Patents Examined by Michael R Stabley
  • Patent number: 11786420
    Abstract: A drive device for a wheelchair includes a control element, a chassis and a support frame. A fixing arrangement is mounted on the support frame and can be fixed to a wheelchair frame of the wheelchair. The fixing arrangement is designed such that it can be automatically connected to and released from the wheelchair frame of the wheelchair by a fixing drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Rainer Küschall
  • Patent number: 11780327
    Abstract: A vehicle canister mounting structure for a vehicle, the vehicle including a frame and an upper structure, such as a cabin, mounted on the frame, includes a primary bracket and a secondary bracket. The primary bracket is fastened to the frame by a primary fastener. The secondary bracket is fastened to the primary bracket by a secondary fastener and is attached to a canister. One of the primary fastener and the secondary fastener is configured to allow fastening to be performed from above the frame. The other of the primary and secondary fasteners is configured to allow fastening to be performed from below the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Yagi, Norihiro Kondo, Yoshihiro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11781698
    Abstract: A modular pipe-crawling robot for in-pipe maintenance operations in aspects of the present disclosure may have one or more of the following features: (a) at least two locomotion modules, (b) each module has feet which can extend outward to grip a wall of a pipe while simultaneously reducing its length or disengaging its feet from the inner wall while increasing its length, (c) a gear mechanism built into mechanical linkage, wherein each module's feet are held perpendicular with respect to the inner wall of the pipe, and (d) a joint coupling the at least two modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTS
    Inventors: Hadi Fekrmandi, Phillip Hillard, Skye Rutan-Bedard
  • Patent number: 11772736
    Abstract: The embodiments show an efficient, flexible, durable, lightweight and portable (12) electromechanical apparatus (12) that a cyclist can easily and safely operate. The design allows for the remote positioning of a visible elongated object, (12) safety sleeve/arm (12), from a secured vertical stowed position, to a secured horizontal active position without stopping during the ride. The elongated, aerodynamically shaped (12) safety sleeve (12) will have (12) LED strip lights (12) along the trailing edge, along with a (12) wing tip light (12) at the end of the member. Also included are reflective materials at both ends and on the leading edge of the (12) safety sleeve (12). The purpose of a (12) safety sleeve/arm (12) in the active horizontal position is to provide oncoming motorists with a dimensional frame of reference to clear the pedal vehicle when passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Raymond J. Foucher
  • Patent number: 11766906
    Abstract: A trailer coupler locking device that includes: a trailer ball body, wherein the trailer ball body is shaped as a coupling ball; a plurality of locking rods, where the plurality of locking rods define elongated members which extend from the trailer ball body; and a locking mechanism. The elongated members may be placed in either a locked position or an unlocked position. When in the unlocked position, the ball body moves freely in and out of a ball mount coupler, and when in a locked position, the ball body is locked into a ball mount coupler. The locking rods selectively extend and retract by manual operation of the locking mechanism, where the locking mechanism includes a cylinder lock that is operably connected to a rotational member and a mechanical rod actuator. The mechanical rod actuator operable connects the rotational member with each locking rod and enables each locking rod to move linearly in response to the rotary motion of the rotational member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Huff, Kristy Moore, Wynell Welch
  • Patent number: 11759943
    Abstract: Automated storage and retrieval systems which include robots that move along ceilings and/or walls to retrieve and/or transport goods. The robots use magnetic adhesion to hold to the surfaces. The robots adjust the magnetic adhesion force in response to changes in weight or other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ferromotion Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Vira Tarbaieva, Andriy Volodymyrovych Shvydky, Mykhailo Anatolievich Smetaniuk, Victor Anatolievich Smetaniuk
  • Patent number: 11752857
    Abstract: A wheel-driven vehicle (1), comprising a front vehicle unit (1 A), a rear vehicle unit (1B), a power source (4), a first centre beam (8) and a second centre beam (9), a first driving means (10) and a second driving means (11) provided on each opposite sides of the first centre beam (8), a third driving means (13) and a fourth driving means (14), provided on opposite sides of the second centre beam (9), wherein the respective driving means (10, 11, 13, 14) comprises at least a driving wheel (16), a power-transmitting arrangement for transmission of power from said power source (4) to the driving wheel (16) that is included in each of the driving means (10, 11, 13, 14), wherein the power-transmitting arrangement comprises an engine (19) and a transmitting arrangement (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Komatsu Forest AB
    Inventors: Erik Nilsson, Espen Miland
  • Patent number: 11752817
    Abstract: Disclosed is a detachable receiver apparatus for a hitch assembly. The apparatus includes a body having an attachment portion and a receiver portion. The attachment portion may be selectively attached to a frame of a towing vehicle. The receiver portion may be selectively attached to a receiver member. The receiver member may selectively attach to a hitch bar. In one embodiment, the receiver portion is received within the receiver member. In another embodiment, the receiver portion defines a cavity for receiving the receiver member. The attachment portion may include at least one locking member for selectively locking or unlocking the attachment portion to the frame of the towing vehicle. The assembly may include an actuator for selectively locking and unlocking the locking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Edward Robinson, Henry J. Guthard, Jordan Mazurek
  • Patent number: 11754155
    Abstract: A robot leg assembly including a hip joint and an upper leg member. A proximal end portion of the upper leg member rotatably coupled to the hip joint. The robot leg assembly including a knee joint rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of the upper leg member, a lower leg member rotatably coupled to the knee joint, a linear actuator disposed on the upper leg member and defining a motion axis, and a motor coupled to the linear actuator and a linkage coupled to the translation stage and to the lower leg member. The linear actuator includes a translation stage moveable along the motion axis to translate rotational motion of the motor to linear motion of the translation stage along the motion axis, which moves the linkage to rotate the lower leg member relative to the upper leg member at the knee joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Potter, Zachary John Jackowski, Adam Young
  • Patent number: 11745818
