Patents by Inventor Noboru Yoshii

Noboru Yoshii 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: 8960779
    Abstract: An opening portion is formed at a specified portion of a roof gusset which covers part of a panel joint portion from below. A pair of center-pillar side joint portions is provided at an outward end portion of the roof gusset, which is joined to a center pillar directly or via another panel member. A pair of first high-rigidity portions is provided at specified portions of the roof gusset which overlap the opening portion in a vehicle width direction and overlap the center-pillar joint portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively. A second high-rigidity portion is provided at an inward end portion of the roof gusset to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Nishimura, Kei Ikeda, Kazuya Fukutani, Naoki Kaneko, Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 8851556
    Abstract: A center pillar includes a first reinforcement panel which is arranged between an outer panel and an inner panel, comprises a bottom wall portion, both-side vertical wall portions extending in a vehicle width direction from the bottom wall portion, and both-side flange portions, and has a cross section formed in substantially a hat shape. A second reinforcement panel comprising a bottom wall portion and both-side vertical wall portions and having a cross section formed in substantially a U shape is arranged inside the first reinforcement panel. The second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel such that only the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions are joined to the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Nishimura, Kei Ikeda, Kazuya Fukutani, Naoki Kaneko, Noboru Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20140028056
    Abstract: A center pillar includes a first reinforcement panel which is arranged between an outer panel and an inner panel, comprises a bottom wall portion, both-side vertical wall portions extending in a vehicle width direction from the bottom wall portion, and both-side flange portions, and has a cross section formed in substantially a hat shape. A second reinforcement panel comprising a bottom wall portion and both-side vertical wall portions and having a cross section formed in substantially a U shape is arranged inside the first reinforcement panel. The second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel such that only the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions are joined to the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshikazu NISHIMURA, Kei IKEDA, Kazuya FUKUTANI, Naoki KANEKO, Noboru YOSHII
  • Publication number: 20140028057
    Abstract: An opening portion is formed at a specified portion of a roof gusset which covers part of a panel joint portion from below. A pair of center-pillar side joint portions is provided at an outward end portion of the roof gusset, which is joined to a center pillar directly or via another panel member. A pair of first high-rigidity portions is provided at specified portions of the roof gusset which overlap the opening portion in a vehicle width direction and overlap the center-pillar joint portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively. A second high-rigidity portion is provided at an inward end portion of the roof gusset to extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshikazu NISHIMURA, Kei IKEDA, Kazuya FUKUTANI, Naoki KANEKO, Noboru YOSHII
  • Patent number: 7159929
    Abstract: A vehicle slide-door supporting structure is provided which includes: a slide door which is a side door that opens and closes an opening through which a person gets into and out of a vehicle, the opening being formed in a side part of a vehicle body, the side door being slid in the front and rear directions so that the opening is opened and closed, and the opening being opened when the side door is slid rearward; and a driving mechanism which is connected to the slide door and drives the slide door, in which one part of the driving mechanism is attached to a tail lamp which is disposed at the rear part of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fukushima, Motoki Yoshida, Takashi Niseki, Noriaki Fujie, Seiji Ikejiri, Kouji Tabata, Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7004534
    Abstract: A structure of a cowl and its vicinities is provided which is capable of, even in a vehicle which has an open cowl structure, using the open cowl structure as a member which connects the right and left bodies of the vehicle, and at the same time, realizing a structure that is useful for protecting a pedestrian. At the end part of a cowl 12 in the vehicle rear direction, one end of a dash upper panel 16 is connected; its other end extends below the cowl 12 and in the vehicle front direction; from its middle part in the vehicle front-and-rear directions, a cowl cross-member lower 9 extends in the vehicle upper direction; at the upper-end part of the cowl cross-member lower 9, a protrusion portion 25 is formed; and by welding it to a cowl cross-member upper 10, a closed-section portion 27 is formed between them. Herein, the cowl cross-member upper 10 is thinner than the cowl cross-member lower 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Yoshii, Yasunori Kageyama, Hiroshi Sogabe, Katsutoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20050067859
    Abstract: A structure of a cowl and its vicinities is provided which is capable of, even in a vehicle which has an open cowl structure, using the open cowl structure as a member which connects the right and left bodies of the vehicle, and at the same time, realizing a structure that is useful for protecting a pedestrian. At the end part of a cowl 12 in the vehicle rear direction, one end of a dash upper panel 16 is connected; its other end extends below the cowl 12 and in the vehicle front direction; from its middle part in the vehicle front-and-rear directions, a cowl cross-member lower 9 extends in the vehicle upper direction; at the upper-end part of the cowl cross-member lower 9, a protrusion portion 25 is formed; and by welding it to a cowl cross-member upper 10, a closed-section portion 27 is formed between them. Herein, the cowl cross-member upper 10 is thinner than the cowl cross-member lower 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Yoshii, Yasunori Kageyama, Hiroshi Sogabe, Katsutoshi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20050044795
    Abstract: A vehicle slide-door supporting structure is provided which includes: a slide door which is a side door that opens and closes an opening through which a person gets into and out of a vehicle, the opening being formed in a side part of a vehicle body, the side door being slid in the front and rear directions so that the opening is opened and closed, and the opening being opened when the side door is slid rearward; and a driving mechanism which is connected to the slide door and drives the slide door, in which one part of the driving mechanism is attached to a tail lamp which is disposed at the rear part of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Fukushima, Motoki Yoshida, Takashi Niseki, Noriaki Fujie, Seiji Ikejiri, Kouji Tabata, Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5681076
