Patents by Inventor Norihiro Kurata
Norihiro Kurata 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).
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Patent number: 7669378Abstract: The present invention relates to a polygonal rib structure having ribs directed orthogonal to one plane and intersecting each other to form polygonal shapes. More particularly, to a shock absorbing polygonal rib structure. In a polygonal rib structure having ribs directed orthogonal to one plane and intersecting each other to form polygonal shapes, a thickened central portion located at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of each side of the polygonal rib is bisected. The opposed parting surfaces formed upon the bisection are spaced from each other to form an opening portion, and each side of the polygonal rib is so shaped that the cross-sectional area of the opening portion is reduced as one goes from the opening end toward the depth. Thus, an opened polygonal rib structure is formed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata
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Patent number: 7434830Abstract: An air-bag type rider restraining device for a two wheel vehicle having a scooter structure. A stay is firmly fixed by welding to a front portion of a head pipe. A connection member is fastened with two nuts onto the stay. An air bag supporting frame is connected and fixed to the connection member at its lower end so as to be directed rearwardly and obliquely upwardly along a handle pipe. The air bag supporting frame positions and fixes an air bag unit so as to be directed to a chest position of a rider above a center portion of a steering handle. A ring-like frame structure as an air bag holding member is disposed round a surface of the air bag unit facing the rider wherein a forward load applied to the air bag by holding the inflated air bag from behind is received by the ring-like frame structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata, Yutaka Murata, Takashi Ogino
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Patent number: 7364195Abstract: The present invention provides a rider restricting device of a two-wheeled vehicle which is easily applicable to a small-sized vehicle and, at the same time, can absorb a frontward load and alleviate a load applied to a rider. The rider restricting device has left and right knee portion pads such that a pad support member for each mounts to a connecting member such that a load absorbing member is mounted in either the pad support member or the connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata, Hideaki Akiyama, Yutaka Murata, Takashi Ogino
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Patent number: 7032923Abstract: To provide an air bag apparatus for a small size vehicle, wherein a seat for a driver is provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body and an instrument panel, which a driver on the seat can visually observe is provided at a front portion of the vehicle body. The air bag apparatus assures a wide range of inflation and expansion of an air bag and can be applied to a conventional small size vehicle without a significant design change. A plurality of air bags which can constrain a driver on a seat from a forward direction are connected to each other by a connection mechanism and are accommodated in a folded state in an instrument panel.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norihiro Kurata, Takeshi Yamazaki, Takeshi Kuroe
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Publication number: 20060075693Abstract: The present invention relates to a polygonal rib structure having ribs directed orthogonal to one plane and intersecting each other to form polygonal shapes. More particularly, to a shock absorbing polygonal rib structure. In a polygonal rib structure having ribs directed orthogonal to one plane and intersecting each other to form polygonal shapes, a thickened central portion located at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of each side of the polygonal rib is bisected. The opposed parting surfaces formed upon the bisection are spaced from each other to form an opening portion, and each side of the polygonal rib is so shaped that the cross-sectional area of the opening portion is reduced as one goes from the opening end toward the depth. Thus, an opened polygonal rib structure is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata
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Publication number: 20060056943Abstract: An air-bag type rider restraining device for a two wheel vehicle having a scooter structure. A stay is firmly fixed by welding to a front portion of a head pipe. A connection member is fastened with two nuts onto the stay. An air bag supporting frame is connected and fixed to the connection member at its lower end so as to be directed rearwardly and obliquely upwardly along a handle pipe. The air bag supporting frame positions and fixes an air bag unit so as to be directed to a chest position of a rider above a center portion of a steering handle. A ring-like frame structure as an air bag holding member is disposed round a surface of the air bag unit facing the rider wherein a forward load applied to the air bag by holding the inflated air bag from behind is received by the ring-like frame structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata, Yutaka Murata, Takashi Ogino
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Publication number: 20060048989Abstract: The present invention provides a rider restricting device of a two-wheeled vehicle which is easily applicable to a small-sized vehicle and, at the same time, can absorb a frontward load and alleviate a load applied to a rider.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata, Hideaki Akiyama, Yutaka Murata, Takashi Ogino
