Patents Examined by Felicia L Brittman
  • Patent number: 11975576
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle may include a coupling element, which is mounted by a bearing so as to be movable between a usage position, in which for attachment of a trailer the coupling element projects rearwards in front of the rear of the motor vehicle, and a rest position, in which the coupling element is moved closer to the motor vehicle, wherein the bearing has a bearing base which is stationary relative to the motor vehicle and a bearing element which is movably mounted on the bearing base and supports the coupling element, wherein the trailer coupling has an electric drive motor by which the bearing element can be driven relative to the bearing base between the rest position and the usage position, and wherein the drive motor has a stator and an armature that is driven relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Kay Angermann, Bernhard Sielhorst, Raphael Gringel
  • Patent number: 11975575
    Abstract: A trailer coupling for a motor vehicle comprises a coupling arm, on the free end region of which a ball neck is formed, on which a coupling ball is arranged. The coupling ball is spherical on the side facing away from the ball neck and has a spherical segment plane on the side facing the ball neck. Between the spherical segment plane and a portion of the ball neck has a smaller outer circumference than the spherical segment plane there is arranged a throat portion having a transition contour extending in a concave manner between the ball neck and the spherical segment. The transition contour transitions with a coupling ball transition region into an external contour of the coupling ball and transitions with a ball neck transition region into an outer surface of the ball neck. The transition contour has a curved configuration having a non-constant radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Kay Angermann, Michael Drücker, Waldemar Gross, Marc Weiner, Martin Wyrwich
  • Patent number: 11970243
    Abstract: An exercise measurement device comprises a housing for attaching to a frame of a bicycle, a generator, an annular rotational input member for rotationally driving the generator, the rotational input member being rotatably mounted on the housing and positioned around a crank axis line, a connecting member connecting the rotational input member to the crankshaft or the crank arm in a torque transmitting relationship, a sensor for detecting at least one of electric current of the generator, a rotational speed of the generator or the crank arm, a torque of the crank arm, a position of the crank arm, a strain in the crank arm, and a pressure on the pedal, a measurement computing unit for computing at least one of power and a pedaling force from an output of the sensor, and a display unit for displaying a computed value of the measurement computing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukamoto, Yoshihiro Namiki, Satoshi Honda, Hiroyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11964523
    Abstract: A hitch vibration dampener assembly and method of use thereof including a tow mount member including a base portion with a vibration dampener pad affixed to the back surface such that coupling of the tow mount member by locked engagement of at least one elongated pin successively received through paired side holes disposed in flanges of a hitch platform channel compresses a vibration dampener material upon the back panel of the hitch platform to thereby reduce the movement between the tow mount member and hitch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventors: Arvinder Singh, Hardeep Singh
  • Patent number: 11963916
    Abstract: A track assembly for a patient transport apparatus, comprising a rail defining a first end and a second end, an axle defining an axis, a roller supported about the axis, and a belt engaging roller and arranged for movement relative to the rail in response to rotation of the roller. A guide supports the axle for movement. A keeper coupled to the axle is operable between a disengaged configuration to permit movement of the axle, and an engaged configuration to restrict movement. A brace is operatively attached to the rail adjacent to the guide. A tensioning cam coupled to the axle defines a plurality of relief catches arranged for engagement with the brace. The relief catches are each shaped to remain in selective engagement with the brace effected by concurrent movement of the axle and the tensioning cam to tension the belt against the roller in the disengaged configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Tessmer, Nathan W. Matheny
  • Patent number: 11952052
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a service module may include a main body having an accommodation space in which an article is accommodated, a slam module installed on an upper portion of the main body, and a wire guide groove defined in the main body to guide an electric wire connected to the slam module. The slam module may has an upper end having a height lower than a height of a top surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chungin Jung, Sunho Yang, Eulpyo Hong
  • Patent number: 11951787
