Patents Examined by James M Dolak
  • Patent number: 11505054
    Abstract: A hybrid electric/combustion propulsion/electric generator apparatus comprising: a driven shaft mating mechanism; a hub mating mechanism; an electric machine operable as an electric motor or generator, comprising a rotor comprising a drum; a clutch mechanism, comprising first and second mating mechanisms, axially slidable and engaged with the drum/rotor; and a selection mechanism for sliding the clutch mechanism into a start position (wherein the electric motor can rotate the centrifugal clutch to rotate the driving shaft), a neutral position (wherein rotation of the drum/rotor operates the electric machine as the generator), or a drive position, wherein the apparatus is operable in either a pure electric drive mode (electric motor drives the driven shaft clockwise or counter clockwise while the centrifugal clutch is disengaged), or a hybrid drive mode (engine and electric motor drive the driven shaft) or a propulsion/generation mode (engine drives the driven shaft and generator produces electricity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: CUSTOMACHINERY INC.
    Inventor: Roberto Fanara
  • Patent number: 11505231
    Abstract: Embodiments include strollers having removable seats. An example stroller may include rear wheels, front wheels, and a frame including a handle portion, a rear wheel support portion, a front wheel support portion and a folding mechanism connecting the front wheel support portion and the handle portion in both an unfolded configuration and in a folded configuration. The frame may include a stroller seat support portion positioned at a first vertical position adjacent the handle portion, and a front seat attachment configured for attachment to the front wheel support portion at a second vertical position substantially lower than the first vertical position. The front seat attachment may be configured to support the front stroller seat substantially over the front wheels so that a center of gravity of the stroller system is between the front wheels and the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BABY JOGGER, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Zehfuss
  • Patent number: 11498435
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electric heavy-duty vehicle. In one example, the vehicle includes a battery pack for supplying current to an electric motor of the vehicle, the battery pack arranged in a chassis of the vehicle and configured to form part of a floor of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a motor coupled to front wheels of the vehicle, the front wheels having hub assemblies housing drive shaft adapters configured to permanently couple the hub assemblies to drive shafts of the front wheels, and a cradle configured to be mounted with electrical sub-systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Yan Hebert, Marc Daigneault, Sylvain Castonguay, Francois Dube, Guillaume Desourdy, Philippe Louisseize, Louis-Andre Calve, Jason Soares, Marc-Antoine Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 11498404
    Abstract: A battery case of a battery storage device is disposed on a vehicle floor, thereby securing an interior space. A battery module of the battery storage device can be cooled by using an interior air, thereby simplifying a cooling structure and saving a manufacturing cost. In addition, the battery storage device for an electric vehicle blocks noise generated by a cooling device and an electrical component from flowing into the interior, thereby preventing the occurrence of a passenger's discomfort feeling caused by the noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Won Kim, Byung Su Kim, Jun Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 11491860
    Abstract: A hybrid module includes a housing with a bulkhead wall, a K0 shaft, a rotor assembly, a rotor carrier and a first bearing. The K0 shaft is arranged for driving connection with a crankshaft. The rotor assembly has an electric motor rotor and a thrust surface for a K0 clutch. The K0 clutch is arranged to drivingly connect the rotor assembly to the K0 shaft. The rotor carrier is fixed to the rotor assembly and the first bearing is arranged to rotationally separate the bulkhead wall and the rotor carrier. In an example embodiment, the first bearing is a deep groove ball bearing. In an example embodiment, the hybrid module includes a seal installed in the bulkhead wall and contacting the K0 shaft. In an example embodiment, the hybrid module includes a bushing installed on the K0 shaft and arranged for contacting an inner bore of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ayyalraju Satyaseelan, Charles Schwab
  • Patent number: 11479296
    Abstract: A tractor has a base for supporting a motive power source, left and right driven wheels, and left and right transmissions for the respective left and right wheels; a handle structure coupled to the base for grasping by an operator from behind the tractor; a drive system for driving each of the left and right transmissions with motive power from the motive power source; wherein the left and right transmissions are hydrostatic transmissions, further having a speed regulator control lever on each transmission that allows seamless control of the transmission from reverse speed through neutral into forward speed; and a transmission control coupled to each speed regulator control lever; further wherein there is a longitudinally disposed space between the left and right transmissions, and a power take off shaft is disposed in the space extending anteriorly and driven by the motive power source for powering a powered attachment arranged to be attached at the anterior of the tractor, further including a shaft extensio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Silvio Gallazzini
  • Patent number: 11469468