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Patent number: 6971666Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a small size vehicle that includes an airbag, for constraining a driver on a seat from forward motion through an inflation expansion, that reduces the number of parts and achieves miniaturization of the apparatus while constraining the driver on the seat. The airbag includes a main bag portion and an auxiliary bag portion communicating with the inside of the main bag portion through a connecting hole. The auxiliary bag portion is inflated and expanded with gas exhausted from the main bag portion through the connecting hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Akiyama, Norihiro Kurata, Toshio Yamagiwa, Toyokazu Nakamura
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Patent number: 6932201Abstract: To prevent a shock absorbing material mounted on a vehicle body from collapsing or being scattered under the shock at the time of a collision. The four sides of a shock absorbing material formed of a foamed material are surrounded by a bellows form cover consisting of four corrugated plates inclusive of corrugated plates. Under an external force due to collision, the bellows is folded and contracted easily, but is difficult to be deformed in the width directions. Therefore, the shock absorbing material receives the energy upon collision in its initial shape, so that the energy is absorbed substantially by the compression of the shock absorbing material. Accordingly, it suffices to design a set load for the shock absorbing material by taking into account only the shock absorbing material, so that it is easy to design the shape, material and the like of the shock absorbing material.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideki Akiyama, Norihiro Kurata
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Patent number: 6793033Abstract: A compact vehicle provided with a seat belt for constraining a rider to enhance impact absorption effect of an air bag, and releasing the seat belt when secondary motion is caused in relation to the vehicle body. The air bag constrains the rider on a seat from a forward direction when the air bag is inflated and extended. One end of a seat belt wound around the waist of the rider and is coupled to the vehicle body via a retractor provided with a locking function in emergency. A coupling means is provided in which coupling and uncoupling can be switched manually in a coupled state. In addition, coupling is automatically released after a predetermined period of time elapses subsequent to inflation of the air bag, thus releasing the other end of the seat belt from the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Yamazaki, Takenori Yamamoto, Norihiro Kurata
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Patent number: 6724538Abstract: A head-up display is provided which is suitable for a motorcycle. An image is present in peripheral fields outside a 90% center field. In the case where the image is located outside the 90% center field, it does not obstruct driving of the vehicle, and in the case where the image is located in the peripheral fields, it allows a driver to dimly see the shape of the image and thereby recognize the presence of the image. For this reason, the image is located in the peripheral fields. Since an image is located in a peripheral field, the presence of the image can be recognized by a driver while not obstructing a desirable visibility to the front side of the driver. The driver can recognize, on the basis of the presence or absence of the image, whether or not attention should be taken to drive the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazumitsu Kushida, Norihiro Kurata, Sadanao Ichimi
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Publication number: 20040060791Abstract: To prevent a shock absorbing material mounted on a vehicle body from collapsing or being scattered under the shock at the time of a collision. The four sides of a shock absorbing material formed of a foamed material are surrounded by a bellows form cover consisting of four corrugated plates inclusive of corrugated plates. Under an external force due to collision, the bellows is folded and contracted easily, but is difficult to be deformed in the width directions. Therefore, the shock absorbing material receives the energy upon collision in its initial shape, so that the energy is absorbed substantially by the compression of the shock absorbing material. Accordingly, it suffices to design a set load for the shock absorbing material by taking into account only the shock absorbing material, so that it is easy to design the shape, material and the like of the shock absorbing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Hideki Akiyama, Norihiro Kurata
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Patent number: 6679520Abstract: To enable the easy adjustment of the height of the upper end of a shoulder belt of webbing utilizing a shoulder guard provided to a strut provided on both right and left sides of a seat. An air belt system is provided with webbing in which a lap belt that cannot be inflated and a shoulder belt that can be inflated are connected to each other. A retractor is provided to one side of a seat for winding the end of the lap belt. A tongue is supported in an intermediate part of the webbing so that the tongue can slide relative thereto. A buckle is provided on the other side of the seat for connecting the tongue so that the tongue can be detached. An inflator is connected to the end of the shoulder belt for supplying high pressure gas to the shoulder belt. Right and left shoulder guards are respectively provided to the struts provided on both right and left sides of the seat so that the upper and lower positions can be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Norihiro Kurata, Takeshi Kuroe
