Patents Examined by Jacob D. Knutson
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Patent number: 11787500Abstract: A control device for a human-powered vehicle including a motor that applies a propulsion force to the human-powered vehicle, a crank axle, a driving wheel, and a transmission that automatically changes a transmission ratio of a rotational speed of the driving wheel to a rotational speed of the crank axle in accordance with a travel state of the human-powered vehicle. The control device includes an electronic controller that controls the motor in accordance with a human driving force input to the crank axle. The controller changes an assist state related to at least one of an assist ratio of an assist force by the motor to a predetermined human driving force and the assist force by the motor in accordance with the human driving force and controls the transmission to maintain the transmission ratio upon determining a parameter related to the human driving force satisfies a predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hitoshi Takayama
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Patent number: 11780527Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle including a vehicle body frame to which a steering unit that supports a front wheel in a steerable manner and a stay to which a storage box is configured to be attached are attached. The vehicle body frame is provided with a head tube. The steering unit includes a steering stem rotatably penetrating the head tube, and a pair of left and right front fork tubes coupled to the steering stem and extending toward an axle of the front wheel. The pair of left and right front fork tubes pivotally supports the axle of the front wheel. The stay is located on an outer side of the front fork tubes in the vehicle width direction, and intersects with at least one of the steering stem and the front fork tubes in a side view.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kiyoshi Katagiri
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Patent number: 11780514Abstract: A track assembly for assisting in moving a farm implement along a ground surface in a line of travel is provided. The track assembly includes a tilt arm comprising front and rear ends. The track assembly includes a camber arm coupled to the tilt arm such that the camber arm permits the tilt arm to pivot about a first axis perpendicular to the line of travel and a second axis parallel to the line of travel. The camber arm is located between the front and rear ends of the tilt arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Christopher M. Self, John Walvatne
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Patent number: 11780359Abstract: A cylindrical cargo container is formed of longitudinal, extruded arcuate panels joined pairwise at abutting edges to form a cylindrical tube. The container is mountable on a separate wheeled chassis to form a semi-trailer or railcar, or a chassis integral with a truck. The container may be substantially smooth on inner and outer surfaces, to provide optimal aerodynamics and freedom of motion of cargo within the container. The panels may have inner and outer skins bridged by multiple webs. Such structure may provide protection from punctures to the outer or inner skins. The container is useful to transport waste including municipal or industrial waste, and may be part of a tipper trailer. The container, trailer, truck, or railcar may be used with a compactor for compacting the waste within the container.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Inventors: Michael Kloepfer, James Bult
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Patent number: 11780491Abstract: An electric power steering system includes an electric motor including a motor output shaft. The system also includes a worm operatively coupled to the motor output shaft. The system further includes a worm gear in contact with the worm and operatively coupled to an auxiliary shaft. The system yet further includes a drive gear operatively coupled to the auxiliary shaft. The system also includes a driven gear in contact with the drive gear and operatively coupled to an input shaft to drive a manual recirculating ball steering gear.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Kun Yang, Peter D. Schmitt, Jeffrey E. Beyerlein
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Patent number: 11772747Abstract: A replacement bumper for a snowmobile ski is provided and methods for using the same. The replacement bumper has an abutment surface that makes contact with a spindle of a snowmobile in order to increase the contact surface area of a rear portion of a snowmobile ski and the ground and/or increase the weight being distributed on the rear portion of the snowmobile ski, which prevents the darting or tracking of the snowmobile ski. Also, includes is a method for removing an OEM bumper from a snowmobile ski assembly and installing a replacement bumper into said snowmobile ski assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: 2726971 ONTARIO INC.Inventor: Scott Bergstrom
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Patent number: 11767071Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle body, a plurality of traveling devices disposed on the right and left sides on the front and rear sides of the vehicle body respectively, a plurality of bending link mechanisms configured to liftably support each one of the traveling devices to the vehicle body and a plurality of drive operating devices capable of changing the posture of each one of the plurality of bending link mechanisms. The vehicle body is split into a front side body section and a rear side body section. The front side body section and the rear side body section are configured to be bendably pivotable relative to each other via a pivot interlocking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Junichi Ishikawa, Minoru Hiraoka
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Patent number: 11760143Abstract: A first crossmember is divided into a right crossmember and a left crossmember. A right fastened portion of a towing hook is inserted into the right crossmember, and a bolt is fastened by being passed through a bolt insertion hole of the right crossmember and a bolt insertion hole of the right fastened portion of the towing hook. A left fastened portion of the towing hook is inserted into the left crossmember, and a bolt is fastened by being passed through a bolt insertion hole of the left crossmember and a bolt insertion hole of the left fastened portion of the towing hook. Hereby, the attachment strength of the towing hook can be secured sufficiently, and even in a case where an input at the time of towing of a vehicle is excessive, the towing can be performed successfully.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tetsuya Asai
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Patent number: 11753114Abstract: A snowmobile has an air intake system integrated into the snowmobile body, and with air intake vents facing rearwardly towards the rider. The air intake system includes a plenum defined by a portion of the body and ducting extending within the body. The ducting is porous to allow the air input noise to be dissipated within the engine compartment. The snowmobile further comprises couplings which may be realigned to accommodate wear. A frame coupler allows multiple differently configured frame tubes to be connected to the tunnel. The chassis of the snowmobile includes a casing for receiving the gears which drive the belt.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Jan R. Vistad, Dustin A. Mertens, Andrew J. Mills, Michael A. Hedlund
