With Safety Feature Patents (Class 296/68.1)
  • Patent number: 11897370
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a passenger compartment. A wall is positioned within the passenger compartment. A support structure is positioned on the wall. The support structure defines a series of slots. A seating assembly engages at least one of the slots of the series of slots such that the seating assembly is suspended above a floor of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Robert Allen Bastuba, Jr., Collin Joshua Smith, Robert Charles Shipley, Francisco Edgar Guizar, Scott Culver Anderson
  • Patent number: 11891005
    Abstract: An assembly includes a track having an axis. The assembly includes a vehicle seat moveable relative the track along the axis. The assembly includes a ramp elongated along the axis. The assembly includes a linear variable differential transformer having a housing and a plunger moveably supported by the housing. The plunger contacts the ramp. The ramp being fixed relative to one of the vehicle seat or the track and the housing of the linear variable differential transformer being fixed relative to the other of the vehicle seat or the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 11872937
    Abstract: A system for detecting one or more characteristics of an object within an automotive vehicle includes one or more sensors mounted within an interior of the vehicle or on an exterior of the vehicle, with each sensor being configured to detect a location, an orientation, a size and/or an object type of the object, and a controller operably connected with the one or more sensors and configured to assess whether the object is disposed in a predetermined alertworthy disposition. A method for detecting characteristics of the object within the vehicle includes determining the location, orientation, size and/or object type of the object using the one or more sensors, and assessing whether the object is disposed in a predetermined alertworthy disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Gilbert-Eyres, Russell A. Patenaude, Eric T. Hosey, Matthew Neely
  • Patent number: 11839977
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling operation of a work robot for performing work inside a target region using a manipulator includes a trajectory information acquiring unit for acquiring N?1 or N pieces of trajectory information respectively indicating N?1 or N trajectories connecting N work regions where the work robot performs a series of work operations in order of a series of work operations; a classifying unit for classifying the N?1 or N trajectories as (i) trajectories that need correction or (ii) trajectories that do not need correction; and a trajectory planning unit for planning a trajectory of a tip of the manipulator between two work regions relating to the each of the one or more trajectories, for each of the one or more trajectories classified as a trajectory that needs correction by the classifying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MUJIN, INC.
    Inventor: Rosen Diankov
  • Patent number: 11827501
    Abstract: A forklift includes a cabin and a seat for use by a driver arranged in the cabin. The cabin has a lateral opening to enter and exit the cabin, and the seat is mounted rotatably relative to the cabin. There is a safety bracket for preventing the driver from involuntarily exiting the cabin through the lateral opening, and for providing lateral impact protection. The safety bracket is mechanically connected to the seat to be rotatable together with the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: PALFINGER AG
    Inventors: Eric O'Keeffe, Patrick Keenan, Matthias Kalin
  • Patent number: 11794564
    Abstract: A body structure for an electrically operated vehicle has an installation space for a traction battery which is downwardly open in the vehicle vertical direction and upwardly delimited by a floor sheet-metal part forming the vehicle floor. The traction battery is inserted into the installation space from below the vehicle. A free installation gap is formed between a battery ceiling wall and the floor sheet-metal part and a spacer is supported between the battery ceiling wall and the floor sheet-metal part. The spacer is formed in two parts, namely, a buffer made from an elastic, flexible, soft component and a base made of a component-stiff hard component. In an undeformed production state, the installation height of the spacer is greater than the gap size of the installation gap. In an installation position, the spacer is supported between the floor sheet-metal part and the battery ceiling wall, elastically deforming the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Denis Dupper
  • Patent number: 11772531
    Abstract: A supplemental passive safety apparatus is provided which benefits known technology for detecting traffic emergencies. The apparatus may contain a movable rectangular frustum which interacts with rigid crossbars to control middle pivot joints responsible for adjusting location of horizontal support bottom panels with a cushion. An alternative apparatus may contain a rope traveling through a double flanged wheel mounting to a pneumatic cylinder instead of a rigid crossbar interacting with a movable rectangular frustum. Simultaneously with an opening of an automatic valve, compressed air is transmitted from a cartridge to a pneumatic cylinder causing a piston with rod to move toward a front crossbar. The rigid crossbar in one version or rope in an alternative version release a pivot joint controlling location of horizontal support bottom seat panels with cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
  • Patent number: 11772522
