Patents Examined by Gabriela C Craciun
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Patent number: 9409618Abstract: The device is designed to guide a flexible linking member passing into a bicycle frame to link a control member carried by bicycle handlebars to a receiver. The linking member (14) enters the bicycle frame via an inlet opening (15) formed in a head tube (1). The guide device (3) forms an insert that can be built into the head tube (1) and includes a guide channel (17) for the linking member (14) intended to communicate with the inlet opening (15). The insert (3) can be placed inside the head tube (1) in a seat (4) shared with an upper bearing (2) of a headset and has an internal face that can at least partially surround a fork steerer (6) inserted in the head tube (1), and an external face containing the guide channel (17).Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Inventor: Matthieu Lanz
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Patent number: 9394026Abstract: A bicycle having a bicycle frame comprising a head tube, a top tube, a down tube, a bottom bracket and at least one chain stay. A single, tubular member has a first portion that forms the top tube and extends downwardly from the head tube toward the bottom bracket and a unitary second portion that extends upwardly from the bottom bracket to form the seat tube. A plurality of struts extends between the tubular member and the down tube, bottom bracket or at least one chain stay. In some arrangements, the down tube and the at least one chain stay are the only frame members that contact the bottom bracket. In some arrangements, the top tube contacts the down tube at an intermediate portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: 3G Bikes, LLCInventor: Gary Silva
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Patent number: 9381972Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle is provided to satisfactorily keep torque detection capability while reducing the pedal force of a pedal during pedaling if a battery has run out. A cylindrical human-power transmission member 28 having a magneto-striction generation portion 31b of a torque sensor 31 is disposed on the outer periphery of a crankshaft 7a. A combined force member 29 for combining a human driving force and an auxiliary driving force is disposed on the outer periphery of the crankshaft 7a. An auxiliary-driving-force transmission path from a motor 21 to the combined force member 29 has a deceleration mechanism 25 that includes a plurality of reduction gears 36c and 36d and reduction gear support shafts 36a and 36b. A one-way clutch 37 for interrupting a human driving force is disposed between the reduction gears 36c and 36d and the reduction gear support shafts 36a and 36b.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Masafumi Kawakami, Munehiro Date
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Patent number: 9381958Abstract: A front tow extended saddle is disclosed. The saddle allows a first towing truck to mount a second truck, facing forward, behind the first truck, in order to tow the second truck to a distant location. The saddle allows the towed truck to face forward during transport, thus allowing for the normal loads and stresses of movement on the towed truck. This configuration is preferable to movement with the towed truck facing-rearward, in which the typical aerodynamic surfaces of a large truck act as a drag during transport, imposing high wind loads and unusual stresses. The front tow extended saddle is also designed to minimize the required vertical rise on the towed truck, which also avoids additional stresses during loading and unloading onto the towing truck.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: ATC Transportation LLCInventor: Donald W. Schuettenberg
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Patent number: 9370977Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to eliminate transient swaying of a towed vehicle imparted upon the towed vehicle during a towing operation by decoupling the towing and towed vehicles rotationally from each other. In one embodiment this is accomplished through the use of a doubly hinged tow bar and to steer the towed vehicle based upon the relative angular deflections of the two vehicles while subtracting out transient rotations of the towing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Inventor: Daniel Virgil Sallis, Sr.
