Patents Examined by Jeffrey J. Restifo
  • Patent number: 11577654
    Abstract: A vehicle, a running board assembly, and a drive assembly for a running board are disclosed. The drive assembly includes: a mounting base, a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a running board holder. The first connecting portion is rotatably connected with the mounting base and the running board holder. The second connecting portion is rotatably connected with the mounting base and the running board holder. The running board holder includes a third main body and a third hinged portion. The first connecting portion includes a first main body and a plurality of first hinged portions, and the third hinged portion is rotatably connected among the plurality of first hinged portions; and/or the second connecting portion includes a second main body and a plurality of second hinged portions, the third hinged portion being rotatably connected among the plurality of second hinged portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: T-MAX (HANGZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinfa Du, Qi Zhang, Songfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 11577772
    Abstract: A device for attaching to a ski of a snowmobile includes first and second spaced apart legs. Each leg has a ski engaging portion proximate a second end that is configured to engage a bottom surface of the ski proximate outer edges thereof. The device includes at least one wheel attached to the first and second legs between the first end and the second end and a cross bar that attaches the first and second legs proximate first ends thereof. The device includes a lever arm extending from the cross bar between the first and second legs wherein the lever arm is configured to be angularly positionable relative to the first and second spaced apart legs. A handle is attached to a distal end of the lever arm and has a surface configured to engage a tip end or a ski handle of the ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caliber, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest J. DeLanghe, Steven W. Potter, Paul Dathe, Gregory Joseph Wright, Randall Seurer
  • Patent number: 11571957
    Abstract: An electric vehicle may include: a body comprising a compartment on a front side of a cabin; a component frame located in the compartment, and connected to the body; and a circuit case located on the component frame, comprising therein a control circuit configured to control a traction motor, and constituted of metal. The component frame may comprise: a plurality of crossmembers extending along a vehicle left-right direction; and a connection member connecting the plurality of crossmembers to each other. The plurality of crossmembers may comprise a rear crossmember which is a rearmost crossmember of the plurality of crossmembers. The circuit case may be on the front side of a rear end of the rear crossmember in a top view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kentaro Nakamura, Osamu Shimasaki, Ryosuke Negawa
  • Patent number: 11571958
    Abstract: Disclosed is an engine mount for a vehicle including a membrane, which is an essential component of an engine mount for supporting a powertrain of the vehicle. The membrane may be deformed vertically and radially depending on an input amplitude so as to open or close bypass holes in upper and lower plates depending on the input amplitude. As such, it is possible to easily fulfill a function of isolating vibrations generated by the powertrain during idling and a damping function of controlling the behavior of the powertrain during traveling and it is possible to prevent the generation of abnormal noise attributable to cavitation and rattling phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11564467
    Abstract: Motorized luggage includes a frame enclosed in part by an outer shell, the frame defining an internal storage compartment that is accessible through the outer shell, wherein the frame includes: a front surface including by a first front frame support and a second front frame support; a top surface including first top beam and a second top beam; a front edge joint connecting the first and second front frame supports to the first and second top beams; and a rear surface opposite of the front surface. The luggage also includes at least one front wheel adjacent to the front surface of the frame, at least one rear wheel adjacent to the rear surface of the frame, a retractable handlebar received by a steering shaft, an electric motor mounted on the frame, and a retractable pull handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Modobag, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin O'Donnell, Boyd Bruner
  • Patent number: 11554657
    Abstract: A driving device includes: an internal combustion engine; a first rotating electric machine; a second rotating electric machine; and a transmission. The transmission includes: a first rotating electric machine shaft; a second rotating electric machine shaft which is arranged in parallel to the first rotating electric machine shaft; a first gear provided in the first rotating electric machine shaft; and a second gear provided in the second rotating electric machine shaft. A width in an axial direction of the first rotating electric machine is larger than that of the second rotating electric machine. The number of gears provided in a shaft in which a gear for the first rotating electric machine that meshes with the first gear is arranged is smaller than the number of gears provided in a shaft in which a gear for the second rotating electric machine that meshes with the second gear is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Yano, Norikazu Kawai, Toru Ubukata
  • Patent number: 11555473
