Patents by Inventor Akira Marumoto

Akira Marumoto 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).

  • Steering wheel structure for vehicle
    Patent number: 5310218
    Abstract: A steering wheel structure includes a steering wheel ring, a first spoke extending downward from a steering shaft and carrying the steering wheel ring on the steering shaft and, an air bag case disposed on a tip end portion of the steering shaft. An air bag received in the air bag is case in a folded state and an inflator is provided for inflating the air bag with gas. An igniter is used to ignite a material in the inflator to produce the gas. A displacing device is provided for allowing the spoke and lower portion of the steering wheel ring to be displaced when subjected to a forward force beyond a predetermined value. An impact energy therefore, can be effectively and safely absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Miyoshi, Akira Marumoto, Michitaka Ohta
  • Vehicle body assembly used in common for two-wheel-and four-wheel-steering vehicles
    Patent number: 4817986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a suspension system in a vehicle body assembly which is used in common for a four-wheel-steering vehicle and a two-wheel-steering vehicle. In the present invention, a front suspension system installed in a four-wheel-steering vehicle is set to have a higher lateral rigidity than when installed in a two-wheel-steering vehicle, so that the front suspension system can withstand the lateral forces acting on the front wheels of the four-wheel-steering vehicle, said lateral forces being larger than those in a two-wheel-steering vehicle. Further, the suspension system is set to have a lowered rigidity against rolling of the vehicle body where it is installed in a four-wheel-steering vehicle, whereby the riding comfort can be maintained as that of the two-wheel-steering vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Kanazawa, Akira Marumoto, Kouji Tsuji
  • Brake control system for four-wheel drive vehicle
    Patent number: 4770266
    Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle provided with a four-wheel drive mechanism and an antiskid brake system for controlling the braking effort upon application of the brakes to prevent locking of the wheels comprises a brake application sensor for detecting application of the brakes over a predetermined level to such a degree that can lead to locking of the wheels, and a releasing mechanism which releases the driving connection between the front wheel driving system and the rear wheel driving system of the four-wheel drive mechanism when the brake application sensor detects application of the brakes over the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaaki Yamaguchi, Yoshihito Sata, Hisashi Terashima, Akira Marumoto, Hiroyuki Takahashi