    Abstract: An embodiment rail device includes an upper rail, a first bearing support on the upper rail, a lower rail, a bearing connection end on the lower rail and inserted into the first bearing support, a vertically elongated bearing contact adjustment hole on the lower rail, an upper bearing rotatably connected to the bearing connection end and in close contact with a floor of the first bearing support, a lower plate including a fastening groove that receives a lower end of the lower rail, a bearing shaft mounting hole on a wall surface portion of the fastening groove and matched with the bearing contact adjustment hole, a second bearing support outside the fastening groove and having an opened upper portion, a lower bearing rotatably disposed within the second bearing support, and a bearing shaft fastened to the bearing shaft mounting hole and the bearing contact adjustment hole by a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation, DAS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Jin Park, Gil Ju Kim, Soo Hyun Moon, Ju Yeol Kong, Sung Hak Hong, Sang Do Park, Ga Be Nam, Jae Chul Jung, Jin Gu Park
  • Patent number: 11753078
    Abstract: A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels, and an impact management system. The frame structure includes an operator cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the operator cage in a longitudinal direction. The frame structure includes a pair of rails that each extends in the longitudinal direction from a first end arranged adjacent a pair of front wheels to a second end arranged adjacent a pair of rear wheels. The plurality of wheels are supported by the frame structure. The plurality of wheels includes the pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels. The pair of front wheels are positioned forward of the pair of rear wheels in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Willison, Donald L. Wires, Gary Cain
  • Patent number: 11691540
    Abstract: In an arrangement which includes: a seat support body slidably supported on a fixed rail fixed to a floor; a power supply device supplying power to an electrical component on a seat side; and a drive device driving the seat support body in a front-and-rear direction and having a motor and a transmission member disposed so as to pass longitudinally through an interior of the fixed rail, the power supply device includes: a housing housing an electric wire for power supply; and a slider linked to the seat support body and slidable within the fixed rail. The electric wire is drawn out from the housing, retained by the slider and slidable within the fixed rail. The slider has an interference-avoiding portion for avoiding interference with the transmission member disposed so as to pass longitudinally through the interior of the fixed rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Meguro, Toshiaki Shimada, Nobuyuki Tezuka
  • Patent number: 11679692
    Abstract: A seating system is provided which comprises a seat movable between a standard seating position, in which the seat faces frontwards and the seat backrest is in an upright position for conventional driving mode, and at least one non-standard seating position in which the seat is rotated around a vertical axis with respect to the standard seating position and the backrest is reclined rearwards by rotation around a first transverse horizontal axis from the standard seating position. The seat is equipped with at least one passive safety device switchable between a working or active state, in which the device is able to protect an occupant of the seat in case of an impact of the vehicle, and a non-working or inactive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ITALDESIGN-GIUGIARO S.P. A.
    Inventors: Bartolomeo Bocchino, Dario Caiero, Alfredo Castiglione Morelli, Gennaro Ferrara
  • Patent number: 11654801
    Abstract: An electric lock for a fold-down seat of a motor vehicle is situated inside a housing. The lock includes a locking means, a blocking element, a transmission lever attached to the blocking element so as to move it between a position of blocking the locking means in the catch retention position and a position in which it is effaced with respect to the movement of the locking means. The lock includes an actuator comprising an electric motor, the actuator being able to move the transmission lever. The transmission lever of the lock is able to move about an axis of rotation and has two arms extending radially from the axis, the first arm at its end having a handle and the second arm at its end having a means of attachment to the blocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: U-SHIN FRANCE
    Inventor: Jerry Godard
  • Patent number: 11639122
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a seat mounted in a vehicle. The seat includes a base, a back support, a hinge, and a seat belt integrated into the seat. The back support is capable of rotating relative to the base and thereby reclining. The hinge is between the base and the back support and is configured to lock the back support in positions in relation to the base. The seat belt has a shoulder portion and a lap portion and is attached to the seat at a shoulder anchor in the back support and a base anchor in the base. When a generated torque, created from a forward force applied by the shoulder portion of the seat belt, exceeds a threshold amount of torque, the hinge is configured to unlock and back support is configured to rotate forward from a reclined position towards an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Daniel, Daniel Lynn Larner
  • Patent number: 11603023
