Passenger Safety Guards Patents (Class 280/748)
  • Publication number: 20140353953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety protection apparatus for motor traffic means, comprising a support frame fixedly connected to a seat of a motor traffic means and a protection cabin for accommodating an infant. The upper end of the protection cabin is rotatably connected to the support frame, and a damping shock-absorption component is provided between the protection cabin and support frame or the seat. The apparatus of the present can be adapted for motor traffic means such as a passenger car, a truck, or a steamboat, etc., and, adapted respectively for adults and infants. The apparatus of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: protecting the passengers from direct damage from external force by providing a protection cabin; buffering the shock caused by emergency braking or collision by providing a rotatable mechanism, consuming energy by a damping component and providing comprehensive protection for infants or adults in prone position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Bing JIANG, Bolun JIANG
  • Patent number: 8882144
    Abstract: A knee collision protection structure for a vehicle includes a glove box provided at a lower portion of an instrument panel and including a storage part and a panel part provided to stand on a cabin side of the storage part and configuring part of the instrument panel, and a shaft member provided on the vehicle front side than the panel part of the glove box and on the upper side than the storage part and extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. The glove box is provided so as to rotate around the shaft member when a knee of an occupant seated on a seat opposed to the glove box collides with a lower portion of the panel part than the shaft member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Takai
  • Patent number: 8857555
    Abstract: A front wheel suspension on a two-track vehicle having a wheel carrier or pivot bearing guided by an articulated suspension link is provided with an add-on part arranged such that during an impact of the vehicle on an obstacle which penetrates into the space bridged by the suspension link between a wheel and an axle support or vehicle body, the add-on part forms a lever arm on an articulated connection of the suspension link to separate the link by opening or destroying the connection. Separation of the articulated connection allows the vehicle wheel to be displaced laterally away from the vehicle interior. The add-on part may be fastened by a fastening screw of the articulation connection or be an extension of the screw. The add-on part may have a bead or a punch ring which has a destructive effect on the articulated connection during impact-caused displacement of the add-on part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Paintmayer, Bernd Binkowski, Stephan Ertlmaier, Anton Woelfl, Kurt Poetter, Benjamin Jakob, Farshad Boromandi, Franz Hoiss, Ana Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8840142
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant knee protection apparatus is provided in which the front end of an upper bracket is fixed to an instrument panel reinforcement, and a lower bracket and a knee panel are supported by the instrument panel reinforcement via the upper bracket. Thus, the vehicle occupant knee protection apparatus may be attached to the instrument panel reinforcement by, for example, preparing a subassembly by fixing the lower bracket and the knee panel to the upper bracket, and then fixing only the front end of the upper bracket to the instrument panel reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8746739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a restraint system for a vehicle, such as a wheeled vehicle, boat, or fixed or rotary winged aircraft. The system includes a control system integrated into the harness and strap of the restraint. This permits crewmembers to lock and unlock the restraint from a body worn control panel. Other auxiliary equipment also be operated from the control panel. In another embodiment, wiring for a communication system is integrated into the harness and strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Carlston Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Meggs, Donald Blackman, Brian Ford, Justin Robinson, M. Elizabeth Bolint
  • Publication number: 20140138940
    Abstract: The Integrated maze bead toy is developed using a hollow insertion created within the bumper bar 5, can have a rod system 3 with balls having holes through the centre so the rod 3 for the balls 2,4 and 6 to travel through from one end of the bumper bar to the other. The balls integrated in the bumper bar travel through the channel of the bumper bar (the hollow insertion) without the need for the rod system 3. The bumper bar has a unique way of keeping the balls intact allowing the balls to travel and make their journey from one end of the bumper bar to the other freely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Fateha Khanam Chowdhury
  • Publication number: 20140125043
    Abstract: A knee collision protection structure for a vehicle includes a glove box provided at a lower portion of an instrument panel and including a storage part and a panel part provided to stand on a cabin side of the storage part and configuring part of the instrument panel, and a shaft member provided on the vehicle front side than the panel part of the glove box and on the upper side than the storage part and extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. The glove box is provided so as to rotate around the shaft member when a knee of an occupant seated on a seat opposed to the glove box collides with a lower portion of the panel part than the shaft member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto TAKAI
