Patents Issued in July 31, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030141691
    Abstract: An ambulatory device comprising a frame having support rails, two large rear wheels containing hand grasps, two small front wheels for steering, a foldable seat allowing the user to sit when desirable, and a height-adjustable support frame having a vertical and horizontal section rising from the frame. A body halter holding the user is optionally rotatably supported by a horizontal support bar which is connected by connector ropes or cables to a T-shaped support bar. Alternatively, the body halter is directly connected to connector ropes which pass by pulleys or through horizontal tubular sections to attach to a scale. The support frame is made height adjustable by a winch or a hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Max C. Perena
  • Publication number: 20030141692
    Abstract: An ambulatory device comprising a frame having support rails, two large rear wheels containing hand grips, two small front wheels for steering, a foldable seat allowing the user to sit when desirable, and a height-adjustable support frame having a vertical and horizontal section rising from the frame. A body halter holding the user is rotatably supported by a swivel support which is connected by connector ropes or cables to a support bar. The support bar is connected by connector ropes or cables to a winch which lifts and lowers the user. An optional scale may be present so that the amount of weight of the user supported by the device may be measured and controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Max C. Perena
  • Publication number: 20030141693
    Abstract: A vehicle for children comprises a frame, a driving member rotatably mounted to a rear end of the frame, a rear steering rod, a driven member, and a belt. The frame comprises a head tube on a front end thereof. A handlebar stem extends through the head tube and is pivotable relative to the head tube. A handlebar is attached to an upper end of the handlebar stem to turn therewith. The rear steering rod includes a lower end attached to the driving member to turn therewith and an upper end for manual operation. The driven member is securely attached to the handlebar stem to turn therewith. The belt is mounted around the driving member and the driven member such that the driven member is turned when the driving member is turned as a result of turning of the rear steering bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Jung-Jyh Wu
  • Publication number: 20030141694
    Abstract: A bicycle including a frame member provided with a front wheel mounted on a shaft and a rear wheel mounted on a shaft, a saddle provided with a stepped tube for adjustably receiving the saddle to a rear portion of the frame member, a handlebar assembly rotatably attached to a front portion of the frame member, a fork assembly extending through the front portion of the frame member, said fork assembly being connected at one end to the handlebars and at the other end to the front wheel, a front fender and rear fender operatively associated with the frame member and extending over the front and rear wheels, respectively, a pair of pedals extending from opposite sides of the frame member, sprocket wheels connected to the pedals and the rear wheel, a drive chain for engaging the sprocket wheels, wherein the front portion of the frame member terminates in a tubular end that receives the fork assembly and the handlebars, and a lower portion of the frame member separates into two leg members which extend along opposi
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Joaquim Matias De Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20030141695
    Abstract: A folding structure for a child tricycle comprises a handle inserted with a vertical tube into a head tube of a frame, a frame divided into a front and a rear sections pivoted together, a seat, and a shock absorber. Wherein, one end of a flexible cord is fixed in the vertical tube of the handle and another end fixed in the head tube then secured with a quick-release connector. The front section of the seat is pivoted to the front section of the frame and the rear section of the seat is connected to one end of the shock absorber while another end of the shock absorber is pivoted to the rear section of the frame. A protruding pin and a convex plate provided with a positioning hole at a rear end of the front section of the frame and correspondingly, a lateral stop and a fastener at a front end of the rear section of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Ting-Hsing Chen
  • Publication number: 20030141696
    Abstract: A stretchable bicycle comprises a separate but connectable crossbar consisting of a sliding bar extended rearward from a head tube of front frame and a cross tube fixed to a support tube of rear frame, the cross tube being adapted to telescopically receive and permit the sliding bar to project from its rear end. Also, two quick-releases are provided for fastening the sliding bar at both ends of the cross tube respectively. Hence, a distance between two wheels can be adjusted by sliding a desired portion of the sliding bar inside the cross tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Hung Chang Chao
  • Publication number: 20030141697
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing an agricultural implement to a hitch receiving member of a vehicle including at least first, second and third tongue members where each tongue member forms a passageway and the members are arranged in a telescoping fashion where the second member is received within the first member passageway and the third member is received in the second member passageway, the apparatus also including at least first and second hydraulic cylinders for extending the second and third members from the first and second member passageways, respectively, wherein at least one of the cylinders is mounted externally of the members and the other cylinder may be mounted either internally or externally and including a single stage locking mechanism for locking stage members in each of the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Paluch, James G. Jamilosa, Geoffrey E. Cherry
