Patents Examined by Jacob Meyer
  • Patent number: 9610211
    Abstract: A walk assisting apparatus integrating a walker and a walk assistant includes a first body, an elevated bracket connected to the first body, a second body connected to the elevated bracket in a detachable manner and a handgrip connected to the second body in a detachable manner. The first body includes a plurality of first wheels and a first frame. The elevated bracket includes two bracing arms and a loading tray. The second body includes a plurality of second wheels, a second frame and two wedge holes formed on the second frame. The handgrip includes a handgrip bar and two latch tenons connected to two ends of the handgrip bar corresponding to the wedge holes. The invention thus formed can be easily assembled and detached to serve as the walker or the walk assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Tung Tzu Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin-I Lai
  • Patent number: 9604531
    Abstract: A suspension structure includes a pair of trailing arms (12) each having at its front end a pivot (14) that is attached to a vehicle body, a beam member (13) connecting the pair of trailing arms, and a pair of in-wheel motor drive devices (31) coupled and fixed to rear end regions of the trailing arms. The position of the pivot (14) in a lateral direction of a vehicle is included in a range A, B, and C from an inner end to an outer end of the in-wheel motor drive device (31) in the lateral direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shiro Tamura, Minoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9597978
    Abstract: A hovering skate board unit capable of driven by a user is disclosed. The hovering skateboard includes a first board to receive the user, one or more first magnetic source, a second board magnetically coupled with the first board, one or more second magnetic source and at least one ground engaging wheel. The first magnetic source is configured with the first board to emit magnetic field. The one or more second magnetic source is configured with the second board to repel the magnetic field emitted from the one or more first magnetic source and further facilitates the first board to hover over the second board. The ground engaging wheels attached to the second board moves in the direction driven by the user. Further, a corresponding method of operating the hovering skate board unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventor: Ron Konchitsky
  • Patent number: 9592172
    Abstract: A base with retractable wheels is provided for an examination, procedure or surgical table or chair for use in the medical, dental, or veterinary fields that can be easily switched between a stationary state and a mobile state. The base includes fixed wheels on one end and on the other end stationary foot pads and retractable wheels that can be engaged by a lift mechanism that can transfer the weight of the table or chair from the foot pads onto the wheels, allowing the table or chair to be more easily moved within a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: United Metal Fabricators
    Inventors: Scott G Ferreri, Joseph Romano, Nathaniel Francis Barbera, Eric Richard Colburn
  • Patent number: 9592434
    Abstract: A side-by-side pair of platforms, each equipped with a foot-pad, are coupled in a manner to form a vehicle, and are supported (a) at the rear by a truck-mount under each platform, integrated with a shared axle assembly fitted at its ends with a pair of rear wheels, located at opposite sides of the vehicle, and (b) at the front by a tilt-turn mount system including at least one front wheel, typically a caster-mounted roller, accomplishing dual-platform tilt-turning in response to the user's body movements simulating superior snow-skiing techniques, thus enabling sustained self-propulsion by user body movements and providing recreation, training and practice for skiers of all ages and skill levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Mark A. Slagter
  • Patent number: 9592733
    Abstract: A working machine comprising: a ground engaging structure with a first and second axle, each mounting two wheels; a body supported on the ground engaging structure, a working arm mounted to the body; and a drive arrangement for moving the ground engaging structure to propel the working machine, the drive arrangement including a prime mover and transmission. The transmission comprises a hydraulic pump driven by the prime mover, a first high speed hydraulic motor to drive the first axle to permit the working machine to be driven at relatively high speeds in a first two-wheel drive operating mode, and a second low speed motor to be supplied with hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to drive the second axle at relatively low speeds and configured to be driven in conjunction with the first motor in a second four-wheel drive operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Lyle, John Griffin
  • Patent number: 9592845
