Patents Examined by Toan To
  • Patent number: 10123478
    Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by front and rear wheels. The mower includes a biased handle that permits the handle to be pivotally displaced downwardly, against an upward bias force, during operation. The bias force may be provided by a resilient member that compresses as the handle is displaced downwardly. The compression of the resilient member allows downward movement of the handle without initially producing corresponding upward movement of the front wheels of the mower during rearward pulling of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter
  • Patent number: 10059200
    Abstract: A magnetically stabilized propshaft bearing system includes a bracket having a bearing receiving zone, an isolator arranged in the bearing receiving zone, and a propshaft bearing arranged in the bearing receiving zone and supported by the isolator. The propshaft bearing is receptive to rotatably support a propshaft for a vehicle. An electromagnet is mounted in the bracket surrounding a portion of the bearing. The electromagnet is selectively activated to shift the propshaft bearing within the bearing receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Glenn Meinhardt
  • Patent number: 10059302
    Abstract: The invention provides in a best tensioner (10), especially a rotary tensioner, for a seat belt comprising an elongate and preferably cylindrical pressure cylinder (129, a piston (18) movably supported in the pressure cylinder (12) in the longitudinal direction which is adapted to be pressurized with fluid under pressure and thus to be moved into a tensioning direction (S), a thrust means (20) interacting with the piston (18) and a stop (24) provided on the inside (38) of the pressure cylinder (12) to which the piston (18) can be adjacent in the tensioning direction (S) at an end position at which the piston (18) seals the pressure cylinder (12), that the stop (24) is made of a plastically deformable material and is plastically deformed by the piston (18) at the end position so that the piston is in sealing contact with the inside of the pressure cylinder (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Adrian Landbeck, Bernd Hofmann, Alexander Waidmann
  • Patent number: 10059303
    Abstract: In a belt tensioner (10) for a seat belt comprising an elongate pressure reservoir (12), a piston (18) movably supported in the pressure reservoir (12) in the longitudinal direction to which piston pressurized fluid can be applied and which in this way can be moved in a tensioning direction (S), a mechanical thrust means (20) interacting with the piston, the thrust means interacting with a gearwheel (22) and driving the same in the case of restraint, and comprising a stop (24) on which the piston (18) abuts in the tensioning direction in a final position, it is provided that between the piston (18) and the thrust means (20) a spacer (30) in the form of a separate member is provided which is dimensioned such that in the final position of the piston (18) the thrust means (20) is urged past the stop (24) by said spacer. Furthermore there is provided a method of mounting a belt tensioner of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Moedinger, Martin Nuding, Andreas Pregitzer, Bernd Gentner
  • Patent number: 10040227
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior trim part intended for covering an airbag. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a support having an opening; b) providing a chute channel defining a passage to guide deployment of the airbag and integral with a cover member; c) fastening the chute channel to the support by a continuous peripheral bead of adhesive extending along the periphery of the opening; d) bringing a mold element to face the support and chute channel so as to define a closed cavity; and e) injecting foam into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Frédéric Lard
  • Patent number: 10029646
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for reducing an injury may include: an airbag cushion part having a vent hole part through which gas is discharged; a cover member having a communication hole part smaller than the vent hole part, and adjusting the amount of gas discharged through the vent hole part by selectively covering the vent hole part; and a vent tether connected to the airbag cushion part and the cover member, and pulling the cover member in connection with an expansion of the airbag cushion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hae Wook Kwon
  • Patent number: 10023150
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a seat belt retractor that is capable of generating a more stable load when restricting a load acting on the seat belt and when absorbing energy, and a seat belt apparatus including the same. [Solution] A seat belt retractor 3 includes a frame 11, a seat belt 4, a spool 12 that is rotatably supported by the frame 11 and that retracts the seat belt 4, a lock mechanism 60 that allows rotation of the spool 12 while not in operation and that prevents rotation of the spool 12 in a seat belt withdrawing direction while in operation, and an energy absorption mechanism 20 that restricts a load acting on the seat belt 4 and that absorbs energy of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K.K.
