Patents Examined by Henry Y Liu
  • Patent number: 11680500
    Abstract: A removable oil filter system includes an oil filter mount, an oil filter element removably connected to the oil filter mount, an impending-bypass indicator connected to the oil filter mount and in fluid communication with an oil in the oil filter system, and a full-bypass indicator in fluid communication with the oil filter mount. The impending-bypass indicator is capable of reporting an impending-bypass condition of the oil filter system. The full-bypass indicator is capable of reporting a full-bypass condition of the oil filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventor: Scott David Poster
  • Patent number: 11680633
    Abstract: A chainring is disclosed herein. The chainring includes a front surface, a back surface, a center, and an outer diameter. The chainring has a thickness which varies from a lesser thickness at the outer diameter to a greater thickness nearer the center. The thickness of the chainring varying substantially the same on the front surface and the back surface such that the chainring is substantially symmetric about a plane dividing the front surface and the back surface along a direction normal to an axial direction of the chainring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Klawer, Wesley E. Allinger
  • Patent number: 11674585
    Abstract: A pulley assembly having a body, a shaft mount and a plurality of bolts is disclosed. The body is aligned to the shaft mount by providing a tight tolerance between a shoulder portion of the bolt and a neck portion of a counter sunk hole formed in the body. Additionally, an outer surface of the body may have a pattern of friction lines or patches formed by fusing particulate matter to the outer surface with heat generated by a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ZPE LICENSING INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Jason Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11674591
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes an electric motor and a flexible traction drive mechanism which includes a first traction mechanism wheel, such as, a gear or pulley, which is rotationally fixed to a rotor shaft of the electric motor, a second traction mechanism wheel which can be rotationally fixed to a transmission component and which is drivingly connected to the first traction mechanism wheel by a traction mechanism, such as, a belt or chain, and a bearing journal for supporting the first traction mechanism wheel. An oil line extends through the bearing journal, and oil can be fed to the electric motor via the oil line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Sven Holst
  • Patent number: 11674586
    Abstract: A pulley device for a tensioner roller or winding roller of a transmission element, having a fixed inner element configured to receive a screw, a rotating outer element that is mounted to rotate coaxially about the fixed inner element and is intended to cooperate with the transmission element, and an annular protective flange bearing against a lateral surface of the fixed inner element. The fixed inner element provides a sleeve axially protruding from the lateral surface. The flange provides an inner axial portion mounted securely on an outer surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Benoît Hauvespre, Nicolas Tronquoy
  • Patent number: 11667350
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur includes a movable member and a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member. The bicycle rear derailleur also includes a pivot member non-rotatably coupled to the chain guide assembly and having an outer annular surface, a biasing device configured to bias the chain guide assembly in a first rotational direction relative to the movable member, and a damper device disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member. The damper device is operable to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction relative to the movable member. The damper device includes a friction device that is radially inner relative to the biasing device. The friction device includes a friction member having at least one friction surface biased against and in frictional engagement with the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventor: Jih-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 11668388
    Abstract: A pulley device comprising a pulley and a bearing. The pulley has at least one “C-shaped” pulley part having an inner portion mounted on the bearing, an outer portion having an outer cylindrical surface dedicated to interact with a belt or a chain, and an intermediate portion extending substantially radially between axial ends of inner and outer portions on one axial side of pulley device. The outer cylindrical surface of outer ring is provided with at least one recess having in cross-section, a concave internal profile. The pulley part is provided with at least one protruding portion which inwardly extends beyond the inner cylindrical surface of inner portion. The protruding portion is received in a corresponding recess of outer ring so as to block the pulley part with respect to the outer ring in both axial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Nicolas Tronquoy, Philippe Walter
  • Patent number: 11661142
    Abstract: A bicycle gearshift mechanism has a base element, a pivot mechanism, a movable element, and a chain guide arrangement. The pivot mechanism connects the base element to the movable element. The chain guide arrangement is connected, rotatably about a rotary axle, to the movable element. The base element comprises a first attachment end, which is coaxial with respect to the rear-wheel axle or axis, and a second attachment end for coupling to the pivot mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventor: Henrik Braedt
  • Patent number: 11661145
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a transmission ratio between a traction means and a sprocket set rotatable about an axle may include at least two sprockets alternatively wrapped around by the traction means. At least one of the sprockets may include several independently adjustable rim segments. Adjustment of the rim segments in relation to a fixed plane may be effected by a control device in a direction substantially transverse to the plane. The control device includes at least one electrically actuatable control element, e.g., a servomotor. The at least one control element is configured to rotate with the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Praxis Works LLC
    Inventor: Gregor Schuster
  • Patent number: 11661138
    Abstract: A drive train for a human-powered vehicle comprises a drive unit, a sprocket arrangement, and a total gear range quotient. The drive unit includes a motor configured to impart propulsion to the human-powered vehicle. The sprocket arrangement is operatively coupled to the drive unit. The sprocket arrangement comprises a plurality of rear sprockets and a plurality of gear ratios respectively corresponding to the plurality of rear sprockets. The plurality of gear ratios includes a largest gear ratio and a smallest gear ratio. The total gear range quotient is obtained by dividing the largest gear ratio by the smallest gear ratio. The total gear range quotient is larger than 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Satoshi Shahana
  • Patent number: 11655003