  • Patent number: 8684126
    Abstract: In a rearward pedal movement restraint assembly for a vehicle, an intermediate portion of a clutch pedal, which moves rearward by the impact of a frontal collision of the vehicle when the frontal collision occurs, contacts a forward portion of a knee panel so that the clutch pedal pivots toward the front of the vehicle so that the amount of rearward movement of the clutch pedal is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8672392
    Abstract: An instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided wherein the instrument panel is operable to hold a meter cluster. The meter cluster is positioned adjacent to a shifter of an automotive vehicle. The meter cluster is mounted within the center of the vehicle. The instrument panel includes a main panel having a plurality of apertures located adjacent to the meter cluster. A mounting aperture for the meter cluster is provided wherein the meter cluster is mounted to the mounting aperture for the meter cluster. The plurality of apertures on the main panel located adjacent to the meter cluster are operable to weaken the structure of the main panel to facilitate a controlled collapse of the instrument panel when the shifter hits the meter cluster. The positioning of the apertures located adjacent to the meter cluster prevents damage to the meter cluster during the accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Porcs, Raymond David Howe
  • Patent number: 8668124
    Abstract: An adjustable width headache rack capable of accommodating the widths of multiple pick-up truck vehicles and mounting thereon including a frame member having an upper load bar and a lower cross bar each extending between two upright members spaced a distance from one another. Leg members extend from each upright member in a rearward direction on top of bed rails of the pick-up truck. The leg members have a sleeve portion which slidingly engages the lower cross bar thereby enabling width adjustment. Screen members are interchangeable within the truck rack frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Thule Sweden AB
    Inventors: Neil J. Kennedy, Andrew James Hughes, John Laverack, Douglas B. Winner
  • Patent number: 8641093
    Abstract: A retractable limb guard assembly for a tractor with a pair of opposed loader brackets and a hydraulic system. The assembly includes a pair of opposed removable brackets connected to the pair of loader brackets. One pair of rocker arms is pivotally connected to each one of the pair of removable brackets. A limb shield is pivotally connected to each of the two pairs of the rocker arms. The pair of hydraulic cylinders is actuated by the tractor hydraulic system wherein each of the hydraulic cylinders extends between one of the removable brackets and one of the rocker arms in order to move the limb shield between a retracted position to an angled protection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel U. Knight
  • Patent number: 8636295
    Abstract: A two-wheel vehicle for carrying out tire grip measurements. The vehicle is equipped with three spars fitted onto one side of the vehicle, the ends of the spars forming a plane approximately parallel to the circumferential plane of the rear wheel of the vehicle and the distance between said plane and the circumferential plane of the rear wheel of the vehicle being greater than 350 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Compagnie General des Etablissments Michelin, Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Roziere, Claude Martinroche
  • Publication number: 20140008904
    Abstract: A structure for reducing knee injury in a vehicle, may include a toe stopper disposed on a bottom of a vehicle interior at a driver's seat or a passenger's seat in a traverse direction of a vehicle body, wherein the toe stopper is protrusively disposed from the bottom of the vehicle interior to have a height such that a front tip of a foot of the driver or the passenger is stopped from moving forward and thus a knee part of the driver or the passenger contacts a crash pad earlier than a shin part of the driver or the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Byeng Jik AHN
  • Patent number: 8523224
    Abstract: A walkie/rider pallet truck is provided comprising a power unit; a set of forks associated with the power unit; a platform associated with the power unit and defining a location upon which an operator may stand; and a restraint system comprising a pivotable restraint structure. The restraint structure is movable to one of a walkie position, a rider-driving position and a quick-exit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Gallagher, Markus Graf, Franz Pöschl, Sultan Masoud Karimi, James V. Kraimer
  • Patent number: 8517421
