Foot Rests Patents (Class 296/75)
  • Patent number: 11712990
    Abstract: A foot rest assembly includes a foot rest member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The assembly further includes a leg having a first leg end coupled to the foot rest member and a second leg end, and an arm assembly including a flange and a track. The track includes a first track end and a second track end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the second leg end of the leg. In the deployed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the first end of the track. In the stowed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the second end of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Ths Braun Corporation
    Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
  • Patent number: 11630476
    Abstract: A foldable pedal apparatus for vehicles is provided in which pedal pads are rotated rearwards from a footrest panel and thus enter a pop-up state to be manipulable by a driver in a manual driving mode in which the driver directly drives a vehicle. The pedal pads are rotated forwards maximally close to the front surface of the footrest panel and thus enter a hidden state without exposure to be nonmanipulable by the driver in an autonomous driving situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11590874
    Abstract: A vehicle seat support comprising two rails extending in a longitudinal direction, a central module slidably mounted on the rails and suitable for supporting the vehicle seat, a footrest slidably mounted on the rails in front of the central module and suitable for receiving the feet of an occupant seated on the seat, a first actuation system able to cause the central module to slide along the rails, and a second actuation system able to cause the footrest to slide along the rails independently of the central module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Fabrice Petit, Michel Timon, Guillaume Petot, Franck Jeunehomme, Philippe Marcq, Pascal Glautin
  • Patent number: 11505165
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device in which a brake member and an accelerator member are arranged in an actuation unit for actuating the brake and accelerator in a vehicle. The actuation unit can be moved from an active driving position during autonomous driving into an at least approximately horizontal position to form a leg rest, the brake member and the accelerator member being deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Jörg Michael
  • Patent number: 11400846
    Abstract: A foot rest assembly includes a foot rest member movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The assembly further includes a leg having a first leg end coupled to the foot rest member and a second leg end, and an arm assembly including a flange and a track. The track includes a first track end and a second track end. A bearing assembly is coupled to the second leg end of the leg. In the deployed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the first end of the track. In the stowed position, the bearing assembly and second leg end are located at the second end of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: James Stoner, Michael T. Zindler
  • Patent number: 11338716
    Abstract: A vehicle footrest includes a footrest body that is disposed at a seat front side of a vehicle seat and that is configured to support a foot of an occupant; a restraining member that is provided at a toe-side end portion of the footrest body, and that is movable between a restraining position covering the foot of the occupant from a seat upper side and a retracted position retracted from the restraining position; and a moving mechanism configured to move the restraining member from the retracted position to the restraining position at a time of vehicle collision in which the occupant moves toward the seat front side due to inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 11260784
    Abstract: A vehicle and passenger carrying apparatus usable with a vehicle, wherein the passenger carrying portion includes a seating surface and a moveable footrest below the seating surface. The footrest is moveable from an ingress/egress position to a transport position that is closer to the seating surface than the ingress/egress position. The passenger carrying portion further includes a footrest movement mechanism, wherein the footrest movement mechanism controls movement of the moveable footrest between the ingress/egress position the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Staal, Nelson Vanwagoner, Jonathan G. Moss, Rudolph Carruolo, Bradford D. Kent, Bharat Naran
  • Patent number: 11066174
    Abstract: An aircraft seating unit includes a base, a seat coupled to the base, a housing coupled to the base and enclosing frame elements of at least one of the base or the seat, and an ottoman. The housing defines a recess at a location below and to a rear of the seat. The ottoman is disposed within the recess. The ottoman includes a guide coupled to at least one of the frame elements, a slide translatable along the guide, a foot platform coupled to the slide, and an actuator positioned to facilitate selectively translating the slide along the guide to reposition the foot platform between a stowed position and a deployed position. The guide defines a translation axis that is angled relative to a vertical axis such that the foot platform moves both vertically and horizontally as the slide translates along the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Suhre, Michael J. Schmid
  • Patent number: 10471876
    Abstract: A foot support device of a vehicle has a foot support plate. The foot support plate is pivotably fitted to a foot space on a floor of the vehicle. A support device is arranged between a lower side of the foot support plate and the foot space on the floor, and contains at least one support element to introduce a force, which is applied to the foot support plate into the foot space on the floor. Via the at least one support element, below a predetermined force threshold value there is provided, for the force applied to the foot support plate, a force introduction path that, when the force threshold value is reached or exceeded, is substantially completely eliminated by reversible form change of the at least one support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mehmet Atay Arasan, Robin Oliver Dargel, Michael Malessa
