Patents Examined by Jacob D. Knutson
  • Electric power steering device
    Patent number: 11685425
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes: an electric motor; a rack shaft configured to move axially; a conversion unit configured to convert rotational driving force of the moto into movement of the rack shaft; a first housing configured to cover a part of an outer surface of the rack shaft and including a first leg portion fixed to a vehicle; a second housing configured to cover a part of the outer surface of the rack shaft and including a fourth connecting portion covering the conversion unit and a second leg portion fixed to the vehicle; and an intermediate housing disposed between the first and second housings and configured to cover a part of the outer surface of the rack shaft 3 and including a motor support portion supporting the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Enomoto, Takayuki Tetsuka
  • Fluid-filled track wheel for improved movement of an object across a non-planar area
    Patent number: 11679824
    Abstract: A track wheel for moving an object across a surface having a non-planar obstruction to allow smoother, easier and safer movement of the object over the obstruction. The track wheel has a track frame, a first wheel assembly, a second wheel assembly and a fluid-filled track assembly. The track frame interconnects the two wheel assemblies. The track assembly encircles the two wheel assemblies and frame in an endless loop manner. A mounting assembly connects the track frame to the object. The track assembly has a track link assembly and a pair of dampener tubes in the track link assembly. The track assembly passes into and out of a shield of the wheel assemblies that cleans the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Douglas G. Willis
  • Front header tube and pin box
    Patent number: 11679634
    Abstract: An upper deck frame assembly for a trailer chassis includes a flushed floor section defining a first floor height, and a header section, with a header, forward of the flushed floor section and defining a second floor height above the first floor height. A towing assembly may be secured to the header. A reduced size header section increases usable floor space, and the towing assembly is securable to the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schultz, Mohammed Taqiuddin
  • Bicycle with battery, motor and motor mount, wire routing, speed sensor, and dropper seat post
    Patent number: 11667348
    Abstract: An ebike comprises a front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame structure supported on the front wheel and the rear wheel, a crank assembly, and a battery assembly. The frame structure can include a front fork supported on the front wheel, a head tube coupled to the front fork, and a down tube extending downward and rearward from the head tube, the down tube defining a down tube axis and being open at its lower end. The crank assembly can be supported by the frame structure and can be rotatable about a crank axis that is spaced rearward from the down tube axis. The battery assembly can be at least partially secured in the down tube in an installed position and can be slidable into the down tube from the lower end of the down tube along the down tube axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Pallure, Marco Werner Sonderegger, Jan Talavasek, Vincent Patureau
  • Track link for ground-engaging track having rail protrusion for anti-scalloping
    Patent number: 11667341
    Abstract: A ground-engaging track system includes a track having a first track chain and a second track chain, and an idler having pockets formed in an outer idler rim to receive inboard rail protrusions on track links in the first track chain and the second track chain. The inboard rail protrusions project from an inboard link side, and a central pad of an upper rail surface in the track link includes an anti-scalloping bump-out formed on the inboard rail protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Jennings Hakes
  • Track assembly for traction of an off-road vehicle
    Patent number: 11661125
    Abstract: A track assembly for providing traction to an off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, or another work vehicle, in which the track assembly may comprise a suspension between a frame of the track assembly and a bogie carrying roller wheels of the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventor: Dewaine Kautsch
  • Tank mounting structure and vehicle
    Patent number: 11660956
    Abstract: A tank mounting structure includes a frame, a band, and a tank protector. The frame is configured to fix the tank. The band is configured to fix the tank in a state where the band sandwiches the tank with the frame and the band deforms in accordance with expansion or contraction of the tank. The tank protector is configured to be fixed to an inner side of the band or an outer side of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Fujii
  • Steering device
    Patent number: 11661104
    Abstract: A steering device according to one aspect of the disclosure includes: a speed reducer configured to decelerate a rotational power input from one surface side while increasing a torque and output rotation from an output section disposed on the other surface side; a motor provided on the one surface side and configured to input the rotational power to the speed reducer; and a control device for controlling the motor. The motor includes a rotor for generating the rotational power. The rotor includes a rotor output shaft disposed coaxially with an output axis of the output section. The motor inputs the rotational power from one end side of the rotor output shaft to the speed reducer. The control device is disposed on the other end side of the rotor output shaft coaxially with the rotor output shaft and includes a sensing unit for sensing rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanaka, Stefan Kubina
  • Actuated scratchers for a tracked vehicle
    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
  • Wheelchair harness
    Patent number: 11654062
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to posture assistance devices that may include a motor coupled to a frame, where the frame attaches to a wheelchair. In some cases, the devices include a shaft coupled to the motor, where the motor is configured to rotate the shaft. The devices can also include an extension arm attached to the frame, where the extension arm includes a redirection surface. The extension arm can be selectively adjustable to change the distance between the redirection surface and the shaft. The devices can also include a connection line coupled to the shaft and configured to engage with the redirection surface, such that rotation of the shaft changes a length a fed-out portion of the connection line. The connection line can also include an attachment mechanism that couples the connection line to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Exo-Seat LLC
    Inventors: Morgan Kauss, Sonya Alexi Schuppan, Ryan Alexander Weatherbee, Mohammed Hussam Alsheikh, Brandon Lewien, Joel Matthew Human, Edward Augustine Herrick-Reynolds, Guanxiong Fu, Adam Alexander Smrekar
  • Walk power mower with transmission providing both forward and reverse propulsion
    Patent number: 11653594
