Patents Issued in August 24, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170240054
    Abstract: In an electric vehicle having a primary battery powered source of energy with a primary electric motor driven and connected to one or more ground engagement wheels of the electric vehicle, has a device called a sprocket used for collecting energy form the inner rim edge of the rear wheel of the electric vehicle. This sprocket mechanism device collects this energy then transfers that energy to alternators one and two on its mounted framework in the trunk compartment by way of a chain. The two alternators with its sitting pilot voltages, then transfer it by required electrically conductive cables sending energy to the battery bank source thus completing the on board charging system cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Newberry Francis
  • Publication number: 20170240055
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system for charging a battery located in a vehicle includes a primary side network and a secondary side network. The primary side network includes a transmitting coil and a primary side compensation network. The primary side compensation network includes a primary compensation coil. The secondary side network includes a receiving coil and a secondary side compensation network. The secondary compensation network includes a secondary compensation coil. The primary compensation coil and the secondary compensation network has one of an unipolar coil design and a bipolar coil design, and the transmitting coil and the receiving coil has the other one of the unipolar coil design and the bipolar coil design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Trong-Duy NGUYEN, Jeff C. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20170240056
    Abstract: A secondary side wireless power transfer compensation circuit includes a secondary coil, a capacitor in series with the secondary coil, and an inductor in parallel with the secondary coil and capacitor. The inductor has an impedance matching a reflected impedance of a load electrically connected thereacross such that the secondary coil achieves resonance with a primary coil coupled therewith at a predetermined frequency that depends on the impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed Elshaer, Nevin Altunyurt, Richard William Kautz, Hadi Malek
  • Publication number: 20170240057
    Abstract: In a coil unit of a device for inductive transmission of electrical power with a cover, a base and a coil arranged between the cover and base. During operation of the device, the cover faces another coil unit and the base faces away from it. At least one support element, which mechanically supports the cover on the base, is arranged between the cover and the base. At least one cavity is formed between the cover and the support element by protrusions on the cover and/or on the support element, whereby the cover lies on the support element, and/or at least one cavity is formed between the base and the support element by protrusions on the support element and/or on the base, whereby the support element lies on the base. Sensors or elements for magnetic flux guidance can be arranged protected from mechanical load in such a cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: IPT Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Felix CORDES, Niklas ENDLER
  • Publication number: 20170240058
    Abstract: A method for charging an accumulator of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, wherein a cooling device of the motor vehicle is operated in order to cool the accumulator during the charging of the accumulator, wherein the motor vehicle emits noise in dependence on the cooling power of the cooling device, including the steps: determining positional data for a position of the motor vehicle during charging, determining a maximum value for a noise emission on the basis of the positional data and while taking into account noise emission positional data, and taking into account the maximum value for noise emission with respect to the charging of the accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Daniel GHEBRU, Andreas DJERMESTER
  • Publication number: 20170240059
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for jump starting an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, an electric vehicle includes battery charging circuitry electrically connected to a high voltage storage system and a low voltage storage system mounted in the vehicle. The high voltage storage system may be configured to drive a motor for propelling the vehicle. The low voltage storage system may be configured to drive a contactor electrically connected between the high voltage storage system and a drive train of the vehicle. In some implementations, the vehicle may include an electrical connection that is easily accessible and configured to supply power from an external power source to the low voltage system. The electrical connection may be integrated into a standard trailer wiring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip John Weicker
  • Publication number: 20170240060
    Abstract: A present location of a host vehicle is determined. A processor detects that the host vehicle is connected to a charging station. A predetermined setting associated with the present location is accessed. A charging indicator light that indicates that the vehicle is connected to a charging station in accordance with the predetermined setting is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Roberts, William Najib Mansur, Mark Douglas Malone, Beth Ann Dalrymple
  • Publication number: 20170240061
    Abstract: A transmit charging coil is driven to wirelessly transfer energy to a receiving charging coil. The wireless energy transfer can be adjusted in response to detecting the receive charging coil. Navigation of an un-manned vehicle may be adjusted in response to the wireless energy transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin Waters
