Patents Examined by Katy Meyer
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Patent number: 7481446Abstract: A folding wheelbarrow includes opposed tubular perimeter frame sections each connected to a support wheel and joined to each other at a point along rearward edges thereof by a hinge pin. Integral handlebar sections extend rearwardly from the frame sections and are connected to handgrips which may be selectively positioned for comfort and use by a human operator. A flexible load carrying container is secured to the frame sections. A single wheel embodiment includes perimeter frame members which may be joined by pivot pins supported on a fork structure or by a hinge connection at a single hinge pin also connected to a wheel fork structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Inventor: Matthew F. Lowe
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Patent number: 7478693Abstract: A big wheel motive power source is provided. The big wheel motive power source comprises a large mass wheel capable of rotation and having a mass comprising at least one-third the weight of a vehicle in which it is located, or at least twice the weight of a conventional engine for that vehicle. A small horsepower, continuously running engine is operably connected to the large mass wheel and generates the rotation of large mass wheel. The large mass wheel may be further connected to at least one driven wheel, whereby the rotation of the large mass wheel provides a primary motive power source for a vehicle. A ratchet-type worm engaged drive, a control system, and a exhaust removal system are also disclosed for use with the present inventive device.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Inventor: Brent Edward Curtis
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Patent number: 7469915Abstract: An access assembly to approach a first storage tank and an adjacent second storage tank of a planting implement is provided. The first and second storage tanks are mounted on a wheeled frame assembly for movement in a direction of travel. The access assembly includes a ramp having a first end opposite a second end aligned in a fore-and-aft direction relative to the direction of travel of the implement. The first end of the ramp is pivotally attached about a first horizontal axis relative to the wheeled frame assembly. The access assembly further includes a ladder pivotally coupled about a second horizontal axis at the second end of the ramp. The ladder and the ramp pivot together about the first horizontal axis at the first end of the ramp between a raised and a lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: CNH America, LLCInventors: Rodney S. Horn, Sajid Nanlawala
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Patent number: 7469763Abstract: An integral assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a battery tray, a coolant reservoir and a vacuum reservoir. The battery tray and portions of the coolant reservoir and vacuum reservoir are formed as a single molded part having shared partition walls, so as to provide superior strength, economy, and packaging efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dupuis, Paul Lee Luskin, Michael John Lang
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Patent number: 7458591Abstract: A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and an insulated container defining a cooler. The container includes an inflatable wall and a valve for inflating of the wall. The insulated container is removably coupled to the base, and the base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the insulated container is received. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the inflatable wall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLCInventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Ian D. Kovacevich, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Chris Hoy
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Patent number: 7458589Abstract: A stacked arrangement of travel coolers including a plurality of travel coolers arranged in a series of stacking pairs and a method of stacking the travel coolers. Each travel cooler includes a base with a bottom surface, a pair of wheels mounted to the base, an insulated container, a front end of the base and a rear end of the base. Each stacking pair includes an upper travel cooler disposed on top of a lower travel cooler. The bottom surface of the base of the upper travel cooler rests upon the bottom surface of the base of the lower travel cooler. Alternatively, a surface of a lid of the upper travel cooler rests upon a surface of a lid of the lower travel cooler. The front end of the upper travel cooler is disposed over and generally aligned with the rear end of the lower travel cooler.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLCInventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Ian D. Kovacevich, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Chris Hoy
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Patent number: 7458590Abstract: A portable cooler assembly comprises a base and a collapsible container defining a cooler. The collapsible container includes collapsible walls. The base defines a container receiving recess within which a bottom portion of the collapsible container is received, whereby the collapsible container is removably coupled to the base. When the portable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the collapsible walls extend outwardly from the container receiving space. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration, the collapsible walls are completely received within the container receiving space in a collapsed condition.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: M & C Innovations, LLCInventors: Matthew Alexander Vanderberg, Ian D. Kovacevich, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Chris Hoy
