Patents Issued in July 24, 2018
  • Patent number: 10029587
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a slide lock mechanism which is configured to lock a locked part provided to a second rail side to a locking part provided to a first rail side or release the locking of the locked part and the locking part, and a walk-in mechanism including a shifting preparation mechanism part which is provided to the first rail side, a holding mechanism part which is provided to the second rail side and holds a locking released state of the slide lock mechanism, and a holding release mechanism part which is provided to the second rail side and shifts the locking released state of the slide lock mechanism to a state where the slide lock mechanism is capable of shifting to the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hattori, Tomio Matsufuji
  • Patent number: 10029588
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes a base member and a ratchet on a seat cushion and a seatback, respectively or vice versa; a lock member which engages with and disengages from a meshing portion of the ratchet; a lock driver which moves the lock member between the engaged position and the disengaged position; and a meshed-state retainer including an engaging portion provided on the base member, and an engaged portion provided on the lock member. When the lock member in the engaged position moves in a direction different from a direction in which the lock member is guided by the guide portion of the base member, the meshed-state retainer moves the lock member toward the engaged position via engagement of the engaged portion with the engaging portion to retain a meshed state between the lock member and the meshing portion of the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Maeda, Hidehiko Fujioka
  • Patent number: 10029589
    Abstract: An attachment member allowing a connected state between the attachment member and a guide member to be more easily checked is provided. The attachment member for attaching a stay cloth, which guides a deployment direction of an airbag module, to a seat back frame has a holding portion which includes a holding space for housing an attachment portion of the stay cloth. The holding portion is inserted into an attachment hole to be fitted into the attachment hole that is formed in the seat back frame. A through-hole which allows the attachment portion of the stay cloth in the holding space to be exposed in a penetrating direction of the attachment hole is formed in the holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinichi Tanabe, Hiroshi Baba, Makoto Takeuchi, Hiroshi Izawa, Yoshihisa Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 10029590
    Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in a seat headrest that includes an interior chamber that accommodates an acoustic transducer, and an acoustic channel disposed between the interior chamber and an external opening in the seat headrest. The headrest also includes a soft outer layer disposed around at least a portion of a periphery of the external opening, and a grill mount. The grill mount is disposed in or attached to the outer layer, the grill mount extending, at least in part, around the periphery of the acoustic channel, and configured to engage with a portion of a speaker grill-assembly in a mating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford Kyle Subat, Charles Oswald
  • Patent number: 10029591
    Abstract: The ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat is placed between the seat of the vehicle and the person sitting on the seat. The ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat is formed with a foraminous surface. Air flow generated from the vehicle ventilation system is diverted into the ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat and flows through the foraminous surface on to the person sitting in the vehicle seat. The ventilated seat pad for a vehicle seat comprises one or more cushions and one or more vent attachments. Each of the one or more vent attachment attaches an individual cushion selected from the one or more cushions to the ventilation system of the vehicle such that air flows from the ventilation system into the selected individual cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Sergio Paez
  • Patent number: 10029592
    Abstract: A cushion body includes a seat pad; and a seat cover covering a surface of the seat pad in a state in which a surface of the seat cover is bonded to the surface of the seat pad. The seat pad includes a drawing groove into which an intermediate part of the seat cover is drawn such that a surface of the intermediate part of the seat cover is bonded to the drawing groove; and a deformation promoting structure configured to promote bending of a vicinity portion in vicinity of the drawing groove so as to promote bending of one pad portion with respect to another pad portion in a direction in which a groove width of the drawing groove is increased, the one pad portion being separated from the other pad portion by the drawing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ochiai, Tetsuo Hayashida, Yoshiyuki Murata, Yoshihisa Nakagawa, Ami Inagaki
  • Patent number: 10029593
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a cushion that has a main portion that configures part of the seat cushion or the seat back and is placed in the seat width direction middle portion of the cushion and a pair of right and left side support portions that project toward the seat upper side or the seat front side relative to the main portion; and a cover that has side support portion cover portions and a main portion cover portion, with both seat width direction end portions of the main portion cover portion being joined to the side support portion cover portions, and with the seat width direction dimension of the main portion cover portion being longer than the seat width direction dimension of a surface on the seated occupant side of the main portion in a deformed state resulting from an occupant being seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Gen Takahashi, Hiroki Hori
  • Patent number: 10029594
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat frame assembly supporting a cushion carrier. A suspension system is suspended from the cushion carrier and includes one or more deflectable spring members that are fixedly coupled to a front portion of the cushion carrier at a first end and moveably coupled to a rear portion of the cushion carrier at a second end. The second end of the one or more deflectable spring members rotates on the rear portion of the cushion carrier as the suspension system moves between at-rest and flexed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, S. M. Akbar Berry, Carol Casey, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 10029595
