Auxiliary Article Compartments Patents (Class 296/37.1)
  • Patent number: 12071077
    Abstract: A power control unit mounting structure mounted on a vehicle includes an engine in an engine room at a front of the vehicle, an intake manifold disposed above the engine, a power control unit that is disposed above the engine, coupled to a cable, and controls power of a drive motor, and a toeboard cross member disposed on a toeboard. The engine and the toeboard cross member partly overlap in a projected plane along a fore-and-aft direction to provide a space behind the control unit in a front view of the vehicle. The intake manifold and the control unit are disposed within a contour of the engine in a plan view of the vehicle. The intake manifold is disposed ahead of the control unit, and portions of intake pipes of the intake manifold on both sides extend rearward and are partly opposed to both side surfaces of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuda, Hisayuki Nagatsu, Kazuya Sakaimoto
  • Patent number: 12060210
    Abstract: A transport container is provided. The transport container includes a body having a base, a cover, an opening, and at least one side wall all defining a cavity therebetween. The transport container also includes an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to determine a geographic route from a carrier destination location to a destination location based on received carrier transfer information and received transportation information. The electronic controller is also configured to display the carrier transfer information on a user interface when the transport container is located at a carrier initial location. The electronic controller is further configured to deploy the transport container when the transport container is located at the carrier initial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Motogo, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Ruth, Yuan-Chang Lo
  • Patent number: 11643020
    Abstract: A glove box for vehicles configured to be inserted into a part of a dashboard and to be withdrawn therefrom includes a housing having a storage space of the glove box, and guide units disposed on two side surfaces of the housing, respectively, and configured to move the housing along the inner surface of the dashboard, and each of the guide units includes a guide part configured to move along a corresponding one of rails located on two inner side surfaces of an opening formed in the part of the dashboard, and a fixing part located on the guide part and inserted into an insertion recess located on one of the rails so as to prevent movement of the housing in a withdrawn state of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Jung Hoon Woo, Kwan Woo Lee, Sang Ku Hur, Ik Jin Jung, Jin Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 11554710
    Abstract: A travel trailer generator mounting system for enabling installation of a permanent onboard generator system onto a travel trailer may include a generator mount designed to engage with the travel trailer frame. The generator mount may include a top planar surface with a generator storage portion extending downward therefrom, the generator storage portion sized to accommodate mounting of a generator therein; a front lip extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from a front edge of the top planar surface; and a rear lip extending substantially perpendicularly upwards from a rear edge of the top planar surface. The front lip and the rear lip may be configured to engage with cross members on the travel trailer for mounting of the generator mount to the travel trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Sean Aaron Bledsoe
  • Patent number: 11524725
    Abstract: A vehicle lower structure includes: a battery pack having first and second battery units and a battery cover; and a fuel tank that is arranged on a vehicle rear side to be higher than the first and second battery units. At positions under a floor panel, the first and second battery units are arranged on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a propeller shaft. The battery cover has a coupling section that couples first and second battery accommodation sections. The coupling section couples the first and second battery accommodation sections such that a vehicle rear side thereof is higher than the first and second battery accommodation sections, extends in the vehicle width direction at a position above the propeller shaft, and is arranged next to a vehicle front side of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kohara, Katsumasa Sogame
  • Patent number: 11203304
    Abstract: A radio mount includes a front wall; a rear wall; a bottom wall extending between a lower edge of the front wall to a lower edge of the rear wall; a left wall extending between a left edge of the front wall to a left edge of the rear wall; and a right wall extending between the right edge of the front wall to a right edge of the rear wall. An upper edge of the left wall and an upper edge of the right wall has an arcuate shape sized to conform to a portion of a windshield frame of a vehicle. The front wall defines an opening sized to provide access to a radio mounted within the radio mount. The front wall and rear wall may be angled with respect to the bottom wall. The front wall defines a central portion and two lateral portions for receiving switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Alan Turner
  • Patent number: 11046253
