Patents Issued in June 14, 2011
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Patent number: 7959182Abstract: An apparatus for a hunter. The apparatus has a preformed body with a plurality of adjustable supports to brace the body in an upright position. The apparatus has removable wheels and is foldable for transport. It may be pulled over land or ice. Accessories are an overhead awning and a removable side skirt. The apparatus is easily assembled.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Inventor: Daniel R. Klein
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Patent number: 7959183Abstract: An airbag cover (1) for automotive vehicles incorporating at least one decorative element (3) as an integral part of the cover but having an appearance different to the rest of the cover and a contour delimited by two U-shaped grooves (15, 17) and having a break line (6), made up of a weakened area predetermining the line along which the break will occur during airbag bag deployment, which goes through the decorative element (3).Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Dalphi Metal España, S.A.Inventor: Azucena Pérez García
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Patent number: 7959184Abstract: A passenger seat air bag apparatus includes an air bag which is housed folded inside an instrument panel, and inflates toward a passenger who is seated in a front passenger seat with a supply of gas during a frontal collision, and which has a vent hole that can be opened and closed; a first strap which is connected to both an area around the vent hole and a rear lower portion of a base cloth of the air bag in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and which closes the vent hole as the air bag inflates; and a second strap which is connected to an edge portion of the vent hole, and pulls on the edge portion of the vent hole and on the first strap around the vent hole so as to open the vent hole when the passenger who is wearing a seatbelt is restrained by the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Fukawatase, Tomotaka Kuroda, Muneo Akashio
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Patent number: 7959185Abstract: An inflator bottle adapted for controlled release of product gas to deploy an inflatable cushion and a method thereof is provided. The inflator bottle comprises a compartment filled with a combustible gas mixture having a partition that divides the compartment into a first region and a second region. Upon a crash event, an igniter on the inflator bottle ignites initiating combustion in the first region. Combustion propagates in the first region toward a nozzle building pressure in the first region sufficient to rupture a burst disk over the passage of the nozzle releasing product gas through the nozzle. The release of product gas through the nozzle draws combustible gas mixture from the second region flowing through the gas portal on the partition into the first region for combustion.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: John Paul Sparkman, Charles M. Woods, William H. Phipps
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Patent number: 7959186Abstract: A signaling label for use in postage payment evidencing is described including a luminescent signaling section having a primarily green fluorescent ink coating. In one configuration, a primarily green fluorescent ink includes approximately 12 weight percent of a pigment selected from the quinazolinone class of pigments mixed with an acrylic varnish base to provide a primarily green fluorescent signal having with sufficient red fluorescent response to a short UV excitation to trigger a USPS facing system is described.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.Inventors: Jay Reichelsheimer, Donald G. Mackay, Richard A. Bernard
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Patent number: 7959187Abstract: A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration structure aligned with the label shape. The registration structure is raised or raisable above the back sheet to allow an object for labeling to be positioned against the registration structure for proper alignment with the label. Once positioned against the registration structure, the object can be rolled over the adhesive coated back of the label to apply the label to the surface of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Continental Datalabel, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Flynn, Michael Strauss
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Patent number: 7959188Abstract: A scratch off lottery game card is that includes a substrate on which a plurality of game indicia printed on a game indicia area in an M×N matrix and a plurality of player indicia printed on a player indicia area. The game indicia are preferably grouped by different identifier. If the game identified by an identifier have matched to the player indicia, the player wins a prize.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey D. Martineck, Sr.
