Patents Examined by Conan Duda
  • Patent number: 9604689
    Abstract: An apparatus, includes a first pair of brackets coupled to a first bicycle frame component, and one of the first pair of brackets has a radially-inwardly extending first protrusion. The apparatus includes a first gear component coupled to a second bicycle frame component, and the gear component is rotatably coupled within the first pair of brackets. The first gear component has a first set of recesses radially spaced from each other about a periphery thereof. The apparatus further includes a first clamping component engaging at least one of the first pair of brackets and selectively biasing the first protrusion into one of the first set of recesses to rotatably lock the first gear component with respect to the first pair of brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Patent number: 9598136
    Abstract: A self balancing scooter steered with thighs is provided, which includes: two wheels having motors mounted; a motor housing for mounting the motors therein so as to allow rotary shafts of the motors to be located linearly; a footrest disposed on top of the motor housing; an erecting housing located on top of the footrest and having a battery and a controller mounted, the controller being adapted to control driving and direction change of the self balancing scooter, a cover disposed on top thereof, and an insertion hole formed on the center of the cover; a saddle having a seatpost fitted to the insertion hole of the cover; and a thigh steering plate mounted just on the underside of the saddle through the seatpost so as to be turned in left and right sides through the thighs of the rider sitting on the saddle to perform the direction change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ROBO3 CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joon-Hyung Kim, Hwa Sung Jun
  • Patent number: 9580140
    Abstract: A bicycle including a frame that has a head tube, and a frame member that is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The bicycle also includes a receiver that is disposed in the frame member, and a battery pack that is coupled to the frame member and detachably connected to the receiver. The receiver has a tapered socket and a power connector encircled by the tapered socket. The battery pack has a tapered end cap that is insertable into the tapered socket along the longitudinal axis. The tapered end cap includes a battery connector disposed on an end of the battery pack. The tapered end cap is at least partially nested within the tapered socket along the longitudinal axis upon connection between the receiver and the battery pack, and the battery connector is electrically connected to the power connector upon nesting the tapered end cap in the tapered socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Amber R. Lucas, Ian Hamilton, Robert F. Meyer, Markus Spenninger
  • Patent number: 9566838
    Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to a mounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventors: Ian Scarth, Shawn Dawson
  • Patent number: 9555852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle having a front wheel driving means. The bicycle having the front wheel driving means according to the present invention includes a frame, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a steering part, and a chain part, wherein opposite sides of the front wheel are provided with respective recoilers having respective one-way clutches therein, and the steering part is provided with a driving means for pulling a wire connected to each of the recoilers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: SHINPYEONG INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jin-woo Cha
  • Patent number: 9555677
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for covering a hitch receiver. That apparatus includes a rotating cover displaceable between a first position concealing a hitch receiver from view and a second position allowing access to the hitch receiver. In one embodiment the cover includes two cooperating lugs and pivots about two pivot pins. In another embodiment the cover slides along opposed guide channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Emilio Merino Almeida, Jonatan Leff Yaffe, Jorge Manuel Rodriguez Vazquez
  • Patent number: 9533723
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Justin M. Carey
  • Patent number: 9533569
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: Bobby Ray McKinney
  • Patent number: 9534354
    Abstract: Disclosed is a construction machine that enables an operator to operate a vehicle width changing control lever while visually confirming positions of crawlers. The construction machine includes a lower track structure 1 whose left and right crawler track devices 11A and 11B are adapted to change in spatial interval, and an upper swing structure 2 swingably mounted above the lower track structure. The construction machine further includes a hydraulically actuated cylinder for changing vehicle width, disposed between the left and right crawler track devices, the vehicle width changing cylinder changing the interval between the left and right crawler track devices upon supply and discharge of a hydraulic fluid being controlled by a vehicle width changing control valve, and a vehicle width changing control lever 34 disposed on a left section of a swing body support structure 50 relative to an operator's seat 23, the vehicle width changing control lever operating the vehicle width changing control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Yamamoto, Yohei Iwamoto, Hiroshi Tabeta, Osamu Kokuryo, Junya Kawamoto
  • Patent number: 9510503
    Abstract: A grass mowing machine operator platform includes a one-piece plastic composite molded structure with a top surface and an outer wall, and a plurality of slots in the top surface and outer wall. A pair of steering levers may be pivotably mounted to steering pivot bolts in the slots in the top surface, and a brake lever pivotably mounted in a slot in the outer wall. The slots where the steering levers and brake lever are mounted have integral bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Elhardt, Kyle T. Ressler, Thomas R. Genz
  • Patent number: 9475539
    Abstract: A steering stop for bicycle handlebars, comprising a first stop element adapted to be fixed to the head tube of a bicycle fork, and a second stop element cooperating with the first stop element to limit the steering angle. The second stop element is adapted to be mounted to the bicycle frame, in particular to the top tube of the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CANYON BICYCLES GMBH
    Inventors: Jan Ehrhard, Lutz Scheffer
  • Patent number: 9469369
