Patents Issued in April 21, 2015
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Patent number: 9010839Abstract: In an embodiment, a side door for a vehicle can comprise: a structure comprising a plastic inner shell comprising a fiber strip, and a plastic outer shell comprising an outer shell support beam positioned across a width of the outer shell. The outer shell support beam can comprise a fiber strip with ?50 wt. % fibers oriented at an angle of less than or equal to ±45° to a main axis. In an embodiment, a method for making the side door for a vehicle can comprise: flow molding a fiber-reinforced polymer over a fiber strip to form a plastic inner shell; flow molding a fiber-reinforced polymer over a fiber strip deposited to form a plastic outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises an outer shell support beam positioned across a width of the outer shell; and joining the inner shell and the outer shell together to form a composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Sabic Global Technologies B.V.Inventors: Warden Schijve, Harold van Aken
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Patent number: 9010840Abstract: An exterior module of a motor vehicle has an exterior panelling for a modularly constructed housing component. The exterior module has a multilayer construction, which includes an inner surface layer and an outer surface layer with an exterior skin arranged thereon, which forms the exterior panelling. At least the inner surface layer is a thermoplastic FRP surface layer having stiffening elements on the side facing away from the outer surface layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Wojciech Brymerski, Michael Fuetterer, Eckhard Reese
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Patent number: 9010841Abstract: A door assembly for an automotive vehicle. The door assembly includes a vehicle door frame and an upper trim panel mounted to the vehicle door frame. The upper trim panel having an upper surface where the upper surface is angled down towards the exterior of the vehicle. The door assembly further including a sub-assembly having a first trim panel and a second trim panel. The first trim panel is mounted to the vehicle door frame behind the upper trim panel. A bracket on the first trim panel adapted to accept the second trim panel. A first surface of the first trim panel and a second surface of the second trim panel rest within the same plane to create a flush surface to give the same or a similar appearance of a one piece trim panel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Chad A. Kwolek, Charles P. Patterson
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Patent number: 9010842Abstract: Proposed is an aerodynamic drag and noise reduction device for a vehicle roof rack, particularly ski rack. The device comprises an add-on aerodynamic drag and noise reduction device in the form of a hollow parabolic-shaped container having a smoothly rounded closed front or leading side, an interior portion accessed from the rear side of the device for accommodating an object such as a ski rack in order to reduce aerodynamic drag and noise generated while the vehicle to which it is attached is in motion, and to protect the object, e.g. ski rack, from the elements whether the vehicle to which it is attached is in motion or not, and a mechanism for mounting and securing the disclosed device to the article carrier, e.g. ski rack. The front closed side of the device can be used for carrying graphic information such as advertisement, logo, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventors: Warren R. Webster, Richard C. Stephens
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Patent number: 9010843Abstract: A baffle for sealing a vehicle structure, comprising a carrier with an interior body portion characterized by a plurality of spaced-apart members, providing voids, and an expandable material, that may also have openings, disposed on the carrier which, upon expansion, fills a vehicle cavity and covers the interior body portion and each of the voids.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.Inventors: Keith Lewis, Blake Synnestvedt, Jean Michael Coulon, Todd R. Deachin
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Patent number: 9010844Abstract: A vehicle body front structure is provided. In the vehicle body front structure, a front grille and a bumper extend in the up-and-down direction in a front end portion of the vehicle body, the bumper bends and extends rearwardly from the front grille, a front end edge of a front hood is positioned adjacent to a top end portion of the extending bumper, a frame upper portion that supports a radiator extends in the body width direction and is supported on the back side of a front end portion of the front hood, and a box-like hollow impact absorber, which is made of sheet metal and extends in the body width direction, is provided in a space surrounded by the front grille, the bumper, the front end portion of the front hood, and the frame upper portion, and is supported by the frame upper portion via a plurality of legs.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masami Hasegawa
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Patent number: 9010845Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with a collision are described herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a bumper assembly coupled to the side support and extending in a vehicle lateral direction that is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a repositionable joint assembly extending between and pivotally coupled to the side support and the bumper assembly, the repositionable joint assembly including an outboard linking member pivotally coupled to the bumper assembly at a bumper securement location, an inboard linking member pivotally coupled to the side support at a side support securement location, and a fulcrum portion, where the outboard linking member is pivotally coupled to the inboard linking member at the fulcrum portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Naipaul D. Ramoutar, Mark Kulik, Manikandan Baby Mony, Jonathan R. Young
