Handling And Carrying Attachments Patents (Class 280/304.5)
  • Patent number: 11452662
    Abstract: A walking assist device has a frame, a plurality of wheels, drive units, a battery, and a drive control unit that controls the drive units. The walking assist device also has: a pair of right and left movable handles that are grasped by a user and movable back and forth with respect to the frame in accordance with arm swing performed during walk of the user; handle guide units provided on the frame to guide the movable handles in a movable range that matches the arm swing performed during walk of the user; and a grasp portion state detection unit that detects the state of the movable handles. The drive control unit controls the travel speed of the walking assist device by controlling the drive units on the basis of the state of the movable handles which is detected using the grasp portion state detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Kanaya, Yoshiyuki Shibata, Shinji Takeuchi, Genki Murata
  • Patent number: 11453456
    Abstract: A personal mobility apparatus includes: a support platform having a pair of footplates and a cavity; two drive wheels disposed on both sides of the support platform, respectively; and a steering wheel connected to the support platform to be received in the cavity. The steering wheel is connected through a telescopic tube to be received in the cavity of the support platform and the telescopic tube includes a first tube and a second tube moving telescopically with respect to the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hun Keon Ko, Dong Han Koo, Jun Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 11446201
    Abstract: A walking assist device has a frame, a pair of right and left arm portions, a pair of right and left grasp portions, wheels including a pair of right and left drive wheels, drive units, a battery, a drive control unit, acting force measurement units that measure acting forces on the grasp portions, and holding units that hold the grasp portions at a predetermined position in the front-rear direction of the arm portions set in advance. The walking assist device travels forward together with a user. The holding units generate a restoring force for returning the grasp portions to the predetermined position. The drive control unit controls the drive units on the basis of acting forces calculated on the basis of detection signals from the acting force measurement units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Shibata, Manabu Kanaya, Shinji Takeuchi, Yuki Matsuoka, Genki Murata
  • Patent number: 11439566
    Abstract: A walking assist device has a frame, fixed handles, rails provided with movable handles, front wheels, rear wheels and that serve as drive wheels, drive units, a battery, and a drive control unit, and travels forward or rearward together with a user that walks while grasping the fixed handles or the movable handles. The walking assist device has an operation mode switching unit that switches between a training mode, in which a load is applied to operation of the body of the user performed as the user walks, and an assist mode in which a load on operation of the body of the user performed as the user walks is alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Manabu Kanaya, Yoshiyuki Shibata, Shinji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10227107
    Abstract: A method and tool provide for removal of a rear bicycle wheel of a bicycle having a rear derailleur. A securing device maintains the tool in a fixed position with respect to the bicycle. A chain disengagement element is moveably attached to the securing device whereby moving the chain disengagement element moves a portion of the chain away from an axel mounted gear cassette sufficiently to completely disengage the chain from the axel mounted cassette. This allows for easy removal of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Radian Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Fernando Tages
  • Patent number: 9387898
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bicycle rack system providing for bicycle transportation of articles, and more particularly to a system for a quick release, modular, and expandable bicycle rack system. The present invention comprises a bicycle rack system comprising a bottom connector comprising two portions; a front top connector comprising two portions; a rear top connector comprising two portions; tubes both hollow or solid inserted within and secured by the bottom, rear top, and front top connectors; and an adjustable female receiving plate and male insert that is attached to the adjustable female receiving plate. The male insert and female receiving plate are disposed adjacent to a bicycle axle and securably attached to the bottom connector. The unique configuration of the bicycle rack system provides a modular, sturdy, and easily installed bicycle rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventor: Bruce Ponder
  • Patent number: 9327787
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar stem is a hollow tube which has a slot defined therein. The hollow tube has a reinforcement portion to reinforce the structural strength of the hollow tube. A receiving space is defined between the reinforcement portion and the hollow tube. A display unit is located in the receiving space and has at least one Liquid Crystal Display screen, an operation button and an enter button. The display unit has a room to receive a power source therein. The display unit protrudes beyond the outer surface of the hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Chao-Hu Chen
  • Publication number: 20140291961
