Patents Examined by Christopher Ellis
-
Patent number: 7448637Abstract: A step device for accessing a truck bed according to the present invention includes a telescopic boom assembly that is movable between retracted and extended configurations. A first end of the boom assembly may be coupled to the frame of a truck. The step device may be hidden from view beneath the truck bed at the retracted configuration. The step device also includes a plurality of steps movable between collapsed and deployed configurations. A linkage couples at least one of the steps with the boom assembly such that the steps are moved between collapsed and deployed configurations as the boom assembly is moved between retracted and extended configurations, respectively. A latch selectively holds the boom assembly at the extended configuration and, when released, a tension member biases the boom member to move to the retracted configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Inventor: Rick J. Parker
-
Patent number: 7445231Abstract: A handcart with a foldable handle structure comprises a handle structure formed of a holder segment and a frame pivotally coupled to each other. The lower ends of the frame are pivotally coupled to a block board and a pair of wheels. A pair of position-limiting sleeves wraps the tubes of the holder segment. When the handcart is in use, the position-limiting sleeves are pulled down to wrap the pivotal joints between the holder segment and the frame to confine the handle structure to a straight line. Then, the user can hold the handle and push the handcart forward. When not in use, the position-limiting sleeves are pushed up to reveal the pivotal joints between the holder segment and the frame, and the holder segment can thus be folded down. Thereby, the volume of the handcart can be reduced to facilitate storage or convenience lifting the handcart to carry about.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Yewe Yih Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Sheng Tsai
-
Patent number: 7445073Abstract: A sensor assembly (14) for sensing an impact to a vehicle (10) includes a light source (34) for emitting light and a sensing channel (40) for receiving the emitted light. The sensing channel (40) is configured to deform in response to an impact to the vehicle (10) and includes at least one void (70) with dimensions that vary in response to deformation of the sensing channel (40). A detector (36) senses an intensity of the light propagating through the sensing channel (40) and provides a signal indicative of the sensed intensity. The sensed intensity varies as a function of the dimensions of the at least one void (70). The sensor assembly (14) also includes a controller (94) for analyzing the signal from the detector (36) to determine whether the sensing channel (40) has been deformed and thereby, whether an impact to the vehicle (10) has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLCInventors: Carl A. Munch, Michael C. McCarthy
-
Patent number: 7445216Abstract: A multifunctional handcart includes a main body, a telescopically arranged handle assembly retractably mounted on the main body, an adjusting seat adjustably mounted on the handle assembly, and a foldable table pivotally mounted on the adjusting seat. Thus, the table is fully expanded to place a notebook computer so that a user can operate notebook computer easily and conveniently. In addition, the adjusting seat is adjustably mounted on the handle assembly by the screw member to adjust the height of the table so as to fit users of different statures.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: EHT Worldwide Co., Ltd.Inventor: Horng-Ren Chou
-
Patent number: 7445064Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle using wind force. An object of the present invention is to provide a wind force power system driven by wind is provided within a hood panel of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle continuously charge a battery with electricity while being stopped or driving. The vehicle using wind force includes a wind force power system, the Power system comprising a ventilator that is rotated by the wind flowing along the roof panel in the rear of the vehicle, a shaft connected to the ventilator, a rotary gear connected to the shaft, a follower gear engaged with the rotary gear, and an electric generator for generating electricity as the follower gear rotates, wherein the electric generator of the wind force power system is electrically connected to the battery and the battery is electrically connected to the driving motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Inventor: Kwang Sik Kim
-
Patent number: 7445234Abstract: A foamed body (03) for the production of a seat of an automobile (01) has at least one airbag module (07), which is integrated into the lateral area of the seat (01). The airbag module (07) includes an expandable airbag (09) and a gas generator (08). The seat (01) has at least one normally closed exit opening (12), through which the airbag (09) can be expanded. The foamed body (03) has a cavity (06), and/or a recess, in which the non-expanded airbag (09) can be at least partially received.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: F.S. Fehrer Automotive Foam GmbHInventor: Manfred Hofmann
-
