Safety Net, Curtain, Or Transparent Sheet Patents (Class 280/749)
  • Patent number: 11932151
    Abstract: Provision or non-provision of partitions is changeable in correspondence with the presence or absence of occupants in a vehicle. A partition opening/closing system is provided with a partition opening/closing determination unit and a partition drive unit. The partition drive unit is a drive device that drives opening and closing of partitions. Partitions are opened and closed between a plurality of seats provided in the vehicle. The partition opening/closing determination unit is a control unit that determines the necessity for opening/closing of partitions. Information indicating at least one of scheduled boarding and scheduled alighting of the vehicle by occupants is used in this determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shota Ushiro
  • Patent number: 11325551
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag control system has an airbag module, a detector and an electronic controller. The airbag module has an airbag that is configured to be positioned below a vehicle floor panel in an undeployed state. The airbag that is configured to be positioned to be above the vehicle floor panel in the deployed state. The detector is configured to detect a presence of an obstruction over the airbag module at a location above the vehicle floor panel. The electronic controller is programmed to deploy the airbag based on a detected result of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Stephanie Campbell, Karla Polyakova, Tyler Sauerwein, Alisha Martin
  • Patent number: 11305726
    Abstract: A restraining system for restraining an occupant of a vehicle, the system including: an occupant supporting device for supporting the occupant, the occupant supporting device has a longitudinal direction along which an occupant is intended to be positioned; a blanket including at least one restraint belt including a first end and a second end attachable to attachment members arranged on either side of the occupant supporting device such that the at least one restraint belt extends in a transverse direction across the occupant supporting device, the attachment members are movable such that the position of the at least one restraint belt is adjustable in the longitudinal direction, an activation control unit configured to receive a signal indicative of a vehicle collision, and in response to the received signal control a pre-tension device to increase the tension in the at least one restraint belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Svanberg, Lotta Jakobsson, Katarina Bohman
  • Patent number: 11267434
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an airbag, and discloses an airbag support device and a control method thereof. The airbag support device includes an airbag cushion embedded in a side surface of a seatback and configured to be inflated and deployed forward from the seatback; a pop-up tether having one end connected to the seatback, and configured to be deployed in a direction in which the airbag cushion is deployed and to penetrate the airbag cushion; and a pop-up tether module provided on a side surface of a seat cushion, having the other end of the pop-up tether connected to an end of a tether pole, and configured so that the pop-up tether between the seatback and the tether pole is pulled while the airbag cushion is deployed to support the airbag cushion by the pop-up tether in a portion penetrating the airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seung Kyu Kang, Jong Hun Choi
  • Patent number: 11192506
    Abstract: A partition provided between a pair of vehicle seats arranged to face each other in a vehicle cabin is provided to extend from an upper part to a lower part of the vehicle cabin in a partitioning state. Therefore, the partition in the partitioning state can block respective visual lines of occupants seated in the pair of vehicle seats. Since the partition in the non-partitioning state is accommodated in a predetermined position, by setting the partition to the non-partitioning state when the occupant is seated on only one side of the pair of vehicle seats or the like, the occupant can obtain a feeling of openness. The partition can be selectively switched between the partitioning state and the non-partitioning state by an operation switch. Accordingly, it is possible to secure a private space for allowing the occupant to have a comfortable state or a relaxed state inside the vehicle cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Sekizuka
  • Patent number: 11027683
    Abstract: An occupant restraint system including a seat having a head rest where the seat has a seat belt anchor, a seat belt retractor and a seat coupling member each coupled with the seat. The system further includes a seat belt assembly including a first seat belt portion and a second seat belt portion. At least one deployable restraint is stored on or within at least one of the seat belt assembly or the seat, where the at least one deployable restraint has a deployed position and a retracted position that is deployed by a deployment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher James Palazzolo, Robert M. Andres
  • Patent number: 11007852
