Patents Examined by A. M. Boehler
-
Patent number: 10906610Abstract: An ebike comprises a front wheel, a rear wheel, a frame structure supported on the front wheel and the rear wheel, a crank assembly, and a battery assembly. The frame structure includes a down tube defining a down tube axis and being open at its lower end. The crank assembly is rotatable about a crank axis that is spaced rearward from the down tube axis. The battery assembly is slidable into the down tube from the lower end of the down tube along the down tube axis. The battery assembly includes a battery housing protruding from the lower end of the down tube, and a battery cover secured to a lower end of the battery housing and substantially enclosing the lower end of the battery housing. At least a portion of the battery housing may extend below a horizontal plane defined by the crank axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Vincent Patureau, Marco Werner Sonderegger, Marc Pallure
-
Patent number: 10899415Abstract: A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a uni-body frame having a forward engine compartment, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and a front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The snow vehicle has a chain coupling the sprocket of the propulsion unit located outside of the frame and directly coupled to the belt drive.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Allen M. Mangum, Jimmy D. Brooks
-
Patent number: 10857047Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus is provided and includes a frame, a seat assembly coupled to the frame, and a track assembly coupled to the frame. The track assembly includes a moveable track for traversing stairs and a motor configured to drive the track. The apparatus further includes a control system. The control system includes a controller configured to control the motor and to adjust a speed of the apparatus based on at least one of an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs and a condition of the stairs.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Stryker CorporationInventors: Aaron Furman, Janani Gopalkrishnan, Daniel V. Brosnan, Darren G. Schaaf, Brandon David Naber, Ross Lucas, William Ross Heneveld, Jr., Chad Conway Souke, Christopher S. Hough, Christopher Gentile, Joshua Alan Mansfield
-
Patent number: 10858059Abstract: A unitary system for an electric-assist bicycle generates signals indicative of power input to a drive system of the bicycle when a rider pedals the bicycle, considering torque applied by the rider, as well as the cadence or speed of the rider's pedaling. Direction of pedaling is also measured using the system. The system utilizes fixed, hard-wired, contactless electronics, namely first and second inductance coils that are non-equally-spaced circumferentially around a first axis, and which generate a first electrical signal indicative of torque based on lateral movement of a conductive or otherwise magnetically permeable rotatable member relative to the coils, and which generate second and third electrical signals indicative of pedaling cadence and direction based on eccentric relative rotational movement of the conductive or otherwise magnetically permeable rotatable member relative to the first and second inductance coils.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Inventors: Matthew Hendey, Andrew Westrick
-
Patent number: 10850799Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a bicycle frame having a main frame and a sub-frame, and a shock absorber assembly. The shock absorber assembly can comprise a shock absorber and an extension body. The sub-frame can rotate in relation to the main frame and the shock absorber assembly can be used to regulate that relationship. An eccentric insert positioned functionally between the shock absorber and extension body can be used to modify the overall length of the shock absorber assembly to beneficially alter the geometry of the bicycle frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jason L. Chamberlain, Jason McDonald
-
Patent number: 10843514Abstract: A hitch plate assembly for a truck. The hitch plate includes a lower frame spanning beneath a pair of frame rails of the truck. The lower frame is fabricated from a front plate and end plates at oppositely disposed ends of the front plate. The end plates extend upwardly for attachment directly to the frame rails. An upper frame is mounted over the lower frame and between the frame rails. The upper frame is comprised of a front plate, two side plates, an upper plate and two pairs of spaced apart pivot plates with through holes therein secured to the upper plate, wherein a dump body hinge is received into the space between each pair of pivot plates and each hinge is secured in position by a pin, the dump body being rotatable about each pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: CUSTOM TRUCK & EQUIPMENT LLCInventor: James V. Mascola
-
Patent number: 10836426Abstract: A small radius- or zero radius-turn vehicle that may be steered by differentially-driven rear drive wheels and by at least one electronically-controlled, steerable front wheel. A device, e.g., one or more levers, may be provided that controls both speed and direction of the drive wheels. A sensor may be provided that detects a position of the lever(s). A controller may calculate a steering angle of the front wheel based upon the position, and issue a command to an actuator associated with the front wheel. The actuator may rotate the front wheel to an electronically calculated steering angle in response to the command.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, IncorporatedInventors: Garry W. Busboom, Christian S. C. Bryant, Sang Pheng, James R. Gaebel
