Patents Examined by Jason R. Bellinger
  • Reinforcement structure for non-pneumatic wheel
    Patent number: 11167593
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel having an annular reinforcement structure that includes rectangular reinforcements within a shear layer. The rectangular reinforcements replace deforming rubber or polymeric materials and can thereby reduce the volume of deforming materials to optimize energy loss therein and reduce rolling resistance of the non-pneumatic wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ESTABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Timothy Rhyne, Steve Cron, Antonio Delfino
  • Wheel assembly with low profile outboard driver locking arrangement
    Patent number: 11167588
    Abstract: A wheel assembly is provided. The wheel assembly includes a rim configured to receive a tire of an off-road vehicle. The wheel assembly also includes a flange member slidably received on the rim. The flange member has a flange portion with a terminal end defining a first axial extent of the flange member. The wheel assembly also includes a locking ring radially and axially interposed between the rim and flange member. The wheel assembly also includes a locking arrangement mounted between the rim and the flange member which has a second axial extent. The second axial extent is substantially axially adjacent to the first axial extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: GKN Armstrong Wheels, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Dahl
  • Tire rotation device
    Patent number: 11155130
    Abstract: The device will be placed on the outside surfaces of the tire of a car or truck in the event that the car or truck is stuck either in sand or other soft surface or pothole. On either end of the device will be a pair of shoes or flat surfaces that will grip the surface as the tire begins to rotate. Once the tire is safely out of the problem area and back on a sold road surface, the device is removed and then stowed. The device can be used on any tire of any type of vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: David Timmons
  • Wheel center cap assembly
    Patent number: 11155118
    Abstract: The invention concerns wheel center cap assemblies that include an adapter and a wheel center cap that registers with, or is integral with, the adapter. In some embodiments, the adapter includes tracks and lug sleeves that couple with lugs of the vehicle wheel. Each of the lug sleeves is slidably coupled to each of the tracks of the adapter, and each of the lug sleeves is adapted to move along a length of the tracks; this helps ensure that the adapter is universally compatible with multiple wheel models. In other embodiments, an adapter has a body adapted to be inserted within the center aperture of the wheel. A posterior support registers with the adapter and is sandwiched between a rotor of the vehicle and the wheel to secure the adapter inside the aperture of the wheel; a removable wheel center cap registers with the adapter to adorn the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Jennifer Haynes
  • Bushing for a track assembly
    Patent number: 11148736
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for a track assembly includes a first end element, a second end element, and a central element positioned between the first end element and the second end element. The central element may be interference fit or positioned between the first end element and the second end element, and the central element may include a greater hardness than the first and second end elements. The first end element, the second end element, and the central element form a bushing with a longitudinal opening extending longitudinally through the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Johannsen, Chandrasen R. Rathod, Scott Keele, Jason L. Sebright, Roger L. Recker, Arthur Bland, Douglas Trent Weaver, Thomas J. Yaniak
  • Track pad and fastener bar therefor
    Patent number: 11148737
    Abstract: A track or wear pad for a grouser of continuous track or track tread of a tracked vehicle such as a bulldozer, excavator, tractor or crawler, the track pad including an elastomeric shoe and a fastener bar. The fastener bar is a continuous, single-piece of material that includes substantially parallel legs spaced apart by connector portion, with a collar or flange provided around each of the legs, and the track shoe is molded or otherwise provided around the connector portion, a portion of each leg, and at least a portion of the flange or collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Superior Tire and Rubber Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Peterson, Michael A. Manis
  • Vehicle track shoe pad
    Patent number: 11136078
    Abstract: In some examples, a shoe pad for a grouser of a vehicle track defines a slot configured to receive a bracket that is configured to attach the shoe pad to a grouser. For example, a first arm of a bracket may be inserted into the slot and a second arm of the bracket may be configured to contact an interior side of a grouser of a vehicle track to attach the shoe pad to the grouser. In some examples, the shoe pad and the bracket may be held to the grouser with the aid of a bolt, which bolt may not extend through the grouser, but, rather, may merely engage with an exterior side of the grouser. In this way, the shoe pad may be able to be attached to a grouser without requiring one or more holes to be present in the grouser, while still providing a relatively tight fit with the grouser the shoe pad is configured to cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Jees LLC
