Patents Issued in November 12, 2013
  • Patent number: 8579338
    Abstract: An improved slide bolt locking mechanism is capable of selectably releaseably fastening both overhead doors and swing doors to its surrounding door frame. A portion of the traditional slide bolt is replaced by a lighter actuating mechanism outwardly of the door-transom interface and a form fitting handle. The handle includes an alignable eye assembly capable of securement by a pad or combination lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Kirti Shah
  • Patent number: 8579339
    Abstract: An outside handle assembly of a vehicle door includes an escutcheon disposed in the outer panel of the vehicle door, a handle body disposed at a vehicular outer side of the escutcheon, a first protection bracket disposed at the vehicular inner side of the escutcheon, the first protection bracket comprising an engaging hole configured to receive a key cylinder, and a second protection bracket disposed at the vehicular inner side of the escutcheon to cover a periphery of the key cylinder, wherein the second protection bracket is coupled to the inner panel of the vehicle door and comprises at least one support contacting the first protection bracket, and wherein the second protection bracket is arranged to receive an impact load exerted upon the first protection bracket toward the vehicular inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keita Abe
  • Patent number: 8579340
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable strike having a striker plate, an end cap removably attached to an end of the striker plate, and the end cap having a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each for attaching the end cap with a door frame. The end cap also has a tab for removably attaching the striker plate with the end cap. The invention also relates to a method of providing the adjustable strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Assa Abloy New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Steven A. Gledhill, Shelly Ellen Farrell
  • Patent number: 8579341
    Abstract: A grill grate lifting tool that engages the grill at three or more points. The grill lifter hooks between the tines of the grill grate at the rim and/or to a handle of the grill grate. The grill grate lifting tool includes a handle attached to three or more legs, which is generally central above the center of mass of the grill grate to provide a stable lifting point with or without food on the grate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: James K. Greer
  • Patent number: 8579342
    Abstract: This invention provides a post hole digger having a first, traverse pivot point, located on the lower section of two handle members, and a second, blade assembly pivot point located at the medial point of the blade assemblies. Because the first pivot point is a traverse pivot point, the handle members are only required to travel through a limited range of motion. Additionally, the second, blade assembly pivot point is preferably an offset pivot point. Thus, because the second, blade assembly pivot point is disposed at a medial point the blade assemblies, the motion of the handle members, which are coupled to the upper ends of the blade assemblies, is reversed relative to the lower ends of the blade members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ames True Temper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Norton, Barry R. Albert
  • Patent number: 8579343
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a robot actuator and a humanoid robot having the same. The robot actuator includes a rotation driving source, a ball screw member including a ball screw part connected to the rotation driving source and a nut part connected to the ball screw part, a guide member separated in parallel from the ball screw part, a slider member movably supported by the guide member, and a connection member connecting the slider member and the nut part to move the slider member in connection with movement of the nut part, and the connection member is relatively movably connected to at least one of the nut part and the slider member. Therefore, efficiency in force reflection and back-drivability of the actuator is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang Min Park, Ja Woo Lee, Yong Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8579344
    Abstract: A carrier comprising an elongated flexible portion comprising a base having a first side and a second side, a first pair of arms extending from the first side of the base, a second pair of arms extending from the second side of the base, the first pair of arms being joined to a first end portion having a central area, the second pair of arms being joined to a second end portion having a central area, a first strip portion having a first end and a second end; the first end of the first strip portion being detachably connected to the first side of the base, and the second end of the first strip portion being connected to the first end portion, a second strip portion having a first end and a second end; the first end of the second strip portion being detachably connected to the second side of the base, and the second end of the second strip portion being connected to the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Glopack, Inc.
