Passenger Safety Guards Patents (Class 280/748)
  • Patent number: 11794678
    Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to isolating a compartment. In one embodiment, a method includes isolating airflow to an occupant by actuation of a partition in response to a signal indicating a risk and the partition utilizes an inflatable bladder to seal an area of a compartment in a vehicle. The method also includes communicating a precaution associated with the actuation to occupants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc
    Inventor: Prashant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 11648998
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Derek Sorenson, Peter Schoenecker, Brian Eck
  • Patent number: 11525508
    Abstract: In a shift device (10), a base portion (42) of a collar (40) is accommodated in a mounting hole (50) of a support portion (34), and a thin plate portion (52) of the support portion (34) is disposed at an upper side of an upper face (42A) of the base portion (42). When an impact load of at least a predetermined value is applied to a shift lever, the thin plate portion (52) of the support portion (34) is broken by the base portion (42) and the support portion (34) moves while being guided by the base portion (42). Thus, the impact load is absorbed. Consequently, an impact load absorption mode may be made consistent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Norihiro Yamamura
  • Patent number: 11254242
    Abstract: An occupant posture adjustment device and a pedal device include a pedal adjustment mechanism that changes the inclination of a pedal with respect to a floor panel between a first driving state and a second driving state, and a controller that, in the first driving state, controls the pedal adjustment mechanism such that a back face of the pedal and the floor panel are separated from each other, and in the second driving state, controls the pedal adjustment mechanism such that the back face of the pedal and the floor panel come into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shintaro Masu, Hisashi Murayama, Yuki Aoki, Ryoji Iida
  • Patent number: 11242023
    Abstract: A tunable knee blocker energy absorption system for a vehicle having an instrument panel, a structural cross-car member, and an occupant protection device includes a left energy absorption (EA) bracket configured to couple to the structural cross-car member and including a left lower EA bracket, a left upper EA bracket, and a left EA bridge. A right EA bracket is configured to couple to the structural cross-car member and includes a right lower EA bracket and a right upper EA bracket. The left EA bracket and the right EA bracket are distinct from each other to manage a non-uniform load path of occupant femurs into the instrument panel and alter the kinematic response of the occupant back to a uniform presentation to the occupant protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Tushar M Phule, Chris Sleiman, Scott E Zilincik, Jeffrey P Stasevich, Joseph L Arnone, Atul V Deo
  • Patent number: 11148632
    Abstract: An airbag assembly according to the present disclosure includes an airbag cushion and a first tether. The airbag cushion is configured to be stored in a roof of a vehicle when the airbag cushion is uninflated. The airbag cushion is configured to at least partially cover an opening in a sidewall of the vehicle when the airbag cushion is inflated. The first tether is coupled to a forward edge of the airbag cushion at a first location. The first tether is configured to be coupled to a body of the vehicle at a second location. A length of the first tether between the first and second locations is configured to vary as the airbag cushion is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Senthil Karuppaswamy, Naresh Kini, Pramod Joshi
  • Patent number: 10864874
    Abstract: A restraint system for a driver of a vehicle comprises at least one protective bar (6), being supported on at least one pillar (2). To achieve an alignment, at least one protective bar (6) is pivotably supported by at least one eccentric (8). The protective bar is lockable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: HSM HANS SAUERMANN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Johann Sauermann
  • Patent number: 10744952
    Abstract: A sports bar storage compartment assembly including a storage compartment, wherein the storage compartment includes a storage compartment wall defining a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom. An opening is defined in the storage compartment wall at the first side of the compartment. In addition, the storage compartment is connected to a support shelf of a first attachment bracket, wherein the first attachment bracket is positioned near the first side of the storage compartment adjacent to the opening. A door is connected to the first attachment bracket and conceals the opening when in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gino M. Le Donne, Dusan Colovic, Randy S. Bugbee, Jeffrey A. Diegel, Mark Pulleyblank
  • Patent number: 10737561
    Abstract: A sunroof structure includes a frame, a transparent material and a decorative panel. The frame is configured to install to a vehicle roof structure above a passenger compartment. The transparent material is installed to the frame such that light can pass therethrough to the passenger compartment. The decorative panel is installed to the frame such that at least a portion of the decorative panel covers an interior portion of the transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Renn, Jeffrey Pencak
