With Protective Guard Or Casing Patents (Class 180/346)
  • Patent number: 11813934
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a slider bar to protect a battery pack of a vehicle. The battery pack is housed on an underbody in between the vehicle's front and rear axles. The battery pack protrudes towards the ground. The battery pack can optionally be covered by a shield that has a slot through which the slider bar extends outwards towards the ground. The slider bar is coupled to the underbody near the battery pack. The slider bar is positioned lower than the battery pack such that in an event of the vehicle bottoming out, the impact will be absorbed by the slider bar instead of the battery pack. Thereby, the slider bar protects the battery pack from scraping/scratching the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Berry, Heiko Landsmann, Christopher Holland
  • Patent number: 11505022
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle includes a vehicle body, a vibration absorbing element, an auxiliary arm, a wheel, and a driving member. The vibration absorbing element includes a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed to the vehicle body. The auxiliary arm includes a connecting end and a free end. The connecting end is connected to the vehicle body. The free end is configured to swing relative to the connecting end. The free end is fixed to the second end. The wheel includes an axle, and the axle is rotationally connected to the free end. The driving member is fixed to the vehicle body and configured to drive the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shih-Li Pan, Ssu-Chieh Kao, Jian-Rong Liao, Ching-Chih Tung, Chih-Ying Wu
  • Patent number: 10808792
    Abstract: A shielding element for protecting at least one suspension and/or driveline component. The shielding element is connected to a suspension component. The suspension component extends in a first axial direction and includes a mounting portion at one end for mounting the suspension component to a vehicle. The suspension component further includes a second end for mounting the suspension component to a knuckle. The second mounting portion is capable of receiving a suspension mounting component, which may be or include a ball joint. The shielding element is located near the second mounting portion. The shielding element extends from a surface of the suspension component in a second direction different from the first direction. The portion of the protection element that extends in the second direction may protect at least one of the mounting point, the suspension mounting component, and the driveline component from contact with debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Dustin M. Schroeder, Shane R. Smith, Scott D. Batdorf
  • Patent number: 9950611
    Abstract: A body panel system is provided for a motor vehicle. That body panel system includes a rear diffuser having a front air inlet. Further, that body panel system includes an underbody panel overlying the rear diffuser as well as a first air tunnel formed between the rear diffuser and the underbody panel. Additionally, that body panel system includes a rear valance, including a first vent opening for discharging air received from the first air tunnel. A related method for improving weight distribution and reducing overall weight of a rear differential cooling system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Jeffrey Pfeiffer, Michael Joseph Pugliese, Michael George Aimone, Jr., Andrew Robert Sourk, Fernando Andres Velez Garrett
  • Patent number: 9421955
    Abstract: A suspension structure for an irregular ground traveling vehicle includes an upper arm and a lower arm, a drive shaft, a boot, and an outer guard. The upper and lower arms each have one end portion supported on a vehicle body frame. The drive shaft is disposed between the upper arm and the lower arm and transmits a drive force to a wheel. The boot covers an end portion of the drive shaft on a wheel side. The outer guard member covers a front side of the boot. A brake line, which extends from a caliper, is arranged within a width of the wheel and below the upper arm, and the outer guard member extends to an area in the vicinity of the upper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Atsuko Yamaguchi, Akio Handa
  • Publication number: 20150083515
    Abstract: Left and right rear fenders for wheels are supported to a body by a simple arrangement and the stiffness of the fenders can be achieved. A working vehicle assembly includes left and right wheels, an operator sheet, a transmission case having a shift transmission unit therein and rotatably supporting the left and right rear wheels, left and right fenders for the left and right rear wheels arranged in both sides of the operator seat, a fender support frame having left and right bracket members, a front lateral bridge member connected to the left and right bracket members at a front end thereof, and a rear lateral bridge member connected to the left and right bracket members at a rear end thereof. The left and right bracket members are formed along a front to rear direction of the left and right fenders and configured to attach the left and right fenders. The front lateral bridge member and the rear lateral bridge member are supported above the transmission case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: ISEKI & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka TANI, Yasuhiro Kawada, Masanori Imai, Noriyuki Yamakawa, Eiji Tomioka, Shoji Komoda
  • Publication number: 20150014085
