Patents Examined by Jason R. Bellinger
  • Patent number: 11642913
    Abstract: A sprocket support body comprises an external spline configured to be engaged with an internal spline of a bicycle sprocket arrangement. The external spline includes a plurality of external-spline driving surfaces configured to transmit a rotational driving force between the sprocket support body and the bicycle sprocket arrangement in a circumferential direction. The plurality of external-spline driving surfaces includes at least four first external-spline driving surfaces and at least one second external-spline driving surface. The at least four first external-spline driving surfaces are respectively arranged on at least four of nine first external-spline driving positions equally arranged in the circumferential direction about a rotational center axis at a first external-spline pitch angle which is equal to 40 degrees. The at least one second external-spline driving surface is offset from the nine first external-spline driving positions in the circumferential direction about the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11642912
    Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for a pool vacuum head includes a first frame and a second substantially identical frame, each frame having a hub rotating around a common axis, lower supports extending radially from the hub, risers extending from the hub along the common axis, and upper supports individually coupled to the risers, the upper supports extending radially from the common axis. Rollers coupled to the first frame and the second frame, are radially spaced from the common axis on each frame. The rollers rotate normal to the common axis to impart omni-directional movement. When the first frame and the second frame are interlocked, the risers on the first frame engage the hub on the second frame, and the lower supports on the first frame engaging the upper supports on the second frame, maintaining the rollers in a staggered arrangement around the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Olaf Mjelde
  • Patent number: 11639209
    Abstract: A track for traction of a vehicle e.g., a snowmobile, a snow bike, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), etc.), in which the track may have features to enhance its traction, floatation, and/or other aspects of its performance, including to be lightweight, facilitate turning, enhance acceleration, reduce noise, adapt to different ground conditions, and/or provide other benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventor: Jules Dandurand
  • Patent number: 11633976
    Abstract: A vehicular wheel assembly defines an axis of rotation and includes a wheel having an inner hub, an outer rim, and a plurality of hollow spokes. The outer rim defines an outer circumference. Each hollow spoke of the plurality of hollow spokes extends between the inner hub and the outer rim and includes a wall that at least partially defines a hollow chamber. The outer rim defines a plurality of openings that are each in fluid communication with one of the hollow chambers and each of the openings includes a tuning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Joseph Nelson
  • Patent number: 11633979
    Abstract: A method for producing a drop centre rim and to a drop centre rim for vehicle wheels of commercial vehicles. The rim has a plurality of zones, which form an inner rim flange and an outer rim flange, an inner steep-tapered bead seat and an outer steep-tapered bead seat and a rim drop centre with a drop centre base, an inner drop centre flank and an outer drop centre flank between the steep-tapered bead seats, wherein one of the zones is provided as a disc attachment region for a wheel disc, and the drop centre rim has at least one partial zone with a reduced wall thickness relative to the other zones. It is envisaged that at least one of the steep-tapered bead seats, preferably both steep-tapered bead seats, has/have a section with a wall thickness reduction of more than 20% relative to the wall thickness in the zone provided as the disc attachment region, wherein the wall thickness reduction is produced during one of the profiling steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Maxion Wheels Germany Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Boos, Jakob Schellenberg, Thomas Rang, Klaus Bernhard Zeyen
  • Patent number: 11623481
    Abstract: A tread link assembly is provided for improving the performance of a wheel on loose surfaces. The tread assembly includes a plurality of linked plates forming a circuit around the outer circumference of the wheel. The linked plates include first and second linking structures and releasable fasteners for linking adjacent plates together. The together the plates create a tread surface that is wider than the axial width of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Jacqueline Coffin
  • Patent number: 11623474
