Patents Examined by Michael T. Walsh
  • Patent number: 11872472
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a ski-snowboard device capable of skinning in an uphill ski mode and skiing in a downhill snowboard mode. The system may include two skis with inner and outer edges having substantially concave side cuts, and an insert that fits into the space between the inner edge side cuts of each of the two skis. The concave side cuts of the inner edges of the skis may have a groove formed in each, and a mating tongue on each side of the insert can fit into the grooves in a downhill snowboard mode. The tongue-and-groove connection may improve the torsional stiffness of the board, and the concave side cuts may allow a user to better grip when skiing and eliminate the step of switching the skis when used as sides of the snowboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Donald Ruzicka
  • Patent number: 11873161
    Abstract: A waste receptacle includes a housing, and a wheel assembly coupled to the housing. The wheel assembly includes an axle, a wheel secured to the axle and slidable along the axle between an outer position and an inner position, and a spacer. The spacer is removably securable to the axle adjacent the wheel in (i) a first position inward of the wheel to operably retain the wheel in the outer position, and (ii) in a second position outward of the wheel to operably retain the wheel in the inner position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC
    Inventors: Vadim Voznyuk, Timothy Pierzynski
  • Patent number: 11865433
    Abstract: A touring skibinding (1) comprises a support element (2) which can be fastened to the ski, a bearing element (3) with a skiboot reception (4) which is designed in such a way that the skiboot (5) can be mounted in the skiboot reception (4) such that the skiboot can pivot about a first pivot axis (S1) with respect to the skiboot reception (4) and a convex supporting surface (6) on which the skiboot (5) can roll, the bearing element (3) being connected to the support element (2) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis (S2) from an initial state into a pivoted state, wherein the skiboot (5) is moveable from a standing state, in which the skiboot (5) stands on the convex supporting surface (6), into a pulling state, in which the skiboot (5) is at least partially lifted from the convex supporting surface (6), wherein, starting from the standing state, the skiboot (5) is movable on the convex supporting surface (6) in the direction of the pulling state in such a manner that the skiboot (5) rolls on the conve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: FRITSCHIAG—SWISS BINDINGS
    Inventors: Albert Loichinger, Micha Baggenstos, Stefan Ibach, François Christinat, Theo Eggimann
  • Patent number: 11857863
    Abstract: An apparatus for traveling across snow includes a ski having opposing ends, a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture extending therethrough between the top and bottom surfaces. The apparatus also includes a centerboard pivotally connected to the ski and disposed at least partially within the aperture in the ski. The apparatus further includes a binding plate configured to have a boot binding connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron N. Murray, Amber N. Murray
  • Patent number: 11845495
    Abstract: A hood mounting structure includes: a fender apron upper member provided along a length direction of a vehicle body; a hood disposed on a front portion of the vehicle body; and a hood hinge including a hinge upper arm connected to a lower part of the hood and a hinge lower arm mounted on a side of the fender apron upper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eonpyo Kim
  • Patent number: 11826634
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power-driven shoe. The shoe includes a shoe sole having a plurality of rotatable wheels arranged below the shoe sole in an overlapping fashion. The distance between the rotational axis of the wheels is less than or equal to the diameter of the wheel, such that vertical obstacles can be overcome in both the positive and negative displacement directions for increased ground stability. The shoe sole includes a toe part and a sole part that are connected to each other, via a hinge, in both a rotational and translational configuration, such that at least one front wheel or at least one middle wheel are independently in contact with the ground while maintaining at least one rear wheel in contact with the ground throughout a bi-pedal gait cycle, allowing for comfort during a user's natural range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Shift Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Xunjie Zhang, Abram Pleta
  • Patent number: 11813516
    Abstract: An apparatus for transport, storage and lifting of sporting equipment such as skis has a wheeled caddy and devices for mounting to a vehicle and to a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: Charles H Keegan
  • Patent number: 11813933
    Abstract: A vehicle floor structure includes: a center floor panel; a pair of side sills mounted on both sides of the center floor panel; a plurality of structural members attached to a bottom surface of the center floor panel; and a plurality of seat crossmembers attached to the bottom surface of the center floor panel, wherein each structural member extends in a longitudinal direction of the center floor panel, each seat crossmember extends in a width direction of the center floor panel, and an axis of the structural member is orthogonal to an axis of the seat crossmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung Min Kang
  • Patent number: 11806605
    Abstract: A toe-piece of a ski binding for ski mountaineering has a base, a first jaw, a second jaw, an activating lever, a joint, a housing, and elastic means. The first jaw is provided with a first guide, and the second jaw is provided with a second guide. The activating lever is rotatably coupled to the base. The joint is activatable by the activating lever, which includes a first sliding element slidably coupled with the first guide and a second sliding element slidably coupled with the second guide, so that the activation of the activating lever causes, via the joint, the rotation of the first jaw and the second jaw. The housing is borne by the base. The elastic means are arranged in the housing so as to push the joint to wedge against the first jaw and the second jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ATK SPORTS S.r.l.
