Patents Examined by Felicia L Brittman
  • Patent number: 11618290
    Abstract: Example aspects of a towing system, a towed vehicle assembly, and a method of towing a towed vehicle are disclosed. The towing system can comprise a front lifting mechanism comprising a mounting bracket, a trailer tongue, and a lift connector coupling the trailer tongue to the mounting bracket, the lift connector movable relative to the mounting bracket between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation, the trailer tongue configured to connect a towed vehicle to a driven vehicle; and a rear lifting mechanism comprising a rear lift frame, a rear axle coupled to the rear lift frame, and a rear tow wheel rotatably coupled to the rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Roderick Myrl McWhite
  • Patent number: 11607918
    Abstract: Systems are provided for assisting in towing a trailer by a lead vehicle. A wheeled tow assist unit couples between the lead vehicle and the trailer. A drive unit onboard the tow assist unit drives the wheels in response to a force between the trailer and the tow assist unit. The tow assist unit bears at least a portion of the force required to tow the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Avesta Goodarzi, Ralph D. Schlottke, Grant L. Meade, Norman J. Weigert
  • Patent number: 11602468
    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: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    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: 11603152
    Abstract: A hollow flywheel gyro assembly mounted within the wheel supports of a two wheeled vehicle having a split drive hub for providing continued rotational motion to the hollow flywheel gyro as the vehicle is stopped when the brake is engaged and functioning to create gyroscopic stability about the drive wheel while simultaneously creating a stability enhancing air envelope surrounding the drive wheel and hollow flywheel gyro by the intake of adjacent air through the air intake apertures and the exhaust of that air volume from within the hollow flywheel gyro through air exhaust apertures as the hollow flywheel gyro rotates independently of the drive wheel of the vehicle causing the vehicle to remain in an upright equilibrium with the vehicle stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Raymond A Patrin
  • Patent number: 11603164
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric drive system for a bike comprising a portable electric friction drive device and a bike bracket. A first drive device attachment point is located at a rear part of the friction drive device. A second drive device attachment point is located between the front part of the friction drive device and the rear part of the friction drive device. An inclination control arrangement is configured to control the inclination of the imaginary line between the second drive device attachment point and a contact point of the drive wheel by adjusting the tilt of the friction drive device over the second drive device attachment point. The bike has at least one wheel, comprising the electric drive system, wherein the drive wheel is arranged to be contactable to the tire of said wheel at said contact point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Zipforce AB
    Inventors: Tore Bengtsson, Møns Bengtsson
  • Patent number: 11597427
    Abstract: Steering actuators for vehicles are described herein. An example actuator includes a rack to be coupled to a knuckle of a vehicle, a ball nut coupled to the rack, a ring gear coupled to the ball nut, and a motor with a pinion engaged with the ring gear. The motor is to rotate the ball nut, via the pinion and the ring gear, to move the rack linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Washnock, Soungjin Jason Wou, Jack Barry, Jennifer Laz, Garry Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 11597464
    Abstract: A rod piece connection device, comprising: a first connection piece and a second connection piece. The first connection piece includes a first rod piece connection end and a first joggle joint end opposite to the first rod piece connection end. Wherein, the first joggle joint end includes a protrusion head tongue portion and a neck portion. The second connection piece includes a second rod piece connection end and a second joggle joint end opposite to the second rod piece connection end. The second joggle joint end is located corresponding to the first joggle joint end for them to form into a joggle joint. The second joggle joint end includes a protrusion bottom groove portion and a pillow portion. Wherein the protrusion head tongue portion is disposed corresponding into the protrusion bottom groove portion, and the neck portion is located corresponding to the pillow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Lennart Pieter Middel
  • Patent number: 11597435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drilling rig with a drilling tower, a base structure, on which the drilling tower is arranged, and at least three support units being part of the base structure, each support unit having at least one wheel rotatable around a horizontal wheel axis, wherein at least one of the support units comprises a vertical steering axis, around which the at least one wheel can be turned by a steering drive. The invention further relates to a method for moving such a mobile drilling rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAUER Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Hartl
  • Patent number: 11584470
    Abstract: A cargo bike transport carrier for accommodating cargo includes a bottom element, two mutually opposite side walls, a rear wall and a front wall. To allow for an inexpensive and simple manufacture of the cargo bike transport carrier, according to a preferred embodiment, the latter is made up of two plastic parts each constituting half of the transport carrier, wherein the two halves are separated by a vertical parting plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RTI Sports GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Rasche, Franc Arnold, Arndt Graeve
  • Patent number: 11572130
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal attachment includes an elongated pole, similar to hiking pole, which is removably attachable to the pedals of a bicycle or tricycle. The bike pedal attachment includes a bracket assembly and a pole assembly. The bracket assembly includes a support bracket attachable to a bicycle pedal. The distal end of the support bracket includes a ball joint extend therefrom. The ball joint then serves as an operative connection point for the pole assembly. The pole assembly includes an elongated telescopic pole with a locking mechanism at a distal end. The locking mechanism includes a slidable locking member that engages with the ball joint thereon. Once assembled thereon, the bike pedal attachment allows a user to use their hands eases the cycling motion performed on the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventor: Michael V. Huth
  • Patent number: 11565559
    Abstract: A vehicle hauling apparatus for hauling a second vehicle with a first vehicle includes: a hitch bar for attaching the apparatus to a hitch receiver; a first rail mounted and arranged vertically to the hitch bar; a second rail mounted and arranged to slide vertically along the first rail; a jacking mechanism connecting the first rail to the second rail so as to lift and lower the second rail; a first element of a pivot attached to the second rail; a wheel cradle in which a tire of the second vehicle may be seated; and a second element of the pivot attached to the wheel cradle; whereby the tire of the second vehicle may be rolled along a ground surface into the wheel cradle while the wheel cradle rests on the ground surface and then be raised into a position for hauling by the jacking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: DMA, Corp.
