Patents Issued in January 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9545859
    Abstract: A seat for use in a passenger vehicle, e.g. for prisoner transport, comprises a molded piece having at least one first contact zone at a periphery of the molded piece and at least second contact zone located inward of the periphery of molded piece. The second contact zone may comprise a multi-surface formation that is configured to engage a multi-surface formation of a vehicle body. The molded piece may comprise one or more recesses designed to accommodate the body of a passenger. The at least one second contact zone may be disposed in an area of the seat that receives the buttocks of a passenger, thereby providing additional support in a load bearing area of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Prisoner Transport Systems LLC
    Inventor: Guy M. Gardner
  • Patent number: 9545860
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a vehicle component comprises at least one inflatable chamber and a pump configured to supply fluid to the at least one inflatable chamber. The pump comprises a housing, a first output port provided on the housing and a second output port provided on the housing. At least one of the first and second output ports has an integrated check valve disposed at the respective output port. The integrated check valve is configured to receive fluid discharged from a pump chamber and is in direct fluid communication with the respective output port. The integrated check valve is arranged within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventor: Berthold Bocsanyi
  • Patent number: 9545861
    Abstract: A method for producing a locking device of a longitudinal adjustment mechanism of a vehicle seat, includes producing a locking device having a plurality of round locking pins which can be latched into position independently of one another and can be unlatched together, at least one guide part and a notched strip, wherein the guide part is assigned to a seat rail and has guide bores for the locking pins. The notched strip is assigned to a floor rail. The locking pins have an upper actuating end and a lower engagement region interacting with the notched strip. The locking pins are lubricated during the production step or subsequently thereto. During and/or after the lubrication step, each individual locking pin is rotationally driven by a rotary drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Hoppe, Axel Speck, Daniel Urban
  • Patent number: 9545862
    Abstract: A headrest is mounted to a seat back by inserting a support into a support hole of a holder and inserting a stay of the headrest into to stay hole of the support inserted into the support hole of the holder. A gap occupying part provided in the support moves between an advanced position at which the gap occupying part protrudes from an outer wall of the support and is capable of touching an inner surface of the support hole, and a retracted position at which the gap occupying part is retracted to an inner side of the stay hole from the advanced position. The gap occupying part moves toward the retracted position from the advanced position when the support is inserted into the support hole, and moves toward the advanced position when the stay is inserted into the stay hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitou, Akihide Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9545863
    Abstract: A vehicle seat feature to provide additional legroom for feet or legs of a rear-facing child in a safety carseat installed in a vehicle seat, by utilizing a bounded cavity or the like in the vehicle seat backrest, which is accessible from the front side of the backrest by feet or legs of a rear-facing child. Such a cavity may in some embodiments be deployable and made available by removing or repositioning a barrier object or the like, which when restored may in effect constitute part of an otherwise normally functional backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth Alfano
  • Patent number: 9545864
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes a seat frame, and a rod that extends to a region on a seat inside, and that is connected to the seat frame. The rod is connected to the seat frame via a shaft member. The shaft member includes a tubular portion having a through-hole, and a protruding portion protruding toward an outside in a radial direction from one end of the tubular portion in an axial direction. The shaft member is assembled to the seat frame in a state in which the tubular portion is inserted through the seat frame from a seat outside, and an insertion position of the shaft member in the axial direction is restricted by a position where the protruding portion abuts against an outside surface of the seat frame. The rod is inserted in the axial direction through the through-hole in the shaft member, and assembled to the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Hattori, Hayato Matsui
  • Patent number: 9545865
    Abstract: A cargo loading system for use with a truck bed including a first frame, a second frame connected to the first frame by a first hinge, and a third frame connected to the second frame by a second hinge. Each frame includes perimeter walls and a bottom wall that define a cargo space. The first frame includes wheels extending beyond the perimeter walls on a side of the cargo space opposite to the bottom wall. In a first configuration, the frames lie in parallel in the truck bed. In a second configuration, the third frame and the second frame lie in parallel in the truck bed, and the first frame freely hangs over an edge of the truck bed. In a third configuration, the third frame lies in the truck bed, the second frame hangs freely, and the one or more wheels engage a surface below the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Donald Lindgren
