Patents Issued in October 19, 2010
  • Patent number: 7815208
    Abstract: A structure for laterally moving a folded folding bicycle includes a front assembly for wheeling laterally and a rear assembly for wheeling laterally comprising a sleeve secured to a seat stay and having a substantially J-shaped opening having an upward directed notch at a lower end, a support tube, an auxiliary wheel rotatably secured to the support tube, and a threaded lever. The support tube is inserted through the sleeve and the elastic member and the lever is driven through an upper end of the opening into the support tube to slidably secure the support tube to the sleeve with an elastic member biased between the top of the support tube and the sleeve. After folding the bicycle the lever slidably pushes downward until entering the notch to be locked therein so as to change orientation of the auxiliary wheel to be perpendicular to that of the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Yi-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 7815209
    Abstract: The invention concerns a standing wheelchair for handicapped and invalid people, that includes a chassis supporting an articulated structure which includes a seat support structure, a footrest support structure, a backrest support structure, and support and maneuvering resources of the articulated structure. The support and maneuvering resources are located between the articulated structure and the chassis and which are designed to move the articulated structure from a sitting position to a standing position set back in relation to the sitting position, and vice versa. According to the invention, the standing wheelchair includes resources for setting the angle (?) between the footrest and the seat in the standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lifestand “Vivre Debolt”
    Inventor: Francois Porcheron
  • Patent number: 7815210
    Abstract: The present trailer hitch assembly addresses the problem of lost tongue weight support and towing capacity when a person adds an extension to a trailer hitch for adding a slide-in camper to a truck or for moving a trailer back a little to increase the turning radius. Generally, when such an extension is utilized, the towing capacity of the vehicle to which the extension is attached is downgraded, due to the lengthening of the overall trailer hitch assembly and lack of structural support. Disclosed herein is a trailer hitch assembly that addresses this problem by providing extra structural support to boost this lack of structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Eric D. Pennal
  • Patent number: 7815211
    Abstract: A hitch storage device for securing a hitch to a vehicle that minimizes risk of accidental painful contact between the hitch and the operator of the vehicle. The hitch storage device includes a connecting member, a male hitch member, a hitch-support bracket, and a male protrusion member. The hitch storage device incorporates an integral passive securing mechanism whereby a hitch is secured without having to use an active hitch-securing device such as a bolt to secure the hitch shaft to the hitch storage device of the present invention. In a further embodiment, the male hitch member and hitch-support bracket are integrated to provide an L-shaped bracket with an integral sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Bryan Witchey
  • Patent number: 7815212
    Abstract: An adapter for coupling an actuator having an actuator rod that is linearly translatable along a first axis to a coupler having a lever arm with a contact face adapted to contact the draw arm and move the draw arm translationally along a second axis that is at an angle with respect to the first axis in the range of 1 degree to 120 degrees, the coupler mounted to an existing structure, the adapter including a base plate configured for attachment to the structure; a support plate depending from the base plate and adapted to receive the pneumatic actuator; at least one brace attached to the base plate and to the support plate; and a rotatable cam adapted to transfer force from the actuator rod as it moves along the first axis to the lever arm to cause the draw arm to move along the second axis and into contact with the hook on the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Beall Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon S. Groshong, Douglas D. Drader
  • Patent number: 7815213
    Abstract: An assembly for binding a boot to a ski, including a front retaining element that is releasable when the forces to which the front retaining element is subjected are greater than the prestress value of a first spring, a rear retaining element that is releasable when the forces to which the rear retaining element is subjected are greater than the prestress value of a second spring, the rear retaining element being mounted on a slide, and an electronically controllable additional release device. The additional release device includes a rotatable actuation mechanism, in the form of an electric motor. The additional release device includes a bar fixed to the rear retaining element or to the front retaining element, and is capable of moving longitudinally between an open position and a closed position, in reaction to the actuation of the additional release device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Laurent Damiani, Philippe Miette
  • Patent number: 7815214
    Abstract: A rotatable sports board binding adapter includes a base plate that forms a series of lock holes, and a rotatable plate that is rotatably connected to the base plate and is configured to receive a binding. The rotatable plate has a locking mechanism configured to engage any one of the lock holes. The adapter includes one or more low friction elements disposed between the base plate and the rotatable plate. A method for changing a range of rotation of a binding on a sports board includes disengaging a rotation limiter, rotating the rotatable plate from a first range of rotation into a second range of rotation, and re-engaging the rotation limiter with the rotatable plate in the second range of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Sabol
