Patents Examined by Ruth Ilan
  • Patent number: 11198414
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system for a vehicle includes: a seat belt device configured w restrain an occupant seated on a vehicular seat with a webbing, in which one end of the webbing is wound around a winding device and the other end is fixed to one of the vehicular seat and a vehicle body, and the seat belt device is configured so that a motor provided in the winding device is driven to wind the webbing; and an electronic control unit configured to drive the motor so that a prescribed amount of the webbing is wound, when a first condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Nezaki, Motoki Sugiyama, Fumihito Komeno, Makoto Matsuzaki, Kenji Fukuta
  • Patent number: 11173868
    Abstract: A gas generator including an igniter, a combustion chamber, and a restriction part, the igniter including an accommodating chamber accommodating an explosive therein, an ignition portion provided in the accommodating chamber, and a separating part including a pressure receiving surface, the separating part being configured to be separable from the igniter and movable in a predetermined direction, the combustion chamber being configured to burn a gas generating agent filled outside the accommodating chamber, by the combustion of the explosive, the restriction part provided in a predetermined position in the predetermined direction from the igniter and restricting a movement of the separating part, and the separating part including a guide that directs the combustion product of the explosive by the pressure receiving surface toward the igniter, in a state where the movement of the separating part in the predetermined direction is restricted by the restriction part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Mikio Yabuta
  • Patent number: 11167609
    Abstract: A vehicle axle with a centrally arranged drive unit and a wheel suspension which has a wheel carrier for holding a wheel, a lower wheel-guiding control arm for the articulated connection of the carrier to a vehicle body, a camber link that connects the carrier to the body and steering unit for steering the wheel. The carrier and control arm are connected directly, in a first connection area, and indirectly via an integral link, in a second connection area, so that the carrier can pivot relative to the control arm about a steering axis. The control arm can be connected to the body in forward and rear areas, and has a rotational axis that extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. All connection areas of the control arm are positioned outside the centrally arranged drive unit relative to the transverse direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Klaus Wallgren, Knut Heidsieck
  • Patent number: 11167720
    Abstract: A seatbelt buckle assembly is configured for attachment to a vehicle seat frame in a manner that permits a strap of the assembly to pass through narrow openings or gaps of the seat frame before a fastener is used for the attachment. A collar having a flange and a sleeve can be used to retain other buckle assembly components to the strap without the aid of the fastener. The assembly is particularly useful with fold-flat seats where the seatbelt buckle must fold together with the seat back and then be returned to a use position when the seat is unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE SEATING, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Morrow, Emmanuel Pellerin
  • Patent number: 11167671
    Abstract: An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: EXONETIK INQ.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Plante, Marc Denninger, Guifre Julio, Patrick Chouinard, Pascal Larose, Caroline Fraser
  • Patent number: 11161385
    Abstract: A stabilizer is provided with a restriction ring connected to a torsion portion at a connection portion adjacent to a bush. The restriction ring has a body, a female portion, a male portion, and a welded portion. The female portion has gripping portions with a spacing therebetween decreasing in the direction away from a valley bottom portion. The male portion has a neck portion, an expansion portion, and a contraction portion. The welded portion covers at least the range of the contraction portion and the valley bottom portion and melts in the plate thickness direction from the outer peripheral surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: NHK SPRING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakamura, Kenji Katsuno
  • Patent number: 11161382
    Abstract: An axle arrangement for a baler includes a first axle, a second axle, and a pair of elongate members. The first axle has first and second ends. First and second suspension cylinders are positioned at the first and second ends. The first axle is coupled with the chassis. The second axle has first and second ends. First and second suspension cylinders are positioned at the first and second ends to accommodate generally vertical loads. A first elongate member interconnects the first end of the second axle with the first end of the first axle. A second elongate member interconnects the second end of the second axle with the second end of the first axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Sven Monbaliu
  • Patent number: 11155137
