Body Shell Patents (Class 296/181.1)
  • Patent number: 11794816
    Abstract: An automated driving vehicle includes: a traveling unit to which an upper structure can be attached and which does not have a passenger compartment; and a connector provided in the traveling unit and connected to the upper structure detachably attached to the traveling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shun Iwasaki, Hisao Asaumi, Kentaro Ishisaka, Izumi Kondo, Satoshi Koike, Tomohisa Manabe, Yo Ito, Yuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11637524
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to solar tracking apparatuses, systems that include the same, and methods of operating the same. An example solar tracking apparatus includes a structure attachment portion configured to be attached to a structure (e.g., a moveable or stationary structure) and to remain relatively stationary relative to the structure. The structure attachment portion may include one or more mounts configured to attach the structure attachment portion to the structure. The solar tracking apparatus also includes at least one solar panel portion coupled to the structure attachment portion. The solar panel portion may be configured to move relative to the structure attachment portion and the structure. For example, the solar tracking apparatus may include one or more actuators coupled to solar panel portion configured to move at least a portion of the solar panel portion relative to the structure attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tiny Ventures Holdings Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Taylor Searcy, Scott McDonald Ure
  • Patent number: 11575585
    Abstract: A communication system provides multimedia communications within and between armored ground combat vehicles (GCVs). The system includes client computers within the armored GCVs providing distributed and interconnected multimedia communications among the client computers. The multimedia communication may include a one-to-one communication, a text communication to a group, an audio communication to a group, or a video communication to a group. Logic providing the distributed and interconnected multimedia communications is not located at a single client computer. The client computers display graphical user interfaces (GUIs) enabling soldiers to select parameters of the communication system with some GUIs providing presence discovery among the armored GCVs. One of the plurality of client computers acts as an origination station and other client computers may be configured as receiving communication station(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Olatunde O. Bamgboye, Eric Bennett
  • Patent number: 11440438
    Abstract: A vehicle including a front wall to form a cabin space to accommodate passengers, communication seats for the passengers seated thereon to talk face-to-face, and front and rear wheels. Front ends of upper and lower portions of the front wall are positioned forward of a rear end of an intermediate portion of the front wall. The front wall includes a front face-up surface, of which a front end is not forward of the front end of the lower portion of the front wall, and is not rearward of front ends of the front wheels, and of which a rear end is not forward of the front end of the upper portion of the front wall, and is not rearward of the rear end of the intermediate portion of the front wall. A front end of an upper portion of the cabin space is positioned forward of a front end of the intermediate portion of the cabin space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Arato Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11312265
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle having a cabin space is provided. The seating arrangement includes a vehicle, at least one front seat within the vehicle, and at least one rear seat arranged behind the at least one front seat of the vehicle. The at least one front seat is rigidly fixed to and suspended from a portion of the vehicle, thereby providing a free space underneath the at least one front seat, such that an occupant of the vehicle seated in the at least one rear seat is able to position at least a lower portion of one or both legs thereof in the free space underneath the at least one front seat. A flexible covering, such as bristles may be attached to the periphery of the vehicle floor opening, so that a driver's foot can pass from inside the vehicle cabin, to the ground outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Iwan Liong, Azucena Pernia Martinez
  • Patent number: 11299208
    Abstract: Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Willison
  • Patent number: 11148564
    Abstract: A seat frame of a vehicle including: a main frame, one end of which is connected to the vehicle to be movable forwards and rearwards and an opposite end of which is connected to a loop of the vehicle such that a height of the main frame is adjusted upwards and downwards; an auxiliary frame provided in an interior of the main frame and connected to the main frame to be rotatable with respect to the main frame by a predetermined angle so as to be unfolded and folded such that the auxiliary frame acts as a seat when being unfolded and acts as a partition that partitions an interior space of the vehicle when being folded; and a rail, in which the main frame is fitted and which acts as a path, along which the main frame moves to the front and rear sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Heon Lee, Jin Ho Hwang, Dong Eun Cha
  • Patent number: 10682974
    Abstract: An overhead airbag system includes a first airbag assembly with a first inflator and a first airbag cushion. The first airbag cushion includes an occupant-facing portion, a first side portion and a second side portion. The occupant-facing portion is connected between the first side portion and the second side portion and separates the first side portion from the second side portion by a first gap. The first airbag cushion is operable in an uninflated state and an inflated state. The airbag system also includes a second airbag assembly with a second inflator and a second airbag cushion. The second airbag cushion includes an occupant-facing wall and at least one side wall. The occupant-facing wall faces away from the occupant-facing portion of the first airbag cushion and the at least one side wall is positioned between the first side portion and the second side portion of the first airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10392777