  • Patent number: 10315603
    Abstract: A vehicle footrest impact deflection member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to be disposed outboard of a vehicle trim panel. The first portion includes a non-collapsible part having a first overall density. The second portion extends inboard from the first portion. The second portion includes a collapsible part having a second overall density that is less dense than the first overall density of the non-collapsible part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Greggs
  • Patent number: 10266140
    Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle includes a floor, a platform, and a deployable device. A hinge couples the platform to the floor. The deployable device is inflatable from an uninflated position to an inflated position. A material forming the platform is stiffer than a material forming the deployable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raed Essa EL-Jawahri, James Chih Cheng, Robert William McCoy
  • Patent number: 10071666
    Abstract: An adjustable footrest for an occupant of a vehicle is presented herein. The footrest includes a footpad, footplate, and width adjustment element. The footpad extends from the foot well of the vehicle and is configured for engagement by a foot. The footplate is movably mounted to the footpad. The width adjustment element is configured to enable regulated adjustment of the footplate along the width of the footpad. The adjustable footrest may further include a support trackway configured to define telescopic adjustment of the footplate along the width of the footpad. The footpad may include a pivotable side flap and the footplate may include a flange configured to operatively connect with the side flap. The side flap can pivot towards and away from the footpad body as the footplate is adjusted along the width of the footpad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: Ernesto Artigas Monroy, Ernesto Hernandez Aviles, Jose Sebastian Quijano Martinez
  • Patent number: 10059243
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, such as a narrow motor vehicle, e.g., a left-hand drive motor vehicle, has a driver's seat and a driver's footwell, in which a footrest having a fixed tread surface is mounted. The transverse axis of the tread surface extends at an angle to a horizontal plane in which the front wheel axis of the motor vehicle is situated. In this arrangement, the tread surface slopes downward away from the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, wherein the angle is chosen in accordance with the distance between the center of the tread surface of the footrest and an outer side wall of the driver's footwell and is in a range of 1-5 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Igor Fischbein
  • Patent number: 9924795
    Abstract: A foot support platform has a foot rest plate mounted pivotably on a housing of the foot platform. The lower face of the foot rest plate is supported by a spring. A mechanical detent device locks the foot rest plate in a pivot position. The foot platform is further provided with a remote-controlled mechanical locking device for engagement with the mechanical detent device. There is also described a desk having a foot platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Markus Mehlan, Christian Scheurer, Georg Tischler
  • Patent number: 9902363
    Abstract: An airbag device includes an airbag body that inflates and deploys between a foot of a seated person and a floor panel of a vehicle. The airbag body includes: a rear inflating portion inflatable rearwardly from a heel of the seated person and upwardly higher than a bottom face of the foot in the inflation and deployment form of the airbag body, and a front inflating portion inflatable forwardly from a toe of the seated person and upwardly higher than a bottom face of the foot in the inflation and deployment form of the airbag body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isamu Nagasawa, Shinya Inoue
  • Patent number: 9878650
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame assembly extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a front seating section coupled to the frame. The front seating section is configured to support an operator and a first passenger. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a rear seating section coupled to the frame. The rear seating section is configured to support a second passenger and a third passenger. The rear seating section has an angled panel configured as a dead pedal for the second and third passengers, and a portion of the rear seating section extends forwardly into the front seating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jordy A. Reed, Eric D. Bjerketvedt, Ricky G. Jaeger, Phillip B. Swain
  • Patent number: 9738238
    Abstract: A footrest to be installed between a bulkhead and a floor of a motor vehicle includes a bearing wall to support the foot or feet of a passenger and a sound insulation mat extending opposite at least part of the bearing wall and attached to the floor. The mat includes an insulating layer between the floor and a covering layer attached to the insulating layer. The bearing wall includes a storage compartment and an internal face positioned facing an exterior face of the covering layer at installation of the foot rest. The storage compartment extends between the internal face of the bearing face and the exterior face of the covering layer. The storage compartment has a bottom wall fixed permanently to the internal face of the bearing wall by first, and second connecting members and includes housings the content of which is directly accessible without removing the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Jean-Charles Bouillon
  • Patent number: 9539973