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension stop with an upper cup and a lower cup arranged to form between them an annular chamber which is delimited laterally by two walls. The chamber having an external section formed between a bearing surface of each wall respectively, the suspension stop having an external sealing element with two complementary bearing surfaces. The external sealing element is mounted to be mobile in the external section between a stable position in which the complementary bearing surfaces are arranged at a distance from the bearing surfaces of the external section and a stressed position by bearing on the external sealing element in which the complementary bearing surfaces are forced against one of the bearing surfaces to ensure the sealing of the external section at the interface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NTN-SNR Roulements
    Inventor: Aurélien Bonnaudet
  • Patent number: 11148499
    Abstract: A system for suspending an automobile using an air rear suspension is provided. The system may include an automobile having a body, a front axle, and a rear axle; a linkage bar connected to said body and to said rear axle, wherein said connections allow for relative movement between said body and said rear axle; a cantilever bar having a first cantilever end and a second cantilever end; a damper; and an air spring, wherein said cantilever bar is connected to each of said rear axle and said body at said first cantilever end, wherein said cantilever bar is connected to each of said damper and said air spring at said second cantilever end, wherein said damper and said air spring are each connected to said body, and wherein said linkage bar and said cantilever bar are each configured to move in response to movement of said rear axle relative to said body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Wallace Gerald Scott, III
  • Patent number: 11148635
    Abstract: An inclination controlling mechanism of a seatbelt device is provided with: a pulley that converts an advancing/retracting movement of a cable of the cable advancing/retracting mechanism; a drive gear mounted around a pivot shaft of the pulley and synchronized with rotation of the pulley; and a driven gear mounted around a pivot shaft of a sensor housing so as to move in conjunction with a rotation of the sensor housing. The drive gear and driven gear engage with each other in a condition where a rotational track surface of the drive gear and rotational track surface of the driven gear intersect at a predetermined angle. As a result, an inertial body supporting surface serving as a sensor reference plane can be accurately maintained horizontally even at an arbitrary seatback recline angle, and thus the accuracy of the acceleration sensor can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ito, Masuo Matsuki, Ganta Hibata
  • Patent number: 11135990
    Abstract: A method of using a support accessory rack includes aligning a first mounting portion of the support accessory rack with a first pin of a rollover protective structure. The method includes aligning a second mounting portion of the support accessory rack with a second pin of a second rollover protective structure. The method includes actuating the first pin to secure the first mounting portion to the rollover protective structure. The method further includes actuating the second pin to secure the second mounting portion to the rollover protective structure. The method includes pivoting a rotating support member of the support accessory rack away from the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion, and supporting the rotating support member onto a lateral bar of the rollover protective structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Richard Turner, Carolyn Turner
  • Patent number: 11136059
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are for a position sensor system integrated into a steering column assembly of a vehicle. The position sensor includes an elongated target comprising a sloping top surface, a first arcuate lateral surface, a second arcuate lateral surface, and an attachment feature for connecting the elongated target to a moveable part of the steering column assembly. The position sensor also includes a sensor device comprising an attachment feature for connecting the sensor device to a stationary part of the steering column assembly and a sensor situated over the sloping top surface of the elongated target. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the elongated target relative to the sensor, where the position of the elongated target corresponds to a position of a steering column of the steering column assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Edward A. Cana, Damian Z. Gosztyla, Robert D. Bueche
  • Patent number: 11135998
    Abstract: A seat belt for an occupant sitting on a seat in a vehicle includes a tongue part provided at a first side portion of the seat and a buckle part provided at a second side portion of the seat. The tongue part includes at least one first guide part that is operable between extended and contracted configurations, and at least one first webbing with a tongue wound therein. In addition, the tongue of the first webbing is connected with an end portion of the first guide part. The buckle part includes a second guide part that is operable between extended and contracted configurations, and the second webbing with a buckle wound therein. In addition, the buckle of the second webbing is connected with an end portion of the second guide part. The tongue of the tongue part is fastened to the buckle of the buckle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyun Su Kim
  • Patent number: 11117437