-
Patent number: 10814924Abstract: Power machines, power sources for power machines, and methods which provide a hydraulic signal from a hydraulic system, through the swivel joint or swivel, to control a tensioning cylinder coupled to the undercarriage without requiring a modification to the swivel. In exemplary embodiments, the same hydraulic signal provided to at least one other hydraulic component on the undercarriage to control another machine function is also provided to control one or more tensioning cylinders. For example, exemplary disclosed embodiments provide the same hydraulic signal to tension a tensioning cylinder as is provided to shift one or more two-speed drive motors. This prevents or reduces the likelihood of de-tracking without requiring a change or redesign of the swivel.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANYInventor: Jacob Haugen
-
Patent number: 10807470Abstract: An electric wheelchair operation apparatus includes a sliding part disposed in an armrest part, a dial part disposed on a tip side of the armrest part, the dial part configured to be moved together with the sliding part in the vehicle forward/backward direction, and an electric wheelchair drive control unit configured to control a traveling motion of an electric wheelchair by associating the amount of movement of the sliding part and/or the moved position thereof with respect to the reference point in the vehicle forward/backward direction detected by a first sensor with a traveling motion of the electric wheelchair in a forward/backward direction and associating the amount of rotation, the rotational position, and/or the rotational torque of the dial part detected by a second sensor with a turning motion of the electric wheelchair in a left/right direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshiyuki Senba, Yusuke Kosaka, Takashi Izuo
-
Patent number: 10801603Abstract: A gear assembly includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear rotates about a first axis, and includes a first plurality of teeth and a first surface extending circumferentially and carried by the first plurality of teeth. The first surface is electrically conductive. The second gear rotates about a second axis and is operably connected to the first gear. The second gear includes an electrically conductive element, a second plurality of teeth, and a second surface extending circumferentially and carried by the second plurality of teeth. The second surface is electrically nonconductive. The electrically conductive element includes a plurality of feelers with each feeler projecting radially outward and into a respective tooth of the second plurality of teeth.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Jeffrey E. Beyerlein, Jason T. Rutkiewicz, Niklaus A. von Matt
-
Patent number: 10781906Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system includes a worm shaft unit having a worm gear, a worm wheel unit rotatably engaging with the worm gear, a housing unit having a worm receiving part formed therein to receive the worm shaft unit, and a shaft support unit having a support part located between the housing unit and the worm shaft unit to support the worm shaft unit, and a shaft pressing part located between the support part and the worm shaft unit to press the worm shaft unit towards the worm wheel unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chi Ho Lee, Byeong Hoon Lee
-
Patent number: 10772775Abstract: A caster wheel suspension assembly for a wheelchair or the like includes a housing with a clevis portion and a tubular portion; a fork member pivotably mounted in the clevis portion of the housing, the fork member having a pair of fork arms extending from the housing, each of the fork arms terminating in a lower end, the fork member having an upper portion formed as a clevis tang disposed in the clevis portion of the housing; a damping element in the tubular portion of the housing; and a compression adjustment element connected to the clevis pin and extending axially through the damping element. The compression adjustment element is configured to apply an adjustable compressive force to the damping element, and it is further configured to be moved axially within the tubular portion of the housing for adjustment of the compressive force applied to the damping element.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: NUT INDUSTRIESInventors: Peter J. Delmatoff, Mike Stephen Box
-
Patent number: 10773631Abstract: A forward facing vehicle transport (“FFVT”) and return transport vehicle (“RTV”) combination is provided. The FFVT of the combination includes at least a main support member supported by an axle, and the axle in turn is supported by a wheel. The FFVT further provides a toe tongue that is secured to the main support member and extends in a first direction from the main support, and a pull tongue secured to the main support member and extending in a second direction from then main support. The RTV of the combination provides a return transport vehicle axle supporting a retracting bed, which includes a front section in sliding interaction with a rear section. The RTV further provides a return transport vehicle guide post secured to the axle, and a return transport vehicle vertical slide member attached to the rear section of the return transport vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Ironman FFB, LLCInventor: Tommy Edmonson
