Patents by Inventor Tetsurou Tanimoto

Tetsurou Tanimoto 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: 8042845
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle includes a handle main body, a handle cover assembled to the handle main body by means of a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion, and the second assembly portion including: a first engagement portion having a recessed portion and a protruding portion; and a second engagement portion provided at the other of the handle main body and the handle cover and having a hook portion hooking over the first engagement portion, wherein, the handle cover engages the handle main body by rotating at least either one of the handle cover and the handle main body while the second engagement portion hooks over the first engagement portion in a manner where a top end of the hook portion of the second engagement portion is positioned within the recessed portion of the first engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata, Sadayuki Makino
  • Patent number: 7984937
    Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle includes a door handle including an outer side handle portion formed with a grip portion, a rotating portion rotatably supported by a supporting member, an operating portion operating a door opening and closing mechanism, and an encasement accommodating electronic components, an unlock electrode accommodated in the encasement and configuring an unlock capacitive sensor detecting changes of an electric capacity between the unlock electrode and the outer panel, an unlock signal circuit transmitting an unlock signal based on the changes of the electric capacity between the unlock electrode and the outer panel, and a lock electrode provided between an end of the grip portion at the side of the rotating portion and the rotating portion and configuring a lock capacitive sensor detecting the changes of the electric capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata, Eiji Mushiake
  • Patent number: 7984938
    Abstract: A door handle device for a vehicle includes a first handle member made of resin and formed with a housing portion which houses an electronic component and is arranged opposing to the outer panel and a second handle member covering the housing portion and assembled to the first handle member. A first connector, which protrudes in a vehicle width direction penetrating through the outer panel, is provided at an end of the first handle member. A board mounted with a control circuit connected to the electronic component is housed in the housing portion in a state where the board is connected to a terminal of the first connector and a terminal of the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata, Eiji Mushiake
  • Patent number: 7971913
    Abstract: A base member is fixed to a rear surface of a door panel for a vehicle. A grip member is supported on the base member in a tiltable manner. The grip member is arranged on the base member from a front surface of the door panel. A pivot shaft is arranged on the grip member. A shaft supporting member supports the pivot shaft with respect to the base member so that the pivot shaft can pivot relative to the base member. As a result, the grip member is ensurely prevented from becoming loose with respect to the base member in a longitudinal direction of the grip member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sunahara, Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 7779659
    Abstract: A door handle device is provided with: a handle member 10; a handle frame member 20 swingably supporting the handle member 10, the handle frame member being fixed to a door 50; and a key cylinder cover 49 integrated with a key cylinder device 30 capable of locking the door 50. The handle member 10 has a swing center axis O about which the handle member 10 swings relative to the handle frame member 20. On the slide center axis O, an engagement pin 14 is interposed between the handle member 10 and the key cylinder cover 49.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7598469
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device includes: an electric part which is received within an internal space formed within a door handle so as to form a gap between the electric part and an inner surface of the door handle; and an elastic member which is fixed to the electric part, and is pressed against the inner surface of the door handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Kouichi Nagata, Masaki Nishikawa, Noriyasu Onishi, Osamu Kondo, Hajime Emura
  • Patent number: 7530610
    Abstract: A door handle for a vehicle including a handle for opening and closing a vehicle door, and a base fixed to an outer panel of the vehicle door and rotatably supporting the handle includes an opening formed on the outer panel and including a portion having a first width, and a base frame formed on one end side of the base and including a portion having a second width larger than the first width. The portion having the second width of the base frame intrudes into a vehicle interior side of the outer panel through the opening when the base frame is fixed to the outer panel from a vehicle exterior side. The door handle for a vehicle further includes a tightening portion formed on the other end side of the base and tightening the base relative to the outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080302148
    Abstract: A door handle device is provided with: a handle member 10; a handle frame member 20 swingably supporting the handle member 10, the handle frame member being fixed to a door 50; and a key cylinder cover 49 integrated with a key cylinder device 30 capable of locking the door 50. The handle member 10 has a swing center axis O about which the handle member 10 swings relative to the handle frame member 20. On the slide center axis O, an engagement pin 14 is interposed between the handle member 10 and the key cylinder cover 49.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7422251
    Abstract: A door handle device includes a handle member having a counterweight, a handle frame member configured to be fixed to a door and having an opening portion, the handle frame member being slidably engaged with the handle member while the counterweight being inserted through the opening portion. The door handle device further includes a first engaging shaft portion provided on the handle frame member, a second engaging shaft portion provided on the handle frame member, a first through hole provided on the handle member, a second through hole provided on the handle member, and an interposition member provided on a lower end contacting point between the handle member and the handle frame member after the handle member being slid relative to the handle frame member and engaged with the handle frame member at the smallest engaging angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080088139
    Abstract: A base member is fixed to a rear surface of a door panel for a vehicle. A grip member is supported on the base member in a tiltable manner. The grip member is arranged on the base member from a front surface of the door panel. A pivot shaft is arranged on the grip member. A shaft supporting member supports the pivot shaft with respect to the base member so that the pivot shaft can pivot relative to the base member. As a result, the grip member is ensurely prevented from becoming loose with respect to the base member in a longitudinal direction of the grip member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Sunahara, Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata
  • Publication number: 20070216175
    Abstract: A door handle device for a vehicle includes a first handle member made of resin and formed with a housing portion which houses an electronic component and is arranged opposing to the outer panel and a second handle member covering the housing portion and assembled to the first handle member. A first connector, which protrudes in a vehicle width direction penetrating through the outer panel, is provided at an end of the first handle member. A board mounted with a control circuit connected to the electronic component is housed in the housing portion in a state where the board is connected to a terminal of the first connector and a terminal of the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata, Eiji Mushiake
  • Publication number: 20070216174
    Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle includes a door handle including an outer side handle portion formed with a grip portion, a rotating portion rotatably supported by a supporting member, an operating portion operating a door opening and closing mechanism, and an encasement accommodating electronic components, an unlock electrode accommodated in the encasement and configuring an unlock capacitive sensor detecting changes of an electric capacity between the unlock electrode and the outer panel, an unlock signal circuit transmitting an unlock signal based on the changes of the electric capacity between the unlock electrode and the outer panel, and a lock electrode provided between an end of the grip portion at the side of the rotating portion and the rotating portion and configuring a lock capacitive sensor detecting the changes of the electric capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata, Eiji Mushiake
  • Publication number: 20070158960
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle includes a handle main body, a handle cover assembled to the handle main body by means of a first assembly portion and a second assembly portion, and the second assembly portion including: a first engagement portion having a recessed portion and a protruding portion; and a second engagement portion provided at the other of the handle main body and the handle cover and having a hook portion hooking over the first engagement portion, wherein, the handle cover engages the handle main body by rotating at least either one of the handle cover and the handle main body while the second engagement portion hooks over the first engagement portion in a manner where a top end of the hook portion of the second engagement portion is positioned within the recessed portion of the first engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata, Sadayuki Makino
  • Patent number: 7192285
    Abstract: A door handle for a vehicle includes a housing member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a recessed portion provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the housing member, a first electronic component accommodated in the recessed portion of the housing member, and a covering member for covering the recessed portion of the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadayuki Makino, Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata
  • Publication number: 20060037371
    Abstract: A door handle for a vehicle including a handle for opening and closing a vehicle door, and a base fixed to an outer panel of the vehicle door and rotatably supporting the handle includes an opening formed on the outer panel and including a portion having a first width, and a base frame formed on one end side of the base and including a portion having a second width larger than the first width. The portion having the second width of the base frame intrudes into a vehicle interior side of the outer panel through the opening when the base frame is fixed to the outer panel from a vehicle exterior side. The door handle for a vehicle further includes a tightening portion formed on the other end side of the base and tightening the base relative to the outer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20060028030
    Abstract: A door handle device includes a handle member having a counterweight, a handle frame member configured to be fixed to a door and having an opening portion, the handle frame member being slidably engaged with the handle member while the counterweight being inserted through the opening portion. The door handle device further includes a first engaging shaft portion provided on the handle frame member, a second engaging shaft portion provided on the handle frame member, a first through hole provided on the handle member, a second through hole provided on the handle member, and an interposition member provided on a lower end contacting point between the handle member and the handle frame member after the handle member being slid relative to the handle frame member and engaged with the handle frame member at the smallest engaging angle therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20050212308
    Abstract: A door handle for a vehicle includes a housing member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a recessed portion provided between the first end portion and the second end portion of the housing member, a first electronic component accommodated in the recessed portion of the housing member, and a covering member for covering the recessed portion of the housing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sadayuki Makino, Tetsurou Tanimoto, Koichi Nagata
  • Publication number: 20050006909
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device includes: an electric part which is received within an internal space formed within a door handle so as to form a gap between the electric part and an inner surface of the door handle; and an elastic member which is fixed to the electric part, and is pressed against the inner surface of the door handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Kouichi Nagata, Masaki Nishikawa, Noriyasu Onishi, Osamu Kondo, Hajime Emura
  • Patent number: 6070923
    Abstract: An outside door handle assembly for an automobile includes a handle lever that follows the motion of an outside handle. When a transverse load in excess of a predetermined value acts upon the vehicle as the result of an impact at the side thereof, the handle lever is caused to swing in the transverse direction outwardly of the vehicle against the biasing force of a spring. As a result, an opening lever in a door lock device is placed in an inoperative state so that the door will not open accidentally during a side collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Morihito Nomura, Kouji Ooe, Kouichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 6010167
    Abstract: An outside door handle assembly for a vehicle comprises a case mounted to a vehicle door, a handle rotatably supported by the case and having a grip portion and a pair of supporting arms extending from the grip portion, a balance weight, disposed between the pair of supporting arms in such a manner as to oppose the grip portion with respect to a rotational center of the handle, fixed to the pair of supporting arms at both ends thereof and having substantially the same weight as that of the grip portion, a shaft portion formed on one end of the balance weight and extending through one of the pair of supporting arm and an operation portion mounted to the shaft portion and connected to a door lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Kouichi Nagata, Morihito Nomura, Kouji Ooe