    Abstract: An operator's compartment is located above a climbing device and has a door. A sensing unit recognizes an operator. A door driving unit automatically opens the door in response the sensing unit sensing the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hamaguchi, Kenichi Muramoto, Yuuki Shimasaki, Masataka Setoguchi, Jun Ito
  • Patent number: 10199721
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an aerodynamic device for a vehicle, comprising one or more antenna elements arranged to extend from a surface of the aerodynamic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: James Suffolk, Phil Stuchfield
  • Patent number: 9849920
    Abstract: An automobile body structure is provided in which a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic cabin formed of a bathtub shape includes an inverted U-shaped roll bar providing a connection between front parts of a pair of left and right side frames, and a pair of left and right roll bar-supporting bars connecting an upper portion of the roll bar to rear parts of the pair of left and right side frames. Since a rear part of a roof panel and a front part of a tailgate panel are supported on a mounting bracket provided on the roll bar-supporting bar, it is possible, by changing the fore-and-aft position of the mounting bracket, to freely set the rear end position of the roof panel and the front end position of the tailgate panel and, moreover, it is possible to strongly support the roof panel and the tailgate panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahira Kawata, Shotaro Ayuzawa
  • Patent number: 9809259
    Abstract: A method for producing a motor vehicle and a correspondingly produced motor vehicle having a modular construction, in which a substructure and at least one superstructure module are produced independently of one another and are subsequently permanently connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Hofer, Harald Zachnegger
  • Patent number: 9669876
    Abstract: There is obtained a parting portion structure for a vehicle that can enhance the rigidity of one end of a design panel that constitutes a parting portion, while imparting a feeling of sharpness to the parting portion. An end edge portion of an upper-end rear portion of a fender panel is folded back toward the opposite side of a design surface and superimposed thereon. A return line of the end edge portion is arranged adjacent to a linear second ridgeline of a side outer panel, and linearly extends along the second ridgeline. Besides, superimposed regions of the end edge portion are joined to each other by an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Iwano
  • Patent number: 9580105
    Abstract: An under-floor frame system for a vehicle is provided that includes a main frame of carbon fiber composite materials that forms a closed quadrangle. A front of the main frame is a front bumper member, both sides are side members that extend from a front to a rear of the main frame, and a rear of which is a rear bumper member. A front cross member of carbon fiber composite materials extends along with a width direction of a vehicle, and connects the front portion of both side members of the main frame and a rear cross member which connects the rear portion of the side members. An additional side member of carbon fiber composite materials extends in the length direction of a vehicle, and is connected to the side member of the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Se Hee Oh, Ha Rim Choi, Gi Hwan Kim, Chi Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 9248773
    Abstract: A cabin is formed as a casing body partitioned and separable from a vehicle body and includes an air purifier for introducing purified air into the casing body to maintain the pressure inside the cabin at a positive level by the air purifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Sato, Yujiro Sawasaki, Keiji Ito, Miyahito Hase, Hidehiko Makida, Makoto Morishima, Hiromasa Nishino, Yorikata Mizokami
  • Patent number: 9061717
    Abstract: A cabin 14 is formed as a casing body with a protection structure. The casing body is partitioned and separable from the vehicle body and has on a bottom side thereof support pillars 42 for secure attachment to the vehicle body 13 with restraint at least in planar coordinate directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Sato, Yujiro Sawasaki, Keiji Ito, Miyahito Hase, Hidehiko Makida, Makoto Morishima, Hiromasa Nishino, Yorikata Mizokami
  • Patent number: 8960771
    Abstract: The invention is a vehicle for ground transportation that is an aerodynamic shell attached to wheels. The aerodynamic shell is shaped according to airship technology and is elevated such that air flow around the shell is like air flow would be for that shell in flight. The elevation is accomplished with attached structure and attached wheels. Wheels at each side of the vehicle are arranged in wheel trains that are filled in and streamlined to form secondary aerodynamic units, with space between wheels used for equipment. The invention requires changing the position of the engine from its usual place that is low and at the front of the vehicle to a very different position that is high and at the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: James Kenneth Bullis
  • Patent number: 8905462
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an asymmetric passenger car with a body including left and right sections differently formed and unbalanced in outer profiles. This is ground breaking to impart imaginations and vitality to design automobiles. Moreover, with its controllability over unauthorized design copies or abuses, the car companies would be enabled to prove their abilities in design depending on their distinctive technical skills. In addition, consumers will eventually be provided with cars full of imagination and personality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Hangoo Kang
  • Patent number: 8899669
