Patents Examined by Brian L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6758488
    Abstract: A snowboard binding mechanism for securing a snowboard boot to a snowboard includes at least one moveable engagement member having an open position and at least one closed position. When in the closed position, the engagement member is biased toward the open position. As a result, when a snowboard boot is not disposed in the binding mechanism, the binding mechanism automatically moves to the open position. The engagement member may also function to compensate for snow, ice or debris accumulated beneath the boot. A single handle may be operatively connected to the engagement members to facilitate ease of removal of the snowboard boot from the binding by simply requiring actuation of the single handle to unlock the binding. A separate foot pedal may be operably coupled to the engagement member and is also employed to unlock the binding. The binding mechanism may also include a cocking feature that unlocks the binding mechanism without also causing the engagement members to move to open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: James Laughlin, David J. Dodge
  • Patent number: 6755426
    Abstract: A snowboarding boot includes a sole assembly having an outsole with a the lower face for contacting a ground surface and a reinforcing piece. Further included is a transverse plate for interaction with complementary arrangements of a binding. The plate is mechanically integrated with the sole assembly. An elastic element is interposed between the plate and the sole assembly. The element is deformable to allow lateral deflection of the boot relative to the binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Yvars, Pierre Gignoux, Jean-Marc Pascal
  • Patent number: 6755428
    Abstract: A portable cooler assembly which can be transported along a surface and also secured to a vehicle. The cooler assembly includes an insulated container body having walls and a bottom defining a storage chamber. A lid is pivotally mounted to the container body for covering the storage chamber. A pair of wheels are each rotatably mounted to the container body for transporting the cooler assembly along the surface. A pair of retaining brackets are mounted to the vehicle. The container body abuts the retaining brackets, with the retaining brackets at least partially encompassing the walls of the container body, when the cooler assembly is secured to the vehicle. The cooler assembly also includes a pair of releasable fasteners. At least one of the walls, bottom, and lid preferably has a wheel recess with the wheels being fastened within the wheel recess when the wheels are removed from the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Moeller Marine Products
    Inventor: David L. Butler
  • Patent number: 6755440
    Abstract: A shock absorbing ski pole with an articulating hand grip that flexes to allow for angular motion between handle and shaft during normal use. The handle contains a spring mechanism that keeps the shaft angled away from the skier when no load is applied. When the skier plants their pole, his forward motion compresses the spring and the shaft flexes into a vertical position, in-line with the grip. The grip also contains a quick release mechanism that allows the ski glove to be quickly and directly attached and unattached to the grip. In addition, the basket of the ski pole is adjustable to allow for different ski conditions. The basket consists of two disks with petals that may be rotated relative to each other. By rotating the disks coincident to each other to reduce wind resistance. However, for soft snow conditions the disks may be rotated such that the petals are offset from each other creating a greater amount of contact with the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Glenn Jones
  • Patent number: 6755435
    Abstract: A sports utility stroller includes a boundary frame including a top and bottom frame to form a playpen cavity therebetween, a stroller frame including a pair of side frames, which supports two sides of the boundary frame, each including a first side frame leg and a second side frame leg pivotally connected with each other, and a pair of locking arrangements for securely locking up the two side frames so as to retain the boundary frame at an unfolded position, wherein at the unfolded position, a top frame is lifted up from the bottom frame to form the playpen cavity having a predetermined depth, and at a folded position, the first and second side frame legs are pivotally folded to drop the top frame towards the bottom frame, so as to minimize the depth of the playpen cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Ben M. Hsia
  • Patent number: 6755427
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for transporting a container containing viscous liquids to an appropriate dispensing apparatus. The invention comprises a transition plate that fits over a floor plate of a pump elevator, and particularly over an air tube that joins adjacent vertical air cylinders of the pump elevator. A rollable cart is provided with specific clearances to accommodate the transition plate, and, when supporting a drum, allow for proper clearance between the top of the drum and the ram assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Automotive Line Technology Efficiency Related Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Bray
  • Patent number: 6755265