    Abstract: The technology provides a lockout assembly that covers a latching mechanism, where the latching mechanism would enable a passenger to fold down the rear seat(s) of a vehicle. This can be particularly beneficial when the vehicle is operating in an autonomous driving mode, because certain areas within the vehicle may be restricted from passenger access. For instance, access to the trunk or cargo area may be limited to authorized service personnel. The lockout assembly includes a base unit and a cover. The cover is releasably secured to the base unit using one or more clip members. The base unit is fixedly secured to a receptacle of the latching mechanism using one or more fastener members, such as a screw. Once the cover is releasably secure, it may be completely or substantially flush with an inner edge of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Richard Morabito
  • Patent number: 11571996
    Abstract: Examples herein describe a vehicle seating system. The vehicle seating system may include a rail mounted to a vehicle roof and supported by a vehicle frame. The vehicle seating system may include an anchor system movable along the rail, the anchor system including: a locking device that locks the anchor system in a position along the rail; and a heating, vacuuming, and air conditioning (HVAC) port in communication with a HVAC duct within the vehicle roof. The vehicle seating system may include an interchangeable seat module that connects to the anchor system to suspend the seat module above a floor of the vehicle, wherein the seat module connects to the HVAC port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Maeshiro
  • Patent number: 11565644
    Abstract: A passenger restraint system of a vehicle includes a passenger restraint article with an interface, and a locking device that secures the interface. In some embodiments, the vehicle includes a vertical channel that enables the locking device to travel up and down. The locking device may include a camera that enables the locking device to align with the interface, and once aligned, the locking device secures the interface. In additional or alternative embodiments, the locking device includes two C-bars and a biasing element that urges the locking device into an open position. When the passenger sits or leans against the opened C-bars, the force caused by the interface on the C-bars overcomes the force applied by the biasing element, urging the C-bars into a closed position. The locking device is then secured by engaging a locking bar that pushes against a surface of the C-bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Matthew Freedman, Ji Hyun Han, William Travis Faircloth, Michael Joseph Troise, Julia Ann Javorsky, Hannah Amelia Brush, Morgan Elizabeth Dickinson, Robert Henry Cybulski, III
  • Patent number: 11518467
    Abstract: To be able to compactly dispose an airbag device at a front portion of a saddled vehicle. An airbag device for a saddled vehicle including: an inflator; an airbag adapted to be expanded by gas discharged from the inflator; and, a retainer accommodating the airbag, the airbag being deployed upward from an opening of the retainer, in which the retainer is disposed between a meter provided in front of a handle for steering and a headlight provided in front of the meter in a side view of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 11485253
    Abstract: A seating system for a vehicle having a seat and a vehicle body includes a latch system having a seat portion configured for attachment to the seat and selectively engageable to and disengageable from the vehicle body. The seat portion may include a deformable portion configured to deform when the seat portion is engaged with the vehicle body and the seat is subjected to a force directed in a forward direction relative to the seat. The seat portion may also include a detachable portion having a plurality of elements configured such that at least one of the elements separates from at least one other of the elements when the seat portion is engaged with the vehicle body and the seat is subjected to the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philipp Gastl, Eckhard Nock, Johannes Barzen
  • Patent number: 11400886
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include an evacuation deterrence system that includes a vehicle having a member configured to deter evacuation of passengers from the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence system also includes an evacuation deterrence device configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle. The evacuation deterrence device includes an elongated main body, a handle portion, a latch mechanism configured to latch onto the member of the vehicle, an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the latch mechanism, and a positioning mechanism configured to fix a first location of the elongated main body relative to the vehicle. The elongated main body is configured to be extended relative to the vehicle when the first location of the elongated main body is fixed relative to the vehicle via the positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventors: David Thomas Swerzenski, Mark Andrew Thomas, Jerald Thomas Dwyer
  • Patent number: 11377066
    Abstract: A safety system includes a restraint configured to secure an occupant to a seat, an anchor coupled to the restraint and movable along an anchor guide, an anchor energy-absorbing (EA) device configured to control movement of the anchor along the anchor guide, and a controller that includes a processor configured to receive information indicative of an imminent vehicle event, receive information indicative of a recline angle of the seat being above a recline threshold, and send a command to enable the anchor to move along the anchor guide under control of the anchor EA device based on the information indicative of the imminent vehicle event and the recline angle being above the recline threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo Llamazares Domper, Nathaniel J. Dennis, Alexander M. Zoellner
  • Patent number: 11370382
    Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle floor defining a seating area. The assembly includes a post supported by the vehicle floor and movable along a vehicle-longitudinal axis adjacent the seating area. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the post above the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Haiyan Zhao, Ming Shen, Robert William McCoy
  • Patent number: 11364825
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement has a vehicle seat for attaching to a vehicle structure of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a lower seat part having a seat structure and with a seat back. The lower seat part is mounted or can be mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the vehicle structure by a seat console, wherein at least the seat back is adjustable from a sitting position into a resting or lying position, and wherein between the lower seat part and the vehicle structure an energy absorption device is provided. In the event of a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle, the energy absorption device permits a braked relative movement along a braking path between the vehicle seat, which persists in a forwards movement due to inertia, and the vehicle structure, which is braked due to the collision. In the normal state, the vehicle seat is locked relative to the vehicle structure by a locking device and the locking is released in the event of a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Huf, Sylvia Kleindl, Fabian Koehler, Martin Unger
  • Patent number: 11338763
    Abstract: A plurality of airbags 14 are arranged, in a deflated state, at mutually different heights behind respective panels of a front face part of a vehicle, and are capable of being deployed frontward from the front face part of the vehicle. A head position deduction unit 19 of an ECU 15 deduces the height position of the head of a pedestrian from information provided by a vehicle forward camera 12 and a millimeter-wave radar 13. A collision detection unit 18 of the ECU 15 computes, from information provided by the millimeter-wave radar 13 and a vehicle speed sensor 11, a time-to-collision TTC with respect to the pedestrian, and, after elapse of the time-to-collision TTC, detects a collision between the vehicle and the pedestrian.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kouichi Tatsu
  • Patent number: 11267378
    Abstract: A crash-arresting unit for a vehicle seat may have a locking element and an actuating unit. The locking element can be brought into form-fitting engagement with a mating element via the actuating unit. The actuating unit may be an electromechanical actuating unit having a fusible wire, where destruction of the fusible wire frees a movement of the locking element in the direction of the mating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rolf Schueler
  • Patent number: 11214211
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device for the protection of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat comprises plural restraining elements and a controller. The controller differentiates between a first situation in which the vehicle seat is in a position within the range of a standard position, and a second situation in which the vehicle seat with the vehicle occupant is in a position beyond the standard position. When the first situation is given, the controller activates a tensioning unit for tensioning a seat belt of the second restraining element and an airbag of the first restraining element. When the second situation is given, a third restraining element integrated in the vehicle seat and/or operatively connected with the vehicle seat can be activated and/or connected by the controller so that the vehicle seat is moved initially via the third restraining element to a position within the range of the standard position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Achim Kartenberg, Marco Wahl
  • Patent number: 11110887
    Abstract: A seat belt anchorage assembly adapted to be coupled to an interior structure (e.g., a seat) of a vehicle, including: a seat belt attachment point adapted to receive one of a seat belt retention assembly and a seat belt buckle assembly; a translation mechanism coupled to the seat belt attachment point and adapted to translate the seat belt attachment point one or more of forwards and downwards with respect to the interior structure (e.g., the seat) of the vehicle responsive to a seat back of the vehicle being reclined. Optionally, the translation mechanism includes a mechanical linkage coupled between the seat back and the seat belt attachment point. Alternatively, the translation mechanism includes an electronic actuator coupled between the seat back and the seat belt attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Johan Rosenberg, Peter Adolfsson
  • Patent number: 11059393
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system including a mounting assembly; a first slide assembly configured to move linearly relative to an adapter plate; a first drive motor mounted to an under-plate of the first slide assembly, the first drive motor being configured to selectively move the first slide assembly in a liner motion parallel to a longitudinal axis of the adapter plate; a swivel assembly configured to swivel relative to the first slide assembly, wherein the swivel assembly includes an over-plate mounted to a swivel post that rotatably engages the first slide assembly; a second slide assembly configured to move linearly relative to the over-plate; and a second drive motor engaging a seat pan of the second slide assembly and being configured to move the second slide assembly in a liner motion parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seat pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BRAUNABILITY EUROPE AB
    Inventor: Hans Bertil Slungare
  • Patent number: 10850639
