Patents Issued in November 19, 2019
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Patent number: 10479226Abstract: Systems and methods for managing mobile device control of vehicle functions and subsystems using policy control are disclosed. A computing platform of a vehicle may receive a request, from a mobile application, to access one or more secure vehicle functions and subsystems. The computing platform may retrieve application permissions for the mobile application from a policy table to determine whether to allow the requested access, deny the requested access or to prompt a driver for permission to allow access to the secure vehicle function.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Allen Kowalski, Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, Omar Makke, Perry Robinson MacNeille, Elizabeth Halash
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Patent number: 10479227Abstract: A method for adjusting a vehicle seat onboard a vehicle is provided. The method obtains vehicle status data, by a processor communicatively coupled to a plurality of sensors onboard the vehicle; detects a current actuation state of the vehicle seat based on the vehicle status data, by the processor, wherein the current actuation state comprises at least one of a user input actuation state and an emergency actuation state; calculates seat adjustments, by the processor, based on the current actuation state; and actuates the vehicle seat based on the seat adjustments, via an electromagnetic vehicle seat rail device communicatively coupled to the processor.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jason J. Nolte, Chao Zhang, Lisa A. Fallon
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Patent number: 10479228Abstract: The invention relates to a position-determining device for determining a position of a vehicle seat inside a vehicle, wherein the position of the vehicle seat in the vehicle can be adjusted along an adjustment direction between a first and at least one second location, comprising a vehicle component and a vehicle seat component, wherein the vehicle component can be arranged in the vehicle as part of a vehicle electronics system, and the vehicle seat component can be arranged in the vehicle seat as part of a vehicle seat electronics system, said vehicle seat component having at least one vehicle seat transmitting/receiving device and said vehicle component having at least two vehicle transmitting/receiving devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Daniel Esslinger, Jörg Winkler, Simon Bork
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Patent number: 10479229Abstract: A vehicle seat apparatus includes: a seat main body configured to seat an occupant; a first gear that is joined to the seat main body; a second gear that is capable of being engaged with the first gear; a rotation mechanism that rotates the second gear in a state of being engaged with the first gear and that rotates the seat main body in a yaw direction from a reference direction; a biasing part that applies, when the seat main body is rotated by the rotation mechanism, a biasing force in a direction that is opposite to a rotation direction; and a release control part that releases an engagement between the first gear and the second gear, that rotates the seat main body by a biasing force which is preliminarily biased by the biasing part, and that allows the seat main body to return to the reference direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Manabu Matsumoto, Muneatsu Minato, Hajime Ishihara
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Patent number: 10479230Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat frame that serves as at least a portion of a skeletal structure; a fixed bracket that is fixed on the indoor wall, the fixed bracket including a connection part having a connection surface that is substantially orthogonal to a seat width direction and extending in a substantially vertical direction; a link member in which one end is swingably connected with the connection part and the other end is connected with the seat frame, the link member being swingable in a direction substantially parallel with the seat width direction set as a swinging center axis; and a regulation part which extends from the connection part in a direction substantially parallel with the swinging center axis, the regulation part being configured to regulate, by abutting on the link member in the seat front-and-rear direction, that the link member swings beyond a preset swinging range.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yushi Shinozaki, Masahide Kimura
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Patent number: 10479231Abstract: A vehicle seating arrangement includes a rail system that has a plurality of lateral and longitudinal rails. The vehicle seating arrangement also includes at least one seating assembly coupled to the rail system. The seating assembly includes one or more armrests coupled to a seat-base. The armrests are configured for articulation in a vertical direction relative to the seat-base. The armrests enable the seating assembly to transition between captains' chair, loveseat, and bed configurations.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Brian Robert Spahn, Benjamin Yilma, S. M. Akbar Berry, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Daniel Ferretti
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Patent number: 10479232Abstract: A passenger support includes vehicle seat having a seat base mounted to a track for sliding the seat base longitudinally. A sliding motion controller is provided. The seat base is movable from a slid-back configuration to a forward-seating configuration when the sliding motion controller is activated.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLCInventor: Thomas J. Cooley
