Patents Examined by Conan D Duda
  • Patent number: 11180212
    Abstract: A fluid flow control structure is provided for a telescopic apparatus of a human powered vehicle. The fluid flow control structure basically comprises a first tube, a second tube and a positioning structure. The second tube is telescopically coupled to the first tube to move in an axial direction. The positioning structure includes first, second and third fluid chambers, and a valve that defines a port that is selectively opened and closed. The valve includes a valve body that is movable relative to a valve seat in the axial direction to change a valve state between a closed state and an open state. The valve body fluidly separates the first and second fluid chambers in the closed state and to fluidly connect the first and second fluid chambers in the open state. The third fluid chamber includes a compressible fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 11148712
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a reducer of an electric power steering apparatus. The present embodiments provide a reducer of an electric power steering apparatus, comprising: a first bearing configured to be coupled to one end of the worm shaft on one side where a motor shaft is connected, among both ends of the worm shaft; a second bearing configured to be coupled to the opposite end of the worm shaft; a plug bolt configured to have a seating groove formed on a support surface for axially supporting the first bearing and configured to have an outer circumferential surface coupled to a gear housing; and a damper configured to support an end of the first bearing and configured to be coupled to the seating groove of the plug bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 11097768
    Abstract: A supplemental turning function-equipped hub unit includes: a hub unit body including a hub bearing; and a unit support member configured to be mounted through a suspension device, the unit support member supporting the hub unit body through rotation-permitting support components at two upper and lower portions of the hub unit body such that the hub unit body is rotatable about a supplemental turning axis. A supplemental turning force receiving part is provided on a side part of the hub unit body, which part is configured to receive a force that causes the hub unit body to rotate about the supplemental turning axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ooba, Tomomi Ishikawa, Kentaro Nishikawa, Satoshi Utsunomiya, Yusuke Ohata, Taisuke Igi, Norio Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11097793
    Abstract: A track assembly to be mounted on a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, a drive wheel rotationally mounted to the frame, a front idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, a rear idler wheel assembly mounted to the frame, and a track mounted around the front idler wheel assembly, the rear idler wheel assembly, and the drive wheel, and being in driving engagement with the drive wheel. The track has a plurality of traction lugs distributed along an outer surface of the track. Each traction lug of the plurality of traction lugs has a height in a range of 1.6 inches to 2.5 inches. A distance between a foremost point on the outer surface of the track and a rearmost point on the outer surface of the track is between 54 inches and 65 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC., BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Louis-Frederic Marchildon, Patrick L'Herault, Allen Bernais
  • Patent number: 11084340
    Abstract: A hitch assembly adapted to facilitate an articulation of a second frame relative to a first frame of an articulated machine includes a housing, a shaft member, and a pin member. The housing has a cavity, and is adapted to be coupled to the first frame through first fasteners. The shaft member has a through-hole and is received into the cavity, and is rotatable relative to the cavity and the housing to facilitate an oscillation of the second frame relative to the first frame. The pin member is received into the through-hole, and is rotatable relative to the through-hole and the shaft member to facilitate the articulation of the second frame relative to the first frame. The pin member is adapted to be coupled to the second frame through second fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Adrian Jarrod Webb, James White
  • Patent number: 11084520
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for use in a vehicle equipped with a steer-by-wire system includes a shaft, a first reaction force member, and a second reaction force member. The shaft is configured to be able to rotate with rotation of a steering wheel disposed in a vehicle compartment. The first reaction force member is configured to apply a first reaction force in a direction opposite to a direction of the rotation of the shaft. The second reaction force member is configured to be able to apply and stop applying a second reaction force to the shaft. The second reaction force is different from the first reaction force and applied in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation of the shaft. The second reaction force member applies the second reaction force when there is a decrease in the first reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichiro Tsukasaki
  • Patent number: 11052001
    Abstract: A mobile chair apparatus is described that comprises a drive assembly that preferably includes one or more moveable foot pedals, and drive wheels which rotate in response to rotation of the foot pedals by the mobile chair occupant, and a steering assembly which comprises two steering wheels and at least one tiller, configured such that forward and backward movement of said tiller will translate into movement of both steering wheels, wherein the drive assembly and the steering assembly concurrently enable the mobile chair occupant to propel and steer the mobile chair apparatus without assistance from another person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: VELOCHAIR GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Simons