    Abstract: In a rear structure for a straddle type vehicle including a front seat, on which a rider sits, seat rails for supporting a rear seat, on which a pillion passenger sits behind the rider, grab rails, which are attached on a vehicle body on the sides of the rear seat, a backrest, detachably attached to the rear portion of the vehicle, and a space for the pillion passenger to hold the grab rail, which is formed between the grab rail and the vehicle body. The grab rail is configured such that a grip portion extends in the front-and-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the backrest is disposed inside the grip portion, is supported at the front and rear of the grip portion by the grab rail and overlaps the grip portion in a side view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kihoko KAITA, Ryoichi MIURA, Hironobu KAI
  • Patent number: 8794655
    Abstract: A shopping cart for use with a wheelchair includes two wheeled front legs and a rear leg. The rear leg is not attached to a wheel. The rear leg is adapted to be mounted to a foot rest of the wheelchair. The shopping cart also includes a container device supporting frame. The frame is coupled to and supported by the front legs and the rear leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Terry Gipson
  • Patent number: 8783709
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present disclosure is an improvement on known wheelchairs and other known devices for transporting elderly, infirm, injured, handicapped, disabled, or otherwise mobility-impaired individuals. The present disclosure provides a seat that is adjustable in height, tilt angle, and orientation, relative to the supporting surface and frame of the apparatus. In some embodiments, the height adjustment is provided via a hydraulic lift cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Karl H. Westermann, Mary Kay Schitton
  • Publication number: 20130119636
    Abstract: A passenger bar for motorcycles is disclosed. The passenger bar is affixed to the gas tank of a motorcycle forward of the motorcycle driver such that a passenger behind the motorcycle driver with arms wrapped around the driver may grip the passenger bar to secure himself/herself while the motorcycle is accelerating, decelerating, or experiences lateral forces. The passenger bar comprises a mounting plate, in one embodiment, and a handle inclined away from the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Charlie Hon
  • Patent number: 8366163
    Abstract: A device to facilitate the pulling of a wheelchair comprising a leash having a first end and a second end; a loop disposed on the first end of the leash, the loop is for a person to pull on; a first strap disposed at a 90 degrees angle at the second end of the leash, the first strap having a first distal end wherein a first hook-and-loop component is disposed at the first distal end, the first hook-and-loop can detachably secure to a first complementary hook-and-loop component to wrap around an arm of a wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Everett B. Harris
  • Patent number: 8272460
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle may include highway bars. The two-wheeled vehicle may include a steering axis which is tilted relative to a fork axis. The two-wheeled vehicle may be configured in a faring configuration and in a non-fairing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Song, Scott A. Orpen, Daniel L. Burt, II, Mark W. Chevalier, James Arthur John Holroyd
  • Publication number: 20120168243
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The two-wheeled vehicle may include a passenger hand grip which is stowable under a straddle seat of the vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle may include saddlebags having an open bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Gus A. Aramayo, II, Ronald A. Vorndran
  • Patent number: 8051938
    Abstract: A seat mounting structure having a seat rail for supporting a seat of a motorcycle includes seat rail members having front end portions thereof supported by an intermediate portion of a vehicle body frame. Each of the seat rail members extends rearwardly from the intermediate portion of the vehicle body frame. Each of the seat rail members has a slotted opening formed thereon at a rear portion thereof. The slotted openings are formed inwardly and upwardly from an outer portion of the seat rail members in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Nishijima, Noriyoshi Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7971893
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a chair member formed of a seat portion with a backrest portion vertically extending therefrom. On each of two opposing sides of the backrest is an armrest that pivots between a horizontal, deployed position when in use, and a stowed, vertical position when a patient is entering or exiting the seat. The chair is mounted on an electronics housing that includes a pair of reversible DC motors and associated gear boxes that rotate a pair of pneumatic tires. A caregiver can stand on a platform behind the chair member when operating the wheelchair. The chair's speed and direction are controlled with either of a pair of control panels. A caregiver's control panel is mounted on a steering bar attached to the rear surface of the backrest while a patient control panel is mounted on one of the armrests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Bobbie Dunn
  • Patent number: 7967174
    Abstract: A carrier for carrying goods for an invalid vehicle, such as a wheelchair, having a seat. The carrier has a basket support and a foldable basket with a back wall. The basket support has vehicle connectors for detachably connecting the basket support to the vehicle with the support behind the seat. The basket support also has basket connectors for detachably connecting the basket to the support with its back wall against the support. The basket can be detached from the basket support and used alone. The support, with or without the basket attached to it, can be detached from the wheelchair when the wheelchair is to be folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Rene Lauber
