Patents by Inventor Yoji Nagashima

Yoji Nagashima 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: 11535309
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a tailgate bracket securable to a vehicular tailgate, a support bracket securable to a vehicular bed, a torque shaft, and a crank. The tailgate bracket includes a socket. The support bracket includes a support. The torque shaft is supported by the support for axial rotation. The torque shaft includes a tailgate-side head and a crank-side head. The tailgate-side head and the socket are configured to make a head-and-socket connection with one another. The crank-side head includes an external profile. The crank includes a shaft-side base and an actuator-side base, a load arm extending therebetween, and at least one of a dogleg along the shaft-side base, the load arm and the actuator-side base, and an embossed rib extending along the load arm. The shaft-side base includes an internal profile. The external profile and the internal profile are configured to make a shaft-and-hub connection with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Heins, Nicholas Ozog, Takashi Nishio, Yoji Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20210371017
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a tailgate bracket securable to a vehicular tailgate, a support bracket securable to a vehicular bed, a torque shaft, and a crank. The tailgate bracket includes a socket. The support bracket includes a support. The torque shaft is supported by the support for axial rotation. The torque shaft includes a tailgate-side head and a crank-side head. The tailgate-side head and the socket are configured to make a head-and-socket connection with one another. The crank-side head includes an external profile. The crank includes a shaft-side base and an actuator-side base, a load arm extending therebetween, and at least one of a dogleg along the shaft-side base, the load arm and the actuator-side base, and an embossed rib extending along the load arm. The shaft-side base includes an internal profile. The external profile and the internal profile are configured to make a shaft-and-hub connection with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Heins, Nicholas Ozog, Takashi Nishio, Yoji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 9796252
    Abstract: A restricting device includes: a movable member that is capable of changing a posture with respect to a support member; and a buffer member that is fixed to the movable member, comes into contact with the support member in accordance with a posture change of the movable member, and restricts the posture of the movable member, wherein in the movable member, a mounting recess portion, an outlet port, a slip-off preventing piece, and a fitting piece are formed, and the buffer member has a fixing portion, an elastic portion, and a connecting portion, and in the elastic portion, a fitting recess portion is fitted is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Nagashima, Yoshitaka Ide, Kazushige Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9701184
    Abstract: A sunshade device includes guide rails slidably supporting a shade panel so as to open and close an opening formed on a vehicle roof; and a shade stopper attached to each guide rail, regulating an opening action by allowing the shade panel to abut on the shade stopper, wherein the guide rail includes a rail-side flange or flanges arranged side by side in a height direction which extend toward an inner side in a width direction, the shade stopper includes retaining pieces extending toward an outer side in the width direction and sandwiching the rail-side flange in the height direction, and rail-side and retaining-piece side engaging projections projecting in the height direction to face each other and regulating a movement of the retaining piece in the inner side in the width direction are respectively formed in the rail-side flange and the retaining piece in one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Shiraishi, Yoji Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20170122021
    Abstract: A restricting device includes: a movable member that is capable of changing a posture with respect to a support member; and a buffer member that is fixed to the movable member, comes into contact with the support member in accordance with a posture change of the movable member, and restricts the posture of the movable member, wherein in the movable member, a mounting recess portion, an outlet port, a slip-off preventing piece, and a fitting piece are formed, and the buffer member has a fixing portion, an elastic portion, and a connecting portion, and in the elastic portion, a fitting recess portion is fitted is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHISIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji NAGASHIMA, Yoshitaka IDE, Kazushige KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160280050
    Abstract: A sunshade device includes guide rails slidably supporting a shade panel so as to open and close an opening formed on a vehicle roof; and a shade stopper attached to each guide rail, regulating an opening action by allowing the shade panel to abut on the shade stopper, wherein the guide rail includes a rail-side flange or flanges arranged side by side in a height direction which extend toward an inner side in a width direction, the shade stopper includes retaining pieces extending toward an outer side in the width direction and sandwiching the rail-side flange in the height direction, and rail-side and retaining-piece side engaging projections projecting in the height direction to face each other and regulating a movement of the retaining piece in the inner side in the width direction are respectively formed in the rail-side flange and the retaining piece in one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHISIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro SHIRAISHI, Yoji NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 9296283
    Abstract: A sunroof device comprising: a drive cable having driving teeth arranged in a longitudinal direction and being driven to move in the vehicle front-rear direction along a guiderail; and a sliding member that controls the posture of a functional bracket together with a movable panel, in conjunction with movement in the vehicle front-rear direction. The sunroof device also comprises: driven teeth formed on the sliding member, that are meshed with the driving teeth and restrict relative movement of the drive cable and the sliding member in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a mounted portion formed on the guiderail. The drive cable and the sliding member, in which the driving teeth are meshed with the driven teeth, are mounted on the mounted portion, and the mounted portion holds these in the vehicle lateral and vertical directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Nagashima, Yusuke Kokubo, Shinichi Hiramatsu, Yoshitaka Ide, Kazushige Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9272607
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device has a contact portion between a panel bracket and a guide bracket, an insertion portion, a first member, and a second member. The contact portion contacts a first bracket, which is one of the panel bracket and the guide bracket. The insertion portion protrudes at the contact portion and is inserted into an attachment hole formed in a second bracket, which is the other of the panel bracket and the guide bracket. The first member has a retainer portion that permits a set range of motion of the second bracket. The second member is fastened to the first member. The first and second members permit relative motion of the first and second brackets in the non-fastened state, and restrict relative motion of the first and second brackets in the fastened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Kokubo, Yoji Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20150130229