    Abstract: A battery forklift includes a battery and a motor that includes a rotation shaft and is driven using the battery as a power source. A reduction device reduces the speed of rotation of the rotation shaft and transmits the rotation to an axle. A case accommodates the reduction device. A drive wheel is driven by rotation of the axle. The reduction device includes a helical gear rotated integrally with the rotation shaft and a drive shaft formed integrally with the helical gear and extended in a vertical direction. The reduction device further includes an upper bearing located above the helical gear to support the drive shaft rotatably relative to the case and a lower bearing located below the helical gear to support the drive shaft rotatably relative to the case. The case includes a communication portion that communicates a lower void located below the upper bearing and an upper void located above the upper bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Takanori Kanna, Munenori Onitsuka, Kyohei Toda
  • Publication number: 20140284132
    Abstract: A skid shield for attachment to vehicle side rails for protecting an underbody vehicle component, where the vehicle has a cross member mounted to the side rails with mounting hardware and receiving holes, includes a body and a skid plate. The body extends from the first side rail to the second side rail and around the underbody of the vehicle component. The body has at least one frame member. The at least one skid plate is attached to the frame member. The skid shield also includes first and second attachment brackets that attach the frame member to the side rails. The attachment brackets have receiving holes for receiving a fastener. The receiving holes are configured for alignment with the receiving holes in the side rails. The fastener fastens both the attachment bracket of the skid shield and the mounting hardware of the cross member to the side rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Bradshaw, William C. Sump, JR., Robert A. Weber, Craig Birkett, Ling (Alex) Qun He
  • Patent number: 8839901
    Abstract: A skid shield for attachment to vehicle side rails for protecting an underbody vehicle component, where the vehicle has a cross member mounted to the side rails with mounting hardware and receiving holes, includes a body and a skid plate. The body extends from the first side rail to the second side rail and around the underbody of the vehicle component. The body has at least one frame member. The at least one skid plate is attached to the frame member. The skid shield also includes first and second attachment brackets that attach the frame member to the side rails. The attachment brackets have receiving holes for receiving a fastener. The receiving holes are configured for alignment with the receiving holes in the side rails. The fastener fastens both the attachment bracket of the skid shield and the mounting hardware of the cross member to the side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Bradshaw, William C. Sump, Jr., Robert A. Weber, Craig Birkett, Ling (Alex) Qun He
  • Patent number: 8813896
    Abstract: A vehicle including a vehicle body is disclosed. A transmission casing includes a plurality of walls extending outwardly to a distal edge. One of the walls defines a first side and another one of the walls defines a second side. A power inverter module is coupled to the transmission casing to define a unit disposed in a first position when the unit is stationary relative to a first end of the vehicle body and a second position when the unit moves toward a second end of the vehicle body. The power inverter module slopes downwardly from the first side toward the second side to define a module angle relative to a longitudinal axis such that the power inverter module defines an angular position. The angular position of the power inverter module minimizes engagement of the power inverter module with a component when the unit is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Ralph Littlefield, Anthony P. Tata, Michael O. Harpster, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8701806
    Abstract: An electric transaxle unit includes an axle, an electric motor for driving the axle, a motor shaft serving as an output shaft of the electric motor, the motor shaft being not coaxial to the axle, a deceleration gear train interposed between the motor shaft and the axle, a brake adapted to brake any element in a power train between the motor shaft and the axle via the deceleration gear train, and a casing. The casing incorporates the axle, the electric motor, the motor shaft, the deceleration gear train and the brake. The casing includes an attachment portion to be attached to a frame, and wherein the attachment portion has a constant height from a center axis of the axle regardless of whether the casing is vertically inversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Kengo Sasahara, Masaya Itou
  • Patent number: 8607915
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Johnson, James W. Platt, Chane E. Myers, Harold W. Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj V. Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 8381866
    Abstract: A vehicle having a main transmission and a front-axle transmission, the connection of which to the main transmission is effected by a connecting shaft of rigid design, a main axis of the connecting shaft and the center line of the main transmission being positioned in such a way relative to one another that there is a lateral offset angle, a longitudinal offset angle and a rotation angle between the main axis of the connecting shaft and the center line of the main transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Höbel, Ralph-Maria Netzker
