Patents Examined by Emma K Frick
  • Patent number: 11046259
    Abstract: In a vehicle oil pan guard including a guard plate mounted on a support member via a mounting portion such that the guard plate is arranged at a position under an oil pan storing a hydraulic oil for protecting the oil pan from an impact from below, a cover plate different from the guard plate is mounted together with the guard plate via the mounting portion on the support member such that the cover plate closes an opening formed near the guard plate toward a road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kotaro Shirotori
  • Patent number: 11045368
    Abstract: A wheelchair device for actively moving a seat unit, in particular a seat part and/or a backrest part of the seat unit, of a wheelchair, has at least one movement conversion unit which is arrangeable at least in part on at least one drive wheel of the wheelchair and which is provided for the purpose of converting a movement of the at least one drive wheel into a movement of the seat unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DESINO GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Pagano, Thyl Junker, Daniel Levedag
  • Patent number: 11033110
    Abstract: A chair caddie, comprises a central hub and four arms. Each of the four arms is coupled to and extends outwardly from the central hub and is adapted to support a chair leg. Each arm is supported by a surface-engaging roller. The surface-engaging rollers cooperate to elevate the arms and the central hub above a planar surface engaged by the surface-engaging rollers. Each arm carries a chair foot receptacle adapted to receive and support a chair foot, and each roller is positioned inboard of the chair foot receptacle on its respective arm. The chair foot receptacles define a notional chair footprint circumscribing the chair foot receptacles, and the surface-engaging rollers have centers of rotation that are inside the chair footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Comfor Tek Seating Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Dwayne Schellenberg
  • Patent number: 11008035
    Abstract: An all-terrain accessorized stroller apparatus for all season and weather capable stroller includes a set of wheels and a pair of handles coupled to a stroller frame. A console that has a pair of handle clamps and a console body is coupled to the pair of handles. A pair of skis is selectively engageable with the set of wheels. A ski rack and a pair of seat supports are coupled to the stroller frame. A child seat that can be in a forward or alternative backward position is selectively engaged with the pair of seat supports. A canopy and a tray are coupled to the child seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Lynnette Walker
  • Patent number: 10994606
    Abstract: A system and method using a mount assembly for attaching a powertrain to a structural member of a vehicle. The mount assembly includes a first compliant member, a second compliant member, a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a pressure compliant membrane, electro-magnetorheological switch and a magnetorheological fluid. A fluid conduit interconnects the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber to allow a fluid to pass from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The pressure compliant membrane seals the aperture in the second fluid chamber. The electro-magnetorheological switch is activated to generate an electric field in the fluid conduit to change the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to achieve a first stiffness profile of the mount assembly. The electro-magnetorheological switch is deactivated to remove the electric field in the fluid conduit to change the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to achieve a second stiffness profile of the mount assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sam M. Jomaa, Wojciech E. Suchta
  • Patent number: 10988154
    Abstract: A pallet sled includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. A load wheel supports outer ends of each of the tines. A wheel supports the base. At least one motor is configured to drive the base wheel or at least one of the load wheels for driving the pallet sled. The motor may be a hub motor inside the base wheel or the load wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Travis James Englert, Joseph E. Popovits, II, Derick Foster, Dane Gin Mun Kalinowski, Sayre Giorgio Peralta
  • Patent number: 10967244
    Abstract: A skateboard truck configured to be mounted to a skateboard deck, with a hanger with a wheel axle configured to hold skateboard truck wheels; a suspension system with a flex member configured to attach the hanger resiliently to a skateboard deck; a rolling contact bearing connecting the hanger with the flex member such that the rolling contact bearing allows rotation of the hanger with respect to the flex member by a steering angle around a steering axis extending substantially vertically to the wheel axle; and a spring mechanism attached to or integrally formed with the flex member biasing the hanger to the neutral position where the steering angle is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Lininger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10953902
    Abstract: A cart generally includes a body, a wheel assembly, first and second handles, and a scoop. The body defines an interior usable for holding materials. The body includes a forward portion and a rearward portion. The wheel assembly includes at least one axle and first and second wheels. Each of the first and second handles includes a handle portion to allow a user to move the cart and a leg portion for contacting a support surface. The scoop is rotatable relative to the body between a plurality of positions including at least a forward position and a rearward position. In the forward position, the scoop is adjacent the forward portion of the body, whereby the scoop increases carrying capacity of the cart. In the rearward position, the scoop is disposed at least partially over and/or adjacent the rearward portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Noonan
  • Patent number: 10926157