    Abstract: A floor portion structure that serves as a right foot protecting structure has a tibia pad that is provided at a portion, where a right foot of a vehicle occupant is placed, at a dash panel of a vehicle. In a case in which the tibia pad receives compressive load from the right foot at a time of a vehicle collision, the tibia pad is deformed in a shape that is inclined downwardly to the right such that a right side portion in a vehicle transverse direction at a region of contact with the right foot becomes lower than a left side portion, or is deformed such that the left side portion in the vehicle transverse direction at the region of contact with the right foot generates greater reaction force than the right side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroto Kawano
  • Patent number: 9446699
    Abstract: Disclosed is a footrest for an operating room on which the operator can rest his foot in order to balance his body when he is operating in the operating room, or working on a slope, etc. The footrest for a construction machine operating room according to the present invention includes: a footrest support having one end pivotably attached to a front pillar member of the operating room by means of a hinge pin; a fixing grip arranged on the pillar member below the hinge pin so as to detachably fix the footrest support; and a fixing pin fastened to a bracket arranged at the pillar member to hold the footrest, the fixing pin being attached to the bracket so as to be moved forward and backward, so that the fixing pin may move forward to press the upper surface of the footrest support when pivoting the footrest support horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventor: Kang-Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 9052738
    Abstract: An active control method and system of varying a pedal effort for an accelerator through which the pedal effort for an accelerator is actively varied based on the locations of the accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeong Seon Min
  • Patent number: 9022451
    Abstract: A tibia pad has: a right foot placement portion having a right side horizontal portion positioned beneath and rearward of an accelerator pedal on which a passenger's heel who is stepping-on the accelerator pedal is placed, and a right side inclined portion integrally formed with a vehicle front side of the right side horizontal portion and positioned beneath the accelerator pedal; and a rib formed at least at a bottom surface of the right side horizontal portion at the right foot placement portion by a region between a pair of groove portions that are formed so as to extend along a vehicle longitudinal direction and so as to be lined-up in a vehicle transverse direction, and that is provided at a position that is offset toward a vehicle transverse direction one side with respect to a central line that passes-through a vehicle transverse direction central portion of the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eisuke Ikeno, Kunio Ohashi, Satoshi Yamaguchi, Yusuke Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8991892
    Abstract: A cowl trim assembly includes a panel body having an outwardly extending support base. An adjustable footrest assembly is supported on the support base between fore and aft positions. The footrest assembly includes connecting members adapted to couple the adjustable footrest assembly to the panel body at laterally extending slots disposed on the panel body. The laterally extending slots include receiving grooves incrementally spaced along the slots which are adapted to receive the connecting members of the footrest assembly in assembly. Thus, the footrest assembly is laterally adjustable relative to the panel body along the length of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • Patent number: 8939496
    Abstract: A vehicle structure, comprising a front wheelhouse covering a front wheel, the front wheel comprising a rear face and a slant face which slants forward and inward from an inward end portion, in a vehicle width direction, of the rear face, a footrest, on which a passenger's foot is placed, the footrest being arranged near and on an inward side of the slant face of the front wheelhouse in a plan view of a vehicle, and a gusset connected to the rear face of the front wheelhouse and extending inward from a connection portion thereof to the rear face, wherein an inward end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the gusset is arranged in the vicinity of a front-side portion of the footrest such that the footrest is restrained from moving forward by contacting the inward end portion of the gusset in a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Obayashi, Masanori Fukuda, Ryohei Miyahara, Tomoshi Mitsunari
  • Publication number: 20140353956
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame assembly extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a front seating section coupled to the frame. The front seating section is configured to support an operator and a first passenger. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a rear seating section coupled to the frame. The rear seating section is configured to support a second passenger and a third passenger. The rear seating section has an angled panel configured as a dead pedal for the second and third passengers, and a portion of the rear seating section extends forwardly into the front seating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Bjerketvedt, Jordy A. Reed, Ricky G. Jaeger, Phillip B. Swain, Gordon J. Steinmetz, Daniel L. Goffman, Andy T. Ives, Curtis C. Carruth
  • Patent number: 8857895
    Abstract: A tibia force reduction wedge has a core, a coating upon the core, and fasteners upon the coating. The core has three surfaces forming a triangularly shaped cross section and two opposite spaced apart ends. The core has single or dual density closed cell energy absorbing expanded polyethylene. Following skiving upon the surfaces, the coating adheres to the exterior of the core. The invention has an anti fungal, non slip, polyurethane coating. Hook and loop fasteners mutually engage fasteners upon an existing surface of a vehicle deck for adjustment to the leg lengths of vehicle occupants. The wedge sees usage beneath seats inside a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: David J. Millar
