Patents Examined by Jason Bellinger
  • Compact valve system for self-inflating tire
    Patent number: 9327560
    Abstract: A tire having a tire cavity is disclosed, wherein the tire has a bi-directional pump assembly including a pump passageway having an inlet end and an outlet end, and being operative to allow a portion of the pump passageway near a tire footprint to substantially close and open the pump passageway. The tire includes a valve assembly having a valve housing, wherein a diaphragm is mounted in the valve housing forming an interior chamber, and wherein the diaphragm is responsive to the pressure of the tire cavity. The interior chamber has a first hole in fluid communication with the inlet end of the pump passageway, a second hole in fluid communication with the outlet end of the pump passageway, and a third hole in fluid communication with the outside air. The valve housing has a passageway in fluid communication with the tire cavity and the outlet end of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Daniel Paul Luc Marie Hinque
  • Wheel support device
    Patent number: 9321311
    Abstract: In a wheel support device, a through-hole is formed so as to pass through a hub spindle in its axial direction, an outer ring shaft portion passed through the through-hole is formed in the outer ring, a first connecting portion of which the inner diameter gradually increases toward an axial outer side is formed in the inner periphery of the hub spindle, which defines the through-hole, a second connecting portion that is arranged radially inward of the first connecting portion and of which the outer diameter gradually increases toward the axial outer side is formed in the outer ring shaft portion so as to correspond to the first connecting portion, and the first connecting portion and the second connection portion have spline teeth that mesh with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouji Kawaguchi
  • Bicycle rim
    Patent number: 9321307
    Abstract: A bicycle rim includes a first annular side wall, a second annular side wall and an annular bridge extending between the first and second annular side walls. The annular bridge has an annular tire support surface extending between the first and second annular sidewalls. The annular tire support surface has a first projection. The first projection has at least one first portion and at least one second portion. The second portion has a different size from the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuki Koshiyama
  • Drive track for snowmobile or tracked vehicle
    Patent number: 9308952
    Abstract: A track formed of a molded rubber base sandwiching a cord layer and a single layer of ply fabric extending longitudinally of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CAMSO INC.
    Inventors: Jules Dandurand, Denis Courtemanche
  • Valve assembly for air maintenance tire
    Patent number: 9302556
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire and air pump assembly includes a sidewall and a tire cavity for maintaining pressure; an elongate tubular air passageway enclosed within a flexing region of the sidewall, air passageway, the air passageway operably closing segment by segment in reaction to induced forces from the tire flexing region as the flexing region of the tire wall rotates adjacent a rolling tire footprint, the elongate air passageway having at least one check valve device seated within the axial air passageway; and a relief valve assembly comprising a chamber body, a valve, a piston, and a silicone ring, the valve having a valve body and a valve head, the valve head, deforming to release over-pressurized air from the tire cavity to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Andre Cuny, Gauthier Piret, Massimo Di Giacomo Russo
  • Wheel frame of the fiber composite material
    Patent number: 9302540
    Abstract: A wheel frame of the fiber composite material includes multiple arched frame bars each including a foam body made out of a foam material and a fiber composite cover layer made out of a fiber composite material and wrapped about the foam body, the arched frame bars being joined together by means of connection surface portions of the fiber composite cover layers thereof to form a circular wheel frame, the connection surface portions of each two adjacent arched frame bars forming a support face to work as a support rib supporting the wheel frame. Thus, the fiber composite wheel frame has the characteristic of lightweight and will not easily break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: FULL TECH COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventor: Joseph Hsu
  • Spoke wheel
    Patent number: 9290042
    Abstract: A spoke receiving hole extends through a flange formed on a rim so as to incline by a predetermined angle in a radial direction with respect to a line perpendicular to a wheel center plane. A head of a spoke seats on a seating surface provided on one side surface of the spoke receiving hole in contact at a region I on the side closer to a rim body, and a head straight portion of the spoke contacts with an edge portion K of an opening on the side distant from the rim body to which a hole portion directly opens on the side opposite from the seating surface of the spoke receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: DAIDO KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomo Miyamoto
  • Universal vehicle axle
    Patent number: 9290051
    Abstract: A universal vehicle axle assembly may include, but is not limited to: at least one axle including at least one insert recess; and at least one axle insert configured for insertion into the at least one insert recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Tom Kobza
  • Wheel built-in locking system and method
    Patent number: 9290048
    Abstract: A wheel having an axle receiving bore. The bore having at least one finger integral with the wheel extending towards the front wall of the wheel. The finger having a detent facing inwardly into the axle receiving bore. The finger is flexed outwards for insertion of the axle within the axle receiving bore, and flexed inwards to insert the detent into a notch of the axle once the axle is inserted in the axle receiving bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: IPL, Inc
    Inventors: Roch Nolet, Marc Talbot Pouliot
  • Bicycle wheel
    Patent number: 9283815
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel includes a rim, a tire and a tire retainer. The rim has an annular bridge and a pair of annular flanges with tire retaining ridges. The annular flanges extend outward from the annular bridge to define an annular space. The tire has a pair of annular bead portions that are engaged with the tire retaining ridges of the rim, respectively. The tire retainer is disposed within the annular space. The tire retainer has a support body that is disposed between the bead portions of the bicycle tire. The support body has an axial width that is dimensioned such that the bead portions of the bicycle tire are prevented from disengaging from the tire retaining ridges of the wheel rim, respectively, while the bicycle tire is disposed in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • In tire sound absorber
    Patent number: 9278586