-
Patent number: 10773771Abstract: A bicycle includes an electrical auxiliary drive, including an electric motor, a battery for storing electrical energy, which battery is connected to the electric motor, a crank mechanism having pedal cranks, which are mounted on a pedal crankshaft disposed about a crank axis, so as to be able to rotate, and a planetary gear for driving the bicycle both by the electric motor and by the muscle power of a driver, the planetary gear and the electric motor being disposed about the pedal crankshaft of the crank mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Peter Kimmich, Mario Kustosch, Philipp Kohlrausch
-
Patent number: 10773762Abstract: A forward facing vehicle transport apparatus (“FFVTA”) is provided. The FFVTA includes at least a main support member supported by an axle, and the axle in turn is supported by a wheel. The FFVTA further provides a toe tongue that is secured to the main support member and extends in a first direction from the main support. The toe tongue provides a telescopic extension member communicating with an extension mechanism, the telescopic extension member is configured to interact with a steer axle of a first vehicle, the steer axle supported by a tire of the first vehicle. The FFVTA further includes a pull tongue secured to the main support member and extending in a second direction from then main support. The pull tongue provides a sliding extension member that communicates with an expansion mechanism. The sliding extension member is configured to interact with a fifth wheel of a second vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Ironman FFB, LLCInventor: Tommy Edmonson
-
Patent number: 10766566Abstract: Propulsion unit for an electric, pedal-assisted bicycle comprising an electric machine having a stator and a rotor, rotatable about a motor axis, said rotor being operatively connected to a crank pin, defining a crank axis, mechanically connected to pedals, and coaxial with the motor axis, wherein the rotor is coaxial and external with respect to the stator so as radially enclose the rotor. The propulsion unit comprises at least one electronic unit for operating and controlling the functioning of the electric machine, and at least a pair of housings that define a containment space which houses the electric machine and at least partially the crank pin.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2015Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.p.AInventors: Paolo Capozzella, Luca Carmignani, Luca Nuti, Giorgio Prosperini
-
Patent number: 10766571Abstract: A snowmobile includes a frame having side walls and a support platform. The side walls cooperate with the support platform to define a tunnel. The snowmobile further includes an endless belt assembly supported by the frame, a motor supported by the frame, and a running board removably coupled to the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Martin E. Sampson, Lyle J. Dahlgren, Jerry A. Olson
-
Patent number: 10766563Abstract: Generally, examples described herein may take the form of a bicycle including a front frame, a rear frame operably associated with the front frame and configured for coupling to a rear wheel, and a suspension system operably associated with the front frame and the rear frame. The suspension system includes a first sliding body pivotally coupled to the rear frame and configured to travel in a first direction along a substantially linear travel path. The first sliding body also includes a dampening mechanism or a spring mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: YETI CYCLYING, LLCInventors: Steven W. Hoogendoorn, Peter Zawistowski
-
Patent number: 10745047Abstract: A synchronous steering vehicle body includes wheels, a cab and a steering mechanism for driving the wheels and the cab to synchronously steer, steering center axes of the wheels are vertical to rotation center axes of the wheels, and the wheels are vertical to the center of the horizontal ground to be concentric to the steering center axes of the wheels, and the steering motions of the wheels and the cab are kept synchronous. The disclosure provides a synchronous steering vehicle body capable of directly achieving the synchronous steering of the wheels and the cab.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Inventor: Kunliu Wu
-
Patent number: 10745072Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle, with a bicycle seat assembly rotatably connected to the bicycle. Rotation movement of the bicycle seat assembly is possible, seen in the driving direction, to the left and to the right side and is independent of the steering movement of the bicycle. The axis of rotation of the bicycle seat assembly is arranged in front of the axis of the bottom bracket, seen in the driving direction, and the seating surface of the bicycle seat is arranged behind the axis of the bottom bracket, seen in the driving direction. The rotatable bicycle seat assembly enables an upright riding position by dodging the cyclist's leg pedaling downwards through a rotational movement. At the same time it supports the hip side of the other leg. The driver is supported by the bicycle seat even in the upright riding position.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Inventor: Karsten Bettin