    Abstract: A storage bin that is assembled at the rear of a motor vehicle includes a molded part made from polymer material defining, in the mounted position of the bin: an upper supporting rim, a bin bottom situated below the upper supporting rim, and one or more sidewall portions. The molded part further includes two oblique rims extending between the upper supporting rim and the bin bottom. The molded part is traversed by a lateral opening forming a notch from above, the notch being bordered by the two oblique or vertical rims. The lateral opening is closed by an attached wall assembled to the two oblique or vertical rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Philippe Jaunasse
  • Patent number: 10953800
    Abstract: A conversation mirror assembly comprises a first housing, a second housing pivotably connected to the first housing via a shaft, a conversation mirror connected to the second housing, a lock device, and a damping device. The conversation mirror is received in a space defined by the first housing and second housing at a stowed position; and is pivotable to a use position with the second housing. The lock device includes a first lock member connected to the first housing and a second lock member connected to the second housing, and is substantially located at a middle portion of the conversation mirror along a lengthwise direction. The damping device is located at the middle portion of the conversation mirror at the lengthwise direction, spaced apart from the lock device along the lengthwise direction and offset from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Wei Xu, Brent Dalton, Derek Kang, Alana Nisbett
  • Patent number: 10870396
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding an article such as an umbrella includes a housing having a receiver, a sidewall and a guideway on the sidewall. The apparatus also includes a plunger held in the receiver and displaceable between a first position and a second position. The plunger includes a follower that slides along the guideway. A method of releasing an umbrella from a receiver in a housing held in a motor vehicle component is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luis Adrian Tena Han, Carmen Frida Vargas Garcia
  • Patent number: 10850671
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for holding an article in a motor vehicle. That apparatus includes a motor vehicle storage compartment having a receiver and a reversible insert held in the receiver. A storage system is also disclosed including a left-hand storage compartment including a first receiver, a right-hand storage compartment including a second receiver and a reversible insert configured for receipt in the first receiver and the second receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Koehler, Linh Ngoc Doan, Bhavani Thota
  • Patent number: 10850846
    Abstract: A foot washing system includes a support panel, and a basin including a foot-washing area and a drain that is configured to drain water out of the foot-washing area. The basin is moveably coupled to the support panel. The basin is selectively moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position in relation to the support panel. The deployed position allows for foot washing within the foot-washing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: James A. Fullerton, Douglas Alan Brown
  • Patent number: 10752178
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a tailgate that is upwardly pivotable in a rearward upward manner and on which a load compartment cover is pivotably held around a pivot axis by way of the rear end region of the load compartment cover that faces the tailgate. The load compartment cover, in a region that is spaced apart from the pivot axis by way of at least one force transmission element, is held on a vehicle body. The force transmission element, when the tailgate is upwardly pivoted, pivots the load compartment cover toward the tailgate so as to expose an access to the load compartment. At least one hook connection connects the tailgate to the load compartment cover and establishes the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Loewe, Christoph Fuss, Christian Causemann, Frank Schneider, Sascha Kaatz, Matthias Baumann
  • Patent number: 10723283
    Abstract: The present invention is a cargo loading and unloading system for a vehicle that facilitates easy loading and unloading of cargos by a simple, compact, flexible and long-lasting structure. Cargo loading and unloading system for a vehicle includes a mat, at least one front longitudinal member, at least one rear longitudinal member and at least one cross member. Mat is disposed on a surface of cargo storage area. Longitudinal members are disposed longitudinally on mat. Cross members are disposed transverse to longitudinal members on mat such that longitudinal members and cross members form a frame. The rear and front longitudinal members are in connection with mat and slides-in and slides-out mat on surface such that when slid out, cargo being loaded and unloaded and when slid in, cargo is transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Gonzalo Bellini
  • Patent number: 10710659
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided which enables a storage portion and a maintenance lid to be arranged by taking into consideration the position of a body component and the shape of a carrier. A radiator and a reservoir tank are disposed below a front center upper cover. A storage portion is disposed ahead of the radiator and the reservoir tank. A maintenance lid configured to cover the radiator and the reservoir tank from above is provided on the front center upper cover, and the maintenance lid is positioned behind the storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Kobayashi, Koichi Ishigami, Tetsutaro Takasugi
  • Patent number: 10688934
