Canopy (i.e., Upper Section) Patents (Class 296/187.13)
  • Patent number: 11345409
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle that includes a windshield and a frame. In addition, the vehicle includes a first pillar that extends from one side of the windshield. The first pillar includes a first wall and a second wall coupled to the first wall. The first pillar also includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first interior support coupled to the first wall and a second interior support coupled to the second wall. Further, the first interior support includes a first end which is spaced from a second end in the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamil M. Alwan, Chunhui Kevin Lee, Thiag Subbian, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Suraj Jadhav, Petros Frantzeskakis
  • Patent number: 10696330
    Abstract: A roof panel is attached to a roof opening reinforcement that reinforces an area around an opening. The roof opening reinforcement has a rear side portion that extends in the lateral direction along the rear edge of the opening. The upper surface of the rear side portion of the roof opening reinforcement, or a roof panel opposed surface, extends along the lower surface of the roof panel. Extended reinforcements are disposed corresponding to the respective rear corners of the opening. The extended reinforcement extends toward the roof side rails as if forming an extension of the roof panel opposed surface, and is attached to the roof panel near where the roof panel is attached to the roof side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KYUSHU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Chiba, Keisuke Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9033402
    Abstract: A roof assembly is disclosed for the cabin of a tractor that provides protection against falling objects. The assembly comprises an outer cover of a molded plastics material and a reinforcement metal plate to provide protection against falling objects. The reinforcement plate is secured to the outer cover prior to the assembly being mounted on the cabin frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Tiziano Salvini
  • Publication number: 20150129116
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a crash-resistant structural part for an automobile, the crash-resistant structural part including a beam element for receiving an impact force during a crash of the automobile is provided. The method comprises a step of arranging at least one layer of fibers having a length of 100 mm or more, and a step of mixing components required to form a thermoplastic polymer resin, the components including a reactive monomer, thereby forming a liquid precursor mixture of the thermoplastic polymer resin. At least one layer of fibers is impregnated with the liquid precursor mixture, and the beam element is formed by an in-situ polymerization reaction of the liquid precursor mixture having impregnated the at least one layer of fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Julien RICHETON, Dae Seok JEONG, Jerome COULTON, Stephane RINGENBACH
  • Publication number: 20150123390
    Abstract: A ROPS retention system for retaining a suspended cab frame relative to a chassis frame of a work vehicle may generally include a support bracket configured to be coupled to the chassis frame. The support bracket may be positioned relative to the cab frame such that a gap is defined between the support bracket and the cab frame. The system may also include a retention stake extending outwardly from a surface of one of the cab frame or the support bracket between a base end and a tip end. The stake may be configured to be received within a collar opening defined in the other of the cab frame or the support bracket. The stake may define a stake diameter at the tip end that is less than a diameter of the collar opening. In addition, the system may include a connection strap coupled between the cab frame and the support bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: SHANE SCOTT
  • Publication number: 20150097395
    Abstract: A roof bow for a vehicle is provided that has a “bow-tie” shape including a central portion flanked by two triangular portions. The triangular portions are joined to right and left roof brackets that are, in turn, joined to right and left roof rails. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled from extruded tubular parts. The bow-tie roof bow may be assembled in a clamshell structure including an upper shell and a lower shell that are joined together by welding. The roof bow may be formed in one piece as a sheet metal stamping having side portions that are wider than the central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Michael M. Azzouz, Yijung Chen, David Anthony Wagner, James Chih Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150028627
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a pillar having inner and outer members and an interior surface defining a cavity. A first reinforcement is disposed in the cavity and welded to the interior surface. A second reinforcement includes first and second edges and a channel extending therebetween. The first and second edges are welded to the first reinforcement and the channel is positioned distal from the first reinforcement proximate a deflection area of the pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nour-Eddine Fellague
  • Patent number: 8911004
    Abstract: A vehicular center pillar with improved proof stress against loads input from above a vehicle includes a pillar body that extends in a vertical direction of the vehicle and has flanges, formed on the front and rear sides of the pillar body, that extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a reinforcing member that connects the front flange to the rear flange. The reinforcing member includes a predetermined connection portion that rectilinearly connects the front flange to the rear flange in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yao
  • Patent number: 8820824
