Patents Examined by Anne Marie Boehler
  • Steering system
    Patent number: 9168948
    Abstract: In an electric power steering system, rotation of a motor is transmitted to a rack shaft via a drive pulley, a belt, a driven pulley and a ball nut. A ball bearing and the driven pulley are fitted to the outer periphery of the ball nut. A flange is formed at a first end portion of the ball nut, and an internal thread portion is formed at a second end portion of the ball nut. An external thread member is connected to the internal thread portion. The external thread member has an external thread portion and a flange. By fastening the external thread portion to the internal thread portion, the ball bearing and the driven pulley are held between the two flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuharu Yamamoto
  • Multi-configuration, multi-pin drawbar retention assembly
    Patent number: 9168800
    Abstract: A drawbar pin-retention assembly for use with a drawbar mechanism has a swinging drawbar, a support housing, and a device configured to prevent the swinging of the drawbar, the device having at least one drawbar pin. The pin-retention assembly includes a hanger bracket having a body portion and a pair of overhanging arms and a retaining bracket mounted on the hanger bracket with hinge tabs and pivotable about a pivot axis to move between a pin-retaining position and a pin-removal position. When the retaining bracket is pivoted to its pin-retaining position, a strap is positioned over the drawbar pin. Outward movement of the pin causes it to contact a forward portion of the strap forward of the pivot axis causing the retaining bracket to contact the hanger bracket thereby preventing pivoting of the retaining bracket in a first direction. The retaining bracket pivots by gravity to the pin-retention position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Smith, Matthew Shaw
  • Control device for the rear shock absorber of a bicycle
    Patent number: 9168972
    Abstract: A control device, for the rear shock absorber of a bicycle, includes a first air chamber, a second air chamber, a third air chamber, an auxiliary air chamber, and a sliding rod. An air piston is arranged inside one of the first, second and third air chambers. However, those air chambers are respectively provided with an air hole communicating with the auxiliary air chamber. The sliding rod is configured with air tight rings, which are arranged top-to-bottom and tightly touch the inner wall of the auxiliary air chamber. Moreover, the sliding rod is provided with grooves between the air tight rings, so that the axially movement of the sliding rod may manage the first, second and third air chambers to be disconnected or to communicate with one other via the grooves to adjust the damping coefficient of the rear shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Hodaka Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Black Tsai
  • Robotic walking apparatus
    Patent number: 9162721
    Abstract: A bipod robotic walking apparatus consisting of two feet on the coupler link of a spherical four-bar linkage, for movement in a forward or rearward direction by repeated motions of the four-bar linkage. Three four-bar linkages may be connected in tandem to form a hexapod with three points of contact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Florida Institute of Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Larochelle, Oliver Zimmerman, Jennifer Mori, Cassandra Scully, Christina Lucas, Jacob Sleight, Garrett Lee
  • Hydraulic motor unit and hydraulic four-wheel-drive working vehicle
    Patent number: 9156350
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor unit according to the present invention includes an electric motor having an electric motor main body that is electrically controlled, an electric motor case that accommodates the electric motor main body and an electric motor main body output shaft that is rotated around an axis line thereof by the electric motor main body, the electric motor case being detachably mounted to the motor housing, wherein mounting of the electric motor to the motor housing causes the electric motor main body output shaft to be operatively connected to the first end of the control shaft so that the control shaft is rotated around the axis line in accordance with rotation of the electric motor main body output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Yasuda
  • Bicycle frame rear suspension with flexing frame segment
    Patent number: 9156521
    Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a substantially rigid front frame portion and a substantially rigid rear frame portion. A link is connected to the rear frame portion by a first pivot and to the front frame portion by a second pivot. A rear frame segment is rigidly connected at a first end to the rear frame portion and pivotably connected at a second end to the front frame portion by a third pivot. The rear frame segment is flexible parallel to an axis of the third pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Wayne Lumpkin
  • Underbed support assembly for fifth wheel and gooseneck hitch systems
    Patent number: 9150067