    Abstract: A frame and sunshade assembly for a vehicle having a passenger space configured in a side-by-side seating arrangement can include a plurality of frame members connected together to define an area above the passenger space when the frame members are mounted on the vehicle, a flexible panel extending along the area, and a plurality of anchors connected to the flexible panel. Each of the anchors can be mounted onto a respective one of the frame members. The anchors can include a first flexible strap, a second elastic strap, a pair of D-ring assemblies, and a fourth elastic strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert T. Wilson, III, Samira S. Johnson, Sebastian Osorio, Ryan J. Holoweiko
  • Patent number: 10882597
    Abstract: An impact resistant fuselage of an aircraft, the fuselage extending along a central longitudinal direction, wherein transversal sections of the fuselage are comprised in a vertical plane perpendicular to the central longitudinal direction. The impact resistant fuselage comprises at least a ballistic material membrane extended along the longitudinal direction for absorbing high energy impacts. The membrane according to a transversal section, comprising at least one section between two tensional elements, wherein the material membrane is located inside the fuselage of the aircraft, the at least one section of the membrane is mechanically linked to the inside of the fuselage by the tensional elements, and the two tensional elements stress the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventors: Edouard Menard, Esteban Martino González, Fernando Iniesta Lozano
  • Patent number: 10836491
    Abstract: A wall module for a cabin of a vehicle for separation of different cabin regions comprises a lower wall section having a fastener for fastening the wall module to a structurally fixed component fixed to the floor in the cabin, a surface-like rigid upper wall section converging with the lower wall section having a second fastener in a region of the wall module facing away from the lower wall section for fastening the wall module to a structurally fixed component fixed to the ceiling in the cabin. The upper wall section at least in a region comprises an arched curvature around a horizontal axis for adapting to the shape of a backrest of a seat. The wall module comprises at least one element stiffer than the upper wall section, which extends from a region adjacent the floor to a region adjacent the ceiling of the wall module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Heidtmann, Jörg Weifenbach, Mark Herzog, Roland Lange
  • Patent number: 10647286
    Abstract: Occupant safety systems suitable for use in both traditional and opposed seating systems include various combinations of passive safety components: sensors that provides an output signal indicative of an imminent collision, seats selectively moveable relative to seat support structures in response to the output signal, inflatable restraints deployable from lap portions of a tensioned restraint based on the output signal, airbags deployable from a roof of a vehicle based on the output signal, cabin dividers deployable from a side of a cabin of the vehicle or the roof of the vehicle based on the output signal, and curtain airbags deployable between an occupant and the side of the cabin of the vehicle based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel J. Dennis, Arturo Llamazares Domper, Rikard Fredriksson, Alexander M. Zoellner, Lukas Satas, Jorge C. Fialho, John J. Baker, Jesse T. Buehler, Ronald A. Bowers
  • Patent number: 10513872
    Abstract: A latch assembly that is adjustable between first and second backset settings. A cam is rotatable about a cam axis, and facilitates linear displacement of a latch link in a first direction. A multiplier link is rotatable about a multiplier link axis that is offset from the cam axis can be rotated in the first rotational direction by engagement with the latch link. A latch bar is coupled to the multiplier link and is linearly displaced in a second direction by rotation of the multiplier link in the first direction. The latch apparatus also includes a latch bolt that is coupled to the latch bar, the latch bolt being displaced toward a retracted position by the displacement of the latch bar in the second direction. The latch assembly can also include a dead latch link can block retraction of at least the latch bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Hassan C. Kumar, Nathanael S. Murphy, Peter Malenkovic, Allen Mani, Madhu H. Siddaramaiah
  • Patent number: 10399527
    Abstract: A vehicle roof having an opening, which can be closed or at least partially released by a roof element or which is closed by means of a glass hardtop element or a plastic hardtop element, as well as an emergency retaining device, which is deactivated during standard operation of the corresponding vehicle and which at least partially covers the roof opening during an accident, in particular when the vehicle is overturning, and which comprises at least one fabric, which can be folded and/or wound up, said fabric taking up a folded and/or wound-up storage position during standard operation of the vehicle and being pulled out by means of a driving device and being brought into a covering position during an accident so that the roof opening is at least partially covered by the fabric said driving device working independently of a signal from a sensor which detects the accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Thomas Schütt, Jochen Haussmann