    Abstract: To obtain a vehicular panel structure that can suppress changes in angles between vehicle frame members. Ribs (30) and (32) are formed in each corner portion on an undersurface side of a roof panel (28) in such a way as to straddle headers (38) and roof side rails (12). Engaging holes (34) are formed in both lengthwise direction end sides of each of the ribs (30) and (32), and weld nuts (36) disposed on the headers (38) and the roof side rails (12) are engaged with the engaging holes (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140292026
    Abstract: A carbon fiber shell is used to change the appearance or look of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and is formed to be non-permanently installed over an existing vehicle component to customize the appearance of a vehicle while still being removable. The carbon fiber shell is molded to match the contours or the shape of the original vehicle component so that, when installed, the shell has the same contours and thus the same physical shape as the original vehicle component. Moreover, the carbon fiber shell is configured to be mounted onto the vehicle using existing mounting brackets, holes or other structure on the vehicle that is provided to mount or secure the original vehicle component, thereby eliminating the need to drill holes into, or apply glue or other adhesives to the original vehicle component. This feature additionally allows the carbon fiber shell to be removed in the same manner as the original vehicle component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: David Salvaggio, JR.
  • Patent number: 8827346
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a protector for absorbing shock for a vehicle body cover to be attached to an outer edge portion of the vehicle body cover on an outer side of a vehicle body. The vehicle body cover is composed of a plurality of vehicle body cover parts which are coupled with each other so as to constitute the vehicle body cover, and the protector includes an attachment portion attached so as to straddle outer edge portions of adjacent vehicle body cover parts among a plurality of vehicle body cover parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8807631
    Abstract: A floor module for a motor vehicle includes a floor shell, which can be fastened to a shell of the motor vehicle, and equipment with a plurality of variant-specific constructional units arranged on the floor shell. A method for assembling a floor module involves equipping a respective shell of the motor vehicle with a floor module with corresponding chassis and drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christoph Grevener, Uwe Habisreitinger, Andreas Krevet, Matthias Mueller, Thomas Stark, Konrad Wirth, Michael Zuern
  • Publication number: 20140183902
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced vehicle body structure includes a first frame made of fiber-reinforced plastic or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and having multiple sections, and a second frame that continuously extends from any one of the multiple sections of the first frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seongwook SEO, Dae Seung KIM, Log Won DO
  • Patent number: 8701812
    Abstract: A towing tractor includes an operator's cockpit, a battery, a hood, a first inclined surface, a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The battery is disposed forward of the operator's cockpit. The hood covers the top of the battery. The first inclined surface is formed on the hood and inclined downwardly toward the front of the towing tractor. The second inclined surface is located forward of the first inclined surface and inclined downwardly toward the front of the towing tractor. The inclination angle of the second inclined surface is greater than the inclination angle of the first inclined surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Seiji Uno
  • Publication number: 20140042773
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of motor vehicles, in particular personal motor vehicles, wherein a plurality of moveable outer skin elements (90) forming the outer skin of the motor vehicle, in particular doors (74), hoods (76) or hatches (78), are applied to a respective shell (42) of the motor vehicle, wherein the moveable outer skin elements (90), in particular the doors (74), hoods (76) or hatches (78) are only applied to the respective shell (42) of the motor vehicle in or after an assembly line, in particular in or after a main assembly line (46). Moreover, the invention relates to a motor vehicle, in particular a personal motor vehicle, having a shell (42), which has a cathodic dip coating or similar corrosion protection coating added to it and to which a plurality of outer skin elements (90, 80) forming the outer skin are applied, wherein the shell (42) of the motor vehicle only has the cathodic dip coating or similar corrosion protection coating added to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christoph Grevener, Uwe Habisreitinger, Andreas Krevet, Matthias Mueller, Thomas Stark, Konrad Wirth, Michael Zuern
  • Patent number: 8641128
    Abstract: An insert that can be used support a vehicle floor if a cross member fails either mechanically or through corrosion. The insert may also be used to protect a fastener used in a vehicle floor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Edwards
  • Patent number: 8608229
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having interconnected outer skin components and a method for connecting outer skin components is provided. In cutting off damaged outer skin components and replacing same, in a connected state of the two outer skin components, a reinforcing component is arranged on an inner surface of each of the two outer skin components via an adhesive. This results in a two-layer construction at the joint between the two outer skin components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Geiger, Helmut Mueller, Werner Reiprich
  • Publication number: 20130234467
    Abstract: Protective vehicle enclosures and components thereof for opened sided vehicles, such as golf carts, which include a rigid, lightweight frame and flexible weather proof cover. Methods for installing these protective vehicle enclosures use existing mounts on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Arlen F. BROWN, JR.