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Patent number: 7458435Abstract: A control unit controls a vehicle having a body to allow a user to step on, a power generator arranged to generate power that drives the body, and a first sensor and a second sensor. Each sensor preferably outputs a load value representing a load that has been applied to the body. The control unit preferably includes a processor arranged to output a command value associated with a bias of the load based on first and second load values that have been respectively detected by the first and second sensors, and a drive controller arranged to control the power generator in accordance with the command value.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masanori Negoro, Nobuo Hara
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Patent number: 7458588Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle comprises a frame and a platform pivotally mountable to a rear portion of the vehicle frame. The platform is pivotally movable between a first position in which the platform extends generally horizontally from the rear portion of the frame to support a rider during operation of the vehicle, and a second position in which the platform is removably secured in a generally upright position-adjacent the rear portion of the frame to enable walk-behind operation of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Inventor: Bruce E. Kallevig
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Patent number: 7455133Abstract: An electric four-wheel drive vehicle and a control unit for the same, which can be applied to cars of class having larger displacements than the class to which the electric four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with the DC motor is applied, without increasing the cost over that of the known mechanical four-wheel drive vehicle. Front wheels of the vehicle are driven by an engine, and rear wheels are driven by an AC motor. A generator is driven by a rotating force of the engine to output DC power. An inverter converts the DC power outputted from the generator to AC power. A control unit controls the generator such that energy Pm required for driving the AC motor is outputted from the generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Satoru Kaneko, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Masaru Ito, Hisaya Shimizu, Kenta Katsuhama
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Patent number: 7448637Abstract: A step device for accessing a truck bed according to the present invention includes a telescopic boom assembly that is movable between retracted and extended configurations. A first end of the boom assembly may be coupled to the frame of a truck. The step device may be hidden from view beneath the truck bed at the retracted configuration. The step device also includes a plurality of steps movable between collapsed and deployed configurations. A linkage couples at least one of the steps with the boom assembly such that the steps are moved between collapsed and deployed configurations as the boom assembly is moved between retracted and extended configurations, respectively. A latch selectively holds the boom assembly at the extended configuration and, when released, a tension member biases the boom member to move to the retracted configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Inventor: Rick J. Parker
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Patent number: 7438304Abstract: A mount/dismount system for use with a personnel carrier (vehicle) having a substantially flat bed, includes a tubular frame and attachments for holding the frame on the vehicle. Specifically, the tubular frame includes a grip pole that extends perpendicularly from the vehicle bed. It also includes a cross bar that interconnects, and is coplanar with, the grip pole and a support pole. When the frame is attached to the vehicle, the support pole is positioned at a distance “d” from the bed of the vehicle. Additionally, the support pole incorporates a step for concerted use with the grip pole and the support pole by personnel as they mount/dismount the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: Stuart C. Segall
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Patent number: 7431112Abstract: A hybrid motorcycle capable of mounting thereon a hybrid-type drive unit, which does not project in a vehicle width direction and can be mounted even on a motorcycle having a limited vehicle width, includes a power distributing device positioned between a generator and a motor, and a reduction device arranged rearwardly of the power distributing device. A front end of a drive-wheel transmission device is journaled on a rear end of a central storage casing so that a rear end side of the drive-wheel transmission device is vertically swingable, and a rear wheel is journaled on the rear end of the drive-wheel transmission device. The power distributing device includes a sun gear, planetary gears, a planetary carrier, and a ring gear. Further, a carrier shaft projects from a rotor shaft and rotation of a crank shaft is transmitted through a intermediate gear portion to the projecting end of the carrier shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuyuki Masuda, Toshinori Fukudome, Shinji Sasamoto
