Occupant Propelled Type Patents (Class 280/200)
  • Patent number: 11136084
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-balancing scooter, including a scooter body, wheels, a driving motor, a power supply, a circuit board provided with a sensor, a controller and a light emitting lamp. The controller is electrically connected to the circuit board, the power supply and the driving motor respectively. The scooter body includes: an upper shell, pedals, a middle shell, a lower shell and a lampshade. The middle shell is located between the upper shell and the lower shell. The lampshade is provided with at least two spaced lamp strips for transmitting light. The scooter body is provided with lamp holes for placing the lamp strips. A quantity of the lamp holes is identical with a quantity of the lamp strips. Waterproof rings are sleeved on the lamps strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventor: Yanyan Shang
  • Patent number: 10513300
    Abstract: A bicycle seat post assembly includes a lower seat support secured to the frame, an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable relative to the lower seat support, and an adjusting mechanism coupling the lower seat support to the upper seat support. The adjusting mechanism includes a powered actuator engageable with both the lower seat support and the upper seat support and configured to move the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support, and a coupling device selectively connecting the powered actuator to one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support. The coupling device has a connected state wherein the powered actuator is operatively connected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support and a disconnected state wherein the powered actuator is operatively disconnected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey K Bowers
  • Patent number: 10308316
    Abstract: A rear wheel sprocket arrangement for a bicycle comprises a plurality of sprockets comprising at least seven (7) coaxially arranged sprockets having different numbers of teeth, wherein an entire gear range of the sprocket arrangement is at least three-hundred fifty percent (350%), and wherein an average percentage gear stage step lies within a range of fifteen percent (15%) to thirty percent (30%).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 9302737
    Abstract: A bicycle gear changing apparatus is basically provided with a controller including memory with a first prescribed shift route for upshifting and a second prescribed shift route for downshifting. The first prescribed shift route defines an order of actuation of at least one of a first gear changing device and a second gear changing device that is different from an order of actuation of at least one of the first and second gear changing devices that is defined by the second prescribed shift route. The controller controls a shifting operation of at least one of the first and second gear changing devices in response to a shift signal and in accordance with one of the first and second prescribed shift routes. The first prescribed shift route includes a least one user settable synchro-upshift point. The second prescribed shift route includes at least one user settable synchro-downshift point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Mao Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8899604
    Abstract: A scooter includes a main body having a triangular shape including three lower pivotable wheels. Three handles are defined interior to the main body, one along each of the sides. The body includes a domed shape and a textured surface. A central opening is provided in the main body to allow for stacking of the scooters for storage. During stacking, the scooters are alternated relative to one another so that the points and the sides are offset, resulting in compact and secure storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Prophet Corporation
    Inventors: Amber Orenstein, Louis F. Polk, III, Jason Ness
  • Patent number: 8882122
    Abstract: A bicycle gear changing apparatus is basically provided with an upshifting input, a downshifting input and a controller. The controller is operatively coupled to the upshifting input and the downshifting input to receive upshift signals and downshift signals. The controller outputs control signals to control a first gear changing device and a second gear changing device in accordance with a synchro-downshift route and a synchro-upshift route that is different from the synchro-downshift route, in response to receiving the upshift signals and the downshift signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Nobukatsu Hara, Hideki Ikemoto, Mao Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8864150
    Abstract: A foot propelled vehicle comprises a front housing in which a first rotatable ground engaging sphere is mounted by bearings for rotation about a transverse axis and a rear housing in which a second rotatable ground engaging sphere is mounted by bearings for rotation about three orthogonal axes. The front housing is longitudinally spaced from and connected rigidly to the rear housing. A seat is situated between the first and second housings and positioned so that a rider's feet can contact the ground to propel the vehicle. A handle is mounted on the front housing for the user to hold whilst riding and steering the vehicle. Lateral stabilizers may be provided. In some embodiments both spheres may be mounted for rotation about three orthogonal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Early Rider Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew John Loveland