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Patent number: 9371105Abstract: A frame structure for a bicycle includes a head tube, a support tube assembly and a seat tube. The support tube assembly connects the head tube and the seat tube and includes two top tubes, one down tube and two reinforced tubes.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: GIANT (KUNSHAN) CO., LTD.Inventor: Ming-En Chou
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Patent number: 9370456Abstract: A chair assembly includes a chair portion and an armrest portion coupled to the chair portion movable between an upright position and an extended position. The armrest portion includes a body. A support is attached to the body disposed adjacent to the seat. In the upright position, the support is disposed generally perpendicular to the seat. In the extended position, the support is disposed generally parallel to the seat. A structure includes a rod being pivotably attached to the support. The structure also includes a brace pivotably attached to the rod and the chair portion movable between a storage position and a load bearing position. In the storage position, the rod is disposed generally parallel to the support with the armrest portion in the upright position. In the load bearing position, the rod is disposed generally perpendicular to the support with the armrest portion in the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Inventor: Robert J. Balderson
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Patent number: 9371107Abstract: A stepper comprising: a direction controller having a front wheel set and a steering wheel connected to the front wheel set; a rear wheel transmission having a gear transmission and a rear wheel shaft, the gear transmission having an active gear, a chain and a passive gear, the active gear connected to the passive gear via the chain, the rear wheel shaft having a rear wheel set and connected to the passive gear; a supporting shaft connected to the direction controller and the rear wheel transmission; and a foot-hand swinging set having a pedal and a joystick having a handle, the pedal mounted on two sides of the supporting shaft, one end of the pedal connected to the active gear, the joystick connected to another end of the pedal. The present invention can be propelled by only single leg, and can be rehabilitation and locomotion apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignees: CHANG GUNG UNIVERSITY, CHANG GUNG MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, LINKOUInventors: Shu-Chun Huang, May-Kuen Wong
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Patent number: 9352801Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame having a tunnel, an engine supported by the frame, at least one ski connected to the frame, a drive track operatively connected to the engine and disposed at least in part below the tunnel, and a fuel tank connected to a top of the tunnel. The fuel tank defines a passage extending therethrough from a top of the fuel tank to a bottom of the fuel tank. The passage is adapted for receiving a battery therein.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: BRP FINLAND OYInventors: Kalevi Makitalo, Esa Vaisanen, Jari Jokelainen
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Patent number: 9352795Abstract: A motorcycle footrest mount includes a support arm that is length adjustable and pivotally adjustable. The mount attaches to a motorcycle structure and includes a helical ramp. One end of the support arm is pivotably mounted to the helical ramp and is spring biased against the mount in a first, home position. The other end of the support arm is mounted to a footrest. The support arm is able to pivotally move downward along the helical ramp upon application of force by a motorcycle operator's legs and feet on the footrest, and to return to the home position when the operator removes his or her feet from the footrest by virtue of the spring biasing.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: KURYAKYN HOLDINGS, LLCInventor: Daniel E Parvey
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Patent number: 9352625Abstract: The device and assembly provides a structure having two ball-shaped ends that are integrally formed as a single structure. With one of the balls inserted into a trailer coupler, the clamping device of the coupler can be locked as it would be when connected to a trailer hitch ball. The device and assembly of the present invention is intended to be a “filler” structure which prevents theft of a trailer using the coupler because the coupler cavity is filled and locked. Preferably, the ball ends are made of a single piece of hard plastic, nylon or metal material (although plastic is preferred for a light-weight structure) and connected to a cable that allows the device to be suspended from the coupler for use when necessary. Each ball is sized in accordance with at least two different sizes of hitch balls that are used in the coupler market.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Inventor: Donald R. Frantz
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Patent number: 9340078Abstract: A spreader bar includes a frame having a leading end and a trailing end. A pivot member is pivotally mounted to the trailing end of the frame and adapted to be removably connected to a spreader bogie. Spread links adapted to be removably connected to a trailer are pivotally and removably attached to the leading end of the frame. The length of the spreader bar may be changed by substituting spread links having different lengths.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Fontaine Commercial Trailer, Inc.Inventor: Gregory C. Benson
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Patent number: 9340954Abstract: An articulated work vehicle with a regenerative hydraulic circuit may comprise a front chassis, a rear chassis, first and second hydraulic cylinders each with head and rod chambers and each pivotally connected to the front chassis and the rear chassis, and an articulation joint. The rod chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder may be hydraulically connected to the head chamber of the first hydraulic cylinder via a flow restrictor. The rod chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder may also be hydraulically connected to a hydraulic source via a check valve which is configured to allow hydraulic flow into the rod chamber of the second hydraulic cylinder. The articulation joint may pivotally connect the front chassis to the rear chassis. The articulation joint may be laterally positioned between the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Eric Richard Anderson
