Patents Issued in March 25, 2003
  • Patent number: 6536789
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension attachment assembly 10 including a spring 17, a pair of spring seats 16, 18 which are coupled to the spring 17, a bushing 25 which is coupled to seat 16, and an attachment member 24 which is received by the seat 16 and the bushing 25 and which is substantially concentric to the seat 16 and to the bushing 25, thereby reducing the overall packaging requirements of a vehicle suspension 12 incorporating the assembly 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Svensson, Joseph Lee Buchwitz, Jeffrey Lipa
  • Patent number: 6536790
    Abstract: A running board mounting bracket has a structural body having a distal end and a support end. A mounting flange extends from the structural body at the support end and is canted relative to the longitudinal extent of the structural body. The mounting flange has bores for mounting the bracket to an inboard surface of a vehicle frame. A web extends between the mounting flange and the distal end redirecting bending forces from the interface between the mounting flange and the structural body and transferring the bending forces from the structural body to the mounting flange in a compressive manner. The web has a rib extending along the web forming an I-beam relation with the structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventor: Lassi M. Ojanen
  • Patent number: 6536791
    Abstract: An adjustable matrix wheelchair seat can be mounted on a pair of rods such as are provided on the seat rails of a typical wheelchair or on any pair of rods adapted to be rigidly fixed to and aligned in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame of the wheelchair. A lateral array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is extended between and engaged on the rods. A longitudinal array of spaced apart substantially inelastic straps is engaged on the forwardmost and rearwardmost straps of the lateral array. The longitudinal array traverses the lateral array to define a horizontal matrix of ventilating interstices. The length of any or all of the straps of the lateral and horizontal arrays is independently adjustable to permit alteration of the pressure pattern imposed on the arrays by the patient occupying the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Christina L. Adams
  • Patent number: 6536792
    Abstract: A drive-away blocking device is provided for motorcycles having a side support. A sensor, which is mounted on the vehicle and has a linearly guided distance sensing device, and a control component, which is rigidly connected with the swivellable side support and which, at a site eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of the side support, is connected by way of a restricted guidance with the distance sensing device of the sensor, are provided. In the operational support position of the side support, the sensor emits a signal to the electric or electronic engine control unit to prevent a driving-away of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralf Strasser
  • Patent number: 6536793
    Abstract: A double-acting, weight distributing trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to a tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a rearwardly extending drawbar extension, which are pivotably connected along substantially vertical axis by a yoke. The drawbar extension is pivotally connected to the yoke by a cam. The drawbar extension is also mounted pivotably to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotably interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Frank T. Sargent
  • Patent number: 6536794
    Abstract: A tow hitch for all-terrain vehicles including an attachment leg with a hole therethrough for bolting of the attachment leg to a draw bar of the vehicle, a tow ball support leg with a pair of aligned, spaced apart holes adjacent to one end of the support leg and a tow ball having a threaded stem inserted through the one of said holes remote from the one end of the support leg to receive a nut thereon and structure to connect the attachment leg and the support leg in an offset relationship and with one structure connecting the attachment leg to the support leg comprising an insert box carried by the attachment leg and a box extension carried by the support leg and lockable into the insert box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis H. Hancock, Jeffrey D. Hancock
  • Patent number: 6536795
    Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper portion, a sole portion, a front catch located, and a rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding member. The front binding member includes a front claw pivotally coupled to the base member to move between a release position and a latched position. The front claw has a generally V-shaped free end surface. A catch engaging surface is located between the mounting portion of the front catch and the apex of the V-shaped free end surface. A guide surface is located between the apex and a free edge of the V-shaped free end surface. The catch engaging surface faces generally towards the base member and the guide surface faces generally away the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Shinpei Okajima, Hiroshi Morita, Kimitake Takahama
  • Patent number: 6536796
    Abstract: A convertible wagon adaptable from an extending use position to a collapsed storage position. The wagon has a telescopically extensible center portion that slidably secures and separates oppositely disposed end enclosure portions. A telescopically extensible handle is provided for deployment when in use configuration allowing for directional mobility of the wagon by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Stephanie Solomon
  • Patent number: 6536797
