Patents Examined by J. Allen Shriver
  • Patent number: 9764644
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor disposed so as to be offset to one side with respect to a center of the vehicle in a front-to-rear direction and a frame member for supporting the motor via at least two supporting devices. A first fixing portion which is situated relatively closer to the one side is formed in a higher position in a vertical direction than a second fixing portion which is situated closer to the other side. An electric wire fixing portion of the motor is formed in a position below an imaginary straight line which passes through a center of the first fixing portion and a center of the second fixing portion, in a side view of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Nishida
  • Patent number: 9764754
    Abstract: A push cart, including: a frame, a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, a connection rod linkage. The frame includes an upper frame and a lower frame, and the upper frame is disposed on the lower frame. The rear wheel assembly is movably disposed on the lower frame or the upper frame. The front wheel assembly is disposed on the lower frame. The frame is connected to the rear wheel assembly via the connection rod linkage. The rotation of the upper frame or the lower frame drives the connection rod linkage to flatten the rear wheel assembly with the upper frame or the lower frame, or to unfold the rear wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: NINGBO WENTAI SPORT EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9758104
    Abstract: A side bar and steps attached to the side attached to a vehicle or to the side of the vehicle by gears, ratcheting teeth or other movable engagement to the side bar or vehicle. A step is constructed by attaching a curved or flat member to the top of an L-shaped support bar that is in turn connected to the side bar or vehicle. The steps are movably affixed to the side bar or vehicle via ratcheting teeth or gearing. The L-shaped supports have a plurality of engagement points so that the step can be adjusted upward and downward using the different attachment points on the gear or ratchet. In this manner steps can be moved for different users depending on the height of the vehicle or user preference. The L-shaped support bars may be flared outward and provided with a plate for mounting the step thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: N-Fab, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Fichter
  • Patent number: 9756936
    Abstract: The present invention provides a roll-in kitchen unit having an outer housing and a trolley that fits substantially within. The trolley provides a cast frame coupled to a scaling plate for sealing the trolley within the outer housing. In one embodiment, the cast frame is reinforced with inner and outer ribs to minimize deflection of the cast frame and bring the sealing plate into alignment with the corresponding gasket of the outer housing door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Alto-Shaam, Inc.
    Inventors: J. K. Raghavan, Christopher T. Larson
  • Patent number: 9758184
    Abstract: A three wheel cart that is adjustable in both length and width for cargo such as ice chests. The cart provides a pair of rear wheels, a horizontal load platform, and a front drawbar with a third wheel for easy pulling or pushing. The drawbar and third wheel retract under the cart. All adjustments are made without wrenches utilizing a large soft hand nut. The width adjustment is interconnected by a mechanism so that cargo width retainers slide in and out simultaneously along with the cart main wheels. When the drawbar is raised into its towing position the cart's front support leg is levered off the ground by the third wheel. This capability minimizes the lifting effort required when towing the cart. As the drawbar is lowered the support leg becomes an automatic parking brake. The operator cannot abandon the cart without the brake being applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Inventor: Milton Vaverek
  • Patent number: 9758028
    Abstract: A vehicle panel structure that includes a first panel that is provided to a vehicle, the first panel being made from a fiber reinforced resin and including a plurality of first beads extending along one direction, and a second panel that is disposed so as to face the first panel and that includes a plurality of second beads extending along another direction intersecting with the first beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koki Ikeda, Kiyoshi Hokazono, Tomohiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9751481
    Abstract: A crossmember (20) for a front bumper of a motor vehicle (10) has at least one throughflow opening for air. At least one exit-air opening (51, 52) is provided on a rear side (44) of the crossmember (20) to accommodate a discharge of exit air from a cooler of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Schneider
  • Patent number: 9750323
    Abstract: A scissor lift for raising and lowering a heavy object, including an upper platform for supporting a heavy object, including a release mechanism, and guided rollers mounted on axles, a lower frame including guided rollers mounted on axles, a scissor lift mechanism fastened to the axles of the upper platform guided rollers and to the axles of the lower frame guided rollers, that raises and lowers the upper platform, a locking mechanism including protrusions protruding outward of the upper frame, each protrusion corresponding to a different height of the scissor lift mechanism, wherein at least one guided roller within the upper platform includes a spring-loaded pin for engagement in the protrusions, thereby locking the scissor lift mechanism into place at a height corresponding to the protrusion into which the spring-loaded pin is engaged, and a release mechanism that unlocks the scissor lift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Aviad Berger
  • Patent number: 9744431
    Abstract: A binding system includes a base portion shaped to receive a boot. The base portion has first and second opposite facing surfaces. The binding system also includes a first interface having first and second surfaces. The first interface includes two separable interface portions, with each of the two interface portions having first and second opposite facing surfaces and including at least one coupling element disposed over at least the second surface of the interface portion. The at least one coupling element includes a body segment proximate to the second surface of the interface portion and a blocking head segment distal to the second surface of the interface portion. The body segment has a first width with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body segment and the blocking head section having a second, greater width than the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: FELISAZ SAS
    Inventor: Christophe Etallaz
  • Patent number: 9738148
    Abstract: A stud assembly is coupled between an underhood propulsion system and an underhood cover in order to manage energy from an external force applied to the underhood cover. The underhood cover is coupled over the underhood propulsion system. The stud assembly is coupled between the underhood propulsion system and the underhood cover and includes a polymeric isolator and a stud coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud includes a shank and a head coupled to the shank. The head is coupled to the polymeric isolator. The stud assembly includes a boss coupled to the underhood cover. The boss is disposed adjacent the polymeric isolator. The shank includes a bending initiator feature in order to allow the shank to bend when the underhood cover is subjected to an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David B. Waskie, Jason M. Miller
  • Patent number: 9741189