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Patent number: 11753066Abstract: A multifunctional electric recirculating ball steering system for commercial vehicles and its control method are described. The system comprises three modules: an electric power module, a mechanical transmission module, and a control module. The system introduces a dual-rotor motor and a common power motor, working together to act on the input end of a recirculating ball steering gear. The dual-rotor motor offers high redundancy, increased output torque, and improved reliability for control-by-wire operations. A fork assembly enables synchronous and asynchronous rotation of the dual rotors, achieving both steer-by-wire and electric power steering functions. Leveraging the high reduction ratio capability of the recirculating ball steering gear maximizes power torque and simplifies the system architecture while ensuring reliability in both traditional control and control-by-wire functionalities.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: NANJING UNIVERSITY OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICSInventors: Wanzhong Zhao, Ziyu Zhang, Chunyan Wang, Xiaochuan Zhou, Gang Wu, Zhongkai Luan, Yulin Ye
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Patent number: 11753067Abstract: Vehicle steering systems are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a first gear, a first pinion engaged with the first gear, a second pinion fixed to the first gear, a second gear engaged with the second pinion, and a third pinion fixed to the second gear, the third pinion to engage with a steering rack of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Joseph Washnock, Jack E. Barry, Soungjin Wou, Garry Robert Smith, Jennifer Laz, James Philip Cooper, Daniel Steven Payne, Rohit Kadam
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Patent number: 11753093Abstract: An improved suspension system for a track-driven work vehicle includes a roller beam and at least one roller wheel assembly coupled to the roller beam. The roller wheel assembly includes an inboard roller shaft, an inboard roller wheel coupled to the inboard roller shaft, an outboard roller shaft, and an outboard roller wheel coupled to the outboard roller shaft. Additionally, the roller wheel assembly includes a pivot mechanism coupling the inboard roller shaft to the outboard roller shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLCInventors: Jason Edward Weyer, Brian Vik, Daniel J. Zurn
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Patent number: 11752815Abstract: A height adjustable hitch receiver is disclosed and described.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 11753092Abstract: Interchangeable track systems for interchangeable deployment with vehicle wheels on a forestry harvester vehicle having a front axle and a rear axle may include a pair of front roller frame mount arms and a pair of rear roller frame mount arms configured for mounting on the front axle and the rear axle, respectively. A pair of front track assemblies and a pair of rear track assemblies may be configured for removable mounting on the pair of front roller frame mount arms and the pair of rear roller frame mount arms, respectively. Each of the pair of front track assemblies and the pair of rear track assemblies may include an elongated roller frame configured for pivotal attachment to the corresponding one of the pair of front roller frame mount arms and pair of rear roller frame mount arms. A front idler roller and a rear idler roller may be carried by the roller frame. A track may be trained on the front idler roller and the rear idler roller.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: G&R Manufactured Solutions LLCInventors: Glyn Jordan, Robert Reeves
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Patent number: 11738811Abstract: A trailer neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure including: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the first beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the first beam. A second beam reinforcement structure includes: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the second beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the second beam. Internal cross members extend between the first and second beam inner inserts. A first group of external cross members is located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail, and a second group of external cross members is located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail. Each external cross member comprises an inner segment connected to an outer segment.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: East Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Howard D. Booher, Derek Davies
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Patent number: 11712935Abstract: The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include a structural frame member including at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch. Also provided is an underbed hitch mounting system having at least one socket and receiving member exposed above a bed of a vehicle. The system includes trim and ring brackets configured to cover the exposed socket and receiving members along the bed of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Michael J. McGory, Piyush Pradeepkumar Khater, Joel Thomas Runyan
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Patent number: 11702125Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for motor vehicles includes an electronically controlled steering actuator acting on steered wheels of the vehicle responsive to a steering demand and a feedback actuator transmitting retroactive effects of the road to a steering wheel, wherein the feedback actuator and the steering actuator have a redundant power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Imre Szepessy, Botond Hamori, Peter Kakas
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Patent number: 11702158Abstract: A track shoe for an endless track assembly has a base and an opposing hull. The hull of the track shoe has opposing sidewalls that are angled to meet at an apex, thus forming an inverted V-shape. The apex of the hull extends the width of the track shoe. Laterally-disposed ridges are spaced apart from the apex. and the height of the ridges tapers outwardly from the hull to form, respectively, a leading lip and a trailing lip of the track shoe. The track shoe may have upward bends at the ends of the width of the track shoe and optionally, may have secondary hulls.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Epiroc Drilling Solutions, LLCInventors: Erik Vipond, James Hannah, Caleb Obholz
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Patent number: 11685204Abstract: A first assembly combinable to the heavy equipment and a second assembly pivotally attached to the first assembly for rotation about a first axis and configured for pivotal attachment to the vehicle for rotation about a second axis. A tow rod extending from the first assembly with a third axis extending therethrough and combinable to the heavy equipment and configured for rotation with respect to the heavy equipment about the third axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Swivel King, LLCInventors: Luke Jaeger, Kyle Moore
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Patent number: 11685424Abstract: An eddy current brake for a steer-by-wire steering system of a vehicle that includes a steering wheel may include magnets and a magnet carrier. The eddy current brake may be connected in a force-transmitting manner to an axle to which the steering wheel is connected, and to the steering wheel, in a force-transmitting manner.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Martin Robert Kopiniok, Alexander Ein Waldt