Patents Examined by Harold Eric Pahlck, III
  • Patent number: 11813212
    Abstract: An assistive mobility device comprising a seat and knee pad, the knee pad arranged to lift a person in a kneeling position into said seat and stabilize said person in said seat, maintaining supportive contact with the person's legs. The seat and knee pad each have an independent rotational tilt adjustment and can be raised and lowered together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: RAPADAPT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Devin Hamilton, Robert Karz
  • Patent number: 11786425
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a wheelchair system that includes a wheelchair and an exoskeleton. The wheelchair includes a frame, a pair of armrests coupled to the frame, and a control unit. The pair of armrests movable between an attached position and a detached position. When in the attached position, each one of the pair of armrests are coupled to the frame and when in the detached position, each one of the pair of armrests is removed from the frame. The exoskeleton is communicatively coupled to the control unit via a cable extending between the exoskeleton and the control unit. The exoskeleton being releasably coupled to at least a portion of the frame of the wheelchair. The wheelchair system is translatable between a wheelchair mode and an exoskeleton mode such that, when in the exoskeleton mode, the control unit provides electrical power and control signals to the exoskeleton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Dario Jose Villarreal Suarez
  • Patent number: 11772730
    Abstract: A system for estimating the behavior of a cyclist on a bicycle and/or of the quality of a road along a path followed by said bicycle, comprising: a sensor configured to detect the vertical acceleration of the bicycle and to supply a signal representative of the same; a module for estimating vertical impacts configured to: receive at the input the signal representative of the vertical acceleration for a determined time; acknowledge one or more first portions of the signal representative of the vertical acceleration, containing peaks due to vertical impacts, and one or more second portions of the signal representative of the vertical acceleration devoid of said peaks due to vertical impacts, wherein said one or more first portions of the signal representative of the vertical acceleration are indicative of the cyclist's behavior, and said one or more second portions of the signal representative of the vertical acceleration are indicative of the road quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ZEHUS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Berretta, Marcello Segato, Paolo Lisanti
  • Patent number: 11738823
    Abstract: A bicycle comprises a front wheel; a rear wheel; a frame comprising a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion, the articulating frame portion comprising: a lower arm pivotally supported at a first axis by the main frame portion; an upper frame link pivotally supported at a second axis by the main frame portion; an upper arm pivotally coupled to the upper frame link at a third axis; an upper shock link pivotally coupled to the upper frame link and the upper arm at the third axis; and a lower shock link pivotally coupled to the main frame portion and the lower arm at the first axis; and a shock absorber having a first end pivotally supported at a fourth axis by the main frame portion, and a second end pivotally supported at a fifth axis by the upper shock link and the lower shock link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Loy Chamberlain, Brian Daniel Robinson, Etienne Warnery, Jeffrey Keith Bowers
  • Patent number: 11737937
    Abstract: A wheelchair W includes: a column shaft (50) extending from the rear portion of a front fork (51) and turnably supported by a vehicle-body frame (2); a rocking bar (81a) that is rockably attached to the vehicle-body frame (2) and rocks according to a force applied by a rider; and a link mechanism (82) that joins the rocking bar (81a) and the column shaft (50) and turns the column shaft (50) according to rock of the rocking bar (81a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Takado, Yasushi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11730644
    Abstract: A wheelchair comprises a frame and two main wheels each coupled to a hand rim for actuating the wheels in both directions of rotation and for braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: EPPUR
    Inventors: Colin Gallois, Lancelot Durand
  • Patent number: 11718360
    Abstract: A mounting system for a bicycle steering angle sensor is presented herein. The mounting system is capable of being mounted to a steering assembly of a bicycle with an angle sensor coaxially aligned with the steering axis. The steering assembly includes a steering tube, a stem and a headset, such that the headset is structured to provide a rotatable interface between the steering tube and a frame head tube. The mounting system includes a housing defining an interior portion and a bottom mounting portion. The bottom mounting portion of the housing is fixedly mountable to a portion of the steering assembly of the bicycle via a top cap mounting fastener. The angle sensing device is disposed within the housing and at least partially rotatable with the housing to determine an amount of angular rotation applied thereto. An attachment assembly maintains a coupler in a fixed position while the housing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel J. McAllister
  • Patent number: 11713092
