Patents Examined by James M Dolak
  • Patent number: 10876460
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly comprises an exhaust pipe extending along a pipe axis and a fastening panel that is mounted to the exhaust pipe. The cross-section of the fastening panel is configured in a curved manner, and two contact surfaces of the fastening panel, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, are soldered to the exhaust pipe. A support connected with the fastening panel is arranged between the two contact surfaces of the fastening panel. The fastening panel can be fastened to the exhaust pipe by the following steps: an exhaust pipe and a sheet-metal tab are provided; a soldering material is then captively fixed to the sheet-metal tab; and the sheet-metal tab is then arranged on the exhaust pipe such that the soldering material contacts the exhaust pipe to finally solder the sheet-metal tab to the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventors: Holger Lampe, Bernhard Mayereder, Julian Raphael Olm
  • Patent number: 10864934
    Abstract: A child transport carrier includes an upper frame member having a forward end and a rear end and a rear frame coupled to the upper frame member. The rear frame includes a lower rear frame member, an upper rear frame member having an upper end fixedly coupled to the rear end of the upper frame member, and a first joint assembly coupling the lower rear frame member and the upper rear frame member. The rear frame is configured to fold between an unfolded in-use position and a folded storage position. The upper frame member and the upper rear frame member are fixed relative to each other. The first joint assembly is disposed longitudinally rearward of the forward end of the upper frame member and longitudinally forward of the rear end of the upper frame member in the unfolded in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Thule Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Fleming, Daniel Britton
  • Patent number: 10843552
    Abstract: A motorcycle intake air guide for guiding an intake air volumetric flow from a front region of a motorcycle to a motorcycle internal combustion engine includes a front air guiding duct, a rear air guiding duct arranged downstream of the front air guiding duct, and a steering head bypass region arranged between and connecting the front and the rear air guiding ducts to one another. The front and the rear air guiding ducts have a closed profile. The steering head bypass region preferably has, in a steering head cross-sectional plane which is arranged orthogonally with respect to a main flow direction of the intake air volumetric flow in the steering head bypass region, a non-closed profile for guiding the intake air volumetric flow around a steering head recess through which a steering head of the motorcycle extends. The steering head may close the non-closed profile at the steering head recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Fritz Duermaier
  • Patent number: 10843718
    Abstract: The construction industry ranks among the largest and most dangerous industries in the world. To promote worker safety, government regulations require use of fall protection equipment, such as railings, many of which are expensive, wasteful, and/or time consuming to use. Accordingly, the present inventor devised some alternatives. One exemplary system incorporates a dual post base plate configured for attachment to a concrete floor via a single concrete anchor bolt, instead of the multiple bolts used conventionally, thereby reducing assembly time and cost. Another embodiment includes a rolling cart assembly which stores the rails in a side-by-side vertical arrangement and the base plates in an interleaved sequence, promoting easy access during installation and inventory control during disassembly and storage. Additionally, some embodiments include four stacking posts that extend upward from the cart, enabling multiple carts to be stacked vertical on atop the other to save space on construction sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Debra Lee Hilmerson
  • Patent number: 10836441
    Abstract: Plural canister bodies supported by rocker members are disposed below a floor panel. The canister bodies are housed in a case. Lower couplers are disposed above the canister bodies. The lower couplers abut a cover member of the case. Upper couplers are disposed between the cover member and the floor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Patent number: 10828213
    Abstract: A foldable wheelchair comprises a plurality of width-adjustable hinged foldable cross-members connected to side frames to support a pivotable tiltable seat frame. The seat frame angle is operably controlled by use of gas springs that can be configured to support users of varying weight. The wheelchair is further configured to control lateral stability of the seat frame. The seat frame cooperates with a forward positioned pivot that maintains the user's knees in a position relative to the ground. Wheel adjustments allow for a range of seat height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ki Mobility, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Ludovici, Thomas J. Whelan, Richard E. Schneider, Murray G. Slagerman
  • Patent number: 10821944