    Abstract: In some examples, an assembly includes a rotor drive key configured to fit around a wheel boss defined by a wheel. The rotor drive key includes a support structure. The assembly further includes a fastener configured to extend the wheel boss and the support structure in a substantially axial direction of the wheel when the rotor drive key fits around the wheel boss, where the fastener is configured to limit movement of the rotor drive key relative to the wheel boss. The fastener may be rotated to establish and/or increase a contact pressure between the fastener and the rotor drive key to help the fastener limit movement of the rotor drive key relative to the wheel boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Fish, Tomasz Majnert
  • Patent number: 11623476
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire is provided that includes a plurality of elements that move relative to a base. The elements have a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction, and the elements are disposed in a circumferential direction around the central axis. The apparatus also includes a radial movement member that moves in a radial direction, a hub, a shear band, and a plurality of spokes that are attached to the hub. The radial movement member moves outward in the radial direction and urges the elements to move relative to the base such that the elements urge the spokes to move outward in the radial direction. Adhesive engages the spokes and the shear band at an attachment location of the spokes and the shear band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Brian D Wilson, Eric Rivers, David Alan Goodenough, Glenn Andrew Schimidke
  • Patent number: 11618514
    Abstract: A link assembly includes a first member, a second member opposing the first member and being rotatable around a rotating shaft, a seal housing formed between the first and second members, and a seal assembly disposed inside the seal housing. The seal assembly has a seal ring and a load ring. The seal ring has a support ring and a lip ring. The seal ring is disposed between the first member and the load ring. The load ring is disposed between the seal ring and the second member. The lip ring abuts the load ring. The lip ring has a first lip part that abuts the first member and protrudes in an axial direction of the rotating shaft, and a second lip part that abuts the second member and protrudes in a radial direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Katayama, Tomoyoshi Sho, Kenichi Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 11613147
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle wheel comprising a hub, a rim and an inflatable tyre, in which the hub is situated around a rotation axle of the wheel, a compressor which is situated substantially inside the hub for compressing outside air, provided with an inlet for taking in air at atmospheric pressure and an outlet for delivering air at an increased pressure; a drive for driving the compressor, in which the drive is movable with respect to the rotation axle, in particular rotatable, more particularly rotatable in a direction opposite to that of the hub; an air reservoir for storing the air at increased pressure, in which the air reservoir is situated inside the rim of the wheel; a connection for connecting the outlet of the compressor to the air reservoir of the inflatable tyre of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: HUBTECH HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Gertjan Van Ginderen, Eugéne Antoine Adriaan Herben
  • Patent number: 11607909
    Abstract: A universal temporary wheel is provided that has a universal aperture pattern that is adapted to mate with different configurations of lug bolt patterns to enable the wheel to be used with various wheel hub configurations having various lug bolt patterns. The universal temporary wheel can be installed while a damaged wheel is being repaired to allow an automobile or other vehicle to be moved. Because the universal temporary wheel has a universal aperture pattern, the wheel can be used with a variety of wheel hub configurations and lug bolt patterns, thereby eliminating the need to stock a variety of temporary wheels having various aperture patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Guniwheel, LLC
    Inventor: Sergio Rovito
  • Patent number: 11602950
    Abstract: A nipple for spoked wheels of the tubeless type comprises a first and a second shoulder which are formed on a rod with a blind axial hole which is internally threaded at an end of the rod which is distal from the opening of the axial hole and in a zone of the rod which is proximal with respect to the opening, respectively. A first recess for a sealing ring is formed on the rod behind the first shoulder and at least a second recess for a second sealing ring is formed on the rod between the first recess and the second shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ALPINA RAGGI S.P.A.
