Patents Issued in November 29, 2016
  • Patent number: 9505347
    Abstract: An electrical supply system for at least one electrical unit of a vehicle, in particular for a lighting unit of a vehicle, the system comprising: at least one converter capable of transmitting a basic electrical supply propagating on a basic supply line to the electrical unit as a function of a supply command, the converter being capable of receiving an operational supply via an operational supply line; a command module capable of sending the supply command to the converter; and at least one interrupt module controlled by the command module, the interrupt module having a state interrupting the operation of the command module when it receives a command to interrupt the command module; wherein the interrupt module is capable of maintaining its state when the operation of the command module is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Marc Godiveau
  • Patent number: 9505348
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus providing a first component having a circular opening with an interior chamfered edge and a second component positioned within the circular opening. The apparatus also provides a magnetic feature at a circular bottom surface of the first component, where the magnetic feature provides a magnetic pull force in a first direction to secure the second component within the circular opening. The second component is configured to break away from the circular opening when a contact force to the breakaway component causes a force in a second direction opposite of the first direction and greater than the magnetic pull force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kim, Kenneth Ryan Loo, David Gordon Duff
  • Patent number: 9505349
    Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, Jr., Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
  • Patent number: 9505350
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The mirror back plate includes an aperture extending therethrough and includes walls established at a first side of said mirror back plate by the plastic injection molding operation, with the walls at least partially circumscribing the aperture and extending outward from the first side of the mirror back plate. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the mirror back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with the aperture of the mirror back plate and with a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector. The walls include walls of a housing accommodating an indicator associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9505351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mount for an accessory of the interior of a motor vehicle on components of the vehicle body, comprising a bracket (8) mounted to the vehicle body and a support (1) removably connected to the bracket (8) as part of the accessory, with the bracket (8) forming a support surface against which the support piece (1) rests with the retaining surface, with at least one hook (9) projecting from the support surface of the bracket (8) that traverses a suitable hole (2) of the retaining surface of the support piece (1) and projects past the retaining surface on the side facing away from the bracket (8), with at least one latch bar (4) being slidable parallel to its retaining surface that, before installation, forms a cutout (5 and 6) for the hook (9) and that fits with the hook (9) in the desired installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KDK AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Dietmar Middel
  • Patent number: 9505352
    Abstract: A firearm rack is mounted on door hardware in the door opening of a vehicle in which the door has been removed. The firearm rack may be mounted in sockets provided by a door hinge half connected to the vehicle. A brace may be provided to prevent rotation of the firearm rack. The firearm rack may be fixed to door hardware exposed by removal of the door, such as the sockets, the hinge plates or the screw openings of the door opening. The firearm rack may be inboard of the outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GUNNER FAB, LLC
    Inventor: Robbie D. Fife
  • Patent number: 9505353
    Abstract: A lockable carrier mount including a main body, an actuating mechanism and interference locking member, and a securement member. The actuating mechanism is configurable between locked and released configurations. The actuating mechanism includes rotatable actuator having a blocking portion with at least one protrusion extending radially further from a rotational axis of the actuator than other parts of the blocking portion. The interference locking member is coupled to the main body and has an engagement surface for selectively engaging the blocking portion. The engagement surface can abut the protrusion in the locked configuration to prevent rotation of the actuator relative to the locking member. The securement member is operably coupled to the actuating mechanism and configured to move toward a secured configuration when the actuator is rotated in one direction and move toward a released configuration when the actuator is rotated in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Kevin Bogoslofski, Robert H. Humphries, Jr., Greg Weaver, John Laverack
  • Patent number: 9505354
