Patents Issued in January 2, 2007
  • Patent number: 7156399
    Abstract: A sealing device comprises a sealing member brought into contact with a contact surface so as to be slidable in a predetermined sliding direction. The sealing member comprises a sliding contact portion containing a high polymer material to be brought into sliding contact with the contact surface. A plurality of recessed or protruding streaks, which are independent of one another, are provided side by side so as to constitute a column on a surface of the sliding contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liming Lou
  • Patent number: 7156400
    Abstract: A seal assembly provides a rotating portion and a rotationally fixed portion. The rotating portion includes a running sleeve, a slinger segment and an upper seal segment. The slinger segment radially extends outward of the fixed portion so as to protect the fixed portion. The fixed portion includes a press fit outer diameter which is pressed into an opening located within the assembly. A seal mount segment located receives a resilient annular seal which rides upon the running sleeve and the upper seal segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jack Darrin Oates
  • Patent number: 7156401
    Abstract: A gasket well/gasket combination (30) is provided, and may be particularly useful for use in a header/tank assembly (12) for a heat exchanger (10). The combination (30) includes a gasket well (32) defined by a base wall (36) and a side wall (38) extending upwardly from the base wall (36), with the side wall (38) including an upwardly opening slot (40) having a width (SW). The combination further includes an elastomeric gasket (34) shaped to be received in the gasket well (32) and compressed between the base wall (36) and a mating part to form a sealed connection. The gasket (34) includes a seal bead (50) and a locating feature (52) having a tab (62) extending outwardly from the seal bead (50) to a terminal end (64) of the tab (62), with the tab (62) having a transverse width that does not increase from the seal bead (50) to the terminal end (64). The transverse width is larger than the slot width (SW) with the tab (62) in an undeformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Brian A. Merklein, Joseph P. Anders
  • Patent number: 7156402
    Abstract: A drill chuck has a chuck body centered on and rotatable about an axis and having a screwthread, a main sleeve axially fixed but rotatable about the axis on the body and formed centered on the axis with a plurality of angled forwardly open guides, and respective clamping jaws displaceable in the guides. A pusher axially engageable with clamping jaws is axially forwardly displaceable relative to the chuck body to shift the clamping jaws axially forward and radially inward in the respective guides and axially rearwardly displaceable relative to the chuck body to shift the clamping jaws axially rearward and radially outward in the respective guides. A coupling jaw threadedly engaging the screwthread of the chuck body is engageable with the pusher for axially coupling the coupling jaw to the pusher. The sleeve is coupled positively to the coupling jaw for joint rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rohm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Mack
  • Patent number: 7156403
    Abstract: A motorcycle towing device (12) for flat bed tow trucks (6) and wheel lift tow trucks (8) has a front wheel support plate (44) having a front wheel lateral support member (48), and a rear wheel support plate (100) having rear wheel lateral support members (124, 126). Tie down straps 24 secure a motorcycle (10) to the front wheel support plate (44) and to the front wheel lateral support member (48), and to the rear wheel support plate (100) and between the rear wheel lateral support members (124, 126). In one embodiment, the front wheel support plate (44) and the rear wheel support plate (100) are mounted to casters (84) for loading the motorcycle (10) onto the flat bed tow truck (6). In another embodiment, the front wheel support plate (44) and the rear wheel support plate (100) are mounted to a wheel lift tow truck (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Eleanor G. Taylor Trust
    Inventor: Larry Bruce Abbott
  • Patent number: 7156404
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a height of suspension of a vehicle frame includes a first end of a shock absorber mounted to a suspension arm and a top end of a shock absorber slidably attached to a frame of the vehicle and is movable in a first plane of travel. An adjusting member is slidably attached to the frame and movable within a second plane of travel non-parallel to the first plane of travel of the second end of the shock absorber. The adjusting member includes a camming surface which provides a force to the second end of the shock absorber such that as the adjusting member moves in the second plane of travel, the camming surface positions the second end of the shock absorber in the first plane of travel thereby adjusting a height of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Krieger
  • Patent number: 7156405