  • Patent number: 8465084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a bodyshell structure for a motor vehicle, wherein a sheet-like textile support element impregnated with a curable matrix material is provided and, following the positioning of suitable reinforcing and molding elements, molded around at least one mold core, whereupon the matrix material is cured. After the removal of the at least one mold core, a single-piece bodyshell structure joined by adhesive force remains. The invention further relates to a bodyshell structure produced by means of this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Ilzhoefer, Asmir Salkic
  • Publication number: 20130134732
    Abstract: A fascia fixture interposed between an extended-directional end portion of a fascia and an auto body. The fascia fixture is interposed in such a way as to be extended in the extended direction of the fascia. The extended-directional end portion of the fascia is mounted on the auto body in such a way as to comprise a part of a wheel house.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Jason Aaron Meyers, Bradley David Smith
  • Publication number: 20130057023
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sunray tracking solar cell apparatus for a vehicle. The apparatus includes a vehicle body panel having a top surface on which a solar cell is mounted, one or more height adjustable actuators that are installed on an undersurface of the vehicle body panel and move upward and downward, and an integrated controller that controls operation of the height adjustable actuators by integrally using signals output from various sensors mounted on the vehicle which are used by the integrated controller to determine the most efficient positioning for the solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Won Jung KIM, Yong Jun JANG, Yong Gu KIM, In Woo SONG, Mi Yeon SONG, Ki Chun LEE, Sang Hak KIM, Ji Yong LEE
  • Patent number: 8388045
    Abstract: A refrigerator van is provided, wherein a body of the refrigerator van includes a base frame, a pair of side panels disposed on the base frame, a front wall and a door end and a roof sheet. The front wall and a door end are disposed at two ends of each of the side panels oppositely. The side panels or the roof sheet or the front wall of the body includes a plurality of metal plates with a preset length, a plurality of connecting ribs and a pair of wing plates. Each metal plate is formed with a bending edge, and each connecting rib includes a locking slot for accommodating the bending edges of two adjacent metal plates. The wing plates extend from an opening of the locking slot, respectively, for connecting the metal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd., Qingdao CIMC Reefer Trailer Co., Ltd., Qingdao CIMC Special Reefer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tianhua Huang, Robert Wang, Ryan Xu, Niancheng Zhou
  • Patent number: 8375869
    Abstract: A crash-resistant front apron for a rail vehicle is provided. The front apron includes an apron cover, a first support part supporting the apron cover, a second support part attached to a frame of the rail vehicle and a friction coupling release mechanism which connects the first support part to the second support part by a friction connection. In the event of a crash of the rail vehicle, in which a collision force acts on the front apron cover causing a torsion of the first support part relative to the second support part, the friction coupling release mechanism releases the friction connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens AG Österreich
    Inventor: Wilhelm Mayer
  • Publication number: 20130026784
    Abstract: In a saddle-riding type vehicle including a shroud, efficiency is achieved by disposing a vehicle component in a space shielded by the shroud, and the vehicle component is suitably protected from, for example, rainwater, while ventilation for the vehicle component is ensured. A regulator is disposed on a first side of the vehicle, at a position at which the regulator does not overlap a fuel tank as seen in a top plan view. The regulator is covered by a right shroud from above and from outside in the vehicle width direction. The right shroud has an opening formed therein at a portion where the regulator faces upwardly. The opening overlaps with, and is covered by from above by part of the right shroud that is different from the portion of the right shroud at which the opening is formed in a top plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi MAEDA, Kumi OKAZAKI, Munehiro SUGIMOTO, Takeshi KAMIYAMA, Osami INOMATA
  • Publication number: 20130001981
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an asymmetric passenger car with a body including left and right sections differently formed and unbalanced in outer profiles. This is ground breaking to impart imaginations and vitality to design automobiles. Moreover, with its controllability over unauthorized design copies or abuses, the car companies would be enabled to prove their abilities in design depending on their distinctive technical skills. In addition, consumers will eventually be provided with cars full of imagination and personality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Hangoo Kang
  • Patent number: 8336951