  • Publication number: 20170240062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and station for docking unmanned vehicles. The system, method and station are particularly relevant, but not limited to dock the unmanned vehicles for autonomous operations. Further the system, method and station are particularly relevant, but not limited to protect the unmanned vehicles from external environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: SWARMX PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Pulkit JAISWAL, Badrinarayanan RANGARAJAN
  • Publication number: 20170240063
    Abstract: A method for supplying a number of electric charging stations with electricity, wherein AC voltage provided by an electricity source is transformed into a prescribed AC voltage level by at least one transformer via at least one star winding and at least one delta winding and subsequently routed via AC voltage lines to the number of electric charging stations and converted directly to direct current in respective charging stations from the number of electric charging stations locally by at least two rectifiers of the charging stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Ralf Oestreicher, Volker Reber, Anja Heinzelmann
  • Publication number: 20170240064
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller programmed to operate the traction battery according to an estimated value of a battery state of health parameter. The estimated value is updated based on drive cycle parameters of the vehicle over a time interval. The state of health parameters include a battery capacity and a resistance of the traction battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Tae-Kyung LEE
  • Publication number: 20170240065
    Abstract: A cooling device for a battery that is mounted in a vehicle includes: a cooling fan that is configured to suck air in a vehicle interior, and to blow the sucked air to the battery; an intake air temperature sensor that is configured to detect a temperature of the air sucked by the cooling fan; and an electronic control unit that is configured (i) to control the cooling fan, and (ii) to prohibit the cooling fan from being operated when a detected value of the intake air temperature sensor is lower than a first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyohito MACHIDA, Nobuyuki TANAKA, Teruo ISHISHITA, Keiichi MINAMIURA
  • Publication number: 20170240066
    Abstract: A method, system, and vehicle for locating an occupant within the vehicle. The method includes receiving motion data of a seatbelt for a seat in the vehicle and receiving motion data of a wearable device of the occupant. The method also includes comparing the seatbelt motion data with the wearable device motion data from a same period of time and identifying that the occupant is located at the seat in the vehicle based on a result of the comparison. The method may also include associating the occupant with the vehicle based on location information of the vehicle and location information of the wearable device of the occupant. Additionally, the method may include identifying personalization options for the occupant at the seat based on a user profile of the occupant in response to identifying that the occupant is located at the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Zhiyun Li, Pei Zheng
  • Publication number: 20170240067
    Abstract: A track adjuster may include a cross member, an end stop bracket, an adjustable end stop lever, and/or a connection member that may be configured to actuate the adjustable end stop lever. The adjustable end stop lever may be configured to rotate between a first position in which the adjustable end stop lever engages the end stop bracket and prevents movement of a seat from a comfort range into an easy entry range, and a second position in which the adjustable end stop does not prevent movement of the seat from the comfort range into the easy entry range. The cross member may be configured for rotating independently of the adjustable end stop lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Stutika, Martin Kravcik, Peter Jenco
  • Publication number: 20170240068
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, includes a seat part (3), a backrest (5) and a four-bar-linkage arrangement (10), having a coupler (20), for the at least indirect coupling of the seat part (3) to a vehicle floor (S). The vehicle seat (1) is transferrable from a use position suitable for transporting an individual either into a first non-use position or into a second non-use position. The seat part (3) has a seat-part frame (30), which is pivotable relative to the coupler (20), and a locking device (52), which blocks a pivoting of the seat-part frame (30) relative to the coupler (20) in a first actuating state of the locking means (52). The locking device (52) permits a pivoting of the seat-part frame (30) relative to the coupler (20) in a second actuating state of the locking device (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Shivaprasad RAMACHANDRA, Annal Ponnarasu GANESAN, Peter HUDÁK, Bernd HOPP, Helmut JECK, Walter LINK, Karthikeyan S. MAHARAJAPURAM, James ABRAHAM
  • Publication number: 20170240069
    Abstract: A torque transfer control mechanism that suppresses output-side displacement, and including a rotation control unit that maintains a locked state when an input torque rotating a transfer mechanism is not applied, and releases the locked state when the transfer mechanism rotates. The rotation control unit includes an internal gear and lock plates that include outer teeth that can engage with inner teeth of the internal gear. When an input torque is not applied, the inner teeth of the internal gear engage with the outer teeth of the lock plates, and when the transfer mechanism is rotated, engagement between the inner teeth and the outer teeth is released. Thus, even when torque is applied from the output unit side, engagement between the inner teeth and the outer teeth is not released by the torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terumi ASAI, Etsunori FUJITA, Katsuhiro INOUE
  • Publication number: 20170240070
