Patents Examined by Nicole T Verley
  • Patent number: 10654441
    Abstract: A buckle device including: a buckle that is configured to engage with a tongue of a seatbelt device, a cover member that includes a first member and a second member for assembly together, and at which the buckle is provided; an elongated member that is anchored to the first member at a length direction leading end portion of the elongated member, and a retention section that is provided at the first member, and that is configured to engage a portion of the elongated member that is further toward a length direction base end side of the elongated member than the length direction leading end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Masafumi Tsujimoto, Taku Sasaguchi
  • Patent number: 10654516
    Abstract: A steering column may include an inner casing tube in which a steering spindle is rotatably mounted, an outer casing unit that retains the inner casing tube, and a clamping device that secures the outer casing unit relative to the inner casing tube in a fixing position and enables adjustment in an enabling position. The clamping device comprises an arresting element supported longitudinally on the outer casing unit and, in the fixing position, is connected in a longitudinally non-displaceable manner to an engagement element connected to the inner casing tube and, in the enabling position, is released from the engagement element and enables movement of the inner casing tube relative to the outer casing unit in a longitudinal direction. A plastically-deformable energy absorption device, which includes at least two energy absorption elements and a coupling means, may couple the inner casing tube and the outer casing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Ciprian Paltinisanu, Hieronymus Schnitzer
  • Patent number: 10654440
    Abstract: A method of folding is provided for folding an airbag including a vehicle-side wall, a driver-side wall, an inlet opening formed in the vehicle-side wall and a mounting seat disposed in a periphery of the opening. The method includes a first process conducted in a first direction and a second process conducted in a second direction orthogonal to the former. The first process includes an initial folding that folds back each of opposite sides in the first direction of the airbag as flattened with respect to the mounting seat towards the mounting seat, a rolling that rolls the airbag towards the mounting seat from creases formed in the initial folding, and an invaginating that invaginates each of resulting rolled regions between the vehicle-side and driver-side walls. The second process folds up opposite sides in the second direction of the airbag with respect to the mounting seat each towards the mounting seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hotta, Kenji Fujimura
  • Patent number: 10640150
    Abstract: A rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle comprises a wheel house, a side frame, a suspension comprising a damper and a spring, and a suspension housing connecting the side frame and the wheel house. The suspension housing includes a supporting part for supporting the damper and a spring receiving part for supporting an upper end portion of the spring at a position located on an outward side, in a vehicle width direction, of the side frame and on an upward side, in a vehicle vertical direction, of a lower end of the side frame. Further, connection portions connecting, in the vehicle vertical direction, the side frame and the spring receiving part are provided on a downward side, in the vehicle vertical direction, of the spring receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Masuda, Shigeaki Watanabe, Hideyuki Tsukamoto, Tomohiro Eiju, Hidenori Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10640950
    Abstract: An operation device includes a hold portion having a base end and a leading end, and an operation portion attached to the leading end of the hold portion. The operation portion includes a finger rest extending substantially along a direction in which the hold portion extends from the base end to the leading end, and first to third operation switches disposed with the finger rest interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Kure, Hiroki Yamamoto, Akane Awazu
  • Patent number: 10632952
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to passenger restraint system, deployable upon detection of an imminent side impact vehicle collision. The restraint system contains both an inner inflatable portion and an outer rigid telescopic portion, resulting in a semi-rigid restraint system. The restraint system may be mounted to the outboard and/or inboard sides of a vehicle seat, to protect the passenger from forces from an intruding door structure (or vehicle structure) or from other passengers. Mounting the restraint system to the vehicle seat may limit the force load that is transferred from the vehicle to the occupant, compared to a restraint system mounted to the vehicle interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Craig Markusic
  • Patent number: 10632954
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an airbag assembly and a vehicle seat comprising the airbag assembly. The airbag assembly is adapted to be mounted at a side of a vehicle front seat away from its neighboring vehicle door, and includes a folded airbag adapted to be inflated with gas and to be connected to a backrest frame of the vehicle front seat; and a tether for controlling deployment of the airbag. A first end of the tether is connected to the airbag and a second end of the tether is adapted to be connected to the backrest frame. The airbag is configured to be restrained by the tether and the filling so as to be disposed along a side contour of the backrest frame in a bent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Jin Zhang, Kongfu Xie, Magdalena Wingren, Mats Berntsson, Par Sandinge