  • Patent number: 7896014
    Abstract: A bike multi-functional rainproof assembly comprises a foldable frame having a foldable tube; a front end of the foldable tube being installed with a joint for connecting with a quick connecting rotary seat; a box having a front end combed with a rear retaining frame; the rear retaining frame for connecting to a rear side of a bike seat; the box having a lock and a ring; releasing the ring, a box bottom can be opened; the box bottom being installed with a telescopic rod set; and the telescopic rod set including a main frame, a movable rotary seat, a quick connecting rotary seat, a telescopic frame, and a sub-telescopic frame; the sub-telescopic frame being installed with a waterproof cloth; after the interior components of the telescopic rod set is expanded and fixed, the waterproof cloth having the effect of waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Chao-Jung Chiang
  • Patent number: 7878523
    Abstract: A positioner means co-operable with a collapsed wheelchair frame, including a front frame, and configured, for selectively retaining the wheelchair in collapsed position, in one position of said positioner means, and for allowing expansion of the wheelchair in another position of the positioner means relative to the frame, and for positioning said frame to space the wheelchair front wheels to allow free swiveling thereof, and comprising, in combination, a clamp attached to said frame at two spaced apart locations associated with the two front wheels, to lock the wheels at predetermined spacing, for swiveling, the clamp including brackets sized to releasably push-connect to the front frame at said two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: Herman D. Ferch
  • Patent number: 7857341
    Abstract: To prevent damage, for example, to a rear side cover that covers a seat rail from outward in a vehicle width direction, a motorcycle is disclosed having a glove bar fixed to seat rails and configured to be grasped by a fellow passenger seated on a seat. The glove bar may include a support portion fixed to the seat rails to extend outward in a motorcycle width direction and above rear side covers, grips supported by the support portion to extend rearwardly of the seat and configured to be grasped by the fellow passenger, and protective bar portions of a cantilevered structure supported by portions of the support portion positioned above the rear side cover and passing above the rear side covers to extend forward in the motorcycle width direction to protect the rear side covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuta Kobayashi, Tetsuya Hanai
  • Publication number: 20100096827
    Abstract: A folding electric bicycle in one embodiment includes a front case comprising a door and two auxiliary wheels; a pivotal head tube; two handlebars; a swivel fork telescopically connected to the head tube; a front wheel; a drive mechanism comprising a folding frame, a front chain wheel, two pedals, a rear bracket, a rear wheel, first and second rear chain wheels, and a main drive chain rotatably fitted around the front chain wheel and the first rear chain wheel; a detachable seat assembly; a battery pack; an electric motor for rotating the rear wheel; and a driven wheel interconnecting the electric motor and the second rear chain wheel. For collapsing the bicycle, a driver detaches the seat assembly, folds the frame, places the frame, the seat assembly, and the rear wheel in the case, partially disposes the front wheel in the case, and closes the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Fu-Hsun Tsai
  • Patent number: 7661691
    Abstract: An apparatus for detachably connecting a selected one of various accessories to a bicycle includes a receptacle, an insert and a fastening device. The receptacle is connected to the bicycle. The insert is connected to the selected accessory so that the selected accessory is detachably connected to the bicycle when the insert is inserted in the receptacle. The fastening device is used to keep the insert in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Patent number: 7654496
    Abstract: A backrest for a motorcycle includes a base plate including an upper portion, and a lower portion including first and second opposing ends. A frame and/or pad are attached to the support portion. The lower portion includes a first vertical recess in the first end, and a second horizontal recess in the second end. A bracket is slidably mounted to the base portion, the bracket being slidable along a transverse axis between open and closed positions. In the closed position, a third recess in the bracket at least partially encloses the second recess for securing a pin within the second and third recesses. A locking arm is pivotally mounted to the bracket member for releasably securing the bracket member in the closed position. The bracket member and locking arm allow the backrest to be quickly attached to and released from a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Summit Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sharpe, Gary Chez
  • Patent number: 7651112
    Abstract: A motorcycle having a grab bar with sufficient attachment strength and rigidity, minimum wall thickness and size and no deterioration in external appearance. The grab bar has a grab section to be grabbed by a rider and attachment sections to be attached to left and right seat rails. The attachment sections extend through a space below a rear edge of a seat toward the front and are connected to the left and right seat rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiaki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7644945
