Between Passenger And Cargo Space Patents (Class 296/24.43)
  • Patent number: 8465074
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state and a non-expanded state. The screen shield is shiftable between an expanded position corresponding to the expanded state of the cargo bed and a non-expanded position corresponding to the non-expanded state of the cargo bed. Fixing devices are provided to fix the screen shield in each of the expanded position and the non-expanded position. The screen shield fixing devices have pin insertion holes of the screen shield, pin insertion holes at the upper ends of side panels, and pins provided so as to be separable from the screen shield and a front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Sakata, Yuuki Iwamoto, Yaoki Hayashi, Shigeto Nakamura, Yoshiya Takehara, Hirokazu Morita
  • Patent number: 8444197
    Abstract: A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, an insertion hole of the retaining cap and the cross section of the first arm part each have an elliptical shape, and thus the rotation of the shank with respect to the hollow shaft is restricted and the position of the shank is kept such that the interlocking part points upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takemura
  • Patent number: 8434806
    Abstract: A barrier net mounting structure may include a roof bracket provided on a head lining, and a hook provided on a lateral portion of a barrier net and inserted into the roof bracket, wherein the hook includes a rod having one end provided on the lateral portion of the barrier net, and the other end inserted into the roof bracket, and a locking portion and a stopper portion which may be provided on the other end of the rod in a spaced state therebetween, wherein one end of the locking portion may be locked to an inner surface of the roof bracket, and one end of the stopper portion may be supported by an outer surface of the roof bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seung Kwon Cha, Tae Hoon Song
  • Patent number: 8424944
    Abstract: A cargo van includes an integral structural bulkhead to separate a passenger compartment from a cargo area. The cargo van is designed such that the bulkhead wall contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle for purposes of meeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. That is, without the bulkhead, the cargo van would not meet NHTSA requirements. By designing the vehicle in this way, the overall vehicle weight is reduced as compared to vehicles in which bulkheads are optional add-ons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Echo Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Hadrian A. Rori, David B. Busch, Rollin E. Nothwehr
  • Patent number: 8419102
    Abstract: A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, a coil spring restricts the rotation of the shank around the first arm part and keeps the position of the shank such that an interlocking part points upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takemura
  • Patent number: 8414050
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed expandable in a front direction, and a screen shield arranged at a front end of the cargo bed. The cargo bed has at least a stationary bottom plate, right and left stationary side panels, a front panel, expandable side panels, and an expandable bottom plate and can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to a rear portion riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the space. Each of the expandable side panels and the screen shield are supported by a vehicle body configuring portion so as to be integrally shifted between an expanded position and a non-expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyoshi Kosuge, Tokishin Nishinaka, Geoffrey Ewing, Yoji Onishi, Takao Hamano, Naohisa Masuda, Kenji Oda, Takeshi Orio, Michael John Boyle, Tatsunori Shimizu, Eiji Sakurada, Mitsuhiro Yazaki, Yui Nishizaki, Hiroyuki Kishi, Naoto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8414049
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly provided in a vehicle including a panel hingedly attached to a vehicle seat, and a release assembly with an actuating mechanism provided on the panel. The actuating mechanism is connected to a panel lock assembly and a seat lock assembly which are provided to selectively lock the panel and the vehicle seat in place. Actuation of the actuating mechanism causes the lock assemblies to release, thereby allowing rotation of the panel about the hinged attachment and folding of the vehicle seat from a seating position to a folded-forward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Grey B. Parker
  • Patent number: 8403615
    Abstract: A vehicle lift barrier is adapted to be mounted to vehicle lifts and the like that assist in loading and unloading cargo and provide a storage environment in which cargo is less likely to migrate from a cargo area into a passenger seating area or compartment. A barrier composed of a barricade is mounted to a vehicle lift, in some cases example by mounting the barrier to a generally vertical post, mast or the like or mounting the barrier to a lift platform, allowing the lift to operate normally while the barricade obstructs all or a substantial portion of the passage between the motor vehicle storage/cargo area and the passenger area. Where the barrier is mounted to a vertical post or the like on a vehicle lift, cut-out bracketing can be used to mate with the outer cross-sectional shape of the post to inhibit pivoting of the barrier about the post. Other bracket profiles can be used to enhance the barrier's protective advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald P. McGlinn, William W. Belson, III, Richard A. Keller
  • Patent number: 8348322
    Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, bed floor, pair of carrier arms, end wall, seat bottom, and seat back. The bed floor includes first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between cargo support and seating positions. Each carrier arm includes first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled with the bed frame such that the carrier arms are pivotable about an axis. The end wall is coupled with the second end of each carrier arm. The seat bottom and seat back are respectively coupled with the first floor portion and the end wall. The carrier arms facilitate movement of the end wall between cargo hauling and seating positions. When the first floor portion and the end wall are in their respective seating positions, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Publication number: 20130001972
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a seat oriented in a passenger compartment forward of a storage compartment. The seat has a seat back that is pivotally connected to a body of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotable between a seating position and a storage position. A battery is disposed within the storage compartment. A tray is removably connected to the vehicle body in either one of a first and a second position. The tray is elevated from the battery within the storage compartment in the first position. The tray is connected to the vehicle body such that it is contiguous with and forward of the battery in the second position. A flat load floor is formed by the top surface of a housing of the battery together with the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde, Babak Shahmehri, Kathleen Pecoraro, David A. Wilson, Marc Jonathon Lucas, Robert Joseph Beier, Timothy DeBastos
  • Patent number: 8328261
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat and a rear seat. The pick-up style utility vehicle includes a cargo bed movement mechanism for supporting a cargo bed movably within a predetermined movement range in a back and forth direction. Also, a seat movement mechanism is provided for supporting the rear seat movably between a use position set to be within the movement range and a shunting position set to be out of or beyond the movement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanazawa, Hideyuki Takahashi, Yoichi Jinja, Takao Hamano, Masashi Sakata, Kazuhiro Morita, Yasushi Ishibashi, Kiyoaki Maeda, Tyler Furman, Yoshihiro Masuda, Trey Govier
  • Patent number: 8328262
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction into the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The screen shield is directly or indirectly supported by a swinging shaft provided on a vehicle body and is swingable between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Kawabata, Kazuya Takeuchi, Scott F. Gordon, Hirokazu Morita, Teruaki Yamamoto, Hironori Mahara
  • Patent number: 8322770
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from front, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. All or part of the screen shield is angle shiftable between the expanded state and the non-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyoshi Kosuge, Hirokazu Morita, Ryouji Negi, Masaki Nishiyabu, Tomohiro Kanazawa, Teruaki Yamamoto, Hideaki Shinnoki, Masashi Sakata
  • Patent number: 8322767
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle includes a front seat, a rear seat, a screen shield, a cargo bed, and a cabin frame housing at least the front seat and the rear seat and forming a riding space. The cargo bed is state changeable between the expanded state in which the cargo bed expands forward and the unexpanded state not occupying the riding space. The cabin frame includes a pair of left and right front side frame bodies, a pair of left and right rear side frame bodies, and cross frame members coupling the front and rear side frame bodies. The front side frame bodies are fixed to the vehicle body and the rear side frame bodies and the cross frame members are changeable with respect to the vehicle body according to the state change of the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Morita, Shigeru Yamashita, Takao Kawabata
  • Patent number: 8313136
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a locking device. The utility bed is pivotally coupled with the vehicular frame and is pivotable between a hauling position and a dumping position. The locking device is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to prevent the utility bed from pivoting to the dumping position when the locking device is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Arnold, Michael Bury
  • Patent number: 8303012
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from a front of the vehicle. The cargo bed has at least left and right stationary side panels and expandable side panels that extend forward from the front ends of the stationary side panels. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The expandable side panels are rotatable about rotational shafts forward and rearward in a vehicle width direction so as to be shiftable between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Sumi, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Tetsuaki Shirai
  • Patent number: 8303013
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle with an expandable cargo bed. The vehicle includes a chassis supporting a front seat, a rear seat, a screen formation, and a bottom plate of the cargo bed. The pick-up style utility vehicle is capable of being changed between a normal state in which the rear seat is situated on the bottom plate and an expanded state in which the rear seat is moved from the top of the bottom plate. A screen formation is positioned between the cargo bed in the normal state and the rear seat, and includes two screen formation divisions as a double door, and each of the screen formation divisions is supported rotatably around a vertical shaft by the chassis. In the normal state, the two screen formation divisions close the front of the cargo bed. In the expanded state, the two screen formation divisions open the front of the cargo bed and form side plates in the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Horiuchi, Yuichi Kawamoto, Masahiro Kawahara, Teruaki Yamamoto, Yoshiya Takehara, Steave Leach
