Patents Issued in October 16, 2018
  • Patent number: 10099573
    Abstract: A drive system includes a drive device including an electric power generator; a fuel cell; a secondary battery; a fuel cell step-up converter including a diode; a relay connected to wiring between the fuel cell step-up converter and the drive device; a secondary battery step-up converter connected; a fuel cell voltage sensor; a secondary battery voltage sensor; and a controller. The controller stops the secondary battery step-up converter when a short-circuit fault of the diode is detected, disconnects the relay when a voltage of the fuel cell is higher than a voltage of the secondary battery after stopping the secondary battery step-up converter, and when the voltage of the secondary battery is higher than or equal to the voltage of the fuel cell, executes a voltage control process which increases the voltage of the fuel cell relative to the voltage of the secondary battery, and disconnects the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryosuke Oya
  • Patent number: 10099574
    Abstract: A vehicle power stage assembly is disclosed which may include a power stage housing, a power stage supported by the housing, and a pair of stacked DC leadframes. The pair of stacked DC leadframes are of opposite polarity and spaced apart from one another. Each of the DC leadframes may extend from the power stage and each has distal and proximal ends. The spacing between the leadframes may be such that parasitic inductances associated with current flowing through each of the leadframes at least partially cancel one another. Each of the leadframes may define a first and second side surface opposite one another. The first side surfaces may be coplanar and the second side surfaces may be coplanar. A distance between the spaced apart pair of DC leadframes may be based on a preselected amount of current and a material of the DC leadframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Chingchi Chen, Ke Zou, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 10099575
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a torque output of an electric machine of an electrified vehicle during a vehicle creep condition, the torque output calculated based at least on a road grade estimate and a vehicle mass estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Steven Yamazaki, Hai Yu, Rajit Johri, Wei Liang
  • Patent number: 10099576
    Abstract: Vehicle seat adjustment systems including cameras are disclosed. The vehicle seat adjustment system includes a camera configured to capture a seat arrangement of a front seat of a vehicle and one or more seats behind the front seat, a screen, communicatively coupled to the camera, configured to display the seat arrangement captured by the camera, an input device configured to receive an input from a user for adjusting positions of the one or more seats, an actuator communicatively coupled to the input device and configured to adjust positions of the one or more seats, and a controller communicatively coupled to the camera, the screen, the input device and the actuator. The controller receives the input from the input device and instruct the actuator to adjust the positions of the one or more seats based on the input from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Charan S. Lota
  • Patent number: 10099577
    Abstract: A power adjuster for adjusting an upper track relative to a lower track of a seat track assembly. An elongated lead screw extends axially between opposite fore and aft ends and is fixedly secured to the lower track. A driven assembly is selectively coupled to the lead screw for axial travel along the lead screw between the fore and aft ends. A drive assembly is fixedly coupled to the upper track and operatively coupled to the driven assembly for selectively rotating the driven assembly in opposite first and second directions for axial travel along the lead screw in a power operation mode. A release mechanism is coupled to the upper track and operable between a locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc
    Inventor: David M Runde
  • Patent number: 10099578
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pumping device of a vehicle seat and its operation mechanism. The pumping device includes: a housing encasing a pumping mechanism; a spring guide which has a ring shape formed with a cavity and is seated on a top surface of the housing, a coil spring being inserted in the spring guide; and a lever bracket which has a protruding portion formed on a central portion, an operating lever being coupled to a flange, and a locking protrusion protruding from the flange and locked to the coil spring through the guide slit of the spring guide. In particular, the protruding portion is connected to a cam of the pumping mechanism in a state of being inserted into the cavity of the spring guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI DYMOS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Young Sun Lee
  • Patent number: 10099579
    Abstract: A golf cart is provided. The golf cart includes a first seat and a second seat that is connected to the first seat and the golf cart. The second seat is movable relative to the first seat and the golf cart from a first configuration to a second configuration for moving a user of the second seat outwardly and upwardly from the golf cart from a driving position to a golfing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaitlin Kates, TreVorski Garrett, Jeffrey Pettyjohn, Douglas Wisser, Brian Leach, Joshua Newton
