Patents Examined by Patricia L. Engle
  • Patent number: 10188151
    Abstract: Infant swaddling allows an infant to be comfortably and easily swaddled. The swaddling includes a pouch featuring a lower end that can be opened and closed to allow an infant's soiled diaper to be easily removed and replaced or to take a rectal temperature. The swaddling can include a blanket that comprises a first blanket flap and a second blanket flap and that can be removably attached to the pouch. The swaddle is used by placing one of the blanket flaps over the pouch, and then placing the other blanket flap over the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Hindi R. Zeidman
  • Patent number: 10188150
    Abstract: Infant swaddling allows an infant to be comfortably and easily swaddled. The swaddling includes a pouch featuring a lower end that can be opened and closed to allow an infant's soiled diaper to be easily removed and replaced or to take a rectal temperature. The swaddling can include a blanket that comprises a first blanket flap and a second blanket flap and that can be removably attached to the pouch. The swaddle is used by placing one of the blanket flaps over the pouch, and then placing the other blanket flap over the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Hindi R. Zeidman
  • Patent number: 7896410
    Abstract: Thickness T in a vehicle longitudinal direction of a first energy-absorbing member 18, which is disposed at a front portion of a vehicle 10, tapers from a middle portion of a vehicle lateral direction (thickness Tc) toward an end portion (thickness Ts). For at least one (preferably both) of the first energy-absorbing member 18 and a second energy-absorbing member, rigidity in the vehicle longitudinal direction is made smaller from the vehicle lateral direction end portion toward the middle. Hence, loads acting on an impact body 102 when the vehicle 10 impacts with the impact body 102 are equalized in the vehicle lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaaki Morikawa, Osamu Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 7896408
    Abstract: The bumper stay includes a cylindrical shaft member fit in to a hole of a bumper reinforce, a cylindrical reinforcing member fit in to the outer periphery of the shaft member in the rear side of the bumper reinforce, and a mounting flange member fit in to the outer periphery of the shaft member in its rear end. The shaft member is enlarged by electromagnetic forming and is tightly adhered to the inner peripheral surface of the hole formed in the bumper reinforce, the inner peripheral surface of the reinforcing member, and the inner peripheral surface of the hole flange formed in the mounting flange member, thereby these are joined with each other. Thin aluminum alloy extruded material can be used for the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Narikazu Hashimoto, Tsunetake Tsuyoshi, Hideki Ishitobi, Satoshi Nimura, Toru Hashimura
  • Patent number: 7896411
    Abstract: Of side wall portions (60a, 60b) of a tubular body portion (52) mainly constituting an impact absorbing member (50), a wider side wall portion (60a) on the vehicle inner side is provided with a projecting rib (70) projects outward in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the body portion. The projecting rib (70) extends from an axial end (52a) adjacent to a mounting plate (54) and parallel to the axial direction of the body portion. Therefore, even when an impact load is applied to the impact absorbing member (50) in an oblique direction with respect to the vehicle to generate a moment load, the existence of the projecting rib (70) prevents the impact absorbing member from falling down laterally. Accordingly, excellent impact-absorbing properties are stably obtained. The projecting rib (70) is formed not to reach the load input side, i.e., the axial end (52b) adjacent to a mounting plate (56), where collapse starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Kano, Makoto Nakanishi, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 7891714
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a structure of a rear bumper cover capable of improving appearance and rigidity of the rear bumper cover. A rear bumper cover made from a resin disposed in the backward part of the vehicle forms an opening portion at the position of attachment of a tow hook. In the opening portion, a cover attaching member made from a resin which has a member opening hole capable of leaving the tow hook open is disposed with the state of covering whole the outer edge of the opening portion. On the cover attaching member, a hook cover capable of covering whole a member opening hole is detachably attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuya Takemura
  • Patent number: 7891715
    Abstract: A shock absorbing structure for a vehicle including a top wall to which a shock is to be applied and two side walls integrally formed with the top wall and extending from the top wall such that the side walls are opposed to each other, thereby forming an angular U-shaped cross section. The side walls have a waveform in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately and continuously provided. In addition, a bottom plate is integrally formed with an end portion of the respective side walls. The shock absorbing structure further includes a first window portion that is formed over a portion of the each side wall including a part of a bottom portion and parts of opposite side portions of the concave portions and a portion of the bottom plate that is connected to the bottom portion and that is positioned between the opposite side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kanushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Noyori, Kuniaki Hasegawa, Yoshihiro Ogura, Soshi Mitsuyama, Takahisa Shiraoka