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Patent number: 7959189Abstract: A tube interface (53) includes a first tube (28) and a second tube (34). The first tube (28) has an oblong opening (54) exhibiting a first major dimension (58), and the second tube (34) has an oblong end (52) exhibiting a second major dimension (72). The oblong end (52) of the second tube (34) is inserted into the oblong opening (54) so that the second major dimension (72) is aligned with the first major dimension (58). The second tube (34) is turned in the oblong opening (54) to move the second major dimension (72) out of alignment with the first major dimension (58) of the oblong opening (54) to secure the second tube (34) to the first tube (28) prior to brazing.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Calsonickansei North America, Inc.Inventors: James D. Snow, Tyler W. McCamey
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Patent number: 7959190Abstract: A cuffed connection system for the transport of a particulate material includes a tube, a conduit, or a duct, and a flexible tube end that is received and snap fit so as to be inter-engaged within the tube, the conduit, or the duct. The snap fit inter-engagement is of a pair of outward circumferential forms each fit into a complementary receiving groove of a ferrule.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: BFM Technology LimitedInventor: Blair Forres McPheat
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Patent number: 7959191Abstract: An extension pole including an outer tube connected to a water source and an inner tube positioned in a telescoping relationship to the outer tube. The inner tube includes a series of spaced apart openings that are engaged by a biased locking member positioned on the end of the outer tube. The locking member may be manually released by activation of a release button connected to locking member, thereby allowing inner and outer tubes to be moved with respect to each other. The extension pole also includes a locking nut assembly positioned on the free end of the inner tube for attaching the tube to cleaning tool and preventing rotation of the cleaning tool during use.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Carrand Companies, Inc.Inventor: Pieter Schouten
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Patent number: 7959192Abstract: A disconnectable connector assembly is provided comprising (a) a first polymeric fitting including a first open end, and a second open end; (b) a stem disposed in the first fitting, the stem including an open end and a closed end, a head comprising the closed end, a side wall including one or more apertures and a plurality of circumferential grooves, and a plurality of resilient members circumferentially engaging circumferential grooves in the side wall, wherein the stem is axially movable, from a first position to a second position, in the direction from the first end of the first fitting toward the second end of the first fitting; and, (c) a second polymeric fitting connected to the first fitting, the second fitting including a first end and a second end, the second fitting being in fluid communication with the stem and the first fitting when the stem is in the first position, and wherein fluid flow between the second fitting and the stem and the first fitting is blocked when the stem is in the second positType: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Pall CorporationInventors: Darren Elton, Richard Martin
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Patent number: 7959193Abstract: Apparatus for knotting at least one string of material has a fixed knotter plate, a primary knotter plate, a secondary knotter plate, means to apply tension to the string, and means for threading the string through the knotter plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.Inventor: Tony C. Ng
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Patent number: 7959194Abstract: A latch assembly includes a plate and an arm pivotable between a closed and an open position relative to the plate about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is substantially aligned with a line of entry of a connecting bar to a latched position in which, when the arm is in the closed position, the connecting bar is entirely surrounded by both the plate and the arm together and partially surrounded by the arm and the plate individually. The plate is fixed relative to the line of entry.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Volvo Group North America, LLCInventor: William C. Mahoney
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Patent number: 7959195Abstract: A lock arrangement comprises a first jaw component (28) pivotally moveable about a pivot axis (12), a second jaw component (30) releasably securable to the first jaw component (28) to form a pivotable jaw assembly (10), and an actuator arrangement operable to drive the jaw assembly from a locked position to a released position.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems LimitedInventors: John Herbert Harvey, David John Holman
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Patent number: 7959196Abstract: A system and method for locking a door. An assembly has a first engagement surface. A door is coupled to the assembly, the door including a latch member having a second engagement surface for engaging the first engagement surface. A movable member is capable of generating a force against at least one of the assembly and the door to press together and substantially prevent disengagement of the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventor: James D. Dale
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Patent number: 7959197Abstract: A bumper system includes primary and secondary structural cross beams, at least one having an S-shaped cross section with forwardly-facing (or outwardly-facing) top concavity. The beams include different arrangements of stiffening ribs in concavities formed by the S-shaped cross section for impact and bending strength. In one form, the beams are made of polymeric material. The beams may include integrally formed crush cans for attachment to the vehicle frame, or alternatively can be attached to vehicle frame rail tips by separate metal crush cans and brackets.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Shape Corp.Inventors: Shailesh K. Agrahari, Devesh Soni, Gowher Qadri, Dhiraj Uikey