    Abstract: An apparatus of cooling a vehicle battery is provided. A battery module includes a module housing having an open bottom portion, with an accommodation space for accommodating a plurality of battery cells in the accommodation space, and a plurality of battery cells accommodated in the accommodation space of the module housing, with bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery cells being exposed through the open bottom portion of the module housing. A lower housing has an accommodation space in which the battery module is accommodated. The lower housing includes a cooling unit cooling the battery module and is configured for being attached to a bottom portion of a vehicle floor. Heat-conductive filler is applied on a seating surface of the lower housing, on which the plurality of battery cells are accommodated, to be in contact with the bottom surfaces of the plurality of battery cells exposed externally through the bottom portion of the module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Hyuck Kim, Yun Ho Kim, Hae Kyu Lim, Gun Goo Lee
  • Patent number: 11465665
    Abstract: A stroller wagon having a wagon frame, a push bar and a flexible housing with a recline seatback is provided. The wagon frame has a first end assembly and an opposing second end assembly. First and second rear wheels are rotatably connected to the wagon frame adjacent the second end assembly, and first and second front wheels are rotatably and pivotally connected to the wagon frame adjacent the first end assembly. The push bar has a ratchet mechanism to pivotally secure the push bar in a plurality of angularly located positions. The recline seatback is adapted to pivot about a hinge, and has a seatback lock assembly to fix the seatback in a plurality of angled positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Samantha Sturgeon, Anne Goodman
  • Patent number: 11458613
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for accessing confined spaces while in a supine position. Such an apparatus includes a platform with base and cantilever portions configured in combination to support a user in a supine position, and at least two sets of wheel assemblies coupled to the base portion of the platform and spaced apart from each other in a lengthwise direction of the base portion. The base portion of the platform is configured to balance a body weight of the user over and between the two sets of wheel assemblies. The cantilever portion of the platform is configured to support the user's head and to be cantilevered from a forward-most end of the base portion of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Martin
  • Patent number: 11453283
    Abstract: A vehicle underfloor structure includes a battery having at least one connector projecting from a front end of the battery, and a protector covering and protecting the at least one connector from below, the protector having a rear portion attached to the battery and a front portion fastened to an attachment bar by a fastening bolt. The protector includes a fastening hole through which the fastening bob is inserted, and a cutout connected to a rear portion of the fastening hole and allowing the fastening bolt to separate from the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 11447168
    Abstract: A motorized stroller for a theme park including a platform and an ergonomic configuration. The platform enables an operator to stand thereon in order to use it for automated travel. A touch screen display is accessed from the platform to illustrate attraction location, wait times, time, date, local dining, and online ordering options. Additionally, a user may also operate steering of the stroller when standing on the platform. The steering mechanism of the stroller includes a right handle which is manually rotated in a backwards motion to accelerate the stroller in a forward direction. A left handle may be rotated backwards for a reverse motion. Furthermore, the steering wheel includes brake handles to bring the stroller to a stop. In the present embodiment the steering handle also comprises of a key entry to turn the stroller on and off as well as a horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: Christian Ferrer, Yessenia Ferrer
  • Patent number: 11440394
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes: a case accommodating a first rotary electric machine and a second rotary electric machine that are arranged to have respective rotational axes parallel to each other and to be radially adjacent to each other; and a power control device configured to control the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine. The case includes a peripheral wall portion surrounding the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine, and the power control device is mounted in a mounting section provided on an outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion. A lower part of the power control device is located in a space surrounded by a line connecting a first cross point, and a second cross point, the first rotary electric machine and the second rotary electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yaguchi, Naoyuki Kishimoto, Naoki Marukawa, Shuichi Iwata
  • Patent number: 11390174
    Abstract: An auxiliary battery storage device stores an auxiliary battery that is used for performing cell balancing to a main battery adopted in an electric vehicle or supplying power to the main battery having low state of charge (SOC). The auxiliary battery storage device includes a case body formed in a box shape with a top portion that is open and an inner space in which the auxiliary battery is stored; a case body cover coupled to the case body to open or close the top portion of the case body; a terminal connection member fixed to an inner surface of the case body cover to contact a power terminal of the auxiliary battery when the top portion of the case body is closed by the case body cover; and a power cable configured to extend from the terminal connection member to the main battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventor: Dong-Wan Ko