    Abstract: A loading space arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a foldable loading space cover configured to cover a loading space in a covering position of the loading space cover; a guide system configured to guide the loading space cover between the covering position and a folded-together folded position of the loading space cover; and a lock configured to lock the loading space cover at a height which is vertically spaced apart from the guide system. The guide system is further configured to uncouple the loading space cover from the guide system in the folded position. The lock is further configured to pivot the loading space cover from the folded position into a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Robert Fleischhacker
  • Patent number: 10654419
    Abstract: A luggage compartment screen apparatus of a vehicle may include a moving housing movable along guide rails; a push mechanism to be drawn out or drawn in from the moving housing toward the luggage compartment and be rotatable and formed to have a step in a rotation direction thereof; and a locking mechanism rotatably disposed on the moving housing to be configured to be selectively locked to the guide rail, formed to have a step in a drawn-out and drawn-in direction of the push mechanism, and having a stepped portion in contact with a stepped portion of the push mechanism to be rotated to be locked to the guide rail at the time of a drawn-in operation or a rotation operation of the push mechanism and be rotated to be separated from the guide rail at the time of a drawn-out operation of the push mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp
    Inventors: Jang Hyun Cho, Won Jong Lee, Hee Cheol Kim, Dong Hwan Kim, Dong Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 10479280
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment opening arranged at the rear of a body of the motor vehicle, and a tailgate arranged pivotably on the body and in a closed position closes the luggage compartment opening and in an open position at least partially opens the luggage compartment opening. In order to provide a motor vehicle with a luggage compartment of variable size, the motor vehicle comprises a cover attached to a vehicle portion of the motor vehicle adjacent to the luggage compartment opening and/or defining the luggage compartment opening, and which is made of a flexible material and is configured and arranged such that, in the open position of the tailgate or by pivoting of the tailgate into the open position, it can be transferred from a compact rest state into an extended function state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
  • Patent number: 10442362
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment assembly includes a housing and a pivoting door. A floating storage bin is pivotally connected to each of the housing and the pivoting door whereby on translation of the door to an open configuration the storage bin deploys forwardly from an interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Raymond Anthony Oldani
  • Patent number: 10196000
    Abstract: A vehicle trunk includes a panel having a leg protruding past a perimeter thereof and a trunk floor defining a recess and cavity. The leg occupies a first portion of the cavity to secure the panel perpendicular to the floor, and a second portion of the cavity different from the first to secure the panel flush within the recess such that the panel is disposed over unoccupied portions of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pattrick Loew, Kendra White
  • Patent number: 10189413
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the cargo area of a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a support structure having a track system. The track system includes a first track portion defining a first cargo floor position, a second track portion defining a second cargo floor position and a third track portion defining a cargo floor storage position. A tambour cargo deck is supported by the track system, and movable from the first or second cargo floor position to the cargo floor storage position, and movable from the cargo floor storage position to the first or second cargo floor position. In this way, the cargo area can be increased or decreased as desired. The method comprises sliding the tambour cargo deck from the first cargo floor position to the storage position and sliding the tambour cargo deck from the storage position to the second cargo floor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Manuel Roldan Gonzalez, Cesar Cervantes Sandoval, Bruce L. Stone
  • Patent number: 10059269
    Abstract: A cargo area for a vehicle includes a load floor, a package tray, and a pair of cargo area side walls each comprising a package tray translating element including a vehicle-forward facing guide surface for translating the package tray between at least one deployed position at a spaced distance above the load floor and a stowed position on the load floor. Vehicle-forward upper and lower indents are disposed at spaced intervals along the vehicle-forward facing guide surface. A cooperating package tray retaining element includes vehicle-rearward upper and lower indents disposed on the cargo area side walls. A vehicle-forward edge of the package tray includes a follower element adapted for translating the package tray between the at least one deployed position and the stowed position. A vehicle-rearward edge of the package tray includes a retractable retaining element adapted to releasably and selectively engage the vehicle-rearward upper and lower indents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Walter Herman
  • Patent number: 9779618
