Roof Structure Patents (Class 296/210)
- Having associated air deflector or guide (Class 296/217)
- Panel removable from roof (Class 296/218)
- Panel comprises hinged sections, or rollable or foldable material (Class 296/219)
- Panels movable to overlapping or nested relation (Class 296/220.01)
- Panel pivots upwardly to vent mode and moves downward before sliding to fully open mode (Class 296/221)
- Panel slides with final closing motion having vertical component to attain closed and sealed condition (Class 296/222)
- Pivotal panel (Class 296/216.02)
- Slidable panel (Class 296/216.04)
- Panel having drive or actuating means (Class 296/223)
- Panel latch means (Class 296/224)
- Specific roof panel and opening edge structure (Class 296/216.06)
- Roof opening edge structure (Class 296/216.07)
- Roof panel edge structure (Class 296/216.09)
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Patent number: 10479415Abstract: A vehicular panel structure includes an inner panel disposed on an inner side of a vehicle; an outer panel disposed on an outer side of the inner panel in the vehicle, having a linear expansion coefficient different from a linear expansion coefficient of the inner panel, and having an adhesive surface joined by an adhesive to an adhesive surface of the inner panel; and an affixed member affixed to a part of the adhesive surface of the outer panel. The affixed member is configured to adhere less to the adhesive than to the adhesive surface of the inner panel or the adhesive surface of the outer panel to which the affixed member is affixed.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoshiyuki Adachi
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Patent number: 10464502Abstract: A roof ditch molding end cap for a roof ditch of a vehicle includes a body member having a first attachment surface and a second attachment surface. The second attachment surface is disposed at an angle with respect to the first attachment surface. The first attachment surface is configured to slidably engage the roof ditch of the vehicle. The second attachment surface has a locking member configured to engage a second fastening member disposed in the roof ditch of the vehicle to substantially prevent movement of the roof ditch molding end cap.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignees: Nissan North America, Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jordan Renn, Jeffrey Tessmer, Scott Nydam, Hironori Awano, Kiyoshi Sagara, Daisuke Fujimoto
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Patent number: 10439549Abstract: A photovoltaic electric vehicle charging system includes an enclosure to receive photovoltaic panels and the photovoltaic panels connected to each other via a plurality of connecting members inside the enclosure. A sliding mechanism moves panels in and out of the enclosure and the enclosure is configured to be mounted on a vehicle or embedded within the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Inventors: Ravi Nagarajarao Kurlagunda, Rohini Raghunathan
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Patent number: 10293867Abstract: A vehicle body upper structure includes a roof support portion constituting a skeleton of an outer peripheral portion of a vehicle body upper portion and a roof which is made of resin, and which supported by the roof support portion. The roof has a bonded portion on a lower surface of the outer peripheral portion of the roof and the bonded portion is joined to an upper surface of the roof support portion via an adhesive. The roof has an extending portion on a lower surface side of a part of the outer peripheral portion of the roof, and the part is closer to a terminal side than the bonded portion and the extending portion extends downwards in a vehicle-height direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Motoya Sakabe, Takuya Yabe, Hirotaka Inaba
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Patent number: 10220885Abstract: The present invention is provided with a roof side rail, a side outer panel that is formed of a dissimilar metal material having a higher electrical conductivity than the roof side rail, and a metal layer that is formed of the same metal material as the roof side rail and is disposed between the roof side rail and the side outer panel. Forming a nugget, which is a joint portion, between the roof side rail and the metal layer by carrying out resistance welding with the metal coating disposed between the roof side rail and the side outer panel makes it possible to accommodate the enhanced strength of an iron member and to render prepared hole processing unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Isao Saito
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Patent number: 10196092Abstract: The present invention is a structure for fixing a roof module of a vehicle, which is improved to insert and fix a polymer panel for a joining between a vehicle body structure as a steel structure and a component made of a material other than steel. The present invention provides a structure for fixing a roof module of a vehicle, comprising: a roof rail of a vehicle; a roof panel made of a material different from that of the roof rail, which is fixed at the roof rail; a polymer member coupled between the roof rail and the roof panel; and a joint member which joins the roof rail, the roof panel, and the polymer member.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: POSCOInventors: Min-Hong Seo, Mok-Young Lee, Kanghwan Ahn, Ju-Hyung Kim
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Patent number: 10137936Abstract: A vehicle includes a body structure, a side bracket secured to the body structure, and a spacer bracket secured to the side bracket. The spacer bracket extends in a lateral direction toward an interior of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a roof bow secured to the spacer bracket. The roof bow extends in the lateral direction toward the interior of the vehicle. The roof bow may be secured to the spacer bracket through at least one fastener adapted to shear under a predetermined shear stress. The roof bow may be secured to the spacer bracket such that a distal end of the roof bow is disposed in spaced relation relative to a distal end of the of the spacer bracket. The roof bow may be secured to a K-brace which extends toward roof rails.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Muhsin M. Hamdoon, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Matthew Alan Niesluchowski, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 10112349Abstract: Prepreg tows are placed on a substrate having a bend with a curvature extending over a transition region in the substrate. The tows are steered and laid on the substrate in at least a first section and a second section within the transition region, wherein each of the first and second sections has an angular orientation that is less than the curvature of the bend in order to reduce gathering of the tows.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Donald A. Anderson, Jessica R. Hughes