  • Patent number: 10632808
    Abstract: A trailing arm device (1) of a drivable torsion beam axle (2) is described. The trailing arm device (1) has a housing (5) in which a drive-train (8) can be arranged and is connected to a trailing arm (4). The housing (5), as fitted into position within a vehicle, has a sidewall (11) formed integrally with a central housing region (9) on a side facing toward a wheel. The sidewall delimits a housing interior space (10) that accommodates, at least partially, the drive-train (8). On the side facing away from the wheel, the housing interior space (10) is delimited by at least one cover element (14) that can be detachably connected to the central housing region (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Holtheide, Alfons Nordloh, Markus Wulf, Michael Beyer, Felix Kallass
  • Patent number: 10633014
    Abstract: A locking device for a steering column may include an activating lever attached to a clamping bolt, which lever interacts with a pressure plate such that when the activating lever is rotated about an axis of the clamping bolt in a closing direction the steering column is clamped in the locking device, and such that when the activating lever is rotated in the opening direction the steering column can be adjusted. An abutment finger may be radially spaced apart from the clamping bolt and project in a direction of the axis of the clamping bolt. The abutment finger may engage in a window-like slot of the activating lever so that rotation of the activating lever is possible but limited in the opening and closing directions by abutment of the abutment finger against opposite abutment surfaces of the window-like slot, at least one which may comprise a damping cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Hieronymus Schnitzer, Ciprian Paltinisanu
  • Patent number: 10632813
    Abstract: Adjustable spring support comprising a spring plate which is axially adjustable by an annular actuator, wherein the actuator is supplied with pressure medium via a pressure medium supply system, wherein the annular actuator has a pressure medium connection to the pressure medium supply system, and the housing of the actuator is connected directly to a housing of the pressure medium supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Väth, Josef Renn, Tom Schneider, Jan Rossberg
  • Patent number: 10625703
    Abstract: A vehicle side airbag device including a shoulder protection part and a chest protection part that lifts an occupant's arm in a collision state while protecting the occupant's shoulder. A side airbag (1) is provided at a seat (2) and spread out in a non-inflated state, the contour on the front side in the vehicle body front-back direction has an inflection position C with a curvature change midway between the shoulder protection part X and the chest protection part Y, an upper edge line U upward and a lower edge line L downward from the inflection position. The inflection position is ahead of the shoulder protection part and above a center line F that extends lengthwise of an occupant upper arm A and divides the upper arm into upper and lower portions, and the lower edge line crosses the center line from an upper side to a lower side and positioned under the center line in a lower end position Au of the occupant upper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Yutaka Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10597851
    Abstract: A left operating tool stand (39) disposed on the left side of an operator's seat (15) in a wheel loader (1) includes a support member (32), an operating tool stand (39) rotatably disposed to the support member (32) between an operating position and a tilt-up position, and an operating tool (53) disposed at a front end side of the operating tool stand (39) to operate the wheel loader (1). The operating tool stand (39) includes a rotating member (40) that is rotatably mounted about a support pin (33) as a rotational pivot, the supporting pin (33) being disposed to the support member (32), and a cam roller (50) that is rotatably disposed to the rotating member (40) and rotates together with the rotating member (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventors: Wataru Isaka, Satoshi Kan
  • Patent number: 10583885
    Abstract: A motor vehicle forecarriage comprises a forecarriage frame, a pair of front wheels kinematically connected to the forecarriage frame by means of an articulated quadrilateral, said articulated quadrilateral comprising a pair of cross members, hinged to the forecarriage frame in correspondence of middle hinges, said cross members being connected together, in correspondence of opposite transverse ends by means of uprights pivoted to said transverse ends in correspondence of side hinges, wherein the cross members and the uprights define said articulated quadrilateral. Advantageously, each of the uprights guides and supports a stub axle of a front wheel, each upright extending from an upper end to a lower end, wherein each stub axle is mechanically connected to a rotation pin of a front wheel so as to rotatably support the wheel around a relative rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 10577018