  • Publication number: 20030141698
    Abstract: A pivotal hitch assembly (14) includes a housing (22) that is pivotally coupled to mounting plates (57) and (58) that are rigidly attached to a draw bar (60) of a trailer. The housing includes a pair of connector tubes (56) that receive pins (63), (64) that couple the housing (22) to the mounting plates (57), (58). The housing (22) is manufactured from a single blank of material. The connector tubes (56) are formed by bending or rolling a portion of the blank into a generally tubular shape. Bending or folding of the blank forms the housing such that the housing is generally U-shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Publication number: 20030141699
    Abstract: This invention relates to hitch covers that are high quality, 100% metal that can be easily installed and removed, yet able to be securely locked in place. Even more specifically, the motorcyclist's receiver hitch cover generally includes a permanent faceplate made from a motorcycle timer cover, transmission end cover or other plate that simulates a prefabricated motorcycle accessory. Of course the design on the front most face of the cover is not limited to the skull design, but can include any desired motorcycle cover design including wings, flames or other widely accepted motorcycle symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Darrel Eugene Collins
  • Ski
    Publication number: 20030141700
    Abstract: A ski design for both advanced and beginner skiers with a reverse camber, a convex bottom surface, and the width of the ski in the middle portion is larger than the width of the ski at either the front portion or the rear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Turner, Ryan Carroll, Shane McConkey
  • Publication number: 20030141701
    Abstract: The invention relates to a snowboard binding provided with a base plate (11) for supporting a sports shoe (3), having at least one respective extension (42, 43) in the peripheral regions (33, 34) thereof on either side of its longitudinal axis for retaining a respective leg (31, 32) of a U- or bow-shaped support element (24). This bow-shaped support element (24) bears a support (25) in the form of a back support (26) disposed in the region of its base (28) and mounted so as to pivot to a limited degree and/or this support element (24) is provided as a stop restriction for a support (25) mounted on the extensions (42, 43) of the base plate (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Helmut Holzer
  • Publication number: 20030141702
    Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a gas bag wall, which in the unfolded state of the gas bag (22) delimits an indentation (30) with an orifice (28) or an opening, and a closure piece (40) fastened to the gas bag wall, which in the inflated state moves in front of the orifice (28) of the indentation or in front of the opening and covers it. The closure piece (40) is formed from at least two covering pieces, arranged one over the other, overlapping each other, which respectively have a margin section which is not fastened to the gas bag wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Keutz
  • Publication number: 20030141703
    Abstract: An air bag system comprising: a housing/inflator assembly and an air bag assembly operatively linked to the housing/inflator assembly to receive inflation gas to inflate an air bag of the air bag assembly, the housing/inflator assembly comprising: a plurality of inflators, each inflator including at least one exit port near a first end thereof, each inflator having a respective opposite second end, the housing/inflator assembly further including: a housing means for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflators positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflators and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd D. Fowler, Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
  • Publication number: 20030141704
    Abstract: An airbag module with a gas generator, a gas bag, a housing containing an exit opening for the deploying gas bag, and a holder. The gas generator and holder are located inside the gas bag, and the gas generator is fixed to the housing. The holder (19) has a support area (20) and at least one deflector segment (21, 22) directed toward the exit opening (13). The holder is placed between the gas generator (14) and the housing (10). The deflector segment at least partially surrounds the gas generator (14) and directs the gas generated by the gas generator (14) into at least one of a plurality of fold packets (16, 17, 18) of the gas bag (15) placed on both sides of the deflector segment (21, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Sommer, Thomas Reiter, Peter Kleeberger, Jorg Albert
  • Publication number: 20030141705
    Abstract: For accommodating and fixing a substantially cylindrical inflator to an inflator holder, a method for fixing an inflator includes the steps of providing the first, second, and third press parts on an internal surface of the inflator holder at different locations in the peripheral direction of the inflator; inserting the inflator into the inflator holder from one end of the inflator holder; and pressing the inflator at the first, second, and third press parts from an external periphery to fix the inflator. It is arranged that any of included angles between lines from a center of the inflator to the respective press parts is less than 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetomo Oka, Kazuhiko Joujima
  • Publication number: 20030141706
    Abstract: A system for venting an air bag module having an air bag cushion retainer ring, an air bag cushion, an inflator, at least one spring positioned and compressed between the inflator and the air bag cushion retainer ring, a pyrotechnic rivet, sensors, and a restraint control module. If variable venting is required, the restraint control module signals the pyrotechnic rivet to release and the spring to urge one of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring away from the other of the inflator or air bag cushion retainer ring to create an opening between the retainer ring and the inflator to allow venting of the gas from inside the air bag cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Lemon, Sean Timothy Ryan
