Patents by Inventor Ryan Corby
Ryan Corby 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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Publication number: 20230347988Abstract: A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Stephen FEKETE, Ryan CORBY, Adam STREAN, Yunosuke YAMADA, Seiichiro EBA, Toshio FURUTA
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Patent number: 11718352Abstract: A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTDInventors: Stephen Fekete, Ryan Corby, Adam Strean, Yunosuke Yamada, Seiichiro Eba, Toshio Furuta
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Patent number: 11643144Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes an engine cradle and an impact receiving structure. A forward end of the first side portion and a first lateral end of a front portion of the engine cradle are fixedly attached to one another. The first side portion has a rearward section and a forward section, the rearward section being horizontally oriented and the forward section extending upward and forward from the rearward section defining an acute angle therebetween, the acute angle being between 30 and 35 degrees. The impact receiving structure is installed to the first side portion of the engine cradle proximate an intersection between the first side portion and the front member. A lower surface of the impact receiving structure extends downward along the forward section of the first side portion further defining the acute angle of the forward section of the first side portion of the engine cradle.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Daniel Malm, Ryan Corby, Adam Strean
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Publication number: 20220410976Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes an engine cradle and an impact receiving structure. A forward end of the first side portion and a first lateral end of a front portion of the engine cradle are fixedly attached to one another. The first side portion has a rearward section and a forward section, the rearward section being horizontally oriented and the forward section extending upward and forward from the rearward section defining an acute angle therebetween, the acute angle being between 30 and 35 degrees. The impact receiving structure is installed to the first side portion of the engine cradle proximate an intersection between the first side portion and the front member. A lower surface of the impact receiving structure extends downward along the forward section of the first side portion further defining the acute angle of the forward section of the first side portion of the engine cradle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Daniel MALM, Ryan CORBY, Adam STREAN
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Publication number: 20220388577Abstract: A vehicle engine cradle structure includes a front member, a rear assembly and a side member. The front member extends in a vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard end and a second outboard end. The rear assembly extends in the vehicle lateral direction and has a first outboard area and a second outboard area opposite the first outboard area. The first side member has a first forward end, a first rearward end and a first forward outboard portion all being formed as a single monolithic unitary element. The first forward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard end of the front member. The first rearward end is fixedly attached to the first outboard area of the rear assembly. The first forward outboard portion extends in an outboard direction from the first outboard end of the front member defining an off-center impact area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Stephen FEKETE, Ryan CORBY, Adam STREAN, Yunosuke YAMADA, Seiichiro EAB, Toshio FURUA
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Patent number: 10906369Abstract: A vehicle front end assembly includes an engine cradle, a transverse link and a fastener. The engine cradle has an upper attachment portion and a lower attachment portion, both being rigidly attached to the engine cradle. The upper attachment portion has a recessed area that includes a first opening extending through the recessed area. The upper attachment portion has a first overall thickness with a portion of the recessed area surrounding the first opening having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The lower attachment portion has a second opening below the first opening. The transverse link has an inboard portion with a third opening that extends through the inboard portion. The fastener passes through the first opening, the third opening and the second opening such that the fastener retains the transverse link to the upper attachment portion and the lower attachment portion of the engine cradle.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Stephen Fekete, Ryan Corby, Adam Strean, Takahiro Watanabe, Yunosuke Yamada, Musashi Kishida
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Publication number: 20200130445Abstract: A vehicle front end assembly includes an engine cradle, a transverse link and a fastener. The engine cradle has an upper attachment portion and a lower attachment portion, both being rigidly attached to the engine cradle. The upper attachment portion has a recessed area that includes a first opening extending through the recessed area. The upper attachment portion has a first overall thickness with a portion of the recessed area surrounding the first opening having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. The lower attachment portion has a second opening below the first opening. The transverse link has an inboard portion with a third opening that extends through the inboard portion. The fastener passes through the first opening, the third opening and the second opening such that the fastener retains the transverse link to the upper attachment portion and the lower attachment portion of the engine cradle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Stephen FEKETE, Ryan CORBY, Adam STREAN, Takahiro WATANABE, Yunosuke YAMADA, Musashi KISHIDA
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Patent number: 9731758Abstract: A transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side. A steering knuckle has an upper end, a wheel supporting section and a lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. A strut has an upper end and a lower end. An upper knuckle breakaway structure attaches the upper end of the steering knuckle to the lower end of the strut. The upper knuckle breakaway structure has a frangible part that releases the upper end of the steering knuckle from the lower end of the strut upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force. A transverse link breakaway structure couples the inboard side of the transverse link to a lower suspension support structure such that upon application of the prescribed rearward directed force the inboard side of the transverse link is released from the lower suspension support structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Corby, Joyce Lam, Kenneth Ameloot, Jeffery Dix
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Publication number: 20160107684Abstract: A transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side. A steering knuckle has an upper end, a wheel supporting section and a lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. A strut has an upper end and a lower end. An upper knuckle breakaway structure attaches the upper end of the steering knuckle to the lower end of the strut. The upper knuckle breakaway structure has a frangible part that releases the upper end of the steering knuckle from the lower end of the strut upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force. A transverse link breakaway structure couples the inboard side of the transverse link to a lower suspension support structure such that upon application of the prescribed rearward directed force the inboard side of the transverse link is released from the lower suspension support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Ryan CORBY, Joyce LAM, Kenneth AMELOOT, Jeffery DIX
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Patent number: 9254724Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, a transverse link, a steering knuckle and a lower knuckle breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side, the inboard side being attached to the lower suspension support structure. The steering knuckle has an upper end, a lower end, and a wheel supporting section between the upper end and the lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. The lower knuckle breakaway structure is formed on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Corby, Joyce Lam, Kenneth Ameloot, Jeffery Dix
