Patents Examined by Jacob Knutson
  • Patent number: 9555827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric motor and an electric power steering apparatus including the same. According to an embodiment of the present invention, problems such as a malfunction of an electric motor, damage to a component of the electric motor, and lowering of an output of the electric motor can be solved by preventing penetration of foreign substances into the electric motor, so that a steering stability of a vehicle can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Ho Sin
  • Patent number: 9555732
    Abstract: Disclosed are hinged and non-hinged bunk board cover systems for mating over a bunk board component of a watercraft trailer. An exemplary hinged embodiment includes a main contact surface component sized to substantially cover a top surface of the bunk board component and a pair of side fastener surface components connected to the main contact surface component via a pair of hinge components. The main contact surface component, hinge components and side fastener surface components may be co-extruded into a single, “cut to length” ribbon that can be formed into a bulk roll. It is envisioned that certain embodiments may be constructed from thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: REESE ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Harms, Jr., Robert Ellingson
  • Patent number: 9545968
    Abstract: An electric two-wheel vehicle includes a battery case that accommodates two batteries. The battery case is open in an upward direction. A head pipe supports a steering shaft and is connected to a front portion of the battery case. The battery case includes a beam portion that is disposed between the two batteries and extends rearward from a front wall portion of the battery case. Accordingly, it is possible to easily attach and detach the batteries with respect to a vehicle body for charging, protect the batteries, and secure the rigidity of a vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shidehiko Miyashiro, Hideki Shirazawa, Tsukasa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9545838
    Abstract: A v-twin motorcycle engine, 100 to 140 cubic inches (1600 cc to 2300 cc) is mounted longitudinally in a tubular chassis behind dual seats. A chain drive is mounted to the crankshaft that further drives a clutch device. A transmission/transfer unit is mounted in front of and below the engine and receives a clutch output shaft. The transfer case has two output drive shafts, one to a front differential and the other to a rear differential located under the engine. The differentials each have two shafts that drive the four wheels. The wheels have disk brakes and typical independent suspension for driven wheels of such types of vehicles. The present invention provides an off road, sports utility vehicle having the power between an ATV and a 4 cylinder (VW) engine. Further an adjustable engine mount allows for the selection of different engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: David Hill
  • Patent number: 9545873
    Abstract: A reinforcement panel for the floor of a pick-up truck bed. The reinforcement panel is assembled between the floor of the pick-up truck and a fifth wheel cross member. The reinforcement panel includes transversely extending reinforcing or stiffening ribs. The stiffening ribs resist deflection in the area of the gooseneck ball receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Courtright, Joshua Hemphill, James Adam Drozdowski, John Comiez, Vincent Chimento
  • Patent number: 9541195
    Abstract: A ratchet assembly may include a steer ring, a steer ring side structure, a steer cylinder bracket arm, a steer cylinder, a ratchet lock gear, a steering collar, a ratchet cylinder, a ratchet lock bar, and at least one sensor. When in a particular locked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring, the ratchet lock gear, and the steering collar. When in an unlocked position, operation of the steer cylinder rotates the steer ring around the ratchet lock gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GOMACO Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Farr, Kevin L. Klein, Mark W. Brenner, Kevin D. Kottke, Jason D. Wulf, Stephen B. Jones
  • Patent number: 9540072
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a chassis comprising a bulkhead and a tunnel, a front suspension coupled to bulkhead, a rear suspension coupled to the tunnel, and slide rails coupled to the rear suspension. The rear suspension includes a toggle link pivotally coupled to the tunnel at a first pivot coupling, and a rear control arm coupled between the slide rails and the toggle link. The toggle link is pivotally coupled to the rear control arm at a second pivot coupling. The rear suspension also includes a carrier roller coupled to the toggle link. The toggle link is movable to a plurality of positions relative to the toggle link to vary the dynamics of the vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hedlund, Michael L. Fugleberg, Matthew J. Prusak
  • Patent number: 9527546