  • Patent number: 11383590
    Abstract: A vehicle underfloor structure includes a battery disposed under a floor of a vehicle and having at least one connector projecting from a front end of the battery, a suspension member provided adjacent to a vehicle front side of the battery, a lower end of the suspension member being located higher than a lower end of the battery, and a protector covering and protecting the at least one connector from below, the protector being laid between the battery and the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 11383784
    Abstract: A child balance bike includes a bike body and a coat. The bike body includes a frame, a stem and wheels. The coat includes a main coat body and a head body, wherein the main coat body is provided with lower ends corresponding to legs of an animal, and an inside of the lower ends is provided with an end pocket and a locking portion. The main coat body and the head body are connected as a whole behind the stem, a portion of the coat behind the stem is a filling housing segment through which the head body and the main coat body penetrates and filled with a filler, and the head body is hung on the stem through the filling housing segment filled with the filler. The present invention has a simple structure and convenient operation for connecting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hangzhou Asweets Cultural Creative Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fujian Zhao
  • Patent number: 11370306
    Abstract: An electrically driven, movable underground vehicle and a method for operating the same, includes a chassis with at least two driven drive wheels, an electrical trailing cable for connection to an electrical supply network, an electric drive motor, which is electrically connected to the trailing cable, for driving the drive wheels, and an energy storage unit. The vehicle further includes an auxiliary drive motor with a subsequent hydraulic fluid transmission, a switchgear assembly and a processor for controlling the supply of the electric drive motor and the electric auxiliary drive motor with electrical energy. The drive motor directly drives the drive wheels while bypassing the hydraulic fluid transmission. Also, the energy provided by the energy storage unit is sufficient for driving the drive wheels and for temporarily moving the load-haul-dump machine independently of the supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: GHH FAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Brandenstein, Thomas Deimel
  • Patent number: 11364619
    Abstract: A creeper for scooting around on top of decking for decking installation, maintenance, and/or repair activities may minimize injury to a human user's knees and/or back. Movement-means of the creeper, such as, but not limited to, casters may be attached at or near a bottom of a base of the creeper to facilitate such scooting around. A seat may be attached to a top of the base of the creeper, wherein the seat may be sat upon by the human user during use of the creeper. Also attached to the base of the creeper may be a drill-guide. The drill-guide may facilitate controlled and repeatable predrilling of pilot holes, at predetermined angles (e.g., perpendicular) into decking planks and/or into joists. The creeper may also facilitate attachment of decking members, with the pilot holes, to joists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Carl William Bolton
  • Patent number: 11364781
    Abstract: A locking device includes a lock base. The lock base includes a lock body, a surface of the lock body being provided with a lock groove recessed towards the interior of the lock body, the lock body being internally provided with a lock tongue groove and a lock tongue movably mounted in the lock tongue groove that is in connection with the lock groove; a lock connecting rod movably connected to the lock base through the lock tongue and including a rod member, the rod member driving the lock tongue to move in the lock tongue groove; and a lock shaft including a shaft seat and a shaft rod perpendicularly arranged to a surface of the shaft seat, the shaft rod being inserted into the lock groove of the lock base to perform locking. A fixing seat and an electric vehicle comprising the locking device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI DIANBA NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jianping Zhang
  • Patent number: 11338875
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fender, a storage compartment, and a first retaining wall. The fender has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a through hole connecting the inner surface and the outer surface. The storage compartment has a bottom plate. The bottom plate of the storage compartment is located at a side of the outer surface of the fender and at least covers the through hole. The fender is located below the storage compartment in a top-bottom direction of the vehicle. The first retaining wall is disposed on the outer surface of the fender and surrounds at least a portion of the through. A portion of the first retaining wall is closer to a front of the vehicle than the through hole in a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Huang Lin, Chia-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 11325629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stackable transport trolley, in particular a stackable shopping trolley, comprising a chassis and a basket; the chassis includes a support frame and a frame of rods which is arranged on the support frame, the frame of rods supporting the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Dirk Webert, Johann Daminger, Hermann Eichele, Markus Riesenegger, Ralf Maier, Michael Gerstmaier, Paul Ruf, Karl-Heinz Horn, Georg Wiedemann, Thomas Gasche