    Abstract: A cargo beam assembly for an aircraft including a carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) cargo beam and a plurality of CFRP stanchions and CFRP c-splice plates each connected to the CFRP cargo beam by overlapping CFRP plies. The flanges of the cargo beam assembly may all be facing a single direction. The components of the assembly may all be formed with CFRP plies configured in a traditional and non-traditional layup. The CFRP stanchions and CFRP c-splice plates are configured to connect the cargo beam assembly to a keel frame of an aircraft. The upper flange of the CFRP cargo beam may include a pad up above each CFRP stanchion connected to the CFRP cargo beam. The interface between each CFRP stanchion and the CFRP cargo beam may be a flange radius that includes a ramped pad up. Darting may provide load transfer between a CFRP stanchion and the CFRP cargo beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Tibor A Koncz
  • Patent number: 9505355
    Abstract: The invention is a dual mount phone and tablet stand comprising: a base unit including two base sockets; two mounting arms, each having a planar disc end, a ball end, and a stem extending between the planar disc end and the ball end; two magnets secured to the mounting arms; two upper securing flaps extending from the base unit; a lower securing flap extending from the base unit and disposed between the upper securing flaps; and a flap adjustment knob rotatably secured in the lower securing flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Richard H. Cho
  • Patent number: 9505356
    Abstract: A vehicular interior part includes an interior part and a trim main body where the interior part is mounted. The interior part includes an interior part main wall portion and a mount projection projecting from a rear surface of the interior part main wall portion. The trim main body includes a main body side wall portion and an extended portion extending from the main body side wall portion toward a middle portion of the trim main body. The extended portion includes an insertion through hole in which the mount projection is and a clearance portion adjacent to the insertion through hole and with which the extended portion is movable toward the middle portion of the trim main body relative to the mount projection that is in the insertion through hole in response that the main body side wall portion receives a load in a vehicular interior-exterior direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yohei Migaki
  • Patent number: 9505357
    Abstract: A seal assembly is mounted to a floor portion of an RV with a slide out room. The slide out room has a wall and a floor that is separated from the floor of the RV. The seal assembly has a wear bar having an arcuate top and a wiper that seals to the slide out room floor. The seal assembly includes a splash shield with a resilient end that seals to the wall of the slide out room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lifetime Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin E Ksiezopolski
  • Patent number: 9505358
    Abstract: A wire harness for which an exterior member can be maintained in a desired shape is provided. A flexible, tubular corrugated tube (16) which covers electric wires (18) and a route keeping tape (17) which is more difficult to extend or buckle in the widthwise direction than the corrugated tube (16) are included, and the route keeping tape (17) is wound helically around a bent part (20), which is formed by bending the corrugated tube (16), along the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidehiro Ichikawa, Masahiro Takamatsu, Shigemi Hashizawa
  • Patent number: 9505359
    Abstract: It is aimed to provide a sound-absorbing material and a sound-absorbing-material equipped wiring harness capable of absorbing sound in a wide frequency range from a low frequency to a high frequency. A sound-absorbing material 1 is a laminated sheet in which a base material sheet 3 and a skin material sheet 2 having a smaller basis weight than the base material sheets 3 are laminated, the base material sheet 3 includes at least a first base material sheet 31 and a second base material sheet 32 and the skin material sheet 2 is arranged between the first and second base material sheets 31, 32. The sound-absorbing material 1 and a wiring harness 7 are integrated into a sound-absorbing-material equipped wiring harness 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES. LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Takata, Shigeyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9505360
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to an arrangement and method for improving the performance of a safety-critical vehicle actuator, in particular a safety-critical vehicle actuator powered directly or indirectly from a vehicle electrical system. The safety-critical vehicle actuator is arranged to, upon activation thereof, signal to an alternator of the vehicle to output a raised voltage for a pre-determined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Henrik Ahnfalk
  • Patent number: 9505361
    Abstract: A beam for a vehicle bumper is formed from a continuous web of material as a closed tubular body. The body has top and bottom walls connected by inner and outer walls. A support extends between the inner and outer walls and a reinforcement overlies at least a portion of the outer wall between the support and the bottom wall to provide a double walled structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Multimatic Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Jeffrey Conrod
  • Patent number: 9505362
    Abstract: Provided is a shock-absorbing member that does not increase the cost of automobile and that can increase the absorbed energy per unit weight of the shock-absorbing member. A shock-absorbing member 1 includes a tubular main body portion 3, a bent portion 5 that is formed continuous with the main body portion 3, and a flange 7 provided at the proximal end of the main body portion 3 via the bent portion 5. The main body portion 3 is caused to undergo eversion deformation by a shock power acting on the distal end of the main body portion 3 so that shock energy is absorbed. The main body portion 3 has regular polygonal cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction, and has a tapered shape that an area of the cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction decreases toward the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Kondo