  • Patent number: 9545866
    Abstract: The application discloses integrated air suspension and platform lifting systems that utilize an existing air supply for lifting one or more platforms installed in a trailer or hauling vehicle. An apparatus for lifting a rear gate or platform of a trailer or a hauling vehicle is disclosed that includes an actuating mechanism operable to pivot the platform between a lowered position (e.g., where the end of the platform is in contact with the ground) and a range of raised positions (e.g., where the platform is raised to meet an elevated platform such as a loading dock). The lifting mechanisms for raising and lowering the platform(s) may utilize a pressurized gas supply from a compressor. In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism may be supplied with pressurized air from a compressor of a brake system of a tractor. In some embodiments a separate locking mechanism is provided to hold the platform in place after the lifting system has moved it into a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Woods, Sr., Matthew Woods
  • Patent number: 9545867
    Abstract: A storage container for bulk materials includes a rectangular bin containing a an open-ended chamber having a horizontal bottom wall, a pair of vertical side walls and a vertical rear wall, and a pair of parallel spaced centrally-arranged horizontal guide rails that extend longitudinally below the bin, which guide rails have forward end portions that extend outwardly beyond the bin front end. A ramp wall is pivotally connected with the forward end of the bin for displacement between a vertical first position closing the forward end of the chamber, and a downwardly inclined ramp position. A piston and cylinder motor arrangement is connected between the guide rail ends and the ramp wall for displacing the ramp wall between its vertical first and downwardly inclined second positions. The chamber side walls are spaced so that a front end loader can travel up the downwardly inclined ramp and into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dropstor, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Wayne Melancon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9545868
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading, handling and transporting waste containers includes a vehicle having a main frame and a load container handler, the load container handler including a main frame assembly having a rear and mounted to and atop the vehicle main frame; a pivot assembly pivotally connected to the main frame assembly to rotate about a first axis; a main jib assembly connected with the pivot assembly to reciprocate along a first line between jib extended and retracted positions; a carriage assembly connected with the main jib assembly to reciprocate along a second line between carriage extended and retracted positions and including container connection elements operable to rotate about a second axis and for engaging with and holding a container; and, motive elements for moving the pivot assembly, main jib assembly and carriage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GALBREATH LLC
    Inventor: John J. Downing
  • Patent number: 9545869
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for an associated cargo carrier includes a rail configured for sliding movement between a first position received within a footprint of the carrier and a second position extended outwardly from the carrier footprint. A leg assembly is configured for extending movement between a first position received in the rail and a second position extending outwardly from the rail. When the rail and leg assembly are in the respective first positions, the leg assembly is stored along the carrier, and when the rail and leg are in the respective second positions, the leg assembly supports the cargo carrier. A drive arrangement selectively raises and lowers the leg assembly between the first and second positions to raise and lower the cargo carrier relative to the vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Paul G. Eidsmore
  • Patent number: 9545870
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving a slide-out room disposed in an aperture of a side wall of a vehicle from a retracted position to an extended position in a drive direction. The apparatus includes a drive assembly supported by the side wall of the vehicle and a driven assembly driven by the drive assembly. The driven assembly is connected to a wall of the slide-out room such that the slide-out room moves with the driven assembly from the retracted position to the extended position in the drive direction and the driven assembly is movable in a transverse direction generally perpendicular to the drive direction relative to the wall of the slide-out room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Walls
  • Patent number: 9545871
    Abstract: A lift mechanism for an RV holds the elevation of a lift mechanism for a period of time after the operator releases the switch to give the operator time to secure the elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lippert Components Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Quigley
  • Patent number: 9545872