    Abstract: A staging cart for moving multiple packaged mattresses generally includes a base frame having a length and a width dimension; a handle frame extending upwardly from a rear end of the cart; a pair of rear wheels and a pair of forward wheels mounted to a bottom surface of the base frame at the rear and forward ends of the base frame, respectively; a platform portion coupled to the base frame spanning a length of the base frame and having a planar surface, wherein the platform portion has a width dimension less than the width dimension of the base frame and is medially located within the base frame; and at least one roller coupled to the base frame spanning the length dimension and adjacent to at least one side of the platform portion, wherein the at least one roller has an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventor: Jaime Palma
  • Patent number: 9586527
    Abstract: A step assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. A step pad is pivotally coupled to a quarter panel of the vehicle and is movable between a stowed position and deployed position. At least one light source is provided in the step pad and the step pad transmits light emitted by the at least one light source in an outward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 9579242
    Abstract: A wheelchair of the mid-wheel drive type has a chassis frame, a pair of from and rear link arms that are pivotally connected to the chassis frame. Front caster wheels and drive wheels are fixed to the front link arms. Rear caster wheels are fixed to the rear link arms. A coupling operatively connects each front link arm to an adjacent rear link arm to transmit pivotal movement of one of the front and rear link arm to an opposite pivotal movement of the other of the front and rear link arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Permobil AB
    Inventor: Mehdi Mirzaie
  • Patent number: 9578939
    Abstract: A luggage apparatus includes a front shell and a rear shell which are connected by a zipper closure and a hinge. A cup bolder includes a body portion which projects into the interior of the front shell. The cup holder includes a rim which rests on the outer surface of the front shell. The rear shell includes a telescoping handle and lower surfaces of the front and rear shells each have caster-type wheels. The front shell includes a fabric liner which prevents damage to items stored in the apparatus in the event that there is an accidental spill from the cup holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Nebeling
  • Patent number: 9573454
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes an engine and a method of assembling the powertrain includes providing the engine. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter to dispose the motor-generator and the starter mechanism in alternative assembly configurations being a first assembly configuration and a second assembly configuration. The first assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is coupleable to the adapter to selectively transfer torque from the motor-generator through the adapter and the starter mechanism to start the engine. The second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator such that the starter mechanism selectively transfers torque to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Alexandru Rajala, Chandra S. Namuduri, Venkata Prasad Atluri
  • Patent number: 9573648
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first component having with a first coupling surface and a first axial aperture therethrough. The first component has an axial recess in the first coupling surface. The apparatus further includes a second component having a second coupling surface and a second axial aperture therethrough, and the second component has an axial protrusion extending from the second coupling surface. The axial recess of the first component and the axial protrusion of the second component selectively engage to radially lock the first component relative to the second component and align the first and second apertures upon engagement with each other. The first and second apertures selectively receive a bicycle wheel axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Patent number: 9573452
    Abstract: An electric vehicle traction drive assembly includes a variable-speed electric motor for providing the torque. A multi-speed transaxle multiplies the torque of the electric motor through the vehicle operator's selection between more than one gear ratio. An adapter mechanically couples the motor and the transaxle to integrate the motor with the transaxle keeping an output shaft of the motor center-aligned with an input shaft of the transaxle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Squaw-Fleet, LLC
    Inventor: Brooks Alexander Agnew
  • Patent number: 9566200
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a wheelchair configured to reposition an occupant between a lowered and a raised position. The wheelchair can include a frame, a seat moveable relative to the frame, a drive wheel, and one or more pairs of arm assemblies. The arm assembly includes a wheel configured to move from a first spatial location when the wheel chair is operating on flat, level ground to a second spatial location that is different than the first spatial location. Arm limiters that can selectively engage the arm assembly dependent on the position of the arm assembly and surface conditions of ground and can limit the range of motion of the arm assembly and sometimes other operational aspects of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Pride Mobility Products Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Mulhern, Stephen J. Antonishak
  • Patent number: 9562344
