Patents Examined by Frank Vanaman
-
Patent number: 9837645Abstract: An onboard battery mounted in a front section of a space located behind a rearmost seat of an automobile includes: an assembly battery including electrode terminals arranged on a rear surface of the assembly battery in a vehicle frontward and rearward direction; and a battery case housing the assembly battery. A case rear-surface member forming a rear surface of the battery case is provided with a ridge portion that faces at least a part of a rear surface of the assembly battery in the vehicle frontward and rearward direction in a manner so as to avoid the electrode terminals, the ridge portion projecting toward the assembly battery. When the case rear-surface member moves toward the assembly battery, the ridge portion comes into contact with the assembly battery before the case rear-surface member applies force to the electrode terminals.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yusuke Katayama, Koichi Nagamine, Naoki Fukusako
-
Patent number: 9802475Abstract: A motor vehicle front end part (1) has a device for influencing a cooling air flow. The device has an adjustable flap (22) that extends in a vehicle transverse direction and that is assigned to an air inlet opening (10) with an air inlet cross section (12). To provide a motor vehicle front end part that is of simple design and can be produced cost-effectively, the flap (20) is arranged in front of the air inlet cross section (12) in a vehicle longitudinal direction to such an extent that, if the flap (20) is in an operative position, the cooling air flow (22, 23) is channeled completely or virtually completely past the air inlet opening (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Thomas Wolf
-
Patent number: 9802771Abstract: A trailer stabilizing device for stabilizing a parked freight trailer, the trailer stabilizing device comprising a frame separate from the support frame of the parked freight trailer, the stabilizing device frame having mounted thereto wheels and a hitch, the stabilizing device including a repositionable jack.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Inventors: R. Peter Kimener, Thomas Terrence Kimener, Daniel Wahlstrom
-
Patent number: 9789832Abstract: A hitch plate includes a hitch plate body having a heightwise extending portion sized and configured to extend alongside a rear of a utility vehicle and a lengthwise extending portion sized and configured to extend underneath the utility vehicle. The hitch plate further includes a male receiver hitch portion extending outwardly from the heightwise extending portion of the hitch plate body over the lengthwise extending portion of the hitch plate body and a female receiver hitch portion extending outwardly from the heightwise extending portion of the hitch plate body in a direction opposite the male receiver hitch portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Inventor: Mark Altemeier
-
Patent number: 9782665Abstract: An inline frame for an inline skate, designed to mimic the properties of an ice hockey skate blade on ice. The inline frame includes at least one first connection part intended to be connected to a boot and at least two wheels positioned essentially in the inline frame's longitudinal direction. The unique thing about the inline frame is that it includes an upper chassis section and a lower chassis section which via a coupling element are arranged to be rotatable in the inline frame's longitudinal direction, and that the upper chassis section includes at least one first contact surface and that the lower chassis section includes at least one second contact surface, where at least one of the first contact surface and the second contact surface is curvilinear.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: FLOW MOTION TECHNOLOGY ABInventor: Per Mars
-
Patent number: 9776571Abstract: A vehicle retractable step assembly includes a support member, a support arm, a step member and a restricting assembly. The support member is configured to attach to a vehicle body structure. The support arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is supported to the support member for pivoting movement with respect to the support member. The step member is attached to the second end of the support arm for pivotal movement relative to the second end of the support arm between a retracted orientation where the step member is located adjacent to the support member and an extended orientation where the step member is spaced apart from the support member. The restricting assembly is releasably attached to the support member and positioned to prevent pivoting movement of the support arm relative to the support member.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Hugo Fortin, Asaad Agis, Ruben Rodriguez
-
Patent number: 9777611Abstract: An inlet port (17A) of a first exhaust gas purifying device (16) is provided on a side opposite to an engine (8) by sandwiching an axis (O1-O1) of a cylindrical body (17) of the first exhaust gas purifying device (16). An exhaust pipe (26) connecting the engine (8) and the first exhaust gas purifying device (16) is constituted by a lateral pipe line (27) extending in a left and right direction of an upper revolving structure (3) on a front side of the first exhaust gas purifying device (16) and having a bellows pipe (28) in the middle for absorbing relative displacement between the engine (8) and the first exhaust gas purifying device (16) and a bent pipe line (29) bent having a U-shape rearward from a tip end side of the lateral pipe line (27) and connected to the inlet port (17A) of the first exhaust gas purifying device (16).Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Azuma, Jun Yamabayashi, Takahiro Kobayashi