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Patent number: 10479233Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a conversion mechanism that converts a disposition of a seatback between a normal position to a converted position, the normal position being a position at which the seatback is disposed at a rear section of the seat cushion and a sitting direction of an occupant is facing forward, the converted position being a position at which the seatback is disposed at a front section of the seat cushion and a sitting direction of an occupant is facing rearward, and a reclining mechanism that biases the seatback toward a neutral position at which the seatback stands upward and that reclines the seatback forward and rearward from the neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Muneatsu Minato, Hajime Ishihara, Manabu Matsumoto, Yosuke Nishimura
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Patent number: 10479234Abstract: An occupant support adapted for use in a vehicle includes a seat bottom coupled to a floor of the vehicle and a seat back configured to pivot about a seat-back pivot axis relative to the seat bottom. The occupant support further includes a seatback-motion controller configured to control movement of the seat back relative to the seat bottom between a blocked arrangement and a freed arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLCInventors: Cedric Ketels, Jeffery T. Bonk, Tristan Vanfossen
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Patent number: 10479235Abstract: The infant car seat with massaging capabilities is adapted for use with a child. The infant car seat with massaging capabilities is configured for use in inducing a child to sleep. The infant car seat with massaging capabilities comprises a child safety seat, an electrical system, a plurality of vibrating motors, and a plurality of speakers. The electrical system, the plurality of vibrating motors, and the plurality of speakers are attached to the child safety seat. The child is placed in the child safety seat. The plurality of vibrating motors massage the child in a manner that soothes and relaxes the child. The plurality of speakers generate an audible sound that soothes and relaxes the child.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Helen Stroud
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Patent number: 10479236Abstract: A child safety seat includes a shell having a seat portion and a backrest, and a seat board assembled with the shell, the seat board being disposed on the seat portion so that a child placed in the child safety seat sits on the seat board, the seat board being slidable relative to the shell toward or away from the backrest. The seat board can be thereby configurable as an extension member that is movable relative to the shell for adjusting a leg room for a child sitting on the seat board.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: WONDERLAND NURSERYGOODS COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Kyle S. Mason, James M. F. Hutchinson, Robert E. Haut, Curtis M. Hartenstine
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Patent number: 10479237Abstract: A rebound bar adapted for being supported between a child safety seat and a backrest of a car seat is disclosed. The rebound bar includes a main body and at least one shock absorbing portion. The main body is connected to one of a seat portion and a base portion of the child safety seat. The at least one shock absorbing portion combined with the main body for absorbing an impact from the backrest. The at least one shock absorbing portion can produce deformation when the rebound bar receives the impact from the backrest. Therefore, it can effectively reduce risk of injury to a child. Furthermore, a child safety seat assembly having the aforementioned rebound bar is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AGInventors: Esther R. Saint, Steven Glenn Gerhart, Brad Thomas Bickley
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Patent number: 10479238Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat, preferably for a utility vehicle, comprising a seat part and a backrest part. The backrest part has a left portion and a right portion when viewed in the seating direction of an occupant of the vehicle seat, and a first recess is arranged on the left portion so as to extend to a first distance and a second recess is arranged on the right portion so as to extend to a second distance starting from an upper end of the backrest part in a height direction of the backrest part. The first and the second recess are mutually spaced and are continuous from a front border surface to a rear border surface of the backrest part, and the first distance has a greater value than the second distance.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: GRAMMER AGInventors: Katja Buhlmeyer, Erwin Haller, Michael Landshammer, Christian Haid
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Patent number: 10479239Abstract: A seat element includes a supporting structure, padding resting on the supporting structure and configured to serve as a support for a user, and a ventilation system having at least one fan and at least one duct placing the padding and the fan in communication. The duct is formed of a flexible material which preferably comprises a foam of polyolefin and/or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and/or acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FAURECIA SIÈGES D'AUTOMOBILEInventors: Mathieu Boquet, Florent Longatte, Didier Duriez, Laurent Chabert, Sandeep Bhor, Izajmahamad Desai, Stephane Ly