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching either a gooseneck trailer hitch or a fifth wheel trailer hitch to a truck bed can include a single cross-member, a gooseneck ball receiver and a plurality of mounting pads. The single cross-member can be attached to first and second truck longitudinal frame rails. The gooseneck ball receiver can be coupled to the single cross-member and aligned with a gooseneck hitch opening in the truck bed. The plurality of mounting pads can be spaced apart from the single cross-member and can be attached to the frame rails independent of the single cross-member. The plurality of mounting pads can be aligned with a corresponding plurality of access openings in the truck bed. The single cross-member can be a suspension cross-member supporting at least first and second suspension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Carolyn R Hartleip, Jagan M Mummadi, James B Legray, Bryan G Mrozinski
  • Folding bicycle chain stay and frame
    Patent number: 9150272
    Abstract: A bicycle frame component includes a yoke member, a driveside arm fixed to the yoke member, and a pivot arm coupled to the yoke member opposite the driveside arm. The pivot arm includes a first portion rotatably coupled to the yoke member with a first hinge and a second portion rotatably coupled to the first portion with a second hinge. The pivot arm extends along the driveside arm in a first position, and the pivot arm has a second position including the first portion extending along the driveside arm and the second portion rotated away from the driveside arm and interfacing with the first portion. A first primary wheel mount portion is disposed within the driveside arm, and a second primary wheel mount portion is disposed within the second portion of the pivot arm. The pivot arm substantially axially aligns the primary wheel mounts in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Fuel tank and pump assembly, and motorcycle including same
    Patent number: 9150268
    Abstract: A fuel tank and pump assembly is provided for supporting a fuel pump on a fuel tank, with a pump support member provided on a tank outer wall of the fuel tank. The fuel pump includes a pumping portion which is inserted into the fuel tank through a pump attachment opening formed a main tank body of the fuel tank. The pump support member includes a plurality of arcuate support plate elements arranged around the pump attachment opening. The fuel pump is secured to fastening sections provided on the support plate elements, and is attached to a main tank body at the pump attachment opening in a sealed, liquid tight manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Inoue, Kohei Hirano
  • Fifth-wheel trailer hitch
    Patent number: 9145178
    Abstract: A fifth-wheel hitch assembly is provided that converts a gooseneck hitch installed on a vehicle into a fifth-wheel hitch for receiving a kingpin. The hitch assembly generally includes a base assembly, a T-arm assembly for securing the gooseneck ball or gooseneck post of the installed gooseneck hitch, and a hitch head. The T-arm assembly includes a mechanism for pulling up on the gooseneck hitch, thus securing the base assembly against the vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: NSD Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Nick Erickson, Steven Houge
  • Dual drive sprocket pedal bike
    Patent number: 9139252
    Abstract: This invention is a bicycle for a standing rider including a frame, a drive support attached to a front support member having a front end and a rear end; a front crank arm rotationally attached to the front end of the drive support and attached to a front sprocket; a rear crank arm rotationally attached to the rear end of the drive support and attached to a rear sprocket; a pedal attached to the front crank arm and the rear crank arm so that when the crank arms rotate, the pedal remains parallel to the ground; a spacing member attached to the drive support and the mail support member so that the drive support is disposed parallel to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ZIKE, LLC
    Inventor: Nathan A. Scolari
  • PTU cantilever ring gear disconnect
    Patent number: 9120374
    Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a cantilevered ring gear assembly configured on a housing cover. The housing cover is configured to mate to a main housing that may be configured in a vehicle drivetrain. The power transfer unit may include at least one engagement mechanism configured to selectively engage and disengage the cantilevered ring gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Michael Peura, Robert Genway-Haden, Hiromichi Fukuda
  • Bicycle frame assembly with integral fastener passage
    Patent number: 9120525
    Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly having a number of elongate tubes that are connected to define a shape of the bicycle frame. The assembly includes a passage that is defined by the elongate member, a partition, and a bridge. The partition isolates the passage from an interior volume of the elongate tube. The bridge extends in a direction normal to an elongate direction of the passage and defines an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The inlet, outlet, and bridge are generally flush with an exterior surface of the elongate tube and provide a passage that cooperates with a flexible connector, such as a cable tie, for securing supplemental structures, such as brake and shift control cables, to the elongate tube of the bicycle frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: James Colegrove
  • Sliding hitch assembly capture plate
    Patent number: 9114680