    Abstract: A safety device for restraining the forward movement of a two-wheeled bicycle used for training a child, said device including a cord controller that allows for the extending, retracting and locking said cord to a manual handle, a spring clip fastener on the free end of said cord and a flexible strap that connects at one end by a loop to a bicycle seat post with the other end to a fastening ring that allows the ring to be fastened to the spring clip on the cord. The cord controller allows the user to walk behind a young child who is learning to ride a two-wheeled bike to prevent the child from accelerating away from the adult during training whereby the adult can restrain the forward movement of the bicycle whenever necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Vasilios Kourkoumelis
  • Patent number: 7547029
    Abstract: A child transport vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; displacement means depending from the frame; a vehicle attachment connector mounted on the vehicle frame and including a vehicle attachment connection site, the connector and the connection site may be configured to facilitate convertibility and usefulness of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: 634182 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel William Britton, Graham Alexander Lemee, Barry Dean Wylant, Antony William Stephen Gellion
  • Patent number: 7540519
    Abstract: This invention is a bicycle trainer, which is attached to the back wheel as well as the bolt of the bike seat of a bicycle that is being operated by a child. This will allow a parent to travel safely behind a bicycle and teach his or her child how to balance on a bicycle so that he or she may ride safely while at the same time minimizing injuries due to falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: David W. Coyle
  • Publication number: 20090107751
    Abstract: To prevent damage, for example, to a rear side cover that covers a seat rail from outward in a vehicle width direction, a motorcycle is disclosed having a glove bar fixed to seat rails and configured to be grasped by a fellow passenger seated on a seat. The glove bar may include a support portion fixed to the seat rails to extend outward in a motorcycle width direction and above rear side covers, grips supported by the support portion to extend rearwardly of the seat and configured to be grasped by the fellow passenger, and protective bar portions of a cantilevered structure supported by portions of the support portion positioned above the rear side cover and passing above the rear side covers to extend forward in the motorcycle width direction to protect the rear side covers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Yuuta Kobayashi, Tetsuya Hanai
  • Patent number: 7494138
    Abstract: A mobile support system having a central region that allows the legs to move in an unobstructed manner and providing an upper body support assembly where the weight is distributed between the elbow region and hand region of the individual for a desirable weight distribution for assisted bipedal motion such as walking or running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Gary Graham
  • Publication number: 20080296866
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a wheel barrow handle that is extendable. By way of this extension, the height of a handle portion of the adapter may be changed so as to change the effective height of the wheel barrow handle. In this way, a user of the wheel barrow can lift the wheel barrow from a more comfortable height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Jeff Martin
  • Patent number: 7222871
    Abstract: A push handle for a child's vehicle has an elongated body with at least two elongated tubes of different diameters configured in a telescoping relation where the tube(s) of smaller diameters are slidable within the tube(s) of larger diameters between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubes include a top tube with a top end and a bottom tube. The bottom tube is fixed to the child's vehicle. A grip is mounted on the top end of the top tube for gripping by a user's hand. A locking mechanism is disposed within the body for locking the tubes in either the extended state or the retracted state. A release device is disposed on the body and activated for remotely unlocking the locking mechanism so that the body may be moved between the extended and retracted states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Michelau, Thomas Schlegel
  • Patent number: 7174852
    Abstract: An attachment facilitating device and a pet carrier for a bicycle. The attachment facilitating device is an elongate support for a bicycle-mounted carrier that mounts between the saddle and the handlebars of a bicycle. The support includes first and second ends. A first clamp is associated with the first end for gripping a tubular, member of the bicycle adjacent to the handlebars. A second clamp is associated with the second end for gripping a tubular member of the bicycle rearwardly of the first clamp. First and second elongate arms are slideably engageable with each other The first and second arms each have a proximal end region opposite their respective distal end regions associated with the clamps. The first arm is for supporting the carrier and is fastenable thereto. The second arm includes a linear region extending from the distal end of the second arm towards the proximal end of the second arm. An angled region is adjacent the linear region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canada, Inc
    Inventor: Malcolm Jefferson
  • Patent number: 7137640