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Patent number: 9022403Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a suspension support structure, a transverse link, a front link breakaway structure and a rear link breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side with a front connection structure connecting a front end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a first location and a rear connection structure pivotally connecting a rear end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a second location that is spaced rearwardly of the first location. The front link breakaway structure is configured to release the front end of the transverse link from the suspension support upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the suspension support structure. The rear link breakaway structure is configured to release the rear connection structure of the transverse link from the suspension support upon rearward rotation of the transverse link about the rear connection structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Joyce Lam, Ryan Corby, Jeffery Dix, Mark Snyder
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Patent number: 9016768Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes an engine cradle, an engine assembly and a lateral energy transfer member. The engine cradle includes a side engine cradle member with an engine mounting structure, which is located rearward of a front corner of the engine cradle. The engine assembly is fixedly attached to the engine mounting structure of the side engine cradle member. The lateral energy transfer member is fixedly attached to the side engine cradle member between the front corner and the engine mounting structure. The lateral energy transfer member has an engine contact surface positioned adjacent an engine structure of the engine assembly with a prescribed lateral gap between the engine contact surface and the engine structure. The prescribed lateral gap is dimensioned to transfer lateral energy to the engine assembly from a lateral force applied to the side engine cradle member.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Takaomi Makino, Takuya Yamashita, Ramkrishna Jayaram Chunduri, Kenneth Ameloot, Ryan Corby
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Patent number: 8876194Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a front side member, an A-pillar and a strut tower. The front side member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The A-pillar is coupled to the front side member. The strut tower is positioned forward of the A-pillar and has an inboard side fixedly attached to an outboard section of the front side member. The strut tower also defines a force receiving surface extending between the inboard side and an outboard side. The force receiving surface of the strut tower is configured and arranged to receive a force directed rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction and redirect at least a portion of the force in a vehicle lateral direction toward the front side member.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery Dix, Ryan Corby, Joyce Lam
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Patent number: 8870205Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, a transverse link, a steering knuckle and a lower knuckle breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side, with the inboard side being attached to the lower suspension support structure. The steering knuckle is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. The lower knuckle breakaway structure is formed on one of the transverse link and the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Corby, Joyce Lam, Kenneth Ameloot, Jeffery Dix
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Publication number: 20140291956Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, a transverse link, a steering knuckle and a lower knuckle breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side, the inboard side being attached to the lower suspension support structure. The steering knuckle has an upper end, a lower end, and a wheel supporting section between the upper end and the lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. The lower knuckle breakaway structure is formed on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Ryan CORBY, Joyce LAM, Kenneth AMELOOT, Jeffery DIX
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Publication number: 20140292028Abstract: A vehicle front body structure includes a front side member, an A-pillar and a strut tower. The front side member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The A-pillar is coupled to the front side member. The strut tower is positioned forward of the A-pillar and has an inboard side fixedly attached to an outboard section of the front side member. The strut tower also defines a force receiving surface extending between the inboard side and an outboard side. The force receiving surface of the strut tower is configured and arranged to receive a force directed rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction and redirect at least a portion of the force in a vehicle lateral direction toward the front side member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery DIX, Ryan CORBY, Joyce LAM
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Publication number: 20140265442Abstract: A vehicle front end structure includes an engine cradle, an engine assembly and a lateral energy transfer member. The engine cradle includes a side engine cradle member with an engine mounting structure, which is located rearward of a front corner of the engine cradle. The engine assembly is fixedly attached to the engine mounting structure of the side engine cradle member. The lateral energy transfer member is fixedly attached to the side engine cradle member between the front corner and the engine mounting structure. The lateral energy transfer member has an engine contact surface positioned adjacent an engine structure of the engine assembly with a prescribed lateral gap between the engine contact surface and the engine structure. The prescribed lateral gap is dimensioned to transfer lateral energy to the engine assembly from a lateral force applied to the side engine cradle member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicants: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Takaomi MAKINO, Takuya YAMASHITA, Ramkrishna Jayaram CHUNDURI, Kenneth AMELOOT, Ryan CORBY
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Publication number: 20140252741Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, a transverse link, a steering knuckle and a lower knuckle breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side, with the inboard side being attached to the lower suspension support structure. The steering knuckle is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. The lower knuckle breakaway structure is formed on one of the transverse link and the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle from the transverse link upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the lower suspension support structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Ryan CORBY, Joyce LAM, Kenneth AMELOOT, Jeffery DIX
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Publication number: 20140252742Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a suspension support structure, a transverse link, a front link breakaway structure and a rear link breakaway structure. The transverse link has an inboard side with a front connection structure connecting a front end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a first location and a rear connection structure pivotally connecting a rear end of the transverse link to the suspension support at a second location that is spaced rearwardly of the first location. The front link breakaway structure is configured to release the front end of the transverse link from the suspension support upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on the vehicle front suspension outboard of the suspension support structure. The rear link breakaway structure is configured to release the rear connection structure of the transverse link from the suspension support upon rearward rotation of the transverse link about the rear connection structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Joyce LAM, Ryan CORBY, Jeffery DIX, Mark SNYDER
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Patent number: 8646793Abstract: A vehicle front suspension includes a lower suspension support structure, an upper suspension support structure, a steering knuckle and a strut. The steering knuckle has a lower end pivotally coupled to the lower suspension support structure and an upper end. The strut has an upper end connected to the upper suspension support structure, and a lower end fixedly attached to the upper end of the steering knuckle by an upper knuckle breakaway structure. The upper knuckle breakaway structure has a predetermined frangible part that releases the upper end of the steering knuckle from the strut upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force on at least one of the lower suspension support structure and the steering knuckle.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Joyce Lam, Ryan Corby, Jeffery Dix