Patents Examined by Adam D Rogers
  • Patent number: 11967473
    Abstract: A home appliance may include a first panel having a through hole; a bracket disposed outside of the first panel, configured to cover the through hole, and fixed to the first panel; a shaft support provided on the bracket, extending in a frontward-rearward direction, and formed in the shape of a tube; a knob disposed outside of the first panel; a knob ring connected to the bracket and surrounding a circumference of the knob; a joint support connected to an end of a rear of the shaft support; a universal joint rotatably supported by the joint support; a valve assembly disposed at a rear of the universal joint; a first adjustment shaft; and a second adjustment shaft having a front end connected to a second end of the universal joint and a rear end connected to the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11964387
    Abstract: A concentric tube steerable device includes a plurality of tubes having a nested, concentric configuration. The tubes include an outer tube and an inner tube that extends coaxially within the outer tube. The inner tube terminates at a tip, and a pose of the tip is effectuated through individual or collective rotation or translation of the tubes about a tube axis. The concentric tube steerable device includes an actuator for rotating at least one tube about a respective tube axis, and a translator for translating at least one tube along a respective tube axis. Each tube includes a precurved portion and a corresponding axis of precurvature. For at least one tube, a flexural rigidity of the tube along its axis of precurvature is less than a flexural rigidity of the tube along a second axis that is perpendicular to the axis of precurvature, thereby improving stability of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: University of Tennessee Research Foundation, Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Daniel Caleb Rucker, Hunter Bryant Gilbert
  • Patent number: 11960315
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an automatically locking, releasable, safety knob assembly for a stove. The assembly includes a base with a locking notch. An adapter mates with the stove's valve stem and has a head, a tubular middle section, and an adapter base with a central aperture for receiving the valve stem. The knob includes a housing with a housing disk covering the base, an arm movement channel aligned with the locking notch in the locked configuration, and a central aperture for receiving the adapter head. The assembly further includes a sub-assembly with a slidable button allowing free rotation of the knob in the unlocked configuration, an automatic locking arm biased with the slidable button, and engagement with the button causing the arm to disengage from the locking notch and move in the arm movement channel, enabling the knob to freely rotate and rotate the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: RangeSafe, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Lawson, James Steven Burt, Robert William Milotte, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11952031
    Abstract: A steering handle of a vehicle includes a support structure, which is mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation and at each end of which an angled gripping element for a hand of a driver is provided such that the gripping element can be rotated relative to the support structure. In at least one defined driving state of the vehicle, the two gripping elements are or have been positioned by way of an actuating device in such a way that portions of the gripping elements that are provided for grasping with the hands of the driver lie on a line, the free ends of the portions facing one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Julian Eichhorn, Gunnar Franz, Christian Froemel, Zoltan Major, Martin Wiesinger
  • Patent number: 11952033
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a steering device and a control method thereof, and the steering device includes a wheel housing in which an inner space is formed, a driving member disposed in the inner space and providing power by receiving power, a cable having one side connected to a driving shaft of the driving member and the other side fixed to the wheel housing at a position spaced apart from the driving member, and an idle roller provided at a position spaced apart from the driving member and rotating while supporting the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tae Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11946537
    Abstract: A damped isolation pulley having a hub, a pulley disposed concentrically about the hub, an isolation spring, an inertia ring and an electro-adhesive clutch. The hub is configured to be mounted to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The isolation spring is formed of an elastomeric material and couples the pulley to the hub. The inertia ring is resiliently coupled to the hub and is rotationally de-coupled from the pulley. The electro-adhesive clutch has a clutch input member that is coupled to the pulley and can be operated to form an alternate torque path between the pulley and the hub that does not include the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Chevalier
  • Patent number: 11940042
    Abstract: Breathing systems and methods for a gearbox is described. Embodiments preferably create a closed system for air within the gearbox. As an operating gearbox warms the air or fluid within, or an altitude change causes air to expand or contract, increased pressure can result and air can escape through tubing to a cannister. The cannister can receive the expanding air in an impermeable cavity that is proximate to a bladder open or partially open to an exterior environment. Air can press on the bladder, expanding the cavity and shrinking the bladder until a pressure equilibrium is reached. As operation of the gearbox is lowered or powered off, or another altitude change occurs, the air can cool and/or retract into the gearbox. The bladder can then expand and press on the cavity until equalizing the pressure within the cannister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Falls, Charles H. Speller
