Patents Examined by Joseph Rocca
  • Patent number: 9751393
    Abstract: Left and right radiators in a saddle type vehicle are formed in a trapezoidal shape and disposed such that a shorter one of two side portions of each of the radiators which extend in parallel or substantially in parallel to each other as viewed in front elevation is positioned at the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction. A longer one of the side portions is disposed at the outer side in the vehicle widthwise direction. Forward projections of an exhaust pipe projecting forwardly from an engine pass below the shorter side portions at the inner side in the vehicle widthwise direction of the radiators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Nakata, Satoshi Seo, Tetsuya Tanabe, Kota Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9751161
    Abstract: A cart or trailer for managing, storing, and working with welding bottles is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: S&V Fabrication & Steel, LLC
    Inventors: Seth Stewart, Chris Vogel
  • Patent number: 9745008
    Abstract: A motorcycle anti-theft device, for a motorcycle of the type having a pivotable kickstand; a chassis; and an electrical power source. The device includes a mechanism configured to lock the kickstand after being set to a lowered position; and an actuator unit including an electromechanical device connected to the power source configured to directly drive, when activated, an element to unlock said kickstand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: G.A. KITS DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Alon Ben-Yair, Gil Rotschild
  • Patent number: 9731782
    Abstract: A mounting bracket plate for a personal electronic device for attaching to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Paleo-Tech Concepts
    Inventor: James W. Kondrat
  • Patent number: 9725129
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar includes a midsection attached to a front mounting post of a bicycle and extending outward from the front mounting post in a substantially horizontal plane. A pair of pad-support sections are respectively disposed on opposite lateral sides of the midsection. A pair of arm support pads are each attached to a respective one of the pad-support sections such that each pad-support section and attached arm support pad conjunctively have an airfoil-shaped cross section. Each arm support pad supports a respective arm of a bicycle rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventors: David L. Poole, Daniel W. Hiller
  • Patent number: 9718513
    Abstract: A multi-link suspension includes a frame member, a first member pivotably coupled at a first end to the frame member, and a second member pivotably coupled at a first end to a second end of the first member. A dampener physically couples between the first member and the second member. The dampener limits the rotation of the second member about the second end of the first member to a defined arc. The first member includes a horizontal upper surface to which an electric traction motor providing a shaft output attaches. A power transmission system, such as a flexible belt, couples the shaft output provided by the electric traction motor to a drive hub rotatably attached to a second end of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Ching Juan, Jian-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9713560
    Abstract: A wheelchair with a lift assistance device including a wheelchair, a scissor lift disposed on the wheelchair, a battery compartment attached to the scissor lift, a rechargeable battery disposed within the battery compartment, a seat portion attached to the scissor lift, an activation control disposed on the wheelchair, and a pair of lift controls. The seat portion has an extended position and an alternate retracted position. The seat portion is in the extended position when the scissor lift is extended above a rear support of a support frame of the wheelchair. The seat portion is in the retracted position when the scissor lift is retracted proximal the rear support of the support frame of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Alta Raymond, Jean Raymond
  • Patent number: 9708027
    Abstract: A bicycle comprising a frame, front and rear wheels supporting the frame, and a brake lever assembly including a brake lever and an end cap. The brake lever has a pivot portion, a gripping portion defining a gripping length, and a free end defining an end width. The end cap is detachably secured to the free end and defines a cap width larger than the end width. The end cap has a maximum dimension that is less than the gripping length and is preferably substantially symmetrical (e.g., spherical) around the free end. The brake lever assembly can include a fastener securing the end cap to the free end. For example, the fastener can thread through the end cap and engage the brake lever. In order to enhance securing the end cap to the free end, the end cap can include a recess that is dimensioned to receive the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jan Talavasek
  • Patent number: 9709138
    Abstract: Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, Robert A. Smithson, Brad P. Pohl, Charles B. Lohr, Jon M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 9708022
    Abstract: A pump mounting seat surface is formed on a rear lower portion of a fuel tank. An approximately strip-shaped tank rear stay is mounted such that the tank rear stay escapes a pump mounting seat of the pump mounting seat surface. Both ends of the tank rear stay in the longitudinal direction project outward from the rear lower portion as mounting end portions. The mounting end portions are made to overlap with tank rear mounting bosses formed on center frames, and are fastened to the tank rear mounting bosses by bolts from above. A mounting member is not arranged below the pump mounting seat surface and hence, it is possible to ensure a space for a pipe of a fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nishida, Mitsuya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9707138
    Abstract: Apparatus for a manually-powered wheelchair comprising a frame and first and second wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. Each wheel includes a hand rim and a drive wheel. For each of the first and second wheels, a multiple speed transmission coupled to the wheel comprises a transmission output coupled to the drive wheel, a transmission input coupled to the hand rim, and at least two gears selectively coupling the transmission output to the transmission input. The transmission allows the drive wheel and the hand rim to rotate concentrically with one another but at different speeds. A selector is provided for selecting one of the at least two gears. A controller controls the selector to operate the transmission for the first and/or second wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Elizabeth T. Hsiao-Wecksler, Scott Daigle
  • Patent number: 9701356