    Abstract: A locking assembly for a vehicle armrest includes a pivoting catch member disposed below an armrest body and a catch wire disposed on a seat back frame member. A retractable stop pin maintains engagement of the pivoting catch member and the catch wire. A release is operatively connected to the retractable stop pin, which may be urged into engagement with the pivoting catch member by a spring. Armrest and seat assemblies including the locking assembly are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Salenbien, Thomas J. Susko, Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 10029596
    Abstract: A retaining device for vehicle headrests, including a guide element inside which a fixing rod for fixing a headrest can be housed, a retaining element movable between a retaining position, in which the retaining element prevents the movement of the fixing rod with respect to the guide element, and a release position, and a push button for moving the retaining element from the retaining position to the release position, and at least one lever linked with the push button transferring the movement of the push button to the retaining element, and an elastic element pushing the lever towards the retaining position of the retaining element, wherein the retaining element and the lever are made in a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Ricard Fortuny Segura
  • Patent number: 10029597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container assembly comprising a container, and a load bearing exoskeleton for the container, the exoskeleton comprising a space frame construction. Also disclosed are a vehicle trailer, a rail wagon, and dump body for a dump truck comprising the container assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MIS.CARBONART PTY LTD
    Inventor: Grant Christopher Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10029598
    Abstract: A carrier system and method for assisting in handling cargo of a vehicle. A carrier container includes an interior storage space surrounded by a front side facing the rear of the vehicle, rear, left, right, and bottom sides, and an open top that allows access to the interior storage space with a lid that closes and opens the top. A carrier support structure mounted to the carrier container is inserted into the hitch of the vehicle and holds the top surface of the container flush with the cargo bed of the vehicle. The lid is opened to deploy a ramp stored inside which is anchored to the container so that it is flush with the top surface of the container and reaches the ground. The lid is closed and a bridge plate commonly hinged with the lid is deployed over any gap between the cargo bed and the container top, providing a continuous surface between the cargo bed and the ground for use by pets for ingress and egress of the vehicle and for handling cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Theodore J. Keck
  • Patent number: 10029599
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention related generally to ladders and ramps and, more particularly, to collapsible ladders and ramps for a vehicle tailgate and related systems. In one embodiment, the invention provides a system comprising: a tailgate member for a vehicle, the tailgate member having: an interior wall; an exterior wall; and a cavity between the interior and exterior walls; at least one collapsible ladder device comprising: a pair of substantially parallel elongate members; a plurality of cross members, each of the plurality extending between and lying substantially perpendicular to the pair of substantially elongate members; and an attachment device for non-fixedly securing the at least one collapsible ladder device within the cavity of the tailgate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Michael J. Sindoni, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10029600
    Abstract: An improved slide out for food trucks, recreational vehicles, buses, and trailers is described in which the slide out that extends from below to above the top of the vehicle's wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Susan Nash
  • Patent number: 10029601
    Abstract: The present application relates to a wall panel for recreational vehicles. In one representative embodiment, a wall panel for a recreational vehicle comprises a main body defining at least one pre-formed panel opening, and an inwardly extending peripheral flange located along a perimeter of the at least one pre-formed panel opening. The wall panel is configured to be mounted onto a structural wall of the recreational vehicle such that the peripheral flange covers an inner surface of a corresponding opening defined in the structural wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Composite Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Dame, Jeffrey Chase
  • Patent number: 10029602
    Abstract: A sleeping unit for a vehicle having at least one side wall includes a first wall located inside the vehicle and spaced apart from the side wall of the vehicle, a second wall, a combined seating and sleeping unit and a retractable sleeping unit. The combined seating and sleeping unit has a first section and a second section and is movable from a first configuration in which the first and second sections are generally perpendicular to one another to a second configuration in which the first and second sections are generally parallel to one another. The retractable sleeping unit is movable from a first position in which it is located in the space between the first wall and the side wall of the vehicle to a second position in which it is located outside the space between the first wall and the side wall of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Forest River, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin Cannon Spickler, Lamar Miller, Dennis Mast, Steven Miller, Joe Mast
  • Patent number: 10029603
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an interchangeable truck bed is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a truck chassis configured to detachably couple with a truck bed unit. In one embodiment, the system may include an interchangeable truck bed unit configured to detachably couple with the truck chassis. In one embodiment, the system may include one or more extensions disposed on an upper side of the truck chassis. The extension may protrude away from the truck chassis. In one embodiment, the system may include one or more receiving mechanisms disposed on an underside of the interchangeable truck bed. In one embodiment, the one or more receiving mechanisms may detachably couple to at least a portion of the one or more extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NR-LOK, Corp.