    Abstract: A vehicle leveling system includes a jack adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame without modifying the vehicle frame. In a particular embodiment, the jack includes a first bracket adapted to urge against the bottom and side surfaces of a member of the frame and configured to be fastened to a member of the frame through a manufacturer-provided aperture in the frame. The jack additionally includes a second bracket to couple the first bracket to the jack. In a more particular embodiment, the first bracket includes a horizontal adjustment feature, and the second bracket includes a vertical adjustment feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Quadra Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnnie Eugene Lehman, Gary Anthony Lehman, Robert Daniel Slack
  • Patent number: 10827654
    Abstract: A cooling device which can arrange a cooling water tank in parallel near an electric power control device, and can more effectively utilize a space inside the engine room, and by which the miniaturization of the engine room is realized, and temperature increase of the wiring can be suppressed. The cooling device is a cooling device for cooling a device of a vehicle including an electric power control device to control an input-output voltage of the vehicle and a wiring connected to the electric power control device, and includes cooling water for cooling the device of the vehicle and a cooling water tank for accommodating the cooling water; the cooling water tank has a dented side surface wall along an external shape of the wiring, and has a shape which covers at least a portion of the wiring by closely disposing the wiring along the dented side surface wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kimura, Yoshinaka Hirata
  • Patent number: 10807480
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an energy storage arrangement for a vehicle. In particular, the energy storage arrangement includes a battery unit provided in an intermediate space between adjacent fluid tanks. Relative to the above-discussed prior art, this disclosure provides an improved energy storage arrangement which uses the otherwise unused intermediate space between two adjacent fluid tanks. Thus, this disclosure provides a space-saving, efficient, and cost-effective arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ulrich Kramer
  • Patent number: 10807455
    Abstract: A sub-roll rod device for mounting a powertrain of a vehicle can, in addition to mounting the powertrain in an engine room of the vehicle using a mounting member in a three-point supporting method, mount the sub-roll rod that can be assembled with the powertrain in a side member of a vehicle body, thus controlling forward-and-backward movement of the powertrain while maintaining Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) performance by the three-point supporting method and improving ease of assembly of the powertrain with respect to the engine room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Seung Won Kim
  • Patent number: 10800244
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a motor vehicle with an exhaust silencer arranged at a rear axle. At least one battery receptacle is arranged adjacent to and at least partially at a side and/or rear of the vehicle component on a rear floor, and formed as a tray. At least one battery is arranged at least partially in the battery receptacle. At least one deflector element is arranged between the battery receptacle and the vehicle component. And the deflector element is configured such that the vehicle component, standing in contact with the deflector element due to a sideways and/or forward displacement of the vehicle component, is pressed downward by the exhaust silencer in a floor direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marius Sawatzki, Hauke Weber, Jozsef Toth, Daniel Meckenstock
  • Patent number: 10800269
    Abstract: A compact generator and coolant pump assembly may be used on a vehicle having a fluid reservoir and a plurality of electrical components disposed on the vehicle. The generator includes a rotor and stator disposed in a housing and the rotor is driven by a rotatable input member to generate an electrical output for use by one or more components of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a circulating pump connected to a lower portion of a generator housing and driven by the rotatable input member. A clutch assembly driven by the rotatable input member and engaged to and driving a clutch output may be located adjacent to the upper housing of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Scott W. Keller
  • Patent number: 10786726
    Abstract: A self-stabilizing, one-wheeled electric skateboard may include improved features. In some examples, the vehicle includes a status indicator viewable through a slot formed in an upper surface of the board. In some examples, the vehicle includes a convertible carrying handle transitionable between stowed and deployed positions. In some examples, the vehicle includes an interchangeable fender and fender substitute that may be removably coupled to an upper surface of the board. In some examples, a motor controller of the vehicle may operate a field-oriented control (FOC) scheme configured to control the electric motor by manipulating a direct current aligned with a rotating rotor flux angle and a quadrature current defined at ninety degrees from the rotating rotor flux angle. In some examples, the motor controller may be configured to permit intuitive dismounting of the vehicle by tilting and/or moving the vehicle backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Future Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle Jonathan Doerksen, Beau Robertson, Daniel J. Wood, Julian De La Rua
