed by the receiver strips when captured at the closed ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Hamzeh, Milind B. Kulkarni, Christopher W. Newman