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. A magnet is fixed relative to the first segment. An electromagnet is fixed relative to the second segment and disposed in a magnetic field of the magnet when the frame is in the folded position. A controller is configured to power the electromagnet to repel the magnet to unfold the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, James Loyd, Jonathan Mundy
  • Patent number: 9701169
    Abstract: A unique adjustable trailer-locking system comprises a locking ball, a lock, a locking pin, a key, and first, second, third, and fourth size-adjusting caps. The locking ball has a through hole. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth size-adjusting caps has a dome shape and a hollow shaft attached to its center. Each of the hollow shafts can be inserted into the through hole or another hollow shaft to assemble, disassemble, and switch the size of the locking ball, to fit inside a hitch-ball receiver of one of standardized sizes to eliminate all the gaps therebetween, to prevent a crowbar from being inserted therebetween to pry the locking ball off. The locking pin is for being inserted through a hitch-ball-receiver lever and through the lock. The key is for turning the lock to secure the locking pin and the hitch-ball-receiver lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Dee Volin
  • Patent number: 9694676
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a report on a drivetrain specifically designed to operate in conjunction with the Extreme-Travel Independent Suspension System. In a prior disclosure, we introduced a drivetrain concept derived from the unique configuration of the suspension system. The concept defines several elements, one element is a gearbox that is fabricated into the frame, the gearbox being called the reverse power coupler. Other elements of the concept include a differential mounted offset power coupler and differential housing assemblies. The drivetrain cooperates with the suspension configuration of upper and lower leading and trailing links thereby retaining the suspension system's fundamental properties—handling quality like a double A-arm independent suspension system and travel and articulation capabilities similar to Ford's Twin I-Beam front suspension system. This report integrates the elements introduced in the prior disclosure with novel mechanistic features of the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bandy
  • Patent number: 9694870
    Abstract: A motorcycle comprises a rear wheel; a vehicle body frame including a front frame unit supporting a motor, and a rear frame unit supporting a seat; and a swing arm which is rotatably connected to the front frame unit and supports the rear wheel, wherein the rear frame unit includes: a front section which supports the seat and extends rearward from the front frame unit; a pair of right and left branch sections extending rearward from a rear end portion of the front section to be spaced apart from each other in a rightward and leftward direction; and a pair of rear sections which extend rearward from rear end portions of the pair of right and left branch sections, respectively, and are placed rightward and leftward relative to the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideaki Kawai, Shigeyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 9694845
    Abstract: A motor control device includes a motor, a control device, and a motor drive circuit. The motor includes a motor rotor, a motor stator, and a plurality of coil groups divided into a first coil group and a second coil group of at least two systems for each of three phases, and configured to excite a stator core by three-phase alternating currents. In the motor drive circuit, a first motor drive circuit supplies a three-phase AC first motor drive current to the first coil group based on a command value, and a second motor drive circuit supplies a three-phase AC second motor drive current having a phase difference from a phase of the first motor drive current, to the second coil group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Kikuchi, Gen Kimura, Zhipeng Tu
  • Patent number: 9688346
    Abstract: A variable height, infinitely adjustable front fork system that can adapt to various wheel sizes. On traditional front bicycle fork system, to change the tire size require a change in the fork, and to change the height of the fork relative to the frame that hold the front fork would require again a change to the fork. This new fork system addresses these two concerns. With a push of a button, or simple manipulation of a handle, the height of the fork relative to the frame can be made via a telescopic fork blade design. To accommodate different tire sizes, a user simply re-positions a pair of clamp-on wheel dropouts along a lower half of the telescopic blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FREEDOM CONCEPTS INC.
    Inventors: Colin Bock, Duy Tran
  • Patent number: 9688335
    Abstract: A body cover construction for a motorcycle includes a body cover having a front mudguard which covers an outer circumference of a front wheel, a front cover covering a front portion of a vehicle body from a front to sides of a headstock, floorboards extending from a lower rear portion of the front cover to below a seat so that rider's feet rest thereon, and underside covers covering sides of the vehicle body lying below and forwards of the floorboards. When the vehicle body is seen from a side, a lower edge portion of a front side surface of the front cover extends in a longitudinal direction and is at a similar level as a lower edge portion of a mudguard side surface of the mudguard. A front upper end portion of the underside cover extends upwards to a position which is a predetermined distance from the lower edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akiko Ishikawa, Taro Nishimoto, Kazunori Yoshimura, Ayumu Tsuji
  • Patent number: 9688305
    Abstract: Motorcycles are provided which include a frame, two front steering wheels, a steering pipe rotatably connected to the frame and rigidly connected to two supporting assemblies, one for each front steering wheel and a steering group consisting of two pairs of transversal arms—upper front, lower front, upper rear and lower rear—arranged inverted at the opposite sides of a central steering pipe and laterally connected through two lateral posts. On each of the supporting assemblies the fixed portions of two telescopic elements may be constrained. Each pair of telescopic elements may be cantilever-mounted with respect to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bartolozzi, Luca Bernardi, Marco Profeti, Walter Rosellini
  • Patent number: 9688349
    Abstract: A chainless drive mechanism for a bicycle using pedal arms, one on each side of the bicycle, each pedal arm carrying a pedal engageable with a rider's foot. Each pedal arm is mounted to a crank by a rotating joint and connected to the frame of the bicycle by a link, each link having rotating joints at each end. The cranks are connected by a shaft passing through the hub of to the driven wheel of the bicycle. The cranks may be connected to the driven wheel by a multi ratio free wheeling gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Robert William Thompson