    Inventors: Koji Hiramatsu, Tetsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10022643
    Abstract: A system comprising a self-propelled device and an accessory device. The self-propelled device includes a spherical housing, and a drive system provided within the spherical housing to cause the self-propelled device to roll. When the self-propelled device rolls, the self-propelled device and the accessory device magnetically interact to maintain the accessory device in contact with a top position of the spherical housing relative to an underlying surface on which the spherical housing is rolling on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sphero, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian H. Bernstein, Adam Wilson, Chun Kong
  • Patent number: 10023147
    Abstract: A self standing center side airbag includes: an airbag cushion configured to be located at a side of an interior facing side of a seat back; a first through hole configured to penetrate through the airbag cushion and be located at a back with respect to a central line that bisects the airbag cushion in a front and back direction; a second through hole configured to penetrate through the airbag cushion and be located at a front with respect to the central line that bisects the airbag cushion in the front and back direction; and a tether configured to penetrate through the first through hole and the second through hole and have both ends fixed at the seat back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyock In Kwon
  • Patent number: 10017090
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Patent number: 10005437
    Abstract: A machine includes a prime mover having a power take-off, a chassis configured to support at least an operator and the prime mover, a subframe pivotally coupled to the chassis about a pivot axis at a first location, at least one drive device configured to drive wheels of the machine, a drive belt and pulley arrangement. The subframe is further coupled to the chassis via at least one suspension device at a second location. The at least one drive device is driven by the prime mover and is coupled to the subframe. The pulley arrangement is configured to direct the drive belt from the power take-off of the prime mover to at least one drive pulley on the at least one drive device. The pulley arrangement comprises an idler pulley having a diameter and a rotational axis. The idler pulley is coupled to the chassis such that the rotational axis is spaced from the pivot axis by no greater than 1.5 times the diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Slegelis, Travis Rasch
  • Patent number: 10005421
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure, equipped with a pedestrian airbag device, comprises: a cowl comprising a cowl panel and a cowl front panel extending in a forward direction from a front end portion of the cowl panel; an inflator disposed with a longitudinal direction of the inflator coinciding with a vehicle width direction and secured to the cowl front panel; an airbag disposed above the cowl front panel and deployed obliquely in a vehicle rearward and upward direction and outwardly in the vehicle width direction by gas from the inflator; and a support member having one end portion secured to a front suspension tower, extending toward the cowl, and secured to the cowl front panel on a vehicle front side relative to a rear end of the inflator in the vehicle frontward and rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinya Kamimura
  • Patent number: 10005484
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a body having a wall. The body includes a detent that is attached to the wall at a hinge. The detent is bendable about the hinge in a radial direction relative to a central axis. A locking pin is supported by a post extending from the body, and is axially moveable along the central axis, between an insertion position and a locking position. When in the insertion position, the locking pin is disengaged from the detent to allow the detent to bend about the hinge. When disposed in the locking position, the locking pin is engaged with the detent to prevent the detent from bending about the hinge. The post and/or the locking pin include a tactile feature to provide tactile feedback when the locking pin is moved between the insertion position and the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Todd E. Allen
  • Patent number: 10005335
    Abstract: A damping control system for a vehicle having a suspension located between a plurality of ground engaging members and a vehicle frame includes at least one adjustable shock absorber having an adjustable damping characteristic. The system also includes a controller coupled to each adjustable shock absorber to adjust the damping characteristic of each adjustable shock absorber, and a user interface coupled to the controller and accessible to a driver of the vehicle. The user interface includes at least one user input to permit manual adjustment of the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber during operation of the vehicle. Vehicle sensors are also be coupled to the controller to adjust the damping characteristic of the at least one adjustable shock absorber based vehicle conditions determined by sensor output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Louis J. Brady, Alex R. Scheuerell, Steven R. Franker, Aaron J. Nysse
  • Patent number: 10000185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure unit (64) for pressurizing a belt shaft (12) in a seat belt system comprising a screw (66) for fastening the pressure unit (64) to a frame (18) of the seat belt system, the screw (66) including a screw head (68) and a screw shank (70), wherein the pressure unit (64) comprises a fastening portion (72) having a screw hole (74) for inserting the screw shank (70), wherein radial play is provided between the screw hole (74) and the screw shank (70) and the fastening portion (72) on the screw head side includes mounting arms (76) for axially fixing the screw (66) in a pre-assembly position. Moreover, the invention also comprises an end fitting (11) of a seat belt system comprising such pressure unit (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Polska SP.ZO.O
    Inventors: Dominik Seitzer, Pawel Gorecki, Michal Kacprzak
  • Patent number: 9987897
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the height of a vehicle body, having two components, which can be moved longitudinally relative to each other, and a movement thread, which is arranged between these components. The movement thread includes a partial thread which is designed as a spindle paired with a first component and a partial thread which is designed as a spindle nut paired with the other component. The partial threads are designed to be axially movable relative to each other by a rotational drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies, AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Mersmann, Kilian Marsing, Georgi Andreev, Marco Frank
  • Patent number: 9981832
    Abstract: A control panel assembly for mounting to an interior compartment of a wrecker, the control assembly comprising an extendable arm assembly and a control panel. The extendable arm assembly is mounted to the interior compartment and comprises arms which are foldable relative to each other for adopting a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The control panel is mounted to the extendable arm assembly and comprises wrecker controls. The control panel is movable between an inner position, wherein the extendable arm assembly is in the compact configuration and the wrecker controls are located within the interior compartment, and an outer position, wherein the extendable arm assembly is in the extended configuration and the wrecker controls are located outside the interior compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Francis Dionne
  • Patent number: 9981628
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag (10) provides that the airbag (10) is first folded in a zigzag manner, that a gas generator (14) and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are placed in the airbag (10), whereupon end portions of the airbag extend around the outer circumference of the gas generator (14) and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet toward each other in opposite directions up to a folding zone (26) from where the end portions are folded over outwards and are laid down in the opposite direction. Also disclosed is a corresponding airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hepp
  • Patent number: 9975463
    Abstract: A vehicle lowering system having a cargo surface with an adjacent pivoting arm is connected to a vehicle at a pivot point. The pivoting arm moves between a raised and a lowered position by an actuator that is affixed to a frame and the pivoting arm. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion that provides structure for the portion of the frame that is beyond the pivot point and actuator. The pivot arm has a spindle that holds and allows a wheel to rotate. The spindle has an axis that is always located above the cargo surface. The actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the pivoting arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Ross Weldy
  • Patent number: 9975516
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle includes a seat frame, an inflator and a side airbag. The seat frame is provided at a seat lower side of a side support portion. The seat frame includes an upright wall portion and an upper wall portion. The inflator is provided at the seat lower side of the upper wall portion. The side airbag is disposed between the side support portion and the seat frame. In an inflated state, the side airbag includes a first inflation portion that causes an upper portion of the side support portion to bulge to the seat upper side and the seat width direction inner side, and a second inflation portion that causes a lower portion of the side support portion to bulge to the seat upper side and the seat width direction inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ippei Kobayashi