    Abstract: A dunnage bag hanger apparatus includes a dunnage bag hanger and a handle mounted applicator block operative to support and affix the dunnage bag hanger. The dunnage bag hanger is fabricated from three distinct and separate parts: a generally planar support substrate and two release papers covering adhesive patches or regions on the support substrate. The support substrate in one embodiment is a sheet that is further divided into two contact members separated by a resilient coupler. Each contact member preferably has a contact body, a hanging loop distal to the resilient coupler, and an adhesive coating. The two adhesive couplings are preferably on opposite sides of the support substrate sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, William M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9545873
    Abstract: A reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Courtright, Joshua Hemphill, James Adam Drozdowski, John Comiez, Vincent Chimento
  • Patent number: 9545874
    Abstract: Bundling multiple elongated articles comprises: loading the articles into a stationary bunk rack; positioning pairs of bundling members vertically against opposing sides of the articles in the bunk rack; wrapping flexible binding members around the bundling members and the articles in the bunk rack; tensioning and securing the binding members. Each pair of bundling members has a corresponding binding members positioned around them. Tensioning the binding members urges the bundling members against the opposing sides of the bundle, so that the bundle assumes a shape that is (i) substantially flat over portions of an outer bundle surface against the binding members and (ii) convex over portions of the outer bundle surfaces that are not against the binding members. Securing the tensioned binding members secures the bundle and the bundling members together. The elongated articles can assume an irregular arrangement over portions of a bundle cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: WHITSELL MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventor: Fred W. Whitsell
  • Patent number: 9545875
    Abstract: A method for controlling a light emission of at least one headlight of a host vehicle includes: reading in a side collision warning signal which represents a risk for the host vehicle of a side impact from another vehicle; generating an activation signal using the side collision warning signal and a position information which represents a position of the other vehicle relative to the host vehicle; and controlling the light emission of the at least one headlight based on the activation signal, in order to illuminate the other vehicle with the aid of the at least one headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Manoj Mohamed
  • Patent number: 9545876
    Abstract: A monitoring unit wirelessly monitors sensor(s) associated with a vehicle and includes (a) a radio frequency (RF) receiver that receives RF signals from one or more sensors; (b) a processing unit connected to the RF receiver that monitors information related received RF signals from the sensor(s); (c) the processing unit monitoring the received RF signals and a status of an output of the sensor(s) associated with the vehicle. The received RF signals may include information on a value of an output of the sensor and limits of acceptable values, and the processing unit generates an alarm when the value of the output is outside of the limits of acceptable values. The alarm may be a visual indication visible from the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: STEMCO LP
    Inventors: Mark J. Kranz, Michael James Massey, Daniel J. Harding
  • Patent number: 9545877
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel having a rim, a hub, and spokes connecting the rim and hub. An airbag module is disposed on the hub. Horn activating switches are disposed on the plurality of spokes. A bezel is disposed adjacent to the airbag module for actuating the horn, the bezel being movably mounted to the steering wheel to contact any of the horn activating switches. At least a portion of the bezel is axially movable relative to the steering wheel to contact any of the horn activating switches, whereby a motor vehicle operator may actuate the horn by pressing on the bezel without contacting any portion of the airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Dean, James Robert Chascsa
  • Patent number: 9545878
    Abstract: Included is a lightweight portable sign which can be used in one aspect to protect stalled or broken down vehicles with passengers still on board, to prevent oncoming vehicles or traffic from colliding with the stalled vehicles. An infinite number of messages may be displayed by input to the display through the use of a keyboard, smart phone application, auditory input or a pre-set selection of messaged chosen by the user. The sign is computerized with onboard memory, processor and optionally, has sound and audio capabilities. An emergency communications system and method are also included. The method include providing software applications communications components of the sign of the invention which then transmits a signal to a communications center, which then can direct the communication to a hospital, police or roadside assistance entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Sylo Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9545879
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a seat back member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the seat back member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Stebbins, Raymond J. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 9545880
