Patents Examined by Kevin Hurley
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Patent number: 11891152Abstract: A vehicle is powered and steered by a rider's arm. The vehicle may be a cycle or a tricycle Propulsion occurs in response to the rider pushing and pulling on the handlebar along a fore-and-aft direction. The propulsion mechanism resists or prevents the cycle from unintentionally rolling in reverse. Steering occurs in response to the rider pushing the handlebar to the right or left. The steering mechanism responds the same no matter where the propulsion system is in its range of motion and can provide approximately a 5-foot turning radius for a rider steering input, by moving the handlebar approximately 1 foot right or left of center steer, while maintaining front wheel alignment. A shifting mechanism provides multiple settings between lower gears for hills and higher gears for speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Inventor: Gregory Allan Seljestad
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Patent number: 11890903Abstract: A pin box assembly with gooseneck coupler for coupling a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle is described. The pin box assembly may include a first member capable of being secured to a towed vehicle and a second member pivotally coupled to the first member about an axis of rotation relative to the first member. The pin box assembly may further include a gooseneck ball coupler coupled to the second member, and a suspension system coupled to at least one of the first and second members, the suspension system damping motion between the first and second members.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Inventors: Michael R. Curl, Richard W. McCoy
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Patent number: 11891153Abstract: A skid frame for a snowmobile is disclosed including a generally planar skid surface extending between front and rear idler wheels. The front and rear idler wheel are offset from one another and define a longitudinal direction. A track encircles the skid frame having the skid surface positioned over a center of the track such that a major longitudinally extending portion of the track that is coextensive with the skid surface has first and second unsupported lateral portions on either side of the skid surface. The first and second unsupported lateral portions extend in the horizontal direction at least 25 percent of a width of the track. A suspension arm member may mount the skid rail and include mount portions for mounting to a tunnel and spanning a distance at least twice the width of the longitudinal beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Andrew Beavis
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Patent number: 11884348Abstract: A balance board coupled to a two-wheeled vehicle to provide a moving platform that an operator of the vehicle can use to stabilize the vehicle. The balance board includes a coupling mechanism, a frame, one or more moving elements, and one or more foot support pedals. In one example, the balance board is mechanically passive such that the balance board maintains contact with the ground surface without an externally applied force (e.g., by the operator/user of the vehicle). In one aspect, the balance board may be rotatable about multiple rotational degrees of freedom to allow the balance board to steer as the vehicle turns.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Amos G. Winter, Guillermo Fabian Diaz Lankenau, Lea Daigle, Patrick Tornes, Eric Koch, Samuel Ihns, Jana Saadi, Jessica Wu
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Patent number: 11884116Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar, a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar, and wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the length of the moment bar is less than 28 inches is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: Michael Hall, David R. Hall, Thomas Corie, Dallin Clawson, Jeffery Duncan, Justen Hansen
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Patent number: 11884360Abstract: Provided is an electrical component mounting structure for saddled vehicle capable of concentrating a plurality of electrical components close to the center of the vehicle body while protecting the electrical components. An electrical component mounting structure places the control device to control the vehicle at a position surrounded with a vehicle body frame supporting a power unit of the saddled vehicle, a rear wheel that rotates by a driving force from the power unit, a seat for a rider. The electrical component mounting structure includes the case member including a lower case storing a drive unit, and an upper case covering the lower case from the above. The case member has a sensor storage part storing a sensor at a front end. The control device is attached to the upper case.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shota Suzuki, Haruka Tsuda
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Patent number: 11884349Abstract: Spacer for spacing a headset from a stem of a bicycle. The spacer comprises a cable guide, in particular for brake cables and gear shift cables. The cable guide is provided with a cable guide opening and a cable guide wall enclosing the cable guide opening. The cable guide wall is interrupted by a cable insertion gap, allowing lateral insertion of a cable. Optionally, the cable guide comprises cable retaining means for retaining an inserted cable within the cable guide opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Inventors: Sierd Heida, Richard Hofs
