Patents Examined by Gabriela C Craciun
  • Patent number: 9302129
    Abstract: A quint configuration fire apparatus includes a chassis, a pump and a water tank coupled to the chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis and having a storage area configured to receive a ground ladder and a fire hose, a ladder assembly including a plurality of extensible ladder sections, the ladder assembly coupled to the chassis with a turntable, a single front axle coupled to a front end of the chassis, and a single rear axle coupled to a rear end of the chassis. The ladder assembly is extensible to provide a horizontal reach of at least 100 feet and a vertical height of at least 105 feet. The turntable includes a work platform coupled to a subfloor assembly such that a loaded weight of the quint configuration fire apparatus is supportable by the single front axle and the single rear axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Betz, Jennifer Bloemer
  • Patent number: 9296414
    Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus, an intermediate member of a shaft coupling connecting an assisting electric motor and a speed reduction mechanism together includes a cylindrical intermediate boss portion, a plurality of arm portions extending radially from the intermediate boss portion, and engagement spaces each defined by a pair of the adjacent arm portions. Furthermore, the intermediate member includes a center portion, a first cover portion, and a second cover portion. The center portion slightly protrudes toward the engagement space side with respect to the first cover portion and the second cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kakutani, Takeshi Kawara
  • Patent number: 9290229
    Abstract: A bicycle chain stay coupling apparatus includes a first bracket component coupled to a seat tube of a bicycle frame, a connecting component of a chain stay of the bicycle frame, and a coupling component encasing the connecting component and coupled to the first bracket component. The coupling component is relatively more elastic than the first bracket component and the connecting component, and the coupling component is positioned in series between the first bracket component and the connecting component with respect to a common axle of the first bracket component, the connecting component, and the coupling component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Patent number: 9290214
    Abstract: A portal trailer for a tugger train, consisting of a front, rear and middle trailer section, between which respectively a receiving area for a dolly to be carried along is provided, wherein the front is connected with the middle and the middle with the rear trailer section each via a portal-shaped arch and the middle trailer section has a pair of rollers or wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: JUNGHEINRICH AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Badura, Arne Krasse, Jörg Ziemann
  • Patent number: 9290216
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a personal tracked vehicle comprises a first swing arm pivotally connectable to a frame of the vehicle. The first swing arm has a first end and a second end. A second swing arm is pivotally connectable to the first swing arm. The second swing arm has a first end and a second end. At least one spring member is connected to the first and second swing arms. At least one first wheel is rotatably connected to the first end of the first swing arm. At least one second wheel is rotatably connected to the first end of the second swing arm. The at least one first and second wheels are adapted to be in contact with the same track of the vehicle. The first and second wheels are one of an idler wheel and a drive wheel. Suspensions and personal tracked vehicles are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BPG RECREATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Ryan James Fairhead
  • Patent number: 9283821
    Abstract: A hitch coupler receiving apparatus includes a base having opposite first and second surfaces, and a pair of spaced-apart first and second openings extending through the base from the first surface to the second surface. A pair of opposing, elongated first and second walls extend outwardly from the base first surface in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. Each wall includes a plurality of spaced apertures formed therethrough. A hitch coupler is secured to the apparatus via a fastener that engages aligned apertures in the respective first and second walls. Each wall overlies a respective one of the first and second openings and includes an access opening. Each access opening is substantially larger than a respective opening in the base and facilitates insertion of a fastener into a respective opening in the base and rotation of the fastener via a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: TeleSwivel, LLC
    Inventor: William David Woolf
  • Patent number: 9284002
    Abstract: A training wheel apparatus for learning to ride a bicycle includes a lift activation assembly, wherein the lift activation assembly includes a grip. The training wheel apparatus further includes a wheel mount assembly configured to operatively connect to a wheel. The training wheel apparatus further includes a cable configured to operatively connect to the lift activation assembly and the wheel mount assembly via the grip. When activated by rotation of the grip in a first direction, the lift activation assembly is configured to use the cable to change an elevation of the wheel between a first position and a second position while the wheel is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Peyton Webb Robinson