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Patent number: 9010846Abstract: A cab frame includes: a main structure having an opening on a part of an outer surface thereof; a rear structure separably connected to the main structure to cover the opening while projecting from the main structure; and first and second connectors provided to the main structure and the rear structure, respectively, the first and second connectors connected to each other in an abutted manner when the main structure and the rear structure are connected to each other. When the rear structure is connected to the main structure after being turned back to front relative to the main structure, the rear structure is temporarily fixable to the main structure via the first and second connectors. When the rear structure is turned back to front and connected to the main structure, the rear structure is housed in the main structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Ohta, Shinjirou Ohki
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Patent number: 9010847Abstract: A vehicle body rear structure includes a left and right rear-side frame and a rear panel assembly. The left and right rear-side frames extend in the front-back direction of the vehicle body. The rear panel assembly forms a closed-cross-section section extending in the direction of vehicle width intersecting the rear-side frames, is provided to the back end of the rear-side frames, and configures the bottom of a vehicle body rear opening. The rear panel assembly is provided with a bulkhead that is disposed in the closed-cross-section section at the upper surface of the rear-side frames, and that partitions the interior of the closed-cross-section section with surfaces oriented in the direction of vehicle width.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuyuki Katou, Hirokuni Kumekawa, Yasunori Takeda
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Patent number: 9010848Abstract: A diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcing arrangement on an undercarriage of a motor vehicle. The diagonal strut device (1) has a plurality of struts (2) made from a fibet-reinforced plastic composite material, which extend away from a central joint element (3). Each strut (2) can be connected to the undercarriage via it's end facing away from the central joint element (3). For this, a connecting joint element (4) is arranged on the end of each strut (2) facing away from the central joint element (3). The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are formed from a light metal material. The central joint element (3) and the connecting joint elements (4) are then connected to the struts (2) by an at least firmly bonded cast joint. Further, a method for the production of a diagonal strut device (1), as well as a motor vehicle undercarriage, which uses the diagonal strut device (1) for reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Denis Andree, Konrad Eipper, Thomas Rudlaff, Asmir Salkic, Mirko Sretenovic
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Patent number: 9010849Abstract: A front subframe structure for an automotive vehicle comprises: a pair of right and left side members each provided with an arm support member for supporting a suspension arm is mounted; a cross member disposed between the left and right side members to couple together respective locations in the side members at each of which the arm support member is provided; and an oblique member extending from central portion of the cross member, in each of right and left directions of the vehicle and obliquely rearwardly and outwardly in the vehicle width direction, wherein each of the side members has a rear end joined to a rear portion of a respective one of the oblique members, and wherein the rear portion of the oblique member is provided with a tunnel-lower-frame coupling portion couplable to a tunnel lower frame, and a floor frame attaching portion attachable to a floor frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Katsuyuki Komiya, Masanobu Kobashi, Manabu Yamamoto, Jun Inoue, Satoshi Obata
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Patent number: 9010850Abstract: A weatherstrip is attached to a peripheral flange of a roof panel for sealing against a peripheral edge portion of a tailgate. The weatherstrip includes a base portion and is mounted to the roof panel by receiving the roof panel flange between an interior section and exterior section of the base portion. A tongue extends from the base portion toward the vehicle body and covers a space between the roof panel and the vehicle body. A generally tubular seal body extends from the base portion toward the peripheral edge portion of the tailgate. The seal body seals against the tailgate to prevent wind noise by closing a gap between a roof panel and tailgate. An arm extends from the base portion and is positioned between the roof panel and the vehicle body and is attached to an underside of the roof panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Edward Bach
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Patent number: 9010851Abstract: A furniture member mechanism includes a base frame. A first mechanism connected to the base frame includes a first motor connected to the base frame. A torque tube is connected to the first motor and is displaced by operation of the first motor. First and second rotation links are individually rotatably connected to the base frame and are connected to the torque tube. The first and second rotation links provide for rotation of the second mechanism to one of a rear tilt position or a forward lift position by operating the first motor displacing the torque tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventor: Larry P. LaPointe
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Patent number: 9010852Abstract: An in-arm monitor seat. In one embodiment, the device comprises an aircraft passenger monitor apparatus that includes a seat assembly having an armrest and a monitor presenter. The monitor presenter may include a lift latch and a rotational dampener that is configured to present a monitor from the armrest. The result is a device, system and method that provides an improved monitor presentation that is convenient, efficient and safe for the user, particularly when used in the armrest of an aircraft passenger seat.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: TIMCO Aviation ServicesInventors: David Conrad, Jeffrey S. Everhart
