Patents Examined by Veronica M Shull
  • Patent number: 11958433
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front end panel assembly for an electric vehicle, the assembly comprising a front cover having side edges, the front cover extending in a bended shape such that a first angle ? is enclosed between a first portion and a second portion of the front cover; and a carrier structure comprising a base and a peripheral wall extending from the base, wherein the carrier structure comprises a first part and a second part that enclose a second angle ?; wherein the upstanding wall connects to the front cover at or near at least part of the side edges of the front cover, such that a space is formed and enclosed between the front cover and the carrier structure, wherein the first portion of the front cover covers the first part of the carrier structure, and the second portion of the front cover covers the second part of the carrier structure. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with such a front end panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventor: Geert Jan Schellekens
  • Patent number: 11952813
    Abstract: A vehicle door positioning holder includes a hydraulic cylinder connected to the door and a vehicle chassis, and a brake hydraulically connected in a loop. The cylinder pushes hydraulic fluid in the loop when the door is moved. The brake includes first and second chambers hydraulically connected to the loop and a third chamber connected in the loop at respective ends to the first and second chambers. The brake has a ball element in the third chamber when the hydraulic fluid is still, moved towards the first chamber as the hydraulic fluid flows in a first direction, and moved towards the second chamber as the hydraulic fluid flows in a second direction. A flow resistance of the hydraulic fluid is larger when the ball is positioned in the third chamber than when the ball is moved towards the first or the second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Dev. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Linus Hallberg, Martin Edberg
  • Patent number: 11951818
    Abstract: A rearwardly extending golf cart enclosure is disclosed. The golf cart enclosure is movable from a stored position to a deployed position which covers the golf bag storage area of the golf cart. The enclosure includes a plurality of struts which are substantially the same size. The enclosure is mounted to the golf cart rear roof supports via a pair of mounting wings or brackets. The mounting wings include a cam member rotatably mounted to a lower end of the mounting wing. The cam member includes a slot which allows at least one strut to move within the slot as the cam member is rotated to store or deploy the enclosure. The enclosure is mounted to an underside of the golf cart roof such that in the stored position, the enclosure fits underneath the golf cart roof and is protected from the elements or sun by a rear end of the golf cart roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Club Pro Manufacturing USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Tyrer, Richard Harris
  • Patent number: 11945510
    Abstract: A device for a power opening tailgate of a vehicle includes an attachment means mountable to a vehicle wall at a first side of the vehicle wall for supporting a working cylinder for opening the tailgate, and a component for reinforcement of the vehicle wall. The reinforcement component is mountable to the vehicle wall at a second side of the vehicle wall, which second side is opposite to the first side of the vehicle wall, and the attachment means and the reinforcement component are mechanically connectable to each other via a through hole of the vehicle wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Biquan Wu, Helena Nilsson, Christoffer Brunsson
  • Patent number: 11926199
    Abstract: A door of a vehicle, such as a side-by-side utility vehicle, opens vertically about a door pivot. Opening of the door is facilitated by an actuator that secures to the door behind the door pivot. The actuator may also secure to a door frame behind the door pivot. The door may have a range of motion such that at least a portion of the door is positioned forward of the door pivot when opened. The actuator may be a gas spring that may include damping. The actuator may be mounted between panels of the door and may extend through a slot defined by the door to secure to the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Grant Purcell, Christopher Joseph Evans
  • Patent number: 11919377
    Abstract: An overturning and tensioning mechanism includes a vehicle body, a soft top, a fixed connecting plate, and a movable connecting plate. An upper end of the vehicle body is provided with an opening, a connecting piece is fixed or integrally formed on the vehicle body, and the connecting piece is provided with an accommodating groove. The soft top is configured to cover the opening. The fixed connecting plate is fixedly connected with the soft top, and the fixed connecting plate is fixed on the vehicle body. The movable connecting plate is fixedly connected with the soft top. The movable connecting plate is provided with a support member. A head of the support member is provided with a matching portion matched with the accommodating groove of the connecting piece. An opening of the accommodating groove faces away from the fixed connecting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU SUNWOOD INTERNATIONAL TRADING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hang Shi, Hongjuan Zheng
  • Patent number: 11912111