  • Patent number: 8740236
    Abstract: A vehicle for infants includes a footboard, a front and rear chassis support fixed to it, wherein each chassis support supports at least one wheel, a steering bar which is connected to the front chassis support, and gripping at the upper portion of the steering bar. The vehicle furthermore includes a seat which is preferably fixed to the steering bar. The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle for infants with two front wheels and at least one, preferably two, rear wheels, wherein the vehicle includes a seat which is preferably fixed to a steering bar of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle includes gripping at the steering bar which, however, does not function as handle bar, and wherein at least the front chassis support of the vehicle includes a steering mechanism which permits to steer the vehicle by ways of shifting of weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Micro Mobility Systems AG
    Inventor: Jan Willem Anton Ouboter
  • Patent number: 8662513
    Abstract: A human powered land vehicle sufficiently rigid so as to transport a human rider constructed only from palpably recyclable and shreddably recyclable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: I.G. Cardboard Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Izhar Gafni
  • Publication number: 20130334787
    Abstract: A bicycle seat including a mount adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame, a shell supported by the mount, and a tensioned element extending from a first anchor point to a second anchor point. The shell includes a flexible portion for supporting a rider, and the tensioned element includes a support portion providing support to the flexible portion between the first and second anchor points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Reid Gosseen, Brendan Pierce
  • Patent number: 8602434
    Abstract: A double chainring drivetrain system for bicycles that allows riders to apply force directly to a pair of chainrings, one on either side of the bottom bracket. The double chainring drivetrain system has two crank arms, each connected to a peripheral rim portion of the chainrings, and two drive chains. A hub on the rear wheel has two sprockets such that the two drive chains extend between the chainrings and the rear sprockets for transfer of applied rotational forces from the pedals on either side of the bicycle through the two chainrings to the rear sprockets on hub of the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Julian E. Woods
  • Patent number: 8602432
    Abstract: A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Smart Trike MNF Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoram Baron
  • Publication number: 20130277939
    Abstract: A body 11 that constitutes a skateboard is formed into a U shape with bases of a pair of plate-like legs 14, 15 being integrated, and end portions 17, 18 of the legs 14, 15 are relatively displaceable in a thickness direction by elasticity of the body 11. The end portions 17, 18 of the legs 14, 15 are coupled by a coupling member 19. One wheel 12 is provided on a lower surface of an integral portion 16 at the base ends, and the other wheel 13 is provided on a lower surface of the coupling member 19. The step board 41 is placed between the end portions 17, 18 of the legs 14, 15, and has contact portions 46, 53 that come into contact with the legs 14, 15 by following displacement of the end portions 17, 18 of the legs 14, 15 in the thickness direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: J.D. JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyasu Yamabe
  • Patent number: 8469369
    Abstract: A combined seat with compression device for interactively actuating a sound effects unit incorporated into a ride on toy vehicle as a user bounces up and down on the combined seat with compression device. The toy includes a frame for a ride-on toy vehicle, a sound effects unit having a housing secured to the frame, a seat secured to the frame and movable between first and second positions, an actuating mechanism attached at the seat for engagement with the sound effects unit, and a deformable compression device positioned at the seat capable of depressing as the seat is moved from the first the position to the second position to interactively activate the sound effects unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hasbro, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. McCarthy, Craig McElhaney, Steven Lee Unruh
  • Patent number: 8465037
    Abstract: A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Smart Trike MNF Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoram Baron
  • Patent number: 8408095
    Abstract: A foot-pedaling device with bidirectional pedaling for constantly driving a loading wheel train in the same direction, wherein the pedaling direction is selected by the riding pedaler according to the operating status of his/her muscles and joints, or through the different driving directional input, to provide different-speed-change- ratio output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Publication number: 20130020779