    Abstract: An in-tire sound absorber for a pneumatic wheel assembly including a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the wheel rim. The sound absorber comprises a first fibrous layer and a second fibrous layer with a higher air flow resistance than the first layer. The sound absorber is configured to fit around the wheel rim with the first layer in contact with a surface of the wheel rim and extending substantially between the second layer and the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Zephyros, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Henryk Kierzkowski, Philip John Gibbons, Bruce Reginald Gascoigne, Michael William Coates
  • Vehicle wheel display assembly
    Patent number: 9266387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively attachable wheel cover for a motor vehicle. The invention comprises a base member and a display member. The base member is selectively secured to the vehicle rim and the display member is rotatably mounted relative to the base member such that it can rotate in relation to the base member and, thus, the vehicle rim. In one aspect, a portion of the display member is sufficiently weighted such that, when the rim rotates (when the vehicle is in motion) the display member remains substantially static.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: STATIC MEDIA, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. DoVale, Jr., Mark Jiang
  • Wheel assemblies
    Patent number: 9266391
    Abstract: A hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and an occlusion. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and a pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle. The pin sleeve has a first end and a second end. The pin sleeve includes a conduit between the first end and the second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the axle bore. The retaining member and the biasing element are in the conduit. The retaining member is configured to engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The occlusion is proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve. The occlusion is configured to inhibit the retaining member from exiting the conduit at least prior to coupling the hub assembly to a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GEO Plastics
    Inventor: Michael Abraham Morris
  • Bicycle hub and method for the production thereof
    Patent number: 9238385
    Abstract: A bicycle hub is made of shaped sheet metal. The bicycle hub comprises two flanges (6, 7) which are located at end sections (3, 4) of the hub. The flanges (6, 7) comprise holes (11) for accommodating spokes, and are bent radially outwards and held at a distance from one another by a sleeve (5; 50). The end sections (3, 4) further comprise internal ball tracks (8). The end sections (3, 4) are designed such that each of the end sections (3, 4) is formed as a double wall comprising an inner wall and a closely fitting and abutting outer wall at least in the ball track area (8), whereby the flange (6, 7) is attached to the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Inventor: Horst Griemla
  • Bicycle wheel securing structure
    Patent number: 9227465
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure comprises a wheel securing axle and a wheel securing bolt. The wheel securing axle has a first end and a second end. The wheel securing bolt has a bolt shaft and a bolt head. The bolt shaft is coupled to one of the first and second ends of the wheel securing axle. The wheel securing bolt has a frame engageable surface extending in a peripheral direction of the bolt head and is configured to be non-rotatably engaged with a bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Jun Nakajima
  • Wheel end assembly high-temperature warning system
    Patent number: 9227472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wheel end assembly having a high temperature warning system for giving a warning in the event that the temperature in the assembly reaches a predetermined value such as caused by hub bearing failure or a brake related failure. In one embodiment the system may be a stand-alone system for installation on any vehicle such as a trailer. In another embodiment the system may be combined with an automatic tire inflation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: EQUALAIRE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Sonzala, Mark Kevin Hennig
  • Track link connector with textured region
    Patent number: 9227679
    Abstract: A track link connector is disclosed herein that includes an elongate, substantially cylindrical body having a length dimension and including a substantially annular exterior surface and first and second opposing end portions. The track link connector further includes a textured region extending less than 360 degrees around a circumference of the exterior surface of the body at one of the end portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Mark S. Diekevers, Benoit Abello, Gerald T. Otten, Jr.
  • Wheel balancing weight and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 9228634
    Abstract: A wheel balancing weight has a mass body with a groove in a first face and a groove surface recessed to a groove depth relative to the first face and has groove walls opposite one another across the groove. Blind slots have a slot depth greater than the groove depth and are formed at least partly into the groove surface and intersect each side wall. An attachment clip has a clip portion and an attachment portion with a pair of opposed side edges. A protruding element protrudes outward from each side edge. The attachment portion is seated in the groove between the groove walls such that each protruding element extends at least partly into one of the slots to a depth beyond the groove depth. Mass body material adjacent the groove walls is deformed and overlies portions of the side edges and protruding elements on the attachment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Wegmann Automotive USA Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Robert McMahon
  • Central tire inflation system rotary air union
    Patent number: 9221308
    Abstract: A central tire inflation system for maintaining tire inflation on a vehicle is provided. The central tire inflation system includes a rotary union assembly having a housing that is coupled to and rotates with the hubcap. The housing is rotationally coupled to a stationary shaft. A flexible torque transfer shaft is connected to the stationary shaft on one end and to an axle plug on the other end. The axle plug has a hub forming, a bore where the hub is movable on a web of material. The flexible torque transfer shaft and hub have cooperative non-circular shapes to resist rotation. An air vent is provided in the rotary union assembly that is isolated from the lubrication area, which inhibits the pressurized air from the central tire inflation system from pressurizing the lubrication area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: STEMCO LP, PURSUIT LLP
    Inventors: Christopher A. Nelson, James LeClaire, Mark Gold
  • Rubber crawler track
    Patent number: 9216784
    Abstract: A crawler track where damage to drive lugs is reduced is provided. Grooves (26) in the circumferential direction of the crawler track (10) are arranged at the roots of the drive lugs (24). Thereby, tensile strain or compressive strain occurring in the roots of the drive lugs (24) when the crawler track (10) is wrapped over a wheel (14) etc. can be alleviated. Further, when the crawler track (10) meanders, a lateral load causes lateral pressure from the wheel (14) to a drive lug (24), producing tensile strain in the root of the drive lug (24). However, such tensile strain can be alleviated because the wheel (14) does not come into contact with the drive lugs (24) in the meandering movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Hagio