Patents Examined by Hau Phan
  • Patent number: 9004521
    Abstract: A ball mount holder assembly for mounting to a carrying device includes a body having opposed sides and a stake flange that extends substantially perpendicularly from one of the opposed sides that is adapted to be secured to a surface. A pin flange extends substantially perpendicularly from an opposite one of the opposed sides and in a direction opposite the stake flange and is adapted to receive and carry a ball mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Steven A. Dringenberg
  • Patent number: 8997904
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump powering system includes a mobile vehicle, a first electric current generator device, and one or more electric pump motors. The mobile vehicle has first and second prime movers. The first electric current generator device is disposed onboard the mobile vehicle and is configured to be mechanically coupled with the first prime mover to convert movement created by the first prime mover into first electric current. The one or more electric pump motors are configured to receive the first electric current to power a hydraulic pump. The second prime mover is configured to generate movement that is converted into a propulsive force that propels the mobile vehicle. The one or more electric pump motors are configured to receive the first electric current in order to power the hydraulic pump to pump a fluid into a pumping location located off-board the mobile vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Cryer, George J. Wnukoski, David Kamensky, Ramesh Krishnan, William Halli, Alexey Gaev, Ryan Martorella, Tarun Shivlani
  • Patent number: 8998226
    Abstract: A three wheeled scooter comprises a chassis having forward and aft ends with a front wheel non-pivotally mounted to the forward end and a pair of rear wheels coaxially mounted to the aft end. The chassis defines a longitudinal axis and includes a support assembly and a handle assembly extending upwardly from the support assembly. The rear wheels are configured to be angularly yawable relative to the longitudinal axis between a neutral position and a yawed position. Steering of the scooter is thereby effectuated by angular yawing of the rear wheels relative to the longitudinal axis such as by asymmetric loading of one of opposing sides of the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SBYKE USA LLC
    Inventor: Bradley E. Wernli
  • Patent number: 8997901
    Abstract: A vehicular body panel energy generator system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the system includes a vehicle body and a plurality of body panels forming the vehicle body. At least one of the body panels comprises a vehicular solar panel. A method of generating and utilizing electrical power in a vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aric Shaffer, Joseph Patterson, Ronald Miller, Perry Macneille
  • Patent number: 8998222
    Abstract: A foldable rollator includes: a main support frame including two spaced-apart front support rods; a rear support frame including two spaced-apart rear support rods pivotally coupled to the front support rods, respectively; a plurality of wheels respectively installed on the main support frame and the rear support rods for rolling on the ground; an intermediate support frame coupled to the main support frame and the rear support frame, including a front support sub-frame pivotally coupled between the front support rods and a rear support sub-frame pivotally coupled between the rear support rods, the front and rear support sub-frames being further pivotally coupled to an axle; a seat unit disposed atop the intermediate support frame; and a backrest unit pivotally coupled to the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Wendy Huang
  • Patent number: 8998219
    Abstract: A collapsible cart comprising primary and multiple secondary storages spaces. The collapsible cart comprises a bottom on which wheels are mounted and a collapsing frame, which permits the adjustment of cart height. There is also a lid that doubles as a handle to move the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Beverly Sellers
  • Patent number: 8998217
    Abstract: A footwear product (10) with a selectively retractable skating mechanism (30) that permits a user to selectively change from WALK to SKATE. Mechanism (30) includes two coaxially disposed elongated rail assemblies (40; 60) conforming to each other and snuggly fitted to allow them to slide and cammingly deploy and retract wheel assembly (80) that protrudes outwardly in the SKATE position. Upper rail assembly (40) is totally housed within the sole assembly (20) in the WALK position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Spano, Jack Franco, Vito DiGregorio
  • Patent number: 8998241
    Abstract: A foldable structure for baby strollers is revealed. The foldable structure includes two joints at each side thereof. A push rod, a front support with a sliding member and a rear support are pivotally connected to each joint. The sliding member is linked to the push rod and the rear support by an upper link and a lower link respectively. A quadrilateral linkage is arranged between the two front supports while a seat is pivotally connected to and located above the quadrilateral linkage. The quadrilateral linkage is linked to front wheel sets and the sliding members. Thereby the quadrilateral linkage is driven to move through the upper and the lower links and the sliding members when the joint is released from a locked state and the push rod is pushed forward. The front wheel sets are also folded. Thus the baby stroller is folded into a compact size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 8998246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible cart which has a substantially rectangular base comprising four side regions, four corner regions and hinge assemblies disposed at each corner region, hinged upright frame assemblies having a lower end rotatably connected to the hinge assemblies at the base, and an open top frame having hinge assemblies at each corner region rotatably connected to an upper end of the hinged upright frame assemblies. The base, upright and top frame hinge assemblies are all oriented so the upright frame assemblies can fold along the side regions of the cart when the collapsible cart is folded flat. In one particular embodiment, the base and top frame are square. A basket for storing a variety of items may be attached to the collapsible cart. The collapsible cart may also have wheels or casters on the base to permit easy movement of the collapsible cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Griffard & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Griffard
  • Patent number: 8991836
    Abstract: A child seat for a shopping cart comprises a gate, a back rest, two arms and a seat. The arms connect to the gate at one end and the back rest at the other. The arms connect to the gate at an angle, which provides resistance so that the back rest does not fall while buckling the child into the seat. The arms terminate in a chamber, which encompasses the back rest and allows the back rest to fold. One end of the seat terminates in a channel, which encompasses the base wire of the back rest, allowing the back rest to rotate. The second end of the seat terminates in a second channel, which encompasses attachment members on the gate, thereby allowing the seat to rotate. The attachment members include wires, which interact with a step in the second channel to lock the seat to the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: AMSA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivor Michel Walter, Ning Siu Sin