-
Patent number: 9752302Abstract: A working machine includes: a motor; a fan arranged above the motor, the fan being configured to generate an air flow downward; a radiator arranged above the fan; and an oil cooler arranged adjacent to the radiator. In addition, the working machine includes: a shroud disposed around fan, the shroud including: a rim portion forming an air vent hole, the air vent hole being for passage of the air flow generated by the fan; and a support member attached to an upper portion of the shroud, the support member being configured to support the radiator and the oil cooler.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventors: Yuji Yamashita, Ryohei Sumiyoshi, Satoshi Tajima, Kunihiro Suzuki, Hayato Kawano, Hiroyuki Anami, Hajime Tamaki
-
Patent number: 9744844Abstract: A motor drive unit, in which an output end of a motor drive system using an electric motor as a power source and a rotator rotatably supported by a bearing unit are arranged side by side in an axial direction, and the output end of the motor drive system and the rotator are drivingly coupled in a relatively displaceable manner by a coupling member in which a plurality of couplers spaced apart in an axial direction are set. The bearing unit of the rotator is arranged such that a center of displacement of the rotator defined by the bearing unit is located between an arbitrary pair of couplers among the couplers.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Senoo, Katsunori Asogawa
-
Patent number: 9738176Abstract: An assembly includes a traction battery of an electrified vehicle, and a blend door moveable between a first position that permits a first flow of air to move toward the traction battery and a second position that permits a second flow of air to move toward the traction battery. The first flow includes more air that has moved through an engine compartment than the second flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows, Chung-hsing Kuo, Steve F. Chorian, Dhanunjay Vejalla
-
Patent number: 9738342Abstract: Multi-wheeled vehicles, such as scooters, may include a body, a rear wheel, and a steering assembly. The steering assembly may include a steering shaft, a wheel support chassis, a first front wheel, and a second front wheel. The wheel support chassis is pivotally coupled to the steering shaft for rotation about a chassis pivot axis. The first and second front wheels are rotatingly coupled to the wheel support chassis about respective rotational axes. The second front wheel is at least substantially inline with the first front wheel and located closer to the rear wheel than the first front wheel when the steering shaft is in a forward straight orientation.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Acorn Products, LLCInventors: Scott H. Stillinger, Kathryn Kelsey Anne Stillinger
-
Patent number: 9731745Abstract: A stroller includes: a first stroller component and a second stroller component. At least one of the first and second stroller components is movable from a first position to a second position. The stroller also includes: a drive mechanism operatively engaged with the at least one of the first and second stroller components to move the at least one of the first and second stroller components from its first position to its second position; and a disengaging mechanism for disengaging the operative engagement between the drive mechanism and the at least one of the first and second stroller components to facilitate manual movement of the at least one of the first and second stroller components.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Thorley Industries LLCInventors: Henry F. Thorne, Robert D. Daley, Mary J. Koes
-
Patent number: 9731594Abstract: A natural gas filling system for a vehicle includes a piping system defining a first flow path, a receptacle, a tank, and a cooling circuit. The piping system includes a first end and a second end. The receptacle is coupled to the first end of the piping system, and the receptacle is configured to engage a natural gas filling station. The tank is in fluid communication with the receptacle and is configured to store a natural gas supply. The cooling circuit defines a second flow path and includes an expansion valve configured to reduce a pressure of a secondary fluid flow. The second flow path is in thermal communication with the first flow path such that heat transfer from the piping system into the cooling circuit cools the natural gas flowing between the receptacle and the tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventor: Grant D. Wildgrube
-
Patent number: 9724992Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a first rotating electrical machine, a second rotating electrical machine, a clutch, an electrical storage device, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control the first rotating electrical machine, the second rotating electrical machine, the clutch, and the internal combustion engine, such that the hybrid vehicle runs while making a changeover among a plurality of running modes. The plurality of the running modes includes series hybrid running and parallel hybrid running. The electronic control unit is configured to set a range of state of charge of the electrical storage device such that the range of state of charge that is set during the parallel hybrid running includes a region of state of charge that is higher than the range of state of charge that is set during the series hybrid running.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kuniaki Niimi