    Abstract: A drop-out mounting structure of a bicycle frame to inhibit a drop-out member from being separated from the bicycle frame is disclosed. The drop-out mounting structure of the bicycle frame for mounting a drop-out member as a wheel mounting unit to a drop-out mounting unit of a bicycle frame through a bolt may include an assembly slot formed at the drop-out mounting unit to insert the drop-out member inside the drop-out mounting unit and a stopper unit formed at an upper end part of the drop-out member with a length that is longer than an opening end of the assembly slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jungnam Choi
  • Patent number: 11697455
    Abstract: A turning system is configured to move a turning shaft to turn a left wheel and a right wheel of a vehicle. The turning shaft is configured to couple the left wheel and the right wheel to each other. A torsion bar is engaged with the turning shaft via a steering gear box. The turning system includes: a turning mechanism including (i) an electric turning mechanism including an electric motor configured to rotate a portion of the torsion bar which is located upstream of the steering gear box and (ii) a hydraulic turning mechanism configured to apply a moving force to the turning shaft in an axial direction, the moving force being produced by a hydraulic pressure; and an electric-motor controller configured to control the electric motor based on a frictional force in the turning mechanism and a road-surface reaction force that acts between (a) a tire on the left wheel and a tire on the right wheel and (b) a road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ruriko Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11690770
    Abstract: A multifunctional wheelchair contains: a body, a support plate, a lifting seat, and a shampoo basin. The body includes a retractable mounting, a chair back, at least one drive device, and two frames. The two frames have two main wheels, the two frames have two guide wheels, and the two armrests are arranged on a second drive device. A respective armrest has an abutting portion, and the retractable mounting have two racks. The support plate is detachably engaged on the retractable mounting of the body. The lifting seat is removably engaged on the retractable mounting of the body, and the lifting seat includes a saddle on a third drive device which is configured to drive the saddle to lift or descend adjustably. The shampoo basin is detachably connected on the chair back and included a washing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Su, Yu-Min Chang
  • Patent number: 11691668
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering arrangement includes a supply port arrangement having at least a supply port, a return port arrangement having at least a return port, a working port arrangement having two working ports, a first valve arrangement having a first supply side connected to the supply port arrangement and a first output side connected to the working port arrangement, a second valve arrangement having a second supply side connected to the supply port arrangement and a second output side connected to the working port arrangement, and a steering command device. In a neutral steering angle, the second valve arrangement connects the first output side to the return port arrangement and the first valve arrangement connects the second output side to the return port arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApS
    Inventors: Morten Hoeck Petersen, Jens Vester
  • Patent number: 11667325
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit, in particular to a hydraulic steering circuit for steering at least one vehicle axle, the hydraulic circuit including a first fluid path having a first end and a second end and providing fluid communication or selective fluid communication between the first end and the second end of the first fluid path; and a second fluid path providing fluid communication or selective fluid communication between the first end of the first fluid path and the second end (2) of the first fluid path, in parallel to the first fluid path or to a section thereof. In some aspects, the first fluid path includes a first hydraulic displacement unit; and the second fluid path includes at least a first proportional bypass control valve for controlling a bypass fluid flow in the second fluid path. The hydraulic steering circuit may be part of a driveline for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Moser, Stefano Fasano, Maurizio Bartoli
  • Patent number: 11661147
    Abstract: A system and method for deploying scratchers for a tracked vehicle, such as a snowmobile, are described. The scratchers can be deployed in response to the engine temperature of the tracked vehicle exceeding a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the scratchers can be deployed via actuation of a switch by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Morgan L. Bernier
  • Patent number: 11660241
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a wheelchair power assist device configured to be installed, uninstalled and exchanged using an exchange tab welded to a wheelchair, and when installed to switch a motorized friction roller between engaged and disengaged modes with a wheelchair wheel, based on an engagement actuator configured to move the friction roller relative to the wheelchair. The friction roller may be operably coupled with an engagement member configured to move relative to the wheelchair. The engagement member may be moved by an extendable and retractable actuator shaft coupled with the wheelchair. A manual wheelchair may be converted to a powered wheelchair using a motorized friction roller for each wheelchair wheel while leaving an open space behind the wheelchair seating area, advantageously permitting the power assist devices to remain attached to a foldable wheelchair in either folded or unfolded configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: RODA FUTURA, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Peskin, Vivek Nagar, Audrey Wilson, Jonathan Slavin, Roger Baumann
