Patents Examined by Felicia L Brittman
  • Patent number: 11511798
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering unit includes a pressure port connected to a main flow path and a tank port connected to a tank flow path, and a working port arrangement having left and right working flow paths. A first bridge arrangement has first left and first right orifices connected to the main flow path and to first left or first right connecting points, respectively, each connecting point associated respectively with the left or right working flow paths, and second left and second right orifices connected to the tank flow path and to the first left or first right connecting points, respectively. A second bridge arrangement has a similar orifice arrangement connected to second left or second right connecting points. The first and second bridge arrangements have different steering characteristics. Selection means for connecting one of the bridge arrangements between the pressure port and the working port arrangement are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApS
    Inventors: Mogens Frederiksen, Poul Ennemark, Casper Mikael Olesen, Niels Arbjerg, Charles Anthony Bates
  • Patent number: 11498615
    Abstract: A steering torque feedback assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a housing, a first gear rotatably mounted within the housing about a first rotatable axis and being configured to rotate with, or being connected to, a vehicle steering column, first and second electric motors mounted within the housing, each having a rotatable output shaft, second and third gears rotatably mounted within the housing and engaged with the first gear, and first and second reduction gearing connecting the output of the first and second motors and a respective one of the second and third gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Russell Wilson-Jones, Mark Anthony Wilkes
  • Patent number: 11492064
    Abstract: The present invention is a swingarm suspension bicycle frame that is designed to allow nesting of the swingarm within the main frame of the bicycle frame, thereby allowing the bicycle frame to be packed and shipped in a smaller package than prior art bicycles of similar frame and wheel size, and a method for nesting such a suspension bicycle frame. In one or more embodiments, the pivot bearing to which the pivot point of the swingarm is attached is positioned along the seat support member of the main frame at a distance from the bottom of the bracket mount of the seat support member that is at least as great as the distance from the pivot point of the swingarm to the shock absorber mounting point of the swingarm. Such a location allows the swingarm to be nested within the main frame of the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Frank Michael Weyer
  • Patent number: 11465668
    Abstract: A handwheel actuator assembly includes a handwheel shaft configured to receive a handwheel; a feedback device operable to provide a variable level of resistance to rotation of the handwheel shaft; and a handwheel shaft position sensor operable to sense an angular position of the handwheel shaft. The handwheel shaft position sensor may be mounted on a circuit board. The circuit may comprise a controller that is configured to receive signals from the handwheel shaft position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Russell Wilson-Jones
  • Patent number: 11459030
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring a torque in a force-feedback actuator for a steer-by-wire steering system has a housing element, a control unit, a drive apparatus, and a transmission apparatus to be coupled to a steering device. At least one motion sensor detects a motion of the transmission apparatus relative to the housing element and provide a motion signal resulting from the motion to the control unit. The transmission apparatus is coupled to the housing element by way of at least one reset-reversible adjusting device which has at least one mechanical property. A torque of the transmission apparatus, and thus of a connectable steering device, may be ascertained by the control unit using the at least one mechanical property, which has at least one changing state value during the movement of the transmission apparatus, in combination with the motion signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christopher Kreis, Thomas Knopp, Peter Marx, Mirko Przybylski, Ernst Wilske
  • Patent number: 11459058
    Abstract: In a suspension for a vehicle including a pre-load adjustment mechanism, the pre-load adjustment mechanism includes a pre-load controller and an intermediate member, the pre-load controller being arranged at one end portion and receiving a spring, the intermediate member being sandwiched between the pre-load controller and the spring, the pre-load controller fits in an outer circumferential portion of the one end portion and is movable in the stroke direction by turning on a thread portion of the outer circumferential portion, the one end portion includes a long groove portion in the outer circumferential portion, the long groove portion extending in the stroke direction, the intermediate member has a ring-shape and is movable in the stroke direction, the outer circumferential portion being inserted to the ring-shape, and the intermediate member includes an engagement portion that engages with the long groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masayuki Hiramaru
  • Patent number: 11427043
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tow trailer having a structure (5) for lifting and transporting cargo and unloading them, the trailer is drawn by a suitable tow apparatus. The trailer comprises a lifting device (1) to lift and unload the cargo, wherein the lifting device is coupled to forks. The trailer moves stably due to mounting the lifting device stably in a part of the front side of the trailer, and the presence of wheels mounted in both sides thereof. The trailer has a bar (8) in the rear side, and it also has one or more barriers (7) in the middle of the trailer so as to be under the cargo. The trailer is provided with a trailer jack (2) mounted in the bearing positions of the trailer in order to stabilize it during lifting or unloading the cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Fahad Alrajhi
  • Patent number: 11420516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wheeled vehicle. The wheeled vehicle includes various features for operation by a rider, such as a throttle actuation assembly and various components for operation and manipulation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Bryce R. Evans, William B. Rodriguez, Scott D. Taylor, Joel B. Kelso, Michael J. Hanten
  • Patent number: 11420489
    Abstract: An implement mount for height adjustable mounting of an implement to a vehicle. The mount features a hitch coupler for mating with a single-point hitch of the vehicle to reach longitudinally therefrom, and a guide frame defining at least one guide slot lying transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hitch coupler in an upright orientation. At least one link arm is pivotally supported on the hitch coupler, and an implement carrier is coupled to the link arm proximate a rear end thereof. A follower arrangement is engaged between the link arm and the guide slot to constrain movement of the implement carrier to movement along the guide slot. Pivotal movement of the link arm in a first direction lifts the implement carrier along the guide slot, while pivotal moment in a second direction lowers the implement carrier along the guide slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Lionforge Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Loewen
  • Patent number: 11407460