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Patent number: 10106198Abstract: A vehicle upper body structure includes a roof panel, a roof arch that extends across the roof panel in a vehicle width direction and that is joined to a lower surface of the roof panel, and a roof antenna disposed on an upper surface of the roof panel. The roof arch includes a first roof arch and a second roof arch disposed in front of the first roof arch. An antenna bracket that allows the roof antenna to be mounted thereon extends frontward from a midpoint of the first roof arch in the vehicle width direction or a vicinity of the midpoint. The antenna bracket supports the roof panel, and the second roof arch is disposed so that as viewed from above the vehicle body, at least part of the second roof arch extends between right and left rear pillars.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuyuki Kato, Shuichiro Iwatsuki, Momoka Fujii
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Patent number: 10077081Abstract: The vehicle roof structure includes: a closely facing section that abuts or is adjacent to a side outer panel; a negative curved-surface section that is positioned more inwards in the vehicle width direction than the closely facing section of the roof panel, and has a recessed face that is indented downwards; and a mounting surface that is formed in the side outer panel at an inner side in the vehicle width direction to downwards of the vehicle towards, and at which the closely facing section abuts or is adjacent, in which an edge, on a side of the roof panel, of the brazing material that has solidified to join the roof panel and the side outer panel is positioned on the negative curved-surface section.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroki Kuwahara, Hiroki Fujiuchi, Takahiro Morita, Akira Goto, Keiji Otsuka, Sumitomo Watanabe, Toru Kumagai
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Patent number: 10065484Abstract: A recess is formed at a door outer panel, and a reference pin provided at a rear spoiler abuts a front wall of the recess, thereby enabling the rear spoiler to be positioned with respect to a back door in a vehicle front-rear direction and a vehicle vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mutsumi Kawashima, Miho Mizukoshi
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Patent number: 10052673Abstract: An exemplary die assembly includes, among other things, a first die having a male bead, a second die having a female bead configured to receive the male bead to hold a workpiece between the first die and the second die, and a step in the male bead, the female bead, or both. An exemplary forming method includes, among other things, holding a workpiece between a male bead of a first die and a female bead of a second die, wherein the male bead, the female bead, or both have at least one step.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Liang Huang, Evangelos Liasi
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Patent number: 10029736Abstract: A vehicle structure includes a body and a roof frame. The roof frame includes two side members, two cross members and a brace. The two side members are spaced from each other and both are connected to the body. The two cross members are spaced from each other and both extend from one side member to the other side member. The cross members arch toward each other and each has an apex between the side members. The brace is connected to the apexes and extends from one side member to the other side member.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Rahul Arora, Hamza Mohamed Baccouche, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche
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Patent number: 9914483Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9896041Abstract: An interior trim element (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a main part (2), more particularly a trough-shaped main part, that defines an interior space (5), and comprising at least one clip element (7a, 7b), wherein the at least one clip element (7a, 7b) is pivotally hinged to the main part (2) via at least one film hinge (8a, 8b), wherein the film hinge (8a, 8b) is formed on a shoulder (11) created on an edge portion (4a) of the main part (2) that partially delimits the interior space (5), the shoulder (11) being offset with respect to the free end of the edge portion (4a).Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: EUWE EUGEN WEXLER HOLDING GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Burkhard Liebau
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Patent number: 9862255Abstract: A vehicle includes a windshield, a backlite spaced from the windshield, and a moonroof. The moonroof is moveable relative to the windshield and the backlite between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the moonroof is adjacent to both the windshield and the backlite.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Adrian Nania
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Patent number: 9771108Abstract: A vehicle assembly is provided. The vehicle assembly includes a roof panel, a bodyside panel and a bolt. The roof panel and bodyside panel collectively form a roof ditch. The bolt includes a stud that has first and second distal portions. The first and second distal portions include first and second threaded portions, respectively. The first distal portion extends outwardly from one of the roof and bodyside panels and the second distal portion extending outwardly from the other of the roof and bodyside panels and into the roof ditch.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner, Azaz Khatri