    Abstract: A climbing aid for a ski has a plane base element which is connected on the inner side to a fastener to be detachably fastened to a running surface of the ski and which is connected on the outer side to backwards-slipping prevention elements acting contrary to a direction of travel. A flexible plastic support material forms the base element, and the backwards-slipping prevention elements are integrally formed with the plastic support material. In lateral regions, the base element has backwards-slipping prevention elements with push-off wings positioned obliquely to the direction of travel and, in the central region, has backwards-slipping prevention elements with push-off wings arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The push-off wings of the backwards-slipping prevention elements of a first type are of lesser length and/or of lesser height than the push-off wings of the backwards-slipping prevention elements of a second type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Fischer Sports GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Mayrhofer, Christian Plomberger
  • Patent number: 10919384
    Abstract: A system and method using a mount assembly for attaching a powertrain to a structural member of a vehicle. The mount assembly includes a first compliant member, a second compliant member, a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a third fluid chamber, a pressure compliant membrane, and a valve. A fluid conduit interconnects the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber to allow a fluid to pass from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The third fluid chamber has an opening in communication with the second fluid chamber and a vent port. The pressure compliant membrane seals the opening between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. The valve selectively seals the vent port in the third fluid chamber. A first stiffness profile of the mount assembly is selected by actuating the valve to open the vent port. A second stiffness profile of the mount assembly is selected by actuating the valve to close the vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sam M. Jomaa, Wojciech E. Suchta, Craig W. Lewitzke, Daniel G. Gannon
  • Patent number: 10894471
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a power conversion device includes: a vehicle body component extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle; a mounting component provided on the vehicle body component; a drive unit held by the vehicle body component via the mounting component; and a power conversion device attached to the mounting component. A stiffness of the mounting component is greater than a stiffness of the vehicle body component. The power conversion device is arranged between a front end and a rear end of the drive unit in a side view of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuaki Yokoyama, Mikio Nozaki, Hiroki Wada, Takahiro Kurosawa, Takeshi Hamamoto, Anna Hayashi, Tomoya Kamada, Takashi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 10882396
    Abstract: A system and method using a mount assembly for attaching a powertrain to a structural member of a vehicle. The mount assembly includes a first compliant member, a second compliant member, a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a pressure compliant membrane, electro-magnetorheological switch and a magnetorheological fluid. A fluid conduit interconnects the first fluid chamber with the second fluid chamber to allow a fluid to pass from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The pressure compliant membrane seals the aperture in the second fluid chamber. The electro-magnetorheological switch is activated to generate an electric field in the fluid conduit to change the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to achieve a first stiffness profile of the mount assembly. The electro-magnetorheological switch is deactivated to remove the electric field in the fluid conduit to change the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to achieve a second stiffness profile of the mount assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Sam M. Jomaa, Wojciech E. Suchta
  • Patent number: 10874359
    Abstract: A mobile imaging device includes a base having at least one caster, a first drive mechanism that moves the system in a transport mode and translates an imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode, and a second drive mechanism that extends caster relative to the base to raise the base off the ground in the transport mode, and retracts the caster relative to the base to lower the base to the ground in the scan mode. A caster system for a mobile apparatus includes a base containing a housing and a caster, attached to the base, the caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis and a swivel joint defining a swivel axis and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, wherein the caster pivots on the pivot axis as the caster is retracted into the housing and extended out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Stanton, Eugene A. Gregerson
  • Patent number: 10876617
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a driveline that includes a dual clutch transmission are described. In one example, clutches of the dual clutch transmission may be cooled via activating and adjusting a flow rate of an electric pump. Further, driveline operating modes may be entered or exited in response to clutch operating conditions so that driveline robustness may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Meyer, Kevin Ray Ruybal, Jeffrey Doering, Matthew John Shelton, Steven A. Frait, Walter J. Ortmann
  • Patent number: 10864933
    Abstract: A hand truck includes a frame that is supported by main wheels and a handle having two side members. Two handle brackets are pivotably mounted on opposite sides of the frame. The handle brackets are arranged for rotation in relation to the frame around a handle rotation axis. The handle brackets slidably receive the side members of the handle so that the handle is able to slide between a first retracted position and a second extended position. The handle is also able to rotate with the handle brackets between first and second rotational positions. A lock mechanism that is mechanically associated with the handle brackets and the handle is able to releasably lock the degree of extension of the handle in at least one position between the retracted and extended positions and is able to lock the rotational position of the handle in at least one rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: HARPER TRUCKS, INC.
