Patents Examined by Hau Phan
  • Modular hybrid transmission
    Patent number: 9086126
    Abstract: The disconnect clutch and motor of a parallel type hybrid electric vehicle are repositioned within the wet zone of an automatic transmission to compactly and efficiently reconfigure a drive line using a motor and transmission assembly. A drive shell is provided interposed between the engine output and the disconnect clutch input which surrounds the torque converter enabling the torque converter to move independent to the engine output shaft. The resulting structure is compact and provides good structural support and cooling for the disconnect clutch and motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Anatole Frait, Steven Gerald Thomas
  • Saddle ride type vehicle
    Patent number: 9085230
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a vehicle body frame with a single down frame extending downwardly and rearwardly from a head pipe supporting a front fork in a steerable manner. An engine main body arranged behind the down frame, said engine main body being mounted on the vehicle body frame. A pair of left and right radiators arranged separately on left and right sides of the down frame respectively, said pair of left and right radiators being supported on the vehicle body frame in front of the engine main body. Exhaust pipes connected to front portions of an engine main body with a down frame and a pair of left and right radiators being arranged side by side in a left-right direction wherein the exhaust pipes are located between at least one of the pair of left and right radiators and the down frame in a vehicle front view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Nakamura, Shinichiro Ishida
  • Foldable trolley
    Patent number: 9079598
    Abstract: A foldable trolley includes a chassis frame, which includes a front wheel set and a rear wheel set between a slidable plate is arranged for driving the rear wheel set to collapse toward the front wheel set. The first frame is coupled to a first driver device and is mounted on the slidable plate. The second frame is coupled to a second driver device and connected to the first frame. The first driver device drives the first frame to bend toward the front wheel set and the first frame drives the slidable plate to move simultaneously so as to have the rear wheel set to collapse towards the front wheel set. The second driver device drives the second frame to bend toward the rear wheel set so as to achieve an effect of multiple-stage folding to effectively reduce the overall size after folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Acrox Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yia-Yuan Oreyang
  • Multiple direct touring positions for snowboard boot binding mounting base
    Patent number: 9079094
    Abstract: A binding device for a snowboard boot to rest upon to secure user to a climb and slide device in selective modes including a split ski climbing mode and an attached ski section sliding mode, for traversing mainly over snow and ice covered terrain. A binding device includes a mounting base including multiple direct locking features in the mounting base with which to interact with mating interfaces on a ski shaped touring device binding interfaces. An axle pivot pin axis system is also disclosed that may selectively articulate the mounting plate in a walking motion on the ski touring device. A selective locked heel mode with locking ability directly on the mounting plate is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventor: Lane A. Ekberg
  • Stator holding plate with inverter fastening function
    Patent number: 9073424
    Abstract: A stator holding plate (1) for a wheel hub drive system, in particular for an electric and/or hybrid vehicle, which stator holding plate has a stator fastening portion (S) for the fastening of a stator (103, 105) of an electric motor to the stator holding plate (1) and has an inverter fastening portion (I) for the fastening of an inverter (30) to the stator holding plate (1). A wheel hub drive system equipped with the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Vogler, Raphael Fischer, Mark Lauger
  • Transverse force-reducing support device
    Patent number: 9073517
    Abstract: A support device for a mobile lifting machine, in particular a vehicle crane, comprises a carrier support coupled to the vehicle chassis, a piston rod coupled to the carrier support and movable relative to the carrier support, and a support disc coupled to the piston rod, wherein the support device is configured such that it allows a movement of the support disc relative to the carrier support in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
    Inventors: Johannes Schürmann, Oliver Engelbrecht
  • Working vehicle
    Patent number: 9073581
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a traveling machine assembly, a drive unit, a bonnet configured to cover the drive unit, and a cover provided below the bonnet and configured to be removably attached to the traveling machine assembly, including a main body portion extending in a longitudinal direction of the traveling machine assembly, a first male engagement portion provided at a front end portion of the main body portion, a second male engagement portion provided at a rear end portion of the main body portion, and a third male engagement portion provided at a lower end portion of the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Aoyama, Shinsuke Kashiyama, Shinichiro Matsuda, Megumi Sawai, Kazunobu Sugano