    Abstract: A system for correcting seat occupant weight measurement error induced by a seat belt is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. When a child seat is secured to a vehicle seat with a seat belt, the belt is pulled to a very tight position, which applies a greater force to the seat, erroneously raising the measured occupant weight. The subject system detects the difference between a child seat with a large seat belt force and a small adult, and modifies airbag deployment accordingly. The system includes a sensor assembly mounted within the seat bottom that measures a total seat occupant weight. A control unit generates a compensation factor based on the sensor assembly weight measurements and the mounting locations of the seat belt. The compensation factor is used to correct the total seat occupant weight, providing a modified occupant weight. Airbag deployment is controlled based on the modified occupant weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Reich
  • Patent number: 6536798
    Abstract: An apparatus for activating a selected one or more restraint devices located in a vehicle is provided. The apparatus reliably and inexpensively activates restraint devices upon the receipt of one or more appropriate signals. The apparatus includes a control unit having a housing enclosing a processor, a circuit board, and a plurality of initiator assemblies. Explosive transfer lines are inter-connected to the initiator assemblies at a first end, and to the restraint devices at a second end. Upon the receipt of an appropriate signal from one or more sensors located in the vehicle, the processor activates at least one of the initiator assemblies, which in turn ignites at least one of the explosive transfer lines. The explosion propagates along the explosive transfer line to its corresponding restraint device or devices to activate one or more of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Aùtoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian K. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6536799
    Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle includes an airbag configuration with a sensing airbag and a protective airbag. The sensing air bag is finger-shaped and has a small volume. A gas generator inflates the sensing airbag with a low power in the event of a vehicle impact. The inflated sensing airbag extends into an inflation zone of the protective airbag in order to sense any obstacle disposed therein. A touch-sensing device is connected to the front of the sensing airbag and provides a control signal when the sensing airbag encounters an obstacle. When the control device receives the control signal, the control device prevents or at least reduces the inflation of the protective airbag. When the control device does not receive the control signal, the protective airbag is inflated with full power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Ruprecht Sinnhuber, Thomas Wohllebe
  • Patent number: 6536800
    Abstract: An airbag device including an airbag that provides more effective protection of an occupant. The airbag has an indentation located approximately in the center of a contact surface thereof. The indentation is formed in the shape of a recess or a valley to form the airbag into a heart-like shape. The area including the indentation is at least greater than an area where comes in contact with the face of an occupant. The deepest point of the dent (the farthest point from the occupant in the contact surface) is positioned below the jaw of the occupant. The contact surface extending from the deepest point of the dent to the upper projection top thereof overhangs toward the occupant to have an angle between 0° and 45° (preferably, between 15° and 25°) relative to the cervical vertebrae axis of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kumagai, Hideaki Okamoto, Shingo Nakahara
  • Patent number: 6536801
    Abstract: A gas bag module has a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall which faces an occupant to be restrained and has a center section, and a rear wall with an inflation opening to connect to a gas generator. A fastener fastens the center section to the module and prevents the center section from a free movement so that a depression is formed by the center section. A module covering has an annular, predetermined outlet opening which surrounds the fastening. The module covering has a holding section encircled by the outlet opening. An emblem adjoins the holding section. The emblem is fastened to the module by the fastener which fastens the center section of the wall to the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Frisch
  • Patent number: 6536802
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly (22) comprises a structural carrier member (30) which is formed as one piece and has a first section (40) defining a first chamber (54) for receiving and supporting a first component (110). The structural carrier member (30) has a second section (80) defining a second chamber (92) for receiving and supporting a second component (130). The first component (110) comprises a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (114) received in the first chamber (54). The structural carrier member (30) further defines a deployment opening (55) through which the first protection device (114) is inflatable from the first chamber (54). The second component (130) comprises an occupant knee protection device (132) received in the second chamber (92) for helping to protect the vehicle occupant's legs in the event of a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG, TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Sutherland, Kevin M. Brown, Kirk W. Christiansen, Dirk Schultz, Bryan W. Shirk, Timothy A. Swann, Eric C. Erike, Vincent J. Mramor, Roy D. Van Wynsberghe
  • Patent number: 6536803
    Abstract: A folder (1) is provided which may be used to aid in document management and in the giving of formal presentations. The folder (1) is provided with an integral stand mechanism (25) for supporting the folder in an upright position, with the stand mechanism being moveable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The folder may also include other novel features, including a timepiece (23) and detachable wallets (11, 19) or papers that permit a user to configure the presentation folder in their preferred arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sofos Partnership Limited
    Inventor: Dave Masson
