Patents Issued in April 3, 2018
  • Patent number: 9931874
    Abstract: A mounting of a ribbon supply on a re-useable cartridge is described where the mounting is designed so that the supply friction, supply and control of the ribbon supply are substantially independent of the cartridge. When the supply rolls are initially mounted on the cartridge, the supply rolls are frictionally engaged with the cartridge to reduce the tendency for the supply rolls to rotate or move prior to being loaded into the printer, which would loosen the ribbon material by unwinding, thereby reducing slack in the ribbon material. When the cartridge is loaded into a card personalization machine, features on the card personalization machine automatically reduce the frictional engagement between the supply rolls and the cartridge, permitting the supply rolls to rotate substantially freely relative to the cartridge so that the supply friction, supply and control are substantially independent of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ENTRUST DATACARD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arthur J. Paulson, James A. Kalthoff, Alexander K. Zaborowski, Bryan D. Hoeve
  • Patent number: 9931875
    Abstract: A craftwork accessory may provide a portable and/or easy-to-use tool to help users' accurately and repeatedly apply stamp impressions and the like to items such as cardstock. The accessory may include a base portion, one or more elevated side portions and cover portion. The side portions may define a workspace for arranging the item. The cover portion may be movably attached to the base portion or a side portion, for example, by one or more hinges. In operation, the item and stamp may be aligned in the workspace and the cover portion may be pressed onto the stamp to stick the stamp to the cover portion. The cover may then be opened, the stamp may be inked, and the cover portion may be closed and pressed onto the item to stamp the item. The accessory may include alignment indicia on the base portion, side portions and/or cover portion to facilitate placement of the item and/or stamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: My Sweet Petunia, Inc.
    Inventor: Iliana Myska
  • Patent number: 9931876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a decorative building board, including: ejecting active ray-curable ink from an ink jet recording head onto a building board that includes a base material selected from a metallic base material and a ceramic base material and an ink receiving layer arranged on the base material, the ink receiving layer being obtained by curing a resin composition and having an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) specified under JIS B 0601:2001 of from 0.4 ?m to 3 ?m, to thereby perform printing on the ink receiving layer; and irradiating the active ray-curable ink with an active ray from 2.2 seconds to 30 seconds after the active ray-curable ink lands on the ink receiving layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: NISSHIN STEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Satou, Seiju Suzuki, Hidenori Yoshida, Shuichi Sugita, Yuuichi Okada
  • Patent number: 9931877
    Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material including a web-shaped substrate having a front side and an opposite reverse side, and at least one heat-sensitive recording layer on either or both of the sides of the web-shaped substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi HiTec Paper Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Stork, Diana Valentina Becerra Siabato, Matthias Neukirch
  • Patent number: 9931878
    Abstract: A colour laser markable laminate includes a colour laser markable layer including a leuco dye and an infrared absorbing compound, an optional adhesive layer, a polymeric support, an optional outerlayer, wherein the colour laser markable layer further includes an acid scavenger. The support, the optional adhesive layer, or the optional outer layer includes a UV absorbing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AGFA-GEVAERT
    Inventors: Marin Steenackers, Johan Loccufier, Bart Aerts, Anouschka Depla
  • Patent number: 9931879
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording medium which exhibits excellent adhesiveness with respect to an ink and has excellent scratch resistance and in which density unevenness at the time of printing is suppressed, a method for manufacturing the ink jet recording medium, a printed material using the ink jet recording medium, a method for manufacturing the printed material, ornamental glass, and a roll. An ink jet recording medium of the present invention has a support and an ink receiving layer on at least one surface of the support, in which the ink receiving layer is a cured layer of a composition containing a radical polymerizable compound, a polymerization initiator, and a compound represented by Formula C-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Nakazawa, Takahiro Mizumoto, Masaki Ito, Takashi Shimizu, Yoshiki Sugai
  • Patent number: 9931880
    Abstract: To provide a decorative illumination ink jet recording material having a resin base, an ink accepting layer that is disposed as an outermost layer and contains a resin, a layer that contains a metal oxide, and a white layer that contains white particles and a resin, a decorative illumination image, a method of forming the decorative illumination image, and a decorative illumination signboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hayashi, Naoki Koito
  • Patent number: 9931881
    Abstract: An arm motor control section controls the operation of an arm motor that drives an arm section for turning a page of a book by pressing an adhesion roller against the page, and a current detection section outputs a current limit notice upon detecting an overcurrent in the arm motor which is limited by a limiter. When a current limit notice is outputted in a page turning operation, a CPU drives and controls the arm motor to perform reverse rotation by the arm motor control section, and thereby controls a pressing period that is a locking period during which the adhesion roller is pressing the page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9931882