  • Patent number: 10363877
    Abstract: A device, kit, and method that utilize a cover for covering a load space of a vehicle. The cover is movable between a retracted position in which the load space is uncovered and a deployed position in which the load space is at least partially covered. A detector is used for detecting an object in the path of the cover, such that damage to the object or cover may be avoided during deployment of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Corrina Barnes, Brian Lidgard, Nicholas Pang, Mark Butler, Sam Henshaw, Derron Smith, Andrew Loughead, Christopher Todd, Steven Smith
  • Patent number: 10300772
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a door system for a vehicle having a roll cage. For example, the vehicle may be a multi-use vehicle. The door system may include a door hinged to a vehicle body and releasably engaged to the vehicle body in a closed position by a latch. The door system may include a net extending from the door to the roll cage. The net may be releasably attached to the roll cage by a clip actuatable by a cable connected to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dane R. Marsack
  • Patent number: 10300877
    Abstract: A window net door attachment is provided for coupling with a vehicle door to provide protection to occupants within the vehicle during travel over rough terrain or during rolling over of the vehicle. Framed portions of the window net door attachment surround an open area between a top of the vehicle door, a roof, and a windshield area of the vehicle. A window net within a boundary support is attached to the frame portions and to the top of the vehicle door, such that the window net is disposed throughout the open area. Attachments along the boundary support retain the window net in an extended disposition within the open area. Vertical supports may be interwoven with the window net so as to impart relatively greater strength to the window net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Robby Gordon
  • Patent number: 10053041
    Abstract: The invention relates to a luggage compartment separator (1) that changes the luggage compartment width in the vehicles with the component parts of two telescopic roof rails (2) that are positioned parallel to one another; four roof brackets (3) that enable said roof rails (2) to be mounted to the roof of the vehicle and are arranged at a quantity of two per roof rail (2); the top mat (4) that is positioned to separate the top-seat compartment of the vehicle and hangs down from said roof rail (2); the bottom mat (5) that is positioned adjacent to said top mat (4); at least one lock mechanism 1 (6) on said top mat (4) for enabling the top mat (4) to be secured to the side surface of the vehicle; the lock mechanism 2 (7) on the bottom mat (5) for connecting the bottom mat (5) and the top mat (4) with each other in both open and closed positions and for enabling the same to remain stationary; and the fixing mechanism (8) that enables the bottom mat (5) to be secured to the vehicle floor when in open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: PRESSAN MADENI ESYA SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKE
    Inventors: Ozan Paftali, Feza Gokisik
  • Patent number: 10005416
    Abstract: A partition for separating front and rear occupant areas of a vehicle comprises a frame and multiple panel sections. The frame is for attachment to the vehicle and has a first lateral member, respective angled side tubular members and a window. The multiple panel sections are configured to fit vertically between the window and a floor and horizontally between first and second sides. The multiple panel sections comprise a first panel section for positioning adjacent the first side, a second panel section for positioning adjacent the second side and a center section laterally adjacent and separating the first and second panel members. The center section protrudes rearwardly relative to the first panel section and the second panel section. The second panel section is recessed forwardly of the first panel section and forwardly of the center section to increase space available in a rear seat aligned with the second panel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Terry L. Setina
  • Patent number: 9902330
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly for a vehicle includes a tonneau cover having flexibility, a tonneau cover winding rod, a screen having flexibility, a screen winding rod, and a case. The tonneau cover winding rod is for rolling up the tonneau cover from the first end that is fixed to the tonneau cover winding rod. The screen winding rod is for rolling up the screen from the first end that is fixed to the screen winding rod. The case holds the tonneau cover, the tonneau cover winding rod, the screen, and the screen winding rod therein. The case includes an opening for releasing and retracting the tonneau cover and the screen. The tonneau cover winding rod is configured to release the tonneau cover at a portion of the tonneau cover winding rod located higher than a portion of the screen winding rod at which the screen winding rod releases the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Fujii, Seiei Hibino
