Patents Examined by A. M. Boehler
  • Patent number: 11260545
    Abstract: Dynamic control of a center of mass position is based on replacement of discrete motion of macro body (counterweighing solid or counterbalancing mechanisms) for continuous molecular flow of counterweighing liquid. Redistributing liquid counterweight between chambers attached to independently moving parts of robot allows its motion to new stable position without disruption in static stability and dynamic balance. Various embodiments include bipods/humanoids, wheeled locomotion robots and hybrid wheeled/multi-pod bio-like robotic systems; some embodiments allow reversible mutual reconfiguration between various structural arrangements. In humanoid embodiments, method allows moving on uneven terrain or ascending staircases while maintaining static stability; method also decreases the probability of fall and secures self-rising if a fall occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Dorfman
  • Patent number: 11254359
    Abstract: A leg assembly includes a guide tube, a power drive coupled to a flange of the guide tube, a steering ring coupled to the power drive, a tube weldment coupled to the steering ring, and a hydraulic actuator coupled within the guide tube and within the tube weldment. The power drive includes a slew drive or a hydraulic cylinder steering assembly. The tube weldment is translated through the power drive by the actuator. To achieve a minimal width, the tube weldment includes a keyway. The steering ring includes a key by which relative rotational movements may be imparted to the keyway. The steering ring is rotated by the power drive. Thus, the guide tube may be rotated relative to the tube weldment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Gomaco Corporation
    Inventor: Jason D Wulf
  • Patent number: 11242110
    Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a front triangle that has a top tube, a down tube, and a seat tube. A bottom side of the top tube includes a cavity. The bicycle frame also includes a seat stay assembly that has a first seat stay, a second seat stay, and a seat stay yoke that connects the first seat stay and the second seat stay. The seat stay yoke is configured to at least partially fit within the cavity on the bottom side of the top tube. The bicycle frame further includes an inline shock assembly that has a stanchion and a shock. At least a portion of the stanchion is configured to fit within the seat stay yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Alsop, Benjamin Blaise Fullerton, Jr., Brian Gerhard Bentler
  • Patent number: 11235821
    Abstract: A reconfigurable joint track compound mobile robot has a main vehicle body, yaw joints and an auxiliary track module. The main vehicle body has a main track, and a clutch brake and a first wheel joint arranged in a main track driving wheel. A second wheel joint is arranged in a main track driven wheel. The main vehicle body is provided with main track driving mechanisms and a wheel joint driving mechanism. The main track driving wheel is driven to rotate by the main track driving mechanisms, which are connected with the clutch brake. The second wheel joint is driven to rotate by the wheel joint driving mechanism. Each wheel joint is correspondingly connected with the yaw joints, which are rotatably connected with the auxiliary track module. A yaw driving mechanism that drives the auxiliary track module to swing is arranged in each yaw joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SHENYANG INSTITUTE OF AUTOMATION, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Jinguo Liu, Xing Li, Jian Ding, Yuwang Liu
  • Patent number: 11230348
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a cycle having improved stability includes a steering fork having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a fixed pivot and a shock pivot, the space between the first arm and the second arm defining a wheel opening. A shock link has a shock link fixed pivot and a shock link floating pivot. A shock absorber has a shock gas spring comprising a shock spring body a shock gas piston having a first gas piston area, a spring unit has a spring gas spring comprising a spring body and a spring gas piston having a second gas piston area. The first gas piston area is not equal to the second gas piston area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventor: David Weagle
  • Patent number: 11230346
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a cycle having improved stability includes a steering fork having a steering axis, a first arm, and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a fixed pivot and a shock pivot, the space between the first arm and the second arm defining a wheel opening. A shock link has a shock link fixed pivot and a shock link floating pivot. A shock absorber has a shock gas spring comprising a shock spring body a shock gas piston having a first gas piston area, a spring unit has a spring gas spring comprising a spring body and a spring gas piston having a second gas piston area. The first gas piston area is not equal to the second gas piston area. A mechanical trail distance increases as the suspension assembly compresses relative to a fully extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS INC.
