Patents Examined by Kevin Hurley
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Patent number: 11807312Abstract: A spring steel-made clip (22) has an arc-shaped first inserting part forcing portion (66) and an arc-shaped second inserting part forcing portion (67) facing the first inserting part forcing portion (66), a first axial direction connecting portion (68) connecting one ends of the inserting part forcing portions (66, 67) and a second axial direction connecting portion (69) connecting the other ends of the inserting part forcing portions (66, 67). The axial direction connecting portions (68, 69) have connecting end position stoppers (75, 76) protruding from their inner edge portions (68a, 69a) toward an opening (65). The connecting end position stoppers (75, 76) elastically contact position stopper contact portions (44e, 57e) of tubes (20A, 20B), then a relative movement of the tubes (20A, 20B) in a direction in which connecting end contact surfaces (47, 60) separate from each other is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.Inventors: Keisuke Kitamura, Kohtaro Shiino, Osamu Yoshida, Tatsuyoshi Maruyama, Norihiro Kimura
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Patent number: 11807056Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a break-away tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend in a first direction from a surface of a vehicle and to receive a towing line. A mount is configured to displaceably secure the tow hook to the surface. The mount is configured to maintain a position of the tow hook relative to the surface in response to a pulling force being applied to the tow hook in a first direction away from the surface of the vehicle. The mount is further configured to enable the tow hook to move relative to the surface in response to the tow hook incurring a force in a second direction, wherein the second direction is at least partially toward the surface of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Jorge Guillermo Barrios Albert, Robert J. Briggs, Mohammed Nomaan Khan, Vilaskumar Waghmare, David Bauch, Randy R. Frank, Gavin Goodchild
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Patent number: 11807288Abstract: A riding vehicle includes: a main body portion supporting a wheel; a seat stay erected on the main body portion and configured to be switched between a riding state in which a person rides and a cart state in which a person does not ride; a seat fixed to an upper side of the seat stay; a frame provided on the seat stay and configured to hold luggage in the riding state and the cart state; a steering stay erected on the main body portion at an interval with respect to the seat stay in a traveling direction; and a handle provided on the steering stay, in which the frame, in the cart state, exists in a region closer to the handle as compared with that in the riding state.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: AISIN CORPORATIONInventors: Hideyuki Umehara, Toshihiko Ishida
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Patent number: 11805727Abstract: A device for controlling the discharge of clippings from a chute in a mowing deck of a rotary lawn mower includes a mounting bracket secured to the rotary lawn mower a distance from the mower deck and a flap pivotally attached to the mower deck. The device includes a connecting member having a first end fixedly secured to the flap and a second end supported by the mounting bracket wherein the connecting member is sufficiently flexible to be formed into a selected configuration and sufficiently rigid to retain the selected configuration during use.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Inventor: Michael Engelen
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Patent number: 11801720Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for a displaceable tow hook. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a tow hook configured to extend from a surface of a vehicle in a first direction. The tow hook includes a receiving section configured to receive a towing line and a securing section configured to extend away from the receiving section. A positioning mount is configured to secure the tow hook to the surface of the vehicle and to release the tow hook in response to an impinging force on the tow hook in excess of a predetermined threshold. A load-bearing structure is configured to mechanically connect the securing section to a structural component of the vehicle. The tow hook and the load-bearing structure are configured to support a force having a component in the first direction that is at least equal to the towing weight of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Akshat Chauhan, Vignesh Sekar
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Patent number: 11801718Abstract: A trolley that couples to a tow saddle is provided. The trolley includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper and lower plate are secured against a rear portion of a tow saddle. One or more support bars are coupled to the upper plate. The bars provide structural support for the upper plate and deflect a chain that transits apertures in the upper plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: ATC Transportation LLCInventor: Donald W. Schuettenberg
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Patent number: 11801719Abstract: A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a jack with a foot attached to and configured to raise and lower a front portion of the trailer; a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, and a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; an engagement member positioned between the jack and the rearward portion, whereby the jack can exert the upward force on the rearward portion; wherein the engagement member comprises at least one arced surface whereby the engagement member maintains the upward force on the rearward portion despite vertical or horizontal pivoting between the vehicle and the trailer is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Hall Labs LLCInventor: David R. Hall