  • Patent number: 8312955
    Abstract: A working vehicle according to the present invention includes a pair of front frames and a pair of main frames that are detachably connected to each other, a reinforcing member coupling the pair of main frames while being overlapped therewith in a side view, a pair of attachment stays fixedly attached to outer side surfaces of the pair of main frames so as to be at least partially overlapped with the reinforcing member in a side view. A cabin is supported in a vibration-isolation manner at no less than four positions including the pair of attachment stays and right and left supporting positions that are provided at a pair of rear axle cases or a transmission case. The working vehicle can enhance stabilization of support of the cabin while simplifying a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Kawashiri
  • Patent number: 8292016
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Johnson, James W. Platt, Chane E. Myers, Harold W. Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj V. Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 8261870
    Abstract: A method for replacing an endless power transmitting element in a motorcycle having a rear axle assembly with a pair of driven wheels. The method includes: removing the bearing caps from the carrier structure; disengaging the shafts from the differential assembly; moving the differential assembly away from carrier structure; mounting the endless power transmitting element about the differential assembly and through an opening in the carrier housing; replacing the bearing caps to the carrier structure; and re-engaging the shafts to the differential assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Johnson, James W. Platt, Chane E. Myers, Harold W. Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj V. Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 8177014
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 8042639
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 7984782
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a motorcycle having a plurality of drive wheels. The axle assembly is configured to permit a user to replace an endless power-transmitting element without substantially disassembling the axle housing assembly. A method for forming the axle assembly and a method for replacing an endless power-transmitting element are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James Winston Platt, David Charles Johnson, Chane E. Myers, Harold Wayne Seeds, Andrew P. Maguire, Manoj Venkatesh Bhandiwad
  • Patent number: 7946366
    Abstract: A vehicle driving apparatus includes a rotating electrical machine; a power transmitting gear mechanism; and a case in which the rotating electrical machine and the gear mechanism are housed in series in an axial direction of the rotating electrical machine, wherein a low rigidity region, which is a region of the case having low rigidity located at an outer periphery of the rotating electrical machine, is covered by a silencer supported on a high rigidity region of the case having a higher rigidity than the low rigidity region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seigo Kano, Masashi Kitou, Satoru Kasuya, Satoru Wakuta, Taku Sakai, Masataka Sugiyama, Yumi Iraha, Masatoshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 7866433
    Abstract: A carrier assembly has a unique architecture which allows the carrier assembly to be defined by a very small packaging envelope. The carrier includes a main carrier housing with an internal cavity for receiving a differential and a carrier cover that closes the internal cavity once the differential has been installed. Examples of architectural features include a differential lock actuator that is mounted to the carrier cover, dowel pins that accommodate differential leg thrust loads and align the carrier cover relative to the main carrier housing, and bolt-in differential leg structures to facilitate pinion installation. Further, the carrier assembly can be utilized with an independent suspension to provide a increased jounce travel range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Dale J. Eschenburg, Brian David Hayes
  • Patent number: 7757805
    Abstract: In a working vehicle in which a backhoe support frame for reinforcing is provided in a rear end portion of a vehicle body frame, and a transmission case is mounted on a rear portion of the vehicle body frame so as to be close to the backhoe support frame, each of support brackets provided in an outer side surface of a rear portion of each of main frames constructing the vehicle body frame so as to protrude outward is connected to a protruding end portion protruding to rightwardly and leftwardly relative to each of lower brace members in a reinforcing plate supporting a lower surface of the transmission case in a state in which a rear axle case protruding outward from the right and left side surfaces of the transmission case is sandwiched from upper and lower sides, in order to dissolve a risk that a load generated at a time of traveling in a backhoe installed state or at a time of an excavating work by the backhoe is propagated to the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Wakuta, Kazuhiko Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7686123