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Patent number: 9010853Abstract: The invention can be used to secure writing tablets to different types of chairs with legs of different thicknesses and diameters, such that writing tablets can be installed on simple chairs with no armrests. The invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises: a main part having two through-holes therein, namely a first hole for receiving and housing the tubular support of the writing tablet and a second hole dimensioned to be coupled to one of the legs of the chair, and a vertical rod; and a pivoting part connected to the main part by means of the rod, aligned with the second hole and adapted to open and close such that the securing element can be released from the leg of the chair.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Sellex, S.A.Inventor: Alberto Lievore Motta
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Patent number: 9010854Abstract: A seat cushion frame structure of a seat for a vehicle has an oblique monolithic strip on at least one of a pair of side frames an upper end of which is fixed to a side portion of the at least one of pair of side frames and a lower end of which is fixed to the seat cushion frame structure at a position forward of the upper end. The oblique monolithic strip is arranged in such a way that one of its strip surfaces opposed to each other is oriented to be upward, its cross section perpendicular to the opposed strip surfaces is a rectangle long in a lateral direction and includes at each of its upper and lower ends a wound portion which is wound in a loop manner in such a way that the one of said opposed strip surfaces is oriented to be inward.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Nonomiya, Hiroshi Kushiku
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Patent number: 9010855Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle seat including: a seatback frame that includes a pair of an outer side frame portion and an inner side frame portion and a lower frame portion; a tilting shaft that supports the seatback frame at a position below the lower frame portion; and a first load transfer block that transfers an impact load input from a side portion of the vehicle body to the seatback frame, wherein the vehicle seat further includes a plate-shaped rigid member of which an upper end is connected to the lower frame portion and an inner end in the vehicle width direction is connected to the inner side frame portion in the vehicle width direction, and wherein a lower edge of the plate-shaped rigid member extends to at least a height position of the tilting shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jogen Yamaki, Hisato Oku, Yozo Furuta, Hiroyuki Kaku
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Patent number: 9010856Abstract: An automobile bench seat cover having a bottom portion and a back portion is disclosed herein. The bottom portion is configured to cover three seat bottoms of a bench seat when removably coupled to the automobile bench seat. The back portion is coupled to the bottom portion and configured to cover three seatbacks of the bench seat when removably coupled to the bench seat. The bench seat cover also includes two slits extending from a top portion of the back portion toward the bottom portion. Each slit is adaptable between an open position that allows a seatbelt to fit through the slit and a closed position that closes the slit. One or more couplings, such as Velcro, are positioned adjacent each of the two slits and configured to close the respective slit.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Bell Automotive Products, Inc.Inventors: Ken Krankkala, Danielle Peters, Joleen Jansen
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Patent number: 9010857Abstract: A child safety seat includes a seat body, a support foot and an angle adjusting mechanism. Two support ribs are disposed at opposite sides of a bottom of the seat body. Each of the support ribs includes a front support end and a rear support end. The support foot is disposed between the two support ribs and pivotally connected to the two support ribs. The angle adjusting mechanism selectively adjusts and fixes the support ribs and the seat body such that one of the front support end and the rear support end supports the seat body on the vehicle seat along with the support foot. Accordingly, the child safety seat of the invention is capable of adjusting an angle of the seat body and supporting the seat body securely.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: BP Children's Products HK Co., LimitedInventor: Hong-Bo Chen
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Patent number: 9010858Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle, is provided. The vehicle seat includes a sitting part with a sitting surface, at least one air bellows arranged in the sitting part for altering the extent of the sitting surface in longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat and a back part. At least one guide element is arranged on the air bellows and is connected with the air bellows, and the guide element is movably mounted on at least one bearing part.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Joerg Wegelmann, Joachim Ohlinger, Guenter Fleckenstein