    Inventors: Woo Young Jee, Dennis Hyunsuk Jee
  • Constant velocity joint assembly integrated with wheel hub unit
    Patent number: 11124020
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint assembly integrated with a wheel hub device may include an internal race coupled to an end portion of a driveshaft, a plurality of joint balls held in the internal race, and a hub housing accommodating and coupling the internal race holding the joint balls therein, with a bearing coupled to an external circumferential surface thereof, the hub housing provided as an external race of a constant velocity joint and the wheel hub device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp., HYUNDAI WAI Corporation
    Inventors: Won Jun Choi, Hee Il Kim, Kong Sup Jung, Ki Dong Park, Chang Hee Jeong, Bum Jae Lee
  • Wheel rim guard
    Patent number: 11117420
    Abstract: A wheel rim guard includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface each radiating from a central point and the outer surface and the inner surface each co-terminating and defining a circumferential peripheral edge. The guard also includes a returnably-resilient seal disposed along the circumferential peripheral edge, the seal engaging a wheel rim berm. The guard also includes a handle depending from the outer surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Elvin Smith, Mark Allen
  • Axle beam for a commercial vehicle, and production method therefor
    Patent number: 11110747
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an axle beam, in particular an axle bridge, for a motor vehicle, preferably a commercial vehicle. The axle beam has a first axle beam shell and a second axle beam shell which is connected, in particular welded, to the first axle beam shell in order to configure a tubular body. The tubular body has an inner circumferential face with a plurality of flat sections which form a non-round cross section of the tubular body. The axle beam has a reinforcing component which has a non-round cross section, is arranged within the tubular body, and bears at least partially against the flat sections of the inner circumferential face of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Roland Gratzl
  • Wheel for a vehicle
    Patent number: 11110745
    Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle is provided. The wheel has a rim configured for mounting a tire thereto. The wheel also has a rotary drive member that is integrally connected to the rim. The drive member is configured to be operatively connected to a motor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Mercier, Francois Giroux
  • Attachable track shoe cover
    Patent number: 11104393
    Abstract: A track shoe cover may include a roller engaging surface and a shoe engaging surface. The shoe engaging surface may include a shoe engaging recess defined on at least two opposite sides by a set of side walls, and a respective attachment groove included in the set of side walls. The respective attachment groove may be configured to facilitate mechanical connection of the track shoe cover and a crawler shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jones, Paul Prest
  • Shear deforming non-pneumatic tire spokes
    Patent number: 11090974
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel possessing spokes having a compliant shear block providing spoke tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Damon Lee Christenbutry
  • Coupling and a valve assembly for tubeless tires, and related fitting method
    Patent number: 11090989
    Abstract: A coupling for valve assemblies, for tubeless tires, includes an enclosure arranged to cover a rigid rim of a vehicle, to delimit a substantially tubular compartment, filled with gas under pressure. The coupling has a first element and a second element crossed respectively by a first through channel, threaded internally, and by a second through channel. The second element cooperates with a valve for the selective closure of the second channel. The first element rests on an internal surface of the rim, which can be activated following its hermetic insertion, from the inside of the compartment. The second element rests on an external surface of the rim, which can be activated following the hermetic screwing, from the outside of the compartment, of a threaded stem of the second element in the first channel, with consequent alignment between the channels to connect the compartment to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Barbieri S.N.C. Di Barbieri Nadia E Kalman
    Inventor: Adriano Barbieri
  • Fabricated vehicle wheel, wheel disc for use in such a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing such a wheel disc and fabricated vehicle wheel
    Patent number: 11084323
