Patents Examined by Vaughn T. Coolman
  • Patent number: 7717440
    Abstract: A manually operable luggage cart includes a central and unitary storage chamber with planar top and bottom surfaces. The assembly further includes a handle that is pivotal between rectilinear oblong displaced positions extending parallel and diagonal to a longitudinal length of the storage chamber, a plurality of casters rotatably connected to the storage chamber, and a mechanism for automatically biasing the casters between exposed and retracted positions from the bottom surface of the storage chamber when the handle is pivoted between the parallel and diagonal positions and about a curvilinear path defined adjacent to the proximal end of the storage chamber. The adaptable luggage cart further includes a plurality of straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Ahmad Baba
  • Patent number: 7717206
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. Two seat assemblies are disposed side by side on the frame. The seat assemblies are separated from each other to define a space therebetween. An engine powers the wheels. The engine defines an air intake port that communicates with a combustion chamber. An air intake system delivers air to the intake port. At least a portion of the air intake system extends through the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America
    Inventors: Norihiko Tanaka, Kazuhiko Izumi, Akira Inui, Eiji Kato, Colby Nash
  • Patent number: 7712562
    Abstract: The present invention shortens an intake duct while enabling an intake of cleaner air into the inside of an air cleaner. In a vehicle in which vehicle body mounting parts such as an engine, an air cleaner and the like are supported on a vehicle body frame, a cabin is formed by mounting a pair of left and right seats on the vehicle body frame with the engine being arranged below the seats. An air cleaner is arranged behind the engine with an intake duct for sucking outside air being connected to the air cleaner. The intake duct extends frontwardly from the air cleaner while avoiding a cylinder portion of the engine with a distal end portion thereof being opened in a cabin side adjacent to the at least one seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7712749
    Abstract: A footwear includes a main shoe body provided with a recess on a bottom thereof; an upper body fixed to the recess and having a plurality of magnets arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction; a lower body having a plurality of magnets arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction, and connected with the upper body to be rotatable relative to the upper body; and rollers mounted to the lower body. The magnets of the upper body and the lower body are arranged so as to return the rollers always to a regular position by magnetism acting between the magnets of the upper body and the magnets of the lower body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Duk-Ki Moon
  • Patent number: 7708294
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided having a cargo area, a passenger compartment, and a detachable dual-use platform which is connectable to the cargo area to form a ramp, and to the underside of the vehicle to form a running board. The platform is supported by brackets at either end when used as a running board, and includes an internal locking mechanism. A platform apparatus is also provided for accessing the vehicle, including a first locator portion that is adjacent to the cargo area, and a dual-use platform portion having a step surface on one side and a second locator portion on an opposite side. The locator portions are mutually engageable to secure the platform to the cargo area. A method is also provided for accessing the vehicle, including configuring a platform for alternate attachment adjacently to the passenger compartment as a running board and adjacently to the cargo area as a ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Demick
  • Patent number: 7703566
    Abstract: An upper CRFM attachment modality which provides assembly simplification, structural strength, design efficiency, and reduced vehicle weight. The tie bar, particularly the inner tie bar component thereof, is integrally provided with a pair of upper CFRM brackets. A pair of elastomeric frustoconical studs are attached to the top end of the upper CRFM, wherein the frustoconical studs self-aligningly interface, respectively, with a stud hole of each of the upper CRFM brackets as a powertrain cradle carrying the CRFM is lifted toward the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Wilson, Daniel G. Tolan
  • Patent number: 7699134
    Abstract: A motorcycle has an exhaust system configured to extend below the engine while providing a sufficient length and a sufficient angle of through which the motorcycle can lean. A muffler unit comprises a first muffler connected with the exhaust pipe unit and disposed between the engine and a rear wheel. The muffler unit also comprises a second muffler that is connected with the first muffler and that is disposed near the side of the rear wheel. The first muffler comprises inclined portions that are formed on the left and right sides of the first muffler when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The second muffler has inclined portions that extend at an angle approximately equal to that of the inclined portions of the first muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuto Terashima, Hirotoshi Takeshita