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Patent number: 7959198Abstract: A system for detecting, capturing and retrieving a wire, optical cable, string, coaxial cable, or other line or object from within a wall or other type of enclosed structure. The system uses magnetic forces to detect and capture the object through a wall or other type of structure of the enclosure. The system also comprises a retrieval mechanism for drawing the object toward an opening in the enclosure for retrieval from the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Labor Saving Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Mark Turner
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Patent number: 7959199Abstract: A multi-joint finger unit (1) has first and second joint sections (3, 5) constructed by using bevel gears. In each joint section (3, 5), the section where a driving bevel gear (10, 44) and a driven bevel gear (14, 56) mesh with each other and also a bearing section of a joint shaft (15, 57) are assembled in a tubular housing (13, 51) whose forward end is closed. Rear end openings (13A, 52) of the tubular housings (13, 51) are closed by a tubular housing (7) at a finger root and a tubular housing (41) at a finger body section. The section where the gears of the joint sections (3, 5) mesh and the bearing section are substantially sealed, so that a foreign matter is prevented from entering from the outside to these sections and lubricant does not leaks from these sections. The multi-joint finger unit is suitable for use in place where thick powder dust is present and in a clean room.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignees: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Horiuchi, Toshihiro Hirabayashi, Hirokazu Ohta, Morihiko Ohkura
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Patent number: 7959200Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable lift assembly for a flatbed vehicle such as a pickup truck. The adjustable lift assembly includes an extendible vertical member located at each corner of a vehicle flatbed. A frame is attached to an upper portion of each extendible vertical member. The frame rises and lowers with extension and retraction of the extendible vertical support members. Each extendible vertical member is placed through a respective support collar. The support collars support and maintain the extendible vertical members parallel to each other when the vehicle moves. The present adjustable lift assembly is lightweight and provides stable elevated support for a flatbed vehicle with little or no impediment to the storage area of the vehicle flatbed.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Inventor: Trevor Voglmayr
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Patent number: 7959201Abstract: A vehicle may have a device that is movably connected to the vehicle and a gear damper used to control the motion of the device. If the vehicle is subjected to crash acceleration, the viscosity of the damper fluid increases to prevent the motion of the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Randy Staib
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Patent number: 7959202Abstract: A vehicle tray having an open-prevention mechanism may include a rotating member integrally connected to a tray cover and rotatably coupled to the tray to support the tray cover, and an inertia detecting member pivotally coupled to the tray, a portion of the inertia detecting member being selectively engaged with a stopper portion of the rotating member according to an impact to prevent rotation of the rotating member when the impact greater than a predetermined level is applied to the tray.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Gye Young Ahn
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Patent number: 7959203Abstract: A vehicle tailgate enclosure can be adapted for rapid assembly and adjustable width. The enclosure includes two side sections and a center section. The center section is formed as an assembly of two portions. The side sections can each comprise beams which are advanced into recesses of the center section and retained. The width of the tailgate enclosure can be adjusted by the depth of advancement of the beams into the recesses of the center section. The center section can be constructed of a plastic material while the side sections can be metallic, thus leading to cost and weight savings. The tailgate enclosure can be easily and rapidly assembled by hand using a single tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: 89908, Inc.Inventor: Anthony Smith
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Patent number: 7959204Abstract: An electric opening/closing device for vehicle, which has good layout characteristic of the vehicle and is provided with a highly-rigid attachment part, is provided. The vehicle electric opening/closing device comprises: a worm wheel meshed with a worm provided on a motor shaft of an electric motor; a planetary gear mechanism disposed coaxially with the worm wheel and decelerating rotation of the worm wheel to transmits it to an output gear; a gear case housing the worm wheel etc. and assembled to the electric motor; and a swing arm rotatably supported by the gear case between an output end linked to a back door and an input end linked to an output gear. An attachment plate for mounting the vehicle electric opening/closing device on the vehicle is sandwiched between the first case body and the second case body which constitute the gear case.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Mitsuba CorporationInventor: Yasushi Yoshida
