Patents Examined by Donn McGiehan
  • Hovercraft
    Patent number: 4747459
    Abstract: A hovercraft includes a rigid body and a flexible skirt pending from a lower periphery thereof. A main engine and propeller are coupled to the rigid body and provide a main propeller thrust. A plurality of thrust control vanes are located downstream of the propeller and divide the main propeller thrust into a horizontal thrust component directed rearwardly of the thrust control vanes and a vertical thrust component directed to a location under the rigid body so as to cooperate with the flexible skirt to form an air cushion on which the hovercraft rides. A plurality of steering control vanes are located downstream of the thrust control vanes and control the forward direction of the hovercraft. A single control stick controls the operation of both the thrust control vanes and the steering control vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Edison Penha
  • Traction slip control device
    Patent number: 4747461
    Abstract: A traction slip control device for motor vehicles is disclosed including a sensor responding to a beginning slip of the driving wheels. The sensor operates via a control circuitry, the accelerator pedal-operated throttle valve at the vehicle engine, in a manner for reduction of the engine's driving power. The accelerator pedal is overriden by means of a hydraulic control element connected in. Parallel to the accelerator pedal is a piston rod arranged in a bore within a stepped piston associated with the hydraulic control element. The piston rod is, via a ball lock, adapted to be axially coupled with the stepped piston such that the piston rod is entrained by the stepped piston and shifts the throttle valve in the direction of closure in opposition to the force acting upon the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Holger V. Hayn, Joachim Maas
  • Drive system for motor vehicles having two driven axles
    Patent number: 4747464
    Abstract: In a drive system for motor vehicles having two drive axles, one of said driven axles is driven by means comprising a liquid friction coupling. In order to permit the use of a relatively small liquid friction coupling and to permit the interdependence of the speed difference between the coupling halves of the liquid friction coupling and the torque transmission capacity to be modulated within a large range with simple means, one coupling half of the preferably controllable liquid friction coupling is held against rotation, the other coupling half is connected to one torque-transmitting member of a planetary gear train having three torque-transmitting members, another of said three torque-transmitting members is arranged to be driven by the motor, and the third of said torque-transmitting members is connected to the axles to drive the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG
    Inventor: Heribert Lanzer
  • User inclinable prone stander type wheelchair
    Patent number: 4744578
    Abstract: A user propelled prone stand up wheelchair for an orthopedically disabled user. The wheelchair includes a body platform which is user adjustable between a user substantially vertical stand-up position to a substantially horizontal user face down position. The tilt position of the user relative to the wheelchair support surface is angularly adjustable by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Luconex, Inc.
    Inventor: Cynde Stearns
  • Motor-driven power steering device
    Patent number: 4742882
    Abstract: A motor-driven power steering device includes an electric motor for generating assistive torque which is applied through a ball screw mechanism to a steering gear mechanism to reduce manual steering forces applied by the driver to steer a motor vehicle. The motor-driven power steering device comprises a rack-and-pinion steering gear mechanism for converting the rotation of a pinion shaft to axial movement of a rack shaft, an electric motor for generating assistive torque to be applied to the rack-and-pinion steering gear mechanism, and a ball screw mechanism for converting the assistive torque from the motor to the axial movement of the rack shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Toshitake Kawai, Mitsutaka Sugino
  • Fork stabilizer for motorcycle
    Patent number: 4742885
    Abstract: A fork stabilizer for the front-end fork of a motorcycle is provided. The fork stabilizer includes an elongate member, comprised of unitary metallic material having a substantially solid cross-sectional area, the elongate member also having transverse curved areas disposed at each end of the elongate member, said curved areas being closely machined to make a net fit between the prongs of the front-end fork of the motorcycle, having bolt holes disposed at each corner thereof, said bolt holes having an expanded region adapted to receive the heads of said bolts and also having a restricted region adapted to retain the elongate portion of said bolts whereby the twisting forces are substantially reduced, thereby assuring smooth and continuous operation and steering of said front-end fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Inventor: Kelly Tidwell
  • Torque responsive automatic bicycle transmission
    Patent number: 4741546
    Abstract: An automatic transmission for use on a bicycle is mounted on a bracket that is connected to the rear axle of the bicycle. A first chain connects the chain wheel with a sprocket fixed for rotation with the drive pulley of the transmission. A second chain transmits power from a sprocket fixed for rotation with the driven pulley to the rear wheel hub sprocket. A V-belt is used to transmit power between the drive and driven pulleys. Once a predetermined input torque is reached during pedalling, the transmission automatically changes the speed ratio between the chain wheel and the driven rear wheel of the bicycle. The gear ratio continues to change automatically and steplessly in response to increasing torque through the entire range of gear ratio change, which is approximately equal to the range provided by a standard ten speed bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: James B. Reswick
