Patents Examined by Veronica M Shull
  • Patent number: 11603143
    Abstract: A panel system attached to a truck box is provided. The system has a pair of side panels attached to the truck box and moveable between an extended position above the truck box and a stowed position within the truck box. The system also has a rear panel associated with the pair of side panels. The rear panel is configured to retain the pair of side panels in the extended position. The pair of side panels is configured to retain the rear panel in the stowed position. The system may carry more cargo and be easy to install and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Luc Savoie
  • Patent number: 11597263
    Abstract: A joint system for use with a plurality of bows in an uplift of a tarpaulin system having a joint and a base insert with, a body component with a first base end and a second base end, a third coupling member extending from the first base end, the third coupling member adapted to releasably engage with a free end of one of the plurality of bows, a fourth coupling member fixed to the second base end, the fourth coupling member adapted to be securable to a component of the uplift, and a third support extending from the first base end proximate the third coupling member for engaging with the bow releasably secured with the third coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: PETELKA INVESTMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian W. Petelka
  • Patent number: 11584305
    Abstract: A slidable storage system adapted for use in a pickup truck bed includes a substantially planar, slidable base. The base has a cab-side edge, at least first and second opposing substantially parallel side edges and a rear-access edge opposite and substantially in parallel to the cab-side edge. A base cab wall, at least first and second substantially opposing base sidewalls and a base rear access wall extend substantially perpendicularly up from the cab-side edge, the first and second opposing substantially parallel side edges and the rear-access edge, respectively, for a fixed height (H) forming a storage volume. Positioning the slidable storage system on the pickup truck bed, with the rear tailgate wall in an “up” position, the base will not slide past the rear tailgate wall and with the rear tailgate wall in a “down” position, the base slides out past the rear tailgate wall, enabling ready access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Kane
  • Patent number: 11585129
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a B-pillarless opposite sliding door in which a hook fastening means is used instead of an upper latch to be installed at an upper end of the B pillarless opposite sliding door. An upper end of a door B-pillar beam, which serves to support a B-pillar, can fastened to a roof part of a vehicle body to ensure a ceiling strength performance when the hook fastening means is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Je-Won Choi
  • Patent number: 11584201
    Abstract: There are provided an outer member, an inner member including a front-side vertical wall portion and a rear-side vertical wall portion, an impact bar extending from front-side attachment portions of the front-side vertical wall portion to rear-side attachment portions of the rear-side vertical wall portion, a hinge-reinforcement member reinforcing a hinge attachment portion where a hinge is attached to the front-side vertical wall portion, and a latch-reinforcement member reinforcing a latch-attachment portion where a latch device is attached to the rear-side vertical wall portion. The front-side vertical wall portion and the rear-side vertical wall portion are made of casting or high-strength resin, and the hinge-reinforcement member and the latch-reinforcement member are configured to have higher ductility than the front-side vertical wall portion and the rear-side vertical wall portion and connected to the impact bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukihiro Moriyama
  • Patent number: 11577592
    Abstract: A continuous sealing flat for a truck cargo box for a unibody motor vehicle includes a pair of parallel opposed top side rails and a cab back panel disposed between and orthogonally thereto. A central portion of the cab back panel has a central ledge having a substantially flat upper surface extending horizontally between each of the pair of parallel opposed top side rails. A pair of corner members is disposed over and proximate a forward end of each of the parallel opposed top side rails. A forward end of a horizontal portion of each of the pair of corner members comprises a flat upper surface proximate to and at substantially the same vertical height as a vertical height of the flat upper surface of the central ledge to form a substantially continuous corner flat upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Hewitt, Srinath Vijayakumar, Amy Gombert, Adam Hanes, Patrick Roman
  • Patent number: 11577584
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a sun visor mounting apparatus, system or method having a mounting plate with a J hooked end configured to receive a sun visor, a securing plate opposing the J hooked end, configured in a U shape for receiving the sun visor. A joining plate configured in a V shape with a first side capable of coupling to the mounting plate, and a second side capable of coupling to an extension plate, and the extension plate can have a first side of a coupled to the joining plate, and a second side configured to engage against a fixed structure. One or more fasteners may be utilized with each plate to secure them together. To accommodate different sizes and configurations, the joining plate and extension plate may be extending to satisfactory positions, to engage with a fixed structure for the stability of the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Trinity Innovative Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Dwight David Harms, Timothy Francis Hall
  • Patent number: 11541736
    Abstract: A cover for a vehicle having a first compartment and a second compartment includes a first section, a second section and an intermediate section. The first section includes at least one connector and is adapted to overlie the first compartment. The second section includes at least one connector and the intermediate section is located between the first section and the second section. In a first position the cover defines a first effective surface area, and the first section is in a first position, the second section is in a first position, and the intermediate section is not parallel to the first section and second section. In a second position, the cover defines a second effective surface area that is less than the first effective surface area, and either or both of the first section and the second section is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Stuart E Collins, Kyle Neighbors
  • Patent number: 11518326
    Abstract: A bumper assembly of a motor vehicle includes a cross-member which extends in the motor vehicle transverse direction and a front section which is arranged in front of the cross-member in the motor vehicle longitudinal direction. The front section is supported on the cross-member in the motor vehicle vertical direction via a support element. The support element is produced in one piece with the front section and is pivotable between a production position and a mounted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Harter
  • Patent number: 11518221
