Patents Examined by Bridget Avery
  • Patent number: 9022413
    Abstract: A foldable walker apparatus includes a pair of spaced-apart inner frame members of two parts each hinged together, with a pair of link members diagonally extending therebetween. Each link has a bend extending upwardly and outwardly. The walker has support members that are arc-shaped with a seat extending between their apexes. A collapsible basket is provided with two end members each having a rigid peripheral portion connecting the frame members and a basket member of flexible fabric extending therebetween. A self-adjusting brake rod is provided with a gripping member spring-biased to remain free of the brake rod until the gripping member is operatively actuated to engage and thereby actuate the brake rod. A brake housing fully extends around a brake pad mechanism, including a means for connecting and adjusting the corresponding brake pad, to at least the outer periphery of one of the wheels for fully protecting the brake pad mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Evolution Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Julian Liu
  • Patent number: 9010480
    Abstract: A bulldozer is equipped with a cab, a cooling device, an engine cover, an engine, and an exhaust emission control device. The cooling device is situated behind the cab. The engine cover is situated in front of the cab. The engine is situated inside the engine cover. The engine includes a crank shaft that extends in the longitudinal direction of the bulldozer. The exhaust emission control device includes a main body pipe part and a connecting pipe part connecting to the main body pipe part. The exhaust emission control device cleans the exhaust from the engine inside the main body pipe part. The main body pipe part is situated in the front of the engine. At least a portion of the main body pipe part is situated to overlap with the engine in the front view of the bulldozer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Sakai, Taisuke Mizuno, Hirokazu Asaka
  • Patent number: 9010771
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting carts including a machine body, a steering control arranged on the body, a steering pedestal pivotally arranged with respect to the body, and a selection mechanism adapted to be selectively coupleable between the body and the steering pedestal providing for a caster mode and a steering mode respectively. A method of using a dual mode utility machine including depressing a first lever thereby engaging a pivoting selector into a steering pedestal engaging position and controlling the direction of the machine by rotatably manipulating a tiller, and depressing a second lever thereby disengaging the pivoting selector from a steering pedestal engaging position to a body engaging position and controlling the direction of the machine by pushing and/or pulling a machine from side to side via a fixed tiller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Dane Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Holtan, Andrew L. Dvorak
  • Patent number: 8991868
    Abstract: An attachment clip assembly for securing a splash guard to an edge of a vehicle panel. The attachment clip assembly includes inner and outer clips and a threaded fastener. The inner clip includes wedging and gripping arms and the outer clip includes wedging and support arms, the inner clip fitting in nested relationship in the outer clip. The threaded fastener extends through an opening of the inner clip and a slotted opening of the outer clip. The wedging arm of the outer clip includes spaced apart shoulders overlying respective outer edges of the wedging arm of the inner clip such that, upon tightening the threaded fastener, the wedging arm of the inner clip slides along the wedging arm of the outer clip in a direction toward a central portion of the outer clip thereby moving the inner clip gripping arm toward the outer clip support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Powerflow, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Kenneth Ward, Ken Miller, Ken Lott, Edward Kish
  • Patent number: 8985597
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly (1) formed of at least two wall elements (2, 6), in which the wall elements (2, 6) comprise vertically and horizontally arranged reinforcing elements (10, 11) and the wall elements (2, 6) are either movably connected to one another or are present separately and can be transposed into a space-saving arrangement within a common region (14), wherein, in this arrangement, and according to a first embodiment, either the vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (12) which is formed by vertical reinforcing elements (10) of the wall element (2), or wherein, according to a second embodiment, the horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (6) are located in at least one interspace (13) which is formed by horizontal reinforcing elements (11) of the wall element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 8960693
    Abstract: A door transporting and positioning system for enabling a single user to safely transport or position a door for installation has a door cradle to hold a door. A cradle floor has a general shape of a “U”. The door cradle has a generally planar first side surface interface component, second side surface interface component, and a floor surface interface component each constructed from compressible, non-marring material. The system has a clamping device located close to a cradle anterior end on a cradle bottom with a spanning bar. A spanning bar first end has a first side clamping member and a spanning bar second end has a second side clamping member. The system has a first axle perpendicularly located on the cradle first side with a first wheel, and a second axle perpendicularly located on the cradle second side with a second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Stuart Cotner
