Patents Examined by L Lum
  • Patent number: 7040442
    Abstract: A motorcycle is described which includes adjustable foot controls to accommodate different rider sizes. The adjustable rear brake pedal assembly for a motorcycle includes a base plate, a brake pedal and a foot rest attached to a first motorcycle frame stud via a threaded connector. An adjustable rear brake pedal assembly for the motorcycle includes a base plate, a brake pedal and a foot rest attached to a second motorcycle frame stud via a threaded connector. Each base plates includes a groove on its inward side that is sized to accept its respective motorcycle frame stud and to allow the base plate to be selectively positioned relative to threaded holes spaced along the motorcycle frame studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Cory McWhorter
  • Patent number: 7040440
    Abstract: An electric assisted bicycle of simple structure is provided which is superior in the stability, reliability, and certainty of operation, and is provided with an electric power regenerative function and a brake assist function. A pedal force transmitted from a crank shaft is transmitted to an axle shaft via first transmission means, and the output of a motor as an assistant motive power is transmitted to the axle shaft via a clutch unit, which can switch a lock direction in conjunction with brake operation by a cyclist, and second transmission means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Kurita, Hiroji Fukuoka, Naoki Obita
  • Patent number: 7036620
    Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
  • Patent number: 7036847
    Abstract: An arrangement of a motor on twin landing gears is described. The landing gears are interconnected via a connecting shaft and can be telescoped by starting up the motor. To minimize damage to the motor and at the same time to ensure cost-effective production, it is provided that the motor with its driveshaft engages with the connecting shaft and is supported on a component that is fixed relative to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jose Algüera, Martin Richter, Michael Eiermann
  • Patent number: 7036615
    Abstract: A transaxle assembly having at least two transaxle housings for a zero turn or similar vehicle, where both housings mount separate hydrostatic transmissions. A mounting plate is provided to secure to both of the housings to mount the housings to a vehicle frame and if required to seal openings formed in the bottom of both of the housings. The connection plate may include tabs or other structure to secure it to the vehicle frame to increase the ease of assembly of the transaxle unit in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond M. Hauser
  • Patent number: 7032915
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a detachable windshield assembly in generally overlying relation to the hood assembly. The snowmobile includes a windshield assembly with a windshield support frame that includes a plurality of elongated support frame members. Each of the plurality of elongated support frame members is laterally spaced from one another and includes at least a windshield locking structure. A windshield is detachably mounted to the windshield locking structure by at least a releasable securing structure attached to the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Yvon Bédard, Jean-François Desmarais
  • Patent number: 7032916
    Abstract: A single-piece side wheel attachment member for removably attaching an auxiliary side wheel to a bicycle is provided. The attachment member has a single-piece molded structure, including an upper vertical portion and a lower substantially horizontal spindle portion connected through a C-shaped compliant structure for allowing the spindle portion to move vertically when subjected to force. In its natural unbiased condition, the vertical and horizontal portions of the member extend generally perpendicular to one another. The upper vertical portion includes a projection and at least one through-hole for insertion on the rear wheel axle of the bicycle. The horizontal spindle portion is rotatably engaged by the auxiliary side wheel, therefore acting as its axle. Both ends of the attachment member can angularly move relative to one another due to the C-shaped compliant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Brevets Futek-MSM LTEE
    Inventor: Salvio Plana
  • Patent number: 7032706
    Abstract: A method for setting a control parameter for an electric power steering device includes process of obtaining a speed ratio between a steering shaft and a motor based on a mechanical angle at the steering shaft obtained from a first steering angle and a second steering angle and a motor electric angle of the motor, and setting the speed ratio as a control parameter used for obtaining the absolute rotational position of the steering wheel from the first steering angle, the second steering angle, and the motor electric angle at the control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Koki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsuhisa Asada
  • Patent number: 7029019
    Abstract: The present invention is an attacher having a receiver extending rearward and a boom extending upward and rearward from a base. One or more connectors, such as a gooseneck hitch or a hook, can be at the distal end of the boom. The boom is supported by a pair of bent arms that interconnect the base and the boom. The bent arms connect to the boom near the distal end of the boom. The present invention can connect directly to a three point hitch of a host vehicle, or to an adapter plate having a three point hitch. To accomplish this, two pins extend out from opposed ends of the base and a U-shaped bracket is on the boom. At least one plate can be recessed within the base to anchor the pins to the base, in addition to welding the pins to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Dye
  • Patent number: 7029021
    Abstract: The specification discloses several embodiments of an interlocking device. The specification discloses a preferred embodiment of an interlocking device having an inner bar slideable within the confines of an outer bar. The outer bar has a first end and a second end. When the inner bar slides towards the second end of the outer bar, a plug, which is attached to the inner bar, is adapted to abut a plug barrier thereby preventing the inner bar from sliding towards the second end. The outer bar of the interlocking device further defines an interlocking member passage and an interlocking member stop. The interlocking device further has an interlocking member attached to the inner bar. When the inner bar slides towards the first end of the outer bar, at least a portion of the interlocking member moves transverse to the sliding axis of the inner bar and into the interlocking member passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Klar
  • Patent number: 7029020
