Patents Examined by Hau Phan
  • Patent number: 9751547
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage unit for containment, shipping, and storage of articles. The storage unit includes a base and a frame. In various embodiments, the frame may be generally rectangular and defining a storage region therein. The base of the storage unit is designed to matingly engage with a removable wheeled dolly. In a typical embodiment, the dolly facilitates maneuverability and positioning of the storage unit, particularly in confined areas. In various embodiments, a single dolly may facilitate manipulation of multiple storage units, wherein the dolly may be attached to a storage unit while the storage unit is in use and removed when the storage unit is in long-term storage, thereby reducing the space required to store the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Daniel P. Davison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9752652
    Abstract: Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Moore, Philip S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9751270
    Abstract: The present invention provides an annular beam of monolithic construction of one homogeneous material and a related efficient, low-cost non-pneumatic tire. Specific geometric design, combined with nonlinear elastomer physical properties, enable the suppression of all reinforcing belts, continuous fibers, or other strengthening layers in the annular beam. The annular beam consists of at least two bands that are continuous in the circumferential direction and connected by a web geometry. The non-pneumatic tire consists of the annular beam, a ground contacting portion, a central wheel, and a plurality of web spokes that connect the wheel and beam. When the tire is loaded to a design load against a flat surface over a design contact length, a contact area of essentially uniform pressure is produced, while the load is transmitted from the beam to the hub via tension in the web spokes. The tire can be economically manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCING MOBILITY, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9745718
    Abstract: An intermediate pipe is superimposed on both of a first exhaust treatment device and a second exhaust treatment device in a plan view. A counterweight is located in a direction of vehicle width of the first exhaust treatment device and the second exhaust treatment device in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yuuya Mochimaru
  • Patent number: 9738152
    Abstract: An airflow guiding system for a vehicle may include an ambient air intake to receive ambient air in front of a vehicle, engine compartment air holes disposed at a rear side of the ambient air intake and formed to transmit air passing through the ambient air intake to an engine compartment, main ducts disposed at a rear side of the ambient air intake and formed to transmit the air passing through the ambient air intake to each of front wheels, and air flaps operable so as to selectively open or close the engine compartment air holes, in which the air flaps may be configured to close the main ducts when the engine compartment air holes are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Young Yoon, Dong Eun Cha, Seung Mok Lee, Hyun Gyung Kim
  • Patent number: 9738153
    Abstract: An intercooler air-guide of dual duct type for improving crash performance guiding head wind toward an intercooler may include a guide frame including a first opening portion and a second opening portion, and a guide portion coupled to the guide frame to improve crash performance of the intercooler air-guide of dual duct type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dang-Hee Park, Bong-Soo Kim, Yong-Beom Park, Su-Whan Kim
  • Patent number: 9737786
    Abstract: A running surface for a ski having a running surface profile that has slideback prevention elements with sliding surfaces which slope up counter to a sliding direction and merge into push-off flanks. The slideback prevention elements have at least one first ramp element having a longitudinally convexly curved sliding surface with a first radius of curvature (r1) and at least one second ramp element. The the second ramp element has a longitudinally convexly curved sliding surface with a second radius of curvature (r2) which is greater than that of the first ramp element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Fischer Sports GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Holovicz
  • Patent number: 9738444
    Abstract: A refuse receptacle is disclosed, having a body with an upper and a lower portion, the upper portion having a top rim forming a gusset with a vertical wall and a horizontal wall, the lower portion having a bottom side with a base rim. On the back side of the upper portion is a handle attached to the body of the receptacle. The handle is attached to the upper portion by at least one projecting sidewall. A lid is included, having a convex upper surface and two sets of opposing sidewalls. The opposing sidewalls correspond with the top rim of the body. The lid includes at least one projection to attach to the handle with a securing plate and fastener. The lower portion includes a drainage plug so that liquids within the body can be easily drained. A pair of wheels are connected by an axle and housed within wheel recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Suncast Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Uffner, Michael R. Vogler
  • Patent number: 9737448
    Abstract: A wheelchair apparatus is provided for raising and lowering a user of the wheelchair, while allowing the user to manually move the wheelchair at any height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Jerome C. Farmer
  • Patent number: 9731188
    Abstract: An adjustable roller skate is provided with a lower frame including a toe stop; a wheel assembly secured to the lower frame; an upper frame including a groove, a trough disposed rearward of the groove, a channel at a rear end, and a seat disposed in the trough and having a recess communicating with the channel; an adjustment mechanism including an externally threaded shaft disposed in both the channel and the recess, and a handle pivotably secured to a rear end of the externally threaded shaft and disposed externally of the upper frame; a sole including a toe cap, an internally threaded member on an underside of a rear end and threadedly secured to the externally threaded shaft, and a stem on the underside and slidably disposed in the groove; and a shoe disposed around an edge of the sole with the toe cap concealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Ching-Ho Yeh
  • Patent number: 9731742
    Abstract: A shopping cart includes a frame, a plurality of wheels for supporting the frame for movement over a floor, an arm connected to the frame, and a projection positioned proximate at least one of the wheels. The frame has a front end and a rear end. The arm is configured to engage the tow member for moving the frame. The projection engages the guide member to prevent one of the front end and the rear end from rotating over the other of the front end and the rear end. A handle assembly may include an elongated slot positioned proximate a handle. The shopping cart may also include a tray is releasably secured to the frame by inserting a tab into a slot. The shopping cart may also include a tab received within a slot to secure a basket against movement relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rick Stauff, Gary Vande Berg, Roy Watson