  • Patent number: 6536804
    Abstract: A high solids spin finish composition is provided that can be readily applied to synthetic fibers during the fiber-making process. The spin finish composition comprises a hydrocarbon surfactant and a fluorochemical emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Irvin F. Dunsmore, James R. Lockridge, Edward R. Hauser, Chetan P. Jariwala
  • Patent number: 6536805
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a connector assembly and a container for holding fluids. The connector assembly includes a first fitting defining a first aperture and a second fitting that is couplable to the first fitting and defines a second aperture. The container for holding fluids including a fitment, wherein one of the first and second fittings is directly coupled to the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventor: Vlado Ivan Matkovich
  • Patent number: 6536806
    Abstract: A high-pressure fuel injection pipe of doubled type, comprising: a thick outer tube; and an inner tube of made a metal and fitted in the outer tube to form a doubled pipe which is formed at its end portion with a connecting head having a face to be fitted on a seat of a mating partner. The outer tube is made of stainless steel or titanium, and the inner tube is formed of a thin metal having a high corrosion-resistance and a high strength and is doubled on the inner circumference of the outer tube throughout its entire length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventors: Tadahiro Uematsu, Nobuo Kato
  • Patent number: 6536807
    Abstract: A detachable coupling includes a housing having wall, an end that has an inner wall, and a receiving space that has an opening in the end. The opening and the receiving space receives a tubular insertion part that has a retaining rib. An indicating part is removably mounted to the end of the receiving housing and includes a support ring and a lever. The lever has a free end and a inner end and is pivotally mounted to the support ring and extends into the receiving space. A support projection is positioned on the inner end of the lever and contacts the inner wall. Insertion of the tubular insertion part causes the retaining rib to contact the free end of the lever and results in the pivoting of the lever. Pivoting of the lever disengages the support projection from the inner wall and dismounts the indicating part from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: A. Raymond & CIE
    Inventors: Albert Raymond, Erminio Moretti, Daniel Martin-Cocher, Hans-Jurgen Lesser
  • Patent number: 6536808
    Abstract: A joint of a soft tube comprises a tube joint, an inner sleeve, and an outer sleeve. The inner sleeve is inserted into the soft tube and then the soft tube is inserted into the outer sleeve; then the connecting end of the tube joint is inserted into the soft tube. Next, by a hand tool clamping the actuating ring to rotate the tube joint, the connecting end of the tube joint is screwed into the inner threaded hole of the inner sleeve. The connecting end will cause the section of the inner sleeve having slots to expand outwards. As a result, the corresponding wall of the soft tube will expand and thereby deform so as to tightly resist against the enlarged end of the outer sleeve. Thereby, radial and axially connecting forces are formed, the soft tube can be firmly and tightly secured to the tube joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Mao Kun Chang
  • Patent number: 6536809
    Abstract: A pivoting sleeve assembly for aligning a fluid delivery device perpendicular to a mounting surface when the fluid delivery device is mounted to a wall, the pivoting sleeve assembly made up of a fluid delivery device housed within a sleeve, the sleeve having a lower tubular portion and an upper arcuate portion, and an annular pivot ring, the inner surface thereof having an arcuate shape to conform to the shape of the upper arcuate portion of the sleeve, so that the sleeve may pivot within the contours of the pivot ring. This allows the sleeve to orient the fluid delivery device for proper mounting to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Garry Marty, Gerald McNerney, Scott Jones
  • Patent number: 6536810
    Abstract: A structure of a fluid passage output port of a fluid-operated apparatus comprises a first valve body composed of a resin material and formed with a fluid passage for allowing a fluid to flow therethrough; and a fluid passage output member formed of a resin material to have a substantially cylindrical configuration separately from the first valve body and screwed into a hole of the first valve body by the aid of a male thread; wherein a primary seal portion which intersects an axis of the fluid passage output member and a secondary seal portion which is substantially parallel to the axis are provided at a connecting portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Patent number: 6536811
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes mating hub sections engaged by outer split clamp elements that are compressed together against mating tapered surfaces of the hub sections to draw the hub sections together into tight fitting relationship. The clamp elements are driven into a compressed condition by an outer locking ring that fits over the split clamp elements to draw the hub sections together and to retain the hub sections against axial separation. The clamp elements have locking surfaces engageable by the locking ring and axial movement of the locking ring is limited by appropriate stop surfaces and retainers. A locking sleeve installation and removal tool utilizing an actuator system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Progressive Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ranson, Jr., William C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6536812
