Patents Examined by Hilary Gutman
  • Patent number: 8371641
    Abstract: The construction machine according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that an air-processing apparatus (28) is arranged outside the cab (9) on the machine frame (2), wherein a device (13, 22) for feeding processed and/or fresh air into the cab and used air from the cab is provided, said device having a feed air duct for processed air for the cab and a discharge air duct for used air from the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Bohme, Thomas Kramer, Gunter Hahn
  • Patent number: 8360507
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing drag on a moving vehicle includes various combinations of a movable segments and a swing arm. Each combination is adapted to be mounted to the rear of the vehicle with a fixed portion being positioned forward of the movable segment upon extraction. The movable segments have a retracted position and an extended position and may be biased to the retracted position. The movable segments deploy to the extended position when moving above a predetermined velocity and returns to a retracted position when moving below the predetermined velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Craig R. Benton
  • Patent number: 8262328
    Abstract: A collapsible intermodal transport platform and methods for its operation are disclosed. The invention comprises structural ribbings that rotate about an axle disposed beneath the loading surface of the platform. The ribbings are positioned along the platform so as to provide lifting and stacking fitments at the standard overhead crane lifting points when in a lift configuration. The ribbings may be rotated inboard down to the loading surface, thereby presenting stacking blocks at the crane lifting points for stacking several platforms together. Alternatively, the ribbings may be rotated outboard to accommodate full size loading of cargo. The ribbings are rotated under electric or hydraulic power, according to the various embodiments disclosed. Other features and aspects disclosed lend to the invention's low weight and high carrying capacity, as well as its unique load securing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Raildecks (2009), Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Crane, Simon Hann, Ben Van Liere
  • Patent number: 8186751
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a tractor and a fan/grill unit. The fan/grill unit comprises a fan and a grill providing a portion of the exterior of the work vehicle. The fan and the grill are separately pivotally mounted to the tractor. The fan and the grill are coupled to one another in a four-bar linkage arrangement with the tractor such that the fan/grill unit is configured to pivot relative to the tractor between a closed position and an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Matt Davisdon, Piyush Maheshwari
  • Patent number: 8152222
    Abstract: A routing structure of an operating cable of a vehicle comprising a power slide door, comprises: a retractor of a seatbelt device placed between a vehicle body panel and an interior material covering an inner side of a vehicle body panel facing an interior of a vehicle chamber; a webbing pulled out from the retractor, the webbing being passed through an opening of the interior material, and pulled out from a back part of the interior material towards an inner side of the vehicle chamber; the operating cable for the power slide door routed between the vehicle body panel and the interior material by crossing over a back part of the webbing, wherein a restricting piece, restricting a displacement of the operating cable towards a direction approaching the webbing, is provided on the interior material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shirena Takai, Masafumi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8136870
    Abstract: A windshield support assembly includes a cowl upper that extends in a vehicle widthwise direction and is configured to connect to a windshield, a cowl lower that extends in the vehicle widthwise direction and is configured to connect to the cowl upper, and multiple cowl braces connected to the cowl upper and the cowl lower. The cowl braces are spaced-apart from each other in the vehicle widthwise direction. Each cowl brace includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a continuous body portion connecting the upper portion and the lower portion. At least one of the upper portion and the lower portion includes multiple legs. Each leg is connected to the cowl upper or the cowl lower at spaced-apart locations along the vehicle widthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Andrew Ott, Aaron Richard Steinhilb
  • Patent number: 8136866
    Abstract: A door assembly is provided that includes integral impact regions that obviate the need for a separate impact beam. The door assembly includes an outer panel and an inner panel, operably connected to the outer panel so that a compartment is formed therebetween. At least one hardware-mounting surface is integrally formed from the inner panel and extends towards the outer panel. Each of the hardware mounting surfaces is operable to mount a hardware component between the inner and outer panels. At least one integrally-formed impact region is provided on the inner panel that is operable to strengthen the door assembly and increase its intrusion resistance of the vehicle door during a collision. The inner panel has substantially no large access openings that would be deleterious to impact resistance and substantially seals the vehicle passenger compartment from the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Broadhead