    Abstract: A foldable two wheeled scooter includes a steering post with a front wheel at a lower end and handlebars at an upper end. A support tube connects with a folding mechanism enclosed in a protective housing and supportively connects with a running board having a rear wheel. The protective housing prevents a user from being harmed when moving the scooter from an upright position to a folded down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: James Wong Ka Ming
  • Patent number: 7156406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a roll stabilizer for the chassis of a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator (3), which is mounted between anti-roll bar halves (1, 2) and which rotates these about a rotation axis in opposite directions as necessary. The curved path carriers (4, 5) of the actuator that are assigned to the roll stabilizer halves (1, 2) are each provided with a curved path (17, 18) inside of which a coupling element (13) is guided that can be displaced along these curved paths (17, 18) via an actuating drive (7, 10). The U-shaped or V-shaped curved path (18) of one curved path carrier (5) has two curved path branches (19, 20) that are arranged in a mirror symmetric manner in relation to a longitudinal central plane containing the rotation axis of the actuator (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: INA- Schaeffler KG, LUK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Manfred Kraus, Jurgen Osterlanger, Harald Hochmuth, Thomas Dirnberger, Wolfgang Reik, Thomas Pfund
  • Patent number: 7156407
    Abstract: A wheelchair tire has a carcass having a running profile applied to an interior side and optionally having a raised lettering. At least on an exterior tire wall, starting from a region later adjoining with wheel rim edges, to at least a first boundary plane extending through the center of the tire cavity, the carcass has a smooth construction without profiles and lettering. An intersection point of the first boundary plane on the tire extends maximally offset by an angle of 45° with respect to an intersection point of a center plane with the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ralf Bohle GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Holger Jahn
  • Patent number: 7156408
    Abstract: Vehicle steering head including a connecting element adapted to engage a handlebar. A support tube rotatably supports the connecting element. A connecting member is adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The connecting member is rotatable with respect to the support tube. A mechanism limits the rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions. A lower bearing support is mounted to the support tube. The mechanism and the lower bearing support cooperate to limit the rotational movement of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
  • Patent number: 7156409
    Abstract: A collapsible bicycle includes a collapsible frame and a retaining device. The collapsible frame can be switched between an extended position and a collapsed position in a longitudinal direction. The wheels of the collapsible bicycle can still roll on the ground when the collapsible frame is in the collapsed position. The retaining device includes a trigger. The trigger can be operated in order to switch the retaining device between a retaining position and a releasing position. In the locking position, the retaining device retains the collapsible frame in the extended position. In the releasing position, the retaining device allows the collapsible frame to be switched to the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Patent number: 7156410
    Abstract: A stabilizing system includes multi-stage locking pins connected to a trailer fifth-wheel plate and a tractor fifth wheel plate. Each multi-stage locking pin includes contiguous members that have altering diameters. A mechanism is included for telescopically displacing the contiguous members such that the contiguous members become aligned within a pair of apertures in the fifth-wheel plate assembly. The apertures are movable about the multi-stage locking pins. A speed detecting mechanism cooperates with the displacing mechanism for automatically adjusting the tolerance angle. The speed detecting mechanism emits intermittent notification signals to the displacing mechanism during transit. The tolerance angle has an inverse relationship to the tractor speed. A lower one of the contiguous members has a diameter generally equal to a diameter of the apertures respectively and a top one of the contiguous members has a diameter less than the aperture diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Gus Maskaleris
  • Patent number: 7156411
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for mounting to a frame assembly of a vehicle comprises a one-piece hitch mounting structure having a general U-shape with opposing end portions and a centrally disposed intermediate portion between the end portions. A hitch receiver is mounted to the intermediate portion of the hitch mounting structure. The end portions each include a mounting section with a general L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, thereby providing the end portions with horizontally extending mounting flanges structured to mount the hitch assembly to the frame assembly of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Martinrea International Inc.
