Patents Examined by Jean Charleston
  • Two-part wheel
    Patent number: 9573415
    Abstract: While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP CARBON COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Werner, Christian Köhler, André Bartsch, Sandro Mäke, Michael Dreβler, Martin Lepper, Werner Hufenbach
  • Vehicle wheel
    Patent number: 9566825
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel of the present invention, includes: a sub air chamber member which serves as a Helmholtz resonator and is fixed to an outer circumferential surface of a well portion in a tire air chamber; a first standing wall surface formed such as to stand from the outer circumferential surface of the well portion outward in radial direction and extend in circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface; and a second standing wall surface formed on the well portion such as to face the first standing wall surface in width direction of the outer circumferential surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youichi Kamiyama
  • Vehicle track
    Patent number: 9567022
    Abstract: The tracks of the present invention have drive faces which are tapered surfaces, such as a convex tapered surface which extends laterally over the drive surface of the lugs. The utilization of lugs having tapered drive faces improves the performance and durability of the track. The tracks having the drive face design of this invention also allow for more power to be delivered without damaging the track or causing excessive wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Brian Feldmann
  • Hub adapter and central tire inflation system including same
    Patent number: 9566832
    Abstract: A system. The system includes a wheel, a hub adapter and a valve assembly. The wheel defines a first air passage having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first air passage is at an outward side of the wheel. The hub adapter is connected to the wheel and defines a tire side air passage. A first end of the tire side air passage is coaxially aligned with the first end of the first air passage. The valve assembly is connected to the hub adapter. The valve assembly includes a valve and defines a hub side air passage and a tire side air passage. A first end of the tire side air passage of the valve assembly is coaxially aligned with a second end of the tire side air passage of the hub adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hutchinson SA
    Inventors: Matthew P. Sherman, Michael G. Hartman, Olivier Noblanc
  • Force-distributing apparatus for a bicycle wheel spoke
    Patent number: 9561685
    Abstract: A force-distributing apparatus for a bicycle wheel spoke includes a force-distributing body having a free-end first surface and a second surface disposed at an opposite side of the first surface. The force-distributing body has a spoke-receiving opening that extends through the first surface. In one embodiment, the first surface substantially has the shape of a truncated sphere. In another embodiment, the force distributing body has a generally cylindrical shape. In another embodiment, the spoke-receiving opening is formed eccentrically in the force-distributing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Koshiyama, Hiroshi Fujita
  • Aerodynamic wheel cover assembly and method of mounting
    Patent number: 9561687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to attaching aerodynamic wheel covers to the wheel of a truck or other heavy duty vehicle, and to a method of installation that requires less tooling for installation while substantially completely covering the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: RealWheels Corporation
    Inventor: John Polka
  • Automotive wheel with cavity between bolt holes in hub mounting section
    Patent number: 9555663
    Abstract: There is provided an automotive wheel with a cavity between the bolt holes in a hub mounting section, and more particularly, to an automotive wheel with a cavity between the bolt holes in a hub mounting section, wherein a cavity between the bolt holes in a hub mounting section structured to secure an automotive wheel to a wheel hub is uniformly formed to reduce the weight and noise of the automotive wheel, and wherein a damper rubber is inserted into the cavity to reduce the vibration and noise generated during driving an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventors: Dong Gi Yu, Kwan Mug Kim
  • Crown for a link in a ground engaging track system
    Patent number: 9550537
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and method for a link for a track chain in a ground-engaging track system. The link has an elongate link body including a first and a second crown. The elongate link body includes a shoe surface and a rail surface. The shoe surface is configured to contact a track shoe coupled to the elongate link body. The rail surface is opposite the shoe surface and has a first end section, a middle section, and a second end section. The first and second crowns on the rail surface each define a convex portion of the rail surface. The first crown is positioned on the first end section and the second crown is positioned on the second end section. The first and second crowns are configured to delay scallop formation in the rail surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Steiner, Caroline Brewer, Temitope Akinlua, Daniel Knobloch, Donovan Clarke, Timothy Nenne
  • Idler group and method of assembly
    Patent number: 9550536
    Abstract: An idler group is disclosed for a mobile machine having a tracked undercarriage with an endless track. The idler group may include a retainer disposed on an axle and within an opening in an idler. The retainer may be configured to achieve an interference fit with the idler sufficient to hold the retainer within the opening of the idler during operation of the mobile machine. In another embodiment, a retaining ring may be disposed within a channel formed in the idler and may contact the retainer. In yet another embodiment, a swaged connection may be formed between the idler and the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric James Johannsen, Michael Dean Hasselbusch, Timothy Richard Hoyt
  • Vehicle wheel rim
    Patent number: 9545819
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel rim for use on a motor vehicle, having a wheel rim well (1, 29), having an inner wheel rim flange (7, 30) and having an outer wheel rim flange, wherein the wheel rim well (1, 29) is delimited at its axial end regions by in each case one of the wheel rim flanges (7, 30), wherein the wheel rim flanges (7, 30) are formed by a radially encircling wall, said walls extending in each case at a predefinable angle (5, 27) with respect to the wheel rim well (1, 29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg von Tardy-Tuch, Achim Schulz
  • Wheel
    Patent number: 9539856
    Abstract: The wheel is all-metal, and is suitable for use on the moon. The wheel includes tread-plates mounted on leaf-springs, which deflect to permit suspension movement. The leaf-springs are flexible, light, and thin, yet are made strong enough to cope with heavy traction forces by the provision of hoop-cables, which link all the tread-plates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventor: Peter Derek Visscher
  • Cycle wheel spoke and cycle wheel comprising such a spoke
    Patent number: 9539853
    Abstract: A spoke including a metallic core covered, at least in its central portion, with a sheath of composite material comprised of an assembly of fibers embedded in a matrix, the core including an end portion adapted to be attached to the rim or the hub of a wheel, and a main body whose cross-sectional surface area is between 30% and 50% or, in a particular embodiment, between 35% and 45%, of the cross-sectional surface area of the aforementioned end portion. Furthermore, in the area of the main body, the sheath has a cross section between 150% and 500% or, in a particular embodiment, between 150% and 350%, of the cross section of the metallic core in the same area. The metal core includes two mechanical anchoring zones, positioned in the vicinity of its ends, on both sides of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAVIC S.A.S.