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle safety anti-collision device, which includes an outer housing, a buffer material block, a bracket, and a bracket base. Said outer housing is provided with a front end portion, a connecting portion extending from both sides of the front end portion, and a receiving opening formed by said connecting portions and said front end portion. Said bracket is in the shape of an arch bridge and is provided with an arch portion received in said receiving opening and mounting portions on both ends of the arch portion. Said buffer material block is sandwiched between said outer housing and said bracket, and the connecting portions of said outer housing are fixed to the said bracket. With the vehicle safety anti-collision device, the energy generated during a vehicle collision can be absorbed immensely, and the damage caused by collision to the vehicle and people can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Suzhou Eagle Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xue-qing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130214570
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method of armed forces vehicle seating which reduces the potential for injury to occupants when the vehicle is subjected to a mine or similar explosive device. The seats are ceiling or wall mounted and include a trailing arm which allows for deflection while providing stability. The seat isolates the occupants from the chassis of the vehicle via a pneumatic or other shock absorber and/or a crushable element to provide protection from vertical and horizontal oriented blasts. These seats can also be combined with shock absorbing/isolating foot rests, appendage (leg) restrain systems and an occupant four-point harness to offer a completely integrated system. This integrated system reduces acceleration/deceleration related injuries, shock injuries to the lower legs, flailing injuries to the lower legs and internal collision injuries. Other options and alternatives are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Allen-Vanguard Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Grant, Brent Almstedt
  • Patent number: 8505971
    Abstract: A present invention provides a knee bolster for a vehicle including a first bracket with a first support portion, a first load receiving portion, and a first deformation portion, and a second bracket with a second support portion, a second load receiving portion, and a second deformation portion, wherein the second bracket is arranged such that the distance between the second load receiving portion and the knee is shorter than the distance between the first load receiving portion and the knee in the load application direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Arima
  • Publication number: 20130187370
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle safety anti-collision device, which includes an outer housing, a buffer material block, a bracket, and a bracket base. Said outer housing is provided with a front end portion, a connecting portion extending from both sides of the front end portion, and a receiving opening formed by said connecting portions and said front end portion. Said bracket is in the shape of an arch bridge and is provided with an arch portion received in said receiving opening and mounting portions on both ends of the arch portion. Said buffer material block is sandwiched between said outer housing and said bracket, and the connecting portions of said outer housing are fixed to the said bracket. With the vehicle safety anti-collision device, the energy generated during a vehicle collision can be absorbed immensely, and the damage caused by collision to the vehicle and people can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Suzhou Eagle Eletric Vehicle Manufacturing Co.,Ltd
    Inventor: Xue-qing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8474872
    Abstract: There is provided a passive safety device which can prevent an occupant from moving when an acceleration that causes the occupant to move in a vehicle is working on the occupant, and which can improve the ride comfort. A passive safety device of the present invention comprises an acceleration detecting unit that detects an acceleration of a vehicle, a seat adjusting unit that expands a seat side of a seat in order to prevent an occupant sitting down the seat from moving, a safety belt adjusting unit that controls tension of a safety belt worn by the occupant, and a control unit that controls an expansion of the seat side and/or the tension of the safety belt through the seat adjusting unit and the safety belt adjusting unit, based on the detected acceleration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shotaro Odate
  • Patent number: 8459696
    Abstract: An active material-enabled overhead protection system (24) for protecting the occupants of vehicles (20) with overhead glass (22), such as sunroofs or panoramic windshields, during rollover events. The system (24) includes a protective structure (26) and a deployment device (28). The protective structure (26) has a stowed condition in which it does not obstruct the overhead glass (22), and a deployed condition in which it is interposed between the overhead glass (22) and the heads of the occupants of the vehicle (20). The deployment device (28) moves the protective structure (26) from the stowed condition to the deployed condition. The deployment device (28) includes a trigger (30) operable to initiate movement of the protective structure (26), and the trigger (30) includes an active material which can change shape in response to an actuation signal, and the change in shape initiates deployment of the protective structure (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Paul W. Alexander, Jennifer P. Lawall, Nancy L. Johnson, Hans P. Lawall, Gregory J. Vargo
  • Patent number: 8454054