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a body including a pair of laterally spaced body members and a front roof rail and a rear roof rail spanning between the body members. The body members together with the front and rear roof rails support a roof structure. The body is formed of a steel or steel alloy. The roof structure includes a roof panel, a roof stiffener, a forward connecting member and a rearward connecting member. The roof structure is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The roof structure is bonded to the body via an adhesive. A plurality of bolts is installed along adhesive application areas between the body and the roof structure. At least one bolt connects the forward connecting member to the front roof rail and at least one bolt connects the rearward connecting member to the rear roof rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Hinz, Masahiro Ishikawa, Andrew K. Swayne
  • Patent number: 8764100
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle roof structure capable of preventing turn of a roof side absorber about its axis in the vehicle front-rear direction. A roof side absorber 10 is arranged between a roof side panel 20 and a side portion 30S of a roof lining 30. An opening trim 40 is fitted to an end portion of the roof side panel 20 on the upper side of a door opening. An upper contact portion 27 provided at an upper end portion of the roof side absorber 10 is in contact with the roof side panel 20. A lower contact portion 19 provided at a lower end portion of the roof side absorber 10 is in contact with the opening trim 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yougo Mitsui
  • Patent number: 8690231
    Abstract: A vehicle structure body includes roof side rails 10 that extend in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle on both sides in a vehicle width direction, and center pillars 20 that are connected to rear end portions 10a of the roof side rails 10 and extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle. The cross-sectional area of the roof side rail 10 is substantially constant from the front end of the roof side rail 10 to a front position P in front of the center pillar 20, and the cross-sectional area of the roof side rail is reduced from the front position P to a position S immediately before a joint portion between the roof side rail 10 and the center pillar 20. When a collision load acts on the roof side rail 10, the roof side rail 10 is easily folded at a portion of which the cross-sectional area is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the input of moment to the center pillar 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuuitsu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140028054
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle roof structure capable of preventing turn of a roof side absorber about its axis in the vehicle front-rear direction. A roof side absorber 10 is arranged between a roof side panel 20 and a side portion 30S of a roof lining 30. An opening trim 40 is fitted to an end portion of the roof side panel 20 on the upper side of a door opening. An upper contact portion 27 provided at an upper end portion of the roof side absorber 10 is in contact with the roof side panel 20. A lower contact portion 19 provided at a lower end portion of the roof side absorber 10 is in contact with the opening trim 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Yougo Mitsui
  • Patent number: 8398160
    Abstract: In a roof structure for the body of a motor vehicle with front roof pillars which are interconnected via a roof frame element, the roof frame element is arranged in a center section of the roof structure in relation to the connecting section thereof to the respective roof pillar so as to be set back in the longitudinal vehicle direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Baumann
  • Patent number: 8388046
    Abstract: The body structure of a motor vehicle has a reinforcing support that runs directly adjacent to an upper cutout edge for the rear side window. The reinforcing support has a downwardly curved rear end held in a body-mounted supporting bracket and is connected to a reinforcing element. The reinforcing element is arranged adjacent to a rear edge of the rear side window and is connected to an inner side part. The reinforcing element forms a vertically oriented C pillar for force flux diversion into the body shell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Hutter, Juergen Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 8240745
    Abstract: In a construction machine wherein a cab is mounted on an upper frame of an upper rotating body through an anti-vibration mount, a guard member for protecting the cab in the event of a roll over of the construction machine is mounted so as to extend from a front face portion to a ceiling of the cab, and a lower end of a front portion of the guard member which front portion covers the front face portion of the cab is fixed to a front end portion of the upper frame by a fixing mechanism which permits movement of the cab created in both vertical and horizontal directions by the anti-vibration mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Yamamoto, Kazuaki Kobayashi, Yoshiaki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8215708
    Abstract: A body of a motor vehicle includes a lateral roof region that has an outer skin, an outer roof frame, and an inner roof frame, wherein the outer roof frame is arranged under the outer skin and the inner roof frame is arranged under the outer roof frame, and the outer skin, the outer roof frame, and the inner roof frame have a common welded flange, by means of which the outer skin and the outer and inner roof frames are connected to one another, and which is configured to receive an adhesive layer for a roof module having a roof module frame. An aspect of the invention is to provide an accident-optimized vehicle body at little expense that prevents a tearing off of the roof module, and is achieved in that the outer roof frame of the body is configured as a locking element for the roof module frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Kai Schmitz, Alfred Lösch, Ralf Stegmeyer
  • Patent number: 8186748
    Abstract: An energy absorber for an overhead system in a vehicle includes a molded member having one or more corrugated sections, the corrugated sections including a plurality of channels wherein the channels include a top wall and a pair of spaced apart horizontally extending side walls and a base portion extending between channels. The energy absorber may be tuned for a desired impact and be located between a vehicle roof and a headliner to provide occupant impact protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Arun Chickmenahalli, Mike Dykman
