Patents Issued in November 19, 2019
  • Patent number: 10479126
    Abstract: A transaction instrument comprising a blended composite of metal and plastic and a method(s) for making a transaction instrument comprising a blended composite of metal and plastic. In an aspect of the invention, the blended composite of metal and plastic is a metal-filled plastic, more particularly a heavy-gravity compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
    Inventors: Paul Vittimberga, Kristine Ing, John Wright
  • Patent number: 10479127
    Abstract: There is provided a sheet-like article with a string enabling use in two use forms (a first use form and a second use form). A sheet-like article 1 with a string has a first use form and a second use form. The sheet-like article 1 with a string includes a sheet-like main body 2, and a string body 4 inserted into holes 3 of the main body 2. In the sheet-like article 1 with a string, change from the first use form to the second use form is possible by pulling of the string body 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DENTSU INC.
    Inventor: Akira Shikiya
  • Patent number: 10479128
    Abstract: A security document with unidirectional visual illumination is disclosed. A security feature is positioned within the document and not visible in normal ambient lighting conditions but becomes visible under specialized lighting conditions, for example in the presence of ultraviolet light. The security feature is constructible such that it is visible only from a single side of the security document, with the side being predeterminable regardless of the orientation of the specialized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY AB
    Inventor: Brett Barton Erickson
  • Patent number: 10479129
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hybrid security structure for a security document, the method comprising the steps of: providing a document substrate; applying to the document substrate, by a first process, a first element comprising a first electrically conductive region of the hybrid security structure; applying to the document substrate, by a second process, a second element comprising a second electrically conductive region of the hybrid security structure, wherein the first process is different from the second process; and electrically coupling the first and second electrically conductive regions of the hybrid security structure for detection by a capacitance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DE LA RUE INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Whiteman
  • Patent number: 10479130
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for forming a card with an embedded three dimensional (3-D) image and the resultant card formed by the method. The method includes forming a first assembly which includes a layer of deformable material and an overlying layer of pattern conforming material. An engraved laminating plate is applied to the deformable layer during an engraving and laminating step applied to the first sub-assembly under predetermined pressure and selected temperature conditions for embossing the deformable layer with a well defined and sharp pattern. Then, a second assembly including a pattern conforming layer is laminated with the first assembly to embed and secure the pattern between the two conformable layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: COMPOSECURE, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John Herslow, Luis J. DaSilva
  • Patent number: 10479131
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing and organizing sewing pattern pieces is disclosed herein. The apparatus may include a housing, a lid, locks, and a plurality of sleeves removably inserted within the housing. The apparatus may be useful for efficiently storing and organizing a plurality of pattern pieces to provide easy access to organized, unblemished pattern pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Angie Stevens
  • Patent number: 10479132
    Abstract: A binding tool for paper sheets includes: a base member extending in a longitudinal direction; and a plurality of first binding members and second binding members each having a base end portion formed protruding outward in a width direction from the base member and a tip end portion integral with the base end portion and curved inward in the width direction so as to be movable between a binding position where the tip end portions contact each other and an open position where the tip end portions are separated from each other by a prescribed distance. The base end portions are positionally displaced from each other by at least an amount corresponding to a thickness TH of the base end portion in the longitudinal direction when the tip end portions positioned facing each other in the width direction are in contact with each other in the binding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: YUGEN KAISHA SANKUSU
    Inventor: Akinori Morishita
  • Patent number: 10479133
    Abstract: A film for molding has an annular olefin-based resin as the main component thereof and is characterized by an X surface and a Y surface both having a surface glossiness of no more than 50%, when one surface is the X surface and the other surface is the Y surface. The film has excellent winding properties during processing, has high design properties and excellent fingerprint wipe-off properties for the surface of product members (molded members after molding and decoration) when the film is used as a transfer foil for molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kitamura, Hisataka Tabata
  • Patent number: 10479134