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front door and a rear door. A first bracket is fixed to the front door, and a second bracket is fixed to the rear door. A front cable extends from the first bracket away from the second bracket along a vehicle-longitudinal axis. A rear cable extends from the second bracket away from the first bracket along the vehicle-longitudinal axis. A linear actuator is fixed to one of the first bracket or the second bracket and is extendable to the other of the first bracket or the second bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Saeed D. Barbat
  • Patent number: 11505046
    Abstract: A rail system for mounting a tarp enclosure to a platform, comprising a rail body having a channel and a bumper beneath thereof, and a carriage displaceable along the channel and attachable to the tarp enclosure so as to position the tarp enclosure over the rail body. A tubing system for the tarp enclosure, comprising a first member having four first tracks sized to slidably receive a cordon of the tarp enclosure, a second member having four second tracks sized to slidably receive the cordon, a tubing connector having four connector tracks sized to slidably receive the cordon. There is also provided a method for assembling a tubing assembly, comprising joining the first and second members to the tubing connector such that any one of the first tracks is in communication with a one of the second tracks via a one of the connector tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: 6866336 CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Radulescu, Jason Chung, Andrei Radulescu
  • Patent number: 11505053
    Abstract: An inflatable camper skirt assembly includes a plurality of inflatable barriers. Each of the inflatable barriers has an inflation valve integrated therein to facilitate the inflatable barriers to be inflated with air. Each of the inflatable barriers is longitudinally elongated when each of the inflatable barriers is inflated with air for positioning beneath a camper. In this way each of the inflatable barriers can define a skirt extending around the camper thereby inhibiting wind from blowing beneath the camper. A plurality of deflate valves is provided and each of the deflate valves is fluidly integrated into a respective one of the inflatable barriers. Each of the deflate valves is actuatable into an open condition to deflate the respective inflatable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: William LaGard
  • Patent number: 11505049
    Abstract: A locking device for a convertible top includes a locking support, a locking hook which can be translationally and rotationally shifted so as to be displaced between a disengaged position and an engaged position and which is engaged with a locking counterpart when in the engaged position, and a drive for the locking hook. The drive includes a driving element which is driven rotationally about an axis of rotation by a driving unit and which drives, via a link mechanism, a slide which can be moved on the locking support and which is connected to the locking hook, the locking hook being displaced when the slide is moved. The link mechanism includes a coupling link which is hinged to the slide and a support link which is hinged to the coupling link and which is guided in a guide track of the locking support when the driving element is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Franz Haberl
  • Patent number: 11498515
    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: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventor: Geert Jan Schellekens
  • Patent number: 11498398
    Abstract: There are provided an outer member, an inner member connected to the outer member, door components including a door glass provided between the outer member and the inner member, and a reinforcement outer member extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction at an upper end portion of the inner member which is positioned on an outward side, in a vehicle width direction, of the door glass. The outer member includes an outer panel and an annular frame member which is joined to an outer peripheral portion of the outer panel by a hemming method, the reinforcement outer member is connected to the inner member at its front and rear end portions, and a seal outer member to seal a gap between the outer member and the door glass is attached to an upper frame portion fastened to the reinforcement outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukihiro Moriyama
  • Patent number: 11498395
    Abstract: An auxiliary vehicle visor designed to provide improved protection against the sun's rays while driving or riding in a car. It includes a transparent tinted auxiliary component made from UV glass, which can be in a stored position or a downwardly extended position (for use). As designed, it allows the user to toggle between the stored position and the extended position with the push of a button or via mechanical means. The device expands the functionality of conventional sun visors to effectively block sunlight. The present invention reduces the vibrancy of the sunlight through the windshield to assist in preventing accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Claretha Drake
  • Patent number: 11485203
    Abstract: A vehicle-door reinforcement includes a first beam elongated along an axis between a first end and a second end. The vehicle-door reinforcement includes a hinged beam elongated along the axis. The hinged beam includes a first segment and a second segment hinged to each other. The first segment is engaged with the first beam and the second segment is slideably engaged with the first beam. The vehicle-door reinforcement includes an actuator fixed to the first beam and connected to the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 11485206
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fastening system for using in a flexible tonneau cover system. In one aspect, the fastening system comprises a corner member connected to a end rail, and a connecting member connected to an side rail. The corner member comprises a positioning tab that is received in a positioning groove formed on the connecting member. In another aspect, the fastening system comprise a corner member with a recess portion. When the corner member is connected with a side rail at an end thereof, the recess portion and the end of side rail form an accommodating groove. In another aspect, the fastening system comprise a fastening element coupled to an elongated slat. A reinforce tab is coupled with the fastening element, and wraps over an end of the elongated slat to extend at a bottom surface of the elongated slat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO SCARMAN AUTO PARTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Meiqin Cao
  • Patent number: 11472244
    Abstract: A skid plate for a vehicle may include a continuous unitary plate of material including: a plurality of mounting points configured for mounting the continuous unitary plate to an undercarriage of a vehicle; and a recovery opening proximate an outer edge of the continuous unitary plate and configured to receive a device for recovering a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Murphy, Kishan Kari
  • Patent number: 11465479
    Abstract: A convertible top system for a vehicle having structural support for a vehicle roof includes an overhead cover system having a perimeter frame configured to couple to the structural support and defining a plurality of overhead openings, and a plurality of cassettes configured to releasably couple to the perimeter frame such that each cassette of the plurality of cassettes is operably associated with one of the overhead openings. Each cassette of the plurality of cassettes includes at least one of a retractable mesh screen and a retractable shade configured to be moved between a fully open position that does not cover the associated overhead opening, and a fully closed position that covers the associated overhead opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventor: Clifford Krapfl