    Abstract: An identification patch having a plasmonic resonance structure may be used to ensure that an article is counterfeit-proof. The identification patch may be formed by a printing process, such as roll-to-roll printing or nanoimprinting, to create a distinctive ordered pattern of resonance elements. When the plasmonic resonance structure is irradiated, the ordered pattern of resonance elements produces a unique spectral response that is associated only with the counterfeit-proof article. The counterfeit-proof article may be a metal component or an integrated circuit. The resonant absorption of the plasmonic resonance structure may be measured to verify the authenticity of the article before use of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gerald P. Uyeno
  • Patent number: 9931883
    Abstract: An image display according to an embodiment includes a first image-displaying portion that displays first information about a certain object as a first image of object color, and a second image-displaying portion that displays second information about the object as a second image of structural color provided by a relief structure, the relief structure including at least one structure selected from the group consisting of diffraction grating, hologram, and light-scattering structure having an anisotropic light-scattering property. According to an example, the object is a person, and the first image includes a facial image of the person. A labeled article according to another embodiment includes the image display, and a substrate supporting the image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Gocho, Takayoshi Hayashi, Yasushi Kishimoto, Toshiki Toda, Akira Nagano
  • Patent number: 9931884
    Abstract: A writing instrument includes a first reservoir for dispensing a first fluid having a first property of reflectivity. A first tip member is in fluid connection with the first reservoir. The first tip member has an end with a size and shape that corresponds to a response area of the response form. A second reservoir can be used for dispensing a second fluid, which is capable of modifying the first property of reflectivity when covering the first fluid. A second tip member is in fluid connection with the second reservoir. The second tip member has an end with a size and shape that corresponds to the response area of the response form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Amara Rahman Durham
  • Patent number: 9931885
    Abstract: A measuring tool for determining angles at two points of interest, including an elongate arm and two protractors, one protractor rotatably mounted at each end of the arm. Each protractor includes a flat for positioning the protractor against one of the two points of interest. The angle at each point of interest is the angular measurement between the arm and the two flats, respectively. The arm may include two attachment sections, one each of the two attachment sections rotatably connected to one each of the two protractors, respectively, and an L-shaped guide having three connection points for selectively receiving and retaining the two attachment sections in various configurations as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: Steven Wayne Pierson
  • Patent number: 9931886
    Abstract: An artist palette having a tray with an upper surface, a plurality of recessed wells positioned in the tray, an aperture in an edge of the upper surface of the tray providing a place for a painter to hold the tray, a drip ledge groove positioned on a periphery of the upper surface of the tray including a first upwardly extending edge useful for removing excess paint and water from a paintbrush, and wherein the drip ledge groove serves to hold paint or water that has been removed from the paintbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Borse, Michael Borse, Robert J. Borse
  • Patent number: 9931887
    Abstract: The invention is a paint can holder, allowing a painter to hold a paint container for easy access when painting, having a base with a ledge integrally formed to the base, securely conforming to a sealing lip of the paint can, and a handle with a pair of inwardly bent legs extending through the handle connecting the handle to the base and a pair of hinge connecting means. An over center clamping member connects to the hinge connecting means, allowing the handle to cause the over center clamping member to clamp the base to the sealing lip of the paint can. A connecting component threads through a clip hole in the base simultaneously attaching to a user's garment. The invention may be used for home improvement or construction to carry a paint and other articles, allowing the paint can to remain upright without spilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: James W. Eberly, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9931888
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has a double row rolling bearing detachably united with a constant velocity universal joint. The double row rolling bearing has an outer member, an inner member, and double row rolling elements rollably disposed between the double row raceway surfaces of the outer member and inner member. The constant velocity universal joint has an outer joint member, a shoulder portion, and a shaft portion. A female thread is formed on the shaft portion. End faces of the shoulder portion and the caulked portion are formed with face splines, respectively. The face spline of the caulked portion has a portion where a tooth height of a tooth space of a portion radially outside the pitch circle diameter is set lower than that of other portions of the tooth space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Hirano, Makoto Seki
  • Patent number: 9931889
