Patents Examined by Frank Vanaman
  • Patent number: 9586127
    Abstract: A collapsible ski includes a front part and a rear part that, when arranged in their linearly aligned position, are fixed in that position by a connecting platform which is rotatable around an axis, which extends throughout a fold between the front part and rear part, and which is rectangular. Benefits of such a collapsible ski may include, to a consumer, practical storage and transporting benefits, while to the manufacturer, may include simplification of technology for manufacturing of each component, when compared with manufacturing of classic single-part skis. The collapsible ski can be assembled in place simply without using any tools. The collapsible ski is assembled of several mutually connectable yet detachable parts. The collapsible ski also provides the possibility of combining separately manufactured and preferably standardized parts in view of providing semi-products and finalizing each collapsible ski.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ELAN, D.O.O.
    Inventor: Vinko Avgustin
  • Patent number: 9581073
    Abstract: A radiator structure for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a radiator main body having a front surface positioned to face a running direction, and a radiator grill having a mesh part which is positioned in front of the radiator main body to cover the radiator main body. The radiator grill is positioned behind a front wheel of the two-wheeled vehicle and has a mud guard portion which fills in the mesh part in a region SWF onto which the front wheel is projected as viewed from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mai Nishimura, Daichi Ito
  • Patent number: 9579973
    Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include an prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Brian G. Eck
  • Patent number: 9566855
    Abstract: Provided is a head cover structure of an engine, which is capable of increasing supporting rigidity of a head cover. The engine includes a driving force transmission mechanism for transmitting a driving force of a crankshaft to a valve train, in which the head cover includes a bulging portion for covering an upper side of the driving force transmission mechanism on one end side thereof in a cylinder row direction, and an engine mounting portion is attached to the bulging portion. The bulging portion is provided with an inclined surface portion having an inclined surface inclined downwardly toward the other end side in the cylinder row direction, and the inclined surface is formed to rise upwardly from an intermediate position in the cylinder row direction so as to be continuous with a top surface of the bulging portion on the one end side in the cylinder row direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio Konishi, Hirotaka Ogino
  • Patent number: 9566859
    Abstract: A battery temperature control device has a battery pack case that houses a temperature control unit and a battery stack as a group of battery modules. The temperature control unit has an evaporator exchanges heat using the air conditioning unit from the upstream side of the direction of airflow, a blower fan that recirculates the interior air inside the pack case, a PTC heater as a fin member, and a unit duct that supplies air to the battery stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Hatta, Kentaro Oshima, Qiye Yang
  • Patent number: 9566498
    Abstract: A ski binding comprises a first recess for receiving a ski shoe pin, a locking member movable between a locking position and a open position, a biasing means to bias the locking member towards the locking position, and an activation member rotatably attached to the housing for rotation around a transversal rotational axis of the binding. The locking member has at least one outer portion that allows a ski shoe pin to force the locking member from the locking position towards the open position when the ski shoe pin enters the first recess. The activation member has an arm extending radially away from its transversal rotational axis. The activation member and the locking member are operatively connected such that when the arm rotates in the first rotational direction through a predetermined lower operational range, the activation member forces the locking member from the locking position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: ROTTAFELLA AS
    Inventors: Thomas Holm, Øyvar Svendsen, Even Wøllo
  • Patent number: 9566833
    Abstract: A tire pressure control system includes a tire mounted on a wheel that is connected to an axle, with pneumatic fittings communicating with an interior of this tire. A digital pressure switch has a pair of pneumatic lines that extend from it. These pneumatic lines connect to the pneumatic fittings so that the digital pressure switch communicates with the tire. An electronic solenoid valve communicates with the digital pressure switch by electrical connection to communicate with the interior of the tire. The electronic solenoid valve operates in a corresponding relationship to the interior of the tire so gas above a set pressure can pass to atmosphere. A battery assembly powers and activates the digital pressure switch, and further powers the electronic solenoid valve through the digital pressure switch. A housing houses the digital pressure switch, the electronic solenoid valve, and the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Swindell