    Inventors: Greg Stocks, Thomas Mudge
  • Patent number: 10029604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain telescoping ratchet load binder tensioner apparatus useful for utilizing, for example, as tie-downs for heavy equipment on the decks of railcars, trucks, or other vehicles, although the invention should not be limited to its preferred application. More specifically, the present invention relates to a chain telescoping ratchet load binder tensioner apparatus for tensioning and holding a chain, such as a ½? chain, and for tensioning the chain for the afore-mentioned tie-down applications. In addition, the present invention comprises a ratchet load binder tie down anchor apparatus comprises an end link and a swivel allowing the ratchet load binder to swivel about a central axis. Methods of use are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Holland, L.P.
    Inventors: John B. Brewster, Christopher Roberts
  • Patent number: 10029605
    Abstract: A lighting device for use with a mobile object includes a lamp having a through-hole, a lamp mount for fixing a lamp to a vehicle body, and a support that is shaft shaped and supports the lamp in a predetermined attitude relative to the lamp mount. The lamp mount has an insertion hole through which the support is to be inserted. The support includes, at the leading end side in the axial direction, a male threaded section to be inserted in the through-hole and, at the trailing end side in the axial direction, a trunk section having approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the insertion hole. The trunk section includes a communication portion that communicatively connects the leading end side and the trailing end side of the trunk section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kai, Tomoyuki Ogata
  • Patent number: 10029606
    Abstract: A method for setting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle, in which the method includes reading in concealment data which represent at least one property of at least one concealment object situated adjacent to a roadway in surroundings of the vehicle. In addition, the method includes ascertaining a distance between the vehicle and a segment of the roadway situated in the forward travel direction of the vehicle, adjacent to the at least one concealment object, using the concealment data. Moreover, the method includes adapting a waiting time period and/or waiting distance for changing the characteristic of the light emission from a first characteristic to a second characteristic as a function of the ascertained distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Ludwig Foltin
  • Patent number: 10029607
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle head lamp driving apparatus and a vehicle provided with the same. The vehicle head lamp driving apparatus of the present invention comprises: a light output unit to output structured visible light to the front of a vehicle; a light receiving unit to receive reception light corresponding to the structured visible light; and a processor to calculate a distance to and a location of an object positioned in front of the vehicle, on the basis of the received reception light and structured visible light, wherein the light output unit comprises: a laser diode to output structured visible light having a first color; a light conversion unit for converting, into structured visible light having second and third colors, at least a part of the structured visible light having the first color; and a light diffusing unit for diffusing and outputting the structured visible light having the first to third colors to the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungmin Kim, Younsun Kim
  • Patent number: 10029608
    Abstract: A vehicle includes headlights, a headlight switch, and a controller. The headlight switch may have automatic and override positions, and include a biasing member configured to return the switch to the automatic position from the override position. The controller may be configured to, in response to a signal indicative of movement from the automatic position to the override position, illuminate the headlights until the vehicle is in a key-off state, and prior to the signal, illuminate the headlights based on ambient light conditions. Also, the controller may set a threshold based on a level of ambient light sensed at a time of the input indicative of headlight switch movement from the automatic position to the override position and illuminate the headlights until first occurrence of the ambient light exceeding the threshold or the vehicle being in the key-off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 10029609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering-column switch unit (1) for operating at least one electrical consumer, which is operated by an electric load current, in a motor vehicle, with a printed circuit board (5) on which strip conductors (9, 11) are arranged, said strip conductors being connected to electrically conductive contact surfaces (8, 10, 13) for contact elements (15, 15?) which are movable with a steering-column lever (16), wherein the strip conductors (9, 11) are configured for the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Simonis, Roland Gruener
  • Patent number: 10029610
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle lighting system includes a braking indicator having a lens with a first region colored differently than a second region, and a control system configured to control a first light source to emit light through the first region to indicate a first operating behavior of a vehicle, and a second light source to emit light through the second region to indicate a second operating behavior of the vehicle. An exemplary indicating method for a vehicle includes producing a first lighting effect through a first region of a lens to indicate a first operating behavior of a vehicle. The first operating behavior is a braking of the vehicle. The indicating method further includes producing a second lighting effect through a second region of the lens to indicate a different, second operating behavior of the vehicle. The first region colored differently than the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Mehran Niksimaee, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Patent number: 10029611
    Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of a retractable truck bed lighting system. The lighting system may comprise an illumination device. The illumination device may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion coupled to the upper portion. The upper portion may comprise an upper body, a cap covering a top portion of the upper body, and a diffuser module comprising a light source set within a front wall of the upper body. The lower portion may comprise a lower body surrounding a first cavity, the upper portion fits within the first cavity when the upper portion is in a recessed position and the upper portion extends from the first cavity when the upper portion is in an extended position, and an extension mechanism coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion, the extension mechanism configured to extend the upper portion from the recessed position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Harris, Scott L. Frederick, Ethan Fassezke
  • Patent number: 10029612
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lamp for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same. The vehicle lamp intuitively informs a traveling direction of the vehicle and minimizes deterioration of visibility when a failure occurs and a method of controlling the same. A lamp for a vehicle includes a light source unit having a plurality of light source groups and an operation state detection unit configured to detect an operation state of at least one light source included in each of the plurality of light source groups. A lighting mode determination unit is configured to determine a lighting mode of the light source unit based on the detected operation state. A control unit is configured to operate the light source unit in any one of a first lighting mode and a second lighting mode based on the determined lighting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventors: Eun Sang Yu, Ji Young Yang, Dae Kyu Kim, Ki Yang Park
  • Patent number: 10029613
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting potential accident situations with a vehicle driven by a driver. In an embodiment, the method includes collecting behavior data of the vehicle by sensors located in the vehicle; obtaining a position of the vehicle; transmitting the behavior data and the position of the vehicle to a control center; selecting at least one traffic monitoring camera based on the position of the vehicle; acquiring images by the traffic monitoring camera, the images including the vehicle; transmitting the images to the control center; analyzing the behavior data for detecting a driver's abnormal condition; analyzing the images for detecting an abnormal condition of the vehicle; and if the two analyses detect an abnormal condition, registering the vehicle in a probable accident list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: OPENTV, INC.
    Inventor: Bertrand Chollet
  • Patent number: 10029614
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing supporting the mirror reflective element. The mirror casing includes a synthesized ABS material having an additional styrene copolymer added to that of the native ABS in the polymerization process of the ABS material. The synthesized ABS may include a Hushlloyâ„¢ material. The mirror casing that is made of the synthesized ABS material may include a rear housing portion or a bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Mark L. Larson
  • Patent number: 10029615
    Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The mirror assembly comprises a support bracket, a glass element operably coupled with the support bracket, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is in connection with the support bracket, wherein the actuator assembly is adjustable to tilt the glass element to a first position and to a second position. A damper is in engagement with the actuator assembly and the support bracket. The damper controls a movement of the actuator assembly corresponding to the movement of the glass element from the first position to the second position. The mirror assembly further comprises a sensor configured to detect a position of the actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason D. Hallack
  • Patent number: 10029616
    Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicle includes an electrically variable reflectance mirror reflective element that includes front and rear substrates with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween and bounded by a perimeter seal. A perimeter layer is disposed at a second surface of the front substrate proximate a perimeter edge of the front substrate that conceals the perimeter seal from view by a driver of a vehicle. At least a portion of the mirror reflector extends from under the perimeter seal outward towards at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the rear substrate. The mirror reflective element includes a more curved outboard region and a less curved inboard region. A laser-etched demarcation may demarcate the more curved outboard region of the mirror reflective element from the less curved inboard region of the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 10029617