    Abstract: An adjustable-backset latch system for a lockset includes three main subsystems: a bolt retraction system, a backset-adjustment system and a deadlatching system. By virtue of the simplicity of the design of the backset-adjustment subsystem, the user can change the backset from 2⅜″ to 2¾″, and vice-versa with one hand. A pin is simply moved through a “U”-shaped slot formed in a housing and housing and bolt actuation components are extended simultaneously by the desired backset increment. The bolt retraction system of the present invention uses a cam in which the distance from a point about which the cam rotates and the end of the cam, and the distance to a smaller cam pin, are selected to multiply the relatively small angular distance transversed during a half-round rotation of the knob or handle into the desired retraction distance of a main bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: NewFrey LLC
    Inventor: Michael Winardi
  • Patent number: 6536813
    Abstract: The present invention includes a latch assembly, such as maybe useful for SMIF pods. SMIF pods are in general comprised of a pod door which mates with a pod shell to provide a sealed environment in which wafers may be stored and transferred. During wafer storage and transport, the pod door is typically held affixed to the pod shell by a latch assembly. When it is desired to separate the pod door from the pod shell, each latch must be actuated outwardly, to withdraw each engagement portion from the pod door, at which time the pod door may be separated. The present invention includes an improved such latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark V. Smith, Robert P. Wartenbergh, William P. Pennybacker
  • Patent number: 6536814
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock with a drive mechanism and an assigned actuating element for moving a detent pawl, the drive mechanism being coupled to the detent pawl via a coupling mechanism. Good functionality and high fault tolerance are achieved by the coupling mechanism being coupled only when the inside handle and/or the outside handle assigned to the motor vehicle door lock is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Brose Schliessysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Checrallah Kachouh
  • Patent number: 6536815
    Abstract: A tamper evident cargo seal to securely close a cargo container having a pair of doors and at least two spaced apart lock rods, the tamper evident cargo seal including a pair of retention assemblies disposed in engaging relation with the lock rods on opposite sides of a perimeter edge of the door and a cross brace including a generally elongate, rigid construction which is cooperatively associated with the retention assemblies so as to maintain the seal in engagement with the lock rods and prevent removal therefrom, and so as to secure the cross brace in closing relation across the perimeter edge of the door. A lock assembly is provided to secure the cross brace with the retention assemblies, to the container, and at least the cross brace includes a continuous surface pattern defined thereon which is structured to visibly indicate a severing of the cross brace therethrough and a subsequent re-attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey Howard Liroff
  • Patent number: 6536816
    Abstract: A door lock core is composed of a latch part, an operating part and a barrel. The latch part is received in the barrel and has a disk with a slot rotatably mounted at a rear end of the barrel. The latch part has a first latch plate extending through the slot and a latch bolt provided at a front end of the first latch plate. The operating part is provided at a rear side of the disk and has a pull plate extending through the slot. The pull plate has a hook attached to the first latch plate and assembled between two side plates. The side plates each have a positioning hole in alignment with each other and a hook attached in the slot. A ring is rotatably mounted at a front end of the barrel and the latch bolt extends out through the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Fang-Chang Fan
  • Patent number: 6536818
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle that includes a frame attached to the motor vehicle, a covering that covers the frame, and at least one set of self contained gas springs that are for attaching to the motor vehicle. The at least one set of self contained gas springs supporting the frame allows transition of acceleration to be smoothed, both upon initial contact of the bumper until its maximum compression, and between maximum compression of the bumper and end-deformation of the motor vehicle, while lowering deformation to the motor vehicle and shock to its passengers and lowering overall compression distance in the bumper to save the motor vehicle from further damage. The at least one set of self contained gas springs raises deceleration of impact during compression of the bumper, but lowers deceleration during deformation of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Nathan S. Moss
  • Patent number: 6536819
    Abstract: A barbecue tongs is provided wherein the arms are yieldingly outwardly biased. The tongs incorporate an arm pivot limiter for each of outward pivotal movement and inward pivotal movement as well as an arm lock that holds the arms in an almost fully jaws closed configuration for convenient storage. The tongs utilize a slidable U-shaped sleeve at the rear end which can have either one of two positions selected by a user. In one position, the arm lock is operational while in the second position the outward pivot limiter is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Nigel Wang, Alison A. Roach
  • Patent number: 6536820
    Abstract: A handle assembly for holding together a pair of bulky fluid supply containers, such as liquid foam reaction product containers is provided that has a unique force exerting characteristic. The two containers are encircled by a flexible band capable of tightening, while a wire form member is provided that attaches to the supply container handles. This wire form member may serve as a handle and it has two diverging leg portions with free ends that engage the handles of the supply containers. The leg portions exert an outward force due to their divergence on the supply containers to bias them outwardly against the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Flexible Products Co.