  • Publication number: 20140299725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a height-adjustable pedestal comprising a height adjustable pedestal platform, a spring device that provides a spring force according to a corresponding spring characteristic, and a lever mechanism that is interconnected between the spring device and the pedestal platform in such a way that the spring force is transferred by the lever mechanism to the pedestal platform in the form of a lifting force that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal platform, in order to facilitate the height-adjustment of the pedestal platform, wherein the lever mechanism is configured such that it at least partially compensates for a variation of the spring force that occurs according to the spring characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Volke, Günther Volke
  • Patent number: 8814248
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body having at least one side member located on the front side in front of a front wall is provided. The motor vehicle body having a first reinforcing element adjoining thereon in longitudinal direction, which, following the contour of a wheel housing panel, protrudes in vehicle transverse direction to the outside and which supports itself on a floor structure via second reinforcing element, which is arranged spaced from a lateral front wall portion adjoining the wheel housing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Udo Mildner
  • Patent number: 8807623
    Abstract: An adjustable footrest includes various components that allow positions of the footrest to be changed or customized. For example, the angle, the depth, and the rotation of the footrest may be adjusted. Some footrest components may include a pivoting base. In addition, a tilt angle of a foot-support plate may be adjusted with respect to the pivoting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Bohmer, Joseph Porcari, Frank Ensch, Kenneth Chapman, James Deedler, Mike Cretul
  • Patent number: 8801074
    Abstract: A body cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicles that enables enhancement of the user's comfort while increasing the rigidity of covering members constituting a center tunnel part. Step floors are configured of forward inclined parts disposed ahead of the floors in a forward rising shape, horizontal parts disposed either substantially horizontally or in a rearwardly rising shape behind these forward inclined parts, and bent parts connecting the forward inclined parts and the horizontal parts. The middle covers are provided on the lower edges thereof with downwardly extending parts extending toward the bent parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Yokouchi, Tomoyuki Maruyama, Tomotake Shimoji, Tetsuo Kojima
  • Patent number: 8800706
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having foot controlled pedals to operate the speed and acceleration of the vehicle. The utility vehicle may include a foot well in the floor board for locating the heel an operator's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron David Deckard, Jeffrey Lynn Gardner
  • Publication number: 20140210227
    Abstract: A cowl trim assembly includes a panel body having an outwardly extending support base. An adjustable footrest assembly is supported on the support base between fore and aft positions. The footrest assembly includes connecting members adapted to couple the adjustable footrest assembly to the panel body at laterally extending slots disposed on the panel body. The laterally extending slots include receiving grooves incrementally spaced along the slots which are adapted to receive the connecting members of the footrest assembly in assembly. Thus, the footrest assembly is laterally adjustable relative to the panel body along the length of the slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, David Thomas Patrick
  • Patent number: 8764103
    Abstract: A front portion structure of a vehicle body includes: a dashboard lower panel extending in a vehicle width direction; an outrigger provided under the dashboard lower panel and extending outwards from the front side frame in the vehicle width direction; and a side sill extending from the outer portion of the outrigger in the vehicle width direction, toward the back of the vehicle; a footrest portion for a passenger, formed to the dashboard lower panel; and a reinforcing plate to reinforce the footrest portion, joined to the dashboard lower panel and covering the footrest portion from the passenger space side. A flange is formed to the reinforcing plate, and is joined to a side face of a side sill inner panel of the side sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Toba
  • Publication number: 20140137695
    Abstract: An electrically powered heating system for a vehicle includes one of a footrest or accelerator pedal in a footwell of a vehicle having a structural substrate and an upper surface constructed for engagement with a driver's foot. A heating element that is electrically powered is embedded in the footrest and/or accelerator pedal between the upper surface and the substrate for heating the foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: Steven L. Permut
  • Patent number: 8727418
    Abstract: A energy-absorbing footrest in a vehicle includes a footrest plate, a plurality of pins depending from an underside of the footrest plate, and a supporting structure defining a plurality of apertures into which the plurality of pins are received. Engagement between the plurality of pins and the supporting structure limits insertion of the plurality of pins into the apertures and thereby supports the footrest plate in an elevated position relative to the supporting structure until a predetermined force is applied to the footrest plate causing the plurality of pins to further insert into the plurality of apertures and the footrest plate to move toward the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryan A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8714620