    Abstract: A garage door opening device for a motorcycle is provided that includes a vehicle-side communicating device configured to transmit a door opening or closing signal to a garage-side communicating device. The garage door opening device also includes a manual operation switch configured to initiate sending of the opening or closing signal via the vehicle-side communicating device. The vehicle-side communicating device and the manual operation switch are located separately from each other. The vehicle-side communicating device is disposed inside a front cowl that is forward of a meter housing of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ono, Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9630562
    Abstract: A vehicle storage drawer includes a frame and a housing slidably attached to the frame with a central aperture defining a receptacle. At least one container is selectively engaged with the receptacle. The at least one container is selectively removable from the receptacle when the housing is in an outward position. The container is selectively secured within the receptacle when the housing is in an inward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Marc David Nedelman
  • Patent number: 9580132
    Abstract: A scooter-type vehicle having a storage portion that is formed so as to open in a leg shield, and that is covered by a lid member. An upwardly open storage box is formed on a back surface of the lid member, and the storage box is openably and closably mounted on a lower portion of an opening of the storage portion via a hinge. An axis of the hinge is obliquely arranged such that, as viewed in a plan view, an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the axis of the hinge is positioned more on a front side in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle than a center side of the axis of the hinge in the vehicle width direction. The lid member moves so as to fall obliquely in the rearward and outward direction so that the lid member is opened while avoiding a rider's leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kanta Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9517727
    Abstract: A pocket forming trim panel for a vehicle door is provided. The pocket forming trim panel includes a panel portion and a pocket enclosure portion. The panel portion is configured to form a pocket opening. The pocket enclosure portion has a pocket floor portion and a pocket wall portion. The pocket enclosure portion is foldable with respect to the panel portion to complete the formation of a pocket on the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Adelchi R. Tiboni, Fernando A. Siqueira
  • Patent number: 9511733
    Abstract: Protective device with a flexible sheet-like structure movable between a compactly stored position and at least one two-dimensionally extended functional position and which is provided, on an end region thereof with a dimensionally stable extension profile which, at opposite ends, has retaining profile sections mounted so as to be displaceable telescopically to a limited extent in the extension profile and acted upon outwardly in the longitudinal direction of the extension profile by a spring arrangement. Each retaining profile section is assigned a second spring arrangement which acts on the retaining profile section in the opposite direction to the first spring arrangement. The retaining profile section, in an unloaded non-operational position, is held on the extension profile in a central position, from which the retaining profile section can be shifted inward or outward in opposite longitudinal directions relative to the extension profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BOS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Maier, Huan Tran, Wolfgang Schaller, Herbert Walter
  • Patent number: 9470027
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is housed within a housing. A cover covers an opening in the housing. Connecting members connect the cover and the housing. A shaft supporting section of each connecting member supports a shaft. A first extending section extends from a bearing in a direction orthogonal to the shaft. The first extending section and the bearing are rotatable with respect to the shaft supporting section. A stopper is not adjacent to the first extending section in the shaft direction when the first extending section is within a first angle range with respect to the shaft supporting section. The stopper is disposed at a position of sandwiching, with the shaft supporting section, the extending section in the shaft direction by being adjacent to the first extending section in the shaft direction, when the first extending section is within a second angle range with respect to the shaft supporting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Minoru Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 9428117
    Abstract: An under cover apparatus of a rear bumper multi-carrier includes a fixed rail cover coupled to a pair of fixed rails to cover a first opening part between the fixing rails. The pair of fixed rails is installed at left and right sides of a vehicle body in front and rear directions. A moving rail cover is coupled to a pair of moving rails to cover a second opening part between the moving rails. The pair of moving rails is coupled to the fixed rails to be slidable along the fixed rails, withdrawn rearward together with a rear bumper, and has the carrier coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seung Mok Lee, Young Sub Oh, Jin Young Yoon, Bock Cheol Lee, Hyun Gyung Kim, Dong Eun Cha
  • Patent number: 9421888