    Inventor: Wai-Lun Yuen
  • Patent number: 8579345
    Abstract: A ladder handle and transporting device is disclosed. The device allows for ladders to be carried by a handle affixed to the side of the ladder. The device includes a handle, straps, and a rail support section. Another embodiment of the disclosure allows for a ladder handle and transporting device for extension ladders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: IQPod, LLC
    Inventors: Randy LeClaire, Jay Lord, Stephen Fisher
  • Patent number: 8579346
    Abstract: A handle, preferably for a motor vehicle, includes, but is not limited to a frame surrounding an upper part. At least one engagement hook is arranged on the frame, which can be hooked into at least one corresponding counterpart provided on the upper part, and with a lower part that can be arranged on the upper part, on which lower part at least one projection that can be placed against the engagement hook is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thilo Schaefer, Johann Kleeb
  • Patent number: 8579347
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component including decorative stitching along a stitch path includes a seam spacer located between a component substrate and an overlying decorative covering. At least a portion of the seam spacer lies along the stitch path and supports the decorative covering therealong, where the covering may include a reduced thickness portion due to the decorative stitching. The seam spacer can have any number of configurations to prevent visual defects along the stitch path and/or to cause the appearance of simulated seams to be more realistic. The seam spacer may be attached to the covering at the same time the decorative stitching is sewn through the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William Filipp
  • Patent number: 8579348
    Abstract: A flexible sliding lid assembly including a guided lid comprised of a plurality of flexibly interconnected lid segments. The lid includes a rib or a plurality of spaced ribs that extend upward from a top surface of the lid along a rear portion thereof. A cover plate overlies at least a portion of the lid when the lid is in an opened position. The cover plate includes one or more grooves in which the rib/ribs travel when the lid is slidably opened and closed. If an object residing on the lid during lid opening passes through a gap between the lid and the cover plate, the object will be caught by the projecting rib(s), trapped between the top of the lid and the cover plate, and returned to an exposed position along the rear of the lid for easy retrieval when the lid is subsequently closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald W. Myers
  • Patent number: 8579349
    Abstract: A headrest assembly for a motor vehicle has an upright column secured to the vehicle supporting an arm movable between first and second positions with an actuator. An attachment connected to the arm supports a head restraint pad located behind the head of a person seated in a wheelchair in the vehicle operator's position or front vehicle passenger's position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Phillip E. Schlangen
  • Patent number: 8579350
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular transit system having a track system and/or modular seating that can be used to modify a transit car. The track system can support a variety of attachments to allow the transit car to be reconfigured. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable furnishing system is de-mountably mountable to a generally vertical wall. The adjustable furnishing system comprises a mounting structure carried by the wall, a support frame having opposite first and second ends, and a furnishing carried by the support frame. The first end of the support frame releasably attaches to the mounting structure and the mounting structure supports the support frame in a cantilevered position with the second end extending outwardly from the wall with the furnishing carried thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kustom Seating Unlimited, Ltd.
    Inventors: James Masters, Eugene J. Germaine
  • Patent number: 8579351
    Abstract: A vehicle seat device capable of providing a space in which a large sized load can be disposed. A seat device is provided with a left rear seat and a right rear seat arranged next to each other in the vehicle width direction, and also with a left front movement device for moving the left rear seat to a left foot space located in front of the left rear seat. The left rear seat having been moved to the left foot space is moved through a lateral slide rail up to a right foot space located in front of the right rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Takakura, Kazutomo Isonaga, Toshihiko Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8579352
    Abstract: A shading device for a carriage windshield of a rail vehicle has a frame structure which is provided for attaching to the underside of the carriage roof. The frame structure supports a generally plate-shaped sunscreen, and the sun screen can be attached to the frame structure in a movable manner by a guide device. The guide device has a middle guideway and two outer radial guideways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bartha, Elisabeta-Mihaela Comsa
  • Patent number: 8579353
    Abstract: A retractable tarp cover for a truck, trailer body or other equipment is adapted to be moved from a retracted position at the front of the truck, trailer body or other equipment to an extended position at the rear of the truck, trailer body or other equipment by means of a rodless cylinder at each side thereof. The tarp is also movable from its extended position to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Vinc L. Aulick
  • Patent number: 8579354
    Abstract: A road vehicle: provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment, delimited by a windscreen supported by a frame; and a convertible roof, which can be connected to the coachwork for closing, at the top, the interior compartment and is provided with a covering cloth comprising two side beams at respective side ends; and a supporting frame, which can be mechanically connected to the coachwork for supporting the covering cloth; each side beam is provided with: a rigid side panel, which rises in cantilever fashion from a rear end of the side beam and, in the position for closing the interior compartment, is set substantially vertical; and engagement means for connecting the covering cloth to the frame and for connecting the two side panels to a portion of the coachwork that delimits the interior compartment at the rear and at the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Cimatti
