Patents Examined by Joseph Rocca
  • Patent number: 9687981
    Abstract: A serpentine body includes a first portion, a first wheel coupled to the first portion, a second portion, a second wheel coupled to the second portion, and at least one sensor coupled to the first portion and/or the second portion. The first wheel is rotatable in a first direction. The second wheel is rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction when the first wheel rotates in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph L. Hafenrichter, Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer
  • Patent number: 9682739
    Abstract: A blow molded toy cycle has a female bearing area with tapered and recess sections. A fork has a corresponding male bearing area that includes a tapered section and an annular protrusion section. A protrusion spaced at a distance from the annular protrusion extends from the shaft and has a surface to contact a top surface of the body to secure the fork when the male and female bearing areas are in contact. The fork has integrally formed tabs that to bend around an axle to form a bearing area for the axle that allows the axle to rotate within the fork. A blow molded pedal attaches to a section of the axle and has a series of ribs disposed between side sections to form a bearing area that allows the pedal to rotate around the axle. Two rear and one front wheels attach to the body and fork respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Anderson, Andrew James McDonnough, Pamela Jo Naeve, Duane David Franzen, Jr., Alan Walter Knapper, Michael Grinnall
  • Patent number: 9676318
    Abstract: A step-and-guide apparatus that aids on centering a boat on a boat trailer and assists an operator in boarding and exiting the boat when on the water or on land is disclosed. The step-and-guide apparatus has first and second guide mechanisms positioned on opposing sides of a trailer frame, and each apparatus includes a trailer mount assembly, a bracket arrangement, an arm having a first end and a second end, with a first end of the arm being rotatably coupled to the bracket arrangement, and a step-and-guide board affixed to the second end of the arm and that is oriented lengthwise along the boat. The arm and the step-and-guide board are rotatable between a first position and a second position defined by the bracket arrangement, with the step-and-guide board functioning as a step when in the first position and as a boat guide member when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Gregg Donald Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 9677416
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a vehicle is disclosed, said drive mechanism converting the reciprocating clockwise-counterclockwise motion of an input shaft into continuous rotation of an output shaft by means of two one-way clutches mechanically coupled to the input shaft and the output shaft, said one-way clutches having their power stroke in opposite directions of rotation. In an embodiment, said drive mechanism can be contained in a wheel hub and used for human-powered vehicles such as scooters, bicycles, wheelchairs, rollerskates, or other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Marc Weber
  • Patent number: 9677516
    Abstract: A combustion engine of a motorcycle has an engine rotary shaft extending in a vehicle widthwise direction. Incoming wind taken in from a front of a steering handle that is positioned in front of the combustion engine, is introduced through an air intake duct to the combustion engine. The air intake duct extends from the front of the steering handle to a rearward of a cylinder block so as to pass above a radiator and pass laterally of one side of the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Naruoka, Hisatoyo Arima, Satoaki Ichi, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Kozo Arai, Yoshinobu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9676279
    Abstract: A parallel regeneration brake torque modulation system for an electrified vehicle includes a brake pedal travel sensor adapted to transmit a brake pedal travel sensor signal upon travel of a vehicle brake pedal through at least a portion of a range of motion; and a regenerative braking system adapted to apply regeneration braking torque to a vehicle using the brake pedal travel sensor signal from the brake pedal travel sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Phillip McCormick
  • Patent number: 9676439
    Abstract: A vehicle with a collapsible body. With this construction a one-person's vehicle can be folded together to a very compact size with the dimensions of an average suitcase. The body comprises two halves: a front and back part. Each of these parts contains a lower and upper hollow section. Each upper hollow section can slide telescopically in and out the lower hollow section, thus enlarging or reducing the length of the corresponding part. In the collapsed state both parts with all their sections are nested into each other. A further reduction of the volume of the collapsed vehicle can be achieved by using a chassis with two retractable slidable frame parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NEWINNO BV
    Inventor: Paul Gokkel
  • Patent number: 9669869
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension apparatus is constructed to improve stability and controllability. Suspension apparatus includes; a tire wheel to be equipped with a tire; a wheel hub mechanism to support the tire wheel; a first link member connecting the wheel hub mechanism and a vehicle body on a lower side of an axle in an vehicle up and down direction; a second link member connecting the wheel hub mechanism and the vehicle body on the lower side of the axle in the vehicle up and down direction and intersecting the first link member in a vehicle top view; and a steering rack moving in a vehicle widthwise direction and steering the wheel hub mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kageyama, Yutaka Mikuriya
  • Patent number: 9669736
    Abstract: A vehicle includes vehicle body-side steps having a plurality of abutment surfaces on which seat-side protrusions abut from above. Each abutment surface has a height different from each other, with the seat being adjustable in height by selectively abutting the seat-side protrusions on the abutment surfaces. A rider's seat has a covering portion formed at a front portion thereof and extending substantially in parallel with an inclined upper surface of a fuel tank. When abutment positions of the seat-side protrusions are changed from either first ones of the abutment surfaces to second ones, the covering portion changes a position thereof so as to slide substantially in parallel with the inclined upper surface of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryoji Imai
  • Patent number: 9671006
    Abstract: A transfer case assembly for a vehicle has a one-piece torque-transfer component with both a sprocket portion configured to receive torque and an output flange portion configured to transfer the torque received. The sprocket portion and the output flange portion rotate in unison about a common axis and are axially adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William Marc Modisett, Gregory Sterba