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Patent number: 11878754Abstract: An electrically operated steering system (1) is provided for a vehicle (2) with a rack (3) for attaching the steering system (1) to a frame of the vehicle (2), two steerable wheels (4) that are pivotably attached to the rack (3), a rod element (5) arranged on the rack (3), which is slidable in its longitudinal direction in relation to the rack (3), a kinematic unit (13), which is coupled to the rod element (5) and which transforms a movement of the rod element (5) into a steering rotation of the wheels (4), an electric machine (6), which is mechanically connected to the rod element (5) for effecting the movement of the rod element (5), and a lateral force absorbing mechanism (7), which is configured for absorbing a lateral force produced by the kinematic unit (13) in relation to the rod element (5).Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Florian Trautner, Dominik Hartinger, Stefan Hannemann
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Patent number: 11878765Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snowmobile including an engine mounted on the chassis, a drive track in contact with the chassis, and a drive train, operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track. The drive train includes a driveshaft, comprising a tubular driveshaft including two or more interior channels, the channels positioned in a substantially longitudinal orientation, two or more sprocket driving features on an exterior surface of the tubular driveshaft, and one or more fitting components, positioned at one or more distal ends of the driveshaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: Kevin David Thompson, Gary O. Homme, Devin Joseph Danielson, Andrew Jon Ellsworth
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Patent number: 11878768Abstract: A saddled vehicle includes an air cleaner and a vehicle body movement sensor. The air cleaner takes travel wind in an air cleaner box to purify air of the travel wind and supplies the purified air to an internal combustion engine. The vehicle body movement sensor is received in a recess and measures movement of a vehicle body. The recess is defined by a flat surface that crosses a rear wall of the air cleaner box. This provides a saddled vehicle including a vehicle body movement sensor that is disposed without reducing the volume of an air cleaner box.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Kontani, Takeji Kawazumi, Hiroshi Kurata, Satoru Okoshi, Atsushi Ogahara
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Patent number: 11878558Abstract: A weight distribution hitch system comprising a vehicle attachment member comprising a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a vehicle, and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer, the rearward end comprising an upper portion comprising a trailer attachment member configured to pivotally attach to a coupler of the trailer, and a lower portion configured to receive a moment bar; a moment bar having a modulus of elasticity, the moment bar comprising a moment bar forward end attached to the lower portion of the rearward end of the vehicle attachment member so as to prevent rotation about a horizontal axis, and a moment bar rearward end; a tension member comprising a top end configured to be supported by a frame member of the trailer, and a bottom end configured to support the rearward end of the moment bar; wherein, when the tension member is in tension, it imposes an upward force on the moment bar rearward end, which, in turn, imposes a forward moment on the vehicle; and wherein the modulus oType: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventors: Michael Hall, David R. Hall, Thomas Corie, Dallin Clawson, Jeffery Duncan, Justen Hansen
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Patent number: 11878750Abstract: A drive component is disclosed. The drive component may include a base of a first material having a first hardness and a plurality of wear inserts of a second material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness. The plurality of wear inserts may extend from an interior of the base to an exterior surface of the base. The base and the plurality of wear inserts may be a composite casting.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Prest, Benjamin Jones
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Patent number: 11878746Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system for a vehicle is provided that includes a steering wheel actuator for moving and detecting movements of a steering wheel of the vehicle. The steering wheel actuator includes a steering wheel electric motor. The steer-by-wire steering system further includes an axle actuator for moving and detecting movements of wheels of an axle of the vehicle. The axle actuator includes an axle electric motor and an axle control unit. The steer-by-wire steering system an equivalent circuit, which measures a current induced by the steering wheel electric motor and provides the axle control unit with at least one measurement value depending on the induced current for controlling the axle electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Philipp Bergmann
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Patent number: 11877964Abstract: A swing arm assembly for a foldable wheelchair consisting of a camber tube and adapters is disclosed. The adapters mount to the frame of the wheelchair and receive the ends of the camber tube. One end of the camber tube is pinned into an adapter such that it pivots. The other end is pinned in an adapter using a quick release pin. The camber tube improves the stability of the foldable wheelchair. When desired to fold the wheelchair, the quick release pin is removed and the camber tube is rotated approximately 90 degrees, thereby allowing the wheelchair to fold. The adapters may be mounted to the wheelchair frame or to stub axles if used. The swing arm assembly adds substantial stiffness and stability to a folding wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Inventors: Tod Douglas Boretto, Martin Connolly