    Abstract: A vehicle seat control device includes a collision prediction part that predicts a collision direction of a collision occurring in a vehicle, a first driving part that rotates a vehicle seat around an axis of the vehicle in a substantially upward/downward direction, and a controller that controls the first driving part such that a direction of the vehicle seat is changed to an opposite direction with respect to the collision direction on the basis of the predicted collision direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akaba, Yasuhiro Minakawa
  • Patent number: 10814750
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement in a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle seat arrangement comprises a vehicle seat with a back portion and a seat portion, said seat portion comprises a front section, adapted to support legs and knees of a user, and a rear section adapted to support the user's weight. The rear section of the vehicle seat comprises a deformation unit adapted to reduce the force exerted on the user during a crash, the force being absorbed through plastic deformation of a deformation portion. The deformation portion is adapted to deform with a linear deformation property of the energy absorption, after a force threshold is exceeded. A vehicle comprising such a vehicle seat arrangement, and a method used in said vehicle seat arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Ningbo Geely Automobile Research & Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tony Jonsson
  • Patent number: 10604106
    Abstract: A safety belt device configured for a vehicle may include a belt driving device disposed on a seat, connected to a waist belt in a state in which an occupant wears a seat belt, and moving the waist belt in a predetermined direction to allow the waist belt to wrap around the occupant's waist when the waist belt is positioned at a rear side and to allow the waist belt to be caught between an ankle and the waist of the occupant when the waist belt is moved forward thereof; and a controller receiving a signal generated according to an occurrence of a vehicle collision and controlling the belt driving device upon receiving the impact signal to allow the waist belt to be moved from the rear to the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dae Woon Kim
  • Patent number: 10513201
    Abstract: A method for adapting a seating position of an occupant of a vehicle in a collision of the vehicle 100 with a foreign object. The method includes a step of providing an adjustment signal, which causes a change in the seating position from an upright position to a lying position, to an interface to a seat device of the vehicle using a collision signal that indicates an imminent underride situation of the vehicle, and using a position signal that indicates a seating position of the occupant, and the provision takes place if the position signal indicates the upright position, and the provision does not take place if the position signal 108 indicates the lying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Ludwig Foltin
  • Patent number: 10479227
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a vehicle seat onboard a vehicle is provided. The method obtains vehicle status data, by a processor communicatively coupled to a plurality of sensors onboard the vehicle; detects a current actuation state of the vehicle seat based on the vehicle status data, by the processor, wherein the current actuation state comprises at least one of a user input actuation state and an emergency actuation state; calculates seat adjustments, by the processor, based on the current actuation state; and actuates the vehicle seat based on the seat adjustments, via an electromagnetic vehicle seat rail device communicatively coupled to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Nolte, Chao Zhang, Lisa A. Fallon
  • Patent number: 10442319
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a back frame, a side frame, and a slider. The side frame includes a first frame member configured to couple the back frame and the slider, a second frame member disposed on one side of the first frame member in a seat width direction and configured to couple the back frame and the first frame member, and a third frame member disposed on the other side of the first frame member in the seat width direction and configured to couple the slider and the first frame member. The side frame is provided such that the first frame member, the second frame member and the third frame member are arranged in the seat width direction at least in a portion between the back frame and the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Kimura
  • Patent number: 10442325
    Abstract: An energy and shock absorbing device for a child car seat comprises a seat (1), and a base (2) positioned below the seat (1) and used for supporting the seat (1), the seat (1) being slidably arranged on the base (2). A limit block (22) is formed on the base (2) and located in front of the seat (1) in a path along which the seat (1) slides relative to the base (2). Energy absorbing material (4) is arranged between the limit block (22) and the seat (1), and is compressed to deform when the seat (1) slides towards the limit block (22). When a car encounters a collision or emergency brake, the seat (1) moves relative to the base (2) due to inertia, and the energy absorbing material (4) is squeezed to deform so as to provide a buffering and shock absorbing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Goodbaby Child Products Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Haiye Wang
  • Patent number: 10427056