  • Patent number: 9730386
    Abstract: In a riding mower having a frame, a mower deck supported beneath the frame, a chair on said frame and a source of motive power also supported on said frame and including two hydraulic transaxles depending beneath the frame to each selectively rotate a drive wheel. The frame is supported on forward and rear wheel assemblies with a supporting wheel. The transaxles are supported beneath the frame and pivotally secured thereto by a flange captivating vibration pillows and proximate the driven wheel and an inner pivot rod secured to the frame by apertures in downwardly depending tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Charles Bradley Covington, Warren Long
  • Patent number: 9725106
    Abstract: A child push chair frame, such as a child push chair sports frame, buggy frame or similar vehicle frame for children, includes two rear wheels, at least one front wheel, and a pusher for pushing the child push chair frame. The child push chair frame may also include stabilizing struts that are foldable from a spread-apart travelling position into a fully folded-together transportation position and vice versa, and are latchable between these two positions and at least one further position, such as a parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: CYBEX GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Pos
  • Patent number: 9717177
    Abstract: Disclosed is a switch control mechanism for a garden tool, the mechanism comprising handles, a switch and shift rods. Triggers are arranged on the handles, and the handles can rotate around the axes thereof. The triggers are connected to the shift rods by pull ropes, and the contact faces between the pull ropes and the triggers are spherical faces. The handles of the switch control mechanism for the garden tool can rotate within 360 degrees, so as to satisfy different operators, and can ensure that a user can control the switch of a machine wherever the handles are placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SUZHOU CLEVA ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoxian Bian, Juan Wei, Juan Gu, Yongping Sun
  • Patent number: 9719534
    Abstract: A modular pneumatic robotic actuator, including a first elongated hollow structure and a second elongated hollow structure connected to each other at a moveable joint; an inflatable bladder comprised of an elastomeric material disposed at the joint and immobilized between the first and second hollow structures, wherein the inflatable bladder inflates preferentially away from the joint; and a restraining membrane comprised of an elastomeric material disposed over the bladder and connecting the first and second hollow structures, wherein the restraining membrane is relaxed when the bladder is deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Yanina Shevchenko, George M. Whitesides, Adam Stokes, Gabrielle Compton
  • Patent number: 9718501
    Abstract: A fender integrated aerodynamic mud, rock and splash guard for a vehicle, comprising: a) a front surface, b) a back surface, c) a fender skirt portion, d) bumper grill radiator portion, e) behind grill portion, and f) bumper tab, wherein the guard is adapted to be an extension of an inner fender skirt, wherein the guard is adapted to be an extension of an inner fender skirt, wherein the guard is affixed along a fender skirt edge, wherein the guard is configured to extend from the fender skirt edge along a portion of a front portion of a wheel well to overlap with a back portion of a front bumper, and wherein the front surface faces away from a volume of a wheel well and the back surface faces the volume of the wheel well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Harry Blake Manley
  • Patent number: 9718341
    Abstract: Power systems, heat exchanger systems, electrical regeneration systems and air drag reduction systems for a wheeled vehicle are provided. The systems comprise a vehicle that includes a compressed air system and electrical system. The power and drag reduction system also comprises a plurality of pneumatic motors, one each connected to each wheel, the pneumatic motors using compressed air to drive each wheel. The electrical system supports vehicle braking and regenerates electricity for vehicle batteries. A heat exchanger heats expanding air and is configured to substantially evenly distribute said heated air to the pneumatic motors. Air from a front grill is diverted to impellers that turn electric generators to regenerate power and reduce drag. A drag reducing arrangement blending mirrors with camera into the vehicle body is included as is a plug-in 120-volt trickle charge system and a quick charge (DC) system for battery charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Craig Antrobus, Ibrahim Dincer, Reza Mohammadali zadeh, Calin Zamfirescu
  • Patent number: 9722223
    Abstract: An exemplary battery pack retention assembly includes a bracket, a protrusion configured to transition from a disengaged position with the bracket to an engaged position with the bracket in response to movement of a battery pack enclosure relative to a portion of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Patent number: 9719233
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe (7A) in an engine (7) is provided with an exhaust gas purifying device (10) with a urea selective reduction catalyst (13A) removing nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas. The exhaust gas purifying device (10) is provided with a urea water injection valve (14) that injects urea water as a reducing agent to the upstream side of the urea selective reduction catalyst (13A). The urea water injection valve (14) is connected to a urea water tank (22) through a urea water pump (25). The urea water pump (25) is arranged in an upper side to the urea water tank (22). A return conduit line (30) in which the urea water flows from the urea water pump (25) toward the urea water tank (22) is disposed in an upper-lower direction between the urea water pump (25) and the urea water tank (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Abe
  • Patent number: 9707469
    Abstract: The Double Barrel Mounting Hardware invention is a hardware application for attaching skateboard trucks to the underside of a skateboard deck. The hardware is shaped like an elongated U (Harness) and mounts from the underside of the skateboard trucks through two corresponding holes on either the left or right side of the skateboard truck. The Double Barrel Mounting Hardware spans across these two corresponding holes in the skateboard truck along the underside of the skateboard truck baseplate and has two 90 degrees turned barrels at each end to pass through the holes in the skateboard truck baseplate and into the underside corresponding holes in the skateboard deck. The barrel of the harness that goes through the skateboard trucks and into the skateboard deck contains female threaded barrels. Male threaded mating bolts engage the harness barrels from the top side of the skateboard deck and when threaded together the mating bolt and harness bond the skateboard deck and skateboard trucks together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Daniel Roland, James William Walker