    Inventors: Federico G. Jaekel, Hans J. Reckler
  • Patent number: 7156412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using an extrusion, forging, casting and/or machining process to provide an aluminum hitch component with increased strength that eliminates encumbrances, such as rusting and fusing, associated with traditional hitch components. Accordingly, an extruded hitch is provided that includes increased tensile strength, does not rust, is lighter, and is more appealing to consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Andersen Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: John I. Andersen
  • Patent number: 7156413
    Abstract: A detent connection piece (10) includes a clip hook (18) which can be pressed into a first bore (24) while being deformed until the detent connection piece snaps in and engages behind a bearing edge framing the first bore (24). The detent connection piece (10) additionally includes an end section which is adapted to be inserted into a second bore (26). Further proposed is a gas bag module including at least one such detent connection piece (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Fischer, Hans-Joachim Tietze
  • Patent number: 7156414
    Abstract: A lid body for an airbag apparatus that can be torn along tear lines without generating hangnails. The lid body includes a lid body and a tear line disposed on a surface of the lid body. The tear line includes a center tear line extending in a lateral direction along the surface of the lid body, a left tear line continuing from a left end of the center tear line, and a right tear line continuing from a right end of the center tear line. The left tear line and the right tear line extend in directions of mutual intersection. Additionally, the angle of intersection between the left tear line and the center tear line is an acute angle, and the angle of intersection between the right tear line and the center tear line is an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Hayashi, Yuki Kanno
  • Patent number: 7156415
    Abstract: An air bag door construction for air bag deployment comprises a trim panel and air bag door of unitary construction, at least a portion of the door defined by an area of reduced cross-section outlining at least a portion of the periphery thereof. One or more tethers are formed in the panel, outlined by an area of reduced cross-section, preferably in a dovetail shape which does not direct the propagation of tearing into the tether. A tear stop may be formed at the ends of the tether. The improvement comprises a stiffening frame that is attached to the backside and/or the topside of the panel just outboard of the air bag door periphery but not located across the tethers to improve deployment performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventors: John D. Gray, Bruce Batchelder, Ulrich Weissert
  • Patent number: 7156416
    Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in lateral or side impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also a safety device for head-on collision protection that obviates the need for conventional seat belts and front impact airbags. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Arjuna Indraeswaran Rajasingham
  • Patent number: 7156417
    Abstract: An automotive side impact assembly 10 is provided. The automotive side impact assembly 10 includes a door assembly 18 having a door body portion 20 and a window opening portion 22. The door body portion 20 and said window opening portion 22 meet to form a beltline 24. A window assembly 26 is positioned within the window opening portion 22 and extends into the door body portion 20 when in a window closed condition 28. An automotive seat assembly 12 is positioned adjacent said door assembly 18. A side-impact air bag assembly 32 is positioned within the automobile 14 such that the side air-bag 32 is deployed between the door assembly 18 and the automotive seat 12. The side-impact air bag assembly 32 has a deployed condition in which a side air-bag 32 is deployed during a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Zheng James Peng
  • Patent number: 7156418
    Abstract: An airbag has a lower expansion portion, a central expansion portion, and an upper expansion portion. When the airbag is deployed, the lower expansion portion corresponds to the lumbar region of an occupant, the central expansion portion corresponds to the abdomen of the occupant, and the upper expansion portion corresponds to a shoulder of the occupant. The lower expansion portion is folded upward to be tucked in a pair of fabric sheets forming the central expansion portion. After tucking, the airbag is folded to form a bellows-like portion such that the distal end of the airbag approaches an inflator located in the proximal end of the airbag. After folding to form the bellows-like portion part of the bellows-like portion that corresponds to the upper expansion portion, which has not been tucked, is bent downward substantially by 180° so that the part contacts the front side of part of the bellows-like portion that corresponds to the central expansion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Sato, Toshinori Tanase
  • Patent number: 7156419
    Abstract: A hybrid gas generator for use in an occupant restraint system for vehicles comprises a pressure chamber (10), a combustion chamber (14) delimited by a combustion chamber wall (16) and containing a pyrotechnic charge (12), and a passage element (20) arranged between the pyrotechnic charge and the pressure chamber. For a form-fitting securing of the passage element (20) on the combustion chamber wall (16), the passage element (20) and the combustion chamber wall (16) have at least in part a conical shape. On the side facing the pyrotechnic charge (12), the passage element (20) has a collar (38) which acts as a spacer between the passage element (20) and the pyrotechnic charge (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Airbag Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Nils Henning, Torsten Berg, Stefan Köpcke, Gerhard Lindemann
  • Patent number: 7156420
    Abstract: An energy absorbing mechanism for collapsible vehicle steering column includes a deformable wire connected between the fixed and movable column members. The wire includes a straight portion connected at one end with the movable column member, and a second portion that is deformed around a cylinder that is secured to the fixed column member. A force generator is operable upon impact to apply laterally to the wire a controlled frictional force that is a function of various physical properties of the driver, the vehicle, or the environment, thereby to afford infinitely variable and modulatable energy absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nacam S.A.