    Abstract: A heavy goods vehicle (10) having a vehicle frame (12) and at least one driving axis (A), which has on either longitudinal side (10a) of the vehicle (10) a bogie (22) comprising a wheel assembly (14), each wheel assembly (14) comprising at least two wheels arranged symmetrically in relation to a central axis (S), and a wheel suspension (18) by means of which said wheel assembly is fastened to a rotary plate (28) of the bogie (22), this rotary plate (28) being mounted on a rotary bearing (24) of the bogie (22) which is engaged with the vehicle frame (12) so as to be rotatable about a steering swivel axis (X). According to the invention, the rotary bearing (24) of the bogie (22) can be adjusted in the width direction (B) of the vehicle relative to the vehicle frame (12) and can be detachably connected to the vehicle frame (12) in an operationally stable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: GOLDHOFER AG
    Inventors: Felix Merkel, Horst Haefele
  • Patent number: 9931890
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an attachment body (11) attached to an axle, an outer rim body (13) configured to surround the attachment body (11) from the outside in a tire radial direction, and a connecting member (15) configured to displaceably connect the attachment body (11) and the outer rim body (13), wherein the connecting member (15) includes elastic connecting plates (21, 22) each having both end sections (21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) connected to the attachment body (11) and the outer rim body (13), a plurality of curved end sections (21g, 21h, 22g, 22h) curved in a tire circumferential direction are formed at the inner end sections (21b, 22b) of the elastic connecting plates (21, 22) connected to the attachment body (11) in a direction in which the elastic connecting plates (21, 22) extend in a side view of the tire when the tire is seen from a tire width direction, and in the curved end sections (21g, 21h, 22g, 22h), the curve directions of the curved end sections (21g, 21h, 22g, 22h) adjacent to each othe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Abe, Masashi Nishida
  • Patent number: 9931891
    Abstract: A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor includes a bolster frame and a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes a support arm coupled to the at least one support member. The suspension system further includes a vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Ries, David J. Knopp
  • Patent number: 9931892
    Abstract: A tread kerf of a snow tire is capable of securing the performance of the tire on a dry road, a wet road, a snowy road, and an icy road, maintaining uniform rigidity of the block, and improving wear resistance. The tread kerf is formed in the outer surface of a tread block of the snow tire in a depth direction of the block in a shape of a polygonal wave extending along the outer surface of the block, wherein the entrance distance of the polygonal wave is less than the bottom distance of the polygonal wave such that side surfaces between the entrance and the bottom of the polygonal wave are formed as inclined surfaces, the distance between which decreases toward the entrance. The polygonal wave is moved in an advancing direction of the polygonal wave while being twisted in the depth direction of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HANKOOK TIRE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Su Jang, Sang Tak Joo, Sung Hee Youn
  • Patent number: 9931893
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire, including: a lug groove opening at an end of a ground contact surface of a tread portion and extending toward the tire equatorial plane of the ground contact surface to terminate before reaching the tire equatorial plane; a communication groove making a corresponding pair of the lug grooves located on respective sides of the tire equatorial plane communicate with each other; and at least one widthwise groove, formed in a ground contact surface region demarcated between the end of the ground contact surface and the tire equatorial plane and between one pair and another pair adjacent thereto in the tread circumferential direction of the lug grooves and the communication groove communicating therewith, such that the widthwise groove extends in a direction of a tread width and an end thereof on the outer side in the tread width direction terminates within the ground contact surface region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nomura
  • Patent number: 9931894
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewall portions extending from the bead portions, a tread portion extending across the respective sidewall portions, and a decorative band having a smooth surface and formed on the sidewall portion, wherein: the outermost end in the tire radial direction of the decorative band is positioned on the inner side in the tire radial direction than the largest width position of the tire; the decorative band includes a plurality of decorative lines each extending in the tire circumferential direction and having higher brightness than the base color of the tire; brightness of the decorative line having the highest brightness among the decorative lines is at least 80%; and brightness and/or hue of the decorative line having the highest brightness is different from brightness and/or hue of at least one of other decorative lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sotaro Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 9931895
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread, sidewalls, clinches, beads, a carcass, and strips. Each bead includes a core, a first apex and a second apex, the carcass includes a carcass ply which is turned up around the core from the axially inner side toward outer side such that the carcass ply is divided into a main portion and a turn-up portion, each strip has radially inner edge positioned between the main and turn-up portions, the second apex is positioned between the turn-up portion and each clinch, each strip has outer edge positioned to correspond to or on inner side of a point of maximum width of the tire in radial direction, the second apex has outer edge positioned on radially inner side of the outer edge of each strip, and the second apex includes crosslinked rubber and has complex elastic modulus in range of from 60 MPa to 70 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Goro Munezawa