  • Publication number: 20030141707
    Abstract: A hidden air bag assist includes a skin (12) having inner and outer sides. A liquid contaminant (14) is disposed within the skin (12) such that the contaminant (14) is not visible through the outer side. The contaminant (14) creates a weakened area or frangible line within the skin and defines a passageway for allowing an airbag to deploy therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Robert S. Sevigny, Alan R. Deeks
  • Publication number: 20030141708
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion for protecting occupants of a vehicle in a side impact, rollover, or other crash situation is presented. The airbag cushion has at least two inflatable protection zones. Each protection zone is configured to protect an occupant in a different seat of the vehicle. An inflation channel receives pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas and directs the gas into the inflatable airbag. Each protection zone is separated from any adjacent protection zones by a connection zone. At least one communication channel allows the pressurized gas to flow between the protection zones. The gas flow between protection zones allows the pressure within the separate protection zones to equalize. The airbag cushion may have three protection zones and is configured to protect an occupant of a vehicle having pillars A through D. The first, second, and third protecting zones for protecting an occupant seated in the front, middle, and rear seats of the vehicle respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Mark L. Enders
  • Publication number: 20030141709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the side airbag apparatus, which deploys an airbag between an occupant of a vehicle and a sidewall of said vehicle in order to protect the occupant in the event of side collision of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Honda, Yusuke Nishida, Fumio Umezawa
  • Publication number: 20030141710
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flow-guiding device for guiding at least one gas flow for filling an airbag of an airbag module. According to the invention, at least one connecting means (32) is provided for feeding an external gas flow originating from an external source to a generator gas flow originating from a gas generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Matthias Zahn, Sonja Rausch, Thomas Webert, Thomas Zoller
  • Publication number: 20030141711
    Abstract: An occupant restraining device (S1) is provided with: a shielding member (41) to be let off from the peripheral edge (DW/VW) of a vehicle window (WF) arranged in a door of a vehicle, so as to shield the window; and a let-off means (81, 86, 87) for letting off the housed shielding member (41) so as to shield the window (WF). The shielding member (41) and the let-off means (81, 86, 87) are arranged in the door (FD). A garnish (21) is arranged on the peripheral edge of the door (FD) for covering the housed shielding member (41) so that the shielding member (41) is let off. An airbag device (ABM) can be arranged in the vehicle without any problem even if the occupant restraining device (S1) is mounted together with the airbag device (ABM) on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Michio Inoue, Chiharu Totani, Toshinori Tanase, Takuji Nagata, Shuji Inui, Shinji Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20030141712
    Abstract: A front body structure is provided to restrain a collision load, which has been applied on a front wheel by a vehicle front collision, to be concentrated on a front end of a side sill excessively. In the structure, a front energy absorbing member 23 is attached to a back face of a lateral end of a bumper 21. A recess 18 is formed by a front end of the side sill 7 and a front face of an outrigger 15. A rear energy absorbing member 19 is attached into the recess 18. The outrigger 15 connects the side sill 7 with a front side member extension 5 joined to the rear end of a front side member 3. At the vehicle front collision, the front energy absorbing member 23 interferes with the right-and-front part of the front wheel 1 to allow the left-and-front part of the front wheel 1 to interfere with the side face of the front side member 3 and also allow the rear part of the wheel 1 to interfere with the rear energy absorbing member 19.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Miyasaka
  • Publication number: 20030141713
    Abstract: A shield for controlling air, spray and airborne debris generated by a wheel of an automotive vehicle when travelling on a roadway surface. The shield is comprised of a planar frame having front and rear surfaces and top, side and bottom borders. The shield is adapted to be disposed above the roadway surface vertically depending from the vehicle and spaced rearwardly from the vehicle wheel in a plane extending transversely to the vehicle. A plurality of downwardly and rearwardly oriented louvers fixed on the frame to extend rearwardly beyond its rear surface, so as to be oriented horizontally (when the shield is in position on the vehicle) between the side borders, and the louvers are shaped so as to permit when the vehicle is moving flow of air, spray and airborne debris through the shield and downward deflection thereof as they pass between louvers. The louvers are extended across the frame, from top to bottom in adjacent fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Morin, Dale Richard Vranckx
  • Publication number: 20030141714