  • Exhaust system of saddle-ride type vehicle
    Patent number: 9062588
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle that allows easy axle adjustment even if the exhaust system has such a structure wherein a muffler is close to an axle of a rear wheel. The exhaust system includes a tubular muffler connected to an exhaust pipe for discharging the exhaust of an engine. In the exhaust system, the muffler is disposed laterally to a rear wheel rotatably supported by swingarms via an axle. An end cap covering a muffler rear end portion of the muffler is detachably and attachably provided on the muffler rear end portion with the end cap being disposed on a vehicle outer side of the axle at such a position that the axle is invisible in a side view of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Iwata, Yuuhei Mukai
  • Multi purpose beach cart
    Patent number: 9061695
    Abstract: A multi purpose beach cart configured to traverse a multitude of terrains having a first and second hinge plate pair configured to hinge each of a cart frame, a handle frame, a right wheel leg, and a left wheel leg, respectively such that beach cart is configured to fold together for transport. A front wheel leg and a front wheel is disposed upon an forward end of the cart frame. A chair holder frame is disposed upon each of two hinges attached to the cart frame. The beach cart also has a large beach bag having a rigid upper rim, an umbrella bag, a cooler bag, an insulated cooler, a chair holder frame, a tray disposed upon the handle frame, and at least one speaker configured to play music from a portable media player. The beach cart also includes a support base and load bearing first and second lateral members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Cheryl M. Mann
  • Navigation system and method
    Patent number: 9063211
    Abstract: A navigation system and associate methods are described that include a plurality of fixed terrestrial based reference devices that calibrate the system by tracking positional error between the fixed terrestrial based reference devices. A navigation system and associated methods are also described that include a laser positioning system. A navigation system and associated methods are described that include an RF positioning system. In one example, the laser positioning system, and the RF positioning system cross check one another to ensure reliability and accuracy of a position measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Autonomous Tractor Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Anderson, Robert S. Cornelius, Frank Artner
  • Power unit for vehicle
    Patent number: 9056545
    Abstract: A transmission partly overlapping clutches as viewed from an axial direction of a crankshaft is disposed below an inclined cylinder axis of an engine main body. A speed change actuator is disposed in a position such that the transmission is interposed between the speed change actuator and the crankshaft. An exhaust pipe connected to a lower side wall of a cylinder head is extended so as to pass above the transmission and partly overlap an upper portion of the speed change actuator as viewed from the axial direction of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Norita, Toshimasa Mitsubori
  • Ballot box cart
    Patent number: 9058708
    Abstract: A utility cart for storage, transport and setup of voting devices into a completely-operational configuration, ready for use, while still on the cart. The utility cart employs a deployable privacy curtain that erects a 360 degree private voting environment around the equipment using the voting equipment. When loaded with a tabulator/ballot box, the cart may be wheeled from storage into a usable position in the precinct, onboard equipment plugged in, the utility cart deployed and privacy curtain erected, and the precinct is then ready for voting traffic. All the loaded equipment is fully protected during transport and restrained against lateral motion, and yet when deployed full access is given to the control panels, doors, etc. Moreover, the particular design maximizes strength and usability, and yet keeps weight to a minimum with a framework that is as light weight as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventors: Gary V. Abel, Joseph Wilson
  • Camera pedestal
    Patent number: 9057481
    Abstract: A camera pedestal has wheels that can be positively steered via a steering bar operating a corrective and crab mode steering system, and that may also be uncoupled from the steering system and operated in a caster wheel mode. The pedestal includes a base having a chassis and four leg assemblies. Each leg assembly has an upper component rotatably attached to the chassis, and wheels attached to a lower component via a caster fitting. The caster fitting allows the wheels to be positioned in a normal position where they are aligned with the rotation axis of the leg assembly, and into a caster position where the wheels are offset from the rotation axis, to allow for caster rolling movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Camera dolly
    Patent number: 9050985