    Abstract: A children's ride-on vehicle. The ride-on vehicle includes a frame adapted to support a child, and a drive assembly with a battery-powered motor assembly. The ride-on vehicle further includes one or more steerable wheels and one or more driven wheels. In some embodiments, the ride-on resembles a full-size motorcycle. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a free-floating wheel, which is unbiased and travels within a defined range of positions with respect to the ride-on vehicle's frame as external forces are imparted to the wheel. In some embodiments, the ride-on includes a high-speed switch positioned for momentary high-speed travel of the ride-on vehicle and a user-manipulable portion may be provided to enable a child to select such a high-speed configuration. In some embodiments, the ride-on vehicle includes a simulated shock absorber and/or a passenger sidecar. Finally, in some embodiments, the ride-on may include wheel assemblies that simulate inflatable wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Huntsberger, John L. Jones, Jr., William R. Howell, Karl D. Lerch, Brian L. Bienz
  • Patent number: 6755264
    Abstract: A transmission for speed changing and steering of a vehicle comprises a first HST and a first differential for speed changing and a second HST and a second differential for steering. The first HST is a combination of a hydraulic pump and motor. The pump is driven by an engine and the motor is drivingly changeable by operation of a speed change pedal. Output power from the motor is transmitted into a pair of first differential output shafts as axles through the first differential. The second HST is a combination of a hydraulic pump and motor. The second pump is driven by output power from the first HST and the second motor is drivingly changeable by operation of a steering wheel. A pair of second differential output shafts are rotated in opposite directions by output power of the motor, so that when turning, the first differential output shaft on the opposite side of the turning direction is accelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Tuff Torq Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Travis S. McCloud, Keith J Andrews, Robert Abend
  • Patent number: 6755434
    Abstract: Board for gliding over snow (1) comprising a gliding sole plate (2) bordered by metal side edges (3), an upper protective and decorative layer (4), and a filler core (6), including, on at least one of its faces, the lower face and/or the upper face, at least one internal rigid reinforcement (5), wherein this internal rigid reinforcement has at least one laterally flush zone (9, 11) in the region of the heel of the board for gliding over snow so as to allow the centering of the median longitudinal axis of said reinforcement relative to the median longitudinal axis of the board for gliding over snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Skis Rossignol, S.A.
    Inventors: Henri-Charles Deborde, Bernard Chaumat
  • Patent number: 6752228
    Abstract: A tractor with a cab disposed rearwardly of a hood, the cab being mounted on a tractor body (T) including a body forming unit, the cab including a bottom wall defining left and right footrests. The cab has a total length larger than a total height thereof. The cab is arranged to have the footrests substantially level with a lower end of the body forming unit. The cab has an intermediate height level (x) lower than a height level of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Aoyama, Seiichi Ishiizumi, Katsumi Yanagihara, Kuninosuke Iwata, Norihide Iwata, Takahiro Komine, Yutaka Inubushi, Shigeo Shoen
  • Patent number: 6752414
    Abstract: A collapsible wheelchair for allowing a user to easily tote a wheelchair along on a public transportation such as an airplane and bus. The collapsible wheelchair includes a collapsible seat support assembly; wheel assemblies upon which the collapsible seat support assembly is mounted; brackets mounted to the collapsible seat support assembly; wheels rotatably mounted to the brackets; a seat member supported by the collapsible seat support assembly; footrest assemblies attached to the collapsible seat support assembly; handle members mounted to the collapsible seat support assembly; strap members attached to the seat member for securing a person upon the seat member; and a storage bag for storing the collapsible wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventors: Darcy Waldron, Shane Haggstrom
  • Patent number: 6752226
    Abstract: A system for driving a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a motor/generator, a battery and a controller for the engine and the motor/generator. The controller has a plurality of operating modes. In an engine running electric generating mode, the engine is operated as a driving source of the vehicle and the motor/generator and electric power generated by the motor/generator is recovered to the battery when the charge ratio is low. In an acceleration mode, the engine and the motor/generator are operated as the driving source of the vehicle when the charge ratio of the battery is high, and the accelerator opening degree or a rate of change of the accelerator opening degree is large. In an engine running mode only the engine is operate as the driving source of the vehicle when the charge ratio of the battery is high and the accelerator opening degree is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shotaro Naito, Hiroshi Katada
  • Patent number: 6752413
    Abstract: A casing (32) included in a baby carriage folding mechanism is mounted on a substantially middle part of the handle of a folding baby carriage. Hinged joints (33) each having a stationary member (34) and a movable member (35) are connected to the opposite ends of the casing (32), and pipes (18) forming the handle are connected to the hinged joints (33), respectively. The pipes (18) are connected to the movable members (35) of the joints (33). Actuating members (38a and 38b) capable of being operated by an operating mechanism included in the casing (32) are connected to the movable members (35) of the hinged joints (33). The actuating members (38a and 38b) turn the movable members (35) relative to the corresponding stationary members (34) for folding and developing the folding baby carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Combi Corporation
    Inventors: Kojiro Yamazaki, Yuichi Arai, Mikiya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6752404