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Patent number: 11793692Abstract: Provided is a wheelchair that can be operated easily with either a right or left hand. The wheelchair is provided with; right and left handrims; a rotary shaft for transmitting a rotational force generated by a handrim on one side to a wheel on the opposite side via a drive mechanism; and a wheel hub for transmitting the rotational force generated by the handrim on the one side to the wheel on the same side via the drive mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism includes two pairs of right and left sensors respectively disposed on an outer surface of each of the handrims, a first non-excitation electromagnetic clutch for transmitting the rotational force to the right wheel, a second non-excitation electromagnetic clutch for transmitting the rotational force to the wheel on the opposite side, and a third non-excitation electromagnetic clutch for transmitting the rotational force to the left wheel.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventor: Toru Saito
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Patent number: 11794537Abstract: An adapter for a trailer coupler assembly includes an elongated riser member configured to be removably mounted to a vertical channel of a trailer coupler. The riser member has a transverse cross-section generally in the shape of an I-beam having a first channel portion and an opposing second channel portion. The first channel portion includes a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section and is configured to be removably mounted to a vertical channel of a trailer coupler assembly at one of a plurality of longitudinal positions along a length of the vertical channel of the trailer coupler assembly. The opposing second channel portion includes a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section configured to hold a trailer coupler.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Marco Garcia
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Patent number: 11794831Abstract: A trailer for towing by a power vehicle is provided and generally includes a frame and a tandem wheel assembly. The frame forms an undercarriage chassis which the tandem wheel assembly is positioned there under. The undercarriage chassis includes a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and an extension assembly moving the front wheel assembly between trailing position and a self-propelled position. At least one of the wheel assemblies is powered by a selectively engageable drive assembly including a motor, transmission, driveshaft, selectively engageable clutch and hub, to drive the rotation of at least one of the wheels.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: New Heights, LLCInventors: Aaron Jay Beiler, William Fisher, Raymond Beiler, Jeremiah Weaver
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Patent number: 11794705Abstract: A sensor device for a towing vehicle coupling or as a component of a towing vehicle coupling, with which a trailer vehicle, in particular a semi-trailer, can be coupled to a towing vehicle wherein the towing vehicle coupling has a coupling element for detachably coupling a coupling counter element, which are/can be secured to the towing vehicle and the trailer vehicle, and in the coupled state forming a joint, where they can rotate relative to one another about at least one joint rotational axis, wherein the sensor device has a follower, which is mounted on a bearing body where it can rotate relative to the coupling element about a follower rotational axis, which can rotate about the follower rotational axis by rotationally following the coupling counter element in a rotation about the at least one joint rotational axis, and which is for detecting a rotation of the coupling counter element relative to the coupling element about the at least one joint rotational axis, and wherein the sensor device has at leastType: GrantFiled: November 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: WESTFALIA-AUTOMOTIVE GMBHInventors: Bernhard Sielhorst, Stefan Röring
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Patent number: 11793693Abstract: Provided is a steering mechanism (8) including a swing bar (81a) which swings in response to input from a rider, a cam guide (83c) slidable on a peripheral surface of a column section (5a), a ball joint (82a) which slides the cam guide (83c) in response to the swinging of the swing bar (81a), a cam follower (83b) vertically provided on the peripheral surface of the column section (5a) to rotate the column section (5a) in response to the sliding of the cam guide (83c), and a coil spring (83e) which returns the cam guide (83c) to a predetermined rotation angle. The cam follower (83b) comes in contact with a cam surface (83c4) of the cam guide (83c) which has a recess surface shape, at two positions on the peripheral surface, in a state where the column section (5a) is located at a predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junji Takado, Hiroshi Gomi, Yasushi Yoneda
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Patent number: 11787249Abstract: A receiver hitch for a tow vehicle comprises a tubular receiver located centrally of the receiver hitch having a receiver opening facing outwardly of the tow vehicle. Hitch pin openings are located in opposing side-walls of the tubular receiver having a common axis and configured to receive a hitch pin. A detection device, for detection of the hitch pin, is located about an outer portion of the tubular receiver and includes hitch pin openings that are located in opposing side-walls and have the common axis of the hitch pin openings in the tubular receiver. Electrical contacts at the hitch pin openings in the detection device are in communication with an electrical circuit of the tow vehicle. The hitch pin operates to close the electrical circuit upon insertion into the openings in the detection device and the tubular receiver and contact with the electrical contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brian V. Castillo, Sheryl K. Wolf