  • Patent number: 9931896
    Abstract: A run flat tire having a side reinforcing rubber part is disclosed. The side reinforcing rubber part is formed by a rubber composition having a ratio (M50H/M50N) of tensile stress (M50H) in 50% elongation at a measurement temperature of 100° C. to tensile stress (M50N) in 50% elongation at a measurement temperature of 23° C. of from 1.0 to 1.3. A ratio (M50H/M50F) of tensile stress (M50H) in 50% elongation at a measurement temperature of 100° C. of the rubber composition forming the side reinforcing rubber part to tensile stress (M50F) in 50% elongation at a measurement temperature of 100° C. of a rubber composition forming a bead filler is from 0.5 to 1.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE & RUNNER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sho Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9931897
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating air pressure level in a tire is provided. The apparatus includes a housing attached to the tire; a piston located inside the housing, coupled to the housing via a spring; a one-way valve; and locking elements located at a specified location along the housing, wherein the piston is configured to move towards a first end of the housing responsive to an imbalance between centrifugal force applied to the piston due to angular speed of the tire and force applied to it by the spring, wherein the locking elements are configured to lock the piston at the specified location whenever the tire reaches a predefined angular speed, and release the piston once the angular speed of the tire crosses a predefined threshold, so that the piston moves towards a second end of the sleeve producing an air pulse, conveyed by the one-way valve into the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BRIGHTWAY VISION LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Grauer, Ofer David, Eyal Levi, Amit Haramati
  • Patent number: 9931898
    Abstract: A tie down apparatus for securing an item is shown and described herein. The tie down apparatus may include first and second body members, where the first body member is configured to be located and rotated about a first axis within a first receiving member and the second body member is configured to be located and rotated about a second axis within a second receiving member. The tie down apparatus may also include first and second locking members each extending through the first and second body members, respectively, where rotating the first and second body members about the respective first and second axes engages the first and second locking members and generally prevents removal of the first and second body members from the first and second receiving member, and a safety chain holding member selectively engaged with either of the first and second body members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9931899
    Abstract: A tracked, amphibious vehicle, comprising at least two, spaced, elongated pontoons disposed generally parallel to one another. A platform structure can be supported by and structurally connects the pontoons, the platform structure including a transom, a lowermost generally horizontally extending panel above a free clearance area under a bottom panel and between the pontoons through which terrain and debris can pass. A hydraulic drive system can propel the vehicle, said drive system including left and right hydraulic motors mounted on the pontoons. At least one series of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels for supporting said vehicle can be mounted along the bottom of the pontoons. A continuous, endless belt can encircle each pontoon and engages the bogie wheels. Ground-engaging cleats assembled on the outer surface of each belt and covering the pontoon bottom provide traction to the vehicle. Gearing interfaces the motor with the endless belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventor: John B. Coast
  • Patent number: 9931900
    Abstract: An air suspension system includes a controller that controls opening/closing of normally-closed electromagnetic switching valves constituting a control valve, a first supply/discharge switching valve, a second supply/discharge switching valve, a first tank switching valve, and a second tank switching valve. The controller controls opening/closing of the electromagnetic switching valves in an order of first control, second control, and third control. In the first control, the control valve is opened. In the second control, the first supply/discharge switching valve and the second supply/discharge switching valve are opened in an opened state of the control valve. In the third control, the control valve, the first supply/discharge switching valve, and the second supply/discharge switching valve are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaaki Oishi, Hideki Ohashi, Jun Tokumitsu, Ryo Kanda
  • Patent number: 9931901
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a vehicle chassis on a wheel of the vehicle includes a wheel attachment component for attaching the assembly to the wheel, a chassis attachment component for attaching the assembly to the vehicle chassis, and a suspension component. At least one adjustment element is coupled with the chassis attachment component and with a first portion of the suspension component, and is configured to shift the first portion of the suspension element between a plurality of operating positions relative to the chassis attachment component. A single strut bar is rigidly coupled with the wheel attachment component and with a second portion of the suspension component, and is configured to pivot relative to the chassis attachment component. The suspension component is configured to regulate motion transfer between the wheel attachment component and the chassis attachment component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO International
    Inventor: James Slawson
  • Patent number: 9931902
