Patents Examined by Kip T Kotter
  • Patent number: 11958322
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring having an axis of rotation and an outer ring coaxial with the inner ring. The non-pneumatic tire further includes support structure extending from the inner ring to the outer ring. The support structure is constructed of a thermoplastic material and having reinforcement cords embedded therein. The non-pneumatic tire also includes a circumferential tread extending about the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Adam K. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 11951768
    Abstract: A hub and spoke assembly includes a hub body having a first end and a second end. Projections are on each end. The projections are spaced apart from each adjacent projection about a rotational axis of the hub. Each projection comprises a base portion joined to the hub body and a support extending from the base portion to a free end. A plurality of spokes is provided. Each spoke comprises an elongated braided fiber having a loop at a first end and a second end configured for attachment to a rim. At least one spoke is joined to each support of each projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: BERD L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bradley Leo Guertin, Charles Steven Spanjers, Allison Lynne Horner
  • Patent number: 11938754
    Abstract: An anti-loosening device for a fastening unit of a motor-vehicle wheel is configured to be coupled with a wheel hub. The anti-loosening device is configured to be arranged within the wheel hub along an axial direction, so that a main axis of the anti-loosening device coincides with the wheel axis. The anti-loosening device includes a gear arranged to cooperate with inner teeth of the wheel hub, an elastic element extending axially with respect to the gear, and a coupling element obtained on a sector of said gear, arranged to receive a corresponding fastening. During assembly of the wheel—hub assembly, the anti-loosening device is arranged to create a compressed configuration, wherein the gear is decoupled with respect to the inner teeth, and is arranged within a cavity portion obtained on the inner surface of the wheel hub, so as to allow rotation of the anti-loosening device around the main axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: FCA ITALY S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano LucĂ , Renato Badino
  • Patent number: 11938757
    Abstract: A wheel suspension system, comprising, a wheel rim, a plurality of adaptors equidistantly mounted on inner periphery of the wheel rim, a plurality of suspension curved elastic members having drafted ends configured to be circumferentially and linearly disposed into the adaptor along the wheel rim, and a multi-layered hub having a plurality of interlocked holders away from its centre towards the wheel rim for interlocking the elastic members at the centre. The wheel suspension system is cost effective for both users and manufacturers, user friendly, comfortable, easy to assemble or disassemble, comfortable and provides safety in cases of accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventors: Mitesh Rasal, Shubham Sutar, Suraj Ettam
  • Patent number: 11932054
    Abstract: A wheel of a vehicle has a rim, a hub portion and at least two spokes connecting the hub portion to the rim. At least one spoke intermediate space between the spokes is at least partially covered by a single-piece cover element. A wing portion of the cover element is deformed axially away from the wheel when heat is supplied. The cover element is connected directly to the wheel, and the single-piece cover element is formed from a single material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Schindlbeck
  • Patent number: 11919340
    Abstract: An improved resilient composite structure for connecting two surfaces together where the structure includes an elastomeric joint body connected to one of the two surfaces and at least one reinforcement membrane at one end of the resilient composite structure, where the reinforcement membrane wraps around the end of the resilient composite structure such that one end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned along a side of the resilient composite structure and the other end of the reinforcement membrane is positioned on the opposite side of the resilient composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventors: Kevin Corbett Miles, Steven M Cron, Ryan Michael Gaylo
  • Patent number: 11912356
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle, in particular a construction machine, more particularly a road construction machine, with at least one drive motor and a travel pump of a travel drive hydraulic circuit, which is driven by the drive motor, for generating a drive pressure; at least one track unit, said track unit comprising a drive wheel driven via the travel drive hydraulic circuit, at least one guide wheel, a track endlessly running around the drive wheel and the guide wheel, as well as a track tensioning apparatus for tensioning the track, and the track tensioning apparatus comprising an adjusting device with a track tensioning hydraulic cylinder with which the distance between two wheels of the track unit, in particular the drive wheel and the guide wheel, is adjustable for tensioning the track, the track tensioning hydraulic cylinder being connected via a hydraulic tensioning line to a hydraulic pretensioning source via which it can be loaded with an initial pretensioning pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BOMAG GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Forster, Jonathan Stahl
  • Patent number: 11904631
