Patents Examined by Hau Phan
  • Apparatus and method for controlling cooling of battery of environment-friendly vehicle
    Patent number: 9293795
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling cooling of a battery of an environment-friendly vehicle which transmits only a control condition from a BMS to a motor controller for cooling is provided. In particular, a cooling fan motor controller and the battery management system (BMS) are connected through a controller area network (CAN) communication, and a backup controller to which a backup power is supplied operates the cooling fan motor controller, when CAN communication is abnormal, to instruct a control condition for a cooling fan motor controller. As such, a stable control for a cooling fan motor for cooling the battery is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Mun Soon Kwon, Won Seon Sim, Dae Sung Kim, Hyun Cheol Bae
  • Wheeled fishing cooler
    Patent number: 9282797
    Abstract: A wheeled fishing cooler including a base, a cooler disposed within the base, a hinged lid attached to a rear side of the base, a U-shaped telescopic handle having a right end and a left end, an axel, a pair of wheels, a plurality of tubes, and a leg support. The leg support has a pair of horizontal supports, a pair of vertical supports, and a crossbeam. Each of the plurality of tubes is configured to hold a fishing rod and, alternately, a sun umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Arturo Soto
  • Foldable, ultra-lightweight tricycle having an electric motor
    Patent number: 9283848
    Abstract: Ultralight tricycle with electric engine including a base frame (15) fitted with two front wheels and one driving back wheel (9), an electric engine propelling the driving wheel, and one steering wheel (3) including a steering wheel (4) maneuvered by the user in order to control the steering and/or speed of the tricycle, the tricycle being designed to switch from the unfolded configuration allowing the user positioned on the base frame to ride the tricycle into a folded configuration enabling the user to seize the steering wheel in order to have the tricycle rolling on its two front wheels while keeping the back wheel away from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Raoul Parienti
  • Vehicle splash guard
    Patent number: 9284000
    Abstract: A splash guard configured to reduce drag forces, and in turn, improve the aerodynamics of an associated vehicle. The splash guard in some examples defines a forward facing airflow contact surface and rearwardly extending side fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Push luggage assembly with a walker and attached bags
    Patent number: 9283137
    Abstract: A push luggage assembly with a luggage bag and walker. The walker has a collapsible framework, wherein the walker has a first frame element, a second frame element and a flexible support panel that extends between the first frame element and the second frame element. The walker has folding leg elements that extend from the frame elements. Both the frame elements and the leg elements are supported by wheels. Travel bags are provided that are sized to attach to the walker. The travel bags engage the linkages that extend between the frame elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Joan White
  • Wheeled system for coolers
    Patent number: 9278704
    Abstract: A wheeled system for coolers including a wheel support and a handle support securable to a cooler using handle grips and tie-down anchor points defined on the cooler body. The wheeled system can include a telescoping handle, brake, lock, and connector tightener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: John David Cates
  • Rocker fulcrum assembly for use with hand trucks or dollies
    Patent number: 9280171
    Abstract: A Rocker Fulcrum Assembly for use with hand-trucks or dollies includes an outside flange, and an inside flange and at least two rocker plates. The outside flange comprises a first side and a second side. The inside flange comprises a connecting side and a planar side. The rocker plates are disposed underneath the flanges. The wheels are disposed at a point above the ground as the planar member rests flat on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Gregg Hillier
  • Valve stem-based air maintenance tire and method
    Patent number: 9272586
    Abstract: A valve stem-based air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation is provided employing a tire mounted air pumping system, The assembly includes a rim-mounted pressure regulator positioned within a tire cavity opposite an inward end of a tire valve stem to selectively open and close pressurized air flow from a valve stem internal passageway into the tire cavity. An elongate valve stem shaft is mounted within the valve stem air passageway and reciprocally moves axially to close off and open the valve stem air passageway to create or close a pressurized air path into the tire cavity as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Durr
  • Method and apparatus for replacing a tire valve stem without having to raise the vehicle, remove the wheel, or tire from the wheel
    Patent number: 9272588
    Abstract: A method for replacing a leaking valve stem includes the steps of cutting a part of the valve stem external to a hollow interior of a tire at the external surface of a wheel/rim so that a base of the valve stem falls into the hollow interior of the tire and so that a wheel aperture is exposed. A replacement valve stem has a radially expandable base, a main body of frusto-conical shape, and an annular step is formed where the base meets the main body. Wrench-engageable flats are formed in a narrow end of the main body and an internally threaded boss is secured to the wrench-engageable flats. The radially expandable base is inserted into the wheel aperture and the annular step abuts an exterior surface of the wheel/rim. The expandable base is then expanded until the wheel/rim is tightly sandwiched between the expanded base and the annular step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: John R. Groom, John McGahee
  • Automated guided cart system control
    Patent number: 9268334
    Abstract: A method of operating an automated guided cart may include directing, using a controller, the cart on a production operation path; automatically detecting a state-of-charge in an on-board battery pack; signaling to a remote station the state-of-charge; and when the state-of-charge is below a predetermined charge limit, the remote station automatically signaling the cart to automatically veer from the production operation path to a low battery charge path and stop at a battery station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Paul H. Vavrick
  • Non-pneumatic tire
    Patent number: 9266388
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire with at least one annular band having an inner ring and a deformable outer ring, a plurality of generally flexible web-spokes connecting the inner ring to the outer ring and a ground contacting tread cap affixed to the annular band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventors: Axel Schaedler, Ryan Cmich, Brad Pausche, Jimmy N. Eavenson, Sr.
