Patents Issued in March 19, 2019
  • Patent number: 10232756
    Abstract: A leg rest apparatus is provided. A leg rest panel is configured to be adjusted between a deployed position and a stored position. The apparatus includes a lift link that articulates a rear end and a front end rotatably coupled to the seat and the leg rest panel, respectively. A link base with a rear end fixed to the seat is separated from the lift link and a front end is disposed toward a front side of the seat. A front guide link with a front end and a rear end is rotatably connected to a first coupling portion of the leg rest panel and the link base, respectively. A rear guide link with a length less than the front guide link and a front end and a rear end rotatably connected to a second coupling portion separated from the first coupling portion and the link base, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bong-Ku Kim, Young-Bok Sung, Sang-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10232757
    Abstract: A cargo lift system and method for a pickup truck or similar vehicle. The apparatus fits within the cargo box of a pickup truck and can be deployed to positions above and below the cargo bed. The system includes a set of movement synchronizers configured to synchronize movement of the lifting and lowering structures to prevent binding and racking during operation, thus allowing the construction of the apparatus to be more compact and lighter in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Bernardo Sawatzky
  • Patent number: 10232758
    Abstract: A trailer has a three-section flat bed in which the front and rear sections fold onto the middle section. The trailer has an airbag suspension system and one wheel on each side. When the airbags are deflated, the entire flat bed forms a ramp for loading and unloading. When the airbags are deflated and the flat bed is folded, the trailer can be stored vertically while resting on its wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Russell T. Davis
  • Patent number: 10232759
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cash security system for a retail store that includes a cash cart, a base station, a key, and a cart detector. The cash cart includes a wheeled cart body, a cash box, and a cart security module. The cash cart is used to carry cash within the retail store. The cart security module includes a number of security devices and modules that track where the cash cart is in the retail store, and activates alarms if a problem is detected. The base station includes a base station security module with a number of security devices and modules that concurrently track the movement and location of the cash cart. The cart detector, the cart security module, and the base station security module each activate a security alarm if a security issue with the cash cart is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventor: Yurgis Mauro Bacallao
  • Patent number: 10232760
    Abstract: Apparatuses, watercraft supports comprising the apparatuses, and methods of loading watercraft on the watercraft supports for promoting centering of a watercraft while loading the watercraft onto a watercraft support. The apparatuses include at least two units each having a rigid arm having first and second ends and a barrier component configured to float on water. The first end of the rigid arm is configured to be secured to a watercraft support such that the rigid arm pivots relative to the watercraft support. The second end of the rigid arm is configured to be secured to the barrier component such that the rigid arm pivots relative to the barrier component. The units may be located adjacent to oppositely-disposed longitudinal sides of the watercraft support and used to directing the watercraft to be centered over the watercraft support during loading from a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Clifford Leasure
  • Patent number: 10232761
    Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) transport cart comprising: a wheeled frame including vertical posts, a front end, and a rear end; a UUV cradle adjustably clamped to the vertical posts such that the UUV cradle is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame; a U-shaped handle pivotally attached to the front end of the frame such that the U-shaped handle pivots up and down around a first axis, wherein the U-shaped handle includes a handle spring that acts between the U-shaped handle and the frame so as to bias the U-shaped handle toward an upward orientation; side handles pivotally attached to the UUV cradle such that the side handles pivot up and down around side axes that are perpendicular to the first axis; and a hand brake affixed to the U-shaped handle and configured to provide active brake control of the wheeled frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ralph David Hooper, William A. Chambers, Jeffery Towns Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 10232762
    Abstract: A convertible cargo carrier and hammock assembly, adapted to be removeably attached at a rear of a vehicle, said vehicle having a tubular open-ended, rearwardly extending hitch receiver, the assembly comprising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Nicholas Gordon Eddy
  • Patent number: 10232763
