Patents Examined by J. Allen Shriver, II
  • Patent number: 9550414
    Abstract: A traveling drive device for a dump truck is provided with an axle housing mounted to a vehicle body, a wheel mounting tube rotatably provided on the outer periphery side of the axle housing, a disk holding cylinder provided on the axial outside of the wheel mounting tube, a brake disk mounted to the disk holding cylinder, and a brake device for applying braking to the brake disk. The disk holding cylinder is configured by a cylindrical body to be mounted to the wheel mounting tube and a plurality of disk mounting legs provided on the cylindrical body. A plurality of U-shaped projections are provided on the outer periphery side of the brake disk at positions corresponding to the respective disk mounting legs. A recessed groove which fits on the disk mounting leg so as to hold a distal end thereof is provided in each of the U-shaped projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Kudo, Shinichirou Hagihara, Yasunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9550458
    Abstract: A retractable step and side bar assembly that can be used for raised vehicles, such as trucks. The retractable step can be configured to provide for significant reach in a deployed position to allow for a user to enter the raised vehicle. Further, in the stowed position the retractable step can be located within the side bar, thereby providing a low profile as well as an enhanced aesthetic appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Nicholas Smith, Eric Charles Bajza, William Franklin Bibb, VI
  • Patent number: 9540028
    Abstract: An infant stroller apparatus includes a first and a second leg segment, a handle segment and a backrest frame. The first and second leg segments are respectively affixed with a first and a second coupling member that are connected with each other. The handle segment is affixed with a third coupling member that is connected with the first coupling member. The backrest frame is connected with the second leg segment. A latch assembled with the second coupling member is movable to engage with the third coupling member to lock the handle segment and the first and second leg segments in an unfolded state. A release actuator operatively connected with the latch is pivotally connected with the second leg segment adjacent to the pivot axis of the backrest frame. The release actuator is rotatable to cause the latch to disengage from the third coupling member for allowing folding of the infant stroller apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventors: Andrew J. Taylor, Curtis M. Hartenstine, Anthony V. Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 9540026
    Abstract: An infant carrier holder has a floor with a ramp and sidewalls and is mounted to a shopping cart. The ramp and sidewalls can contribute to stably supporting an infant carrier. The holder serves as a mechanical interface between an infant carrier, which can be received in the holder, and the shopping cart. The holder can be concavely shaped to assist in shopping cart nesting in addition to supporting a received infant carrier at a desired angle. The holder can be adjustably mounted to a gate or a basket of the shopping cart and may/may not interfere with nesting operations. The holder permits an infant carrier to be supported on a shopping cart without using a significant amount of shopping cart space or interfering with nesting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Safe-Strap Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Giampavolo, Christopher M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9539897
    Abstract: In this fuel cell vehicle, a radiator, a protruding region of a casing, and a connecting bar of a fuel cell stack are arranged in a front box in the listed order from the front toward the rear in the direction in which the vehicle travels. A first end plate and a second end plate are fixed directly on a frame member via mounting members, and the frame member is fixed to a vehicle body frame. After an external load has been transmitted from the radiator and the protruding region of the casing to the first end plate and the second end plate, the external load is transmitted to the vehicle body frame via a side frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nariyuki Yoshinaga, Hideharu Naito
  • Patent number: 9539871
    Abstract: In a vehicle, a first left straight line, passing through a first left front connector and a first left rear connector connecting a left upper arm and a left auxiliary frame, inclines inward toward a widthwise center as the first left straight line extends rearward in a bottom view. A second left straight line, passing through a second left front connector and a second left rear connector connecting a left lower arm and a left main subframe, inclines inward toward the widthwise center as the second left straight line extends rearward in the bottom view. A central position between the first left front connector and first left rear connector in the front-rear direction is rearward relative to a central position between the second left front connector and second left rear connector in the front-rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Suzuki, Masayuki Kubo
  • Patent number: 9539914
    Abstract: The Brushless Multiphase Self-Commutation Controller or BMSCC is an adjustable speed drive for reliable, contact-less and stable self-commutation control of electric apparatus, including electric motors and generators. BMSCC transforms multiphase electrical excitation from one frequency to variable frequency that is automatically synchronized to the movement of the electric apparatus without traditional estimation methods of commutation and frequency synthesis using derivatives of electronic, electro-mechanical, and field-oriented-control. Instead, BMSCC comprises an analog electromagnetic computer with synchronous modulation techniques to first establish magnetic energy and then dynamically share packets of magnetic energy between phase windings of a multiphase, position dependent flux, high frequency transformer by direct AC-to-AC conversion without an intermediate DC conversion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Frederick William Klatt