  • Patent number: 9505363
    Abstract: A bumper guard assembly for protecting a vehicle bumper from damage resulting from a low speed collision is provided. The bumper guard assembly includes a flexible elongated body, a rigid terminal brace positioned on each opposing end of the elongated body, and a fender strap mounted on each terminal brace for securing the bumper guard to a fender of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Terrence K. Judd
  • Patent number: 9505364
    Abstract: A guard apparatus for mounting on a vehicle may comprise a guard structure comprising a plurality of bars joined together and having a major plane, a guard mounting structure configured to mount the guard structure to the vehicle in a manner permitting movement of the major plane of the guard structure between a first position and a second position, and a guard securing structure configured to secure the guard structure in the first position and release the guard structure to move toward the second position. The guard securing structure may be configured to secure the guard structure in the first position using magnetic attraction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CURT Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Schulzetenberg, Shane T. Piper
  • Patent number: 9505365
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive data from one or more vehicle sensors. The computer identifies an incident based on the data. The computer sends a first instruction to a wearable portable device requesting data representing movement of the portable device for a first predetermined time period. The computer receives data from the portable device representing movement of the first portable device for the first predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 9505366
    Abstract: A method for detecting accidents is described. The method has the following operating steps: obtaining at least two axial accelerations; integrating at least one first axial acceleration and one second axial acceleration of said at least two axial accelerations for obtaining at least two axial acceleration integral values; calculating an energy modulus according to the at least two axial acceleration integral values; and comparing the energy modulus with an energy threshold. An apparatus and a system which can carry out the method is also described. Furthermore, vehicles that have the apparatus are described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: DAINESE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Matteo Savaresi, Ivo Boniolo, Mattia Perego, Enrico Silani, Pierpaolo De Filippi
  • Patent number: 9505367
    Abstract: A plurality of pads are configured to be arranged in a vehicle seat. A plurality of passive movement devices are provided to be respectively arranged behind, and to cause movement of, the plurality of pads. The passive movement devices are configured to be actuated independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Cortney Stancato, Robert William McCoy, Jaeho Cho
  • Patent number: 9505368
    Abstract: A fastener for mounting an airbag to a vehicle includes a first fastening element and a second fastening element. The first and second fastening elements are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of an airbag panel. The first fastening element includes a protrusion configured to be positioned within an opening located in the second fastening element. The fastener has a locked condition in which the first and second fastening elements are locked together. A wall of the second fastening element forming the opening includes a recess configured to receive the protrusion when the fastener is in the locked condition. The second fastening element is configured to be rotated relative to the first fastening element in order to change the condition of the fastener to locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Morrell, Gary A. Card, Kristin Stephani Harma, Thomas W. Messner
  • Patent number: 9505369
    Abstract: A lateral partition divides the interior of an airbag main body into an upper inflation chamber including a first section and a lower inflation chamber including a second section. The upper inflation chamber is located above the second section of the lower inflation chamber. An upper restricting portion is provided in a bridging manner in the first section. The upper restricting portion has a front-rear length that is shorter than a circumferential length in a front-rear direction of the first section. The upper restricting portion is tensioned in the front-rear direction when the upper inflation chamber is inflated. The upper restricting portion restricts an inflated dimension in the front-rear direction of the upper inflation chamber such that an inflated dimension of the first section in a lateral direction of the automobile is greater than an inflated dimension of the lower inflation chamber in the lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Iida, Norihisa Taya
  • Patent number: 9505370
    Abstract: According to an airbag apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, at the time of an accident of a vehicle, a sub-cushion protrudes toward a front side of a main cushion to prevent a head of an occupant from sliding toward a lateral side, thereby preventing the head of the occupant, which is in contact with the main cushion, from sliding toward a lateral side even though the vehicle collides with an object obliquely with respect to a direction in which the vehicle travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS., LTD.