    Abstract: A vehicle cover assembly includes a canopy assembly having a canopy and first and second adjustable tightening devices. The canopy has a front peripheral end portion, a rear peripheral end portion, and first and second side end portions. The first side end portion, the rear peripheral end portion, and the second side end portion define a first sleeve with a first aperture therein. The front peripheral end portion defines a second sleeve with a second aperture therein. The first adjustable tightening device extends through the first aperture, and the second adjustable tightening device extends through the second aperture to secure the canopy to the vehicle. The assembly includes a frame member coupled to the vehicle and the canopy. The canopy extends from a front cab portion to a rear end portion of the vehicle and over the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Robert M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11912112
    Abstract: An extendible roof mounted automotive accessory is provided that includes at least one generally horizontal panel; at least one strut having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the at least one strut is pivotally coupled at the first end to the at least one panel; and at least one coupling, where the at least one strut is pivotally coupled at the second end to the at least one coupling. The accessory is configured therewith so that the panel may be extended from a first position to a second position within a horizontal plane above a roof of a vehicle so as to provide shade or other functionality to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Igor Chepets
  • Patent number: 11904670
    Abstract: A sliding soft-top convertible roof is provided. In another aspect, a convertible roof apparatus including rollers which sandwich a fore-and-aft elongated guide rail therebetween. A further aspect includes roof bow mounted brackets extending between an elongated and stationary guide rail and channels within which move cables for raising and lowering a roof cover, with the brackets being moveably coupled to the guide rail. Still another aspect includes a sport utility vehicle having a passenger compartment and a rear cargo compartment, where a sliding soft-top convertible roof is retractable to a position rear of the passenger compartment, lower than a nominal closed roof surface and above only a forward portion of the cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MyTop IP, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Koslowski, Joachim Maass
  • Patent number: 11904667
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly a first reinforcing bracket, a fastener and a vibration absorbing member. The first reinforcing bracket extends from a forward portion of an inner door panel to a rearward portion of the inner door panel. The first reinforcing bracket has a first main surface. The fastener is attached to the first reinforcing member such that a head portion thereof is spaced apart from of the first main surface. The vibration absorbing member has a main body with a first end and a second end. The first end has a slot that extends from an edge of the first end inward. The slot is dimensioned and shaped for sliding installation on to the fastener such that the first end of the vibration absorbing member is located between the head portion of the fastener and the first surface of the first reinforcing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Harrington
  • Patent number: 11904745
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seatback and a seat that includes a seat frame and a support assembly. The support assembly is coupled to the seat frame and movable between an elevated position and a flattened position in response to an actuation force applied on the support assembly. The support assembly includes an extension member having a first end fixedly coupled to the seat frame and a second end rotatably coupled to the seat frame, and a plate having a first side rotatably coupled to the seat frame and a second side slidably coupled to the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Sean Bayle West, Ratan Howlader, Robert Charles Shipley, Patrick Davis, Ian James, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons
  • Patent number: 11904664
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a ceiling structure for a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The ceiling structure has an opening. The vehicle further includes a sunvisor assembly that is mounted to the ceiling structure. The sunvisor assembly has a panel and a swivel rod received by the opening to attach the panel to the ceiling structure. The swivel rod is movable from a first position to a second position upon receiving a predetermined force to the panel. The second position is a position in which the swivel rod is positioned further into the opening of the ceiling structure than when in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery Dix
  • Patent number: 11897321
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle with side by side seating has or can receive an overhead tubular framework with an accessory rail removably attached to an overhead cross member of the tubular framework. The accessory rail providing an anchor for a forward edge of a soft top with the soft top wrapping around the overhead cross member and extending rearwardly and being supported by and secured to the tubular framework. The soft top covering the side by side seating region. The accessory rail having three functional portions positioned circumferentially about an axis of the rail. A first functional portion providing the fixed anchor for the forward edge of the soft top, another functional portion providing interface and attachment features for connecting the rail to the overhead cross member, and another functional portion providing accessory mounting with variable positioning and attachment of an array of accessories above and forward of the side by side seating region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Utter, James A. J. Holroyd, Scott T. Mazour
  • Patent number: 11890919