  • Patent number: 10784632
    Abstract: An exemplary method of verifying that a service disconnect is seated includes indicating that the service disconnect is seated using a position indicator that selectively engages a handle of the service disconnect. The position indicator is separate and distinct from all portions of the service disconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nondo G. Basoukeas, Francisco Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10759396
    Abstract: A vehicle leveling system includes a jack adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame without modifying the vehicle frame. In a particular embodiment, the jack includes a first bracket adapted to urge against the bottom surface of the frame and a second bracket adapted to be mounted to a surface of the vehicle adjacent the frame. In a more particular embodiment, the first bracket includes a horizontal adjustment feature and the second bracket includes a vertical adjustment feature. In another particular embodiment, the jack is coupled to the vehicle frame via a bracket that is adapted to be mounted to manufacturer-provided apertures formed in the frame during the manufacture of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Quadra Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnnie Eugene Lehman, Gary Anthony Lehman, Robert Daniel Slack
  • Patent number: 10752105
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric load, a first battery electrically connected to the electric load, a second battery electrically connected to the electric load in parallel with the first battery, the second battery being closer to a center of the vehicle than the first battery in a top view of the vehicle, a switch configured to electrically disconnect solely the first battery of the first battery and the second battery from the electric load, and a controller configured to open the switch based on detection of a collision of the vehicle or detection of an abnormality of the first battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masao Omura
  • Patent number: 10744867
    Abstract: A vehicle comprises a transaxle, a battery and a load carrying bed. The transaxle includes a casing incorporating a drive train and supporting an axle and includes an electric motor mounted on the casing to drive the axle via the drive train. The battery is provided for supplying electric power to the electric motor. The transaxle and the battery are disposed below the load carrying bed so as to overlap the load carrying bed when viewed in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Kochidomari, Takashi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 10741809
    Abstract: A vehicle battery case is provided. The battery case includes a lower panel and at least one transverse member that is disposed on the lower panel to increase transverse rigidity. Additionally, at least one longitudinal member is disposed on the lower panel to increase longitudinal rigidity, and a sidewall member is attached to an upper surface of the lower panel along a rim of the lower panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Min Wook Kim, Beom Joo Kwon, Yoon Cheol Jeon
  • Patent number: 10730543
    Abstract: A stroller is provided with the ability to removably couple and decouple a seat from the stroller as needed. The stroller can include a stroller frame. The stroller can also include one or more front wheels attached to the stroller frame and one or more rear wheels attached to the stroller frame. The stroller can also include a first seat coupled to the stroller frame. The stroller can include first and second seat attachment housings. Each of the seat attachment housings can include a cavity for receiving a corresponding one of the first and second seat attachment adapters. Each of the seat attachment housings can also include a door or cover to prevent access to the respective cavity when not in use. The seat attachment adapters can be coupled to the respective seat attachment housings and a second seat can be coupled to the seat attachment adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Baby Jogger, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Hee Lee, Megan Roe, Stacy Noel Simpson, Mark Zehfuss
  • Patent number: 10730384
    Abstract: A flow control assembly to control flow to an area of a vehicle includes, among other things, a plurality of shutters including at least one first shutter and at least one second shutter, an actuator assembly rotatable about an axis, a first actuator link operably coupling the actuator assembly to the at least one first shutter, a second actuator link operably coupling the actuator assembly to the at least one second shutter. Rotation of the actuator assembly in a first direction moves the first actuator link to rotate the at least one first shutter in a clockwise direction from a flow restricting position to a flow permitting position. Rotation of the actuator assembly in the first direction additionally moves the second actuator link to rotate the at least one second shutter in a counterclockwise direction from a flow restricting position to a flow permitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron Klop