    Abstract: A counterweighted release lever for a vehicle seat back release mechanism is described. The release lever includes a counterweight providing sufficient weight to move a center of mass of the release lever towards a release lever pivot point disposed adjacent to the counterweight. The counterweight may be integral to or attached to the release lever, or may be operatively connected to a release lever shaft. Vehicle seat back release mechanisms and vehicle seat assemblies including the counterweighted release lever as described above are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas J. Susko
  • Publication number: 20170240071
    Abstract: A structure in which two worm wheels are disposed across a worm provides an increase in locking reliability while maintaining stable operation during rotation. At the time of rotation, respective rotating fulcrums set at both end portions in an axial direction of a worm are supported by bearing parts. At the time of locking, a locking fulcrum set at an eccentric position on one end portion in the axial direction of the worm is supported by one bearing part, while on the other end portion in the axial direction, the rotating fulcrum is supported by the other bearing part as is. As a result, the angle of lead of the worm supported by the pair of bearing parts is changed between the time of rotation and the time of locking and becomes smaller at the time of locking than at the time of rotation, whereby an increase in locking reliability can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyonori UMEZAKI, Katsuhiro INOUE
  • Publication number: 20170240072
    Abstract: A convertible car seat to stroller device includes a car seat that has a frame, which is rigid. A handle, which is extendable, is coupled to the frame. One of pair of cross supports, each comprising a front member and back member, is pivotally coupled to a bottom of the frame proximate to a left side of the frame. The other of the pair of cross supports is pivotally coupled to the bottom proximate to a right side of the frame. A front axle is rotationally couple to the front members. The front axle is coupled to a pair of front wheels. A back axle is rotationally coupled to the back members. The back axle is coupled to a pair of back wheels. The car seat is couplable to a base, which is couplable to the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Nicole Wright
  • Publication number: 20170240073
    Abstract: A convertible car seat, carrier and stroller device includes a car seat that has a frame, which is rigid. The car seat is shaped and sized to a child. A handle, which is extendable, is coupled to a back of the frame. A wheel assembly is coupled to and positioned in a housing that is coupled to a bottom of the frame. The wheel assembly is extensible from the housing and operationally coupled to the handle. Extending the handle lowers the wheel assembly and retracting the handle raises the wheel assembly. The car seat is couplable to a base that is configured to couple to an interior of a vehicle. The base is couplable to the interior of a vehicle and positioned to secure the car seat in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Sara Termini
  • Publication number: 20170240074
    Abstract: A seat bottom includes a frame, a first thigh support, and a second thigh support. The first thigh support and the second thigh support are each supported by the frame and independently movable relative to the frame. A first deployable device is coupled to the first thigh support, and a second deployable device is coupled to the second thigh support. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second deployable devices. The first and second deployable devices are each formed of thermoplastic elastomer and are inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert William McCoy, Cortney Stancato, Jaeho Cho, Mohammed Shenaq
  • Publication number: 20170240075
    Abstract: A seat bottom includes a frame, a first thigh support, a second thigh support, and a controller. The first thigh support and the second thigh support are each supported by the frame and are independently movable relative to the frame to adjustable positions. A first deployable device is coupled to the first thigh support, and a second deployable device is coupled to the second thigh support. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second deployable devices. The controller is programmed to independently inflate the first and second deployable devices based at least on the adjustable positions of the first and second thigh supports in response to a sensed vehicle impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert William McCoy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jaeho Cho
  • Publication number: 20170240076
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an inflatable air cushion system of a vehicle seat. The inflatable air cushion system includes an inflatable air cushion positioned within a side supporting portion of the seat and configured to expand away from a middle supporting portion of a cushion substantially in a widthwise direction, an inflator connecting to the inflatable air cushion, and a controller for controlling the inflator to inflate the inflatable air cushion in response to a passenger occupancy signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Wei Xu, Kevin Shen
  • Publication number: 20170240077
    Abstract: A seat includes a back part and a seat part having a seat cover, padding, and a support structure. The seat cover delimits a seat area, which is divided into a central bearing area and two side support areas. An air bladder is located in each of the side support areas. The air bladders can be inflated or deflated for changing the vertical position of the seat area on the side support areas. A bearing part is arranged between the support structure and the air bladder. A fastener constructed as a latching connection is configured to fix the bearing part on the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas WIDERA, Meik DAUMEYER
  • Publication number: 20170240078