    Abstract: A fluid tank comprising can include an outer housing comprising a housing volume, a first fluid bladder positioned within the housing volume, and a second fluid bladder positioned within the housing volume. The first fluid bladder can comprise a first conduit and the second fluid bladder can comprise a second conduit. The first fluid bladder can be configured to release fluid through the first conduit in response to introduction of fluid into the second fluid bladder via the second conduit. The housing volume can be maintained at a substantially constant pressure when fluid is released from the first fluid bladder through the first conduit and fluid is introduced into the second fluid bladder through the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: KONTAK LLC
    Inventors: David O'Connor, Damien Wilson
  • Patent number: 11541815
    Abstract: A two-piece manufacturing process for making a running board of a vehicle with two extruded halves, one aluminum and one polymer. The upper half is aluminum and the lower half polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Vintech Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Schoonover
  • Patent number: 11535290
    Abstract: Provided are a handle assembly for a cart having a power assist function, and a cart in which the power assist function enables a user to easily move the cart by detecting a direction, in which a force of the user is applied, to assist power in the relevant direction. According to the handle assembly and the cart, the user can easily move the cart by detecting the direction, in which the force of the user is applied, to provide auxiliary power (a power assist function) in the relevant direction, thereby improving convenience of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaecheon Sa, Sunryang Kim, Keunsik No
  • Patent number: 11535096
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle comprises an electric driving engine, an internal combustion engine, and a shift transmission having several gears and a multiple clutch. A first transmission element of the shift transmission is coupled in a torque-tight manner to a first rotational part of the multiple clutch and a second transmission element of shift transmission is coupled in a torque-tight manner to a second rotational part of the multiple clutch. A rotor of the electric driving engine is coupled in a torque-tight manner to a third rotational part of the multiple clutch, wherein the internal combustion engine is coupled in a torque-tight manner to a third transmission element of the shift transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dierk Reitz
  • Patent number: 11527799
    Abstract: A vehicle with a hybrid drivetrain including a fuel-fed engine coupled to a first drive axle, an electric motor coupled to a second drive axle and an APU for providing electrical power at stopover locations, and further including a controller for determining a location of the vehicle, a location of a stopover location, determining a target SOC of a battery for operating the APU at the stopover location and operating a hybrid control system to provide the target SOC for the vehicle at the stopover location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HYLIION INC.
    Inventors: Roger Richter, Morgan Culbertson
  • Patent number: 11518445
    Abstract: An exhaust system member is provided on a vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to a vehicle body structure on the side of a floor, while avoiding widening of the vehicle and preserving small overlap collision resistance. Embodiments include an engine disposed forward of a partition wall defining a front edge of a vehicle cabin, an exhaust apparatus, a side sill extending along the vehicle front-rear direction on the side of a floor forming a floor surface of the vehicle cabin, and a hinge pillar extending vertically from the side sill. A frame member extends toward the vehicle front side from the hinge pillar and has a front end, on the rear side of a vehicle wheel, overlapping with a vehicle-width-direction length area of the wheel. The exhaust system member is in an area on the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the frame member and on the front side of the hinge pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuneki Shimanaka, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11506719
    Abstract: A monitoring method includes, among other things, within a vehicle, providing a first electrical system with an auxiliary battery, and a second electrical system with a primary battery. The method further includes electrically coupling the first electrical system to the second electrical system, electrically loading the auxiliary battery and the primary battery, and comparing an electrical parameter of the auxiliary battery to a threshold value to assess a state of the auxiliary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hanyang B. Chen, Michael J. Irby, Matthew Thomas Loiselle, William David Treharne, Mark E. Shields, Josephine S. Lee
  • Patent number: 11498406
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a planetary gear mechanism, a first electric motor, an internal combustion engine, first drive wheels, an inter-element clutch, a second electric motor, and second drive wheels. The planetary gear mechanism is configured to transmit motive power among first to third rotary elements. The first electric motor is coupled to the first rotary element in a power transmittable manner. The internal combustion engine is coupled to the second rotary element in a power transmittable manner. The first drive wheels are coupled to the third rotary element in a power transmittable manner. The inter-element clutch is configured to switch between coupling and uncoupling two of the first to third rotary elements. The second electric motor is configured to perform power running operation using power generated by the first electric motor. The second drive wheels are coupled to the second electric motor in a power transmittable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Nabeshima
