Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Sadao Miki

Jeffrey Sadao Miki 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: 8382564
    Abstract: An air vent with a damper for redirecting air flow within the air vent is provided. The air vent can include a housing that has an air inlet end and an air outlet end. In addition, the air vent has the damper within the housing, the damper having a generally flat surface and being movable between a closed position and an open position. At least one fin can be rigidly attached to and extend from the damper, for the purpose of redirecting air flow through the housing when the damper is in the open position. In some instances, a plurality of fins can extend from the damper, with at least one fin extending from an air inlet side of the damper and at least one fin extending from an air outlet side of the damper. The fins can extend from the generally flat surface of the damper at an angle between 15 and 165 degrees and in some instances extend in a generally normal direction from the damper flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Norht America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8231137
    Abstract: A knee airbag housing assembly including a cover panel, a box case, and a lower panel. The cover panel has an upper support portion and a lower support portion extending transversely from a cantilevered support portion. A tear seam formed between the upper cover and lower cover portion. A lower support portion extends transversely from a cantilevered support on the lower cover portion of said cover panel. The box case supports an airbag module and has a lower wall with a distal end lower wall extending towards the cover panel. The box case is fitted in the space between the upper support and lower support portions such that the distal end lower wall of the box spring is disposed closer to the cantilevered support than the terminal edge of the lower panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Porcs, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8205767
    Abstract: An adjustable beverage container includes an outer case having a case axis. An actuator ring, is rotatably coupled to the case. The actuator ring includes an arm extension push member and an arm retraction structure. A cover ring is fixedly attached to the case. An arm having an engagement structure including a slot or tab slidingly is engaged with the arm retraction structure of the actuator ring. The arm is also rotatably attached to the case and cover ring. The arm moves into and away from said case axis when the actuator ring is rotated relative to the case about the case axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Lawlor, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8096575
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel module including a receiving bracket. An airbag assembly includes an attachment bracket. The receiving bracket and attachment bracket have contact surfaces that provide a datum that guides the airbag assembly from an unsecured position toward a final installation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Paul Voyer, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 7874587
    Abstract: A glove box assembly incorporated into a vehicle instrument panel, along which extends a reinforcing bar. A three-dimensional and interiorly open receptacle is fixedly mounted within the instrument panel. The receptacle includes integrally formed structural projections extending from a rear side thereof and in a direction towards the reinforcing bar. A plurality of ribs are attached to the receptacle proximate the projections and in order to adjust a deformation characteristic of the receptacle. A bin secures within said glove box receptacle and includes a door exposed to adjoining surfaces of the instrument panel. Upon experiencing a collision event resulting in a passenger's knees impacting the door, inward deformation of the receptacle transfers forces both to the instrument panel and through deforming the reinforcing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sadao Miki, Benjamin Warren Penner
  • Publication number: 20100308564
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel module including a receiving bracket. An airbag assembly includes an attachment bracket. The receiving bracket and attachment bracket have contact surfaces that provide a datum that guides the airbag assembly from an unsecured position toward a final installation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Paul Voyer, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 7703829
    Abstract: An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sadao Miki