    Abstract: A method for producing a decorated wall or floor panel comprises providing a pourable carrier material, placing the carrier material between two belt-like conveying means, forming the carrier material under the action of temperature to form a web-shaped carrier, compressing the carrier, treating the carrier under action of pressure using a twin belt press, wherein the carrier is cooled within or upstream of the twin belt press, optionally cooling the carrier, optionally applying a decorative subsurface onto at least a portion of the carrier, applying a decoration reproducing a decorative template onto at least a portion of the carrier, applying a protective layer onto at least a portion of the decoration, optionally structuring the protective layer in order to introduce pores and/or the edge region of the carrier in order to form connecting elements, and optionally treating the carrier for electrostatic discharge prior to any one of the above steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AKZENTA PANEELE + PROFILE GMBH
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Hannig
  • Patent number: 10479135
    Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for a pool vacuum head includes a first frame and a second substantially identical frame, each frame having a hub rotating around a common axis, lower supports extending radially from the hub, risers extending from the hub along the common axis, and upper supports individually coupled to the risers, the upper supports extending radially from the common axis. Rollers coupled to the first frame and the second frame, are radially spaced from the common axis on each frame. The rollers rotate normal to the common axis to impart omni-directional movement. When the first frame and the second frame are interlocked, the risers on the first frame engage the hub on the second frame, and the lower supports on the first frame engaging the upper supports on the second frame, maintaining the rollers in a staggered arrangement around the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 10479136
    Abstract: A multiple directional wheel including a wheel frame comprising identical component parts. Each of the wheel frame components comprise: a hub having a main axis about which the multiple directional wheel is adapted to rotate; a hub rim radially surrounding the hub; a first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms (“first arms”) radially extending from the hub rim and aligned in a first plane; and a second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms having a radially inner base and being circumferentially offset with respect to diagonally adjacent members of the first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rotacaster Wheel Limited
    Inventor: Peter R. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 10479137
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel is provided which includes a sub air chamber member capable of suppressing a surface deformation amount in case of an action of an internal pressure of the sub air chamber member. A sub air chamber member of a vehicle wheel includes an upper surface member, a lower surface member, and bridge sections causing the upper surface member and the lower surface member to strike on each other. An end-to-end distance of an opening part of a bridge section opening on an upper surface of the upper surface member is set longer than a distance to an end portion of an opening part of another bridge section adjacent thereto. Moreover, the area of the opening parts of the bridge sections opening on the upper surface of the upper surface member is larger than the area of other general parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 10479138
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wheel assembly includes a spindle that may be rotatably coupled to an axle of a vehicle. A wheel is removably positioned on the spindle. A hub is provided and the spindle is rotatably positioned in the hub. An electromagnet is coupled to the hub. The electromagnet is selectively turned on to magnetically engage the wheel thereby retaining the wheel on the disk. The electromagnet is embedded within the disk. A lock is movably coupled to the spindle. The lock is selectively urged into a locking position to inhibit the wheel from coming off of the spindle when the electromagnet fails. Additionally, the lock is selectively urged into an unlocked position to facilitate the wheel to be removed from the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin Christy
  • Patent number: 10479139
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has a seal (8) with a metal core (15) and a sealing member (6). The sealing member (6) has a first side lip (16a), a second side lip (16b) and a third side lip (19c). The first side lip (16a) opposes a metal annulus (17) via an axial gap. The second side lip (16b) is in sliding contact with a base (18), via an axial interference. The third side lip (19a) covers the outer surface of the metal core (15). The tip end of the third side lip (19a) is formed with a vertically flat surface opposing the inner-side surface (4b) of the wheel mounting flange (4, 28), via an axial gap (S1), to form a first labyrinth seal (20). The outer edge of the metal annulus (17) opposes the sealing member (6), via an axial gap, to form a second labyrinth seal (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Motohiro Tada, Tadashi Mitsuishi
  • Patent number: 10479140
    Abstract: A wheel lifting device comprising a base structure with support means for being supported by a ground surface and a lifting frame with at least one wheel support member and a frame leg which extends upwardly at an angle to the ground surface. A link mechanism is connected to the base structure and to the lifting frame and a pivotal manoeuvring lever is connected to the link mechanism for lifting the lifting frame relative to the base structure. The blocking device for locking the manoeuvring lever at any desired pivotal position comprises a weight which is slidable along the frame leg and arranged to intersect the pivotal movement path of the manoeuvring lever and to be brought into frictional engagement with the frame leg when influenced by a force generated by the manoeuvring lever in order to block the lifting frame from downward movement relative to the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AB Kompositprodukter Vikmanshyttan