    Abstract: An adaptive light module for incorporation into a vehicle's headlight assembly is provided, where the light module may be incorporated as a single unit, or incorporated as one of a plurality of units. The light module, which uses an LED array, collimating optics, illumination and projection micro-lens-arrays (HLAs), is configured to allow tailoring of the illumination intensity distribution by selectively activating/deactivating subsets of the LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Wiebke Eckstein, Hans-Christoph Eckstein, Eric Magnus Bach
  • Patent number: 10232764
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a plurality of lighting devices having: a first control component, which is connected to a first lighting device or is formed integrally with a first lighting device; at least one second control component, which is connected to a second lighting device or is formed integrally with a second lighting device; at least one main control device, which is connected to the first and to the second control component and is configured to supply the control components with an operating voltage; and at least one data communications line, which is connected to the two control components and to the main control device. The main control device is is able to transmit a first position coding signal for the position coding of the first control component and at least one second position coding signal for the position coding of the second control component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Bernd-Ulrich Hagemeier
  • Patent number: 10232765
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for illuminating a ground area adjacent a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing; an outer lens covering the housing; a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in the housing; and a reflector mounted in the housing. The light emitted from the plurality of LED light sources is captured by the reflector which reflects light towards the lens, the lens directing light generally downward towards the ground area. The light output from the lamp assembly appears to be emitted from a single light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Garry Gordon Leslie Fimeri, Simon Belcher, James Nicholas Dickson
  • Patent number: 10232766
    Abstract: A door handle includes a case including a placement space therein, and a light guide disposed in the placement space and configured to guide light emitted from a light source, the light guide including a light exiting surface from which the light is irradiated toward the outside of the case. An irradiation passage hole through which the light irradiated from the light exiting surface passes is formed in the case. When a tangent line which passes through an outer surface of a door panel on a travelling direction side of the light passing through the irradiation passage hole and a wall surface for forming the irradiation passage hole is defined as a connecting line and an assembly of the connecting lines at the entire circumference of the irradiation passage hole is defined as a connecting line assembly, the light exiting surface is located on the outside of the connecting line assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuko Imai, Shigehiko Kazaoka, Masashi Hanazato, Nobukazu Araki, Masashi Tateishi
  • Patent number: 10232767
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a signaling system for a pushable transport object. The signaling system includes a signaling device and a control device. The signaling device includes at least one indicator light controllable to display a left signal and a right signal, and a first mounting component for mounting the signaling device to a cart. The control device is communicative with the signaling device to control the at least one indicator light. The control device includes a user interface for receiving a user input, in which the user interface includes a left input component for controlling the at least one indicator light to display the left signal and a right input component for controlling the at least one indicator light to display the right signal. The control device further includes a second mounting component for mounting the control device to a handle of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Sherri Leslie
  • Patent number: 10232768
    Abstract: When a start acceptance condition for lane change assist control (LCA) is established (S12: Yes), a driving support ECU starts transmission of a turn signal flashing command to a meter ECU (S13). In this manner, flashing of a turn signal can continue even when a driver separates his or her hand from a turn signal lever. When a turn signal turning-off condition is established under a situation in which the LCA is executed (S15: Yes), the driving support ECU stops the turn signal flashing command that has been transmitted so far (S16). With this, the flashing of the turn signal can be ended even when the driver does not perform a returning operation on the turn signal lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota Fujii
  • Patent number: 10232769
    Abstract: A vehicle cup holder assembly is provided and includes a cup holder. A cup holder bezel is coupled to the cup holder and has an optical element that receives light and a reflective element that partially encloses the optical element and redirects light propagating inside the optical element, wherein light escapes through a light transmissive region of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffery Forrest
  • Patent number: 10232770