    Abstract: An attachment means (4) in the form of a hollow cylindrical socket (10) integral with a tangentially intersecting housing (30) in which a latch pin (8) is longitudinally slidable. The latch pin (8) has a cylindrical head (8a) of relatively large diameter but relatively short length, and a cylindrical shaft (8b) that is relatively long but of relatively small diameter. The axis of the latch housing is offset outwardly of an imaginary line tangentially intersecting the bore of the socket by more than half the diameter of the latch pin shaft (8b) but less than half the diameter of the latch pin head (8b). The latch pin (8) is biased by a spring (7) such that the latch pin head (8a) normally lies partly within the bore of the socket (10) to engage a notch (12) near the end of a rod (5) or other plug-like member attached to the socket (10) and thereby positively retain this rod (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: George Alexander Matthew
  • Publication number: 20030141715
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically folding a sheet of media, for example, a photographic paper about a fold line, such that a album page is formed. The photosensitive media has images only on one side. A heat activated adhesive sheet is provided between the sides of the photographic paper during folding. The adhesive sheet when exposed to heated and pressure rollers, will cause the sides of the photographic media to be secured to form a single album page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph A. Manico, Frank Jergler, John R. Squilla
  • Publication number: 20030141716
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing a water main break are provided. The apparatus includes opposed clamping members actuated by a handle and fastening mechanism. The apparatus may be temporarily positioned at least partially around a break in a water main to thereby contain water gushing out of the break, until a permanent repair band may be positioned over the break.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel K. Azar
  • Publication number: 20030141717
    Abstract: A pipe connector (10) including a joining portion (12) having a port (14) for connection of a first pipe thereto, the joining portion also having a wall for connection of a second pipe thereto, the second pipe being able to be connected to the wall by boring a hole through the wall and bonding the second pipe thereto, the wall having a shape such that the pipe may be bonded to the wall at a plurality of angles with respect to the port, whereby, in use, the pipe connector (10) can connect the first pipe to the second pipe at a plurality of angles with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Shane John Wormall
  • Publication number: 20030141718
    Abstract: A joint for joining the ends of two pipes (12, 14) has a socket (or box) on the end of one pipe (14) into which the end (30) of the other pipe is inserted. The part (36) of the socket which surrounds the inserted pipe has an external tapered surface (38). A correspondingly tapered sleeve (42) surrounds the socket and can be moved axially to apply a compressive force to the taper on the socket which is thus compressed inward against the inserted pipe end to frictionally grip the inserted pipe end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Bernard Herman Van Bilderbeek
  • Publication number: 20030141719
    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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Progressive Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ranson, William C. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20030141720
    Abstract: A wind energy catchment device comprising a central vertical shaft that rotates, the bottom end of which is secured by means of bearings to a rigid support fixed to the ground, the upper and lower part of the shaft have radial arms secured to it, evenly spaced one from the other, the outer ends of the upper arms are connected by cables or cords with its contiguous outer ends of the lower arms, between the upper and lower radial arms and the central shaft there are rectangular parallelepiped sails secured at their outer vertices. In all cases the furthest external vertical side of these sails or plates is secured and the sails or plates rotates from 90° to 180° with or around their shafts, cables or ropes that connect the ends of the arms, having both internal vertices loose, between the central shaft and two contiguous arms are arranged some parallel cords or mesh that support the sails or plates when they receive the air on the side of the mesh furthest from the wind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Manuel Munoz Saiz
  • Publication number: 20030141721
    Abstract: A system for the generation of electrical power using an improved 600-watt to 900-watt wind turbine system. The system comprises a wind driven generator utilizing an array of uni-directional carbon fiber turbine blades, an air-ducting nose cone, and a supporting tower structure. Additionally, a method of blade fabrication utilizing expanding foam, to achieve improved blade edge strength, is disclosed. The support tower utilizes a compressive coupler that permits standard fence pipe to be joined without welding or drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Lexington P. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20030141722
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a first article in stationary relationship to a second article where the first article and second article lie in offset planes when in a closed position. The apparatus may include a latch handle mounted in fixed relation to the first article with a plunger connected to the latch handle and responsive to movement of the latch handle. The latch handle may be articulated between a closed position and an open position such that the plunger is moved between a respective latched position and an unlatched position. A latching flange may be mounted in fixed relation to the second article such that the plunger engages a portion of the latching flange when the plunger is in the latched position to prevent the first article and the second article from moving in a lateral relation to each other. The first article and the second article may be prevented from moving in a substantially planar relation to each other when the first article and the second article are in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Ernest Mayo Smith, Terry Lee Adams