    Abstract: A walk power mower having a cutting deck supported upon the ground by a front and rear wheel(s). The mower includes a traction drive system incorporating a bidirectional transmission adapted to propel the mower alternatively in both forward and reverse directions. In some embodiments, the mower may include a single bidirectional transmission (e.g., powering only rear wheel(s) or only front wheel(s) of the mower), while in other embodiments, two bidirectional transmissions may be provided to power both the front and the rear wheel(s). In other embodiments, the mower may include a bidirectional transmission powering the rear wheel(s), while the front wheel(s) may be attached to the deck via a caster assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: THE TORO COMPANY
    Inventors: Chadwick A. Shaffer, Todd A. Porter, Steven J. Svoboda
  • Multichannel electronic control unit architecture for electromechanical power steering systems
    Patent number: 11654957
    Abstract: A motor electric control unit (ECU) for an electromechanical power steering mechanism, which controls current through an electric assist motor in response to steering mechanism sensors' signals. The ECU may comprise at least two channels. Each channel has the steering mechanism sensors in a redundancy concept. At least one voter that is assigned to an actuator and is configured to vote on the correct steering mechanism sensors' outputs of the at least two channels. The steering mechanism sensors may include a steering column torque sensor and an RPS sensor for sensing a rotor angle of the electric assist motor. Each of the at least two channels may include processors that have different software to protect against systematic faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: András Balogh
  • Method for estimating a value for friction
    Patent number: 11654959
    Abstract: A method for estimating a value for friction exerted on a power steering system of a vehicle, during turning resulting in the crossing of a straight line angle, the turning being achieved at a substantially uniform speed included within a predefined range, and an angle of a steering wheel included within a predefined range, including: a step (1) of acquiring a plurality of vehicle-related data items, including at least one value of a force of a power steering motor on a rack and pinion, and a value of a force of the steering wheel on the rack and pinion; a step (4) of estimating the value for friction by averaging the sum of the forces of the steering wheel and the forces of the power steering motor on the rack and pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Alain Guilemond, Nicolas Baudouin
  • Robot
    Patent number: 11648161
    Abstract: Provided is a robot including a seating body provided with a seat and an armrest body and a steering, the steering housing has an opening in an upper portion thereof and an inner space therein is disposed on the armrest body. The steering includes a handle and a lower portion passing through the opening, the lower portion being accommodated in the inner space and an elevator accommodated in the inner space, the elevator being connected to the lower portion of the steering body to elevate the steering body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungkyu Son, Jinsu Kim, Boyeon Kim, Hyesun Lee, Bina Kim, Mina Suh, Jinwon Kang
  • Reconfigurable trailer hitch
    Patent number: 11642923
    Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a shank, coupleable to a receiver carried by a towing vehicle. A ball attachment bracket is attachable to the shank. A ball assembly is receivable within the ball attachment bracket, the ball assembly capable of mating with a trailer coupler carried by a trailer to be towed. A distribution block is attachable to one or both the ball attachment bracket or the shank. The distribution block has arm socket attachments to allow coupling of a pair of arm sockets to the distribution block, each of the arm sockets capable of receiving one of a pair of spring arms attachable to the trailer to be towed. The distribution block is removable from each of the ball attachment bracket and the shank while the ball attachment bracket remains operably coupled to the shank for use as a standard ball hitch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Shawn Bodily
  • Idler weight for drive track assembly
    Patent number: 11643155
    Abstract: A work machine may include an drive frame, a drivable track coupled to the drive frame, an idler wheel coupled to the drive frame to facilitate movement of the drivable track, and a wheel weight coupleable to the idler wheel. The wheel weight may be coupled to the idler wheel without removing the idler wheel from the drive frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Digvijay A. Bhosale, Samir Mahadik, Benjamin J. Heimbuch
  • Turning apparatus
    Patent number: 11639191
    Abstract: A turning apparatus includes tie rods, a wheel turning shaft, two motors, two ball screws, a transmission mechanism, and two controllers. The wheel turning shaft turns steered wheels of a vehicle. A first controller that is any one of the two controllers computes a current command value and allocates the current command value to the motors at a ratio that varies with a position of the wheel turning shaft in an axial direction. The two controllers each supply any one of the motors, which is an object to be controlled by a corresponding one of the controllers, with a current according to a corresponding of individual current command values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ogata, Fumio Kishida, Yoshio Kondo, Keishi Nakamura
  • Electric motorcycle with novel swing arm configuration
    Patent number: 11634191
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a swing arm configuration and, more specifically, a swing arm that is supported by a shaft of a motor, such as an electric motor of a motorcycle. The configuration includes a swing arm assembly that is supported by a shaft of a motor at one end and a rear axle at the other end. Advantageously, the shaft of the motor may be a structural component of an electric motorcycle and serve as the swing arm pivot as well as the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Curtiss Motorcycle Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James Thomas Nesbitt, III
  • Transmitting axial and rotational movement to a hub
    Patent number: 11634167
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a combined suspension and steering module is disclosed that is positionable between an in-hub motor and a body of a vehicle. The module includes a housing, an actuator connected to the housing and including first and second components, and a steering system that is in mechanical cooperation with the actuator to rotate at least one of the first and second components in relation to the housing. The second component is axially movable in relation to the first component and is configured for connection to the in-hub motor to transmit rotational force from the actuator to the in-hub motor to cause angular displacement of the in-hub motor to thereby steer the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: James J. Dowle, Philipp J. Wolf, Dan-Sverker A. Fhyr, Neal M. Lackritz
  • Methods and apparatus for a three-point attachment trailer hitch
    Patent number: 11628696
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a three-point attachment trailer hitch. An example hitch includes a crossbar including a first end and a second end, the first end or the second end including at least one tab protruding from an edge of the first end or the second end, and a first endplate positioned on the first end or the second end of the crossbar using the at least one tab, the endplate including a first threaded hole and a second threaded hole, a diameter of the second threaded hole larger than a diameter of the first threaded hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick McDonald, Steven Paul Sic, Zane Butterfield