    Abstract: A safety handles assembly is provided attachable to a motorcycle which provides a place for hands of a rear passenger to hold directly onto the motorcycle without requiring that the rear passenger hold onto the driver of the motorcycle. The assembly preferably includes a main strap girding a seat or other structure on the motorcycle. A pair of handles are coupled to the main strap and extend upwardly and rearwardly toward the rear passenger. The handles are preferably flexible and include hand loops at ends of the handles opposite the main strap. The hand loops can be engaged by hands of the rear passenger so that the rear passenger is holding onto the motorcycle through the assembly. The assembly is preferably positioned with the main strap forward of the driver and with the handles extending upwardly and rearwardly over the legs of the driver and around opposite sides of the waist of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Inventors: David E. Rice, George R. Wong
  • Patent number: 7111856
    Abstract: A mobile support system having a central region that allows the legs to move in an unobstructed manner and providing an upper body support assembly where the weight is distributed between the elbow region and hand region of the individual for a desirable weight distribution for assisted bipedal motion such as walking or running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Graham
  • Patent number: 6896279
    Abstract: Motorcycle of the type comprising a frame, a seat for the rider, a seat for the passenger, a handgrip for the passenger, a fuel tank, an opening in said tank, a orifice flange situated in said opening, a cap for closing the tank situated inside said flange and a handgrip for the passenger associated with the orifice flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Vincenzo Galvagno
  • Patent number: 6868584
    Abstract: A handle assembly suitable for use by a passenger on a motorcycle, the handle assembly preferably being secured to the fuel access opening on the fuel tank, the handle assembly having a base member and handles secured thereto for gripping by the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Steve Trottier
  • Patent number: 6860495
    Abstract: A carrier to transport a person in sitting position along with luggage, miscellaneous small articles and, when needed a gas cylinder and a holder to drip feed a patient. The carrier with a manually operable fail safe brake and foot rests that are tilted up and foldable whereby one being transported cannot stand on the foot rests and tip the unit but folds the foot rests to allow standing on the floor. The carrier may be stored in a normal cart space and is suitable for use in hospitals, airports etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: William P. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6840527
    Abstract: A tricycle features a hollow main frame member to which a pair of rear wheels and a seat are mounted. A head tube is attached to the main frame member and a post is pivotally positioned therein. The tricycle front wheel is connected to the lower end of the post while handlebars are connected to the upper end of the post. A steering miter gear is also attached to the post within the head tube. A steering shaft is rotatably positioned with the hollow main frame member and features miter gears on its leading and trailing ends. The miter gear on the leading end engages the steering miter gear while the miter gear on the trailing end engages a miter gear that is removably engaged by a pushing and steering handle. The tricycle thus may be pushed and steered by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Radio Flyer, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Michelau, Thomas Schlegel
  • Publication number: 20040188980
    Abstract: Apparatus for releasably coupling a vehicle accessory to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing, an accessory coupler for coupling a vehicle accessory to the housing, and a hitch pin. The housing comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and opposed side walls extending between the upper and lower walls, which walls together define a sleeve having an open rearward end. The sleeve has a height between its upper and lower walls and a width between its side walls, the width being substantially greater than the height The upper and lower walls each have an associated hole centrally positioned widthwise of the sleeve, the holes being aligned on a common axis. The housing is adapted for attachment in an operative position to an upper rearward part of the vehicle with the open end of the sleeve depending rearwardly. In cases where the vehicle is a two-wheeled motorcycle or scooter, the housing preferably is attached to the vehicle in a location above the rear wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Detlef Uwe Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6601864
    Abstract: A device for preventing a wheelchair or a walker from passing through a doorway, the doorway having a predetermined dimension, e.g., a predetermined height. The device includes a barrier and a coupling for securing the barrier to the; wheelchair or the walker such that a portion of the barrier extends from the wheelchair or the walker. The barrier has a primary dimension sized such that a combined dimension, e.g., a combined height, of the wheelchair or the walker and the portion of the barrier extending from the wheelchair or walker is greater than the predetermined height of the doorway, such that the barrier prevents the wheelchair or the walker from passing through the doorway. The present disclosure, therefore, provides a device for preventing a wheelchair or a walker from passing through a doorway to keep a patient in a defined area and prevent the patient from entering another area where the patient might be endangered or endanger others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Ronald Hoyt
  • Patent number: 6471232
    Abstract: A top tube assembly is detachably mounted between a seat tube and a head tube of a bicycle and comprises a tube, two hook-like attaching members, and two latch members. Each attaching member has an end securely attached to an associated end of the tube and mounted around an associated one of a seat tube and a head tube of a bicycle. Each latch member has an end pivotally connected to the associated end of the tube. Each latch member is pivotable along a horizontal plane between a locking position and an unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: May Huang