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for a straddle-type vehicle provided with a belt type continuously variable transmission having a resin-block-type belt. A portion of an air passage for guiding air to a belt chamber is formed in a closed casing. The closed casing includes a dish-shaped first casing member and a dish-shaped second casing member. An inlet port and an exhaust port are formed in the second casing member. Partition walls in the form of curved plate pieces are formed in the first casing and second casing members. Air flow paths formed by the partition walls are U-shaped, thereby forming a serpentine flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7658262
    Abstract: An axle assembly is provided that includes a differential housing, a first axle tube and a second axle tube. The first axle tube and the second axle tube are releasably secured to the differential housing and to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
  • Patent number: 7628705
    Abstract: A joint seal for torque transmitting joints is disclosed. The joint seal comprises a first seal ring, a second seal ring and a non-flexible seal housing having first and second ends. The first end of the seal housing includes a ring seal surface for engaging and sealing against an outer sealing surface on the first seal ring. The first ring seal includes an inner sealing surface for engaging and sealing against an outer surface of an outer race or some other component associated with a driven shaft of the joint. The second end of the non-flexing seal housing includes a ring seal surface for engaging and sealing against an outer sealing surface on the second seal ring. The second seal ring includes an inner sealing surface for engaging and providing a sliding seal against a driving shaft or some other component associated with a driving shaft of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventors: Philip Mazziotti, Michele Mazziotti, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7624835
    Abstract: A protective cover for the underside of a vehicle is formed substantially from plastic and can provide a skid plate for the vehicle. The protective cover includes at least one fastening portion which is configured to facilitate attachment of the protective cover to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the protective cover includes a rib that is movable to matingly contact a feature on an underside of a vehicle so that loading from an impact is distributed in a predetermined manner. In another embodiment, the fastening portion includes an abutment wall that substantially transmits a shearing load from the protective cover to a vehicle. In yet another embodiment, the fastening portion is adjacent to an edge portion of the protective cover. The protective cover may be included in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lee N. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20090050386
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle provided with a transmission air intake passage for sending air into a transmission case housing a continuously variable transmission prevents an increase in vehicle width and prevents sand or the like from entering the air intake passage by covering the front side of the air intake passage. The transmission air intake passage extends upward from the transmission case on an outer side in a vehicle width direction of a main frame. A rearward cover covers the main frame and extends outward in the vehicle width direction to cover the rear side of the transmission air intake passage. A forward cover is curved forward from an edge outside in the vehicle width direction of a right leg shield part constructing the rearward cover and covers the transmission air intake passage from a front side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki NOBUHIRA
  • Publication number: 20090020355
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has a park system with a shaft and a parking pawl. The shaft rotates in response to a gear shift lever, and a detent lever positions the parking pawl in response to rotation of the shaft. A detent spring assembly biases the detent lever and has a detent spring, cage, and roller assembly. The cage aligns the roller assembly, while the detent spring is connected to the cage at one end and has a flat reaction surface formed at a second end. A cage notch portion aligns the cage with the detent lever, and the roller assembly into a perpendicular orientation with detent lever teeth. The notch portion engages either a detent tooth or a stationary portion of an internal mode switch (IMS). A shaft inserts into a roller through a side hole in the cage to retain the roller assembly therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dwayne P. Joppeck, Kevin A. Shipley
  • Publication number: 20080121455
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle having a belt type continuously variable transmission and an air intake path. A four cycle type engine includes a crank case and a cylinder extending upward from the crank case. A belt type continuously variable transmission is provided on one end of the crank case in a vehicle width direction. A belt chamber is formed inside a transmission case for housing the belt type continuously variable transmission. A part of the transmission case in front of a rear end of the cylinder is connected to an intake path for leading air to the belt chamber. The intake path extends upward from the transmission case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yousuke ISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20080041654
