Patents Examined by Brian Cassidy
  • Patent number: 10214087
    Abstract: A ground processing machine includes a rear carriage with an internal combustion engine, respectively at least one drive wheel to both sides of the internal combustion engine, a driver cabin arranged offset relative to the internal combustion engine in the longitudinal direction of the machine, a fuel tank for fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine, an additive substance tank, and a hydraulic fluid tank. The additive substance tank is arranged following a drive wheel in the longitudinal machine direction, and next to the drive wheel in a transversal machine direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hamm AG
    Inventors: Thomas Bletscher, Gerd Koestler, Martin Fischer, Michael Zimmerer, Thomas Bauer
  • Patent number: 9869229
    Abstract: A system includes a mounting assembly for a muffler of an off-road vehicle including a first mounting pad rotatably coupled to a first support. The first mounting pad is configured to rotate in a first direction and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, about a first rotation axis. The mounting assembly also includes a second mounting pad rotatably coupled to a second support. The second mounting pad is configured to rotate in the first direction and in the second direction about a second rotation axis. Moreover, the first and second mounting pads are laterally offset from one another relative to a longitudinal axis of the muffler, the first and second mounting pads are configured to support the muffler, and the first and second mounting pads are configured to independently rotate relative to the respective supports about the respective rotation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jason Keith Novacek, John Thomas Rasset, Christopher Hintz, Jonathan Weigel, Nathaniel James Keller, James Patrick Boeshans, Jason Weyer, Nathan Carlson, David Larry Tveito, Parker Dan Snow, Chad Bautz, Jacob Eugene Fink
  • Patent number: 9821830
    Abstract: A covered wheelbarrow system includes a wheelbarrow that has a bucket. A lid is hingedly coupled to the wheelbarrow. The lid is positioned to selectively close the bucket to inhibit material from being removed from the bucket. The lid is positioned in an open position to facilitate the material to be removed from the bucket. A pair of hinges is provided and each of the hinges is coupled to the lid. Each of the hinges releasably engages the bucket such that the lid is removably coupled to the wheelbarrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Janelle Matlock
  • Patent number: 9790909
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for pre-heating an engine of a mild hybrid vehicle are provided, and the apparatus includes: a pre-heating plug pre-heating the engine; a pre-heating controller recognizing the mild hybrid vehicle based on vehicle driving information, determining whether the mild hybrid vehicle enters a coasting driving mode based on the vehicle driving information, and generating a duty control signal according to a coasting driving time when the mild hybrid vehicle is driven in the coasting driving mode; and a driver supplying electrical energy of the low-voltage battery to the pre-heating plug according to the generated duty control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hwa Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 9789755
    Abstract: A compressor, an intercooler, and a fuel cell stack are housed in a housing compartment. The compressor and the intercooler are connected with each other by upstream side piping, and the intercooler and the fuel cell stack are connected with each other by downstream side piping. The upstream side piping is formed from upstream side first and second pipe parts, and the downstream side piping is formed from downstream side first and second pipe parts. Movement of the compressor and fuel cell stack relative to the intercooler at the time of a heavy collision of the vehicle causes disconnection of the upstream side first and second pipe parts and disconnection of the downstream side first and second pipe parts, to thereby cause communication of the upstream side piping and the downstream side piping with an internal space of the housing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuji Aishima, Shigeaki Murata, Hiroyoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9783000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel hub for vehicle axle used in trucks, buses, trailers and semi-trailers, consists of a cylindrical central body, said central body surrounded by a plurality of radial projections extending vertically from the median region of said central body, being structured by ribs integrated with said projections providing robustness, reduced weight and reduced heat transfer from the brake to tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: RANDON S/A IMPLEMENTOS E PARTICIPACOES
    Inventor: Gustavo Perini
  • Patent number: 9758028
    Abstract: A vehicle panel structure that includes a first panel that is provided to a vehicle, the first panel being made from a fiber reinforced resin and including a plurality of first beads extending along one direction, and a second panel that is disposed so as to face the first panel and that includes a plurality of second beads extending along another direction intersecting with the first beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Ikeda, Kiyoshi Hokazono, Tomohiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9750323