  • Patent number: 10696260
    Abstract: A multiple pivot rollover protection structure includes a pair of primary pivot assemblies and a pair of shipping pivot assemblies. The primary pivot assemblies provide a plurality of different operating positions for the upper ROPS legs, and a generally vertical shipping configuration for the upper ROPS legs extending downwardly alongside and not behind a rear mounted engine. The shipping pivot assemblies provide a generally vertical operating position for each of the intermediate ROPS legs and a generally horizontal shipping configuration for each of the intermediate ROPS legs extending rearwardly alongside and not behind the rear mounted engine. A spring loaded plunger is engageable between each upper ROPS leg and intermediate ROPS leg. A latch may be provided between each of the upper ROPS legs and the intermediate ROPS legs to hold the spring loaded plunger in a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark J. Mayefske, Kyle T. Ressler, Matthew E. Herzmann, Dan Knight
  • Patent number: 10640069
    Abstract: A partition is formed with a thermoformed panel having a front side, a rear side, a driver-side portion, a passenger-side portion, and a gun well positioned between the driver-side portion and the passenger-side portion. The gun well is recessed toward the rear side of the thermoformed panel. The driver-side portion is sized and dimensioned to extend along a majority of a vertical height of a driver-side seat of a vehicle. The driver-side portion is formed with a driver-side seatback transitional surface transitioning from the driver-side portion toward the gun well. The driver-side seatback transitional surface is tangentially angled and non-squared. The passenger-side portion is formed with a passenger-side seatback transitional surface transitioning from the passenger-side portion toward the gun well. The passenger-side seatback transitional surface is tangentially angled and non-squared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Quality Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Gardner, Jacob Yardley, Jim Carrick
  • Patent number: 10562480
    Abstract: An arm rest attachable to a seat for a vehicle occupant to sit on includes a pair of side members, a front member, and an airbag. The pair of side members are configured to be at left and right sides of the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is seated. The side members extend in a front-rear direction and are coupled to the seat. The front member is configured to be in front of the vehicle occupant when the vehicle occupant is seated and is coupled to at least one of the pair of side members. The airbag is configured to deploy toward the vehicle occupant from the front member. When the vehicle occupant comes into contact with the deployed airbag, the airbag is supported by a reactive-force member from which a reactive force is obtained as a result of the airbag abutting on the reactive-force member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10501039
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a front wheel unit and a rear wheel unit attached to a vehicle body frame, a power source mounted at a rear portion of the vehicle body frame, a ROPS bracket fixed to the vehicle body frame at a region thereof forwardly of the power source and a ROPS. this ROPS includes a pair of left and right upright portions and a crossbar connecting the upright portions at upper portions thereof. Lower end portions of the pair of upright portions are supported to the ROPS bracket to be pivotable toward the power source about a horizontal axis extending in a vehicle-body transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Minoura, Hiroyuki Tada
  • Patent number: 10479306
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat pan operably coupled to a seatback. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a restraint bar coupled to the seatback and operable between a first position and a second position. The restraint bar is equipped with at least one deployable occupant restraint and the restraint bar is generally U-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcos Silva Kondrad, Johnathan Andrew Line, Brian Robert Spahn, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Derek Board, James Chih Cheng, Kevin Wayne Preuss
  • Patent number: 10471879
    Abstract: A retractable pickup truck box cover system includes a pivot joint with improved strength, durability, and manufacturability between panels of a panel assembly of the cover system. A sealing system between the panels and along ends of the panel assembly provides improved weather resistance to the cover system. A lateral support system provides resistance to binding loads when opening and closing the panel assembly. The lateral support system may also aid installation of the cover system. A ramp adjustment system allows fine tuning of the ramps that guide folding and unfolding of the panel assembly. An improved locking system and the pivot joints allow more compact storage of the panel assembly. The improved locking system includes lock rods that engage rails of the cover system. Connecting structures connect adjacent panel pairs when the cover system is deployed and do not connect the adjacent panels when the cover system is stowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: PERAGON ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Heath Copp, Joel Amiel Anderson