    Inventor: Davide Indulti
  • Patent number: 11807147
    Abstract: An accessory mounting arrangement is provided for vehicles wherein a removable accessory is mounted to the vehicle via a projecting arm which is slidably received within a tubular element, attached to the chassis and floor structure of the vehicle along a vehicle side, and abutting a structural wall which limits sliding motion of the projecting arm. Preferably, the tubular element is formed as a conventionally sized hitch receiver, and the projecting arm is telescopically received in the tubular element at one end of the arm, while the other end of the arm includes a vertical adjustment structure which supports a platform for positively locating and supporting devices for supplemental function, such as a bar-b-que grill. Multiple tubular elements can be so mounted along the side of the vehicle, so as to provide multiple alternative and cooperative accessory ports, and removable covers are provided for aesthetic benefits when a given port is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Seth Cox
  • Patent number: 11794089
    Abstract: A ski pole holder is provided. The ski pole holder is positioned toward a toe side of a ski footwear, to secure a portion of the ski pole within a channel of the ski pole holder. The ski pole holder includes a housing with the channel that extends towards the skier. When the skier is riding a ski lift, the ski pole is received within the housing to retain the ski pole. Fasteners within the channel secure the ski pole to the ski pole holder. The housing also includes a front sidewall and guides to help ensure that the tip of the ski pole is easily positioned within the channel. A lateral sidewall includes an open slot to provide for removal of snow that accumulates within the channel. The ski pole holder is attachable to the upper side of the ski footwear or is permanently integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sami Kinetic Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Steve Landess
  • Patent number: 11785900
    Abstract: A forestry machine includes a ground propulsion apparatus, a chassis supported by the ground propulsion apparatus, a cab, an engine and a work implement. The chassis includes a front chassis portion and a rear chassis portion. The front chassis portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The rear chassis portion has a wood basket supported thereon. The cab is rotatably supported on the front chassis portion by a rotatable connection about a cab rotation axis to be selectively rotated 360 degrees. The engine is integrated into the front chassis portion. At least a part of the engine is disposed below an upper most surface of the upper portion. The work implement is movably attached to the cab. The work implement includes a boom movably attached to the cab, an arm movably attached to the boom, and a work tool attached to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TIMBERPRO, INC.