    Abstract: Segmented wheels offer advantages in storage space of closely packed segments as compared to whole wheels. Individually damaged or worn segments may be replaced in the field with little or no need for jacks or cranes to support the rest of the vehicle, and entire wheels may be replaced or reconfigured from one tread type to another by swapping out segments not in contact with the ground and then driving the vehicle a distance which is a fraction of the circumference of its wheels to expose the remaining segments for retrofit. Segments may be freely supported by rigid or compliant spokes or may be bound together by straps or designed to interlock with adjacent segments. Embodiments of the invention may be made in any size range including applications for bicycles, agricultural machinery, cars, trucks and mining machinery and vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Remo
  • Patent number: 11884102
    Abstract: An expandable wheel (100) assembly attached to a vehicle includes a circular rim disc (200) operable to receive a plurality of drive members (300) about its circumference. The drive members (300) are pivotally connected to the rim disc (200) and expand outward from the rim disc (200) via sliding levers (500) when a rotational force is applied to the rim disc (200). As a result, the drive members (300) increase the ground clearance and enhance the ability for the vehicle to negotiate variable terrain while also increasing the top velocity of the vehicle. The expandable wheel (100) assembly contracts to a circumferential closed position when the rotational force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nikko Toys Limited
    Inventor: Jesse Boyer
  • Patent number: 11872839
    Abstract: A wheel includes a spoke having a mounting hole that extends in a radial direction, and a blind hole that extends in an axial direction and that is in spatial communication with the mounting hole. The wheel includes a rim having a second through hole that is aligned with the mounting hole. The wheel further includes a connecting unit connecting the spoke with the rim. The connecting unit includes a rod extending through the through hole into the mounting hole and having an engaging hole that is aligned with the blind hole. The connecting unit further includes a fastener extending through the blind hole into the engaging hole and engaging with the engaging hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL MULTITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Te-Fu Hsiao, Che-Hao Kuo, Chung-Hsin Chang, Chia-Hsin Wang
  • Patent number: 11872840
    Abstract: The application relates to a wheel hub for vehicle, which comprises a flange, a rim, a spoke, a central hole, and bolt bores distributed around the central hole. According to the disclosure, the flange on the wheel front side is affixed with an extension part comprising a radial extension magnitude extending to the outer periphery of the wheel hub and an axial extension magnitude extending to the wheel front side, the extension part comprises a plurality of sections circumferentially distributed along the flange, so as to form on the wheel front side an envelope circle having a diameter size increased by twice the radial extension magnitude. The present disclosure further satisfies the additional needs of the user with respect to the overall design of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Shiwen Xu, Minglei Li, Liangjian Yue, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 11865861
    Abstract: A spoke attachment assembly configured to couple a rim to the spokes of a spoked bicycle wheel. The spoke attachment assembly comprises a nipple having an enlarged head and a stem provided with a coupling portion for coupling with a spoke, at least one shaped washer associated with the nipple and configured to abut on one side with the enlarged head of the nipple and, on the opposite side, with the rim and holding means configured to hold said at least one shaped washer associated with the nipple. The invention also relates to a spoked bicycle wheel and to a process for manufacturing such a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Filippo Bove
  • Patent number: 11865864
    Abstract: A cover for a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. The cover, with fastening of the cover on the rim, can be arranged in at least partially overlap with a through opening of the rim delimited in the circumferential direction of the rim by respective spokes of the rim, whereby the through opening can be at least partially covered by the cover. The cover is directionally formed and has at least two slats, which delimit at least one channel arranged between the slats, through which air can flow in the installed position of the cover diagonally to a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rim. The slats at least partially mutually overlap with respect to the installed position of the cover in the circumferential direction of the rim and along the axial direction of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Christian Riech
  • Patent number: 11858300
    Abstract: A wheel for a vehicle, such as a forklift (e.g., an electric forklift) or another material-handling vehicle, in which the wheel comprises a tire (e.g., a non-pneumatic tire) and may be designed to enhance its use and performance and/or use and performance of the vehicle, including, for example, to exhibit less rolling resistance, be more energy-efficient and/or allow the vehicle to travel faster and/or with improved ride comfort. For instance, elastic deformation of the wheel as it rolls may be better managed (e.g., reduced), which may improve thermal behavior of the wheel and/or may be combined with ways to better distribute or dissipate heat (e.g., by increasing thermal conductivity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: CAMSO INC.