  • Electric steering system for automobiles
    Patent number: 4741409
    Abstract: An electric steering system for automobiles includes a tubular main housing disposed on a transverse axis of the vehicle between two steerable road wheels. A left steering rack is slidably disposed in the main housing and connected to the left road wheel. A right steering rack is slidably disposed in the main housing and connected to the right road wheel. A pair of reversible electric motors at opposite ends of the main housing drive the steering racks independently of each other through corresponding pinion drive assemblies. The inboard end of the left steering rack telescopes into a bore in the inboard end of the right steering rack. The inboard end of the left steering rack has an annular shoulder which is captured in the bore by a rack rack nut on the inboard end of the right steering rack so that withdrawal of the left steering rack from the bore is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Westercamp, Steven J. Hallman
  • Bicycle chain hanger
    Patent number: 4741548
    Abstract: A bicycle chain hanger comprises a unitary member molded from a polymeric material and including a disc-like base portion having a concavely curved internal surface adapted to bear against the wall of the seat stay and a generally L-shaped hook portion extending outwardly from the base portion and adapted to accept and hold an element of the chain in hooked relation. Two pins, driven with a force fit through each of two holes and through corresponding split sleeves that extend through holes in the seat stay tube into the space within the tube walls, deflect portions of the split sleeve out into interfering relation with the walls and edges of the tube holes and thereby retain the member on the seat stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Cannondale Corporation
    Inventor: Raphael Schlanger
  • Weight transfer device for tractor trailer
    Patent number: 4740005
    Abstract: A weight transfer device for tractor trailer units includes an upward force-producing device mounted on a frame between the rear frame members of the tractor and behind the fifth wheel. The device is intended to transfer weight over the rear tractor drive wheels to increase their traction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Alvarez Babin
  • Automatically coupling fluid connector for a hitch
    Patent number: 4738463
    Abstract: An arrangement and assembly for making power connections during the hitching of an implement to a vehicle. The assembly includes mating halves of power connections located on hitch elements of the implement and vehicle respectively. Power connection halves are arranged so that the relative movement necessary between hitch elements of the implement and vehicle to accomplish their connection are also sufficient to cause coupling of the power connection. Alignment of the power connection halves is accomplished by a set of pins which engages a set of holes. The connector halves are resiliently mounted for axial movement in a direction parallel to the axis of the pins. Relative axial movement allows the power connections to be completed and the resilient mounting allows for a degree of axial misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bernard B. Poore, Ronald E. Rohren
  • Torque splitting system for vehicles
    Patent number: 4738332
    Abstract: A torque splitting device (12) capable of use in a four wheel drive road vehicle has two coupled epicyclic differential devices providing the two outputs and connected respectively with a torque input shaft (30), which may be driven by a vehicle gearbox and a control shaft (35). The control shaft is driven from the input shaft (35) by way of an infinitely variable ratio drive means comprising a fixed displacement hydrostatic motor (51) coupled with a variable displacement hydrostatic pump (50) which is controlled by signals from a control unit (60). The unit (60) may be responsive to signals representing vehicle control and/or experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Group Lotus PLC
    Inventor: Peter G. Wright
  • Motor-driven power steering system for vehicles
    Patent number: 4735271
    Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for vehicles includes a control device which is responsive to output signals from a torque detector mechanism which detects a steering torque acting on an input shaft, for applying a driving signal to an electric motor to produce an assistive torque to be imposed on the output shaft. The power steering system further includes a device for detecting a freely returning state of a steering wheel to produce a motor damping signal and a motor damping device for damping the electric motor in response to the motor damping signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuo Shimizu
  • Racing bicycle having a continuously variable traction drive
    Patent number: 4735430
    Abstract: A low-drag bicycle comprising an elongated, two piece, generally tubular frame of elliptical cross-section extending between the front and rear wheels wherein the cyclist assumes a recumbent position over the frame facing down and powers the cycle by means of a pedal arrangement directly connected to and concentrically arranged with the rear wheel axle, which axle constitutes the input shaft of a continuously variable compound traction drive transmission for driving the rear wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Philip Tomkinson