-
Patent number: 9717300Abstract: A skate assembly includes a shell structure and a removable tendon guard. The shell structure includes a heel portion, a lateral ankle portion, and a medial ankle portion. The heel portion is formed to cover a human heel. The lateral ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The medial ankle portion is formed to extend beyond the heel portion. The lateral ankle portion and the medial ankle portion are spaced apart to form a notch extending toward the heel portion. The removable tendon guard is removably attached between the lateral ankle portion and medial ankle portion to cover the notch.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: BAUER HOCKEY, LLC.Inventors: Scott Van Horne, David Wright Cruikshank
-
Patent number: 9714631Abstract: An air cleaner is arranged below a fuel tank of a straddle type disposed above left and right main frames. The air cleaner includes a main chamber which is located between the main frames, and a sub-chamber which is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the main frames. A rear section of the sub-chamber and a rear section of the element within the sub-chamber are located in a space formed between each outside wall surface of the main frames and an inside wall surface of the fuel tank. A front section of the sub-chamber and a front section of the element project forwardly of the fuel tank in a side view of the vehicle. The front section of the sub-chamber is provided with the fastening means for fastening the side cover (the element lid) which covers the element from the outside in the vehicle width direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinya Koyama, Satoru Yamasaki
-
Patent number: 9694662Abstract: A mechanical and electric drive train of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, includes a conventional drive train which is driven by the internal combustion engine, an electric motor drive train which is driven by an electric motor, a shift gearbox arranged in the conventional drive train, and at least one axle drive unit for driving axle drive members which are connected or are connectable via a clutch to driving wheels of at least one axle of the motor vehicle. The electric motor drive train is connected between the shift gearbox and the axle drive members to the drive train via at least one first clutch device, wherein the connection can be produced and eliminated by actuation of the first clutch device.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: GKN Automotive Ltd.Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Matthias Adelt, Klaus Matschker, Michael Hock, Theo Gassmann
-
Patent number: 9694671Abstract: A natural gas system for a vehicle includes a fuel pod, a conduit defining a flow path, a fuel control module, and an accumulator. The fuel pod includes a fuel tank configured to store natural gas. The conduit includes a first end coupled to the fuel pod and a second end configured to be coupled to an engine. The fuel control module is disposed along the flow path and configured to regulate a flow of natural gas to the engine. The accumulator is disposed along the flow path downstream of the fuel control module. The accumulator is configured to buffer variations in the flow of natural gas such that the engine receives a consistent flow of natural gas.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: Grant D. Wildgrube, Clint D. Glunz, Shashank Bhatia, Bryan S. Datema
-
Patent number: 9688098Abstract: A wheel hub cover arrangement for covering an outwardly directed wheel hub opening of a wheel hub, which has a cover surface element which is connected to the wheel hub via a wall member and a connection member in such a way that the cover surface element and the wall member enclose a cover volume, wherein at least one venting opening for venting and for pressure-equalizing a vehicle shaft connected to the wheel hub is provided, wherein at least one outlet opening for removing splash water from the cover volume is provided in the wall member, wherein provisions are provided which ensure a fluid connection of the outlet opening with the surroundings of the wall member.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Friedrich Feicha, Dietmar Becker, Konstantin Kirsch
-
Patent number: 9682597Abstract: Systems, apparatus, devices, brackets, assemblies, and methods for a wheel hub with interchangeable caps for changing the appearance of wheels having exposed lug nuts about a center hole. A bracket having both a small cap and a large cap can be used on an existing wheel which exposes a center hole and the lug nuts. A smaller cap can be used to cover only the center hole of the wheel. A larger cap can be used to cover both the center hole and the exposed lug nuts on the wheel. The bracket is a base that allows for either a small cap or large cap to be interchangeably used to change the exterior appearance of the wheel. The bracket can be integrated with the wheel, or be attachable onto the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Inventor: Demetrios Mavrofrides