    Inventor: Mats Lindgren
  • Patent number: 10479141
    Abstract: A child stroller comprises a wheel assembly that includes a wheel disposed on a wheel mount, a wheel bushing including a bore, a pivot pin including an upper end, the pivot pin extending from an upper portion of the wheel mount and into the bore of the wheel bushing, and a force finger disposed in an upper end of the bore and at least partially surrounding and frictionally engaging the upper end of the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MONAHAN PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Richard M. Bastien
  • Patent number: 10479142
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with zigzag middle main grooves 4 and shoulder main grooves 5 to define middle land regions 7 therebetween. The middle main groove is composed of alternately-arranged, oppositely-inclined long first oblique segments 11 and short second oblique segments 12. The middle land regions are provided with middle transverse grooves 20 shallower than the middle main grooves. The first oblique segments are inclined axially outwardly toward the opposite direction to the intended tire rotational direction R. The middle transverse grooves are inclined to the same direction as the first oblique segments or in parallel with the tire axial direction. The axially inner end of each of the middle transverse grooves is connected to one of the second oblique segments so as to include at least a part of an axially outwardly protruding outside corner portion 4A of the middle main groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 10479143
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, bead portions formed radially inside the sidewall portions, shoulder blocks arranged in the tire circumferential direction with first pitches on at least one of end portions of the tread portion, side protectors protruding axially outwardly on at least one of the sidewall portions which is located on a side of the shoulder blocks, a recessed portion between a pair of side protectors adjacent in the tire circumferential direction. The side protectors are arranged in the tire circumferential direction with second pitches larger than the first pitches. Each side protector is provided with at least one first groove extending radially inwardly from a side of the tread portion and terminating within the side protector and at least one second groove extending radially outwardly from a side of the bead portion and terminating within the side protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Madoka Satake
  • Patent number: 10479144
    Abstract: A tire 2 includes a pair of beads 12 and a carcass 14. A core 28 of each bead 12 includes a body 34 having a hexagonal cross-section, and a cover 36 covering the body 34. The cover 36 is wrapped around the body 34, and the number of turns the cover 36 is wrapped around the body 34 is greater than or equal to one and smaller than two. The cover 36 includes a plain weave fabric obtained by interlacing warp threads 72 and weft threads 74. The warp threads 72 and the weft threads 74 intersect. An angle of the intersection is greater than or equal to 45° and not greater than 125°. The warp threads 72 are inclined relative to a carcass cord 70. An angle of the inclination is greater than or equal to 22.5° and not greater than 67.5°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kaori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10479145
    Abstract: A tire 2 includes: a pair of beads 10 including cores 28; chafers 22, disposed near the beads 10, which are brought into contact with a rim; an inner liner 18 disposed inward of a carcass 32 in an axial direction; and an insulation 20 disposed between the carcass 32 and the inner liner 18 in the axial direction. The chafers 22 include bottom surfaces 22a that are brought into contact with the rim in portions inward of the cores 28 in a radial direction. The insulation 20 includes insulation lower portions 20a disposed between the cores 28 and the bottom surfaces 22a of the chafers 22 in the radial direction. The inner liner 18 includes inner liner lower portions 18a disposed between the cores 28 and the bottom surfaces 22a of the chafers 22 in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Osawa, Kenji Ueda
  • Patent number: 10479146
    Abstract: A rapid inflation system is provided for the tires of a machine such as an agricultural machine which must periodically move between field conditions and road conditions. The system can relatively rapidly inflate the tires from a lower field ready state to a higher pressure road ready state by the use of a high pressure reservoir chamber defined within the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Jon I. Stuckey
  • Patent number: 10479147
    Abstract: A self-adaptive method for assisting in the inflation of tires of a vehicle that is stationary in an immobilization mode, the method including continuously measuring at least the pressure of each tire by way of a wheel unit, transmitting signals on the state of the tires between each wheel unit and a central unit, these signals being transmitted by each wheel unit through frequency-shift keying between two first predetermined frequencies defining a first frequency band. In a immobilization mode, each wheel unit is reprogrammed such that it transmits, to the central unit, first and second frequency-shift keyed signals respectively with first and second frequency bands, the second band being wider than the first band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Sylvain Godet, Stéphane Billy, Sébastien Kessler
  • Patent number: 10479148