  • Apparatus for front suspension of motorcycle
    Patent number: 4735276
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for use with a motorcycle including a frame, a front wheel and a suspension system connecting the front wheel with the frame, the suspension system including a fork slider, a fork tube which is movable within the slider, and a force device for urging the slider and the tube apart. The apparatus comprises first device adapted to be connected to the slider, second device adapted to be connected to the tube, latch apparatus for engaging the first and second devices, and releasable force means for moving the first and second devices together and thereby moving said suspension system to a lowered position during acceleration of the motorcycle. A control is provided for disabling the apparatus and enabling the motorcycle to operate in its normal level after the period of acceleration has passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Heated air ducting structure for motor cycles
    Patent number: 4735278
    Abstract: A heated air ducting structure (20; 200; 300; 360; 400) for motor cycles (50; 350; 450) including an engine (2; 302) mounted at a lower position in the front part of a vehicle body frame (1) and a a rider's seat (4; 401) installed on the vehicle body frame behind the engine. The ducting structure comprises a duct (20a; 208, 208r, 205a, 205c; 321, 314; 361, 365; 404, 405, 409) having a heated air entry (20b; 208c; 322; 362; 407) which, facing a rear portion (2b; 302g) of the engine, takes in heated air that has cooled the engine, and a heated air exit (20c; 205f; 328; 365b; 409b) which opens in the rearward direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushik Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsusuke Komuro, Hideaki Nebu, Shigehisa Morinaka, Yoshiaki Kashio
  • Ridable arm exercise bicycle
    Patent number: 4733880
    Abstract: A bicycle having conventional foot pedals with driving rotating cranks connected to a load is improved with arm pedals. Preferably, each foot pedal forms the point of attachment of a line under tension. The line from each pedal passes upwardly from the pedal to a seat sheave in the vicinity of the seat. Thereafter, the line from the pedal goes forwardly to a forward sheave mounted on the front of the bicycle frame. From the forward sheave the line runs rearward to a second seat sheave and dead ends at a point of attachment on the opposite pedal. Hand pedals are connected to the line from each pedal in that portion of the line between the seat sheave and the forward sheave. Operation of the hand pedals is synchronized with the traditional foot cycling motion of the foot pedals. Upward stroke of the foot pedals is assisted with tension in the connected running rigging from both hand pedals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Donald Wilhelm, III
  • Steerable driving axle
    Patent number: 4733744
    Abstract: A steerable driving axle assembly is provided with a centrally located differential assembly which is fixed to a vehicle frame member and includes a pair of axle drive shafts having inner ends coupled to output shafts of the differential assembly. Each of the axle drive shafts is surrounded by a separate axle tube which has an inner end pivotally attached to the housing of the differential assembly. Each of the axle drive shafts has an outer end coupled to drive a separate rotatable wheel member which is rotatably supported by a mounting portion of a wheel assembly. In accordance with the present invention, the outer end of each axle tube is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion of the wheel assembly by a king pin mounting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Jack G. Glaze
  • Bicycle frame with supplemental step or platform for performing freestyle maneuvers
    Patent number: 4733881
    Abstract: A bicycle frame with asymmetric chain stays. The rear caliper brake is mounted across the underside of the chain stay tubes. The chain stay tubes are asymmetric. The front portion of the chain stay tube on the left side, opposite the chain, is curved farther outwardly from the centerline of the frame than the corresponding front portion of the other chain stay tube to provide a first step completely covering the end of the brake actuating arm to provide a support for a performer's foot while protecting the brake actuating arm from foot pressure. Second, third, fourth, and fifth foot-supporting steps or standing platforms are provided respectively by an upwardly-arched tube secured across the seat stay tubes, outwardly-curved rear portions of the chain stay tubes extending past the rear axle, and a diagonal tube secured between the down and seat tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Schwinn Bicycle Company
    Inventor: Clifford F. Mueller
  • Wheelchair for a disabled person, particularly a child
    Patent number: 4732402
    Abstract: The wheelchair according to the invention comprises a frame (1) provided, on each longitudinal side thereof, with a propelling assembly including an arm (6) carrying a driving wheel (2) and a hand wheel (3) at its ends as well as a transmission means (8-10) connecting the driving wheel (2) to the hand wheel (3).It it characterized in that the propelling assemblies form removable assemblies disposed on the longitudinal sides of the frame (1).The arms (6) of the propelling assemblies are pivotally mounted on supports (7) attached on the longitudinal sides of the frame (1), while locking means (14) are provided to secure them on the supports (7) in any of a plurality of predetermined positions to adjust the position of the hand wheels according to the size of the disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Establissements POIRIER
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lambert