  • Publication number: 20120043784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an impact-protection canopy (106) for use with an operator work (100) area of a plant vehicle wherein the impact-protection canopy comprises a shelf (116) mounted on a support assembly (118) which is in turn mountable on the plant vehicle, the shelf being mounted on the support assembly such that the shelf is movable to and from an extended working position over the operator work area and a retracted stowed position clear of the operator work area. In this way, the shelf can be positioned above the operator work area to provide protection to the operator from items falling from above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: John Bourke
  • Patent number: 8109562
    Abstract: A roof rail reinforcement device for a vehicle, may include at least a reinforcement attached to a roof rail to increase rigidity, and having a cut part formed by cutting a portion of a flange thereof to ensure therethrough a first sealer applying position formed at a distal end of the roof rail, thus allowing a mastic sealer to be applied to the distal end of the roof rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong Duk Yu
  • Patent number: 8087717
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments generally relate to a device for reinforcing an automotive roof assembly. Some embodiments include a stiffening member for attaching to a cross member of an automotive roof assembly. The stiffening member may have a plurality of supports for providing additional stiffness in longitudinal, lateral, and/or vertical directions. Some embodiments relate to methods of making and/or using the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7954883
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformation element is provided for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the deformation element in the mounted state is arranged in a collision region between a covering part and a vehicle body, and more particularly, between a headliner and a vehicle roof. The deformation element has an essentially U-shaped profile, on free end regions of which is disposed a flange at least in certain regions. A plurality of cutouts or recesses are provided in the flanges on each free end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Olaf Benkler, Markus Osswald, Matthias Zierle
  • Patent number: 7896422
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle that is provided with a dynamic roll bar or dynamic occupant head protection system. The convertible top has a skylight that is retained in a skylight opening formed in the flexible cover of the convertible top. The skylight may be supported on one of the bows of the convertible top or may be supported on a skylight linkage that cooperates with the top stack linkage. In the event that a need for the roll bar is sensed by the vehicle resulting in the actuation of the roll bar assembly, the roll bar assembly may break the skylight in the course of deployment to assure fully deployment of the roll bar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael T. Willard, Robert E. Fallis, III, Jan Just
  • Patent number: 7862105
    Abstract: A rail assembly for a motor compartment of a motor vehicle having a bumper and a deformable energy-absorbing device secured rearward of the bumper, includes a longitudinally-extending motor compartment rail operatively connected rearward of the energy absorbing device and having an inner rail member and an outer rail member configured to define a cavity therebetween. A stability enhancement member transversely spans the cavity and is secured to both the inner rail member and the outer rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Soo A. Tan, Bradley E. Bowers
  • Patent number: 7850222
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a roof, which includes, in the closed state, a section of a laterally running roof strut on an area directly or indirectly adjacent to the windshield frame that protrudes farther into the passenger compartment than roof areas lying behind it. The section, on a surface facing the passenger compartment, has at least one large-area recess, coverable by at least one deformable covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Liedmeyer, Uwe Willenborg, Norbert Bahlmann
  • Patent number: 7828106
    Abstract: An exterior deployed air bag system or protective system is disclosed for an automotive vehicle. Air bag assemblies are assembled to the roof below the access openings. The access openings are normally covered by a closure element. In the event of a potential rollover incident, an air bag may be deployed from the air bag assembly through the access opening in a weld seam area and expand when inflated outboard of the roof or side assembly of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel James Ratajski, William Harris Blackbird, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7810871
    Abstract: A vehicle body side portion structure is disposed with a pair of right and left roof side rails disposed along a vehicle anteroposterior direction on both sides of a roof reinforcement that extends along a vehicle width direction of a roof and connection portions that bond together the roof side rails and the roof reinforcement. First fold portions in vehicle width direction outside end portions of the connection portions are disposed in a position higher in a vehicle vertical direction than second fold portions in vehicle width direction inside end portions of the connection portions. When a side load F equal to or greater than a predetermined value is inputted, the first fold portions rotate and move towards the vehicle upper side with the second fold portions acting as supporting points, the first fold portions become bent so as to become convex towards the vehicle upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7488022
    Abstract: A structural joint configuration is formed in an automotive frame in which the frame members are bent into an angular orientation and joined together to form a structural joint in the automotive frame in which loads imposed on any of the frame members forming the joint will be transferred to and shared with the other frame members in the joint. The structural joint can be configured with as many legs as needed to conform to the number of frame members entering the joint. The frame members can be formed with any cross-sectional shape and from any conventional material or combination of materials. Joining the frame members at the structural joint can be accomplished by welding or by applying adhesives. Load distribution through the frame members forming the structural joint enables the joint to withstand an application of high loads without major cracks or bending at the structural joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamel Belwafa, Bahig Fileta, Saied Nusier, Hikmat Mahmood