  • Patent number: 11938814
    Abstract: A driving assistance device enables a driver who manually performs an accelerator operation and a steering operation to easily retain an accelerator operation state in a constant state. A driving assistance device includes a manually operable accelerator operation unit in the vicinity of a steering wheel provided in front of a driver seat in a vehicle cabin. The accelerator operation unit is operable in a state where the steering wheel is gripped and an operation reaction force of the accelerator operation unit exhibits an inflection point POI at which the operation reaction force rapidly becomes large in response to an increase in an operation amount of the accelerator operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Sakuragi, Tomoya Yamamoto, Kenichi Nakamoto, Yasuyuki Tonohara, Yu Morokuma, Katsuhisa Maedo
  • Patent number: 11938624
    Abstract: A parallel kinematic robot including a base unit, a platform movable in relation to the base unit about a plurality of main axes, two independently movable actuating arms connected between the base unit and the movable platform for moving the platform in relation the base unit, a tool holder rotatably connected to the platform to allow rotation of the tool holder in relation to the platform about a first auxiliary axis, a motor for driving the first auxiliary axis, located in the base unit, and a gear unit. The gear unit includes a first gearbox located in the base unit and a second gearbox located in the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Mats Olsson, Tommy Thors, Daniel Lundbäck, Jeroen Derkx, Johan Ernlund
  • Patent number: 11934218
    Abstract: The presently disclosed adjustable slide knob addresses the ‘Backing-Off’ problem present with various conventional nuts. The adjustable slide knobs can be quickly positioned along a threaded rod by applying pressure to an exposed surface of a partially threaded nut. When the knob is placed against a work surface and the user releases pressure from the partially threaded nut, the thread pattern on the partially threaded nut meshes with the matching thread pattern on the threaded rod. The device can then be twisted, which will translate the device along the threaded rod, to apply a larger load to the work surface. The threaded rod may include one or more key-ways shaped to allow a locking tab housed within the knob to stop the device from freely disengaging the threaded rod to protect a user from potential injury caused by the fastener unexpectedly backing off and disengaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Anchor Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary D. Caplin, Paul J. Kenney, Arthur N. Herring, Isaac E. H. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11919561
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel comprising a central part; a movable structure comprising at least a portion of a rim pivotally mounted with respect to the central part (120, 16) between: a locked position and at least one retracted position; an actuator for pivoting the movable structure between its locked position and its retracted position; a locking device which is movably mounted between an engaged position for locking the movable structure in its locked position, and a disengaged position allowing the pivoting of the movable structure, wherein the locking device comprises a hinge portion, a locking portion arranged to lock the movable structure, a locking arm connecting the hinge portion and the locking portion, wherein the locking arm comprises a resilient inner hinge to allow recovery of mechanical play between the locking portion and the movable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Thomas Leboeuf, Matthis Barritault, Benoît Mourrain
  • Patent number: 11920669
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gearbox of a rail vehicle, which belongs to the technical field of gear transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CRRC QISHUYAN INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Feng Li, Hongbo Que, Hui Zhao, Hua Li, Siqin Jin
  • Patent number: 11920670
    Abstract: A device configured to attach to a motor vehicle transmission housing enclosing the motor vehicle transmission is disclosed. The device includes a cover having an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface includes at least a first chamber and a second chamber, such that, once said cover is installed onto the motor vehicle transmission housing, the first chamber is in fluid communication with a motor vehicle crankcase and a motor vehicle oil tank, and the second chamber is in fluid communication with the motor vehicle transmission. The device includes a vent extending through the upper surface and the lower surface so as to vent pressure within said first chamber to the outside of said first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Custom Performance, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nick Trask
  • Patent number: 11920667
    Abstract: A cam device includes a cam, a cam roller, a rotary drive device, a linear motion guide device, and an action unit. A cam profile of the cam includes a rotary end at a circumferential one end, at which a camshaft is non-rotatable in a reverse direction by the cam roller, a cam surface from the rotary end to the circumferential other end, on which the cam roller is abuttable, and formed of a single CV curve from a vicinity of the rotary end to the circumferential other end of the cam surface, and a non-continuous section formed between the rotary end and the circumferential other end of the cam surface and not in contact with the cam roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Kouhei Dobashi