    Abstract: A cover is provided for covering a gap between a rear seat backrest of a vehicle and a luggage space cover of the vehicle, which cover extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The cover has a surface element which can be pulled out of a housing of the luggage space cover. Arranged on the surface element is at least one support element which, when pulled out of the housing, can be moved from a first stable position into a second stable position, wherein in the housing there is arranged at least one forced guide which at least at the output side thereof has a curved configuration so that the support element is forced into the second stable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tim Klausmann, Robert Wagschal, Frank Schneider
  • Patent number: 10029618
    Abstract: A storage unit is provided for a motor vehicle. That storage unit includes an expandable body and a connector that releasably secures the expandable body to a component of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Miriam Quilahztli Perez Astudillo, Eduardo Arturo Aguilar Ruelas, Mario Daniel Bautista, Hector Alberto Mendoza Saldivar
  • Patent number: 10029619
    Abstract: A vehicle center console assembly includes a main body, a rear compartment lid and at least one removable center console accessory. The main body has a forward accessory area and a rearward compartment area. The rear compartment lid is pivotally attached to the rearward compartment area. The removable center console accessory includes a thermos holder assembly having a housing installed within the forward accessory area of the main body, a pivot structure supported by the housing and a thermos supporting member. A removable thermos bottle is removeably placed in the thermos supporting member. The thermos supporting member is supported by the pivot structure for movement between a horizontal orientation in which the thermos supporting member and the thermos bottle are retained within the housing and an inclined orientation in which the thermos supporting member and the thermos bottle are pivoted upward at least partially out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John A Sahs, Antonio Manzari
  • Patent number: 10029620
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a console disposed between driver and passenger seats and adjacent an instrument panel. The console defines a storage area. The vehicle also includes a first compartment disposed within the storage area. The first compartment includes a slot defined on a surface of the first compartment. The vehicle further includes a second compartment disposed within the storage area, and vertically offset and adjacent to the first compartment. A first channel, accessible via the slot, interconnects the first and second compartments such that the slot feeds a receptacle defined within the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Kristin Ann Hellman
  • Patent number: 10029621
    Abstract: A rearward viewing system for an automotive vehicle comprises an image display mounted proximate to a front windshield of the vehicle. An exterior image sensor captures a first image directed externally of the vehicle with a first field of view. An internal image sensor captures a second image directed internally of the vehicle with a second field of view. An image integrator merges the first and second images according to a predetermined alignment of the first and second fields of view, wherein the second image is muted in the merged image so that the first image is emphasized when displayed on the image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Vojtisek, Michael J. Miller, Carla A. Gale, Richard A. Kreder, Mary C. Spieth
  • Patent number: 10029622
    Abstract: A method to automatically calibrate a static camera in a vehicle is provided. The method may include receiving a captured image file. The method may also include detecting a plurality of vehicles in the captured image file. The method may further include determining a 2D projected shape, size, location, direction of travel, and a plurality of features for each vehicle at various locations in the captured image file. The method may additionally include inferring a plurality of geometry scenes associated with the captured image file, whereby the plurality of geometry scenes is inferred based on the determined 2D projected shape, size, location, direction of travel, and the plurality of features of each vehicle within the detected plurality of vehicles as projected onto the captured image file. The method may include calibrating the static camera based on the inferred plurality of geometry scenes associated with the captured image file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa M. Brown, Quanfu Fan, Yun Zhai
  • Patent number: 10029623
    Abstract: A method of mounting a camera module at a vehicle windshield includes attaching an attaching portion of a bracket at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and attaching a mirror mounting base at the bracket, and attaching a mirror head at the mirror mounting base. With the attaching portion of the bracket attached at the in-cabin surface of the windshield, camera attaching structure of the bracket extends downward along the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield below the attaching portion. With the attaching portion of the bracket attached at the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, the camera module is attached at the camera attaching structure of the bracket, whereby the lens of the camera module is below the attaching portion of the bracket and the camera module has a field of view through a portion of the vehicle windshield below the attaching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Donald S. Rawlings, Carol L. DeBoer, Darryl P. De Wind
  • Patent number: 10029624
