Patents Issued in October 12, 2010
  • Patent number: 7810833
    Abstract: A ski boot binding securable to an alpine ski. The binding includes a heel unit having a base heel release threshold in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the ski to which the binding is attached. The heel unit includes a compensation mechanism that dynamically changes the base heel release threshold as a function of force conditions encountered by the ski during skiing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Vermont Safety Developments
    Inventors: Carl F. Ettlinger, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7810834
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for an expandable trailer. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is an expandable trailer that lengthens from a compact position to one of a plurality of extended positions. The trailer may comprise an axle assembly to mount a plurality of wheels, a frame having a front and a back, and an extension mechanism configured to lengthen the frame from a compact position to one of a plurality of extended positions, such that the front extends a front distance from the axle assembly and the back extends a rear distance from the axle assembly. The extension mechanism further maintains a proportionally greater front distance than the rear distance. As a result, the expandable trailer provides a properly distributed load-bearing area, with respect to the axle assembly, in the compact position as well as the various extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Stacy L. Schneider, Michael D. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7810835
    Abstract: A sport trailer including a center load supporting rail, wheels, mounting assemblies for the wheels, and a stowable towing tongue, the wheel mounting assemblies include a shock absorber connected to each wheel and to a bifurcated strut that extends outward from the center rail. Upper and lower dual swing arms pivot and extend from the center rail to a mounting bracket attached to the wheels. The upper swing arms are shorter than the lower swing arms to achieve negative camber. The towing tongue is removably received within an inner channel of the center rail and telescopes relative to the center rail to achieve different length configurations of the trailer. A rear tongue is removably received within the center rail inner channel at the back end of the trailer. The rear tongue telescopes relative to the center rail and includes a taillight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Koch
  • Patent number: 7810836
    Abstract: An airbag cover, in particular for use in motor vehicles, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the airbag cover includes a molding and a visible cover of leather or leather-like material covering the molding, where at least one layer of a material that is softer than the material of the molding is disposed between the molding and the visible cover. The visible cover has a partial weakening and the transition from the weakened area to the non-weakened area is designed constant. A method for covering a molding disposed above an airbag with a partially weakened visible cover is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes introducing a weakened area into leather or leather-like material forming the visible cover on the side of the visible cover facing away from the visible side. The transition from the weakened area to the non-weakened is designed constant. At least one layer of a material that is softer than the material of the molding is applied on the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lisa Draxlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Henry Müller, Rudolf Aichner
  • Patent number: 7810837
    Abstract: An inflatable restraint system for selectively restraining an occupant of a motorized vehicle is presented herein. The inflatable restraint system includes a bladder having forward and rearward panel portions. The bladder is attached to the vehicle instrument panel, and configured to transition from a non-expanded state, in which the rearward panel portion is substantially flush with respect to the instrument panel, to an expanded state, in which the rearward panel portion is extended into the passenger compartment distal from the instrument panel. An inflation device is operatively coupled to the bladder, and configured to selectively transition the bladder from the non-expanded state to the expanded state. One or more trajectory control arms are attached at one end to the bladder, and a second end to the vehicle. The trajectory control arms are configured to redirect the bladder along an upward, arcuate path when transitioning to the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, David J. Gorman, Steven E. Morris
  • Patent number: 7810838
    Abstract: There is provided a restricting portion to restrict a movement of a roof trim at an upper end portion of a pillar trim behind the roof trim. Accordingly, there can be provided a structure that can properly restrain the roof trim from being deformed, for example, even if the passenger inadvertently pushes the roof trim toward a vehicle outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Iwayama, Ikuko Onishi
  • Patent number: 7810839
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a side airbag for an automotive vehicle comprising a venting regulation device formed by a part made of a flexible material (21) joined to the inflatable cushion (11) such that it can completely or partially close or free the venting opening (17), and a tension belt (23) joined by one part to said part made of a flexible material (21) and by another part to the inflatable cushion (11), the geometric configurations of said tension belt (23) and said part made of a flexible material (21) being determined such that the degree of closing/freeing of the venting opening (17) varies according to the width of the inflatable cushion (11) during its different deployment phases during the collision, being closed in the initial and end phases and freed in the intermediate phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dalphi Metal Espana S.A.