    Inventors: Abdel Karim Ben Rhouma, André Laisement, Vincent Eymery
  • Patent number: 7156421
    Abstract: In a frame for an over the highway or off-highway truck or tractor, the frame includes a first and second frame rail and a composite cross-member comprising a first sheet, a second sheet and a core material sheet positioned between the first and second face sheet. The first and second face sheets being made of metal and plastic and the core material being made of any one of wood, plastic, honey-comb, foam and nomex. The first sheet, second sheet and core material sheet are all bonded together to form a cross-member. The cross-member is then mounted to frame rails to construct a truck or tractor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur N. Fowler, John R. Moodie, Wayne Beck
  • Patent number: 7156422
    Abstract: An undercarriage for a vehicle including at least two longitudinal beams, at least one transverse beam and at least one wheel axle. The height of the foremost part of the longitudinal beams has a reduction in height that defines a swan-neck. The longitudinal beams are made of a composite material including a thermoplastic synthetic material with reinforcing fibers. The height of the foremost part of the longitudinal beams is reduced by means of plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Groep Stevens International, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Jan Jozef Verhaeghe
  • Patent number: 7156423
    Abstract: A connector assembly for creating a plastic tube joint in a length of plastic tubing having a distal end, a proximal end and a hollow lumen includes forming a flare in the tube proximate the proximal end thereof by means of a flared ferrule disposed in the lumen and defining a void between the flare and the proximal end of the tubing, the void being defined between the ferrule and a collet, the tubing contracting into the void, and forming a neck between the ferrule and the collet proximate the ferrule flare, the neck substantially permanently capturing the tubing contracted into the void; and substantially permanently bonding the collet to a connector body. A connector assembly for simultaneously forming a plastic tube joint in a pair of plastic tubes is further included as is a method for simultaneously forming a plastic tube joint in a pair of plastic tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Nathan Marks
  • Patent number: 7156424
    Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a female fitting assembly comprising a tube body having a nut that is axially and rotatably movable relative to the tube body, and a generally U-shape spring fixedly connected to the nut. The spring has a pair of laterally spaced arms that straddle the tube body when the nut is inserted over the tube body and spring arm end portions that are engageable with serrations on opposite sides of the tube body. The spring arm end portions are shaped to provide more resistance to turning of the nut in the loosening/back-off direction when the nut is fully torqued on a male fitting assembly than during tightening of the nut on the male fitting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: James D. McCord
  • Patent number: 7156425
    Abstract: A plumbing apparatus for connecting a tankless hot water heater to a cold water supply line and a hot water outlet line includes a union and a tee that are interconnected to one another. A first connector at one end of the union is provided for connecting the union to the tankless hot water heater. A second connector at a free end of the tee is provided for connecting the tee to either the cold water supply line or the hot water outlet line. The tee is provided with a branch for connecting the plumbing apparatus to a plumbing device. A passage formed in the union and tee permits fluid to flow there through and through the branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Manuel Diaz Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7156426
    Abstract: A rotary transmission leadthrough for fluid systems is proposed, by means of which the mobility of a fluid system is increased and new fields of application can therefore be opened up. This is achieved according to the invention in that, in addition to a first rotor rotatable about a first rotation axis, a second rotor rotatable about a second rotation axis different from the first rotation axis of the first rotor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Tries GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Tries, Frank Ambrosius
  • Patent number: 7156427
    Abstract: A safety locking mechanism (24) for a receptacle (10) in a vehicle includes a moveable mass (28) which is held in a home position by a snap-in device (28, 30, 34, 38) and which is deflected when acted upon by high acceleration or deceleration as occurs in an accident. A snap-in device (28, 30, 34, 38) also holds the mass (28) in the deflected position. In the deflected position, the mass (28) locks the receptacle (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Fischer Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Viktor Kulajew
  • Patent number: 7156428