  • Patent number: 9533565
    Abstract: An active grille shutter assembly includes a frame adapted to be connected to a portion of a vehicle and forming at least one opening therein and a plurality of shutters disposed in and extending across the at least one opening and being pivotally connected to the frame. The active grille shutter assembly also includes at least one linkage connected to the shutters and an actuator supported by the frame and being connected to one of the shutters to move the at least one linkage to open and close the shutters as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Montaplast of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Elliott, Sascha Klausen, Andrew Kowalski
  • Patent number: 9526971
    Abstract: In one example, a ski binding control and release assembly includes a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, an actuator element disposed in the housing and connected to the motor, and an arm partly disposed in the housing, the arm being operably engaged with the actuator element, and the arm being selectively engageable with a toe piece. A cover is also provided that encloses a substantial portion of the housing. A binding plate is provided that is configured to be disposed on top of the cover, and the binding plate, cover and housing forming a stack that is mountable to a ski. Finally, a control system is provided that is remotely operable to move the arm, and the control system is configured for wireless communication with a remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: ROSSLAND BINDING COMPANY
    Inventors: Rob C. Barden, Gautam Goodapati, Blair L. Fredricks, Gordon J. Wilson, Jeffrey Wayne Herr
  • Patent number: 9522634
    Abstract: A horizontally moving retractable vehicle step is attachable to a vehicle, such as a low to the ground vehicle like a van. The horizontal vehicle step can provide access to different portions of the vehicle. Further, the horizontal vehicle step can act as a safety mechanism to reduce potential harm to a user in accidentally stepping in gaps between the vehicle and a curb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Lund Motion Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Nicholas Smith
  • Patent number: 9517806
    Abstract: The invention is a foot-propelled wheeled hobby and/or sport device which has a central wheel (1), a frame (4) including side plates (20) connected to each other and located on both sides of the central wheel (1) at a distance from it and foot plates (5) on the lower part of the side plates (20) protruding outwards from them, located below the wheel axle (6) which has a wheel hub (2) and, furthermore, a satellite wheel (7), connected to the frame (4), with a diameter smaller than the central wheel (1). The essence of the invention is that from the point of view of the main propelling direction of the device the satellite wheel (7) is located in front of the central wheel (1). The frame (4) has front and rear frame members (21a, 21b) stiffening the side plates (20), running along their side edges opposite each other. Stable stiffening members are connected at the end parts of the foot plates (5) to the lower ends of the frame members (21a, 21b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Soma Gabor Ungar
  • Patent number: 9511635
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering air through a powered axle assembly for use in automatic tire inflation systems. The apparatus comprises a base attachable to a non-rotating structure within the axle assembly and having the drive axle extend therethrough. A rotor is mountable in the axle assembly for rotation with the drive axle and for forming an air chamber between the rotor and the base and extending about the drive axle. An annular sealing member in sealing engagement with the rotor and the base is disposed within the air chamber and is rotatable with the rotor and with respect to the base. The base includes at least one air inlet for delivering air in a radial direction into the air chamber and the rotor includes at least one air outlet for air flow out of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Airgo IP, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle J. Berkness, Phillip K. Berkness
  • Patent number: 9511660
    Abstract: An electric vehicle axle mechanism comprising: at least one vehicle axle; a gear mechanism connected to the vehicle axle; an electric motor that comprises a rotor and that is connected to the gear mechanism for transmitting a torque to the at least one vehicle axle; a position sensing device for ascertaining a rotor position of the rotor; an electronic power unit that is connected to the electric motor for supplying electrical energy to the electric motor, wherein the electronic power unit furthermore comprises an evaluating device for evaluating the signals of the position sensing device and is connected to an evaluating device that is embodied as a separate device, wherein the position sensing device is integrated at least in part in the electronic power unit or the evaluating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Braun, Thomas Winter
  • Patent number: 9511786
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a utility cart specifically designed for the support and transport of large planar items. The cart essentially features a platform with a defined perimeter and top and bottom sides. The platform supports a centrally positioned, vertically adjustable post having a cap attached to the distal end of the post for positioning and supporting the planar items being transported. Cart mobility is provided by a plurality of wheels attached to the bottom side of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hickcox