    Inventors: Su Hyun Kim, Jung Su Lee, Hun Hee Jeong
  • Patent number: 9505371
    Abstract: An airbag of a head-protecting airbag device includes a bag body, a plurality of mounting tabs for mounting an upper edge of the bag body on the vehicle body, and a tension cloth. The bag body includes at its terminal region in a front and rear direction where the tension cloth is located a terminal inflatable portion that is partitioned from a remaining general inflatable portion by a terminal partitioning portion. The terminal inflatable portion is so deployable that its upper end region be deployed on an inboard side of a pillar. The mounting tabs include a terminal mounting tab located at the terminal region where the terminal inflatable portion is located and a general mounting tab located at the general inflatable portion. An upward protruding amount of the terminal mounting tab out of the bag body in an unfolded state is greater than that of the general mounting tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Kawamura, Yuji Sato, Masaaki Okuhara, Takashi Iida, Masashi Hotta, Takuya Hiraiwa, Yasushi Okada
  • Patent number: 9505372
    Abstract: An airbag includes a main bag section which protrudes rearward out of a housing and deploys in front of a front passenger seat and a center bag section which deploys toward an inboard direction from the main bag section in a width direction of the vehicle and in front of a space between the front passenger seat and a driver's seat in such a manner as to extend rearward from a side of the housing. A rear end region of the center bag section is deployable rearward relative to the main bag section. The airbag further includes an outer tether which extends outside of the airbag from a front end region of the center bag section and is connected to a vicinity of the housing by a leading end of the outer tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuo Yamada, Takanori Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9505373
    Abstract: A cushion of a curtain air bag device may include: a cushion body part including: a main chamber receiving gas from an inflator and spreading to form a single gas layer, when a vehicle collides; and a reinforcement chamber forming a plurality of gas layers overlapping each other, and inflating more than the main chamber; and a tether part fastening the reinforcement chamber to maintain an overlapping state, when the cushion body part is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Geon Woong Moon
  • Patent number: 9505374
    Abstract: A side impact airbag apparatus includes an airbag, a gas generator, and a strap. The airbag is fixed to an automobile via an attaching portion in a rear lower portion. The gas generator supplies inflation gas to the airbag. The airbag includes a first section. The inflation gas deploys and inflates the airbag diagonally forward and upward from a part at which the airbag is fixed to the automobile. The front end of the strap is attached to the front end of the airbag. The rear end of the strap is attached to the fixed part of the airbag. The strap includes an upper strap portion, which is tensioned when the airbag is deployed and inflated, and a lower strap portion, which is located below the upper strap portion. The lower strap portion is tensioned with a tensile force greater than that of the upper strap portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Matsuzaki, Yasushi Masuda, Takayuki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9505375
    Abstract: A side airbag device having a side airbag that can slide between an occupant and a vehicle side section, and allows occupant restraint by reaching. The side airbag can be inflated with the thickness of the portion that protects the peripheries of the occupant shoulder and waist is small and the thickness of the portion that protects the periphery of the chest region is large. Inside a side airbag, a rapid chamber extends from a seat back region over a top region and a bottom region and tapers towards the vehicle front; a delay chamber is positioned between the top region and bottom region, and a partitioning member partitions the interior of the side airbag into the delay chamber and the rapid chamber. An inflator is provided inside the rapid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Yuto Kobayashi, Yosuke Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9505376
    Abstract: A pressurized fluid-powered actuator includes a housing and a striker movably coupled to the housing. Resilient sealing means are positioned between the striker and the housing. The sealing means are compressible so as to seal an end of the housing responsive to a force exerted on the sealing means by the striker in a first direction toward the housing. Releasable retaining means are operatively coupled to the striker and are structured to prevent motion of the striker in a second direction opposite the first direction prior to activation of the actuator, and responsive to a reaction force in the second direction exerted on the striker by the sealing means when the sealing means is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Van Hooser, Larry M. Wilmot, Ingo Kalliske, Kazuhiro Abe, Georg Rasch
  • Patent number: 9505377
