Patents Examined by Paul Chenevert
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Patent number: 9061574Abstract: A window frame (7, 8, 8?) for a window (4, 5, 6, 5?, 6?) of a passenger car, has at least one seal having one or a plurality of sealing profiles (17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, 18.1, 18.4) that abut one another at seams in the longitudinal direction of the seal, and further have a fastening profile cooperating with the seal and comprising one or more fastening profile pieces (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4) that abut one another on at least one seam in the longitudinal direction of the fastening profile. The fastening profile pieces (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4) have a metal ornamental molding (9, 10, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3) attached to them and a molding flange (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) fastened with at least one fastening element (15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4) to secure the fastening profile to the passenger car. The ornamental molding (9, 10) is crimped on the molding flange (14.1, 14.2, 14.4) of the fastening profile piece or pieces (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4) such that it covers the seam in one piece.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: CADEA GESELLSCHAFT FUR ANWENDUNG AND REALISIERUNG COMPUTERUNTERSTUTZTER SYSTEME MBHInventor: Harald Ertl
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Patent number: 9056544Abstract: In present invention, a protrusion portion 21 of a clip member 20 is abutted against an end face 2e of a front glass lower end 2c, and the clip member 20 is fixed to a back face 2b of the front glass 2 via an adhesive agent 17. An engagement portion 13 that is formed in a tongue piece 12 of a cowl-top cover 10 is engaged with a target engagement portion 22 of the clip member 20, and the cowl-top cover 10 is mounted in a state in which a surface 11a of the cowl-top cover 10 and a surface 2a of the front glass 2 are arranged so as to be flush with each other. In addition, an engagement direction is defined as an engagement direction taken along a lengthwise direction oriented from a lower end to an upper end of the front glass.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.Inventors: Takenori Kurata, Daisuke Serizawa
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Patent number: 9045099Abstract: A collapsible strut with controlled deformation for the frame of a road vehicle, the strut consists of an internally hollow tubular body, which presents a closed transverse section, extends between an inner end and an outer end, which are axially opposite to one another, is suited to be fixed in a projecting manner to the frame of the road vehicle at the inner end, and fulfills the function of deforming in a controlled manner in case of crash, thus collapsing axially, furthermore the strut presents a thickness which axially varies from the inner end to the outer end.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.Inventor: Andrea Merulla
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Patent number: 9033394Abstract: A motor vehicle has an openable door and a frameless door glass system comprising a moveable glass operable in two stages of engagement with a seal. The first stage provides a vertical gap between the glass and the seal prior to the door being opened and the second stage increases the level of engagement between the glass and seal relative the first stage upon detection of a predetermined event, such as a predetermined vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Paul L. Heirtzler, Donald P. Iacovoni
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Patent number: 9016750Abstract: A vehicular storage system includes a frame coupled to an interior of a rear of a vehicle and a drawer, which is movably coupled to the frame. The drawer of the system is movable between a stowed position in which most or at least a substantial portion of the drawer is within the rear of the vehicle and a deployed position in which a substantial portion of the drawer is positioned rearward of the vehicle in a manner that makes the contents of the drawer accessible to a user outside of the vehicle. The drawer includes drop rails on opposing sides engageable with a pair of corresponding stationary frame rollers so that the drawer is movable along a path defined by the drop rails relative to the frame rollers of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Cap-Pack Truck Products LLCInventor: Jake Izydorek
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Patent number: 9016759Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, a side wall, and a door. The door at least partially defines a passageway and is pivotally coupled with the side wall and pivotable between an opened position and a closed position. A securing portion is configured for selective routing through the handle and releasable coupling to an adjacent portion of the utility bed.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Brandon Ricketts, Hidemi Minami, Yoshiaki Noda, Darin D. King, Casey Heit, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka
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Patent number: 9010838Abstract: A cover system for a substantially flat support surface on a vehicle includes plural removable panels configured to be disposed at opposite lateral sides of the support surface, lower supports which support lower surfaces of the panels and upper rails which retains upper surfaces of the panels at the opposite lateral sides of the support surface. Edge portions of the panels are shaped to overlap with the edge portions of adjacent side panels such that outermost surfaces of the panels extend substantially continuously when the panels are operatively disposed at the opposite lateral sides of the support surface. Each of the panels includes retaining device selectively fixing a lower portion of the panel on the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventors: Sheri LeBlanc, Tim DeMonte, Walt DeMonte
