Patents Examined by Conan D Duda
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Patent number: 10549743Abstract: A hovercraft includes a lift air supply source having a dynamic air flow area in communication with a central lift air chamber to provide continuous air flow to the central lift air chamber and a static air flow area in communication with an inflatable skirt extending around a periphery of the hovercraft. Air flow from the static air flow area enters the skirt to replenish air leaking from the skirt. The static air flow area has less air flow than the dynamic air flow area. The static air flow area is located at a higher position than the dynamic air flow area to reduce the likelihood of water entering the inflatable skirt when the hovercraft is operated on water.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Charles E. Hill & Associates, Inc.Inventor: Charles E. Hill
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Patent number: 10538191Abstract: An apparatus for removing and/or installing a side guide of a trailer-mounted boat capture system for guiding a boat onto the trailer, the apparatus comprising: an outboard post pivotally attached to an upper support rail of the side guide; two inboard posts, each pivotally attached to the side guide proximal to where the side guide is attached to the trailer via first pins, wherein each inboard post includes a manual leveling jack; an attachment point on the side guide suitable for attaching a winch cable from a boat held in the boat capture system; and second pins attaching the side guide to the trailer such that when the first pins are removed the side guide is free to pivot around the second pins from an upright position towards a support surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Ralph David Hooper, William A. Chambers
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Patent number: 10525828Abstract: A transfer for a vehicle, the transfer includes an input rotating member, a first output rotating member, a second output rotating member, a high-low switching mechanism, a clutch, a motor, a screw mechanism and a transmitting mechanism. The first output rotating member outputs power to first left and right wheels. The second output rotating member outputs power to second left and right wheels. The high-low switching mechanism changes a rate of rotation from the input rotating member and transmits the rotation to the first output rotating member. The clutch adjusts a transfer torque. The transfer torque is transmitted from the first output rotating member to the second output rotating member. The screw mechanism converts rotational motion of the motor to linear motion. The transmitting mechanism transmits linear motion force of the screw mechanism to both the high-low switching mechanism and the clutch.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mizuki Imafuku, Akinori Homan, Tomohiro Arakawa
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Patent number: 10526004Abstract: A device for assisting or automatic guiding of a motor vehicle, having a first steering actuator with an allocated steering control unit, a gear rack, a steering column and a steering handle, wherein the steering column and the steering actuator have effect on the common gear rack, wherein there is at least one second steering actuator having an additional allocated steering control unit, wherein the second steering actuator has effect on the common gear rack.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Volkswagen AGInventor: Bastian Witte
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Patent number: 10414273Abstract: A zero turn vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a frame, a prime mover, a transaxle, first and second gear boxes, first and second driven wheels, an operator foot platform, and an expansion tank. The transaxle is aft of the prime mover and has opposing first and second output shafts. The first and second gearboxes are respectively driven by and pivotable about the first and second output shafts. The first and second gear boxes respectively have first and second output axles aft of the first and second output shafts. The first and second driven wheels are respectively engaged with the first and second output axles. The operator foot platform is between the first and second gear boxes and aft of the transaxle. The expansion tank is between the transaxle and the operator foot platform and between the first and second gear boxes.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited PartnershipInventor: Raymond Hauser
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Patent number: 10384663Abstract: Provided is a vehicle electrification charge reducing apparatus, including: a steering operating device, a steering actuator; and a displacement transmitting system configured to transmit a displacement of the steering operating device to the steering actuator. At least one of the steering operating device, the steering actuator, or the displacement transmitting system includes two members that are engaged with each other through intermediation of a viscous lubricant agent so as to move relatively when the steering operating device is operated. A self-discharge type charge eliminator is fixed to a surface of a specific member forming the displacement transmitting system and the like, and the self-discharge type charge eliminator diselectrifies the specific member through self-discharge so as to decrease a charge amount of the specific member, to thereby decrease a difference in charge amount between the two members.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Koshi Yamada, Toshio Tanahashi, Hisashi Yabuki, Kazuhiko Omasa, Yoji Kanehara, Nagataka Sassa
