Patents Examined by Anne Marie Boehler
  • Hydraulically assisted steering system
    Patent number: 9315209
    Abstract: A hydraulically assisted steering system comprises a fixed displacement hydraulic pump fluidly connected to a steering gear to deliver pressurized fluid to the steering gear. The flow of pressurized fluid includes pressure pulses produced by the pump. A bypass valve diverts a portion of the flow of pressurized fluid away from the steering gear before reaching the steering gear. Valve control apparatus electrically connected to the bypass controls operation of the bypass valve. The valve control apparatus includes a piezoelectric element to which the pressure pulses are applied. The piezoelectric element produces electrical signals in response to the applied pressure pulses. The valve control apparatus controls operation of the bypass valve in response to at least one parameter of the electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: Daniel E. Williams
  • Hand propelled and steered bicycle
    Patent number: 9315230
    Abstract: A bicycle. A front bicycle wheel and rear bicycle wheel are connected to a bicycle frame. A drive sprocket drives the rear bicycle wheel. Two hand grippable pivotally connected handles are each connected via a handle drive linkage to the drive sprocket. The pivoting of the handles in an approximately vertical plane controls the rotation of the drive sprocket and spins the rear bicycle wheel. In one preferred embodiment, the bicycle is a stationary bicycle. In another preferred embodiment the bicycle can be steered and taken on the street.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: David D. Price
  • Saddle type vehicle
    Patent number: 9316138
    Abstract: A secondary air supply system is arranged efficiently and compactly, in a V-type engine including a front-side cylinder and a rear-side cylinder. A motorcycle has a secondary air supply system which is provided between an air cleaner and an exhaust passage of an engine. The secondary air is supplied from the air cleaner into the exhaust passage of the engine. The secondary air supply system has a reed valve in a position for being exposed to the exhaust passage. The reed valve includes a front-side reed valve used for a front-side cylinder and a rear-side reed valve used for a rear-side cylinder. The front-side reed valve is disposed at a front portion of the air cleaner, with the longitudinal direction of the front-side reed valve set along the height direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shin Nishimura, Katsuaki Shibuki
  • Towing assembly
    Patent number: 9308790
    Abstract: A towing assembly includes a hitch that may be removably coupled to a first cart. A first rod is removably coupled between the hitch and a second cart to facilitate towing of the second cart with the first cart. The first rod is structured to be quickly coupled and de-coupled from the first cart and the second cart. A pivot is coupled to the first rod. A second rod is coupled to the pivot such that the second rod is pivotally coupled to the first rod. The second rod is positionable in a deployed position with respect to the first rod. The second rod is removably coupled to the second cart. The second rod is structured to be quickly coupled and de-coupled from the second cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Don Sharp
  • Steering control mechanisms for an electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9302702
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a steering system for an electric vehicle. The steering system may include a hydraulic pump configured to direct hydraulic fluid to a steering gearbox of the electric vehicle, and an electric motor having a shaft that is coupled to the hydraulic pump. The electric motor may be configured to drive fluid flow through the pump. The steering system may also include a sensor configured to measure a value indicative of a torque applied by the electric motor, and a control unit configured to control operation of the electric motor based on an input from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Seneca A. Schepmann, Sam Shartzer, Michael Finnern
  • Mobile vehicle
    Patent number: 9302730
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle 1 includes a steering section 6 which steers a front wheel 4. The steering section includes a steering shaft link 13 which turns about a first steering axis 10 together with a second steering axis 11, a front-wheel support section 14 which turns the front wheel 4 about the second steering axis 11, and a first motor 15 which causes the steering shaft link 13 to turn. A caster angle ? based on the first steering axis 10 is positive or 0. A trail t1 based on the second steering axis 11 is positive. When the two-wheeled vehicle 1 is in a basic posture state on a ground surface 12, the intersection point P3 of the second steering axis 11 and the ground surface 12 lies in front of the intersection point P2 of the first steering axis 10 and the ground surface 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Hiroshi Gomi, Hiroyuki Makino, Kazushi Akimoto, Naoyuki Saito
  • Vehicle steering system transmission
    Patent number: 9302701
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system transmission comprising a driver connected to a driver shaft, the driver shaft connected to an output shaft by a flexible link, a first sensor sensing the driver shaft, a control unit receiving a signal from the first sensor, and the control unit transmitting a signal to the driver to control an output shaft movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Schneider, Alexander Serkh, Ian Fitzner, Clermont Kirouac