    Abstract: A seating device for connection to a movement mechanism includes at least one seat and a fastening flange. The fastening flange has at least one flange clamping receptacle, and the seat has at least two seat clamping receptacles for connection to the fastening flange. At least one clamping device is provided, which extends in the direction of a clamping axis. The flange clamping receptacle is arranged in the direction of the clamping axis between two of the at least two seat clamping receptacles. The clamping device passes through the two seat clamping receptacles arranged on either side of the flange clamping receptacle and clamps them together in the direction of the clamping axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: BEC GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Buck, Martin Gerlich
  • Patent number: 10259358
    Abstract: A back frame attachment structure, wherein a hack frame includes a pair of side frames, wherein a lower end portion side of the side frame is attached to an upper portion of a lower arm member whose lower portion is fixed to a vehicle body side member, wherein the lower arm member includes two plate-like members superimposed with each other in a seat width direction, the upper portion and the lower portion being connected to each other by a front connection portion and a rear connection portion which are separated by a through-hole, and wherein, when a large load is applied to the back frame, the two plate-like members are configured to absorb energy by being deformed to be separated from each other in the seat width direction by a compressive load in an upper and lower direction generated in the front connection portion or the rear connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizobata
  • Patent number: 10259348
    Abstract: Various examples for controlling sway of a furniture that is suspended in a vehicle are disclosed herein. In addition to the suspended furniture, the vehicle can include sway control devices operatively connected to the suspended furniture. The sway control devices can be connected to the suspended furniture via sway lines. The sway control devices can be controlled to adjust the rates that the sway lines are let out or retracted. As a result, the vehicle can control how much the suspended furniture sways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Danil V. Prokhorov, Richard M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10232943
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat (100) is fixed to a floor via a seat track fitting (110), and a reclining assembly of the seat is supported by pipes (130, 132) passed through left and right legs (120) and spreaders (170). A linear actuator (300) operates a reclining motion. A curved arm for deformation is provided to a mount (320) on which the actuator (300) is mounted, and a slit (145) is provided in a link plate (140) to which a rod is connected, and in a state where a forward force F is applied, the curved arm deforms and absorbs the impact. An impact absorbing structure is also provided to the legs (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: JAMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaji Ozaki, Nozomu Tagami, Sanae Ootake
  • Patent number: 10093200
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a lower leg support, a seat, and a seatback. A seat rotational member rotatably couples the lower leg support to the seat. A seatback rotational member rotatably couples the seat to the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alan George Dry
  • Patent number: 10029641
    Abstract: Provided is a crashworthy and safe frame for a vehicle, which includes a frame body and a controller. Both sides of a front end of the frame body are respectively provided with hollow parts, and pneumatic cylinders are fixedly provided within the hollow parts, respectively. A front end of a telescopic rod of each of the pneumatic cylinders extends out of the hollow part and is connected with a rear end of one independent telescopic bumper. Each of the pneumatic cylinders is connected with one electronic air pump via a gas pipe. The electronic air pump is fixed on the frame body and connected with the controller which is connected with a main circuit of the vehicle. A pneumatic spring airbag is arranged between each of the two telescopic rods and the respective independent telescopic bumper, and connected with the electronic air pump via a gas pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Leshuang Wu
  • Patent number: 9840170
    Abstract: A seat suitable for sports type automobiles with a low hip point. An energy absorbing structure part provided in a cushion frame is constituted of a substantially square frame body including a front beam and a rear beam, and stringers bridged across them and provided separately from side frames. It is structured such that belt anchor attaching members are each provided between a coupling position to a vicinity of a rear portion of upper rails of sliders and a coupling position of the rear beam in the stringers. When an impact force of a predetermined value or higher is applied, the stringers deform to absorb the impact force and trusses are formed after the deformation, thereby enabling to sustain a further impact force which continues to be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yumi Ogura, Seiji Kawasaki, Katsuhiro Inoue, Eiji Sugimoto, Minoru Nakamura, Ryuji Kuwano
  • Patent number: 9797692
    Abstract: A blast attenuating seat system for protecting a vehicle occupant from impulses generated by blasts from underneath the vehicle, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The blast attenuating seat system includes a post, a mounting body coupled to a portion of the post and a seat assembly movably coupled to the mounting body configured to move relative to the post and mounting body. The seat assembly includes a seat body having a seat support structure configured to support a plurality of seat cushions and a shock assembly coupling the seat body and mounting body and configured to compress and expand such that the seat assembly moves relative to the post and mounting body. The blast attenuating seat system thereby provides/enables improved protection for vehicle occupants that may be exposed to explosive blasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Granite Tactical Vehicles Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Berman