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer dampening system for dampening during variable road conditions experienced during long hours of travel. Secondly, the trailer dampening system encompasses a universal design that will allow for easy installation and application to multiple trailers. The trailer dampening system is provided having a barrel assembly joined to the trailer, a cylinder rod assembly adjoined to the barrel assembly by a connection assembly wherein a connection assembly first opening is configured to receive a coupler end cap proximal end of the cylinder rod assembly. In some embodiments, there is a reservoir system having a main reservoir, a valve assembly, and at least one connection line. In some embodiments, the trailer dampening system further comprises an electrical control system connected to the valve assembly and having an input device configured to receive an input, a battery, a plurality of sensors, and a microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Colton Farquer
  • Patent number: 11951785
    Abstract: A coupling device between a first vehicle (A) and a second vehicle (B) includes a hinge coupling section associated with the first vehicle (A) and a drawbar section associated with the second vehicle (B). The drawbar section has an arc-shaped guide arranged horizontally in front of the second vehicle (B) to extend from the right side to the left side thereof, a slider sliding along the arc-shaped guide and a telescopic arm integral with one end of the slider and rotatably connected to the coupling section. A steering assistance mechanism provides for redundancy of the steering members (S) of the second vehicle (B). The coupling device allows the automatic guide system to control the vehicle position and trajectories without any substantial exchange of forces through the device and allows the safe stop of the convoy when there are anomalies in the operation of the automatic guide system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE
    Inventors: Adriano Alessandrini, Fabio Cignini
  • Patent number: 11932328
    Abstract: A track assembly (15) for a track-driven vehicle, whereby the track-carrying beam (15) is arranged to hold a front and a rear wheel (16), one of which is driving, a plurality of carrying wheels about which wheels a continuous track travels, the track-carrying beam (15) is elongated and terminated by a first and a second gable end. The track-carrying beam (15) comprises an integrated compartment (37) and an opening (36) in one (35) of said gables, whereby the compartment (37) communicates with the surroundings via said opening (36), and whereby the opening (36) is arranged to allow for insertion of a transmission device for driving of said driving wheel (16) via the opening (36) in the compartment (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Forest AB
    Inventors: Henry Pettersson, Espen Miland
  • Patent number: 11926393
    Abstract: A propulsion device for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a mechanism for providing traction to a rear wheel for manual advancement of the vehicle and a first epicyclic gear reducer coupled with the mechanism and drivable by a first control device configured for varying the geometric configuration of the first epicyclic gear reducer and thus the gear ratio. A motor for assisting pedalling is interposed between the mechanism for the bottom bracket and the rear wheel and is coupled with a second epicyclic gear reducer, drivable by a second control device configured for varying the geometric configuration of the second epicyclic gear reducer and thus the corresponding gear ratio. The second epicyclic gear reducer is coupled and directly in contact with the rear wheel in order to transmit the movement from the propulsion device thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CUCCHI GIOVANNI & C. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Cesare Cucchi
  • Patent number: 11925590
    Abstract: An electric wheelchair includes a main frame; a drivable wheel supported by the main frame; an electric motor disposed on the main frame and configured to drive the drivable wheel; a clutch configured to switch a power transmission path from the electric motor to the drivable wheel between an engagement state and a disengagement state; and a clutch operation handle configured to be moved in a predetermined range in an up-down direction. The clutch operation handle is configured to operate the clutch so as to be in: (i) one of the engagement state or the disengagement state when the clutch operation handle is stopped at a lowest position of the predetermined range; and (ii) the other of the engagement state or the disengagement state when the clutch operation handle is stopped at a highest position of the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nagata, Motoki Hirose, Takeshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 11912080
    Abstract: A hitch system for automatically coupling a hitch accessory that has an attachment bar assembly with a hitch receiver. The attachment bar assembly includes a housing bar that is tubular, with a pin-hole through the housing bar. A pin-lever is pivotably mounted in the housing bar and includes a pin configured to retract into the housing bar and to extend out of the pin-hole. A ramp-component is disposed in the housing bar and is engageable with the pin-lever. An actuator selectively moves the ramp-component to retract the pin into the housing bar and to extend the pin out of the housing bar, by selectively enabling pivoting of the pin-lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Amanda Kalhous, Norman J Weigert, Radu D. Sotir
  • Patent number: 11903885