  • Patent number: 9771043
    Abstract: A vehicle safety system method and apparatus comprises at least one cupboard formed in a ceiling of a vehicle, at least one net stored in the cupboard, at least one detection module configured to identify a state requiring deployment of the net; and at least one deployment module configured to deploy the at least one net when the state requiring deployment of the net is positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: Jack Soules
  • Patent number: 9637078
    Abstract: Embodiments include object restraint systems and methods of their operation. The system is contained in a vehicle with a passenger compartment, and includes sensor and processing subsystems, a vessel, a restraint mechanism, and an actuator. The sensor subsystem produces a sensor signal indicating a magnitude of a sensed condition, and the processing subsystem asserts an actuator signal when the sensor signal indicates that a triggering condition has occurred. The vessel is configured to hold one or more inanimate objects. For example, the vessel may include a cupholder, a lidded or open compartment, a cargo area, or another storage space that is distinct from the passenger compartment. The actuator receives the actuator signal and activates the restraint mechanism in response to assertion of the actuator signal. The restraint mechanism, when activated, is configured to retain the object(s) within the vessel and to restrict the object(s) from entering the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventor: Kammie L. Bull
  • Patent number: 9550464
    Abstract: An active leg engagement system for a vehicle includes a selectively deployable leg-engaging member containing an airbag or expandable energy absorber for protecting a pedestrian from collision with the vehicle. An alternative embodiment may include an expandable energy absorber within or behind a vehicle bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Vidyakant C. Revankar, Larry M. Wilmot, Jay Z. Zhao, Ning Zhang
  • Patent number: 9511734
    Abstract: A passenger protection system includes a rotatable arm, a rotation mechanism rotatably attached to the rotatable arm, and a flexible sheet connected to the rotatable arm and connectable to a vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Parakrama V. Weerappuli, James Chih Cheng, Raed Essa EL-Jawahri, Mohammed Omar Faruque
  • Patent number: 9380839
    Abstract: A loop surface fastener in which numerous looped engaging elements formed from loop yarns inserted in parallel to ground warp yarns are provided upright on one side of a base fabric formed from ground warp yarns and ground weft yarns satisfies all the following requirements 1) to 3). 1) The loop yarn is a multi-filament yarn formed by bundling 5 to 9 filaments of 30 to 45 decitex. 2) The density of the looped engaging elements is in a range of 100 to 200/cm2. 3) Loop surfaces of the looped engaging elements are substantially facing in the same direction and the loop surface facing direction is a ground weft yarn direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Takehara, Yukitoshi Higashinaka, Satoru Ono
  • Patent number: 9365139
    Abstract: A method for protecting and restraining a passenger on a passenger seat of a vehicle in case of an accident, with the aid of at least one restraint element of a protection and restraint device, an evaluation and control unit for a protection and restraint device for carrying out the method, a protection and restraint device for protecting a passenger having such an evaluation and control unit, as well as a corresponding computer program and computer program product for carrying out the method are described. A positioning applied force is generated as a function of an ascertained current driving situation, the applied force accelerating the passenger away from a vehicle side structure in the direction of the middle of the vehicle if a predefined precrash situation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Freienstein, Armin Koehler
  • Patent number: 9327669
    Abstract: A vehicle curtain system comprises a curtain having at least a front wall and two side walls, at least one pretensioner having a corresponding pretensioner cable, and a plurality of tethers, each having a first end attached to the curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Robert William McCoy
  • Patent number: 9321424
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program product, and/or system are described that determine an event, actuate a cushioning element in response to the determining the event, the cushioning element including one or more tension-bearing members, and dissipate at least some of an energy associated with a collision based on deforming at least one of the tension-bearing members during the collision, the deforming including substantially inelastically stretching the at least one of the tension-bearing members. Other example embodiments are also provided relating to actuatable cushioning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Deep Sciences, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9033389
