Patents Examined by Frank B Vanaman
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Patent number: 11511181Abstract: A wearable device configured to selectively provide roller transportation, the wearable device including a shoe, a plurality of wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly being configured to selectively roll relative to a ground surface about an associated axis of rotation, and a frame connected between the wheel assemblies, the frame comprising a trunk and a plurality of branches extending from the trunk, each of the branches being configured for connection to at least one of the plurality of wheel assemblies, wherein at least a portion of the shoe is located vertically higher than at least a portion of the frame when at least one of the wheel assemblies is in contact with the ground surface and the at least one of the wheel assemblies is positioned to selectively roll relative to the ground surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: V.N.O. LLCInventor: Roger R. Adams
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Patent number: 11511591Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment system includes: a cylinder housing part having an inner space configured to receive working fluid; a piston part positioned in the cylinder housing part, the piston part configured to move linearly, in response to a working fluid, in a moving direction along the cylinder housing part; and a rotation suppressing bracket coupled to the cylinder housing part and connected to a side surface of the piston part, the rotation suppressing bracket configured to suppress rotational movement with respect to the moving direction of the piston part.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kyung Ryul Park
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Patent number: 11511589Abstract: An adjustable suspension mount assembly includes a bracket coupled to a suspension mounting component and coupled to a frame component of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a vertical adjustment assembly operatively coupled to the bracket. The assembly further includes an electric motor operatively coupled to the vertical adjustment assembly to adjust the vertical position of the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Inventors: Anthony Berlingieri, José Guadalupe Ruiz Juárez, Aaron N. Johnson, Ramón Heberto Diego Guedea, James N. Zeimet, Juan Jose Wong
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Patent number: 11511694Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, and at least one front and rear wheel. The total number of front and rear wheels is at least three. The vehicle includes a mechanism for driving at least one of the front and rear wheels, a seat for a driver, and at least one fall prevention element to prevent, in a closed position of the fall prevention element, a driver from falling off the seat. In an open position of the fall prevention element, a driver can freely take a seat from the outer side of the vehicle via the space which, in the closed position, is occupied by the fall prevention element, or can step out of the vehicle; the fall prevention element slides between the open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: PEETERS LANDBOUWMACHINES B.V.Inventor: Daniel Petrus Marie Peeters
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Patent number: 11505237Abstract: A child swing steering vehicle comprises: a vehicle frame; wheels disposed at the bottom of the vehicle frame; steering wheels disposed in rear or front of the wheels; a steering mechanism to steer the steering wheels when the child's body is tilted to the left or right, the steering wheels are connected to the vehicle frame via the steering mechanism; the steering vehicle further comprising auxiliary wheels; the left and right sides of the vehicle frame are respectively provided with at least one auxiliary wheel; a sum of the number of the wheels and the steering wheels is greater than or equal to three, and the bottom of the wheels and the bottom of the steering wheels are both located in the same plane; when the child swing steering vehicle is turning, the bottom of the auxiliary wheel is located in the plane, thereby enabling a good stability in steering.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Goodbaby Child Products Co., LTD.Inventors: Hui Cai, Tiewen Zhu, Peng Liu
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Patent number: 11505000Abstract: A modular drive system may include a motor assembly that includes a motor housing with a motor subassembly bolt pattern. The modular drive system may include a brake assembly that includes a brake housing with a brake subassembly bolt pattern. The modular drive system may include a final drive assembly that includes a final drive flange with a final drive subassembly bolt pattern.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Randy Stoecker, Lance Sierer, Joshua Hicke
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Patent number: 11479311Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a lateral self-stabilization system and may further include a fore-aft self-stabilization system. The lateral self-stabilization system may include a controller configured to cause an actuator to laterally tilt a frame of the vehicle based on sensed information relating to an orientation of the vehicle, or portion thereof, about a roll axis. The frame of the vehicle may include any suitable structure configured to be laterally tilted by the actuator relative to an axle of the vehicle. The fore-aft stabilization system may include a motor controller configured to drive a motor of the vehicle based on sensed information relating to a pitch angle of the vehicle. In some examples, the vehicle is a robotic vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.Inventor: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen
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Patent number: 11479071Abstract: A work vehicle includes: a wheel support member configured to support a pair of left and right traveling wheels; a link mechanism configured to support the wheel support member such that the wheel support member can be raised and lowered, the link mechanism being provided spanning between a vehicle body and the wheel support member; a suspension mechanism configured to elastically support the wheel support member, the suspension mechanism being provided spanning between a suspension support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and the wheel support member; and a lateral link configured to restrict leftward and rightward movement of the wheel support member, the lateral link being joined to a vehicle body-side support portion, which is formed on the vehicle body, and to a wheel-side support portion, which is formed on the wheel support member, wherein the link mechanism has: an upper link with an front end portion supported so as to be able to pivot up and down around an upper pivot axis by a link supType: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Masahiro Azuma, Tatsuya Nagatomi, Kenta Moribe, Tomonori Kaneko
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Patent number: 11479301Abstract: In certain embodiments, land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a frame structure having a front cage that defines an operator cabin and a rear floor positioned rearward of the front cage. The frame structure supports a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle. An underside of the frame structure is disposed in confronting relation with the underlying surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Workhorse Group Inc.Inventor: Donald L. Wires
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Patent number: 11472500Abstract: A mobile platform includes a base having a first surface and at least one drive wheel coupled to the base so as to movable with respect to the base first surface. A drive wheel retention mechanism is coupled to the at least one drive wheel and is structured to retain the at least one drive wheel in a first position in which the at least one drive wheel extends to a first distance from the first surface along a first side of the first surface. A plurality of roller elements is also coupled to the base and is structured to extend to a distance from the first surface along the first side of the first surface. The distance of the plurality of roller elements from the first surface is less than the first distance of the at least one drive wheel from the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Toyota Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Amacker, Joseph Taylor, Gregory J. Klein, Jonathan Yao, Andrew Custer
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Patent number: 11472467Abstract: A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may have an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a profiled sleeve that is fixed on the inner shaft such that the inner shaft is movable together with the profiled sleeve in an axial direction relative to the outer shaft. The inner shaft and the outer shaft may be coupled in a torque-transmitting manner with the profiled sleeve connected therebetween. The profiled sleeve may comprise an aperture into which a projection on an outer face of the inner shaft engages in a manner that secures the profiled sleeve in position on the inner shaft at least in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AGInventors: Janick Durot, Marius Breuer
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Patent number: 11465489Abstract: An in-wheel motor unit coupling structure includes an in-wheel motor unit and a shock absorber. The in-wheel motor unit is disposed inside a wheel of a vehicle. The in-wheel motor unit is configured to support the wheel such that the wheel is rotatable. The in-wheel motor unit includes an electric motor that serves as a rotational driving source of the wheel. The shock absorber is coupled to the in-wheel motor unit. The shock absorber is a component of a vehicle suspension. A lower end portion of the shock absorber is fastened to a vehicle center side, in a vehicle width direction, of a motor part so as to be pressed against the motor part outward from the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The motor part is a part in which the electric motor of the in-wheel motor unit is built.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Makoto Nagayama
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Patent number: 11465581Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an airbag and a fabric diffuser for directing inflation fluid from an inflator into the airbag. The fabric diffuser comprises first and second fabric panels arranged overlying each other and having portions interconnected along seams to define a pocket configured to receive the inflator. The pocket has a double layer diffuser section defined by the overlying first and second fabric panels that is configured to receive a discharge end of the inflator. The fabric diffuser is configured to be installed in the airbag. The first and second panels are configured so that a plurality of openings of the first fabric panel do not overlie a plurality of openings of the second fabric panel when the panels are interconnected so that inflation fluid travels an indirect path from inside the diffuser section to the exterior of the fabric diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventor: Manuel Schaefer
