Patents Examined by Nicole Verley
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Patent number: 9145092Abstract: A side entry system for a vehicle having at least four doors includes a running board coupled to an exterior surface of the vehicle. A first step is included at or within a door sill of a rear passenger door. The first step is positioned above the running board. A second step is formed adjacent to the first step and is included in an interior of the vehicle. The second step is positioned above the first step. The running board, the first step, and the second step are configured to assist standing entry into a passenger pod of the vehicle through the rear passenger door. A roll cage is coupled to the vehicle and is attached to a rear bumper of the vehicle. The passenger pod extends aft of a rear taillight of the vehicle and includes a passenger seat positioned at least mostly aft of the rear taillight.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: PINK ADVENTURE GROUP, INC.Inventors: Joseph Reynolds, Greg McCallum, Shawn Wendell
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Patent number: 9139153Abstract: A vehicle side impact airbag has an inflator, a main inflatable chamber disposed for contact with the side arm of the vehicle occupant when inflated, and a separate laterally extending thoracic chamber in metered fluid communication with the main inflatable chamber of the side airbag extending laterally into the passenger compartment. The laterally extending thoracic chamber of the airbag is disposed for contact with the lower thoracic region of the vehicle occupant below the occupant side arm when inflated, whereby the side airbag simultaneously engages the occupant lower thoracic region and side arm when inflated.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Zhibing Deng, Michael Dong, Harish Honnavalli Dutt
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Patent number: 9139228Abstract: A modular electric scooter frame structure comprises a front frame, a rear frame and a plurality of pivotal elements. The front frame includes at least one first transverse bar and a plurality of front side bars each includes a plurality of first through holes on a lateral side and a female pivot portion at one end. The rear frame includes at least one second transverse bar and a plurality of rear side bars each includes a plurality of second through holes on a lateral side and a male pivot portion at one end. The first and second transverse bars respectively have two struts to wedge in the first and second through holes for fastening. Each pivotal element runs through a first pivotal hole of the female pivot portion and a second pivotal hole of the male pivot portion to fasten the front and rear frames together.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: KUIANDA COMPANY LIMITEDInventor: Mao-Chiang Chen
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Patent number: 9114776Abstract: A vehicle and an airbag assembly are disclosed. A bladder includes a first expandable region defining a first maximum width between first and second sides of the first expandable region along a first axis when in a deployed position and a second expandable region defining a second maximum width between first and second sides of the second expandable region along the first axis when in the deployed position. A tether faces the second side of the first expandable region. The tether is attached to the bladder such that the first side of the second expandable region and the second side of the first expandable region partially overlap each other in the deployed position to cause the first expandable region to deploy outwardly in front of the second expandable region to define a total width along the first axis greater than one of the first and second maximum widths.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Scott D. Thomas, Howard C. Weiss, Kenneth M. Zawisa
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Patent number: 9114827Abstract: A riding yard maintenance vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, and a cable. Wheels of the riding yard maintenance vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a steering apparatus operably coupled to front wheels of the riding yard maintenance vehicle via a cable system. The cable system may include the cable, which may be wrapped around at least a portion of the steering shaft. The cable may terminate at respective ends thereof at corresponding portions of a turn magnification assembly that indirectly couples the cable to the front wheels. The turn magnification assembly may be configured to approximate Ackermann geometry steering of respective ones of the front wheels based on movement of the cable responsive to rotation of the steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: HUSQVARNA ABInventor: Duncan K. Burns, Jr.
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Patent number: 9114830Abstract: The invention relates to a steering axle (1) for a vehicle, wherein steering levers (31, 32) are articulated to both sides of an axle body (2) and each of the steering levers (31, 32) is operatively connected to a track arm (41, 42), and a tie rod (5) is hingedly connected at both ends at attack points (61, 62) to the track arms (41, 42). It is proposed to provide the track arms (41, 42) with an adjustment device (71, 72) for changing the position of the attack points (61, 62).Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Inventors: Josef Scharmüller, Josef Scharmüller, Jr.