    Abstract: A partition for separating front and rear occupant areas of a vehicle comprises a frame and multiple panel members. The frame is attached to the vehicle and has an upper lateral member, respective angled side tubular members and a window. The multiple panel members are configured to fit vertically between the window and a floor pan and horizontally between first and second sides. The multiple panel members comprise a first panel member for positioning adjacent the first side, a second panel member for positioning adjacent the second side and a center section laterally adjacent and separating the first and second panel members. The center section protrudes rearwardly relative to the first panel member and the second panel member. The second panel member is recessed forwardly of the first panel member and forwardly of the center section to increase space available in a rear seat aligned with the second panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Terry L. Setina
  • Patent number: 8899619
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a projected member that is accommodated in a seat back, and that is projected and deployed above the seat back when inflated by a gas supply; a lateral deployment member whose upper end side is connected to the projected member, whose lower end side is connected to a front end side of a seat cushion, and that is accommodated in a lateral side of the seat cushion and a lateral side of the seat back; and a tension support member whose one end side is supported by the seat back in a portion separated from the lateral deployment member in a seat width direction and whose other end side is connected to an upper end side of the lateral deployment member or the projected member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Fukawatase
  • Patent number: 8714587
    Abstract: The curtain airbag includes: a curtain bag section configured with cloth panels joined in a bag shape, housed prior to use in a folded state in a vehicle roof side edge section and deploying and inflating downwards when injected with deployment gas; a collision detector for detecting a collision and/or signs of an imminent collision of the vehicle; a gas generator for supplying the deployment gas to the curtain bag section in response to a detection result of the collision detector; and a guide member configured with a cloth panel, rolled up from the bottom of the curtain bag section that has been folded prior to use, via the vehicle width direction inside towards the top of the curtain bag section, the guide member being disposed at a position overlapping with the vehicle front-rear direction position of an interior member provided inside the vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Nakamura, Sakae Sugimori
  • Patent number: 8714591
    Abstract: A clamper includes a living hinge, a first end portion, and a second end portion. The first end portion includes a first buckle portion. The second end portion includes a second buckle portion. The first end portion and the second end portion are configured for engagement with one another in confronting relationship. Net assemblies and vehicles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kobayashi, Hiromitsu Shiina, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 8708388
    Abstract: A partition for separating front and rear occupant areas of a vehicle comprising at least one partition member and at least one pair of partition support brackets. The partition bracket has an upper extent comprising a near ceiling member positionable adjacent a ceiling of the vehicle and two lateral extents comprising opposite side members. The partition support brackets are mountable to opposite sides of the vehicle and to the opposite side members of the partition member to couple the partition to the vehicle. The partition support bracket for at least one of the opposite sides comprises a load support section configured to support a proportion of a partition member load as applied to the at least one of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Terry L. Setina
  • Patent number: 8662238
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a safety device for protecting pedestrians or bicyclists that collide with the motor vehicle includes an airbag which, in the non-activated basic state, is arranged folded together on an automotive body and, in the activated deployed state, at least partially covers a frame around the windshield. In the activated state, the airbag stretches out a windshield cover in front of the windshield. The cover has a region in which a plurality of energy dissipators are distributed on the side of the cover facing the windshield. During an impact with a person's head, the region is pressed against the windshield. The energy dissipators cause prior damage to the windshield, such that the rigidity of the windshield in this region is reduced. The windshield thus yields upon impact of the head in the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Udo Ivenz, Ulrich Koestler, Walter Meierhofer, Nadine Krebs
  • Patent number: 8657340