    Abstract: A stabilizer bushing has a holding hole for holding a stabilizer bar and is to be mounted on a mounting surface of a vehicle-body-side component. A normal line to the mounting surface extends in a direction intersecting an up and down direction of a vehicle. The stabilizer bushing has at least one separation surface, one end portion of which is located on an inner circumferential surface opposed to the holding hole, and the other end portion of which is located on an outer surface of the stabilizer bushing at a position different from a rigid-component opposed portion opposed to the vehicle-body-side component. The at least one separation surface has a first separation surface located nearer to the rigid-component opposed portion than a plane extending through a central axis of the holding hole and parallel with the rigid-component opposed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsukamoto, Satoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 9931903
    Abstract: A connecting arrangement for a stabilizer of a vehicle, with at least one lever that extends transversely to a longitudinal direction. The lever has a bearing eye provided with a non-circular inner circumferential contour. A torsion-bar spring with a rotation axis extends in the longitudinal direction. The torsion-bar spring has an outer circumferential contour, at least at one end, that matches the inner circumferential contour of the bearing eye and which fits into the bearing eye. The wall of the bearing eye is cut through by at least one slit extending in the longitudinal direction, by which two opposite wall sections of the wall are separated from one another. The two wall sections are pressed against the non-circular outer circumferential contour of the torsion-bar spring by at least one releasable clamping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Jens Eismann, Wolfgang Ratermann, Friedhelm Langhorst
  • Patent number: 9931904
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for motor vehicles includes an air conditioner case having a left path, a right path and a rear seat path. A temperature door is configured to adjust a volume of a cold air or a hot air. A main blower is configured to blow the cold air or the hot air and an air volume distribution door is configured to control opening degrees of the left path and the right path. A rear seat auxiliary blower is configured to increase a volume and a pressure of the cold air or the hot air flowing through the rear seat path. A control unit is configured to, when an air volume distribution ratio of the main blower is changed, correct an opening position of the air volume distribution door and compensate a change in an air volume distribution ratio of the left path and the right path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Tae Wan Kim, Tae Yun Kong, In Hyeok Kim, Jeong Hun Seo, Jae Hwan Jung
  • Patent number: 9931905
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner includes a duct in which a partition member forming a first flow path and a second flow path is provided, and a heat pump circuit. In the heat pump circuit, a first indoor heat exchanger that contributes to heating is located in the first flow path or faces an outlet of the first flow path, and a second indoor heat exchanger that contributes to cooling is located in the second flow path. The duct is provided with at least one heating exhaust port for discharging air cooled in the second indoor heat exchanger to the outside of the vehicle interior in heating operation, and a cooling exhaust port for discharging air heated in the first indoor heat exchanger to the outside of the vehicle interior in cooling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasufumi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9931906
    Abstract: A cab for a machine. The machine has a longitudinal axis extending between a front, and a back opposite to the front. The cab includes a roof and a floor extending generally about the longitudinal axis. A vertical seat index axis extends through intermediate portions of the roof and the floor and is associated with a position of the operator disposed to face the front. The vertical seat index axis intersects perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at an intersection. A plurality of support members are disposed between the roof and the floor, including a rear support member disposed at a rear end of the cab. At least an upper portion of the rear support member is positioned at an angle relative to the intersection at an angle along the longitudinal axis and defines a rear view opening to facilitate rear end visibility of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brent R Frazier, Alexa Davis, Jeffrey Zurinski
  • Patent number: 9931907
    Abstract: To provide a vehicle air-conditioning unit that increases a volume of airflow delivered from a side vent opening in a foot mode, to effectively prevent fogging of windowpanes on right and left end sides. An air passage has: a first passage that guides hot air to a center vent opening, a side vent opening, and a defrost opening; and a second passage that is branched from the first passage and guides the hot air to a foot opening. A first door is arranged at a branched position of the air passage to the second passage, and a second door is arranged between the center vent opening and the defrost opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO JAPAN CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Shichiken, Daisuke Araki, Takao Koike
  • Patent number: 9931908
    Abstract: An air inlet system for an automotive HVAC system has a housing comprising a first cylindrical segment enclosing an interior space and having a first radial surface with a first angular divergence. The first radial surface has a fresh air aperture and a recirculation aperture for radially receiving fresh air and recirculated air, respectively. The housing further comprises an outlet body with an exit aperture. A pivoting door element is mounted in the interior space and shaped as a second cylindrical segment with a second radial surface with a second angular divergence which is less than the first angular divergence. The door element has a pivot axis that allows the second radial surface to slide along the first radial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Trenton S. Meehan, Vivek A. Jairazbhoy, Steve M. Kahrs