    Abstract: A single switch springless motorized door latch assembly for locking an oven door in a locked and sealed position for purposes of cleaning the oven. The switch is a single pole single throw switch. A motor and cam cause a latch member to move between three different positions. In one position the latch member prevents the oven door from opening. From this position, the latch member is pulled inwardly so the oven door is in a locked and sealed position. In its locked and sealed position the door may not be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: France/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Smith
  • Patent number: 7156429
    Abstract: A retainer for an adjustment device for an over-center fastener for securing and clamping two parts (11, 12) together by applying a pulling force between the parts by a lever (14). The adjustment device includes an externally threaded member (17a) and an internally threaded member (19) rotatable relative to one another. The internally threaded member has a friction increasing insert (24) preventing unintentional relative rotation between the externally threaded member and the internally threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Lars Eriksson
  • Patent number: 7156430
    Abstract: A latch assembly having a housing and a catch assembly on the housing. The catch assembly has at least one catch element that is repositionable relative to the housing to change the catch assembly between first and second different states. The catch assembly in the first state is capable of preventing a strike element engaged by the latch assembly from separating from the latch assembly. The catch assembly in the second state permits a strike element, engaged by the latch assembly with the catch assembly in the first state, to be separated from the latch assembly. The housing has a base wall defining a support for at least a part of the catch assembly, a first side wall extending angularly away from the base wall, and a return wall projecting angularly away from the first side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Tri/Mark Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Hidding, Gene C. Light, Tyler G. Larsen, Kelly F. Mishak
  • Patent number: 7156431
    Abstract: Wedge couple for fixing and wedging-up of windows and doors in connection with their mounting in a wall opening, and associated with mounting shears with which the wedges can be located and tightened by means of a shearing operation with one hand. The wedge couple includes two flat wedges oriented in mutually opposite directions, each with a thick end and a thin end. The thin end of one wedge is connected to the thick end of the other wedge by means of a thin deformable plate which ensures that the two wedges are correctly arranged in relation to each other and able to be displaced only parallel towards each other in their longitudinal direction, when they are being forced together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Keld Norgaard
  • Patent number: 7156432
    Abstract: A handle set includes an operator having a retention slot. A chassis is provided for mounting the operator. The chassis includes a sleeve having a bore, and an opening extending through the sleeve to the bore. An operator catch cartridge assembly is configured for mounting to the chassis via the opening. The operator catch cartridge assembly includes a housing defining a guide channel. An operator catch is positioned in the guide channel for sliding engagement with the housing. A biasing member biases the operator catch with respect to the housing. The operator catch engages the retention slot in the operator when the operator is received over the sleeve of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventors: Emily Karleen Meredith Sledge, Steven Armstrong
  • Patent number: 7156433
    Abstract: A bumper system for a vehicle comprises a beam having a face and having mounts adapted for mounting to a vehicle frame, and an energy absorber engaging the face and having end sections located outboard of ends of the beam, the energy absorber being made of a structural engineering polymeric material and the end sections having flat top surfaces for forming steps outboard of the ends of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Shape Corporation
    Inventor: Darin Evans
  • Patent number: 7156434
    Abstract: A cooking tool assembly (10) is disclosed which includes a first cooking tool comprising tong means (14) having gripping means (17,18) located at one end of respective arms (15,16) the arms being distally pivotted at the other end, and second cooking tool (spatula (11) in this embodiment ) associated with the tong means (14) proximate the other ends of the arms (15, 16) whereby the assembly constitutes a triple-ended reversible bi-functional cooking tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Anthony Robert Upton
  • Patent number: 7156435
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 for a shovel designed for moving snow 14 tangentially while the shovel moves longitudinally along the ground thereby eliminating the need for lifting the shovel during snow removal. The snow shovel of the present invention 10 comprises a latitudinal curved blade 12 with opposing end terminus arcs 40, 42 of differing degrees whereby shoveled material will move from one side of the blade to the other. On the back side of the blade 12 are longitudinal and latitudinal ribs 24 forming an integral part therewith providing reinforcement terminating in a centrally disposed receptacle for a handle mounting plate 30. The handle mounting plate 30 has mating apertures 34 for fixedly fastening the mounting plate to the curved blade 12. Positioned at the apex of the handle plate 30 is a post 46 for press fitting the handle plate to the shaft. The handle grip member 18 also has a post 44 that is inserted into the opposing end of the handle shaft 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Costantinos Mourelatos, Georgios Gouramanis