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Patent number: 9010859Abstract: A chair assembly includes a base structure, a seat support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure, a back support structure pivotably coupled to the base structure and including an upwardly extending portion adapted to move between an upright position and a reclined position, a control link having a first end pivotably coupled to the seat support structure and a second end pivotably coupled to the back support structure, a back support surface having an upper portion pivotably coupled to the back support, and a back link pivotably coupled to the seat support structure, wherein the back support surface is moved forward by the back link relative to the upwardly extending portion of the back support structure as the back support structure is moved from the upright position to the reclined position.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Battey, Richard N. Roslund, Jr., Gary Lee Karsten, Kurt R. Heidmann, Nathan McCaughan, Pradeep Mydur, Russell T. Holdredge, Mark Vander Veen, Todd D. Krupiczewicz, Nathan R. Brock, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gordon J. Peterson, Todd T. Andres
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Patent number: 9010860Abstract: A vehicle seat device is provided with a first lock mechanism which restricts a first movement of the seat, a second lock mechanism which restricts a second movement of the seat, and a drive source which removes the restrictions imposed by the first and second lock mechanisms. The drive source is provided with an output section which can be driven in two directions, that is, in the forward direction and the reverse direction, by the drive source. The drive of the output section in the forward direction from the neutral position thereof removes the restriction imposed by the first lock mechanism, and the drive of the output section in the reverse direction from the neutral position thereof removes the restriction imposed by the second lock mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Sho Kume, Genta Moriyama, Hideki Fujisawa
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Patent number: 9010861Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vehicle seat that pivots to allow easy ingress and egress and in particular to a vehicle seat that manually pivots in conjunction with linear movement to allow easy ingress and egress to seating located behind the pivoting seat.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Kurt A. Seibold, Ronald G. Bedro, Miodrag Mitch Petrovich
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Patent number: 9010862Abstract: A seat frame structure includes a first mechanism element; a second mechanism element; a bolt shaft; and a seat frame that has a fitting portion that fits together with the first mechanism element, and a hole through which the bolt shaft passes, the seat frame being sandwiched between the first mechanism element and the second mechanism element, and integrated with the first mechanism element and the second mechanism element by fastening of the bolt shaft in the hole in a state extending between the first mechanism element and the second mechanism element. The first mechanism element has a fitting portion that fits together with the seat frame, and the second mechanism element is integrally assembled, by the fastening of the bolt shaft, to the first mechanism element in a state positioned on the seat frame by the fitting of the each fitting portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takao Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Kumazaki, Shinya Nagasaki
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Patent number: 9010863Abstract: An interchangeable passenger seat for a vehicle having a seat-mounting surface includes a base frame having at least one end member attachable to the seat-mounting surface of the vehicle, and at least one cross-member extending generally perpendicularly from the end member. At least one back frame is removably attachable to the base frame. An adaptor bracket is disposed around the cross-member. The adaptor bracket has a plurality of locating structure along the length of the adaptor bracket for selectively locating and attaching components of passenger restraint systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Chad M. Conley, Brian J. Jacquay, Erik C Wilson
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Patent number: 9010864Abstract: A support mechanism (20) for mounting a wheelchair back to a wheelchair post including at least one generally horizontally extending support pin (30), the support mechanism (20) comprising a hanger arm (24) having a downwardly opening hook (26) defining an upper support point and a self-locking latch (34) pivotally mounting to the hanger arm (24), the latch defining a locking notch (40) and a stop notch (42), the latch (34) being pivotal between a locked position in which the latch locking notch (40) and the hook (26) define a substantially closed hole around the support pin (30) and an unlocked position in which the pin (30) is seated in the stop notch (42) such that the latch (34) is secured open so the hanger arm hook (26) can be connected to or removed from the wheelchair post support pin (30); the latch (34) is shaped and weighted such that the latch can be moved to the locked position under the force of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Roho, Inc.Inventor: Gregory W. Goeckel
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Patent number: 9010865Abstract: A restraint system for a removable vehicle seat is attached to the vehicle seat. A restraint tower associated with the restraint system transfers energy generated during vehicle impact.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Anthony Valasin, Radesh Vangipuram, Richard Squires, Philip Skinner, Joseph Talamonti
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Patent number: 9010866Abstract: A vehicle seat device includes a seat base, an upholstery sheet covering the sheet base, and a cover member covering an end region of the upholstery sheet. The cover member includes a cover body of a soft material fastenable to the seat base by a fastener in covering relation to the end region of the upholstery sheet, a first lip formed by bending one side of the soft material inwardly, and a second lip formed by bending another side of the soft material inwardly. The first lip and the second lip at least partly cover a portion of the cover body where the fastener is to be positioned.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Tanaka, Tyler Mencl, Nick Miller