  • Patent number: 9931909
    Abstract: A computing system for a vehicle is provided. The computing system includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to estimate at least one characteristic of emissions from at least one forward vehicle expected to enter a ventilation system of an ego-vehicle within a predetermined travel distance ahead of the ego-vehicle and, responsive to one or more estimated characteristics, control the ego-vehicle ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John-Michael McNew
  • Patent number: 9931910
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump-equipped vehicle air conditioning device comprising: an adsorption heat pump that includes a plurality of vessels, each of which includes an adsorption section housing an adsorbent and an evaporation and condensation section inside which a refrigerant is sealed, an adsorption process and a desorption process being performed repeatedly inside the vessels; first heat exchangers respectively disposed inside each of the adsorption sections; second heat exchangers respectively disposed inside each of the evaporation and condensation sections; a first circulation route for circulating refrigerant between a high temperature heat source and a heater core; a second circulation route for circulating refrigerant between the adsorption heat pump and an interior heat exchanger, wherein the second circulation route is connected to the adsorption heat pump through a switching valve; and a controller that controls switching of the switching valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masakatsu Tsubouchi
  • Patent number: 9931911
    Abstract: A device for opening and closing a movable window of a motor vehicle, the movable window being movable relative to a fixed panel, from a closed position in which the movable window is positioned flush with the fixed panel, to an open position in which the movable window is moved parallel to the fixed panel. The device includes an assembly controlled from a handle mechanism supported by an edge of a frame secured to the movable window, such that starting from the closed position, actuating the handle a first time releases locking of the movable window then, secondly, brings the movable window out of its closed position, an edge of the window corresponding to the edge of the frame being moved relative to the fixed panel, to the position allowing sliding of the movable window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AGC GLASS EUROPE
    Inventor: Robert Hick
  • Patent number: 9931912
    Abstract: A collar for a vehicle sun visor includes a pair of collar halves attached on a shaft body. The collar halves each include a receiving groove, a first locking hole and a second locking hole, and a first flexible claw and a second flexible claw. When the pair of collar halves is assembled, the flexible claw of one of the collar halves is inserted into and engages with the locking hole in the other of the collar halves, and the locking holes and the flexible claws are provided pair-wise and arranged opposite one another with the receiving groove therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: PIOLAX, INC., KASAI KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Moto Nakagawa, Ryou Aoki, Tomoya Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 9931913
    Abstract: A device for moving at least one door leaf, includes a fixed beam that is fixed to the frame, a moving beam that is connected to the fixed beam by swinging rails which allow it to move transversely with respect to the axes of elongation of the fixed and moving beams, a motor which drives the leaf in a movement parallel to the axis of elongation of the moving beam and which, during the swinging of the leaf, also drives a drive cam which is provided with a slot in which there is engaged a pin that is fixed to the fixed beam, and a central roller which is connected to the moving beam and circulates in a groove in the fixed beam during the movement of the leaf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FAIVELEY TRANSPORT TOURS
    Inventors: Jany Prevost, Joan Carrion Espeleta, Nicolas Pierre, Philippe Vaucelle
  • Patent number: 9931914
    Abstract: A bonding structure of vehicle members includes a first member formed of resin in a shape of a panel and in which a ridge line is formed by an angular portion divided with respect to a curvature of other portion of a surface thereof, a second member formed in a shape of a panel with resin or metal having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the first member, an outside bonding portion provided on an outer edge side of the first member to bond together the first member and the second member, and an inside bonding portion provided inside of the outside bonding portion in a plane direction of the first member and bonds together the first member and the second member, at least one of plural apexes in a proximity of the outside bonding portion overlapping the ridge line when viewed from outside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mutsumi Kawashima, Miho Mizukoshi, Yasuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9931915
    Abstract: A sliding member includes a casing and a plate spring. The plate spring is placed in a middle accommodating portion of the casing between front and rear portions of a middle lower wall portion and a protruding portion of a middle upper wall portion constructed by a mountain-shaped wall portion and the protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: HOWA TEXTILE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sawai, Hiroki Koyama
  • Patent number: 9931916