    Abstract: A camera dolly has wheels that can be positively steered via a steering bar operating a corrective and crab mode steering system. A spring holds a steering transmission of the steering system into the crab mode. The dolly operator may shift from the crab mode into the corrective mode by momentarily pushing down on a plunger on the steering bar, when the wheels are straight. After performing a corrective steering maneuver, the spring causes the steering system to automatically return to the crab steering mode when the wheels are steered back to the straight position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Device for transporting refuse containers and method of use
    Patent number: 9050995
    Abstract: A device for transporting a plurality of refuse containers across either a support surface or a winter support surface, includes a housing which is partitioned into a plurality of compartments, each compartment is shaped and dimensioned to receive a refuse container. A plurality of skis are removably connectable to the housing, the skis being used to move the housing across the winter support surface. Alternatively, a plurality of wheels are removably connectable to the housing, the wheels being used to move the housing across the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Donald Joseph Montean
  • Roll container
    Patent number: 9050986
    Abstract: A roll container is suitable for transporting post, namely letters. The novel roll container includes two opposing parallel side wall frames, wherein the front ends of the side wall frames define the width of the front opening of the roll container. The roll container also includes a door, and a hinge which connects the door to one of the side wall frames. The door includes a lower portion and an upper portion which is arranged slidably to tracks provided to the lower portion. The roll container further includes a device configured to lock the upper portion of the door to the front end of the side wall frames at different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: K. HARTWALL OY AB
    Inventors: Mikko Järvi, Andrew Clark
  • Deployable safety apparatus
    Patent number: 9045881
    Abstract: A deployable safety apparatus attached to a vehicle frame includes two or more support components that are coupled to the vehicle frame, extend outwardly from the vehicle frame when the safety apparatus is deployed, and retract inwardly toward the vehicle frame when the safety apparatus is not deployed, or retracted. Barrier components coupled to one or more corresponding support components form a safety barrier surrounding at least a portion of the vehicle when the safety apparatus is deployed and remain in a retracted position near the side of the vehicle when the safety apparatus is in a retracted position (i.e., not deployed). In some embodiments, at least some barrier components are additionally configured to form a fall-prevention barrier extending upward from the vehicle when the safety apparatus is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Yankee Ridge Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Schlueter, Hugh Gallivan
  • Snowboard
    Patent number: 9044663
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the combination of a snowboard with a 3-dimensional sole which wholly or partly has a tripartite sliding surface in the portion between the transition to the tip(s) and the binding fastening(s), in addition to which the board is equipped with an additional special 3-dimensional geometry in the tip(s), in order to continue the existing uplift in the lateral sliding surface (5), thereby ensuring better uplift and thus better glide and greater speed in loose snow, a combination which provides quite unique riding characteristics. The tip of the snowboard is designed in such a manner that it presses the snow under the board more efficiently, lifting it further up from the snow than an ordinary tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HiTurn AS
    Inventor: Jorgen Karlsen
  • Convertible ski systems having toe binding mounts and associated quick-release locking mechanisms
    Patent number: 9039030
    Abstract: A ski system includes a ski, a heel binding provided on an upper surface of the ski, a toe binding mount provided on the upper surface of the ski forward of the heel binding, a toe binding releasably mounted to the toe binding mount, and a quick-release locking mechanism for locking the toe binding to the toe binding mount. The quick-release locking mechanism is configured for release by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Lars Chickering-Ayers
  • Agricultural vehicle
    Patent number: 9038755
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle comprises front and rear axle assemblies supported in mutually spaced relation by one or more vehicle frame members that also support a drive train comprising: a) one or more air compressors; b) one or more fuel sources; c) a fuel cell comprising one or more fuel cell modules; and d) one or more electric motors, that are operatively connected together. The air compressor feeds air to the fuel cell, the or each fuel source feeds fuel to the fuel cell and the electric motors are connected or connectable to the fuel cell such that electrical power generated during operation of the fuel cell causes activation of one or more of the motors to power the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Enrico Sedoni, Roberto Ferrari, Riccardo Morselli, Riccardo Spadoni