  • Patent number: 7878573
    Abstract: A tarpaulin structure for covering a cargo space and used in combination with a support and retraction system includes a body and an openable sleeve for a plurality of the cross supports of the system. Connectors hold the sleeves closed about the cross supports. The tarpaulin system may be installed onto and removed from the cross supports of a tarpaulin support and retraction system without requiring the user to disconnect the cross supports from the drive cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: David F. Limbacher
  • Patent number: 7878578
    Abstract: A vehicle body front part structure includes a hood having a hood outer panel and a hood inner panel, and an impact absorber. The hood is openably and closably provided on an upper portion of a vehicle body constituent member. The impact absorber is interposed between the hood and the vehicle body constituent member and abuts against the vehicle body constituent member when the hood is closed. The impact absorber is mounted on the hood inner panel such that an end of the impact absorber projects toward the hood outer panel. The impact absorber includes upper and lower elastic portions. An impact inputted from the hood outer panel is absorbed such that the hood outer panel secondarily collides against the upper elastic portion. An impact caused when the hood is closed is absorbed such that the lower elastic portion abuts against the vehicle body constituent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Iwai, Yusuke Inomata, Yoshisada Kitagawa, Keigo Kiryuu, Echiko Murakami
  • Patent number: 7874606
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a pair of left and right front wheels and at least a pair of left and right rear wheels that are supported on the vehicle frame, a front seat that is provided to the rear of the front wheels, and a rear seat that is provided to the rear of the front seat and including an in-use position, a transition position, and a non-use position. A cargo bed, disposed to the rear of the front seat includes a bottom wall portion whereon the seat cushion portion of the rear seat is provided movably; a left side wall portion and a right side wall portion that are provided on the left and right side portions of the bottom wall portion, wherein the left side wall portion and the right side wall portion extend forward to the rear seat in its non-use position; and a rear wall portion that is provided at the rear end portion of the bottom wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Craig Smith
  • Patent number: 7874773
    Abstract: A semi-trailer chassis packing system capable of packing four stacked semi-trailer chassis in a secure bundle having dimensions of a standard forty foot intermodal shipping container. The chassis packing system includes a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly, and one or more spacers. The first frame assembly includes a pair of elongate first bolster receiving members, a first primary connecting member, and a first secondary connecting member. First bolster receiving members are joined by first detachable pivoting joints to opposite ends of the first primary connecting member. First bolster receiving members pivot to perpendicular orientation with respect to the first primary connecting member, receiving rear bolsters of two stacked trailers into cavities provided in the first bolster receiving members. Second bolster receiving members are joined by second detachable pivoting joints to opposite ends of the second primary connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Ayman H Awad
  • Patent number: 7874604
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a slide-out compartment of a vehicle. The slide-out compartment is slidably received in an opening in the side of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a rotatable member having a distal end wherein the rotatable member is rotatably mounted to one of the slide-out or the opening so as to rotate the member about a horizontal axis parallel to a first plane substantially containing the opening. A drive rotates the rotatable member. A slotted bearing portion is mounted to the other one of the slide-out or the opening. Rotation of the rotatable member causes the distal end to bear against so as to slide along the slot in the bearing portion to selectively extend or retract the slide-out compartment relative to the vehicle. The rotatable member and drive may be mounted adjacent to the opening in the vehicle wherein the bearing portion is mounted in an end wall of the slide-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Valid Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Dixon, Grant Hiebert, Jack Fenkhuber, Loren Parfitt, Steven Bradwall
  • Patent number: 7874605
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a left and right side portion, a front seat affixed to the vehicle body frame, and a rear seat affixed to the vehicle body frame provided to the rear of the front seat. The vehicle also includes a rear roof support structure including a left member and right pipe member that extend generally in the vertical direction from the vehicle body frame, disposed respectively at both the left and right side portions of the vehicle body frame to the rear of the rear seat. At least a downward direction portion of the left pipe member and right pipe member are positioned lower than a seating surface of a seat cushion portion of the rear seat and are angled so as to extend rearward as the left and right pipe members extend upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Craig Smith, Takashi Yamamura, Akira Inui, Chaitanya Tadipatri