  • Patent number: 8287022
    Abstract: The device includes supports (30), a shelf (32) rotatably mounted about a transverse axis (B-B?) and a mechanism (34) for articulation of the shelf (32) relative to the supports (30). The mechanism (34) includes an abutment surface (76) delimited by the shelf (32) and a complementary abutment surface (90) delimited by the support (30), which are intended to slide on each other during the pivoting of the shelf (32) about its transverse axis (B-B?) in order to prevent radial movement of the shelf (32) towards the front with respect to the transverse axis (B-B?). The mechanism (34) includes a retaining surface (82) integral with the shelf (32) and a complementary retaining surface (96) defined by each support (30) which co-operate for each inclined position of the shelf (32) in order to prevent radial movement of the shelf (32) towards the rear with respect to the transverse axis (B-B?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Industrie
    Inventors: Jacques Decorme, Franck Jeunehomme
  • Publication number: 20120256437
    Abstract: A barrier net mounting structure may include a roof bracket provided on a head lining, and a hook provided on a lateral portion of a barrier net and inserted into the roof bracket, wherein the hook includes a rod having one end provided on the lateral portion of the barrier net, and the other end inserted into the roof bracket, and a locking portion and a stopper portion which may be provided on the other end of the rod in a spaced state therebetween, wherein one end of the locking portion may be locked to an inner surface of the roof bracket, and one end of the stopper portion may be supported by an outer surface of the roof bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Seung Kwon Cha, Tae Hoon Song
  • Patent number: 8251426
    Abstract: A stowable seat 10 for a motor vehicle 1, and in particular for a van, having a moveable bulkhead 9 is disclosed in which a backrest 11 of the seat 10 is stowed vertically above a base 12 of the seat 10 and a support mechanism 20 for the seat 10 is arranged so that no member of the support mechanism 20 is located to the rear of a vertical plane ā€œVā€ aligned with a rearmost part of the stowed seat 10. This arrangement allows the moveable bulkhead 9 to be moved up to the rearmost edge of the stowed seat 10 thereby maximizing the carrying capacity of the motor vehicle 1 when the seat 10 is stowed. The support mechanisms 20 allow the seat 10 to be moved between its stowed and ā€˜in-useā€™ positions simply by moving the backrest 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Torsten Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 8251424
    Abstract: A structural arrangement of a motor vehicle, of a type including a cabin and a loading bed, between which a substantially vertical partition extends, of a type including a cabin floor that extends at a first height, and a loading floor of the bed that extends at a second height that differs from the first height of the cabin floor, and of a type including a hollow body that stiffens the structure and extends substantially vertically between the first height of the cabin floor and the second height of the loading floor. The hollow body includes two substantially vertical structural elements, and the first structural element is formed by the lower portion of the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Sylvain Parfut, Pierre Cailleaux
  • Publication number: 20120187714
    Abstract: There is provided a cover coupling structure including: a coupling groove that is provided to an elongated shaped tonneau cover apparatus including a tonneau cover, the coupling groove including a coupling portion coupled to one end of a sheet-form cover, and an opening portion that is open to the outer peripheral side of the tonneau cover apparatus and is in communication with the coupling portion; an anchor portion provided to the one end of the cover and coupling the one end of the cover to the coupling portion by anchoring to the coupling portion; and a resiliently deformable portion that anchors the anchor portion to the coupling portion, and is set with an external profile dimension along a direction orthogonal to a first face of the cover that is larger than the height dimension of the opening portion when the resiliently deformable portion has been resiliently deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Saito, Takahiro Yajima
  • Publication number: 20120181813
    Abstract: There is provided a tonneau cover apparatus including: a winding shaft that winds up a tonneau cover; an elongated shaped case that accommodates the winding shaft; support members provided at one end portion and another end portion of the case, and supporting the winding shaft; a retention member provided at the one end portion and/or the other end portion of the case and including an outer wall portion that covers the support member; and blocking portions provided at the support member and the retention member at the at least one end portion, the blocking portions being disposed at the inner side relative to the outer wall portion, and blocking movement of the retention member outward in the axial direction of the winding shaft from the engaging position by abutting against one another at the engaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunori Saito, Takahiro Yajima
  • Patent number: 8215689
    Abstract: A modular system is provided for producing motor vehicles having at least first and second vehicle variants that differ from one another by having different space requirements in an accessories compartment that is separated from a luggage compartment by a partition wall. The system has a first partition wall that is secured to a side of an upper crossmember facing the accessories compartment to produce a small accessories compartment on the first vehicle variant. The system also has a second partition wall that is secured to a side of the upper crossmember facing the luggage compartment to produce a large accessories compartment on the second vehicle variant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tim Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8215690
