Patents Examined by Bridget Avery
  • Verticalizing chair with control means for controlling the angle of the foot rest in vertical position
    Patent number: 7815209
    Abstract: The invention concerns a standing wheelchair for handicapped and invalid people, that includes a chassis supporting an articulated structure which includes a seat support structure, a footrest support structure, a backrest support structure, and support and maneuvering resources of the articulated structure. The support and maneuvering resources are located between the articulated structure and the chassis and which are designed to move the articulated structure from a sitting position to a standing position set back in relation to the sitting position, and vice versa. According to the invention, the standing wheelchair includes resources for setting the angle (?) between the footrest and the seat in the standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Lifestand “Vivre Debolt”
    Inventor: Francois Porcheron
  • Congestion-based control of vehicle hybrid propulsion system
    Patent number: 7806210
    Abstract: A method of controlling a hybrid propulsion system of a vehicle, the hybrid propulsion system including an internal combustion engine and an alternate powertrain torque source capable of propelling the vehicle while the engine is turned off, the method comprising of detecting congestion by receiving and analyzing data that is external to the vehicle, and controlling a transition of the hybrid propulsion system between a first propulsion mode and a second propulsion mode based on said detecting of congestion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Proietty, Ming Kuang, Greg Gauthier
  • Camera dolly
    Patent number: 7802802
    Abstract: A robotic camera dolly has a column and a base. The base is both driven and steered through the use of two drive wheels. The drive wheels are driven at equal peripheral velocities to move the dolly in a straight line, and at different peripheral velocities to steer the dolly. The base of the dolly rotates during steering. However, a maintaining mechanism maintains the pointing direction of a camera mount despite the rotation of the base. Optionally, the camera dolly additionally has a suspension that couples two caster wheels to its base in a manner that provides a greater compliance with respect to common motion of the caster wheels than with respect to differential motion of the caster wheels. The suspension gives the dolly the rigid stance of a suspension having four points of support, with the stability of a suspension having only three points of support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cambotics Inc.
    Inventor: Gary B. Gordon
  • Snowmobile tunnel and rear heat exchanger
    Patent number: 7779944
    Abstract: The top wall of a snowmobile tunnel, which accommodates the endless drive track of the snowmobile, is provided with recesses at locations corresponding to the path followed by studs carried by the endless track. The rear of the tunnel is connected to a molded rear member having a pattern of recesses matching that of the top wall of the tunnel. In yet another aspect of the invention, a heat exchanger for cooling engine coolant may be provided at the rear of the tunnel. The heat exchanger may be mounted to and partially spaced from the molded rear member. The heat exchanger may bear rearwardly extending ridges with upwardly extending lip at the far end. In some embodiments, a channel is provided on the upper end of the heat exchanger to promote air and snow flow over the rearwardly extending ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Bergman, Ken Fredrickson, Russell L. Ebert
  • Engine starting control device for a hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 7766107
    Abstract: An engine of a hybrid vehicle is lift started by reducing a rotational speed of a motor/generator of the hybrid vehicle by adjusting a gearshift ratio of a transmission coupled to the motor/generator, and engaging a clutch to couple the engine, while in a stopped state, to the rotating motor/generator for imparting the rotation to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Joe, Tadashi Okuda
  • Hybrid powertrain for homogeneous charge compression ignition engine operation
    Patent number: 7748481
    Abstract: A hybrid powertrain is provided including an internal combustion engine sufficiently configured for operation in a homogeneous charge compression ignition mode of operation. An electric motor and an electric storage device are provided in parallel hybrid combination with the internal combustion engine. A transmission is operatively connected to the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The engine may operate in one of a two-stroke and a four-stroke cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Peter J. Savagian, Mark A. Theobald, Eric M. Rask
  • Motorcycle with battery mounting arrangement
    Patent number: 7730985
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a motorcycle body, which incorporates a frame. An engine is supported by the motorcycle body. The engine includes a cylinder block and a crank case. An exhaust pipe communicates with the engine and has a portion that extends along a side of the engine. A battery is located above an upper surface of the crank case of the engine and to the rear of the cylinder block. The portion exhaust pipe extending along the side of the engine is located to a side of the battery and a heat shield plate is positioned between the exhaust pipe and the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Oohashi
  • Mobile transport platform for the handling of aeronautical parts
    Patent number: 7731207
    Abstract: A mobile transport platform for the handling of aeronautical parts with a frame has an array of telescopic actuators vertically arranged in rows and columns, each telescopic actuator is coupled by one end to the frame, and has a coupled head (2c) at its opposite end; a control system connected to each telescopic actuator for individually controlling the actuation of each telescopic actuator so that the telescopic actuator can adapt a position between that of maximum extension in which the head and at least part of the shaft of the telescopic actuator project from the plane of the load surface, and that of maximum retraction in which at least the shaft of the telescopic actuator does not project from the plane of the load surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventor: José Manuel Santos Gómez
  • Coaxial two-wheel vehicle
    Patent number: 7717200
    Abstract: A coaxial two-wheel vehicle is provided. The coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes a step plate for a rider to ride on; a vehicle body supporting the step plate to be capable of changing a posture in a roll direction of rotating around a roll axis as the center when a traveling direction is set to the roll axis; and a pair of wheels disposed on the same axis at both sides of the vehicle body in a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction and rotatably supported by the vehicle body. Further, the coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes a pair of wheel drivers driving and rotating the pair of wheels independently and a control lever directly changing a posture of the step plate or indirectly changing the posture through the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabuhsiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takekazu Kakinuma, Ikuo Yamano, Kunihito Sawai
  • Apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles
    Patent number: 7717444
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Battery exchange system for a battery-driven industrial truck
    Patent number: 7712563