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Patent number: 9630654Abstract: A method for producing a body structural element, which can be a roof bow for a motor vehicle, consists of a main body made of fibre-reinforced plastic and a metal connection part. In one or more embodiments, the method includes preparing the metal connection part, preparing a fiber-plastic matrix semifinished product from a duromer resin system and carbon fibers, and overlapping the metal connection part and the fiber-plastic matrix semifinished product in a compression mold. In certain embodiments, the method further includes compressing the metal connection part with the fiber-plastic matrix semifinished product until a fiber-plastic matrix molding material penetrates into undercuts of the metal connection part, and then curing the fiber-plastic matrix semifinished product to form the main body made of fiber-reinforced plastic, wherein the main body is connected in a form-fitting manner to the metal connection part.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Conze
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Patent number: 9611660Abstract: A corner rail assembly (156) is adapted to be coupled to a corner section (114) of a recreational vehicle (100). The assembly includes a jacket (158) having a main body (160), first leg (162) and second leg (164). A metal insert (180) is formed within an extrusion of said jacket (158). A securing tape (188) in the form of a VHB tape secures the jacket (158) to a front wall (110) of the vehicle (100). A further tape (190) located on an inner side of said first leg (162) affixes the first leg (162) to the side wall (112) of the vehicle (100). A vinyl gimp (192) is releasably coupled to the corner rail assembly (156). A further embodiment of the corner rail assembly (200) includes a mushroom cap insert (216) in place of the vinyl gimp (192).Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Titan Distribution, LLCInventor: Tobin Michael Goode
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Patent number: 9440683Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle includes providing a body panel, a roof panel, and a clip. The clip has a central portion extending from a first end to a second end. The central portion has a first surface and a second surface. The clip additionally has a roof-side flange extending from the first surface at the first end and a body-side flange extending from the second surface at the second end. The body-side flange and second surface define a first channel therebetween. The method also includes assembling the clip to the body panel by retaining a portion of the body panel in the first channel. The method additionally includes positioning a portion of the roof panel proximate the first surface. The method further includes forming the roof-side flange toward the first surface to define a second channel with the portion of the roof panel retained in the second channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Edgar Edward Donabedian
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Patent number: 9403423Abstract: A detachable-roof-equipped vehicle body structure includes a seal member provided in a roof opening section, and a soft top constructed to abut against the seal member. The seal member includes first and second seal units, and the soft top includes a flexible sheet for covering the roof opening section and a reinforcing member of higher rigidity than the sheet. The reinforcing member is abutted, from above, against both of the first and second seal units. The structure also includes a connecting bag part secured to the sheet, left and right side rails attached to the sheet, and a wire member inserted through the bag part and extending between the side rails. The wire member includes a small-diameter portion, and large-diameter portion each provided on a position spaced from a corresponding one of the side rails.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Junichi Yoshioka, Eiji Ishizuka, Hiroyuki Inubushi
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Patent number: 9404519Abstract: A retainer adapted for disposition within a vehicle roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall to hold an elongate molding strip in covering relation to the vehicle roof ditch. The retainer includes at least one body portion adapted for disposition within the roof ditch in operative connection to a base portion of the roof ditch. The body portion has a length dimension adapted for orientation along a length segment of the roof ditch between a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The body portion includes an arrangement of molding attachment elements adapted to engage an underside of the elongate molding strip and at least one spring biasing leg disposed at an elevation below the molding attachment elements, which extends an operative length away from one side of the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Derek Scroggie, Robert Osterland
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Patent number: 9394018Abstract: A vehicle body structure includes a roof side rail, roof arch, and roof panel. The roof side rail includes a mount portion extending inward in a vehicle-transversal direction and having a vehicle-transversally outer end portion of the roof panel mounted thereto. The roof arch includes a vehicle-transversally outer end portion that is located outside a vehicle-transversally inner end of the mount portion in the vehicle-transversal direction, joined with the roof side rail, and disposed at a position that is spaced apart downward from the vehicle-transversally outer end portion of the roof panel. At least one of the roof arch and the roof side rail includes a flange portion that extends toward the other one of the roof arch and the side rail and comes into contact with the other one of the roof arch and the roof side rail to restrict downward movement of the roof arch.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masanori Kisaku, Katsumi Ochiai, Yukihiko Nagai