    Abstract: A wheelchair armrest storage system may include a housing for a wheelchair, where: the housing includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side, the housing extends longitudinally between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and at least one cover receiving cavity is defined in each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side. The wheelchair armrest storage system may further include a storage area defined within the housing, and a cover configured to translate within each of the at least one cover receiving cavity defined in each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Lee, Douglas A. Moore
  • Patent number: 11897570
    Abstract: A novel bicycle frameset created from a novel frame assembly and a novel fork assembly, where the components of the frame are joined together via the friction stir welding of the tubular components to partial bracket members and where the joining of the partial bracket members via friction stir welding rigidly connects the tubular components to create the frame, and where the components of the fork are joined together via friction stir welding of tubular components to a fork crown, and where the fork and frame combine form the frameset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Eller
  • Patent number: 11897578
    Abstract: A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a uni-body frame having a forward engine compartment, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and a front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The snow vehicle has a chain coupling the sprocket of the propulsion unit located outside of the frame and directly coupled to the belt drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Allen M. Mangum, Jimmy D. Brooks
  • Patent number: 11890903
    Abstract: A pin box assembly with gooseneck coupler for coupling a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle is described. The pin box assembly may include a first member capable of being secured to a towed vehicle and a second member pivotally coupled to the first member about an axis of rotation relative to the first member. The pin box assembly may further include a gooseneck ball coupler coupled to the second member, and a suspension system coupled to at least one of the first and second members, the suspension system damping motion between the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Michael R. Curl, Richard W. McCoy
  • Patent number: 11891133
    Abstract: Vehicles having a control console that may be moved between a plurality of locations relative to the body of the vehicle are disclosed. The control console may include a direction control device for controlling movement of the vehicle that is adaptive such that movement of the vehicle is based on both the direction at which the direction control device is actuated and the sensed position of the control console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Erickson, Tenny Lynn Hinshaw, David Joseph Hackman, Edward Darrin Hastings
  • Patent number: 11877964
    Abstract: A swing arm assembly for a foldable wheelchair consisting of a camber tube and adapters is disclosed. The adapters mount to the frame of the wheelchair and receive the ends of the camber tube. One end of the camber tube is pinned into an adapter such that it pivots. The other end is pinned in an adapter using a quick release pin. The camber tube improves the stability of the foldable wheelchair. When desired to fold the wheelchair, the quick release pin is removed and the camber tube is rotated approximately 90 degrees, thereby allowing the wheelchair to fold. The adapters may be mounted to the wheelchair frame or to stub axles if used. The swing arm assembly adds substantial stiffness and stability to a folding wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Tod Douglas Boretto, Martin Connolly
  • Patent number: 11878765
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snowmobile including an engine mounted on the chassis, a drive track in contact with the chassis, and a drive train, operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track. The drive train includes a driveshaft, comprising a tubular driveshaft including two or more interior channels, the channels positioned in a substantially longitudinal orientation, two or more sprocket driving features on an exterior surface of the tubular driveshaft, and one or more fitting components, positioned at one or more distal ends of the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin David Thompson, Gary O. Homme, Devin Joseph Danielson, Andrew Jon Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 11866121
    Abstract: An electric mobility vehicle including a front-wheel-side body, a rear-wheel-side body, a seat on which a passenger sits in an in-use state, and a linking mechanism that links the front-wheel-side body with the rear-wheel-side body so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis extending in a vehicle width direction. The electric mobility vehicle is foldable by pivoting the front-wheel-side body and the rear-wheel-side body relative to each other in a vehicle front-to-rear direction. The electric mobility vehicle includes a footrest provided in the front-wheel-side body, a front-end roller or a front-end caster provided in the front-wheel-side body and disposed at a vehicle front side relative to a front end of the front wheel in the in-use state, and comes into contact with the floor surface in the folded state to make the electric mobility vehicle stand alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: WHILL, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakagawa, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Masahiro Toriyama, Shogo Onishi, Ren Akama, Shuyu Hsu, Shin Nagata