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle includes a seat back, an auxiliary member supported on the seat back and can pivot between a storage position at which the auxiliary member is housed in a housing recess part and a projecting position at which the auxiliary member projects forward of the seat back, and an inner board that closes a rear opening face of the housing recess part, a board support member having a retaining groove into which a lower end part of the inner board is fitted from above, wherein a latching projection and a latching groove are formed respectively on one and the other of opposing faces of the retaining groove and the lower end part of the inner board fitted thereinto, the latching projection and the latching groove being engaged with each other for suppressing upward movement of the inner board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Kaneda, Takeshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9387807
    Abstract: A luggage compartment cover is disclosed for covering a luggage compartment of a vehicle. The luggage compartment cover features a rigid frame configured to be supported on a supporting surface of the vehicle. The luggage compartment cover includes a flexible sheet material fixed on and stretched by the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Horst, Joerg Karger
  • Patent number: 9381864
    Abstract: A cargo screen device for a vehicle may include a housing unit which has a screen drawing groove, and a screen unit which includes a screen member that may be wound in the housing unit, or deployed from the housing unit through the screen drawing groove, wherein the screen unit includes a wire member which may be made of a flexible material, and coupled to the screen member along a tip of the screen member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyoung Shin, Yong Chae Kim, Jin Seok Yoon
  • Patent number: 9376147
    Abstract: A storage receptacle integrated into the floor of a vehicle. The storage receptacle includes a housing. The housing includes a collar, a lower surface, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the collar and the lower surface. The side surfaces each define an upper surface and an intermediate surface that extend continuously around an inner periphery of the housing and are oriented substantially parallel with the collar and the lower surface. A lid is configured to rest on the upper surface in a first storage position when the lid has a first orientation, and is configured to rest on the intermediate surface in a second storage position when the lid has a second orientation, wherein the second orientation is rotated 90 degrees relative to the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Joel P Craven, Clyde W Ney, Jr., Liliana Neag
  • Patent number: 9216697
    Abstract: A vehicle vault assembly safely and discreetly stores valuables within a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a vehicle having a horizontal deck. A well extends downwardly into the deck. A vault is positionable within the well. The vault includes a housing and a lid. The housing has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the perimeter wall define an interior space of the housing configured to store valuables therein. An upper edge of the perimeter wall defines an access opening into the interior space of the housing. The lid is positionable over the upper edge of the perimeter wall to selectively close the access opening. A locking mechanism selectively secures the lid to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Kelly Hayes
  • Patent number: 9174586
    Abstract: A storage compartment apparatus for a door of a vehicle includes an elongated body that extends along an axis. The elongated body includes impact-absorbing elements arranged along the axis and an axially elongated storage compartment opening at an axial end and coextending with the impact-absorbing elements along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: NYX, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Bisson
  • Patent number: 9061633
    Abstract: A tonneau cover device includes a tonneau cover attached to a hatchback door. A movable guide is arranged on the tonneau cover and is guided by a fixed guide, which is arranged in a vehicle. The tonneau cover moves to an extension position when the hatchback door closes and a storage position when the hatchback door opens. A detector detects whether movement of the tonneau cover is obstructed due to contact with an object. A controller moves the tonneau cover to where the movable guide can come into contact with the fixed guide in a state in which the hatchback door is open when the detector detects that the movement of the tonneau cover to the storage position has been obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takashi Nagao, Hiroyuki Mori
  • Publication number: 20150130207
    Abstract: A storage compartment apparatus for a door of a vehicle includes an elongated body that extends along an axis. The elongated body includes impact-absorbing elements arranged along the axis and an axially elongated storage compartment opening at an axial end and coextending with the impact-absorbing elements along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey Michael Bisson
  • Patent number: 8979158
    Abstract: Provided is a luggage compartment structure of a vehicle in which a plate member is able to be installed in various aspects in a luggage compartment of the vehicle, the luggage compartment structure of a vehicle being capable of preventing an article on the plate member from falling using a fall prevention member which is a separate member from the plate member. The luggage compartment structure of a vehicle has a plate member installed in at least two positions including a first position (?) of a luggage compartment of the vehicle and a second position (?) that is higher than the first position (?), and a fall prevention member which prevents an article placed on the plate member installed at the second position (?) from falling, wherein the fall prevention member is detachable from the plate member or the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: KYORAKU Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho Nakajima, Tadatoshi Tanji, Yoshitaka Matsubara, Ryota Baba