    Inventor: Maroun Youssef Ayoub
  • Patent number: 11541706
    Abstract: A trailer coupler system can include one or more skid plates made from extruded aluminum, one or more support tubes attached to the skid plates, a plurality of struts having a first end attached to the one or more skid plates, a ball housing attached to a second end of at least two of the plurality of struts, a first towball positioned within the ball housing, an adapter sleeve attached to the ball housing, a support plate extending from a support tube or skid plate to the adapter sleeve, an adapter having a kingpin coupler for coupling to a kingpin of a trailer, and a towball coupler for directly coupling with the first towball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Andersen Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Andersen, Ryan B. Andersen
  • Patent number: 11535071
    Abstract: A recreational collapsing/expanding tow bar for towing a vehicle. The tow bar contains a collapsing/expanding middle part and a pair of attachment ends. The attachment ends include a sleeve, fastener, and bar end. The fastener includes a first end, a second end, a ball, and a shaft. The fastener is secured within the sleeve and retained with the bar end. The fastener can be used in a fixed rigid position or a rotational position. The collapsing/expanding middle part is rigid and adjustable to various distances between the towing and towed vehicle, wherein the device is compact in size and easily stored. Additional towing connectors are disclosed to engage a snowmobile and motorcycle for being towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Robert J Ramstad
  • Patent number: 11528834
    Abstract: A hitch assembly includes a vehicle connection interface and a rotary cutter connection interface. A mounting plate extends between the vehicle connection interface and the rotary cutter connection interface. A pivot plate is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate. A suspension element coupled between the pivot and mounting plates mitigates force transfer between the connection interfaces resulting from the relative movement of the connection interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Cesar Garcia
  • Patent number: 11524716
    Abstract: The present technology describes systems and methods for varying a pump speed of an electric truck. In examples, vehicle efficiency losses may be reduced by varying the speed of a hydraulic pump associated with a power steering gear. An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive a set of steering information from a torque overlay system (TOS). Based on the set of steering information, a power may be provided to a variable pump motor. The power provided to the variable pump motor may correspond with a speed of a hydraulic pump associated with a power steering gear of the vehicle. As new or additional steering information is received from the TOS, the ECU may adjust the power provided to the variable pump motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc.
    Inventors: William Kahn, Ed Legler
  • Patent number: 11524735
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a plurality of traveling devices for driving traveling, a plurality of articulated link mechanisms having at least two or more joints and supporting the plurality of traveling devices to a vehicle body, with allowing the plurality of traveling devices to be elevated/lowered independently of each other, a driving mechanism capable of changing respective postures of the plurality of articulated link mechanisms independently of each other, and a plurality of turning mechanisms configured to support the respective plurality of the articulated link mechanisms, with allowing the link mechanisms to be orientation-changeable about a vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Ishikawa, Minoru Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 11518469
    Abstract: A bicycle may include a front triangle and a rear suspension system that couples the front triangle to a rear wheel and is dampened by at least one shock absorber. The rear suspension system includes a six-bar linkage having two ternary links separated from each other by one or more binary links, such that the two ternary links do not share a common joint. One of the ternary links may comprise a chain stay. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise the front triangle. In some examples, the other ternary link may comprise a rocker arm coupling a seat stay link to the shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Level One Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Luther Mac Beale
  • Patent number: 11511822
    Abstract: An electric motorcycle includes a housing for housing an electric motor and/or a transmission. The housing is positioned at the center of the electric motorcycle in a front view. An internal cooling device and/or an electronic component and two cooling elements extend outward from opposite sides of the housing. Exterior cooling ribs are arranged on the cooling elements. The cooling ribs extend in the longitudinal direction of the electric motorcycle, such that the cooling elements and the cooling ribs are directly in contact with the air surrounding the electric motorcycle. The cooling device and/or the electronic component is, at least in portions, housed in and thermally connected to at least one of the cooling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Baeumel, Hubert Graf, Johannes Hoehl, Stefan Kallich, Florian Traub
  • Patent number: 11511577
    Abstract: A weight distributing anti-sway trailer hitch has a pair of spring arms extending rearwardly from the head unit and a pair of hookup brackets for connecting a remote end of each spring arm to a trailer. The trailer hitch further includes a clamp that is configured to adjust the force imparted by a biasing member on a spindle post, and thus alter the weight distributing, anti-sway operation of the hitch experienced by the trailer frame during towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Camco Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Andrew Angel, Steven L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 11511798
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering unit includes a pressure port connected to a main flow path and a tank port connected to a tank flow path, and a working port arrangement having left and right working flow paths. A first bridge arrangement has first left and first right orifices connected to the main flow path and to first left or first right connecting points, respectively, each connecting point associated respectively with the left or right working flow paths, and second left and second right orifices connected to the tank flow path and to the first left or first right connecting points, respectively. A second bridge arrangement has a similar orifice arrangement connected to second left or second right connecting points. The first and second bridge arrangements have different steering characteristics. Selection means for connecting one of the bridge arrangements between the pressure port and the working port arrangement are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions ApS
    Inventors: Mogens Frederiksen, Poul Ennemark, Casper Mikael Olesen, Niels Arbjerg, Charles Anthony Bates