  • Straddle-type vehicle
    Patent number: 9297300
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame has a head pipe, a main frame, a down frame, and a lower frame. The main frame extends downward to the rear from the head pipe. The down frame extends downward to the rear from the head pipe in a position below the main frame. The lower frame connects an end of the down frame to an end of the main frame. An engine of the vehicle has a crankshaft, a crankcase, and a cylinder member. The crankshaft is housed in the crankcase. The cylinder member is attached to the crankcase. A cylinder is formed inside the cylinder member. An axis of the cylinder extends upward obliquely to the rear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shidehiko Miyashiro
  • Multi-terrain motorized wheelchair
    Patent number: 9289338
    Abstract: A multi-terrain motorized wheelchair apparatus is disclosed that comprises a seating assembly for supporting a user in a seated position, a track assembly with the seating assembly being pivotable with respect to the track assembly. The track assembly includes a pair of track units positioned on opposite sides of the seating assembly. The apparatus comprises a seating orientation adjustment assembly configured to adjust an orientation of the seating assembly with respect to the track assembly. The apparatus includes at least one drive assembly mounted on the seating assembly and which has at least one drive shaft structure connected to the track units to drive the track units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Timmy R. Swenson
  • Saddle-ride type vehicle
    Patent number: 9290230
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle may include a rear cushion that extends upward while one end thereof in a longitudinal direction is connected to a swing arm and that elongates and contracts in the longitudinal direction according to swinging of the swing arm to generate damping force with respect to the swinging of the swing arm, and a rear cushion supporting portion that is provided to a center upper cross frame provided in an upper portion of a vehicle and that supports the other end of the rear cushion in the longitudinal direction. The center upper cross frame is positioned on an extension line of the rear cushion in the longitudinal direction, an opening that penetrates through a horizontal direction is formed in a pivot plates, and in a side view, a rear cushion supporting portion is positioned inside of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Ishida, Yoshiyuki Imai
  • Modular recumbent vehicle
    Patent number: 9284007
    Abstract: Modular human powered recumbent vehicle has a variable configuration and size. It comprises a group of standardized modules—fast attachable parts connected together by set of cross tubes (4) of variable length. It has three basic modules: middle (1), left (2) and right (3); each module has several modifications. One or more additional modules, like child seat (17), shopping basket (18), additional pedal (15) or electric (16) drive, also can be attached for performing a specific task. Vehicle can be transformed to a powered or unpowered trailer of variable configuration. It can be folded for storage and disassembled for transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventors: Alexandre Belenkov, Eugene Belenkov, Anna Belenkova
  • Straddle electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9278725
    Abstract: A straddle electric vehicle includes a battery case which accommodates a battery as an electric power supply for an electric motor, and is placed between a front wheel and a rear wheel; and a swing arm pivotably coupled at its front end portion to a vehicle body frame such that the swing arm supports the rear wheel by its rear end portion; wherein the electric motor is placed rearward relative to the battery case and forward relative to the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Carrier vehicle and coupling mechanism
    Patent number: 9272589
    Abstract: The carrier vehicle includes a coaxial two-wheel vehicle including two wheels arranged on the same axial centerline, a cart, and a coupling mechanism to couple the coaxial two-wheel vehicle to the cart. The coupling mechanism 4 includes a roll rotation tolerance portion that tolerates, when a traveling direction of the coaxial two-wheel vehicle is defined as a roll axis, rotation of the coaxial two-wheel vehicle in a roll direction. Further, the coupling mechanism includes a pitch rotation tolerance portion that tolerates, when a left-and-right direction of the coaxial two-wheel vehicle is defined as a pitch axis, rotation of the coaxial two-wheel vehicle in a pitch direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ikuo Yamano, Takekazu Kakinuma
  • Powered patient support apparatus
    Patent number: 9259369
    Abstract: Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Derenne, Richard Thomas DeLuca, Thomas Joseph Newport, II, Kevin Mark Patmore
  • Wheelchair and a method for producing said wheelchair
    Patent number: 9259370