    Inventors: Michael C. Dean, Daniel P. Brown, Ross Wilson
  • Patent number: 6536821
    Abstract: A slide-out room for recreational vehicles, sleeper cabs of trucks, and similar mobile living quarters is supported for movement through an aperture in the side wall of the mobile living quarters by a set of four linkages, two of which are mounted between each side of the slide-out room in the corresponding side of the aperture of the side wall of the unit. When the slide-out room is fully retracted within the mobile living quarters, one of the linkages on each side of the slide-out room is fully extended and the other is fully collapsed. As the slide-out room is moved toward the fully-extended position, the other linkage gradually expands and the one linkage collapses, so in the fully extended, as well as the fully retracted position, the slide-out room is supported and aligned for movement through the aperture in the vehicle slide-out room, and the slide-out room is continuously supported as it travels between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Stewart Gardner
  • Patent number: 6536822
    Abstract: A wheelless carrier coupled to the hitch of a vehicle for carrying loads and for expanding the cargo bed. The cargo bed expander is provided with at least one gate. When catched, the gate functions as a stop to prevent the cargo from falling out of the cargo bed. And when the gate is seated, it creates a ramp between the gate's seat and the cargo bed expander. The cargo bed expander is raised to about the level of the cargo bed by at least one lift, and is dimensioned to allow clearance of the vehicle's tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: ProMax, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua E. Vagedes, W. David Lawson
  • Patent number: 6536823
    Abstract: A slide out room is a extended from a mobile living quarters to provide auxiliary space and is retracted into the mobile living quarters when the unit is to be moved by a pair of independent actuators. A control is provided which responds to signals generated by position sensors for each actuator to interpret a corresponding actuator whenever the position of one of the actuators exceeds the position of the other actuator by more then a predetermined offset. The actuators are stopped whenever they attain a corresponding “room in” or a “room out” stop limit. The stop limits are set by independently advancing the actuators after they have attained default limit to set the out and in stop limits independently between the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: VT Holdings II, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. McManus
  • Patent number: 6536824
    Abstract: A side gate assembly for use with flatbed article transport vehicles of the character having longitudinally spaced apart stake receiving pockets disposed along the sides of the bed. The side gate assembly comprises a plurality of hingedly interconnected gates that can be easily moved from a securely locked position on the truck bed into a folded positioned so as to permit the vehicle to be loaded from the side, as for example, using a conventional forklift truck. The side gate assembly also includes a novel, easy-to-use locking means for releasably locking the assembly securely in position along the side of the transport vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Raymond D Anderson
  • Patent number: 6536825
    Abstract: A control panel for a vehicle includes a housing defining a recess formed therein. A panel is movably attached to the housing and has at least one control mechanism mounted thereon. The panel is movable between a first position wherein the panel generally covers a portion of the recess, and a second position wherein the panel generally exposes the recess. Preferably, the housing defines a first surface within the recess, and a second control mechanism is mounted on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Tim McAndrew, Robert M. Schmidt, Paul C. Babcock, Richard Williams
  • Patent number: 6536826
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo box system is provided including a first brace member affixed to a surface of a wall of the vehicle, a first panel rotatably fastened to one edge of the brace member, and a second panel rotatably fastened to one edge of the first panel so as to enable the first and second panels to be deployed by rotating the respective panels in the appropriate direction. In this manner, a secure box-shaped enclosure is formed adjacent the cab portion of the vehicle and provides for storing tools and implements therein. When the cargo box is not required to be deployed, the respective panels are rotated in the appropriate opposite direction and are secured against the first brace member so as to increase the available cargo area on the bed surface of the vehicle. An optional second brace member is provided for engagement to the second panel to prevent unintended rotation of the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Plastech Engineered Products
    Inventor: Troy Reed
  • Patent number: 6536827
    Abstract: A flexible pick-up box enclosable liner for use in a motor vehicle having a pick-up box rear compartment. The flexible pick-up box liner includes an enclosable liner arranged to form a base portion, several sidewalls, and an upper portion, which collectively define an internal compartment, as well as an adjustable fastener system for selectively reducing and expanding the volume of the internal compartment. The liner preferably includes several fasteners for attaching the liner to a pick-up box, and a structural support system for retaining the upper portion of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J Oswald, Del C Schroeder, John Sabol, William W Doolittle, III