  • Patent number: 10449922
    Abstract: Provided is an air-bag capable of further reducing damage value to a passenger and limiting the amount of use of inflator gas by limiting an excessive increase in the internal pressure of the air-bag upon contacting the passenger while increasing the speed of deployment in a passenger protection area. The air-bag includes a main chamber and a sub-chamber that are connected via a communication portion, wherein the communication portion or a region adjacent to the communication portion is configured of a multilayer structure portion comprising three or more layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SUMISHO AIRBAG SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10414369
    Abstract: A headache rack is formed substantially from sheet metal, including left and right uprights as part of a framing portion supporting a screen. The forward edge of the uprights has a concave curvature facing the cab and providing a cantilever, and a folded rearward edge causing the uprights to be considerably wider where they contact the pickup truck bed walls than they are at their tops. The framing portion is provided in three separable sections, connectable by the user using fasteners such as nuts and bolts, with a removable screen in the center frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Curt Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Wolfe C. Parzyck, Robert G. Fehr, Joel D. Diller, Brennan Druckrey
  • Patent number: 10399529
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat, two arms coupled to the seat, and an airbag coupled to each arm. Each arm is movable from a stowed position beside the seat to an extended position abutting the other arm. The airbags are inflatable toward the seat when the arms are in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Spahn, Alan Dry, Johnathan Line, Daniel Ferretti, Benjamin Yilma
  • Patent number: 10259417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a golf cart safety platform with interchangeable handle bars. Said platform, rectangular in shape, is attached to the golf cart's floor, via a strong, metal-bonding adhesive. Attached to the platform's top surface, via similar metal-bonding method, is a single, or a plurality of stanchion bases. Each stanchion base incorporates a vertical socket, accepting a socket pin. The pin locks in place the interchangeable handle bars, with relative ease, and without the need for the metal-bonding adhesives. The handle bars come in different shapes and sizes, including but not limited to: I-shaped, H-shaped, U-shaped and goalpost-shaped bars. Each of the handle bars may be outfitted with a food and accessory tray. The tray provides its end-users, thus the golf cart driver and its passenger, with the ability to store food and small, personal objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: John Ratkovich
  • Patent number: 10227055
    Abstract: A locking device for an axle includes a carrier for an axle, a cylinder for a fluid, having a cylinder wall, and a piston which is located inside the cylinder and is sealed against the cylinder wall at least in sections or at certain points, so that the interior of the cylinder is subdivided into a first volume and a second volume separated from the first volume by the piston, and also comprising a mechanical connection between the piston on one side and the carrier for the axle or the axle itself on the other, so that the position of the piston in the cylinder determines the orientation of the carrier for the axle or the orientation of the axle itself, and vice versa, wherein the first volume is connected to the second volume via a line system which has a line segment in which a valve is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: MACK RIDES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gunter Burger, Frank Sornik, Michael Kraus
  • Patent number: 10216316
    Abstract: A 3-dimensional (3D) flat panel display with a built-in touch screen panel includes a first substrate, a plurality of pixels on the first substrate, a plurality of first electrode patterns spaced apart from one another at a first predetermined interval along a first direction, the plurality of first electrode patterns for driving the plurality of pixels, a second substrate positioned to face the first substrate, and a plurality of barrier patterns formed on an outer surface of the second substrate and spaced apart from one another at a second predetermined interval along a second direction, intersecting the first direction. At least one of the plurality of first electrode patterns and at least one barrier pattern of the plurality of barrier patterns serve as electrodes for the built-in touch screen panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-Woong Park, Joo-Hyung Lee, Geun-Young Jeong, Sang-Jin Pak, Ji-Yeon Yang, Se-Il Cho
  • Patent number: 10131212