    Abstract: Disclosed is an illuminated marker device including: an inner surface; an outer surface, the outer surface including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being translucent; and a post, the post extending from the inner surface away from the outer surface. Also disclosed is an illuminated marker device including: an inner surface; an outer surface, the outer surface including a graphics portion and a background portion, a one of the graphics portion and the background portion including a photoluminescent material; and a post, the post extending from the inner surface away from the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: Chuck G. LeCompte, Garland Jesse Brock, Jonathan Hampton Sharp
  • Patent number: 10232771
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide alarm assembly includes an alarm unit that is selectively positioned within a vehicle thereby facilitating the alarm unit to be in fluid communication with an interior of the vehicle. The alarm unit detects carbon monoxide and the alarm unit emits an audible alarm when the alarm unit detects carbon monoxide. In this way the alarm unit alerts a driver to exit the vehicle. An emergency tool is removably coupled to the alarm unit and the emergency tool is selectively manipulated. The emergency tool has a blade to cut a seat belt and a breaker thereon to break a window in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Travis Zehr
  • Patent number: 10232772
    Abstract: A driver assistance system according to the present invention has an other-vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires travel direction information of an other-vehicle; a storage unit in which a spot where the visibility of a driver in a vehicle is reduced and information on a direction, associated with the spot, in which the visibility of the driver of the vehicle is reduced are stored in association with each other; a visibility determination unit that determines whether or not the visibility of a driver in the other-vehicle is reduced on the basis of the travel direction information acquired by the other-vehicle information acquisition unit and the information on the direction in which the visibility is reduced stored in the storage unit; and a warning processing unit that warns a driver of an own-vehicle that the visibility of the driver in the other-vehicle is reduced if the visibility determination unit determines that the visibility of the driver in the other-vehicle is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Eisuke Yonezawa, Masahiro Abukawa, Naoyuki Tsushima, Michinori Yoshida, Shu Murayama
  • Patent number: 10232773
    Abstract: A system for generating haptic effects in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a seat and a seat belt, is provided. The system comprises one or more haptic output devices positioned at or attached to the seat belt. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from a sensor that is configured to sense information associated with the vehicle's environment or the vehicle's condition. The system is further configured to determine whether to generate a haptic effect based on the sensor signal, and to output a haptic control signal and communicate the haptic control signal to the one or more haptic output devices in response to a determination to generate the haptic effect. The one or more haptic output devices are configured to generate the haptic effect based on the haptic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ali Modarres, Juan Manuel Cruz-Hernandez, Danny A. Grant, Neil Olien
  • Patent number: 10232774
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a lens of a camera, using a cleaning head, comprises driver members that drive the camera or the cleaning head, which are able to generate a relative displacement of the cleaning head with respect to the camera between a passive position in which the cleaning head is positioned outside of the image-capturing field of the camera, and an active position in which the cleaning head extends facing the lens so as to allow cleaning liquid to be ejected towards the said lens. The device particularly comes into effect in the case of an application to the cleaning of a reversing camera installed in motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Marcel Trebouet
  • Patent number: 10232775
    Abstract: An electric drive vehicle is provided with first and second slider plates contacting a trolley line on the high-voltage side and on the ground side, respectively. A camera has a photographing range of the whole of the second slider plate held in contact with the trolley line on the ground side and a part of the trolley line residing around the second slider plate. A controller controls a display of a monitor, wherein the controller includes a relative distance calculation section that calculates a relative distance between the trolley line on the ground side and a reference position of the second slider plate, and a bird's eye view image data generation section that generates bird's eye view image data reflecting the relative distance calculated by the relative distance calculation section and that outputs the bird's eye view image data to the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Naoki Tatsuzawa
  • Patent number: 10232776
    Abstract: A display system for a vehicle includes a rear view camera constructed and arranged to obtain images external to the vehicle and associated with a rear of the vehicle. At least one side view camera is constructed and arranged to obtain images external to the vehicle and associated with a side of the vehicle. A display is constructed and arranged to display the images to a driver of the vehicle so that the driver can see what is occurring at the rear and the side of the vehicle without using mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas L Mawhinney