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Patent number: 7431110Abstract: A high-torque gear assembly for a personal mobility apparatus is disclosed generally comprising a shaft that drives a drive wheel of the personal mobility apparatus, a worm driven by a motor, and a worm wheel coupled to the shaft and driven by the worm, where both the worm wheel is a globoid gear and the worm is a globoid worm. In some embodiments, a gear train is coupled between a gear shaft and a drive wheel shaft for translating the rotational motion. In certain embodiments, the worm wheel and the worm have a gear ratio of at least 10:1, and the worm has a lead angle between twenty and thirty degrees.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Hartford Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter J. Greenwood, Benedict J. Aliano
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Patent number: 7431124Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic transmission assembly for a ground vehicle comprises a pump unit and a hydraulic motor assembly connected to the pump unit. The pump unit includes a driven shaft configured to operably connect to a motor of the ground vehicle. The hydraulic motor assembly includes a motor housing configured to rotatably mount to a wheel assembly of the ground vehicle. The housing has a central opening. A stationary output shaft has a first end section received in the central opening and a second end section configured to rigidly attach to a frame of the ground vehicle. The output shaft includes at least one internal fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one fluid passage of the pump unit. Pressurization of the hydraulic motor assembly via the pump unit rotates the motor housing relative to the stationary output shaft which, in turn, rotates the wheel assembly in one of a first direction and second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: White Drive Products, Inc.Inventor: Hollis N. White, Jr.
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Patent number: 7431312Abstract: Stackable basket (1) of those used in self-service shops and/or supermarkets, easy to use and adaptable to different users, that ensures the required hygiene when stacked and basically is provided, in addition to a conventional hinged handle, with a telescopic handle (5), a pair of wheels (11), two vertical L-shaped walls (15) that define corresponding small cubicles together with the side walls of the basket (1) so that when the baskets are stacked the wheels (11) of the basket placed above are located on the vertical projection of said cubicles, and with at least two through orifices (16) placed on the lower vertices of the basket.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Araven S.A.Inventors: Marcos Alcala Sebastian, Maria Isabel Gimeno Verdejo, Jose Antonio Puertolas Salanova
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Patent number: 7422079Abstract: The present invention is a vehicle which has seven degrees of freedom driven by servo motors with brakes so that obstacles of transportation are overcome for a disabled and the disabled can be lifted to a height as tall as a normal person.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Inventor: Shih-Chi Hsiao
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Patent number: 7422081Abstract: The invention provides a grille for a radiator cover having a front end with a pair of air intake apertures formed therewithin, and a pair of bezel frames each fastened to such radiator cover adjacent a respective one of such pair of air intake apertures, each bezel frame having an aperture exposing such respective air intake aperture. The grille includes a unitary elongated member having each of a predetermined size and a predetermined shape and a paper-thin like peripheral edge surrounding the unitary member. The member is caged between the bezel frame and the front end of the radiator cover. A plurality of apertures are formed in the unitary member for enabling air flow and for preventing entry of a detrimental extraneous foreign material into each air intake opening.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Inventors: Michael C. Dufresne, Aaron Titelman
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Patent number: 7419182Abstract: A wheelchair includes at least one side frame connected to a front caster assembly, and a cross-brace assembly. The cross-brace assembly includes a cross-brace member; at least one rear caster assembly connected to the cross-brace member; at least one main drive wheel axle tube fitting connected to the cross-brace member; and at least one arm connected to the cross-brace member. The at least one arm is pivotally connected to the at least one side frame through a pivot joint.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Invacare CorporationInventors: Gerold Goertzen, William A. Null, Jr., Bradley Kushner
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Patent number: 7413205Abstract: A manually retractable side step assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable step having a latch mechanism and a spring system that work in concert to rotate the step from a stowed position to a deployed position. In a stowed position, the step is in line with the running board of the vehicle. However, depressing a release button automatically rotates the step 180°, thus exposing an enlarged step area for providing ease of access to a roof rack on a minivan, SUV, or sport wagon, or if used with a pick-up truck, ease of access to a toolbox that is located in the rear of the truck.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Magna International Inc.Inventor: Brad E. Watson