    Abstract: The present invention provides a straddle type vehicle, comprising: a taillight disposed in a rear portion of a vehicle and configured to emit light to rearward of the vehicle; a license plate disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle; and a detection unit configured to detect surrounding conditions behind the vehicle, wherein the detection unit is connected to a vehicle body frame via a support stay and is disposed to be lower than the taillight and higher than the license plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hagimoto, Yoshiyuki Kuroba, Kiyoshi Katagiri, Hiroshi Maeda, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 11745825
    Abstract: A direct-drive bicycle include a bicycle body, which extends to include a front fork. A front wheel is pivotally provided at a tube fixedly provided at the terminal end of the front fork. A shaft passes through the tube. A rotary disc is connected to the shaft. A pedal is provided at each end of the shaft through a connecting rod. A transmission assembly include a rotatable spline shaft provided, a friction wheel slidably provided at the spline shaft to press against a friction disc provided at a side of the front wheel, and a rotating wheel fixed to the spline shaft. The rotary disc is located between the spline shaft and the front wheel, and drives the rotating wheel to change the position where the friction wheel presses against the friction disc. Thus, the front wheel can be directly driven and provides continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Junghsen Lieh
  • Patent number: 11738799
    Abstract: A system includes a steering-system motor, a first electronic control unit (ECU) and a second ECU each electrically connected to the steering-system motor, a communication line directly communicatively connecting the first ECU and the second ECU, and a gateway module communicatively connecting the first ECU to a controller area network (CAN) bus and communicatively connecting the second ECU to the CAN bus. The first ECU is programmed to, upon detecting a fault, transmit a fault code to the second ECU via the communication line and via the gateway module. The second ECU is programmed to, upon detecting a fault, transmit a fault code to the first ECU via the communication line and via the gateway module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamad Wajih Issam Farhat, Steven R. El Aile
  • Patent number: 11738798
    Abstract: A turning control system includes a controller. The controller is configured to perform a decrease process of decreasing a magnitude of an angle operation amount which is reflected in an operation process with respect to the magnitude of the angle operation amount calculated in an angle operation amount calculating process when a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a prescribed speed and a magnitude of an input torque of a steering wheel is equal to or less than a prescribed value. The controller is configured to perform a correction process of correcting an input when the decrease process is performed such that a magnitude of the input decreases when an angle command value calculating process calculates an angle command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Terutaka Tamaizumi
  • Patent number: 11731472
    Abstract: A quick hitch attachment device for coupling the attachment element of a truck bed type system to a quick hitch. The attachment device includes a mounting member tube, a ball hitch assembly and two or more coupling members adapted to mount a mounting member to the quick hitch. The ball hitch assembly includes a stem configured to be slidably received in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: HIGH BALL HITCH, LLC
    Inventor: Richard G. Steele, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11715873
    Abstract: The straddle type vehicle comprises an antenna that can receive a wireless signal of a predetermined frequency band, and a sensing unit for sensing a situation in front of the vehicle. A constituent component of the vehicle is arranged between the antenna and the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Futoshi Koga, Naoto Yamashita, Akihito Kawamura, Hiroshi Maeda, Yoshiyuki Kuroba
  • Patent number: 11708105
    Abstract: An electric power steering system. The system includes a steering rack having a first end and a second end and at least one damper coupled to one of the first end and the second end. The system also includes an electronic controller configured to determine if the damper has been destroyed based upon a sensed steering angle being above a maximum steering angle threshold or based upon a received signal from an electrical circuit enclosed within the at least one damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Mayer, Achim Frankovics
  • Patent number: 11702163
    Abstract: A transport system can employ a transport assembly with a main support member attached to a mounting connection, a tow connection, a suspension, and a horizontal articulation mechanism. The horizontal articulation mechanism may be configured to raise the suspension of a ground surface along a first direction and move the main support member in a second direction with the first direction being orthogonal to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Ironman FFB, LLC
    Inventors: Tommy Edmonson, Phil Carson Coldiron
  • Patent number: 11702127
    Abstract: An assist mechanism includes: an electric motor in which a rotor has a magnet and a stator has a winding; a shaft-shaped member in which a worm engaged with a worm wheel is formed; and a coupling that couples an output shaft of the electric motor and the shaft-shaped member to each other. The smallest rotation order among rotation orders of the electric motor and a rotation order of the worm are prime to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yasushi Honda
  • Patent number: 11701993
    Abstract: A hauling apparatus is disclosed, the hauling apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be secured to a hauling vehicle and a pivotable wheel-receiver pivotably secured to the frame about a vertical pivot axis thereof, wherein the pivotable platform is adapted to receive thereon a non-steerable wheel of a hauled vehicle and provide angular movement between the hauling vehicle and the hauled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MARC BERGERON
    Inventor: Marc Bergeron
  • Patent number: 11691673
    Abstract: Provided is an off-road robot, including a front side portion, a rear side portion and a middle portion. The front side portion includes a front vehicle frame, a front wheel and a first driving system; the front wheels and the first driving system are disposed at the front vehicle frame; and the first driving system drives the front wheels. The rear side portion includes a rear vehicle frame, a rear wheel and a second driving system; the rear wheel and the second driving system are disposed at the rear vehicle frame; and the second driving system drives the rear wheels. The middle portion includes a first frame and a second frame; the first frame and the second frame are detachably connected; the front vehicle frame is connected with the first frame; and the rear vehicle frame is connected with the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING & TECHNOLOGY, BEIJING
    Inventors: Jianwei Zhao, Zhe Wang, Jianshe Ma, An Qian, Yanxin Pang