    Abstract: A utility cart includes a cabinet with a latch and strike lock, which is unlocked in the presence of a passive near field RFID key device and held open by a latch controller for sufficient time to allow the user to open the unlocked cabinet door. The latch is biased to its locking position, to which it returns when released by the controller. The latch includes a ramp surface which is engaged by the leading edge of the strike as the cabinet door is closed. In this way, the strike pushes the latch out of the way as it passes over the end of the latch, and the biased latch then returns to its locking position engaging a keeper in the strike as the keeper passes into position opposite the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Geerpres, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Ribbe, William C Vanderlinde
  • Patent number: 9731783
    Abstract: A self-balancing powered unicycle device (100) having a single hubless wheel is disclosed. The self-balancing powered unicycle device comprises: a single wheel (120); a motor adapted to drive the wheel; a balance control system adapted to maintain fore-aft balance of the unicycle device; at least one foot platform (165) for supporting a user of the unicycle device; and a casing (110) adapted to cover at least a portion of the outer rim of the wheel. The self-balancing powered unicycle device further comprises at least one energy storage device compartment (150A, 150B) protruding outward from a side of the casing (110) and adapted to house an energy storage device for powering the unicycle device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Timur Artemev
  • Patent number: 9731689
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting device of a vehicle, in particular of a semi-trailer or trailer, comprising an outer pipe which is designed to be attached to the vehicle in a stationary manner, an inner pipe which is arranged in the outer pipe so as to be movable in the insertion and extension direction, an actuating device for moving the inner pipe between a transport position and an operating position, and an engagement device which is designed, in a first operating state, to fix the inner pipe in the operating position in relation to the outer pipe in such a way that a movement of the inner pipe in the insertion direction is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Riedl
  • Patent number: 9731947
    Abstract: Wheel drive apparatuses are provided on left and right wheels of a forklift and drive the respective wheels. Each of the wheel drive apparatuses includes a brake on the inside of a vehicle body of the forklift. The brake includes a brake shaft, friction plates, and a brake cover. The brake cover is removable from the wheel drive apparatus while the wheel drive apparatuses are mounted on the vehicle body. The friction plates are assembled with the brake shaft so as to be movable in an axial direction, and are removable from the wheel drive apparatus, while the wheel drive apparatuses are mounted on the vehicle body, by sliding along the brake shaft toward the inside of the vehicle body in the axial direction when the brake cover has been removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taizo Yamamoto, Koji Moritani, Masayuki Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 9724990
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (10) has a drive train in the region of a front axle. A body of the motor vehicle has connection points (1, 2, 3) for a laterally arranged internal combustion engine, a vehicle transmission (15) and a torque plate of a motor vehicle (10) that can be driven exclusively by the internal combustion engine. The connection points (1, 2, 3) also are connection points for a hybrid drive train (11). The vehicle uses a modular design principle and can be equipped with differently designed drive systems, including conventional drive exclusively by an internal combustion engine and hybrid drive, without having to make structural modifications. The hybrid drive train may be a serial hybrid or a parallel hybrid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C.F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus Hoermandinger, Nikolai Henger
  • Patent number: 9725243
    Abstract: A container skate of synthetic material facilitates movement of a container. A sliding body has two inclined ends facilitating sliding of the body in opposite directions with a container thereon without further damage to the container or support surface over which it is moved. The body has an upstanding plug extendable into a container corner fitting so pulling of the container draws the body with it, sliding over a surface while bearing container weight. The body further includes a stop member extending therefrom and spaced from said plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventor: James R. Poynter
  • Patent number: 9724989
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a storage case. The storage case includes an opening. The storage case is disposed above a cylinder portion, and the opening is disposed farther forward than the front end of the upper surface of the seat. An air cleaner and a fuel tank are disposed below the seat. According to such a vehicle, it is possible to ensure a space for the storage case anterior to the seat. As a result, it is possible to readily increase the capacity of the storage case. In addition, a rider is able to access the opening while sitting on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichirou Nakamura, Fumihiro Hidaka, Eiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 9719403
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine exhaust system supporting structure includes a body fastening portion, an exhaust fastening portion, a bracket, and a stay. The body fastening portion is provided on a power plant or a vehicle body located on a side of an exhaust passage extending from an internal combustion engine to a rear of a vehicle so that exhaust emissions flow from the internal combustion engine to the rear of the vehicle. The bracket is fastened to the body fastening portion. The stay is fastened to the exhaust fastening portion and has lower stiffness than the bracket. The bracket and the stay are fastened to each other at a connecting portion so that a vertical distance between the exhaust fastening portion and the connecting portion in a vertical direction is greater than a vertical distance between the body fastening portion and the connecting portion in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michiya Yano, Takahiro Shinkai
  • Patent number: 9718446
    Abstract: A wheel brush assembly for use of the wheelchair that includes: a housing; a spring within the housing, where the spring extends from a first end of the housing; a brush that abuts one side of the spring at a first end of the brush; a plurality of bristles on a second end of the brush that extends out of an opening of the housing; and a magnet that enables the attachment of the housing onto a wheel brake. The plurality of bristles come in contact with a wheel of the wheelchair during operation, wherein the spring urges the plurality of bristles into contact with the wheel. Preferably, the plurality of bristles disengages with the wheel upon application of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Billy Tolbert
  • Patent number: 9718488
    Abstract: A carriage having a frame, where the frame is foldable between a use position and a storage position. The frame includes an attachment point for a plurality of frame components and a pivot lock for retaining the frame in the use position. The pivot lock is operated by rotating a portion of the frame of the carriage to unlock the pivot lock, permitting the carriage to be folded to the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Thule Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Paramjit Singh, Wesley Justin Fleming, Miao Kaihua