  • Patent number: 10232777
    Abstract: A mirror adjustment mechanism, in particular for a wing mirror for a motor vehicle, having a base part with a mirror support arranged pivotally relative thereto, wherein between the base part and the mirror support a damper is arranged, the damper including a collar portion coupled to the mirror support, encompassing a ball portion, coupled to the base part, or vice versa, both constituting a ball joint arrangement. A slide element is slidingly engaged between the ball portion and the collar portion in such a way that it restrains movement of the collar portion relative to the ball portion, resulting from movement the mirror support relative to the base part, wherein the slide element is a spring ring slidingly abutting on contact surfaces of the ball portion and coupled to the collar portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Amee Heleen de Groen, Jan Christiaan Gentis, Peter Alexander Hamming, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout, Bastiaan Aaldert Smilde
  • Patent number: 10232778
    Abstract: Adjusting instrument for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising a foot for attachment to a fixed element of the motor vehicle, and a housing adjustably connected with the foot, the housing being adjustable around a rotation axis extending through the adjusting instrument, while around the rotation axis a passage opening is provided for passing through a cable tree, the housing being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening and the foot being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening, the housing being furthermore adjustable relative to the foot into an assembly position in which the slot of the foot aligns with the slot of the housing to provide lateral access to the passage opening for laterally introducing a cable tree into the passage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Rudolf Pieter Hoogenboom, Peter Alexander Hamming
  • Patent number: 10232779
    Abstract: A rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a heater pad, and a back plate. The heater pad includes a heater pad substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive traces established thereat, with the electrically conductive traces including (i) a heating trace that, when powered, heats the heater pad substrate and the mirror reflective element, and (ii) an accessory trace that, when powered, controls an accessory of the mirror reflective element assembly. The electrically conductive traces may include electro-optic control traces that, when electrically powered, darken the mirror reflective element. The heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the back plate. The accessory trace, when powered, controls a blind zone indicator that is disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element and that is viewable, when powered, through the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Craig Kendall
  • Patent number: 10232780
    Abstract: A vehicle camera cover assembly includes a base bracket, an upper cover and a lower cover. The upper cover has an upper attachment section that aligns with and attaches to a first attachment section of the base bracket. The upper cover has a retention flange dimensioned and positioned to overlay an inner flange of the base bracket with the upper cover attached to the base bracket. The lower cover has a lower attachment section that removably connects to a second attachment section of the base bracket. The lower cover has an outer flange dimensioned and positioned such that with the upper cover and the lower cover installed to the base bracket, the outer flange covers and contacts the retention flange thereby confining the retention flange between the outer flange and the inner flange restricting movement of the upper cover relative to the lower cover and the base bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Francus, Chhay Chau
  • Patent number: 10232781
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided, having a cargo compartment and a stowable vehicle ladder assembly. The stowable vehicle ladder assembly includes a cavity located on a body portion of the cargo compartment. A ladder is movable between stowed and extended positions with respect to the cavity. The ladder is also selectively recessible in the cavity. A plurality of linkages is pivotally attached to the body portion of the vehicle and the ladder. The plurality of linkages selectively moves the ladder to and from the cavity and to and from stowed and use positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Spartan Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry L. Elder, Noel F. Cukrowicz
  • Patent number: 10232782
    Abstract: A mobile vessel for refueling engines at remote refueling sites. The vessel has a tank with side walls and a rectangular bottom portion. The bottom portion is configured to rest on the ground and it includes an inner wall and a lower plate. The bottom portion further includes spacer elements between the inner wall and lower plate that defines a gap there between for collecting fuel that may leak from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BNJ Leasing Inc.