    Abstract: A vehicle frame, in particular a mountain bike frame or a trekking bicycle frame, comprises main frame element. A rear frame is pivotably connected with the main frame element. A damping element is provided between the rear frame and the main frame element. A first connection point of the damper element is connected with the rear frame and a second connection point of the damping element is connected with the main frame element. For the purpose of changing the frame characteristics, a displacing element is provided for the displacement of the first connection point. The locking of the displacing element is done with the help of an actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CANYON BICYCLES GMBH
    Inventor: Vincenz Thoma
  • Patent number: 9463833
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9463838
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle includes a bracket including a first attachment portion, a second attachment portion and a coupling portion. The first attachment portion is attached to a down frame. The second attachment portion is attached to an engine and is located rearward of the first attachment portion. The coupling portion is located between the first and second attachment portions and couples the first attachment portion with the second attachment portion. The first and second attachment portions extend in the front-to-rear direction. The first attachment portion is offset relative to the second attachment portion in a vehicle width direction. In a plan view of the vehicle, the coupling portion is oriented in or substantially in a front-to-rear direction with respect to the vehicle and extends in a direction different from that of the first and second attachment portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Murayama
  • Patent number: 9428237
    Abstract: The invention is a motorcycle with a main frame (1), the main frame (1) holding a rear swing arm assembly (2) with a rear wheel assembly (3), said main frame (1) holding an engine (12) and a drive train (13) connected to the rear wheel assembly (3). The main frame (1) is connected via a pivot joint (9) near the main frame's (9) upper, fore portion to a top frame (7), and the pivot joint (9) has a transverse axis (9?) relative to the main frame (1). The top frame (7) has a rearwards extending seat frame (8) provided with a seat (15) and a forward extending steering neck frame (5) holding a steering neck (6) further holding a triple tree assembly (14) with a front fork assembly (4) with a front wheel assembly (10). The main frame (1) is provided with an actuator assembly (16) for providing rotation of the top frame (7) relative to the main frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventor: Peer Toftner
  • Patent number: 9415801
    Abstract: In a power steering system, when power is on, a normal mode process is executed and a target rotational speed is set based on a rotational speed map for a normal mode. When the normal mode process is being executed, if a first mode switching condition that a detected vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a prescribed value, the absolute value of a detected steering angle is equal to or greater than a prescribed value, and the absolute value of a detected steering, angular velocity is equal to or less than a prescribed value is satisfied, the target rotational speed is set based on a rotational speed map for a rack end mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki Hata
  • Patent number: 9387875
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a motor control unit for controlling an electric motor operatively connected to a steering shaft. The motor control unit includes a first control unit for controlling a steering torque detected by a torque detecting unit so as to bring the steering torque to zero or to a first predetermined value, and a second control unit for controlling the steering torque detected by the torque detecting unit so as to bring the steering torque to a second predetermined value which is greater than zero or than the first predetermined value, based on an operational quantity detected by an operational-quantity detecting unit or a quantity representative of a vehicle behavior detected by a vehicle-behavior detecting unit. The motor control unit controls the electric motor based on an output signal from the first control unit and an output signal from the second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Shigeru Yamawaki, Yoshihiro Oniwa, Yukihiro Wakakuwa
  • Patent number: 9358850
    Abstract: A security device for a coupler for a trailer includes a bracket, a clamp lever cover, and a cover lock. The bracket is connected to the coupler, which includes a socket, a ball clamp, and a clamp lever. The clamp lever cover is engaged with the bracket and, in a secured arrangement, prevents movement of the clamp lever, thereby holding the ball clamp in a clamped arrangement, in turn retaining a hitch ball within the socket or preventing insertion of a hitch ball into the socket; in an unsecured arrangement the cover permits movement of the clamp lever from the engaged structural arrangement to the disengaged structural arrangement, thereby releasing the hitch ball or permitting insertion of a hitch ball. When unlocked the cover lock permits movement of the clamp lever cover to the unsecured arrangement; when locked retains the clamp lever cover in the secured arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce H. Bale
  • Patent number: 9315208
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a power steering motor assembly connected with the steerable vehicle wheels. A first pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle to supply fluid under pressure to the power steering motor assembly. A second pump connected with the power steering motor assembly is continuously driven by an engine of the vehicle. A valve connected with the power steering motor assembly and the second pump directs fluid flow from the second pump to at least one of the power steering motor assembly and reservoir during operation of both the first pump and the second pump. A pumping mechanism includes a first pumping area defining the first pump and a second pumping area defining the second pump. The first pumping area is smaller than the second pumping area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Williams
  • Patent number: 9289339
    Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle comprising a platform (10) on which a user of the vehicle can stand, ground-engaging wheels (14, 15, 16) on which the platform (10) is supported, motor drive means, motor control means (20), a column (11) extending upwards from the platform (10) and a leg or thigh support rest (18) mounted on the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLERSCOOT LTD.
    Inventor: Ian Gray