    Abstract: A load transporting apparatus is configured to move a load bearing frame carrying a load over a base surface. A support foot provides a first load bearing surface. A lift mechanism during a step operation raises the support foot off of the base surface, lowers the support foot onto the base surface, and raise the load off of the base surface. A first travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism and attached load along a non-linear horizontal path and a second travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism along a different horizontal path. A control system operates the first travel mechanism and the second travel mechanism to move the lift mechanism along a selected horizontal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan B. Smith, Shawn R. Smith, Jason Ross, Raymond Rafe Rouse
  • Patent number: 11396324
    Abstract: In the event of a malfunction in the supply of hydraulic fluid to the a braking device actuating device a hydraulic system has a manually actuated emergency-operation valve arrangement which is formed in such a way that, after the manual actuation thereof, a fluid connection is created between a steering device actuating device and the a pressure chamber of the braking device actuating device. The emergency-operation valve arrangement has a valve block in which flow paths are formed which can be shut off by means of shut-off screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventor: Burkhard Frank
  • Patent number: 11383757
    Abstract: A shaft for a steering device has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion that is a shaft integrated with the first portion and the second portion and couples the first portion and the second portion in a first direction. The outer diameter of the third portion is smaller than the length of the second portion in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and is constant across a direction extending along the first direction. The hardness of the third portion is greater than the hardness of the second portion, and is constant across the direction extending along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Kaname Yasuda, Tatsuya Suehiro, Kazuya Yamada
  • Patent number: 11377144
    Abstract: A quick response steering system with a steering device that steers a vehicle. An electro-hydraulic steering circuit couples to the steering device. The electro-hydraulic steering circuit includes a load sensing pump that pumps hydraulic fluid to a steering cylinder. The load sensing pump increases or decreases output from the load sensing pump in response to a pressure differential between a first fluid line and a second fluid line. A precharge valve diverts hydraulic fluid from the first fluid line to the second fluid line. A controller couples to the steering device and the precharge valve. The controller opens the precharge valve in response to input from the steering device to change a first pressure of the first fluid line to increase an output of the load sensing pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jerry L. Brinkley, Joshua Guarino
  • Patent number: 11370482
    Abstract: A trailer including a hydraulic steering system includes: a trailer body; a plurality of axles connected to the trailer body; a steering cylinder connected to at least one axle of the plurality of axles and configured to turn the at least one axle; a sensing cylinder; a controller; and a hydraulic steering system. The hydraulic steering system includes a hydraulic circuit including a plurality of hoses and valves, and the steering cylinder is in fluid communication with at least one of the sensing cylinder and the controller. The hydraulic steering system is configured to transition between: (1) an automatic steering mode and (2) a manual steering mode. A towing system and a method of steering a trailer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Master Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Lutz, Steve Keitel
  • Patent number: 11364973
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes: an engine; an electric motor; a transmission; a main clutch; a primary gear configured to transmit rotational power from the engine to the main clutch; a pump including a driven shaft to which rotational power is input from the engine and the electric motor; a first one-way clutch configured to transmit power from the engine to the pump; and a second one-way clutch configured to transmit power from the electric motor to the pump. The first one-way clutch and the second one-way clutch are disposed around the input shaft and located between the primary gear and a gear train of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Nishiyabu
  • Patent number: 11358633
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a vehicle may include a frame having longitudinal axis. The vehicle may include a steering assembly having a steering input and at least one wheel. The steering assembly may be coupled to the frame and configured to steer the vehicle based on input from a steering input. The vehicle may include a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel. The vehicle may include a steering position sensor configured to detect steering input including a position of the steering input and at least one of i) a rate of change of position of steering input and ii) steering position time. The vehicle may include at least one controller configured to process a signal from the steering position sensor and, in response to the processed signal, drive the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, the first drive wheel being driven independent of the second drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: Robert William Davies, Nicholas E. Kuzma, Stephen Antonishak, James P. Mulhern, Anthony Letukas
  • Patent number: 11345439
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Dong Won Lee, Youngtack Shim
  • Patent number: 11337355
    Abstract: A trailer device for an agricultural vehicle includes a frame part and a guide part longitudinally, displaceably mounted in the frame part. The guide part includes a coupling element provided on an end face. The frame part is pivoted by a lifting apparatus for raising and lowering the coupling element relative to a base frame for attaching to a load-bearing vehicle structure. The device includes at least one spring element arranged between the base frame and the frame part such that the spring element exerts a pretensioning force on the frame part for assisting the raising of the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Abhijeet Hingne, Amol Adsul, Benjamin Spohn
  • Patent number: 11331818
    Abstract: A remotely controlled packable robot includes a chassis, a motive subsystem for maneuvering the chassis, and an open channel under the robot defined by the chassis and the motive subsystem. A rearward arm base member mount is located between the chassis and a rotatable arm shoulder and is pivotable with respect to the chassis to store the arm underneath the robot in the open channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Meeker, Timothy J. Mason, Andrew Kirouac, Christopher Leon, William Abraham Crowley, Ryan Wasserman
  • Patent number: 11331232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair improvement kit and a manual wheelchair. The improvement kit includes an anti-tip device including a pair of multifunction tube assemblies. Each multifunction tube assembly includes a mount tube configured for pivotally mounting one on each side of the wheelchair, a slide tube slidably engaged to the mount tube where both ends of the slide tube extend beyond the mount tube, a slide tube brake engaging or releasing the position of the slide tube relative to the mount tube, and an extendable pole inserted into the top of the slide tube. The top of the extendable pole is fitted with a hand grip. The anti-tip device further includes a pair of guide tubes configured for mounting one on each side of the wheelchair. When the multifunction tube assembly is used as the anti-tip device, the slide tube passes through the guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Marvin Joseph Glover