Patents Examined by Henry Y Liu
  • Patent number: 11787506
    Abstract: A derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, and a linkage structure. The linkage structure includes a first link pivotally coupled to the base member about a first link pivot axis. The chain guide includes a first chain guide pivotally coupled to the first link about a first guide pivot axis spaced apart from the first link pivot axis. The first chain guide includes a first guide body and a first guide protrusion. The first guide protrusion protrudes from the first guide body and is pivotally coupled to the first link about the first guide pivot axis. The first guide protrusion is spaced apart from the first link in an axial direction with respect to the first guide pivot axis to define an intermediate space between the first guide protrusion and the first link in the axial direction. The intermediate space is free of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Furuya, Kazutaka Fukao
  • Patent number: 11772741
    Abstract: A sprocket support comprises at least ten internal spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth of the sprocket support includes at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces. The at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces each include a radially outermost edge and a radially innermost edge. A radial length is defined from the radially outermost edge to the radially innermost edge. A total of the radial lengths of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces is equal to or larger than 7 mm. At least one internal-spline driving surface of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces has a first internal-spline-surface angle defined between the at least one internal-spline driving surface of the at least ten internal-spline driving surfaces and a first radial line. The first internal-spline-surface angle ranges from 0 degree to 10 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Kazuki Koshiyama, Takashi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 11772743
    Abstract: A system and method for a bicycle transmission. Specifically, a bicycle transmission having a housing with a first shaft passing therethrough; a set of two conical gear assemblies in opposing parallel alignment disposed within the housing, each having a plurality of different sized gears arranged in a progressive order. A first conical gear assembly is engaged about the first shaft. A second conical gear assembly engaged about a second shaft parallel to the first shaft, the second shaft structured and arranged to have at least a proximate position and a distal position relative to the first shaft. A drive belt is disposed generally normally about one of the two conical gear assemblies and passing therebetween, the drive belt engaging a gear from the first conical gear assembly with a gear from the second conical gear assembly when the second conical gear assembly is in the proximal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Francis Keenan
  • Patent number: 11773945
    Abstract: A tensioning bar assembly for a drive system of an agricultural machine includes a longitudinal bar having a top end, a bottom end, and a threaded portion. An attachment device is coupled to the top end to attach to a tensioning arm. A compression spring is located around a portion of the longitudinal bar. A first spring retainer engages with and retains a first end of the spring. A first locking nut fits to the threaded portion of the bar and retains the first spring retainer longitudinally in place relative to the bar. The longitudinal bar is rotationally freely coupled to the attachment device to permit free axial rotation of the bar about its longitudinal axis relative to the attachment device, and an engagement head is attached to and located at or proximate the bottom end of the longitudinal bar for engagement with a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Mark Veer, William Ryan Haar
  • Patent number: 11767078
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a bicycle may be provided with various interactive components configured to reliably and repeatably engage and disengage with one another both when new and after a period of wear. The drive arrangement may include a drive sprocket assembly connected to a driven sprocket assembly with a chain movable by a gear changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Bruno Ribeiro, Pedro Santos, Diogo Silva, Matthias Reinbold, Henrik Braedt, Jorge Latimer, John Collen
  • Patent number: 11767080
    Abstract: A rear sprocket assembly comprises a first sprocket and a lock device. The lock device includes a first lock member, a second lock member, and a biasing member. The first lock member includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The second lock member includes a third axial end and a fourth axial end. The fourth axial end has at least one radial projection configured to abut against the first sprocket in the axial direction in a mounting state. The biasing member is disposed between the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection in the axial direction in the assembled state to bias the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection in a biasing direction in which the first sprocket and the at least one radial projection are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Koji Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11761516
