Patents Examined by Drew J. Brown
  • Steering control system having a telescoping steering wheel rim
    Patent number: 11745786
    Abstract: A steering control system includes a hub connectable to a steering shaft defining a steering axis. An airbag receiving zone is formed in the hub. A steering wheel is connected to the hub, the steering wheel includes a central hub member, a plurality of spokes each having a first end extending from the central hub member and a second end, and a steering wheel rim connected to the second end of each of the plurality of spokes. The central hub member being slidably mounted to the hub along the steering axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Houck
  • Running device
    Patent number: 11745812
    Abstract: Provided is a running device including a frame (11) and a first wheel part (15) and a second wheel part (35) arranged with an appropriate distance therebetween along a running direction (R). The first wheel part (15) includes a first left support arm (17) and a first right support arm (26) arranged on the frame (11) in a manner to be swingable within a plane extending along the running direction (R). The second wheel part (35) includes a second support arm (36) arranged on the frame (11) in a manner to be swingable within a plane perpendicular to the running direction (R). The first left support arm (17) has first left wheels (19, 21) respectively on both sides thereof, and the first right support arm (26) has first right wheels (28, 30) respectively on both sides thereof. The second support arm (36) has a second left wheel (38) and a second right wheel (40) respectively on both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Nagasue, Ryota Maeda, Masaaki Nakagawa, Hideaki Tanaka
  • Damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems
    Patent number: 11745557
    Abstract: A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a first chamber and a second chamber and at least one opening between the first chamber and second chamber to provide restricted fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. An adsorptive material is disposed within the first chamber or the second chamber and works in conjunction with the at least one opening to provide damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Damon Delorenzis, Jeff R. Zawacki
  • Airbag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system, and method for operating a vehicle occupant restraint system comprising such an airbag module
    Patent number: 11738708
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system (12), comprising an airbag (14), an inflator (18), a shaping tether (22) for influencing the airbag deployment geometry which is connected to the airbag (14) at one tether end, and comprising a port release tether (20) which is connected to a discharge port closure (26) of the airbag (14) at one tether end, wherein the port release tether (20) is connected to the discharge port closure (26) so that it releases a discharge port (28) of the airbag (14) from a predetermined tensile tether force, and wherein an activatable tether release device (24) coupled both to the shaping tether (22) and to the port release tether (20) is provided for actively releasing the tethers (20, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventor: Óscar Ugarte Alba
  • Work vehicle
    Patent number: 11738814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a work vehicle having a load carrier deck provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body to be vertically pivotable between an elevated discharging posture and a lowered load carrying posture. An engine section is provided under the load carrier deck. The engine section includes an engine, an exhaust muffler for the engine, and a muffler heat insulating cover for covering an outer circumference of the exhaust muffler. The muffler heat insulating cover is supported by a vehicle body frame via an anti-vibration member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiki Ono, Hiroki Bessho, Yuichiro Kimura, Rei Tokuda
  • Agent injection system, an airbag apparatus, a process of filling a suspension airbag, a process of repairing a suspension airbag, and methods of use
    Patent number: 11731475
    Abstract: A moveable subframe system, a slider box improvement system, an agent injection system, an airbag apparatus, a process of filling a suspension airbag, a process of repairing a suspension airbag, and methods of use are presented. The present disclosure provides an apparatus, process, manufacturing method, and methods of use for an airbag and/or airbag replacement for an air ride suspension system. The disclosure may include replacement and/or new installation of a no-flat airbag to be used in an air suspension system, thus reducing waste and costs associated with suspension system repair. Utilizing the system and process disclosed herein, a broken and/or punctured airbag of an existing airbag suspension system is repaired and utilized in operation. Furthermore, the system provides for utilizing new airbags in the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Denis Cowley
  • Rear end steering and mounting system
    Patent number: 11731691
    Abstract: A steering and suspension assembly for the rear wheels of an off-road vehicle includes: a) a first suspension component; b) a first steering component; c) a CV axle; d) a portal box assembly; e) a hydraulic steering assembly for moving the first steering component a distance effective to turn the vehicle at least 2° in either direction when the assembly is mounted to a wheel hub; f) a first suspension connection bracket for connecting the first suspension component to the rear wall of the portal box assembly; and g) a first steering connection bracket for connecting the first steering component to the rear wall of the portal box assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventor: Justin Eaton