    Abstract: A gate assembly for a motor vehicle having an open doorway includes an elongated gate having a pivoting end mounted to a first frame component at one side of the doorway and a latching end opposite the pivoting end, a latch striker pin mounted to a second frame component at the opposite side of the doorway, a latch cam at the latching end of the gate and having a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuator having an engaged position in which the latch cam is in its unlatched position and a disengaged position in which the latch cam is in its latched position. The gate is pivotable from a stowed position adjacent to the one side of the doorway to a deployed position across the doorway in which the latch cam in its latched position engages the striker pin to secure the gate in its deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gale, Guy R. Dingman, Jeffrey A. King
  • Patent number: 9994180
    Abstract: A restraint system is provided for a manned vehicle. The restraint system may optionally be automatically actuated; that is, hands-free to the seat occupant or occupants where the restraint system is vehicle-wide. The restraint system may comprise a first component including an upper restraint and at least one secondary restraint apparatus such as an airbag or a belt system. The restraint system may have a manual override so an occupant can exit when circumstances require, even if the automated parameters would otherwise keep the restraints locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: PRATT & MILLER ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, INC.
    Inventors: Celyn M. Evans, Steven Reini, Erik Hardy, Benjamin K. Bosworth, Benjamin L. Brooke
  • Patent number: 9834166
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly that includes a vehicle seating assembly that includes a seatback having a passenger support attached to a trim carrier with a suspension assembly connecting a support structure. The support structure includes a first trim piece, a seat frame, and a rear panel portion. The rear panel portion includes one or more upper inverted hooks, an energy transfer bracket, and one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips. An airbag deployment system is positioned proximate the first trim piece and a second trim piece and configured to deploy an airbag between the first and second trim pieces. The deployment energy is dissipated through the one or more upper inverted hooks, the energy transfer bracket, and the one or more lower 2-stage attachment clips of the rear panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Richard Joseph Soyka, Jr., Martin Voelker, Manoj Desai, Christian J. Hosbach
  • Patent number: 9827503
    Abstract: An amusement ride restraint system includes an amusement ride car. A lap pad is configured to selectively engage a lap of the rider while the rider is positioned within the seat. A first linkage is pivotally coupled to the lap pad and pivotally coupled relative to the floor of the ride car, the first linkage operable to rotate the lap pad into i) an engaged position in which the rider is restrained in the seat, and ii) a loading position in which the rider can be loaded into or unloaded from the seat. The lap pad is constrained to pivotal motion relative to the first linkage such that the lap pad is oriented in a substantially vertical attitude relative to the seat when moved into the loading position and is oriented in a substantially horizontal attitude relative to the seat when moved into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lagoon Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Dal Freeman, Aaron Jarrett, Dustin Allen
  • Patent number: 9809188
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a cabin cover system positioned over the operator cabin of a machine. The cabin cover system comprises a first support member extending vertically from a frame member. The first support member has a first portion attached to the frame member and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. The cabin cover system further includes a canopy pivotally coupled to the second portion of the first support member. The cabin cover system also includes at least one hydraulic actuator operatively coupled to each of the canopy and the frame member. The at least one hydraulic actuator is configured to pivotally move the canopy towards the truck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marion B. Grant
  • Patent number: 9776476
    Abstract: A security device for a cargo van comprises a sheet metal grill stamped or laser cut to exhibit a plurality of regularly spaced apertures therethrough and surrounded by a solid border having a plurality of notches formed inward of the border into which are fitted clamp members for securing the grill in place against a window of the cargo van to inhibit break-ins and theft of articles carried by the van. The clamp members include U-shaped sockets adapted to cooperate with the notches formed in the border and base members for secure attachment of the clamp members to a frame of the window using self-tapping screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: ROM ACQUISITION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Avraham Y. Levi
  • Patent number: 9738187