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Patent number: 10479240Abstract: A seat element that includes a supporting structure, a padding configured to serve as a support for a user, and a ventilation system having at least one fan and a duct defining an air passageway placing the fan and the padding in communication. The duct has a first member and a second member fixed to one another, the first member being arranged between the supporting structure and the padding.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FAURECIA SIÈGES D'AUTOMOBILEInventors: Florent Longatte, Didier Duriez, Jacques Robert
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Patent number: 10479241Abstract: A fixed frame supports a movable seat structure. The movable seat structure is configured to move relative to the fixed frame. An air duct supported by the fixed frame supplies an air vent positioned on a rearward side of the fixed frame with air. Movement of the movable seat structure relative to the fixed frame has no effect on the position or orientation of the air vent.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventors: Matthew S. Filipkowski, Colin J. Stevens
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Patent number: 10479242Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat frame extending in a first direction; and an air conditioning duct extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the duct intersects the seat frame, and wherein the duct is inserted into a through hole which is formed in the seat frame and penetrates the seat frame in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yasuhiro Kato, Fumitoshi Akaike
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Patent number: 10479243Abstract: A seat cushion assembly includes a first foam pad defining at least one air cooling column disposed therethrough. A topper pad is disposed over the first foam pad and the at least one air cooling column. A second foam pad is disposed below the first foam pad. The second foam pad and the first foam pad define a flow channel in fluid communication with the at least one air cooling column. An air mover moves air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, Spencer Robert Hoernke
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Patent number: 10479244Abstract: An insert for a passenger compartment in a vehicle is preferably made of a compressible foam with a handle inserted on a generally flat top. The opposite or bottom side of the insert includes a channel adapted to conform with the handbrake in the vehicle. The compressible main body fits between the seat and the central console and prevents the accidental dropping of objects into the space therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Amos Issac
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Patent number: 10479245Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back frame, a support and a bracket subassembly. The bracket subassembly connects the seat back frame to the support. The bracket subassembly includes a first bracket having a first attachment feature and a second bracket having a second attachment feature wherein the first and second attachment features engage to lock the bracket assembly around the support. A method of securing a seat back frame to a support is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kurt Leon Kormos, Roy Daniel Chapman, Daniel Aaron Evans, Robert William Moore, Ricky Allen Spence
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Patent number: 10479246Abstract: Seats in vehicles may include a seat cushion having a seating surface, a vibration isolation structure and a foam structure, with the seating surface configured to support an occupant. The seat cushion may include either a seat bottom or a seat back, with the vibration isolation structure configured to evenly distribute forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may include a plurality of individual lattice blocks. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may occupy a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution of an average-sized occupant or a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution tailored for a specific occupant. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may cooperate to provide the even pressure distribution against forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may isolate vibration in a range from about 0.5 Hz to about 5.0 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Herbert Meingast, Recep M. Gorguluarslan, Umesh Gandhi, Brian J. Pinkelman
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Patent number: 10479247Abstract: A vehicle seat including: an elastic support body including a seat pad; and an adjacent member adjacent to the seat pad, wherein a gap is provided between the elastic support body and the adjacent member and extends toward an inner area of the seat in which a frame material is provided, and wherein the elastic support body has a protruding portion which protrudes between the adjacent member and the frame material and is configured to block the gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yuki Miyawaki
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Patent number: 10479248Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a surface cover covering a surface of the vehicle seat; a pad; a shape change unit including an air bag configured to expand and contract and configured to change a shape of the surface of the vehicle seat; and a buffer member provided between the air bag and the surface cover, wherein the buffer member is configured to be deformed elastically by expansion and contraction of the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hideyuki Izukawa