    Abstract: An active bolster has a plastic-molded, expandable inner wall and a plastic-molded outer wall overlying the inner wall are joined around a closed perimeter region to form an inflatable bladder. One wall surface includes a plurality of upstanding, concentric ribs within the closed perimeter region for providing attachment between the inner and outer walls which is preserved during inflation of the inflatable bladder. The concentric ribs include an innermost rib and an outermost rib. Each concentric rib has a respective window, wherein the windows are respectively offset to provide a to serpentine path through the concentric ribs from the central volume to atmosphere outside the outermost rib. At least one of the windows is closed by a breakaway seal configured to prevent flow of the inflation gas through the serpentine path until it ruptures at a predetermined pressure during inflation of the inflatable bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Stacey H. Raines
  • Patent number: 8444212
    Abstract: The invention concerns a driver protection system for a vehicle comprising a restraining bow frame (7) which is pivotable about a pivot axis between a securing position in which the restraining bow frame (7) secures a driver from falling out of the vehicle and a release position in which the restraining bow frame (7) permits the driver to climb out of the vehicle, wherein the restraining bow frame (7) in the release position is displaced relative to the securing position in the direction of the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: IWS Ingenieurgesellschaft Weiner & Schroeter mbH
    Inventor: Oliver Schröter
  • Patent number: 8439386
    Abstract: A name plate motorcycle exhaust guard that includes a name plate having a plurality of letters wrought three-dimensionally thereupon, a pair of fasteners disposed perpendicularly from an inward surface, wherein the name plate is removably attachable to a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket configured to be removably attachable to a highway peg mount of a motorcycle, whereby the name plate motorcycle exhaust guard extends rearwards in a vertical plane to shield a rider from contact with the exhaust pipe when the motorcycle is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Lucas A. Cruz
  • Patent number: 8414024
    Abstract: An active bolster for a door of a transportation vehicle comprises a sheet metal door frame with a plurality of brackets. A door cover panel is mounted to the door frame. The cover panel has a bolster aperture, a living hinge disposed around the perimeter of the bolster aperture, and a plurality of mounting bosses. A blow-molded bladder is arranged to fit within the bolster aperture having a front surface substantially co-planar with the cover panel, having a pleated back surface, and having a plurality of side mounting tabs extending laterally from the sides of the bladder. Each side mounting tab is attached to a respective mounting boss and includes a respective tear seam configured to pull away from the respective mounting boss during inflation of the bladder. A plurality of capture pins are insert molded into the back surface. Each pin is captured by a respective bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond E. Kalisz, Michael G. Orlowsky
  • Patent number: 8360470
    Abstract: A restraining system includes a restraining volume that is bounded by a cladding, and is deployable by expansion of the restraining volume, to restrain or protect an object or person. Deployment of the restraining volume by expanding it into a restraining position is performed by a mechanical enlarging unit, rather than by a pyrotechnic gas generator, so that the restraining system may be restored to a storage position following a deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hirth, Lutz Quarg, Friedrich Reiter, Clark Ruedebusch
  • Patent number: 8356836
    Abstract: A knee bolster for mounting within a vehicle includes a curved bracket mounted to an associated cross beam of the vehicle. The knee bolster further includes a knee panel member mounted to the curved bracket at a location spaced from the associated cross beam. The knee panel member exhibits a variable load response for a contact location when the contact location varies between a lower portion of the knee panel member and an upper portion of the knee panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Taracko
  • Patent number: 8353534
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a passenger restraint assembly. The utility bed is coupled with the vehicular frame and includes a bed floor, a side wall, and a rear scat. The passenger restraint assembly includes a securing member, a belt and a retractor. The securing member is coupled with the utility bed adjacent to the rear seat. The belt includes a first end; a second end, and a securing portion. The securing portion is configured for selective engagement with the securing member. The retractor is coupled with the side wall. The retractor includes a carrier that is coupled with the first end of the belt and is configured to facilitate selective dispensation of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Arnold, Craig Mitchell, Justin Michael Winter
  • Publication number: 20130009430
    Abstract: Described are energy absorbers for a structure within a vehicle cabin having at least one airbag, an inflator, a control module, and an outer surface positioned adjacent the airbag. The outer surface may include a plurality of mechanical energy absorbers positioned adjacent the airbag and coupled to the outer surface, wherein the outer surface comprises a surface area that is greater than an inflated surface area of the airbag. The outer surface may also include a breakable area positioned adjacent the airbag, wherein the breakable area has a weaker coupling to the outer surface on at least a first side and a stronger coupling to the outer surface on at least a second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ZODIAC AEROSPACE