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Patent number: 9010848Abstract: A diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcing arrangement on an undercarriage of a motor vehicle. The diagonal strut device (1) has a plurality of struts (2) made from a fibet-reinforced plastic composite material, which extend away from a central joint element (3). Each strut (2) can be connected to the undercarriage via it's end facing away from the central joint element (3). For this, a connecting joint element (4) is arranged on the end of each strut (2) facing away from the central joint element (3). The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are formed from a light metal material. The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are then connected to the struts (2) by an at least firmly bonded cast joint. Further, a method for the production of a diagonal strut device (1), as well as a motor vehicle undercarriage, which uses the diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Denis Andree, Konrad Eipper, Thomas Rudlaff, Asmir Salkic, Mirko Sretenovic
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Patent number: 9010844Abstract: A vehicle body front structure is provided. In the vehicle body front structure, a front grille and a bumper extend in the up-and-down direction in a front end portion of the vehicle body, the bumper bends and extends rearwardly from the front grille, a front end edge of a front hood is positioned adjacent to a top end portion of the extending bumper, a frame upper portion that supports a radiator extends in the body width direction and is supported on the back side of a front end portion of the front hood, and a box-like hollow impact absorber, which is made of sheet metal and extends in the body width direction, is provided in a space surrounded by the front grille, the bumper, the front end portion of the front hood, and the frame upper portion, and is supported by the frame upper portion via a plurality of legs.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masami Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8991896Abstract: A removable hard top system for a convertible sport utility vehicle is described. The system comprises an adapter kit which is installed onto a vehicle and which remains in place on a semi-permanent basis. The system further comprises a removable hard top assembly which disassembles into component parts that may be fully stored in the vehicle to allow the user to install the hard top assembly on the vehicle at a time and place either at or remote from the home base of the vehicle. The system is modular so that the user can customize the coverage desired.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Mechanical Holdings, LLCInventor: Andrew Patrick Whitehead
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Patent number: 8985660Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the bed of a pickup truck having a rear bumper and a tailgate includes a step assembly having a lower linkage assembly with first and second ends and being pivotally mounted at the first end to the rear truck bumper; an upper linkage assembly having third and fourth ends and being pivotally mounted at the third end to and proximal the distal edge of the truck tailgate and being pivotally mounted at the fourth end to the second end of the lower linkage assembly; and a step connected to the lower linkage assembly; and includes a handrail assembly including a handrail, a storage locking bracket assembly securing the handrail to the step assembly in an up, closed position, and an erected support assembly for securing the handrail in an upright, user assist position when the step assembly is in a lowered, open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: Robert M. Weber
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Patent number: 8985678Abstract: A body front structure for an automobile includes: fenders; an engine compartment; a bonnet; a cowl grille; a center seal which is installed on an upper portion of a vertical wall section of the cowl grille; and side seals which are made from a material that is more flexible than the vertical wall section of the cowl grille. A void where the vertical wall section is not present is formed between each fender and an outside end portion of the vertical wall section of the cowl grille in the vehicle width direction. The side seals each have a seal section which abuts against the bonnet in a closed state and a supporting section which supports the seal section from below, and extend substantially in the vehicle width direction so as to close off the void.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Sugishima, Seiji Fukuyama, Akira Kawanami, Junji Nadano
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Patent number: 8985674Abstract: A door trim for a vehicle includes a front trim, a rear trim, and at least one trim component. The front trim is to be arranged closer to the front of the vehicle. The rear trim is to be arranged closer to a rear of the vehicle. The at least one trim component is mounted to the front trim and the rear trim so as to extend from the front trim to the rear trim across a boundary between the front trim and the rear trim.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiya Tanizawa