  • Publication number: 20030141723
    Abstract: The invention relates in particular to the field of equipment with pivoting handles (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Gilles Labrousse, Alain Tantet
  • Publication number: 20030141724
    Abstract: The description relates to an electrically lockable swivel lever actuating mechanism (10) comprising a dish (14) which can be placed on a door leaf or the like (12) and in which an actuation lever (16) for a closure, such as a sash closure or bar closure (80), is mounted in such a way that it can be moved out of a position in which it is swiveled out of the dish and in which it enables actuation of the closure into a position in which it is swiveled into the dish and in which it does not allow actuation of the closure and in which it can be locked by an electromechanical lock device (28). According to the invention, the electromechanical lock device (28) is a constructional unit (26) which can be inserted into the dish (14), and a pin (28) or projection can be moved out or swiveled out from the constructional unit (26) by means of an electric control signal for locking the actuation lever (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Publication number: 20030141725
    Abstract: A door lock assembly includes a rose having a peripheral flange which has a recess defined therein. A handle is connected to an outer surface of said rose and a mounting plate is connected to said inner surface of said rose. A lock device is located between the rose and the mounting plate. Two retaining members extend from an inner surface of said rose and two engaging members extend from said mounting plate. The engaging members are force-fitted to said retaining members. The mounting plate has a groove defined therethrough so that the lock device is engaged with said groove and a latch is connected to said lock device and extends through said recess of said peripheral flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Miao-Hsueh Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030141726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle bumper with an inside bumper unit which can be fastened to a vehicle body and a bumper outside unit which is fastened section-wise to the bumper inside part. According to the invention the inside bumper unit supports the outside bumper unit solely in the area of its sill portion which is to be arranged under a vehicle trunk lid. Use for lightweight bumpers for motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Steffen Burkhardt, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
  • Publication number: 20030141727
    Abstract: A bumper comprises a hat beam (11) adapted to have its crown directed towards the vehicle body, a cover (20) attached to the side flanges (17, 18) of the hat beam and having a longitudinal recess (21) that extends into the hat beam, and an energy absorbing foamed body (22) that fills out the recess and extends with its major part out of the recess. If the foamed body widens out over the side flanges (17, 18) of the hat beam, these widened parts (25) should have recesses (31) that prevent these parts from being fully compacted before the part therebetween is compacted if the bumper hits a pedestrian's leg. A closed cross-section beam having a longitudinal recess can also be employed in the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20030141728
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing bumper with a structural part of foam material or the like which is arranged underneath an outer skin or shell, supports the outer skin or shell in a flexible manner and is arranged between a collision contact zone of the outer skin or shell and a rear side of the bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Eduardo Arvelo, Gary Brown, Thomas Frank, Klaus Rathje, Maya Ziegs
  • Publication number: 20030141729
    Abstract: 1. Bumper support, bumper and motor vehicle with bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Steffen Burkhardt, Dietmar Preissler, Anton Sautner
  • Publication number: 20030141730
    Abstract: The Pallet-Pull presents a method for moving and pulling shipping pallets. Such pallets can be made of many different materials and sizes. The device can be attached to any forklift or any thing capable of pulling, such as but not limited to front end loaders, forklifts, farm tractors, and any machine capable of pulling laterally. The device is designed to work in conjunction with a steel chain. Said chain is attached to the device. The chain can be attached or extended by other chains or cables to form the needed length to extract or move pallet. This chain by its very nature allows attachment to a wide Variety of equipment. The device is placed inside the frame work of the pallet, and is held in place by lateral pressure from pulling equipment. The device applies friction to 2 places on the pallet creating a firm hold for lateral pulling. Pallet is then pulled to desired placement, and the device can easily be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Randy Richard Sawtelle, Michael Jerome Kallas
  • Publication number: 20030141731
    Abstract: A van, such as a panel van, is shown which has a driver's cab, a load space behind the cab, and a bulkhead separating the cab from the load space. The van has a bulkhead which can be moved backwards and forwards within the van to vary the relative volumes of the cab and the load space. The bulkhead may carry seats which can be folded up against the bulkhead, to be out of use, when the bulkhead is in its forward position and can be folded down to provide a row of rear seats in the cab when the bulkhead is in its rear position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick Hugh Betts, Julian Charles Lovett
  • Publication number: 20030141732