    Abstract: A window-defined mud guard assembly includes mud guards fitted to a side of a vehicle body for selectively opening or closing a lower side portion of a vehicle cabin and window units mounted above the mud guards. Each of the window units is made up of a window body disposed above the corresponding mud guard and a connecting element for connecting the window body with an associated to-be-connected element provided in the mud guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Sank Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Ichihara, Ken Mogari
  • Publication number: 20120269995
    Abstract: A transparent laminate structure is provided that includes a front section, a rear section, and a middle section securing the front and rear sections to one another with a gap therebetween. The front section has a strike face formed of an impact resistant layer and a polymer backing layer bonded to the impact resistant layer by an interlayer. The rear section has a forward face comprising at least one polymer layer. The front and middle sections can form an integral subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: SCHOTT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katherine T. Leighton, Edgar L. Aleshire, Wiktor Serafin, Christopher M. Snively, Carsten Weinhold, Theodore A. Wegert, Kurt Schaupert
  • Publication number: 20120231244
    Abstract: A flat composite component, in particular a vehicle body part, comprising a material composite having an outer layer, a barrier layer adjoining the outer layer and a carrier structure on which the barrier layer is arranged and which comprises a core which has a first cover layer on the side facing the barrier layer and a second cover layer on the side facing away from the barrier layer. According to the invention, the barrier layer and the carrier structure have thermal expansion coefficients which are selected such that a deformation of the material composite in the case of a temperature change at least largely stops in a range between ?50° C. and +80° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Dirk Legler, Adam Wagner, Frank Kiesewetter, Michael Koelbl, Thomas Peter, Jan Wokoeck
  • Patent number: 8205933
    Abstract: A field configurable vehicle armoring system and associated method allow a user to retrofit and reconfigure a combination of armor components in response to a perceived threat change and using original equipment manufacture fasteners and holes. The system includes pillar armor attachable after an original equipment manufacture door and hinge are removed. Fasteners extend through the hinge of the armored door, the pillar armor and an original equipment manufacture pillar using holes other than the original equipment manufacture holes. Rocker panel and underbody armor is further provided, along with a ballistic resistant windscreen and rear wall armor. Where desired, system armor includes a composite plate comprising a strike face that is constructed from softer metallic material than an inner metallic sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems Survivability Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Boczek, Todd A. Huffington, Kevin M. Klatte, Robert C. Martin, Michael D. Reynolds, Jr., David J. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20120139292
    Abstract: A motor vehicle and a method of producing a motor-vehicle which can be used in a flexible way. The method can include at least one of: painting a base frame using a cathodic dip painting process; producing a chassis by attaching a drive train, a running gear assembly and an electrical system to the painted base frame; attaching equipment components for an interior of the motor vehicle to the chassis in order to form an equipped chassis; painting a top coating of upper body shell modules; producing an upper body module assembly from each upper body shell module by attaching a module electrical system for at least one of each respective upper body shell module and at least one module equipment component; and then attaching via at least one of adhesive bonding and screwing, the upper body module assemblies to the equipped chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA STEYR FAHRZEUGTECHNIK AG & CO KG
    Inventors: Bernhard HOFER, Sabine Bernhard
  • Patent number: 8186747
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly that can be used in a variety of structures. The integrated composite floor unit and front wall assembly is formed of a floor unit having a front portion and a front wall integrally formed with and rising up from the front portion of the floor unit. The assembly can include other structural features and may be easily combined with a number of further structural components to form a structure. In specific embodiments, the assembly forms part of a modular trailer. In particular, the trailer can be formed of the composite assembly, a composite roof, composite side walls, and a composite rear frame. Such composite trailers advantageously provide a storage volume approximately equal to or greater than conventional trailers but are lighter in weight, thus allowing for storage and/or hauling of a greater weight of cargo than in conventional trailers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bloodworth, Lincoln Grant Godwin, Paul Willard Peterson, Jr., Joseph Anthony Seiter
  • Publication number: 20120112426