    Inventor: David Weagle
  • Patent number: 11230351
    Abstract: A fuel tank includes a lower fuel tank wall and an upper fuel tank wall. The lower fuel tank wall is connected to an inner surface of the upper fuel tank wall. Each of the lower and upper fuel tank walls is constructed of a single piece of sheet metal. The lower and upper fuel tank walls enclose a volume therebetween configured to be in fluid communication with an engine of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Sebastien Vezina
  • Patent number: 11230347
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a cycle having improved stability includes a steering fork having a first arm and a second arm, each of the first arm and the second arm having a fixed pivot and a shock pivot, the space between the first arm and the second arm defining a wheel opening. A shock link has a shock link fixed pivot and a shock link floating pivot. A shock absorber has a shock gas spring comprising a shock spring body a shock gas piston having a first gas piston area, a spring unit has a spring gas spring comprising a spring body and a spring gas piston having a second gas piston area. The first gas piston area is not equal to the second gas piston area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: David Weagle
  • Patent number: 11220310
    Abstract: A snowmobile has a gearbox having a first shaft, a second shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. A driven gear mounted to the first shaft engages a forward drive gear mounted to a countershaft. In a first configuration: the first shaft is coupled to the countershaft; when rotating, a driveshaft rotates in a same direction as the countershaft; and configurable portions of the countershaft and second shaft are free of gears. In a second configuration: the forward drive gear is in selective free-spin engagement with the countershaft; a reverse drive gear mounted to the configurable portion of the countershaft is in driving engagement with the countershaft; an actuator selectively transmits rotary motion from the countershaft to the gearbox; a reverse driven gear mounted to the configurable portion of the second shaft meshes with the reverse drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Pard, Joel Pitre, Yan Nolet
  • Patent number: 11208171
    Abstract: The invention is a bicycle drive assembly and it generally includes a drive chain, a drive wheel including a hub, a frame including left and right chainstays, each having a raced bearing, a cassette assembly, and an axle assembly. The cassette assembly includes a body having an inner end rotatably mounted on the right chainstay bearing, an outer free end, and a cassette including a plurality of sprockets. Cooperative torque-transferring components transfer torque between cassette and body, body and axle, and axle and hub. A freewheel mechanism, as one of the cooperative torque-transferring components, allows the bicycle to coast. A drive axle is selectably movable axially between a riding position, wherein it is rotatably mounted on the chainstay bearings and supports and drives the wheel, and a release position wherein the wheel is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Veselin Mandaric
  • Patent number: 11208172
    Abstract: A pivot assembly for a cycle linkage suspension is provided that includes first and second members and a pivot. The first and second members include lateral openings extending therethrough and the pivot includes a rod portion that is configured to be disposed within the lateral openings to pivotably couple the first and second members together. The rod portion further includes an opening that extends through an intermediate portion thereof. The pivot assembly can further include a pin configured to be removably inserted at least partially into the opening in the rod portion to thereby restrict lateral movement of the rod portion within the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: David Weagle
  • Patent number: 11192447
    Abstract: A volume tank that houses a material is provided. The volume tank can include a first bulk head, a second bulk head opposite the first bulk head, a non-symmetrical frustoconical shell section, a cylindrical shell section and a transition section in between the non-symmetrical frustoconical shell section and the cylindrical shell section. The volume tank is configured to be coupled to a portion of a frame of a vehicle, and in a non-limiting embodiment, to a school bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James M. Getter, Kassandra M. Williams, Xiaoting Liang
  • Patent number: 11186342
    Abstract: A motorized and controllable wheel system for a non-motorized stander is disclosed. Micro-controllers are programmed to be capable of acquiring and processing multiple inputs from the user and therapist and controlling the motors. Additional sensors are implemented in order to enhance safety and provide some device autonomy with the goal of providing a device that improves the mobility, autonomy, and educational experience of children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Steven Day
  • Patent number: 11180215