    Inventors: Rakibul ISLAM, Robert W. TRIMBLE, Raul Daniel Flores AGUIRRE, Frederic QUATANENS, Jeremy CAILLETEAU, Jeremy GAUDIN, Virgile MARTINEZ, Jean-Marc OBADIA
  • Patent number: 8328235
    Abstract: The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to side-by-side all terrain vehicles having plural rows of seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D Schneider, Michael J Hanten, Cal W Johnson, Kevin Van Bronkhorst
  • Patent number: 8292352
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a seat mounted to a vehicle body frame to seat a passenger thereon; a side member positioned outward in a vehicle width direction relative to the seat and forming a part of the vehicle body frame; an access opening defined by the side member, the seat being accessible by the passenger through the access opening; a door rotatably mounted to the side member to open and close a part of the access opening; and a protective cover provided between the door and the side member and coupled to the door and to the side member; the protective cover being rotatable with respect to the side member along with the door and closing at least a part of a portion of the access opening, which portion is above the door, in a state where the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tyler Furman, Hidetoshi Kaku
  • Patent number: 8286996
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting a vehicle and, more specifically, a truck bed is disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a system with three parts: a protective bar, one or more joint pieces attached to the protective bar, and one or more brackets attached to the one or more joint pieces. The brackets fit over the back end of the truck bed to hold the protective bar in place, while still keeping the overall system easily removable from the truck bed. Embodiments include both a single bracket as well as multiple brackets. The protective bar prevents cargo from impacting the front of the truck bed or back window while the cargo is being loaded, unloaded, or transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Norman Grant
  • Patent number: 8262131
    Abstract: An automotive knee bolster system includes a cross-car beam, and a variable stiffness member attached to the cross-car beam and configured to absorb occupant knee impact energy. The member includes a plurality of nested panels each having a different length and substantially the same radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Laike Misikir, Wanjun Lei, Ami Nicole Kapadia
  • Patent number: 8235443
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat and a rear seat surrounded by a cabin frame, and a cargo bed in this order from the vehicle front, a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded into the riding space of the rear seat and a non-expanded state not occupying the riding space of the rear seat. The screen shield is supported by the upper portion of the cabin frame and is changeable between an expanded position in which the cargo bed and the riding space in front of the cargo bed are partitioned and a non-expanded position in which the cargo bed and the riding space in front of the cargo bed are partitioned without the necessity of detaching the screen shield from the cabin frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Kokawa, Satoshi Morotomi, Daisuke Takagi, Naohisa Masuda, Shigeru Yamashita, Masahiro Kawahara, Hirokazu Morita, Masashi Sakata, Hideyuki Kato
  • Patent number: 8226155
    Abstract: Disclosed are work machine vehicles having an adjustable seatbar assembly in the operator protective structure. The adjustable seatbar assembly is suspended from a seat in the operator protective structure. Vehicle controls are integrated with the adjustable seatbar assembly such that the vehicle controls and the operator sitting on the seat are maintained at constant relative positions with respect to each other even as the work machine vehicle moves over rough terrain and the seat moves up and down on a seat suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Aaron G. Hill, Jeremy W. Ekren
  • Patent number: 8205924
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed that is expandable forward, and a screen shield arranged at the front end of the cargo bed. The position of the cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state and a non-expanded state. A winding device for the screen shield is provided on a front panel. The screen shield is made of a net material having flexibility, for example. One end of the screen shield is windably supported by the winding device. The other end of the screen shield has an engaging portion. A first engaged portion for a non-expanded position and a second engaged portion for an expanded position are provided in the cabin frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Masuda, Masaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8191928
    Abstract: A machine includes a frame having a payload portion, an operator cab, and a crane disposed on a base connected to the frame between the payload portion and the operator cab. The machine further includes a headboard assembly connected to the frame and disposed between the base and the payload portion. A stabilizing pin arrangement includes a floating connection arrangement connecting the headboard assembly to the frame. The floating connection arrangement includes at least two resilient elements, each of the two resilient elements being disposed on either side of a member connected to the headboard assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jay T. Hulscher, Nick B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120133115