    Inventors: Isabelle Denys, Luis Jose Duarte De Arez
  • Patent number: 7810840
    Abstract: An airbag for automotive vehicles with a gas venting regulation device assembled around a venting opening (11) comprising a first part (15) joined to the inflatable cushion (13) covering the venting opening (11), formed by an elastic area (31) and a non-elastic area (33) with a plurality of openings (17, 19) for the passage of gas; a second rigid part (21) joined to the inflatable cushion (13) and to the first part (15), with a projecting neck (23) forming a gas outlet mouth; and in which at least one part of the non-elastic area (33) is arranged such that when the first part (15) is deformed as a result of the internal pressure in the inflatable cushion during its deployment, the passage of gas through the openings (17) is completely or partially sealed by the projecting neck (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dalphi Metal Espana, S.A.
    Inventors: Isabelle Denys, Luis Jose Duarte De Arez
  • Patent number: 7810841
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus includes an airbag with a first hole and a second hole; a tube vent disposed outside the airbag, wherein a proximal end portion of the tube vent is connected to a portion of the airbag, which is located around the first hole, so that communication is provided between an inside of the tube vent and an inside of the airbag through the first hole, and a distal end portion of the tube vent is inserted from the outside of the airbag into the inside of the airbag through the second hole; and a holding portion that holds the distal end portion of the tube vent from the inside of the airbag, wherein when the airbag is inflated and deployed, and the holding portion releases the tube vent, the distal end portion of the tube vent moves out of the second hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Akiyoshi Sanada
  • Patent number: 7810842
    Abstract: A vehicular canister attachment structure which dispenses with a drain tube, is readily installed, and is low in cost. A canister attached to a bottom or side surface of a floor frame and a cross-member forming part of a vehicle body has an air communication part, which is inserted into the floor frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daijiro Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7810843
    Abstract: A guide loop assembly for a seat belt has a core body with spaced front and rear flanges and an arcuate bearing surface for the seat belt extending therebetween. An arcuate shell cover is provided and has a concave configuration relative to the arcuate bearing surface. The shell cover extends between the front and rear flanges thereof. The shell cover includes a bushing portion integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the concave core configuration portion. The integral hinge is connected to an impact cover as by threading a flexible portion of the hinge through a hinge portion such as a split pin on the impact cover. In a method assembly, the impact cover and shell cover are hinged together and mounted on the core. After the fastener is inserted through the assembly, the impact cover is pivoted about the hinge to cover a fastener for the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc
    Inventor: Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 7810844
    Abstract: A method and device for identifying a lost person and providing contact information to directly communicate with their guardian. Indicia applied to the skin of a child or other person who might get lost includes the telephone number for directly contacting the guardian. The indicia may also include the name of the person on which it is imparted and directions on contacting a third party if the phone number displayed receives no response. When used with the cellular phone number of the guardian, the indicia can also include instructions to identify the responding guardian using that unique number by matching it to the cellular phone of the responding guardian. The indica may be applied to the skin using a tattoo or other means to impart the indicia temporarily to the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: I.C. Protection, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Alan Dominguez
  • Patent number: 7810845
    Abstract: A pipe thread sealant sheath for producing a seal at a junction between a male threaded pipe and a female threaded pipe once the pipe thread sealant sheath covered male threaded pipe is interthreaded into the female threaded pipe comprising a hollow body having an open and a spaced apart and opposite closed end, the pipe thread sealant sheath having thickness sized for remaining intact while being applied to a male threaded pipe and having the closed end easily breached once the pipe sealant sheath has been applied to the male threaded pipe, the pipe thread sealant sheath being rolled upon itself prior to being applied to the male threaded pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Leonard V. Knappmiller
  • Patent number: 7810846
    Abstract: A flange structure (10?) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (16?) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (20?) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure (32) is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion (36) extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end (40) connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Parag Athalye, John Patrick Wattai, Matthias Nederegger, Stephane Seps
  • Patent number: 7810847
    Abstract: A waterproof sleeve coupling for use in a partition for preventing liquid from leaking through a penetration in the partition either adjacent to or through the sleeve coupling. The sleeve coupling has a flexible water stop mounted in sealing contact with a sleeve so that a waterproof seal is formed between the water stop and the sleeve. The sleeve coupling optionally includes an extension coupling and an extension sleeve mounted on the sleeve. When the sleeve coupling is mounted in the partition, the extension sleeve extends beyond the surface of the partition to prevent liquid on the surface of the partition from leaking into the passageway of the sleeve coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Cornwall