  • Patent number: 8579355
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle window section structure in which in a state where an openable and closable front door is closed, a gap (63) extending inward in a vehicle width direction is formed between a small window (9) provided on a vehicle body side and a mount body (25) of a door mirror mount provided to the front door. A peripheral member (11) is provided on the outer periphery of the small window (9). A lip (50) extending along the vehicle width direction is provided to the peripheral member (11). Distance between the lip (50) and the mount body (25) facing the lip (50) is larger toward an outer end in the vehicle width direction and smaller toward an inner end in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8579356
    Abstract: An air splitter panel is attached to a vehicle fascia panel. One of the panels has a plurality of longitudinal extending slots and the other of the panels has a plurality of fastener holes that register with the slots. Fasteners are mounted in each of the holes and extend through the slot registered therewith to attach the panels together while permitting sliding movement of the splitter panel relative to the fascia panel. A yieldable detent acts between the fastener and the one of the panels with the slot to block the sliding movement of the splitter panel until a force applied upon the splitter panel overcomes the yieldable detent to permit the sliding movement of the splitter panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Phillip M. Turner, Russell J. Peyerk
  • Patent number: 8579357
    Abstract: An air deflection apparatus for reduction of vehicular air drag comprises at least two air deflection elements coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle but not to the rear-facing surface of the vehicle. The air deflection elements are displaceable, preferably in unison, between a retracted position and at least one deployed position, and may be deployed and retracted manually, or remotely with powered assistance, or under microprocessor control. The air deflection elements are preferably arranged above, below and on either side of the rear-facing surface of the vehicle, with at least the latter two air deflection elements having matching configurations. Vehicles equipped with the apparatus, and methods of reducing vehicular air drag using the apparatus, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Howard G. Nusbaum
  • Patent number: 8579358
    Abstract: A modified air dam includes an integral spring-like, corrugate-shaped portion for absorbing impact forces imposed on the air dam. A lower portion of the air dam is generally planar and angled slightly from a vertical plane toward the front of the vehicle. The air dam also includes a rounded portion to provide a horizontal offset between upper and lower portions of the air dam and to direct airflow toward a bottom portion of the radiator. The air dam may also be curved side-to-side or employ an inverted, generally U-shaped portion as a first force absorbing region and a spaced rib that serves as a second force absorbing region. The generally U-shaped portion also advantageously extends over a fastener and mounting region of the air dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Meeks, Michael W. Maurer, Jason A. Widmer, James Robinson, Sukwon Kim, Kyle Stephen Mihok, Jeremy Paul Lucas
  • Patent number: 8579359
    Abstract: A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer along a length of the trailer. A mounting bracket assembly of the system is coupled to the side skirt wall and is configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. The mounting bracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: James Bruce Brown, Leonard William Baker
  • Patent number: 8579360
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for reducing drag on a vehicle. The device comprises a sheet of material and a plurality of depressions/elevations. The sheet of material having a base portion and an apex extending from the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Lonnie Litchfield
  • Patent number: 8579361
    Abstract: A vehicle undercover is provided with a fixed section fixed to a front body and a rotating section, one end of which is rotatably coupled to the fixed section and the other end of which vertically moves relative to the front body so as to be able to open and close a lower opening, in which the fixed section closes a part of the lower opening and the rotating section closes a remaining part of the lower opening, which is not closed by the fixed section. Such a configuration improves aerodynamic performance of a vehicle and improves workability of maintenance operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eishi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8579362
    Abstract: A crash box (10) for a motor vehicle, is made of a polymeric material and has a first open frontal extremity (12) and a second rear extremity (14). The crash box (10) includes a structure (20) substantially alveolar defined by a plurality of channels (30) realized in just one piece, each of which extends internally to the crash box starting form the first open frontal extremity (12) towards the second rear extremity (14). The crash box includes stiffening elements (50) of the second rear extremity, which are able to stiffen the plurality of channels (30) only in proximity of the second rear extremity 14. Preferably the stiffening elements (50) are directly integrated with the second rear extremity (14), in particular internally to the same, and are preferably made of a polymeric material having a good impact strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tres SRL
    Inventor: Francesca Di Modugno
  • Patent number: 8579363