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle having a structure in which a handle connecting frame is attached to an upper end of a front fork section in a state in which the front fork section is connected thereto, and a front wheel rotatably supported by the front fork section is able to be steered, characterized in that a main rotary shaft of the front wheel functions as a main body and a support member and is fixed at two places to simultaneously tilt two handles leftward or rightward, the main rotary shaft of the front wheel is mounted on a footrest section, and a high elasticity compound recovery member is connected between the footrest section and a rear wheel rotary shaft in a longitudinal direction to be turned leftward or rightward to correspond to a centrifugal force about the rear wheel rotary shaft when tilting occurs during running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventor: Kook Hwan Lee
  • Patent number: 9527547
    Abstract: There is provided a drive assembly for converting the motion of a person running or jogging into mechanical motion to drive a machine or apparatus, such as self propelled apparatus like a bicycle, or stationary exercise apparatus. The drive assembly comprises a rotatable member, such as a crank arrangement, coupled to a frame of the machine and to stirrups, and where foot pedals are pivotally attached to each of the stirrups. A first pivot is connected between a stirrup and the rotatable member, and a second pivot is connected between the same stirrup and the frame. Preferably, a pivot axis of a foot pedal remains below the first pivot and the second pivot during motion of the foot pedal. Preferably, the pivot axis of the foot pedals trace asymmetric ovate paths during motion of the foot pedals. Motion of the foot pedals drive the rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: RUN4 PTY LTD
    Inventors: William Henry Thomas, Steven Patrick Cranitch
  • Patent number: 9527213
    Abstract: An automatic stair-climbing robot platform is provided. The automatic stair-climbing robot platform of the present invention includes a personal computer module; a USB-CAN interface module; a motor module, including a plurality of motors and controlled by the USB-CAN interface module; a KINECT sensor module, obtaining point cloud data and image data by sensing a terrain ahead and transmitting the point cloud data and image data to the personal computer module; a first inertial measurement unit, measuring a body tilt of the KINECT sensor module, and transmitting data of the body tilt of the KINECT sensor module to the personal computer module; and a second inertial measurement unit, measuring a body tilt of the automatic stair-climbing robot platform, and transmitting data of the body tilt of the automatic stair-climbing robot platform to the personal computer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ren C. Luo, Ming Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9527524
    Abstract: A power steering apparatus of the disclosure includes a rack shaft; a steering wheel-side pinion shaft that rotates as a steering wheel is turned; an assist side pinion shaft that is driven to rotate by a drive unit, thereby assisting the rotation of the steering wheel-side pinion shaft; and a gear housing that accommodates the rack shaft, and has a second leg portion fixed to a vehicle. The gear housing includes a first housing that accommodates a meshing portion between the rack shaft and the steering wheel-side pinion shaft; a second housing that accommodates a meshing portion between the rack shaft and the assist side pinion shaft; and a third housing that is provided with the second leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kaduto Sato
  • Patent number: 9522595
    Abstract: The present teachings relate generally to a small remote vehicle having rotatable flippers and a weight of less than about 10 pounds and that can climb a conventional-sized stairs. The present teachings also relate to a small remote vehicle can be thrown or dropped fifteen feet onto a hard/inelastic surface without incurring structural damage that may impede its mission. The present teachings further relate to a small remote vehicle having a weight of less than about 10 pounds and a power source supporting missions of at least 6 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: iRobot Defense Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Garran M. Gossage, Christopher Lyunne Morey, Todd M. Meaney, Timothy R. Ohm, Adam Wozniak
  • Patent number: 9522581
    Abstract: A drawbar for a towing vehicle includes a longitudinal support and an attachment which is removably fixed to the longitudinal support. The longitudinal support and the attachment form a towing-eye receiving area, and the longitudinal support and the attachment each have a receiving opening for a coupling pin. The attachment has at least one tilting protrusion which is arranged in a recess of the longitudinal support in a self-locking manner relative to a removal force in the direction of the central line of the coupling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Josef Scharmüller, Josef Scharmüller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9518466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic apparatus (1) including: a casing (6) defining a first assembly; a shaft (2) defining a second assembly; said first and second assemblies being freely rotatable relative to one another; a multi-lobe cam (3) rotatably connected to one of said first or second assembly; a dispenser (51) and a dispenser cover (52); a cylinder block (4) mounted such as to be freely rotatable relative to said first and second assemblies and including a means for rotatably engaging relative to the other of said assemblies, characterized in that the hydraulic apparatus (1) includes a return means for moving the cylinder block (4) in order to rotatably disengage same from said first or second assembly, and in that the dispenser (5) is configured, when applying pressure, to rotatably engage the cylinder block (4) relative to the other of said first or second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: POCLAIN HYDRAULICS INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Stephane Vidal, Herve Desumeur, Jean Heren, Clement Recoura, Gilles Lemaire