  • Patent number: 10099580
    Abstract: A child restraint includes a base adapted to set on a passenger eat and to support a juvenile seat. The juvenile seat is either an infant carrier or a seat suitable for older children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Anderson, David A. Lehman, Mei-Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 10099581
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a support arrangement for a child seat. The support arrangement comprises a support column having an axial direction. The support column is adapted to transfer a collision load in the axial direction. The support column comprises, or is constituted by, at least one inflatable body. The support column is adapted to in an inflated state of the inflatable body extend in the axial direction between the child seat and a support surface. The disclosure further relates to a kit comprising the support arrangement and a child seat. The disclosure also relates to a method to control extension in an axial direction of a support arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Erik Hjerpe
  • Patent number: 10099582
    Abstract: A head restraint includes a central part, a fastener for fastening the central part to a backrest of a vehicle seat, and at least one side wing. The side wing is mounted pivotably in relation to the central part between the neutral position and at least one comfort position, and is fixable at least in the comfort position. The fastener is designed to mount the central part pivotably relative to the backrest about a horizontal pivot axis. The central part is pivotable between a parking position and at least one supporting position and is fixable at least in the supporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Wagner, Carsten Schauf, Daniel Hari, Andrew John Murray, Killian Vas
  • Patent number: 10099583
    Abstract: A method produces an element (3), in particular a vehicle seat, having a seamless cover (2). The seamless cover (2) is optionally provided with a lamination (1). A molding (1.2) is applied and fastened to a surface side (1.1) of the lamination (1) facing away from the cover (2) or to a surface side (2.2) of the cover (2) that is not visible. The fastened molding (1.2) is connected to the cover (2) by bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS GMBH
    Inventor: Uwe Schulze
  • Patent number: 10099585
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat frame forming a framework of the vehicle seat; and a wire connected to the seat frame and to which an axial force in an axial direction thereof is configured to be applied, wherein a bent portion or a diameter-enlarged portion is provided to at least one end portion of the wire, wherein a flat part of the seat frame is provided with a locking portion into which the bent portion or the diameter-enlarged portion is inserted and which is configured to receive the axial force in an in-plane direction, and wherein a separation preventing member is attached to the flat part and prevents the wire from being separated from the flat part in a state where the bent portion or the diameter-enlarged portion is inserted into the locking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumitoshi Akaike, Hisato Konai, Hiroshi Mizobata
  • Patent number: 10099586
    Abstract: Provided is an inexpensive fixing structure for a surface skin, an operation by which is simple. A fixing structure for a surface skin, the fixing structure being used for fixing to a core 17 a surface skin 14 having an opening 22, wherein the surface skin 14 in at least the portion in which the opening 22 is formed is formed of a soft material, the opening 22 is formed by an edge part 14c of the surface skin 14, a groove 20 is formed in the core 17, and the surface skin 14 is fixed to the core 17 by the edge part 14c of the surface skin 14 being inserted into the groove 20. Since the surface skin 14 is fixed to the core 17 merely by inserting the edge part 14c of the surface skin 14 into the groove 20 in the core 17, a simple operation is realized. Since there is no need to provide the edge part 14c of the surface skin 14 with an attachment device, the fixing structure for the surface skin 14 is inexpensive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 10099587
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an armrest-locking device that is disposed in an armrest that is stowed in an armrest case of a rear seatback. The armrest-locking device includes: a locking member disposed at any one of the armrest case and the armrest; a locking bracket rotatably coupled to the other one of the armrest case and the armrest, the locking member inserted into a groove formed on a peripheral portion of the locking bracket when the armrest is stowed; and a holding bracket. In particular, the locking bracket rotates in a forward direction to be fastened to the locking member when the locking member is inserted; and the holding bracket has an end to engage with the locking bracket when the locking bracket is rotated, maintaining the rotation state of the locking bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI DYMOS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sung Chol An, Jin Ho Seo, Jun Kyu Kim, Chan Uk Park, Myeong Sub Kim, Yun Ho Kim, Doug Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 10099588