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for extending a slide-out section of a vehicle includes a pair of rail supports secured to a vehicle frame and a pair of rail members connected to the slide-out section with one rail member slidably engaging each rail support. Each rail member is driven by its own rack and pinion arrangement. A shaft connects the pinions so that movement of the rail members is synchronized using a single drive unit. A pair of rollers are mounted to each rail support, one roller on each side of the racks, to support the rack relative to the associated pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy L. Nye, Robert H. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030141733
    Abstract: An extendable cargo bed system for land vehicles that allows operation with the cargo bed stored and out of the way during normal day to day operation of the vehicle is presented. It has particular application to pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The extendable cargo bed system is easily deployed by hand or actuators and includes night and brake lighting members so that it passes government highway regulations. A rear window that swings out of the way which is particularly valuable for sport utility vehicles is also offered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Donald E. Burg
  • Publication number: 20030141734
    Abstract: An arrangement consists of a drive mechanism unit (1) for moving a cover (9) in an motor vehicle, wherein the drive mechanism unit (1) comprises a motor (2) for moving at least one drive element (7) connected with the cover (9). The drive mechanism unit (1) or at least parts of the drive mechanism unit (1) are disposed in the region of the vehicle roof or on the vehicle roof. The at least one drive element is mounted or housed in or on the D-column or another body part. The space required for installation was kept to a minimum. The drive is such that the cover (9) is extended and retracted uniformly. Mounting is quick and simple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Horst Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030141735
    Abstract: A vehicle cargo rack is provided with a carrier member and a carrier positioning device for positioning the carrier member. The carrier member is positionable in at least a deployed position and a stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN DESIGN AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Alfonso E. Albaisa, John Cupit
  • Publication number: 20030141736
    Abstract: A vehicle has multiple movable driving positions resulting from a seat which is movable with respect to the vehicle chassis and has a driver's vehicle interface which moves with the seat. A wire bundle interconnects the driver's vehicle interface with controls for driving the vehicle. In one embodiment, a carousel rotates and a seat on the carousel revolves and rotates so that the seat continues to face forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Adrian B. Chernoff, Eugenio Pagliano
  • Publication number: 20030141737
    Abstract: A power seat for a vehicle is provided with an upper channel fixedly attached to a seat, a lower channel fixedly attached to a floor of the vehicle, a nut unit fixedly attached to one of the upper channel and the lower channel, a driver shaft passing through the nut unit, a motor mounted on the other one of the upper channel and the lower channel, a transmission unit for transmitting a torque of the motor to the driver shaft. The nut unit includes a nut block having an internally threaded through hole through which the driver shaft passes, a holder having a front standing wall, a rear standing wall, and a coupling portion coupling the front standing wall and the rear standing wall so as to define a space for holding the nut block, each of the front standing wall and the rear standing wall having buttress walls projecting outward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Shinji Nishimoto, Takashi Kurashita
  • Publication number: 20030141738
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of assembly for securely attaching an instrument panel to an automobile. In one embodiment of the invention, a housing containing electronic components for the instrument panel is attached to the frame structure of an automobile. The bezel panel containing the control and display areas is then attached to the housing. The cover panel is then attached to the bezel panel and the housing by fasteners extending through the bezel panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Britta Straesser
  • Publication number: 20030141739
    Abstract: The present invention provides sunshade apparatuses for automobile. An awning (12) is mounted above roof carry bars (10) of a vehicle. Within seconds of manual operation, the awing can either be retracted to occupy a small area typically 0.7×8 feet or be fully extended to generate a large rectangular shade area typically 7×8 feet above the automobile roof. If front part of the awning is made of a semi-transparent material for safe driving consideration of not blocking traffic lights, the awning may be manually retracted or extended by a driver within seconds even when the driver is driving. The sunshade apparatuses comprise multi-parallelogram shaped supporters (16). These supporters are extendable and retractable along the direction of vehicle width. Awning ribs (14) or awning rollers are perpendicularly mounted on the multi-parallelogram shaped supporters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Dahai Dong, Eugene Yuejin Chang
  • Publication number: 20030141740
    Abstract: A truck bed cover lock having two locking units positioned to interact with the existing latch locks present on most bed covers. Each locking unit contains an actuator which is electronically connected to the existing or added on electric locks in a truck. When the door locks in the truck are electrically locked the actuators extend a sliding latch into position behind the latch locks present on the bed cover thereby preventing the bed cover from being opened. Conversely, when the truck locks are electrically unlocked the actuators retract the sliding locks and permit the bed cover to be opened. The invention may be an OEM (factory) item, or an aftermarket item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Mark A. Comstock