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Patent number: 11458827Abstract: A drive package includes a remote located CVT and a motor where the CVT is positioned rearward (or forward) of the motor. An auxiliary drive mechanism couples a drive shaft of the CVT to a crankshaft of the motor. The auxiliary drive mechanism is a belt or chain. The drive shaft is substantially parallel to, and longitudinally offset from, the crankshaft. Thus, the width of the drive package is reduced as compared to ATVs having a CVT located adjacent the motor. A method of making an ATV with the drive package is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Tiry
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Patent number: 11459013Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering column housing. The steering column assembly also includes a lower shaft disposed within the steering column housing and axially adjustable. The steering column assembly further includes a torque adjustment assembly operatively connected to the lower shaft to increase or decrease a steering shaft turning torque.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding CorporationInventors: Matthew L. Messing, Robert J. Smith, Clinton D. Spencer, Brandon M. McComb, Jacob A. Caverly, Douglas M. Schneider
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Patent number: 11458789Abstract: A fork leg for rotating a wheel of a motor vehicle is provided with a fastening flange for the coaxial, torque-proof fastening of a steering rod, an extension region protruding from the fastening flange substantially perpendicularly to the steering axis for bridging a lateral distance to the wheel, a coupling point for the articulated connection of a rocker which is connected to the wheel and a connection piece which is connected integrally to the extension region and to the coupling point, wherein the connection piece is shaped to accommodate a large steering angle.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Benjamin Wuebbolt-Gorbatenko, Simon Mersmann, Christian Harkort, Andreas Wöllner, Axel Hoffmann
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Patent number: 11459016Abstract: A vehicle (12) operable in manual and autonomous modes has a manual steering control unit (10) movable between a stowed position and an operative position. Movement of the steering control unit (10) as it transitions between stowed and operative positions comprises at least a component in a lateral direction of the vehicle so that when not in use, it is located laterally outside the free interior volume of the vehicle cabin (14) in the stowed position. The manual steering control unit (10) can be received within a recess (18) in a side wall region (16) of the vehicle cabin or in a central console in the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Bentley Motors LimitedInventor: George Channing Bowen
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Patent number: 11452648Abstract: A suspension for a wheelchair, wherein the suspension comprises: a frame, a motor carrier pivotally mounted on the frame to rotate about a motor carrier axis, a drive wheel having a bottom and mounted on the motor carrier to rotate about a drive wheel axis, a swing arm pivotally mounted on the frame to rotate about a swing arm axis, a swing wheel having a bottom and mounted on the swing arm to rotate about a swing wheel axis, a first contact surface coupled to move in concert with the motor carrier, and a second contact surface coupled to move in concert with the swing arm and configured to contact the first contact surface and transfer an upward force on the swing wheel into a downward force on the drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Velox Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Ryan Batke
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Patent number: 11441638Abstract: A bump stop assembly for a UTV with a frame attachment, a shock absorber attachment, two panels, a shock absorber and a bracket. The frame attachment is coupled to the frame of the UTV and the shock absorber attachment is coupled to the shock absorber. The two panels extend between the frame attachment and the shock attachment. The bracket is coupled to the trailing arm of the suspension system of the UTV. The bump plate bracket has a bump plate located to contact the shock absorber when a force applied to the suspension system causes the suspension system to reach a predetermined level of a capacity of the suspension system to absorb. The bump plate transfers a portion of the force applied to the shock absorber. The shock absorber is configured to absorb energy transferred to the bump stop assembly by the force applied to the suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: SANDCRAFT, LLCInventors: Brent G. Reynolds, Jonathan D. Roberts
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Patent number: 11440370Abstract: Cross-linked vehicle suspension systems. A first wheel is mechanically linked to a second wheel by a cross tie, so that motion from an impact with an obstacle by the first wheel is transmitted to the second wheel. A shock absorber may be coupled to each wheel, the cross tie, or both, to distribute absorption of the impact. In some embodiments, a second pair of wheels may be coupled by a second cross tie and configured diagonally to the first pair of wheels. A shock absorber may be coupled to both cross ties to link all wheels together, for full distribution of all loads across all wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Kolltek, LLCInventor: Alex Kollitz