    Abstract: A bracket, apparatus and method are provided for adapting a simple draw bar and hitch ball arrangement to allow connection to a sway control device. The bracket includes an aperture for receiving the threaded stem of the hitch ball, a notch for receiving and engaging the draw bar and a second aperture for receiving a sway control device connector such as a sway control ball. The bracket allows connection to any number of sway control devices available in the industry so that a simple draw bar and hitch ball may be converted for sway control capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Cequent Towing Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Katherine A. Adams
  • Patent number: 7028796
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive apparatus for a vehicle with front wheels driven by an engine comprises a generator connected to the engine for generating an electric current; a motor driven by the electric current supplied from the generator and supplying power for driving rear wheels; a battery charged by the electric current supplied from the generator; a first relay switch for switching electric contact between the generator and the motor; a second relay switch for switching electric contact between the battery and the generator, wherein, the current generated by the generator is alternatively supplied to the motor or the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jong Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 7025366
    Abstract: A two wheel steering bicycle with two steering controls and rider positioned facing forward. A top tube member connects the rear head tube to the front head tube. The rear wheel attaches to the rear fork extending upwards. The rear fork steerer column passes through the rear head tube and can rotate within the rear head tube by means of a bicycle bearing headset. A rear steering handle is connected to the rear fork steerer column. The rear steering handle is designed to contact the rider's first hand. The front wheel attaches to the front fork extending upwards. The front fork steerer column passes through the front head tube and can rotate within the front head tube by means of a bicycle bearing headset. A front steering handle is connected to the front fork steerer column. The front steering handle is designed to contact the rider's second hand. A seat tube member attaches to the top tube member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Killian
  • Patent number: 7025368
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a protective cage on the side portions of an engine. The cage has two side portions that are separated from one another and are coupled to a common bottom member which extends underneath and/or through the engine. The side portions are coupled to the sides of the motorcycle frame at coupling points. The cage provides a low profile protective barrier between the engine and the ground when the motorcycle is on its side and does not interfere with the rider who wants to perform stunts on the motorcycle. At least one of the coupling points on each side is provided with a projection, which projection has a replaceable cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Timothy E. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7025157
    Abstract: A motorized pallet truck includes an angular indicator on the steering arm mechanism providing an internal controller with an angular position of the steering arm or tiller. The controller applies a brake when the tiller is in either of a substantially vertical or substantially horizontal position, limits the speed of the truck for a predetermined rotational movement from the vertical position, and allows full speed of the vehicle when the tiller arm is pulled into a predefined fast driving arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Philip Lindsay, Verle W. Dau, Alan W. Bartels
  • Patent number: 7017687
    Abstract: A reconfigurable leg and wheel device includes an array of components joined in series configurable as i) an articulated leg with the components movable with respect to one another in a walking motion, and reconfigurable as ii) a wheel with the components forming a circular outer surface and being rotatable about an axis in a rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sarcos Investments LC
    Inventors: Stephen Jacobsen, Fraser M. Smith, Marc Olivier, Christopher S. Maggio
  • Patent number: 7011172
    Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a frame, a plurality of casters coupled to the frame, a wheel movable relative to the frame between a first position engaging the floor and a second position spaced from the floor, a drive assembly coupled to the wheel and operable to drive the wheel to propel the patient support apparatus along the floor, a controller associated with the drive assembly, a push handle coupled to the frame, a control coupled to the push handle and movable to provide a signal to the controller via at least one wire routed from the control through the push handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services
    Inventors: Richard H. Heimbrock, Thomas M. Webster, John Vogel
  • Patent number: 7007967
    Abstract: A trailer tongue assembly has a base section which is engagable with a trailer and an extension section which supports a coupler. The trailer tongue assembly also has an internal hinge positioned between the extension section and the base section. The internal hinge rotationally connects the base section and the extension section and selectively provides the trailer tongue assembly with an extended operational position and a folded storage position. The internal hinge is housed in the trailer tongue assembly and is essentially shielded from view by the trailer tongue assembly when the trailer tongue assembly is in the extended operational position. The trailer tongue assembly also has a greater length in the extended operational position than in the folded storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Bernhardt P. Goettker
  • Patent number: 7004491
    Abstract: Several embodiments of hitch receiver attachment structures are provided, which are adapted for interconnection with a conventional vehicle hitch receiver. The hitch receiver attachment structures include mechanisms that reduce or eliminate undesirable play or movement between the hitch receiver attachment structure and the hitch receiver during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Allsop, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Allsop, Eivind Clausen
  • Patent number: 7000750
    Abstract: A vacuum locking hub system is provided for a four-wheel drive vehicle that includes a cartridge-type assembly that allows the vacuum locking hub system to be inserted into the wheel as a cartridge unit for ease of assembly. The vacuum locking hub system has a compact construction allowing it to be substantially received within the wheel hub, thus reducing system mass and unit length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Warn Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred L. Ewer