    Abstract: A reception control section obtains a rotation angle of each wheel assembly when a reception circuit receives transmission data. The reception control section calculates the absolute value of the difference between the obtained rotation angle and a previously obtained rotation angle. The reception control section determines whether the absolute value of the difference is included in a reference range or a specific range. The reference range includes 0. The specific range includes the angle difference between specific angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PACIFIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Tsujita, Keiyu Fujii
  • Patent number: 10479149
    Abstract: The tool includes an elongate rigid bar with fixed chain leaders extending from the bar near ends of the bar. A removable chain leader is provided between these two fixed chain leaders. In one form of the invention, the bar is hollow and a pin translates within this hollow core. A slot in the bar allows a proximal link of the removable chain leader to pass into the hollow core of the bar where the pin can removably capture this proximal link. Because the removable chain leader is provided on the bar, it can initially be captured to the bar for use along with the fixed chain leaders to position a tire chain onto a dual wheel pair. Then, the removable leader can be removed from the bar and act as a handle on a middle elongate section of the tire chain to assist in connection thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: Ronald J. White
  • Patent number: 10479150
    Abstract: A wheel valve assembly having a body portion coupled with a cover portion. A diaphragm disposed between the body portion and the cover portion. A first biasing member disposed between the cover portion and the diaphragm in a cover cavity defined thereby. A control cavity defined by the body portion and the diaphragm, and at least one control port defined by the body portion and in fluid communication with the control cavity. A tire port defined by the body portion and in selective fluid communication with the control cavity. A first and second conduit disposed in the body portion in fluid communication with a third and fourth conduit disposed in the cover portion. An equalization valve assembly disposed in one of the conduits to control fluid communication between the cover cavity and the control cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Christopher D. Blessing, Philip M. Molloy, Jason M. Sidders
  • Patent number: 10479151
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle including a coupling arm for attaching a trailer or for carrying a load carrier, and including at least one sensor for detecting a deformation, caused by a load engaged on the bearing element, of a bearing element of the trailer coupling, wherein at least one recess is provided on the bearing element for the at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is provided for measuring a spacing of reference surfaces of the at least one recess. The reference surfaces move toward one another or away from one another during a deformation of the bearing element and extend in a transverse manner in relation to a support section of the bearing element which deforms during stress applied by the load and/or are free from a flow of forces through the support section of the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Westfalia-Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Rene Brinkmann, Bernhard Sielhorst, Tim Stockhaus
  • Patent number: 10479152
    Abstract: A vehicle hitch assistance system includes a controller acquiring position data of a coupler of a trailer and deriving a vehicle path to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler including compensating for a determined change in the position of the coupler in a driving direction related to a difference between a vertical position of the coupler in the position data and a height of the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Chen Zhang, Joseph F. Stanek, George Edmund Walley, III
  • Patent number: 10479153
    Abstract: A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where, the vehicle includes a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitch mounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being a generally continuous member, where the rail includes at least one end portion, and where the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include at least one mounting aperture located in the rail, the mounting aperture capable of having secured thereto an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 10479154
    Abstract: A utility sled is formed from a lightweight material and includes a handle flexibly attached to the front end thereof. The handle includes a hook that is seated within a small opening of the utility sled when not in use. A pair of retractable wheels is attached to an exterior of each sidewall of the utility sled. The sidewalls are biased outward when no load is present. When loaded, the sidewalls advantageously tend to straighten vertically. The formed bottom of the sled includes a plurality of ribs which both add strength to the sled as well as function as sled runners when the wheels are retracted. The ribs operate to reduce friction between the sled bottom and the underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventor: David Butler
  • Patent number: 10479155
    Abstract: A cladding structure and method for cladding machine components to inhibit crack propagation includes at least one set of primary bands, with each primary band being deposited adjacent to and abutting at least one other primary band, forming at least one inter-pass clad boundary, and at least one set of secondary bands deposited in a spaced configuration and oriented so as to intersect at least one inter-pass clad boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John Johnson
  • Patent number: 10479156
