Patents Examined by Anne Marie M. Boehler
  • Patent number: 11420707
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Chamberlain, Jason McDonald
  • Patent number: 11415207
    Abstract: A snowmobile has a two-stroke engine having an electronic reverse function so that a crankshaft can be selectively rotated in forward and reverse rotation directions. A gearbox has a first shaft coupled to a countershaft, a second shaft extending parallel to the first shaft, first transmission gears mounted to the first shaft and second transmission gears mounted to the second shaft. The first transmission gears are in constant mesh with the second transmission gears to form high and low gear pairings. A shifter is operable for selectively operating the gearbox in one of a high gear, a low gear and a neutral gear. The engine is selectively operable in the forward and reverse rotation directions while the gearbox is operated in at least one of the high gear, the low gear and the neutral gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Pard, Joel Pitre, Yan Nolet
  • Patent number: 11414146
    Abstract: A rear fork of a bicycle frame. The rear fork includes a base, a first arm, and a second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm extend rearward from the base. At least one wheelie step is coupled to the rear fork. The wheelie step includes an extension rotatably coupled to and extending from one of the first arm and the second arm, and a foot step coupled to the extension. The extension is configured to rotate along an axis extending in a direction from the first arm to the second arm. A lock is configured to lock the extension to the one of the first arm and the second arm at different rotational positions along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Arne Todd Hutto
  • Patent number: 11414156
    Abstract: A drive system, wherein: a drive shaft and an output shaft as well as a second motor, to-gether with the second rotor shaft thereof, are arranged coaxially in a first shafting; a multi-stage cross-drive steering transmission of the drive system, together with a sun gear, a ring gear and a planetary carrier, is designed solely as a three-shaft planetary gear stage, which is arranged in a second shafting parallel to the first shafting; and a first motor is arranged in a third shafting together with the first rotor shaft thereof, said third shafting being parallel to the first shafting and to the second shafting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Berlin
    Inventors: Peter Tenberge, Mick Jordan
  • Patent number: 11399784
    Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed. The imaging system is operable to acquire and/or generate image data at positions relative to a subject. The imaging system includes a drive system configured to move the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Garlow, Robert P. Cloutier, John T. Hickey
  • Patent number: 11396321
    Abstract: A steering device includes a rack shaft, a pair of tie rods, a rack housing portion, a pinion gear at one end of the rack housing portion, a first supporting portion to support the one end of the rack housing portion, and a second supporting portion to support the other end of the rack housing portion. The second supporting portion is movable in an axial direction of the rack housing portion from a proper position where the second supporting portion fixes the rack housing portion by being mounted on the vehicle body to an escaping position on the side of the pinion gear. The escaping position is a position where a distance from a tip of the tie rod on the other end of the rack housing portion to the second supporting portion is equal to or longer than twice the length of the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KYB Corporation
    Inventor: Soichiro Miyake
  • Patent number: 11396340
    Abstract: The present utility model discloses a two wheel electric motorized cycle frame incorporating a case-free battery, including a frame main body with a battery containment framework disposed on the frame main body. The battery is contained by the battery containment framework. At least one side of the framework is removable to facilitate replacing the battery, and partition boards are inserted in the framework to separate out a protective cavity for electrical connections. According to the present utility model, the battery is placed in the battery containment framework, so that a battery case is omitted. The battery is safely fixed in the framework, and one side of the framework is removable to facilitate replacing the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Horizon Trade Group LLC
    Inventor: Romulus Edward Caroselli, III
  • Patent number: 11390340
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle is provided. The tracked vehicle includes a frame, a driving mechanism installed in the frame, and two track wheels respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the frame. The driving mechanism drives the track wheels to rotate. The track wheel includes a track body, a first main support, a second main support and a third main support provided in the track body. The first main support, the second main support and the third main support are connected to the vehicle frame through the first, second and third connecting rods respectively. The second main support is provided with an auxiliary support frame having one end hinged to the second main support, and the other end of the auxiliary support frame is provided with a first roller contacting with the inner side of the track body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Hao Xu, YiFei Xu, Jiang Liu, FuSheng Pan, YuAn Chen, Jun Yi, Yuanyong Gong, Yuhang Zhou, Yuyu Dou, Zuzheng Wu, Bo Wang, Hongyu Zhu, Cheng Li, Yu Bi
  • Patent number: 11390358
    Abstract: A wide range of existing bicycles can be converted into electric power assisted bicycles with ease. The bicycle electric power assist device comprises a housing (52) configured to be attached to a frame (18) of a bicycle (10), an electric motor (54) attached to the housing (52), a battery (102) configured to be mounted to the frame and serves as a power source for the electric motor, an annular rotational output member (81) rotationally driven by the electric motor (54), the rotational output member being rotatably mounted on the housing and positioned around a crank axis line which is a rotational center line A of a crankshaft (24) and a crank arm (26) for a pedal of the bicycle, and a connecting member (90) connecting the rotational output member (81) to the crankshaft (24) or the crank arm (26) in a torque transmitting relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukamoto, Yoshihiro Namiki, Satoshi Honda, Hiroyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11383789
    Abstract: A variable speed drive (37) is described, comprising: a ring (60) adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis; two coaxial disks (73), rigidly connected to each other, adapted to rotate about a second rotation axis (B-B) parallel to the first rotation axis; wherein the ring (60) is at least partially housed between the two coaxial disks (73); a plurality of driving members (75), carried by the ring (60) and arranged according to a circular arrangement coaxial to the ring (60); said driving members are arranged and configured to cooperate with opposite surfaces (73A) of the two coaxial disks (73), transmitting a rotation motion from the ring (60) to the two coaxial disks (73); a device for adjusting the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. A drive device (17) of an assisted-pedal human-powered vehicle (10) which includes such a drive is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Paolo Menichetti
  • Patent number: 11383565