  • Patent number: 7156436
    Abstract: Camping device suitable for lifting and handling of sheet like-objects, having a rigid frame configured to straddle an edge region of sheet-like objects, the frame including a stationary jaw and a frame housing defining a gap between them in which the sheet-like object may be received, the stationary jaw providing a first clamping surface, a movable jaw supported at the frame within the gap for movement towards and away from the stationary jaw, the movable jaw providing a second clamping surface, and an actuating carriage arranged to transmit a clamping force, the carriage being located between the movable jaw and frame housing for reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis of the device on actuator tracks present at the movable jaw and frame housing, at least a portion of one of the actuator tracks having an inclined portion devised to bias the movable jaw towards the stationary jaw as the actuator carriage is caused by the clamping force to be displaced along the inclined portion, whereby the respecti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Abaco Machines (Australasia) Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Nhon Hau Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7156437
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved trim part, e.g. a bolster or trim plate, with integrated appliqué for use in a trim assembly, and to a continuous two-shot molding operation that may be performed utilizing a single mold assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, the trim part, i.e. a bolster, includes a substrate formed by injecting a first material into a first shot mold cavity in a first shot of a molding operation. An appliqué is provided in a second shot mold cavity then a cover is formed between the substrate and appliqué by injecting into a mold chamber a second foamed material in a second shot of the molding operation. The formed cover is integrally molded to at least a portion of the substrate and the appliqué to form a trim part with integrated appliqué.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A Cowelchuk, Todd L DePue, David Dooley, Michael J Hier, Randy S Reed
  • Patent number: 7156438
    Abstract: A method and system for storage comprising a console and base. The console being slidable within the base so as to permit it to be easily re-positionable. The method and system relating to re-positioning the base, such as to facilitate folding a second row load floor, to facilitate removing the console, and/or to optimize positioning of the console relative to passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn A. Cowelchuk, Todd L. DePue, Jerry G. Yatros
  • Patent number: 7156439
    Abstract: A recessed storage well is formed in the rear load floor of an automotive vehicle to provide cargo transport capabilities for wet cargo. The recessed storage well is provided with a drain to permit the flow of liquids collected within the recessed storage well to be discharged externally of the vehicle. The recessed storage well is formed from impervious material to permit the storage of wet articles of cargo without dampening the carpet covering on the rear load floor. The drain is seated in an automotive frame component by a rubber grommet that prevents the transfer of vibrational noise to the recessed storage well. The drain enables the use of a water spray in clean-up operations by allowing the collected water to drain away from the recessed storage well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Bejin, Alan Cucknell, Iain Sabberton, Peter Cauwood, Julian Scarfe, Jamie Norris, Neil Mason
  • Patent number: 7156440
    Abstract: A glove compartment is provided in an instrument panel of a vehicle. A lid selectively opens and closes an opening formed in the instrument panel. A gap is defined between side edges of the lid and side edges of the opening when the lid closes the opening. Gap adjusters hold the side edges of the lid with respect to the side edges of the opening when the lid closes the opening, thereby adjusting the gaps. A locking mechanism locks the lid in a state closing the opening. An unlocking mechanism cancels the locked state of the lid. The unlocking mechanism includes an extrusion pin that is configured to push the lid to the outside of the opening when canceling the locked state of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7156441
    Abstract: A tailgate counterbalancing hinge assembly includes a linear torque rod, a first end assembly and a second end assembly. One end assembly pivotally retains the tailgate while permitting the torque rod to be rigidly coupled to the tailgate for movement with the tailgate about a pivot axis. The other end assembly pivotally retains the tailgate and permits the end of the torque rod o be rigidly retained with respect to the vehicle body. The assemblies are easily mounted in the vehicle using brackets that are secured to the tailgate and a vehicle body hinge pin to simplify installation and repair of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: M & C Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Mossom Austin
  • Patent number: 7156442