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Patent number: 10370059Abstract: There is provided a front fork which has a small number of components with simple structure and is easy to assemble. In order to achieve the above object, in a front fork F according to the means for solving the problem of the present invention, first and second adjusters 5, 6 are mounted on a cap 4 so as to be axially movable, and a contact portion 52 of the first adjuster 5 in contact with a first adjustment rod 7 and a contact portion 62 of the second adjuster 6 in contact with a second adjustment rod 8 are displaced in an axial direction of a vehicle body tube 2 so as not to interfere with each other. Therefore, even when each of the first and second adjusters 5, 6 moves in the axial direction with respect to the cap 4, the corresponding first and second adjustment rods 7, 8 can be moved independently without being interfered with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: KYB MOTORCYCLE SUSPENSION CO., LTD.Inventor: Takeshi Tomiuga
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Patent number: 10363785Abstract: A tow hook seal assembly is provided for a motor vehicle. That tow hook seal assembly includes a housing and a tow hook seal held in the housing. Further the tow hook seal assembly includes a first bumper bolt opening and a second bumper bolt opening. In addition, the tow hook seal assembly includes a cover carried on the housing and enclosing the first and second bumper bolt openings when the cover is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffery Lee, David Brian Glickman, Joseph Andrew Hickey
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Patent number: 10336398Abstract: Rear suspension system for a bicycle in which there are two links pivotally interconnecting the front triangle (being, the bicycle component having the seat and bottom bracket) and the rear triangle (being, the component to which the rear wheel is mounted), and the link pivots on the front triangle are located no higher than the location of the instant centre of the rear triangle at the sag point. Suspension stability may be enhanced by having one of the links oriented horizontally at the sag point and/or by having the link pivots on the front triangle in horizontal alignment.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: CMH Plus Holdings Ltd.Inventor: Christopher Hudec
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Patent number: 10328992Abstract: A foldable bicycle has a frame with a seat tube, a down tube and a top tube. An inclined strut is pivotable with the top tube and with an openable connection to the down tube. The down tube is connected with a joint to a crankshaft bearing housing so that a rotation axle in this joint is turned to form an angle to a line substantially parallel to the crankshaft bearing housing's longitudinal axis. The top tube is connected through a joint to the seat tube so that a rotation axle in this joint is turned to form an angle around the seat tube's longitudinal axis. The top tube is at its other end that's opposite the seat tube connected with a joint to the head tube so that a rotation axle in this joint is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of both the head tube and top tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Inventor: Zakarias Laxström
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Patent number: 10315680Abstract: Device for manually lifting a load with a lever for a cart, suitcase and the like, making it easier to ascend and descend staircases and various obstacles, said device comprising two parts:—a first part comprising: a frame (1) secured to wheels (2), the wheels (2) and the handles (3) being fixed to the frame (1),—a second part comprising: a load support (4) secured to wheels (5), the wheels (5) and a load (12) being mounted in a fixed manner on the load support (4), the second part being able to slide with respect to the first part by the action of a telescopic lever arm (10) in order to ascend a step of a staircase in two phases, the telescopic lever arm (10) being fixed to the handles (3) by an articulation (9), a second articulation (8) connecting the telescopic lever arm (10) to a transmission (6) which is in turn connected by a third articulation (7) to the load support (4) of the second part.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Inventor: Anghel Muscocea
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Patent number: 10308085Abstract: A tow kit is disclosed having a thimble slider engaged with a plurality of tethers. The thimble slider may have a generally C-shaped body with a back portion and opposing end portions. The thimble slider may also have a channel formed within outer surfaces of the back and opposing end portions, and an elongated separator connected to an inner surface of the back portion and extending in a direction generally orthogonal to the back portion to define two portions. A tether can engage the channel to equally distribute weight applied to the two ends of the tether. A sling can engage the inner surface of the back portion. At least one other tether can engage the sling.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Inventors: Wesley Paul Conger, Adam Ross Baldwin, Luis S. Padilla, Michael Charles Greenwood, Dennis J. Weber, Brett Edward Burke
