Patents by Inventor Akihiro Shinkawa

Akihiro Shinkawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9592723
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device in which a movable panel is supported by a panel support member and the movable panel is capable of being moved in a tilted manner, the movable panel is prevented from being detached due to an upward load without increasing the thickness and the weight of the cored bar of the panel support member in a low-cost structure. A portion of the cored bar of the panel support member, which is located under cam grooves is bent to form first and second protrusions which protrude laterally in the thickness direction of the cored bar. The first protrusion is formed by notching multiple parts of the cored bar and bending the notched parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Akihiro Shinkawa
  • Publication number: 20160185196
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device in which a movable panel is supported by a panel support member and the movable panel is capable of being moved in a tilted manner, the movable panel is prevented from being detached due to an upward load without increasing the thickness and the weight of the cored bar of the panel support member in a low-cost structure. A portion of the cored bar of the panel support member, which is located under cam grooves is bent to form first and second protrusions which protrude laterally in the thickness direction of the cored bar. The first protrusion is formed by notching multiple parts of the cored bar and bending the notched parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Kozo OHDOI, Akihiro SHINKAWA
  • Patent number: 9290086
    Abstract: In an opening/closing mechanism of a sunroof apparatus, an engaged portion engaged with a cam groove smoothly slides on upper and lower cam surfaces of a cam groove, and stiffness to support a roof panel is increased at low costs. The engaged portion includes a first sliding portion having a convex curve facing upward and sliding on the upper cam surface of the cam groove, and a second sliding portion coupled to the first sliding portion at a front or a rear of a vehicle, having a convex curve facing downward, and sliding on the lower cam surface of the cam groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Akihiro Shinkawa
  • Publication number: 20150091334
    Abstract: In an opening/closing mechanism of a sunroof apparatus, an engaged portion engaged with a cam groove smoothly slides on upper and lower cam surfaces of a cam groove, and stiffness to support a roof panel is increased at low costs. The engaged portion includes a first sliding portion having a convex curve facing upward and sliding on the upper cam surface of the cam groove, and a second sliding portion coupled to the first sliding portion at a front or a rear of a vehicle, having a convex curve facing downward, and sliding on the lower cam surface of the cam groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Akihiro Shinkawa