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Patent number: 9010867Abstract: An article of furniture is disclosed. The article of furniture comprises a stool configured to be used on a generally horizontal surface such as a floor. The stool comprises a seat and a base comprising a rounded bottom surface configured to rest upon the floor. A mass is positioned beneath the seat so that the base is at equilibrium in a first tilted orientation relative to the floor. The base can be tilted to second tilted orientation relative to the floor by tilting the rounded bottom surface of the base relative to the floor.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: Kirt Martin, Fredric Biddle, David Eberlein, Brett Kincaid, Mark Schoolmeester
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Patent number: 9010868Abstract: A seat belt spacing device holds a seat belt in spaced relationship to a person to prevent the belt from wrinkling clothes worn by the person. The device includes a medial member and a first bracket coupled to and extending from a first face of the medial member. The first bracket defines a first slot positioned in spaced relationship to the first face configured for receiving a shoulder portion of a seat belt therein. A second bracket is coupled to and extends from a second face of the medial member. The second bracket defines a second slot positioned in spaced relationship to the second face. The second slot is configured for receiving a lap portion of the seat belt therein. Thus, the shoulder portion of the seat belt is retained in spaced relationship to the lap portion of the seat belt.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventor: Kyndal A. Hashman
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Patent number: 9010869Abstract: A solution mining method for recovering alkali values from a cavity of an underground ore formation comprising trona and/or wegscheiderite; a manufacturing process using such method to make sodium-based product(s); and a sodium-based product obtained therefrom. The method comprises: an ore dissolution phase (a) in which the incongruent double-salt in trona and/or wegscheiderite is dissolved from an ore face in a first solvent, and a cavity cleaning phase (b) in which sodium bicarbonate deposited on the ore face during the dissolution phase (a) is dissolved into a second aqueous solvent having a higher pH, hydroxide content, and/or temperature and is partly or completely converted in situ to sodium carbonate. The method further comprises withdrawing a liquor resulting from either phase to the ground surface, optionally recycling some liquor to the cavity; and passing some liquor through a crystallizer, a reactor, and/or an electrodialyser, to form at least one sodium-based product which is recovered.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Solvay SAInventors: James D. Phillip, Alain Vandendoren
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Patent number: 9010870Abstract: Methods and equipment have been developed that combine the use of continuous miners, flexible conveyor trains, and longwall mining techniques to provide flexible and efficient removal of resources from subterranean formations. Some systems include: a main gate; and a tailgate connected to the maingate by an active mine face; wherein the active mine face extends at an angle between 95° and 135° relative to the maingate.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Seneca Industries Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Myers, Michael Cline, John Dickinson
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Patent number: 9010871Abstract: Disclosed is an automotive road construction machine, particularly a recycler or a cold stripping machine, comprising an engine frame that is supported by a chassis, a working roller which is stationarily or pivotally mounted on the engine frame and is used for machining a ground surface or road surface. The chassis is provided with wheels or tracked running gears which are connected to the engine frame via lifting column and are vertically adjustable relative to the engine frame. Each individually vertically adjustable lifting column is equipped with a device for measuring the actual vertical state of the lifting column.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Wirtgen GmbHInventors: Peter Busley, Günter Tewes
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Tunnel boring machine with cutterhead support assembly supporting a variable number of drive systems
Patent number: 9010872Abstract: A tunnel boring machine (100) includes a cutterhead assembly (102) rotatably mounted to a forward shield assembly (116) through a cutterhead support assembly (110). The cutterhead support assembly is configured to receive a variable number of drive assemblies (105), such that the number of drive assemblies may be selected after fabricating the cutterhead support structure (120). The cutterhead support structure includes a housing portion (121) that houses the main bearing assembly (101) and a drive gear (104). A plurality of drive mount stations (111) provide access to the drive gear, and are provided with a pinion housing (130) for stations that receive a drive assembly, or with a cradle cover (140) for stations that do not receive a drive assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: The Robbins CompanyInventor: Carl E. Lenaburg -
Patent number: 9010873Abstract: There is a need to reduce raw materials used in the manufacturing of wet mops, to reduce the weight of the wet mop which will decrease user fatigue and related injuries and to address the difficulty of attaching standard wet mops to commonly used mop handles. The improvement is a tubular headband wet mop with yarn strands on only one side of the headband, reducing the amount of unused yarn incorporated into the wet mop while not reducing floor surface coverage area. The tubular headband also eliminates the possibility of exposing the bottom side of the mop handle which can damage or mar the floor surface, coatings and finishes. This reduction in raw materials results in a lighter product, which reduces effort required to lift and wring out the wet mop, and reduces fatigue and injuries associated with mopping.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLCInventors: Todd Allen Williams, Cynthia Kay Williams