  • Patent number: 7815215
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a work site utility carrier that configures as a dolly or hand truck in its retracted mode and a work bench in its elevated mode. Pivoting arm pairs enable the carrier's lower and upper receptacles to be transitioned between modes. Two “wheelbarrow” handles are pivotally attached at the lower outer end of the upper receptacle. When oriented at right angles to the upper receptacle bottom, the handles lessen the effort needed to maneuver the carrier. In a “semi-inclined” position the carrier rests in part on the handle outer ends, with much of the mass of the upper receptacle already elevated. Full elevation is facilitated by moving the lower receptacle toward the handle outer ends which act as brakes to keep the carrier stationary during the elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Archie Lowe
  • Patent number: 7815216
    Abstract: A curtain airbag having an attaching piece at an edge portion is attached to a vehicle body through a bracket. The bracket includes a plate portion, and a plurality of airbag-attaching portions attached to the plate portion for attaching the attaching piece. The attaching piece of the curtain airbag is selectively attached to one of the plurality of airbag-attaching portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Takeki Minamikawa
  • Patent number: 7815217
    Abstract: There is provided a slant face at an upper portion of a seatbelt anchor. The slant face is formed in such a manner that its lower portion is located inward. There is provided an uneven portion that is formed near an upper edge portion of the seatbelt anchor so as to overhang. Accordingly, the curtain airbag can be prevented from catching on the seatbelt anchor even if the curtain airbag inflates downward contacting the inner face of the center pillar during its inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakao, Motoharu Hirata
  • Patent number: 7815218
    Abstract: A vehicle-occupant restraint system 20 is provided in that gas of an inflator is introduced into a lap belt inflatable part from an end of the lap belt, and the installation of the end of the lap belt and the inflator to a vehicle side member is simplified. The vehicle-occupant restraint system 20 includes webbing 21 routed along the front of an occupant sitting on a seat 10, an inflatable lap bag 22 constituting the front end portion of a lap belt portion of the webbing 21, an inflator 23 for inflating the lap bag 22, an anchor 24 for attaching the front end of the lap bag 22 to the vehicle side member, and a retractor 25 for retracting the rear end of the webbing 21. The front end of the lap bag 22 is attached to a B pillar 30 serving as the vehicle side member via the anchor 24, so that the installation of the lap belt onto the vehicle side member is simplified, reducing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Itoga
  • Patent number: 7815219
    Abstract: Sensor system for sensing pressure applied to a seat by an occupant of the seat and for controlling deployment of an airbag which includes a bladder defining a chamber and which is adapted to be arranged in a seat portion of the seat, and a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure in the chamber. Deployment of the airbag is controlled based at least in part on the pressure in the chamber measured by the pressure sensor. A control module may be provided to control deployment of the airbag so that when the pressure sensor generates a signal based on the measured pressure in the chamber and provides the signal to the control module, the control module controls deployment of the airbag based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Breed, Wilbur E. DuVall, Jeffrey L. Morin
  • Patent number: 7815220
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a vehicle comprising an intermediate assembly which is slideably disposed within a lower assembly so that the intermediate assembly may be moved between an extended and a retracted position. Further, the steering column assembly contains an upper assembly which is pivotally coupled to one end of the intermediate assembly so as to permit the upper assembly to move about a pivot point. The upper assembly further contains a locking assembly which is interconnected between the lower assembly, the intermediate assembly and the upper assembly so that the lower, intermediate and upper assemblies may be locked relative to each other in a selected position when the locking assembly is placed and retained in a first position and permitted to move when said locking assembly is placed and retained in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Douglas Autotech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Demmon, David Gruza
  • Patent number: 7815221
    Abstract: The GTank-LC & Mini-GTank-LC ‘Gtank’ is a supplemental fuel storage/delivery system that connects to and becomes an integral part of the existing fuel storage/delivery system of the Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC, increasing its capacity by between 2.0 and 2.5 gallons all the while not disrupting the normal fuel flow or intended operation of the ‘motorcycle’. This invention allows the operator to select fuel from either the existing fuel storage tank/cell or the new fuel storage tank/cell from either ‘Gtank’ during normal operation of the ‘motorcycle’ without disruption or adversely affecting its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Gary A. Ford
  • Patent number: 7815222