  • Patent number: 9764665
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for vehicle occupant protection in large animal collisions. Objects forward of the host vehicle are monitored using at least one forward looking remote sensor and object signals output. A velocity of the host vehicle is determined and velocity signals output. The object signals and the velocity signals are processed to determine whether the host vehicle unavoidably will suffer a collision with a large animal while traveling at or above a threshold velocity and a collision signal is output. Operation of a motor operated height adjustment device, an inclination adjustment device and/or a longitudinal position adjustment device of a vehicle seat is triggered to move a seat cushion and a backrest thereof away from a leading edge of a roof of the host vehicle in response to the collision signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Harda, Anders Axelson, II, Par Nilsson, Stefan Berge
  • Patent number: 9731635
    Abstract: A vehicle safety device for reducing whiplash in a vehicle includes a curved guide configured to allow a seat to slide thereon, an impact sensor that can detect an impact on a rear end of the vehicle; and a locking mechanism that can allow the seat to slide on the curved guide when an impact is detected by the impact sensor. The locking mechanism can prevent the seat from moving relative to the curved guide when there is no impact detected by the impact sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Tagnia Robotics
    Inventor: Khalid A Alsaif
  • Patent number: 9718426
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle (1), comprising a sensor (2) for predicting an imminent collision, which sensor is coupled to an evaluating unit (3), a control device (10) for triggering a first device (7, 9) at a defined first time before the predicted collision, which first device causes a rearward displacement of at least one vehicle occupant (4), wherein the control device (10) is designed to trigger a second device (8) at a defined second time before the predicted collision which follows the first time, which second device applies a counter force to the at least one vehicle occupant (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Stefan Kufer
  • Patent number: 9579997
    Abstract: A device for selectively monitoring and reducing a backward displacement of a vehicle seat in the event of an accident, having at least one stop element (4) which arranged on a pair (1) of seat rails and has a stop face (5) which is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the pair (1) of seat rails, and having at least one stop body (6) which is arranged on the vehicle seat, having a contact face (8) which is arranged in a normal position at a distance from the stop face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Metals and Mechanisms GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sascha Eckhoff, Thomas Kaestner
  • Patent number: 9527413
    Abstract: A seat assembly reclines during an under-vehicle explosion or other upward impact on the vehicle to mitigate spinal and lower leg damage to a human occupant. The seat assembly has a back frame portion and a lower frame portion. The lower frame portion has a pivotal connection with an energy absorbing mechanism mounted to the vehicle floor. The pivotal connection includes a stop mechanism to prevent seat assembly tilt during normal vehicle operation but allow tilt due to an explosion. A second mechanism is disposed between the back frame portion and the floor; this mechanism controls the seat assembly pivot and provides further absorbing of energy from the upward impact. Projections from the front of the lower frame portion toward the floor can be used to enhance seat assembly pivoting; specially designed seat engagement levers can be used for this purpose as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ravi S. Thyagarajan, Jaisankar Ramalingam, Robert G. Kargus
  • Patent number: 9511691
    Abstract: A seat frame having an energy-absorbing portion capable of being deformed while absorbing rear-end collision energy by concentrating the energy on the energy-absorbing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Namba Press Works Co., LTD
    Inventors: Takao Komatsubara, Mitsuki Takata
  • Patent number: 9469183
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery support arrangement (12) for a vehicle (10), with a battery-holding element (14) for receiving a battery (16), a guide arrangement (18) by means of which the battery-holding element (14) is mounted movably relative to the vehicle (10), and with coupling elements which are designed to couple the earth-receiving element (14) to a vehicle structure connected fixedly to the vehicle (10) and/or at least partially to decouple the battery-holding element from the vehicle structure, wherein the coupling elements have an actuator (22) which is designed to adjust the degree of the coupling and/or the temporal profile of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Kolatschek, Gian Antonio D'Addetta
  • Patent number: 9417836
    Abstract: A method for managing the interaction of mobile systems based on a system having at least two touch screens and side sensors. Such interaction is promoted by contact of the sides of the device, whose goal is to provide the user with the option to expand the original display area, including different views of the image in different alignments and orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELETRÔNICA DA AMAZÔNIA LTDA.
    Inventors: Antonio Henrique Barbosa Postal, Fabio Roberto Porto Silva