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Patent number: 10308086Abstract: A movable tow-bar assembly comprising: an elongate frame configured to be attached to a vehicle; a towing attachment comprising a sleeve that is shaped to receive a section of the elongate frame and allow translation of the towing attachment along a length of the frame; and a driving arrangement coupled with the towing attachment and the frame for effecting translational movement of the towing attachment along the length of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: TIAINEN PROJECTS PTY LTD.Inventor: Richard Tiainen
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Patent number: 10294634Abstract: A method for retrofitting a high drive track-type tractor with a rear entry electric drive motor module. The method includes inserting the rear entry electric drive motor module into a frame housing. The rear entry electric drive motor module includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly, and an electric motor. The method further includes attaching a reaction member to the rear entry electric drive motor module.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
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Patent number: 10286953Abstract: A system and strategy for reducing rapid steering wheel movement at the end of an autopark maneuver. The strategy includes maintaining or ramping-out power-steering motor torque to reduce steering wheel movement that may occur due to tire windup that has occurred up to that point in the autopark maneuver. The strategy may include the stopping of an autopark maneuver at any time during the maneuver, or functioning at the end of an autopark maneuver. The autopark event may be a park-out maneuver.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Erick Michael Lavoie, Nathaniel Abram Rolfes
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Patent number: 10272968Abstract: In a saddle-riding-type vehicle sensor unit attachment structure, a brake caliper bracket that holds the brake caliper is attached to the rearward extension stay of the front fork, the wheel speed sensor is attached to a lower position than the rearward extension stay of the brake caliper bracket, and the sensor cable is arranged toward an upward direction at an inner side in a vehicle width direction of the rearward extension stay and is then drawn to an outer side in a vehicle width direction of the brake caliper bracket at an upper position than the rearward extension stay to be supported by the brake caliper bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Mafumi Yasuhara, Tomohiro Kudo
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Patent number: 10232782Abstract: A mobile vessel for refueling engines at remote refueling sites. The vessel has a tank with side walls and a rectangular bottom portion. The bottom portion is configured to rest on the ground and it includes an inner wall and a lower plate. The bottom portion further includes spacer elements between the inner wall and lower plate that defines a gap there between for collecting fuel that may leak from the tank.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BNJ Leasing Inc.Inventor: Mark William Beard
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Patent number: 10232707Abstract: A power transfer unit for an all-wheel drive drivetrain that includes an engine, a transmission having a pump for circulating hydraulic fluid from a sump, and a driveshaft. The power transfer unit includes an input for receiving driving power from the transmission, an output for delivering driving power to the driveshaft, a first clutch, a first fluid supply path for delivering the hydraulic fluid from the pump to the first clutch, and a fluid return path for returning the hydraulic fluid from the power transfer unit to the sump of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Larry A. Pritchard
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Patent number: 10234004Abstract: A ball screw device and a steering system that include a retainer having more uniform stiffness are provided. Between a rack shaft and a ball screw nut, a cylindrical retainer having a plurality of retainer grooves that retain balls in a rollable manner is provided. Each retainer groove has two short inner surfaces that intersect the extending direction of the retainer groove and two long inner surfaces that intersect these short inner surfaces and extend along the extending direction of the retainer groove. In each of interior-angle portions where the short inner surfaces and the long inner surfaces intersect, a corner round surface is formed. The radius of the corner round surface is set to be smaller than one half of the width of the retainer groove.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro Asakura, Takuya Nakayama, Keisuke Ogawa
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Patent number: 10227103Abstract: In a saddle-riding-type vehicle sensor unit attachment structure, a brake caliper bracket that holds the brake caliper is attached to the rearward extension stay of the front fork, the wheel speed sensor is attached to a lower position than the rearward extension stay of the brake caliper bracket, and the sensor cable is arranged toward an upward direction at an inner side in a vehicle width direction of the rearward extension stay and is then drawn to an outer side in a vehicle width direction of the brake caliper bracket at an upper position than the rearward extension stay to be supported by the brake caliper bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Mafumi Yasuhara, Tomohiro Kudo