    Abstract: A stabilizer comprises a damper having a housing and a piston rod. An inner adapter is associated with the damper for securing a first end of the damper to one of a first component or a second component. An outer adapter assembly is coupled to a distal end of the piston rod for coupling to the other of the first and second component. A one-piece spring seat is coupled to the housing of the damper so as to be held axially stationary relative to the housing. A coil spring is supported by the one-piece spring seat and the outer adapter assembly. The one-piece spring seat enables the coil spring to return the stabilizer to a neutral position regardless of whether the coil spring is under tension or compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Katie Urbanski, Anthony J. Morr, Michael Golin
  • Patent number: 10563699
    Abstract: A prop shaft assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a main body having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to a first flange and a constant velocity (CV) joint assembly including a first member and a second member, the second member coupled to a second flange. The first flange and the main body are made from aluminum, the second member and the second flange are made from steel, and the first flange and the second flange are coupled together by a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rolando V. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10562487
    Abstract: A three-point safety belt includes a belt body, a winder, a shoulder belt guide ring, and a lock tongue. The winder and the shoulder belt guide ring are fixed onto a vehicle body. The winder is located below the shoulder belt guide ring. The lock tongue is disposed on the belt body. The lock tongue divides the belt body into a shoulder belt and a waist belt. The shoulder belt penetrates through the shoulder belt guide ring. The free end, away from the lock tongue, of the shoulder belt and the free end, away from the lock tongue, of the waist belt are both wound in the winder. The winder synchronously winds or unwinds the shoulder belt and the waist belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: ZHEJIANG GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG GEELY HOLDING GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gaoji Yin
  • Patent number: 10543727
    Abstract: A ball stud (21) for a ball joint (20) having an annular body (22) pressed onto the ball stud (21). The annular body (22) is held fast to the ball stud (21) by at least one circumferential securing element to prevent loosening, that acts between the ball stud (21) and the annular body (22) and is in the form of a deformation edge (23). The at least one deformation edge (23) is formed integrally with the ball stud (14). A ball joint (20) that has a housing (36) in which a ball stud (21) is held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Klaus Broeker
  • Patent number: 10538279
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracked amphibious vehicle having a vehicle frame and a pair of track assemblies attachable to a respective side of said vehicle frame, said vehicle frame being arranged to support a tilting vehicle cab and an engine configuration, said vehicle frame comprising a pair of separated longitudinal wall elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle and a bottom element connecting said pair of longitudinal wall elements so as to form a space for supporting and housing said engine configuration, wherein said vehicle frame comprises an extension frame and has a lateral extension so that no portion of the vehicle frame extends laterally passed a respective track of said pair of track assemblies so as to allow easy access to said space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Björn Hellholm, Pär Söderberg
  • Patent number: 10532761
    Abstract: One steering column assembly includes a jacket, a bearing, and a steering spindle rotatably supported by the bearing and at least partially extending inside the jacket. The spindle includes a hollow outer tube and a hollow inner tube. The outer tube has lengthening and attachment sections, and the attachment section has transition and connection portions. The lengthening section adjoins the attachment section at an end of the transition portion, and the transition portion is between the lengthening section and the connection portion. The lengthening section has first and second portions, with the second portion being between the first and transition portions, and the outer tube terminates at an end of the connection portion. The inner tube is press-fit into the outer tube, and an end of the inner tube is adjacent the transition portion end. The inner tube does not extend into either the attachment section or the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Justin Yoho, Thomas Geiselberger, Christian Pichonnat
  • Patent number: 10532717
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag includes at least one chamber configured to be inflated when the airbag is triggered and at least one gas generator fluidically connected to the at least one chamber for filling the at least one chamber with a gas. At least one respective interior tensioning bag is arranged in the at least one chamber at each opposing chamber end. The two tensioning bags are configured in such a way that during the filling of the at least one chamber, they synchronously tension and deploy the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Christian Burczyk, Till Heinrich, Bengt Larsson