    Inventor: Peyton Webb Robertson
  • Patent number: 9272729
    Abstract: Front wheels (6L, 6R) a steering operation of which is possible by a steering mechanism (12) are mounted on a vehicle body (2). Steering cylinders (22L, 22R) of the steering mechanism (12) extend and contract in response to an operation of a steering handle (27) provided in a cab (5) to perform the steering operation of the front wheels (6L, 6R). The steering mechanism (12) is provided with a rotation angle sensor (28) for detecting a steering angle ? of the left front wheel (6L) and a proximity switch (29) for detecting whether or not the front wheel (6L) is in a straight-ahead state. A controller (30) determines that the rotation angle sensor (28) or the proximity switch (29) is abnormal when the steering angle (?) detected by the rotation angle sensor (28) is different from the detection result by the proximity switch (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Minoshima, Yuusuke Shibue, Yohei Nakate, Takanobu Ikari
  • Patent number: 9267581
    Abstract: A driver pulley assembly for a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes a roller weight guide, having an inner and outer periphery, adapted to be mounted on the main shaft of the CVT. A plurality of ramp windows extend radially along the roller weight guide. A pair of guide rails extend along opposite edges of each ramp window. A plurality of roller weights, mounted on the pair of guide rails, is adapted to move along the pair of guide rails in a radial direction of the roller weight guide. A ramp structure, coinciding with the ramp window, extends in the radial direction of the roller weight guide and abuts the plurality of roller weights. The roller weighs are adapted to move radially outwards along the ramp structure with increasing rotational speed of the roller weight guide. The ramp structures have ramp profiles. CVT systems and vehicles including the driver pulley assembly are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: BPG Recreational Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan James Fairhead, Steve Micacchi
  • Patent number: 9266583
    Abstract: A drive device for an electric bicycle, contains a drive housing in which a hollow shaft is mounted, which is connected to a chain wheel of a chain transmission of an electric bicycle, a pedal crank shaft which is arranged coaxially with respect to the hollow shaft and is connected at both ends to pedal cranks, a first clutch which is shifted depending on the rotation direction and which is arranged between the hollow shaft and the pedal crank shaft, and an electric motor whose output is connected to the hollow shaft via a second clutch which is shifted depending on the rotation direction. The hollow shaft can be coupled to the pedal crank shaft in both rotation directions of the pedal crank shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg
    Inventors: Udo Getta, Ullrich Noack, Karl-Heinz Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 9260157
    Abstract: A frame includes a frame body, a control unit, a first connector, a battery module and a second connector. The frame body has a receiving space formed therein, a first tube and a second tube. The first tube is combined with the second tube at a conjunction. An installed space is defined between the first tube and the second tube. An opening is formed on the conjunction, and the receiving space communicates with the installed space through the opening. The control unit is disposed within the receiving space. The first connector is disposed in the opening and coupled to the control unit. The battery module is detachably installed in the installed space. The second connector is disposed on the battery module and for engaging with the first connector when the battery module is installed in the installed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: DARFON ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., DARFON ELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wen-Sung Chu, An-Yi Ma
  • Patent number: 9242520
    Abstract: A hitch ball is shown and described. The hitch ball may include a ball member, a body extending from the ball member, and a locking member in communication with the body. The hitch ball may also include a first release mechanism positioned in the ball member, the first release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the first release mechanism in an first direction positions the locking member in a disengaged position, and a second release mechanism positioned in the body, the second release mechanism operatively coupled with the locking member, where positioning the second release mechanism in a second direction positions the locking member in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn H. Mida, Jacob S. Belinky
  • Patent number: 9242519
    Abstract: A hitch coupler, comprising a frame is disclosed, wherein the frame includes a plurality of vertically spaced apart plates having apertures disposed there through. A vertically extending clevis pin is adapted to slide within the apertures of the vertically spaced apart plates between an extended position and a retracted position. The pin further includes a pin housing having a guide slot, wherein the guide slot has an offset portion used to lock the pin in either the extended position or the retracted position. Further, the pin houses an internal spring having a torsional bias that urges the pin to a locked position in either the extended or retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M Terpsma, Richard T. Polanic
