Patents Examined by Hau Phan
  • Patent number: 9666889
    Abstract: Provided is a power management system of an aircraft ground support vehicle. The power management system includes a power production control module in communication with a fuel cell system of the aircraft ground support vehicle to control production of electrical power by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system may be configured as a sole source of power to directly power a traction system of the aircraft ground support vehicle and to provide electrical power to an auxiliary power output of the aircraft ground support vehicle. The power management system further includes a power distribution control module in communication with the fuel cell system to control distribution of the electrical power between the traction system and the auxiliary power output. The aircraft ground support vehicle may include a chassis, the traction system, the auxiliary power output, the fuel cell system, and the power management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Loignon, Scott Brierley
  • Patent number: 9663339
    Abstract: An industrial truck with an interchangeable battery block and a battery compartment receiving the battery block, wherein the battery compartment has a floor with roller receivers, each of which can mount a roller module, wherein the roller receivers each have a central cut-out and two opposite-lying bearing sections for the roller module, wherein each of the bearing sections has a trough-shaped half shell, the base of which borders the central cut-out between the bearing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Schuler
  • Patent number: 9662958
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a condenser, a fan, a variable mechanism, a fan control unit, an outside air temperature sensor, and a storage unit. The condenser cools a cooling medium used in an air conditioner. The fan cools the condenser. The variable mechanism can change a number of rotations of the fan. The fan control unit controls the variable mechanism. The storage unit stores a plurality of control maps for setting the number of rotations of the fan to respective different numbers of rotations of the fan in accordance with the outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor. The fan control unit controls the variable mechanism in accordance with one control map selected from the plurality of control maps stored in the storage unit based on an operating state of the air conditioner, to control the number of rotations of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hoshiya, Youichi Hayashi, Yuusuke Igarashi, Shunsuke Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9655794
    Abstract: An adjustable wheelchair is disclosed which adjusts to changes in a user's size and weight which includes a scissor-type foldable mechanism which connects two side frames. Wheels for the wheelchair are attached to each of the side frames. An adjustable seat and adjustable back support are a flexible material which span from one side frame to the other. These are designed to unroll and lengthen or roll up and shorten the width of the seat and the back support between the side frames. The scissor-type foldable mechanism includes a tube which slides within a tube, a threaded rod and a threaded stop which function to allow pre-adjustment of the width of the foldable mechanism such that it may be folded and opened to the pre-adjusted width. The frames may be supplemented with reinforcements to accommodate a change in the user's weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventors: Edward T. Bednarz, III, Heather Bednarz, Ryan Murphy, Justin Sekula, Mark Willchock, Tyler J. Brown
  • Patent number: 9656517
    Abstract: A wheel bearing includes a constant velocity universal joint and a wheel bearing. The wheel bearing is separably coupled to the constant velocity universal joint with a screw fastening structure, in which a stem section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is fitted to an inner diameter portion of the hub wheel. Projecting portions extending in an axial direction are formed on the stem section of the outer joint member, and depressed portions having an interference with respect to the projecting portions are formed on the hub wheel. The stem section of the outer joint member is press-fitted to the hub wheel, and a shape of the projecting portions is transferred to the other, to thereby provide a projection and depression fitting structure in which the projecting portions and the depressed portions are in close contact at an entire fitting contact portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Mochinaga, Takayuki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 9642756
    Abstract: A foldable wheelchair frame includes two side frame components, respectively a left and a right side frame components, each mounting front and rear wheels. The side frame components being connected together for relative folding movement between an erected position and a folded position by a foldable link extending between the two side frame components. The foldable link includes at least one central strut disposed between the two side frame components and connected to each side frame component by at least two connecting arms. First left and a second left connecting arms are connected to the left side frame component, and first right and second right connecting arms are connected to the right side frame component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Invacare International Sarl
    Inventors: Aurelie Lauret, Christian Jouannet, Wifrid Da Cunha, Jean-Michel Roncin
  • Patent number: 9648256