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a rollover protection cab. In one embodiment, a rollover protection cab for a construction vehicle includes a structural frame defining cabin space for a vehicle operator. The structural frame is operable to substantially maintain the cabin space while withstanding a crushing load greater than or equal to twenty tons. The cab further includes a window; a door; a seat disposed in the cabin space; and controls for operating the vehicle disposed in the cabin space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel E. Davis, Andres Garcia, Ronaldo Barrera
  • Patent number: 8579364
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a front loader mounted at a front portion of the work vehicle to be vertically pivotable, a driving control device, and a canopy device for covering the driving control device from above, the canopy device including a roof disposed upwardly of the driving control device and a support body for supporting the roof. The roof includes a front visor portion which projects, in a plan view thereof, to a position same as or more forwardly of a front end portion of the driving control device. To a lower face of said front visor portion, there are attached a pair of right and left front illumination lamps, and there is provided an upper concave portion at the right/left center thereof. A lower face of the upper concave portion is formed as an inclined face which is inclined upward from a rear portion to a front edge of the front visor portion so as to be located at a higher position than the attaching position of the front illumination lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Fukudome, Naoya Tsuda, Kenzo Ushiro
  • Patent number: 8579365
    Abstract: In an automotive cowl louver support structure, vehicle-widthwise both sides of a cowl louver disposed between a windshield and a hood can be supported by lower portions of right and left rain gutters, and ornamental surfaces of the rain gutters can be continuous with a ornamental surface of the cowl louver. Engaged portions are provided to lower portions of the right and left rain gutters. Engagement portions configured to engage the respective engaged portions are provided to vehicle-widthwise both sides of the cowl louver. Further, the engagement portions of the cowl louver are engaged with the engaged portions of the right and left rain gutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichiro Makise, You Kamitamari, Itaru Onishi
  • Patent number: 8579366
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly includes opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transversal edges. The longitudinal edges are adapted to be guided in non parallel guide rails. The sunshade assembly comprises a flexible screen, said screen having a transversal edge connected to a beam of the sunshade assembly and having opposed lateral screen parts biased in lateral direction. At least one of the lateral screen parts is configured to adjustably fold around a folding member through an angle of substantially 180° along at least a part of the length of the corresponding longitudinal edge of the sunshade assembly. The invention is useful for several types of sunshade assembly, such as roller screens and sunshade panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 8579367
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to Anti-ballistic Chairs with the preferred embodiment consisting of a conventionally appearing stacking chair with padded seat cushion and back rest, having a tubular framework with arm rests, having the addition of a skirt section below the seat extending to the floor level. The core of the chair will consist of layers of flexible anti-ballistic fabric, also known as soft armor, wrapped in two directions around the tubular members of the back rest, seat and skirt section. Alternatively, the stacking chair will be constructed of pre-manufactured hard anti-ballistic armor components, also known as hard armor. Two additional embodiments will be folding chairs with tubular frameworks, the first having hard armor anti-ballistic surfaces and the second being able to have hard armor or soft armor anti-ballistic surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Peters Security International, Inc
    Inventors: Fred E. Peters, Jens Wemhoener
  • Patent number: 8579368
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle includes a seat cushion frame reciprocating between seating and retracted positions, a seat back frame rotatable between standing and forward-tilted positions, a head rest movable between stationary and retracted positions, a pair of links provided at both end portions of the seat cushion frame on a floor in a lateral direction of the vehicle, a guide member including a guide groove extending between the seating and retracted positions, a slide member arranged at the seat cushion frame and sliding along the guide groove, a head rest retaining device retaining the head rest in the stationary position, a rotary member supported by the seat back frame and rotated by the slide member, and an interlocking device arranged between the rotary member and the head rest retaining device and releasing the head rest from the stationary position in accordance with a rotation of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Kokubo, Masaki Hatano, Hideki Fujisawa, Kazuya Iwasa, Hiroaki Hayahara
  • Patent number: 8579369
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat shell formed to include a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile seat also includes a headrest mounted for up-and-down movement on the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Gaudreau, Jr., David Amirault
  • Patent number: 8579370
    Abstract: A seat back of vehicle seat, on which a headrest unmovable in fore-and-aft direction is mounted, is constructed such that a resilient support member for supporting a back portion of seat occupant is provided therein, and the upper region of that resilient support member is operatively connected, via movable connecting element, with a biasing element. When a rear-end collision occurs, the resilient support member is displaced far backwardly by excessive great load applied thereto from the seat occupant, overcoming a biasing force of the biasing element, thereby causing the biasing element to stretch long, so that the resilient support member with the seat occupant's back portion thereon is displaced backwardly and upwardly under guidance of the movable connecting element so as to quickly bring a head of the seat occupant to a point close to the headrest, prior to the head being directly pressed against the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kanda