    Abstract: A bicycle rear sprocket assembly comprises a plurality of sprockets and a sprocket carrier. The sprocket carrier includes at least ten internal spline teeth and a circumferentially extending non-splined portion. The at least ten internal spline teeth extend in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the bicycle rear sprocket assembly. The at least ten internal spline teeth includes a plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces. The plurality of internal-spline driving surfaces each includes a radially outermost edge, a radially innermost edge, and a radial length. The total of the radial lengths ranges from 11 mm to 14 mm. The circumferentially extending non-splined portion is disposed to be adjacent to the at least ten internal spline teeth in the axial direction and recessed from the at least ten internal spline teeth in a radial direction with respect to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Emura, Hiroshi Fujita, Fumiaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11649875
    Abstract: A bicycle rear derailleur has a base member mountable to a bicycle frame, a movable member movably coupled to the base member, a chain guide assembly rotatably connected to the movable member for rotation about a rotational axis, a biasing element configured and arranged to bias the chain guide assembly for rotation in a first rotational direction with respect to the movable member, and a fluid damper having a fluid cavity containing a volume of fluid. The fluid damper is operatively disposed between the chain guide assembly and the movable member to apply a damping force to the chain guide assembly when the chain guide assembly rotates in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. The fluid damper has a guide wheel configured to route a chain and rotatable about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Brown, Brian Jordan, Christopher Shipman
  • Patent number: 11644082
    Abstract: A power transmission belt includes a belt body made of an elastomer, and a cord made of carbon fibers and embedded in the belt body. The belt tension T0.2 per 1 mm belt width at 0.2% of a belt extension rate is 70 N/mm or more. The belt tension T0.5 per 1 mm belt width at 0.5% of the belt extension rate is 220 N/mm or more. The ratio of the belt tension T0.2 to the belt tension T0.5 is 0.33 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: BANDO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Tsubakino
  • Patent number: 11644087
    Abstract: A drive transmission device is provided with a drive pulley driven by a motor, a driven pulley in which a bulging part crowned in a shape bulging outward in the radial direction is formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface, a belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a first measurement unit for measuring rotation unevenness of the drive pulley. The drive pulley has a uniform diameter in the axial direction which is a smaller diameter than that of the driven pulley. The belt is bent and deformed along the bulging part of the driven pulley so that the axial center portion is expanded outward the axial end portion. The axial end of the belt contacts the outer peripheral surface of the drive pulley, but does not contact the outer peripheral surface of the driven pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Akihiro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11642678
    Abstract: A torque reaction pulley for an inertia cone crusher having an elastically deformable component responsive to a change in torque through the drive transmission of the crusher due to rotation of an unbalanced weight within the crusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Magnus Fredriksson, Martin Holstein, Johan Gunnarsson, Jonas Lindvall
  • Patent number: 11644094
    Abstract: A power unit includes a prime mover and a belt continuously variable transmission. The belt continuously variable transmission includes a drive pulley, a driven pulley, a belt wound around the drive pulley and the driven pulley, and a housing forming an accommodation space in which the belt is disposed. The belt continuously variable transmission changes a speed of rotation produced by drive power output from the prime mover. The power unit further includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the belt or a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Ayumi Hamada, Nobuyuki Nishiguchi
  • Patent number: 11639749
    Abstract: A gear system based on variably expandable gears, where input from either or both an operator or a computer processor may induce selective radial expansion and contraction of at least one gear in a gear set. The computer processor may be programmed to establish and maintain a desired gear ratio, regardless of the various variable forces which may be encountered, permitting gear setting and adjustment to control a desired parameter, such as speed, revolutions-per-minute, and watts with minimal effort by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SunMan Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Nejah, Sagar Bhatia
  • Patent number: 11629762
    Abstract: In an aspect, a power transfer device, such as a decoupler, is provided for transferring torque between a shaft and a belt. The device includes: a hub configured to couple to the shaft, a pulley rotatably coupled to the hub that includes a power transmitting surface configured to engage the belt, an isolation spring to transfer a rotational load from one of the pulley and the hub to the other of the pulley and the hub, optionally a one-way clutch to permit overrunning of one of the pulley and the hub relative to the other of the pulley and the hub in a first direction, and a damping member positioned to be driven into frictional engagement with a friction surface by a force from the isolation spring acting on the damping member that varies based on the rotational load transferred by the isolation spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: LITENS AUTOMOTIVE PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: John R. Antchak, Jun Xu, Warren J. Williams, Evan J. Hurry
  • Patent number: 11628908
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a chain guide assembly configured to be mounted on a linkage assembly of a bicycle derailleur. The chain guide assembly includes an inner plate, an outer plate, a first connecting bridge and a second connecting bridge. The outer plate is spaced apart from the inner plate. Two opposite sides of the first connecting bridge are respectively connected to the inner plate and the outer plate. Two opposite sides of the second connecting bridge are respectively connected to the inner plate and the outer plate. The inner plate, the outer plate, the first connecting bridge, and the second connecting bridge are made of a single piece. In addition, the disclosure also provides a bicycle derailleur having the chain guide assembly and a structural reinforcement sheet of the chain guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEKTRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tzung Ye Wu
  • Patent number: 11624427
    Abstract: A spider is screwed to a drive shaft, includes a first screw that advances in one direction of an axial direction of the drive shaft when the spider rotates relative to the drive shaft in one direction of a circumferential direction, and is fastened to the drive shaft by the first screw. A nut is screwed to the drive shaft, includes a second screw that advances in the other direction of the axial direction of the drive shaft when the nut rotates relative to the drive shaft in one direction of the circumferential direction, and is fastened to the drive shaft by the second screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Itoo, Yasuhiro Kuji, Shouji Ozawa, Kaoru Oda, Ryosuke Fujino, Hisashi Takeuchi, Manabu Hidaka