    Abstract: A passenger restraint including a buckle, a locking arm, a power supply, a bracket, a mount, and a rod. The buckle has a top surface, front surface and a button integral with the front surface, where the button is capable of being depressed. The bracket is secured to the locking arm. The power supply is secured to the mount and the bracket is secured to and pivotable about the mount. The rod is affixed to the bracket and the rod is secured to the power supply. The locking arm is in an open position until an electrical signal from the power supply is applied, such that when an electrical signal is applied, the rod is operatively arranged to extend outwardly from the power supply, such that when the rod extends outwardly, the bracket pivots forcing the locking arm downwardly into an opening of the buckle and into a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffery L. Biegun
  • Patent number: 9505378
    Abstract: A drive arrangement (1) comprising an input (2) from a primary power source (5) and an auxiliary power source (7). The drive arrangement (1) incorporates a DC-DC converter (8) and a motor driver circuit (14). The motor driver circuit (14) is connected to a motor (18) in a motorized seat belt retractor. The drive arrangement (1) drives the motor (18) in the event of a crash situation. If the connection between the drive arrangement (1) and the primary power source (5) is lost then the drive arrangement (1) draws power from the auxiliary power source (7) to drive the motor (18). The auxiliary power source (7) can also assist the primary power source (5) by limiting the current drawn from the primary power source (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Roger Darraba
  • Patent number: 9505379
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retractor with an electromotive winding aid (4) comprising a belt shaft (1) which is pretensioned in the winding-up direction by a spring and is mounted rotatably in a frame (3) of the belt retractor on which a belt strap (2) can be wound up. The electromotive winding aid (4) can be activated as a function of the belt-strap-retraction speed (BRS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Patrick Süllau, Andreas Lucht, Hans-Jörg Langhoff, Hans-Otto Kock, Philip Rings
  • Patent number: 9505380
    Abstract: Novel connectors and wiper blade assemblies including same for securing windshield wiper blades and arms are described, including those that accommodate side-saddle wiper arms. A wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion comprising a wiper blade securing element, the wiper securing element being capable of securing a wiper blade, and a side-saddle portion comprising two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity, said top wall having a cantilever with a locking tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Pylon Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Vambi Raymundo Tolentino, Robert Peter Peers
  • Patent number: 9505381
    Abstract: The invention is based on a wiper device with at least one wiper arm (10a; 10b; 10c) and with at least one nozzle element (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c) which is provided for spraying wiping water. It is proposed that the at least one nozzle element (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c) is directly connected in a low position to the wiper arm (10a; 10b; 10c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Wolfgarten, Harald Rapp
  • Patent number: 9505382
    Abstract: A nozzle for cleaning a lens surface of a camera includes a cleaning liquid path that guides a cleaning liquid to a discharge port and an air passage that guides a compressed air to a discharge port. Furthermore, a distal end portion of the cleaning liquid path and a distal end portion of the air passage are disposed so as to be proximate to each other, or are disposed so as to be merged with each other. Then, at the time of cleaning the lens surface, the compressed air is made intermittently jet from the discharge port, and the cleaning liquid is suctioned with the negative pressure occurring due to the jetting of the compressed air to make the cleaning liquid intermittently jet from the discharge port, thereby cleaning the lens surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimichi Gokan
  • Patent number: 9505383
    Abstract: A system including an instrument and a vehicle control system is provided. The instrument can include a display and a vehicle controller in communication with the vehicle control system. The instrument can be docked in a docking station of the vehicle, for example in a driver space, and used as primary instrumentation for a driver to directly control the vehicle. The instrument can be undocked and removed physically from the vehicle and used to remotely control vehicle operations from a location distant from the vehicle. A method of using the system and instrument is also provided in which a user can directly or remotely operate a vehicle with the instrument in communication with the vehicle control system. A method of using the system and/or instrument to directly or remotely operate one or more vehicles is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Medallion Instrumentation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald B. Peel, Richard P. Bertalan
  • Patent number: 9505384
    Abstract: A device for removing rust on a brake disk of a wheel brake includes a control unit which automatically activates a brake actuator in order to apply brake shoes to the brake disk of the brake if at least one vehicle parameter satisfies a predefined activation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Ljungdahl
  • Patent number: 9505385