  • Patent number: 7810848
    Abstract: A pipe joint for coupling a first pipe member and a second pipe member has a pipe mounting portion, an elastic displacing portion and an engagement portion. The pipe mounting portion is configured to be attached to one of the first and second pipe members. The elastic displacing portion connects the pipe mounting portion and the engagement portion and allows the engagement portion to displace in a radial direction. The engagement portion has a first contact portion for contacting a first engaged part of the first pipe member and a second contact portion for contacting a second engaged part of the second pipe member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7810849
    Abstract: A threaded connection includes a pin member having a pin thread having a pin thread crest, a pin thread root, a pin load flank, and a pin stab flank, a box member having a box thread having a box thread crest, a box thread root, a box load flank, and a box stab flank, wherein at least one of the pin thread crest, the pin thread root, the box thread crest, and the box thread root has at least one perturbation formed thereon, and wherein upon a selected make-up of the pin member with the box member, at least one of a localized clearance or a localized interference exists between the pin thread and the box thread at the at least one perturbation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hydril Company LP
    Inventor: Harris A. Reynolds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7810850
    Abstract: A fluid coupling having an outer housing with an internal bore, an O-ring fitted within the bore, a spacer bushing fitted against the O-ring, a gripper ring fitted against the axially outer side of the spacer ring, the gripper ring having axially and radially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripping teeth, the teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, and an end bushing holding the gripper ring, spacer bushing, and O-ring within the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Accor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry E. O'Neill, Charlie Whitney
  • Patent number: 7810851
    Abstract: A sprinkler apparatus including a manifold is used with a nipple and a union. The manifold includes a pipe section and at least one port. There is a fitting on the port. The nipple has a proximal and distal end. A fitting is located at the distal end of the nipple. One or more radially extending projections may be positioned around the circumference of the nipple. The fitting on the distal end of the nipple may form a water-tight seal with a fitting on a valve without tightening with a wrench by mating projections and indentations and applying a torque to the union. The union includes one or more indentations that may align with and mate with the projections to allow the union to slide over the nipple. The union has a fitting. The fitting on the union corresponds to and engages the fitting on the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Tres Wangsgaard
  • Patent number: 7810852
    Abstract: An assisted manual actuating device includes a controlled member, which can be displaced from a first position into a second position, a control member, which is designed to actuate the controlled member, and a mechanical transmission, which connects the control member to the controlled member. The mechanical transmission includes a shape-memory element, which is supplied by an electrical-supply that can be activated when the control member reaches an actuation position. The assisted manual actuating device includes an activation device having an anchor for constraining the mechanical transmission when the control member reaches the actuation position of the device in such a way as to enable the mechanical transmission to move only in the direction useful for bringing the controlled member into the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Stefano Alacqua, Gianluca Capretti
  • Patent number: 7810853
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock (1) is provided having a lock mechanism (3) cooperating with a striker (5) of a motor vehicle. The lock mechanism (3) has a fork (11), which can be set to a release position, in which it permits engagement and release of a respective seat (15) by the striker (5), and at least one lock position, in which it retains the striker (5) in, and prevents release of, the respective seat (15); a latch (12), which clicks onto the fork (11) to lock it releasably in the lock position; a release member (6) operated selectively to release the latch (12) from the fork (11) and allow the fork (11) to move into the release position; and interacting portions (42, 43) whereby the fork (11) and the release member (6) interact to define different indicating positions of the release member (6) corresponding to the release position and lock position of the fork (11) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A. (Torino)
    Inventor: Enrico Margheritti
  • Patent number: 7810854
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for releasably securing the lid of a trash container in a closed position has a locking arm with an elongate central portion for extending across the closed lid and bent end portions pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the container via pivot brackets which allow the arm to be pivoted between a first position extending across the closed lid of the trash container and a second position extending across the front wall of the container. The pivot bracket on one side is part of a locking device which has first and second locking formations on opposite sides of the pivot bracket, and the bent end portion of the arm on that side is releasably locked to the first locking formation by a locking member such as a padlock when the arm is in the first position and releasably locked to the second locking formation by the same member when the arm is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hodge Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan M. Hodge, Anthony A. Hodge