    Inventor: Mark William Beard
  • Patent number: 10232783
    Abstract: Arrangements described herein include adaptable storage systems for vehicle truck beds, and methods for controlling such systems. The system can include a panel having one or more wheel well cutouts. One or more wheel well covers can be operatively connected to the panel. A lift can be included that can selectively move the panel in an elevational direction between a top position and a bottom position. The wheel well cover(s) can be adaptive relative to the wheel wells to allow substantially unimpeded movement of the panel between the top position and the bottom position. Further, the wheel well cover(s) can substantially cover a wheel well cutout when the panel is in the top position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Frederick, Scott P. Robison, Adam D. Holmstrom
  • Patent number: 10232784
    Abstract: A motor vehicle console comprises a mount and a pair of exposed parallel tubular members. Each of the tubular members has a forward horizontal section, an intermediate section extending rearwardly in at least partially an upward direction, and a rearward horizontal section, wherein each forward horizontal section is disposed at an elevation horizontally below the rearward horizontal section and each forward horizontal section is operatively coupled with the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary D. Mullen, Dennis Sartorello, Anthony Ligi, Jr., Stephen Neal Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 10232785
    Abstract: A motor vehicle console comprises a pair of exposed parallel tubular members operably coupled with a motor vehicle structure and an instrument panel. Each of the tubular members has a connector section, a forward horizontal section, an intermediate section extending rearwardly in at least partially an upward direction; and a rearward horizontal section, wherein each forward horizontal section is disposed below the rearward horizontal section, and a mount operatively coupled with the forward horizontal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary D. Mullen, Dennis Sartorello, Anthony Ligi, Jr., Stephen Neal Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 10232786
    Abstract: A motor vehicle console comprises a mount, a pair of exposed parallel tubular members, and an accessory mounted to the tubular members. Each of the tubular members has a forward horizontal section, an intermediate section extending rearwardly in at least partially an upward direction, and a rearward horizontal section, wherein each forward horizontal section is disposed at an elevation horizontally below the rearward horizontal section and is operatively coupled with the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gary D. Mullen, Dennis Sartorello, Anthony Ligi, Jr., Stephen Neal Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 10232787
    Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback. A seat includes a top side that defines a seating surface and a bottom side that includes an attachment interface. The seat is operably coupled with the seatback and is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. A closeable pocket is removably coupled with the attachment interface of the seat. The closeable pocket includes a zipper. A handle operably disengages a latching mechanism of the seat and is disposed above the closeable pocket. The handle includes a peripheral bezel with a light source, which is a light emitting diode, configured to illuminate the closeable pocket and a cargo space disposed below the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Mozurkewich, Johnathan Andrew Line, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Keith Allen Godin
  • Patent number: 10232788
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat that is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. A cavity is formed in a support structure of the seat such that an occupant is supported on a support rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Hagedorn, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Steven Camago, Jimmy Moua, Johnathan Andrew Line, Adam Ewel
  • Patent number: 10232789
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a vehicle bin includes a latch housing having an integrated bumper. The latch housing defines a latch opening and a base adapted to carry the bumper. The bumper includes a load edge and is disposed on the base to provide a constant load around the latch opening. The load edge may define one of a planar load edge, a serrated load edge, and a scalloped load edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael Istok, Anna Miller Hill
  • Patent number: 10232790
    Abstract: A secure storage device is presented. The secure storage device comprises walls, a bottom, a door and an opening for forming an interior chamber for storage. The device may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to aluminum, steel, impact-resistant materials, and bullet-proof materials. It at least one embodiment, the secure storage device is configured to act as a sun visor for a vehicle for securely storing a weapon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: John B. Adrain
  • Patent number: 10232791
    Abstract: A crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include one or more locking pins operatively connected to a pivoting cover, such that moving the cover from an open to a closed position causes the locking pins to engage corresponding recesses in a base portion fixed to a vehicle rooftop. The coupler may include a selectable pitch interface for adjusting the pitch angle of the crossbar with respect to the coupler and/or a vehicle on which the coupler is mounted. An actuator of the coupler may convert motion of a tightening screw oriented parallel to the crossbar axis into a clamp tightening force oriented orthogonal to the crossbar axis. The tightening screw may be inaccessible when the cover of the coupler is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. McFadden