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle including a front seat, a rear seat and a cargo bed in order from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle, and a screen for partitioning the cargo bed and ride space on the front side of the cargo bed. The cargo bed has at least a stationary bottom plate and an expansion bottom plate, and is changeable between an expanded state where the cargo bed is expanded forward into the ride space and a non-expanded state where the cargo bed does not occupy the ride space. Also, the expansion bottom plate is pivotable on a horizontal shaft in the right and left direction relative to the stationary bottom plate and the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Nishiike, Itsuo Takegami, Masashi Sakata, Takafumi Hisamori, Tooru Ogino, Kazuma Waida, Dustin Meyer, Eizou Sakai, Shigeru Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8205924
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed that is expandable forward, and a screen shield arranged at the front end of the cargo bed. The position of the cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state and a non-expanded state. A winding device for the screen shield is provided on a front panel. The screen shield is made of a net material having flexibility, for example. One end of the screen shield is windably supported by the winding device. The other end of the screen shield has an engaging portion. A first engaged portion for a non-expanded position and a second engaged portion for an expanded position are provided in the cabin frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Masuda, Masaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8196997
    Abstract: A sting trailer has a front end-wall located at a first standard trailer length from a rear end of the sting trailer, a false end-wall located at a second standard trailer length from the rear end of the sting trailer, and a hidden compartment located between the front end-wall and the false end-wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Foster
  • Patent number: 8177275
    Abstract: A partition for separating the cabin compartment from the cargo area in HHR-style vehicles where the cabin compartment is characterized by a deck having a front wall and recesses. The partition comprises a frame including a panel. The frame is securable to a front wall of the vehicle deck, and includes at least one support, each of the at least one supports receivable in one of the recesses of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Willis, Robert H. Sautter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8172295
    Abstract: A height adjusting device is provided for the cargo floor of a motor vehicle with at least one guide, on which the cargo floor is pivotably guided about a first pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be guided from a lower cargo floor position into an upper cargo floor position. The cargo floor features a rear cargo floor section and a front cargo floor section that are pivotably connected to one another about a second pivoting axis. The cargo floor can be lifted in the region of the second pivoting axis such that the rear and the front cargo floor sections are pivoted relative to one another, and the guide is realized in such a way that the cargo floor is displaced from the lower into the upper cargo floor position along the guide by lifting the cargo floor in the region of the second pivoting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fischer, Joerg Karger, Michael Renkel, Karsten Mau
  • Patent number: 8172296
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a parcel shelf structure whose opening can be kept largely when the tailgate is opened. In order to achieve the above object, a parcel shelf comprising: a front shelf having a front end rotatably supported by a vehicle body; a rear shelf fixed to a tailgate; and a strap to connect the tailgate to a position apart from the front end of the front shelf in a rear direction, in which when the tailgate is opened, the front shelf is apart from the rear shelf, and when the tailgate is closed, the front shelf is in touch with the rear shelf is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Umeda, Kiyoshi Hara, Keisuke Kato, Nobumoto Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8136859
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from the front of the vehicle. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The utility vehicle has load storing devices in the leg space of the rear seat which serves as a load storing space in the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Morita, Hiroyuki Iwai, Masaki Tanaka, Wayne Schafer
  • Patent number: 8128144
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from the front, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The upper portion of the screen shield is swingably supported by the upper portion of the cabin frame so that the screen shield can be shifted between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state. The screen shield has a foldable folding portion, is swung in the expanded state, and is supported by a vehicle body component while being in a folded state by the folding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Mahara, Naohisa Masuda
  • Patent number: 8113566