  • Patent number: 9510983
    Abstract: A basket assembly for a wheelchair is described herein. The basket assembly can include a basket and a mounting assembly coupled to the basket. The basket can include a base panel having at least one bracket coupling feature, a rear panel and a front panel coupled to the base panel, and a left side panel and a right side panel coupled to the base panel, the rear panel, and the front panel. The mounting assembly can include a main portion having a first end, a second end, and at least one basket coupling feature disposed between the first end and the second end. The mounting assembly can also include an elbow coupled to the first end of the main portion, and a wheelchair coupling feature coupled to the elbow, where the wheelchair coupling feature can be configured to couple to a portion of a wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: LAGWENBRE DESIGNER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gwendolyn Sue Smith
  • Patent number: 9504902
    Abstract: The present invention provides a braking system affixed to a skateboard having a board with a pair of truck assemblies affixed to an underside thereof. The braking system comprises a pivoting foot control lever semi-flush mounted on top of the skateboard deck, a master control mechanism and a brake actuator assembly which are affixed on the skateboard trucks. The foot control lever is operatively coupled to the master control mechanism and the master control mechanism is operatively coupled to the brake actuator assembly. The brake actuator assembly reduces the rotation of the wheels when a user applies a turning force on the foot control lever that activates a set of steel cables to turn the master control mechanism therefore releasing a pair of brake lever pads towards the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Wellesley Johnson
  • Patent number: 9505441
    Abstract: A supporting frame for a motor vehicle has two parallel longitudinal members oriented in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and form part of the body. Two longitudinal struts are oriented at least partially in the longitudinal direction and are fixed at first ends to a contact section of the longitudinal members. The longitudinal struts are connected at a second end opposite the first end to an impact plate that is arranged on at least one driving component of the motor vehicle to form a load path between the contact section of the longitudinal members and the at least one driving component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Timo Fabian Merkel, Volker Peitz, Julian Schoepfer
  • Patent number: 9499057
    Abstract: An attaching structure for attaching a service-plug for shutting off and conducting an electric circuit of a vehicle to a power source device, comprises a floor panel constituting a bottom wall of a compartment of the vehicle and formed with an opening which faces the compartment; a metal plate disposed outside the vehicle than the floor panel and forming a cavity between the metal plate and the floor metal plate and covering the power source device, and including an attachment portion to which the service-plug is attached and raised toward the opening in the cavity; and a sealing member for keeping the cavity liquid-tight disposed between the floor panel and the metal sheet so as to surround the attachment portion; wherein the service-plug is detachably attached to the attachment portion so as to project toward the compartment through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryuta Takishita, Masaaki Iwabe, Hiroyasu Matsumura, Kenji Eto, Makoto Motono, Go Yamada
  • Patent number: 9498700
    Abstract: A watersports paddle includes an elongated handle body having a first material, a biased member having a second material more flexible than the first material such that the biased member is more flexible than the elongated handle body, and a paddle blade coupled to the biased member opposite the elongated handle body. The biased member deforms when a force is applied to the biased member with the elongated handle body by pulling the paddle blade through water and reforms when the force is not applied to the biased member by the elongated handle body to store and release energy during use of the watersports paddle. The biased member may be a substantially planar leaf spring or a bowed leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: BRAAP, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Henrie, Shawn Wheeler
  • Patent number: 9492730
    Abstract: A snowboard boot and binding system is disclosed which facilitates the engagement and disengagement of a snowboard boot and binding. The snowboard boot may include a boot engagement member extending from a rear of the boot. The boot engagement member is moved downwardly into a corresponding binding engagement member to provide an arrangement which prevents forward movement of the boot. The boot engagement member also may include one or more serrations to engage with one or more pawls on the binding to prevent upward movement of the boot. A snap-in arrangement may be provided in a boot toe region. The boot has protrusions extending outwardly from each side of the boot to engage with catches on the binding sidewalls. As the boot is pressed downwardly into the binding, the protrusions splay the catches until reaching recesses, at which point the catches rebound to capture the protrusions against upward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Burton Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Robert Kavarsky, Jr., Christopher M. Doyle, Scott T. Keller