    Abstract: An information processing device includes a first calculation part configured to calculate a position of a first icon on a transparent screen, the transparent screen being viewed by a driver of a vehicle, the first icon indicating that an obstacle in a path of a vehicle is detected from an image captured by an imaging part provided in the vehicle, the first icon being viewed at a position of the obstacle on a two-dimensional coordinate plane arranged at a lower limit position of the transparent screen, the two-dimensional coordinate plane corresponding to an imaging area of the imaging part, and a second calculation part configured to calculate a position of an end point of an indication line on the transparent screen, the indication line being viewed as extending from a position of the first icon on the transparent screen toward the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 9545881
    Abstract: Vehicle event recorder systems are arranged to be in constant communication with remote servers and administrators via mobile wireless cellular networks. Vehicle event recorders equipped with video cameras capture video and other data records of important events relating to vehicle use. These data are then transmitted over special communications networks having very high coverage space but limited bandwidth. A vehicle may be operated over very large region while maintaining continuous communications connections with a remote fixed server. As such, systems of these inventions may be characterized as including a mobile unit having: a video camera; a microprocessor; memory; an event trigger; and mobile wireless transceivers, and a fixed network portion including: mobile wireless cellular network, a protocol translation gateway, the Internet and an application-specific server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SmartDrive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Plante
  • Patent number: 9545882
    Abstract: A rearview device having a front element defining a first surface and a second surface. A rear element defines a third surface and a fourth surface. An electro-optic material is located between the front element and the rear element. A carrier plate includes a front side, a back side, and a peripheral wall. The front side is disposed proximate the fourth surface and the peripheral wall is operably coupled with a peripheral edge of the second surface. A device housing is operably coupled to the back side of the carrier plate. The peripheral wall and a portion of the back side of the carrier plate extend beyond the device housing and are externally exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nigel T. Lock, Mark R. Roth, Danny L. Minikey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9545883
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly suitable for a vehicle includes an attachment portion and a casing portion having a variable reflectance mirror reflective element. A mirror reflector is disposed at at least a portion of a surface of a rear substrate of the reflective element. The mirror reflector includes a stack of thin films having at least a first metal thin film and a second metal thin film. The first metal thin film is formed of a metal material that has a specific resistivity of less than about 1×10?3 ohm·cm and the second metal thin film is formed of a metal material that has a specific resistivity of less than about 1×10?3 ohm·cm. No part of the rear substrate extends beyond any part of a front substrate of the reflective element. An indicator is disposed rearward of the reflective element and, when actuated, illuminates through the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 9545884
    Abstract: The RV tank storage rack is adapted to attach onto a rear bumper of an RV, and support a portable sewage tank there from. The RV tank storage rack includes a folding ramp, a tank platform, and a back support frame. The tank platform is positioned between the folding ramp and the back support frame. The tank platform is adapted to receive a portable sewage tank. A mounting member extends from underneath the tank platform. The mounting member is adapted to secure the RV tank storage rack onto a rear bumper of an RV. The folding ramp is hingedly connected with the tank platform, and rotates downwardly in order to adaptively enable the portable sewage tank to be rolled onto or off of the tank platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Karen Clarke-Stapleton, Scott Hedglin
  • Patent number: 9545885
    Abstract: An in-vehicle microphone apparatus includes one or more microphone elements having a diaphragm and converting a vibration received by the diaphragm into an electric signal, an acoustic retainer retaining the one or more microphone elements and having an end surface provided with a plurality of sound collection ports, a bezel attached to the end surface of the acoustic retainer and having a plurality of through-holes formed at positions directly facing the plurality of the sound collection portion, and lips disposed on one of the bezel and the acoustic retainer and coming into close contact with the other at a position surrounding each of the plurality of the sound collection ports so as to fill the gap between the bezel and the acoustic retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KOJIMA INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9545886
    Abstract: A cargo tray assembly for a vehicle includes first and second trays. The first tray has a translatable planar section in a first plane, and a first hinged section moveable between upright and flattened positions with respect to the first plane. The second tray has a fixed planar section arranged in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane. The fixed planar section connects to the interior, e.g., a wall of a rear cargo area, and the first hinged section connects to a seat in the interior. The translatable planar section translates in response to an applied force, such as when the seat is moved forward or aft. The first hinged section pivots about an axis orthogonal to the direction of translation, e.g., when the seat is stowed flat or deployed into an upright position. A vehicle having the assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Wing Ha