  • Patent number: 7694765
    Abstract: A power-dividing device for a working vehicle includes a case member, an input shaft supported by the case member so that a first end portion of the input shaft can be operatively connected to a driving source, a PTO unit having a PTO shaft supported by the case member so as to be offset with respect to the input shaft, a power transmission mechanism accommodated in the case member to transmit power from the input shaft to the PTO shaft, and a first pump unit having a first pump shaft operatively connected to the input shaft and being fluid-connected to an actuator disposed outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitagawara, Koji Kiyooka
  • Patent number: 7690674
    Abstract: A ski in accordance with the invention increases in width from a tip or shovel portion to a mid-portion. The mid-portion includes at least a slight sidecut. The ski then decreases in width from the mid-portion to a tail portion. The ski also includes an undersurface with a substantial portion being rockered. A substantial portion of the mid-portion of the ski is not rockered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Armada Skis, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Trimble, Brian H. C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7677580
    Abstract: A travel cooler includes a wheeled platform and an insulated container configured to be selectively coupled to, and uncoupled from, the wheeled platform. The wheeled platform includes a base, a plurality of wheels mounted to the base for rolling movement of the platform and a first coupling component fixedly disposed on the base. The insulated container includes a second coupling component fixedly disposed on the container. The first and second coupling components are disengaged from one another when the insulated container is uncoupled from the wheeled platform. The first and second coupling components are disposed in interlocking engagement when the insulated container is coupled to the wheeled platform, whereby the insulated container is securely coupled to the wheeled platform in fixed disposition relative thereto for safe transportation on the wheeled platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Ian D. Kovacevich, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Chris Hoy
  • Patent number: 7661685
    Abstract: The invention is a combination mobile tool caddy and seat for performing work adapted for use by a tradesman such as an electrician, plumber, carpenter and the like. The wheeled mobile caddy includes a rigid frame having a lower and an upper support member vertically separated by upright corner members. The lower support member extends beyond the upper support member to form a platform area upon which a cylindrical vessel or bucket can be stored. The bucket is equipped with a liner having pockets for storing hand tools. Four caster wheels are appropriately attached to the lower support member so that the caddy can be wheeled from a service vehicle to a specific job site having stored therein the tradesman's tools, as well as necessary material supplies to perform daily job functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Richard R. Thibault
  • Patent number: 7661683
    Abstract: An apparatus for draining and transporting large diameter hoses includes a frame that is movable by virtue of a pair of wheels. The center of gravity of the frame, and of the frame and a coiled hose situated on it, is located directly above the wheels. The frame includes a front toe for facilitating the rolling of a coiled segment of hose up and onto the frame. The frame includes horizontally disposed rollers that facilitate removal of the coil from the frame. The frame also includes a guide bar to assist in maintaining the coil in an upright position during transport. An attachment is removably secured to the frame to allow a portion of the hose to drape over an attachment roller to extract water from the hose and to allow a power-driven winding rod to wind the hose into a coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Roll N Rack LLC
    Inventor: Javier Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7658413
    Abstract: A snow pole and snow board binding combination is disclosed. The snow pole is conveniently stored on a snowboard binding. The snow pole has telescoping pole members that may be automatically extended from an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole and may be automatically retracted into an interior portion of a housing of the snow pole. The snow pole may have an emergency flag system that is contained within the housing of the snow pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Andon Malone
  • Patent number: 7654574