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Patent number: 7959205Abstract: A latch assembly for vehicle seat comprising a base having a receiving pocket accommodating a striker of a vehicle body part, a catch rotatably coupled to the base rotating between a locking position where the catch supports the striker and an unlocking position where the catch allows the striker to escape, a damping plate rotatably coupled to the base with the same rotating axis as the catch elastically pressing catch to rotate to the unlocking position and having a damping surface elastically pressing and supporting the striker, a pawl plate rotatably coupled to base having a pressing surface pressing the catch rotated to the locking position, a pawl rotatably coupled to base having the same rotating axis as the pawl plate and having a supporting surface supporting catch preventing further rotation if the catch at locking position rotates passing the pressing surface of pawl plate due to an outer impact.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Austem Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun Sung Paing, Jun Kyu Park
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Patent number: 7959206Abstract: A retractable roof system for a vehicle is provided with a roof locking apparatus (70) provided in a vehicle body and retaining a retractable roof in a storage space (7) which is different from a trunk space, and a link mechanism (10) provided in the vehicle body and capable of changing a position of a lid (6) covering the storage space (7) so as to open and close to an open position and a closed position. The roof locking apparatus (70) is structured such as to work with the link mechanism (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Webasto AGInventors: Frank Hinrichs, Minoru Okamura
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Patent number: 7959207Abstract: A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbHInventors: Michael T. Willard, Jan Just
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Patent number: 7959208Abstract: A convertible soft top for a motor vehicle is provided. The convertible soft top has a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion has a header element that can attach to a frame around a front window of the motor vehicle and a pair of in-folding side rails. The in-folding side rails afford for the length of the front portion to be reduced and allow for the front portion to be stored on top of the rear portion in a clam shell configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Frank Neubrand
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Patent number: 7959209Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes a hook movable between locked and unlocked positions. An actuator is connected to the hook and is linearly movable to move the hook between the locked and unlocked positions. First and second rotatable gears are engaged with one another such that either gear rotates as the other gear rotates. First and second levers are respectively connected between the gears and the actuator. The levers move as the gears rotate in response to the first gear rotating in a first rotary direction and thereby cause the actuator to move linearly in a first direction to thereby move the hook to the locked position. The levers move as the gears rotate in response to the first gear rotating in a second rotary direction and thereby cause the actuator to move linearly in a second direction to thereby move the hook to the unlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbHInventors: Thorsten Schumacher, Holger Klemm
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Patent number: 7959210Abstract: A folding top bin cover assembly includes a folding top bin cover and a fixation system. The bin cover is movable to a covered position in which the bin cover covers a folding top bin of a vehicle body. The fixation system acts between the bin cover and a structural element fixable to the vehicle body. The fixation system has a fixing mechanism including a sliding element and an insertion bracket. The sliding element is connected to the bin cover and the insertion bracket is fixedly connected to the structural element. The fixation system adjusts the bin cover at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body as the sliding element operates interactively with the insertion bracket while the bin cover is in the covered position.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbHInventors: Artur Mangold, Dirk Vogt, Rudolf Horch
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Patent number: 7959211Abstract: A system and method of installing sensors around a perimeter of a motorized armored vehicle door to detect obstructions between a closing door and a door frame are provided. A safety switch including a plurality of sensors formed of a sensing element molded in a casing is provided. Adjacent sensors are separated from one another by electrical connectors. A clip is used to retrofit the safety switch to the door.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Control Solutions LLCInventors: Jorge Jimenez, Nick Scholtes, Robert C. Signaigo
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Patent number: 7959212Abstract: A blank for a vehicle door includes components arranged in the form of a blank for a front door or a rear door, each component including an edge that is adjacent to an edge of another one of the components, and welds produced by a laser, connecting the components along weld lines at the adjacent edges, each weld line of the blank for a front door being collinear with a corresponding weld line of the blank for a rear door.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jeffrey J. Gress, Venkat Aitharaju
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Patent number: 7959213Abstract: Door panel assembly of an automobile, having a door panel 1 and a sound-insulating sheet 4 attached to the door panel, characterised in that the door panel has hooks on its surface to which the sound-insulating sheet is attached, and a looped knitted fabric or a looped non-woven fabric 6? is attached to the surface of the sound-insulating sheet to be attached to the panel, the looped knitted or non-woven fabric weighing between 15 and 60 g/m2, preferably between 15 and 40 g/m2.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: APLIXInventor: Fabrice Billarant