  • Patent number: 9545887
    Abstract: Provided is a wire harness which does not increase in size with increase in number of electronic devices controlled by an electronic control unit and can standardize a relay connector, and an electronic device control system including such wire harness. A wire harness structure (2) communicably-connects electronic devices (3) mounted on a vehicle to an electronic control unit (4) controlling the electronic devices, and includes a relay connector (6, 6A, 6B) relaying a control signal from the electronic control unit to the electronic devices, a power wire (81) and a ground wire (82) drawn out from the relay connector, power supply units connected to the power wire and the ground wire, and sets of signal wires (83a, 83b, 83c) transmitting the control signal to each power supply unit arranged to supply power to the electronic device and drive the electronic device according to the control signal from the signal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Ito, Yoshihito Aoki, Shuji Satake
  • Patent number: 9545888
    Abstract: A vehicle composite cable includes a pair of power wires for supplying a current to an electric parking brake unit that generates a braking force after stopping a vehicle, a first signal line including a twisted pair wire transmitting a first electrical signal during when the vehicle is in motion, a second signal line including a twisted pair wire for transmitting a second electrical signal also during when the vehicle is in motion, and a sheath collectively covering the pair of power wires and the first and second signal lines. The first and second signal lines are not covered with a shield conductor, and the first signal line is separated from the second signal line by the pair of power wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ito, Naoya Toyoshima, Yoshikazu Hayakawa, Tomoyuki Murayama, Hirotaka Eshima, Shinya Hayashi, Minoru Oikawa, Takahiro Futatsumori, Hiroshi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 9545889
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply unit reducing deterioration of power loss caused by cables. A connector connecting a power line L11 connected to a battery and a plurality of ramp loads is attached to a holder housing at least one of the plurality of ramp loads. The connector is provided with: a pressure-bonding power source terminal to which the power line L11 is connected and power is inputted, a first branch circuit branching one power line inputted from the pressure-bonding terminal into a plurality of branch lines, a plurality of tub-like power source terminal, pressure-bonding power terminals each connected to the plurality of branch lines branched by the first branch circuit and outputting power to each ramp load; and a housing housing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuuji Satake, Akiyoshi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 9545890
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor mat for determining a seat occupation situation of a vehicle seat. Said sensor mat comprises a plurality of sensor cells which can be allocated to a sitting area of the vehicle seat and are configured and interconnected in such a way that an output signal of the sensor mat varies in accordance with the seat occupation situation. At least one first sensor cell and a second sensor cell are interconnected to a pair of sensor cells such that the output signal of the sensor mat exceeds or lies below a predefined threshold value independently of the triggering state of the other sensor cells when the first and the second sensor cell are triggered simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Dietmar Jungen, Andreas Steier
  • Patent number: 9545891
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag module-mounting side frame configured to be attachable an airbag with high rigidity and efficiently even when an airbag attachment portion has a closed cross-sectional structure. A side frame which forms a seat and on which an airbag module is mounted is provided. A portion of the side frame to which the airbag module is attached has a closed cross-sectional structure. An attachment member that connects the airbag module and the side frame is disposed to connect an inner wall surface of the closed cross-sectional structure arranged on an outer side of the seat and an inner wall surface of the closed cross-sectional structure arranged on an inner side of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinichi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 9545892
    Abstract: A side bolster assembly for mounting in a vehicle. The side bolster assembly may include a carrier that may have a pocket. The pocket may receive an airbag module that may have an inflatable airbag. A cushion may extend across the pocket. A guide member may guide the airbag around the cushion upon inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Matthias Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9545893
