Patents Examined by Brian L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7188843
    Abstract: A combination lift table, platform, tilt back hand truck, scaffold, work bucket, floor jack and mechanic' creeper. The combination is a portable and foldable unit that converts into a tilt back hand truck having two wheels or six wheels that have a lift table with extensible legs, an extensible device, a platform having flexible combination support plate, and an approach ramp. This combination also provides coupling device such as a pocket and bracket, which can be coupled to a plurality of space attachments for multiple purposes such as a scaffold, a work bucket, a floor jack, or a mechanic' creeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Annop Magness
  • Patent number: 7059447
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle steering system has an actuator (12) for steering a wheel (10). A shaft (28) passes axially through the interior of a housing (14) of the actuator and through a rotor tube (56) journaled for rotation within the housing. On the exterior of the housing one end of the shaft is coupled to the wheel. An electric motor (52) within the interior of the housing rotates the rotor tube when the wheel is steered by a steering wheel. An internal screw thread (68) on the rotor tube and an external screw thread (70) on the shaft are operatively coupled by a set (74) of transmission rollers (76) to provide for bi-directional transmission of motion between the rotor tube and the shaft such that rotation of the rotor tube causes the shaft to move axially of the housing to steer the vehicle wheel and axial motion of the shaft due to wheel recovery from a turn rotates the rotor tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian James Andonian, Michael Kenneth Liubakka, Gregory James Stout
  • Patent number: 7040429
    Abstract: A wheelchair suspension having plurality of pivoting linkages to lift and retract a front castor assembly to facilitate traversing an obstacle or rough terrain. In this regard, a wheelchair suspension having a frame member and at least one a pivoting assembly is provided. The pivoting assembly has, for example, a first linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member and a second linkage pivotally coupled to the frame member. At least one front caster assembly is coupled to the first and second linkages wherein upward pivotal movement of the first linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo upward vertical movement and upward pivotal movement of the second linkage causes the caster assembly to undergo lateral movement inward toward the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: James H. Molnar
  • Patent number: 7007957
    Abstract: A wheel holder assembly includes a mounting frame fixedly fastened to the footplate of a skateboard, a screw bolt mounted in the mounting frame, a hook plate mounted on the screw bolt and hooked on a barrel at the mounting frame, a swivel wheel holder frame mounted on the screw bolt to hold a pair of wheels, a first corrugated washer and a second corrugated washer mounted on said screw bolt and matched with each other between the hook plate and the wheel holder frame, the first corrugated washer having a locating groove engaged with a locating rib at the wheel holder frame for enabling the first corrugated washer to be turned with the wheel holder frame about the screw bolt relative to the second corrugated washer, and a compression spring mounted on the screw bolt to force the wheel holder frame against the first corrugated washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Guang-Gwo Lee
  • Patent number: 6981567
    Abstract: A muffler suspension kit for use in attaching a replacement or original catalytic converter, or exhaust pipe muffler to a vehicle includes a flexible clamping band formed of stainless or regular steel. The clamping band extends around a replacement muffler and clamps an angle-shaped suspension bracket against a muffler. The suspension bracket has a plurality of apertures therein for connection to one or more elongate, longitudinally, adjustable J-hooks. The J-hooks are connected to grommets on the vehicle for attaching the muffler to the vehicle. The selective position of attachment of the J-hooks to the suspension bracket and the longitudinal adjustability of the J-hooks provides a wide range of adjustment when attaching a muffler to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: John T Stodolka
  • Patent number: 6964420
    Abstract: A rolling record case has a removable frame having an adjustable handle and rotatable wheels. Two frame mounting brackets are secured to the record case. Frame includes a spring loaded manual release portion for enabling quick manual attachment or removal of the frame portion to the record case. The frame supports an extendable handle portion, in which manual actuation of a release member on the handle, enables the handle portion to extend to a first intermediate position, a second fully extended position, or to a fully retracted position. The rolling record case includes a hinged lid with one or more securing latches to secure the lid in a closed position, and a compartmented interior. A slideable latch member is extended or retracted by rotation of a handle. The compartments inside the case portion can include visible compartments as well as one or more hidden compartments. The hidden compartment can be formed by a false bottom in one or more of the visible compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventors: Atousa Ghanizadeh, Jesus O. Talamantez