    Abstract: A seat bottom includes a frame, a first thigh support, and a second thigh support. The first thigh support and the second thigh support are each supported by the frame and independently movable relative to the frame. A first deployable device is coupled to the first thigh support, and a second deployable device is coupled to the second thigh support. At least one inflator is in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second deployable devices. The first and second deployable devices are each formed of thermoplastic elastomer and are inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventors: Robert William McCoy, Cortney Stancato, Jaeho Cho, Mohammed Shenaq
  • Patent number: 9616837
    Abstract: A roll bar assembly includes an upper portion which is movably mounted at least indirectly to a vehicle frame. The upper portion is able to be secured in a raised position and is also able to fold forward to a folded-forward position for shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: EXCEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel
  • Patent number: 9561706
    Abstract: A vehicle window assembly includes a body structure, a hinge structure, and a covering panel. The hinge structure includes a hinge base and a hinge cover, the hinge base including an attachment portion attached to an upper portion of the body structure, a cover mounting portion, and a loop support portion extending from the attachment portion to the cover mounting portion, the hinge cover being attached to the cover mounting portion. The covering panel includes a hanging loop with a hanging section disposed between the loop support portion of the hinge base and the hinge cover, and is movable between a secured position in which the hanging section of the hanging loop is positioned adjacent the attachment portion of the hinge base, and an unsecured position in which the hanging section of the hanging loop is disposed adjacent the cover mounting portion of the hinge base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: David Agnew
  • Patent number: 9562381
    Abstract: A vehicle window assembly includes a body structure, a hinge structure, and a covering panel. The covering panel overlies an inboard side of a window opening, and comprises a hanging loop with a hanging section. The hinge structure comprises a hinge base and a hinge cover, and is attached to the upper portion of the body structure. The hinge cover attaches to the hinge base to form a loop support portion between the hinge base and the hinge cover, and to enclose a hanging loop, preventing removal of the hanging loop. The loop support portion enables the hanging loop to be movable between a secured position in which the hanging section is positioned adjacent the inboard end of the hinge base, and an unsecured position in which the hanging section is disposed adjacent the outboard end of the hinge base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: David Agnew
  • Patent number: 9555759
    Abstract: A knee protector for a vehicle in which an upper bracket which generates a high reaction force to a knee input load and a lower bracket which generates a reaction force lower than the upper bracket are directly or indirectly attached, in a vertical position, to a vehicle body strength member. At least the upper bracket has a closed cross-section part on at least a part of the upper bracket. An inwardly protruding part which inwardly protrudes is formed in at least one surface of the closed cross-section part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: CALSONIC KANSEI CORPORATION, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Abe, Shiro Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9394009
    Abstract: In a method for connecting at least two structural units for a body of a vehicle, which structural units have in each case at least one carrier unit which is in the form of a hollow profile and which has at least one reinforcement element arranged in the carrier unit, the respective reinforcement element is connected by structural foam to the corresponding carrier unit, wherein the reinforcement elements of the two structural units are formed in each case with a joining portion and are joined to one another. The structural units to be connected are aligned, and the reinforcement elements are pre-fixed in the carrier units before a heat treatment of the structural units, and are finally fixed by foaming and/or adhesive bonding after the heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Anja Jäschke
  • Patent number: 9365166
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle including a pillar assembly. The pillar assembly comprises a structural reinforcement member and an associated garnish. The garnish is constructed of an elongated polypropylene inner layer mated to a cooperatively shaped fiber filled outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark David Bartlett, Hiroaki Taniguchi, Ben Edward Sapak, Shane M. Vorac
  • Patent number: 9351529
    Abstract: A system of tethers and a helmet cooperating with the tethers for controlling a driver's head during operation of a vehicle. The system of tethers includes a pair of side tethers for attachment to the sides of the helmet and to a head and neck restraint device and either at least two rear tethers having first ends for attachment to the helmet and second ends for attachment to shoulder straps or a support member or a single rear tether having an intermediate portion attached to a support member and opposed end portions for attachment to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Trevor P. Ashline
