Patents Examined by Jacob Meyer
  • Patent number: 9403404
    Abstract: A carbon fiber rim contains: a body, two clamping pieces, and a plurality of covering layers. The body includes a recessed fixing face defined on an outer diameter thereof so as to fix a tire and two connecting faces formed on two sides thereof so as to align with the two clamping pieces, and each clamping piece is a circular loop and corresponds to a profile of an outer peripheral side of the body. The plurality of covering layers are fitted and surround around the body and the two clamping pieces. Thereby, the two clamping pieces are fixed on the two connecting faces of the body by using the plurality of covering layers so that the two brake blocks do not contact with the body directly and brake a bicycle wheel via the two clamping pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Po-Chien Lin
  • Patent number: 9393481
    Abstract: Flexible binding wedges are provided with flexion slots cut in a widthwise direction to allow flexibility when mounted to a sportsboard such as a snowboard. “T” inserts through the wedges provide a mount for boot bindings. Flex adjustment bushings may be inserted into the slots to adjust the flexibility of the wedge when mounted on a sportsboard, e.g., a snowboard. The flexible wedges may be mounted under a top surface of the sportsboard, or even on top of the finished upper surface of the sportsboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: William H. Bollman
  • Patent number: 9381968
    Abstract: The scooter of the present invention includes a footboard having a front portion, and a rear portion attached to a rear wheel; a front wheel axle having an upward axis perpendicular with the front wheel axle and a steering axis, wherein the front wheel axle is rotatable with respect to the steering axis; and a plurality of front wheels attached to the front wheel axle. The steering axis forms a predetermined adjacent angle between 0 degree and 90 degree with respect to the upward axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: NICER HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventor: Yui Chan
  • Patent number: 9375633
    Abstract: A structural reinforcement device for a skateboard of the type including a deck having a bottom surface having a first bolt pattern and a truck including a baseplate having a second bolt pattern. The reinforcement device includes a rigid insert having a third bolt pattern aligned with the first and second bolt patterns and disposed between the baseplate and the bottom surface of the deck. The baseplate is characterized by a leading edge, and the rigid insert extends forward of the leading edge to effectively increase the surface area of contact between the baseplate and deck, thereby reducing stress concentrations near the fastening bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Daniel Brooks Carlson
    Inventor: Daniel Brooks Carlson
  • Patent number: 9370965
    Abstract: A turbulence shield for attachment to a truck wheel having a laterally outer edge about a laterally opening concavity, and having an annular channel which opens radially inwardly at the laterally outer edge, the turbulence shield having a first annularly extending “C” member opening radially inwardly and fitted for nesting receipt within the annular channel; a second annularly extending “C” member opening radially inwardly and nestingly received within the first “C” member's channel, the second annularly extending “C” member having arms; a hoop member nesting within the second “C” member; a circular flexible sheet; and an integral joint interconnecting the sheet's edge and a second “C” member's arm so that, upon nesting the first “C” member within the wheel's annular channel, the sheet covers the wheel's laterally opening concavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Jesse L. Bradley
  • Patent number: 9352621
    Abstract: A tire inflation system for a vehicle. The tire inflation system may include at least one pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve may be normally closed and may be configured to vent pressurized gas from a tire when a pressure of the pressurized gas in the tire exceeds a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9346503
    Abstract: A trailer for use primarily for transporting a portable structure in which a frame is mounted on an undercarriage with the wheels of the undercarriage near the longitudinal center and the portable structure is positioned at an angle to reduce wind resistance while the structure is being transported on the trailer. The portable structure is secured to the trailer by placing the skid plates of the portable structure under frame elements affixed to the trailer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Jeffrey O. Moore
  • Patent number: 9346479
    Abstract: A foldable stroller frame having right and left front, right and left rear legs, and right and left handle supports joined at a right and left folding joints in a manner permitting folding movement about a folding axis between deployed and folded positions. A seat panel connects the front legs and includes a movable portion being movable between first and second positions. A seat back frame is connected to the movable portion at a seat back pivot. Spacing between the seat back pivot and the folding axis is dependent upon the position of the movable portion. When in the first position, the spacing is greatest and precludes frame folding due to interference between the seat back frame and a transverse element between the handle supports. When in the second position, spacing is minimized and frame folding is permissible without interference between the seat back frame and the transverse element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ARTSANA USA, INC
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ransil
  • Patent number: 9340251
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical and hollow main body having an open end and a closed end and a bayonet component extending therein. The bayonet component has a shaft at least partially enclosed within the main body and a pair of opposing protrusions extending radially outside of the main body proximate to a first end of the shaft. The apparatus further includes a lever rotatably coupled to the main body proximate to the open end thereof, and the lever includes a locking recess selectively aligned with the open end of the main body. The apparatus also includes a resilient member enclosed within the main body between the closed end thereof and the first end of the shaft of the bayonet component, and the resilient member biases the bayonet component toward the lever. The bayonet component engages the locking recess to inhibit rotation of the lever relative to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Robert George Thompson
  • Patent number: 9327590
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a front module, a drive wheel, a transmission, a case, an oil inlet, a return passage, and a bypass passage. The case has a first chamber accommodating the front module, and a second chamber accommodating the transmission. The second chamber includes an oil pan. The oil inlet is arranged inside the oil pan. The return passage communicates the first chamber with the second chamber. The return passage keeps a first oil level inside the first chamber higher than a second oil level inside the oil pan by applying flow resistance to oil. The bypass passage is arranged at a position higher than the first oil level when the hybrid vehicle is in a horizontal position and lower than the first oil level when the hybrid vehicle is leaning forward at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Ideshio, Shinji Matsumoto, Daiki Suyama, Katsuhiko Hattori, Yo Nishioka