  • Patent number: 6959777
    Abstract: A high-voltage energy regulated conversion circuit (HVERCC) (12) for electrically coupling to a vehicle bus (24) is provided. The HVERCC (12) includes a high-voltage energy converter (HVEC) module (22) coupled to the vehicle bus (24), a battery-pack high-voltage bus battery bus (28), and a WEG heater bus (29). The battery bus (28) is coupled to a high-voltage battery pack (30) and a WEG heater circuit (32). The HVEC module (22), the high-voltage battery pack (30), and the WEG heater circuit (32) are coupled to a logic controller (14) via a network (36). The logic controller (14) regulates the power on the vehicle bus (24), the battery bus (28), and the WEG heater bus (29). An operational method for the HVEC module (22) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Beckerman, Joseph Carl Burba, Matthew Roger DeDona, Raymond Spiteri
  • Patent number: 6932361
    Abstract: A skate that includes a boot fixed between an insole and an outsole. The insole has at least one retainer projecting through an aperture in the outsole. The retainer extends into an interior chamber formed in a blade holder. An adapter is mounted in a recess in the blade and extends to an opposite end received in the retainer. A fastener is extendable through aligned bores in the holder, the adapter and the retainer to fixedly connect the blade and the holder and the insole of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Paul M. Steinhauser, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6904987
    Abstract: An electric drive for an electric or hybrid vehicle has an electric motor, with which a vehicle wheel is drivable, for instance via an articulated shaft. The the electric drive is embodied additionally with a mechanically actuatable wheel brake, which is actuatable by the electric motor selectively for driving the vehicle wheel via a shiftable distributor gear. The invention has the advantage that the electric motor provided for driving the vehicle wheel is simultaneously used for actuating the wheel brake (24) as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hardy Haas, Ian Faye, Herbert Vollert
  • Patent number: 6902016
    Abstract: A small or mini loader is operated by a platform standing on the ground or other surface supporting the loader, and at the rear of the machine. Hydraulic control levers operate drives on opposite sides of the machine, and the control levers are pulled rearwardly from a stopped position to effect the rearward drive. A pivoting panel is mounted on the rear of the frame and has a wall portion that protrudes outwardly from the rear of the machine. When the lower end of the pivoting panel engages an obstruction or other item that provides a force tending to move the lower end of the panel forwardly relative to the frame, an actuator arm will move to cause control levers that are in a rearward drive position to be moved to the stopped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Mark F. Bares, James H. Page
  • Patent number: 6886839
    Abstract: There is provided a jogging stroller having a collapsible frame transformable from an erected position to a collapsed position, the frame including a base structural assembly and an upper structural assembly, the base assembly having a rear axle with a wheel coupled at each end, a fork assembly pivotally coupled thereto having two tubes extending to support a front wheel, and a pair of upright support members fixedly coupled thereto. The upper structural assembly includes a handlebar member having extending handlebar tubes, the other ends of the handlebar tubes slidably engaged with a respective interconnect member pivotally coupled to the free end of a respective upright support member, and further has two additional tubes each having first ends fixedly attached to respective interconnects and second ends connected at the front wheel to respective tubes extending from the fork assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Richard C Everett
  • Patent number: 6886850
    Abstract: A boot binding, such as a snowboard boot binding, where an opening through the binding that may allow passage of undesirable substances onto the floor of the binding is covered by a gasket. The gasket may be permanently or removably attached to the binding, and may be rigid or, alternatively, compliant where desired to have the gasket conform to an associated shape of the boot placed in the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: G. Scott Taylor, Franklin S. Phillips, Robert L. Spraque
  • Patent number: 6851694
    Abstract: A tricycle comprises a front tube, a handlebar frame, a front fork, a front wheel, two footboard frames, and a swiveling member. The handlebar frame is received in the front tube. The front fork is disposed at the bottom end of the handlebar frame for fastening the front wheel. The two footboard frames are pivoted with the front tube and are formed of a bottom tube, a footboard, and a rear wheel. The bottom tube is provided with a through hole to accommodate a buffer member such that the buffer member is pivoted with the rear end of the front tube. The swiveling member is provided in two sides with two insertion pillars which are connected with the buffer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Melton International L.L.C.