  • Recirculating ball track telescope interface assembly for steering column
    Patent number: 11731684
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes a first support structure. The axially adjustable steering column assembly also includes a second support structure, wherein the first support structure is axially adjustable relative to the second support structure in a telescoping manner. The axially adjustable steering column assembly further includes a plurality of telescope interface assemblies disposed between the first support structure and the second support structure. Each of the telescope interface assemblies include a track formed in at least one of the first support structure and the second support structure. Each of the telescope interface assemblies also includes a plurality of metal balls disposed in the track to provide a rolling interface between the first support structure and the second support structure during axial adjustment therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Haubenstricker, Eric D. Pattok, John S. Beam
  • Mounting assembly for a steerable wheel with variable track width
    Patent number: 11730073
    Abstract: A wheel-mounting assembly for a utility vehicle includes a chassis and a wheel support assembly mounted to respective outboard ends of first and second telescopic axle assemblies. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies are laterally spaced from one another and are each secured to the chassis. The first and second telescopic axle assemblies each include a respective actuator arranged to control extension and retraction thereof for steering and track-width control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Aron Crowley
  • Stabilizer for vehicle
    Patent number: 11731481
    Abstract: There is provided a stabilizer for a vehicle, including a torsion bar fixed to a car body and configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of rotation without changing a position, two arm links connected to both ends of the torsion bar, and two drive links connected to each of the two arm links through a ball joint so as to be able to be rotated three-dimensionally, in which the two drive links are configured to, during cornering of the vehicle, adjust a degree of torsion of the torsion bar by rotating about an axis of rotation of a strut assembly or a steering knuckle connected to the two drive links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Soon Gil Jang
  • Cylinder boot for axle of industrial vehicle
    Patent number: 11724541
    Abstract: A cylinder boot for an axle of an industrial vehicle includes a cylinder boot body, a rod-side fixing portion, a cylinder-side fixing portion, and a detection portion. The cylinder boot covers a cylinder rod of a steering hydraulic cylinder. The cylinder boot body has a contractable portion that is contractable in response to a stroke of the cylinder rod. The rod-side fixing portion is disposed at one end portion of the cylinder boot body and fixed to a distal end portion of the cylinder rod. The cylinder-side fixing portion is disposed at the other end portion of the cylinder boot body and fixed to a cylinder body of the steering hydraulic cylinder. The detection portion is displaced in a direction in which the cylinder rod extends or contracts, and is detected by a detection sensor disposed on the beam axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Yokei Kawase
  • Steering column and steering apparatus including the same
    Patent number: 11724730
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a steering column disposed in a steering apparatus including a housing cover connected to a drive unit housing and a bearing disposed in the housing cover, the steering column including: a main body elongated in one direction and having one side inserted into and supported by the housing cover; an enlarged diameter portion formed as one side of the main body expands in diameter; and a through-hole penetratively formed in an outer periphery of the enlarged diameter portion so as to be coupled to the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HL Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Jonghan Kim
  • Method and apparatus for responding to road surface discontinuities
    Patent number: 11724555
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are related to suspension systems including dampers and suspension actuators and related methods of control for mitigating the effects of potholes and other road surface discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Gert-Jan Alexander Vente, Matthew Jo Taylor
  • Airbag device
    Patent number: 11724662
    Abstract: The present invention is an airbag device that is housed in the instrument panel of a vehicle and includes an inflator for generating inflation gas and an airbag that inflates and deploys toward the occupant side via gas released from the inflator. The airbag has a front protection part located in front of the occupant when deployed and a pair of side protruding parts located on the sides of the front protection part in the vehicle width direction and protruding further toward the occupant side than the front protection part. Furthermore, a cross tether extending in the direction intersecting the deployment direction of the airbag and connected to the inner surface of the airbag along with a pair of first front-rear tethers connected to the cross tether at the front ends thereof and connected to the front protection part at the rear ends thereof are provided inside the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Masaru Habu