    Abstract: A far side airbag device for a vehicle has: an inflator that is provided at a central-side side portion of a seat back along a height direction of the seat back, and that jets gas out from a jetting portion; a side airbag that receives a supply of gas from the inflator and is thereby inflated and expanded; a diffuser that is housed at the interior of the side airbag, that receives a supply of gas from the inflator and is thereby inflated and expanded in a shape of a tube that surrounds the inflator; and a protecting patch that covers the gas supplying end portion in a state in which the side airbag and the diffuser are inflated and expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yusuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9545894
    Abstract: An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into a first chamber and a second chamber. A first valve assembly is operatively coupled to the divider for controlling the gas flow between the first chamber and the second chamber. A second valve assembly is fixed within the first chamber and fluidly communicates with an exterior of the airbag. The second valve assembly is operably dependent on the first valve assembly, thereby dynamically controlling the inflation profile of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9545895
    Abstract: A hood lifting mechanism includes a housing and a piston assembly movably mounted in the housing. The piston assembly has a groove formed therealong. A retainer is coupled to the housing so as to form a cavity therebetween. A locking member is positioned in the cavity so as to be engageable by the groove, for preventing motion of the piston assembly with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Wilmot, Rachid Hammoud, Joshua D. Van Hooser, Steven R. Rehak, Jeremy M. Henck
  • Patent number: 9545896
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a motor vehicle safety arrangement and method for positioning an occupant properly on a vehicle seat and restraining the occupant thus positioned in preparation of the vehicle potentially being subject to a rear-end collision. A safety belt is associated with the vehicle seat and an electric reversible safety belt retractor is associated with the safety belt. A rearward-looking detection system detects and classifies the collision risk for an approaching object. At least one sensor monitors one or more vehicle parameters. A control unit determines a driving state as critical or non-critical from the monitored vehicle parameters. The control unit controls the electric reversible safety belt retractor to apply a predetermined pullback force on the safety belt in response to the collision risk for an approaching object being classified as high within a predetermined time of an indicated critical driving state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Backhouse, David Madas
  • Patent number: 9545897
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end thereof The connecting device is connected to the wiper blade at at least two locations spaced-apart in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade in order to evenly distribute a force exerted by the oscillating arm onto the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 9545898
    Abstract: A connector for a windscreen wiper of a motor vehicle, the connector being configured to allow the wiper to be articulated to an arm for driving the wiper in a rotational movement about an axis of rotation Y. The connector includes one or more projecting shapes which are configured to be guided in rotation by an adaptor for the wiper on the arm in various angularly distant regions about the axis of rotation Y, so as to allow the movement in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Denis Thebault, Jean-Michel Jarasson
  • Patent number: 9545899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a switch apparatus of a vehicle that includes a switch body that is connected to a connector of an electronic apparatus and includes a relay board disposed in an inner space thereof. The apparatus further includes a coupling portion disposed on a bottom of the switch body, formed by a conductor, and coupled to a fixation bracket. Additionally, an earth member includes a base formed by the conductor and is disposed in a lower part of the inner space of the switch body, and coupled on the top of the coupling portion and a clamping bar respectively extended upward at both sides of the base and coupled with an earth terminal formed on the bottom of the relay board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Seon Min, Yang Rae Cho, Chang Hyun Lee, Young Je Park, Eun Sik Kim, Dong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9545900
    Abstract: Hill hold control for a vehicle that is executed in response to idling stop of an engine is cancelled on the condition that a command to restart the engine for recovery from the idling stop is issued and an engine rotation speed is higher than or equal to a predetermined determination value; whereas, cancellation of the hill hold control is prohibited when the engine is in process of being stopped through the idling stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouki Moriya, Yutaka Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 9545901
    Abstract: In a method for optimizing the pressure setting accuracy, a hydraulic pressure is built up according to a pressure requirement of a hydraulic pump, and overflow control is performed using an analog-controlling hydraulic valve and a known control characteristic curve of the analog-controlling hydraulic valve, which overflow control counteracts a pressure build-up produced by the hydraulic pump that exceeds the pressure requirement. In addition to the known control characteristic curve of the analog-controlling hydraulic valve, at least one additional valve characteristic is taken into account for the overflow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Holger Kollmann, Peter Leska, Ralph Gronau, Michel Wagner, Jörg Berntheusel, Erik Händler, Silvio Färber, Patrik Henke, Alexander Treib, Andreas Neu