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Patent number: 9108484Abstract: An automobile includes an active suspension system and a leveling system. The leveling system receives high pressure fluid from the active suspension system in order to change static vehicle height and compensate for static load changes.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.Inventor: Koen Reybrouck
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Patent number: 9108588Abstract: A curtain airbag device comprising: a main deploying portion that, at a time when at least one of a small overlap impact or an oblique impact arises, receives a supply of gas and expands, and is deployed in a shape of a curtain; an auxiliary deploying portion that is provided at a front side of the main deploying portion, and that, at a time when at least one of a small overlap impact or an oblique impact arises, receives a supply of gas and is expanded and deployed; and a connecting portion that has an expanding portion that receives a supply of gas from the main deploying portion and is expanded at an outer side in a vehicle width direction of the auxiliary deploying portion, and the connecting portion connects a front end side portion of a front pillar, and a front end side portion of the main deploying portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KiashaInventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Hiroyuki Taguchi
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Patent number: 9096110Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system of steering and suspension linkages for a beam-type solid axle arrangement, the steering system designed to operate in conjunction with the suspension system without bumpsteer throughout suspension travel. Accurate steering throughout suspension travel is satisfied with mechanical linkages that include a unique flexible joint-mounted bellcrank. The suspension system comprises two pairs of links, each pair occupying opposite sides of a solid axle, this opposed configuration offering the axle centering capability of without the packaging constraints of a triangulated 4-link suspension system, thereby facilitating its installation on production-based front solid axle vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Inventor: Ronald Scott Bandy
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Patent number: 9090224Abstract: A webbing catcher (10) for a vehicle seat belt (30) comprises an adjusting portion (12) pivoting between a release position and a retaining position and a retaining portion (18) arranged at the adjusting portion (12) and having a free end (20) over which the seat belt (30) can be put.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GMBHInventors: Guenter Burkhardtsmaier, Maike Seiler
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Patent number: 9090141Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension is provided having a hydraulic vibration damper, which is connected in parallel to a suspension spring which proportionally supports the vehicle body. A rebound spring is provided, which preferably and typically becomes effective in the event of larger spring deflection distances. The support point of the rebound spring is displaceable in relation to the damper housing by way of a spring support piston, which is provided therein and is displaceable by fluid externally supplied with pressure via pump. In this case, the pump is connected to a pressure accumulator for the fluid and delivers fluid out of the pressure accumulator into the damper housing or out of the damper housing back into the pressure accumulator. The absolute value of the spring constant of the pressure accumulator is at least in the order of magnitude of the spring constant of the associated suspension spring or springs, or is greater.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Roland Schmidt, Serge Vos, Holger Klein
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Patent number: 9085329Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive rear vehicle body structure comprising: a rear subframe (21) having right and left side member segments (22), and a cross member segment (23) coupling the side member segments (22) together; and a rear suspension supported by the rear subframe (21). The cross member portion (23) has right and left lateral portions (23S) each composed a pipe-like shaped member extending vehicle-widthwise inwardly and downwardly from each of the right and left side member segments (22), and a central portion (23C) composed of a pipe-like shaped member coupling the lateral portions (23S) together. The central portion (23C) is disposed at a height position below a vertically middle position between an upper-arm support section (28) and a lower-arm support section (29).Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Katsuyuki Komiya
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Patent number: 9085211Abstract: One variation includes a top mount for a strut having an inner metal portion. Another variation includes a bearing integrated with the inner metal portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Bryan D. Wilson
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Patent number: 9079620Abstract: A rear subframe comprises: a pair of right and left side member segments; and a front cross member segment and a rear cross member segment each coupling the side member segments together. The rear cross member segment has: a central portion; and a front branch portion and a rear branch portion branched forwardly and rearwardly from each of vehicle-widthwise outer ends of the central portion, while extending in the vehicle width direction. Each of the side member segments has a bent portion with its axis extending in a curved manner between a coupling portion between the front branch portion and the side member segments, and a coupling portion between the rear branch portion and the side member segments. The bent portion has a wall thickness set to be less than that of a region of the side member segment located forward of the bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventor: Katsuyuki Komiya