  • Patent number: 8991835
    Abstract: Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. Tensile towing forces applied to a strap are distributed to avoid tearing the sled body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ARC Products, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan A. Wolf, Clifford G. Adkins
  • Patent number: 8985253
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a generator coupled with an internal combustion engine and configured to produce generated electrical power in response to operation of the internal combustion engine. The generator includes a rotor, a stator, and a clutch configured to selectively disengage the rotor. The vehicle also includes a controller coupled with the generator, a power receptacle, and an operator control device. Generators are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Winter, Kohsuke Asao, Anthony P. Mascadri
  • Patent number: 8985617
    Abstract: Provided herein is a lightweight stroller that can be transitioned between a closed position and an open position. The stroller includes a seating portion and at least one frame supporting the seating portion and transitionable from an open position to a closed position. The frame includes at least a front support rotatably connected to rear support. The stroller also includes a cinching strap connected between the front support and the rear support. The cinching strap is configured such that, as the frame transitions from the open position to the closed position, the cinching strap pulls the rear support toward the front support or the front support toward the front support. The cinching strap may at least partially maintain the front support and the rear support in the closed position. The cinching strap may include a flexible portion formed from a string, cable, polymer sheet, braided webbing, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thorley Industries LLC
    Inventors: Justine Rembisz, Robert D. Daley, Frederick Karl Hopke, Henry F. Thorne, John J. Walker, Elijah M. Wiegmann
  • Patent number: 8985602
    Abstract: The scooter of the present invention includes a footboard having a front portion, and a rear portion attached to a rear wheel; a front wheel axle having an upward axis perpendicular with the front wheel axle and a steering axis, wherein the front wheel axle is rotatable with respect to the steering axis; and a plurality of front wheels attached to the front wheel axle. The steering axis forms a predetermined adjacent angle between 0 degree and 90 degree with respect to the upward axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nicer Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Yui Chan
  • Patent number: 8985260
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, an engine, and an exhaust system. The frame includes a main frame and a sub-frame movably attached to the main frame. The sub-frame includes an exhaust bracket that includes a hollow collar. The engine includes an engine casing and an exhaust port. The engine is releasably attached to the sub-frame. The exhaust system includes a conduit, a conduit bracket, and a muffler. The conduit includes an upstream end and a downstream end. The upstream end is connected to the exhaust port. The conduit bracket includes a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the conduit at a location intermediate the upstream end of the conduit and the downstream end of the conduit. The second end of the conduit bracket is movably attached to the hollow collar. The muffler is attached to the downstream end of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Holoweiko, Travis Barkey
  • Patent number: 8985616
    Abstract: The utility model provides a baby stroller capable of be folded with one hand, which comprises a comprise a joint seat, an upper joint, a lower joint, an annular pressing block, a lock device being used in the lower joint and the upper joint to avoid rotating among the lower joint, a folding device being used to control the lock device for locking or releasing the upper joint and the lower joint, wherein the folding device comprises a connecting seat, a lever, a wire and a lifting belt; the connecting seat is provided with first release components to control and lock the lever in case of movement. The present invention can fold the baby stroller by one hand, and the operation is very convenient, flexible, and effortless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Yong Xiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8979113
    Abstract: A combination device is featured for both tethering a snowboard to the boot of a user and for carrying a snowboard over the shoulder. The device has a retraction unit that houses a spring-wound strap within. The retractable unit has a flange for attaching the unit to one of the bindings of the snowboard. Screws are used to affix the flange, and hence the retraction unit, to the binding. The combination tether and carrying strap is easily accessible by pulling on the hooking latch, which is attached to the retractable strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Domenico Rossi, Steve Mattson
  • Patent number: 8979099
    Abstract: A foldable and portable pallet jack for transporting pallets comprises width-adjustable and folding forks. The skid forks adjust to different sized pallets or materials. The skid forks also fold upright against the handle section of the pallet jack allowing it to be compactly transported and stored. With the forks in a horizontal and locked position, the pallet jack provides normal lifting and transporting of heavy pallets or material in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce G. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8979100
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles between working locations including a first container comprising a first latch engagement structure and a second latch engagement structure and a second container comprising a latch. The latch selectively engages with 1) the first latch engagement structure of the first container to latch the first and second containers in a first configuration or 2) the second latch engagement structure of the first container to latch the first and second containers in a second configuration. A third container is configured to be positioned between the first and second containers. In the first configuration, one of the first and second containers is arranged on top of the other of the first and second containers without the third container therebetween. In the second configuration, the third container is provided between the first and second containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The Stanley Works Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Bensman, Nadin Daniel Horovitz
  • Patent number: 8973927
    Abstract: An auxiliary rolling system for a rolling bin having a container and a set of bin wheels mounted thereon. The auxiliary rolling system comprises a frame securable to the container of the rolling bin, at least one rotatable auxiliary wheel, and a handle for controlling the auxiliary rolling system. When mounted on the rolling bin, the at least one auxiliary wheel is positioned opposite to the set of bin wheels such that the auxiliary rolling system is movable between a stationary configuration, where movement of the bin is prevented, and a transport configuration where movement of the bin is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Guy Belanger