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Patent number: 8960764Abstract: A tonneau cover system for a cargo box of a pickup truck including a framework having a cross bow member supporting a cover and a locking spring clamp assembly. The locking spring assembly having: a linkage member coupled to at least one of the framework and the cover at a connection location along the linkage member; and a latch housing slidably coupled to the linkage member. The latch housing includes an engaging member engaging the cargo box of the pickup truck in a latched position. A first biasing member urges the latch housing into the latched position. A locking feature releasably couples the linkage member and the latch housing into a locked position, such that a distance between the connection location and the engaging member is generally constant in the latched position and generally maintained by the locking feature in a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Extang CorporationInventor: Michael R. Spencer
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Patent number: 8960781Abstract: A vehicle rocker panel is provided that is extruded as a single piece. As extruded, the rocker panel may include one or more interior reinforcing walls as well as interior and exterior design features.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Michael John Baldwin, Hitendra Laxmidas Gadhiya, Alexi Charbonneau
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Patent number: 8944487Abstract: A door opening/closing apparatus automatically opens and closes a door, and the door is supported by a vehicle body such that the door can open and close in a vertical direction. A plurality of link members connect the door and the vehicle body, and at least one of the link members is driven by the drive motor. A drive motor is provided integrally on or within at least one of the link members, and a connection shaft connects the link member having the drive motor and another link member that is adjacent to the former link member. The connection shaft is rotated by the drive motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act CorporationInventor: Masaaki Yuge
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Patent number: 8925996Abstract: A vehicle glazing has a gasket provided on at least one surface and extending along one edge of the glazing, and provided with at least one resilient asymmetric metal retaining clip for retaining a vehicle glazing component, such as a decorative trim. One side of the clip engages the gasket, and the other side retains the vehicle glazing component. Also disclosed is a preferred retaining clip for mounting on a gasket to retain a vehicle glazing component, the clip having a generally U-shaped section comprising a base and two limbs. The first limb may comprise at least two lugs extending in mutually diverging directions to grip the gasket, and the second limb may comprise a tab extending outwardly from the limb to engage the vehicle glazing component.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Pilkington Group LimitedInventor: Christoph Senge
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Patent number: 8919869Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure includes rear floor panels, rear wheel housings, and rear side extensions. The rear side extensions each have a first joined portion that is joined to a breadthways outer end of each of the rear floor panels, a second joined portion that is joined to an rear end of each of the rear wheel housings, a side portion that is an uprising slanted portion extending from the rear end of the first joined portion to the second joined portion, a surface portion surrounded by the first joined portion, the second joined portion, and the side portion, and an extending portion joined to a flange portion of a rear pillar, wherein the side portion is configured to have higher stiffness or strength than at least the surface portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., LtdInventors: Jun Horiguchi, Chikashi Nagashima
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Patent number: 8915535Abstract: A frame sealing unit for a vehicle, that is disposed between a front pillar and a side outer panel of a vehicle, may include a main body where a mounting space is formed at one end thereof, a first pad that is inserted into the mounting space, a bonding member that is bonded to one side lower surface of the main body and an insert portion is formed on the exterior circumference thereof, a second pad that is inserted into the insert portion corresponding to the shape of the bonding member, a sub-body that is mounted on the bonding member in a position corresponding to one side surface of the main body and is spaced apart from the main body to form an operating space, and an expandable pad that is inserted into the operating space and slid when heated to an initial temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Sang Kyoung Han
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Patent number: 8910998Abstract: Systems and methods for altering the appearance and/or texture of a vehicle surface include installing a vest relative to a vehicle surface such that an exterior side of the vest, spaced from the vehicle surface, defines a fluid-tight space between the vehicle surface and the exterior side of the vest. Visual media can be provided into and from the fluid-tight space using one or more ports, the exterior side being at least partially transparent or translucent such that the visible media within the fluid-tight space are visible through the exterior side of the vest, thereby allowing the repeatable alteration of the appearance of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Inventor: Srinivas S. Devathi