    Inventor: José Angel Caceres Mendoza
  • Patent number: 10850559
    Abstract: A driving device for a carriage includes a motor, a speed reducer, and a mecanum wheel. The speed reducer decelerates the power input from the motor and outputs a decelerated power. The mecanum wheel is rotated by the decelerated power output from the speed reducer. The speed reducer includes a speed reducing unit, a carrier, and a case. The speed reducing unit receives the power from the motor. The carrier supports the speed reducing unit. The case is rotatable relative to the carrier. The mecanum wheel is fixed on the case or the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Nakamura, Osamu Ochiai, Kenya Tomiyasu
  • Patent number: 10840488
    Abstract: A battery fixing device includes: a receiving member on which two batteries are placed parallel to each other; a retainer having a portion hanging down between the two batteries to retain mutually opposed shoulder portions of the two batteries: rods having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being fixed to the receiving member and the distal end passing through each end of the retainer; and nuts threadably engaged with the distal ends of the rods. The rods penetrate through the retainer within the range in which the two batteries are opposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeaki Izumi, Tatsuya Fujino
  • Patent number: 10800485
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery-integrated driver for an electric bicycle, and more specifically, related to a driver capable of changing an ordinary bicycle to an electric bicycle. The driver is installed in a hub on the back of a general bicycle and can be housed inside the hub without an external power connection. Thus, a user can easily assemble an electric bicycle and use it conveniently. The battery-integrated driver includes: a wheel hub (H); a rear side chain support (C) and a saddle support (S) of a bicycle which are coupled to each other at the wheel hub (H); a hub (30) provided in the wheel hub (H) and coupled to a wheel rim through spokes, wherein a tire is installed on the wheel rim; a driver (A) provided in the hub (30) and including an electric motor (660), wherein the electric motor (660) supplies electric power to rotate a wheel; and a battery provided in the driver (A) in a detachable manner and driving the electric motor (660).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: H&E CO., LTD
    Inventors: Gyu Chang Kim, Do Hwan Lee, Mun Hyeon Kim, Yeong Il Yu, Nak Hyeon Kwon
  • Patent number: 10799194
    Abstract: A mobile imaging device includes a base having at least one caster, a first drive mechanism that moves the system in a transport mode and translates an imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode, and a second drive mechanism that extends caster relative to the base to raise the base off the ground in the transport mode, and retracts the caster relative to the base to lower the base to the ground in the scan mode. A caster system for a mobile apparatus includes a base containing a housing and a caster, attached to the base, the caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis and a swivel joint defining a swivel axis and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, wherein the caster pivots on the pivot axis as the caster is retracted into the housing and extended out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: MOBIUS IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: Russell Stanton, Eugene A. Gregerson
  • Patent number: 10787218
    Abstract: The present application relates to a self-balancing scooter and a main frame assembly thereof. The self-balancing scooter includes a first main frame and a cooperated second main frame. The first main frame includes a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion includes a first end surface, the first end surface defines a guide hole, and the guide hole is positioned between the center and the edge of the first end surface. The second main frame includes a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion includes a second end surface corresponding to the first end surface of the first connecting portion, the second end surface defines a conduit, the conduit is positioned between the center and the edge of the second end surface, the conduit is accommodated in the guide hole when the first connecting portion is assembled and connected to the second connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SHENZHEN XIANGYOU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xia Wen