    Abstract: A device for tensioning a belt of a video camera assembly, including a belt tensioner terminal and an elastic thrust element operating on the belt tensioner terminal for thrusting the belt tensioner terminal against the belt. The device further includes an adjustment element for determining an adjustable positioning of the belt tensioner terminal with respect to the belt and at least one constraint element for operating between a rest condition, where it does not constrain the positioning of the belt tensioner terminal, and a constraint condition, where it constrains in position the belt tensioner terminal. The adjustment element is operatively connected to the thrust element in a removable way. Advantageously, the thrust element and the adjustment element share a same operative direction, the at least one constraint element operating or developing along a direction which is orthogonal to said operative direction of the thrust element and of the adjustment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: VIDEOTEC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Grotto, Angelo Ribello
  • Patent number: 11754151
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for a vehicle includes: a variator including; a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and an endless annular member wound around the primary pulley and the secondary pulley, the secondary pulley being provided with an urging member configured to generate an urging force in a direction in which a groove width of the secondary pulley is decreased, and a transmission gear ratio of the variator being brought to a high side of a lowest transmission gear ratio by a centrifugal hydraulic operation of an oil stored in a pulley pressure receiving chamber of the primary pulley when a vehicle speed becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined vehicle speed when the vehicle is towed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: JATCO LTD, NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kuroki
  • Patent number: 11753106
    Abstract: An apparatus for a bicycle includes an intermediate power connector configured for transmitting power between a bicycle component and a power source positioned remote from the bicycle component. The intermediate power connector has a coupling portion configured for removable attachment to a connecting portion of the bicycle component. The bicycle component can also include a battery having a battery coupling portion configured for removable attachment to the connecting portion of the bicycle component. The battery and the intermediate power connector can be selectively attachable to the bicycle component to provide power thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Wesling
  • Patent number: 11753108
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle control device is configured to control a derailleur in a suitable state. The human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller configured to control a derailleur mounted to a human-powered vehicle based on a change in pressure of a tire detected by a pressure detector detecting the pressure of at least one tire of the human-powered vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Idogaki, Tadaharu Kurotobi, Koji Yuasa
  • Patent number: 11753109
    Abstract: A bicycle electric/electronic derailleur has a plurality of mutually movable components: a support body configured to be attached to a bicycle frame, a chain guide, and a pair of connecting arms, for connection between the support body and the chain guide at respective geometric articulation axes. A geared motor controls the motion of the plurality of mutually movable components. At least one first component has a case with a chamber containing the geared motor and/or one or more electric/electronic devices. The chamber crosses at least one articulation axis. The case comprises a blind hole that is coaxial with the one axis and open outwards of the case. A second component has a pivot pivotable in the blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L
    Inventors: Paolo Pasqua, Luca De Poli
  • Patent number: 11745828
    Abstract: A front derailleur comprises a base member, a chain guide, and a linkage structure. The base member includes a mounting hole. The mounting hole has a center axis. The linkage structure comprises a first link member and a second link member. The first link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a first pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a second pivot axis. The first link member is pivotally coupled to the chain guide about a third pivot axis. The second link member is pivotally coupled to the chain guide about a fourth pivot axis. At least three of the first pivot axis, the second pivot axis, the third pivot axis, and the fourth pivot axis are non-parallel to and non-perpendicular to the center axis of the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Naoki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11745827
    Abstract: Bicycle rear derailleur device (1) comprising a chain guide assembly (15) made up of two parts: a guiding cage (28) and a tension cage (32). It also comprises a movable member (18) coupled to a base member (10) via a linking member (13) to align the chain guide assembly (15) with the different sprockets. Said tension cage (32) carries a tension pulley (11), is pivotably coupled to the movable member (18) and is biased by a main spring or biasing member (17). The guiding cage (28) carrying a guiding pulley (14), and the tension cage (32) are both configured to move either jointly or independently of each other, such the distance between both pulleys (14, 11) is fixed or free respectively, varying as a consequence the chain tension. To do so, the guiding cage (28) is pivotally coupled to the tension cage (32) comprising between them coupling means (16) that selectively and reversibly make both cages united or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Rotor Componentes Tecnologicos, S.L.