    Abstract: A cowl trim assembly includes a panel body having front and side panel portions with anchor mechanism adapted to couple the trim assembly to a vehicle frame, and more specifically, to a vehicle door sill frame. A footrest assembly extends outwardly from the panel body having one or more reinforcement members disposed on an underside of the footrest assembly which are adapted to support the footrest assembly on a vehicle floor. In this configuration the footrest assembly is an integrated part of the cowl trim assembly, thereby providing a one-piece trim component having a self supporting footrest assembly, wherein the reinforcement members are adapted to carry loads applied to the footrest assembly by a vehicle occupant to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Joseph Leonard Meszaros, Keith Brown, William Bauer
  • Publication number: 20140001787
    Abstract: A energy-absorbing footrest in a vehicle includes a footrest plate, a plurality of pins depending from an underside of the footrest plate, and a supporting structure defining a plurality of apertures into which the plurality of pins are received. Engagement between the plurality of pins and the supporting structure limits insertion of the plurality of pins into the apertures and thereby supports the footrest plate in an elevated position relative to the supporting structure until a predetermined force is applied to the footrest plate causing the plurality of pins to further insert into the plurality of apertures and the footrest plate to move toward the supporting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryan A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130320696
    Abstract: A body cover structure for saddle-ride type vehicles that enables enhancement of the user's comfort while increasing the rigidity of covering members constituting a center tunnel part. Step floors are configured of forward inclined parts disposed ahead of the floors in a forward rising shape, horizontal parts disposed either substantially horizontally or in a rearwardly rising shape behind these forward inclined parts, and bent parts connecting the forward inclined parts and the horizontal parts. The middle covers are provided on the lower edges thereof with downwardly extending parts extending toward the bent parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei YOKOUCHI, Tomoyuki MARUYAMA, Tomotake SHIMOJI, Tetsuo KOJIMA
  • Patent number: 8596398
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) having an ergonomically improved rider footwell and leg well. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to ATVs having an ergonomically designed footwell leg recess to allow the rider's leg to be received therein while standing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey David Bennett
  • Publication number: 20130257127
    Abstract: Narrow agricultural vehicles have been invented to make farm labor more attractive, to enable enhanced productivity of workers, and to make possible more complete usage of land. This involves making the width of the vehicle approximately the same width as a seated worker, thus enabling vehicle use with narrowly spaced row crops. The wheel set is configured for both maximum stability and efficient operation on soft surfaces using large drum wheels that maximize a rigid, footprint area. To enhance effectiveness of such vehicles, a seat apparatus is included to enable the seated worker to function without intrusion beyond a single narrow row space, yet sit in varied positions that are appropriate for field work and are conducive to increased productivity, comfort, and safety. The vehicle structure includes a narrow tongue structure that connects between front and rear wheel arrangements with minimal interference with work of said worker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: James K. Bullis
  • Publication number: 20130220168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a height-adjustable pedestal for use in a vehicle including a height adjustable pedestal platform, a spring having a spring force according to a corresponding spring characteristic, and a lever mechanism that is interconnected between the spring and the pedestal platform in such a way that the spring force is transferred by the lever mechanism to the pedestal platform in the form of a lifting force that counteracts the weight force of the pedestal platform to facilitate the height-adjustment of the pedestal platform. In a further embodiment, the lever mechanism at least partially compensates for a variation of the spring force that occurs according to the spring characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Tever Technik Vertriebs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH & Co. Beratungs KG
  • Patent number: 8444203
    Abstract: A driving position adjusting apparatus for a vehicle comprises a driver's seat provided on a floor panel of a vehicle compartment, an operational pedal, such as an accelerator pedal, which is operated by a driver seated in the driver's seat, an incline-face portion which is provided on the floor panel, on which a heel of the driver operating the operational pedal is placed, the incline-face portion having an upper face which is inclined so that a front portion thereof is located at a higher position than a rear portion thereof, and a heel-placement height adjusting device which adjusts a height position of the driver's heel placed on the incline-face portion at least by moving up or down the incline-face portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonori Ohtsubo, Toshihiko Tomita, Isao Hirashima, Shingo Kunihiro, Asami Iwamoto, Hirotake Matsuki
  • Patent number: 8419104
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle with a tool less maintainable drive system, and having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator. The vehicle has a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, a steering mechanism attached at least one of the plurality of wheels, an engine mounted to the frame, and a clutch attached to the engine. The vehicle contains a system of features that can be removed without the use of tools. The system has a support attached to and extending outward from the frame, a removable footrest, a receiver attached to the removable footrest and configured to mate with the support, a locking mechanism attached to the receiver to secure the removable footrest with respect to the footrest support; and a removable clutch housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Beamco, Inc.
