Patents Examined by Frank B Vanaman
  • Patent number: 11975680
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat portion supported by a frame assembly. The seat portion includes a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting movement between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are operably coupled to one another by an actuator, and the second bracket is operable between first and second positions relative to the first bracket. A belt assembly includes a tether member and a belt member. The tether member is coupled between the first and second brackets, and the belt member is operable between a deployed position outside of the seatback, and a stowed position within an interior of the seatback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Rachel Demerly, Raed EL-Jawahri, Robyne McBride, Benjamin Yilma, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Kevin Michael Pline, S. M. Akbar Berry
  • Patent number: 11973239
    Abstract: A protection structure for an on-board battery. The on-board battery includes a battery stack and is configured to be mounted on a vehicle. The protection structure includes a first frame, a second frame, and a fixing member. The first frame is to be coupled to an upper portion of a battery case that contains the battery stack, so as to fix the battery case to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The second frame is to be disposed above the battery case and to be coupled to the first frame. The fixing member is to be fixed to the second frame so as to suspend and support the battery stack. The second frame is to be disposed in a direction crossing a longer direction of the battery stack and at least at an approximate center in the longer direction of the battery stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Yokoyama, Toshiyuki Hara, Shinichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 11970202
    Abstract: A steering column sleeve includes two elements made up of an outer tube and an inner tube, and a system for adjusting a resistive force against a relative translational movement between the elements. A friction pad is supported by a first of the elements, and a clamping surface is rigidly connected to a second of the elements, wherein the friction pad is configured to contact and bear on the clamping surface, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjusting mechanism includes a cam bearing on a support member to generate a variation in pressure of the friction pad on the clamping surface parallel to a reference axis that is fixed relative to the first element, between a use position and an adjustment position. The adjustment mechanism of the adjustment system is configured to generate a relative rotational movement between the cam and the support member about the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendôme
    Inventors: Laurent Fevre, Eddy Dupont
  • Patent number: 11964718
    Abstract: A joint assembly for a steering tie rod assembly includes a tie rod. The joint assembly also includes a yoke including a first leg and a second leg, wherein each of the first and second legs define a respective hole aligned with each other. The joint assembly further includes a first pin extending through each of the respective holes defined by the first leg and the second leg of the yoke and through a first hole of the tie rod. The joint assembly yet further includes a second pin disposed in a second hole defined by the tie rod and defining a central hole that the first pin extends through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Case Myers, Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer
  • Patent number: 11964581
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method may operatively couple to an integrated generator that supplies power to a component of a mobile machine that intermittently demands power during operation of the mobile machine and to a charging station. On condition that the component in the mobile machine does not need power, power may be supplied to the charging station. On condition that an electric mobile machine is connected to the charging station, power from the charging station may be supplied to the electric mobile machine. Otherwise, power may be supplied to the charging station in an energy accumulator to store the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Brian D. Nagel
  • Patent number: 11951946
    Abstract: An integrated roof step to enable an individual to access the roof of a vehicle. The integrated roof step includes a support member configured to support an object; a socket configured to be disposed in a door frame of a vehicle body, wherein the socket is configured to at least partially receive the support member such that a door of the vehicle is closable without the support member interfering with the vehicle door; and a mount configured to movably secure a portion of the support member to the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Stevenson, Michal Holcer, Kaitlyn Olah, Paula Lobaccaro, Daniel Cheng
  • Patent number: 11945295
    Abstract: An assembly includes a rocker elongated along a vehicle longitudinal axis. A first slider is supported by the rocker. A second slider is supported by the rocker and is spaced from the first slider along the longitudinal axis. A first actuator is configured to slide the first slider relative to the rocker along a lateral axis. A second actuator is configured to slide the second slider relative to the rocker along the lateral axis. A cable extends from the first slider to the second slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq, Saeed D. Barbat
  • Patent number: 11945540
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has an air ventilation system positioned adjacent a rearmost point of the front ground engaging members and directing air rearwardly through an engine compartment, wherein the air ventilation system includes at least one air scoop adjacent a front of the vehicle for directing the air. In addition, an ATV is disclosed having a rear rack having an integral storage bin, where the storage bin is one piece with the rear rack. The storage bin is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan K. Lovold
  • Patent number: 11945271
    Abstract: A rigid-flexible coupling multi-degree-of-freedom walking position-adjusting leg unit and a hybrid robot platform thereof is provided and includes a vertical rigid-flexible coupling multi-degree-of-freedom walking position-adjusting leg unit and a horizontal rigid-flexible coupling multi-degree-of-freedom walking position-adjusting leg unit, which both include a moving device, a moving drive, a steering frame, a lifting frame, a spring device and a driving differential wheel set, in combination with a frame, a driver set, a battery pack and a control box, forming a multi-degree-of-freedom parallel mechanism platform. The hybrid robot platform including the rigid-flexible coupling multi-degree-of-freedom walking position-adjusting leg unit as provided by the present disclosure has functions of a rigid position adjustment, an elastic suspension and a rigid-flexible coupling position adjustment, and can automatically adapt to a working condition of the uneven ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: YANSHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yulin Zhou, Shuyang Shi, Lihui Zhao, Xuesong Qiu, Zongqiang Feng, Yi Liu
  • Patent number: 11938777
    Abstract: A height adjustable top mount for adjusting a ride height of a vehicle comprising includes a top plate, a worm wheel, a core, and worm gear. The top plate is configured to mount to a body of the vehicle and movable between a first position and a second position. The worm wheel is received in the top plate and includes an inner wheel surface and an outer wheel surface. The core is received within the worm wheel and helically meshed to the inner wheel surface of the worm wheel. The worm gear is meshed to the outer wheel surface of the worm wheel. Rotation of the worm gear drives rotation of the worm wheel, rotation of the worm wheel simultaneously moves the top plate vertically relative to the core, and movement of the top plate adjusts the ride height of the vehicle in a corresponding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Victor Wong, Jeffrey Scott Shotwell