    Abstract: An armrest unit is disclosed that is selectively moveable between a first configuration, whereby the armrest is used as a traditional armrest, and a second configuration whereby the armrest is usable as a writing surface. The armrest unit comprises an armrest and a mounting pin. The armrest has a first section constructed of a compressible material and a second section connected to one side of the first section and constructed of a non-compressible material. The mounting pin engages a mounting channel in the armrest. The armrest is selectively rotatable about the mounting pin to move the armrest 180° between the first configuration and the second configuration. A method of operating the armrest unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Hadley Muiter, Christopher Jacob Lockwood
  • Patent number: 10099589
    Abstract: A headrest guide includes: a tubular portion that extends in a first direction and into which a stay is inserted; a tongue piece protruding partially to the inside of the tubular portion, the tongue piece being configured to bend in a radial direction of the tubular portion and being configured to be brought into contact with the stay; and a plate spring pressing the tongue piece inwardly in the radial direction of the tubular portion. Protruding portions are disposed on opposite sides of the tubular portion, respectively, with the tongue piece interposed therebetween to hold the plate spring at opposite end sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Takeuchi, Akimitsu Kurihara, Masaru Tsukamoto, Ganapathy Srinivasan, Ganesh Narayanan, Jeffrey Scheurer, II, Masakazu Okada, Ronald C. Cozzo
  • Patent number: 10099590
    Abstract: A headrest support structure includes: a support member configured to support a protruding member projecting from a headrest; a bracket provided in a seatback and having an accommodation chamber in which the support member is accommodated in a tiltable manner in a front-rear direction perpendicular to a width direction of the headrest; a spring provided in the accommodation chamber and deforming in a bending manner due to tilting of the support member relative to the bracket in the front-rear direction; and a projection portion projecting, in the front-rear direction, from one of an outer surface of the support member and an inner surface of the bracket which are opposed to each other. The projection portion is provided at a position different from the spring in a regulation direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the width direction of the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Gen Takahashi, Hideyuki Kato, Hideki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10099591
    Abstract: A dual configuration headrest system includes a seat having a top side and a back edge. A backrest is attached to the seat and extends upwardly from the top side. A housing is attached the backrest and is positioned over an upper edge of the backrest. The housing has a top wall, a bottom wall, first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. A front side of the housing is open. A head support is mounted within the housing and has a first side and a second side positioned opposite of each other. The head support further has a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The head support is rotationally mounted within the housing such that the first side or the second side is positioned in an opening in the front side when the head support is rotated relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: David Flynn
  • Patent number: 10099592
    Abstract: A headrest assembly includes a linkage system that is at least partially disposed within a housing. The linkage system is operable between fore and aft positions relative to the housing. An adjustable cover assembly includes a first member coupled to the linkage system for movement therewith, and a second member pivotally coupled to the first member. The second member includes an engagement flange configured to contact a portion of the housing to pivot the second member rearwardly as the adjustable cover assembly is driven outward by the linkage system during the positioning of a headrest bun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Daniel Ferretti, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, David Frederick Lyons
  • Patent number: 10099593
    Abstract: An adjustable footrest for an occupant of a vehicle is presented herein. An embodiment of the system includes the features of an arcuate base, motor, and footrest. The arcuate base is configured to be installed within a vehicle foot well and includes a groove. The motor is configured to be positioned within the arcuate base and includes a rotatable gear. The footrest itself includes a body, pedal gear and tongue. The body is configured for frontside engagement by a foot. The pedal gear is located on the body backside. The tongue is on the body backside and is configured to operatively interlock into the groove to provide footrest stability. Moreover, the interaction between the rotatable gear and pedal gear move the footrest along the arcuate base during motor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Denis Y. Tanaka, Tania A. Damico
  • Patent number: 10099594
    Abstract: A vehicle cup holder assembly having a cup holder defining an interior volume and a cup holder base having a depth relative to a top surface of the cup holder. A spring may be positioned between a bottom edge of the cup holder base and a console bottom surface. The cup holder assembly may have a user interface. The cup holder assembly may also have a side member of the cup holder base positioned in a side space. The depth of the cup holder base may be adjusted by a mechanism controlled by the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Fernando Cesar Salinas, Robert G. Newton