    Abstract: A rollover safety system for truck cab sleeper berths and other sleeper berths in moving vehicles. The system includes a rollover sensor which generates a signal in response to a rollover condition. The signal is used by a controller to tension a tether which is attached to a load bearing harness worn by a sleeper berth occupant. The tether is tensioned to prevent the occupant from injuriously contacting the roof and or walls of the berth The system moves the occupant away from the potentially injurious surfaces while allowing freedom of movement when there is no crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventor: Keith Friedman
  • Patent number: 8646807
    Abstract: A roof side rail component arrangement structure capable of easily assuring space for arrangement of a curtain airbag inflator and a barrier net anchoring bracket at a roof side rail between a center pillar and a rear seat assist grip. In this roof side rail component arrangement structure, an inflator for a curtain airbag and a barrier net anchoring bracket are disposed at a roof side rail between a center pillar and a rear seat assist grip. The barrier net anchoring bracket includes a body fixing portion and a barrier net anchoring portion, and is formed in an open cross-section shape that opens diagonally to the lower side and to the vehicle width direction outer side. The inflator is disposed between the body fixing portion and the barrier net anchoring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suga, Lahana Quentin
  • 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: 8596703
    Abstract: A cargo shade or cover for a vehicle includes a thin flexible member that winds onto an elongated roller. The elongated roller may be mounted on a movable vehicle component such as a liftgate of an SUV. An elongated rod assembly is attached to the thin flexible member, and includes extending and retracting end portions that can be received in cavities or other connectors of the vehicle interior to retain the cover in an extended position. The rod assembly may include center housing and a pulley that can be rotated to generate tension on cables that pull the opposite ends of the rod inwardly whereby the rod assembly can be positioned between vehicle interior components when the cover assembly is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marc David Nedelman
  • Patent number: 8550500
    Abstract: A utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a ROPS, a front seat and a rear seat arranged in a riding space, a cargo bed changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into the riding space and a non-expanded state in which the cargo bed is not expanded in the riding space, and a plurality of seatbelt apparatuses for all passengers including a driver, wherein each of the seatbelt apparatuses is a three point seatbelt apparatus including a webbing, a bottom anchor, a top anchor, a lower buckle and a retractor, and in at least one of the three point seatbelt apparatuses, the top anchor is provided on a cross member of the ROPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Itsuo Takegami
  • Publication number: 20130161931
    Abstract: An integrated safety net system for a recreational vehicle having a chassis with a step-through door opening. They safety net system includes a door having a forward end and a rearward end, and a hinge coupled between the rearward end of the door and the chassis of the vehicle. Upper and lower safety nets are coupled to the door forward of the hinge and coupled to the chassis of the vehicle on or rearward of the rearward side of the door opening. The safety net and the door are collectively and cooperatively movable as the rear-hinged door moves to the open position or closed position. The door includes a latch at the forward end of the door to provide one operational step to release or secure the door and the integrated safety nets to the chassis upon ingress or egress of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Craig Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8465050
    Abstract: An integrated safety net system for a recreational vehicle having a chassis with a step-through door opening. They safety net system includes a door having a forward end and a rearward end, and a hinge coupled between the rearward end of the door and the chassis of the vehicle. Upper and lower safety nets are coupled to the door forward of the hinge and coupled to the chassis of the vehicle on or rearward of the rearward side of the door opening. The safety net and the door are collectively and cooperatively movable as the rear-hinged door moves to the open position or closed position. The door includes a latch at the forward end of the door to provide one operational step to release or secure the door and the integrated safety nets to the chassis upon ingress or egress of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Artic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Spindler, Craig Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8444197
    Abstract: A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, an insertion hole of the retaining cap and the cross section of the first arm part each have an elliptical shape, and thus the rotation of the shank with respect to the hollow shaft is restricted and the position of the shank is kept such that the interlocking part points upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takemura
  • Patent number: 8434805