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Patent number: 7959214Abstract: A unit carrier for fitting into a door structure of a motor vehicle door, on which functional components of the motor vehicle door may be premounted, so that the unit carrier, together with the functional components, may be fitted as a door module into the door structure, includes a surface of the unit carrier on the door structure side and fastening elements provided on the unit carrier. The fastening elements protrude from the surface of the unit carrier on the door structure side and engage in associated fastening points of the door structure, when the unit carrier is fitted into the door structure. The fastening elements are retained in a mounted position on the unit carrier before fitting the unit carrier into the door structure such that they do not protrude from the surface of the unit carrier on the door structure side.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, CoburgInventor: Thomas Salhoff
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Patent number: 7959215Abstract: The invention generally concerns a semi-trailer to be trailed by a tractor. The semi-trailer comprises a wheeled deck having two lateral sides, proximate and distal longitudinal end sides. The semi-trailer also comprises two wall structures so pivotably mounted to the deck along a respective lateral side thereof as to be movable between an upright position, where the semi-trailer is in a dry-box configuration, and a lay down position wherein the semi-trailer is in a flatbed configuration. The two pivotable wall structures allow the semi-trailer to be moved between the dry-box configuration and the flatbed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Transnat Express Inc.Inventors: Bernard Boutin, Jean-Robert Fontaine, Dominique Marcoux, Julien Nadeau, Elis Parent
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Patent number: 7959216Abstract: The present invention provides in particular a device for reinforcing a hollow motor vehicle bodywork element (1) of closed right section, the device being characterized by the fact that said element (1) has means (2; 3; 5) suitable for subjecting its inside space (E) to a shock wave or pressure wave on detecting an impact, such that the energy generated by said wave is sufficient to deform the element by increasing its section.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Autoliv Development ABInventors: Christian Perotto, Francaise Perotto, legal representative, Nicholas Dubois
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Patent number: 7959217Abstract: The attachment of a modified upper rear door hinge patch to the outside surface of a center pillar stiffener creates an energy absorbing cavity that: 1) reduces the chances that the center pillar stiffener will buckle or kink in a side impact collision, and 2) improves door mounting accuracy apart from the center pillar stiffener, and 3) improves the formability of the steel used in the manufacture of center pillar stiffeners.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Onuma
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Patent number: 7959218Abstract: A first engaging hole and a second engaging hole are formed in a fan-shaped standing portion which is fixed to a vehicle body frame and concentrically constructed with respect to a tilt direction of a the driver's cabin with a hinge shaft as a center of tilting. The first and second engaging holes respectively correspond to a tilt down position and a tilt up position of the driver's cabin. The standing portion is inserted into an actuating member fixed to a driver's cabin frame, and a locking pin urged by a spring is slidably disposed to the actuating member. Since the locking pin slides on a surface of the standing portion, the locking pin can be automatically engaged with the first or second engaging hole.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Komatsu Utility Co., LtdInventor: Takeshi Endou
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Patent number: 7959219Abstract: A reinforcement structure for a pipe includes a hole section and a plate member. The hole section is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the pipe along a longitudinal direction of the pipe to pass through a peripheral wall of the pipe to reach an interior portion of the pipe. The plate member is inserted in the hole section and secured to the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Akihide Namura, Takahiro Noguchi, Tatsushi Itoh, Fumiaki Kawahara
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Patent number: 7959220Abstract: A people carrier with an air-conditioning duct which is guided in a long stretched-out intermediate space delimited by walls is disclosed, and with at least one barrier between the air-conditioning duct and the walls, the barrier running essentially perpendicularly to the air-conditioning duct, wherein the at least one barrier is produced from a textile fireproofing material.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Werner Höfler
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Patent number: 7959221Abstract: A four-bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system having a first set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes connected at one end to an outboard portion of a leg extension platform and at a second end to a seat member. A second set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes is connected to the first set of linkage members and at one end to an inboard portion of the leg rest platform and at a second end to the seat member.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Anglese
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Patent number: 7959222Abstract: A chair device for providing comfort to a individual such as a pregnant woman comprising a first, second, and third panel, wherein the first panel is pivotally connected to the second panel and the third panel is pivotally connected to the second panel opposite the first panel; legs for supporting the panels; a first hole disposed in the second panel for accommodating a user's stomach (a pregnant woman's stomach) when she lies on her stomach; a second hole disposed in the first panel for accommodating the user's face; a shelf hanging downwardly from and generally parallel to a bottom surface the first panel, wherein the shelf may be used as a book shelf, wherein the shelf is attached via an attachment means; the shelf can move between first position where the shelf hangs below the bottom surface of the first panel and a second position where the shelf flipped over a top surface of the first panel.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Inventors: Annitta L. Powell, Randy C. Ingram