    Abstract: The present invention provides a capture plate for preventing rotation between a trailer and a hitch assembly. The hitch assembly mounts on a vehicle, and is preferably a sliding hitch assembly. The capture plate has a lip which mates with the pin box of a fifth wheel trailer, the lip prevents rotation between the trailer and the capture plate. The capture plate has a restriction part which mates with the pin slot on the hitch assembly, the restriction part restricts rotation between the capture plate and the hitch. The capture plate has a fastener which removably secures the capture plate to the pin box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Pulliam Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne E Hartman, Randall A Pulliam
  • Pedal-drive system for manually propelling multi-wheeled cycles
    Patent number: 9114848
    Abstract: A pedal-drive system for propelling multi-wheeled cycles includes two pedal level arms connected to a pair of two-bar linkages, which are drivingly attached to corresponding crank pins on each respective side of a common drive spindle, perpendicular to the cycle frame. The linkages rotate the said spindle per each pedal's downward stroke so that when one pedal arm is all the way down, the opposite pedal's crank pin is already beyond full up position, thus ensuring continuous rotation of the drive system. A sprocket on the spindle drives a chain, that drives a sprocket on a back wheel. For higher speeds, a typical bicycle multi-sprocket-cone and speed changing chain-derailleur may be incorporated. The pedal system may be used for small to large manually powered cycles, particularly scooters and bicycles, and may also include an auxiliary electric motor and battery for propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ZIKE, LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Anthony Scolari, Gregory John Owoc
  • Self adjusting fifth wheel hitch
    Patent number: 9102371
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch includes a locking member that engages surfaces of a pair of jaws to retain the jaws in a closed position. A release handle is operably connected to the locking member whereby movement of the release handle shifts the locking member out of engagement with the jaws to permit movement of the jaws to an open position. A ratchet type mechanism retains the locking member in an engaged position relative to the jaws and compensates for wear of the components and/or differences in size between kingpins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin D. Keatley
  • Dual mode mobile robot
    Patent number: 9096281
    Abstract: A dual mode mobile robot includes a platform and a pair of track wheel driving modules. The pair of track wheel driving modules are attached to opposing sides of the platform. Each of the track wheel driving modules has a track assembly; and a wheel assembly. Each of the track wheel drive modules is moveable from a track position to a wheel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ENGINEERING SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Yi Li, Andrew A. Goldenberg
  • Operation of self-steering axles on semi-trailers
    Patent number: 9096263
    Abstract: A method of controlling the sideways motion of a trailer forming part of a combination vehicle, such as a road train, for road transport of heavy goods. The vehicle has a trailer including a semi-trailer body and a dolly mounted beneath the front of the semi-trailer body. The method includes steering at least some of the wheels on said axle sets relative to the dolly frame such that at high speeds, as the vehicle turns towards one side, steering the dolly wheels to induce the dolly to move towards that side and, at low speeds, as said vehicle turns towards that side, steering the dolly wheels to induce the dolly to move towards the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Mechanical System Dynamics Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Hans Prem, Kinh-Luan Viet Mai
  • Bicycle
    Patent number: 9090302
    Abstract: A four wheeled cycle including a frame, a load carrying base, two front wheels, two rear wheels, a steering mechanism, a brake mechanism, a pedal mechanism, a chain drive mechanism, and a saddle unit. The frame is a retractable frame, including a rear support frame, a down tube, a transverse tube, and at least two telescopic casing tube assemblies that are arranged side by side. Each of the telescopic casing tube assemblies includes a front casing tube, a middle rod, and a rear casing tube. The load carrying base includes a cross bar, a front connecting rod, a left connecting rod, a right connecting rod, a rear connecting rod and internally hinged bars for linking the connecting rods. The two front wheels are respectively connected to two ends of the cross bar through a bearing at the top ends of a front fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Weifeng Dai
  • Trailer hitching and tracking steering
    Patent number: 9085322
    Abstract: Improvements in a trailer hitching and tracking steering system are disclosed include a new style RV or wagon style RV that includes an extendable, variable position tow bar that accommodates misalignment of a tow vehicle. The tow bar can be rotated for storage within the RV wagon. Further improvements include a wheel steering mechanism to improve tracking of a towed vehicle using a bi-directional caster front suspension for steering a wagon style RV in both a forward and reverse direction. The caster of the front wheels is automatically re-directed depending upon the direction of travel of the RV. The suspension system includes a steerable rear suspension that minimizes the amount the back wheels will cut the corner when turning. The improvements also include the use of visible light beams to guide a tow vehicle backing up to an RV to be correctly positioned for hitching without assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventor: Gary E Olsen