    Abstract: A post-treatment device mounting frame on which an exhaust gas post-treatment device is mounted is constituted by a front mounting leg, a rear mounting leg, and a deck connecting the front and rear mounting legs to each other. A vertical leg part of the front mounting leg is mounted on a front vertical leg part mounting plate of a right front extension beam. A lateral leg part of the front mounting leg is mounted on a front lateral leg part mounting plate of a right front engine support bracket. A vertical leg part of the rear mounting leg is mounted on a rear vertical leg part mounting plate of a right rear extension beam. A lateral leg part of the rear mounting leg is mounted on a rear lateral leg part mounting plate of a right rear engine support bracket. Therefore, the post-treatment device mounting frame is firmly mounted in a state of four-point support on a revolving frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kumagai, Kazuhiko Mizoguchi, Masao Nakamura, Hideto Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9561815
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cart with easy accommodation of a handle by a spring, comprising: a loading plate in which articles are loaded at the upper portion, a cut groove is vertically penetrated to be formed at the front end, the front end is opened at the lower portion so as to be horizontally penetrated to the back end, and a space part is formed to communicate with the cut groove; driving wheels provided at the lower part of the loading plate; a cover to be coupled to the lower part of the space part; a handle member accommodated in the space part so as to be moved to the front end of the loading plate, and rotated toward the cut groove so as to be exposed to the upper part of the loading plate; a stopper formed at the cut groove side in the space portion and preventing the separation of the handle member; and a spring unit comprising a fixture provided in the back of the space part, a rotation shaft provided at the fixture, and a spring wound to the rotation shaft and of which an end is connect
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Sejin Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 9550542
    Abstract: A kit for an electric cycle includes a powertrain module including a case, a battery disposed in the case, an electric motor in communication with the battery and disposed in the case, and a connecting port on the case. The kit includes a first module including a frame member configured to releasably engage the connecting port and a wheel rotatably connected to the frame member, a second module including a frame member configured to releasably engage the connecting port, and a releasable locking feature on the connecting port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Dueñas Figueroa, Luis Alfonso Domínguez Victorio, Haydee Guadalupe Martinez Rivera, Raciel Cruz Ramirez, Ramón Jáuregui Ortiz, José Guillermo Saavedra Roman, Ana Laura Quintanar Meléndez, Daniel Amaury Menchaca Gonzalez, José de Jesús Martinez Colin
  • Patent number: 9539890
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device including: an input member drivably coupled to an internal combustion engine; an output member drivably coupled to wheels; a single wheel drive rotary electric machine that transfers a drive force to the output member; a speed change mechanism provided in a power transfer path that connects between the wheel drive rotary electric machine and the output member; and an inverter device that controls the wheel drive rotary electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Miyazawa, Tatsuyuki Uechi, Tatsuya Kondo
  • Patent number: 9533631
    Abstract: A corrugated plate portion of a core panel is sandwiched between an upper panel and a lower panel, and is formed in a shape in which upwardly-facing concave portions, that open toward a side of the upper panel and extend in a vehicle transverse direction, and downwardly-facing concave portions, that open toward a side of the lower panel and extend in the vehicle transverse direction, are lined-up alternately. A sum of contact surface areas of the upper panel and bottom wall portion sides of the downwardly-facing concave portions at the corrugated plate portion is smaller than a sum of contact surface areas of the lower panel and bottom wall portion sides of the upwardly-facing concave portions at the corrugated plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Kamimura, Koki Ikeda, Kiyoshi Hokazono
  • Patent number: 9528309
    Abstract: A hood hinge assembly for rotation of a hood of an outdoor power equipment device between an open position and a closed position may include a fixed bracket mounted directly or indirectly to a frame of the outdoor power equipment device, and a movable bracket mounted to the hood to enable the hood to be moved between the open position and the closed position via rotation of the movable bracket relative to the fixed bracket. The hood hinge assembly may define an axis of rotation for the hood via a first offset pin and a second offset pin that have respective distal ends oriented in the same direction for sequential engagement with respective ones of a first receiving hole and a second receiving hole that are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than a distance between the respective distal ends of the first and second offset pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Corey Fisher