    Inventors: James Bergman, Larry Holter, Rick Nelson, Dave Paschke
  • Patent number: 8382186
    Abstract: A vehicle floor tray is thermoformed from a polymer sheet of substantially uniform thickness. The tray has a central panel and at least first and second upstanding side panels joined to the central panel by curved transitions. Within a reservoir disposed in the central panel are plural, hollow treads/baffles. The treads/baffles have a width, in any horizontal direction, which is more than twice the substantially uniform thickness of the tray as thermoformed. The treads/baffles impede lateral motion, due to changes in vehicle speed or direction, of liquid collected in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: MacNeil IP LLC
    Inventors: David F. MacNeil, Scott A. Vargo
  • Publication number: 20130032420
    Abstract: A snowmobile comprises a chassis with a front portion and a tunnel, and a power train unit supported by the chassis. The snowmobile further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members cooperating with the power train unit to operate the snowmobile. The plurality of ground-engaging members includes a pair of front skis and an endless track assembly. The snowmobile further includes running boards along the side of the tunnel that are removal and replaceable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Mills, Curtis Schneider, Joseph D. Tharaldson
  • Publication number: 20120319426
    Abstract: A vehicle floor tray is thermoformed from a polymer sheet of substantially uniform thickness. The tray has a central panel and at least first and second upstanding side panels joined to the central panel by curved transitions. Within a reservoir disposed in the central panel are plural, hollow treads/baffles. The treads/baffles have a width, in any horizontal direction, which is more than twice the substantially uniform thickness of the tray as thermoformed. The treads/baffles impede lateral motion, due to changes in vehicle speed or direction, of liquid collected in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: MACNEIL IP LLC
    Inventors: David F. MACNEIL, Scott A. VARGO
  • Patent number: 8267459
    Abstract: A vehicle floor tray is molded from a multiple extrusion polymer sheet such that it has high shear and tensile strength, an acceptable degree of stiffness and a high coefficient of friction on its upper surface. The floor tray design is digitally fitted to a foot well of a particular vehicle such that large areas of at least two upstanding walls of the tray depart from respective surfaces of the foot well by no more than an eighth of an inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: MacNeil IP LLC
    Inventors: David F. MacNeil, Scott A. Vargo
  • Patent number: 8251392
    Abstract: A device for retaining a user's foot on a motorcycle footboard is disclosed, such as a footboard having an upper surface and a perimeter edge. The device comprises a frame configured to mount on the footboard. The frame forms a perimeter to extend about a portion of the upper surface of the footboard. The frame defines an aperture that is configured such that the portion of the upper surface of the footboard is exposed when the frame is mounted on the footboard. The frame comprises a main portion, the main portion having a front end for positioning toward a front of the footboard and a back for positioning toward a back end of the footboard. The frame also comprises an extension portion extending from the main portion. The extension portion extends forwardly from the main portion. The device includes a securing structure for removably securing the frame to the footboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Inventor: Dean A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 8240733
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle floor, a vehicle seat, and an automobile carpet. The vehicle seat includes risers mounted to the vehicle floor. The automobile carpet attaches to the vehicle floor and includes a topcoat and a backing coupled with and disposed vertically below the topcoat. At least a portion of the backing is removed from the topcoat to define a removed section disposed below and longitudinally aligned with the vehicle seat. A method for installing the automobile carpet and the automobile carpet are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric C. Wendling, Paul T. Aebker, Hiroaki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8226120
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle that permits adjustment of rider supports to ergonomically accommodate both a single rider and multiple riders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Norman O. Berg
  • Publication number: 20120090908
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle with a tool less maintainable drive system, and having a seat designed to be straddled by the operator. The vehicle has a frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, a steering mechanism attached at least one of the plurality of wheels, an engine mounted to the frame, and a clutch attached to the engine. The vehicle contains a system of features that can be removed without the use of tools. The system has a support attached to and extending outward from the frame, a removable footrest, a receiver attached to the removable footrest and configured to mate with the support, a locking mechanism attached to the receiver to secure the removable footrest with respect to the footrest support; and a removable clutch housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: BEAMCO, INC.
    Inventors: James Bergman, Larry Holter, Rick Nelson, Dave Paschke