    Abstract: A stand chair is operated by a pair of screw shaft-type linear actuators which extend upwardly and forwardly from a pair of spaced-apart frame members. One embodiment has a solid seat and another has a split sweat with a drop-away front portion. One or more motors are provided to operate the screw shafts in such a way as to raise the rear seat portion without changing its angular orientation in space. Connector links interconnect the frame with the front seat portion so as to cause it to drop downwardly out from under the thighs of an occupant, while the back seat portion raises upward, thereby assisting the occupant to stand up and exit the chair. Various additional features such as armrests, wheels and a reclining backrest may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: SKIP'S PATENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel T. GREEN, Maurice H. DOWDING, Susan E. PERRY
  • Publication number: 20130001916
    Abstract: A scooter includes a main body having a triangular shape including three lower pivotable wheels. Three handles are defined interior to the main body, one along each of the sides. The body includes a domed shape and a textured surface. A central opening is provided in the main body to allow for stacking of the scooters for storage. During stacking, the scooters are alternated relative to one another so that the points and the sides are offset, resulting in compact and secure storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: AMBER ORENSTEIN, LOUIS F. POLK, III, JASON NESS
  • Publication number: 20120292881
    Abstract: A vehicular system for a user is disclosed. The vehicular system comprising: a frame-interface assembly, and a user-interface assembly. The user-interface assembly is coupled to the frame-interface assembly. The user-interface assembly is configured to selectively permit the user to operate the vehicular system between a limb-operating mode and a side-by-side limb cruising mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Henry CHONG
  • Patent number: 8303144
    Abstract: A motorcycle is easily recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians and is hardly damaged during a maximum bank, by devising the disposition of lighting fixtures. An area surrounded by a vertical line passing on each of both side surfaces of a front wheel, a horizontal line passing through a protrusion of a step serving as a first grounding portion, and a straight line for connecting the first grounding portion with an intersection between the vertical line and the ground, is set. Lighting fixtures are provided in the area, as seen from the front side. The lighting fixtures are mounted to lower ends of front forks that support a shaft of the front wheel. The lighting fixture are mounted to lower rear ends of swing arms that support a shaft of the rear wheel. A lamp of each of the lighting fixtures is composed of an assembly of a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokujiro Kizaki, Yojiro Tsutsumi, Koshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8297641
    Abstract: A seat supporting assembly (24) for supporting a seat (18), the assembly comprising a base (25) including a substantially elongated guiding rod (58), a seat support (36), a seat support-to-base linking member (56) pivotally coupled to the seat support (36) and sliding on the base guiding rod (58), a substantially elongated tilting member (60) having a guiding groove (66) and being pivotally attached to the seat support (36) and to the base (25). An actuating assembly (44) is coupled to the base (25) and includes a motion transmitting member (68) mounted within the guiding groove (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Carmon Landry, Eric Dugas
  • Patent number: 8265820
    Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle includes a support mechanism arranged to support a pair of wheels to be movable up and down relative to a vehicle body, a lock mechanism connectable to the support mechanism and arranged to limit up-and-down motion of the pair of wheels, various sensors arranged to detect vehicle states, and a controller arranged to control the lock mechanism based on results of detection by the various sensors. The controller controls the lean limitation to the up-and-down motion of the pair of wheels and its cancellation automatically. The rider need not carry out a special control for operating the lock mechanism. In addition, the lock mechanism is controlled according to the vehicle states, which allows the rider to travel lightly and comfortably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Hara, Kenichi Watanabe, Yasuhiro Oomura, Takafumi Nonaka
  • Publication number: 20120161416
    Abstract: Knee walker assemblies and methods of manufacturing a knee walker assembly are provided herein. One concept of the present disclosure is directed to a knee walker assembly that includes a frame, a support platform and a handle mounted to the frame, at least one rear wheel mounted proximate the rear end of the frame, and at least two front wheels swivel mounted proximate the front end of the frame. A locking mechanism is operatively engaged with the at least two front wheels. The locking mechanism is configured to substantially simultaneously lock both of the at least two front wheels in a rigid-type mounting configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Medline Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda M. Walther, Ethan S. Abemathey, Ishwor P. Adhikari, John H. Kutsch, Vincent R. Lackowski