  • Patent number: 8132844
    Abstract: A heavy vehicle door or ramp is opened and closed using an intuitive control system. The door includes a latch assembly, a lock assembly, and a power unit to assist in opening and closing the door. The door includes an interior joy stick handle and an exterior lever handle. From outside the vehicle, the door is opened and closed by pivoting the lever handle downwardly and upwardly, respectively. From the interior of the vehicle, the joy stick handle is pulled inwardly to close the door and push outwardly to open the door. Pivoting the joystick handle forwardly engages the blast locks, while pivoting the joystick handle rearwardly unlatches the latch assembly and disengages the blast locks. The power assist unit is actuated by pivotal movement of the outside door handle and lateral pivotal movement of the interior joystick handle. Perimeter bump strips offer safety functions to prevent injuries when remote function is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Trimark Corporation
    Inventors: Tom F. Sonnek, Brandon L. Hemann, Robert W. Donaldson
  • Patent number: 8128325
    Abstract: A floor tie-down anchor for securing freight during transport is provided. A tie-down anchor is provided comprising an elongated L-shaped bracket including a first leg and a second leg forming an angle therebetween. At least one aperture having a first shape is defined through the first leg and configured to receive a connecting mechanism for securing freight. At least one aperture having a second shape different from the first shape is defined through said first leg. The first shape is an oval slot and the second shape is a circle, and the L-shaped bracket is operatively connected to a railcar having a floor such that the first leg is substantially coplanar with and parallel to the floor of the railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventors: Ronald P. Sellberg, Richard W. Dawson
  • Patent number: 8096609
    Abstract: The construction machine according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that an air-processing apparatus (28) is arranged outside the cab (9) on the machine frame (2), wherein a device (13, 22) for feeding processed and/or fresh air into the cab and used air from the cab is provided, said device having a feed air duct for processed air for the cab and a discharge air duct for used air from the cab. The feed air duct of the air-processing apparatus (13, 22) is connected to the outlet (28C) of the air-processing apparatus (28) and the discharge air duct is connected to the inlet (28B) of the air-processing apparatus. In a construction machine whose control station is rotatably arranged on the machine frame, the arrangement with the air-processing apparatus outside the cab has the decisive advantage that it is not necessary to run hoses and/or lines between the rotatable cab and the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Böhme, Thomas Kramer, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 8092127
    Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has several linkage assemblies to position a support element in a desired location for each version of a component. The linkage assemblies each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in the desired location. Securing a locking mechanism on the linkage assemblies prevents movement of the support element when in the desired position. To configure the pallet for another version of the component the locking mechanisms are released, the support elements are moved to another base and the locking mechanisms are secured again for each of the support assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dalong Gao, Nicolas Lauzier, Robin Stevenson, Robert Jacob Scheuerman
  • Patent number: 8079791
    Abstract: A bulk bag transport apparatus employs a receptacle that is divided into a plurality of bulk bag holding sectors. The receptacle provides a base that is constructed of a plurality of beams such as eye beams including peripheral beams and transverse beams. Each side wall is reinforced with a plurality of inclined beams that preferably join to the transverse bottom beams, one inclined beam attaching to a transverse bottom beam. A plurality of other beams are attached to the upper edge of the receptacle and each inclined beam is structurally joined to a peripheral beam. Lifting eyes are provided along each side of the receptacle, each lifting eye performs an acute angle with an inclined beam and is preferably mounted to an inclined beam. A lifting harness includes slings that can be connected to the lifting eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel W. Ness
  • Patent number: 8075232