    Abstract: A suspension system is provided for a sidecar of a motorcycle, which includes a sidecar frame and a wheel with an axle. The suspension system can include, a support frame pivotally secured to the sidecar frame, and a trailing link pivotally secured to the support frame at a leading end of the trailing link. A trailing end of the trailing link can be configured to trail behind the leading end of the trailing link relative to a direction of forward motion of the sidecar. The trailing end of the trailing link being configured to rotatably support the axle of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Jason Breazlan
  • Patent number: 11173954
    Abstract: A self-setting valve assembly for a power steering gear assembly includes a plug, a first plunger, a second plunger, and a biasing member. The plug extends between a first end and a second end. The plug defines a cavity that is disposed between the first end and the second end, a first bore that extends from the first end to the cavity, and a second bore that extends from the second end to the cavity. The first plunger has a first head that is disposed within the cavity and a first stem that extends from the first head through the first bore. The second plunger has a second head that is disposed within the cavity and a second stem that extends from the first head through the second bore. The biasing member is disposed within the bore and extending between the first head and the second head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Albert C. Wong, Thomas C. Rytlewski, Jason A. Dutsky
  • Patent number: 11173983
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a two-wheel vehicle suspension linkage. The suspension linkage includes a suspended body-1, a seatstay body-2, a link body-3, a chainstay body-4, a link body-5, and a link body-6 operatively coupled with one another. The link body-3 includes jointed connections with the suspended body-1 defining an IVC[1][3], the chainstay body-4 defining an IVC[3][4], and the link body-6 defining an IVC[3][6]. The chainstay body-4 includes an additional jointed connection with the seatstay body-2 defining an IVC[2][4]. The link body-5 includes additional jointed connections with suspended body-1 defining an IVC[1][5], seatstay body-2 defining an IVC[2][5], and the link body-6 defining an IVC[5][6]. A lower base line is defined by IVC[1][3] and IVC[3][4]. An upper base line is defined by IVC[1][5] and IVC[2][5]. The IVC[5][6] is located outside the upper and lower base lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: YETI CYCLING, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Zawistowski
  • Patent number: 11167607
    Abstract: A body prop assembly for supporting portions of a tilting trailer assembly. Said body prop assembly comprising a body prop, a hinge assembly, two sidetracks. Said body prop assembly configured to attach to said tilting trailer assembly between tilting portions and a trailer platform. Said tilting portions selectively rotate with respect to said trailer platform on a tilting hinge. Said tilting hinge defines a tilting axis of said tilting trailer assembly. Said body prop is configured to selectively hold a portion of said tilting portions at an incline. Lower guides are configured to slide through portions of said two sidetracks in order to adjust a lower portion of said body prop assembly. Said body prop comprises an upper portion, a side portions and said lower guides. Said upper portion is substantially parallel with said lower guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Landon Roberts, Leland Carl Sutton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11166403
    Abstract: Steered caster wheel systems that include a disengagement system to enable a caster wheel steering mode and non-caster wheel steering mode are disclosed. In some embodiments, the caster wheels are mounted to a subframe that may be independently suspended from the chassis of a vehicle such as a self-propelled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Nathan D. Dockter, Kent L. Thompson, Curt T. Graham, Kent M. Recker
  • Patent number: 11155119
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wheel apparatus that includes a rim module coupleable to an axle and a solid tire module that extends from the rim module. The solid tire module includes a plurality of tread teeth that form a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge forms at least a portion of a tire profile. Each tread tooth of the plurality of tread teeth has a spatial specification that includes a circumferential width, a radial height, an edge shape, and a circumferential gap width. The spatial specifications of the plurality of tread teeth are non-uniform. In one embodiment, the solid tire module has a non-circular rotational trace. In another embodiment, at least a circumferential region of the peripheral edge comprises a sequence of tread teeth having sequentially increasing radial height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory W. Luker
  • Patent number: 11155320
    Abstract: An e-bike includes a frame assembly, wheels supporting the frame assembly, a motor assembly coupled to the frame assembly by a motor fastener having a hollow portion, and an accessory component coupled to the frame assembly by an accessory fastener positioned at least partially in the hollow portion of the motor fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jonas Reiter