  • Patent number: 6536828
    Abstract: A vehicle solar windshield system comprising a front windshield composed of a first transition lens material, at least one side window composed of a second transition lens material and a rear windshield composed of a third transition lens material. In one embodiment, the first transition lens material has a first darkening strength, the second lens material has a second darkening strength which is greater than the first darkening strength and the third lens material has a third darkening strength which is greater than the second darkening strength. In a preferred embodiment, the transitional lens material is a photochromic lens material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest R. Love, Brenda J. Love
  • Patent number: 6536829
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is equipped with a protective sun shade (13), whose essential mechanical elements are housed in a roof interior space (6), above the headliner (5). The protective sun shade (13) is free of guide rails. Either the sun shade web (14) is sufficiently rigid, or its front edge is supported with the aid of guided guide and push rods (42), (43) in such a way that its front or lower edge (21) is held in contact with the respective pane (8). A gear motor (25) is provided for operating, i.e. retracting and extending the window shade web (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Bos GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner P. Schlecht, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 6536830
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, has a convertible top frame assembly pivotably mounted on convertible top bearings located on the body. A working cylinder composed of a cylinder and a piston rod is mounted on the top frame assembly adjacent to at least one top bearing to open and close the convertible top. Both ends of the piston rod of the working cylinder are permanently mounted on the top bearing and the cylinder and movably mounted on the piston rod, is operationally linked with a drive lever that opens and closes the folding top, oil is supplied under pressure to the working cylinder through bores in the stationary piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Hartmut Mayer, Uwe Henn
  • Patent number: 6536831
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a folding top having a flexible roof skin and a folding top frame constructed in mirror image fashion to a longitudinal median plane of the vehicle. The folding top includes a frame part having a window frame for surrounding a rear window and including side legs and an upper transverse leg extending between the side legs. The folding top can be transferred into or out of a folding top compartment at a rear of the vehicle by shifting it about a main bearing. The frame part also includes a clamping collar having a basic strut situated below the rear window and side struts alongside the basic strut. The frame part can be swiveled by more than 90° during the movement of the folding top into an open position and is hinged by connecting parts directly at the folding top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Rothe, Klaus Russeke
  • Patent number: 6536832
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door includes structural parts for providing the rigidness of the vehicle door and includes a structural element and a lining element. The door further includes function components for providing vehicle door functions like a window panel with a regulator. At least one of the structural parts serves as a support of the function components. In order to reduce the number of individual components, at least one of the structural parts forms a completely shaped composite or sandwich part having a plastic based matrix and further having several of the function components included to serve a rigidness providing bodies. The bodies are molded into the plastic based matrix by the plastic based matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Arvin Meritor GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Grimm, Klaus-Dieter Strauss, Daniel Drewniok, Harald Kollner, Georg Wurm, Arnd G. Herwig, Patrick Hof, Simon Blair Dobson, Gregory Keyes, Kenneth W. Schang
  • Patent number: 6536833
    Abstract: A weather strip has a base portion and seal lips. The base portion has a base bottom portion attached to a door frame, side wall portions extending from substantially opposite sides of the base bottom portion, and a bridge portion connecting the opposite side wall portions. A hollow portion is formed by these portions. An exterior-side seal lip is provided to extend from a substantially border portion between the exterior-side side wall portion and the bridge portion. An interior-side seal lip is provided to extend from the bridge portion more interior than the exterior-side seal lip. In the bridge portion, the opposite sides of the root portion of the interior-side seal lip are formed into thin portions respectively. Thus, when the door is closed, even if the gap is narrowed, the interior-side seal lip is bent and the bridge portion is deformed easily in the thin portions so that the repulsion stress is restrained from increasing conspicuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 6536834