    Inventors: Lee Crawford, John Lambert
  • Patent number: 11786800
    Abstract: A ski seat assembly is provided that includes a support structure, a seat coupled to the support structure, and an adjustable binding insert mechanism coupled to the support structure. The adjustable binding insert mechanism including a toe piece, a heel piece, and an adjustable connector connecting the toe piece to the heel piece, wherein the adjustable connector is adjustable to adjust a length of the adjustable binding insert mechanism to fit into a binding on a ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: David J. Cox
  • Patent number: 11780486
    Abstract: A cart has a wheeled base unit with a first frame portion on one side and a second frame portion on another. The frame portions are coupled by a frontend part. A handle unit connects the frame portions at a backside of the cart and also connects the base unit to a basket. An inner frame portion is between the frame portions and extends to the frontend part of the base unit. The inner frame portion includes a front contact portion and a stopper portion. A spacer portion is attached to the inner frame portion closer to the backside of the base unit than the stopper portion. The spacer portion is positioned to contact a front contact portion of another cart when carts are nested. A coupling portion is sandwiched between the inner frame portion and a frontend part of another cart when carts are nested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Ogishima
  • Patent number: 11766941
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device supported by the chassis, a body assembly, and a power distribution unit. The energy storage device is configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover. Activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle. The body assembly is configured for storing refuse and is supported by the chassis. The power distribution unit is coupled to the energy storage device and is configured to control power transmission outward from the energy storage device, between the chassis and the body assembly. The body assembly includes a controller that communicates with the power distribution unit to adjust a flow of electrical power from the energy storage device to the body assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Emily Davis, Joshua D. Rocholl, Clinton T. Weckwerth, Vincent Hoover, Michael R. Moore, Samuel Mueller, Jeff Verhagen, Jeremy Andringa, Greg Steffens, Jeffrey Koga
  • Patent number: 11766890
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor drive device (10) includes a wheel hub bearing unit (11) having an outer ring (13), an inner ring (12) protruding from the outer ring to one side in an axial (O) direction, rolling elements (14) between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a fixing bolt (15) for fixing the outer ring to a non-rotary member (102); and a brake disk (55) having a connecting portion (58) configured to connect with one end of the inner ring, a cylindrical portion (57) extending from the connecting portion to the other side in the axial direction and disposed coaxially to the inner ring, and at least a part of the fixing bolt is received in an internal space of the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoya Takeuchi, Shiro Tamura, Shinya Taikou
  • Patent number: 11760401
    Abstract: Provided is a carrier including a handle and a load-carrying platform, which enables construction of a multi-tier assembly. A carrier includes caster mounting portions formed on a lower surface of a load-carrying platform, a handle that extends outward from a first side edge portion of the load-carrying platform and has an upper surface with an engaged portion being one of a recess and a through hole, and an engaging portion that projects downward from a lower surface of a second side edge portion opposed to the first side edge portion and is engageable with the engaged portion. Connection of a plurality of carriers achieves an integral and flat placement surface composed of placement surfaces, each being the upper surface of the load-carrying platform of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YOSHIKAWAKUNI KOGYOSHO
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 11753061
    Abstract: A non-motorized transport device including first and second skis; first front and rear fastening feet fastened on the first ski and second front and rear fastening feet fastened on the second ski; a longitudinal beam; an edging handle fastened to the longitudinal beam; and a connecting system connecting the longitudinal beam to the first and second front and rear fastening feet, the connecting system including first and second front connecting rods each including a middle portion pivotally mounted on the longitudinal beam about a respective front articulation axis and first and second end portions which are respectively connected to the first and second front fastening feet by respective front ball joint connections, and a rear connecting rod including a middle portion pivotally mounted on the longitudinal beam about a rear articulation axis and first and second end portions respectively connected to the first and second rear fastening feet by respective rear ball joint connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SNOWSKUT
    Inventor: Marc Gostoli
  • Patent number: 11752420
    Abstract: An apparatus for training a student to ski is a ski pole that, used in a pair and held laterally, converts to guiding harness. The apparatus is configured as a pair arranged around the student and held by both student and instructor. The apparatus converts to typical-use ski poles when training is complete. The apparatus is configured like a typical-use ski pole, but articulated with a ratchet joint that enables arrangement around the student.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Todd M deWardener
  • Patent number: 11745085
    Abstract: A downhill snow ski sound system comprises a speaker coupled to a binding of a snowboard or ski. An orifice is located at a perimeter of the binding and a strap is coupled to and extends from the orifice. The speaker is releasably coupled to the binding by the strap. The speaker is positioned adjacent the binding with less than an inch between the speaker and the binding. The speaker is also positioned directly on and contacting the ski-board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Jeffrey Potts