Patents Examined by Felicia L Brittman
  • Patent number: 12145663
    Abstract: A rack-driven electric power assisted steering device includes a rack bar which axially slides in a rack housing and has an outer circumferential screw groove formed at the outer circumferential surface thereof; a ball nut which has an inner circumferential screw groove formed at the inner circumferential surface thereof and corresponding to the outer circumferential screw groove of the rack bar, and has a ball circulation passage formed between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces thereof, the ball circulation passage passing through the ball nut in the axial direction; end caps coupled to ends of the ball circulation passage, each of the end caps having a ball return hole provided to circulate balls through the ball circulation passage, the outer circumferential screw groove, and the inner circumferential screw groove; and a support member coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the ball nut while axially supporting the end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: HL MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jong Baek Lee
  • Patent number: 12145674
    Abstract: Ride-on outdoor power equipment includes one or more batteries, one or more electric traction motors electrically connected to the one or more batteries, one or more user input devices, a plurality of sensors, and a controller in communication with the one or more batteries, the electric traction motors and the one or more user input devices, the controller configured to control the electric traction motors to operate the ride-on outdoor power equipment based on inputs received via the user input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, David Schulenberg, Scott Funke, Steve Avery, Steve Weber, Brian Poirier, Jacob Schmalz
  • Patent number: 12145668
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to redundant steering system, including a first steering knuckle rotatable with respect to a first steering axis, a first steering cylinder, a first steering rod coupled to the first steering cylinder, a second steering cylinder, and a second steering rod coupled to the second steering cylinder. The first steering rod and the second steering rod are each rotatably coupled to the first steering knuckle at a distance from the first steering axis and at different positions along the first steering axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Nicola Tessaro, Davide Deimichei, Efrem Rusconi, Gianluca Terrasi
  • Patent number: 12144767
    Abstract: An adjustable wheelchair and components thereof are provided. The wheelchair may include a first chassis connected to a first wheel on a first side of the wheelchair. The first chasses may include a first strut configured to laterally translate while supporting a seat. The wheelchair may further include a second chassis connected to a second wheel on a second side of the wheelchair. The second chasses may include a second strut configured to laterally translate while supporting the seat. A jack may be connected to the first chasses and second chasses. The jack may operatively cause the first and second chassis expand away from each other and contract toward each other to vary a width between the first side and second side of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Quinn Alexander Joyce, Eric Eagon
  • Patent number: 12139207
    Abstract: A steering reaction force generation device for a vehicle may include a housing; a transfer shaft part rotatably installed in the housing, and disposed coaxially with a steering shaft; a stator part fixed to the inside of the housing; a rotor part connected to the transfer shaft part, and configured to rotate the transfer shaft part through an electromagnetic interaction with the stator part; and a power transfer part installed in the rotor part, and configured to transfer a rotational force of the transfer shaft part to the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Il Ryong Kim
  • Patent number: 12115111
    Abstract: A patient transport apparatus operable by a user for transporting a patient along stairs. A seat section is coupled to a support structure supporting a track assembly having a belt. A motor selectively generates torque to drive the belt. A user interface is arranged for engagement by the user, and has a direction input control for selecting a drive direction of the motor, and an activation input control for operating the motor to drive the belt. A controller in communication with the motor and the user interface is configured to limit operation of the motor in response to user engagement of the activation input control preceding engagement of the direction input control to prevent driving the belt, and to permit operation of the motor in response to user engagement of the activation input control following engagement of the direction input control to drive the belt in a selected drive direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac A. Schaberg, Daniel V. Brosnan, Cory P. Herbst, Nathan W. Matheny, Trey Thomas Pfeiffer, Kelly Sandmeyer, Melvin Gottschalk, Jr., Jason Anthony Vanderplas, Erik P. Eagleman, Jeffrey R. Staszak, John Wallace, Scott Zufall
  • Patent number: 12115112