  • Patent number: 8020881
    Abstract: A mobility assistance apparatus having an elongated frame. The elongated frame includes a pair of disparate sized wheels coupled to each end of an elongated frame. A pivoting joint is provided longitudinally in the elongated frame which allows the second wheel to track the first wheel in a lateral arc about the along a longitudinal centerline of the first wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: Earl Stump, Frank Penner
  • Patent number: 7988168
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a base, a body, and at least one of a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. The base includes a first curved member, a second curved member, and a cross member securing the first curved member to the second curved member. The first curved member includes a first front arm and a first rear arm and the second curved member has a second front arm and a second rear arm. The front wheel assembly includes a first front wheel assembly and a second front wheel assembly having respective first and second wheels. The front wheel assemblies mount to the respective first front arms. The front wheels are movable between among at least one of a first position and a second position. Methods of converting a toy vehicle are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: The Step2 Company, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Miroewski
  • Publication number: 20110169243
    Abstract: A funnel for filling a container with liquid through an aperture in a side wall of the container includes a panel that has a fill spout. A rim is disposed on a lower edge of the panel and adapted to engage a lower inner surface of the side wall. A tab extends from the panel and is adapted to engage an outer surface of the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Pfaff, Kevin R. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20110155527
    Abstract: Rideable luggage that can be used as either a rolling suitcase or as a baggage scooter for carrying a rider, or additional baggage. The rideable luggage has a suitcase and a platform that can be selectively deployed for holding additional baggage or a person. The deployable platform has at least one scooter wheel at an outboard end and a pair of suitcase wheels at its inboard end. A center steer wheel is connected to an extendable handle to provide steering control. When the platform is deployed, the suitcase wheels retract so that only the steer wheel and scooter wheel are in contact with the floor. When the platform is retracted, the suitcase wheels extend and are in contact with the floor along with the steer wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: James W. Veal, Madelyn T. Veal
  • Publication number: 20110018227
    Abstract: There is described a shock absorber strut for a bicycle, comprising a piston (12), a cylinder (13) and a resilient element (20) positioned within the cylinder. The piston extends out of one end of the cylinder, and the other end of the cylinder is closed by a casing made up of two housing halves. Mounting bushings are integrally formed in the housing halves and on the piston end, respectively, for fixing the shock absorber to a bicycle frame. The piston (12) can be withdrawn from the cylinder (13) by a simple tension, without the use of tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Karbon Kinetics Ltd
    Inventor: Richard Thorpe
  • Patent number: 7812713
    Abstract: Device for measuring speed of a cycle having a frame, at least one wheel, a fastening axle about which the wheel is adapted to rotate, and a nut adapted to be threaded upon a threaded portion of the axle. The device includes a mechanism for detecting the rotation of the wheel, the device including a fixed sensor mounted on a portion of the cycle frame, adapted to detect the passing of an associated movable sensor element fixed for movement to the wheel, as well as a signal processor for processing the signal generated by the fixed sensor. At least one of, or both, the fixed sensor and the signal processor are housed in a casing fixed to the nut of the fastening axle for the wheel. The casing is fixed to an arm extending radially from the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Bruno Montagnon, Gilles Parquet
  • Publication number: 20100253035
    Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a base, a body, and at least one of a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. The base includes a first curved member, a second curved member, and a cross member securing the first curved member to the second curved member. The first curved member includes a first front arm and a first rear arm and the second curved member has a second front arm and a second rear arm. The front wheel assembly includes a first front wheel assembly and a second front wheel assembly having respective first and second wheels. The front wheel assemblies mount to the respective first front arms. The front wheels are movable between among at least one of a first position and a second position. Methods of converting a toy vehicle are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Miroewski
  • Publication number: 20100174567