  • Patent number: 9561735
    Abstract: An electric vehicle comprises a first battery pack including a first battery which stores electric power for activating a wheel, and a vehicle body frame to which the first battery pack is mounted, wherein a suspending unit space in which a suspending unit which suspends and lifts up the first battery pack accommodated in a first battery accommodating space is placed is formed to be opened upward, above the first battery accommodating space, a lift-up space through which the first battery pack is movable upward, is formed, above the first battery accommodating space inside a vehicle body, and a carry-out space through which the first battery pack is movable to a space which is outside the vehicle body, is formed between an upper region of the lift-up space inside the vehicle body and the space which is outside the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuma Nozaki
  • Patent number: 9550393
    Abstract: A connecting member (15) includes connecting plates (21, 22) configured to connect an attachment body and a ring-shaped body (13), a plurality of curved sections (21d to 21j, 22d to 22j) curved in a tire circumferential direction are formed at the connecting plates (21, 22) in a direction in which the connecting plates (21, 22) extend in a side view of a tire when seen from a tire width direction, and in the plurality of curved sections (21d to 21j, 22d to 22j) of one of the connecting plates (21, 22), the thickness of a maximum curved section having largest central angles (?d to ?j) about a center of curvature of the curved section (21d to 21j, 22d to 22j) is maximized, and the thickness of a minimum curved section having the smallest central angles (?d to ?j) is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Abe, Masashi Nishida
  • Patent number: 9551268
    Abstract: A cooling air intake device is mounted to a frame of a vehicle and includes a base plate and an intake box. The intake box is mounted on the base plate that includes a first admission section and a blocking section adjacent to the first admission section. The intake box includes a first intake compartment and a second intake compartment. The first intake compartment corresponds to the first admission section of the base plate. The first intake compartment includes a first baffle plate mounted therein. The first intake compartment has a side wall in which a first discharge section is formed. The second intake compartment is arranged above the first intake compartment in such a way that a second baffle plate is arranged between the first intake compartment and the second intake compartment. The second intake compartment includes a second admission section and a second discharge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Kai Wang, Wen-Ming Su, Chi-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 9550509
    Abstract: A manually movable transporting apparatus that is nestable with like transporting apparatuses has a chassis equipped with longitudinal members, which carries a loading device which is mounted on the chassis so as to be movable about respective horizontal axes and rests on at least one support. A supporting element is provided at the front end of the loading device and at least one inclined deflector surface is arranged in the rear region of the apparatus, which drops obliquely towards the rear and being designed to receive the supporting element of a further identical transporting apparatus driven onto the surface. At least one clearance is formed next to each support, and wherein each deflector surface is located in a clearance. When two transporting apparatuses are nested, each deflector surface of one transporting apparatus takes up the clearance assigned to the deflector surface of the other transporting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Martin Eberlein
  • Patent number: 9545817
    Abstract: A non frictional wheel enhancing assembly that utilizes bolts and lubricated joints to attach to a wheel, remains level and independent of the wheel as the wheel revolves, inhibits friction and heat between the wheel and a wheel cover, and aesthetically enhances the wheel without covering the perimeter of the wheel. The wheel assembly includes an attachment surface with three extending bolts that press outwardly, against an inner circumference of a wheel hub to create pressure and grip for attaching the wheel cover with the wheel. The wheel cover also secures to the wheel through numerous lubricated joints, adapters, and fasteners. The lubricated joints facilitate revolution of the wheel cover to minimize friction between the wheel and the wheel cover, and improve fuel efficiency for the vehicle. The wheel cover displays decorative indicia. A counterweight allows the wheel cover to remain level and revolve independently of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Andres Velez
  • Patent number: 9540055