  • Patent number: 8960710
    Abstract: A rear hoop (3) for a snowboard boot binding, having an overall shape in the form of a U and comprising a central connecting part (12) arranged between two arms (11) suitable for forming a movable connection with a snowboard boot binding, the hoop (3) comprising at least one zone where it consists of an extruded hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Pascal
  • Patent number: 8960347
    Abstract: A modular snorkel system for an off-road vehicle has a hollow main body that normally is hidden from view behind a fender of the vehicle. The main body terminates at its upper end in an intake mount that projects upwardly from an end of the forward cowl of the vehicle. The other end of the main body is coupled to an end of an air tube that is configured to be routed through the engine bay of the vehicle, again normally hidden from view. The other end of the air tube is coupled through an elbow to the air filter housing of the vehicle. Various intake modules such as a low intake module, a high intake module, an in-line filter module, and others can be mounted to the intake mount of the main body to accommodate different hostile off-road conditions such as water fording and operation in deserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Omix-Ada, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick W. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8955867
    Abstract: Ski binding heel unit includes lateral release cams and a vector decoupler mechanism that provide lateral shear release of the heel of a ski boot from a ski. The ski binding heel unit includes an independent vertical heel release mechanism, independent lateral release mechanism and a forward pressure compensator. The lateral release cams have laterally outwardly flaring contact points. The vector decoupler mechanism restricts heel unit lateral rotation and translation to a control path. The shape of the lateral release cams dictates the control path. The vector decoupler mechanism redirects the non-lateral forces without effecting the vertical heel release, lateral heel release or forward pressure compensator. The lateral release cams and vector decoupler mechanism avert non-lateral, benign loads from the lateral heel release, and avert non-vertical, benign loads from the vertical heel release thereby reducing the incidence of inadvertent pre-release of a boot from a ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kneebinding, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Howell
  • Patent number: 8955854
    Abstract: A car wash caddy is implemented as a compact cart for storing, transporting, and keeping handy various supplies and equipment for use in a variety of applications. The car wash caddy includes a shelf that holds a wash bucket at a convenient hip-level height. A dry storage locker keeps supplies and equipment clean and dry and is slideably mounted beneath the wash bucket shelf. An elevated shelf includes cup holders and keeps supplies and equipment at hand for convenient access. Open topped storage bins are removably offset-mounted in the rear of the car wash caddy and are configured with vents to enable wet materials such as towels and sponges to drip and air dry. The car wash caddy includes two large rear-mounted wheels and two fixed legs A high-mounted handle gives the user leverage to easily maneuver the caddy to the job site and includes integrated water hose retaining slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory Taranto
  • Patent number: 8944459
    Abstract: A collapsible wagon comprises integral bench seats and a folding construction that can be used to transport children or large household objects. The wagon folds in half to provide a suitcase-sized configuration for purposes of storage and transportation. The wagon further includes a pull handle, large wheels, seat belts, and drink holders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Amanda L. Hagy
  • Patent number: 8939463
    Abstract: An improved individual snowboard for each foot is described having several improvements over the prior art relating to safety, stability, and performance. Each snowboard comprises a curved up nose and tail, a base, and a common sidewall surrounding the perimeter of the board. A resilient tapered core is disposed between the base, but not through the nose and tail, to provide additional flex when needed. The width of the nose is larger than the width of the tail for maneuverability and changing stances. The user will stand on both boards perpendicular to the sidewalls, with each nose pointing outward and each tail pointing inward. Angled sidecuts assist in stopping and turning, while a raised camber provides a smoother ride while adding more edge for better stopping, turning, and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Albert Mendoza
  • Patent number: 8931584
    Abstract: A seal member may include a base portion, a plurality of deflector portions, and an expansion portion. The base portion may include a plurality of tabs adapted to be mounted to a heat exchanger. The plurality of deflector portions may each extending from a corresponding one of the plurality of tabs and manipulate a flow of fluid proximate the heat exchanger. The expansion portion may be disposed between adjacent deflector portions and may be expandable in response to exposure to heat between a first position at which the adjacent deflector portions are a first distance apart from each other and a second position at which the adjacent deflector portions are a second distance apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Sasina, Alfred Piggott