    Abstract: A transmission (1), preferably for a front axle of a floor transport vehicle (100), comprises at least one transmission stage, a drive sprocket (6), a hollow gear (4, 203), and a housing, wherein the drive sprocket (6) and the hollow gear (4, 203) each have a rotation axis, which axes are parallel and disposed offset from each other. A drive wheel (111) is connected in torque-proof fashion with the hollow gear and housing (4, 203) and the drive sprocket (6) is coupled to a drive motor (25). The motor is mounted to the transmission (1) through a flange. Assembly and disassembly of the transmission is simplified by the relatively few component parts of the transmission. Further, vehicle loads are efficiently transferred to the drive wheel by supporting the hollow gear (4, 203) rotatably upon a fixed support element (13) forming a section of the housing, wherein the support element (13) is disposed coaxial with the rotation axis of the hollow gear (4, 203).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Josef Raue
  • Patent number: 7325643
    Abstract: There is provided a reduction gear device applied to a vehicle having a motor unit with a motor shaft for outputting a driving force for driving a driving wheel. The reduction gear device includes an input shaft operatively connected to said motor shaft; a reduction gear unit operatively connected to said input shaft; a brake disk supported by the input shaft in a relatively non-rotatable and axially movable manner; an operating member for pushing and moving the brake disk toward a braking surface; a housing for accommodating the reduction gear unit, the brake disk and the operating member; and a brake operating shaft which is supported rotatably about an axis by the housing along a radial direction of the brake disk and has an engagement part engaging with the operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Shimizu, Toshiyuki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7201119
    Abstract: A vehicular power unit including a drive-side transmission sprocket wheel provided on an end of an output shaft that protrudes from one side of a crankcase, an endless transmission belt for transmitting power to a driving wheel wound the sprocket wheel. The endless transmission belt transmits power from the crankshaft to a transmission housed in the crankcase. A water pump is arranged on the same side of the crankcase in a position between the crankshaft and the output shaft. Further, the water pump is disposed inside the drive-side transmission sprocket wheel in a direction along the axis of an output shaft. This configuration enables the vehicular power unit to be formed in a compact size in a direction along an axis of a crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tawarada, Eiko Shiozaki, Hiroyuki Kawakubo, Kazuyuki Nakai
  • Patent number: 7152502
    Abstract: An improved differential carrier and pilot web for a vehicle comprises a carrier and a separate pilot web. The pilot web is attached to the carrier by at least two bolts. At least two bolts are each covered by a bushing. The carrier and the pilot web each preferably comprise counter bored holes to receive and support the bolt and bushing. The carrier and the pilot web each also have a mating stop surface, which are precision machined to be a minimal distance from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Wenstrup, Gary Turner
  • Patent number: 7143861
    Abstract: An improved suspending and stabilizing structure for a remote control car at least comprises a primary frame and two supporting arms moveably connected to two sides of the primary frame. The primary frame is provided with a holder on the bottom which can be provided with a cover at the front end. Besides, transmission shafts are connected to the primary frame for the installation of wheels. Corresponding holding holes and through holes are provided on the holder and the cover, respectively, while one end of the supporting arms may provided with a recession, on two sides of which are provided with corresponding holes. Threaded holes are provided at the outer sides of the holding holes and through holes, such that a front differential can be fastened thereto by way of screws, thereby the supporting arms can be lengthened to the greatest extent and that when the wheels run on rough roads, the oscillation range of the supporting arms can be reduced, thus enhancing the stability of the traveling vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Daimler Chu
  • Patent number: 7124853
    Abstract: A vehicle can be designed using modular frame components. There is provided a chain tank module having one or more chain tanks and an adapter module which provides spacing between individual chain tank modules. Wheels are mounted to the chain tank modules. The chain tank modules have wheel cogs to receive drive chains and also receptacles for receiving axles for the wheel hubs. The frame allows the use of steerable or nonsteerable axle assemblies to accommodate a wide variety of steering mechanisms for vehicles. By utilizing the chain tank and adapter modules, frames of different lengths, widths and wheel configurations can be designed and constructed using a small number of standard interchangeable parts. The cab and engine components are mounted onto a skid which in turn is mounted onto the frame. Drive chains are utilized to rotate the wheels. The drive chains extend through the chain tanks which contain a lubricant therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventor: James S. Kole, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7004277
    Abstract: A support member for a differential carrier housing, including a body having first and second apertures configured to align with corresponding apertures on one side of a flange of a carrier housing and configured to receive fasteners extending through the apertures in the carrier housing and corresponding apertures in an axle housing disposed on the other side of the carrier housing, the body extending between the apertures in the carrier housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Pollock, Darrell D. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6863145