  • Patent number: 7810855
    Abstract: A bidirectional slide lock includes a first clip and a second clip that are slid and locked together. The first clip has a longitudinal axis, a pair of pawls, and a pair of flanges. The second clip has a longitudinal axis, a pair of pawl stops, and a pair of clip flanges. Both pair of flanges retentively engaging one another to hold the clips together to prevent movement away from one another. The pawls engage the pawl stops to hold clips against longitudinal movement. The bidirectional slide lock also has springs biasing the pawls toward the second clip so as to retain pawls in retentive engagement with the pawl stops. The method of use includes moving the first and second clips longitudinally relative to one another so that the flanges move into retentive engagement and cause each of the pawl ends to engage one of the pawl stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Forrest F. Wing
  • Patent number: 7810856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing system for a door or a flap of a motor vehicle and comprises a lock, a door handle affixable to the door and fitted with an external grip element with a centralized locking motor linked to a control unit and operationally connected to the lock, whereby the closing system can be moved into a secured and into a disengaged state, and also comprises an opening motor acting as an opening accessory and/or a closing motor acting as a closing accessory for the lock. The invention provides that the door handle be associated with a handle support which is configured internally on the side away from the grip element and which affixes the door handle to the door, said opening motor and/or the closing motor as well as the centralized locking motor being mounted on the handle support, where said opening motor and/or the closing motor as well as the centralized locking motor are connected directly, or indirectly by means of at least one force transmitting element, to the lock 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Müller, Helmut Klein
  • Patent number: 7810857
    Abstract: A protector assembly for attachment to a vehicle such as a truck. The assembly includes a base member which is permanently attached to the truck and a cushion member which is retained adjacent the base member by retainer. The cushion member is slidable relative to the base member between the retention position and a release position whereby in the release position the cushion member is no longer retained by the retainer. The cushion member includes a mounting portion formed from a relatively hard material which engages the retainer, and a working portion formed from a relatively soft resilient elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Labrricon Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Carl Schutt
  • Patent number: 7810858
    Abstract: An automobile bumper system including an isolator disposed adjacent a cross beam of an automobile frame, and a bumper edge guard strip mounted adjacent upper and/or lower edges of the cross beam. The bumper edge guard strip may include an upper extension fixedly engaged with an upper surface of the cross beam and a lower extension fixedly engaged with a frontal surface of the cross beam, with the upper extension having a length greater than the lower extension for distributing impact energy in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory S. Frederick, Conrad M. Kudelko
  • Patent number: 7810859
    Abstract: An animal waste pickup and disposal device specifically designed to be inexpensive, simple to use and prevent a user from coming into direct contact with the animal waste either while picking it up, disposing of the waste, or after or during cleanup. The device having a bag on one part of the device to collect the waste and a shovel that is covered with a pad or sleeve that pushed the waste into the bag. The pad or sleeve designed to cover the shovel so as to protect it from becoming soiled in the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Montusi
  • Patent number: 7810860
    Abstract: A portable container for faeces having a body provided with a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is provided with a first closure which in a first position allows access to the first chamber and in a second position seals the first chamber. The second chamber is provided with an opening which allows access to the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Neil Bell
  • Patent number: 7810861
    Abstract: A hoisting device includes a sling and first and second fork-pocket adaptors interconnected to the sling for engaging first and second fork pocket sets on opposite sides of a palletized structure. The first fork-pocket adaptor includes a first locking mechanism for mating with a corresponding locking feature of the first fork pocket set. In an exemplary embodiment, the first locking mechanism includes a retractable first engagement member at one end of the first fork-pocket adaptor for engaging a corresponding first locking feature of the first fork pocket set. The opposite end of the first fork-pocket adaptor includes a second locking mechanism with a second engagement member for engaging a corresponding second locking feature of the first fork pocket set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Mark Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 7810862