    Abstract: A tow bar apparatus for a motorized utility cart is provided. The apparatus allows a utility cart user to tow a shopping cart. The tow bar is adapted to attach to any shopping cart by way of a universal attachment member. The opposing end of the apparatus includes a pair of spaced of laterally spaced attachment arms which are joined to a transverse attachment bar having clamps adapted for connection to the shopping cart. The universal attachment member is removably attached and may be modified to accommodate a specific make and model of scooter. The apparatus is reconfigurable depending upon the physical layout of the utility cart. An articulating arm is connected between the attachment member and the attachment arms to allow for an articulating attachment to the shopping cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Jocelyn Bruno
  • Patent number: 11369531
    Abstract: 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 an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs based on a current to the motor upon traversing stairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: 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: 11364959
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle with modular track assemblies that are separable from the chassis with the drive unit being self-contained in each track assembly with the motor controller, and the coolant system being enclosed in an ornamental cover all of which is positioned above the track and with a cooler of the coolant system being positioned rearward of the motor and the motor controller and a gear box connected outside the ornamental cover on the inside of the left track assembly to couple the motor to a final drive that drives the track with the motor being positioned above the final drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Amos Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Cedric Boe, Parker Wells, Zachary Kooistra, Forrest Beeler, Kyle Boe, Louis Macuch, Broc Ducharme, Terry Zwart
  • Patent number: 11364970
    Abstract: A bicycle comprises front and rear wheels, a frame supported on the front and rear wheels and including a frame mount, and a battery including a battery mount engaged with the frame mount. One of the battery mount and the frame mount includes a depression and the other of the battery mount and the frame mount includes a boss positioned in the depression. Preferably, depression comprises a slot, and the slot can include a resilient material to securely hold the boss. The boss can comprise an eccentric boss. Preferably, the battery mount is positioned adjacent one end of the battery, and an opposite end of the battery includes an opening. In this embodiment, the bicycle further comprises a mounting pin positioned through the opening and through a portion of the frame to secure the opposite end of the battery to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Vincent Patureau, Marco Sonderegger, Marc Pallure, Brandon Dale Sloan, Joseph Edward Buckley, Daniel Lentz, Jamie Stafford
  • Patent number: 11358636
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle, particularly a skid-steered vehicle, that employs motive power from a prime mover delivered through an input shaft to drive left and right drive shafts at a nominal speed and input power from an electric motor to vary the speed of the left and right drive shafts according to steering commands from a steering control structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is directly related to a speed of the input shaft and the nominal speed of the left or right drive shaft is varied upwardly or downwardly by a ratio of the speed of the steering shaft via a speed varying structure. The speed of the left and right drive shafts is simultaneously varied in opposite directions (i.e. upwardly and downwardly) relative to the nominal speed by an equal number of rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Jeremy Bauman, Robert Reiter
  • Patent number: 11352095
    Abstract: A front fork includes a first shock absorber and a second shock absorber disposed respectively on both sides of a vehicle wheel. The first shock absorber includes a set of tubes configured to slide relative to each other; damping force generation parts configured to generate a damping force in accordance with the sliding of the tubes; and a spring configured to urge the set of tubes in a stretching direction. The second shock absorber includes a set of tubes configured to slide relative to each other; and a coil spring configured to urge the set of tubes in the stretching direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 11345426
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a chassis for a two-wheeler. The chassis includes a first downtube and a second downtube and a battery mounting system. The battery mounting system includes a movable battery housing configured to house a battery under a seat of the two-wheeler and move between a closed position and an open position, at least two support members configured to support the movable battery housing, and at least one pivot hinge coupled to a front side of the movable battery housing and supporting the movable battery housing. The at least two support members and the at least one pivot hinge are configured to enable an angular movement of the movable battery housing with respect to a seat axis between the open position and the closed position, thereby enabling replacement of the battery located under the seat of the two-wheeler, while maintaining a closed seat position of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Dinkar Agrawal, Madhumita Agrawal, Aditya Ganjapure, Sagar Thakkar
  • Patent number: 11338885
    Abstract: An assistance control system includes a sensor mounted on a cycle body of a cycle, and a controller communicable with the sensor and an assistance module of the cycle. The sensor senses operation of the cycle body so as to output a sense signal indicative of a state of usage of the cycle body. Based on the sense signal, the controller switches between a boost mode and a deboost mode. In the boost mode, the controller outputs a control signal to the assistance module so as to control the assistance module to increase assistive torque for driving movement of the cycle body. In the deboost mode, the controller outputs the control signal to the assistance module so as to control the assistance module to decrease the assistive torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Yueh-Han Li
  • Patent number: 11331230
    Abstract: 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 an occupancy of the seat assembly upon traversing the stairs based on a current to the motor upon traversing stairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: 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: 11319024
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis, at least one ski, and a skid frame that includes one or more slide rails extending longitudinally, rear idler wheels, upper idler wheels, and a rear suspension. The rear suspension may further include a flexible, composite member, a rear shock connected between the one or more slide rails and the upper cross member, a rear shock link, a rear cross member connected between the one or more slide rails and a lower shock pivot member pivotally connected to the rear cross member. The rear shock is connected to a rear portion of the lower shock pivot member and the rear shock link is connected via a spherical pivot joint to a forward end of the lower shock pivot member. The flexible, composite member is coupled at a first end to the one or more slide rails and at a second end to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: ARCTIC CAT INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Taylor Langaas, Brian W. Dick