    Abstract: A moving device includes: a moving body; guide rails extending in a moving direction of the moving body on both sides in one direction orthogonal to the moving direction and each of which has first and second guides mutually symmetrical in the one direction, and a third guide interposed between the first and second guides; connecting portions provided at both-side end portions of the moving body in the one direction and mutually symmetrical in the one direction; first and second shoes respectively mounted on the connecting portions, sliding the first and third guides and the second and third guides, and having the same shape; first and second drive belts respectively connected to the first and second shoes in the first and second guides to be integrally moved and moving and driving the first and second shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ide, Kazuhiko Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 9931917
    Abstract: Sliding roof system for an automotive vehicle with a movable roof part, a fixed in location roof portion and an adjustment mechanism positioned within a guide track arrangement in order to displace the roof part between a closed position, a ventilation position and an open position below the roof portion. The adjustment mechanism includes a drive carriage driven by a drive system and a support profile fixedly connected to the roof part and operatively connected to the drive carriage by a slotted guide mechanism. The support profile, on the rear end region thereof, is articulated to a support lever, which lever is longitudinally displaceable within the guide track arrangement by a support carriage. Within the guide track arrangement a support recess is provided and fixed in location, in which a support element of the support lever is supported in response to a position of the support lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael Heidan
  • Patent number: 9931918
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure including roof glass that includes an opaque coating section formed so as to shield a structural object disposed at a vehicle lower side from view from the vehicle cabin outer side, a shielding body, and an extension. The shielding body is provided at the vehicle lower side of the roof glass at a coating width direction inner end of the opaque coating section, includes an upper end on a vehicle upper side attached to the roof glass, and shields a location of the structural object facing the opaque coating section. The extension includes an extension direction leading end positioned further inward with respect to the glass surface than the coating width direction inner end, and shields a location of the structural object jutting out further inward with respect to the glass surface than the shielding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryo Yasumoto, Makoto Muranaka
  • Patent number: 9931919
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a closure element supported by an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in a guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element and guided by the guide rail, a support member which is slidably connected to the closure element, and a curve part on the stationary part including a guide track having a vertical component and extending rearwardly beyond a rear edge of the roof opening. The guide rail, driving slide, connecting element, support member and curve part on the stationary part are positioned outside the seal between the closure element and the stationary part. The connecting element is connected to the driving slide and support member in a manner such that it is movable at least partly in substantially vertical direction with respect to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
  • Patent number: 9931920
    Abstract: A roof assembly includes a vehicle body defining an opening and having a track extending along the opening. The track is elongated along a track axis. The roof assembly includes a panel removably disposed in the opening, a latch attached to the panel and releasably engageable with the vehicle body, and a block attached to the panel and removably engageable with the track. The block is rotatable relative to the panel about a block axis perpendicular to the track axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dragan B. Stojkovic, Ronald M. Lovasz
  • Patent number: 9931921
    Abstract: A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side rail linkage assemblies are attached to the header, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at pivot points created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is lightweight and has a sealing arrangement that engages with the hard top roof portion and existing seal of the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
  • Patent number: 9931922
    Abstract: When an insertion groove, into which various parts are inserted, is formed on a sealing member, the present disclosure may maintain a width of an opening of the insertion groove greater than or equal to a predetermined width, facilitating the insertion. A sealing member 30 includes an insertion groove S opening toward an outside of a compartment. A protruding portion 36b is formed on a side face S1 of the insertion groove S, and protrudes toward another side face S2. The protruding portion 36b is connected to the other side face R2 via a connecting portion 36c smaller in strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Morioka, Atushi Fukuta
  • Patent number: 9931923
    Abstract: A bracket-equipped vibration-damping device including: a vibration-damping device main body including vertically-separated, elastically-connected first and second mounting members; a bracket receiving the device main body inserted laterally thereinto; a connection-insert section provided for the second mounting member; a connection groove provided for the bracket extending in an insertion direction of the device main body; at least one up-down urging rubber fixed on an outer surface of the connection-insert section on an upper-lower first side; and a lock protrusion formed on an inner surface of the connection groove on an upper-lower second side, with a smaller protrusion dimension than an up-down thickness of the up-down urging rubber such that the connection-insert section is laterally inserted into the connection groove beyond the lock protrusion before being urged to the second side by the up-down urging rubber to be positioned to the connection groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kenji Oki, Kei Okumura, Tomohiro Kanaya