    Abstract: A door weather strip with seal lips attached thereto, fitted to a door sash, and provided with a gap of a given magnitude on a vertical plane between edges of respective seal lips of both an extrusion molded part on the side of a roof and an extrusion molded part on the side of a center pillar, a reinforcing rib is provided over the whole length of a seal lip of a molded part, which connects the extrusion molded parts with each other to form a corner section. The reinforcing rib is located on the interior side of an automobile where no elastic contacts with a body panel is being made, thereby preventing the waving from occurring to the molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamashita, Masaki Soda
  • Patent number: 6536835
    Abstract: A door module panel is initially mounted with a door harness and is provided with a panel hole at a position where a descending window glass does not interfere. The door harness is wired from a first surface facing a passenger compartment of the door module panel to a second surface facing a door frame through the panel hole. The door module panel has a side face, from a middle portion of which a protruding member is extended and bent towards the door frame. The protruding member includes a harness hole, through which is passed the door harness extending from the second surface of the door module panel. The door harness is then fitted into the harness hole with a grommet. The door frame is provided with a side panel notched with a groove. When the door module panel is incorporated into the door frame, the protruding member fits into the notched groove on the same plane. The door harness thus can be installed very easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Murakami, Seiji Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 6536836
    Abstract: A wind deflector assembly for a roll tarping system mounted on a vehicle includes a pair of side mounting plates, each associated with a corresponding opposite end of the roll tarping system. Each of the mounting plates includes a first edge and at least one flange projecting from a notch formed in the first edge of the mounting plate. An elongated deflector plate includes at least one variable location mounting element defined on an inner surface thereof. Each mounting element is arranged to be aligned with a corresponding flange when the deflector plate is mounted to the side mounting plates. The flange includes a fastener opening, while the mounting element includes a T-slot and channel. At least two fasteners are provided for connecting the deflector plate to each side mounting plate. The fastener can include a bolt sized to slide within the T-slot and channel, and a nut that is threaded onto the bolt when it extends from the mounting element through the opening in the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Aero Industries
    Inventor: Steven A. Henning
  • Patent number: 6536837
    Abstract: There is provided a cab structure that a joint portion of a cab and a chassis frame has sufficient shear strength and which can disperse external force to the entire cab or chassis frame to reduce the burden of load and can sufficiently resist the impact load in the longitudinal direction. A front end portion of a cab-under-frame fixed to the outer surface of the floor panel is extended toward a front upper side, and a cab mount bracket is also extended toward a front upper side so that they are integrally joined with a front mounting rail. As a result, these three components are firmly fastened to disperse the incoming force in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Youichi Ishida, Masakatsu Takagi
  • Patent number: 6536838
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in its roof, the front part of which opening can be closed by a first panel which is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis at the front edge thereof, while the remaining part of the roof opening can be closed by means of at least one slidable second panel, comprises a wind deflecting arrangement that functions as a wind deflector. Said wind deflection arrangement can be moved rearwards and upwards, using suitable driving means, from a position of rest under the first panel to an operative position substantially above and behind the first panel. The wind deflection apparatus may be pivotable about a horizontal pivot that extends substantially transversely to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Inalfa Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Wilhelmus Maria Nabuurs, Gerardus Petrus Maria Nellissen
  • Patent number: 6536839
    Abstract: A fastening structure for chairs located between a rear foot and a back support of a leisure chair for preventing the leisure chair from unintentionally folding includes a latch sleeve slidably mounted on the rear foot and a fastener pivotally engaged with the rear foot and the back support. When the leisure chair is extended, the latch sleeve may be moved to engage with the fastener to prevent the fastener from moving away from the rear foot such that the rear foot and back support will maintain a latched and engaged relationship thereby to prevent the leisure chair from unintentional folding to ensure users safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Lausan Liu