    Abstract: A system for inspection of the undercarriage of a vehicle. The system may comprise a mobile unit or a stationary unit configured to fit in a space below the vehicle for gathering and transmitting data, images and or recordings, of the undercarriage of the vehicle. The system comprises at least one camera and preferably a plurality of cameras and at least one light source and preferably a plurality of light sources mounted on a device configured to fit in the space below a vehicle without hindering the inspection of the undercarriage of the vehicle. Photoelectric lasers or laser scanning systems may also be incorporated into the device. Data gathered by the cameras and/or laser systems can be transmitted to a controller and in some embodiments compared to standard data for recognition and potentially warning of an unexpected condition of the undercarriage without requiring physical human inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BLACK DIAMOND XTREME ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Brent Ramsey, Ray Schoenfelder, David Hail
  • Patent number: 9643074
    Abstract: A wheeled ski is disclosed that may include a flexible member. The wheeled ski may also include a first wheel assembly that includes a first wheel with a first-wheel first rotational axis and a first-wheel second rotational axis. The first-wheel first rotational axis and the second-wheel second rotational axis may intersect. The wheeled ski may also include a second wheel assembly that includes a second wheel with a second-wheel first rotational axis and a second-wheel second rotational axis. The second-wheel first rotational axis and the second-wheel second rotational axis may intersect. The first wheel assembly may further include a first axle coupled with the flexible member and a first rod that extends through the first axle. The second wheel assembly may further include a second axle coupled with the flexible member and a second rod that extends through the second axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Jacob Barnes
  • Patent number: 9643631
    Abstract: A hand truck includes a quick release/attach mechanism operating according to a method for quickly and easily exchanging various tools with the hand truck, the quick release/latch mechanism including biased locking pins movably located within tubular frame members integral to the hand truck and proximal holes in the tubular frame members for receiving a projection member of the tool and spaced a predetermined distance from a hangar portion of the tool and wherein the hangar portion may be hung on a crossbar of the tubular frame and then the projection members of the tool may be coupled with and retained by the locking pins of the tubular frame. The arrangement requires no hand tools such as wrenches or screwdrivers, and no external fasteners such as pins or bolts. The geometry of the cross bars on the hand truck allow tool attachments to be captured or releases simply by tilting the hand truck forward or backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Darryl Edward Berlinger
  • Patent number: 9643640
    Abstract: A buggy for transporting children has a frame and wheels that are rotably mounted relative to the frame to support the frame above a ground surface. A primary seat is operatively supported by the frame for supporting a first child. A secondary seat is operatively supported by the frame for supporting a second child. The buggy is convertible between an in use configuration for transporting children and a folded storage configuration, whether or not the secondary seat is attached. The secondary seat may be detachable. The secondary seat may be positioned at least partly behind and at least partly below the primary seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: PHIL AND TEDS MOST EXCELLENT BUGGY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Campbell Gower, Philip Brace
  • Patent number: 9643669
    Abstract: A system for dual-attachment of a trailer to a vehicle by either manually or robotically so that the trailer becomes a laterally-stable extension of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Donald P. Clark
  • Patent number: 9643450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel rim extender device (1) removably mountable on a wheel (3) having a tire retaining rim (27) for engaging an outer surface of a tire (5). The device (1) has an annular member (11) for location adjacent a sidewall (7) of a tire (5) mounted on the wheel (3). The annular member (11) comprises an edge portion (33a, 33b) which defines an outer circumference of the annular member (11) and a support portion (35a, 35b), disposed radially inward of the edge portion (33a, 33b), for mounting on the wheel (3), wherein the edge portion (33a, 33b) has a greater flexibility than the support portion (35a, 35b). The invention also relates to the combination of a wheel rim extender device (1) and a wheel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Richard Woolley, Oliver Legrice, Ian Sellars
  • Patent number: 9642767
    Abstract: A personal mobility device includes a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs pivotably connected to the rear legs via a pair of hubs. A handle, having a loop shape and including a grip portion, is slidably mounted within the pair of hubs so that the height of the grip can be adjusted. The hubs lock the front and rear legs in both an open (unfolded) and closed (folded) configuration. By sliding the handle downward through the hubs, the legs are unlocked from the open position and allowed to pivot until locked in the closed configuration. Conversely, by sliding the handle upward through the hubs, the legs are unlocked from the closed position and allowed to pivot until locked in the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: EKT LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Kavanagh, Colin Touhey, Henry Ebbott-Burg, Mario A. Turchi, Michael Bambino, Robert Joachim