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Patent number: 11787497Abstract: A steering system may include a seat assembly, a frame assembly and a wheel. The frame assembly may include a steering tube that is rotatably disposed within a head tube with a cam at a top end and a pair of forks at a bottom end to which is coupled an axle of the wheel. An arm may be disposed on and rotatably coupled to the seat assembly, and rotatably coupled to a left armrest and right armrest. A steering rod may be coupled to the cam and to one of the arms, the left armrest or the right armrest, such that forward movement of one of the armrests causes the steering rod to be translated forward and the cam to rotate in one direction, and backward movement of the same armrest causes the steering rod to be translated backward and the cam to rotate in an opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2023Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Bike DifferentInventor: Christopher Lucas
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Patent number: 11787472Abstract: A powered ride-on vehicle having a frame supported by a first drive wheel, a second drive wheel and at least one non-driven support wheel. The vehicle has a first motor connected to the first drive wheel, a second motor connected to the second drive wheel, a steering wheel, a plurality of movement selectors, a dance selector, and one or more controllers operably electrically connected to the motors, the plurality of movement selectors, and the dance selector. The controllers operate to manipulate the motors to cause movements of the vehicle for a set period of time upon depression of one of the plurality of movement selectors independent of an angular location of the steering wheel. The controllers further operate to manipulate the motors to cycle through at least four different dances based on subsequent depression of the dance selector.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.Inventors: Igor Zemskov, Daniel Greenberg
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Patent number: 11787495Abstract: The invention discloses a foldable bicycle and electric bicycle frame, comprising a girder and a rear fork, wherein the girder and the rear fork are connected to a rotating shaft through a bearing; both sides of the girder are provided with fixing holes A, and the girder is connected to the upper part of a hinge through the fixing holes A; the lower part of the hinge is provided with fixing holes B, and the hinge is connected to the upper part of a shock absorber through the fixing holes B; the lower part of the shock absorber is connected to the rear fork through a fixing hole C; both ends of the rear fork are provided with end covers. The invention has a simple structure. The invention can be used for folding bicycles and electric bicycles.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Inventors: Jialong Tian, Jiazheng Tian
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Patent number: 11787248Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
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Patent number: 11787496Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame, a suspension assembly and a steering assembly. The frame includes a head tube that rotatably receives a front fork assembly. A steerer tube extends axially away from a fork crown of the front fork assembly. The suspension assembly includes an upper tubular support longitudinally slidable relative to a lower tubular support. The upper and lower supports receive a first positive biasing means and a first negative biasing means. The lower and upper supports are respectively connected to the steerer tube and a stem of the steering assembly such that the upper support slides longitudinally relative to the lower support adjacent the stem and above the fork crown.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, Jean-Luc Callahan, Tyler Kraus, Conner Swarthout, Michael McAndrews
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Patent number: 11786425Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to a wheelchair system that includes a wheelchair and an exoskeleton. The wheelchair includes a frame, a pair of armrests coupled to the frame, and a control unit. The pair of armrests movable between an attached position and a detached position. When in the attached position, each one of the pair of armrests are coupled to the frame and when in the detached position, each one of the pair of armrests is removed from the frame. The exoskeleton is communicatively coupled to the control unit via a cable extending between the exoskeleton and the control unit. The exoskeleton being releasably coupled to at least a portion of the frame of the wheelchair. The wheelchair system is translatable between a wheelchair mode and an exoskeleton mode such that, when in the exoskeleton mode, the control unit provides electrical power and control signals to the exoskeleton.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Dario Jose Villarreal Suarez
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Patent number: 11781698Abstract: A modular pipe-crawling robot for in-pipe maintenance operations in aspects of the present disclosure may have one or more of the following features: (a) at least two locomotion modules, (b) each module has feet which can extend outward to grip a wall of a pipe while simultaneously reducing its length or disengaging its feet from the inner wall while increasing its length, (c) a gear mechanism built into mechanical linkage, wherein each module's feet are held perpendicular with respect to the inner wall of the pipe, and (d) a joint coupling the at least two modules.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD OF REGENTSInventors: Hadi Fekrmandi, Phillip Hillard, Skye Rutan-Bedard