    Abstract: A two-wheel vehicle for carrying out tire grip measurements. The vehicle is equipped with three spars fitted onto one side of the vehicle, the ends of the spars forming a plane approximately parallel to the circumferential plane of the rear wheel of the vehicle and the distance between said plane and the circumferential plane of the rear wheel of the vehicle being greater than 350 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicants: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., SOCIETE DE TECHNOLOGIE MICHELIN
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Roziere, Claude Martinroche
  • Patent number: 8172264
    Abstract: A knee bolster installation for an automotive vehicle includes a bridge plate extending across a space receiving a steering column in front of the driver's knee or a glove box in front of a passenger's knees and having a knee impact absorber structure attached behind each end of the bridge plate. Each knee impact absorber structure has diverging front and back walls having a curved top wall and a curved generally horizontal intermediate web extending between the front and back walls, and a curved bottom wall connecting the lower end of front and back walls together. A generally vertical stabilizer web connects the top wall and intermediate web together to restrain bulging when crushed to avoid horizontal collapse thereof during deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Inventor: Ayyakannu Mani
  • Publication number: 20120089303
    Abstract: A holding device (195) for holding a vehicle occupant (180) in a vehicle seat (190); the center of mass (S) of the vehicle occupant (180) being in a predetermined center-of-mass region (330) over a vehicle seat surface when the vehicle occupant (180) sits on the vehicle seat (190); and the holding device (195) including a holding element (195) that is designed to hold the vehicle occupant (180) in a predetermined position on the vehicle seat (190) in the event of a collision of the vehicle. In addition, the holding device (195) includes a positioning unit (305, 710) that is designed to bring the holding element (300, 700) from a starting position into a target position on a side of the vehicle seat in response to an activation signal; in the target position, the holding element (300, 700) being situated at an elevation over the vehicle seat surface, so that in the target position, it laterally covers at least a part of the center-of-mass region (330).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Heiko Freienstein, Jens Schrader
  • Patent number: 8146701
    Abstract: A component, especially a part of an intake system or an air filter, for installation under the hood of a motor vehicle has a housing with a first housing part and a second housing part that are connected to one another. The first housing part is of a two-part configuration and has a support frame and a receiving part. The support frame is supported on the second housing part. The receiving part and the support frame are secured relative to one another by a releasable connection. The releasable connection is designed such that, when an external force acts on the receiving part, the releasable connection is released and the receiving part and the support frame slide telescopingly into one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Spannbauer
  • Patent number: 8132827
    Abstract: A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. The ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features enhance the utility of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: James Bergman, Larry Holter, Richard Nelson, Lionel Hoff, Doug Moman, Joshua J. Leonard, Mitchell D. Johnson, Richard Raymond Maki, Eric Bjerkelvedt, Bradley Robert Morisch, Brian D. Krosschell, Louis J. Brady, Michael D. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8113535
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for motor vehicles having sensor devices for detecting an accident and an apparatus for reinforcing a carrying construction (1) of a motor-vehicle roof (6), in particular the A, B or C column of the motor vehicle, which protrudes beyond a lower edge of a window opening (4), in which an inflatable reinforcing element (2) is deployed which is fastened to the carrying construction (1) and can be filled with gas via a gas generator (3) if corresponding sensor data are present. The invention also relates to a carrying construction (1) per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Bengt Pipkorn
  • Patent number: 8104793
    Abstract: A vehicle member generally comprises a thermally activated shape memory material in operative communication with a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is effective to thermally change a dimension, a shape, an orientation change, an elastic modulus property change or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing properties of the shape memory material, which results in a structural and/or mechanical change to the vehicle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Kenneth A. Strom, Nilesh D. Mankame, Mark A. Kramarczyk
  • Patent number: 8060281