    Abstract: When a braking operation amount is reduced, a stiffness value representing a ratio of variation in actual pressing force of a friction member to a variation in actual position of an electric motor are sequentially computed. The actual position when the stiffness value changes from being higher than or equal to a predetermined value to being lower than the predetermined value is stored as a candidate position. When a duration during which the stiffness value is lower than the predetermined value is shorter than a clearance corresponding value corresponding to a transmission member clearance in a state where the candidate position is stored, the candidate position is deleted. When the duration during which the stiffness value is lower than the predetermined value exceeds the clearance corresponding value, the stored candidate position is determined as a reference position at which the friction member and the rotary member begin contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yasui, Hiroyuki Kodama, Naotoshi Satake
  • Patent number: 9505386
    Abstract: A traction-slip controlled vehicle brake system having a) a service-brake valve, which generates an actuation-dependent pressure at an outlet port; b) a valve device, in a first operating position, establishes a connection from a pressure medium reserve and, in a second operating position, from a 2/2 solenoid valve to a brake actuator; c) the solenoid valve being connected to the outlet port of the service-brake valve and to a first connection of the valve device. The solenoid valve and valve device are controllable by a control device to d) allow the solenoid valve to switch open and the valve device to switch to the first operating position for traction-slip control; e) and a brake pressure generated at a predetermined level based on the pressure medium from the pressure medium supply in the brake actuator; the solenoid valve being switched closed and the valve device to the first operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Wieder, Péter Holobrádi
  • Patent number: 9505387
    Abstract: A wiring structure includes brake cable, a shift selection device, and a support bracket. The brake cable links a foot-operated operation pedal disposed in front of a seat and brake units provided to rear wheels rearward of the seat and is directed toward a top surface of a floor tunnel in front of the seat in the vehicle. The shift selection device outputs a signal for switching a driving range position and is supported by the support bracket in a position to the side of the seat, so as to allow a cable insertion space to be disposed between the shift selection device and the top surface of the floor tunnel. The brake cable is wired so as to pass through the cable insertion space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsunori Tanigaki, Nobuhiro Mori, Daisuke Yamamoto, Ryo Saitou, Minoru Kaho
  • Patent number: 9505388
    Abstract: A hydraulic brake system includes: a master cylinder including a pressurizing piston; a brake cylinder for a hydraulic brake operable by a hydraulic pressure in a front pressure chamber defined in front of the pressurizing piston; and a rear-hydraulic pressure controller connected to a rear chamber defined at a rear of the pressurizing piston. The rear-hydraulic pressure controller controls a hydraulic pressure in the rear chamber and includes: a regulator, operable by at least one of the hydraulic pressure in the front pressure chamber and a control pressure controlled electrically, for supplying an output hydraulic pressure to the rear chamber; and a master-pressure-operating-state detector configured to, when the output hydraulic pressure is greater than a threshold value, detect that the regulator is in a master-pressure operating state in which the regulator is operated by at least the hydraulic pressure in the front pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kamiya, Kiyoyuki Uchida, Masaki Ninoyu, Takahiro Okano
  • Patent number: 9505389
    Abstract: A power-assisted braking system for a vehicle is described, including: a brake master cylinder having a chamber which is hydraulically connected to a wheel brake cylinder for braking a wheel of the vehicle; a hydraulic actuator which activates a piston of the brake master cylinder in order to pressurize the hydraulic fluid in the chamber; a low-pressure accumulator which stores the hydraulic fluid under pressure, and the actuator for activating the piston of the brake master cylinder; a pump which supplies the hydraulic fluid from the tank to the low-pressure accumulator; and a drive device which drives the pump. A method for controlling a power-assisted braking system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Gerdes, Jochen Mayer
  • Patent number: 9505390
    Abstract: A brake-assist device for a motor vehicle having a servomotor is described. A servomotor has a plunger piston, a moving part, and an arrangement to move the moving part into position with respect to the plunger piston. The servomotor is actuated by a control rod. The control rod has a first end that presses upon the plunger piston and a second end to receive a force exerted by a brake pedal intended to be moved by a driver of the vehicle. The servomotor includes a sensor interposed in a contact space between the plunger piston and the moving part. A spring is compressed between the plunger piston and the moving part. The servomotor includes an arrangement for displacing the plunger piston in the contact space based on the driving mode. A stiffness of the spring is sufficiently high for an onset of braking to occur only with a striking force that is significantly higher during a reactive driving mode than it is during a calm driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Philippe Richard, Francois Gaffe, Bastien Cagnac