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Patent number: 10479249Abstract: A seat adjuster, includes a brake acting between fixed and adjustable parts so the adjustable part is blockable in positions on the fixed part and releasable by a release element, an adjustment element acting on the release element, selectively adjusting the adjustable part in two opposite directions, and a locking element automatically engaging and interlockingly locking the adjustable part to the fixed part when the adjustment element is not actuated and automatically disengaging when the adjustment element is actuated, disengagement of the locking element and adjustment of the adjustable part being effected by moving the adjustment element out of neutral position, the locking element having a toothed segment for meshing with a toothed ring coupled to the adjustable part so the locking element is movable in the radial direction of the toothed ring between locking and release positions, in which the locking element meshes with or moves away from the toothed ring.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
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Patent number: 10479250Abstract: Provided is a structure of a leg-rest which is switchable at a front lower end of a seat between a receiving position where a support panel is folded on the seat and a deploying position where the support panel is drawn out to support the leg of a seated person. The structure of the leg-rest can include a fixing bracket which is fixed to the seat; a rotary arm of which one end is rotatably connected to the fixing bracket; a base slider which is slidably coupled to the rotary arm in a longitudinal direction; an extending slider which is slidably coupled to the base slider in a longitudinal direction and mounted with the support panel; and a rotary assist arm of which one end is separated from the rotary arm to be rotatably connected to the fixing bracket and the other end is rotatably connected to the base slider.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: DAE WON SAN UP CO., LTD.Inventors: Sun-Ho Hur, Young-Cheol Jang, Tae-Hyung Kim
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Patent number: 10479251Abstract: Provided is a leg-rest for a vehicle which is switchable at the front lower end of a seat between a receiving position in which the leg-rest is folded on the seat and a deploying position in which the leg-rest is drawn out to support the calves of a passenger, the leg-rest including: a support panel of which the front end is rotatably connected to an extending slider which is folded at the receiving position and unfolded at the deploying position; a tilt link which is spaced apart from a connection point between the support panel and the extending slider so that one end thereof is rotatably connected to the support panel; a slider which is rotatably connected with the other end of the tilt link and tilts up or down the support panel when sliding; and a tilt motor which slides the slider.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: DAE WON SAN UP CO., LTD.Inventors: Sun-Ho Hur, Young-Cheol Jang, Tae-Hyung Kim
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Patent number: 10479252Abstract: A cup holder may include a cup-shaped, substantially cylindrical or conical receiving portion having an open upper surface and a closed lower surface when disposed in the vehicle, the cup-shaped receiving portion being configured to receive a beverage container through the open upper face, and an elastic insert being attached to the cup-shaped receiving portion, the elastic insert being configured to hold respective beverage containers having a plurality of shapes and sizes.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Manfredo Agresti
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Patent number: 10479253Abstract: A vehicle mounted loading and unloading apparatus is provided which has a stationary mounting rack removably attachable to a roof of a vehicle and a top rack that includes a container for storing cargo, such as bales of hay. An adjustment mechanism is provided to move the top rack relative to the mounting rack from a transporting position to a loading/unloading position in which the top rack is lowered behind the vehicle to facilitate loading cargo. A movable shelf may be provided on the top rack for assisting with loading and unloading cargo. The shelf is slidable between a rear end of the top rack and a front end of the top rack for placing the cargo.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventors: James E. Zerbst, Karen Zerbst
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Patent number: 10479254Abstract: A tracked dumping compartment including frame cross members and frame rails, a guide rail fixed on the frame cross members, and said guide rail supporting a chain; the chain includes inner link plates, outer link plates, rollers and pins, the rollers rollingly fit to the guide rail; carrier plates are fixed on irregularly shaped outer link plates, and a rubber track is fixed on the carrier plates; blocking plates are fixed on the frame cross members and frame rails, the blocking plates including a first angled section and a vertical section, the rubber track positioned below the first angled sections and between the vertical sections, the angle between the first angled sections and the top surface of the rubber track being 30°-70°, and the width of the rubber track when in a free state being less than or equal to the distance between the vertical sections.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Shandong Girou Automobile Refitting Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dongwen Wang