    Abstract: A suspension device for a wheeled vehicle with a plurality of air springs is described. Two main air chambers of two air springs of a respective vehicle axle are connected together via a transverse air chamber which forms an intermediate volume. A compressor arranged between the two transverse air chambers is connected to the first transverse air chamber via a first connecting line in which a first switchable valve is arranged, and to the second transverse air chamber via a second connecting line in which a second switchable valve is arranged, so that direct filling/direct evacuation of the intermediate volumes of the two transverse air chambers is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Harting, Jens-Uwe Gleu
  • Patent number: 11117637
    Abstract: A motorcycle frame including a left side frame member, a right side frame member, and a steering head member positioned along a longitudinal center plane of the frame between the left and right side frame members. The steering head member includes a steering head portion defining a steering axis. A plurality of fastener joints are established between the steering head member, the left side frame member, and the right side frame member, the plurality of fastener joints positioned rearward of the steering head portion. A fastener joint, separate from the plurality of fastener joints, is established rearward of the plurality of fastener joints between the steering head and the left side frame member. A fastener joint, separate from the plurality of fastener joints, is established rearward of the plurality of fastener joints between the steering head and the right side frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Dennert, Jared P. Thede, Brian Scherbarth, Eric John Konkel, John W. Schanz
  • Patent number: 11117538
    Abstract: An electrical assembly includes a support assembly and a track assembly. The support assembly may include a controller, a first safety device, and/or a second safety device. The track assembly may include a first tack and/or a second track. The support assembly may be configured for selective mechanical and/or electrical connection with the track assembly in a first direction and/or in a second direction. The controller may be configured to receive a first signal and/or a second signal from the track assembly. The controller may provide the first signal to the first safety device and/or provide the second signal to the second safety device when the support assembly is connected with the track assembly in the first direction and when the support assembly is connected with the track assembly in the second direction. The first safety device may include an airbag that may be activated by pyrotechnics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Raul Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Esteban Herrera
  • Patent number: 11110886
    Abstract: A vehicular passenger restraint device including a seatbelt capable of restraining a passenger seated in a rear seat 10 includes a belt guide 50 disposed on the outer side, in the vehicle width direction, of an upper portion of a seat back 12, and the belt guide 50 is configured such that an inner longitudinal surface portion 52 is tiltable toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction by a load applied from the seatbelt at the time of collision. A lock release switch 14 for the seat back 12 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the belt guide 50. A regulation member 55 regulating the inner longitudinal surface portion 52 between the belt guide 50 and the lock release switch 14, not to be incline toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction by a predetermined angle or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 11110987
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a chainstay protector having an upper surface including a valley, a first peak, and a second peak. The first peak extends upwardly from the valley toward the chain and has a first contact surface positioned to contact the chain a first height above the valley. The second peak extends upwardly from the valley toward the chain and has a second contact surface positioned to contact the chain a second height above the valley. The first contact surface is spaced from the second contact surface by a gap that is at least 5 times the first height. Each of the first and second contact surfaces has a length that is less than the length of the gap and less than two times a pitch of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan James McDonald, Jason Scott McDonald, James Michael Stafford
  • Patent number: 11104252
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a housing assembly coupled to a seat frame with a transverse member. A cushion pan extends between the transverse member and a cross bar. A cushion nose extends between the transverse member and a front portion of the housing assembly. A gas-generating device is deployable in response to a sudden vehicle deceleration to exert a force on the cushion nose to rotate the cushion nose about an axis defined by a transverse member from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Spencer Hoernke, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Sean West, Benjamin Yilma, Edward Joseph DeSmet, S. M. Akbar Berry, Rodney Charles Brinker
  • Patent number: 11104101
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which a seal is formed between an interior of an airbag inflator base and an exterior environment. A polymeric member of a membrane seal can form a solid state bond with an overmold of an electrical connector of an initiator of an airbag inflator. Furthermore, an adhesive film of the membrane seal can bond to the airbag inflator base at a position disposed at least partially around a recess through which the overmold couples an initiator to the airbag inflator base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Larsen