    Inventor: Guido Cappellotto
  • Patent number: 11590800
    Abstract: Various example embodiments of a non-pneumatic tires are presented. In one embodiment, a non-pneumatic tire is provided, comprising: a tread; a support ring comprising a plurality of support ring elements, each having the same diameter, wherein the plurality of support ring elements are coupled to one another by at least one strap; a hub, wherein the tread, the support ring, and the hub are concentric; a plurality of base elements oriented between the tread and the support ring, wherein each of the base elements extends along the width of one of the support ring elements. Alternatively, each of the base elements may extend from an axially outer edge of a support ring element to the center of an adjacent support ring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Edward S. Seroka
  • Patent number: 11577545
    Abstract: A wheel assembly provides an expanded air-pressurization chamber to increase the load capacity of the mounted tire. The wheel assembly includes an axle shaft, including flange plates mounted at opposite ends of the shaft and a mounting disc attached to each flange plate. There is an annular-shaped locking ring attached to each mounting disc. A cylindrical insert assembly is mounted between the pair of locking rings. A central section is defined in the tubular body extending between a pair of annular flange wall portions and includes an array of holes. The tire bead at each inner edge of a tire is located within the annular bead-receiving channels formed between the locking ring and insert assembly. A dual air-pressurization chamber is formed, one radially outward and the other radially inward of the tubular body of the insert assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Eladio A. Vargas
  • Patent number: 11571930
    Abstract: An axle system includes an axle stub and a clamping unit, the axle stub being formed in a substantially rotationally symmetrical manner about a stub axis, the clamping unit in an assembled state transmitting a clamping force to the axle stub, the clamping unit and the axle stub in the assembled state being secured non-positively to prevent movement relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Christ, Rainer Stegmann
  • Patent number: 11572159
    Abstract: A heat shield assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, the heat shield assembly defines a first circumferential side and a second circumferential side and an inboard end and an outboard end and includes a first layer defining a first surface of the heat shield assembly and having a first tab member disposed proximate the inboard end at the first circumferential side and a second tab member disposed proximate the outboard end at the first circumferential side; and a second layer defining a second surface of the heat shield assembly and having one or more first crimped portions extending along the first circumferential side and configured to engage the first tab member and the second tab member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Orly Leiva
  • Patent number: 11571929
    Abstract: A wheel hub has a tubular body having a rotational axis and at least one spoke attachment part protruding radially outward from the tubular body. The spoke attachment part includes a cavity, a first spoke attachment hole, a first spoke head contact surface, a second spoke attachment hole, and a second spoke head contact surface. The cavity includes a spoke insertion opening that opens from the spoke attachment part in an axially outward direction parallel to the rotational axis. The first spoke attachment hole extends from the cavity in a first direction. The first spoke head contact surface is located adjacent the first spoke attachment hole. The second spoke attachment hole extends from the cavity in a second direction. The second spoke head contact surface is located adjacent the second spoke attachment hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 11565546
    Abstract: An example wheel assembly includes a wheel hub including a first bore having a first central axis, and a wheel including a second bore having a second central axis. The first central axis is offset from the second central axis. The example wheel assembly includes a wheel stud extending through the first bore and the second bore to couple the wheel and the wheel hub. The wheel stud has a first portion proximate to the first bore and a second portion proximate to the second bore. The example wheel assembly includes a wheel nut threaded onto the wheel stud. The first portion of the wheel stud is to move from a first position relative to an axis of rotation of the wheel hub to a second position relative to the axis of rotation when the wheel nut is tightened to fix the wheel to the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hubertus von Chappuis, Michael Bartel, Przemyslaw Tomasz Chrost, Premkumar Rajamanickam
  • Patent number: 11565545
    Abstract: A wheel disc includes a wheel mounting portion defining a wheel axis, a plurality of spokes radially extending from the wheel mounting portion, and a rim junction on at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes. The rim junction is at an end of the at least one spoke opposite the wheel mounting portion. A first portion of the rim junction extends in an axial direction. Second and third portions of the rim junction extend in a circumferential direction. The axial direction is parallel to the wheel axis and the circumferential direction is in a plane perpendicular to the wheel axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Maxion Wheels U.S.A. LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Eduardo Lopes, Fernando Toshihiko Mitsuyassu
  • Patent number: 11560189
    Abstract: The invention discloses a track element (80) for forming a continuous over tyre track (100), includes a generally C-shaped rigid member (10) having a base portion (10a) extending transversely to the track (100), a tapered side guide member (10b) on each end of the base portion (10a), and at least one inter-engaging connector member (10c) on each side of the base portion (10a); wherein the rigid member (10) is encased in a coating of elastomeric material (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Chee Kong Wong