    Abstract: A portal hub assembly for raising the chassis of a vehicle. The portal hub assembly includes a portal box and a mounting assembly removably attachable to one side of the portal box. The mounting assembly includes a mounting body forged as a unitary body. A bracket assembly including at least one mounting bracket is selectively attachable to the mounting body to allow the mounting assembly to receive a component of the suspension system of a desired vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventors: Justin L. Eaton, Damon Stephan, Jordan E. Stephan, Penny Zuckschwerdt, Chuck Hensler, Chris Shelton
  • Patent number: 10479157
    Abstract: A receiving arrangement may be utilized by a lower end of a carrier spring on a damper tube of a shock absorber of a suspension strut, in particular for a vehicle. The receiving arrangement may include a bearing unit by way of which the damper tube can twist relative to the carrier spring about a longitudinal axis of the suspension strut. The bearing unit may include an upper bearing ring and a lower bearing ring, which bearing rings may be configured so they can slide on each other to form an axial bearing and a radial bearing between the carrier spring and the damper tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Stefan Mages
  • Patent number: 10479158
    Abstract: A wheel based vehicle configured to travel along a roadway environment, the wheel based vehicle comprising: a first independent suspension element, a second independent suspension element, at least one electromagnetic sensing device, and processing circuitry. The first independent suspension element is configured to service a first wheel with a first suspension performance. The second independent suspension element configured to service a second wheel with a second suspension performance. The at least one electromagnetic sensing device is disposed and configured to capture image data of the roadway environment. The processing circuitry is configured to: identify, based on the captured image data and vehicle motion data, first future predictions of first drive situations to be accommodated, and second future predictions of second drive situations to be avoided; and accommodate the first future drive situations by selection of a third suspension performance for the first independent suspension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Enpulz, LLC
    Inventor: James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 10479159
    Abstract: Disclosed is a configurable dynamic valve. In various embodiments the valve operates to control a pneumatic leveling system for vehicles and provide the capability for an operator to select an elevated or lowered ride height, to block air flow in and out of the leveling air bags, or to dump air from the air bags controlling the ride height. In various embodiments, the valve utilizes rotary disks which contain actuate apertures, wherein the disks form seals between ports which connect various inlet and outlet chambers such that the pneumatically selected operative disk apertures and ports provide air flow in or out of leveling air bags dynamically at a selected ride height during varying load and road conditions. In various embodiments, the modular design of the valve components allows for an easily configurable valve which may be customized to a particular application with a minimum of effort and manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Barksdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinesh Gandhi, Angel Ching
  • Patent number: 10479160
    Abstract: An electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber includes a tube defining a fluid chamber and a piston assembly positioned within the tube. The piston assembly divides the fluid chamber into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. A piston rod is attached to the piston assembly and projects out of the tube. Further, a rod guide guides the piston rod and an electronically-controlled valve is positioned within the rod guide for controlling a damping state of the shock absorber. A circuit board is positioned around the piston rod for actuating the electronically-controlled valve. A carrier housing receives the circuit board and engages with the rod guide. The carrier housing includes an inner column and an outer column. A bumper cap is mounted on the carrier housing and is engaged with the inner and outer columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Roessle
  • Patent number: 10479161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle air-conditioning system and, more particularly, to a vehicle air-conditioning system in which an air-conditioning module consisting of an air-conditioning case and a blowing apparatus is disposed at a side of an engine room with respect to a dash panel, and a distribution duct for distributing cold and hot air discharged from the air-conditioning case into the inside of a vehicle is disposed on the indoor side of the vehicle with respect to the dash panel. The vehicle air-conditioning system may prevent a reverse flow of outdoor air into a cold air discharge port and a hot air discharge port due to the wind pressure when driving by forming a shielding means at the sides of the cold air discharge port and the hot air discharge port, which discharge the cold and hot air of the air-conditioning case to the outside, thereby improving the cooling and heating performance by smoothly discharging heat through the cold air discharge port and the hot air discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jae Chun Ryu, Young Hum Han, Chul Hee Kim, Joong Man Han, Hyeon Gyu Kim, Kyung Ju An, Tae Yong Park, Sung Je Lee
  • Patent number: 10479162
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising first and second seat belt webbings each defining a passageway, and one or more tubular extension members extending between the first and second seat belt webbings. The vehicle seat belt system also includes a plurality of exhaust openings formed in at least one of the first and second webbings, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Craig Elson, Kerrie Gath, Clay Wesley Maranville, Victoria Schein