  • Working part structure of lawnmower
    Patent number: 11716929
    Abstract: A working part (13) of a lawnmower (10) includes a disk (20) rotatably supported by a main body of the lawnmower and configured to be rotated by a power source (15), a blade (36) having a base end portion (46) rotatably attached to an outer peripheral part of the disk via a pivot shaft (32) and a free end portion (47) configured to protrude radially outward from an outer peripheral edge of the disk, and a blade guard (37) having a base end portion (51) rotatably supported by the pivot shaft and a free end portion (52) overlying the free end portion of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Matsuzawa, Kotaro Nakamura
  • Self-balancing device for self-propelled off-road RV box body
    Patent number: 11718140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-balancing device for self-propelled off-road RV box body. The self-balancing device includes an auxiliary beam body for connecting with a bottom end of the RV box body, a front triangular balance beam body, a rear triangular balance beam body and an axle-holding device for connecting with a RV chassis girder. The front triangular balance beam body and the rear triangular balance beam body are arranged close to both ends of the auxiliary beam body respectively. The axle-holding device is arranged between the front triangular balance beam body and the rear triangular balance beam body. Both the front triangular balance beam body and the rear triangular balance beam body include a hard limit structure for limiting a swing angle of the RV box body. The axle-holding device includes a soft limit structure for horizontally resetting the RV box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: BLACKSERIES INTELLIGENT EQUIPMENT (WEIHAI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xinna Liu, Xiaodong Li, Yongliang Zhu
  • Air suspension system
    Patent number: 11718363
    Abstract: The integrated tank and compressor mounting system for a motorcycle has a mount block which has a mounting face, and a compressor clamp. The mount block has a threaded cylindrical section which forms a tank mount for mounting a tank. The tank has a cylindrical tubular section closed at one end and threaded at the other end such that the tank threads correspond to the mount block threads. The tank provides air for an air suspension which includes a forward suspension unit activated by air and an aft suspension unit activated by air. A supply line connects the tank air volume to an inlet valve on the suspension control unit. The suspension control unit has a cylindrical forward control valve passage and the forward control valve passage has a forward transfer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Vince Costa
  • Moving device
    Patent number: 11718361
    Abstract: To provide a moving device that can be used as a mobility device to transport objects and can be improved in portability. The moving device that is movable with rotation of wheels includes a body unit inflated by injection of fluid and deflated by discharge of the fluid, a support body provided on a predetermined surface of the body unit, and the wheels provided in the support body, wherein the interior of a predetermined portion of the body unit that receives a load from an object contacting the body unit is formed with a drop-stitch structure, and the drop-stitch structure after injection of the fluid has tensile forces in directions approximately perpendicular to the direction of the load applied to the predetermined portion by the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: MERCARI, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Ryosuke Yamamura, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Ryuma Niiyama, Hiroki Sato, Young ah Seong
  • Axially adjustable telescoping steering shaft assembly
    Patent number: 11713067
    Abstract: An axially adjustable steering column assembly includes a first jacket and a second jacket, wherein the first jacket is axially adjustable relative to the second jacket. The steering column assembly also includes a steering shaft assembly disposed within the first jacket and the second jacket. The steering shaft assembly includes first shaft. The steering shaft assembly also includes a second shaft in contact with the first shaft. The steering shaft assembly further includes a third shaft in contact with the second shaft, wherein the first, second and third shaft are axially adjustable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Bonkowski, Jeremy M. Zemla
  • Steering knuckle
    Patent number: 11713072
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a steering knuckle, which has good rigidity and reliability. The steering knuckle includes: a wheel support portion for supporting a wheel; a damper support portion for supporting a damper; and an arm portion for connecting the wheel support portion and the damper support portion. The damper support portion is cylindrical and has a mounting hole through which the damper is inserted, and the arm portion includes a pair of side walls connecting the damper support portion and the wheel support portion and a bottom wall connected between the side walls, and the bottom wall is connected with the side walls at the middle portion in the vertical direction of the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nasu, Koji Takami, Kenichi Hibino