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a fluid storage tank trailer including a base including a set of rear wheels, a tank supported by the base, the base including a set of skids adapted to engage the ground forward of the rear wheels when the trailer is not connected to a tow vehicle, the skids being adapted to support the tank bottom in relation to the ground, a forward frame extending from generally beneath the tank to the front end, the forward frame including a nose bar at the front end, the forward frame being adapted to be towed by a tow vehicle, a forward platform elevated above the forward frame, a first forward access ladder extending from the forward platform to the first side, and a second forward access ladder extending from the forward platform to the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Gary R. Markham
  • Patent number: 7815223
    Abstract: A fuel tank trailer has a fuel tank supported on the bed of the trailer, and a secondary containment wall surrounding the fuel tank to provide an open secondary containment region. A drain valve controls the flow of fuel and water collecting in the secondary containment region. A fuel separation filter separates the fuel from any water draining from the secondary containment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Western Environmental, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Bachman
  • Patent number: 7815224
    Abstract: A rotating union communicates with a rotor member and is operable with either compressible or incompressible coolant media that enters the union through a media inlet. The union includes a housing having a counterbore and a tubular carrier member axially moveable in the housing. The union includes a primary seal assembly having a rotating seal member mounted to the rotor member and a non-rotating member mounted to the carrier member and a secondary seal member positioned about the carrier member. The range of the balance ratio of the primary seal assembly is disclosed when the primary seal assembly has imposed upon it a closing force, an opening force or no force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Deublin Company
    Inventors: Scott K. Ford, Anthony R. Sacramento, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7815225
    Abstract: A combination sealing and restraint system for an as-cast ductile iron fitting is shown for both sealing and preventing separation of an iron pipe fitting and a mating male pipe. A ring-shaped body is installed within a mating groove provided in a mouth region of the as-cast fitting after the fitting has been cast at the manufacturing plant. The ring-shaped body carries a gripping member with teeth on an inner surface thereof which are initially angled away from an outer surface of a mating male pipe. The teeth are forced into engagement with the exterior surface of the mating male pipe as the pipe joint at the fitting is assembled. The teeth are oriented to allow movement of the male pipe in a first direction relative to an end opening of the fitting during assembly, but to resist movement in a opposite direction after the fitting joint has been assembled. The ring-shaped body also includes a relatively flexible portion formed of an elastomer which forms a sealing member with the mating male pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: S & B Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Jones, Gerardo Darce, Randall Chinchilla, Bradford G. Corbett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7815226
    Abstract: A tube fitting that uses only two components, namely a fitting body and a fitting nut. The nut and body are adapted to be threadably coupled together by relative rotation therebetween. The nut includes an integral tube gripping ring that cooperates with a camming surface on the body when the fitting is made-up. The camming surface preferably has a steep camming angle. The ring is radially compressed against the tube outer wall to form a seal and a tight tube grip. The ring also forms a line contact-type seal against the camming surface. The ring is designed to have a hinging action and to plastically deform during pull-up to embed into the tubing for excellent tube grip, and an axially adjacent swage or collet zone that isolates any stress riser resulting from the embedding action from vibration effects. The fitting components, and particularly the ring, may be case hardened. The fitting may include a self-gauging feature to indicate sufficient pull-up and to prevent excessive pull-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventor: Peter C. Williams
  • Patent number: 7815227
    Abstract: An exemplary latching mechanism (20) includes a base (22) having two resilient claps (224), a detachable portion (24) having two resilient clasps (244) for engaging with the hooking portions of the base, and an unlatching element (25). The unlatching element defines two engaging slots (258) and is disposed between the base and the detachable portion. The resilient clasps of the detachable portion engage with the hooking portions of the base when the detachable portion is pressed to be latched to the base. The resilient clasps engage in the engaging slots of the unlatching element when the detachable portion is pressed to be detached from the base. Then the detachable portion and the unlatching element together move away from the base. The engagement of the detachable portion and unlatching element makes the at least one resilient clasp deforms and thus disengages from the at least one hooking portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen, Jian-Jun Li, Gang Cheng, Zheng-Qiang Song, Meng-Hua He, Bing-Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 7815228