    Abstract: An upper vehicle body structure having structural rigidity sufficient to prevent a sunroof unit from sinking has left and right roof side rails, each being formed into a closed cross-section by inner and outer rail panels, each of which has at least a vertical rail section and a horizontal rail section to which an inclining section and horizontal section of a bottom section of an attachment bracket. Roof reinforcements are secured at their bottom sections to the horizontal sections of the attachment brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5586799
    Abstract: An upper body structure for a car body includes a hollow front pillar, which includes inner and outer front pillar panels shaped so as to form a column space in the front pillar. The front pillar is connected to an upper portion of a dash panel by a gusset configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Kanemitsu, Manabu Tamura, Koh Nakao, Yukari Kato, Katsumi Ejima, Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5246264
    Abstract: A side body structure of a vehicle includes a side sill and a roof side rail, both of which extend in a lengthwise direction of a vehicle body, and front and center pillars which extend between and connect the side sill and the roof side rail so as to define a generally rectangular front door opening in the side body. The side body structure is reinforced by a sill reinforcement extending in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle, inside of the side sill, and pillar reinforcements extending between the side sill and the roof side rail, inside the front pillar and the center pillar, respectively. The sill reinforcement is secured, at its front end, to the front pillar reinforcement and, at its rear end, to the center pillar reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5155891
    Abstract: A method for fixing a nose unit having a shroud panel to the front portion of a car body. Shroud upper fixing brackets are temporarily attached to the shroud panel before various parts are mounted on the shroud panel so as to assemble the nose unit on a car assembly line. The brackets serve to fix the shroud panel to the car body. In the state of temporary attachment, the brackets are welded to the car body. Then, the shroud panel is removed from the brackets. The various parts are attached to the shroud panel so as to assemble the nose unit. The shroud panel of the nose unit is fastened to the brackets, so that the nose unit is fixed to the car body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Yoshii, Narutoshi Omosako, Noriaki Ozaki, Yoshifumi Ito
  • Patent number: 5123695
    Abstract: A front body structure of a vehicle and a method of assembling the front vehicle body in which a nose unit having at least both a heavyweight member such as a radiator, etc. and a unit base including shroud members is mounted to a vehicle front body having front side frames forming a closed sectional construction on both right and left sides. A cross member extending in the widthwise direction of the vehicle body is provided between the right and left front side frames of the vehicle body and a support member for supporting the heavyweight member is provided on the nose unit side. The support member is supported by a cross member wherein the nose unit is mounted on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Kanemitsu, Kazuhiro Hara, Noboru Yoshii, Youji Kanba
  • Patent number: 5102186
    Abstract: A rear deck structure of a car body for partly supporting a rear window glass element and connecting right and left rear side walls of a car body includes a rear deck member with a hollow flange section extending from the right side wall to the left side wall of the car body. The rear deck member is connected to each suspension tower at each end of the hollow flange section with the hollow flange section secured, either directly or through a connecting member, to a rear surface of the suspension tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Yoshii, Shuichi Nakagami
  • Patent number: 5077885
    Abstract: A method of assembling a front part of a vehicle body. After nose unit having at least a shroud panel and a shroud upper is constructed, the nose unit is mounted to a vehicle body. Before mounting the nose unit to the vehicle body, right and left front fenders are removed from the vehicle body. The nose unit is mounted to the vehicle body under such a condition that front fenders are removed as described above. Then front fenders are mounted to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Kanemitsu, Kazuhiro Hara, Noboru Yoshii, Takashi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 5042872
    Abstract: An automobile front body structure is provided on each side with a pillar extending substantially vertically, a side sill extending longitudinally of the vehicle body and secured to a lower end of the pillar and a separation member extending substantially vertically inside the pillar to form at least two separated portions having closed cross-sections inside the pillar. The separation member further extends into the inside of the side sill to separate it into two separated portions having closed cross-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 5018780
    Abstract: A vehicle rear body structure having a side sill structure of closed cross section extending substantially along the opposite sides of the floor panel and a transversely extending cross structure of closed cross section. The cross structure is connected with the floor panel and the side sill structure. The cross structure has a portion higher than the side sill structure and connected with the rear side panel of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Yoshii, Takashi Umeda
  • Patent number: 4988121
    Abstract: A seat belt device for an open-top vehicle comprising a seat belt for fastening a passenger onto a seat, a support device of a closed cross-sectional structure mounted on a rear body portion of the vehicle at a position rearward of the seat for carrying the seat belt, and an extension extending rearwardly from the support device and fixed to the rear body portion so that the seat belt is drawn out forwardly to fasten the passenger securely. The support device is improved in strength against a force acting thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yoshii
  • Patent number: 4950025
    Abstract: A rear body structure of an automobile body having rear side walls with rear fenders, inner panels and rear wheel houses which are assembled to form a space. A side sill extends along each side of the automobile body. A rear deck is provided between the side walls above the rear wheel houses. In the space defined in the side wall, a reinforcement member is connected to the inner panel so as to form a closed cross-section therebetween and interconnects the side sill and the rear deck means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yoshii