  • Patent number: 10232792
    Abstract: A lifting and transferring apparatus and method are disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus may be realized as a power lift and transfer system which has the capability of attaching to, lifting, and carrying a mobility device for a person with a disability in conjunction with a wide variety of vehicles. The unique design of the apparatus eliminates a typical platform structure that is often incorporated by other devices and substitutes an interlocking mechanism which comprises a docking device on the personal mobility device and a mated receiver on the apparatus, thus saving significant weight and bulk. A unique swivel swing-away design incorporates a swing away hinge in a space between a hitch and the apparatus instead of in a space between the apparatus and the mobility device and platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas F. Egan
  • Patent number: 10232793
    Abstract: A foldable table structure is structured to be mountable on a vehicle. The table structure includes a first panel structured to form a first portion of a table top when the table structure is in a deployed condition, a second panel structured to form a second portion of a table top when the table structure is in a deployed condition, and at least one first support. Each of the at least one first support, the first panel, and the second panel are rotatably connected to at least one other of the at least one first support, the first panel, and the second panel, such that the first panel is rotatable to reside along a first side of the at least one first support, and such that the second panel is rotatable to reside along a second side of the at least one first support opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott L. Frederick, Scott P. Robison, Adam D. Holmstrom
  • Patent number: 10232794
    Abstract: A truck tool box including a box portion with an open upper end and a lid hingedly secured to the box portion which is movable between open and closed position. A tray for small loose items is hingedly secured to the underside of the lid and which is movable between a stowed position adjacent the underside of the lid to a display position when the lid is in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Ray Moore
  • Patent number: 10232795
    Abstract: A one-touch type supporting holder includes a support body which includes one pair of openings opened in directions opposite to each other; one pair of grip units which are respectively inserted in the one pair of openings and slidably movably coupled to the support body in directions opposite to each other; a one-touch reciprocating unit which is slidably movably coupled to a front of the support body, and slides and moves in the support body to make the grip units to slide and move to mount the electronic apparatus; a one-touch elastic member which elastically supports the one-touch reciprocating unit against the support body; and a one-touch guide unit which controls a sliding movement state of the grip unit in the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CPC Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon Young Song
  • Patent number: 10232796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a supporting device (101, 201) for a tablet computer (105). The device (101, 201) includes a barrel (107) having an opening (111) for receiving an edge of the tablet computer (105). The device (101, 201) has a housing (106) and means (109) for rotatably mounting the barrel (107). The barrel (107) is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (X) between a first position in which the opening (111) is at least partially covered by the housing and at least a second position in which the opening (111) is exposed to receive the tablet computer (105). The housing (106) can, for example, take the form of a table. The supporting device (101, 201) can be provided in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Ian Barnes
  • Patent number: 10232797
    Abstract: A vision system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The camera is operable to capture image data. The camera includes a circuit board and an imager disposed at the circuit board. An image processor is disposed at the circuit board, which has circuitry disposed thereat. The image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. Signals to and from the image processor are provided on at least one shared line connected between an electrical connector of the camera and a vehicle control of the vehicle. The at least one shared line includes at least one combined camera control and camera programming line. Signals carried on the combined camera control and camera programming line (i) control operation of the camera and (ii) program the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Nazar F. Bally, Richard D. Shriner, Patrick Miller
  • Patent number: 10232798
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a camera arrangement on a motor vehicle is provided. The apparatus has a camera housing that includes a main body configured for holding the camera arrangement in a predetermined position. A 3-attachment feature arrangement is coupled to the main body for mounting the main body to the motor vehicle. The 3-attachment feature arrangement includes a first attachment feature having a first longitudinal centerline. A second attachment feature has a second longitudinal centerline. A third attachment feature has a third longitudinal centerline. The second and third longitudinal centerlines are aligned to define a common centerline and the first longitudinal centerline intersects the common centerline proximate a midpoint between the second attachment feature and the third attachment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: VEONEER US, INC.