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for enabling temporary access to a wheelchair (15) comprises a number of wheelchair containers (2) and a control unit (5) which communicates with the containers and is arranged to interact with a user to permit release of the wheelchair from the container. Each container may be provided with a reader (16) for an identifier (17) carried by a wheelchair, so that the control unit can record that a wheelchair with that identifier has been released, and record return of that or another wheelchair to the container. The control unit may communicate with the control units of other apparatus at other locations, and/or with a central data processing facility (39). The system may be integrated with a transport reservation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: WWB SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Clive King, Barbara Ann King, Matthew Lievesley
  • Publication number: 20100117326
    Abstract: A mobility assistance apparatus having an elongated frame. The elongated frame includes a pair of disparate sized wheels coupled to each end of an elongated frame. A pivoting joint is provided longitudinally in the elongated frame which allows the second wheel to track the first wheel in a lateral arc about the along a longitudinal centerline of the first wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Earl Stump, Frank Penner
  • Publication number: 20090298653
    Abstract: A powered mobile lifting, gait training and omnidirectional rolling apparatus is for personal use by persons with lower body disabilities for assisted walking in upright position in desired direction indoor or outdoor. All operations including bringing the apparatus to a user, ingress, walking around and egress are performed by users without assistance of other persons. The apparatus lifts a user from a floor, wheelchair or elevated surface, its overall size enables motion through narrow doorways or other passageways, and omnidirectional wheels provide top maneuverability. Rotation of powered omnidirectional wheels is coordinated with motion of gait simulation devices which drive user's feet, resulting in simulated natural walking pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Roy Rodetsky, Olga Rodetsky
  • Publication number: 20090184565
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spoked wheel that includes a peripheral rim, a central hub, and individual connecting spokes between the rim and the hub, the spokes being taut. The wheel an arrangement for adjusting the tension of at least some of the spokes, and the spokes are taut with an initial tension Ti corresponding to a normal tension value Tn which is reduced by a value corresponding to a compression force R that can be supported by each spoke. For a rear wheel, the spokes supporting the compression forces are those arranged on the side opposite free wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Olivier Mouzin
  • Publication number: 20090115158
    Abstract: This is made of 1½? metal pipe with a seating system. It is open where a physical therapist can easily watch the user's mobility functions. This has a circle top with a 26? circumference. The Mobility Trainer has 4 vertical 1½? pipes that attach on the top circle of 26? circumference and to the bottom oval shape of 30? circumference. It has a 23? opening on the 26? circumference circle top. This has 4 swivel wheels, the front having a total locking system and will hold 250 lbs. each. Each wheel has a circumference of 4?. It has a seating system that will hold up to 250 lbs., and unhooks to swing out of the way. The seating system hooks onto the top circle around the 23? opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Paul Kevin Lawrence
    Inventor: Paul Kevin Lawrence
  • Patent number: 7527276
    Abstract: The invention relates to a scooter with a frame, at least one front wheel (12), at least one rear wheel (11) and with a steering gear (3, 6, 7), with which at least one front wheel (12) is tractable, whereby the scooter comprises on the left and/or the right side of the axis connecting the front and rear wheels, respectively, (longitudinal axis of the scooter) between the centre of a front wheel (12) and the rear end of a rear wheel (11) one laterally fold-out foot rest unit (1), which cannot exert the function of a crank, i.e., which cannot be rotated by 360° around a transverse axis of the frame which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the scooter, whereby the foot rest unit(s) (1) can be folded out mechanically or by means of a motor and whereby upon mechanically folding out by force effect by the driver the foot rest unit (1) returns in its initial position upon discontinuation of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventor: Christian Schmautz
  • Publication number: 20090058033
    Abstract: A mobility frame (10) comprising: a multi-wheeled base (11), an upstanding support (13) having a substantially upright lower portion (17) attached to the base (11), an oblique portion (27) disposed at a height from the base (11), the oblique portion (27) extending obliquely upwardly from the lower portion (17), an upper portion (29) extending substantially upwardly from the oblique portion (27); and at least one handle (35) for steering the mobility frame (10) and/or for allowing a user to support themself on the mobility frame (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Leslie Tomlinson
  • Publication number: 20090039636