    Abstract: A scissor lift for raising and lowering a heavy object, including an upper platform for supporting a heavy object, including a release mechanism, and guided rollers mounted on axles, a lower frame including guided rollers mounted on axles, a scissor lift mechanism fastened to the axles of the upper platform guided rollers and to the axles of the lower frame guided rollers, that raises and lowers the upper platform, a locking mechanism including protrusions protruding outward of the upper frame, each protrusion corresponding to a different height of the scissor lift mechanism, wherein at least one guided roller within the upper platform includes a spring-loaded pin for engagement in the protrusions, thereby locking the scissor lift mechanism into place at a height corresponding to the protrusion into which the spring-loaded pin is engaged, and a release mechanism that unlocks the scissor lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Aviad Berger
  • Patent number: 9738148
    Abstract: A stud assembly is coupled between an underhood propulsion system and an underhood cover in order to manage energy from an external force applied to the underhood cover. The underhood cover is coupled over the underhood propulsion system. The stud assembly is coupled between the underhood propulsion system and the underhood cover and includes a polymeric isolator and a stud coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud includes a shank and a head coupled to the shank. The head is coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud assembly includes a boss coupled to the underhood cover. The boss is disposed adjacent the polymeric isolator. The shank includes a bending initiator feature in order to allow the shank to bend when the underhood cover is subjected to an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David B. Waskie, Jason M. Miller
  • Patent number: 9741189
    Abstract: A utility cart includes a cabinet with a latch and strike lock, which is unlocked in the presence of a passive near field RFID key device and held open by a latch controller for sufficient time to allow the user to open the unlocked cabinet door. The latch is biased to its locking position, to which it returns when released by the controller. The latch includes a ramp surface which is engaged by the leading edge of the strike as the cabinet door is closed. In this way, the strike pushes the latch out of the way as it passes over the end of the latch, and the biased latch then returns to its locking position engaging a keeper in the strike as the keeper passes into position opposite the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Geerpres, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Ribbe, William C Vanderlinde
  • Patent number: 9718446
    Abstract: A wheel brush assembly for use of the wheelchair that includes: a housing; a spring within the housing, where the spring extends from a first end of the housing; a brush that abuts one side of the spring at a first end of the brush; a plurality of bristles on a second end of the brush that extends out of an opening of the housing; and a magnet that enables the attachment of the housing onto a wheel brake. The plurality of bristles come in contact with a wheel of the wheelchair during operation, wherein the spring urges the plurality of bristles into contact with the wheel. Preferably, the plurality of bristles disengages with the wheel upon application of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Billy Tolbert
  • Patent number: 9713952
    Abstract: A vehicle side protection device prevents damage to the side of a vehicle. The device includes a housing for coupling to a vehicle. A slot extends through a top side of the housing into an interior space of the housing. Each of a pair of rails is coupled to and extends from the housing coplanar with the roller wherein the rails are configured for being positioned on the side of the vehicle. A cover has a bottom end coupled to a roller in the housing such that rotation of the roller extends and retracts the cover relative to the housing. The cover comprises slats coupled to a layer of fabric positioned between the slats and the side of the vehicle. The slats are stiff and parallel to each other and the roller wherein the cover is pivotable along edges of the slats to facilitate wrapping the cover around the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Christopher Brueggeman
  • Patent number: 9714047
    Abstract: The disclosure provides pallet trucks having a selective turning radius. The pallet trucks include load wheel systems having at least two load wheel assemblies below each fork. A forward load wheel assembly is located near the forward end of the fork and a central load wheel assembly is located near the center of a central portion of the fork. A first turning radius is defined by the distance between the forward load wheel assembly and a directionally adjustable rear wheel when the forward load wheel assembly supports the fork. The central load wheel assembly may be selectively deployed to lift and support the fork to yield a second, shorter turning radius defined by the distance between the central load wheel assembly and the directionally adjustable rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BIG LIFT, LLC
    Inventors: Liu Shunli, Weng Lijian, Xu Minghui
  • Patent number: 9694858
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front (1) of a motor vehicle (2) having an air inlet opening (5) and a first air duct (8) which emanates from the air inlet opening (5) and in which a heat exchanger (10) is arranged, through which air can flow, having a second air duct (9) which emanates from the air inlet opening (5) and is arranged adjacently with respect to the first air duct (8) and guides an air flow into the wheel arch (3) or to the side of the wheel arch (3), an air flow control apparatus (16, 19) being provided which controls the air flow through the first air duct (8) and/or through the second air duct (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 9688466