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to motor vehicle crash safety systems and related methods. More particularly, according to some embodiments, the lower extremities of a motor vehicle occupant can be positioned in preparation for a crash event. Some embodiments include means for sensing a crash event, and means for positioning the lower extremities of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Ertz
  • Patent number: 8047571
    Abstract: A fixture structure for an in-vehicle electronic apparatus includes an in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket through which an in-vehicle electronic apparatus is attached to a vehicle body. The in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket includes a retreat structure part allowing the in-vehicle electronic apparatus to retreat toward the front of the vehicle body when a dynamic load is inputted into the in-vehicle electronic apparatus. The retreat structure part includes: a hinge part allowing a lower portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket to rotate together with the in-vehicle electronic apparatus, toward the front of the vehicle body about an upper portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket; and a rotational displacement accepting part allowing the lower portion of the in-vehicle electronic apparatus fixture bracket to be displaced due to its own rotation toward the front of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Teruaki Takeda, Shoichi Yoshizawa, Kazumi Oosawa, Takeyoshi Katou
  • Patent number: 7899595
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus includes an occupant protection device, a control unit, and a sensor module. The sensor module includes an acceleration sensor for detecting first acceleration caused by a collision and second acceleration caused by a fault diagnosis of the sensor module, a signal processing circuit for producing first and second data corresponding to the first and second acceleration, respectively, and a signal output circuit for outputting a signal having the first data or the second data to the control unit. The control unit includes a diagnostic unit for performing the fault diagnosis based on the second data and a controller for controlling the protection device based on the first data. The signal output circuit adds a first code to the signal having the first data and adds a second code to the signal having the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7866696
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a lower seat portion and a seatback portion. The seatback portion is selectively movable to vary the reclination angle of the seatback portion. The seat assembly is configured so that a first part of the lower seat portion rises relative to a second part of the lower seat portion so that the lower seat portion acts as an occupant restraint when a predetermined condition exists. Exemplary predetermined conditions include the reclination angle changing, the reclination angle exceeding a predetermined amount, and conditions indicative of an elevated risk of vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jenne-Tai Wang, Bing Deng, Margaret M. Andreen, Janet S. Goings, Dorel M. Sala, Daniel Shakespear, Mark A. Kramarczyk, Gary L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20100295284
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for activating a safety device, particularly an occupant protection device in a vehicle, the apparatus (1) comprising an actuator (10) and an energy accumulator (12), characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises a permanent magnet (14) that blocks the release of the energy stored in the energy accumulator (12) in a starting state of the apparatus (1) and that the magnetic flow created by the permanent magnet (14) can be temporarily changed by the actuator (10) in such a way that the energy stored in the energy accumulator (12) can be released for activating the safety device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Horst Mannebach, Daniel Thull
  • Patent number: 7828328
    Abstract: A headboard assembly connected to a machine frame includes a stationary gate that is pivotally connected to the frame and a moveable gate disposed in slidable engagement with the stationary gate. A linear actuator pivotally connects the moveable gate to the frame via first and second pin joints. The linear actuator selectively extends and retracts the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate when the headboard assembly is in an operating position. The linear actuator is further arranged to selectively tilt the headboard assembly relative to the frame when the headboard assembly is in a service position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc
    Inventors: Jay T. Hulscher, Greg D. Finnes
  • Patent number: 7789185
    Abstract: A safety arrangement is provided in a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a floor pan (1) terminating at its forward end with an inclined splash-wall (3, 4, 5). There is a moveable floor element (10) which has regions (12, 13, 14) which initially conform to and lie adjacent the splash-wall. There is a drive arrangement (15) associated with an accident sensor (16) to drive the moveable floor element rearwardly to a predetermined position. There is a fixed platform (17) located above a horizontal part of the floor pan to be located beneath the foot of a vehicle occupant and to provide a secure point for operation of a pedal. The movement of the moveable floor element (10) is restricted so that no part of the movable floor element impedes movement of a foot pedal (6) to the fully depressed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Magnus Eriksson, Erik Hjerpe