  • Patent number: 9327587
    Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Mark Esala, Derek Sorenson, Peter Schoenecker, Brian Eck, Andrew Hulstein, Scott Mazour, John Seal, Ryan Hughes, Craig Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9260825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a road-building machine, comprising a drivable chassis (1) on which a driver's cab (3) having a control panel (2) is provided. A canopy (5) that is fixed to the chassis by at least one support (6) is arranged above the driver's cab, wherein at least one support (6) is adjustably arranged on the chassis (1) such that the canopy (5) can be lowered for a transport position and raised for a working position. For a working position with reduced set-up height, the lowered canopy (5) forms a free space (9) for an operator in the region of the control panel (2) of the driver's cab (3), wherefore a canopy section covering the control panel (2) is designed such as to be movable relative to the chassis (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ABG Allgemeine Baumaschinen-Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Bernd Lemke, Michael Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 9211845
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a door for a console box having a door outer, a door inner and a lock mechanism. The door inner is mounted to the door outer, and has a pair of mounting walls. The lock mechanism releasably locks the door at a position where the door closes an opening of a box main body of the console box. The lock mechanism has a knob that is pivotably mounted between the pair of mounting walls and is operated when releasing the lock mechanism. The door outer has a pair of ribs that push the pair of mounting walls away from each other to detach the knob from the mounting walls when the door outer receives a shock toward the door inner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Yano, Takamichi Fujine, Youhei Emura, Masato Noritake, Yuichi Kaneko, Takashi Murata
  • Patent number: 9150225
    Abstract: A safety device for railway vehicles is provided, more specifically a safety device that reduces the negative consequences resulting from collisions or pedestrian accidents involving railway vehicles. As such, the railway vehicle safety device consists of a main impact dampening area and at least one secondary support and resistance area, with the safety device being installed on the railway vehicle's front end, so that the main impact dampening area dampens the force of the impact caused by a collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: VALE S.A.
    Inventor: Caue Stocchi Somensi
  • Patent number: 9132784
    Abstract: A headache rack for pickup trucks and similar vehicles is disclosed which comprises a three panel construction including a center panel connected between left and right side panels. Each of the left and right side panels is mounted to an upright side rail coupled to one of the side walls of the truck bed, and to a cross bar extending generally horizontally between the side rails. Adjustment structure is provided to adjust the overall lateral dimension of the three panels in order to accommodate truck beds of different width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Daws Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Harrison
  • Publication number: 20150102590
    Abstract: A bolster assembly for a vehicle is provided, the bolster assembly comprising a body, and a plurality of brackets provided on a front surface of the body, the plurality of brackets being arranged in paired sets. Also provided is a plurality of energy absorbing elements, wherein each of the plurality of energy absorbing elements is operably associated with a respective bracket, and where within each paired set of brackets, the energy absorbing elements are disposed in adjacent relationship separated by a gap. Each paired set of brackets is aligned with a frame structure provided in the vehicle, the frame structure having a width greater than the gap. Upon a crash event and forward displacement of the body, the paired sets of brackets engage the frame structure, the energy absorbing elements deforming during the forward displacement to absorb energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Salflex Polymers Limited
    Inventor: Raj Roychoudhury
  • Patent number: 8998301
    Abstract: A control platform for a road making machine comprises a fall protection for preventing the operator from falling down from the control platform. The disclosure is characterized by the fall protection comprising a pane of laminated glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Joseph Voegele AG
    Inventors: Ingo Herzberg, Tobias Gotterbarm
  • Patent number: 8991843
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including an operator compartment having at least one entrance and a floorboard. The vehicle further comprises at least one step capable of being positioned across the entrance a spaced distance from the floorboard such that an operator may stand on the step when the step is positioned across the entrance to gain access to an elevated storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: James V. Kraimer, Jay G. Pollack, Markus Graf
  • Patent number: 8979123