  • Patent number: 8579371
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a reclinable seatback (2), a seat bottom (3) movable in a front-and-rear direction, a pretensioner (41) for moving the seat bottom (3) rearward, and brackets (21, 21) attached to a vehicle body. The seat bottom is attached to the brackets so as to move in the front-and-rear direction, the seatback is rotatably attached to the brackets, and the pretensioner moves the seat bottom relatively rearward with respect to the brackets. When the seat bottom is moved rearward by the pretensioner, a front portion of the seat bottom is moved upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Eiji Masutani
  • Patent number: 8579372
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a child seat for rearward facing use in a vehicle. The child seat includes an inflatable seating cushion chamber; an inflatable back part chamber; and inflatable side part chambers. The chambers are interconnected such that they form a continuous inflatable volume that require only a single port for inflation and deflation. The chambers are constructed out of a non-permeable fabric that maintains a constant separation between at least two non-permeable fabric surfaces when inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Bjoern Wessman, Kolita Mendis, Robert Johnston
  • Patent number: 8579373
    Abstract: A seat base length adjustment device including a seat nose plate assembled on a carriage movable with respect to the seating frame, means for slidably guiding the carriage, and means for maintaining the carriage in position with respect to said frame. The sliding guide means comprises a guide rail located in a middle portion of the carriage, the carriage supports a toothed wheel, rotatably assembled on the carriage along an axis perpendicular to the seating frame and to the sliding direction, and meshing with a rack arranged close to the guide rail, and the means for maintaining the carriage in position comprises a lock acting on the rotation of the toothed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Sieges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Bernard Pradier, Jérôme Planson
  • Patent number: 8579374
    Abstract: The motor vehicle seat of the present invention includes: a seat proper mounted on a pillar by means of a first connecting rod assembly including a front connecting rod and a rear connecting rod; a backrest mounted on the pillar by means of a second connecting rod assembly including a front connecting rod and a rear connecting rod; a locking mechanism for alternately restricting or enabling a movement of the backrest relative to the pillar, the seat being freely movable between a nominal position and a folded back position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: David Epaud, Fabrice Lesbats
  • Patent number: 8579375
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide adjustable or convertible seats for use in aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. The seats are designed to use non-parallel slides and a single actuator for certain movements of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats France
    Inventors: Jean Charles Marais, Joel Marais
  • Patent number: 8579376
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the height of the backrest of an office chair having a backrest unit at the rear side of a seat body. The height adjustment may take place to achieve the optimal resting angle according to the different body shapes, personal requirements and needs of the users. In moving upward to adjust the height, an automatic engagement is achieved in the predetermined position. Moreover, an automatic return to the lowest position is achieved as well in reaching the highest position. It is done without any tools or control buttons and fulfills the requirements on the user-friendly operation and a practical use. In addition, a waistrest is located at the position of the waist of the user for providing an optimal resting comfort by means of the pivoted and telescopic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Ching-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8579377
    Abstract: A drive device for a motor vehicle seat (1) has a mount (22), a drive (24) which is mounted to the mount (22), so as to be pivoted about a first axis (A), an output (25) which is mounted to the mount (22), so as to be rotated about a second axis (B), and a transmission. The transmission transmits a driving pivot movement of the drive (24), which moves the drive (24) from an initial position into a deflected position, to the output (25) and causes a rotating movement of the output (25). At least one rolling body (26) is provided as the transmission. The rolling body (26), in the initial position and during the driving pivot movement of the drive (24), is in friction contact both with the drive (24) and simultaneously with the output (25) and rolls along same, and releases during the pivot movement back into the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Schüler
  • Patent number: 8579378
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for locking a seat belt with respect to a fixed base frame to prevent movement of a movable seat portion in the event of a crash or crash-like condition on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats France
    Inventors: Jean Charles Marais, Joel Marais
  • Patent number: 8579379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a seat for a chair-lift installation composed of a seating part (1) and a back (2) and further including a support arch (3) intended to be connected to a carrier cable, a safety bar (4) mounted to tilt with respect to the seat between a lowered position and a raised position and provided with a horizontal bar (5). According to the invention, the seat includes, at least one of the side flanks a tilting device (8) arranged so that the horizontal bar (5) of the safety bar (4) makes, in a side plane, a non circular motion facilitating the passage from the lowered position to the raised position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pomagalski
    Inventors: Franckie Tamisier, Philippe Martin
  • Patent number: 8579380