  • Patent number: 11913514
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damper includes an input side for receiving a torque, an output side for dispensing the torque, an intermediate element arranged for torque transmission between the input side and the output side, an energy storage element supporting the intermediate element such that it can vibrate relative to the input side and the output side, and a roll body. The intermediate element has a transmission path for the roll body. The input side or the output side forms a path side with a counter path that is complementary to the transmission path, and the other of the input side or the output side forms a force side. The roll body is guided in a rotatable manner between the transmission path and the counter path, and the energy storage element connects the force side to the intermediate element for torque transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Häßler, Alain Rusch, Laurent Theriot, Michael Kessler
  • Patent number: 11913518
    Abstract: A centrifugal pendulum includes a first support plate, being able to rotate around a rotation axis; a second support plate, facing the first support plate in the axial direction and fixed to the first support plate. A mass is disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate in the axial direction. The first support plate has a first protrusion extending axially, and the first protrusion is integrally formed with the first support plate and defines a first track. The mass has a through hole extending axially, and the through hole defines a second track. The first protrusion extends into said through hole such that the first track faces the second track in the radial direction. A roller is disposed between the first track and the second track in the radial direction, and is capable of rolling against the first track and the second track, such that the mass is able to move relative to the first and second support plates and apply a torque onto the first and second support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO KAPEC TORQUE CONVERTERS (NANJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shengzhang Wang, Xun Hu, Maohui Li, Ying Yin
  • Patent number: 11913536
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a gearbox expansion cap that allows a gearbox unit to breathe to atmosphere while preventing the ingress of water or other materials into the gearbox or gearbox oil. According to a first preferred embodiment, the expansion cap of the present invention includes a pressure relief plug to control gearbox pressures. Additionally, the present invention teaches air channels enclosed within a gearbox casting which mate with air channels provided within the expansion cap to channel air from the expansion cap into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Cory J. Dillon
  • Patent number: 11913499
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and related compositions for producing a positive-locking load application for rod-shaped fiber composite structures, and the design thereof. The present invention concerns a method for producing a positive-locking load application for tension-compression rods from a fiber plastic hollow structure by means of an outer sleeve. In this process, a force pushes the fiber plastic hollow structure at least partially over at least one force application element, which is provided with at least one undercut to create a positive-locking connection. An object of the present invention is attained through local heating of the fiber plastic hollow structure to the point of plasticity of the fiber plastic hollow structure, at least in the region of the undercut(s) of the force application element, and application of at least one outer sleeve to the fiber plastic hollow structure in the region of the force application element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Albany Engineered Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Funck, Martin Welsch
  • Patent number: 11912332
    Abstract: A composite cover for a vehicle steering wheel, comprising at least two adjacent parts connected to one another by at least one stitched seam connection, wherein the seam between the two parts comprises at least two seam finishing stitches, and the connection being free of stitching between the two finishing stitches, so as to allow the cover to be incised between the two finishing stitches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Agnes Quintard, Emmanuelle Baloge, Rose Gauchot, Thomas Letierce
  • Patent number: 11904927
    Abstract: A steering column includes a steering column component. The steering column also includes a driven assembly operatively coupled to the steering column component. The steering column further includes a driving assembly. The steering column yet further includes a connection assembly that includes a connection gear having a first set of teeth operatively connected to the driving assembly, the connection gear having a set of gear clutch teeth. The connection assembly also includes a clutch member operatively connected to the driven assembly, the driven assembly moving along an axis in response to actuation from the driving assembly and causes the provided axially adjustable steering column to be adjusted along the axis, the clutch member having a set of clutch member teeth. The clutch member teeth and the gear clutch teeth are disengaged in an overload state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Shawn A. Haring