  • Patent number: 7874601
    Abstract: A crash box (11,12) is positioned high relative to the bumper beam (13) on, for example, an SUV. The underside (22) of the crash box has a profiled cross-section with upper (25,26) and lower (24) longitudinal portions. At least one upward profile portion (25,26) changes to being a downward-pointing profile portion (27,28) near to the outer end of the crash box, thereby increasing the vertical extent of the crash box. The underside of the crash box may have a hat profile which at its outer end changes to an inverted hat profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Gestamp Hardtech AB
    Inventor: Michael Tanskanen
  • Patent number: 7871114
    Abstract: A slide-out arcs between extended and retracted positions. An outer end of the slide-out is lifted so as to tip the slide-out inwardly when approaching the retracted position. The outer end of the slide-out is lowered so as to tip the slide-out outwardly when approaching the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schultz, Craig J. Reske
  • Patent number: 7866732
    Abstract: A sliding door drive assembly for a motor vehicle having a sliding door includes a transmission operatively connected to a motor for transmitting a rotating force to an output shaft. A cable drum is fixedly secured to the output shaft and rotates therewith. First and second cables are wound about the cable drum in opposite directions. The first cable extends from the cable drum forward along the sliding door. The second cable extends from the cable drum rearward along the sliding door. Support guides extend tangentially out from the cable drum to guide the first and second cables outwardly and away from the cable drum along a path minimizing frictional forces. Front and rear pulley assemblies are mounted to the motor vehicle and are operatively coupled to the first and second cables between the sliding door drive assembly and the sliding door for tensioning the first and second cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Lance Oxley
  • Patent number: 7866737
    Abstract: An active material actuated louver system having an actuator mechanism operable to selectively place a louver or louver system in an open or closed state of operation. The actuator mechanism includes a cable or wire formed from an active material, such as a shape memory alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, Jan H. Aase, James H. Brown
  • Patent number: RE47064
    Abstract: A portable container for transporting and storing a plurality of perishable items including food and beverage items, having a heat-resistant outer tubular member with double-layered insulation in an adjacent inner tubular member to accommodate a plurality of perishable items and to sustain the prescribed temperature of such food and beverage items and to promote longevity thereof. The portable container optionally includes a plurality of external compartments and has removable endcaps enclosing both ends thereof. Each endcap is conveniently removed from a tubular end and then used as a cup for drinking a plurality of beverage items or used as a dish for eating a plurality of food items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Marsha A. Normand
  • Patent number: RE47230
    Abstract: Visor assembly (1, 21) consisting of having an inner shield (6, 26) and an outer shield (2, 22). In the use position these shields are some distance apart. With this arrangement the inner shield (6, 26) is located within the peripheral confines of the outer shield (2, 22). The inner shield (6, 26) is provided with an elevation (7, 27) which extends close to the periphery thereof and which acts as a spacer with respect to the outer shield. This elevation (7, 27) is preferably made of silicone material which is snack to the inner shield (6, 26) but is not stuck to the outer shield (2, 22). Fixing to the outer shield (2, 22) takes place by means (10, 12) of via mechanical fixing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Derek Leslie Arnold
  • Patent number: RE47234
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides for an assembly for securing equipment to a tank. The assembly comprises a base, a split ring, and a clamp. The base comprises a tank engagement portion, a base aperture, a lip positioned along a perimeter of the base aperture, and a first mating surface. The split ring is arranged to be at least partially positionable within the base. The split ring comprises a split ring aperture and a second mating surface in contact with the first mating surface when the split ring is partially positioned within the base. The clamp is positionable to hold the first mating surface in contact with the second mating surface. The clamp comprises a clamp aperture, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface. When the clamp is positioned to hold the mating surfaces in contact, the first contact surface contacts the base, and the second contact surface contacts the split ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: L.J. Star Incorporated
    Inventor: Dale A. Sandy