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a shield for a belt-driven clutch system of a snowmobile having a shield portion and a pivot portion that is angled nonperpendicular relative to the shield portion. One embodiment of the invention is a clutch shield assembly with a first (shield) portion having first and second ends, and a second (pivot) portion with a pivot point that is formed at the first portion first end and that extends at an angle nonperpendicular relative to the first end of the first portion. The shield is pivotally mounted to the vehicle at the pivot point and rotates between a first position covering the clutch and a second position removed from the clutch. Further, an attachment portion releasably secures the first portion second end to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Ebert
  • Patent number: 6863146
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle includes a variable-speed V-belt drive disposed on one side of a crankcase of an engine, a V-belt drive cover covering the variable-speed V-belt drive, a gear transmission of transmitting a power of the engine in cooperation with the variable-speed V-belt drive, and a speed sensing device. The speed sensing device includes a speed sensor of measuring a rotating speed of a member which transmits the power of the engine to the wheels. The speed sensor is disposed right under the V-belt drive cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Kawamoto, Kiyohito Takano
  • Patent number: 6805210
    Abstract: An engine half-trolley (10) of simplified structure for industrial vehicles set at the side of a vehicle chassis and comprising a casing (12) from which there comes out at least one wheel hub (13) for a respective wheel (14), an input shaft (17) to said half-trolley (10) being connected to a differential (16) of the vehicle, in the said half-trolley, between the input shaft (17) and the wheel hub (13), there being provided, in succession, two bevel-gear pairs (18, 19; 21, 23) housed in an arm (15, 115) forming part of the casing (12), in which at least one bottom area of the arm (15, 115), for attachment to the wheel hub (13), has ample bevels (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Panizzolo
  • Publication number: 20040069558
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a shield for a belt-driven clutch system of a snowmobile having a shield portion and a pivot portion that is angled nonperpendicular relative to the shield portion. One embodiment of the invention is a clutch shield assembly with a first (shield) portion having first and second ends, and a second (pivot) portion with a pivot point that is formed at the first portion first end and that extends at an angle nonperpendicular relative to the first end of the first portion. The shield is pivotally mounted to the vehicle at the pivot point and rotates between a first position covering the clutch and a second position removed from the clutch. Further, an attachment portion releasably secures the first portion second end to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Ebert
  • Patent number: 6568497
    Abstract: In a protective structure for a joint portion of an axle according to the present invention, a knuckle member 24 is provided with a covering portion 28 surrounding a joint portion 23 in the circumferential direction of a constant velocity joint shaft 22, and the joint portion 23 is accommodated in an inner space of the covering portion 28. The knuckle member 24 having a driven shaft support portion 33, a strut support portion 35 and covering portion the is molded out 28 an aluminum alloy into an integral part. According to the present invention, the joint portion is protected reliably by the covering portion, and, a reduction of the weight of the protective structure and simplification of a working process for the production thereof can be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tezuka, Sosuke Kinouchi, Fumio Mizuta
  • Patent number: 6478106
    Abstract: For restraint guidance of the transmission housing in a crash situation, a crash skid is provided on the underside of the transmission housing and has an inclined surface which faces a cross arm. In the event of a shifting of the transmission housing counter to the direction of travel, the inclined surface introduces a restraint guidance of the transmission housing obliquely upward above the cross arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Rainer Hawener, Stefan Rugies
  • Patent number: 6435298
    Abstract: A rear underside structure of a vehicle as a rear undercover main body, an air flow path, an air intake opening, and an air exhaust opening. The rear undercover main body has an inclined planar part that rises toward the rear of the vehicle, and is disposed further to the rear of than the fuel tank, between the front and rear axles, so as to cover a drive element of the vehicle. The air flow path is disposed between the rear undercover main body and the drive element. The inclined planar part delineates at least a rear part of the air flow path. The air intake opening is disposed further to the front than the drive element, and the air exhaust opening is disposed to the rear of the inclined planar part. Air which flows in from the air intake opening passes through the air flow path, and is exhausted from the exhaust opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Mizuno, Ryoji Maeda, Akihito Yamazaki, Chiaki Takayama