  • Patent number: 11046363
    Abstract: A front fork (4) of a motor vehicle, comprising a first lining (24), a first stem (28) and a second lining (48), wherein the first stem (28) slides axially inside the first lining (24) along a first sliding axis, the first stem (28) and the first lining (24) are associated one to one hub (32) for rotatably housing the rotation pin of an axle journal of a wheel and the other to a steering column (40) by means of a bracket (44), or vice versa, the second lining (48) is integral in rotation with the first lining (24), is arranged so that, with respect to a projection plane perpendicular to the first sliding axis, the projection area of the first lining (24) is eccentrically contained in the projection area of the second lining (48), and is integrally attached to said hub (32) or to said steering column (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Raffaelli
  • Patent number: 11046132
    Abstract: A bicycle trailer latch comprises a skewer engaging surface that is desirably at least in part spherical, such as hemispherical. When engaging a bicycle skewer at the rear wheel of a bicycle, the spherical engagement surface allows more freedom of movement of the bicycle trailer relative to the skewer during towing. This enhances the trailers ability to track the movement of the bicycle. The latch can comprise a housing with a housing opening sized to receive the end portion of the bicycle wheel skewer. A stop inside the housing is pivotal to stop closed and stop open positions. In the stop closed position, the housing opening is sufficiently to block the decoupling of the latch from bicycle skewer. In the stop open position, the stop opens the housing opening sufficiently to permit passage of the end portion of the skewer through the housing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Burley Design LLC
    Inventors: Mike Dotsey, Evan Aamodt, Andrew J. Miller, Patrick Nolan, Noah Dingler, Sarah Campbell, Lindsay Malatesta, Erin H. Morrissey, Scott Spence, Jon Anderegg
  • Patent number: 10994793
    Abstract: A tie down apparatus that may be utilized for securing an item, such as a safety chain, wherein the tie down apparatus may be used with a hitch mounting system. In one embodiment, the tie down apparatus may include a receiving member, a tie down member, and a locking member. The receiving member may include an opening located there through. The tie down member may include at least one aperture, wherein the locking member may extend therethrough. The locking member may selectively engage the receiving member. The locking member may include a head that engages with a safety chain member positioned on the tie down apparatus to prevent disengagement between the locking member and the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: Brian Ward
  • Patent number: 10988191
    Abstract: A load transporting apparatus may be steered while transporting a load across a base surface, and the load transporting apparatus may be operated hydraulically, electrically, or by use of an encoder. In particular, the load transporting apparatus may include a track configured to a saddle housing (a support movement for a movement assembly), and a foot that may be connected to the track. During load transport, the pad saver may be maintained in a substantially similar position relative to a frame structure supporting the load, even when the transport movement is not in a parallel direction to the orientation of the pad saver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hydraulic Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Carl Flynt Higginbotham, III
  • Patent number: 10987983
    Abstract: A towing safety device is attached to a tow or winch line to dampen the recoil of a line if connecting hardware fails during towing or pulling. The dampener comprises a reversibly closable opening and may be stored empty and folded in a vehicle when not in use. When filled with weighted matter, such as sand, soil or stones found in the field and attached to the towing hardware and tow line at two points, the towing safety device is deployed to avoid or reduce the likelihood of injury or property damage that can occur with a freely ricocheting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventor: Abdulhameed Fouad Alkhateeb
  • Patent number: 10982721
    Abstract: A first concave-convex portion of a first transmission member is engaged with an intermediate concave-convex portion of an intermediate transmission member with a circumferential gap being therebetween. A second concave-convex portion of a second transmission member is engaged with the intermediate concave-convex portion with a circumferential gap being therebetween. A first elastic member and a second elastic member are engaged with a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of the intermediate transmission member such that separation between the intermediate transmission member and the first elastic member and the second elastic member can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Ryou Oosawa, Toru Segawa, Toru Ishii
  • Patent number: 10966888
    Abstract: A conveyance to carry humans, such as a wheelchair, is described having levers on each side of the wheelchair that are manually moved forward and backward to propel the conveyance. The levers are connected to a tooth clutch mechanism that allow the user to shift into forward, reverse or neutral, brake, and change mechanical advantage (gear ratio), all this without removing the user's hands from the drive levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas G. Robins
  • Patent number: 10960923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic steering facility for mobile systems, with a steering circuit for a steering facility and a working circuit for a working hydraulic system, whereby the steering circuit and the working hydraulic system are connected to a supply pump via a shared flow dividing valve and the flow dividing valve is connected to a load signal connection of the steering device. It is provided that the steering facility has an adjustable input choke that is connected via an inflow connection of the steering facility to the flow dividing valve, between the load signal connection and downstream of the input choke, a parallel circuit consisting of a choke and an adjustable second load signal choke is arranged, and the load signal connection is further connected via an adjustable first load signal choke to a return flow connection of the steering facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions Parchim GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Bergmann, Manfred Schildmann, Hartmut Vossberg
  • Patent number: 10953948
    Abstract: A cable routing system of a bicycle, including a stem having a receiving space and an engaging hole communicating with the receiving space, a frame, a fork, an expander, and at least one cable. A head tube of the frame has a top portion having an upper mounting hole and a bottom portion having a lower mounting hole. The fork sequentially passes through the lower mounting hole, the upper mounting hole, and the engaging hole to be connected to the stem. The expander is disposed in a steering tube of the fork and has at least one cable passage communicating with the receiving space and the engaging hole. The cable extends into the steering tube from outside by passing through the receiving space and the cable passage. An end of the cable is connected to a bicycle controller, and another end thereof is connected to a bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark Vandermolen, Hung-Mao Gu
  • Patent number: 10933941
    Abstract: An improved rear suspension for a two wheeled vehicle. The improved rear suspension includes a rear triangle connected to a wheel. The rear triangle is connected to the front triangle by an upper linkage. A biasing member, such as a shock absorber, typically a spring and damper, is connected to the front triangle and functionally connected to the rear triangle, either directly or indirectly. The rear triangle is further connected to the front triangle by a pivoting connection. The pivoting connection can be a eccentric pivot. Alternatively the pivoting connection can be a pivot connection located on the front triangle and a pivot connection located on the rear triangle and connected by a lower linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Damon Madsen
  • Patent number: 10926825
    Abstract: A cart includes a hub, a frame, and at least one handlebar. The frame includes a first segment and a second segment, and the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are each supported by the hub. The hub defines a rotational axis and at least two of the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are rotatable about the rotational axis relative to each other and the hub. At least one wheel is on the first segment and at least one wheel is on the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Gloabl Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Torsten Gerhardt, Christoph Rueberg, Bruce Southey
  • Patent number: 10918543
    Abstract: A tracked powered chair is described. A side drive assembly comprises a powered sprocket, a forward non-powered two wheel bogey, and a rearward non-powered two wheel bogey. Each bogey has a respective pivot member pivotally fastened at a first pivot member end between the first and second bogey wheels, and a second pivot member end fastened to the frame such that the forward and rearward bogey each pivot independently from one another around its respective pivot member. The geometry of the drive assembly creates a non-isosceles shaped triangular appearance (no two sides are of equal length).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph Shea
  • Patent number: 10912688
    Abstract: A wheelchair includes a frame, a seat attached to the frame, a first forward wheel on a first side of the frame and a second forward wheel on a second side of the frame, a first rearward wheel on the first side of the frame and a second rearward wheel on the second side of the frame, a first drive wheel on the first side of the frame positioned intermediate between the first forward wheel and the first rearward wheel and a second drive wheel on the second side of the frame positioned intermediate between the second forward wheel and the second rearward wheel, and actuators to independently control the vertical position of the first forward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the second forward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the first rearward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the second rearward wheel relative to the frame, the vertical position of the first drive wheel relative to the frame and the vertical position of the second drive wheel relati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: The United States Government As Represented By The Department of Veterans Affairs, University of Pittsburgh—Of The Commonwealth System Of Higher Education
    Inventors: Rory Alan Cooper, Hongwu Wang, Cheng-Shiu Chung, Jorge Luis Candiotti, Garrett G. Grindle, Jonathan L. Pearlman, Brandon Joseph Daveler