  • Patent number: 11661098
    Abstract: A fixed bearing for a steering gear includes a bearing sleeve, and ball bearing having an inner bearing shell and outer bearing shell. The inner shell is configured to hold a pinion shaft of the steering gear. The outer shell is held in the sleeve. Each shell respectively has at least one guide groove to hold and guide bearing balls, and a pivot ring with an outer ring and inner ring pivotably connected via at least one torsion web. The inner ring is connected to the sleeve. The outer ring is configured to mount the fixed bearing in a steering gear housing. At least one shell is formed from partial shells, each partial shell defining at least a portion of the respective guide groove. The multi-part design enables relatively large guide groove shoulders and a correspondingly relatively high ball bearing load-bearing capacity even under a relatively high tilting load during steering gear operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Ekkehard Kneer, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Patent number: 11642258
    Abstract: A multifunctional mobility device includes a frame that is configurable between a plurality of modes corresponding to at least a power wheelchair mode, a power scooter mode, and a power walker mode, a plurality of motorized wheels mounted to the frame, and handles pivotally coupled to the frame and communicatively coupled to the plurality of motorized wheels. Pivoting the handles operates the plurality of motorized wheels, wherein each handle is independently pivotable to independently drive rotation of a motorized wheel of the plurality of motorized wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Patent number: 11628107
    Abstract: A leg assembly configured to be used with a wheelchair that may be constructed of various mechanical and manual powered components to reduce the cost and unreliability of motor, electric, or otherwise non-manual powered adjustable wheelchairs. A combination wheelchair and leg assembly that may be constructed of various mechanical and manual powered components. The leg assembly disclosed may alternatively be motor powered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: Alexander Reznikov
  • Patent number: 11613325
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is provided. The two-wheeled vehicle includes a chassis, and a first wheel carriage moveably coupled to, and longitudinally displaceable relative to the chassis. At least a first wheel is rotationally mounted on the first wheel carriage, and coupled to the chassis through the first wheel carriage. The two-wheeled vehicle further includes a first linear actuator system coupled to the first wheel carriage, and configured to longitudinally displace the first wheel carriage relative to the chassis. A first motor is mounted to the first wheel and the first wheel carriage. The first motor is configured to provide a drive energy to the first wheel, and to be displaced along with the first wheel carriage as the first wheel is displaced by the first linear actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Piaggio Fast Forward Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Schnapp, Gregory Lynn, Nazareth Ekmekjian, Rossitza Kotelova, Jarrod Smith, Eddie Carrillo, Amos Ambler, Huicheng Wang, Carlos Asmat, Joshua Elvander, Onorino Di Tanna
  • Patent number: 11607354
    Abstract: An electrical power assistance device designed to be removably coupled to existing transport wheelchairs to provide electric power to aid in transportation of a person sitting in the wheelchair, while being detachable to allow the transport chair to fold up for easy storage in a car or other vehicle. The electrical power assistance device includes a motor powered by a rechargeable battery, where the motor drives an internal shaft which rotates a pair of friction wheels. A clutch, provided on a separate axle coupled to the friction wheels by eccentric disks, allows the friction wheels to engage or disengage with the rear wheels of the transport wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: UDEEGO, INC.
    Inventor: Susan Penski
  • Patent number: 11590039
    Abstract: A propulsion assist device for a wheelchair having a hand rim slideably housed inside a channel of a frame pivotably connected to a lever arm. The frame is further comprised of a portion of grip material positioned inside the channel along an underside of a top of the frame. When a pair of devices are installed on a pair of hand rims of the wheelchair, the wheelchair is moved forward by a coordinated rowing motion of both lever arms forwards and then backwards along the hand rim. The pivoting motion of the frame causes the grip material sandwiched between the frame and the hand rim to pressure grip the hand rim and turn it when a user moves the lever arms through their rowing motion. Repositioning the frame along the hand rim causes the gripping material to release and slide along the hand rim before repositioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: John W. Britz