    Inventor: Melih Gunes
  • Patent number: 10232799
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for cameras and camera housings for vehicle trailers. An example camera for vehicle trailers includes a casing. The casing defines a cavity and includes a first face defining a first window and a second face defining a second window. The example camera also includes a core including a lens and coupled to the casing within the cavity via an axle. The core rotates to enable capturing of images through the first window and the second window. The example camera also includes gears within the cavity to facilitate rotation of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad Carremm
  • Patent number: 10232800
    Abstract: A camera module, which is mounted on an inside of a front windshield of a vehicle and configured to image an external environment of the vehicle, includes multiple lens units on which an optical image of the external environment is incident, individually, and an imaging system to generate an outside image of the external environment by imaging through each of the lens units, individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: DENSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sho Okuda, Takeshi Kazama, Yasuki Furutake, Nobuhisa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10232801
    Abstract: A wear surface that is easily modified and fitted for installation to a wearable surface includes alternating longitudinal wear members and retaining members. The wear members consist of a hard material such as white iron with good wear resistance. The retaining members are of a ductile material that is readily welded and overlap the wear members on each side over at least a portion of their length. The retaining members can be welded to the equipment to be protected and retain the wear members which are not readily welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ESCO GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Chewning, Adam M. Jones
  • Patent number: 10232802
    Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes an elastically compressible layer between a substrate and a decorative skin layer. The compressible layer has a non-uniform thickness along which voids are formed within the thickness of the panel. A center console can be equipped with the panel in the form of a tambour door that opens to access a storage space in the console and closes to serve as a cushioned armrest. The compressible layer can be formed from a foam material molded directly onto the decorative layer and shaped as a series of projections that are attached to flexibly interconnected crossmembers of the substrate. Thin portions of the compressible layer between the projections facilitate reversible bending of the panel during movement along curved guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Olivier Boinais
  • Patent number: 10232803
    Abstract: Groove formation portions that define insertion grooves are located in two opposing inner sides of an opening of a main cover. Engagement shafts are located on side portions of the sub-cover that oppose the inner sides. The engagement shafts are insertable into the insertion grooves from an outside and have a thickness that is larger than a groove width of the insertion grooves. The groove formation portions are elastic and deformable to allow insertion of the engagement shafts when the engagement shafts are inserted from the outside. The groove formation portions elastically return to their original forms after insertion of the engagement shafts to engage the engagement shafts and restrict separation of the engagement shafts in a reverse direction. The groove formation portions support the sub-cover to allow the sub-cover to open while engaged with the engagement shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ichihara, Nobuyoshi Imaeda, Shuuichi Satou, Masaaki Uechi, Hideaki Hayashi, Atsutoshi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 10232804
    Abstract: An acoustic protection cover for encapsulating a motor vehicle component, the cover including: a based on injection-molding material, the material comprising a thermoplastic matrix and a filler that is dispersed in such a way as to exhibit a density of between 1.3 and 1.6, the shell comprising two half-shells delimited by a thin region originating from the molding and forming a flexible hinge; a layer of elastically compressible foam overmolding the internal face of the shell, so that the cover forms an insulation system of the “mass-spring” type, the mass being formed by the shell and the spring by the layer; a means of holding the half-shells together once the hinge has been folded, so as to allow the component to be encapsulated, the matrix being made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and the level of filling being less than or equal to 50% by mass of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CERA APS
    Inventors: David Drezet, Michael Raybaud, Stéphane Ribes
  • Patent number: 10232805
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a heat insulator in a form of a plate, the heat insulator covering an exhaust component of an internal combustion engine; and a wire harness disposed on a side of the heat insulator. An end edge among end edges of the heat insulator has a shape that is protruding and recessed in a plate thickness direction in a side view of the end edge, the end edge being located on a side of the wire harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakao