Patents Issued in June 14, 2022
  • Patent number: 11358415
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes the plurality of sipes, when, with regard to each sipe in which the shoulder-side end portion is located closest to a center side among the plurality of sipes, a position of the shoulder-side end portion of the sipe in the tire width direction is taken as a first reference position, and with regard to each sipe in which the center-side end portion is located closest to a shoulder side among the plurality of sipes, a position of the center-side end portion of the sipe in the tire width direction is taken as a second reference position, the plurality of sipes are arranged at regular intervals in the tire circumferential direction, and at other of the first reference position and the second reference position, the plurality of sipes are arranged at irregular intervals in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYO TIRE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuji Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11358416
    Abstract: A tire includes a tread portion including at least one land region extending in a tire circumferential direction. The land region is provided with a plurality of axial groove portions curved so as to protrude in one direction in the tire circumferential direction in a plan view. The axial groove portions include first axial groove portions and second axial groove portions having different degree of curvature from the first axial groove portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kimishima
  • Patent number: 11358417
    Abstract: A tire includes knob sets having leading edge bevels connected by a ramp. The leading edge bevels may be offset in their positions or angles. Each knob set includes a first knob attached to a second knob. The knobs in each set may differ in lengths or in the angles of the leading edge bevels. Each knob set shares a common base and includes a pair of elongate outermost surfaces divided by an optional axial channel. Each knob set includes a lateral edge, medial edge and a trailing edge. Transverse rows of two or more knob sets may vary in lateral spacing between knob sets to provide narrow and wide rows in an alternating pattern. Knob sets may also be included on sidewalls of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Shinji Marui
  • Patent number: 11358418
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a turned-up carcass ply and a non-turnup carcass ply. The turned-up carcass ply is turned up around bead cores in respective bead portions from the inside to outside of the tire so as to form a pair of turned up portions extending radially outwardly on the axially outsides of the respective bead cores, and a main portion extending between the turned up portions. The non-turnup carcass ply extends between the bead portions and terminates to have edges positioned on the axially outsides of the respective turned up portions. The bead portions are each provided on its outer surface with vent lines protruding therefrom and extending continuously in the tire circumferential direction. The vent lines include a radially outer vent line formed radially outside the edges of the non-turnup carcass ply, and a radially inner vent line formed radially inside the edges of the non-turnup carcass ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsunori Tabata, Takuma Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11358419
    Abstract: A method for detecting wheel units mounted at wheels of a vehicle and for detecting wheel mounting positions belonging to each of the wheel units is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: positioning a mobile communication device at a predetermined start position with respect to the vehicle, moving the mobile communication device from the start position along a path around the vehicle, receiving RF signals from the wheel units and measuring the RF signal strengths thereof by the mobile communication device when moving along the path around the vehicle, performing an analysis of variations of the measured RF signal strengths of the received RF signals depending on the position of the mobile communication device along the path, identifying the wheel units and identifying the wheel mounting positions based on a result of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Kretschmann, Parthiv Dharamshi, Michael Löffler, Jean-Philippe Boisset
  • Patent number: 11358420
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronic valve for a tire of a motor vehicle including an electronic assembly of sensors and a bidirectional radiofrequency communication assembly, connected to the electronic assembly of sensors. This method is noteworthy in that: in a parked situation and in the effective absence of a user, the electronic assembly of sensors is kept dormant and the communication assembly is kept on standby, and on the arrival of a user, the electronic assembly of sensors is activated by the communication assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Boisset, Aurélien Malard
  • Patent number: 11358421
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a first tread area portion, an electric power source, a transmission device, an accelerometer, and a control unit configured to operate in a power saving mode and a normal mode. A contact of the first tread area portion with a surface is detected by sensing acceleration of the first tread area portion by the accelerometer. The control unit is configured to switch from the normal mode to the power saving mode after a detection that the first tread area portion is on a contact patch of the tire. The control unit is configured to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode when a first specified time depending on the rotation speed of the tire has elapsed since the detection that the first tread area portion is on the contact patch. A monitoring method and a system are used with the pneumatic tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Nokian Renkaat Oyj
    Inventors: Teemu Soini, Jani Räisänen, Atte Antikainen, Jari Ojala
  • Patent number: 11358422
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching an electronics package to a tire includes a carriage for receiving an electronics package. The assembly also includes a locking clip connected to the carriage and a locking ring having a first side permanently affixed to an interior of the tire. The locking ring is configured to engage the locking clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Sheel P. Agarwal, Adam K. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 11358423
    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: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Equipment Srl a unico socio
    Inventors: Paolo Sotgiu, Francesco Braghiroli
  • Patent number: 11358424
    Abstract: An electrical converter assembly includes a sensing device coupled to one or more wires of a towing vehicle. The sensing device is configured to detect the current flow in the one or more wires and generate a signal in response to the current flow. The converter assembly further includes an electrical component in communication with the sensing device. The electrical component may generate a signal to a towed vehicle in response to the current flow detected by the sensing device. The sensing device may be a non-invasive sensing device. The non-invasive sensing device may detect current flow in the one or more wires of the towing vehicle without direct contact with the conducting element of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Chandrakumar D. Kulkarni, Douglas R. Motts
  • Patent number: 11358425
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has a floatable vehicle body; ground engaging propulsion structure having a plurality of ground engaging elements powered by a hydraulic motor; a fluid pump for pumping liquid manure; a power source connected to a hydraulic pump and configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump; and, remote control structure for controlling the ground engaging propulsion structure and a flow of fluid from the fluid pump. The speed and/or direction of the vehicle is remotely controllable by an operator remote from the vehicle when the vehicle is ground engaging and when the vehicle is floating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Nuhn Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian Nuhn
  • Patent number: 11358426
    Abstract: An X-shaped spring device for a transportation vehicle wheel suspension having for each wheel side a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring made of fiber-reinforced plastics material and arranged one above the other. The first leaf spring is supported at the wheel side with one end and the second leaf spring is supported at the vehicle structure side with one end, and a first securing device on which the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring are joined and clamped, and which has a bearing for pivotable bearing at the vehicle structure side. The first securing devices of both wheel sides are connected to each other to provide a stabilizer action by using a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Vicky Rosenmeyer, Sierk Fiebig, Michael Schiewek, Florian Glaubitz, Stefan Wolf, Ronald Bartz
  • Patent number: 11358427
    Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle including a strut tube; a strut rod installed so as to be movable in the strut tube; an insulator part through which an upper end of the strut rod is installed, and which includes a lower cup, an insulator body and an upper cup; and a cap member coupled to the upper cup so as to prevent penetration of foreign matters, and having a coupling structure coupled to the upper end of the strut rod. An anti-rotation structure for preventing rotation of the cap member may be provided in the cap member and the upper cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woo Bin Song
  • Patent number: 11358428
    Abstract: The active damper upper mount includes an inner member (11, 111) to which an upper end portion of a rod (22, 122) of an active damper (21, 121) is fixed, an intermediate member (12, 112) that surrounds the inner member in a circumferential direction around a rod axis (O1, O2), an outer member (13, 113) that surrounds the intermediate member in the circumferential direction and is attached to a vehicle body side, a first elastic body (14, 114) that is disposed between the inner member and the intermediate member and supports the inner member and the intermediate member so as to be elastically displaceable relative to each other, and a second elastic body (15, 115) that is disposed between the intermediate member and the outer member and supports the intermediate member and the outer member so as to be elastically displaceable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutaka Otsu, Syogo Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11358429
    Abstract: A machine includes a chassis, a plurality of ground-engaging elements supporting the chassis above a ground surface, a motor for driving at least one of the ground-engaging elements and a plurality of assemblies supporting the chassis on the ground-engaging elements. Each of the assemblies is configured to selectively raise and lower the chassis relative to the ground surface and includes a first attachment component for attaching the assembly to one of the ground-engaging elements, a second attachment component for attaching the assembly to the chassis, an adjustment component for shifting the first attachment component between a plurality of operating positions relative to the second attachment component. A control system allows an operator to remotely control the adjustment components of each of the assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: James Slawson
  • Patent number: 11358430
    Abstract: A suspension system for a work vehicle includes a first cylinder having a piston side, a second cylinder having a piston side, and a first valve connected to the first and second cylinders, which extend and retract during a roll condition of the suspension system. The first valve selectively enables and restricts fluid flow between the piston side of the first cylinder and the piston side of the second cylinder to adjust a roll resistance of the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Tebbe, Thomas Butts, David Rix
  • Patent number: 11358431
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Jacob L. Dawson, Paul J. Keas, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11358432
    Abstract: Provided a suspension control apparatus including a vehicle behavior detection unit (acceleration sensors), an electrorheological damper provided between a vehicle body (1) and each wheel (2), and a controller configured to execute control so that a damping force of each electrorheological damper is adjusted based on a detection result obtained by the vehicle behavior detection unit. The controller includes a target voltage value setting unit (damping force command calculation unit) configured to obtain a target voltage value to be applied to an electrode tube based on the detection result obtained by the vehicle behavior detection unit, a temperature estimation unit configured to detect or estimate temperature of ERF, and a target voltage value correction unit (output limiting unit) configured to change the target voltage value so that a piston speed (V) is adjusted based on a value obtained by the temperature estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryusuke Hirao, Nobuyuki Ichimaru
  • Patent number: 11358433
    Abstract: Features for a vapor compression system configured to cool and/or cat (i.e. thermally condition) two or more distinct climate controlled vehicle interior components via a common thermal bus are disclosed. Some embodiments employ a single compressor. Some embodiments employ multiple compressors and/or thermal buses, each servicing components located within respective interior thermal zones of a vehicle, for example a front row seat zone, second and/or third row seat zones, and/or an overhead zone and/or a trunk zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GENTHERM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ioannis Androulakis, Maurice Edward Phillips Gunderson, Wayne Swoyer Kauffman, III, Dmitri Kossakovski, Darren Andrew Schumacher, Scott Wolas
  • Patent number: 11358434
    Abstract: A method of climate control in a vehicle includes cooling a battery and cabin of a vehicle at a target chiller-pump speed of a chiller. The target speed corresponds to a difference between a temperature of a battery and a target temperature of the battery. The target pump speed does not exceed a limit defined by a look-up table that identifies a capacity of the chiller by mapping the load and the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angel Fernando Porras, Timothy Noah Blatchley, Kenneth J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11358435
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a vehicle may include a cooling apparatus of circulating a coolant in a coolant line to cool at least one electrical component provided in the coolant line; a battery cooling apparatus of circulating the coolant to the battery module; a chiller for heat exchanging the coolant with a refrigerant to control a temperature of the coolant; a heater that heats an interior of the vehicle using the coolant; and a branch line; wherein a condenser included in the air conditioner is connected to the coolant line to pass the coolant circulating through the cooling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yeonho Kim
  • Patent number: 11358436
    Abstract: A vehicle-mounted temperature controller includes a low temperature circuit and a refrigeration circuit. The low temperature circuit has a heat generating equipment heat exchanger exchanging heat with heat generating equipment, a radiator, a first heat exchanger, and a three-way valve. The refrigeration circuit has a second heat exchanger discharging heat from the refrigerant to a high temperature circuit to make the refrigerant condense, and the first heat exchanger making the refrigerant absorb heat from the cooling water to make the refrigerant evaporate. The low temperature circuit includes a first partial circuit through which the cooling water flows through the radiator and the first heat exchanger, and a second partial circuit through which the cooling water flows through the heat generating equipment heat exchanger without passing through the radiator and the first heat exchanger. The cooling water circulates simultaneously and separately at these first partial circuit and second partial circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidefumi Aikawa, Manabu Orihashi, Yoshio Hasegawa, Takashi Ogawa, Yuji Miyoshi, Kunihiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11358437
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a climate control system. In one example, a method for operating a vehicle climate control system includes modeling a pressure in a heat pump downstream of an exterior heat exchanger an upstream of an expansion valve. The method also includes operating the expansion valve to cool a vehicle cabin using the modeled pressure in conjunction with a temperature from a sensor positioned upstream of the expansion valve and downstream of the exterior heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Noah Blatchley, Angel Fernando Porras, Rohan Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 11358438
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a first pump, a first combined valve, a second combined valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a battery unit. In a first cooling mode, the compressor, the outdoor heat exchanger, the first combined valve and the first heat exchanger communicate in sequence to form a circuit, while the first pump, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger communicate to form another circuit. In a first heating mode, the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second combined valve and the outdoor heat exchanger communicate in sequence to form a circuit, while the first pump, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchange communicate in sequence to form another circuit. Thermal management of the battery unit can be made by interacting with the first cooling mode or the first heating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HANGZHOU SANHUA RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junqi Dong, Shiwei Jia, Jie Liang
  • Patent number: 11358439
    Abstract: A fuel connection unit for a fuel-operated vehicle heater includes a connection unit body (12) to be mounted on a heater body (78). A fuel release line connection area (16) is positioned such that it meshes with or faces an interior (80) of the heater body (78). The fuel release line connection area (16) connects a fuel release line (104), extending in the interior (80), with a fuel feed line connection area (20) to be positioned exposed on an outer side of the heater body (78), for connecting a fuel feed line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Eberspächer Climate Control Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Haefner, Hans Jensen
  • Patent number: 11358440
    Abstract: A heating system for a windshield of a vehicle, in which a fan unit is configured to produce a hot air flow at the inner side of the windshield. In order to enable efficient heating of a windshield of an electric vehicle, there is provision for the heating system to have an at least predominantly transparent partition unit, which in a shielding position is secured in the vehicle in such a manner that it is arranged in the longitudinal vehicle direction between at least a predominant portion of the windshield and an inner region which is provided for passengers, whereby the hot air flow can be guided at least partially in a heating region between the windshield and the partition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Armin Litz, Matus Banyay
  • Patent number: 11358441
    Abstract: A vehicle air vent manual control assembly can be equipped at a passenger compartment of an automobile. Example installations include at an instrument panel, at a B-pillar, and at a rear center console. The vehicle air vent manual control assembly includes a knob through which a user can manipulate a first set of air directive vanes, a second set of air directive vanes, and a shutoff flap. Pivotal movement of a shaft via the knob prompts movement of the first set of air directive vanes. Translational movement of the shaft via the knob prompts movement of the second set of air directive vanes. And rotational movement of the shaft prompts movement of the shutoff flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Interior Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Giovany Morales, Julien Bleker, Sachin Patil
  • Patent number: 11358442
    Abstract: A roller blind arrangement for a motor vehicle, the roller blind arrangement having a roller blind web and a winding shaft onto which the roller blind web can be wound or from which the roller blind web can be unwound and which has a flexible surrounding-tube arrangement penetrated by a vehicle-attached bearing strut and a corrugated tube as a surrounding-tube element, corrugated-tube ribs being formed on the a corrugated tube and being separated from each other by troughs. The corrugated tube is provided with a coupling overmold at each of its two ends, each coupling overmold being connected to a respective bearing bush and having an outer diameter which corresponds to the maximum outer diameter of the corrugated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Andreas Rockelmann, Ulrich Schreiber
  • Patent number: 11358443
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a protective screen for windows of vehicles are described. The protective screen for windows of vehicles includes a flexible protective sheet including a vehicle fastener. The flexible protective sheet includes: a first outer layer, resistant to heat and cold, mechanical and chemical stresses, UV ray-shielding and having fastness to light, a second layer made of thermally insulated fabric, designed to face a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: PARTS SOLUTION S.R.L., GRUPPO TOSETTO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Innocente Tosetto, Lorenzo Perricone
  • Patent number: 11358444
    Abstract: A belt molding and sensor combination for a door of a vehicle may include at least one sensor and a belt molding. The at least one sensor may be configured to emit signals upon the detection of an action intended to cause a door to open or close, and the at least one sensor may present a sensor outer surface. The belt molding may be configured to extend along at least a portion of a length of a door, and include a cap which presents an outer surface. The belt molding may be configured to be mounted on a door. The sensor outer surface may provide an extension of a cap outer surface, such that the sensor outer surface and the cap outer surface combine to provide an uninterrupted outer surface where the sensor outer surface and the cap outer surface abut against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
    Inventors: Cian John Francis Brogan, Matthew Richard Partsch, Paul G. Jabra
  • Patent number: 11358445
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a frame structure, a body mounted to the frame structure, and a door structure defining a first side segment defining a portion of a first side of the vehicle, a second side segment defining a portion of a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side, and a roof segment extending from the first side segment to the second side segment and defining a portion of a top of the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a door mechanism coupled to the door structure and configured to move the door structure between a closed position and an open position, relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Glydways, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Shahoian, Patrick Kessler
  • Patent number: 11358446
    Abstract: A slide door structure includes: a slide door provided to be movable with respect to a vehicle body; and a wire harness routed between the vehicle body and the slide door by allowing an electric wire bundle to pass through a bendable exterior member. The wire harness is connected to the slide door by door-side fixture including an outer member attached to the slide door and an inner member provided on the wire harness and supported by the outer member so as to be rotatable about an axis in an upper-lower direction as a center. In the door-side fixture, the inner member is supported by the outer member so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamashita, Shinji Kato
  • Patent number: 11358447
    Abstract: A lift gate door having hinges installed for predetermined positioning into a vehicle. And a method of attaching a lift gate door to a vehicle while maintain proper tolerances. A first fixture holds a set of hinges in predetermined locations which correspond to assembly locations on a vehicle body. Hinges are temporarily attached to the fixture corresponding to the proper vehicle location. A second fixture holds the lift gate in a position which is a final installation position for attaching the lift gate to a vehicle. Self-adjusting moveable fastening nuts are provided in a set of holes in a hinge plate fastening area of the lift gate. The first fixture is moved into aligned orientation with the second feature and the hinges are attached to the lift gate with the fastener. The hinge is aligned in the proper installation orientation for maintaining the lift gate to vehicle gap in proper tolerances when the lift gate door with hinges is installed on the final vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Magna Exteriors Inc.
    Inventor: Vaughn D. Vanderpool
  • Patent number: 11358448
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system, comprising: (a) a retractable tonneau cover having a plurality of interconnected panels; (b) a first retainer secured to a first sidewall of a cargo box of a vehicle; and (c) a second retainer secured to an opposing second sidewall of the cargo box, wherein the first retainer and the second retainer are substantially parallel to each other so that the tonneau cover spans between the first retainer and the second retainer; and wherein the plurality of panels each include a bearing positioned within the first retainer to guide the tonneau cover in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: RETRAX HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Alyce Voegele
  • Patent number: 11358449
    Abstract: A front link shifts, based on power transmitted from a first guide shaft of a front shoe, among a full-close corresponding position that allows a movable panel to be arranged in a full-close position, a front-up corresponding position that allows the movable panel to be arranged in a front-up position, and a full-open corresponding position that allows the movable panel to be arranged in a full-open position. The front shoe check restricts power of the drive shoe from transmitting to the front shoe, when the drive shoe causes a rear link to shift between a collapsed position and a standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 11358450
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a screen arrangement for a vehicle roof may have a main slider and an adjusting slider which can each be coupled to the screen arrangement and are configured for pivoting the screen arrangement out and in and for adjusting a prescribed alignment angle (A) of the screen arrangement. The apparatus may also have a drive coupling element which couples a drive cable of the main slider and a drive cable of the adjusting slider to one another, such that the main slider and the adjusting slider can be displaced, with respect to a common reference point, at least in certain portions, at different movement speeds, and such that with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of the apparatus a spacing between the main slider and the adjusting slider and therefore an alignment angle (A) of the screen arrangement can be adjusted in a prescribed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Klaus Eger
  • Patent number: 11358451
    Abstract: A crank assembly for operating a tarpaulin manipulator used for extending and retracting a tarpaulin respectively across and from a top aperture of a vehicle container. The crank assembly includes a crank and a crank assembly shaft for transmitting rotations of the crank to the tarpaulin manipulator through a transmission assembly. The crank can be moved between a mounted configuration in which the crank protrudes axially from the crank assembly shaft and a stowed configuration in which the crank is folded over the crank assembly shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: FABRICATION ELCARGO INC.