    Abstract: A seat air conditioning system includes: a seat pad that constitute a seat on which a user is seated and that is resiliently deformed to support the user on a surface-side of the seat pad, the seat pad including ventilation passages that open respectively on the surface-side; a surface cover that has air permeability and is disposed to cover the surface-side of the seat pad; an air outlet at which airs blown out respectively from the ventilation passages meet; and a blower that includes a suction port located on a rear surface-side of the seat pad to be connected to the air outlet and that suctions air from the surface cover-side through the ventilation passages, the air outlet, and the suction port. The air blown out from the air outlet is straightened to flow into the suction port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiya ISHII, Masafumi KAWASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20170240079
    Abstract: A distributed control system for a vehicle seat includes a control module for communicating on a single communication bus and a plurality of nodes connected to the control module via the communication bus, wherein each of the plurality of nodes are associated with a load device and each of the plurality of nodes comprises a logic component specific to the load device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Dusko Petrovski, Patrick Jordan
  • Publication number: 20170240080
    Abstract: A cushion cover (100), in particular for a vehicle seat (1), includes a surface layer (102) and at least one embossing (120) in the surface layer (102). A cavity (122) on the rear face of the at least one embossing (120) is at least partly filled with an insert (106). A method for producing a cushion cover (100), in particular for a vehicle seat (1), is also provided, including producing a surface layer (102) and at least one embossing (120). The surface layer (102) is provided with the at least one embossing (120) in a tool (10), and a rear face of the at least one embossing (120) is at least partly filled with an insert (106) in an additional method step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Tomás DRBOHLAV, Tereza NOSKOVA
  • Publication number: 20170240081
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a fastening strap for fixing a seat covering to a seat cushion of a car. The fastening strap includes a plurality of fastening sections connected in series and each of the fastening section comprises: a substrate having a plurality of hooks formed on a surface thereof; at least one magnetic member disposed on the surface of the substrate; a protective member disposed along a periphery of the substrate to encircle the plurality of hooks; and a flexible connecting portion integrally extending from one end of the substrate in a longitudinal direction of the fastening section to connect to an adjacent fastening section in a spaced apart manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Allen CHENG
  • Publication number: 20170240082
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back is provided with a resin frame at least a part of the rear surface side of which is exposed; a pad material disposed on the resin frame; a trim cover for covering the pad material; and a resin hook mounted to an end of the trim cover. The resin frame has a turned-back end formed by turning back outward in a U shape an end of the resin frame. The resin hook is engaged with the turned-back end. The resin hook has a protrusion at the portion thereof which is located within the turned-back end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Takashi YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170240083
    Abstract: A method produces a seat cover (2), which seat cover includes at least one body contact surface (7, 9) and seat cushion side surfaces (8.1, 8.2, 10.1, 10.2) which are adjacent thereto. A receiving element (4) is arranged in the region of the blank part (3.1, 3.2) on a raw material (1) prior to cutting a blank part (3.1, 3.2) for the seat cover (2), and is secured. The at least on body contact surface (7, 9) and the adjacent seat cushion side surfaces (8.1, 8.2, 10.1, 10.2) are cut from a raw material (1) as a single-piece blank part (3.1, 3.2) and are processed to form a seat cover (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Uwe SCHULZE, Lars HENNIG
  • Publication number: 20170240084
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat member having a support cushion with a first hardness value. A relief member is disposed in the support cushion and has a second hardness value that is less than the first hardness value of the support cushion. The relief member is configured to receive an article that is extending outwardly from a posterior end of the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is supported on the seat member. The seat member is configured to properly support a vehicle occupant in a uniform manner while the outwardly extending article is accommodated by the relief member disposed in the support cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory Reed
  • Publication number: 20170240085
    Abstract: A beverage container holder may include a beverage container receptacle, a gimbal set including outer, middle and inner gimbals surrounding and connected to the receptacle to correct a position of the receptacle in response to an external force, and an inner cover extending from the inner gimbal and having a first position extending over at least a portion of the middle gimbal and a second position contacting the middle gimbal to inhibit the external force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Miguel David FERREIRA ORTA, Adrian DIAZ MORALES
  • Publication number: 20170240086
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lift gate system. In one embodiment, the lift gate system comprises a lift platform, a lifting mechanism, and at least one stop member. The lifting mechanism moves the lift platform between a raised position and a lowered position. The lift platform is substantially aligned with an extension plate when the lift platform is in the raised position. The stop members are positioned relative to the lift platform to provide a gap between the extension plate and the lift platform when the lift platform is in the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Karapet Ablabutyan, Akop Gasparian, Aida Sahakyan