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Patent number: 9358935Abstract: An improved attachment assembly for attaching a trim piece to a vehicle body panel. The trim assembly for attachment to a body panel of a vehicle including a trim piece having an inner surface, a mounting portion connected to the inner surface, the mounting portion having at least one indentation, an engagement clip adapted to securely connect to the mounting portion of the trim piece, the mounting portion adapted to slide into the clip into a secured portion, the engagement clip connected to the body panel of the vehicle and at least one engagement arm connected to the engagement clip, the at least one engagement arm having an inwardly facing protrusion adapted to connect with the indentation of the mounting portion as the mounting portion slides into an installed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Mingher Fred Shen, Ryan A. Mikolaizik
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Patent number: 9309581Abstract: A method of creating a hardened steel assembly from at least two parts may include the consecutive steps of first joining the at least two parts in a cold formed state to form an assembly, and then hardening the joined assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Volvo Car CorporationInventor: Richard Johansson
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Patent number: 9248864Abstract: A body structure of a motor vehicle, having a side part, having a vehicle roof, having a fastening device which acts on an underside of the vehicle roof, and having a roof rail which is mounted on an upper side of the vehicle roof via a plurality of mounting elements, a plurality of hollow rivets extending through the fastening device, which is configured as a reinforcing element for the vehicle roof, and the vehicle roof, and the roof rail being fastened to the upper side of the vehicle roof via the mounting elements in such a way that a threaded section of each mounting element extends through in each case one of the hollow rivets and protrudes out of the respective hollow rivet, a nut acting on that threaded section of the respective mounting element which protrudes out of the hollow rivet.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wilfried Eberle, Ruediger Jahn, Anika Siee
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Patent number: 9187022Abstract: A sting trailer has a camera scaffold concealing hidden cameras in a cargo compartment of the trailer. The camera scaffold conceals cameras and wiring so that the cameras are not visible from the interior of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventor: Robert Foster
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Patent number: 9174591Abstract: A vehicle roof molding to be fitted into a roof groove of a roof panel of a vehicle is provided. The molding has a main body for filling at least a portion of a the roof groove in a groove width direction and a latching portion on a back side of the main body to secure the roof molding within the roof groove. The main body includes a first segment and a second segment, the first and second segments resides in different planes and are joined by a wall oriented generally transverse to both segments. A pair of protruding portions are provided on opposed edges of the first and second segments, respectively. Each protruding portion includes an elastic deforming region engaging an opposed side wall of the roof groove when the latching portion is fitted in the roof groove.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Edward William Bach, Jeremy J. Weinandy, Andrew K. Swayne, Anthony Ordonio, Jr.
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Patent number: 9162713Abstract: A vehicle roof frame includes an adhering structure having an adhesive carrier and an expanding structural adhesive coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the adhesive carrier. The expanding structural adhesive includes an installation state and a structural state, and the structural state has a larger volume than the installation state. The vehicle roof frame also includes a plurality of vehicle frame members that cooperate to form a frame joint and a joint cavity defined within the frame joint. The adhering structure is disposed within the joint cavity and the adhesive carrier and the expanding structural adhesive in the structural state substantially occupies the joint cavity and fixably couples the plurality of framing members such that the frame joint is free of supplemental mechanical connections proximate the joint cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner, Mark Keller, Bruno M. Barthelemy
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Patent number: 9150152Abstract: A lighted vehicle cargo area arrangement includes a cargo area wall structure and a lighting system. The cargo area wall structure includes a first wall surface facing a vehicle cargo area. The lighting system includes a rail, a mounting bracket and a lamp. The rail is fixedly coupled to the cargo area wall structure and defines a lamp receiving space located laterally between an outboard surface of the rail and the first wall surface. The mounting bracket includes a rail attachment section rigidly attached to the rail and a lamp attachment section. The lamp is attached to the lamp attachment section. The lamp is aimed to shine light beneath the mounting bracket and the rail toward the vehicle cargo area.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Bhargav Sura, Randall E. Johnson, Norbert Weinert, Nelson Phan