    Inventors: Keven Boutin, Etienne Brunet, Kendrick Martin
  • Patent number: 11358452
    Abstract: A tonneau system for use with a bed of a pickup truck. The tonneau system includes a tonneau cover and latch assemblies to retain the tonneau cover to the bed of the truck. The cover is moveable between an unfolded positon where the cover encloses the bed and a folded position where the bed is uncovered. The latch assemblies can include latch bases that define discreet mounting positons for a latch handle assembly that employ retention members to retain the latch handle assembly in a particular mounting positon. Another latch assembly includes a latch base having an endless belt to positon the latch handle assembly. A rail attachment is also provided to mount to the bed and provide an anchor point for keep in to tonneau cover engage over the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WORKSPORT LTD.
    Inventors: Steven Rossi, Jonathan Loudon, Julian Richardson
  • Patent number: 11358453
    Abstract: Herewith is a truck cap for removably covering a vehicle bed. The truck cap includes a first and second cover member extending between a cab and a tailgate of the vehicle. The cover members are pivotably connected to driver and passenger side panels which adjoin the vehicle bed. The cover members pivot between an open position and a closed position. Raised portions are formed along the top surfaces and extend over abutting edges of the cover members opposite the pivot edges. The abutting edges are in abutment when the cover members are in the closed position, such that the raised portions interlock to cover the abutting edges. The cover members are preferably formed of a plastic material by a rotational molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: JOHN SINCHOK DESIGN, LLC
    Inventor: John Sinchok
  • Patent number: 11358454
    Abstract: A locking device for a top of a convertible vehicle is proposed, comprising a locking support (22), a locking hook (28), which can be shifted in a translational and rotational manner so as to be displaced between a release position and a locked position, and a driving mechanism for the locking hook (28), said driving mechanism comprising a driving motor (64) and driving a slide (36) movable on the locking support (22). The slide (36) is connected to a driving section of the locking hook (28) via a pull-link arrangement (46) in such a manner that the locking hook (28) undergoes a pivoting movement when the slide (36) is moved. The locking support (22) has an insert having a guiding track for a guiding element which is arranged on the pull-link arrangement (46) or on the locking hook (28), and the guiding track defines a pivot position of the locking hook (28) with respect to the locking support (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Christian Rudolfi, Franz Haberl
  • Patent number: 11358455
    Abstract: A deflector device capable of holding a mesh support across a straight portion and a corner portion of a holding member without a through-hole being formed in the corner portion of the holding member. A corner-side recess, which receives a hook portion and is formed as a concavity in which a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a direction of extension of a corner portion is open on a lower side, is formed in said corner portion. A pair of facing inside surfaces of the corner-side recess are configured to pinch and hold the hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Toru Shibue, Kazuki Kakihara
  • Patent number: 11358456
    Abstract: A weather strip assembly for applying to opposite swing doors configured such that a front end portion of a front door and a rear end portion of a rear door of the opposite swing doors are rotatably connected to a vehicle body respectively to allow sides of a vehicle to be open or closed and airtightly sealing a rear end portion of the front door and a front end portion of the rear door, may include a main sealing member mounted to rotate between the rear end portion of the front door and the front end portion of the rear door to airtightly seal between the rear end portion of the front door and the front end portion of the rear door while rotating when one of the front and rear doors is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae-Seung Lee, Jai-Hak Kim, Dong-Hee Ma
  • Patent number: 11358457
    Abstract: A roof arrangement for a vehicle roof with a roof opening may have a movable roof element for optionally closing or at least partially opening the roof opening, wherein the roof element is held by a frame; a first strand-like sealing profile; a second strand-like sealing profile which is formed separately from the first sealing profile, wherein the first sealing profile is configured for sealing in relation to the movable roof element and is fastenable to the vehicle roof; and the second sealing profile is fastened to the frame and is configured for sealing in relation to the frame, wherein the second sealing profile has a drip lip which lies against the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Matthias Frank, Stefan Schäufler, Andreas Josef Zunzer, Reinhard Wenzel
  • Patent number: 11358458