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Patent number: 11878560Abstract: A modular wheel and suspension assembly (MWSA) to provide mobility to a load for towing. The MWSA can have a fender housing and a suspension arm and suspension mechanism that is rotated toward a pivot arm with a suspension mount that engages with the suspension mechanism and a wheel. The suspension arm can be rotatably attached to the fender housing. A linear actuator can rotate the suspension arm to raise the fender housing while deploying the wheel from the fender housing. Rotating the suspension arm in the opposite direction causes the fender housing to be lowered over the wheel and the load to be lowered as the wheel retracts into the fender housing. The MWSA can have a rotary tongue system with an operable connection to the suspension arm. Rotating the suspension arm lowers and raises a tongue when the wheel is deployed from or retracted into the fender housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Inventor: Richard Leslie Williamson
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Patent number: 11872168Abstract: A stair lift, including: a carrier portion, configured for carrying a person or an object; a lift portion, configured for moving relative to the carrier portion; and a driver mechanism, configured for inducing the relative movement. The carrier portion and the lift portion are connected and supported via a guide mechanism, and are configured for freely translating along an X-Z plane relative to each other. The driver mechanism includes a circulation moving mechanism, and the circulation moving mechanism includes a driving pin (moving member), configured for moving along a predetermined closed track under the driving of a single gear motor. The driving pin (moving member) is connected to the lift portion, such that the carrier portion and the lift portion are configured for moving relative to each other along the track, whereby enabling the stair lift to go upstairs or downstairs.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Inventor: Lin Qiu
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Patent number: 11872866Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame assembly, a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame assembly, and a cooling assembly positioned below a head portion of the frame assembly and intermediate vertically-extending frame tubes of the frame assembly. A lower end of the cooling assembly is coupled to a lower end of the vertically-extending frame tubes, and an upper end of the cooling assembly is frictionally retained at an upper end of each of the vertically-extending frame tubes.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLCInventors: David L. Bagnariol, Shane K. Pearson
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Patent number: 11873054Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame assembly having a front end and a rear end extending along a longitudinally-extending centerline, a front ground-engaging member operably coupled to the front end of the frame assembly at a front rotational axis, and a rear ground-engaging member operably coupled to the rear end of the frame assembly at a rear rotational axis. The vehicle further includes an engine supported by the frame assembly and operably coupled to the front and rear ground-engaging members, and the engine includes a throttle body assembly. Additionally, the vehicle includes an air intake assembly fluidly coupled to the engine and including an airbox and a mounting plate having a first channel and a second channel. The first and second channels are configured to align with the throttle body assembly. The mounting plate is configured to couple the airbox to the throttle body assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLCInventors: Martin Pelz, Matthias Botta, Scott M. Schwintek, Michael Keller, Jason A. Warns, Severin Hefti
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Patent number: 11873036Abstract: A helical gear transmission for an electromechanical servo steering mechanism may include a shaft that meshes with a helical gear. The shaft may be arranged in a transmission housing and, at its first end, may be mounted in a drive-side bearing arrangement so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. At its second end, the shaft may be mounted in a drive-remote bearing arrangement in the transmission housing. The drive-side bearing arrangement may have a rolling bearing, an outer ring of which is spherical. The rolling bearing may be enclosed by two bearing shells. The outer side of the outer ring may have two flat points that are opposite one another and form a pivot axis about which the shaft is pivotable in a direction of the helical gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AGInventors: Johannes Braun, Deniz Ilhan, Hans-Peter Studer
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Patent number: 11873044Abstract: Disclosed is a personal mobility device including a towing module configured to allow various types of towed modules to be selectively connected and towed, and a connection device configured to connect the towing module and the towed modules. The connection device includes a connection member extending rearward from the towing module, a connection shaft having an upper side rotatably supported on the connection member and a lower side coupled to a shaft coupling hole formed on a connection frame of the towed module, and a locking device provided on the connection frame to lock the connection shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATIONInventors: Soobin Kim, Rowoon An, Ilsun Song, Seunghyun Woo, Jae Yul Woo