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Patent number: 9114836Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a roof structure having a roof panel formed of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy and a vehicle body formed of steel or a steel alloy supporting the roof structure. The vehicle body includes a pair of laterally spaced side panels, a front roof rail and a rear roof rail. A bracket formed of steel or a steel alloy secures the roof structure to the vehicle body. The bracket has a first portion fastened to the roof panel and a second portion extending away from the roof structure and welded to the vehicle body. An adhesive located inward of the connection of the vehicle body and second portion of the bracket bonds the second portion to the vehicle body. The adhesive seals the connection of the roof panel and bracket first portion and reduces thermal distortion of the attached roof panel relative to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Christopher Hinz, Masahiro Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9092096Abstract: A capacitive touch sensor has a clear top plastic film and graphics or other designs disposed on its reverse side. Only the bare plastic substrate is exposed to the environment and user wear. Non-conductive color inks are used in printing the graphics so that any printed capacitive sensors in contact behind will not be short circuited or desensitized. A silk-screened base color layer with a print-free margin left all around its edges allows a later application of adhesive to grip a more durable surface underneath. Capacitive touch sensors are deposited on a bottom plastic film with silvered conductive inks. The printed capacitive sensors on film are fastened with a silk-screen applied liquid water-based adhesive and face the graphics printed side of the first plastic film. A final overcoat of adhesive is applied to the bare backside of the bottom plastic film for final assembly to a frame or chassis.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Pure Imagination, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Li, Paul P. Campbell, Khanh M. Le, David M. Holmes
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Patent number: 9085327Abstract: A vehicle body structure comprises body side panels each comprising a roof mounting surface, a roof panel having opposing sides, and a brazed joint attaching the roof panel to the body side panels along a line of contact. The roof panel comprises a raised bead portion on each side of a central portion, character lines having sloped surfaces extending downward from each raised bead portion to the central portion, and a side mounting flange at each side of the roof panel that curls under the raised bead portions. Each side mounting flange has a line of contact with a corresponding roof mounting surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Shawn Michael Morgans, John Patrick Joyce
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Publication number: 20150145290Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a solar cell unit having a plurality of solar cells arranged in a planar form at intervals from one another, a roof panel disposed to cover the solar cell unit from above, and a reinforcing member disposed under the solar cell unit. The reinforcing member supports the solar cell unit with a plurality of supporting parts provided at positions corresponding to the intervals left between the plurality of solar cells. The vehicle roof structure can prevent the solar cells from breaking down under stress.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Yusuke SHIMA, Kazumasa OKUMURA
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Publication number: 20150145289Abstract: A vehicle roof structure includes a solar cell unit including a plurality of solar cells arranged in a planar form, a plate-like roof panel made of a resin having transparency and disposed to cover the solar cell unit from above, and a plurality of reinforcements each being implemented by a metallic member and disposed to support the solar cell unit from below and to extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction and/or a vehicle width direction. The vehicle roof can be reduced in weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Hirotaka INABA, Hideaki TERAI
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Publication number: 20150137563Abstract: A body structure of a motor vehicle, having a side part, having a vehicle roof, having a fastening device which acts on an underside of the vehicle roof, and having a roof rail which is mounted on an upper side of the vehicle roof via a plurality of mounting elements, a plurality of hollow rivets extending through the fastening device, which is configured as a reinforcing element for the vehicle roof, and the vehicle roof, and the roof rail being fastened to the upper side of the vehicle roof via the mounting elements in such a way that a threaded section of each mounting element extends through in each case one of the hollow rivets and protrudes out of the respective hollow rivet, a nut acting on that threaded section of the respective mounting element which protrudes out of the hollow rivet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Wilfried Eberle, Ruediger Jahn, Anika Siee
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Patent number: 9033401Abstract: A vehicle roof frame includes an adhering structure having an adhesive carrier and an expanding structural adhesive coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the adhesive carrier. The expanding structural adhesive includes an installation state and a structural state, and the structural state has a larger volume than the installation state. The vehicle roof frame also includes a plurality of vehicle frame members that cooperate to form a frame joint and a joint cavity defined within the frame joint. The adhering structure is disposed within the joint cavity and the adhesive carrier and the expanding structural adhesive in the structural state substantially occupies the joint cavity and fixably couples the plurality of framing members such that the frame joint is free of supplemental mechanical connections proximate the joint cavity.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Edgar Edward Donabedian, Darrin Neil Wagner, Mark Keller, Bruno M. Barthelemy
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Patent number: 9033402Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventor: Tiziano Salvini