    Abstract: A collapsible wheelchair (CW) may be relatively small and lightweight and may be adapted to be easily collapsed/folded into a callable faint, allowing for easy storage, transport and use. The CW may be adapted to be collapsed/folded and expanded/unfolded in a series of simple steps, executable with one hand, by a person in a seated position, allowing for independent use even by a user with limited physical capabilities. The CW may have a relatively small width, allowing for access into constricted spaces. The rear and interior space between its large wheels may be unobstructed, leaving an unobstructed inner width, allowing the CW to be maneuvered in reverse over standing objects, such as a standard toilet. The seat of the CW may be equipped with a trap door, to allow the use of a toilet while seated on the CW. The rim may be beneath the seat for cleanliness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Zriha Hlavin Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Gabriely, Ruth Reuveni
  • Displacement detection apparatus for linear motion mechanism and rear wheel steering apparatus for vehicle including the same
    Patent number: 9254868
    Abstract: A displacement detection apparatus for a linear motion mechanism includes a nut member, a rod including elongate grooves elongating in an axial direction of the rod and a through hole, a permanent magnet disposed parallel to the rod, a magnet block made of synthetic resin and including a retaining portion holding the permanent magnet, a pair of leg portions extending from ends of the retaining portion that are spaced apart, and a nut made of metal insert-molded at an intermediate position between the pair of leg portions, and a displacement sensor disposed opposing to the permanent magnet. The pair of leg portions and the nut of the magnet block are disposed in the elongate groove of the rod and the magnet block is fixed to the rod by a bolt screwed to the nut, the bolt penetrating through the through hole extending through the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinsuke Ando, Naoya Yoshizawa, Shimpei Fujii, Yusuke Akagi
  • Wheel mechanism for converting a child vehicle between multiple configurations and associated method
    Patent number: 9254884
    Abstract: A wheel converting mechanism for a child vehicle having a wheel includes an elongate body having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the third portion of the elongate body is configured to be coupled to the wheel of the child vehicle. The first portion and second portion are coupled together through a pivot joint that allows the second portion to pivot relative to the first portion about a pivot axis defined by the pivot joint. Additionally, the second portion and the third portion are coupled together through a swivel joint that allows the third portion to rotate relative to the second portion about a swivel axis defined by the swivel joint. A method of moving a wheel of a child vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventors: Donald K. Jessie, Jr., Andrew Bean
  • Children's tricycle
    Patent number: 9248884
    Abstract: A children's tricycle comprises a body, a front wheel pivotally assembled to the body, a first pedaling assembly assembled to the front wheel, a second pedaling assembly assembled to the front wheel, a screw for making the first pedaling assembly threaded with the second pedaling assembly. A first inserting rod of the first pedaling assembly and a second inserting rod of the second pedaling assembly are connected to the front wheel separately, such that the first and second pedaling assemblies can be assembled to or detached from the front wheel quickly. The first and second pedaling assemblies can be assembled to the tricycle for the child to step on, and can also be detached from the tricycle when the child is learning to walk, such a tricycle is not only money-saving since the parents don't need to buy a special baby walker additionally, but also has high convenience and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Ming-He Shih
  • Fuel tank mounting structure of saddle-ride-type vehicle
    Patent number: 9248879
    Abstract: A cushion rubber provided independent from a flange of a fuel tank. A fuel tank is arranged above a main frame. A tank front stay, which is mounted on a front lower portion of the fuel tank, is made to overlap with a tank-front-side mounting boss, which is formed on a front end bent portion of the main frame, and is fastened to the tank-front-side mounting boss using a bolt from sideward. The tank front stay is provided independently from a flange, is welded to a bottom surface of the fuel tank, and projects downward from the inside of the flange. A sleeve portion is mounted on a lower end of the tank front stay, and a mount rubber is inserted into the sleeve portion thus providing a rubber mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nishida, Mitsuya Kawamura
  • Robotic platform
    Patent number: 9248874
    Abstract: An articulated vehicle including a main frame, a drive system disposed on the main frame, and at least one arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the at least one arm being pivotally coupled to the main frame and the distal end being pivotable above the surface. The vehicle also including an articulator motor disposed on the main frame and coupled to the at least one arm for pivoting the at least one arm above the surface and about the transverse axis, and a slip clutch coupled between the articulator motor and the at least one front arm for enabling rotation of the at least one front arm without rotation of the articulator drive motor when a torque between the at least one front arm and the main frame exceeds a threshold torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: Chikyung Won