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Patent number: 10479255Abstract: A delivery unit for providing aggregate to a worksite, such as a wellsite location. The unit may include a mobile chassis for accommodating a plurality of modular containers which in turn house the aggregate. As such, a weight measurement device may be located between each container and the chassis so as to monitor aggregate levels within each container over time. The units may be particularly well suited for monitoring and controlling aggregate delivery during a fracturing operation at an oilfield. The modular containers may be of an interchangeable nature. Furthermore, a preferably wireless control device may be provided for monitoring and directing aggregate delivery from a relatively remote location.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: David Krenek, Kevin W. England
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Patent number: 10479256Abstract: Systems and methods for loading a container onto a container carrier comprising, lowering a set of rails of the container carrier from a raised position to a lowered position, wherein a horizontal surface of each of the set of rails is lower than the bottom surface of the container, expanding, horizontally, the set of rails, to an expanded position, moving at least one of the container carrier or the container so that the container is between the set of rails, contracting, horizontally, the set of rails, to a contracted position, such that the horizontal surface of each of the set of rails is directly underneath the bottom surface of the container and raising the set of rails from the lowered position to the raised position, such that the horizontal surface of each of the set of rails lift the container off the supports.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Cyrus Rezvanian
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Patent number: 10479257Abstract: A trailer has a main frame with a neck portion on its forward end. A pivot fifth wheel is rotatably affixed to the forward end of the neck portion. The pivot fifth wheel releasably attaches to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle. An axle frame is rotatably affixed to the rearward end of the main frame, and rotates with respect to the main frame. The pivot fifth wheel and the axle frame are configured to pivot and move the main frame upwardly a vertical distance.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: King Kutter II, Inc.Inventors: J. Phillip Fraley, John W. Davis, III
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Patent number: 10479258Abstract: A motor vehicle having an auxiliary stowage compartment for transporting a compact scooter. The motor vehicle having an engine compartment, a passenger compartment, a luggage compartment in addition to the auxiliary stowage compartment. The auxiliary stowage compartment is accessible from the outside of the motor vehicle, and is opened and closed by a cover that is part of the outer skin of the vehicle wherein the additional stowage compartment is configured to receive a compact scooter.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Rainer Souschek, Guenter Hans Grosch, Thomas Gerhards, Tobias Ricke, Alexandra Gatzweiler, Philipp Wolf
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Patent number: 10479259Abstract: A composite design bunk rail system comprises low coefficient of friction adjustable slides with a shock absorbing base, simplifying and precluding damages from loading and handling vehicles, a supporting structure, and adjustable support frames.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Warren Timothy Gabhart
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Patent number: 10479260Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle having a fixed room and a slide-out room which extends and retracts relative to the fixed room. The slide-out room having a floor sliding under the main RV floor. The slide-out room is able to locate over the vehicle wheel wells with the slide-out floor lower than the top of the wheel well allowing for a much lower vehicle profile. The fixed room includes a main floor section, sidewall sections, and a roof section. The slide-out room includes a floor section which has more than one level of flooring to cover the wheel well and the step-down entrance door well section. Furthermore, when the slide-out room is retracted, the slide-out floor slides under the main floor to tuck underneath the main floor. The vehicle of the present invention may have other slide-out assemblies in the fixed room above the main floor.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Tuan Anh Pham
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Patent number: 10479261Abstract: The towable trolley (1) for the transport of equipment (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) intended to be mounted on telescopic loaders or the like, comprising a support platform (10), movement members (7), for example wheels or the like, and one or more attachment units (8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20), mounted on said platform (10) and adapted to stably secure at least one equipment to the platform (10) itself.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: MANITOU ITALIA S.R.L.Inventor: Marco Iotti
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Patent number: 10479262Abstract: Systems and methods for replicating vehicular illumination are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes a detector configured to sense light emitted by a host light of a host vehicle for detecting a lighting state of the host light. The system also includes a communications system configured to communicate the detected lighting state between the host light and the remote light. Further, the system includes a remote light being located on one of the host vehicle and an operator of the host vehicle and configured to replicate the lighting state of the host light.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: International Research Institute iRIInventor: Robert Ernest Troxler
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Patent number: 10479263Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting module for a motor vehicle, the lighting module comprising: an optical means, a support for the optical means, at least one light source housed in the lighting module. The light source is removable and includes light emitting means, a mechanical support for the light emitting means, movement means for moving the optical means, which are arranged so as to allow the optical means to be moved between a locked position for holding the light source on the support for the optical means and an unlocked position for removing the light source from the lighting module.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: VALEO VISIONInventors: Remi Letoumelin, Thomas Canonne
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Patent number: 10479264Abstract: When forming a first light distribution pattern, the controller is configured to control the magnitudes of the drive currents of first light emitting element and the second light emitting element. When forming a second light distribution pattern, the controller is configured to control so that the magnitude of the drive current of the second light emitting element is smaller than when forming the first light distribution pattern and/or so that a time period in which the drive current is to be supplied to the second light emitting element is shorter than when forming the first light distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hidetada Tanaka, Kazutoshi Sakurai
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Patent number: 10479265Abstract: An auxiliary brake light system has a middle light bar, a left light module, and a right light module for being mounted on a back of the vehicle. The left light module has a right part extending upwards and a left part. The right light module has a left part extending upwards and a right part. The middle light bar is above the left light module and the right light module and has a left part extending downwards and a right part extending downwards. The left part of the middle light bar and the right part of the left light module are separated from each other and opposite to each other. The right part of the middle light bar and the left part of the right light module are separated from each other and opposite to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Wei-Tai Lin
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Patent number: 10479266Abstract: A multifunctional lamp unit includes a side turn indicator including a housing for at least one light conductor with at least one illuminant, and a projection unit. A rearview device including the multifunctional lamp unit, a method of operating the rearview device, and a vehicle including the rearview device are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SMR Patents S.à.r.l.Inventors: Eugen Meier, Oliver Schmidt, Volker Erhart, Raimund Negel, Arne Schmierer, Daniel Fritz, Andreas Herrmann
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Patent number: 10479267Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a light source, and a lens arrangement configured to direct light from the light source in a first direction toward a running board and a second direction away from the vehicle. A method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Heather M. Flores, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Linsheng Chen
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Patent number: 10479268Abstract: A direction indicator for vehicles, having a first lighting unit containing a first light source and an optical unit paired with the first light source for generating a direction indicating function and comprising a second lighting unit containing a second light source and an optical unit paired with the second light source for generating an additional lighting function. The first light source and the second light source are paired with the same optical unit, and the second lighting unit is designed as a light-emitting visual information lighting device. The second light source can be activated and/or deactivated depending on a vehicle signal which triggers a non-lighting function of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGaAInventor: Martin Muegge
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Patent number: 10479269Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a vehicle may include a light output unit; an interface unit; and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to control the light output unit to generate light that illuminates an exterior of the vehicle. The at least one processor may also be configured to receive first information via the interface unit; and control the light output unit to display, via the light that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle, a visual image corresponding to the received first information. The at least one processor may further be configured to receive second information via the interface unit; and control the light output unit based on the received second information to change the visual image displayed by the light that illuminates the exterior of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ana Kim, Geunhyeong Kim