    Abstract: A vehicle storage assembly can cover a vehicle storage area such as an interior console or a cargo box. The storage assembly can include a base and a lid. The lid can be opened from two sides to allow easy access for a driver and passengers to an interior storage compartment. The base includes at least two rods, which can act as axles for the lid to pivot about. The lid includes at least one rotation member or guide which can be released from the rod only when the lid is in a desired position, for example, a closed position. The lid can include a latch for each rod. The lid can have a lock to secure one or both of the latches with the lid in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: 89908, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Smith
  • Patent number: 7810863
    Abstract: An instrument panel includes a panel body and a joint member. The panel body includes a core member and an outer layer that covers the core member, and is formed by reaction injection molding. The panel body includes a meter installed portion. A recess of the meter installed portion becomes an undercut at the time of molding. A core member is provided with a deformable portion which is elastically deformable. The molded panel body can be demolded by deforming the deformable portion. There is no need to provide a slide core with a molding die. A deformation of the deformable portion is prevented by installing the joint member onto the demolded panel body. According to the instrument panel, it is possible to improve a product quality and reduce manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kamano, Hajime Mochizuki, Shingo Yanagibashi, Norio Hayakawa, Enda Clarke, Yasunori Sei
  • Patent number: 7810864
    Abstract: An opening and closing device includes an electrically conductive fixed body, a movable body, a drive motor, a speed control device, a detection assembly, and a determining device. The electrically conductive fixed body defines an opening portion therein. The movable body is displaceable between a full closed position and a full open position. The drive motor drives the movable body to open and close the opening portion of the fixed body. The detection assembly includes a sensor electrode. The determining device computes, as a detection value, a change amount of the capacitance at the sensor electrode per a predetermined constant measuring time based on the change of the capacitance detected by the sensor electrode. The determining device compares the detection value with a constant threshold value, and determines whether the object exists between the movable body and the periphery of the opening portion based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7810865
    Abstract: A locking rod flange and a vertical locking rod for a vehicle door, and method of assembling a vehicle door. The locking rod flange may be integral with a glass run channel or an integrated channel and regulator, and may include a locking rod carrier with a rod pass through hole through which the vertical locking rod extends. A rod pass through seal may be mounted on the locking rod carrier, and the locking rod carrier may include a bridge portion over which a water deflector seal is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence P. Costigan
  • Patent number: 7810866
    Abstract: A travel trailer is provided. The travel trailer may include first and second bed platforms. The platforms are capable of being positioned in a travel configuration for use during transport of the travel trailer. A camping pod is included that has tent fabric. The camping pod is capable of being positioned in a travel configuration in which the camping pod is located above the first bed platform and the second bed platform when the platforms are positioned in the travel configuration. Also, the first bed platform and second bed platform are capable of being positioned in a camping configuration for use when the tent fabric is positioned to form a tent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sylvansport, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Dempsey, Gregory K. Mundt, Thomas W. Reeder
  • Patent number: 7810867
    Abstract: A vehicle with a drag-reducing outer surface. A method of reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes the steps of: providing an outer surface on a body of the vehicle, with the outer surface including spaced apart turbulence-inducing structures thereon. The structures cause boundary layer separation to be delayed along a length of the body, thereby reducing a drag coefficient of the body. A vehicle wrapping product for reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes an outer surface for applying onto an opaque portion of a body of the vehicle. The outer surface includes a plurality of structures which induce turbulence and thereby delay separation of a boundary layer along a length of the body, to thereby reduce a drag coefficient of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: FastSkinz, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Salaverry
  • Patent number: 7810868
    Abstract: A crashbox is provided for connecting a bumper carrier and a longitudinal beam in a frame structure of a motor vehicle. The crashbox has a section that is compressible in a longitudinal direction and a first fixing element for attachment to the longitudinal beam and a second fixing element for attachment to the bumper carrier at opposite ends of the section. The first fixing element is in the form of a spigot member that is insertible into a cavity in the longitudinal beam and a support strut extends between two rigid side flanks of the spigot member through an internal cavity of the spigot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Bardo Braunbeck, Theobald Hock
  • Patent number: 7810869