  • Publication number: 20020079154
    Abstract: A protective cover which is generally in the form of a flexible bellows construction secured at each end by collars in order to define an interior space includes vent means. Thus, when the cover is deformed, the volume within the interior is altered by aspiration or evacuation through the vent means. The vent means includes a vent element in order to allow air or fluid transfer into and out of the interior but prevent ingress of contaminants such as grit and water to the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Didier Gloaguen
  • Patent number: 6056081
    Abstract: A steerable drive axle for improved steering is provided. The steerable drive axle includes a drive shaft housing and at least one axle shaft. A portion of the axle shaft is rotatably supported by a bearing in the drive shaft housing. The drive shaft housing has an actuator recess disposed therein. The steerable drive axle further includes a wheel drive shaft supported by a wheel bearing assembly in a wheel bearing support. An angle drive assembly connects the axle shaft to the wheel drive shaft, and a pivot assembly pivotally attaches the drive shaft housing to the wheel bearing support. In addition, the steerable drive axle includes an actuator coupled between the drive shaft housing and the pivot assembly. A portion of the actuator is located within the actuator recess of the drive shaft housing when the pivot assembly is pivoted relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Hatlen, Charles R. Busch, Michael J. Eifert
  • Patent number: 6041880
    Abstract: A frame is disposed between an engine and a transmission casing and is made of three sheet metal parts; an engine mounting part, a transmitting shaft covering part and a transmission casing mounting part. The transmitting shaft covering part consists of two laterally or vertically separable halves which join each other to form a barrel. One end of each half is fixed to the engine mounting part, while the other end is fixed to the transmission casing mounting part. Reinforcing members are disposed below a transmitting shaft housed in the transmitting shaft covering part. An expanded portion is disposed at the other end of the transmitting shaft covering part. An opening edge of the expanded portion is fixed to the transmission casing mounting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamakaji, Yoshitaka Ishimaru, Takatoshi Meno, Hiroyasu Nagata, Toshio Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6041881
    Abstract: A transmission casing for a tractor, eg on agricultural tractor, having a three point linkage for lifting implements, incorporates reinforcing bars (22) running the length of the casing to the top and on each side. Turnbuckles (26) allow the bars (22) to be placed in tension, thereby placing in compression the upper parts of the castings (1, 2, 3) making up the body of the transmission casing. In this way, the load bearing capacity of the casing the and thus of the tractor may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Agco Limited
    Inventor: Sion Morgan Owen
  • Patent number: 5915728
    Abstract: A guard for vehicles protects the axle housing and proximate components from falling rocks and road debris. The device has a central mount that attaches onto the differential unit portion of the axle housing. The mount partially protects the differential unit. In addition, at least two shields are hinged onto the central mount. The shields can cover the segments of the exposed axle housing and said shields can be locked into place. The shields can be unlocked and swung from the central mount to allow for inspection, maintenance, and cleanup of the axle housing and its proximate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Clyde Blackburn
  • Patent number: 5740698
    Abstract: A flame attenuator for poke-through constructions. The device is formed from a plurality of overlapping segments of metal screen firmly attached to a base frame and forming an inverted funnel-like structure with each of the segments converging loosely at the top of the inverted funnel. In application, the transmission shifter lever penetrates the smaller, upper hole thus formed, and in spite of being moved in horizontal arcs, maintains contact with the overlapping screen segments. Since there are a variety of boot geometries (circular based, oval based, and rectangular based) the flame attenuator base frame is provided in multiple shapes to accommodate the different boot configurations. The attenuator is located inside the shifter boot, and is manufactured either integrally to the boot, or as an add-on item. The flame attenuator protects the boot from rapid burn-through in the event of an engine fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventors: Donald J. Myronuk, Jon F. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5614280
    Abstract: A shielding blanket for racing engines includes a bag constructed of a lamination of materials including several plies of a high-strength ballistic textile material laminate having a high melting point. The blanket is shaped to fit closely over the cylinder block and oil pan of the engine, and between the block and the exhaust headers. Oil-absorbent pads are secured within the bag for capturing engine oil. Two of the pads face the sides of the cylinder block to prevent oil from escaping through either the engine block or the oil pan from reaching the exhaust headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: James W. Post, III
    Inventor: Thomas Hanna