    Abstract: A water spray assembly for replaceable location in a receiving bore of a pick box, which pick box is also adapted to receive a replaceable mineral cutter pick, is constructed from two components. One component is a spray body and the other component is a co-axial spray nozzle. The two components are releasably connected together by screw threads, whereby the spray assembly may either be removed from or inserted into, its receiving bore as a whole, or alternatively as individual components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Minnovation Limited
    Inventor: George Albert Parrott
  • Patent number: 8579381
    Abstract: An annular centering ring centers a wheel on a hub. The hub has a circular outer surface and an outer end face. The wheel has a central opening defined by a circular wall. The annular centering ring has an annular mounting flange structure that seats upon the circular outer surface and the outer end face of the hub, and a centering skirt structure that is engaged by the circular wall of the wheel when the wheel is installed onto the hub so that the centering skirt structure is flexed and occupies the annular space between the circular outer surface of the hub and the central opening of the wheel to thereby center the wheel upon the hub in readiness for installation of a plurality of lug nuts. The centering skirt structure is captured in a press-fit relationship between the wheel and hub, or can be extruded away during the installation of the wheel onto the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Straitiff
  • Patent number: 8579382
    Abstract: A road wheel includes an outboard surface; an ornament configured to attach to the outboard surface; a post formed with the ornament, configured to fasten to the wheel; and a key formed with the ornament, the key configured to mate with a cavity in the outboard surface. The key includes a semi-circular profile. The key further includes at least one node, protruding therefrom; the outboard surface of the wheel includes a receptacle configured to at least partially fit the node therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Peschiutta
  • Patent number: 8579383
    Abstract: A fastening element for fixation of a wheel on a wheel axle has a first section and a second section that are movable relative to each other and are separated from each other by a plane of separation. The first section has devices for fixation on the wheel axle. The second section has a wheel axle cover. A substantially closed outer wall that is divided by the plane of separation is provided on the fastening element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Viking GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Vogler, Hubert Lechner, Siegfried Buchauer
  • Patent number: 8579384
    Abstract: A vehicle air brake system is presented with an improved service work brake arrangement. The arrangement may provide a service work brake function or both a service work brake function and a parking brake function for the vehicle. The arrangement may provide an improved service work brake arrangement disposed within a housing for reducing the number of components and plumbing required to achieve this functionality versus prior known systems. The arrangement may utilize a pneumatic latching valve to deliver pressurized air for applying a vehicle's service brakes. The pneumatic latching valve opens upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from an electronically controlled valve and closes upon receiving a pneumatic control signal from another source. In addition, a controller and control logic may be provided for controlling the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8579385
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake system for a vehicle, with a main brake cylinder, a fluid control unit, and at least one wheel brake. The fluid control unit has, for brake pressure modulation in at least one brake circuit a switchover valve, an intake valve and a recirculating pump for each brake circuit. According to the invention, the fluid control unit has, for each brake circuit, a sliding valve which is connected into a suction line between the recirculating pump and the main brake cylinder. The sliding valve restricts the effective pressure on a suction side of the recirculating pump to a predeterminable maximum pressure value. In this case, the sliding valve can be arranged in series with or parallel to the intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Schepp, Norbert Alaze
  • Patent number: 8579386
    Abstract: A VSA device (24), which controls vehicle behavior by individually controlling the pressure of brake fluid supplied from a slave cylinder (23) to a wheel cylinder (16, 17; 20, 23), is provided with: an accumulator (62) which can be connected to the wheel cylinder and the slave cylinder (23); an out-valve (60, 61) disposed on a fluid path between the wheel cylinder and the accumulator (62); a check valve (63) that allows only flow of brake fluid from the accumulator (62) to the slave cylinder (23); and a regulator valve (54) disposed on a fluid path between the wheel cylinder and a path between the check valve (63) and the slave cylinder (23). Brake fluid is discharged from the accumulator (62) to the slave cylinder (23) by reducing the driving force of an electric motor (32) of the slave cylinder (23), thereby rendering a special pump unnecessary and making it possible to reduce the weight, cost, and component count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunimichi Hatano
  • Patent number: 8579387
    Abstract: A glove box with a leakage shielding space (4) comprises a main box body, a view window (8) placed on the main box body, glove ports installed on the view window (8), side panels attached to the main box body, and an antechamber (1) installed on a side panel. Wherein, on at least one of five interfaces, namely, between the main box body and the view window (8), between the main box body and the side panel, between the view window (8) and the glove port, between the glove port and the glove, between the side panel and the antechamber (1), a leakage shielding space (4) is formed, so as to ensure the purity in the operating space of the glove box and to prevent the external environment of the box body from being polluted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vigor Gas Separation Equipment Technologies (SIP) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Delong Zhang