    Abstract: A sunroof device comprising: a drive cable having driving teeth arranged in a longitudinal direction and being driven to move in the vehicle front-rear direction along a guiderail; and a sliding member that controls the posture of a functional bracket together with a movable panel, in conjunction with movement in the vehicle front-rear direction. The sunroof device also comprises: driven teeth formed on the sliding member, that are meshed with the driving teeth and restrict relative movement of the drive cable and the sliding member in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a mounted portion formed on the guiderail. The drive cable and the sliding member, in which the driving teeth are meshed with the driven teeth, are mounted on the mounted portion, and the mounted portion holds these in the vehicle lateral and vertical directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji Nagashima, Yusuke Kokubo, Shinichi Hiramatsu, Yoshitaka Ide, Kazushige Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20150069794
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device has a contact portion between a panel bracket and a guide bracket, an insertion portion, a first member, and a second member. The contact portion contacts a first bracket, which is one of the panel bracket and the guide bracket. The insertion portion protrudes at the contact portion and is inserted into an attachment hole formed in a second bracket, which is the other of the panel bracket and the guide bracket. The first member has a retainer portion that permits a set range of motion of the second bracket. The second member is fastened to the first member. The first and second members permit relative motion of the first and second brackets in the non-fastened state, and restrict relative motion of the first and second brackets in the fastened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Yusuke Kokubo, Yoji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8905467
    Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes a supporting bracket configured to support a movable panel, the movable panel opening and closing an opening portion, a guide rail extending in a vehicle front/rear direction, a sliding member connected to the supporting bracket and driven to be movable along the guide rail, a driving member driving the sliding member and causing the movable panel to move upwardly and downwardly and to perform a sliding movement in the vehicle rear direction, a gutter member which extends in the vehicle width direction and is movable along the guide rail and an engaging/disengaging portion provided at the movable panel or at the supporting bracket and being disconnected from the gutter member in a fully-closed state and being connected to the gutter member in a tilt-down state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Kokubo, Jun Maruyama, Yoji Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20140110519
    Abstract: A sheet winding device for vehicle includes a winding shaft, a sheet, a torsion coil spring and a soundproofing tube. The winding shaft is axially supported on a vehicle body. The torsion coil spring rotationally biases the winding shaft in a winding direction of the sheet and elastically deforms such that a meandering is increased relative to an axial direction of the torsion coil spring in response to the rotation of the winding shaft. The soundproofing tube is arranged between the winding shaft and the torsion coil spring and includes at least one slit formed by cutting out at least one part on a circumference of the soundproofing tube over an entire length of the soundproofing tube in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoji NAGASHIMA, Takashi Kitani, Yoshitaka Nakamura, Hirotaka Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20130307293
    Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes a supporting bracket configured to support a movable panel, the movable panel opening and closing an opening portion, a guide rail extending in a vehicle front/rear direction, a sliding member connected to the supporting bracket and driven to be movable along the guide rail, a driving member driving the sliding member and causing the movable panel to move upwardly and downwardly and to perform a sliding movement in the vehicle rear direction, a gutter member which extends in the vehicle width direction and is movable along the guide rail and an engaging/disengaging portion provided at the movable panel or at the supporting bracket and being disconnected from the gutter member in a fully-closed state and being connected to the gutter member in a tilt-down state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke KOKUBO, Jun MARUYAMA, Yoji NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 8297692
    Abstract: A vehicle sun roof device includes a panel for covering an opening in a roof of the vehicle. The panel can be moved horizontally to uncover the opening or tilted to raise its rear end section to a venting position. A drive system for tilting the panel includes front and rear shoes. The rear shoe tilts the panel by applying a force to the rear end section of the panel. The front shoe includes an upwardly facing support surface and a downwardly facing support surface. A bracket fixed to the panel and extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle includes an upwardly facing bearing surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface arranged to slidably engage the downwardly facing support surface and the upwardly facing support surface, respectively, of the front shoe. The support surfaces and the bearing surfaces are configured to define a virtual pivot axis for the panel as the panel tilts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Chlapecka, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi, Yoji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8177295
    Abstract: A dual panel sunroof is provided. The sunroof includes a front glass guide that supports a front glass panel and a rear glass guide that supports a rear glass panel. The rear glass panel is disposed rearward of the front glass panel when the dual panel sunroof is in a fully closed position. A front link is rotatably mounted to a front portion of the front glass guide such that the front link drives a front end of the front glass in an upward direction away from a vehicle body when the front link is driven in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Chauvin, Yoji Nagashima, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20110121615
    Abstract: A dual panel sunroof is provided. The sunroof includes a front glass guide that supports a front glass panel and a rear glass guide that supports a rear glass panel. The rear glass panel is disposed rearward of the front glass panel when the dual panel sunroof is in a fully closed position. A front link is rotatably mounted to a front portion of the front glass guide such that the front link drives a front end of the front glass in an upward direction away from a vehicle body when the front link is driven in a rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin CHAUVIN, Yoji NAGASHIMA, Nobuhiro MIZOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20110121616
    Abstract: A vehicle sun roof device includes a panel for covering an opening in a roof of the vehicle. The panel can be moved horizontally to uncover the opening or tilted to raise its rear end section to a venting position. A drive system for tilting the panel includes front and rear shoes. The rear shoe tilts the panel by applying a force to the rear end section of the panel. The front shoe includes an upwardly facing support surface and a downwardly facing support surface. A bracket fixed to the panel and extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle includes an upwardly facing bearing surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface arranged to slidably engage the downwardly facing support surface and the upwardly facing support surface, respectively, of the front shoe. The support surfaces and the bearing surfaces are configured to define a virtual pivot axis for the panel as the panel tilts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan CHLAPECKA, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi, Yoji Nagashima
  • Patent number: D692370
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Chauvin, Yoji Nagashima, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: D694687
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Chauvin, Yoji Nagashima, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: D694688
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Chauvin, Yoji Nagashima, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi