Patents Issued in December 17, 2019
  • Patent number: 10507673
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs executable by a controller that causes a print execution device to execute printing is provided. The print execution device includes: a print head provided with nozzles aligned in a sub scanning direction; a holding member which holds a part of a printing medium conveyed in the sub scanning direction; and a head driving device which causes the print head to execute a main scanning operation. The programs cause the controller to execute: a first acquiring process for acquiring first object data which represents a first object image to be printed on a first sticky note; a generating process for generating printing data for the print execution device to execute the printing of the first object image on the first sticky note by utilizing the first object data; and a supply process for supplying the printing data to the print execution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10507674
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a printing section, an imaging section, a color measurement section, and a discharge amount upper limit determining section. The imaging section is configured to capture an image of a test medium on which a test pattern has been printed. The color measurement section is configured to execute color measurement on the test medium. The discharge amount upper limit determining section is configured to determine an upper limit of an amount of ink to be discharged based on at least one of a color saturation suppression upper limit calculated based on color measurement information of the test medium obtained by the color measurement section and at least one of an overflowing suppression upper limit, a bleeding suppression upper limit, and an aggregation suppression upper limit calculated based on imaging information of the test medium obtained by the imaging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Okumura
  • Patent number: 10507675
    Abstract: A high-gloss, precise and vivid image is printed appropriately. The printing method performs a printing using a color ink on a medium, and includes: a color ink layer forming step of ejecting the color ink to a medium to form a layer of the color ink, that is, a colored ink layer on the medium; and a glossing step of performing a process for increasing a gloss of the colored ink layer. The color ink includes a colorant and a solvent and generates heat by radiation of an energy ray. In the color ink layer forming step, the energy ray is emitted to the color ink adhering to the medium to remove by evaporation at least a part of the solvent included in the color ink. In the glossing step, the gloss of the colored ink layer is increased after a part of the solvent is removed by evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: MIMAKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaru Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 10507676
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes an inkjet head, a head base, a conveyance unit, and a rotation mechanism. The inkjet head ejects ink on to a sheet. The inkjet head is fixed to the head base. The conveyance unit faces the inkjet head and conveys the sheet. The rotation mechanism rotates the head base and the conveyance unit around an axis perpendicular to a sheet conveyance surface of the conveyance unit while maintaining a constant relative position of the head base to the conveyance unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yuzuru Yuasa
  • Patent number: 10507677
    Abstract: A card processing system that includes a card transport mechanism having at least first and second separate card transports that separately transport first and second cards in the card processing system. Each of the first and second card transports can be actuated between a common card pick-up location and common card discharge position. At least one card processing mechanism that can perform a card processing operation is located between the common card pick-up location and the common card discharge location, with each of the first and second card transports transporting respective cards to the card processing mechanism to perform the card processing operation and transporting the cards from the card processing mechanism after processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Entrust Datacard Corporation
    Inventors: Cory D. Wooldridge, Timothy J. Flitsch, Jon Wawra
  • Patent number: 10507678
    Abstract: A continuous sheet is conveyed in a first direction in a printing operation, cut with a cutter in a cutting operation, and then conveyed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. A conveyance amount of the continuous sheet in the second direction is changed based on an operation of the printing apparatus after the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryoya Shinjo
  • Patent number: 10507679
    Abstract: Techniques for more accurately and efficiently replicating the alignment of one or more printer components with respect to another printer component are described herein. Replication may be achieved by using a fixture and a connection media to create a near exact replica of features of the fixture, or to temporarily hold multiple printer components in position while a joining layer of the connection media hardens. More specifically, a connection media, such as epoxy, can be used to fill an intentionally-established gap between connecting bodies or components that are held in a predetermined position by the replication fixture. The replication fixture represents a mechanical mounting interface that influences the position of a print head (or an array of print heads) within a printer housing or printing mechanism. Joining printer components in such a manner enables a stable mechanical coupling to be formed that does not require post operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING, INC.
    Inventor: John A. Weismantel
  • Patent number: 10507680
    Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus, including: a base plate having a first surface and a second surface; an installation part provided in the first surface and configured so that a ribbon roll is attached thereto; a thermal head provided in the first surface and configured to heat the ink ribbon; a partition wall partitioning the first surface into a first area including the installation part and a second area including the thermal head; a drive mechanism provided in a third area of the second surface and including a motor and a controller; and a fan provided in the base plate and configured to move air from the second area to the first area via the third area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuanyuan Deng
  • Patent number: 10507681
    Abstract: A pressure-printed material preparing apparatus includes an attachment unit that attaches, powder which exhibits adhesiveness when pressure is applied, to a surface to be bonded of a recording medium; a fixation unit that applies pressure to the recording medium to which the powder is attached to fix the powder to the recording medium as an adhesive layer; a folding unit that folds the recording medium of which the adhesive layer is formed on the surface to be bonded, such that two portions of the surface to be bonded are opposed to each other; and an application unit that applies pressure to the recording medium in which the surfaces to be bonded are opposed to each other, to thereby bond the adhesive layer on one surface and the adhesive layer on the other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uehara, Yasuo Matsumura, Satoshi Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 10507682
    Abstract: A bound component has a front cover attached to a spine attached to a rear cover, a binding mechanism, and a binder extension attached to either cover. The binder extension folds inwardly in its closed position and has pockets. Also disclosed is a bound component having a front cover attached to a spine attached to a rear cover, a binding mechanism and one or more pockets attached to either cover. The pocket may have one or more closure flaps and may be expandable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: Denise E. Sada, Kevin W. Witter
  • Patent number: 10507683
    Abstract: A binder device including a cover having a first panel and a second panel pivotally coupled together. The binder device further includes a binding mechanism coupled to an inner surface of the cover. The binder device is configured such that a first component is bindable to the binding mechanism and generally positioned between the first and second panels and a second component is simultaneously bindable to the binding mechanism and at least partially not positioned between the first and second panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventor: Richard H. Harris
  • Patent number: 10507684
    Abstract: A writing implement is provided which is designed to draw lines using capillary action, wherein the width of the line can be freely adjusted while the line is being drawn and it is possible to draw lines of almost the same width at the beginning of the use of the writing implement as at the end of use. A felt-tip pen 1 is provided with an ink reservoir 11, a collector 17, and a core 29 for drawing by capillary action the ink that has been dispensed by the collector 17, dispensing the drawn ink from the tip, and adhering same to a paper surface. Even in repetitive writing, the rate of variability in the width of the lines drawn at the end of use with respect to the width of lines drawn at the beginning of use is 10% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Tooru Nakajima, Yusuke Kobayashi, Kensuke Inoue, Kazuhiko Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10507685
    Abstract: A mechanical pencil unit is provided which includes: a holding tube; a holder which is inserted into a front side opening portion of the holding tube and which protrudes forward from a front end of the holding tube, and moreover which is supported so as to be back and forth movable relative to the holding tube; a pencil lead delivering mechanism which delivers forward a pencil lead x inserted into the holder; and a movement direction conversion mechanism which causes the holder to go forward relative to the holding tube and the pencil lead x by using a force applied in a radial direction from the pencil lead x to the holder, wherein the pencil lead delivering mechanism is provided at a position further toward a rearward side than the holder and the movement direction conversion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ZEBRA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsukioka, Shigeo Abe, Yuya Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 10507686
    Abstract: A beat recording pen for the recording and editing music and while serving as writing instrument. The device includes a retractable writing instrument disposed in an elongated shaft designed to house a power supply designed to provide electrical power to a transceiver that can transmit and receive digital signals to and from a connected mobile device or computer. The beat recording pen further includes an impact sensor that can detect an audio input signal of an impact event and convert the audio input signal into a digital signal. A micro-controller is disposed within the pen and can record the converted audio input signals detected by the impact sensor and interface with a software application installed on a connected mobile device or computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Morgan Bitannie
  • Patent number: 10507687
    Abstract: A combination writing utensil and handcuff tool including a writing utensil having a slotted interior chamber and a plurality of spring-loaded buttons. A pair of writing tips is disposed within the slotted interior chamber, with each of a first of the pair of writing tips and a second of the pair of writing tips engaged with each of a first of the plurality of spring-loaded buttons and a second of the plurality of spring-loaded buttons, respectively, and lockably extended through an opening of the writing utensil. Additionally, each of a handcuff key and a handcuff lock is disposed within the slotted interior chamber of the writing utensil. Each of the handcuff key and the handcuff lock is engaged with each of a third of the plurality of spring-loaded buttons and a fourth of the plurality of spring-loaded buttons, respectively, and lockably extended through the opening of the writing utensil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Luther Hill, III
  • Patent number: 10507688
    Abstract: This invention provides a metal sheet preparing process with a surface having wood grain, and the process includes the following steps: spraying photosensitive ink on the metal sheet; pasting a designed film on a surface of the metal sheet sprayed with the photosensitive ink; exposing the metal sheet pasted with the film in an ultraviolet light for 1-15 min; spray developing the surface of the metal sheet with sodium carbonate solution, and exiting the film after developing; etching the metal sheet exited the film after developing with a mixed aqueous solution of ferric trichloride and copper sulfate, and a corrosive temperature being 30-50° C. which lasts for 5-8 min; and washing corrosive liquid on the grain and cured films of the photosensitive ink out of the grain with sodium hydroxide solution of 5-8% wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG YOTRIO GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guo Zhang, Jianping Xie
  • Patent number: 10507689
    Abstract: A chalk line apparatus with a housing having a body with a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and laterally spaced sides. The body defines an internal space within which a spool is operatively mounted. A drive assembly is operable through an actuator to cause line to be accumulated on the spool through a fill opening on the housing. A supply of chalk can be introduced into the internal space to contact the line. A stopper assembly can be selectively placed in closed and open states. The stopper assembly has a blocking portion that: a) blocks passage of chalk through the fill opening with the stopper assembly in the closed state; and b) permits chalk to be directed through the fill opening and into the internal space with the stopper assembly in the open state. The stopper assembly is adjacent to the drive assembly actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Keson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jude Nosek, Mark Nepil, Bryan Shova, Audra Bielskus Norvilas, Jennifer Bae Park, Hilary Farnsworth, Phillip Prestia, Leonard Mak
  • Patent number: 10507690
    Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a hub axle, a hub body, and a sprocket support body. The hub body includes a first spoke-mounting portion, a second spoke-mounting portion, and a first axial length. The first axial length is defined between a first axially outermost part of the first spoke-mounting portion and a second axially outermost part of the second spoke-mounting portion in an axial direction and is equal to or larger than 55 mm. The sprocket support body includes a plurality of external spline teeth. The plurality of external spline teeth includes a plurality of external-spline driving surfaces. The plurality of external-spline driving surfaces each includes a radial length defined from a radially outermost edge to a radially innermost edge. A total of the radial lengths of the plurality of external-spline driving surfaces is equal to or larger than 7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Kazuki Koshiyama, Takashi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10507691
    Abstract: A multi-piece spool includes a first spool piece and a second spool piece. The first spool piece is configured to receive a first axle. The second spool piece is configured to receive a second axle. The first spool piece is configured to attach to the second spool piece where the first spool piece and the second spool piece are rotationally affixed about a longitudinal axis created through the first axle and the second axle. Wherein, the multi-piece spool is configured for locking the first axle with the second axle for rotating the first axle and the second axle together when the first spool piece is attached to the second spool piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Strange Oval
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Capek, Dmitry Zhukovsky
  • Patent number: 10507692
    Abstract: To provide a rubber compound for tires, a pneumatic tire and an airless tire capable of improving the steering stability of the tire while exerting excellent low fuel consumption performance. A rubber compound for tires characterized in that, of vulcanized rubber's physical properties, a complex elastic modulus E*70 (unit: MPa) and a loss tangent tan ?70 under initial strain of 10%, dynamic strain of 2% and temperature of 70 degrees C., satisfy 90<E*70<250, and E*70/tan ?70>800. A pneumatic tire provided with a rubber member made of the above-mentioned rubber compound. An airless tire provided with a rubber member made of the above-mentioned rubber compound. An airless tire provided in a tread ring with a shear rubber layer made of the above-mentioned rubber compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuka Yokoyama, Mutsuki Sugimoto, Wako Iwamura, Makoto Sugiya
  • Patent number: 10507693
    Abstract: Provided is a non-pneumatic tire having excellent durability performance. This non-pneumatic tire is provided with an annular tread portion which contacts the road surface, an annular inner peripheral portion which is positioned radially inward of the tread portion, and multiple linking units which join the tread portion and the inner peripheral portion. The tread portion includes a first portion which contacts the road surface, and a second portion which includes an inner peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral portion. The thermal conductivity of the second portion is greater than that of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Sugiya, Wako Iwamura
  • Patent number: 10507694
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes a circumferential tread having a first axial width. The tire further includes a lower annular band having a circumferential convex curved surface and a second axial width greater than the first axial width. The lower annular band is configured to deflect upon application of an axial force above a threshold axial force. The tire also includes tire structure connecting the circumferential tread to the lower annular band. The tire structure has a third axial width less than the second axial width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas B. Costlow
  • Patent number: 10507695
    Abstract: Provided is a bias tire includes a carcass extending between a pair of bead portions, a pair of sidewall portions, a tread, and a reinforcement layer (5), formed by cords (5Cb), disposed so as to cover at least a portion of a tire circumferential edge (BEi) on the inner side, in the tire radial direction, of the innermost ply (2Bi) of the carcass in a tire half portion (HFa) on a side where, as a cord (Cb) of a tire circumferential end on the inner side, in the tire radial direction, of the innermost ply (2Bi) approaches the tire circumferential edge on the inner side, in the tire radial direction, of the innermost ply (2Bi) along the tire circumferential direction, the cord (Cb) is inclined so as to separate from the tire equator (CL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke Tominaga
  • Patent number: 10507696
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire, having a plurality of sipes formed in land portions of a tread thereof so as to each extend in the tire width direction, characterized in that: in a cross section of the land portion orthogonal to the sipe extending direction, provided that an imaginary sipe main line links two ends in the tire radial direction of each sipe, at least two of the sipes are “inclined sipes” each having the sipe main line inclined with respect to the tire radial direction; each inclined sipe has inner bent portions each protruding with respect to the sipe main line with peaks positioned deeper than 20% of the sipe depth; and the sipe main line(s) of at least one of the inclined sipes are inclined in a direction opposite, with respect to the tire radial direction, to the sipe main line of any of the other inclined sipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Kaji, Shinsaku Katayama, Eisuke Seta, Takayuki Kurata
  • Patent number: 10507697
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the thermal stresses associated with the use of a tire mounted on a rim, the method comprising the steps during which a temperature of a gaseous fluid contained in an internal cavity of the tire, and a temperature of the rim, are measured at regular time intervals, and a temperature at at least one internal zone of the materials of which the tire is made is estimated using a pre-established law connecting this temperature to the temperature of the gaseous fluid contained in the internal cavity of the tire and to the temperature of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Olivier Spinnler, Philippe Dondey
  • Patent number: 10507698
    Abstract: The present invention regards a tightening group for a rim of or for a tired wheel including a base, a main wheel-holder or rim-holder plate or table and at least three jaws or jaw or gripper components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BUTLER ENGINEERING AND MARKETING S.P.A.
    Inventor: Tullio Gonzaga
  • Patent number: 10507699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim. The method includes the steps of rotating the wheel (tyre/rim assembly) by an electric motor about an axis, checking the current consumption of the electric motor during the mounting and demounting operation, and continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation. The apparatus for mounting a tyre on a rim or demounting a tyre from a rim comprises an electric motor for rotating the wheel (rim/tyre assembly) about an axis, a sensing device for sensing the motor current and transmitting corresponding signals to a control device and an adjustment controller for continuously and automatically adjusting a specific combination of torque and speed of the electric motor during the mounting/demounting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SNAP-ON EQUIPMENT SRL A UNICO SOCIO
    Inventors: Paolo Sotgiu, Francesco Braghiroli
  • Patent number: 10507700
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing tread surface data to assess tire tread parameters, such as irregular wear characteristics of a tire tread, are provided. For example, tread surface data, such as a tread surface map, can be processed to generate a convex hull for the tire. The convex hull can approximate the convex outer surface of the tire. The convex hull can be used as a reference for analyzing the tread surface data. In particular, irregular wear zones in the tire tread can be mathematically concave relative to the convex hull. Comparing the tread surface data to the convex hull can reveal information indicative of irregular wear characteristics of the tire. For instance, the local depth of the measured tread surface data relative to the convex hull can provide a quantitative measure of irregular wear characteristics of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventor: Xavier Neau
  • Patent number: 10507701
    Abstract: Provided is a trailer platform having an adjustable ball position. The platform has a first end portion sized to removably mount within a trailer hitch receiver and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A movable ball mount having a ball hole sized to mount a trailer ball is on the movable ball mount and the movable ball mount is movably mounted on the second end portion of the platform so that the movable ball mount can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position on the platform to adjust a distance between the first end of the platform the ball hole, with the extended position providing a greater distance between the ball hole and the first end portion than the distance between the ball hole and the first end portion in the retracted position. Also provided is a method of using the movable ball mount to provide slack to disconnect a trailer coupler from the trailer ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Kennco Investments, LLC
    Inventor: Russell R. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 10507702
    Abstract: Suspension system of a vehicle and a shock absorber assembly of the suspension system, the shock absorber assembly includes a top mount and a jounce bumper. The jounce bumper includes a main body made of an elastic material, such as a foam elastomer or rubber and a fixing element made of a second harder material. The fixing element has a wall portion that extends around the outermost upper part of the main body and at least one elastic retaining area cooperating with a respective protuberance arranged in the top mount to fix the jounce bumper to the top mount. Between the outermost upper part of the main body and the fixing element there is a gap that enables the main body to expand radially also in the area covered by the wall portion of the fixing element when the main body is compressed during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CIKAUTXO, S.COOP.
    Inventors: Iñaki Azpiazu Echave, Asier Celaya Arrizabalaga, Jon Plaza Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10507703
    Abstract: A strut mount including: a first mounting member configured to be attached to a shock absorber; a second mounting member configured to be attached to a vehicle body; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the first and second mounting members to each other; a fluid-filled zone whose interior is filled with a non-compressible fluid such that a vibration damping effect is obtained based on a flow action of the fluid; and an orifice passage through which the fluid filled in the fluid-filled zone is induced to flow. A tuning frequency of the orifice passage is set to a frequency of a vibration transmitted during lockup of an automobile from a drive train of the automobile to the vehicle body via the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Masaaki Hamada, Shingo Kondo, Hideto Nishinaka, Hironori Koyama
  • Patent number: 10507704
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes a heating blower and a cooling blower that are disposed on opposite sides with an adjustment space being interposed there between. A first duct and a second duct transfer outside air or inside air and extend in the axial direction of the heating blower and the cooling blower. An inlet door unit is disposed in the adjustment space and adjusts the air introduced from the first duct or the second duct to be selectively supplied to the heating blower or the cooling blower. A condenser and an evaporation core are respectively disposed in the radial directions of the heating blower and the cooling blower and are connected via a refrigerant line. An outlet door unit regulates the air to be selectively discharged to the indoor space or the outdoor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gee Young Shin, Dae Ig Jung, Seung Hyeok Chang, Dong Ho Kwon
  • Patent number: 10507705
    Abstract: A triple-zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) apparatus for an automotive vehicle may be configured to mix cold air passing through an evaporator and warm air passing through a heat exchanger with each other and blow the mixed air to a front seat foot vent through a front seat foot door and to a rear seat vent through a rear seat door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yoon-Hyung Lee, Byeong-Moo Jang, Myung-Hun Kang, Jong-Sik Bae, Chul-Min Jang
  • Patent number: 10507706
    Abstract: A method for controlling coolant flow and cooling of a heater core to be used as a cold storage device or “heater core cold storage” (HCCS) cooling of a vehicle to extend an engine auto-stop period includes determining if at least one predetermined condition is met for HCCS cooling, and charging a heater core for a predetermined charge period in preparation for HCCS cooling when the at least one predetermined condition is met. The charge is held in the heater core until a trigger event occurs and HCCS cooling is initiated. HCCS cooling is then performed until a predetermined use period expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Aaron P Running, Steven R Baldwin
  • Patent number: 10507707
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system in a hybrid or battery-electric vehicle is provided. The HVAC system includes a compressor that has its own dedicated motor to control its speed. The compressor includes an inlet pressure sensor to determine and output the suction pressure, and an outlet pressure sensor to determine and output the discharge pressure of the compressor. At least one controller can be programmed to determine the discharge-to-suction pressure ratio, and limit the operating speed of the compressor in response to the ratio exceeding a pressure-ratio-threshold. The pressure-ratio-threshold can vary based on ambient air temperature. In the event an inlet pressure sensor is not available, the operating speed of the compressor can be reduced in response to the outlet pressure exceeding an ambient-temperature-based variable threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Noah Blatchley, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Patent number: 10507708
    Abstract: A truck (10) is provided including an engine (12), a cabin, and a conditioned spaced (14) defined by a plurality of adjacent wall members including a front wall member (16). A transport refrigeration unit is configured to control a temperature within the conditioned space include an evaporator unit (20) and a condenser unit (22). The evaporator unit (20) is mounted within the conditioned space (14). The condenser unit (22) is operably coupled to the evaporator unit (20) and is mounted to an exterior surface (24) of the front wall member (16). The condenser unit (22) is configured to move slidably between an operating position and a clearance position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronan Commault, David Vericel, Ludovic Lanuzel
  • Patent number: 10507709
    Abstract: Provided are a vehicle windshield equipped with a transparent film at a visual field area, where a negative effect on a driving visibility due to a boundary line between a forming area and a non-forming area of the transparent film is improved, and a vehicle component having the vehicle windshield. The vehicle windshield includes: a window plate; and a transparent film provided at a surface on a vehicle-interior side of the window plate, wherein the vehicle windshield includes a first area where the transparent film is not provided and a second area where the transparent film is provided, at a central area when viewed from a front side, and a boundary between the first area and the second area has no perspective distortion and is constituted by a boundary line having line width visually recognized by scattering of irradiated light of 10 ?m to 200 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Irie, Nana Sato, Jun Okawa, Hideyuki Saito, Akio Nagata
  • Patent number: 10507710
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sun visor comprising: a supporting portion (1); a liquid crystal panel (5) fixed onto the supporting portion, or provided integrally with the supporting portion; a first light barrier (4) at least including two kinds of state: expanded and storage, wherein the first light barrier is parallel with the liquid crystal panel when in the expanded state, and an orthographic projection of the liquid crystal panel on the first light barrier falls into the first light barrier; a photosensitive sensor (8) for detecting an intensity of an interference light; and a control circuit connected with the photosensitive sensor and the liquid crystal panel, for adjusting a driving voltage with respect to the liquid crystal panel according to a detection result of the photosensitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nannan Hu, Lei Cao, Zifeng Wang, Yan Ren, She Lin
  • Patent number: 10507711
    Abstract: A vehicle visor accessory device for selectively extending shading capabilities of a visor may comprise a sleeve structure configured to removably mount on the visor. The sleeve structure may be elongated with an upper end for positioning toward the upper edge section of the visor and a lower end for positioning toward the lower edge section of the visor, and have a first opening located at a first side edge of the sleeve structure through which a portion of the visor is slidable. A notch may be formed in the sleeve structure. An extension structure may be integrated with the sleeve structure. The sleeve structure may have a substantially hollow interior between first and second faces to slidably receive at least a portion of the visor and the extension structure may have a solid interior between the faces to extend light blocking coverage of the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Judith J. Zabdyr
  • Patent number: 10507712
    Abstract: An air handling system for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system comprises a housing including a sealing surface, a door wall disposed in the housing having a perimeter, and a sealing element disposed about the perimeter of the door wall. The sealing element includes a base, a stem, and a tip. The base is coupled to the perimeter of the door wall, the stem is formed between the base and the tip, and the tip is configured to selectively engage the sealing surface of the housing. A plurality of dentil features project from the stem of the sealing element and is arranged in a linear array extending parallel to the perimeter of the door wall. The array of the dentil features is configured to reduce an incidence of whistling when a flow of air passes by the tip of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventor: James Nolta
  • Patent number: 10507713
    Abstract: A wind deflector assembly for a roof of a vehicle, with the vehicle roof including a sunroof that is openable and closable relative to an aperture in the vehicle roof, includes a wind deflector having a frame and a screen. A pair of tracks is disposed at an inner surface of the vehicle roof at or near the aperture. The wind deflector is movably and pivotally mounted at the tracks via a pair of mounting arms. The mounting arms are movable along the tracks and pivot to pivot the frame and the wind deflector between a retracted position, where the wind deflector is disposed at the inner surface of the vehicle roof and between the tracks, and an extended position, where the wind deflector is disposed partially at the opening and is pivoted upward so as to protrude above an outer surface of the vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Biasi da Silva, Josemar de Melo Dornelas, Renato Ramos Jannuzzi
  • Patent number: 10507714
    Abstract: The present disclosure can reduce a force required for the attachment of a sealing member to a flange of a body of an automobile, thereby facilitating the attachment, and can reduce the separation of the attached sealing member from the flange to ensure good seal. An outer foam 25 which comes into contact with an exterior face of a flange 110 facing the outside of a cabin is provided for an inner face of an outer wall 20. A flexible seal lip 21a is provided for an inner face of an inner wall 21. A bottom foam 26 bulges from an inner face of a bottom wall 22. A distance between the outer and bottom foams 25 and 26 in a width direction of the automobile is smaller than a thickness of a thinnest portion of the flange 110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Matsuura, Akiyoshi Kubota, Toyohisa Amagai, Takayuki Doi, Masato Saito
  • Patent number: 10507715
    Abstract: A mount assembly for a vehicle is provided. The mount assembly includes a mount that supports an in-vehicle device and a support bracket that is coupled and locked to the mount. The support bracket includes a first hook. In addition, the mount assembly includes a mounting bracket that couples the mount to a vehicle body. The mounting bracket includes a housing to which the mount is coupled and a first stop protrusion to which the first hook of the support bracket is hook-coupled. A wedge ring supports the first hook from behind to prevent the first hook from bending backward and being separated from the first stop protrusion. The wedge ring is formed in a ring shape and includes a protruding portion that protrudes radially outward to support the first hook from behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 10507716
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a traction system is disclosed. The traction system includes a DC bus, an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus, and a voltage converter assembly coupled to the energy storage device. The voltage converter assembly includes a plurality of phase legs. The traction system further includes an electromechanical device including a plurality of windings coupled to the voltage converter assembly. The traction system also includes a switch coupled to the DC bus between the voltage converter assembly and the energy storage device. The traction system includes a controller configured to control the switch and the voltage converter assembly such that a phase leg and a winding of the electromechanical device form a DC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kum Kang Huh, Di Pan
  • Patent number: 10507717
    Abstract: A gear operating mechanism comprises: a power source; an operation shaft driven using the power source and rotatably supported in a rotational direction and an axial direction; members to be operated corresponding to fork parts; an operation engagement piece attached to the operation shaft and configured to move each member to be operated between a reference position and an engagement position; a release engagement pieces attached to the operation shaft and configured to return the members to be operated from the engagement position to the reference position; and a control unit configured to control an operation of the operation shaft is provided, wherein the control unit has a first release mode using the release engagement pieces and a second release mode using the operation engagement piece when the member to be operated is returned from the engagement position to the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Iwashita, Hiromichi Konishi, Kazuhiko Kitano
  • Patent number: 10507718
    Abstract: A power-split hybrid transmission includes a direction reversing mechanism between the transmission input and a power-splitting planetary gear set. The transmission input is driven by an internal combustion engine. Engaging the direction reversing mechanism to drive the carrier in a direction opposite of engine rotation permits the transaxle to achieve higher output torque in reverse when using predominantly engine power. The direction reversing mechanism may also be used to hold the carrier stationary, providing a torque reaction to propel the vehicle with a generator, thus increasing the output torque in both directions when operating under only battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Norman Jerry Bird
  • Patent number: 10507719
    Abstract: A front-end part (12) for a motor vehicle (10) has an inlet opening (14) for the introduction of headwind. An air duct adjoins the inlet opening (14) for supplying the headwind to a radiator and/or to an air conditioning device. An air-directing element (16) directs the headwind into the air duct. A sound generator (18) outputs an acoustic signal along a sound path. The air-directing element (16) at least partially covers the sound generator (18) in the sound path. The air-direction element (16) has a textile material that is sound-permeable for the acoustic signal of the sound generator. The textile material conducts headwind away and also covers the sound generator (18) without significantly affecting the perception of the acoustic signal. Therefore, a simple design of a front-end part (12) for a motor vehicle (10) is provided with a small number of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sven Wallrabe, Dominik Beierl, Tina Motz
  • Patent number: 10507720
    Abstract: A flap control device spring driven toward open position upon actuator failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventor: Frédéric Vacca
  • Patent number: 10507721
    Abstract: There is described a closure unit (14) for an air inlet of a motor vehicle which comprises three closure flaps (18, 22, 26) which can be pivoted about a rotation axis (16, 20, 24). In a closed position, the closure flaps (18, 22, 26) close the air inlet and a closure flap which is referred to as a second closure flap (22) abuts a closed position stop (36). In an open position, the closure flaps (18, 22, 26) release the air inlet and a closure flap which is referred to as the third closure flap (26) abuts an open position stop (40). Furthermore, a method for detecting defective closure flaps (18, 22, 26) of such a closure unit (14) is explained. Furthermore, a motor vehicle having one or more air inlets is presented, wherein at least one of the air inlets is provided with such a closure unit (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: VALEO KLIMASYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Vincent Tran, Bernd Noatsch
  • Patent number: 10507722
    Abstract: A container assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a first container (20) for a fuel for the motor vehicle and a second container (10) for a liquid auxiliary agent, in particular for the reducing agent solution of an SCR catalyst. The second container (10) is integrated into the first container (20). A bottom-mounted removal device having at least one pump (11) for removing the auxiliary agent is provided in the second container (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Haeberer