  • Patent number: 9545902
    Abstract: A connection structure for electrical component assembly including: an electrical component assembly provided with a coil energized through a pair of electrically conductive members; and a housing that covers the electrical component assembly and that is provided with housing-side connection terminals. The electrically conductive member has a connection terminal section connectable to the housing-side connection terminal. The connection terminal section is bent toward a side departing from the coil so as to protrude toward a side of the electrical component assembly, and one of the connection terminal sections is arranged at a position deviated in an axis direction of the coil relative to the other of the connection terminal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NISSIN KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuro Kodama, Keiichi Tatsuno
  • Patent number: 9545903
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is provided comprising a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, an selective gearbox mechanically coupled to the rotor and disposed in the housing, a first output of the selective gearbox configured to rotate at a different speed than the rotor, and a second output of the selective gearbox configured to rotate at a same speed as the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, David Drennen, Robert French
  • Patent number: 9545904
    Abstract: The braking control device for a vehicle is adapted to be used for a vehicle brake device and it is an object of the present invention to prevent an operator of the vehicle from feeling of any an unpleasant feeling by reducing an ineffective operating amount by which no braking force increases in response to the increase of the brake operating amount. The braking control device includes a controlling portion for changing a servo performance to an ineffective operating amount reducing servo performance which is closer to the increase ratio of the hydraulic pressure braking force relative to the increase of the brake operating amount after the input piston has been in contact with the output piston when the brake operating amount reaches to the servo performance change operating amount which is smaller than the assisting limit operating amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ADVICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Masuda, Hiroaki Niino
  • Patent number: 9545905
    Abstract: An electric brake device includes a first slave piston which is housed in a cylinder body and generates hydraulic pressure in a first hydraulic chamber by moving forward, a motor which transmits a driving force to the first slave piston, and a restriction pin which is inserted and secured to the cylinder body in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the cylinder body and restricts a backward position of the first slave piston when a hydraulic pressure is applied from an outside to the first hydraulic chamber, wherein the restriction pin is inserted and secured to the cylinder mechanism in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylinder main body. Further, a clearance is formed between an inner peripheral wall of the cylinder body and a first groove portion and second groove portion which are formed on an outer surface of the restriction pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Autoliv Nissin Brake Systems Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Ohnishi, Kazuaki Murayama, Hiroshi Nakano, Kazuyoshi Akutsu, Hideo Miyabayashi, Yoshiyuki Takamatsu, Nobuyuki Kobayashi, Motoyasu Nakamura, Yoshiteru Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9545906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, wherein an electrically operated actuator of a vehicle brake system is controlled in accordance with a braking demand of a vehicle control system, such as occurs in electronic stability control. According to the invention, a supply voltage of the vehicle electrical system applied to the electrically operated actuator is increased if at least one specified condition is met. Thus, the pressure build-up by a hydraulic pump can e.g. be accelerated during emergency braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Tim Zimmermann, Thomas Bauer, Dieter Maus
  • Patent number: 9545907
    Abstract: A control valve device for a highly available pneumatic brake system for a rail vehicle, having a compressed-air inlet which is or can be connected to an outlet of a discharge valve device; a compressed-air outlet which is or can be connected to a relay valve device; and a safety input which is or can be connected to a compressed-air source; wherein the control valve device fluidically connects the safety inlet to the compressed-air outlet in a first switching position and fluidically connects the compressed-air inlet to the compressed-air outlet in a second switching position; wherein the control valve device can modify the inlet pressure in the second switching position in accordance with a control device, in order to provide the outlet pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUR SCHIENENFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Rasel, Marc-Oliver Herden, Achim Vollmer
  • Patent number: 9545908
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a transmission system of a vehicle by positioning a disconnect clutch at its stroke point in response to a commanded engine shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Adam Nathan Banker, Dennis Craig Reed