    Abstract: A mud flap mounting system for connecting a mud flap to a mud flap mounting bracket of a vehicle includes a mud flap group and a mud flap mounting assembly for connecting one mud flap of the mud flap group to a vehicle mud flap mounting bracket. The mud flap group includes at least two mud flaps, each comprising a sheet of flexible material having a top edge and defining at least two mounting openings, each mounting opening including a bolt hole, a first slit and at least a second slit, said first slit being a severed portion of the sheet with virtually no loss of material and extending from the top edge to the corresponding bolt hole, and the at least a second slit extending outwardly from the bolt hole. The mud flap mounting assembly includes a pressure plate, a spring member, a bolt with a head and a shank with a distal end, and a tightening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Norman Anthony Haynes
  • Patent number: 7651108
    Abstract: Drive wheel (6) is designed to pivot around a first axis (X-X?), which in particular is horizontal, for the purpose of advance of the vehicle, and around a second axis (Y-Y?), which in particular is vertical, for the purpose of steering of the vehicle, while fairing (8) extends laterally to the vicinity of wheel (6) when the vehicle is in operation, so that it at least partly covers an outer side of said wheel. Fairing (8) is not linked in rotation to wheel (6) around the first axis, with the result that it is not constrained to rotate around said axis during the advance of the vehicle, whereas said fairing is linked in rotation to said wheel around the second axis, so that it follows the steering movements of said wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Irisbus France S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Bonnaud, Bruno Cornuault
  • Patent number: 7644793
    Abstract: An automotive heat exchanging system has a heat exchanger comprising a condenser and a radiator, an electric fan located in the front of an engine and an automatic transmission. A shroud is attached to and covers peripheral portions of the electric fan and the heat exchanger to prevent air from bypassing the shutter. The shroud forms an air passage inside of it for allowing airflow through the heat exchanger to flow toward the automatic transmission. A shutter is disposed in the shroud and attached at a periphery of the shroud. The shutter is controlled to open and close the air passage by a controller based on oil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Iwasaki, Junichiro Hara, Kazunori Namai, Hironori Muramoto, Michitake Sumida
  • Patent number: 7641017
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a vehicle body having a floor frame; a fuel cell that generates electricity by the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; and a subframe on which the fuel cell is mounted, being attached to the lower side of the floor frame and has a pair of side frames that extend in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle body, wherein the bottom end of the fuel cell disposed at a position between the upper end and the lower end of the subframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shujiro Nozaki, Takashi Kato, Makoto Anazawa, Masato Nakaarai
  • Patent number: 7641010
    Abstract: An in-wheel motor includes a motor generating motive power, a planetary gear arranged toward a wheel disc relative to the motor to reduce an output of the motor, and a shaft arranged toward the wheel disc relative to the planetary gear and connected to a planetary carrier. Shaft is connected to a constant velocity joint transmitting the motive power to wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Mizutani, Fumito Kurata, Shigekazu Yogo, Kenji Harada, Atsushi Torii, Yuki Tojima, Masafumi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7635134
    Abstract: A device for changing a vehicular component on a first vehicle. The device includes a frame for releasably receiving a vehicular component. The frame is configured to facilitate the frame being positioned in a component changing position with respect to the first vehicle. The device also includes a first actuator for moving the frame to a first position and a second position to thereby mount the vehicular component on the first vehicle or receive the vehicular component from the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Justoy Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Ian Hedley, Christopher Nash Whybin
  • Patent number: 7635137
    Abstract: A skateboard that may be easily assembled and disassembled without tools for portability comprises a multiple section deck having one or more mounting mechanisms thereon that are configured for releasably mounting a truck mounting assembly thereto so as to join two deck sections together. The truck mounting assembly has a standard truck assembly and a truck mount attached or integral therewith. The truck mount is configured to engage the mounting mechanism. A securing mechanism secures the truck mounting assembly to the deck to provide an assembled skateboard suitable for riding. In a preferred embodiment, the truck mount has a mounting cavity for receiving a truck mount connector therein and an outwardly extending member configured to engage a securing assembly attached to the deck. The skateboard is made out of lightweight materials and with disassemblable components so it may be easily carried in a backpack or other carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Portaboard, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brett J. Gregory, Michael W. Keever