    Abstract: Battery exchange system for a battery-driven industrial truck, in which the chassis of the industrial truck comprises a battery compartment open to the side of the industrial truck for side installation and removal of a battery container, on the battery container on at least two opposing sides at least one respective laterally projecting support element being attached with a downwardly facing bearing surface and the battery compartment on opposing sides comprising horizontal support surfaces spaced apart from one another in parallel on which the support elements are supported with their bearing surfaces, when the battery container is inserted into the battery compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Niebuhr
  • Sports equipment storage device
    Patent number: 7712752
    Abstract: A storage device for transporting equipment includes a housing having a base end, a pair of retractable wheels, and a foot operated actuator for retracting and extending the wheels from the housing. The housing defines at least one compartment for storing the equipment. The housing has a handle at an upper end thereof, an open front defining an opening into the housing, and a door for selectively closing the open front. The actuator is coupled to a lower end of the housing towards its base end. Actuation of the actuator displaces the wheels between retracted and extended positions while the housing is resting on its base end. A user while grasping the handle depresses a foot pedal component of the actuator to extend the wheels against the resiliently biased return force of a spring. A manually operated latch releases the wheels to their retracted position urged by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Jack Horning
  • System and method for controlling vehicle operation
    Patent number: 7694760
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle propulsion system is disclosed comprising an engine having at least one combustion cylinder configured to operate in a first and a second combustion mode, wherein the first combustion mode is a spark ignition mode and the second combustion mode is a compression ignition mode, wherein the engine is configured to supply an engine output; a motor configured to selectively supply or absorb a secondary output; an energy storage device configured to selectively store at least a portion of the engine output and selectively supply energy to the vehicle; and a control system configured to control at least the engine, the motor, and the energy storage device, wherein the control system is configured to selectively operate said at least one combustion cylinder in one of the spark ignition mode and the compression ignition mode based on a condition of the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Leone, Gopichandra Surnilla, Tony Phillips
  • Foldable stroller
    Patent number: 7694995
    Abstract: A stroller includes a stroller frame movable between an in-use configuration and a folded configuration and a seat assembly mounted to the stroller frame. The stroller frame includes right and left front legs, right and left fold links, and right and left seat support frame members extending between the respective right and left front legs and the respective right and left fold links. The seat assembly includes a seat and a seat support mounted to the right and left seat support frame members such that, as the stroller frame moves from the in-use configuration to the folded configuration, the seat support translates relative to the right and left seat support frame members. The stroller frame also can include right and left push arms and right and left rear legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Dotsey, Gregg R. Espenshade, Daniel N. Newhard
  • Hybrid vehicle powertrain with improved reverse drive performance
    Patent number: 7694762
    Abstract: A hybrid-electric powertrain for a wheeled vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, an electric motor and a battery. Transmission gearing establishes multiple torque flow paths including a forward drive torque flow path and a reverse drive torque flow path, the motor being isolated from forward drive gearing elements as it acts as a sole reverse drive power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph G. Supina, Stefan P. Pototschnik
  • All terrain vehicle
    Patent number: 7690461
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is constructed to prevent rainwater or the like from entering an inner portion of an air cleaner without complicating the structure of the vehicle or making the assembly work difficult, while improving the external appearance of the vehicle. An air cleaner is provided below a seat, and the air cleaner is positioned between left and right rail main bodies when viewed from above. Left, right, bottom and rear surfaces of the air cleaner are covered with an undercover, which is separate from the air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Isoda
  • Pallet jack having width-adjustable fork prongs
    Patent number: 7641011
    Abstract: A pallet jack includes a frame and a pair of outwardly projecting load prongs connected to the frame. The proximal ends of the prongs are connected to a horizontal member on the rear of the frame by brackets that keep the prongs out of the frame proper. A threaded rod is mounted horizontally on the horizontal member and is threaded into the proximal end of each prong, with the two ends of the threaded rod having opposite hand threads. The threaded rod is rotated by a user turning a crank mounted on top of the frame and connected to the adjustment threaded rod by a chain drive, allowing the width between the prongs to be adjusted inwardly or outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Keith Wayne Fridlington, Jr., Keith Wayne Fridlington, Sr.
  • Heeling apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7621540
    Abstract: A heeling apparatus includes a shoe with a unique feature in the heel that allows one to walk, run, or roll seamlessly. The appearance is that of normal footwear because of the covert wheel assembly. The stealth wheel in the heel gives one the ability to roll or slide in areas you could only walk. Heeling is a new activity that employs a unique method of rolling and requires a newly learned skill set of balance, positioning, and coordination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Heeling Sports Limited
    Inventor: Roger R. Adams
  • Sanitizing apparatus for shopping cart handles and other handles
    Patent number: 7611156
    Abstract: A shopping cart handle and sanitizing apparatus and method includes a housing with a sanitizing fluid reservoir mounted to slidably encircle the cart handle and dispense the fluid onto the handle from applicators in the housing that contract the handle as the housing is moved to and fro. A pump mechanism transfers fluid from the reservoir to the applicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Alex H. Dunser
  • Mud guard assembly
    Patent number: 7607698
    Abstract: A mud guard assembly for towing vehicle includes fixed channels spanning laterally across a rear end of the vehicle, supported in fixed relation on chassis mounts of the vehicle which support the rear bumper of the vehicle thereon. A slide channel is slidably received within each fixed channel for relative sliding movement therebetween in the lateral direction. Guard material is suspended from the slide channel to be arranged for catching debris thrown rearward from wheels of the vehicle. The guard material and the slide channel are arranged to be slidably removable together from the fixed channel while the fixed channel can remain secured to the vehicle at spaced positions along the vehicle to take advantage of both supporting the guard material along the full width of the vehicle in a stable manner while also permitting the guard material to be readily slidably removed from the vehicle when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Cloud - Rider Designs Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Cicansky