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Patent number: 9079630Abstract: A steering stem assembly for rotatably coupling a steering assembly to a steering head of a motorcycle main frame. The steering stem assembly includes a first stem member configured to support a first end of the steering assembly on a first end of the steering head and a second stem member configured to support a second end of the steering assembly on a second end of the steering head. The second stem member is formed separately from the first stem member. A joint is defined between the first and second stem members and fixedly secures the first stem member with the second stem member.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLCInventors: Michael W. Alstrin, Eric Konkel, Joshua Hedtke, Stephen Hebert, Troy Schneiker
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Patent number: 9073508Abstract: A motor vehicle steering wheel has an airbag module received and mounted within a recess having an opening of a predetermined shape. A cover having an outer surface and inner surface is disposed over and proximate the airbag module and substantially occludes the opening of the recess. The cover has a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the opening of the recess and an outer edge corresponding to an inner edge of the recess. The outer edge of the cover comprises a flexible loop proximate the inner edge of the recess about the outer edge of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Robert Chascsa, II, Ishak Zaman
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Patent number: 9073512Abstract: A gas generator contains a housing having a first end and a second end; a perforated first combustion chamber contained within the housing; a first gas generant contained within the first combustion chamber; a first gas generant cushion positioned between one of either the first end or the second end, and the first gas generant; and a booster chamber contained within the housing, the booster chamber extending through the first gas generant cushion to physically communicate with the second end of the housing. The gas generant cushion may have at least one concave cavity formed on one side of the cushion for providing an enhanced propellant cushion. A vehicle occupant protection system incorporating this gas generator is also contemplated in accordance with the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Christian P. Thompson
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Patent number: 9067559Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a vehicular seat having a seat pad, a seat cover, an airbag module, and webbing. The seat cover covers the seat pad. The airbag module is provided inside the seat pad, and has a bag body. The webbing is arranged so as to regulate a direction in which the bag body expands, and has a first portion provided integrally with the seat pad.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tomoki Nii, Yoshiyuki Murata
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Patent number: 9061564Abstract: An active vehicle with variable inclination mechanism is provided. The active vehicle with variable inclination mechanism comprises a linear slide mechanism, two sets of longitudinal interlocking mechanism, a steering control mechanism, and a control unit. The linear slide mechanism comprises a reciprocating action member. A lateral displacement of the reciprocating action member drives the longitudinal interlocking mechanism to produce a displacement along a longitudinal direction while a torque is applied at the steering control mechanism. The wheels are driven to move along an opposite longitudinal direction and to form an inclination. Using the active vehicle with variable inclination mechanism can provide a real-time inclination force while rounding a corner as well as increase the safety. Besides, the driver can easily get on/off the vehicle when the vehicle is stationary and the reciprocating action member is locked at the stationary position of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing CenterInventors: Chao-Chih Yu, Chih-Jung Yeh, Jin-Yan Hsu, Jiun-Jie Chen, Shih-Jung Ho
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Patent number: 9050872Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension has a suspension spring, by which the vehicle body is proportionally supported on a supporting bracket of the wheel suspension. The wheel load acting upon a pertaining wheel as a result of this support is changeable in that the transmission ratio at a shift lever provided in the load path of the support and swivelably disposed at the vehicle body with respect to the latter can be changed by an actuator. Parallel to the load path containing the shift lever and a first suspension spring element, an additional load path with a second suspension spring element effective between the vehicle body and the pertaining wheel is provided. The transmission ratio at the shift lever may be changed over a wide range by displacement of the supporting point of the first suspension spring element or a transmission rod supported with its other end at the supporting bracket of the wheel suspension.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ludwig Seethaler, Hubert Scholz