  • Patent number: 11491867
    Abstract: A system and method for manufacture of the system are provided. In one example, the system comprises a first component, a second component securing the first component to a portion of the system, and a flexible strip with an abrasion resistant coating including a copolymer. The first component or the second component includes a corrosion coating on an exterior surface and the flexible strip is interposed between a surface of the first or second component and the corrosion coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 11484774
    Abstract: A heel unit for an alpine touring binding, comprising a binding body which is suitable for holding a heel portion of an alpine touring shoe in a downhill position of the heel unit and for releasing the heel portion of the alpine touring shoe in an alpine touring position of the heel unit, such that the alpine touring shoe can lift off the heel unit, and a climbing aid which is adjustable between an active position and a passive position, wherein, while in the active position, the climbing aid supports the heel portion of the alpine touring shoe at a predetermined height above a sliding board plane in the alpine touring position of the heel unit, wherein the climbing aid is biased over the entire path of movement thereof into the active position by means of a flexible element and can be locked in the passive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Salewa Sport AG
    Inventors: Matthew Dulcamara, Uwe Eckart, Edwin Lehner
  • Patent number: 11479285
    Abstract: A wheeled carrying apparatus includes a standing frame, a handle frame, a wheel mount, a locking assembly and a release mechanism. The handle frame is rotatable between a first and a second position of different inclinations. The wheel mount carries a wheel and is rotatable relative to the standing frame for changing an orientation of the wheel axis. The locking assembly includes a wheel mount latch adapted to engage and rotationally lock the wheel mount relative to the standing frame, and to disengage and unlock the wheel mount. The release mechanism includes an operating part carried with the handle frame and is configured so that the operating part is operable to cause the wheel mount latch to disengage the wheel mount when the handle frame is in the first position, the operating part being operatively decoupled from the wheel mount latch when the handle frame is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Wonderland Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Zheng-Wen Guo, Er Xue Wang, Shoufeng Hu, Mingxing Sun, Hongtao Yin
  • Patent number: 11478692
    Abstract: A skateboard and a variable-rate elastomeric steering control spring include a boardside unitary body formed of an exterior first elastomer having a first durometer on the Shore “A” scale, and an interior second elastomer coupled to the first elastomer and extending at least a length of the exterior first elastomer, the second elastomer having a second durometer on the Shore “A” scale and a through hole disposed to receive a kingpin of the skate truck; a roadside unitary body formed of an exterior third elastomer having a third durometer on the Shore “A” scale, and an interior fourth elastomer coupled to the third elastomer and extending at least a length of the exterior third elastomer, the interior fourth elastomer having a fourth durometer on the Shore “A” scale and a through hole disposed to receive the kingpin; and wherein the first, second, third and fourth elastomers comprise at least two durometers on the Shore “A” scale between 65A and 100A to enable the boardside unitary body and the roadside unitar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SOLID DESIGN & MFG. CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuch Su
  • Patent number: 11472398
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle including: an engine; output member that transmits driving force to drive wheels; a rotating electric machine; and a power split mechanism that splits and transmits the driving force output from the engine to the output member and the rotating electric machine, the mechanism including at least three rotating elements of an input element connected to the engine, a reaction force element connecting the rotating electric machine, and an output element connecting the output member, the machine capable of outputting reaction force torque to required engine torque based on an acceleration request to apply torque to the required engine torque to the drive wheel, where the machine does not output the reaction force torque, engine rotation speed increase control being able to be executed, engine torque limitation due to a NV requirement being able to be executed and which is relaxed during the engine rotation speed increase control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taro Moteki, Kenji Itagaki, Koichi Kato
  • Patent number: 11465610
    Abstract: A drive unit for a powertrain of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, in particular a hybrid motor vehicle, is equipped with a first electric machine as well as a second electric machine and a first shaft as well as an output shaft. The drive unit furthermore has a separating clutch and a connection element for connection for conjoint rotation of an internal combustion engine, and wherein at least the first electric machine is operated in generator mode and the nominal rpm n1 of the first electric machine has the following relationship to the nominal rpm n2 of the second electric machine: n1>1.2×n2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Trinkenschuh, Steffen Lehmann