    Abstract: A device for supporting a wheelchair includes a frame and a support system. The first end of the frame is attached to an axle of the wheelchair. The second end of the frame is attached to a wheel for allowing translation of the device over a surface. The support system is coupled to the frame and may be positioned to catch a back of the wheelchair upon reclining of the wheelchair during a wheelie. The position of the support system with respect to the frame is adjustable in order to catch the wheelchair at varying angles of reclining. As the user of a wheelchair develops skill in performing a wheelie, the position of the support system may be moved further away from the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
    Inventors: Amy Huckstep, Elizabeth Ann Petersen, Jacob Wat, Melanie Claire Galantino, Justin Omid Navadzadeh, Jose Roberto Roches, Kevin Brenner
  • Patent number: 12110074
    Abstract: A bicycle training aid device comprising a cantilevered handle member for grasping by a user and guiding and/or supporting a bicycle, the cantilevered handle member disposed laterally adjacent to and extending in a direction outwardly away from a rear wheel of the bike and is retained on the frame of the bicycle using a plurality of attachment plates, wherein the plurality of attachment plates are configured to be coupled together with fasteners and each having a plurality clips configured to receive frame members on the frame of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Inventor: Shaun Greene
  • Patent number: 12110078
    Abstract: A power switching structure includes an input shaft, a detection shaft sleeve fit over the input shaft, an assisting power assembly, and an output assembly selectively drivable by the input shaft and the assisting power assembly. The output assembly includes first and transmission sleeves rotatably mounted to the input shaft. The assisting power assembly includes a power member rotatably mounted to the second transmission sleeve. A one-way bearing is arranged between the first and second transmission sleeves and the power member. An output member is mounted on the second transmission sleeve. A micro-motion static frictional force is induced between the first and second transmission sleeves and the input shaft to allow the detection shaft sleeve to directly and accurately measure a torque value of the input shaft. The one-way bearing arranged between the first and second transmission sleeves and the power member allows for selection among sources of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Inventor: Li-Ho Yao
  • Patent number: 12103608
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include steering circuits utilizing a controllable cross-feed loop between left and right drive motor sides of an articulated power machine to reduce skidding caused by a turning operation in which an articulation actuator changes an articulation joint angle between a front frame member and a rear frame member of the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Doosan Bobcat North America Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Zent, Daniel J. Krieger
  • Patent number: 12103613
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer drive unit in the form of a caravan mover comprising a motor 16 (drive means/drive device), a head 14 housing a roller 20 which are linked together by a gear mechanism 22. Specifically, the present invention provides a support and drive transmission system 22 located centrally on the roller 20 with the roller 20 being provided by a first lateral portion/roller 19 and a second lateral portion/roller 21. In this arrangement, the length of the lateral roller 10 portions 19, 21 are individually shorter than a single roller such that the torque created in the central drive transmission portion is significantly less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: PURPLE LINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan Harrison, Ben Hawkins
  • Patent number: 12097731
    Abstract: A system for automated trailer weight distribution, including: A system for automated trailer weight distribution, having a tow vehicle with a hitch mount having a spring bar. The system may also include a trailer and a spring bar mount disposed on the trailer and having an initial position relative to the trailer, where the spring bar mount is configured to receive and engage the spring bar. Furthermore, a weight distribution measurement device disposed in association with the tow vehicle and being configured and arranged to determine a weight distribution of the tow vehicle when the spring bar is engaged with the spring bar mount and a weight distribution actuator can be configured and arranged to adjust the height of the spring bar mount while engaged with the spring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Dexter Axle Company LLC
    Inventors: Jed K. Anderson, David F. Lundgreen, Jason R. Harper
  • Patent number: 12090513