  • Publication number: 20170240087
    Abstract: A deceased animal moving device lifts and transports a deceased animal. The device includes a base configured for being moved on a surface. A mast is coupled to and extends upwardly from the base. A winch is coupled to a top of the mast providing a spool and a line selectively extendable from and retractable onto the spool. A shield coupled to the base has a lower edge positioned at a front of the base proximate a bottom of the base. The line is directed from the spool towards the shield for lifting a deceased animal attached to the line upwardly against the shield when the line is retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Tim Swenson
  • Publication number: 20170240088
    Abstract: A camper that is hauled by a vehicle. The camper is collapsible into a compact easy traveling position that is connected to a hitch receiver on the vehicle. The camper in the collapsed travel position fastened to a vehicle hitch does not have any wheels making contact with the roadway or ground. The camper in its collapsed position has an equal or higher ground clearance as the ground clearance of the vehicle it is attached to so as not to encumber off-road or roadway travel. The camper is not mounted on a trailer and does not require a trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Alfred Tait
  • Publication number: 20170240089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camper that is hauled by a vehicle. The camper is collapsible into a compact easy traveling position that is connected to a hitch receiver on the vehicle. The camper in the collapsed travel position fastened to a vehicle hitch does not have any wheels making contact with the roadway or ground. The camper in its collapsed position has an equal or higher ground clearance as the ground clearance of the vehicle it is attached to so as not to encumber off-road or roadway travel. The camper of the present invention is not mounted on a trailer and has handles for positioning and rolling the camper about.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Mark Tait
  • Publication number: 20170240090
    Abstract: A vehicle gutter spout cover comprising: a receptacle with a generally smooth outside surface; an orifice located on the receptacle and configured to allow the receptacle to slide over and enclose at least a portion of a gutter spout; and an adjustable length connecting means attached to the receptacle. A vehicle gutter spout cover system comprising: a vehicle; at least one gutter located on the vehicle; at least one gutter spout in fluid communication with the gutter; a receptacle with a generally smooth outside surface; an orifice located on the receptacle and configured to allow the receptacle to slide over and enclose at least a portion of the gutter spout; an adjustable length connecting means attached to the receptacle; and a vehicle cover configured to cover a vehicle and the gutter spout, with the receptacle generally enclosing at least a portion of the gutter spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Michael P. Hagen
  • Publication number: 20170240091
    Abstract: A support tube end element provides a structure allowing support of trailer platform support tubes to form expansive, stable base useful in house construction. Additionally, the support tube end element has a feature allowing for jack support of a platform support tube on the periphery of the base. A trailer for forming the base includes a frame, a plurality of stationary platform support tubes and a plurality of moveable platform support tubes received, at a first end, within the plurality of stationary platform support tubes. Each moveable platform support tube has, at a second end, the support tube end element. A construction method involves moving the trailer to a job site, extending the moveable platform support tubes, affixing a jack post to the support tube end element and extending the jack post to contact a substrate such that the jack post supports the moveable platform support tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Tad Putyra, Eugene Christopher Filice, Kamal Sabaratnam, John Carl Csiki, Armindo Pinheiro, David Rubino
  • Publication number: 20170240092
    Abstract: A product for retaining objects that may include a base that may have a central body. A leg may extend from the central body. An anchor arm may extend from the leg. An offset portion may extend from the anchor arm. The leg, the anchor arm and the offset portion may define three sides of a receptacle. The receptacle may have a fourth side that may be open and that may face toward the central body. An anchor loop may extend from the central body. The anchor loop may have an anchor leg extending from the base, and may have a loop segment on the anchor leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: HOMAN NOURI, Charles Calcaterra, Michael W. Schroeder, Daniel Morales Lopez
  • Publication number: 20170240093
    Abstract: This disclosure refers to a vehicle lamp heater, comprising a PTC heating resistor, a metallic cooling body fixed to the PTC heating resistor, and a holder holding the PTC heating resistor and the metallic cooling body. Also disclosed is vehicle lamp comprising a plastic housing with a transparent cover and such vehicle lamp heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Katherine O'Sullivan, Cian McCarthy, Dara O'Carroll
  • Publication number: 20170240094
    Abstract: Various embodiments may relate to a lighting device, including at least one primary light source for generating primary light, a phosphor volume spaced apart from the at least one primary light source and serving for at least partly converting the primary light into secondary light having a different wavelength, at least one light sensor for detecting light generated by the at least one primary light source, and an evaluation unit for determining a case of damage of the phosphor volume on the basis of sensor data of at least one light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Jan-Erik Künecke, Georg Forster