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Patent number: 9010874Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly including a modular wheel hub that can be utilized for both passive and driven wheel hub applications with the insertion of a wheel hub bore modification body. The wheel hub is rotatably mounted to a vehicle using a wheel bearing and knuckle arrangement, the wheel bearing comprising an inner ring, outer ring and rolling elements between the rings.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: Zheng Wang
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Patent number: 9010875Abstract: A hub with a hub body, the hub body having two end units and a tubular center part, and the center part being disposed between, and received at, the end units. At least one end unit includes a tubular inserting portion onto which the center part having a tubular slip-on portion is pushed. The inserting portion and the slip-on portion overlap in an overlapping region.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.Inventors: Stefan Spahr, Thomas Gasser
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Patent number: 9010876Abstract: A spindle assembly includes a main housing, a spindle mounted for rotation within the housing, a wheel hub attached to the spindle, a coupling located adjacent to an inner end of the spindle, and a disconnect shaft located within a bore of the coupling. The disconnect shaft is moveable in an axial direction between an engaged position in which a splined portion of the disconnect shaft mates with splined portions of both the spindle and the coupling to prevent the spindle from rotating independently of the coupling, and a disengaged position that allows the spindle to free-wheel relative to the coupling. A sprocket or gear is connected to an inner end of the coupling to connect the spindle assembly to a drive motor. An actuator is connected to an inner end of the disconnect shaft to move the shaft between its engaged and disengaged positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Allis-Roller LLCInventors: Anthony J. Stelter, David A. Dull
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Patent number: 9010877Abstract: A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and an occlusion. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and a pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle. The pin sleeve has a first end and a second end. The pin sleeve includes a conduit between the first end and the second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the axle bore. The retaining member and the biasing element are in the conduit. The retaining member is configured to engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The occlusion is proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve. The occlusion is configured to inhibit the retaining member from exiting the conduit at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GEO PlasticsInventor: Michael Abraham Morris
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Patent number: 9010878Abstract: A brake apparatus that can achieve front-rear distribution in accordance with a traveling environment variation. At an intermediate point from a start point of a second mode, first interval to an end point of a second mode, second interval, the increasing rate of braking force for a front wheel with respect to an operation amount is changed. The increasing rate of the operation amount prior to the intermediate point can be represented by a first inclination of a curve while the increasing rate of the operation amount after the intermediate point is represented by a second inclination of the curve. The first inclination is less than the second inclination. Setting the increasing rate after an intermediate point to be higher than the increasing rate before the intermediate point, the vehicle body generation deceleration can be caused to increase in a linear proportion to the operation amount.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuya Takenouchi, Yoshiaki Sawano, Shuichi Fukaya
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Patent number: 9010879Abstract: Disclosed herein are a pre-fill system to improve brake feel and a method of increasing an initial flux using the same which may reduce an invalid travel distance of a brake pedal. The pre-fill system includes a first housing connected with the master cylinder and provided with a first bore having a smaller-diameter portion and a larger-diameter portion, a second housing provided with a stepped second bore communicating with the first bore to be coupled with the first housing to define a hydraulic pressure chamber, a piston arranged in the first bore and provided with an oil channel unit, and a valve assembly adapted to open and close the oil channel unit of the piston according to the hydraulic brake pressure, wherein the piston applies pressure to the hydraulic pressure chamber through the piston to supply hydraulic pressure to the disc brake.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Mando CorporationInventor: Young Hun Kong
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Patent number: 9010880Abstract: A vehicle brake system comprises a master brake cylinder having an input piston and master piston and connected to a wheel brake device, a reaction force generating device for generating a reaction force pressure corresponding to a displacement amount of the input piston, a change over valve provided in an open passage branched from a hydraulic conduit connecting the reaction force generating device to the reaction force chamber defined by the input piston and the change over valve connected to a reservoir, a brake force boosting device for applying an assisting pressure to a master piston, an assisting pressure limit judging portion for judging whether the assisting pressure has reached to an assisting limit pressure, and a change over controlling portion for changing over the change over valve to an open state when the assisting pressure limit judging portion judges that the assisting pressure has reached the assisting limit pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yosuke Yamasoe, Hiroaki Niino