  • Patent number: 8960753
    Abstract: A storage structure of a saddle riding type vehicle with enhanced ease of storage and removal of small storage articles. An article storage unit is provided so as to include an opening in a rear surface of a front portion cover and at a position facing a rider and to be longer in a longitudinal length extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to a height direction. In addition, a removable tray including riser walls along its periphery is disposed at a position closer to a lid than an inner wall of the article storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsu Horiuchi, Hiroyuki Shinmura
  • Patent number: 8944483
    Abstract: An adjustable modular shelving system is secureable to a rail mounting system in the cargo area of a vehicle. The shelving system includes a pair of end panels, each pair having an end panel flange with a plurality of end panel flange apertures. The end panel flange extends along a portion of an outer periphery of each of the pair of end panels. The shelving system may include a shelf having a base and a pair of shelf flanges which extend from longitudinal end portions of the base, one of the pair of shelf flanges includes a plurality of locking mechanisms and another one of the pair of shelf flanges include a plurality of shelf apertures. The locking mechanisms may securably connect with a first side of the pair of end panels, and the plurality of shelf apertures may securably connect with a second side of the pair of end panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventor: Thomas S. Richter
  • Patent number: 8936294
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] An object is to restrict movement of a luggage board in a vehicle front-rear direction and a left-right direction. [Solution] A vehicle luggage compartment structure includes: luggage side trims 2 covering bulging portions 8 of wheel houses formed in side portions of a luggage compartment; and a luggage board 1 covering a floor surface. Projection-shaped portions 20 are formed in lower portions of the luggage side trims 2 to project to vehicle cabin interior sides. The projection-shaped portions 20 are formed on a front side of the bulging portions 8, at positions where the luggage compartment becomes wider, in a region between a lower end of a seat back 5 and the bulging portions 8. Projecting piece portions 10 projecting to an outer side are provided in side portions of the luggage board 1. Contact portions 31, 32 configured to come in contact with the projection-shaped portions 10 are formed in the projecting piece portions 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kawano
  • Patent number: 8888162
    Abstract: A universal accessory mounting system for at least one of a two-wheeled vehicle and a three-wheeled vehicle including a rider area and a steering assembly including a steering tube, includes a vertical panel located in front of the rider area and aft of the steering tube, and a plurality of standard attachment features mountable to the vertical panel for mounting a plurality of different storage option accessories to the vertical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Vectrix International Limited
    Inventor: Peter S. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8870255
    Abstract: A support for a functional element in the form of a container, an armrest or the like in a pair of rails within a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is provided. In the case of this support, the two rails encompass guide grooves and axially displaceable, bolt-like guide elements are supported in a housing of the functional element, on the side thereof, which faces the respective rail, and includes projections, which face these rails. A spring acts on the guide element and pretensions the projection thereof against the guide groove. The guide element can be moved by means of an actuator supported in the housing opposite to the force of the spring from the contact position in the guide groove, wherein a lower arm of the guide groove, is arranged horizontally and the displacement axis of the guide element for this guide groove is arranged diagonally to the horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Lothar Teske
  • Patent number: 8861901
    Abstract: An impact sensor of an active hood system includes a rear member, optical fiber sensors, a front member and membrane switch. Each of the optical fiber sensors is disposed on upper and lower portions of a front of the rear member and senses an impact force delivered from a bumper at the time of a crash with a pedestrian. The front member is disposed at the front of the rear member and has a protrusion part pressing the optical fiber sensors by the impact force delivered from the bumper at the time of the crash with the pedestrian. The membrane switch is disposed between the front member and the optical fiber sensor, divided into a plurality of regions from a left of the front member to a right thereof, and configured to sense a region which is pressed when the pedestrian crashes with the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: In Hwang
  • Patent number: 8857882