    Abstract: An underbody unit for a motor vehicle body has a floor body (12) connectable to the motor vehicle body for dissipating static and/or dynamic loads. Reinforcing ribs (14) protrude up from the floor body (12). The reinforcing ribs (14) together with the floor body (12) delimit receiving pockets (16) for receiving battery cell units (18) of a traction battery for driving the motor vehicle. First and second connections (34, 36) supply and remove a liquid cooling medium for cooling the floor body (12). The battery cell units (18) are above the floor body (12) and can be inserted into the underbody unit (10). Thus, the underbody unit (10), the reinforcing ribs (14) and the connections (34, 36) for the coolant define a supporting plate that can support the heavy battery cell units (18), form armor plating for protection and a heat exchanger for active and/or passive cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dennis Berger, Reyk Bienert
  • Patent number: 9517790
    Abstract: A juvenile stroller includes a frame, wheels coupled to the frame, and a seat coupled to the frame. The stroller also includes push handles coupled to the frame. The stroller is collapsible to assume a compact storage shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hawker, David N Foster
  • Patent number: 9511716
    Abstract: A vehicle side bar end cap assembly comprised of an end cap having an annular skirt, an adapter having an engagement sleeve and mounting body, and a tubular rail having at least one open end. The end cap is configured to correspond and removably attach to a mounting surface located on the mounting body of the adapter. The engagement sleeve is configured to removably, frictionally, and circumferentially engage the tubular rail. The mounting body includes an annular flange having a first surface for engaging the open end of the tubular rail, an opposing second surface for engaging the annular skirt, and an external edge. The external surface of the tubular rail, the external annular flange edge, and the external surface of the end cap define a flush connection surface about the open end of the tubular rail after complete installation of the end cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Iddea California, LLC
    Inventor: Alberto Montoya
  • Patent number: 9499038
    Abstract: An integrated hybrid power assembly and a vehicle including the same. The integrated hybrid power assembly includes a transmission comprising a front housing and a rear housing, a drive motor comprising a motor housing integrated with the rear housing of the transmission and a motor cover mounted to the motor housing, a speed reducer comprising a reducer housing, which is fixedly connected to the rear housing of the transmission and integrated with the motor cover of the drive motor, and a speed reducer cover mounted to the reducer housing; and a starting motor mounted to the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: SHENZHEN BYD AUTO R&D COMPANY LIMITED, BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guo Tang, Yu Hua, Jing Liu, Jinchen Lin
  • Patent number: 9499019
    Abstract: A hitch plate includes a hitch plate body having a heightwise extending portion sized and configured to extend alongside a rear of a utility vehicle and a lengthwise extending portion sized and configured to extend underneath the utility vehicle. The hitch plate further includes a male receiver hitch portion extending outwardly from the heightwise extending portion of the hitch plate body over the lengthwise extending portion of the hitch plate body and a female receiver hitch portion extending outwardly from the heightwise extending portion of the hitch plate body in a direction opposite the male receiver hitch portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Altemeier
  • Patent number: 9493067
    Abstract: In a straddle vehicle such as a motorcycle, a harness in an electric power supply system which is thick, has a great weight, and is not easily mounted can be reduced in length as much as possible so that a weight and cost can be reduced, and assembling work can be made easier. An air cleaner and a fuel tank are disposed at a relatively rearward position such that the air cleaner and the fuel tank are disposed behind and distant from the head pipe to provide an electric component mounting space between the air cleaner and the fuel tank, and the head pipe, and a regulator, a relay box and a fuse box are disposed in the electric component mounting space. The fuel tank is disposed at a relatively rearward position such that its rear end portion is positioned behind and below a rear end of a main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 9492732
    Abstract: A wearable device configured to selectively provide roller transportation includes a shoe configured to at least partially accept a foot of a user of the wearable device, the shoe comprising a foot interface surface configured for selective contact with a bottom of the foot, a wheel assembly configured to selectively roll relative to a ground surface in response to rotation of at least a portion of the wheel assembly about an axle that is substantially coincident with an axis of rotation, and a frame connected between the shoe and the wheel assembly, the frame being configured to selectively transfer forces between the shoe and the wheel assembly and the frame comprising a clearance plane vertically offset from the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Roger R. Adams
  • Patent number: 9475432
    Abstract: A motor vehicle accessory mounts temporarily to a motor vehicle door hinge. The integral mount of the accessory includes a metal sleeve lined with a non-scratching non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Steinjager, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Rauschert