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for damping vibration of an elastic member within a latch for securing a top panel to a base of an information handling system (IHS) includes an elastic member with a first end and a second end, the first end attached to a fixed portion of the top panel. The latch may further include a body attachable to the top panel, the body defining a cavity for receiving the elastic member, wherein the body further comprises a movable anchor for attaching the second end of the elastic member and a raised portion, wherein the raised portion is in contact with the elastic member within the cavity to damp vibration of the elastic member. The latch further includes an actuation tab coupled to the body to engage the body in a movable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: David William Grunow, Richard C. Sohaney, Faiza Hassan, Anil Damani
  • Patent number: 7815229
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch unit holding a vehicle door in a closed state, a lift lever operatively connected to the latch unit, an open lever operatively connected to the lift lever, a locking lever switching a locking knob between a locked stated and an unlocked state, the locking lever including a first lever connected to the open lever and a second lever connected to the first lever for relative rotation with a predetermined angle, the second lever operated by a locking actuator, a biasing member disposed between the first lever and the second lever to bias the second lever in a direction of an original position, and an outside lever including an outside handle lever connected to the outside handle and a release lever connected to the lift lever and operated by a release actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Ooe, Yoshitaka Kato, Keisuke Matsumoto, Satoshi Takeno
  • Patent number: 7815230
    Abstract: When an output shaft is positioned in a first angular position or a second angular position, the output shaft is allowed to rotate from one angular position to the other angular position without rotating a worm wheel. When the worm wheel is rotated to rotate the output shaft from one angular position to the other angular position, the rotation of the worm wheel is transmitted to the output shaft. When the output shaft is placed in the other angular position, driving-force transmission to the output shaft is released, and at the same time, rotation of the worm wheel is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakatsu Yoshikuwa
  • Patent number: 7815231
    Abstract: This invention provides an automotive door lock device capable of securely preventing a dropout of an operation connecting portion of an operation device from an operating lever connecting portion of an operating lever member. The automotive door lock device includes a housing having a housing body including an opening portion and a cover portion formed integrally with the housing body for opening and closing the opening portion. An operating lever member is placed in the housing and has an operating lever connecting portion. The operation device has an operation connecting portion to be connected to the operating lever connecting portion. The cover portion of the housing has a projecting portion for preventing a dropout of the operation connecting portion of the operation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Suzumura, Akira Muramatsu, Kazuhisa Hidaka, Kazutaka Kojima
  • Patent number: 7815232
    Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henry, William Barvosa-Carter, Alan L. Browne, Cameron Massey, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7815233
    Abstract: Door closure assist assemblies that assist in providing a final closing motion generally includes an extender portion comprised of an active material adapted to linearly expand in response to an activation signal and a releasable fastener having one component in movable communication with the extender portion and a second component attached to the other selected one of the door and doorframe. During operation, the door closure assist assembly provides the final closing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Henry, William Barvosa-Carter, Alan L. Browne, Cameron Massey, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7815234
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning metal debris from a magnetic tool (some tools of which have magnetic properties) is disclosed. For one embodiment, the magnetic cleaner comprises a magnetic element suitably sized to interface with a surface of a tool associated with metal debris. A housing comprising a magnetic interface constructed of magnetically transparent material surrounds the magnetic element wherein the remainder of the housing is optionally constructed from material that forms a magnetic barrier. The magnetic element may be movably associated with the housing allowing the magnetic element to be associated/disassociated with the housing magnetic interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventors: Earl H. Parris, John Michael Kay
  • Patent number: 7815235
    Abstract: A tonneau cover unit includes: a tonneau cover that covers a luggage floor which is formed on the rear side within a vehicle; a board that is fitted to an end portion of the tonneau cover, and that is provided with an engaging portion; and a rail along which the engaging portion slides in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rail has a first engaged portion that locks the board at the prescribed position with the board kept substantially parallel to the luggage floor when the engaging portion is engaged in the first engaged portion; and a second engaged portion that locks the board at a prescribed position with the board kept substantially upright at a predetermined angle with respect to the luggage floor when the engaging portion is engaged in the second engaged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hayashi Telempu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Hayashi, Tomohiko Shibata, Masahiro Ideue