  • Patent number: 8910954
    Abstract: A height adjuster may be provided. The height adjuster may comprise a hydraulic lift cylinder and a ram configured to receive the hydraulic lift cylinder. The height adjuster may further comprise a wheel motor housing connected to a lower end of the ram. A lower end of the hydraulic lift cylinder may be connected to the wheel housing. In addition, the height adjuster may comprise a king-pin configured to receive the ram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Crowley, Nathan Low, John Buschena
  • Patent number: 8881853
    Abstract: A battery pack mounting structure for electric cars in which a pair of rear side members having a front portion, a rear portion, and a rising portion are arranged at both vehicle-widthwise side portions, intermediate portions of the respective rear side members are coupled to each other by a cross member, and a battery pack is mounted on a vehicle body by a sub-frame that is coupled to the respective rear side members and the cross member, wherein the cross member is arranged at a position below a bent portion that connects the rising portion and the rear portion of each of the rear side members, the sub-frame includes a ring-like support frame that extends in a horizontal direction and surrounds an outer periphery of the battery pack, and a front side portion and both vehicle-widthwise side portions of the support frame are respectively coupled to the cross member and the rear portions of the respective rear side members by coupling portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kunihiro Nitawaki
  • Patent number: 8876128
    Abstract: The teachings provided herein are generally directed to compact vehicle drive mechanisms that can be used in the design of a foldable, carry-on vehicle. The compact drive mechanisms presented herein, for example, have contributed to the advent of the compact, carry-on bicycles set-forth in the teachings which include drive-and-steering units and drive-and-chassis units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: MDM Productivity, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon P. Moldestad
  • Patent number: 8857846
    Abstract: An improved frame structure of a baby carriage is provided, including a handle, a connecting rod, a folding assembly, a support rod and a linkage rod assembly. The connecting rod has one end connected to the handle and the other one connected to the folding assembly. The folding assembly includes a first transmission rod and a second transmission rod. The first transmission rod has one end connected to the connecting rod and the other end connected to the support rod. The second transmission rod has one end connected to the first transmission rod and the other end connected to the linkage rod assembly. The improved frame structure is easy to use and portable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kingstar Business Group Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Tun Yeh
  • Patent number: 8851220
    Abstract: An air cleaner device can include an air cleaner case including a case main unit and a cover. An intake duct can be disposed on the cover, and an intake path can be disposed on the case main unit. An air cleaner element can be accommodated in the air cleaner case. When the air cleaner device is mounted in a vehicle and viewed from a vehicle side, the air cleaner case is formed to be vertically long. The intake duct is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented toward a first side of the air cleaner case, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof can be oriented downwardly. The intake path is formed to have an upstream-side opening portion thereof oriented upwardly to face the downstream-side opening portion of the intake duct, and a downstream-side opening portion thereof is oriented toward a second side of the air cleaner case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Abe, Takaaki Shomura, Koki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8777238
    Abstract: A medical emergency portable lift chair assembly adapted to be tiltably wheeled through a doorway and to safely, slowly lift a person off of the ground. It may be powered through a supplied DC battery or through an AC power source. The unit is capable of lifting several hundred pounds up to a safe seating height. It utilizes a high torque linear actuator mounted onto a base frame that raises or lowers a ram coupled to a moveable platform by a pair of redundant pulley arrangements. The base frame sits directly on the floor when the chair assembly is not being wheeled to provide support for the load to be raised. The moveable platform descends to the floor within the framework of the base frame and has a thin graspable chair affixed thereto that resides approximately no more than ¾? off the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: William A Blackwood
  • Patent number: 8777240
    Abstract: A wheeled sport apparatus may comprise a platform and first and second sets of wheels disposed on the platform. Each set of wheels may include a center wheel between two outboard wheels and the outboard wheels may be toed outward for defining a turning radius. One or more carrier wheels may be provided between the first and second sets of wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Powdr-Woodward PA LLC
    Inventor: William Eric Edginton