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, are directed towards providing a modular cart system operable in multiple configurations suitable for multiple transport applications and, more particularly, for a modular cart system that includes a multi-purpose chassis member. Advantageously, embodiments of a multi-purpose chassis member include various features that provide for either the receipt of a component included in a modular cart system or, alternatively, mechanical coupling to fixtures that are exclusive from the modular cart system. Importantly, because a multi-purpose chassis member is configured for the receipt of various components that may or may not be comprised within a given cart arrangement, a modular cart system that includes a multi-purpose chassis member can be reconfigured for a custom transport solution depending on application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Werner Volkmann
  • Patent number: 8172308
    Abstract: A trailer includes a pair of vertical, spaced apart opposing sidewalls and a roof sheet extending between and mounted atop the sidewalls. The sidewalls and roof sheet cooperate to define a cargo space. The roof sheet has an interior surface facing the cargo space and an opposing exterior surface. A plurality of bows are mounted to the exterior surface of the roof sheet and extend between the sidewalls. The plurality of bows support the roof sheet. Each bow includes at least three contact portions attached to the exterior surface of the roof sheet. A rib portion interconnects the contact portions and defines a channel between the rib portion and the exterior surface of the roof sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Strick Trailers, LLC
    Inventors: George A. Schmidt, James J. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20120104793
    Abstract: An automotive vehicular structure includes a composite first body side outer panel including a first connecting panel and a composite second body side outer panel and a second connecting panel. The second connecting panel is directly attached to the first connecting panel at a location between the first side panel and the second side panel. A method of assembling an automotive vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: APTERA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt Henry Danielson, Lawrence Scott Thomas
  • Patent number: 8152223
    Abstract: A side wall for a motor vehicle has an inside shell made of steel plate and an outside covering connected with (particularly welded to) the inside shell. The outside covering comprises an inside panel made of a steel alloy and an outside panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Markus Beck, Steffen Dingfelder, Karl-Heinz Fueller, Berthold Hopf, Oliver Quirin, Oliver Roecker
  • Publication number: 20120068496
    Abstract: The invention provides a structure for automotive vehicle manufactured by rotational molding process having enough stiffness, strength and durability to sustain the weight of passengers without requiring any supporting sub-frames. The multilayer structure along with foam layer is used to provide additional impact strength and reliability to the structure of the vehicle against accidents. The single step production of structurally complex shaped body parts for automotive vehicle enables economic manufacturing and assembly of the automotive vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: TATA TECHNOLOGIES PTE LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Stephen Ellis, Nigel Giddons, John William Taylor, Kanu Chunilal Mehta, Gavin John Stormer, Kevin Fisher
  • Publication number: 20110266831
    Abstract: A method of making a vehicle part, including growing a live mycelium mat from interwoven hyphae. The mycelium mat is cured to terminate mycelium growth. The mycelium is cut into a single structural component without further processing for use in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Raymond Edward Kalisz, Charles Alan Rocco
  • Publication number: 20110187152
    Abstract: A safety protection canopy for motor/man-powered vehicle includes: a front face section mounted in front of a seat section of the motor/man-powered vehicle, the front face section having a front cushioning member; a rear face section mounted behind the seat section of the motor/man-powered vehicle, the rear face section having a rear cushioning member; and a top face section mounted above the seat section of the motor/man-powered vehicle. The top face section has a front side connected with the front face section and a rear side connected with the rear face section. The top face section further has a top cushioning member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventor: CHENG-CHI LIN
  • Publication number: 20110169300
    Abstract: A van body including a canopy extending from the rear top of the van body with a camera disposed below the canopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Wise Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Wise
  • Publication number: 20110156438
    Abstract: A window-defined mud guard assembly includes mud guards fitted to a side of a vehicle body for selectively opening or closing a lower side portion of a vehicle cabin and window units mounted above the mud guards. Each of the window units is made up of a window body disposed above the corresponding mud guard and a connecting element for connecting the window body with an associated to-be-connected element provided in the mud guard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Fumio Ichihara, Ken Mogari