Patent number: 7445240Abstract: The present invention includes a hydraulic source (28), at least a plurality of work hydraulic cylinders (11) of a single type, that are to be driven with pressure oil from the hydraulic source (28), a control valve (22) that controls a flow of pressure oil from the hydraulic source (28) to the work hydraulic cylinders (11), an operating means for (26) issuing a command for drive of the control valve (22), a selector switch (41, 42) that selects at least an independent operation of the work hydraulic cylinders (11), and a pressure oil control means (12a, 12b, 34 to 37) for allowing the pressure oil to flow to a work hydraulic cylinder (11) selected with the selector switch (41, 42) and disallowing flow of pressure oil to other work hydraulic cylinders (11).Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Ichimura, Katsuaki Kodaka, Hidetoshi Satake
-
Patent number: 7445218Abstract: A skateboard deck includes a hole or cavity formed therein, which is filled with a clear, transparent, or translucent filler material that does not significantly alter the structural integrity of the deck. The filler material forms a window or a translucent insert in the deck. In one practical embodiment, an object (or objects) is located within the window or translucent insert. The object may be a decal corresponding to the brand, manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the skateboard deck, an active electronic component, or any suitable feature, compound, apparatus, device, or material.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Inventors: Marcelo Fabian Esposito, Mark Mitsugi Takahashi
-
Patent number: 7441617Abstract: By a lean burn operation, a highly efficient operation region is enlarged, the proportion of engine operation in a low torque condition is increased, and the proportion of motor operation using a battery is decreased. It is possible to provide a hybrid car of an engine-electric motor configuration which can effect a highly efficient operation without increasing the capacity of motor and that of battery.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Toshiharu Nogi, Takuya Shiraishi, Minoru Oosuga, Noboru Tokuyasu, Yoko Nakayama
-
Patent number: 7441618Abstract: An electrical drive system for a vehicle with a skid steering element exhibits a homogeneous electrical drive engine and a homogeneous gear unit (16, 18) on the left and on the right side in each case, which are propelled by a drive engine (2,4), assigned in each case, and over a power drive flange (28, 40) to propel a track or a drive wheel. Two transfer elements (26, 24) of the left gear unit (16), which do not form the drive, are directly connected by a mechanical gear train crosswise in each case with both transfer elements (36, 38) of the right gear unit, which do not form the drive.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Johannes Sorg
-
Patent number: 7441791Abstract: A wheelbarrow towing system includes a wheelbarrow that includes a housing with a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly from the bottom wall. An axle is attached to the bottom wall adjacent to a front end of the housing. At least one wheel is rotatably to the axle. A pair of supports is attached to and extends downward from the bottom wall. The supports are positioned adjacent to a back end of the housing and is spaced from each other. A pair of handles is attached to the housing and extends rearward from the back end. An elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be attached to a tow hitch. The axle is releasably attached to the elongated member adjacent to the second end.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Inventor: Russel E. Mathys
-
Patent number: 7441794Abstract: A foldable stroller includes: a foldable frame having two pivot axles, two opposite lower rods, and two opposite upper rods pivoted to the lower rods through the pivot axles, respectively; a carrier disposed between the pivot axles and including two opposite connecting parts pivoted to the frame through the pivot axles, respectively, and formed with respective first and second arcuate grooves having a respective curvature center coincident with the respective pivot axle; and two limiting units, each of which includes first and second studs that project respectively from a respective one of the lower rods and a respective one of the upper rods into the first and second arcuate grooves of a respective one of the connecting parts.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Inventor: Red Lan
-
Patent number: 7441625Abstract: The inventive self-propelled vehicle, in particular a road-building machine, comprises a traction drive, a steering device and a rotatable driver seat (5) in which a traction drive control unit (6) is arranged. Adjustment signals for the traction drive are generated according to the direction of the adjustment of the control elements of said control unit (6). Said road-building machine also comprises a device for detecting the rotation angle ? of the instant rotating position of the seat and for correcting the directional components of the adjustment signals of the control elements to a ?? angle in such a way that the direction of the adjustment thereof corresponds to the direction of the vehicle motion at each rotating position of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Hamm AGInventor: Hans-Peter Ackermann
-
Patent number: 7441624Abstract: A passenger restraint device of a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of predicting devices each being able to predict or detect a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle in front of the vehicle. A sensitivity adjusting device is able to adjust a sensitivity of at least one of the predicting devices. Reversible passenger restraining devices are able to reversibly restrain a passenger in the vehicle. Non-reversible passenger restraining devices are able to non-reversibly restrain the passenger in the vehicle. A control unit, based on a signal from the one of the predicting devices that has been subjected to the sensitivity adjustment by the sensitivity adjusting device, controls operation of the reversible and non-reversible passenger restraining devices.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideo Tobata