    Abstract: A motor vehicle sheet metal molding of the invention is produced by hot forming from a metal sheet composed of an aluminum alloy which cannot be precipitation hardened, which contains at least magnesium and optionally manganese in addition to aluminum as alloy component. The motor vehicle sheet metal molding after forming has, at least locally, degrees of deformation which are above the forming limit curve of the aluminum alloy at room temperature. To produce the motor vehicle sheet metal molding, the metal sheet is heated at least locally to a temperature in the range from 200° C. to 400° C. over a period of from 1 to 60 seconds. The heated metal sheet is subsequently placed in a forming tool of a forming press and formed to produce the motor vehicle sheet metal molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Diersmann, Jochen Dörr, Jochem Grewe, Andreas Hitz
  • Patent number: 10029625
    Abstract: A bracket support structure includes a first module. The first module includes an inner platform, a vehicle body insertion end extending inwardly from the inner platform, and first and second end clip portions extending outwardly from the inner platform from opposite lateral ends of the inner platform. The first and second end clip portions each include a clip fastener positioned at an outward end of the first and second end clip portions. The bracket support structure further includes a second module. The second module includes an outer platform that includes a plurality of differently sized and shaped holes for receiving a plurality of different fasteners, and first and second clip ends extending inwardly from the outer platform and configured for inserting into a respective clip fastener of the first and second end clip portions of the first module. Each of the clip ends further includes a clip fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gustavo Mejia Perez, Juan Sebastian Munera Medina
  • Patent number: 10029627
    Abstract: A guard assembly for an exterior of a vehicle. The assembly includes an outer section, an intermediate section, and an inner section telescopically engaged with each other. The intermediate and inner sections can be slidably extended from the outer section so that the length of the assembly can be customized for each particularly vehicle. The sections are engaged by a rail and complementary slot mechanism, which allows for the sections to be moved longitudinally with respect to each other. Each section includes a magnet positioned on their lower surfaces. The magnet allows the assembly to be removably secured to the exterior surface of the door of a vehicle. The sections are additionally configured so that their lower surfaces are coplanar with each other when the sections are extended, allowing the assembly to rests flush against the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Ardrey
  • Patent number: 10029628
    Abstract: Disclosed is an insulation fiber composite. In particular, a surface of the insulation fiber composite is substantially improved such that a shape of three dimensions can be maintained as a heat resisting fiber and an insulation material are integrated. The insulation fiber composite of the present invention has excellent formability and surface property and comprises an insulation layer; and a pair of inorganic fiber layers. A first inorganic fiber layer of the pair is stacked on an upper surface of the insulation layer and a second inorganic fiber layer is stacked on a lower surface of the insulation layer, respectively. In particular, each the inorganic fiber layers has a greater planar surface area than a planar surface area of the insulation layer such that the insulation is not exposed to an exterior when the insulation layer and the pair of the inorganic fiber layers are stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Gi Sim, Jin Woo Park, Tae Wan Kim, Jin Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 10029629
    Abstract: A curvature regulation member to be inserted into a corrugated tube is made of synthetic resin, and integrally includes a belt, and a plurality of bridges standing from both ends in a width direction of the belt. The curvature regulation member is allowed to be curved in a direction that the belt is inside and the bridges are outside. In an opposite direction, curving of the curvature regulation member is restricted by the adjacent bridges abutting on each other. The bridge includes a rectangular plate. Two corners of the plate at a side away from the belt are rounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsukasa Sekino, Mitsunobu Kato, Tatsuya Otsuka, Masaki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10029630
    Abstract: A device for displaying fuel efficiency including: a plurality of sensors; an alternator; an engine control unit; a display unit configured to include at least one of an eco symbol displaying an instant amount of operation load, an eco gauge displaying average fuel efficiency, and a fuel efficiency system displaying instant fuel efficiency or average fuel efficiency; an equipment control unit configured to determine a current state of equipment, change and display the eco symbol of the display unit according to the current state of the equipment, calculate average fuel efficiency by using instant fuel efficiency and torque data calculated by the engine control unit, and display the calculated average fuel efficiency or instant fuel efficiency through the eco gauge and the fuel efficiency system of the display unit; and a memory unit configured to store the instant fuel efficiency and the average fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DOOSAN INFRACORE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Kwon Jang, Hong Cheol Yun
  • Patent number: 10029631
    Abstract: A power stabilizing device in a system includes as a portion of a power converter section, a second PWM converter provided between a second primary AC bus and a second DC bus in an electric system and configured to perform mutual conversion between DC power and AC power. A power stabilizing control section in the power stabilizing device controls charging and discharging of a secondary battery based on a voltage and a frequency in the second primary AC bus, thereby stabilizing the electric system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashima, Kazushige Sugimoto, Kazuya Matsuo, Joseph S. Breit, Farhad Nozari