    Abstract: A non-motorized Riding Vehicle for transport of a rider on a surface. The Riding Vehicle includes a shoe body or platform for supporting at least one foot of the rider during the transport and at least one Riding Element under the shoe body or platform that rotates on an axle to facilitate the transport while supporting the rider. The at least one Riding Element includes stimulating elements for creating a periodic vibration during the transport that makes the transport on the surface less smooth than the transport would be if the at least one Riding Element did not include the stimulating elements. Also, a kit and method for converting the Riding Vehicle to a Riding Vehicle with a more or less (intense) vibratory ride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Ralph CHARELL
  • Publication number: 20090014979
    Abstract: A hand truck has a conventional article supporting nose for supporting articles that are not cylindrical in configuration. An auxiliary support is provided to support, in conjunction with the nose, a cylindrical article from the bottom thereof. A clamp mechanism is provided to clamp the upper end of a cylindrical article to the hand truck. The auxiliary support and clamp mechanism are movable from active positions and inactive positions so as not to interfere with normal usage of the hand truck in transporting noncylindrical articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Kim C. Snook, Michael S. Spakowski, George D. Gaines
  • Publication number: 20080309033
    Abstract: A ridge roofing cart can be made using mounting brackets for receiving an elongated support platform. Each bracket includes spaced plates for receiving an axle between the plates on each side thereof and an aperture for receiving an axle pivot pin at one position on the bracket. Each bracket has a plurality of apertures spaced from the pivot aperture for setting the angular position of the axle on each side of the bracket in relationship to the support platform corresponding to standard roof pitch angles. The brackets can be mounted at opposite ends of a support platform to define a cart in which the axles rotatable hold wheels which span the ridge of a roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Twardzik, Mark L. Bonenfant
  • Publication number: 20080265668
    Abstract: A bicycle power supply is configured to be charged by electrical power generated by a hub dynamo. The bicycle power supply has a plurality of accumulator elements, a connection switching part, a voltage detection part and a switch control part. The accumulator elements are disposed between first and second ends of the hub dynamo. The connection switching part switches between a first state and a second state, in which the accumulator elements are connected in series and parallel, respectively, to the hub dynamo. The voltage detection part detects the voltage supplied by the hub dynamo. The switch control part controls the connection switching part to establish the first state when the voltage detected by the voltage detection part is at or above a prescribed voltage, and controls the connection switching part to establish the second state when the prescribed voltage is not reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi KITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20080200290
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a bicycle hub being part of the drive mechanism 1 of a BMX bicycle comprising: an axle 5, a first part 7 being seated on said axle 5 and being provided with or connected to a cog 6, a second part 8 being movable relative to said first part 7 in longitudinal and rotational direction of said axle 5, said first part 7 and said second part 8 being in contact with each other via a screw coupling provided by threads 7? and 8?, a hub body 11 being arranged around at least said second part 8, said second part 8 being provided with a first cone surface 9, said hub body 11 having a second cone 10 surface formed thereon or connected thereto, wherein said two cone surfaces 9, 10 are engageable for power transmission, wherein an adjustable stopper mechanism 12 is provided, limiting a gap providing space for an axial movement of said second part 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Goring
  • Publication number: 20080174084
    Abstract: A mobility aid (FIG. 1) design for providing stabilized mobility support by the practical use of a two sided vertically supported rigid frame comprising front and rear bilaterally double support members (12), (12a), (13), (13a), (15), and (15a), and not limited to but preferably of aluminum construction to include a plurality of upper and lower substantially identical bilaterally horizontal and vertical tubular main frame members (17), (18), (19), (20), (22), (27), (28), and (29), supported on a plurality of sufficiently sized wheels (26), and (30), attached to the underside of the main frame (26), and (30), with predetermined spacing. Base members (22), (28), and (29), are sufficiently elevated-providing for unhindered foot movement during mobilization. A guide wheel assembly (23), (25), (25b), (26), and (26a), is vertically attached at a contiguously anterior junction surface of the two sided main frame assembly (20), and (23), thereby providing selective directional steering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: LARRY ELLIS GEE
  • Patent number: 7364520