    Inventors: David Martinez Garcia, Pablo Carrasco Vergara, Carlos Miguel Carton Cordero, Angelica Del Rio Garcia
  • Patent number: 11746878
    Abstract: A pulley device for a transmission element having a pulley, a bearing, and at least one sleeve mounted freely in the bore of the inner ring of the bearing. The pulley device includes at least one annular protection shield, the shield retained axially in a first element from the pulley and coming into immediate proximity with the other element, the other element having at least one shoulder projecting radially ensuring that it is axially retained with the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Tronquoy
  • Patent number: 11739823
    Abstract: A sprocket for engagement with a drive chain has a plurality of teeth extending radially from a periphery of the sprocket, including a first and a second group of teeth; the teeth of the first group and the second group are alternately arranged so that each tooth of the first group is followed by a tooth of the second group, and vice versa; each tooth of the first group having a first maximum width, each tooth of the second group having a second maximum width which is larger than the first maximum width; each tooth of the second group has a protrusion on at least one lateral face of the tooth; the outer lateral face of the protrusion extends over a first portion of the lateral face of each tooth of the second group, the length being 50% of the length of the respective tooth or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: MIRANDA & IRMAO, LDA
    Inventor: Joao Filipe Tavares Miranda
  • Patent number: 11739836
    Abstract: A flyweight comprises a body. The body of the flyweight comprises a pivot, a cam surface, and a first coupler. The first coupler is configured to selectively couple at least one first weight to the body distal from the cam surface. A flyweight comprises a body having at least 20% of its mass positioned to contribute negative torque about a pivot related to an acceleration of a CVT clutch from an idling condition. A method of tuning a flyweight comprises attaching at least one first weight to a first coupler of a body of the flyweight distal from a cam surface of the body. A CVT clutch comprises at least one flyweight with a first coupler configured to selectively couple at least one first weight to a body of the flyweight distal from a cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Starting Line Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen Roberts
  • Patent number: 11739824
    Abstract: In a waterproof case, a contact surface of a specific member that is a case main body or a cover is a surface extending along a predetermined oblique direction inclined relative to a perpendicular plane orthogonal to a die pull-out direction. The specific member includes a circumferential projection that projects from the contact surface in the die pull-out direction, is arranged circumferentially along the contact surface, and presses a sealing member. The circumferential projection includes an outer peripheral side surface and an inner peripheral side surface. In the first region, the circumferential projection has a tapered section in which the outer peripheral side surface is inclined relative to the die pull-out direction. In the second region, the circumferential projection has a tapered section in which the inner peripheral side surface is inclined relative to the die pull-out direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Kodai Mikurino, Ryosuke Atsumi
  • Patent number: 11739835
    Abstract: Disclosed is lateral pressure control of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a transmission ratio changed by changing groove widths of a drive pulley and a driven pulley, a drive force from a drive source being transmitted to a wheel. A control part controlling respective lateral pressures of the drive pulley and the driven pulley is provided. The control part sets an increase correction amount of the lateral pressure of the drive pulley to a first lateral pressure increase correction amount if the CVT is not in an in-gear state or a shift position is consistent with a traveling direction of the vehicle, and, sets said amount to a second lateral pressure increase correction amount smaller than the first lateral pressure increase correction amount if the CVT is in the in-gear state and the shift position is not consistent with the traveling direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Akiyoshi, Kohei Sakai
  • Patent number: 11732792
    Abstract: A pulley device for a tensioner roller or winding roller of a transmission element, providing a pulley, and a bearing. The bearing includes a rotating outer ring mounted to the pulley, a fixed inner ring, and at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings. The inner ring of the bearing has at least one end portion protruding axially with respect to the outer ring. The pulley is provided with at least one pulley element that is C-shaped in axial section. One of the at least one pulley elements is provided with a lateral portion extending substantially radially to pass into the immediate vicinity of an outer surface of the axially protruding end portion of the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Mickael Chollet, Nicolas Tronquoy, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 11732774
    Abstract: In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Sean Kieran, Ahmed Abdul Wadood Anwer, Geoffrey William Ryeland, Ron Farewell, Kyle Pugsley, Frank Verriet, Andrew Malcolm Boyes