    Inventors: Salvatore Messina, Marc Favre, Slim Frikha, Hugo Van De Wiele, Tim De Witte
  • Patent number: 11858301
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire defining axial, radial and circumferential directions, the non-pneumatic tire comprising an annular shear band (106) including an annular shear layer (252) comprising an elastomeric material, and a plurality of discrete, annular reinforcing elements positioned within the shear layer (252) along a plurality of axially-extending rows (254A, 254B, 254C, 254D, 254E) within a radial plane of the tire, the reinforcing elements having circular cross-sections along the radial plane of the tire, wherein along each row the reinforcing elements alternate between reinforcing elements (250D1) having a first diameter and reinforcing elements (250D2) having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Timothy Brett Rhyne, Steven M. Cron, Antonio Delfino, Ryan Michael Gaylo
  • Patent number: 11850883
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a spoked bicycle wheel, comprising the steps of providing a rim element having a spoke attachment chamber; providing a spoke attachment assembly for coupling to a respective spoke, inserting the spoke attachment assembly through an opening of the spoke attachment chamber along an insertion direction that is inclined with respect to the rim element and moving the spoke attachment assembly along the insertion direction until a stem of the spoke attachment assembly is at the surface of the spoke attachment chamber; moving the spoke attachment assembly along the surface of the spoke attachment chamber towards a spoke attachment seats; inserting the stem in the spoke attachment seat; and, constraining the spoke attachment assembly in the spoke attachment seat. The steps are repeated to couple a respective spoke attachment assembly to each of the plurality of spoke attachment seats. The invention also relates to a spoked bicycle wheel produced by the above process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Filippo Bove
  • Patent number: 11850888
    Abstract: A wheel assembly that provides a simulated center lock wheel look that also enables exchanging of ornamental face plates with a center hub attachment device that will allow car enthusiasts to easily change the look of their automotive wheels while maintaining a center lock wheel appearance. The assembly includes three components: a base wheel, a plurality of ornamental face plates, and a center hub attachment extending from one of either the hub or the ornamental face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Ravelo
  • Patent number: 11845309
    Abstract: A tire includes: a skeleton portion including a rim member, a plurality of body springs latched on the rim member, and a plurality of interlink springs interlaced with the body springs; and a tread member disposed at least on the outer periphery of the skeleton portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihide Kouno
  • Patent number: 11845502
    Abstract: A universal removable lateral track extension system includes an extension track assembly removably couplable outboard of an original lateral track at a selected displacement width, the assembly further including a track frame plate, first and second receiver hitches, a drive coupler removably couplable to the corresponding drive sprocket of the tracked equipment, the drive coupler including a drive bearing assembly and connected drive sprocket in line with the extension track track rollers, a drive sprocket coupler and extension axle removably couplable from the drive sprocket connector to the drive bearing assembly, and a continuous track extending around the extension track track rollers and drive coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventors: Tom Hilman, Melvin Aho
  • Patent number: 11840114
    Abstract: A wheel bearing unit for a motor vehicle, having a wheel hub, a wheel bearing flange, and a wheel bearing for pivot mounting of the wheel hub on the wheel bearing flange. The wheel hub has a passage opening for mounting a shaft journal attached to the wheel hub by a screw connection element, and an inner toothing is formed, on an inner circumferential surface delimiting the passage opening, for rotationally fixed interaction with an outer toothing of the shaft journal, and the passage opening extends through a contact shoulder, which is formed so as to have contact with a contact surface of the screw connection element, with the formation of an orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Johannes Albl, Michael Frisch