    Abstract: A sporting good item or other product includes a “shrink-label” formed from a shrink-sleeve, shrink-wrap, or a stretch-sleeve adhered to or otherwise affixed to an outer surface of the item. The shrink-label includes pre-printed graphics and closely conforms to the item's outer surface, including any contours or tapered regions, so that the graphics may be displayed anywhere on the item. The shrink-label may optionally be applied to the item via an automated device. A clear coat or other protective layer may optionally be applied to an outer surface of the shrink-label to increase its durability and resistance to abrasion, which is particularly beneficial when the shrink-label is applied to an item intended for impact applications, such as a ball bat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Easton Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewey Chauvin, Danny Tolentino, Peter Yan, Ian Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20080088108
    Abstract: A bicycle battery holder assembly includes a terminal support portion and a pair of seal members. The terminal support portion has a pair of electrical terminals extending therefrom. The pair of electrical terminals are configured to extend into corresponding terminal receiving portions of a battery. The seal members extend around respective ones of the electrical terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Yoshida, Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 7116008
    Abstract: A bicycle signal processing device includes a first bicycle signal processing element that generates a first signal having a first impedance, an external output terminal having an exposed output contact surface, and an impedance converting circuit coupled between the first bicycle signal processing element and the external output terminal for converting the first signal to a second signal having a second impedance at the external output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kitamura, Kouji Oohara
  • Patent number: 6997584
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a bicycle lamp includes a plurality of light sources; a source of power; an electrical circuit connecting the source of power with the plurality of light sources; at least one switch connected in the electrical circuit; a diffuser positioned adjacent at least one individual light source of the plurality of light sources, the diffuser including translucent resilient material supported on a helical coil defining a central passageway extending through the diffuser, the diffuser passageway being of sufficient dimension to accept a bicycle tube therethrough; a housing coupled to the diffuser, the housing having a housing passageway extending therethrough, wherein the housing passageway is generally complementary to and aligned with the diffuser passageway so as to provide a continuous opening through the bicycle lamp; and a reflector adjustably connected to the housing spaced apart from the housing passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Russell Rothan, Jason Barber, Daniel Deutsch
  • Patent number: 6832770
    Abstract: An ambulation aid which has a support structure for the patient that both supports the patient's weight, and is movable laterally with respect to the frame to accommodate sideways hip movement of the patient's gait. The inventors have observed that a patient's hip will shift laterally as the patient steps forward and places weight on the forward stepping leg. This causes prior art ambulation aids to jerk sideways. The present invention overcomes this by providing a support structure which can move sideways without requiring the entire frame to move sideways. In one embodiment, the support structure slides in a track behind the patient, allowing lateral movement. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a belt which either slides through rollers behind the patient, or is attached but is flexible to allow hip movement, or is attached to a slider behind the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Christine Wright-Ott, Richard Escobar
  • Publication number: 20040117072
    Abstract: A bicycle user information apparatus comprises an information receiver that receives information corresponding to the bicycle user through the Internet; and an administration control unit that manages the information received through the information receiver and enables external access to the managed information in response to predetermined criteria. The administration control unit includes a user registration unit that registers identifying information corresponding to the bicycle user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: SHIMANO, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Takeda
  • Publication number: 20040093126
    Abstract: A system for data transmission on board a vehicle, such as a cycle, includes a set of peripheral modules which can be associated to respective sensors for generating respective sensing signals, and a main unit designed to receive the sensing signals coming from the set of peripheral modules. The peripheral modules are configured to transmit the sensing signals in a selective way and in the framework of respective transmission time slots determined by the main unit according to a general criterion of measurement of transmission times and power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Valentino Campagnolo, Gianfranco Guderzo