  • Patent number: 10029632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an on-board electrical system (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the on-board electrical system (1) has a low-voltage electrical subsystem (21) with at least one low-voltage load (29) and a starter (26), and has a high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) having at least one high-voltage load (25) and one electrical generator (23), wherein the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) is connected to the low-voltage electrical subsystem (21) by means of a coupling unit (33) which is designed to draw energy from the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) and to supply energy to the low-voltage electrical subsystem (21), wherein the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20) has a battery (40) which is designed to generate the high voltage and output said high voltage to the high-voltage electrical subsystem (20), and which has at least two battery units (41-1, 41-2, . . . , 41-n) with line sections (80-11, 80-12, . . . , 80-n2) which are routed to the coupling unit (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Patent number: 10029633
    Abstract: A protective member such as a helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer interconnected by multiple connectors, such as extension springs, under tension along their longitudinal axis. The connectors absorb energy from an impact force by resisting further tension along their longitudinal axis and allow the outer layer and inner layer to move relative to each other. In the helmet application, the head of a user experiences less impact force, reduced change in momentum or position of the head and neck, reduced head and neck loads and reduced amounts of linear and rotational acceleration. The protective member can be used in numerous applications and environments, including for participants in sports, in applications including bumpers, passenger cabins, car seats and beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignees: Emerson Spalding Phipps
    Inventors: Emerson Spalding Phipps, Charles Edward Phipps
  • Patent number: 10029634
    Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper support and a facia member. The bumper support has a central portion and lateral portions on opposite sides of the central portion. The lateral portions are vertically higher than the central portion. The fascia member is shaped and configured to cover and conceal at least upper, side and rearward facing surfaces of the bumper support. The fascia member has a central fascia portion, a pair of lateral fascia portions and an upright fascia portion. The central fascia portion overlays and covers the central portion of the bumper support. The pair of lateral fascia portions overlay and cover the pair of lateral portions of the bumper support. The upright fascia portion extends upward from the central fascia portion from a first of the pair of lateral fascia portions to a second of the pair of lateral fascia portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Pedro Diaz
  • Patent number: 10029635
    Abstract: At a front bumper, a supporting member is mounted to a bent portion of a bumper RF, and the supporting member extends-out toward a vehicle transverse direction outer side from the bumper RF. Therefore, when a pressure tube is pressed at a time of a collision of a collision body with a vehicle corner portion, reaction force is applied from the supporting member to the pressure tube, and the pressure tube deforms. Due thereto, a collision with a collision body can be detected. Here, when load of a predetermined value or greater is inputted to the supporting member from a rear side, the supporting member separates from the bumper RF. Therefore, in a damage test, when the supporting member interferes with a sub-radiator that is at a vehicle rear side of the supporting member, the supporting member can be made to separate from the bumper RF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takehisa Shamoto, Naoya Higashimachi
  • Patent number: 10029636
    Abstract: A radiator screen device for a radiator includes at least one body formed of a wire and having a planar lattice structure. The at least one body has such a size that covers a cooling air in-take surface of the radiator, being disposed on an upstream side of the radiator with respect to a flowing direction of cooling air. The at least one body is disposed upstream of the radiator and faces the cooling air in-take surface. The at least one body captures part of stringy substances and orient lengthwise directions of remaining stringy substances along the flowing direction of the cooling air. A radiator screen unit includes the radiator screen device and a fan disposed downstream of the radiator. An industrial vehicle includes the radiator, the radiator screen device, and a fan disposed downstream or upstream of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Manabu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10029637
    Abstract: A method for triggering a plurality of actuators of a safety system of a motor vehicle from an energy source, wherein, by using sensor signals, the requirement for triggering and the desired triggering time period are determined and a maximum group size of actuators to be triggered within a time window is predefined. For successive time windows, individual, at least partly different, maximum group sizes are respectively predefined and the maximum group size for the respective time window is determined adaptively by using the actuators already actually triggered in preceding time windows. Here, it is preferably also possible to take account of the situation in which different triggering time periods are predefined for actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Ertl