  • Publication number: 20170240095
    Abstract: A steering switch device, which is mounted on a steering wheel, includes a linear switch that includes a hollow insulator having restorability and two electrode wires arranged spirally along an inner surface of a hollow part in the hollow insulator while being kept not in contact with each other, wherein a winding pitch coiling spirally the electrode wires is at least not more than 10 mm, and a detecting device that detects a press of the linear switch by sensing a contact of the electrode wires. The linear switch is arranged so as to be along at least part of a surface of the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Yukio IKEDA
  • Publication number: 20170240096
    Abstract: An intention signaling system for an autonomous vehicle (AV) can monitor sensor information indicating a situational environment of the AV, and detect an external entity based, at least in part, on the sensor data. The intention signaling system can generate an output to signal one of an intent of the AV or an acquiescence of the AV to the external entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: William Payne Ross, Chenggang Liu
  • Publication number: 20170240097
    Abstract: A vehicle visibility increasing system includes a vehicle having a rear window and a front window. A pair of light emitters is provided. One of the light emitters is positioned adjacent to and is directed outwardly of the rear window. One of the light emitters is positioned adjacent to and is directed outwardly of the front window. A power cord is electrically coupled to each of the light emitters. A power plug is electrically coupled to the power cord. A control is in electrical communication with the power cord and is actuated to turn the light emitters or off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Steve Perez
  • Publication number: 20170240098
    Abstract: A control system of a self-driving vehicle (SDV) can process sensor data from a sensor system of the SDV to autonomously control acceleration, steering, and braking systems of the SDV along a current route. Based on the current route, the control system can dynamically determine a set of immediate actions to be performed by the SDV. Based on the set of immediate actions, the control system can generate a set of intention outputs on a lighting strip of the SDV, the set of intention outputs indicating the set of immediate actions prior to the SDV executing the set of immediate actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Sweeney, Thomas Pilarski, William Payne Ross, Chenggang Liu
  • Publication number: 20170240099
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided primarily for use with emergency response vehicles. The lighting system preferably includes a planar plate mounted to one of the horizontal surfaces of a vehicle. A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters affixed upon the planar plate so as to illuminate upwardly so as to be seen from the air. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can selectively produce visible light, or infrared light, or both. The vehicle lighting system also includes a light bar affixed to the planar plate. The light bar is positioned to illuminate primarily horizontally so as to be seen by those on the ground. Preferably, the luminescent planar sheets are connected by wiring to the light bar so that luminescent planar sheet obtains power from the light bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: MICHAEL SHIPMAN
  • Publication number: 20170240100
    Abstract: A badge for a vehicle is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate attached to a housing. The housing has a viewable portion. A first light guide is operably coupled with a first light source. A second light guide is operably coupled with a plurality of second light sources. The geometric shape of the first light guide is varied from the second light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Michael A. Musleh
  • Publication number: 20170240101
    Abstract: A visual indicator assembly and adaptor for a trailer includes a control circuit electrically coupled to a plurality of lamps positioned in a rear header of the trailer. The control circuit is configured to supply a first voltage signal to the plurality of lamps in response to a power signal and supply a second voltage signal to the plurality of lamps in response to a brake signal. The second voltage signal is greater than the first voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, David Pickup
  • Publication number: 20170240102
    Abstract: A multifunction lamp unit for a vehicle includes a housing, at least one light conductor with at least one illuminant provided by an LED on a printed circuit board, at least one light foil, and a clear lens. A method for manufacturing lamps for vehicles includes producing a housing, a light conductor, and a clear lens as one unit out of plastic in a 3-component injection procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Raimund NEGEL, Arne SCHMIERER, Daniel FRITZ
  • Publication number: 20170240103
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor assembly includes a circuit board having a mounting surface. The vehicle sun visor assembly also includes a top-emitting light emitting diode (LED) mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board. In addition, the vehicle sun visor assembly includes a light guide having a light emitting surface and a light receiving surface. The light receiving surface is substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface, and the light guide is configured to receive light emitted from the top-emitting LED through the light receiving surface and to emit the light from the top-emitting LED through the light emitting surface toward a vehicle interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Still, Philip Allen Lehman