  • Patent number: 10099595
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a child restraint includes a juvenile seat and a child-restraint harness coupled to the juvenile seat. The juvenile seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending upwardly from the seat bottom. The juvenile seat further includes a cupholder coupled to the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Gaudreau, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10099596
    Abstract: Riser apparatuses and systems for vehicle transportation are disclosed. Embodiments include a riser with a top surface configured to receive a vehicle. The riser has a front end and a back end opposite the front end. The apparatus is configured such that rotating a lift mechanism causes a front end of the riser to move both in a first horizontal direction and in a first vertical direction to a first raised position such that the front end of the riser is supported by at least one rotatable leg. Rotating the lift mechanism also causes a back end of the riser to move in the first horizontal direction, and causes a latch to engage a carrier rod to secure the riser in the first raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cottrell, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard P. Biagi, Steven Thomas Sexton
  • Patent number: 10099597
    Abstract: A portable hoist assembly for lifting, relocating and lowering loads includes a trailer that is both wheeled and configured to couple to a vehicle. A power module, a lift arm and an actuator are coupled to the trailer. The actuator is operationally coupled to the power module and the lift arm. A fastener is operationally coupled proximate to a second end of the lift arm. The fastener is configured to couple the lift arm to a load. The actuator is positioned to motivate the lift arm and the fastener upwardly and downwardly. The load that is coupled to the lift arm is elevated from a first resting position to a raised position, repositioned by movement of the trailer, and lowered from the raised position to a second resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Tommy Roberts, Larry Brown
  • Patent number: 10099598
    Abstract: The present invention is a multi-use dynamically reconfigurable vehicle, used for vehicle/ride sharing with integral yet reconfigurable for optimal passenger or courier service by reconfiguring the vehicle interior space and/or body shape specific to the vehicle service to create additional space respectively for the transport of passengers or cargo/boxes. The vehicle is particularly adept at reconfiguration with compatibility of an external automated process to load/unload its cargo while also enabling a high aerodynamic efficiency while in a driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Michael H Gurin, Ilana Green Cember
  • Patent number: 10099599
    Abstract: A cargo net anchor guard mountable to an aircraft's cargo hold wall adjacent to an anchor clip assemblies. The cargo net anchor guard is configured to block cargo from impacting at least the anchor clip assembly. The cargo net anchor guard has a ramped deflection surface that can deflect moving cargo inwardly away from the wall and into the cargo net substantially without impacting the anchor clip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: William J. Boyer
  • Patent number: 10099600
    Abstract: A steering switch device, which is mounted on a steering wheel, includes a linear switch that includes a hollow insulator having restorability and two electrode wires arranged spirally along an inner surface of a hollow part in the hollow insulator while being kept not in contact with each other, wherein a winding pitch coiling spirally the electrode wires is at least not more than 10 mm, and a detecting device that detects a press of the linear switch by sensing a contact of the electrode wires. The linear switch is arranged so as to be along at least part of a surface of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventor: Yukio Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10099601
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle lamp including an operation unit configured to operate an optical axis adjustment bevel gear provided in a lamp to be axially rotated. An axial rotation force transfer body of the operation unit includes an operation rod operated to be axially rotated, a driving rod engaged with the gear, and a wire interconnecting the operation rod and the driving rod in an axial rotation direction, and the driving rod is formed of a metal which is hard to rust. The driving rod is formed by a metal/injection/molding (MIM) technique. A support member extends between the driving rod and the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeyuki Tachiiwa
  • Patent number: 10099602
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern (such as a high-beam light distribution pattern) in which a plurality of irradiation patterns each provided with a non-irradiation region is superimposed. The vehicle lamp prevents an area of a common non-irradiation region from decreasing even if the non-irradiation regions formed in the plurality of respective irradiation patterns are displaced from each other. As a result, glare light is prevented from occurring to an irradiation-prohibited object. In the vehicle lamp configured to form the predetermined light distribution pattern in which the plurality of irradiation patterns each provided with the non-irradiation region is superimposed, the plurality of irradiation patterns is superimposed so that the non-irradiation regions are superimposed to form the common non-irradiation region, and the non-irradiation regions formed in the plurality of respective irradiation patterns have sizes different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Hiroshi Hirasawa, Masanori Sato