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Patent number: 9010881Abstract: An electronic control unit inputs from temperature sensors a temperature of the heating side of a thermoelectric conversion section assembled to each of brake units provided for left and right rear wheels. When the temperature of the heating side is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, the electronic control unit drives and controls a brake hydraulic pressure control section so as to operate the brake units preferentially over brake units provided for left and right front wheels. With this operation, each of the brake units generates friction heat, and heats the heating side of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion section, whereby the thermoelectric conversion section efficiently collects thermal energy and generates electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihide Sekiya, Shiro Monzaki, Yasuaki Tsurumi
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Patent number: 9010882Abstract: A wheel assembly with a debris guard is disclosed, the debris guard being configured to prevent hair and thread from winding around an axle and interfering with the operation of the wheel. The debris guard, which is mounted between the wheel and the robot chassis, comprises a spool and a plurality of tines. The spool is positioned between the wheel and chassis to collect debris that would otherwise wind around the axle. In the preferred embodiment, the tines are arrayed in proximity to a gap between the debris guard and the hub in order to inhibit debris from migrating to the axle exposed between the guard and wheel. The debris guard is intended for a wide variety of wheeled devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Nikolai Romanov, Michael Dooley
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Patent number: 9010883Abstract: A food shield for use in a restaurant or food service institution includes a transparent panel, a locking, panel support assembly and a non-locking, panel support assembly. The locking, panel support assembly is mounted on a first vertical support member, and the non-locking, panel support assembly is mounted on a second vertical support member. A first lateral side portion of the transparent panel is affixed to the locking, panel support assembly, and an opposite second lateral side portion of the transparent panel is affixed to the second lateral side portion of the transparent panel. The transparent panel is adjustable in a plurality of angular dispositions, and is locked in one of the angular dispositions by the locking, panel support assembly, and is not locked in one of the angular dispositions by the non-locking panel support assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Advance Tabco, Inc.Inventor: Steven Jamie Scott
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Patent number: 9010884Abstract: A backing piece for attaching an electrical component to a housing wall of an electrical household appliance and arrangement behind a matching opening in the housing wall includes a body having an essentially rectangular base surface, and a peripheral web configured as an elastic sealing lip for support against a rear face of the housing wall. Holding elements project from the body and form with the sealing lip a gap which receives a section of the housing wall at an edge of the opening. The holding elements are arranged in spaced-apart relationship about a periphery of the body such that at least one of the holding element is arranged on each of four sides of the rectangular base surface and one of the holding elements is provided at each of the corners of the body so as to apply a pressing force sufficient upon each section of the sealing lip.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Alexander Heinrich, Matthias Wiedenmann
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Patent number: 9010885Abstract: A cabinet table has a cabinet body, a front face, an interior box, and a sliding mechanism permitting the interior box to slide out of the cabinet body. The front face is connected to the interior box and has a top front face and a bottom front face. The interior box has a plurality of table components which are moveable into a table surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Kahle's Kitchens, Inc.Inventor: David A. Kahle
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Patent number: 9010886Abstract: A side cabinet and hutch system 10 comprising a hutch assembly 100 and a side cabinet assembly 500 and which is adapted to allow material to be easily and securely stored and retrieved and which is aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventor: Larry Mitchell Grela
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Patent number: 9010887Abstract: An exemplary storage rack assembly includes a rack, a cabinet and a mounting bracket fixed to the rack. The cabinet has an elastic component, and the elastic component has a hook exposed from the cabinet. The mounting bracket defines a sliding groove and a receiving channel communicating with the sliding groove. The hook slides along the sliding groove and into the receiving channel. The hook slides along a channel segment of the receiving channel under urging of an applied external force with the elastic component resiliently deforming until the hook reaches the channel segment. The elastic component resiliently recovers and drives the hook down to the end of the channel segment, and the hook resides in the end of the channel segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Hao Shao
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Patent number: 9010888Abstract: A refrigerator and an anti-insect unit accommodating a repellent and installed on a refrigerator leg for supporting a refrigerator cabinet, thereby repelling or eradicating insects from the refrigerator and a space for accommodating the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Minsup Kim, Kyungeun Lee, Myungdong You, Sunyoung Park