    Abstract: A tie down for use on a load bearing surface includes a cup-shaped housing, a mounting block, a cylindrical fastener assembly, and at least one bail. The mounting block and cylindrical fastener assembly is rotatably mounted in the cup-shaped housing. The mounting block and cylindrical fastener assembly allow for rotation of the at least one bail above the plane of the load bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sierra Pacific Engineering and Products
    Inventor: Tam Le
  • Patent number: 8057139
    Abstract: Devices for restraining tubular segments and methods for storing and accessing tubular segments may include a frame arrangement that has a plurality of parallel cradles for holding tubular segments and movable restraining handles for securing the tubular segments. A spring retention assembly may also be provided that has a spring force to hold the restraining handles against the tubular segments. A vehicle can be equipped to have a device for storing and accessing tubular segments, wherein the device is movable between a storage position and an access position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7992921
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energy guide chain system comprising an energy guide chain for guiding cables, hoses or the like between a stationary and a movable connection point, an entrainment portion to which the energy guide chain is connected by way of the movable connection point, and a guide channel which has a hollow profile with a passage extending in the longitudinal direction for the entrainment portion, wherein the energy guide chain is guided in the guide passage in the longitudinal direction thereof in the form of two runs which are guided in mutually parallel relationship and which are connected to each other by way of a deflection region, as well as a sliding door system for a vehicle having the energy guide chain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Blase
  • Patent number: 7992943
    Abstract: A dump body for a transport vehicle, in particular for the transportation of bulk material, is described. The dump body can be pivoted around a pivot axis between a support position and an upwardly pivoted ejection position by means of a drive device and consists of a body preferably made of sheet metal and having a base, side walls, a front wall terminating the dump body at one end and a chute arranged at the oppositely disposed end and drawn upwardly with respect to the base, wherein the body is rounded in a parabolic manner, with it having a rounded body base, a rounded chute and a rounded transition between the body base and the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Westner
  • Patent number: 7980616
    Abstract: The disclosure teaches a seating component device for removable installation in a pickup truck. The device includes a first bracket removeably attached to a first side panel of a pickup truck bed and a first cross rail and a second cross rail attached to the bracket wherein each rail extends laterally across the truck bed. The rails connect to a second bracket removeably attached to a second side panel of a pickup truck bed. The device includes two foldable chairs hingeably mounted to the second rail, and a table mounted between the two chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Lounge Crafters LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7950706
    Abstract: A magnetic bumper guard, the guard being constructed such that it may be magnetically mounted onto a structural member to be protected, such as the corner, post, rail or leg of a structure composed of a suitable metal, the guard having a rear wall bounded by a pair of side flanges, a magnet-receiving recess positioned within the rear wall, a hollow interior, a rounded or curved forward wall, and a magnet, whereby frontal force is absorbed by the guard and lateral or angular forces cause the guard to disengage from the structural member, thereby dissipating the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Mark D. Shaw, J. Tad Heyman, Mathias Legros, Thierry Agullo Ponce
  • Patent number: 7950884
    Abstract: A load restraining apparatus includes a retractable fabric membrane for retaining items in position inside a semi-trailer or shipping container. A membrane carrier is removably fastened to one interior wall of the trailer and a spring-biased retractable membrane is pulled across the width of the trailer and fastened to the other interior wall. A tensioning device tensions the membrane thereby securing the cargo during shipment and preventing shifting inside the shipping container or trailer. The fore and aft adjustability and the vertical adjustability of the load restraining apparatus permit it to effectively restrain cargo of diverse size and shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Fred Thompson
  • Patent number: 7942462
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a translucent screen board 25 arranged forwardly of a handle 13 which changes a direction of a front wheel according to an operation by a rider and extended obliquely upward toward a rear of a vehicle body, and a rectifier plate 30 extending along the screen board 25 in front of the screen board 25. The rectifier plate 30 prevents dust, etc., from adhering to the screen board when the motorcycle travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kuniyuki Takahashi, Katsumitsu Wakamatsu, Yuuta Kobayashi