    Inventors: Michel Davoine, Claude Righini, Joseph Normand
  • Modular axle shaft assemblies for use with racing vehicles and other vehicles
    Patent number: 9533531
    Abstract: Axle shaft assemblies for use with a vehicle include a shaft formed from a first material having a first modulus of elasticity for providing the shaft with a flexibility adapted to withstand side impacts and resist deformation. A first end member can be engaged with a first end of the shaft, and a second end member can be engaged with the second end of the shaft. The end members can be formed from a second material having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first, such that the end members are adapted to withstand a rotational force. The end members can include splined connectors, hub flanges, and other similar components. The resulting axle shaft assembly can thereby include modular combinations of materials having low and high moduli of elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Inventor: Mitchell Z. Dziekonski
  • Wheel bearing apparatus
    Patent number: 9527345
    Abstract: A wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member and double row rolling elements. A pulser ring is fit onto the inner ring. A second cap is fit on the inboard-side end of the outer member. A rotational speed sensor is mounted on the second cap. A cup-shaped first cap is press-fit into the inner circumference of an inboard-side end of the outer member. The first cap has a cylindrical fitting portion press-fit into the outer member. A disk portion extends radially inward from the fitting portion. The sensor abuts the disk portion. The second cap is press-fit into the inner circumference of an inboard-side end of the outer member via a predetermined interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Syougo Suzuki, Shigeaki Fukushima, Masuo Takaki, Sadako Takada, Hisashi Ohtsuki
  • Deformable track support for tracked vehicles
    Patent number: 9522708
    Abstract: The present application discloses a track support that includes a variable track frame comprising that includes four or more connector members, hinge joints that connect the connector members and configured to form a polygonal shape having sides each associated with one of the connector members, and a track varying mechanism that can actively change an angle between at least two of the connector members so as to change the polygonal shape of the variable track frame. Track engaging wheels mounted on the connector members can rotate around an axis that intercepts with or is adjacent to the hinge joints. The track engaging wheels can engage with a track belt wrapped around the track engaging wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Zhengxu He, Xinlu Tang, Xianxiang Chen
  • Rim insert system
    Patent number: 9517656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rim insert system for a rim having at least one opening which forms a rim channel that tapers in a funnel-like manner, and at least one funnel-like rim insert releasably engaged in the opening. The rim insert has a peripheral catch edge which engage behind an internally arranged opening edge of the rim channel in an inserted position. A first catch projection is in abutment with an inclined portion of the opening edge. The inclined portion and the inner face of the rim channel are disposed at an angle of approximately from 200°-240° in cross-section. A second catch projection is substantially diametrically opposed to the first catch projection and engages behind the opening edge in a positive-locking manner. The inner face of the rim channel and the opening edge form an angle of approximately from 270° to 290°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jens von Roenne, Claudio Santos, Franziska Schmitz, Andrea Piroddi
  • Wheel of vehicle
    Patent number: 9511622
    Abstract: A wheel is provided which makes the removal of sand easy at the time of manufacturing the wheel by casting, while realizing the reduction of a weight of the wheel of the vehicle. The wheel of a vehicle includes boss portions which extend in the wheel axial direction from intermediate portions of spoke portions, in the wheel radial direction, and on which a brake disc is mountable. The boss portions are formed with boss inner hollow portions which are continuously formed with spoke inner hollow portions of the spoke portions. Through opening portions which penetrate the spoke portions in the wheel circumferential direction are formed on a portion of the spoke portions on which the boss portions are formed, at the position outside the boss portions, in the wheel radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryotaro Urano, Kazuhiro Takatsuka
  • Track assembly for traction of an off-road vehicle
    Patent number: 9505454
    Abstract: A track assembly for providing traction to an off-road vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, a construction vehicle, or another work vehicle, in which the track assembly may comprise a suspension between a frame of the track assembly and a bogie carrying roller wheels of the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventor: Dewaine Kautsch
  • Air maintenance pump
    Patent number: 9505278
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly includes a tire having a tire cavity bounded by first and second sidewalls extending to a tire tread region and air pumping means for generating pressurized air for maintaining air pressure within the tire cavity at a preset pressure level. The air pumping means includes an upper mounting plate fixed to a vehicle rim, a lower mounting plate fixed to the rim and diametrically opposed to the upper mounting plate, a dynamic mass pivotally attached to the upper mounting plate at a first end of the dynamic mass, and a pump fixed to the lower mounting plate and pivotally attached to a second end of the dynamic mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jin-Shy Steve Gau, Cheng-Hsiung Lin
  • Track joint assemblies
    Patent number: 9505453
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore including first and second portions. The first and second portions may have different diameters. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in and contacting the first portion of the second bore. The bushing may also include an axial end-adjacent portion disposed in and contacting the second portion of the second bore. An outer diameter of the end-adjacent portion may be larger than an outer diameter of the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Robert Lee Meyer