    Abstract: A door beam structure for a vehicle side door includes a door beam having a hollow cross section, wherein the door beam includes: an outside portion forming a hollow flange of the door beam arranged to face a door skin, and an inside portion forming a hollow door beam body of the door beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Soma, Eiji Hirano, Yu Iemura, Hiroyuki Kumeno, Kozaburo Sakamaki, Masanori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11884143
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure of an automobile exterior panel improving performance in absorbing an impact load, the reinforcing structure of an automobile exterior panel comprising an outer panel 110 of a sheet shape, a reinforcing member 120 arranged at a vehicle inner side from the outer panel 110, an inner panel 135 of a sheet shape arranged at a vehicle inner side from the reinforcing member 120, and a support member 140 provided at a vehicle outer side from the inner panel 135 and supporting the reinforcing member 120 from a vehicle inner side, the support member 140 comprised of tube-shaped member having axial centers directed from the vehicle inner side toward the vehicle outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Sawa, Toshiya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11884141
    Abstract: A protection mechanism for a working vehicle includes a roof above an operator's seat and including a cutout extending along a top-bottom direction, and an electric device at least partially located in the cutout. The cutout has a dimension along a vehicle-body-width direction that is uniform or substantially uniform along a front-to-rear direction or increases in the front-to-rear direction. The cutout has a thickness along the top-bottom direction that decreases in the front-to-rear direction. The roof include, in an upper surface thereof, a first groove located on an opposite side of the cutout from the electric device and extending in a direction away from the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Horai, Takuya Nishikubo, Taiki Furuki, Megumi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 11884201
    Abstract: A tarp for a movable cargo hold has a tarp fabric comprising a proximal end and a distal end. At least three nylon straps extend across the tarp fabric. Each of the at least three nylon straps comprise a proximal end, a middle portion, and a distal end. A first set of at least two rigid straps covers the proximal end of the at least three nylon straps. A second set of at least two rigid straps covers the distal end of the at least three nylons straps. Openings on each of the at least two rigid straps, the proximal end and distal end of the tarp fabric, and the proximal and distal end of the at least three nylon straps receive rivets. The rivets distribute forces applied to each of the at least two rigid straps. The at least two rigid straps immobilize the tarp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventor: Ben Heppe
  • Patent number: 11884218
    Abstract: A wire guide body includes: a vehicle body-side guide portion having a configuration in which a plurality of vehicle body-side link members are coupled so as to form a string and to be capable of being curved as seen in a plan view, the vehicle body-side guide portion being coupled to a vehicle body-side bracket; a door-side guide portion having a configuration in which a plurality of door-side link members are coupled so as to form a string and to be capable of being curved as seen in a plan view, the door-side guide portion being coupled to a door-side bracket; and a relay link member including a vehicle body-side coupling portion that is coupled to the vehicle body-side guide portion, and a door-side coupling portion that is disposed at a position lower than the vehicle body-side coupling portion and that is coupled to the door-side guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Uno, Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 11850924
    Abstract: A reinforcing structure of an automobile exterior panel improving performance in absorbing an impact load, the reinforcing structure of an automobile exterior panel including an outer panel of a sheet shape, a plurality of first and second reinforcing members of long shapes arranged at a vehicle inner side from the outer panel the second reinforcing members crossing the first reinforcing members, an inner panel of a sheet shape arranged at a vehicle inner side from the first and second reinforcing members, and support members provided at a vehicle outer side from the inner panel and supporting the first or the second reinforcing members from a vehicle inner side, the support members supporting first or the second reinforcing members at a plurality of crossing parts where the first and the second reinforcing members cross or between adjoining crossing parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Sawa, Toshiya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11851109
    Abstract: A dashboard carrier for a motor vehicle with a first hollow carrier profile and a second hollow carrier profile. The two carrier profiles are aligned in the longitudinal extension of the dashboard carrier, arranged at a distance from one another, and connected to one another by a carrier connector spanning the distance between the two carrier profiles. The carrier connector connects the two carrier profiles to one another eccentrically and asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal axis of the carrier profiles. The carrier connector has an attachment portion on each end side thereof and a carrier portion which connects the attachment portions. The carrier connector is connected, with its attachment portions, to a respective circumferential portion of the lateral surface of the two carrier profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: KIRCHHOFF AUTOMOTIVE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Weige, Antonio Turco, Andreas Bender