    Abstract: An adjustable seat for a vehicle includes a first support and a second support connected to the first support to form a seat, a mount for attachment to the vehicle floor; and an adjustment mechanism. The seat is movable between a forward orientation wherein the second support faces forward and a rearward orientation wherein the first support faces rearward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Riverbank LLC
    Inventors: Patrick W. McManus, Martin P. McManus
  • Patent number: 7156443
    Abstract: A golf cart safety bar device is activated by occupied cart seats operatively installed on the cart frame to swivel about hinges and on spring biases. The safety bar device includes a pair of laterally adjacent driver/passenger seat bottoms each having a front end and a rear end. A weight is installed internally or externally of the cart frame to hold up the seat front at rest until the seating passenger depresses it. The weight means provides an eccentric weight about its own axis of rotation. A safety bar is fixed at one end to the weight means with the opposite end protruding upright at rest in preparation for a passenger to board the cart without a blocking. When passengers sit the safety bars are lowered limiting lateral outward movement of passengers from the cabin. The safety bars block the entrances or exits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Man Young Jung
  • Patent number: 7156444
    Abstract: A windshield covering system includes a pair of tracks. Each of the tracks is attached to a roof of a vehicle. The tracks are each positioned adjacent to one of a pair of lateral sides of the roof and each extends along one of a pair of lateral edge of a windshield of the vehicle. A panel has a pair of side edges. Each of the side edges is positioned in one of the tracks. The panel is selectively positioned in a stored position over the roof or in an extended position extending downwardly over the windshield. The panel is opaque and comprises a resiliently flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Sebastian A. Da Silva
  • Patent number: 7156445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing mechanism for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises a sealing cloth 27 disposed inside a lateral edge of a side zone 22 of a top fabric 9 in such a manner as to be gradually inclined toward the laterally inward side of the convertible top, as going from a front side to a rear side in a deployment direction of the convertible top 3. The sealing cloth 27 is designed to be brought into contact with a weather strip 41 in a deployed position. The sealing mechanism of the present invention can ensure high-level sealing between the top fabric and a top frame in a lateral edge of the convertible top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Toyo Seat Co., Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Taira, Hiroki Tanoue
  • Patent number: 7156446
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle first and second storage compartments extending transversely behind a seat. A rigid roof shell has two posts defining a rear opening. The first compartment extends laterally forward past the seat. Guide rails extend laterally in the first compartment forward past the seat. Respective guide slides on the rear end posts ride on the guide rails, and the roof shell is displaceable along the guide rails between an up position wholly out of the first storage compartment and a down position wholly in the first compartment with the guide slides laterally flanking the seat. A rear windshield fits in the opening between the posts. A guide in the second storage compartment displaces the rear windshield between a lowered position in the second compartment and a raised position fitting between the rear end posts of the windshield in the up position thereof and closing the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Petros Perakis
  • Patent number: 7156447
    Abstract: The door-opening/closing apparatus includes a door, a driving unit that drives the door to close the door, a door movement detection unit that detects a movement of the door, an electrostatic switch that is mounted on the door for detecting a human's touching the door, and a judgment unit that judges whether the door is attempted to be closed. When the door movement detection unit detects a movement of the door, and when the electrostatic switch senses a human's touching the door, the judgment unit judges that the door is attempted to be closed, and then the driving unit drives to close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7156448
    Abstract: An impact protection system is provided for a door of a motor vehicle and extends between upright door frames of a door body. On one side the impact protection system is connected with a hinge column by way of hinges and, on the other side, adjacent to a lock of the door, is connected with an additional column. The hinge column and additional column are integrated in a body structure of a body of the motor vehicle. In order to optimize this impact protection system, the lock is mounted on the latter and, in the closed condition of the door, an engaging device of the door interacts with a receiving device of a deformation device which is fastened to the additional column of the vehicle body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reiner Armbruster, Andre Scholz, Martin Goehrke, Jens Zimmer, Andreas Kohler