  • In-vehicle battery system
    Patent number: 9260068
    Abstract: An in-vehicle battery system comprises a first power storage module including a lead-acid battery, and a second power storage module including a power storage portion having a higher energy density than that of the lead-acid battery. The lead-acid battery and the power storage portion are electrically connected in parallel to a power generating portion which converts a regenerative energy to electric power. The first power storage module and the second power storage module are provided in an engine room of a vehicle. The second power storage module is disposed more distantly than the first power storage module from an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ohsumi, Kaoru Nakajima, Akinobu Tsunesada, Hideki Sakata
  • Collapsible stroller having reversible seat
    Patent number: 9260128
    Abstract: A collapsible stroller comprising a frame and a reversible seat (5) comprising an armrest portion (5.5) is provided. The reversible seat (5) is mountable via an attachment point on the stroller frame in either a forward or rearward orientation with respect to the stroller frame, and in such a way that the attachment point can be moved relative to the stroller frame for collapse of the reversible seat (5) along with the stroller frame, irrespective of the reversible seat's orientation. An associated reversible seat structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNITRON ENTERPRISES ZHUHAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiuping Liu
  • Maneuverable strollers
    Patent number: 9260127
    Abstract: Maneuverable strollers are disclosed herein. An example stroller disclosed herein includes a frame having a front wheel and rear wheel to support the frame. An intermediate wheel is positioned between the front wheel and the rear wheel. The example stroller includes a support having a first end and a second end, where the first end supports the intermediate wheel and the second end supports the rear wheel. The support to pivotally couple the intermediate wheel and the rear wheel to the frame, the support defining a pivot axis positioned between the intermediate wheel and the rear wheel when the support is pivotally coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KOLCRAFT ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Rolicki, Liviu Iftinca, Wes Thomas, Ted Bretschger
  • Motor integration assembly
    Patent number: 9259999
    Abstract: A motor integration assembly includes a supporting structure for connecting a transmission of a vehicle to a drivetrain of the vehicle, wherein the support structure includes a housing to receive a portion of the drivetrain of the vehicle. The motor integration assembly also includes a torque transfer unit for transferring torque from an electric machine to the portion of the drivetrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: XL Hybrids
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Leach, Neal Ennis Brenner, Joseph Paul Hafer, Joseph D. McCabe
  • Valve stem-based pressure regulator system for an air maintenance tire and method
    Patent number: 9259981
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation includes a pressurized air supply assembly for supplying pressurized air to a tire cavity through an elongate outward projecting, valve stem passageway. An elongate centrally disposed shaft within the valve stem reciprocally moves axially in the valve stem internal air passageway between a passageway-opening axial position and a passageway-closing axial position. A pressure regulator is provided to move the elongate shaft axially between the passageway-opening and passageway-closing positions responsive to a detected air pressure level within the tire cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Durr
  • Child seat carriage
    Patent number: 9254857
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting an object on a carriage in tandem with a wheeled case are presented. A carriage in one embodiment includes a generally planar platform supported by one or more rolling members, a fence strap for holding the seat against a fence that extends upwardly from the platform, and an anchor strap connecting the seat to the wheeled case. The carriage may be used to transport any object or seat, such as a child safety seat. In another embodiment, the platform includes a leading section connected to a trailing section. The trailing section may include an opening that is sized shaped to receive at least a portion of the rolling members therethrough when the two sections are folded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: David M. Fiebelkorn
  • Sealing device, in particular for wheel hubs of motor bikes
    Patent number: 9248699
    Abstract: A sealing device including an annular reinforcing insert couplable with a wheel hub in use and an annular sealing element carried by the reinforcing insert and including at least one sealing lip cooperating with a spacer carried by a wheel support pin in use; the reinforcing insert delimits an annular chamber arranged directly adjacent to the annular sealing element in axial direction, and the device further includes a shield mounted in floating manner with radial and axial play in the annular chamber, including a first radial end, which extends to the lip and couples in forced manner with the spacer in use, and a second radial end, opposite to the first, which cooperates with the reinforcing insert and with the annular sealing element to create a labyrinth seal in the annular chamber interposed in use between the annular lip and an environment (E) external to the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Paolo Giraudo, Alessandro Lo Conte
  • Noseguard assemblies for skateboards and related methods of use
    Patent number: 9248367
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides advantageous skateboard assemblies (e.g., advantageous skateboard guard assemblies). More particularly, the present disclosure provides advantageous guard/noseguard assemblies for skateboards and related methods of use. The present disclosure provides for mountable, interchangeable and/or removable guard/noseguard assemblies for skateboards. The skateboard guard assemblies typically include a contoured or shaped top surface, each contoured/shaped top surface configured and dimensioned to provide the user/rider at least one advantageous surface that a user/rider can position a foot onto/over during use (e.g., a surface that a user/rider can utilize to place or position a foot directly onto/above, with the bottom side of the user's foot contacting the top surface of the guard assembly).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Original Skateboards, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Imbrie, Joel Penkala
  • Low-floor electric bus
    Patent number: 9252417
    Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Hill, Michael Walker, Michael Fields, Shaun Onorato, Donald Morris, Stephen Misencik, John Winkel