  • Patent number: 7815236
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle rear seat whose seat back is foldable forwardly, comprising a seat back frame, a seat cushion frame, and a unit connected to the seat back frame and the seat cushion frame. The unit connected to the seat cushion frame comprises a pair of bases to be fixed to the vehicle body, an arm to be secured to the seat back frame, a hinge to connect the arm pivotally to one of the pair of bases, and a connecting bracket for connecting the base and the hinge. This configuration accomplishes shortened design time for vehicle seats with numerous variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7815237
    Abstract: An instrument panel for a vehicle includes an IP substrate and an IP skin with foam disposed there between. The instrument panel may include openings for receiving accessories. The IP skin material may extend into the opening. The portion of the skin material extending into the opening may include a opening datum. A cover for the opening in the instrument panel may include one or more datum ribs. When the cover is inserted in the opening in the instrument panel, the datum rib engages with the opening datum pushing the cover towards the instrument panel thereby improving the fit of the cover in the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Winston Robertson
  • Patent number: 7815238
    Abstract: A closed two-wheel motorcycle including a closed cab with a door arranged around the motorcycle structure and having retractable floors for the driver's feet, separated from each the other, which can be depressed toward the ground and are resettable by spring members is presented. Each retractable floor is connected with an external rocker arm hinged at a rear section of the motorcycle and a sliding member guided by a sleeve at a front section of the cab. The spring members operate between an upper portion of the sliding members and the front section of the cab, while locking brakes cooperate, at rest, with the sliding members for holding depressed the floor portions against the action of the spring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Haiyang Cao
  • Patent number: 7815239
    Abstract: Elongated side rails for attachment to a sidewall of a truck cargo box as a portion of a tonneau cover assembly. Each assembly includes a flexible cover that can be operatively secured to side rails. One side rail includes a securing portion that can be operatively connected to the sidewall; an inclined portion extending from the securing portion, the inclined portion having first and second sides; a connecting member extending downwardly away from the inclined portion from a position located between the first and second sides; and a longitudinal portion extending from the connecting member opposite the inclined portion. To secure the cover to the side rails, hook fastener is preferably attached to loop fastener on the cover. One preferred side rail has a ridge to prevent premature engagement of the fasteners. Another preferred side rail has directional hook fastener to prevent premature engagement of the fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Schmeichel, Steven C. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7815240
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided having front and rear roof panels and which can be moved from in use to stowed positions to change the style of the motor vehicle from a two box style to a convertible or pick-up style. A stowage mechanism for the rear roof panel having two interlinked four bar linkages is disclosed which allows a small linear actuator to produce the range of displacement required to stow the rear roof panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Richard Condon, Torsten Gerhardt, John K. Harding
  • Patent number: 7815241
    Abstract: A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side strap having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an opening in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin pivotally connecting the closure side strap and the body side strap to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a wedge bumper interconnecting the body side strap and the closure side strap to allow the decklid to free rise to a fully open position and to dampen an impact of the closure side strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Renke, Jeffrey D. Heath, Martin R. Manley, Andrew R. McIntyre, Robert A. Woods
  • Patent number: 7815242
    Abstract: An automatic opening/closing apparatus for vehicle is downsized, and cost of the automatic opening/closing apparatus is reduced by reducing the number of its components. A driving drum is rotatably accommodated in a main body case of a driving unit, and one ends of cables are connected to a sliding door and the other ends are wound around the driving drum. An electric motor is attached to the main body case, and the driving drum is driven for rotation. A tensioner mechanism applying a predetermined tension to the cables is accommodated in the main body case. A control device, including a control substrate and a substrate case for accommodating the control substrate, is disposed to be overlapped on an axial-directional side of the driving drum to a portion of the main body case for accommodating the tensioner mechanism, whereby an operation of the electric motor is controlled by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Yoshida, Yoshitaka Sekine, Yoshitaka Urano, Hiroshi Eguchi, Satoshi Nagamoto
  • Patent number: 7815243
    Abstract: An assembly carrier for installation into a motor vehicle includes a large-area carrier body molded at least partially from fiber-reinforced plastic, fastening points, which are provided on the carrier body, for fastening functional components of a motor vehicle to the carrier body, and a gate mark which projects from the carrier body and which represents a section of the path along which the molding compound for molding the assembly carrier was conducted into a cavity, which forms the carrier body, of a molding die. The gate mark has at least one longitudinally extended gate section which is curved in cross section through the carrier body and the gate mark and whose longitudinal sides which are situated opposite, and which face away from, one another run in each case along a curved path and merge in each case along the respective path into the carrier body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt
    Inventors: Michael Salzmann, Udo Taubmann, Harald Krüger, Martin Schlechtriemen
  • Patent number: 7815244
    Abstract: An air guiding device for a motor vehicle, in particular a rear spoiler, can be moved between a retracted non-use position and at least one deployed use position and contains an air guiding body on which are disposed two lateral air guiding body sections which can be moved in the vehicle transverse direction. Here, it is important that, in the non-use position of the air guiding device, the lateral air guiding body sections form a common joint which runs in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with at least one of the two air guiding body sections having, on its side which forms an edge of the common joint, a depression at least in regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Conrad Hummel
  • Patent number: 7815245
    Abstract: A front part structure of a vehicle body is provided. A suspension frame disposed posterior to a front-side component in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An apron side member extends in the longitudinal direction. An apron lower member extends in the longitudinal direction, connects the front-side component and the suspension frame and is disposed below the apron side member. A first shock absorbing portion is provided in a front end portion of the apron side member. A second shock absorbing portion is provided in a front end portion of the apron lower member such that the second shock absorbing portion is disposed below the first shock absorbing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Hiraishi, Kengo Miyawaki, Junji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7815246
    Abstract: A cab includes a cab frame forming the cab, an outer roof configured to cover the cab frame from above and to be fastened to the cab frame from above, a seal mount protruding downwardly from an edge of the outer roof, and a seal material including a body portion having a recess for receiving the seal mount. The periphery of the body portion of the seal material has a seal lip for contacting the cab frame for sealing, and a drain groove for draining water entering between the seal material and the cab frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Norimi Nakamura, Shinichiro Saji, Takeshi Tsuchiya, Masanori Fujino
  • Patent number: 7815247
    Abstract: Deformation by camber recovery etc. due to non-uniform residual stress is suppressed, and occurrence of crack and burr is suppressed by improving press forming property of a roof side T-shaped portion, so that a reinforcing member having a predetermined shape accuracy is manufactured easily and inexpensively by pressing. A reinforcing member (12) is constructed by three members, i.e. an upper member (20), a lower member (22) and a central member (24). A tensile strength of the upper member (20) is selected lower than that of the central member (24), and is higher than that of the lower member (22). In comparison to a case where the upper member (20) and the central member (24) are constructed integrally by an ultra-high tensile steel plate, fluctuation of internally generated residual stress is made small. Shape accuracy is thereby improved by the reduced deforming amount due to camber recovery etc., thus press forming being facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Akira Obayashi
  • Patent number: 7815248
    Abstract: A rearward-side body structure of a vehicle, particularly a passenger car, has two side members mutually connected by a cross member. On each vehicle side, one console is provided, which in each case covers a junction node in a flat and form-integrated manner from below, in which junction node the cross member is to be fastened to the respective side member. The console has a bearing plate, on which a subframe of the vehicle can be supported. The bearing plate has at least one passage opening through which the subframe can be screwed to the vehicle body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Holger Hahlweg, Jan Christian Straeter
  • Patent number: 7815249
    Abstract: The present invention provides a truck hood including a metal hood skin including at least an upper portion and a sidewall portion; and a frame supporting at least a portion of the metal hood skin including polymer and aluminum reinforcements. The polymer reinforcements include a front hood stiffener member positioned at a front end portion of the metal hood skin, a rear hood stiffener member positioned at a rear end portion of the metal hood skin and hood corner longitudinal members connecting the front hood stiffener member to the rear hood stiffener member. The aluminum reinforcements include front and rear frame extruded members positioned along the sidewalls of the metal hood skin and an arch extruded reinforcement positioned at the wheel arch. In one aspect of the invention, the truck hood further includes a pair of fenders formed of a metal skin that may be reinforced by a polymer fender mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh C. Seksaria, Russell Long
  • Patent number: 7815250