    Inventor: Pin-Chieh Feng
  • Patent number: 6834867
    Abstract: A two-piece articulated snowboard having a first section held to a second section by a connector. the connector is configured so that it permits some bending so that the longitudinal axis of the board bends at the connector. Preferably, the connector permits very little or no twisting so that the first and second sections stay in the same horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Shane H. Smith
  • Patent number: 6827370
    Abstract: The ski pole has normal strength when the pole is normally gripped at its handle and reduced strength when not gripped. The poles permanently deform when a predetermined level of excessive bending force is applied. The pole shaft is hollow with a short circumferential segment having reduced cross-section. When the handle is gripped, a plug slideable within the shaft spans the reduced cross-section and reinforces the pole at that region. When the handle is not gripped, the plug slides away from the reduced wall segment and reduces pole strength. A button on the handle connects to the plug by a rod, cable, hydraulics, pneumatics, etc. Alternatively, button actuation electrically drives a magnetic solenoid to move the plug. The weakened portion is replaceable so the pole is reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventors: Nogah Haramati, Joseph Margulies
  • Patent number: 6823955
    Abstract: An elongated air intake screen is provided for vehicles such as commercial mowers that operate in conditions having substantial airborne foreign materials that tend to clog the screen. The exterior surface of the screen is provided with intake openings throughout its 360 degree surface to draw air over a substantial area. It is located at the upper edge of the vehicle to separate it from the cutting decks and area where airborne grasses and similar foreign materials are encountered. Air drawn into the screen is used to cool the engine and hydraulic fluid heat exchangers and provide for engine combustion needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Stanley Kermit Hall, Neil Vincent Harber, Robert Alan Henson, Jennifer Lynn Jaramillo, Jeffrey David Witwer
  • Patent number: 6824152
    Abstract: A dolly device for facilitating moving of an object by a user. The dolly device includes a base member being designed for supporting the object when the object is placed on the base member. A pair of side members are oppositely coupled to the base member. Each of the side members is positioned substantially orthogonally to the base member. The side members are designed for engaging the object for inhibiting the object from tipping off of the base member when the object is positioned on the base member. At least one wheel is rotatably coupled to each of the side members. The wheel is designed for rollably engaging a support surface for facilitating movement of the object across the support surface when the object is positioned on the base member and the base member is moved across the support surface by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Scott
  • Patent number: 6817435
    Abstract: A hood hinge structure for hinge connecting together a hinge lower to be fixed to a body and a hinge upper to be fixed to a hood at a hinge axial center, the engine room side of the vehicle body serving as the fixing portion of the hinge lower is formed as a stepped portion which is situated on the lower side, and the fixing portion of the hinge upper is disposed such that it is opposed to the stepped portion. In this structure, even in case where the head of a pedestrian is butted against the hood in the vicinity of the hinge portion due to a collision, the hinge portion is deformed within a relatively long shock-absorbing stroke formed between the hinge portion and stepped portion formed on the engine room side of the vehicle body to thereby be able to absorb the shock sufficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihide Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6811164
    Abstract: A portable cart for use in a washing chamber for organizing and supporting articles to be washed. The cart is comprised of a generally rectangular, open frame structure comprised of a plurality of elongated structural members. A plurality of the structural members have apertures formed therein. Two planar panels are attached to the frame. The panels are spaced apart and have a plurality of apertures formed therethrough. A plurality of elongated rods are attached to and extend between the panels and are attached to the apertures. The rods define article support areas within the frame structure. One or more support elements are mounted through the apertures in the structural members or the panels. The support elements are dimensioned to support articles. Coasters at one end of the frame member allow rolling movement of the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventor: Mikael Trogstam
  • Patent number: 6808186
    Abstract: A wheel structure is constructed to include a wheel bracket connectable to the bottom cuff of a golf bag, a wheel axle inserted through axle holes of the wheel bracket, two wheels, two connectors respectively mounted in the center axle holes of the wheels and capped on the ends of the wheel axle, and two clamps respectively mounted in spacer blocks in the connector to secure the ends of the wheel axle to the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Po-Tang Su