Patents Examined by Donn McGiehan
  • Patent number: 4953652
    Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for motor vehicle including a front wheel steering mechanism for steering front wheels in response to a steering wheel, a rear wheel steering mechanism in accordance with the movement of the front wheels, control unit having driving condition detecting means for detecting a vehicle driving condition and controlling the rear wheel steering mechanism, fail judging section for judging a failure of the control unit and producing a failure signal, and fail-safe control unit for controlling the rear wheel steering mechanism in a manner different from a control under a normal operation of the control unit when the control unit is in an unusual condition, and the fail judging section and/or the fail-safe control unit being provided with a plurality of actuating mechanism wherein each of the actuating mechanism can actuate the fail judging section and the fail-safe control unit independently to position the rear wheels at a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohmura, Takashi Nakashima, Takeshi Murai
  • Patent number: 4923203
    Abstract: A generally hollow bicycle frame of resin impregnated fibrous material having a main tubular portion and a cross tubular portion arranged in an X-shaped geometry as viewed from one side. A rear segment of the main portion may be slit to provide opposing rear stays for receiving a rear wheel assembly therebetween. The main tubular portion connects the head tube and the rear wheel supports and the cross tubular portion connects the bottom bracket and the seat sleeve. Both of these portions may be substantially straight and continuous from end to end and joined by a generally hollow common junction. Alternatively, the common junction may integrally unite a plurality of pre-formed tubular portions corresponding respectively to the supports for the front wheel assembly, the rear wheel assembly, the bottom bracket and the seat. The tubular portions may have round or non-circular aerodynamic cross-sectional shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventors: Brent J. Trimble, Richard H. Trimble
  • Patent number: 4923204
    Abstract: An adjustable king pin assembly for releasably mating with a fifth wheel assembly on a tractor-trailer arrangement. The king pin is secured to a plate which plate is slidably positioned for longitudinal movement with respect to the frame of the trailer in a space between spaced, elongated, longitudinally aligned guide bars. Spaced longitudinally aligned apertures are provided in the plate or guide bars, and an appropriate locking mechanism, secured to the assembly, is releasably movable into locking position in any one of each one of the apertures to securely hold the plate in position against longitudinal movement. An appropriate mechanical control mechanism is provided for moving the locking means from and into locking position. The assembly according to the invention provides an economical and easy-to-operate system for longitudinally positioning the king pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Inventor: Richard Henderson
  • Patent number: 4917406
    Abstract: The invention relates to a length-adjustable holding device (5) for supporting the lower steering arms of a three-point coupling device of an agricultural tractor. The holding device (5) comprises a helical spring (6) and an adjusting member (9). The spring and adjusting member are connectable to each other by means of through-bores (10) in the adjusting member (9) and a pin (11) insertable between two coils (6a, 6b) of the helical spring (6). The axes (12) of the through-bores (10) extend at an angle and the distance between the bores (10) differs from the pitch of the two coils (6a, 6b) in order to achieve a fine length adjustment. The adjusting member (9) is guided via a guiding projection (15) in a bore (16) of a guiding sleeve (14) which is received in the cavity of the helical spring (6) so as to be non-rotatable and axially unmovable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Jean Walterscheid GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Herchenbach, Alfred Frackenpohl, Hermann Rugen
  • Patent number: 4917209
    Abstract: A motorcycle has a frame assembly including a main frame supporting front and rear wheels on a central line thereof. A connecting means mounted on the main frame between the front and rear wheels, and a subframe is mounted on the connecting member and being capable of banking laterally about the connecting member. At least one of the front and rear wheels is a drive wheel. At least the drive wheel is capable of preventing the main frame from banking laterally. Centrifugal forces generated upon cornering are counterbalanced by centripetal forces produced when only the subframe banks laterally. The drive wheel supported on the main frame which does not bank has an increased road gripping force. Thus, high-speed cornering is made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Horiike, Yasuhiko Nakano, Shigetarou Okano, Shigeru Kimura, Masanobu Matsuzaki, Toshiteru Yamamoto, Kenji Ooki, Eiji Hamano, Mikio Kubo
  • Patent number: 4915185
    Abstract: A portable aircraft moving device comprising a portable electric drill containing a drive shaft extending from the drill output shaft to a worm gear reducer having an output shaft connected to a drive wheel that is mounted temporarily to the front wheel of an airplane above the airplane wheel, the drive shaft located inside a straight hollow support tube attached between the drill and the gear reducer, so that by actuating the trigger on the drill, causes the drive shaft to be turned and produce, through the gear reducer, rotation of the drive wheel on an axis parallel to the axis of the airplane's wheel. Pivotal means are employed to allow the drive wheel to be rotated into contact with the airplane wheel, by lowering the drill, to impart rotation to the airplane's wheel and movement to the airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Peter J. Olson
  • Patent number: 4915403
    Abstract: A skateboard has a frame (1) on which a petal (7b) is pivotably mounted. When the pedal (7b) is pressed down its movement is converted via a push rod (16), a crank (26) and a toothed segment (29) into a rotational movement which is transmitted to a gear train (2). The output pinion of the gear train (2) is fixedly connected to the shaft of the two drive rollers (4). The push rod (16), in each case via a ball-and-socket joint (19a, 19b), is connected to both the pedal (7b) and the toothed segment (29) so that the transmission of the drive force is ensured even during tilting of the pedal (7b) caused when riding around curves. This mechanically driveable skateboard has the same height as a conventional skateboard and enables relatively high speeds to be reached while retaining the diverse possibilities such as ease in negotiating curves and maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventors: Charles Wild, Antoine Bregger
  • Patent number: 4911260
    Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine output shaft; a transmission having an input shaft connected to the output shaft and an output shaft connected through a transmission mechanism to the input shaft; a drive gear meshed with an output gear connected to the output shaft of the transmission; a front wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a rear wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a center differential mechanism coaxial with the drive gear and having an input member connected to the drive gear, a first output member connected to the front wheel side power transmitting mechanism, and a second output member connected to the rear wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a front differential gear coaxial with the center differential mechanism and connected to the first output member of the center differential mechanism; a power converting gear mechanism for converting a rotation about a first axis to a rotation about a second axis being perpendicular to the first axis to transmit power to the rear side p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignees: Aisin-Warner Limited, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakatsu Miura, Tatsuya Iwatsuki, Seitoku Kubo
  • Patent number: 4911459
    Abstract: A cradle, having positive buoyancy, and wheels, at the stern, is launched and recovered by a push/pull rod assembly pivotally attached to the forward portion of the cradle platform. Cabling, looping a double pulley forward and a single roller assemble pulley aft, oppositely wound on a reversible drum winch, moves the push/pull rod. A folding stabilizer assembly, doubling as a walk-way between the trailer bed and cradle, is attached at the wing ends of a raised cross tee by pivotally conecting near the tops of two vertical members of the cross tee. Upon the trailer bed, two grooved, parallel rails maintain a close tolerance hold upon a sliding platform assembly. The folding stabilizer is also pivotally attached to this sliding platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: George M. Smyly, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4911458
    Abstract: An improved folding bicycle comprising a folding hinge mechanism as well as a set of foldable handle-bar and a collapsible seat structure. During normal use, the folding hinge mechanism is easily associated with multi-securing effect to ensure the safety of ride. While stored, it can be alternatively unlocked and separated manually, enabling the bicycle to be folded up for reducing the storing room. Furthermore, the set of handle-bar and saddle adjusting device can be used to simply adjust the dimensions of the bicycle to meet the requirement of any use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventors: Chin C. Lin, Mao N. Lin
  • Patent number: 4909343
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system is disclosed which has a steering control valve operatively connected to a steering shaft to be actuated by the torsional torque exerted thereon by a steering wheel, and a hydraulic cylinder operated by the control valve for assisting the steering of the vehicle. An electric motor drive unit is coupled to the steering shaft for exerting torque thereto in a direction for returning the steering wheel to a straight ahead position. An electronic control circuit is connected to the motor drive unit for exerting a variable amount of return torque to the steering shaft according to the steering angle of the steering shaft, or to both the steering angle and the travelling speed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toyohiko Mouri, Saiichiro Oshita, Tsutomu Takahashi, Mitsunori Ishii
  • Patent number: 4909344
    Abstract: In order to be able to use a four-wheel drive of a motor vehicle for different vehicle types without significant changes, it is combined into a compact drive unit. For that purpose, a four-wheel-locking mechanism and a free-wheel device with by-pass clutch are arranged adjacent one another and coaxially to one another inside of a housing surrounding the same which is adapted to be flangedly connected to an axle housing of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Mueller, Klaus Gausrab
  • Patent number: 4909342
    Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22 or 200) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (50) and an actuator assembly (52) connected together by conduits to define closed fluid flow branches (104,106) for moving a piston (90) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (72) in the pump assembly. In one embodiment (22) movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via a cam assembly which effects same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effects opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles. In another embodiment (200), the actuator piston (214) is connected directly to the rear wheel steering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Erlen B. Walton
  • Patent number: 4905783
    Abstract: A vehicular control with differential wheel speed input senses and operates with differential rotation of wheel speeds and uses information obtained from individual wheel speed sensors to control steering and/or suspension systems of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gregory D. Bober
  • Patent number: 4906012
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a self-propelled quadrupedal toy and, more particularly to a quadrupedal toy (toy horse, dog or deer etc.) having a driving mechanism equipped with two protruding handlebars for the rider (children) to operate to let the quadrupedal toy rock or swing or rock and swing. One or two hand brake levers (control levers) are provided to let the rider to freely control the quadrupedal toy for walking forward or backward, or turning leftward or rightward, or for jogging or stopping, in a manner, similar to the motion of riding a real horse or animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Chin-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 4905781
    Abstract: A fluid-cushion-supported pallet or water skate in which the cushion-fluid is generally defined by a multi-part or segmental, flexible skirt, in which the contiguous skirt members have their downwardly and inwardly extending lateral portions flanked by tie portions extending inwardly from the lateral portion toward the space occupied by the fluid-cushion, the contiguous tie portions are secured outwardly of the inner edges to restrict the escape of the cushioning fluid, and the segmental flexible skirt prevents sideways deflection of the skirt segments caused by relative movement between the device and surface over which the device operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: H.S.I. Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Gilbert, Robert R. Henvest
  • Patent number: 4905784
    Abstract: A power-assisted steering system includes a changeover valve unit comprising an input member arranged to be applied with the driver's steering effort and a valve assembly disposed between a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic power cylinder to control the supply of fluid under pressure from the pump to the power cylinder in response to movement of the input member, and a hydraulic reaction mechanism associated with the valve assembly to apply a reaction force to the input member in accordance with a hydraulic reaction pressure applie thereto. The reaction mechanism includes a reaction fluid chamber to be supplied with fluid under pressure from the pump respectively through a fired throttle and a flow control valve. The flow control valve is arranged to act as a fixed throttle valve when the pressure of fluid from the pump is lower than a predetermined value and to act as a constant flow control valve when the pressure of fluid from the pump becomes larger than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4902029
    Abstract: A wheelchair and carrier for a disabled person having a seat and back, and wheels, a carrier integrally formed with the wheelchair extending rearwardly at the back of the seat and back, support wheels on the carrier for supporting the weight of items on the carrier, and, handles associated with the carrier so that a person can push the wheelchair and carrier as a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Wheel Assist Limited
    Inventors: Jerome G. Gain, Brian McLuckie, Gerhard R. Giehler
  • Patent number: 4899841
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a leveling assembly for a work vehicle. The leveling assembly comprises upper and lower plates that are pivotally connected to one another about a horizontal axis. Two trunnion mounted hydraulic cylinders are mounted to the plates for changing the relative angular position of the plates to one another. The upper plate is mounted to the upper structure of the work vehicle, whereas the lower plate is mounted to the undercarriage of the work vehicle. A portion of each trunnion mounted cylinder extends downwardly into the undercarriage of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jerry B. Hawbaker, Dave Kleinschrodt, Ryland H. Eichhorst
  • Patent number: 4900051
    Abstract: A trailer for hauling a boat having a wheel and axle supported frame including a pair of frame members extended rearwardly from a tongue connection in a laterally spaced relationship, a cross member assembly supported on upper surfaces of the frame members, and bunk-type units mounted on the cross member assembly for engageable with a portion of the hull of the boat, the cross member assembly having a non-load bearing pivotal connection with the frame members while supported thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: Byron L. Godbersen