  • Patent number: 6460866
    Abstract: A combination wheeled vehicle and article carrier is capable of being converted between selected configurations, including a rider-carrying scooter configuration and a rider-carried pack configuration. The scooter configuration provides a scooter having a handle, front and back wheels, and a selectively extensible foot board assembly for selecting wheelbase length to attain desired ride and handling characteristics. Steering is accomplished by tilting of the scooter with the assistance of a tiller arrangement. The pack configuration includes a pack member, and the handle, front wheels and foot board assembly are selectively retracted into juxtaposition with the pack member to provide a compact backpack when the combination is in the pack configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Diece-Lisa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Randice-Lisa Altschul, Lee S. Volpe
  • Patent number: 6347804
    Abstract: A motorcycle accessory quick-release attachment assembly is provided which consists of two or more motorcycle accessories adapted to be releasably attached to the same set of mounting studs without the use of tools. In a preferred embodiment, each motorcycle accessory includes one or more front hooks for mounting on the front mounting studs, one or more rear hooks for mounting on the rear mounting studs, and one or more latches rotatably connected to the rear hooks for securing and releasing the rear hooks to and from the rear mounting studs. Significantly, the configuration of the latches allows the accessories to be releasably attached to the same set of mounting studs. Each of the latches may be configured to receive a padlock to lock the rear hooks to the rear mounting studs. As such, the accessories can be optionally locked to the motorcycle to guard against theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Big Dog Motorcycles, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael Seibel
  • Patent number: 6296263
    Abstract: An improvement to a standard three wheeled walker to render it usable for carrying objects on a folding tray mounted between the vertical supports of the walker. A panel is split into two portions, which are pivotally joined together with a piano hinge. A “U” clamp having a mounting bracket and hinge is mounted on each vertical support. The hinges are attached to the bottom edges of the two split panels to attach the folding tray across the space between the two vertical supports. The tray folds upwardly when the walker is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventors: Theodore L. Schultz, Margaret Ann Winney
  • Patent number: 6202722
    Abstract: A carrier for a collapsed wheelchair which allows a disabled person and persons of small stature to enclose and secure the collapsed wheelchair within the carrier and to lift and move the collapsed wheelchair with minimum ease. The carrier comprises a top and end panel member secured to a front panel and a rear panel to form a generally rectangular inverted housing with an opened bottom. An opened seam is formed adjacent the open bottom of the housing for receiving a drawstring which can be drawn to secure the collapsed wheelchair within the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: William C. Crocker
  • Patent number: 6186528
    Abstract: A wheelchair and trailer system comprising a trailer which has a planar support in a generally rectangular configuration. The trailer has a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges. Also provided is a forwardly extending rod with an aperture therethrough for positioning over the hole of the wheelchair. It also has an associated pin to selective effect the coupling between the trailer and the wheelchair. Two rear wheels are provided for rotation about a common horizontal axis coupled to the trailer adjacent to the rear edge. A front wheel is provided for rotation about a horizontal axis coupled to the trailer adjacent to the front edge. The front wheel is secured to the forwardly extending rod to allow rotation of the front wheel about a vertical axis for steering purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventors: David W. Walker, Sr., Janice Walker
  • Patent number: 6176339
    Abstract: The present invention directed to a motorcycle that includes a frame, a steering fork, a triple clamp and a motorcycle accessory mounted to a bottom surface of the triple clamp. The triple clamp rotatably couples the motorcycle frame to a pair of fork tubes that are part of the steering fork such that the steering fork and triple clamp rotate with respect to the motorcycle frame. Mounting a motorcycle accessory to the bottom surface of the triple clamp locates the mounting hardware beneath the triple clamp such that the mounting hardware is hidden from casual viewing. Hidden mounting hardware increases the aesthetic appearance of a motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventor: Douglas D. Reichardt
  • Patent number: 6170593
    Abstract: A motorcycle is generally provided with a lateral pair of frame bodies, a pivot shaft connected between the frame bodies, a swing arm mechanism supported to the pivot shaft to be swingable and adapted to support a rear wheel. A housing box for accommodating articles is disposed below a seat, and the housing box is composed of an upper portion and a lower extension portion which extends vertically downward so as to pass through a space of the swing arm mechanism between the pivot shaft and the rear wheel in an installed state of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akimasa Hatanaka