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a chassis frame, a single-row seat arranged on the chassis frame, and a rollover protective structure (R.O.P.S.) surrounding a riding space in which the single-row seat is arranged. The R.O.P.S. includes a right side unit and a left side unit, and a plurality of cross members for detachably coupling the right side unit and the left side unit. Each of the right side unit and the left side unit integrally includes a front pole portion, an upper beam portion, a mid pole portion, and a rear pole portion. For each of the right side unit and the left side unit, a lower end of the front pole portion, a lower end of the mid pole portion, and a lower end of the rear pole portion are individually and detachably coupled to the chassis frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Takahashi, Yoshinori Tsumiyama
  • Patent number: 8960774
    Abstract: An impact absorbing body for attachment to a door trim is capable of bearing a collision load from an exterior panel at the time of a side collision. The impact absorbing body has a top face portion with linear edge portions and sidewall portions extending from the linear edge portions toward the door trim to provide a hollow box. The impact absorbing body also includes base portions connected to edge portions of the sidewall portions. The base portions are open toward the door trim and are attached to the door trim. The impact absorbing body also includes slits between adjacent sidewall portions, and the sidewall portions have outwardly slanted portions. In addition, rib members extend from the top face portion toward the base portion, toward the inside of the hollow box, and connect the adjacent sidewall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilesh Ishwardas Sakhare, Toru Ishizaki, Yoshiyuki Arai
  • Patent number: 8960715
    Abstract: A head protection device includes an air bag and a guiding bracket, and the guiding bracket includes an attachment surface that has an attachment portion attached to a body panel, a guiding wall that has a support portion for supporting the air bag, and a contact portion that is coupled to an end of the guiding wall in the vehicle cabin side and contacts a ceiling material. A weak portion deformed toward the vehicle cabin outer side by a load of a passenger's head at a collision causing no activation of an inflator is formed between the support portion of the guiding wall and the contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasunori Uchida
  • Patent number: 8955880
    Abstract: An adjustable headboard for a carrier vehicle includes a hoop with a first frame member having a proximal end and a distal end, a second frame member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a connecting member extending between the distal end of the first frame member and the distal end of the second frame member. The hoop is moveable between a first position and a second position. The adjustable headboard further includes a stationary base with a first receiving channel and a second receiving channel and a retainer coupled to the hoop to secure the hoop in the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Malcolm, Sanjeev T. Kuriakose, Brandon F. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8950553
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety bar having a resiliently flexible neck connecting a shaft to a head. The head includes a surface connected to at least one pair of spaced apart opposing legs. The surface and the spaced apart opposing legs define a passage and a channel intermediate the surface and the passage. Also disclosed is a method of making such a safety bar. The safety bar can be installed in a reach lift truck for protecting an operator of the reach lift truck from injury due to accidental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lakeport Metalcraft and Welding
    Inventor: Roland Stefan Nopper
  • Patent number: 8944497
    Abstract: A side track for a vehicular sun roof comprises a first portion having a longitudinal extension for supporting the sun roof, and a second portion extending side by side, and connected to, at least a part of the first portion. Furthermore, at least a part of the second portion is arranged to pivot in relation to the first portion in order to absorb impact energy from a colliding object. A sun roof arrangement comprising such a side track, and a vehicle comprising such a sun roof arrangement or side track are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Joakim Dryselius, Peder Soederstroem
  • Publication number: 20140375039
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a door for a console box having a door outer, a door inner and a lock mechanism. The door inner is mounted to the door outer, and has a pair of mounting walls. The lock mechanism releasably locks the door at a position where the door closes an opening of a box main body of the console box. The lock mechanism has a knob that is pivotably mounted between the pair of mounting walls and is operated when releasing the lock mechanism. The door outer has a pair of ribs that push the pair of mounting walls away from each other to detach the knob from the mounting walls when the door outer receives a shock toward the door inner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Toshiki Yano, Takamichi Fujine, Youhei Emura, Masato Noritake, Yuichi Kaneko, Takashi Murata