  • Patent number: 9321304
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel cover for use to cover the wheel of a tractor or trailer. The wheel cover includes an inner support section and an outer main section. The outer main section includes a wheel cover surface and an outer edge. Further, the wheel cover includes a ratchet assembly comprising a spring, a support block, an operating holder and an extension. When installed on a truck wheel, the ratchet extension engages an outer radial edge of the inner support section that is installed on a wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Consolidated Metco, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Wildey, Michael Miga
  • Patent number: 9321345
    Abstract: An assembly is provided that includes a front end support frame and radiator support beam. The front end support frame has an end that defines an opening that extends between two facing walls across an inside wall of the tubular structure. The radiator support beam is assembled into the opening in the end of the front end support frame and is attached to the two facing walls. The front end support frame is a hydro-formed tube and the radiator support beam is an extruded part. The radiator support beam includes at least one internal reinforcement wall and an outside wall of the front end support frame is fastened with flow drilling screws to the internal reinforcement wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerhard G. G. Lueschen, Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Patent number: 9320661
    Abstract: A wheelchair of the mid-wheel drive type has a chassis frame (10), a pair of front link arms (30) and a pair of rear link arms. The link arms are pivotally connected to the chassis frame. Front caster wheels (32) and drive wheels (53) are fixed to the front link arms. Rear caster wheels (42) are fixed to the rear link arms. Each front link arm (30) is operatively connected to an adjacent rear link arm (40) by a respective coupling (70), which is arranged to transmit pivotal movement of one of the front (30) and rear (40) link arm to an opposite pivotal movement of the other of the front (30) and rear (40) link arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: PERMOBIL AB
    Inventor: Mehdi Mirzaie
  • Patent number: 9308829
    Abstract: A straddle electric vehicle which rotates a drive wheel by driving power generated in an electric motor, comprises a battery unit which is an electric power supply; and a battery case for storing the battery unit; wherein the battery case includes a pair of first case member and second case member which are joined together such that the first case member and the second case member are horizontally separable from each other, and a parting line of the first case member and the second case member extends above a bottom wall of the battery case; and wherein the first case member and the second case member include a first flange section and a second flange section, respectively, which define the parting line, and are separably joined to each other in a state in which the first flange section and the second flange section are engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9308432
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to snowboards and skis that include a pair of edges for each longitudinal side of the snowboard or ski. The edges are laterally spaced apart, with one edge being an outer edge and the other edge being an inner edge. The inner edge is positioned vertically lower than the outer edge. The inner edge generally engages the snow surface prior to the outer edge, and is thus a transitional edge. Transitional edges may be rounded edges. The top surface of dual-edges snowboards or ski include an inner portion flanked on each lateral side by a lateral offset. A portion of the inner portion is recessed relative to the lateral offsets. The outer edges are positioned on a base surface of the lateral offsets. The inner edges are positioned on a base surface that is below the interface between the lateral offsets and the inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Mervin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Olson
  • Patent number: 9302575
    Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle and a method of assembling the powertrain are disclosed. An engine includes a crankshaft being rotatable about a longitudinal axis. A ring gear is attached to a first distal end of the crankshaft such that the ring gear and the crankshaft are rotatable in unison about the longitudinal axis. A starter mechanism is selectively operable to rotate the ring gear and the crankshaft to start the engine. A motor-generator includes an adapter selectively cooperating with the starter mechanism 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 and the second assembly configuration is when the starter mechanism is spaced from the adapter to operate independently of the motor-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan G. Holmes, Alexandru Rajala, Chandra S. Namuduri, Venkata Prasad Atluri
  • Patent number: 9282797
    Abstract: A wheeled fishing cooler including a base, a cooler disposed within the base, a hinged lid attached to a rear side of the base, a U-shaped telescopic handle having a right end and a left end, an axel, a pair of wheels, a plurality of tubes, and a leg support. The leg support has a pair of horizontal supports, a pair of vertical supports, and a crossbeam. Each of the plurality of tubes is configured to hold a fishing rod and, alternately, a sun umbrella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Arturo Soto
  • Patent number: 9283848
    Abstract: Ultralight tricycle with electric engine including a base frame (15) fitted with two front wheels and one driving back wheel (9), an electric engine propelling the driving wheel, and one steering wheel (3) including a steering wheel (4) maneuvered by the user in order to control the steering and/or speed of the tricycle, the tricycle being designed to switch from the unfolded configuration allowing the user positioned on the base frame to ride the tricycle into a folded configuration enabling the user to seize the steering wheel in order to have the tricycle rolling on its two front wheels while keeping the back wheel away from the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Raoul Parienti
  • Patent number: 9283137
    Abstract: A push luggage assembly with a luggage bag and walker. The walker has a collapsible framework, wherein the walker has a first frame element, a second frame element and a flexible support panel that extends between the first frame element and the second frame element. The walker has folding leg elements that extend from the frame elements. Both the frame elements and the leg elements are supported by wheels. Travel bags are provided that are sized to attach to the walker. The travel bags engage the linkages that extend between the frame elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Joan White
  • Patent number: 9278722
    Abstract: A step structure for a saddle-ride vehicle includes a step that is turned in a freely derricking manner between a usage state raised in a vehicle width direction and a storage state falling along a lateral side of a vehicle. In the step structure for the saddle-ride vehicle, the step is turnably arranged with a shaft provided at an end of the step as the center. The step is also stored in such a manner wherein the shaft is positioned at the rear of the step in the storage state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Yokoyama, Mitsuyoshi Kohama, Tetsuya Nakazawa