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Patent number: 9333997Abstract: An articulated tracked vehicle comprising a first vehicle unit and a second vehicle unit controllably connected by means of a control member, wherein each vehicle unit comprises two driven tracks driven by drive wheels and has one electric motor per track for driving respective drive wheel via drive shafts for propulsion of the vehicle, wherein the first vehicle unit comprises a combustion engine, wherein the combustion engine is arranged to drive a generator for electric power generation, wherein the generator is arranged to transfer electric power via power electronics to the electric motors of each vehicle unit, wherein propulsion of the vehicle is arranged to be effected only electrically, and wherein power transfer between said vehicle units is arranged to be effected only electrically.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds AktiebolagInventors: Bjorn Hellholm, Gustav Soderstrom
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Patent number: 9334006Abstract: A motorcycle of the present invention comprises a main frame, a fuel tank, and a bracket for fastening a front end portion of the fuel tank to a front portion of the main frame. The bracket includes a bracket body of a flat plate shape, and frame joining portions which partially swell from the bracket body toward the main frame on a reverse surface of the bracket body, wherein the reverse surface is configured to contact the main frame. The frame joining portions are configured to contact the main frame such that a gap through which a throttle cable extends is formed between the bracket body and the main frame. This makes it possible to place the cable such that the cable does not extend around an outer periphery of the bracket provided to fasten the fuel tank to the vehicle body frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroshi Tamura
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Patent number: 9327566Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can comprise a ball portion for interfacing with a ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer, a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle, and a load measurement device associated with the hitch portion. The hitch portion can be configured to pivot relative to the hitch receiver about a fulcrum in response to a downward force on the ball, with the hitch receiver resisting rotation of the hitch portion about the fulcrum thereby inducing a load on the hitch portion. The load measurement device can be configured to determine a magnitude of the downward force on the ball based on the load on the hitch portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Landecor LLCInventor: Kevin McAllister
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Patent number: 9321508Abstract: The present invention discloses a. scooter device comprised of: a chassis body which connects the following components: a steering arrangement, one front wheel; two back wheel connected to at least one axle, where each wheel moves freely around the axle. a pedaling mechanism including a pedal normally positioned at an upper position above the standing platform connected by a shaft to a pedal axle and a spring connecting the pedal shaft to the chassis body for returning the pedal to upper position, a pedal transmission mechanism for translating the pedal motion into rotational motion of at least one back wheel's axle and a horizontal transmission mechanism arranged for transferring the rotational movement to at least one back wheel, said mechanism including at least one hollow cylinder attached on one side to a rolling bearing which is of clamped on at least one back wheel axle, and on the other side to one of the back wheels. The back wheel's cog wheel is clamped on the hollow cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Inventor: Dror Meiri
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Patent number: 9308789Abstract: A hitch ball mount is shown and described. The hitch ball mount may include a generally tubular body having first and second end portions, the first end portion engageable with a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle, and a drop portion monolithic with the tubular body and formed between the first and second end portions of the tubular member. The hitch ball mount may further include a hitch ball mounting portion monolithic with the drop portion and tubular body, the hitch ball mounting portion formed at the second end portion of the tubular member and extending from the drop portion, where a hitch ball is selectively attachable to the hitch ball mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Cequent Consumer ProductsInventors: Francis Bernart, Thomas DePietro
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Patent number: 9308935Abstract: Provided is an electric power steering apparatus capable of performing steering of a steering wheel with a comfortable steering feeling while stabilizing a vehicle behavior even in a vicinity of a steering neutral position. A first electric power steering apparatus includes a steering torque sensor for detecting a steering torque inputted by a driver, a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel, a steering assist motor for applying a steering assist force to the steering wheel, and a drive control unit for performing drive control of the steering assist motor based on the steering torque and the steering angle. The drive control unit performs drive control of the steering assist motor based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor and hysteresis characteristics related to a steering reaction force associated with a change of the steering angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Ohno, Yoshihiro Oniwa, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Yasuo Shimizu
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Patent number: 9303757Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle that allows an oil pressure adjusting system for a hydraulic clutch to be optimally disposed in a power unit in which a crankshaft is disposed along the vehicle body front-rear direction. A crankshaft of an engine is disposed along the vehicle front-rear direction. An oil pressure adjusting system that operates hydraulic clutches is attached to a clutch cover of a power unit. The oil pressure adjusting system is disposed so as to overlap with the hydraulic clutches as viewed in the axial direction of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroyuki Sugiura