    Abstract: A protective shield for a bus driver which comprises a partition. A mechanism is for mounting the partition onto a floor and about a seat of the bus driver to protect the bus driver while operating a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Harry F. Bonniville
  • Patent number: 8419102
    Abstract: A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, a coil spring restricts the rotation of the shank around the first arm part and keeps the position of the shank such that an interlocking part points upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takemura
  • Patent number: 8353530
    Abstract: Inflatable curtain airbags can be used to mitigate the likelihood of an occupant being ejected from a vehicle through a side window. Inflatable curtain airbags are typically tethered to a vehicle structure on a car-forward side, but may not be tethered to a vehicle structure on their car-rearward side. Increased friction between the car-rearward side of the airbag and an adjacent vehicle structure can be used to help the airbag say in place, and thereby decrease the likelihood of an occupant passing the airbag and being ejected from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Czach, Dana Wold
  • 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: 8317224
    Abstract: A head restraint device (10) provides sideways restraint for a vehicle occupant's head (41) with restraint members (28) The restraint members (28) are movable between and operative position in which they extend on either side of the head (41) and a retracted position in which they are no longer positioned to the side of the head, so not impinging sideways motion of the head and/or access into or out of the vehicle. The restraint members (28) pivot between the two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Richard Gale Scarf
  • Patent number: 8308223
    Abstract: A net structure for attachment to a roll cage of a vehicle includes a mesh structure, a reinforcement structure attached to the mesh structure, and an overload indicator. Upon a rollover event during operation of a vehicle, to which the net structure is attached, with the net structure in a lowered, closed configuration, an operator of the vehicle may impact the net structure, causing the net structure to deflect outwardly. This outward deflection of the net structure may cause the overload indicator to become visible, which provides an indication to an operator or other person associated with the vehicle that the structural integrity of the net structure has been compromised, such that replacement of the net structure may be warranted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Patent number: 8091939
    Abstract: A security partition for use in a vehicle having side curtain air bags is shown. The partition includes a frame. The frame in combination with the vehicle defines a cavity. The side curtain air bags are configured to deploy and occupy the cavity. A side wing is configured to be fastened to the frame. The side wing includes a body, and an air bag director. The plane of the air bag director is angled relative to the plane of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pro-gard Products, LLC
    Inventor: Gilbert H. Forsyth
  • Patent number: 7988187
    Abstract: A head-protecting airbag apparatus includes an airbag having such a vertical dimension that the lower end region thereof is located on the beltline of a door of a vehicle upon deployment. The airbag includes a plurality of vertical cells disposed side by side along an anteroposterior direction and each inflatable into a rod-like shape extending generally vertically and a reinforcing portion located either on the inboard side or on the outboard side of at least two adjoining vertical cells out of the vertical cells at the lower end region of the airbag. The reinforcing portion is in gas communication with the vertical cells and inflatable into a horizontal rod-like shape (extending across the adjoining vertical cells).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamamura, Yuji Sato, Koji Shibayama
  • Patent number: 7946615
    Abstract: An attachment structure comprises a top ceiling, a cover member to cover a window glass from the inside of a vehicle compartment, an airbag which is stored along an upper edge portion of the window glass in its non-operation state and inflates downward through a gap which is formed between the window glass and the side end portion of the top ceiling which is pressed down by the airbag receiving a gas pressure from an inflator; and support members to support the cover member longitudinally at a position which is on an outside of the inflating airbag. Accordingly, the proper inflation of the airbag can be provided despite of the cover member at the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Takahashi, Kazunori Kanda
  • Patent number: 7905510
    Abstract: A bus or motor-coach includes a curtain airbag module. The airbag module comprises a curtain airbag, a trim cover, a plurality of fasteners to attach the curtain airbag module to an interior bus component or side wall of the bus, and an inflator to inflate the curtain airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Wayne Messner, Brandon Scott Marriott, Nicole Wiggins, Paul Michael Smith