  • Patent number: 9511808
    Abstract: A control pad system for a motorcycle has two forward control pads configured to engage a forward surface of a rider's knees or legs with the rider's feet on foot pegs of the motorcycle, the forward control pads mounted to be stationary with frame elements of the motorcycle, wherein the positions of the forward control pads constrain the rider's legs from forward motion, enabling the rider to exert pressure on the control pads to resist motion relative to the motorcycle induced by instances of deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: James Lee Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9511811
    Abstract: A two-wheel gyroscope-stabilized vehicle includes a stabilizing gyroscope, having a gyroscope frame and a gyroscope rotor rotatably mounted in the frame. The gyroscope frame is free to rotate relative to the vehicle body. The vehicle further comprises a support structure that connects the vehicle body and the vehicle wheels, wherein the supporting structure is adapted to move the wheels independently in relation to each other and to move the wheels in relation to the body independently thereof. The support structure helps to keep the vehicle stable when riding on rough terrain. Balancing of the vehicle is provided by maintaining a right angle between the axis of rotation of the gyroscope rotor and direction of the vehicle movement by means of the control system through changing the difference of rotation velocities of the wheels. Steering of the vehicle is provided by means of applying the roll control force to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Sergey Nikolaevich Andreev
  • Patent number: 9505427
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly, connected to a power source or a detection sensor through a cable, includes (a) a base body made of a synthetic resin, the base body having a bottom surface wall, a side surface wall standing up from a periphery of the bottom surface wall, and an interior space defined on the bottom surface wall and enclosed by the side surface wall; and (b) a connector body for achieving an electrical connection, the connector body extending from the bottom surface wall along the side surface wall through the interior space. The bottom surface wall of the base body has an inclined plane that is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane. The interior space of the base body is filled with a sealing agent by allowing the sealing agent to flow down on the inclined plane by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9505304
    Abstract: A drive system for a vehicle having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels is disclosed having a rear drive assembly having a first pair of axles extending from opposite sides of the vehicle, each axle of the first pair of axles drivingly engaged to one of the pair of rear wheels, a prime mover drivingly engaged to the rear drive assembly, a power source disposed on the vehicle, a front drive assembly in selective electrical communication with the power source and having a second pair of axles extending from opposite sides of the vehicle, each axle of the second pair of axles is drivingly engaged to one of the pair of front wheels and has a pivotable segment along its length, a steering mechanism in communication with the pivotable segment of each of the second pair of axles, an accelerator mechanism in communication with the rear drive assembly and the front drive assembly, a selector switch having a first position which prevents electrical communication between the front drive assembly and the pow
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: K. Mike McCoy, Christopher K. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 9499047
    Abstract: A compressed natural gas fueling system includes a frame arrangement with at least one tank disposed therein and an inlet that can receive a compressed natural gas fueling nozzle to fill the at least one tank. The fueling system can be attached with and supported by frame rails behind a cabin of a vehicle such that the inlet is positioned above the frame rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: DHYBRID SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor Milton, Morgan Mackelprang, Isaac Sloan, Ralph Hilton
  • Patent number: 9492695
    Abstract: A quint configuration fire apparatus includes a chassis defining a longitudinal direction, a body assembly coupled to the chassis and having a storage area configured to receive a ground ladder and a fire hose, a pump coupled to the chassis, a water tank coupled to the chassis, a ladder assembly including a plurality of extensible ladder sections, the ladder assembly coupled to the chassis with a pedestal and a torque box, a single front axle coupled to a front end of the chassis, and a single rear axle coupled to a rear end of the chassis. The ladder assembly is extensible to provide a horizontal reach of at least 100 feet and a vertical height of at least 105 feet. The torque box extends along the longitudinal direction and spans the single rear axle thereby transferring loading along the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Betz, David W. Archer, Jon J. Morrow, Don Parshall, Peter K. Kramer, Troy D. Lind