    Abstract: A glove box and knee bolster assembly for a vehicle panel, such as an instrument panel, can include a storage bin, an energy absorbing panel, and a lid. The energy absorbing panel can include a rib wall, a first plurality of ribs, a second plurality of ribs, and a plurality of openings formed in at least one of the first plurality of ribs. The lid can include a plurality of hooks. The rear surface of the lid can be secured to the plurality of ribs by a weld. The weld can cooperate with the plurality of ribs and the rear surface to define a first load path that extends from the lid to the energy absorbing panel. The plurality of hooks can extend from the rear surface and pass through respective ones of the plurality of openings. The plurality of hooks can engage the at least one rib via the respective openings and cooperate with the at least one rib to define a second load path from the lid to the energy absorbing panel that is separate from the first load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew Lee Taracko
  • Patent number: 7810870
    Abstract: A vehicle body stricture includes a vehicle frame having a pair of longitudinally extending first frame members spaced apart from one another supporting opposite lower side portions of a vehicle and a laterally extending second frame member extending between respective front portions of the first frame members. A vehicle body is supported on the vehicle frame. A bumper assembly is supported by at least one of the first frame members and the second frame member having a front bumper facia member with a lower edge that extends downward toward an underside of the second frame member. A compatibility member extends laterally between the first frame members, with at least a portion of the compatibility member extending below the second frame member. The compatibility member has at least one attachment point fixed to the second frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C Shepard, Dave Coakley
  • Patent number: 7810871
    Abstract: A vehicle body side portion structure is disposed with a pair of right and left roof side rails disposed along a vehicle anteroposterior direction on both sides of a roof reinforcement that extends along a vehicle width direction of a roof and connection portions that bond together the roof side rails and the roof reinforcement. First fold portions in vehicle width direction outside end portions of the connection portions are disposed in a position higher in a vehicle vertical direction than second fold portions in vehicle width direction inside end portions of the connection portions. When a side load F equal to or greater than a predetermined value is inputted, the first fold portions rotate and move towards the vehicle upper side with the second fold portions acting as supporting points, the first fold portions become bent so as to become convex towards the vehicle upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7810872
    Abstract: A roof structure for a vehicle body includes a roof having a roof opening that is closed by a cover member. The roof structure comprises a frame member, a left side panel member and a right side panel member. The frame member is configured to frame the roof opening. The frame member supports the cover member. Each side panel member forms a part of the vehicle body and is adhesively secured to the frame member. A peripheral edge portion of each side panel member includes at least one channel adapted to allow escape of an adhesive disposed between the side panel member and the frame member for ease of assembly of the roof structure to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kuribayashi, Brent Nathaniel Gaertner, Michael E. Franz, Yan Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 7810873
    Abstract: A dashboard support extending between the A-pillars of a motor vehicle includes a passenger-side beam member constructed to suit a load exposure on a passenger side, a driver-side beam member which is constructed to suit a load exposure on a driver side and connected to the passenger-side beam member; and an air guiding channel which is made of plastic and arranged in the driver-side beam member. The air guiding channel is supported on the inside by the driver-side beam member so as to be aligned in its three rotary degrees of freedom and its translational degrees of freedom in travel direction and vertical direction. The air guiding channel has a sidewall which is formed, for securement in a direction transversely to the travel direction, with an outwardly directed protuberance for engagement in a receiving member in the driver-side beam member when the air guiding channel is displaced transversely to the travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hitz, Benjamin Viallard
  • Patent number: 7810874
    Abstract: An instrument panel support structure is configured for locating an instrument panel assembly in a fore/aft direction and an up/down direction within a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The support structure includes a lateral support bracket and an end bracket. The lateral support bracket is attached to a body panel of the vehicle and presents a support surface that defines an up/down datum feature and includes a rear edge that presents a fore/aft datum feature. The end bracket is attached to an end of the instrument panel assembly. The end bracket presents a first edge and a projection that extends from the first edge. The first edge abuts the support surface of the up/down datum feature to locate the instrument panel assembly in the up/down direction. The projection abuts the rear edge of the fore/aft datum feature to locate the instrument panel assembly in the fore/aft direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy M. Vican, Roy M. Meier
  • Patent number: 7810875
    Abstract: A rigidifying stabilizer device for installation against a floor pan of an automotive vehicle of a corresponding type with the device having a mating side substantially matching at least a substantial portion of a surface of the floor pan except at locations at which any interfering structures occur with the mating side having recesses provided therein to at least partially surround any of those interfering structures present. An opposite side shell is affixed to the mating shell at locations therein immediately adjacent to one another. A rigid solid filler is positioned between said opposite side shell inner shell surface and said mating side shell inner shell surface at locations therein where they are spaced apart from one another. The resulting rigidifying stabilizer device can then have the mating side shell thereof adhered to the surface of the floor pan of an automotive vehicle of the selected type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Von Edward Genaddi Gerisch