  • Patent number: 11938922
    Abstract: A motion control system that includes a support motion control system and a body motion control system. The body motion control system includes passive motion control components and active motion control components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Akhil J. Madhani, Robin A. Auckland, Giles D. Wood, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Xingchen Fan, Jonathan L. Hall, Paul J. Keas
  • Patent number: 11938812
    Abstract: A tandem wheel assembly or kit has a housing that includes a central chain box, a first wheel end casing, and a second wheel end casing. The central chain box has an internal volume extending between a first box end and a second box end, a unitary pivot portion having a box opening disposed about a pivot axis, a first box flange with a first box flange face and a second box flange with a second box flange face. The first wheel end casing has a first wheel end flange with a first wheel end flange face mateable with the first box flange face, a first wheel end opening, and defines a first length. The second wheel end casing has a second wheel end flange with a second wheel end flange face mateable with the second box flange face, a second wheel end opening, and defines a second length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Steven R. Fliearman, Jackson Baca, Prashant Shinde
  • Patent number: 11932310
    Abstract: A container of an all-terrain vehicle includes: a container body including a bottom plate and a front side plate, the front side plate being connected to a front-side edge of the bottom plate, the bottom plate being defined with a first through hole, and the front side plate being defined with a second through hole in communication with the first through hole; a first cover plate detachably arranged at the first through hole; a second cover plate detachably arranged at the second through hole and detachable relative to the first cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Segway Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mingyong Wang
  • Patent number: 11932329
    Abstract: A track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) etc.). The track system comprises a track and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly. The track system may have features to enhance its traction, floatation, and/or other aspects of its performance, including the track that may comprise reinforcing material (e.g., reinforcing polymeric material) that is stronger (e.g., stiffer, harder, and/or more resistant to wear) than elastomeric material of the track, such as to improve rigidity characteristics of the track, reduce noise generated by the track system, improve a resistance to wear of the track, and/or reduce a weight of the track. The reinforcing material may be provided as one or more thin layers constituting at least part (e.g., of a periphery) of one or more components of the track (e.g., a carcass, traction projections, and/or drive/guide lugs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventors: Jules Dandurand, Andy Levesque
  • Patent number: 11919359
    Abstract: A mobile crane drive assembly axle includes mutually independent suspensions of wheel carriers arranged on both sides of the drive assembly frame of the mobile crane. The suspensions each include at least one transverse control arm which couples the wheel carrier onto the drive assembly frame and is connected to the drive assembly frame such that it can be rotated about an axis which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drive assembly frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE GROUP FRANCE SAS
    Inventors: Bernd Backes, Dieter Stuhrwoldt, Frank C. Schnittker
  • Patent number: 11912093
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a memory storing a stored driver distribution profile of a driver input parameter and a stored suspension setting corresponding to the stored driver distribution profile. The system further includes a sensor to detect a current value of the driver input parameter. The system further includes a processor communicably coupled to the memory and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a current driver distribution profile of the driver input parameter based on the current value of the driver input parameter. The processor is configured to determine a current suspension setting based on the current driver distribution profile. The processor is configured to adjust the stored suspension setting to generate a stored adjusted suspension setting corresponding to the current suspension setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DRiV Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic Frans S Op de Beeck
  • Patent number: 11912086
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle and method for operating the same includes a shock absorber housing having a longitudinal axis, a spring disposed around the shock absorber housing, a retainer collar disposed around the shock absorber housing and an actuator engaged to the retainer collar. The actuator moves at least a portion of the retainer collar to move the spring in a direction corresponding the longitudinal axis. A switch generates a ride height position signal. A controller is coupled to the actuator and the switch. The controller controls a position of the actuator in response to the ride height position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon J. Steinmetz, Jonathon P. Graus, David D. Helgeson
  • Patent number: 11873196
    Abstract: A mobile crane, such as a crawler crane, including an undercarriage having a chassis and a superstructure rotatably supported on the undercarriage and having a pivotable boom. At least two platforms are permanently arranged at the superstructure via which the superstructure is walkable. The platforms each comprise a base and a railing that are movable from a transport position in which they contact the superstructure into a work position in which the bases are walkable and are secured by the railings, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK NENZING GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Nessler
  • Patent number: 11876239
    Abstract: An electric vehicle including side impact battery pack protection mechanism for reducing damage to a battery pack in the event of a side impact, the electric vehicle including a vehicle frame, a battery pack, and one or more side impact battery pack protection brackets configured to at least of enable the vehicle battery pack to shift along a vehicle width direction or enable physical separation of the battery pack from the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: POLESTAR PERFORMANCE AB
    Inventor: Robert Wassmur
  • Patent number: 11866095
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for multi-position wheel assembly mounts. An example vehicle frame disclosed herein includes apertures adjacent to each of a plurality of wheel assembly locations on the vehicle frame, and a wheel assembly mount at each of the wheel assembly locations, the wheel assembly mount having protrusions extending toward the vehicle frame and positionable in the apertures in a first position to provide a first ride height of the vehicle frame and a second position to provide a second ride height of the vehicle frame, the first ride height less than the second ride height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Marielle Conrad, Benjamin Jordan Curtis, David Earl Ooms, Yejin Han