    Abstract: A collapsible container including frame assembly, a lifting mechanism, a retractable side wall, a retractable end wall, a top member, and a bottom member is disclosed. The frame assembly includes rectangular frame members and articulated vertical frame members disposed between the rectangular frame members. At least one rectangular frame member includes a receptacle member. The articulated vertical frame members are positioned and arranged to retract within the frame assembly. The lifting mechanism is positioned and arranged to elevate the rectangular frame members from each other. The retractable side wall is positioned and arranged to retract into a receptacle member. The retractable end wall is positioned and arranged to retract into a receptacle member. The top member is disposed on an uppermost rectangular frame member. The bottom member is disposed on a lowermost rectangular frame member. A method of transporting a plurality of containers is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Elias Jordan Ronstadt
  • Patent number: 9688205
    Abstract: A vehicle step apparatus for a vehicle and a motor assembly thereof are provided. The vehicle step apparatus includes: a extending and retracting device including a mounting support, a vehicle step support and an arm assembly, the arm assembly being connected between the mounting support and the vehicle step support and configured to drive the vehicle step support to move between an extending position and a retraction position; a vehicle step disposed at the vehicle step support; a motor disposed at the mounting support and including a motor shaft coupled with the arm assembly; and an elastic element configured to take an elastic deformation to store energy when the motor drives the vehicle step support to move towards the extension position, and to release energy to assist the motor in driving the extending and retracting device when the motor drives the vehicle step support towards the retraction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: T-MAX (HANGZHOU) INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xinfa Du, Qi Zhang, Yiming Wang
  • Patent number: 9688321
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine generating exhaust gas flow and a vehicle body having a first body end facing oncoming ambient airflow when the vehicle is in motion and an opposite second body end. A vehicle underbody section spans a distance between the first and second body ends. A diffuser disposed at the second body end controls an underbody airflow portion past the second body end. An exhaust duct discharges the exhaust gas via a duct outlet arranged between the underbody section and the diffuser. A first diffuser aperture aligns with the duct outlet for discharging the exhaust gas from the outlet to the ambient. A second diffuser aperture pulls at least a fraction of the underbody airflow over the duct outlet and through the first aperture. The first and second apertures accelerate the pulled underbody airflow to increase a downforce on the vehicle body at the second body end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David Dominguez, Jason D. Fahland, Joshua R. Auden
  • Patent number: 9688130
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle capable of preventing illegally access by using a tool to a piping fitting connecting fuel piping and a valve module to each other without increasing the number of components. The fuel cell vehicle includes an electric motor, a fuel cell supported by a frame to supply electric power to the electric motor, a fuel tank supported by the frame to store fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell, a valve module disposed below a cross member and behind the fuel tank, and a piping fitting connecting fuel piping to the valve module. The valve module includes a cut-out stepped portion provided in a side-face side of an upper portion of the valve module. The piping fitting is attached to the cut-out side face, the piping fitting being disposed between the cross member and the cut-out top face in a vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Hirota, Akihiro Fukunaga, Toru Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9688153
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes: an engine which is disposed on a front side in the vehicle, and which is configured to drive rear wheels of the vehicle, the engine which includes a crank shaft that is extended in a front/back direction of the vehicle; and a drive motor which is arranged in line with the engine in a width direction of the vehicle, and which is disposed on an air intake side of the engine, the drive motor which is configured to drive front wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Yamamoto, Hidetoshi Ono, Eiji Akita, Naoki Kida, Tomoaki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9682657
    Abstract: A running board apparatus including a first component with a hollow cross-section having an open end, the first component extending in a longitudinal direction; a second component with a closed cross-section that slides relative to the first component in a lateral direction, the second component extending in the longitudinal direction; and a positioning device with a first end attached to the first component and a second end attached to the second component. The positioning device is configured to move the second component with respect to the first component in the lateral direction and lock the second component and the first component in a plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Baskin, Katsuhiko Takeuchi, Eric Archambeau, Joseph Elghoul