  • Patent number: 10099603
    Abstract: A pitch angle calculation device includes a first acceleration acquisition unit that acquires an acceleration Gx in a longitudinal axis (x) direction of a vehicle; a second acceleration acquisition unit that acquires an acceleration Gy in a vertical axis (y) direction of a vehicle; a third acceleration acquisition unit that acquires an acceleration ? in an advancement direction of a vehicle; and a pitch angle calculation unit that calculates a pitch angle ? formed between the longitudinal axis direction and the vertical axis direction by using the acceleration Gx, the acceleration Gy and the acceleration ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 10099604
    Abstract: A headlight device provided enables horizontally displacing of the irradiation region for scanning of scanning light by a light deflector without problems. The light deflector includes: a mirror unit that reciprocally turns about first and second rotation axes at first and second frequencies. The first frequency is a natural-oscillation frequency of the mirror unit, and the second frequency is lower than the first frequency. Directions of the first and second rotation axes are set so that scanning directions of the reflect light due to the reciprocal turning of the mirror unit about the first and second rotation axes are in the directions of vertical axis and horizontal axis, respectively. The control unit controls reciprocal turning of the mirror unit about the second rotation axis based on driving voltage obtained by superimposing offset voltage with basic driving voltage having an increasing and decreasing waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kiichi Matsuno
  • Patent number: 10099605
    Abstract: An LED optical assembly including an LED, a lens, and a reflector. The lens is made up of a light entry surface and a light emission surface rotated about a rotational axis. The reflector has a pair of first reflecting surfaces and a pair of second reflecting surfaces. The first reflecting surfaces are defined by a first curve rotated about the rotational axis. The second reflecting surfaces are defined by a second curve projected along the rotational axis. The lens and reflector cooperate to redirect light emitted by the LED into a vertically collimated wide angle beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 10099606
    Abstract: A dome light assembly that includes a reflective surface facing an interior; a light-diffusing element over the reflective surface having a plurality of corresponding opposed edges and LED sources; and a controller for directing the sources to transmit a plurality of light patterns from the element into the interior based at least in part on a plurality of inputs. Further, each source is configured to direct incident light into the corresponding edge. These light patterns include natural light and other light patterns. The inputs include manual inputs, weather inputs, exterior light sensor inputs, temporal inputs and global positioning system inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10099607
    Abstract: A vehicle utility light assembly is disclosed in which an elongated body portion functions to be stowable in a first position within a vehicle body panel. The elongated body portion further functions to be vertically-releasable from the first position to a second position, and being operable to selectively illuminate the vehicle body panel from above by a light source of the elongated body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Matthew C. Tier
  • Patent number: 10099608
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a controller that communicates with a wearable device having a haptic mechanism. In response to an alert event detected by the vehicle, the controller outputs a signal to activate the haptic mechanism. The wearable device may detect a physiological or biometric characteristic such as pulse rate. The controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism further in response to the pulse rate being less than a threshold. Also, the controller may output a signal to activate the haptic mechanism while the vehicle is operating autonomously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Cuddihy, Manoharprasad K. Rao, Jialiang Le
  • Patent number: 10099609
    Abstract: A site-aware controller and various sensors determine if objects are located within a safety dome surrounding a machine such as a construction vehicle. The site-aware controller compares data from the various sensors to determine if the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine are capable of impacting objects within the safety dome and/or travel of the machine into restricted areas. Detection of objects within the safety dome can trigger alerts (e.g., visual and/or audible) to an operator of the machine of a particular situation. Detection of objects within the safety dome can also prevent further movement of the machine or independently moveable implements located on the machine to prevent impacting the objects. The system can also prevent movement of the machine into restricted areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: InfoMobility S.r.L.