    Abstract: A loading space cover having a dimensionally stable housing and a flexible sheet like screen is rolled up in the housing. Fastening devices are disposed at the longitudinal end sides of the loading space cover. Each fastening device can be held releasably in associated loading-space fasteners of a motor vehicle. The fastening devices are of structurally simple and cost-effective design. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fastening devices are held reliably in the loading-space fasteners and permit an energy-absorbing twisting of the loading space cover about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche
    Inventor: Mathias Kruger
  • Publication number: 20110292211
    Abstract: A 4-wheel drive improved motor vehicle design may have a passenger cabin both at the front and at the rear of said vehicle. The central portion of the vehicle may be partly occupied by the vehicle engine and partly by a framework for supporting essential supplies and personal baggage. The spaced-apart passenger cabins may increase the probability of survival should the vehicle be attacked or undermined A large fuel tank may be combined with comfortable seating to enable the passengers and the vehicle to carry out extended missions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Shmuel ABRAHAM
  • Patent number: 8052191
    Abstract: A hinged vapor wall for use in mobile living quarters having a main living area and a secondary area such as a garage. The vapor wall has a first and second section that overlap to form a barrier between the garage and the main living area. When the sections of the vapor wall are in their closed position, the main living area and the garage area are divided into separate airtight compartments. Typically, small vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs are placed in the garage, and the fumes from their fuel may spread into the main living space in the absence of a barrier. A permanent barrier sacrifices space within the main living area. The hinged vapor wall of this invention is movable to an open position when small vehicles are not being stored in the garage, enabling the garage to be used as living space as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Gulf Stream Coach, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Shea
  • Publication number: 20110266822
    Abstract: A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, an insertion hole of the retaining cap and the cross section of the first arm part each have an elliptical shape, and thus the rotation of the shank with respect to the hollow shaft is restricted and the position of the shank is kept such that the interlocking part points upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Takemura
  • Publication number: 20110260484
    Abstract: A pair of parallel pins abutting against the inner peripheral surface of a hollow shaft are provided to a first arm part of a shank at a predetermined spacing in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the shank from tilting or rattling. Further, a coil spring restricts the rotation of the shank around the first arm part and keeps the position of the shank such that an interlocking part points upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Takemura
  • Patent number: 8038194
    Abstract: The deck side trim includes accommodating recesses in which left and right ends of a cover accommodating body are accommodated and disposed. A clamp portion provided at its side with an engaging pawl is provided in the accommodating recess. The clamp portion is provided with an inner hole having an opening at least on the accommodating recess side. A cap body for closing the opening is disposed in the inner hole. The cap body includes a cap leg and a cap head. When the cap leg of the cap body is fitted into the inner hole, the engaging pawl in the clamp portion is pushed outward, and the engaging pawl is engaged with the body engaging portion provided on the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha, Hayashi Telempu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Fukui, Nobuhide Hashimoto, Teruji Kuroyanagi, Kenji Atarashi, Fumio Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20110241372
    Abstract: A tonneau cover device of a vehicle equipped with a rear opening portion formed at a rear portion of a vehicle body, a back door to open and close the rear opening portion, and a rear baggage compartment formed in front of the rear opening portion, comprises a tonneau board provided so as to extend substantially horizontally over the rear baggage compartment, the tonneau board comprising plural split boards which are split in a vehicle longitudinal direction, longitudinally-adjacent split boards being coupled to each other via a hinge portion extending in a vehicle width direction, and first and second connecting members as a folding mechanism pulling upwardly the split boards when the back door is opened so that the split boards bend around the hinge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirotaka KUSU
  • Patent number: 8011711
    Abstract: In a tonneau cover device for a vehicle, an interlocking mechanism (interlocking means) 40 comprises a pair of pulleys 45, 46 disposed separated in a vertical direction at each of the left and right sides of a cargo compartment, a first linking wire 51 wrapped around the pulleys 45, 46 and connected to the rear end of a tonneau cover, a rotary member 50 whereabout the first linking wire 51 is wrapped or wound between the pulleys 45, 46, and a second linking wire 53 having an end thereof connected to the back door, another end thereof wrapped around and engaged with the rotary member 50, and rotating the rotary member 50 interlocked with opening and closing of the back door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Hirayama, Noriaki Haba, Tomoatsu Tani
  • Patent number: 7992911
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from front, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The screen shield has a link mechanism. The screen shield is coupled to the upper portion of the cabin frame by the link mechanism so that the screen shield can be shifted between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shohei Naruoka, Masaki Tanaka, Yoshiya Takehara