    Abstract: A car cover assembly, having a base, a cover body, a cap and a storage body for the cover body; the base is removably mounted onto a car surface; the cap is removably or fixedly connected to the base; the cover body and the storage body are pressed between the base and the cap; the base and the cap clamp and fix the cover body and the storage body; after the cover body is completely folded, it is stored inside the storage body. The car cover assembly can be placed at anywhere on the car for use. A method of using the car cover is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Zhongxiong Ning
  • Patent number: 11358459
    Abstract: A cover assembly for use in a vehicle to protect electronic components on a vehicle's dashboard, shield the interior of the vehicle from rain and debris, and provide privacy to occupants in the vehicle when in the vehicle. The cover assembly includes a dash cover, rain curtains, and privacy curtains that include long and/or short bungee cords for attaching and securing the cover and curtains to roll bars in a vehicle. The cover and some of the privacy curtains also include suction cups that are attachable to a vehicles windshield or back window. The cover assembly is quickly installed within a vehicle with ease to cover door and/or window openings, or the windshield or back window of a vehicle. The cover assembly may come in a variety of different sizes to accommodate use with different makes and models of vehicles having roll bars, and removable doors, rooftops, and/or windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Amber Miller
  • Patent number: 11358460
    Abstract: An engine mount for a vehicle is provided to include a core bush coupled to a vehicle body, a main rubber formed on the core bush, and an outer pipe that is attached to the main rubber and extends downwards. An orifice body is mounted in the outer pipe and has a main flow path and an upper plate is coupled to the orifice body. The upper plate has a fluid passage aperture to communicate with the main flow path and has a plurality of fluid action apertures. An integral plate includes a membrane part disposed under the upper plate and a diaphragm part coupled to an edge of a lower surface of the orifice body under the orifice body. A lower cover body includes a membrane support plate that has an air aperture and is disposed under the membrane part and a cover supporting the diaphragm part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11358461
    Abstract: An electricity generation system includes an internal combustion engine and at least one electricity generation motor that generates electricity upon an input shaft thereof being rotated by the internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine includes: a piston reciprocable in a cylinder; a valve actuating mechanism that actuates an intake valve and exhaust valve; a supercharger that compresses intake air to be delivered into the cylinder; and a fuel feeder, and wherein while the piston reciprocates once by starting from a top dead center and returning to the top dead center, the valve actuating mechanism actuates the intake and exhaust valves in such a manner as to provide a valve overlap period, the fuel feeder feeds fuel into the cylinder after closing of the exhaust valve, and an air-fuel mixture inside the cylinder is burned during a period in which both of the intake and exhaust valves are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11358462
    Abstract: A torque transmission device for a vehicle includes a torque input element coupled to a crankshaft of a combustion engine, a first torque output element coupled to a first input shaft of a gearbox, a rotating electric machine including a stator and a rotor arranged in the direction of the transmission of torque, between the input element and the first output element, a rotor support radially supporting the rotor of the rotating electric machine, the rotor support selectively connected to the input element by an input clutch, a fixed distributor fastened to the gearbox and supporting the rotor support, a fixed wall including a first radial end fastened to the gearbox, and a second radial end connected to the torque input element, a first rolling member arranged between the rotor support and the fixed distributor, and a second rolling member arranged between the rotor support and the fixed wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO EMBRAYAGES
    Inventors: Thierry Guinot, Fabien Lebeau, Ivan Dutier
  • Patent number: 11358463
    Abstract: A self-propelled work machine, in particular a tracked vehicle, such as a bulldozer, having a traction drive comprising at least one electric motor for driving at least one chassis wheel, in particular a chain wheel or a sprocket. The motor axis of rotation of the electric motor is arranged displaced and/or angled with respect to the wheel axis of rotation of the chassis wheel to be driven by the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-COMPONENTS BIBERACH GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Muenst
  • Patent number: 11358464
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling system for an electric power system for a vehicle capable of selectively cooling a power component used while the vehicle travels or is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ju Hee Kim, Moon Jo Kang