    Inventors: Daniele Pagliani, Nicola Finardi, Aldo Longhi, Ivan Di Federico
  • Patent number: 10099610
    Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a vision system, a sensing system and a control. The vision system includes a camera and the sensing system includes a radar sensor. Image data captured by the camera is provided to the control and is processed by an image processor of the control. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, lane markers on the road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle are detected and the control determines a lane being traveled by the equipped vehicle. Radar data generated by the radar sensor is provided to the control, which receives vehicle data relating to the equipped vehicle via a vehicle bus of the equipped vehicle. Responsive at least in part to processing of generated radar data and captured image data, the control detects another vehicle present on the road being traveled along by the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 10099612
    Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a wireless warning light for vehicle door, including light assembly and magnet, and the light assembly includes shell member, transparent cover and baseboard. The shell member includes chamber and bottom surface, and the transparent cover is configured to cover and enclose the chamber of the shell member, the baseboard is accommodated in the chamber and includes a circuit block and a battery, the circuit block includes a magnetic field sensing switch and a LED. The wireless warning light is installed on a side of the vehicle door. When the magnetic field sensing switch senses magnetic field of the magnet, the LED is turned off, and when the magnetic field sensing switch senses absence of magnetic field, the LED emits light. Therefore, the wireless warning light having self-owned power source without external power line may be provided to remind the vehicle from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: DEFEND GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10099613
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a stopped vehicle traffic resumption alert. An example disclosed vehicle includes a collision detection unit and a traffic monitor. The example collision detection unit detects an object in front of the vehicle. The example traffic monitor, when a transmission of the vehicle is in drive and a speed of the vehicle is zero, tracks a gaze of a driver with a camera. Additionally, in response to detecting the object transition from being stationary to moving, and the gaze of the driver not being forward, the traffic monitor provides an alert to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Everett Badger, II
  • Patent number: 10099614
    Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor disposed at a subject vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the subject vehicle. A control is operable to process image data captured by the image sensor to detect an object exterior of the subject vehicle. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect points of interest present in the field of view of the image sensor and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine movement of the detected points of interest. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine movement vectors and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine an object of interest in the field of view of the image sensor and exterior of the subject vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Horst Daniel Diessner
  • Patent number: 10099615
    Abstract: A view monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising four pairs of cameras, a processing unit, a visual display unit, an obstacle detection unit and a signaling unit. The four pairs of cameras may be positioned on a front, rear, and sides of the vehicle and detect images of the same number of areas near the vehicle. The processing unit may be configured to provide a single overall image of the surroundings of the vehicle in response to the images. The visual display unit may display the overall image. The obstacle detection unit may detect obstacles in the overall image. The signaling unit may signal the detected obstacles to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ambarella, Inc.
    Inventors: Pietro Cerri, Maria Chiara Laghi, Paolo Grisleri, Massimo Bertozzi, Alberto Broggi
  • Patent number: 10099616
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an image obtaining unit for obtaining an image of surroundings of the vehicle, a communication unit for receiving an image from at least one of a closed-circuit television (CCTV) and another vehicle in the surroundings of the vehicle, and a display unit for displaying the image obtained by the image obtaining unit and the CCTV image received from the communication unit or the image from the other vehicle received from the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sung Un Kim, Ki Dong Kang, Kyunghyun Kang, HeeJin Ro, Seok-young Youn, Bitna Baek, Ga Hee Kim, Jong Hyuck Heo, Chisung Kim
  • Patent number: 10099617
    Abstract: A driving assistance device displaying a condition around a vehicle on a display unit includes: a storage device storing an external shape of the vehicle; an object detection device detecting a position of an object around the vehicle and an external shape of a vehicle side of the object; a movement information acquiring device acquiring movement information relating to a direction and an amount of movement of the vehicle; a relative position estimating device estimating a relative position of the object to the vehicle based on the position of the object and the movement information; an image generating device generating a top-view image of the vehicle and the object viewed from above the vehicle based on the external shape of the vehicle, the external shape of the object, and the relative position of the object to the vehicle; and a display device displaying the top-view image on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makiko Tauchi