  • Patent number: 7458608
    Abstract: Vehicle rollover protection system with a roll bar, whose top piece is rounded in a U-shape. Such top pieces are typically tubular and are made from pipe bending parts. In order to achieve a three-dimensional contour of the top piece with irregular cross section of its profile, the invention calls for at least the tubular top piece consisting of at least two axially divided partially tubular shells of sheet metal, joined to each other and having different geometrical shapes according to a nominal contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ise Innovative Systems Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Nowack, Stephan Röhner, Michael Nass
  • Publication number: 20080122259
    Abstract: A vehicle body side portion structure is disposed with a pair of right and left roof side rails disposed along a vehicle anteroposterior direction on both sides of a roof reinforcement that extends along a vehicle width direction of a roof and connection portions that bond together the roof side rails and the roof reinforcement. First fold portions in vehicle width direction outside end portions of the connection portions are disposed in a position higher in a vehicle vertical direction than second fold portions in vehicle width direction inside end portions of the connection portions. When a side load F equal to or greater than a predetermined value is inputted, the first fold portions rotate and move towards the vehicle upper side with the second fold portions acting as supporting points, the first fold portions become bent so as to become convex towards the vehicle upper side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7134711
    Abstract: A body structure for a customized van is enhanced by providing a roof support element which is light in weight, strong, and easily shaped to conform to curved roof lines. The body structure comprises a rafter having upper and lower extruded rails and a plurality of gussets connected between the rails to join the rails in a single member. The rails are T-shaped in cross section with the upright of the T providing a point for connection of the gussets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Automated Products International, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Yoder
  • Patent number: 7083223
    Abstract: A vehicle cab having a frame construction including a pair of front supporting A-pillars, a pair of rear supporting B- or C-pillars, at least one front transverse beam, which mutually connects the front supporting A-pillars, and a rear transverse beam, which mutually connects the rear supporting B or C-pillars, and a pair of roof bars, which are supported by and connect the front supporting A-pillars to the rear supporting B or C-pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Volvo Last Vagnar AB
    Inventor: Lars Forsman
  • Patent number: 7073846
    Abstract: The technical field of the invention is that of devices used in the field of motor vehicle safety to protect a pedestrian in the event of a head-on impact between the said pedestrian and a motor vehicle. More precisely, the invention relates to a safety device (1,100) for lifting the bonnet (29,129) of a motor vehicle in the event of a collision, comprising a mechanism (3,103) for lifting the said bonnet (29,129), an actuator (16,116) fitted with a pyrotechnic gas generator and a member for latching the said lift mechanism (3,103). The main feature of this device is that the latching member consists of a hook (4,104) mounted pivotingly and fixedly attached to the said motor vehicle, the said actuator (16,116) inducing an action on the said hook (4,104) to unlatch the lift mechanism (3,103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Pyroalliance
    Inventors: Evrard Borg, Eric Laspesa, Jean-Paul Nadeau
  • Patent number: 7021704
    Abstract: This roof module is designed for installation on a vehicle body in which an opening of approximately the same dimensions as the roof has been made and it is composed of the original roof panel (1), with its end finish, a complete conventional interior trim (2), usually of larger dimensions than the afore-mentioned panel, as well as pre-installed interior accessories (3) and (3?). At its front and rear edges the roof panel (1) is provided with dished recesses (10) which engage underneath the front (4) and rear (5) body cross members, covering it at least, the cross members (4) and (5) being closed at the top with a panel (7) that covers them and provides the form and finish matching the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Grupo Antolin-Ingenieria, S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Ortega Martínez, Carlos Selgas Cáceres, Ricardo González Merino, Pedro Sáiz Ausín, Francisco-Javier Martínez Moral, José-Ignacio González Saiz
  • Patent number: 6877796
    Abstract: A vehicle upper body structure, in which a front door and a rear door cover a continuous door opening with no partition in a side part of a vehicle body so that the door opening can be opened and closed, the front door is pivotally attached at its front part to the vehicle body so that the front door can be opened and closed, and the rear door is pivotally attached at its rear part thereof to the vehicle body so that the rear door can be opened and closed, includes: a roof opening which is formed in a roof portion of the vehicle body and through which a vehicle cabin leads to the outside of a vehicle; an opening and closing member which covers the roof opening so that the roof opening can be opened and closed; a roof opening frame which supports the opening and closing member; and a load transmitting member which transmits a load given in the vehicle-width directions, the load transmitting member being disposed at a side part of the roof opening frame such that the load transmitting member is located between
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Kimura