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Patent number: 9027989Abstract: A vehicular system is provided with a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis. The outer surface includes a plurality of notched elements configured to reduce strain from bending the member in the direction of the short axis, e.g., by a stretch bending process. The hollow member may also include an outer surface that is curved substantially in the direction of the short axis. A method of making the vehicular assembly includes the steps: providing a substantially hollow member having a long axis, a short axis, and an outer surface substantially parallel to the long axis; cutting a plurality of notched elements into the outer surface; and bending the member such that the portion of the outer surface in proximity to the notched elements is in tension and curved in the short axis direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20150115665Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20150115666Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9016775Abstract: A lightweight construction element (2) for a body of a motor vehicle (1) with a support frame (3) having four frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8), which essentially spans a square and with panelling (4) mounted on the support frame (3). The the support frame (3) is made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and has at least two intersecting braces (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20) that are designed according to bionic aspects and in which the intersection or intersections (15, 18) are connected and each of which join two of the frame parts (5, 6, 7, 8) perpendicular to one another with one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Philipp Gneiting, Kamal Idrisi
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Patent number: 9017798Abstract: A press-formed product includes a top panel portion and a side panel portion connected to the top panel portion through a bent portion that is curved so as to have an arc shape. The top panel portion includes a recessed portion that is curved so as to have an arc shape in a direction opposite to a direction in which the bent portion is curved.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Topre CorporationInventors: Yasuharu Hashimoto, Yusuke Tezuka
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Patent number: 9010850Abstract: A weatherstrip is attached to a peripheral flange of a roof panel for sealing against a peripheral edge portion of a tailgate. The weatherstrip includes a base portion and is mounted to the roof panel by receiving the roof panel flange between an interior section and exterior section of the base portion. A tongue extends from the base portion toward the vehicle body and covers a space between the roof panel and the vehicle body. A generally tubular seal body extends from the base portion toward the peripheral edge portion of the tailgate. The seal body seals against the tailgate to prevent wind noise by closing a gap between a roof panel and tailgate. An arm extends from the base portion and is positioned between the roof panel and the vehicle body and is attached to an underside of the roof panel.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Edward Bach
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Publication number: 20150097395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Fubang Wu, Michael M. Azzouz, Yijung Chen, David Anthony Wagner, James Chih Cheng
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Patent number: 8998307Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 8991889Abstract: An ergonomic ladder rack assembly mounted on the roof of a topper for a pick-up truck bed or on the roof of a cargo van, the topper having a ladder rack assembly mounted thereon, the ladder rack assembly designed to lift, move and return a ladder load between a stowed position atop the roof of the topper or van and a deployed position alongside of the vehicle. The roof of the topper or van has recessed areas formed therein for containing components of the ladder rack to thereby lower the height profile of the combination.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventors: Avraham Y. Levi, Francois Boisvert
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Publication number: 20150084378Abstract: A method for producing a vehicle body with a roof part, lateral roof frame parts, a roof channel provided between said components on each side of the roof, and also front and rear roof-structure transverse parts, obtains a simpler and more cost-effective connection of the roof part to the adjacent components, while avoiding disadvantages associated with thermal connections. The roof part and the lateral roof frame parts are fixedly connected to one another at least along the respective roof channel by beading/seaming. The same also applies to the connection of the roof part to the front and rear roof-structure transverse parts. The beading/seaming can additionally be combined with an adhesive or an adhesive tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Henrik Martin Huhn
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Patent number: 8979181Abstract: A cover includes a top portion that spans a width of a roof ditch of a vehicle. The cover includes a cover attachment section and a molding attachment section. The cover attachment section couples the cover at a fixed position relative to the vehicle. A molding member extends in a lengthwise direction along the roof ditch between the first and second wall surfaces. The molding member includes an attachment member and an attachment projection. The attachment member mates with the molding attachment section of the cover to form a lengthwise movement connection that retains the cover to the molding member with a predetermined amount of movement along the lengthwise direction of the roof ditch. The attachment projection extends under a lateral side of the cover with an upper surface of the top portion of the cover facing an underside of the molding member.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Robert T. Slack, Michael Kowaczyk
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Patent number: 8973809Abstract: A method for attaching a roof panel to a roof rail of a vehicle bodyside frame, wherein the roof rail prohibiting access to an underside of an area at which the roof panel attaches to the roof panel, can include applying a single-component adhesive to a roof rail or to a portion of a roof panel that rests on the roof rail, placing the roof panel onto the roof rail, attaching the roof panel to the roof rail using single-sided spot welds, and heating the roof panel and vehicle bodyside frame to a temperature that cures the single-component adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David John Hill, Stephen William Gallagher, Shawn Michael Morgans