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Patent number: 10479270Abstract: A vehicle cup holder includes a console substrate defining a well for receiving cup; a light source provided within a lamp cavity positioned below the well; a film provided between the well and the lamp cavity, such film defining a grating for projecting a desired image when illuminated by the light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Linsheng Chen, Paul Kenneth Dellock
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Patent number: 10479271Abstract: To allow the driver to identify a notification vibration even in a situation in which the notification vibration may be masked depending on the road conditions. A vehicle notification device (1) randomly extract one of a plurality of pieces of signal data by the number of vibrators (exciters EX1 to EX4), each of the pieces of signal data being different in a combination of an initial frequency and a target frequency and generates a plurality of sweep signals by changing the frequency from the initial frequency to the target frequency of the extracted piece of signal data in cycles. A plurality of notification vibrations whose frequencies change in different frequency ranges are outputted by outputting the generated sweep signals, individually from the vibrators (exciters EX1 to EX4).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: CLARION CO., LTD.Inventors: Takeshi Hashimoto, Kenji Kono, Yasuhiro Fujita
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Patent number: 10479272Abstract: A vehicle driver notification assembly for notifying a driver when to drive forward includes a housing and a control circuit mounted in the housing. A sensor array is mounted on the housing and is electrically coupled to the control circuit. The sensor array detects parameters that indicate when a vehicle may proceed forward. The parameters include when a mass in front of a vehicle moves away from the vehicle and when the sensor array receives a proceed signal from a requisite traffic signaling device. An alert is electrically coupled to the control circuit and is turned on to provide an emission detectable by a person when the sensor array detects the parameters that allow the vehicle to proceed forward.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Inventor: Steven Bryce
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Patent number: 10479273Abstract: A method for avoiding or reducing damage to a parked vehicle caused by a collision with an approaching vehicle performing a parking operation included determining, by the parked vehicle, a risk of collision, transmitting a warning signal if the risk of collision is sufficiently high, monitoring whether the approaching vehicle reacts to the warning signal, and performing a maneuver by the parked vehicle to avoid or reduce collision damage if there is no reaction. The maneuver may permit a controlled contact between the parked vehicle and the approaching vehicle to minimize the force of the contact. After such a controlled contact, a braking torque exerted by the parked vehicle is increased. Following completion of the damage avoidance maneuver, an estimate of the extent of the completed damage prevention is made and provided to the owner of the parked vehicle (including information about potential saved repair costs).Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frederic Stefan, Uwe Gussen, Christoph Arndt, Goetz-Philipp Wegner
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Patent number: 10479274Abstract: Disclosed are a vehicle and a control method for the same. The vehicle includes a display unit configured to display information, a sensing unit configured to detect a moving object in the vicinity of the vehicle, and a controller configured to judge the motion characteristics of the moving object based on sensing information regarding the moving object provided from the sensing unit, the motion characteristics of the moving object including a speed and a movement direction of the moving object, to set a dangerous area for the moving object based on the motion characteristics of the moving object, the dangerous area having a size and a shape corresponding to the motion characteristics of the moving object, and to display an image indicating the dangerous area on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sangha Park
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Patent number: 10479275Abstract: Provided is a device whereby it is possible to accurately recognize which area has been enlarged when part of an overhead image displayed on a monitor is displayed as enlarged. When any one area of a plurality divided areas (D1-D4) is indicated, the divided areas being a result of dividing an overhead image displayed on a monitor (21), an image of the indicated divided area (D1-D4) is set as an image to be enlarged, and an auxiliary display area (21B) is set as an enlarged display area. Enlarged display unit forms a plurality of intermediate images (M) of an intermediate size between the size of the indicated divided area (D2) and the size of the enlarged display area, and the intermediate images are sequentially displayed beginning with the smallest intermediate image (M), using the indicated divided area (D2) as an origin point.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hidehiko Miyoshi, Noboru Nagamine, Kenji Miura, Kinji Yamamoto, Kenjiro Goto