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Publication number: 20040007855Abstract: To provide an air bag apparatus for a small size vehicle, wherein a seat for a driver is provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body and an instrument panel, which a driver on the seat can visually observe is provided at a front portion of the vehicle body. The air bag apparatus assures a wide range of inflation and expansion of an air bag and can be applied to a conventional small size vehicle without a significant design change. A plurality of air bags which can constrain a driver on a seat from a forward direction are connected to each other by a connection mechanism and are accommodated in a folded state in an instrument panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Norihiro Kurata, Takeshi Yamazaki, Takeshi Kuroe
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Publication number: 20030230886Abstract: A compact vehicle provided with a seat belt for constraining a rider to enhance impact absorption effect of an air bag, and releasing the seat belt when secondary motion is caused in relation to the vehicle body. The air bag constrains the rider on a seat from a forward direction when the air bag is inflated and extended. One end of a seat belt wound around the waist of the rider and is coupled to the vehicle body via a retractor provided with a locking function in emergency. A coupling means is provided in which coupling and uncoupling can be switched manually in a coupled state. In addition, coupling is automatically released after a predetermined period of time elapses subsequent to inflation of the air bag, thus releasing the other end of the seat belt from the vehicle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Takeshi Yamazaki, Takenori Yamamoto, Norihiro Kurata
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Publication number: 20030189323Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a small size vehicle that includes an airbag, for constraining a driver on a seat from forward motion through an inflation expansion, that reduces the number of parts and achieves miniaturization of the apparatus while constraining the driver on the seat. The airbag includes a main bag portion and an auxiliary bag portion communicating with the inside of the main bag portion through a connecting hole. The auxiliary bag portion is inflated and expanded with gas exhausted from the main bag portion through the connecting hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: October 9, 2003Inventors: Hideki Akiyama, Norihiro Kurata, Toshio Yamagiwa, Toyokazu Nakamura
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Publication number: 20020130498Abstract: To enable the easy adjustment of the height of the upper end of a shoulder belt of webbing utilizing a shoulder guard provided to a strut provided on both right and left sides of a seat. An air belt system is provided with webbing in which a lap belt that cannot be inflated and a shoulder belt that can be inflated are connected to each other. A retractor is provided to one side of a seat for winding the end of the lap belt. A tongue is supported in an intermediate part of the webbing so that the tongue can slide relative thereto. A buckle is provided on the other side of the seat for connecting the tongue so that the tongue can be detached. An inflator is connected to the end of the shoulder belt for supplying high pressure gas to the shoulder belt. Right and left shoulder guards are respectively provided to the struts provided on both right and left sides of the seat so that the upper and lower positions can be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Norihiro Kurata, Takeshi Kuroe
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Publication number: 20020126391Abstract: A head-up display is provided which is suitable for a motorcycle. An image is present in peripheral fields outside a 90% center field. In the case where the image is located outside the 90% center field, it does not obstruct driving of the vehicle, and in the case where the image is located in the peripheral fields, it allows a driver to dimly see the shape of the image and thereby recognize the presence of the image. For this reason, the image is located in the peripheral fields. Since an image is located in a peripheral field, the presence of the image can be recognized by a driver while not obstructing a desirable visibility to the front side of the driver. The driver can recognize, on the basis of the presence or absence of the image, whether or not attention should be taken to drive the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Kazumitsu Kushida, Norihiro Kurata, Sadanao Ichimi
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Patent number: 4710599Abstract: A switch attachment structure on a motor vehicle having an handlebar such as a motor scooter, a motorcycle, a snowmobile, or the like includes a handle cover fixed to the handlebar and at least partly covering the handlebar, and a plurality of switches mounted on the handle cover for controlling electric components on the motor vehicle. The handle cover has a plurality of juxtaposed switch attachment seats to which the switches are fittingly attached, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1986Date of Patent: December 1, 1987Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shoji Motodate, Yuichi Morino, Norihiro Kurata