    Abstract: A combination toolbox and seating assembly is provided. The toolbox seating assembly is installed in the bed of a pickup truck, wherein the toolbox includes a hinged lid, and wherein a bench style seat may be stored the toolbox when not in use, and may be positioned within the upper portion of the toolbox when in use to provide comfortable rearward seating within the bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Frederick Augustus Daniels, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140300127
    Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] An object is to restrict movement of a luggage board in a vehicle front-rear direction and a left-right direction. [Solution] A vehicle luggage compartment structure includes: luggage side trims 2 covering bulging portions 8 of wheel houses formed in side portions of a luggage compartment; and a luggage board 1 covering a floor surface. Projection-shaped portions 20 are formed in lower portions of the luggage side trims 2 to project to vehicle cabin interior sides. The projection-shaped portions 20 are formed on a front side of the bulging portions 8, at positions where the luggage compartment becomes wider, in a region between a lower end of a seat back 5 and the bulging portions 8. Projecting piece portions 10 projecting to an outer side are provided in side portions of the luggage board 1. Contact portions 31, 32 configured to come in contact with the projection-shaped portions 10 are formed in the projecting piece portions 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayoshi Kawano
  • Patent number: 8833839
    Abstract: Impact protection structures for vehicles are described. An impact protection structure includes a support structure of the vehicle, an interior rail coupled to the support structure, and an exterior rail coupled to the interior rail. The exterior rail has an inboard boundary wall positioned between an upper mounting region and a lower mounting region. The upper and the lower exterior mounting region of the exterior rail are coupled to an upper and a lower mounting region of the interior rail. At least a portion of the inboard boundary wall is spaced apart from an outboard wall of the interior rail such that when the exterior rail is impacted by a blunt-object barrier, the inboard boundary wall of the exterior rail deforms, thereby damping energy of the impact at the exterior rail and arresting crack propagation between the exterior rail and the interior rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Telsa Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Young, Donald James Robert Parr, Ernest Matthew Villanueva, Nathan Nelson, Paul Dewitt Frey
  • Patent number: 8801073
    Abstract: A motor vehicle luggage retention system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. A foldable seat back separates the occupant compartment from the trunk and has an upright position and a folded position that allows pass-through accessibility from the trunk into the occupant compartment. A pivotable bar assembly in the trunk has a lowered position and a raised position. Pivoting the pivotable bar assembly to the lowered position moves the foldable seat back to the upright position and creates a structural safety barrier against objects in the trunk impacting a rear surface of the seat back. Pivoting the pivotable bar assembly to the raised position moves the seat back to the folded position to provide uninterrupted access to the occupant compartment from the trunk. A latch assembly latches the pivotable bar assembly in at least the lowered position. A movable parcel shelf and collapsible storage bin are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carl L. Gray, Jr., Adam Sachs, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 8793962
    Abstract: A trim assembly having a structural part (2), first and second trim parts (14, 20), and at least one intermediate trim part (30). The second trim part (20) is attached on a second portion (10) of the structural part (2), and has an aspect face (22) extending between a first edge (24) and a second edge (26). The intermediate trim part (30) has an aspect face extending between a first edge (32) and a second edge (34), the second edge (34) being positioned facing the first edge (24) of the second trim part (20). The second trim part (20) is moveably mounted on the second portion (10), and the intermediate trim part (30) has a member capable of displacing the second trim part (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventor: Franck Edeline
  • Patent number: 8789865
    Abstract: A storage apparatus for a vehicle may include a left rear back beam and a right rear back beam divided while sliding to left and right sides in a traverse direction of the vehicle, respectively when the left rear back beam and the right rear back beam may be drawn out from a rear bumper while sliding to a rear side of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a left storage box and a right storage box installed to be fixed to the left and right rear back beams, respectively, to be drawn out together when the left and right rear back beams may be drawn out to the rear side of the vehicle and divided together when the left and right rear back beams slide to the left and right sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Eun Cha, Seung Mok Lee
  • Patent number: RE46485
    Abstract: An automotive door comprising a door trim member (10) with a map-receiving pocket (12) that is defined by a back member (16) that is secured to the door trim member and an inner member (14) that is secured to the back member with an umbrella-receiving member (18) that is accessible through the map-receiving pocket and is defined by a U-shaped member (24) that is attached to the door trim member and is adapted to receive an umbrella (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas H. Augustyn