  • Patent number: 9505391
    Abstract: A brake cylinder maintaining system produces a brake cylinder reference pressure based on the difference between the brake pipe pressure and the auxiliary reservoir pressure and then feeds that pressure to a choke and a volume so that the ratio of the reference area of the choke to the volume of stored brake cylinder reference pressure is substantively equal to the ratio of a brake cylinder charging valve area to the brake cylinder volume. The resulting reference pressure may be used to adjust brake cylinder pressure by providing the reference pressure to a standard quick service limiting valve or to a relay that can selectively charge or exhaust the brake cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: New York Air Brake, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Connell, Eric C. Wright
  • Patent number: 9505392
    Abstract: An air brake lock assembly helps to prevent air brake actuation knobs from being actuated. The air brake lock in accordance with the present invention is a theft-prevention device that mounts over the air brake knobs on the dash of a semi-truck cab. It is installed between the dash and the knobs and, when locked, the assembly prevents the knobs from being pushed in. If the air brake knobs cannot be pushed back in, the air brake will remain locked and the truck and trailer will remain immobile. In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly includes a base and an enclosure for each brake knob. An air brake lock is disposed between the knobs such that the knobs can be selectively locked and unlocked. In one embodiment, the assembly is spring-loaded. In another embodiment, the assembly is not spring-loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: VSI, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas Boesel, Joshua J. Miller, Daniel Bonness
  • Patent number: 9505393
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a brake device capable of detecting a failure in each of components, by which booster control is performed, at an early stage even during vehicle running. The brake device is configured to discharge brake fluid into a communicating fluid path that connects a fluid path of a primary system and a fluid path of a secondary system, and to control a first communicating valve for restricting a flow of brake fluid from the communicating fluid path to the fluid path of the primary system and a second communicating valve for restricting a flow of brake fluid from the communicating fluid path to the fluid path of the secondary system in respective valve-closing directions, so as to check at least a state of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Asahi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9505394
    Abstract: A method for changing a drive unit's mechanical coupling to a motor vehicle power train, which has at least two drive units, in which at least one first drive unit of the two drive units is coupled via various mechanical couplings, including mechanical transmission ratios, during the travel of the motor vehicle, a power or torque influence of the two drive units occurring if there is a change of the mechanical coupling. To ensure a change of the mechanical coupling without the vehicle occupants perceiving it, the change of the mechanical coupling of the first drive unit of the two drive units occurs in at least two operating modes, a first operating mode causing a slower operating point change with respect to time of the two drive units, while a more rapid operating point change as to time of the two drive units is provided in a second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jens-Werner Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 9505395
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes an accelerator, an accelerator opening sensor which detects an opening of the accelerator, a loading unit, an engine and a torque restriction releasing unit. When the torque restriction releasing unit is set in an Eco-mode in which torque of the engine is restricted, if the opening of the accelerator detected by the accelerator opening sensor is a first predetermined value or greater and at least one of conditions that a speed of the vehicle is a second predetermined value or greater and that the loading unit is in a lifting operation, is satisfied and such conditions of the accelerator and the vehicle speed and/or lifting operation are continued for a predetermined period of time, the torque restriction releasing unit releases the torque restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Yukikazu Koide, Norihiko Kato
  • Patent number: 9505396
    Abstract: A method for starting a battery management system (1) is disclosed. The battery management system includes a central controller (2) and at least one battery module (4) with a sensor controller (14) and at least one cell sensor (16) which is assigned to at least one battery cell (8). The method includes determining configuration data of each battery module (4) by the central controller (2), which configuration data comprises at least the indication of the number of cell sensors (16) assigned to each battery module (4), transmitting the configuration data by the central controller (2) to each sensor controller (14) via a communication channel (5), checking the configuration data by the respective sensor controller (14), and initializing each battery module (4) on the basis of the configuration data by the respective sensor controller (14) after successful checking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Brochhaus