  • Patent number: 7810876
    Abstract: A vehicle having a rear end body structure that includes first and second rear side castings. The first and second rear side castings interlock with at least one structure that at least partially defines a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Patent number: 7810877
    Abstract: An automobile hood includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel includes a frame-shaped first inner member that joins with the outer panel and a second inner member disposed within the frame of the first inner member. The first inner member includes an outer edge portion, a first inner concave portion that forms an airspace portion, and an inner edge portion. The second inner member includes a second inner concave portion that has joint portions that join with the first inner member and form the airspace portions, panel joint portions that join with the outer panel at position on a center side of the panel, and an extension portion that extends into the first inner concave portion to join with the outer panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Ishitobi
  • Patent number: 7810878
    Abstract: A vehicle body structure, includes: a pair of front side members, front ends of which are joined to both ends of a front bumper via impact absorbing portions, respectively; front-side-member upper members, which are arranged above the front side members, and front ends of which are connected to the front side members, respectively; front-side-member lower members, which are arranged below the front side members, and front ends of which are connected to the front side members, respectively; and a dash cross member, which extends in a widthwise direction of a vehicle body, and to which rear ends of the front-side-member lower members are joined. The dash cross member includes wall portions with which parts of the rear ends of the front-side-member lower members can be brought in contact, on a rear side of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuo Nakamura, Katsuhiko Takashina, Hiroaki Kano, Hayami Nakagawa, Satoshi Yanagimoto
  • Patent number: 7810879
    Abstract: In a sun roof system, a panel bracket (13) attached to a sun roof panel (11) is provided with a guide slot (14) having a prescribed profile and extending in a fore-and-aft direction, and is slidably supported on a guide rail (21) by a front slider (15) and a rear slider (16). The rear slider is provided with a pin (17c) engaged by the guide slot. The panel bracket is also provided with a front cam piece (41) and a rear cam piece (42) slidably supported by the guide rail. The guide rail is provided with a horizontal main cam groove (21b, 21d), a front cam groove (43) for smoothly guiding the front cam piece into and out of the main cam groove and a rear cam groove for smoothly guiding the rear cam piece into and out of the main cam groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7810880
    Abstract: A vehicle equipment rack and methods for removably holding equipment on a shelf that is removably and preferably releasably mounted within a vehicle. A hook bar assembly has a guide portion, and at least one sliding portion telescopically engaged with the guide portion. The hook bar assembly is attached to the shelf. Two end hooks are on distal longitudinally outward ends of the hook bar assembly, and each end hook is configured for hooking on a headrest post of the vehicle. The end hooks may have hooks that open forward, rearward, or outward and are biased with respect to each other. Preferably, a hook portion is releasably attached to the hook bar assembly for releasing in response to a laterally directed force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Edward F. Spellman
  • Patent number: 7810881
    Abstract: A frame of a motor vehicle seat for a motor vehicle including a hinge mounting having a hinge arm, and further including a structure part, said structure part being connected to the hinge arm in a connection region, the connection region being rigid when subjected to a load below a threshold value that occurs at accelerations in a normal driving condition of the motor vehicle and the connection region being compliant when subjected to bending loads at values occurring at accelerations of the motor vehicle occurring in an event of an accident, whereby the connection region includes a tongue that projects from one of the hinge arm and the structure part, and further includes a holding device that is provided on the one of the hinge arm and the structure part on which the holding device is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Nils Magnus
  • Patent number: 7810882
    Abstract: A connectable chair has a frame for supporting a seat and a back support. The frame including a pair of spaced apart leg members. A female ganging device and a corresponding male ganging device both have a mounting portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion interconnects like chairs in a side-by-side relationship. The mounting portion secures the female and male ganging device to opposite sides of the frame. The female ganging further includes a receiving slot extending across the engagement portion. The male ganging device further includes an elongated flange extending across the engagement portion. The flange of the male ganging device may be received by the receiving slot of the female ganging device of a like chair thereby providing for the interconnection of a plurality of connectable chairs in a side-by-side relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Kerstin Bartlmae, Brian E. Williams