    Abstract: A brake-operated dolly for controlling the use of a dolly especially on sloped surfaces. The brake-operated dolly includes a dolly having side rails, cross members, wheels, and handles; and also includes a pair of brake support members being securely attached to the side rails and above the wheels of the dolly; and further includes a pair of brake members being pivotally mounted to the brake support members and being engagable to the wheels of the dolly; and also includes a brake actuating assembly including a pair of bracket members being securely attached to the side rails near the handles of said dolly, and also including an elongate brake actuator having ends journaled through the bracket members, and further including cables being connected to the brake members for the actuation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Eva E. Blake
  • Patent number: 6752405
    Abstract: A convertible twin/single seat stroller for providing a two-in-one stroller which can be expanded to carry two children and contracted to carry only one child. The convertible twin/single seat stroller includes a frame assembly including front leg members and rear leg members, and also including cross members interconnecting the front and rear leg members; and also includes a wheel assembly being mounted to the front and rear leg members; and further includes handle members being mounted to the frame assembly; and also includes seat members being supported upon the frame assembly; and further includes a coupler for converting and securing a twin seat stroller to a single seat stroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Inventor: Lindsay J. Wright
  • Patent number: 6749204
    Abstract: A cup holder attached to or incorporated into a portion of an open top basket of a standard wire mesh shopping cart. The cup holder used for holding different types and sizes of beverage cups. The cup holder, in one embodiment, including a circular cup ring. The cup ring used for receiving a portion of a beverage cup therethrough. The cup ring attached to a swivel mounted on a top portion of a round vertical telescoping cup ring support. A lower portion of the cup ring support attached to a first side of the open top basket mounted on a cart frame of the shopping cart. Also, one or more cup rings may be incorporated into a bottom portion of a foldable rack attached to a rear of the open top basket. A portion of the various cup holders can include used for advertising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: BEW Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Brent E. Werner
  • Patent number: 6749037
    Abstract: A vehicle driving arrangement with at least two axes, each having at least one driven wheel that can be acted upon with a torque of a motor, the motor/motors of each axis being arranged in a supply line, the supply lines being parallel to each other and connected with a pump device, and a valve arrangement being arranged in at least one supply line. It is desired to improve the operability of a hydraulically driven vehicle. For this purpose, the valve arrangement in one supply line has a pressure reducing valve that limits the pressure difference over the other supply line to a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Holding A/S
    Inventor: Per Nielsen Lindholdt
  • Patent number: 6749214
    Abstract: A locking device for a golf cart has a bracket, two sleeves, an engaging bar and two securing members. The bracket is securely connected to an axle to which the rear wheels are mounted, and the stem of the golf cart is pivotally mounted on the bracket. The sleeves are securely connected to the bracket and securely mounted around the axle. The engaging bar is secured to the stem and near the bracket. The securing members are respectively rotatably mounted on the bracket and chassis, and each has a hook and a pressed segment extending outward from the chassis. Accordingly, the user can operate the locking device with foot, and to fold or to expand the golf cart is convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Shanq-Ching Shieh
  • Patent number: 6749208
    Abstract: A platter cart has a wheeled base and at least one vertical support extending upwardly from each side of the base at a location spaced between the front and rear end of the base. A series of front shelves are secured to extend forwardly from the supports at spaced intervals, and a series of horizontal rear shelves are secured to extend rearwardly from the supports at spaced intervals. Each rear shelf is vertically offset from the front shelves, so that two platter carts can be nested together by pushing a rearward cart into the end of a front cart with the front shelves of the rearward cart nesting into the spaces between the rear shelves of the front cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Precision Wire Racks and Carts, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel J. Orozco, V. John Ondrasik
  • Patent number: 6746033
    Abstract: An step assembly (10) is described having a step (12) that moves between down and up positions by pivoting about a longitudinal axis connected to a vehicle chassis (24). One or more link assemblies (22) move the step between these positions. A support bracket (20) connects to the chassis and pivotally supports the step. The link assembly includes a first link (32) having one end fixedly attached to a drive shaft (14) in a radial manner and another end rotatably connected to a second link (34). The connection between the first and second links is located outward of the pivotal connection between the step and the support bracket. In one embodiment, in the up position, the point of rotation between the first and second links is located outward of the drive shaft axis of rotation. A stop is available to limit further rotational travel by the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick K. McDaniel