  • Patent number: 10099618
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for mounting at an exterior portion of a vehicle includes a mounting arm, a mirror head attached at the mounting arm, an attaching element attached at a mirror reflective element, a shroud and a mirror actuator. The mounting arm is configured for attachment at an exterior portion of the vehicle. The shroud extends from the attaching element and is partially received in the mirror head. The mirror actuator is operable to adjust the attaching element and the mirror reflective element relative to the mirror head. The mirror reflective element is disposed outside of the mirror head and the shroud spans a gap between the mirror reflective element and the mirror head to substantially encase the attaching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Foote, Darryl P. De Wind
  • Patent number: 10099619
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a support arm, a mirror housing carried on the support arm and a mirror body held in the housing. A dynamic surface is provided on the support arm. A control module is configured to displace the dynamic surface between a home position and a deployed position. In the deployed position a wind stream flowing over the dynamic surface is redirected and wind noise throb is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nolen Thomas Barnes, III
  • Patent number: 10099620
    Abstract: A step accessory for a receiver hitch for climbing into a truck bed. A step plate connected to the bottom of the receiver tube does not enter into or block the interior space of the receiver tube. The step plate is directly attached to the receiver tube, but not the bumper, the truck, the ball unit, or the tongue of a towed vehicle/trailer. The step plate extends horizontally and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the truck, centered relative to the right and left sides of the truck. Preferably, the step plate does not extend rearward of the opening of the receiver, or above the bottom surface of the receiver tube. The step plate extends under the bumper, distanced from the bottom of the bumper, to provide a toe space, resulting in a safe and stable position for the user's foot to prevent slips and falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Nunzio Biagio Sgroi
  • Patent number: 10099621
    Abstract: A bracket adapted to attach a running board to a rocker of a vehicle includes a body having a plurality of running board deflection-inducing portions. The body may include a torsional buckling-inducing portion comprising a rocker mounting portion defining an included angle to a vehicle y-axis and to a vehicle x-axis when mounted to the rocker. The body may further include a rotational moment-inducing portion comprising a stepped segment interposed between the rocker mounting portion and a running board-carrying portion. The rotational moment-inducing portion may further include a rocker mounting tab disposed adjacent to the stepped segment and a flange disposed at an interface of the stepped segment and the running board-carrying portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Globel Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jensen, Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Michael Siler, Satish Chandra Patne
  • Patent number: 10099622
    Abstract: A stair assembly for a vehicle includes a frame, a first stair 80, a second stair 70, and an actuator. The frame includes a plate extending between a first side member and a second side member. The first stair 80 is rotatably coupled to the frame and includes a first step body positioned on a first side of the plate. The second stair 70 is rotatably coupled to the frame and includes a second step body positioned on the first side of the plate. The actuator is configured to move the first stair 80 and the second stair 70 between a deployed position and a storage position, and the actuator is separated from the first step body and the second step body by the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Handschke, Michael S. Knudson
  • Patent number: 10099623
    Abstract: A climbing device body can assume by a rotation operation an erect, retracted position allowing a first end portion to be positioned above and a second end portion to be positioned below and a tilted, deployed position allowing the second end portion to be positioned sideways of the vehicular body outer than the first end portion. A handrail is engaged with the rotation operation to be capable of assuming a raised state allowing a gripping portion to assume a first position distant from the climbing device body in a deployed position and a folded state allowing the gripping portion to assume a second position close to the climbing device body in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hamaguchi, Kenichi Muramoto, Yuuki Shimasaki, Masataka Setoguchi, Jun Ito
  • Patent number: 10099624
    Abstract: A storage apparatus for a work vehicle where the work vehicle comprises an operator's station defining a floor, a seat assembly coupled to the floor, wherein the seat assembly is rotatable about a seat assembly pivot axis between a forward facing position and a rearward facing position. The storage apparatus comprises at least one drawer support coupled to a backside of the seat assembly, and at least one drawer slidably disposed with the drawer support where the drawer is movable between an access position and a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Scott S. Hendron, Wylie C. Pfaff, Robert C. Moore, Martti Johannes Lampela, John William Krieger, Peter Fraser Falt, Michael McLaughlin