  • Patent number: 9669864
    Abstract: In order to provide a fail-safe operating mode during a transition between an autonomous steering mode and a driver-controlled steering mode in an emergency situation, a steering system comprises a steering shaft, a brake mechanism movable between an released position and a engaged position for angularly locking the steering shaft, and an override such that a non-destructive external torque applied to the steering shaft above a given threshold when the brake mechanism is in the engaged position results in a rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering Vendõme SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Bernard Perichon, Pritish S. Khale, Michael McFarland
  • Patent number: 9669857
    Abstract: A propulsion unit is provided for propelling a piece of equipment that is normally intended to be pushed by a pedestrian. The unit involves a way to support an upright rider that is sized to allow the rider to reach a handle of the hand-pushed mobile equipment; a plurality of ways to contact the ground and allowing the way to support a rider to move across a surface in a low-friction manner; a way to provide thrust in one or both of the forward and backward directions; and a way to couple the unit to the hand-pushed mobile equipment and allow the hand-pushed mobile equipment to yaw relative to the unit around a vertical axis that is approximately collinear with the vertical axis of the upright rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Randall D Rainey
  • Patent number: 9664240
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle drive train arrangement with at least one main drive train for driving a main drive axle, and at least one auxiliary drive train which is driven via the main drive train and connected to a secondary drive axle which can be driven via the auxiliary drive train, the secondary drive axle is linked to the auxiliary drive train without an axle differential and the secondary drive axle includes controllable couplers for selectively coupling the secondary drive axle wheels to the auxiliary drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventor: Christian Krajewski
  • Patent number: 9663918
    Abstract: A track assembly for a work vehicle includes an endless track and a drive wheel, the drive wheel defining an inboard side, an outboard side, and a central plane extending therebetween. The drive wheel includes a partition extending between an outer wall and an inner wall. The partition defines an inboard division substantially closed off from an outboard division to reduce an amount of debris or other material from reaching the work vehicle adjacent to which the track assembly may be positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brian Vik, Daniel Zurn, Jordan Weckerly, Russell Stoltman
  • Patent number: 9656709
    Abstract: A swing scooter includes a frame, a riser bar, a handlebar, a front wheel, at least two carrier rods, a flexible linking mechanism, at least two rear wheels, at least two pedals, at least two auxiliary wheels and at least two swinging modules. The auxiliary wheels are installed at the rear of the rear wheels. When the front wheel and the rear wheels touch the ground, the auxiliary wheels are situated at an appropriate height from the ground, and the swinging module is coupled between the carrier rods and the rear wheels. During use, the front and rear wheels situated at the general using status touch the ground, or the front of the scooter is tilted, such that the rear wheels and the auxiliary wheels touch the ground to add more fun to the use of the scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: YVOLVE SPORTS LTD.
    Inventor: Thomas O'Connell
  • Patent number: 9656715
    Abstract: The invention provides cardboard-based structures comprising two or more, generally elongated elements angled with respect to one another and being cut out of a multi-layered cardboard-based piece that comprises at least two layers of a single cardboard sheet folded about a longitudinal reinforcing member. The invention further provides frames, preferably human-powered vehicle frames, constructed from structures of the invention, as well as methods for producing structures of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: I.G. CARDBOARD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Izhar Gafni
  • Patent number: 9656703
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) equippable with a plurality of ground-engaging wheels or a plurality of ground-engaging track assemblies providing traction on the ground. The ATV is designed to facilitate its use whether it is equipped with the ground-engaging wheels or the ground-engaging track assemblies. A powertrain, a steering system, a suspension, a braking system, a body, and/or other components of the ATV have features which take into account that the ATV can be equipped with either the ground-engaging wheels or the ground-engaging track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremie Zuchoski, Jean Bernard
  • Patent number: 9656716
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to cycling. More specifically, the systems and methods described herein relate to an integrated cycling tool. The cycling tool may be integrated into the bicycle components to reduce the external modifications to a bicycle. This may enable a cyclist to carry a tool with them without the worry of carrying the tool, or the tool falling off the bicycle. The cycling tool may comprise multiple components and may be used to fix various parts of a bicycle. The cycling tool may fit within the confines of the bicycle and provide minimal to no impact to the rider or the functionality and performance of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Evan J. DeGray
  • Patent number: 9656702
    Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting assembly comprises first and second support members adapted to couple to frame members and support assembly that comprises first and second portions slidably engaging the first and second support members and adjustable along a length thereof, the first and second portions including an upwardly-opening recess, first and second mounting members coupled to the first and second portions and configured to pivotably support the fifth wheel hitch plate, and a center portion having a first and second end received within the recesses of the first and second portions, wherein the recesses of the first and second portions are configured to receive the ends of the center portion subsequent to the first mounting member being coupled to the first mounting portion and the second mounting member being coupled to the second mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin D. Keatley
  • Patent number: 9650031
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to an electrically assisted steering system is described. In one example, the method adjusts alternator field current to increase energy supplied to the electrically assisted steering system in response to an automatic engine stop request. The method may improve operation of the electrically assisted steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex O'Connor Gibson, Allan Roy Gale, John Anthony DeMarco, Robert Michael Grant