Patents Examined by Ann Boehler
  • Patent number: 5421598
    Abstract: A modular wheelchair that is fully adjustable for a wide range of users in a wide range of uses includes a wheelchair chassis, a wheel assembly and a seat assembly. Drive wheels of the wheel assembly may be adjusted to have a different camber angle without changing the wheel base or the height of the wheelchair chassis. The modular wheelchair may also include a leg rest assembly that is adjustable to provide easy access to the wheelchair. The seat assembly and the leg rest assembly are each foldable so that the wheel chair may be easily stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Everest & Jennings International, Ltd.
    Inventors: A. Scott Robertson, Richard Geiger, Robert W. Lishman
  • Patent number: 5316099
    Abstract: In a four-wheel steering system for an automotive vehicle, a travel speed of the vehicle is detected to determine parameter related to the detected vehicle speed, and lateral deviation of the vehicle is further detected to determine a steering angle of rear road wheels on a basis of the detected lateral deviation of the vehicle and the determined parameter. When the detected vehicle speed becomes unreliable due to skid condition of either one of the road wheels, the steering angle of the rear road wheels is determined on a basis of the detected lateral deviation and the fixed parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Inoue, Osamu Takeda
  • Patent number: 5295553
    Abstract: A working vehicle comprises front wheels, steerable rear wheels steerable up to a minimum radius turning region lying in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, and a rear wheel control device for steering the rear wheels. A restraining device is provided for preventing the rear wheels from being steered to the minimum radius turning region by the rear wheel control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Morita, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Terutaka Takei
  • Patent number: 5135071
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus on a four-wheel-drive motor vehicle can distribute and transmit drive power from a power unit to front and rear drive road wheels such that the rotational speeds of the front and rear drive road wheels can differ from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuji Shibahata, Shyoji Tokushima, Yoshinobu Ezure, Kazuhiko Shimada
  • Patent number: 5123669
    Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-trailer combination, wherein all trailer axles are load-bearing and fixed. The rearmost axle on the trailer has directional wheels that automatically adjust to the direction of motion of the rear wheels of the towing vehicle. The motive force for steering the directional wheels emanates from a sensor nested in the V-slot of the fifth wheel of the towing vehicle. The steering system is designed to be installed as a retrofit to existing trailers, or as optional equipment for trailers not yet manufactured. Abling and disabling the system is automatic. Abling takes place when the fifth wheel is moved into position to couple the king pin under the trailer. The system is disabled when locking lugs for the fifth wheel are released, and the fifth wheel moves away from the king pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Edgar A. Ducote