    Abstract: A wheel disc adapted for use in a fabricated vehicle wheel includes a steel wheel disc defining an axis and includes a center mounting portion, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of radially outwardly extending spokes connecting the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange and a ventilation opening provided between each pair of adjacent spokes. A width defined by a center wall of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the center wall of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange or wherein a width defined by outer walls of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the outer walls of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Maxion Wheels U.S.A. LLC
    Inventors: Fernando Mitsuyassu, Marcio Oliveira
  • Active aerodynamic wheel cap devices and systems
    Patent number: 11077707
    Abstract: Methods and systems of an active aerodynamic wheel cap device are provided. The active aerodynamic wheel cap device can be mounted to a vehicle wheel and configured to actuate from a flap-open to a flap-closed state. The flap-open state provides an air vent path from an outer portion of a wheel to an internal component of the wheel, especially at low speeds or during braking. The flap-closed state provides a substantially gapless aerodynamic cap for the wheel of the vehicle at highway speeds or during acceleration. The actuation of the active aerodynamic wheel cap device may be based on an all-mechanical controlled centripetal force movement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Fung Wong, Tamanna Nabar
  • Drive shaft and method for producing drive shaft
    Patent number: 11077709
    Abstract: A drive shaft is configured by joining solid stub shafts formed of a medium carbon steel to both ends of a hollow tubular body formed of a medium carbon steel. When expressed as grain size number, the grain size of the hollow tubular body at joint parts where the hollow tubular body and the solid stub shafts are joined together ranges from #5 to #9, and the grain size of the solid stub shafts at the joint parts ranges from #10 to #12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kamikawa, Naoto Shibata, Ko Sugai, Masafumi Yamamoto, Takafumi Murakami, Kazuya Kumei, Yutaka Takeuchi, Masaki Kawamura
  • Track system for traction of a vehicle
    Patent number: 11077897
    Abstract: A track system for traction of a vehicle that is connectable to an axle of the vehicle and includes a track and a track-engaging assembly for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging assembly. The track-engaging assembly includes a drive wheel for driving the track, idler wheels for contacting a bottom run of the track, and a bogie carrying the idler wheels. The track system includes a transmission for transmitting power from the axle of the vehicle to the drive wheel such that a rotational speed of the drive wheel is different from a rotational speed of the axle of the vehicle. The track system includes a connector disposed between the transmission and the bogie such that the bogie is movable (e.g., pivotable) relative to the transmission. The connector may be disposed below an output shaft of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Camso Manufacturing Italy S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Tratta, Riccardo Canossa
  • Carbon fiber spoke and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 11077706
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a carbon fiber spoke and a manufacturing method thereof. The carbon fiber spoke includes a spoke body made of carbon fiber, a screw bushing that is fit and connected with rim and a nut cap bushing that is fit and connected with the hub. Two end parts of the spoke body are provided with solid joints. The outside surface of the solid joint is provided with a first tapered section. The screw bushing and the nut cap bushing are provided with penetrable mounting holes. The hole wall surrounding the mounting hole is provided with a second tapered section. The mounting hole of the screw bushing and the mounting hole of the nut cap bushing are respectively fixed to the two solid joints; the second tapered section of the mounting hole and the first tapered section of the solid joint are fit and connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: XIAMEN HONGJI WEIYE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jingnan Wang, Hailin Huang, Feihu Wang, Kun Wang, Shuhui Liao, Renbao Lin
  • Tire sensor mounting assembly, vehicle wheel balancer, combination tire sensor mounting assembly and wheel balancer, method for mounting a tire sensor to a vehicle part, and method for balancing a vehicle wheel
    Patent number: 11072213
    Abstract: A combination vehicle tire sensor assembly and in-tire wheel balancer is adapted for residing inside a pneumatic tire mounted on a wheel rim of a motor vehicle. The combination includes a flexible mounting cable secured to the sensor assembly, and adapted for extending circumferentially within an annular space formed between the tire and wheel rim. A counterweight is secured to the mounting cable inside the pneumatic tire a spaced distance from the sensor assembly. A substantially hollow balancer belt resides inside the pneumatic tire adjacent the sensor assembly and counterweight, and defines a circumferentially-extending exterior groove designed for receiving and locating the mounting cable, and a circumferentially-extending interior cavity adapted for loosely containing a wheel-balancing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: ITIRE, LLC
    Inventors: Alan C. Lesesky, Samuel Duke Drinkard