  • Patent number: 10479163
    Abstract: A method for controlling a thermal comfort control system for ride share vehicles includes providing a plurality of occupant seats in a vehicle cabin and controlling a cabin set temperature using a cabin comfort control system configured to adjust a plurality of HVAC functions. At least one thermal comfort parameter is adjusted at a number of the plurality of occupant seats using at least one seat comfort control system. Adjusting the at least one thermal comfort parameter causes the cabin control module to adjust the set temperature of the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Mazzocco, Jeffrey M Pleune, Louis Savich
  • Patent number: 10479164
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a vehicle, which includes an evaporator mounted in a cold air passageway and a condenser mounted in a warm air passageway inside an air-conditioning case to perform cooling and heating, and protecting means for surrounding a plurality of electronic units mounted on the outer surfaces of the air-conditioning case and blowers, thereby preventing breakdowns and malfunctions by preventing foreign matters or water from entering into the electronic units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Jae Chun Ryu, Tae Yong Park, Yong Nam Ahn, Sung Je Lee, Se Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10479165
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a filling adapter for filling refrigerant R744 into vehicle air conditioning systems as well as to a corresponding adapter. The adapter comprises mechanical clamping elements actuated by a pneumatically or mechanically controlled clamping piston. The clamping elements are clamped b the clamping system onto specifically designed sections of the vehicle air conditioning system for the filling process and are kept in the clamping position during the filling process. The clamping piston comprises at least two separate piston surfaces to be subjected to the pressure of two different pressurization media, one piston surface being effectively connected to the control pressure of the filling adapter and the other piston surface being effectively connected to the filling pressure of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DÜRR SOMAC GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Selbmann, Frank Wieland, Felix Köhler
  • Patent number: 10479166
    Abstract: A toggle button assembly for a human-machine interface (HMI). The toggle button assembly includes a circuit board. A first switch and a second switch are mounted to the circuit board. A toggle body is rotatable about a toggle body rotation axis. A first switch actuator is between the toggle body and the first switch, and a second switch actuator is between the toggle body and the second switch. Upon actuation of the toggle body from a center position to a first position, the toggle body rotates about the toggle body rotation axis and presses the first switch actuator against the first switch to actuate the first switch. Upon actuation of the toggle body from the center position to a second position, the toggle body rotates about the toggle body rotation axis and presses the second switch actuator against the second switch to actuate the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Javon Tucker, Christopher Levay
  • Patent number: 10479167
    Abstract: A device (10) for regulating cooling air on a motor vehicle has a roller blind (12) that can be moved across an air inlet opening of the motor vehicle. The device (10) has a horizontally aligned sealing frame (18) for guiding the roller blind (12) across the air inlet opening. The device (10) comprises a supporting frame arranged within the sealing frame (18) for supporting the roller blind (12) against the cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tobias Hegedusch, James Horn
  • Patent number: 10479168
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a start-stop module, a bypass valve control module, and a flapper valve control module. The start-stop module is configured to stop an engine of a vehicle independent of an ignition system of the vehicle. The bypass valve control module is configured to adjust a bypass valve to a bypass position to prevent engine coolant from flowing from the engine to a heater core of the vehicle when the engine is stopped independent of the ignition system. The flapper valve control module is configured to control a flapper valve to adjust an amount of airflow from an evaporator of the vehicle to a cabin of the vehicle through the heater core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aaron P. Running, Steven R. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 10479169
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control module (4) for an electric appliance (3), comprising: a printed circuit board (11), on which electrical and electronic components (12) are mounted; and an electronic power component (10) separated from the printed circuit board (11) and held in relation thereto by means of at least one electrical connection body (18a, 18b, 18c) fixed to the printed circuit board (11) and connected to one (D) of the terminals (S, D, G) of the electronic power component (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventor: Stéphane De Souza
  • Patent number: 10479170
    Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a pump that draws and discharges a heat medium, a cooler core that exchanges sensible heat between the heat medium and ventilation air into a vehicle interior to cool and dehumidify the ventilation air, a heat-medium and outside-air heat exchanger that exchanges sensible heat between the heat medium and outside air, a compressor adapted to draw and discharge a refrigerant in a refrigeration cycle, a heat-medium cooling heat exchanger that cools the heat medium by exchanging heat between a low-pressure side refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle and the heat medium, and first and second switching valves that switch between a first dehumidification mode for circulation of the heat medium between the cooler core and the heat-medium cooling heat exchanger and a second dehumidification mode for circulation of the heat medium between the cooler core and the heat-medium and outside-air heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiko Enomoto, Nobuharu Kakehashi, Yasumitsu Omi, Masamichi Makihara, Hiroshi Kishita
  • Patent number: 10479171
    Abstract: A laminated vehicle glazing is disclosed, the glazing comprising a first glass ply coated with an electrically conductive coating, a second glass ply, an interlayer ply comprising polyvinyl butyral, and a first busbar comprising a conductive foil, wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises a pyrolytically deposited transparent conductive oxide layer and in that the first busbar is in direct contact with both the electrically conductive coating and the interlayer ply. Preferably the pyrolytically deposited transparent oxide layer comprises doped tin oxide and is the outermost layer of the electrically conductive coating. Also disclosed are a vehicle windshield and a train having a power supply at 25 V to 250 V, comprising a laminated vehicle glazing. A method for manufacturing a laminated vehicle glazing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Giovanni Gagliardi, Mark Andrew Chamberlain, Leigh Francis Mellor, Marco Ronci
  • Patent number: 10479172
    Abstract: One general aspect includes a system for an activation or deactivation of one or more electrochromic windows of a vehicle, the system including: a memory configured to include one or more executable instructions; a controller configured to execute the executable instructions; a vehicle including one or more electrochromic windows, where upon receiving an activation the one or more electrochromic windows will be in a dimmed state and upon receiving a deactivation the one or more electrochromic windows will be in a transparent state; and where the executable instructions enable the controller to: receive dimming information; analyze the dimming information; based on the dimming information analysis, generate the activation or deactivation for at least one of the one or more electrochromic windows; transmit the activation or deactivation to at least one of the one or more electrochromic windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Jabour, Michael Ames
  • Patent number: 10479173
    Abstract: A window assembly (190) for a window opening of a motor vehicle, which has a front-rear direction and a vertical direction, comprises a door frame member (21), a movable window pane (140), and a window guiding profile (100). The door frame member (21) includes an outer surface (25). The movable window pane (140) includes a guiding section, and a window section (141). The window section comprises an outer window surface (142) and an inner window surface (143). The window guiding profile (100) is fastened to the door frame member (21), and includes a sealing portion (115, 117, 118). The sealing portion seals and supports the window pane (140). The window guiding profile (100) includes a first guiding portion (110) configured to guide the window pane (140) only at the inner window surface (143). The window guiding profile (100) further includes a second guiding portion being configured to guide the window pane (140) at the window outer surface (142) and at the window inner surface (143).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: COOPER STANDARD GMBH
    Inventor: Fritz Krause
  • Patent number: 10479174
    Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism includes a connecting member and a sliding member. A movable panel of a sunroof device is fastened to the connecting member which has a plate-type connecting member main body extending in a front-rear direction, and a thickness direction of the connecting member main body coincides with a width direction. The connecting member main body is formed with a through hole which goes through the connecting member main body in the width direction and extends along the specified curve in the front-rear direction. The sliding member has a sliding member main body formed by sheet metal, the sliding member main body includes a pair of vertical walls and a connecting wall which connects upper ends of the vertical walls, and the connecting wall engages with and slides in the through hole so the connecting member inclines in an up-down direction or moves in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN(NANTONG) TECHNICAL CENTER OF CHINA CO., LTD
    Inventors: Syota Motomura, Yang Zhong
  • Patent number: 10479175
    Abstract: A tarpaulin fastening device includes a support frame for support of one or more winch/spool assemblies and associated interconnecting line cord. The interconnecting line cord is extracted/retracted from/to its respective winch/spool assembly through actuation of a gear assembly. The interconnecting line cord is woven through eyelets of one or more connection pins and terminated with an anchoring mechanism. Once extracted from the winch/spool assembly, the interconnecting line cord is anchored to a flatbed trailer using the anchor mechanism and each connection pin is alternatingly connected to connection points along a length of tarp covering a payload supported by the flatbed and to connection points along a length of the flatbed trailer. Once the interconnecting line cord is anchored and connected to the tarp and flatbed, the tarp is secured onto the payload by actuation of the gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Royer Ent., LLC
    Inventor: Rad Allen Royer