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Patent number: 7959223Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile vehicle seat and an energy-absorption apparatus coupled to the juvenile vehicle seat. The energy-absorption apparatus is configured to absorb external energy associated with an external impact force applied to the energy-absorption apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.Inventors: Andrew W Marsden, Ward Fritz, Walter S Bezaniuk, Langley Joe, Gregory C Moser
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Patent number: 7959224Abstract: A system comprising a seat having upper and lower members, a restraint, and a connector assembly having first and second members connected with the restraint and the seat. The first member has a top and a bottom, with the top being connected to the restraint and being pivotally connected to the upper member at an upper pivot point. The second member has a top and a bottom, with the top being pivotally connected to the bottom of the first member at a middle pivot point, and the bottom being pivotally connected to the lower member at a lower pivot point. The upper and lower pivot points are fixed relative to the seat. The first member pivots about the upper pivot point and the second member pivots about the lower pivot point. Aft movement of the middle pivot point results in fore movement of the restraint.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zbigniew J. Orzelski, Joseph Benjamin Watson, Mohamed S. Hamieh
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Patent number: 7959225Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mladen Humer, Nagarjun Yetukuri, Gerald Locke
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Patent number: 7959226Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a monitor device that is movably disposed in a back board of a seat back, and a drive mechanism coupled to the base portion of the monitor device. The monitor device includes a base portion and a monitor portion. The drive mechanism is arranged and constructed to move the monitor portion through a slot formed in the back board between a retracted position in which the monitor portion is positioned in an interior of the back board and a use position in which the monitor portion is positioned in an exterior of the back board while a display surface of the monitor portion is maintained in substantially parallel to the back board. The monitor portion is connected to the base portion so as to be rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to a moving direction of the monitor portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsunetoshi Hattori, Naoki Fujikawa
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Patent number: 7959227Abstract: A knit form-fit cover for a recliner chair having a base, a backrest, a seat, a pair of armrests and a footrest. The cover includes panels for covering the backrest, left and right armrests, the seat and the footrest. A seat panel includes a fastener having ends attached to lateral edges of the seat panel for positioning near a front edge of the seat of the recliner chair, which may be engaged to resistively fix a portion of the seat panel at the front edge of the seat. The seat panel is formed from an elasticized yarn material, and has pleated corners at lateral ends of a front edge of the seat panel for further securing the seat panel to the footrest. The seat panel also preferably has loops affixed to rear corners of the seat panel for securing a rear portion of the seat panel to the seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Sure Fit Inc.Inventor: Brenda Kay Miller
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Patent number: 7959228Abstract: A method of loading a child or child seat into a vehicle is disclosed. A user can rotate the rear-most vehicle seat toward the rear of the vehicle and load the child and/or child seat from the rear opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Derek Lindsay, Rudy Mayne
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Patent number: 7959229Abstract: A seat may be obtained with good operability of plural operating members for operating plural adjustable units. A vehicle seat is provided with: a seat lifter, provided to a seat body for sitting on and adjustable by operation force transmitted from a first operating system; a reclining mechanism, provided to the seat body and adjustable by operation force transmitted from a second operating system; and an operation force imparting unit that is provided at a position where it is able to be operated by a seat occupant at a predetermined position on the seat body. The operation force imparting unit is able to independently take up a first state in which a lifter knob is operated and the seat lifter adjusted, and a second state in which the reclining lever is operated and the reclining mechanism adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takahiro Ishijima, Katsuya Ueda
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Patent number: 7959230Abstract: A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back. A first actuator is provided on the seat back near an upper corner of the seat back and a second actuator is provided on the seat back near a lower corner of the seat back, so that the seat back can be moved from the cargo storage position to the seating position by a person actuating the first actuator from a location alongside the vehicle and by a person actuating the second actuator from a location behind the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2004Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: William J. Hentges, Vasile E. Bozinton, Tod A. Shivak, Srinivasa N. Sanku
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Patent number: 7959231Abstract: A dual plane armrest includes upper and lower forearm supports that overlap to permit respective use by neighbors. The upper support may be cut-away at the rear to accommodate the elbow of the user of the lower support. The upper forearm support is disposed above the lower forearm support partially or completely. The dual plane armrest provides increased lateral space for neighbors without increasing lateral seat pitch.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Inventor: James Shing Hin Lee