  • Patent number: 9238492
    Abstract: In a chassis (1) for a robot for traveling over smooth, curved or firm surfaces with two track guides that are mirror-symmetric to one another and firmly arranged in the chassis (1) in parallel with the traveling surface and self-contained in each case, along which controllable adhesive modules (14) circulate one behind the other in such a way that their adhesive feet (15), which can be lifted and lowered vis-a-vis the traveling surface, always point towards the traveling surface, the individual adhesive modules (14) have their own controllable lifting and traveling drives in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Logistics Wash Holding AG
    Inventor: Anton Niederberger
  • Patent number: 9238497
    Abstract: An electric motorcycle comprises a motor case which is provided at a rear portion of a vehicle body frame; a swing arm which is pivotably coupled at its front end portion to the rear portion of the vehicle body frame; and a rear suspension coupled to the vehicle body frame and the swing arm. The lower end portion of the rear suspension is located below the swing arm, and the rear suspension extends vertically in a location close to a pivot around which the swing arm is pivotable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9238482
    Abstract: The present invention provides a road holding ability mechanism applied to a motorcycle with two wheels in front. The mechanism may be configured on a three-wheeled motorcycle which has two front wheels and a single rear wheel or on a four-wheeled motorcycle with two front wheels as well as two rear wheels. Under any operating condition, the mechanism enables the two front wheels to offer great road holding ability, that is, to remain stable when moving so as to ensure the motorcycle against rollovers. The present invention includes a simple and innovative structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: AEON MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huei-Huay Huang, Chin-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 9220648
    Abstract: The present invention is a wheelchair jack stand that may be affixed to the seat post and main chassis member of a wheelchair to enable easy removal of the wheel. The jack stand comprises a lever arm retaining rail, a locking pin, a stand member and a second hub affixed to the base of the seat post for connecting the stand member. The lever arm retaining rail has apertures along its length for receiving a locking pin, a first end affixed to the seat post and a second end affixed to the main chassis member. The stand member has a first hub, a leg connected to the first hub and a lever arm connected to the first hub and opposite the leg. The lever arm also has one opening to receive a locking pin that aligns with the one or more apertures of the lever arm retaining rail. The angle between the leg and the lever arm is about 100 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Blaine C. Hunt, Calvin D. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9216791
    Abstract: A bicycle rear suspension system including a seat stay member pivotally mounted to the bicycle frame, a chain stay member to which the rear tire is mounted and to which the seat stay member is pivotally attached at a location above the wheel mount, a link pivotally connected to the frame and to a frame-ward end of the chain stay member, and a shock absorber device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher Hudec
  • Patent number: 9216790
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a stop element supported on a first support portion which is provided on any one of a link mechanism, a body frame, a right shock absorbing device, and a left shock absorbing device at a first end portion thereof so as to turn about a support axis of the first support portion, a lock caliper supported on a second support portion which is displaced relative to the first support portion and which is provided on any one of the link mechanism, the body frame, the right shock absorbing device, and the left shock absorbing device and which is configured to change a frictional force with the stop element, and a guide member which guides a middle portion or a second end portion of the extended member to the lock caliper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takano, Toshio Iizuka, Yutaka Kubo, Takahiro Watanabe, Noboru Miyamoto, Kaoru Sasaki, Hirokatsu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9199534
    Abstract: A drive for an industrial truck with at least one drive motor for driving a wheel of the industrial truck and at least one steering motor for supporting a steering movement of the wheel around a steering axle also features a drawbar for guiding the steering or driving movement by applying a load on the drawbar. The drive motor also rotates upon a steering movement of the wheel, whereas the drawbar is connected in a torque-proof manner, relative to the steering axle, with a component also rotating upon a steering movement of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Christian Stammberger, Dirk Bald, Michael Hammer