  • Publication number: 20110156429
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention includes a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed expandable in a front direction, and a screen shield arranged at a front end of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to a riding space, and a non-expanded state not occupying the riding space. The screen shield is slidably supported by a vehicle body configuring portion, for example, a guide portion provided on an expandable side panel and extended in a front or rear direction, so as to be movable in a front or rear direction between an expanded position and a non-expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Hirohito Shimizu, Masashi Kanai, Hideyuki Takahashi, Yoshitaka Awazu, Austin Stauffer, Shigeru Yamashita, Shigeto Nakamura, Mike Boyle, Takashi Miyauchi, Yoshiya Takehara, Kentaro Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20110148134
    Abstract: A moveable bulkhead 10, 110 for a motor vehicle such as a van 1 is disclosed comprising of a number of panels 11, 12, 13; 111, 112, and 113 hingedly connected together to permit the bulkhead 10 to be moved or transformed between forward and rear positions by rotation of the panels 11, 12, 13; 111, 112, and 113. The bulkhead 10 is ā€œUā€-shaped defining a concavity that faces forward when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the forward position and rearwardly when the bulkhead 10 is latched in the rear position so as to maximize the cargo carrying capacity of the van 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding
  • Patent number: 7946644
    Abstract: A sting trailer has a front end-wall located at a first standard trailer length from a rear end of the sting trailer, a false end-wall located at a second standard trailer length from the rear end of the sting trailer, and a hidden compartment located between the front end-wall and the false end-wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Foster
  • Patent number: 7909379
    Abstract: A kit from which a plurality of parts are selected and arranged in a cargo vehicle to obtain bulkhead assembly for the cargo vehicle is provided. The assembly partitions or divides a cargo area from a driver area in the vehicle. The kit includes a reinforced composite first panel of a cellular core sandwich-type for positioning proximate a first side of and within the vehicle. The kit also includes a reinforced composite second panel of a cellular core sandwich-type. The second panel includes a first portion for positioning proximate a second side of and within the vehicle, a door portion disposed between the first panel and the first portion and a living hinge portion disposed between the first and door portions to allow the door portion of the second panel to pivot between open and closed positions to allow the driver to move between the areas in the open position of the door portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Larry J. Winget, Darius J. Preiser
  • Publication number: 20100264681
    Abstract: A cargo van includes an integral structural bulkhead to separate a passenger compartment from a cargo area. The cargo van is designed such that the bulkhead wall contributes to the structural rigidity of the vehicle for purposes of meeting National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements. That is, without the bulkhead, the cargo van would not meet NHTSA requirements. By designing the vehicle in this way, the overall vehicle weight is reduced as compared to vehicles in which bulkheads are optional add-ons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hadrian A. Rori, David B. Busch, Rollin E. Nothwehr
  • Patent number: 7806467
    Abstract: A partition panel extends in a first direction to partition a passenger room from a trunk room in the rear portion of the car body and is provided with an opening. A floor panel extends in a second direction which is different from the first direction. Upper attaching portions respectively arranged in a pair of right and left upper end portions of an X-shaped reinforcing bar are fixed to upper attached portions formed on the partition panel. Lower attaching portions respectively arranged in a pair of right and left lower end portions of the reinforcing bar are fixed to lower attached portions formed on the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kaoru Sangu
  • Patent number: 7806452
    Abstract: A pivotably adjustable security partition installable in a vehicle for providing a barrier between a front occupant area and a rear occupant area is provided. The partition may be pivotably mounted to lower seatbelt mounts via an articulating joint. Additionally, the partition may be secured to upper seatbelt mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Xtreme Metal Fab, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Storer, Peter Kekich, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100244478
    Abstract: This invention relates to a console that is adapted to be located between first and second seats in a vehicle, the console having a base including a guide surface; and an armrest supported on the guide surface for movement relative to the base in a first direction and a second direction that is different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.
    Inventor: TODD L. DePUE
  • Patent number: 7789445
    Abstract: A net pet barrier designed for installation behind the front or rear seat in a vehicle to keep pets off vehicle seats and in the back of the vehicle. Netting formed of micro-mesh material is attached to a pop-up wire frame which keeps the net from sagging and facilitates installation and removal. Adjustable side expansion panels allow installation of the barrier in vehicles of various sizes and configurations, from sedans to full-size SUVs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Solvit Products, LP
    Inventors: Patrick Hoffman, David King, Thomas B. Murphy