-
Patent number: 7441620Abstract: A heat exchanger and mount isolation system (10) is provided and includes a heat exchanger (12) for a vehicular application, a pair of side frame members (14,16) for mounting the heat exchanger (12) to a vehicle, and four pairs (18) of isolation mount assemblies (19) for mounting the heat exchanger (12) to the side frame members (14,16). The mount assemblies (19) are received in mounting bores (30) that are integral parts of the heat exchanger (12). Each of the pair 18 of mount assemblies (19) is inserted into the opposite ends (32,34) of a corresponding one of the mount bores (30) and includes a pair of abutting metal sleeves (42) that are mounted in respective annular flanged isolators (40).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Modine Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Martin J. Riniker, Craig D. Endres, Gregg D. Olson, James R. Prochniak, Robert J. DeGroot
-
Patent number: 7441788Abstract: A two-wheel-drive sport all-terrain vehicle (ATV) has a front drive geometry in which the scrub radius is zero or negative combined with a low king pin axis angle, which desirably reduces both steering kickback and lateral pull during braking. The scrub radius less than or equal to zero can be achieved by outwardly displacing the king pin axis, which is defined by the upper and lower pivotal joints of the upper and lower A-arms of the front suspension. To displace the king pin axis outwardly, the disk brake and associated caliper are inverted. The disk brake is supported by support arms extending inwardly from the wheel hub. The disk brake includes an aperture to accommodate both the lower pivotal joint, which protrudes through the plane of the disk, and the inverted caliper. The front suspension further includes a knuckle pivotally connected to the A-arms and an integral aluminum spindle. For further compactness, the wheel hub includes angular-contact bearings.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventor: Alexandre Leclair
-
Patent number: 7441615Abstract: A chassis having systems responsive to a nonmechanical control signals and a simplified body-attachment interface includes preassembled modules to enhance ease and simplicity of chassis assembly. The chassis is preferably configured to minimize the possibility of a preassembled module being incorrectly positioned within the chassis. Methods for advantageously employing preassembled modules to assemble vehicle chassis are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Christopher E. Borroni-Bird, Adrian B. Chernoff, Mohsen D. Shabana, Robert Louis Vitale, Tommy E. White
-
Patent number: 7441785Abstract: A foldable handcart can be carried about on its wheels after being folded. The handcart has a handle structure. The lower ends of the handle structure are pivotally coupled to a frame. The frame is formed of a pair of tubes. The lower ends of the tubes are pivotally coupled to a block board. The block board can be rotated upward to contact the frame. The lower ends of the tubes are respectively sleeved by a toothed ring which engages with the teeth on the top of a sleeving tube of a wheel seat. The other side of the wheel seat is pivotally coupled to a wheel. When the block board is rotated upward, the back wall of the block board is still apart from the ground by an appropriate distance, and the wheels can thus contact the ground. Thereby, the handcart can be easily carried about on its wheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Yewe Yih Enterprise Co., LtdInventor: Chun-Sheng Tsai
-
Patent number: 7438307Abstract: A safety binding device for binding a boot on an alpine ski including a releasable retaining mechanism of the mechanical, hydraulic, viscoelastic type, which actuate a release as a function of the forces to which the boot is subjected and as a function of the duration ?t of the application of such forces. The release action occurs as soon as the magnitude of the force is greater than an actual release threshold, Sr, which is dependent upon the duration ?t of the application of force, such that if duration is greater than one second, the actual release threshold is between 50% and 75% of the theoretical release threshold, St, whereby: ?t>1 s; 0.75×St?Sr(?t)?0.5×St, with the theoretical release threshold St being determined as a function of the skier's parameters in conformance with ISO standards.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Salomon S.A.Inventors: Laurent Damiani, Pierre Desarmaux, Christian Brunet, Pierre Jean Arnoux
-
Patent number: 7438146Abstract: When a request to stop an operation of a fuel cell system is issued, a control unit stops the operation of the fuel cell system and cuts off the electrical connection between the fuel cell and a drive motor by shutting OFF a power supply relay. Where a shift position signal indicating that the shift position SP is at the P or N position is received from a shift selector and the parking brake is set, the control unit determines whether a coolant temperature Tfc detected via coolant detection sensors is at or below 20° C. If it is determined that the detected coolant temperature Tfc is at or below 20° C., the control unit commences a temperature-maintenance operation process.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuji Hirakata, Kenji Umayahara