  • Patent number: 9643076
    Abstract: A skateboard truck assembly having a base, a hanger, a first bushing pin, and a second bushing pin. The base configured for attachment to a skateboard deck, having a first bushing pin receiving passageway formed in a medial portion thereof and a second bushing pin receiving passageway formed in a rear portion thereof. The hanger adapted to be connected to the base and having a first and second bushing seat. The first bushing pin adapted to extend through the first bushing seat, to be carried by the first bushing pin receiving passageway, and to carry a first bushing adapted to be positioned at least partially within the first bushing seat. The second bushing pin adapted to be fixedly carried by the second bushing pin receiving passageway and to carry a second bushing adapted to be positioned at least partially within the second bushing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Evan Aamodt
  • Patent number: 9637890
    Abstract: A configuration is provided to directly utilize the power of an engine as the power of a hydraulic pump, and to efficiently perform power generation and engine assist. The configuration is provided with an engine; a generator which is configured to generate electric power by an operation of the generator using the power of the engine; a battery which is configured to store the electric power generated by the generator; a motor which is configured to be operated by the power of the engine and by the electric power of the battery; a hydraulic pump connected to the motor so as to be driven by operation of the motor; and a power divider connected to the engine, the generator, and the motor so that the power of the engine is distributed to the generator and to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsunori Hirozawa
  • Patent number: 9637187
    Abstract: A rubber crawler includes a rubber belt trained around a drive wheel, plural rubber projections that are provided at the rubber belt at intervals along the crawler circumferential direction, that project toward the crawler circumferential inside, that are each formed in a peaked shape widening from an apex portion to a base portion as viewed from the crawler width direction, and that are input with drive force when an engagement pin provided at the drive wheel engages with a circumferential direction rubber wall face, and an embedded member that is embedded in the rubber projections and has a circumferential direction wall face arranged along the circumferential direction rubber wall face as viewed in cross-section along the crawler circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kaoru Okada
  • Patent number: 9636985
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a front compartment, a cowl top, a hood, and a blocking member. The front compartment is provided in front of a dashboard. A fuel cell is disposed in the front compartment. The cowl top is disposed between the front compartment and the dashboard and hermetically sealed from the front compartment via a sealing portion. The front compartment is opened or closed via the hood. The hood includes an outer plate and an inner plate that are joined together to provide an inner passage between the outer plate and the inner plate. The inner passage extends from the front compartment to the cowl top bypassing the sealing portion. The blocking member is disposed in the inner passage to block flow of fluid between the front compartment and the cowl top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9637155
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for opening and folding a baby stroller and a locking method therefor are revealed. The baby stroller includes an outer tube of a handle, a front wheel frame, and a rear wheel frame, each of which is arranged with a pivot member for connection. An inner tube is mounted and moveable in the outer tube and a push button for folding is arranged therebetween. A locking hook and a locking rod are pivotally connected to the pivot member of the outer tube and the pivot member of the rear wheel frame respectively. The handle, the front and the rear wheel frames are extended and fixed by the locking hook hooked onto the locking rod. While operating the push button for retracting the inner tube into the outer tube, the locking hook is released from the locking rod so that the baby stroller is folded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Pao-Hsien Cheng
  • Patent number: 9637180
    Abstract: A front-end structure of a motor vehicle, having an air inlet opening and having an air duct which extends from the air inlet opening and in which there is arranged a heat exchanger through which air can flow, wherein the air duct conducts an air flow into the wheel arch and/or laterally with respect to the wheel arch, wherein the air duct is divided, downstream of the heat exchanger, into a first duct part and a second duct part, wherein the first duct part conducts air laterally with respect to the wheel arch and the second duct part conducts air into the wheel arch, wherein an air flow control device is provided in the air duct, which air flow control device controls the air flow through the first duct part and/or through the second duct part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 9636948
    Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and a wheel attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise first and second elongate arms extending along a common side of the wheel. The first and second arms may be vertically-spaced apart from one another over at least a portion of the length of the first and second arms. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Rik Hillaert, Vivien Cheng, Wim De Vos, Jean-Claude Vandewalle