    Abstract: An undercover for a vehicle, which covers a silencer which is disposed on a lower surface of a body of the vehicle for discharging reacted gas of a fuel-cell mounted in the vehicle, wherein an opening is formed so as to correspond in position to an open portion which is formed at an end of a discharge pipe of the silencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Oshio, Atsuyoshi Kawai, Yoichi Maeda, Yohtaroh Ukai
  • Patent number: 7815251
    Abstract: An under-body frame of a vehicle may include a floor constituting a lower part of a vehicle, rear side frames installed at both side ends of a rear portion of the floor, mounting brackets which are installed in front of wheel arch portions of the rear side frames, respectively, and in and to which front ends of trailing arms of a rear suspension device are inserted and fixed, and/or a rear cross member installed to extend across the floor from a side of the floor to the opposite side of the floor and having both ends fixed to the mounting brackets which are installed at opposite sides, respectively. With the under-body frame, it is possible to increase fixation security of a trailing arm of a suspension device and enhance safety of inside parts of a vehicle when a rear impact occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Yong Kew Kim
  • Patent number: 7815252
    Abstract: A vehicle comprising a vehicle frame having a moon roof channel, a structural panel and a pillar. The vehicle also includes a side curtain air bag canister holding a side curtain air bag, a bracket engaged with the canister and connecting the side curtain air bag canister to the vehicle frame, a drain tube being connected to the moon roof channel, with the drain tube being configured to route drain fluid from the moon roof channel down the pillar, and a clip for connecting the drain tube to the side curtain air bag canister. The clip has a first section for engaging the canister and a second section for engaging the drain tube, with the clip having a wing abutting the bracket for preventing the clip from rotating on the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Huelke
  • Patent number: 7815253
    Abstract: In a cover member storage structure that allows a user to manually move a folded cover member from a roof into a box in the vehicle interior, the cover member storage structure includes: a tray (30) on which a folded cover member (12) is placed; and a guide means (40) for guiding and supporting the tray (30) so that the tray (30) is moved from the first position (P1) at the rear side of the first rail (11b) to fold the cover member via a rotating position (P2) to the second position (P3) in the vehicle interior. The tray (30) is swung between the first (P1) and the second (P2) positions via a damper (37), and the guide means (40) includes: the second rails (41) along which the tray (30) is guided from the first position to the second position; and a biasing means (44) for biasing the tray (30) toward the roof position when the tray (30) is moved along the second rails (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kanto Auto Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Kanamori
  • Patent number: 7815254
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a frame which attaches to outdoor furniture, in particular to a chair, and a canopy. Embodiments can be moved from an overhead position to a behind the chair position. The frames can be moved from a collapsed to a fully extended position. In embodiments the canopy can be positioned to contain the collapsed frame and chair in the carrying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Swimways Corporation
    Inventors: David Reeb, Paul Robinette
  • Patent number: 7815255
    Abstract: A seat for a combat vehicle includes a generally rectangular rigid base including front and rear ribs disposed on opposite, longer sides of the base, the base including a pair of slot openings disposed adjacent opposite, shorter sides of the base; a generally rectangular inner cushion disposed on a top surface of the base; a generally U-shaped outer cushion disposed on a top surface of the inner cushion and along outer surfaces of the front and rear ribs; a cover disposed over the outer cushion; and a pair of support assemblies for supporting the seat in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kiel, Louis John Gaston, Frank C. Dlubak
  • Patent number: 7815256
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) having a squab (2) and the backrest (3) may be provided with a child squab or booster cushion (4). Various elements are provided on the seat which may move in response to the child squab (4) being provided. A first element that may move is a guide (10) which guides part of a seat belt (7). The guide (10) moves inwardly towards the central axis (8) of the seat. Other moveable restraints may be lateral restraints (62,63) which move forwardly from the backrest of the seat to be located to either side of the torso of a child occupying the child squab (4) and head restraints (64,65) which may move forwardly from the head rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development,AB
    Inventors: Christer Erlingstam, Christian Svensson
  • Patent number: 7815257
    Abstract: Adjustment device for chairs, comprising a back support capable of rotating around a shaft fastened to a support base, said support for the backrest being provided with a blocking plate having a plurality of openings, an insert capable of limited movement in a defined track in the support base to engage and disengage said openings, and an actuator connected to said insert, in which the actuator is operated by a rod connected to a handle that can be operated by the user, said actuator being movable between a release position and a lock position, in which said insert is selectively engaged in one of said openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Massimo Costaglia, Alessandro Slongo