    Abstract: Techniques related to retroreflective surface layers for micro-mobility transit vehicles are disclosed. A retroreflective surface layer may be formed over at least a portion of a component of a micro-mobility transit vehicle by forming a powder coat layer over the portion of the component and baking the powder coat layer to cure the powder coat layer. An uncured clear coat layer may be formed over the powder coat layer. The uncured clear coat layer may be impregnated with a plurality of glass beads via an air-pressure applicator. The uncured clear coat layer impregnated with the glass beads may be baked to cure the clear coat layer. The retroreflective surface layer may include the powder coat layer, clear coat layer, and the plurality of glass beads distributed within the clear coat layer. The retroreflective surface layer may reflect incident light back to its source with minimal scattering of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Abel Lopez, III, Emerson Kelby Halbach, Jeffrey Alan Boyd, Merric-Andrew Jaranowski French, Rochus Emanuel Jacob, Oliver Maximilian Mueller
  • Patent number: 12090098
    Abstract: A wheelchair towing coupler that connects a wheelchair for towing behind a bicycle or other vehicle by connecting the wheelchair to a structural member of the vehicle or to an existing towing hitch, that enables towing the wheelchair while occupied by a seated user and that also provides the wheelchair user with the ability to decouple from the vehicle to operate the wheelchair independently as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventor: Sean Donahue
  • Patent number: 12084145
    Abstract: Embodiments include an off-road vehicle with a straddle seat, a plurality of ground engaging members, a prime mover and a frame having a removable frame portion overlying the prime mover, wherein at least a portion of the engine extends above at least a portion of the removable frame portion, and wherein at least a portion of the straddle seat extends over the removable frame portion and the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Sorenson, Brent Gilge, Chuck Simenson, Christopher J. Evans, Todd Ethan MacDonald
  • Patent number: 12059947
    Abstract: A mobile object includes drive parts each having one side coupled to each wheel, in which the drive part includes: a first motor including a first rotary shaft and configured to rotate a respective one of the wheels about the first rotary shaft; a second motor including a second rotary shaft spaced apart from the first rotary shaft in a radial direction of the respective one of the wheels, the second motor being configured to rotate the respective one of the wheels about the second rotary shaft; and a third motor including a third rotary shaft extending in a direction intersecting the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft, the third motor being configured to steer the respective one of the wheels about the third rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Geun Sang Yu, Hun Keon Ko, Joo Young Chun, Eun Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 12054214
    Abstract: A dropper seatpost with double gas chambers is revealed. The dropper seatpost mainly includes a hydraulic inner tube and an outer tube in which the hydraulic inner tube is moveably mounted. A second gas chamber is formed between the hydraulic inner tube and the outer tube. While increasing a height of a saddle mounted above the hydraulic inner tube, pressure of high-pressure gas in the second gas chamber not only improves speed and fluency of the hydraulic inner tube being lifted, but also optimizes concentricity and side force resistance of both the hydraulic inner tube and the outer tube. The high-pressure gas in the second gas chamber also reduces abnormal sound produced by bubbles. Each of two ends of the outer tube is provided with a seal member for protecting the outer tube from pollutants outside. Thereby both durability and service life are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Turnon Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Tung
  • Patent number: 12049103
    Abstract: A rotary drive device in a mobile body includes a main wheel and a pair of drive assemblies opposing each other and each driving the main wheel. The main wheel includes driven rollers. One of the pair of drive assemblies includes a motor, a motor case, a drive force transmission, and driving rollers. The driving rollers are in the drive force transmission along a circumferential direction, and contact at least a portion of the driven rollers from one side of the rotary drive device of the axial direction. The drive force transmission rotates to transmit a drive force of the motor to the main wheel via the driving rollers. At least a portion of the motor case opposes at least a portion of the driving rollers in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignees: NIDEC-SHIMPO CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Taihei Tsubone, Kyohei Haizumi, Wataru Yada, Tomokazu Sakamoto, Takeshi Echizenya, Seiji Kato
  • Patent number: 12049282
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Inventors: Dong Won Lee, Youngtack Shim
  • Patent number: 12036910
    Abstract: The equipment trailer has an A-frame on the front end thereof; a hitch on a forward end of that A-frame and a mechanical landing gear on a back end of the A-frame. This equipment trailer also has a pneumatic landing gear mounted to the A-frame between the hitch and the mechanical landing gear. The mechanical landing gear is operable for hitching and unhitching the equipment trailer to and from the truck at overnight parking locations, and the pneumatic landing gear is operable for hitching and unhitching the equipment trailer to and from the truck at job site locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Inventor: Gary Belliveau