Patents Examined by Christopher Ellis
-
Patent number: 7464947Abstract: The hand truck or dolly of the present invention is capable of multi-directional movement and provides an operator with complete control of movement and directional choice for the hand truck without having to remove his hands from a handgrip location to achieve mechanical adjustments of the wheels. Rather, an operator may adjust a wheel index position on-the-fly by means of a trigger assembly to rotate a wheel assembly about a vertical axis of rotation within a range of motion of approximately 100 degrees. The two, independent wheel assemblies of the hand truck of the present invention achieve multi-directional movement through positioning of the wheels in a standard index position allowing for forward and backward movement, a lateral index position allowing for lateral, or side to side, movement, or a rotational index position allowing for rotational movement, such as for cornering and circular movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventor: Richard Lewis Cortese
-
Patent number: 7464781Abstract: A novel three-wheeled straddle type vehicle for operation by at least one rider is disclosed having a split radiator (52, 53) located on opposite sides of the vehicle frame. The location of the split radiator (52, 53) on the sides of the frame create a storage compartment in the front portion of the vehicle frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Product Inc.Inventors: Etienne Guay, Berthold Fecteau, Martin Aube, Bruno Girouard
-
Patent number: 7464944Abstract: The present invention teaches an apparatus and method for removably securing an article of footwear suitable for walking, running, or bicycling to a wheeled skate. Further, the present invention also teaches a brake device for use with a wheeled skate. In addition, the present invention teaches a wheeled skate including a suspension system that can be propelled with the use of linear or side stroke skating techniques. Moreover, the present invention teaches a quad wheeled skate having advantageous structure and function for recreational skating and aerobic exercise.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventor: Robert M. Lyden
-
Patent number: 7464951Abstract: A powered vehicle and method of operating is described for on and off-road use. The powered vehicle comprises a chassis and a first and second axle coupled to the chassis having at least one wheel coupled to the first axle and at least two wheels coupled to the second axle. The powered vehicle further comprises a movable seat configured to support a rider sitting down on the seat, and configured to move relative to the chassis in order to provide a steering mechanism for the powered vehicle. For example, the movable seat provides a mechanism for the rider to shift his or her weight relative to the chassis to cause the steering mechanism for the powered vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventor: Stephen R. Coray
-
Patent number: 7464957Abstract: A stroller that accepts and supports various types of child's car seats is easily converted from its operational state to its storage state by actuating a latching mechanism. The stroller includes a lever which facilitates the removal of the child's car seat. A seat assembly can be attached to the stroller to convert the stroller from a child's car seat carrier to a toddler stroller. The seat assembly remains in the upright position when the stroller is converted from the storage state to the operational state.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Inventors: Ronald K. Worth, Eric G. Pfaff
-
Patent number: 7461864Abstract: A recreational motor vehicle capable of accommodating a driver of varying sizes. Embodiments can also be modified for use on circular or in-line tracks or multiple racing formats. The external appearance of the vehicle may be readily modified through the switching of a exterior body which is supported on a rigid frame that completely encloses and protects the driver. Further safety features may be provided such as; a firewall between the engine and seat, fire suppression system, and escape hatch.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Inventor: David Ervin
-
Patent number: 7461713Abstract: A tire protecting apparatus mounted on a vehicle provided with a wheel having a tire on a wheel filled with pressurized air, which protects the tire from abnormally deforming while the vehicle is running, is provided with a tire temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the tire, and a determinator that determines whether it is necessary to cool the tire based on the tire temperature detected by the tire temperature sensor when there is a possibility that abnormal tire deformation will occur. Accordingly, the invention protects the tire from abnormally deforming by considering the temperature of the tire while the vehicle is running.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroyoshi Kojima
-
Patent number: 7458438Abstract: A working vehicle with a speed maintaining apparatus having a plurality of wheels including at least one driven wheel; a vehicle body supported by the plurality of wheels; an engine supported by the vehicle body; a stepless transmission driven by the engine and capable of changing speed of power to the driven wheel; a neutral return device for biasing the stepless transmission toward a neutral position; a change speed pedal operatively connected to the stepless transmission; a speed maintaining device for maintaining the stepless transmission in a desired speed position; a speed setting lever movable to a retreat position and to positions in a forward speed range for setting the stepless transmission to the desired speed position in which the stepless transmission is maintained by the speed maintaining device; a relay rocking element connected to the stepless transmission through an auxiliary rocking element pivotable relative to the relay rocking element; and a control member provided in the speed maintaininType: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Akifumi Nishino, Yutaka Inubushi
-
Patent number: 7458434Abstract: A lawn mower comprises: a plurality of wheels; a vehicle body supported by the wheels; a mower unit supported by said vehicle body; a driver's seat supported by said vehicle body; an engine supported by said vehicle body rearwardly of said driver's seat; a radiator disposed between said engine and said driver's seat; a hood for covering said engine; and a dust filtering case disposed at a forward portion of said hood for allowing ambient cooling air to be drawn into said radiator, the dust filtering case surrounding at least a part of the radiator and having a net portion on at least one side thereof, the net portion extending rearwardly beyond a front surface of said radiator.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Kazuo Samejima, Hironori Tsuchihashi, Teruo Shimamura, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Hiroshi Kawabata, Takeshi Komorida
-
Patent number: 7458602Abstract: A motorcycle trailer converts between a single mode, for towing one motorcycle, and a dual mode for towing two motorcycles. In the single mode, a longitudinal frame includes a front member, a center member and a rear member which assemble to provide an elongate, narrow platform with a tire channel for receiving the front and rear wheels of a motorcycle. Left and right wheel assemblies each include a wheel with a tire, an axle and an axle extension that slides into an axle sleeve fixed to the underside of the longitudinal frame. A straight coupler is fitted to the front member for hitching the assembled trailer to a tow vehicle. In the dual mode, two assembled longitudinal frames, each having the front member, center member and rear member, are positioned in parallel spaced relation and an axle extension is connected between the axle sleeves.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Trailer In A Bag, Inc.Inventor: Robert Maxwell
-
Patent number: 7455306Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a wheeled vehicle, in which the vehicle has a frame, includes an integral arm structure that includes an attachment member for connecting the integral arm structure to the vehicle frame. A flexible transition member is connected to and extends from the attachment member and a body is connected to and extends from the transition member The flexible transition member may be generally curved or angular and enables pivotal movement of the integral arm structure and cooperates with the body to distribute forces encountered by the axle/suspension system The body may be a truss structure or a solid body, which may include a member that replaces a conventional axle tube. Optionally, two axle/suspension integral arm structures may be used to capture a conventional axle tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.Inventors: John Edward Ramsey, Jeffrey R Wittlinger
-
Patent number: 7455139Abstract: A vehicle safety lighting and signaling system includes a transmitting unit and multiple remote receiving units, each having a lighting and audible element, and that receive signals from the transmitting unit and selectively activates its signaling elements according to a predetermined signal response directed by the transmitting unit. The receiving unit includes a central processor that selectively decodes transmitted signals received from the transmitting unit and provides signals to a driver circuit that activate a visual signal, and audible signal, or both. A receiving unit may have an integral base affixed to an adjustable band, clothing or motorcycle, and that receiving unit is detachable from the base for charging and/or programming. The remote receiving units may include a band that is expandable for positioning about a cycle riders' arm or leg, and includes one or more lighting elements responsive to receiving a predetermined signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Inventor: Richard Cheng Lee
-
Patent number: 7455134Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Paice LLCInventors: Alex J. Severinsky, Theodore Louckes
-
Patent number: 7452000Abstract: A folding trailer may be selectively moved between an extended or use position and a collapsed or storage position. The folding trailer may include an axle that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the axle is generally aligned along an axis and a second position in which the axle is disposed in a folded configuration. The axle is preferably located in generally the same plane in the first and second positions. In addition, the axle preferably moves in a generally rearward direction when the axle is moved from the first to the second position. The trailer may also include a bed that is capable of being moved between a first position in which first and second portions of the bed are generally aligned with a first plane and a second position in which the first and second portions of the bed are disposed in a folded position and generally aligned with a second plane. The axle and bed are preferably disposed in the first positions when the trailer is in the use position.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.Inventors: David C. Winter, Brandon Smith, S. Curtis Nye, Mitch Johnson, Jered Larsen, Doug Fuller
-
Patent number: 7451839Abstract: A system and method are described for powering a vehicle using radio frequency (“RF”) signals. For example, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: positioning a plurality of RF generators beneath the road surface of a roadway, the RF generators configured to transmit RF signals in the direction of vehicles traveling over the roadway; coupling a rectenna on a vehicle, the rectenna configured to receive the RF signals transmitted from the RF generators and to generate power from the RF signals; and using the power generated by the rectenna to power the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Rearden, LLCInventor: Stephen G. Perlman
-
Patent number: 7451992Abstract: A mobility device includes at least a first front leg and at least a first rear leg connected to the first front leg connected to the first front leg. The first rear leg includes an upper member having a first end a second end and a lower member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the upper member is pivotally connected to the first end of the lower member, and the lower member is preferably pivotal between an extended use position and a folded storage position.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Inventor: Phillip Minyard Willis
-
Patent number: 7448458Abstract: An electric drive for a vehicle or other machine having a rotatable drive mechanism, in which the torque output of an electric motor is coupled to drive a main generator through a planetary gear set, the electrical output of the main generator is supplied to the motor to drive the motor, and a reaction torque produced in the planetary gear set from the driving of the generator is coupled to drive the vehicle wheels or other motion means. The reaction torque produced in the planetary gear set in response to the generator torque is greater than the electric motor torque input. Start-up and make-up power for the electric motor are provided by an onboard battery recharged by an auxiliary onboard generator, or by the auxiliary onboard generator.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Inventor: John Fred Meyer
-
Patent number: 7448633Abstract: A pediatric assistance device useful in enabling a pediatric patient to participate in developmental and social stimulus during medical interventions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Inventor: Mary Patrice Mollick
-
Patent number: 7448641Abstract: A device for the adjustable fastening of an accessory on a gliding board, which comprises a base comprising means for fastening the accessory and which accommodates a bar having a toothed part suitable for positioning in a complementary toothed part secured to the gliding board, which device comprises a crank that can rotate within the base and one end of which is connected to a lever, and wherein the bar has one degree of freedom and a part in contact with the bent part of the crank, so that a first position of the lever corresponds to the low position of the toothed part and a second position corresponds to a high position of the toothed part.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Look Fixations S.A.Inventors: Thierry Buquet, Frédéric Farges, Hans-J Horn, Christian Lucas, Gérard Thomas
-
Patent number: 7448460Abstract: A power take-off for an electric vehicle. The power take-off includes a variable speed electric motor for driving at least one wheel of the vehicle. A transmission, including a neutral state, coupled to the electric motor. An auxiliary output shaft is coupled to the transmission. When the transmission is in the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed independent of wheel speed and dependent on the electric motor speed. When the transmission is operably engaged in other than the neutral state, the auxiliary output shaft will operate at a speed related to both the electric motor speed and the wheel speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventors: Jon J. Morrow, Martin Schimke, Christopher K. Yakes