Patents Examined by Kip T Kotter
  • Patent number: 12291292
    Abstract: A wheel of a track system for traction of a vehicle (e.g., an agricultural vehicle) may be configured to protect against (e.g., prevent) accumulation of unwanted ground matter, such as mud, debris, water, etc., within the wheel, while enhancing visual appearance of the wheel. This may help to avoid or minimize mud buildup that may otherwise need to be drilled out before removing the wheel (e.g., for replacement or maintenance) and/or rust that may otherwise arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Camso Inc.
    Inventors: Ghislain Laperle, Matthieu Bergeron, Brandon Thompson
  • Patent number: 12285978
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a device that includes a rotary union body. Included with the rotary union body is a circumferential air channel, a seal channel, and an intake air channel. The intake air channel is connected to the circumferential air channel. Also disclosed is a hub assembly system that includes a hub and a rotary union body. Included with the rotary union body is a circumferential air channel, a seal channel and an intake air channel. Here the intake air channel is connected to the circumferential air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: IRH, INC
    Inventor: James Jackson
  • Patent number: 12285972
    Abstract: A sprocket support body is rotatably mounted on a hub axle of a bicycle rear hub assembly. The sprocket support body comprises at least ten external spline teeth configured to engage with a bicycle rear sprocket assembly. Each of the at least ten external spline teeth has an external-spline driving surface and an external-spline non-driving surface. The at least ten external spline teeth has an external-spline major diameter equal to or smaller than 34 mm. The sprocket support body is free of external spline teeth having another external-spline major diameter that is different from the external-spline major diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Tomonari Oka
  • Patent number: 12286194
    Abstract: A sprocket support body comprises at least ten external spline teeth including a plurality of external-spline driving surfaces. The plurality of external-spline driving surfaces each includes a radially outermost edge, a radially innermost edge, and a radial length. A total of the radial lengths of the plurality of external-spline driving surfaces is equal to or larger than 7 mm. At least one external-spline driving surface has a first external-spline-surface angle. The first external-spline-surface angle ranges from 0 degree to 10 degrees. One tooth of the at least ten external spline teeth having a first circumferential spline size. The other teeth of the at least ten external spline teeth each have a second circumferential spline size that is smaller than the first circumferential spline size. A total number of the other teeth of the at least ten external spline teeth being equal to or larger than nine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujita, Kazuki Koshiyama, Takashi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 12280615
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for attaching a center cap a wheel of a motor vehicle. A specialized lug nut may replace existing lug nuts to provide a threaded receiving area for a screw. The screw may be used to secure a cap in place. Some embodiments include an adapter to match a lug bolt pattern to a cap diameter size. In preferred embodiments, a lug nut is provided of specific designs, size and shape to be installable to act as a mechanism to secure a wheel to a vehicle and also act as a holder for the screw to retain the cap. The center cap may then slide onto the lug nuts (or extension that attach to the lug nuts) and then stay on by tightening a screw through the top of one or more lug nuts on each wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Inventors: Adam Stevens, Keith Ramthun
  • Patent number: 12280618
    Abstract: A rotary union for a tire inflation system of a heavy-duty vehicle that includes energy harvesting structure for generating electricity to power electronic components of the heavy-duty vehicle. The energy harvesting structure is integrated with and protected by the rotary union. The energy harvesting structure includes components that are attached to respective static and rotatable components of the rotary union that generate electricity for powering the electronic components during rotational movement of the rotatable components relative to the static components during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle. The components of the energy harvesting structure can be entirely removed or separated and sealed from a flow path of pressurized air through the rotary union.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Francisco Arevalo, Jeff R. Zawacki
  • Patent number: 12275282
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of loops extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The plurality of loops including at least a first loop and a second loop, wherein the first loop and the second loop are each in direct contact with both the inner ring and the outer ring. The first loop has a single reinforcement layer disposed therein, and includes a first extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring and a second extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring. The second loop has a single reinforcement layer disposed therein, and includes a third extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring and a fourth extent that extends between the inner ring and the outer ring. The second extent is in direct contact with the third extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Rimai, Nicholas J. Harp, Christopher W. Burton, Andrew V. Haidet, Brandon P. Nelson, Timothy M. Lusk
  • Patent number: 12275469
    Abstract: In one aspect, a track shoe assembly may include a shoe plate having a shoe plate body including a shoe plate attachment surface, and at least two slots extending through at least the shoe plate attachment surface. The track shoe assembly may also include a grouser having a grouser body having a grouser attachment surface, and at least two tabs, integrally formed with the grouser body, the at least two tabs extending from the grouser attachment surface, and perpendicular to the grouser attachment surface, the at least two tabs of the grouser being configured to be positioned within the at least two slots of the shoe plate. In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a track shoe assembly may include forming a shoe plate as described above, forming a grouser as described above, and attaching the grouser to the shoe plate to thereby form a track shoe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Eric J. Johannsen
  • Patent number: 12275467
    Abstract: An onboard track machine wear measurement system has an ultra-sonic probe that is attached to an undercarriage of the machine that is disposed adjacent a track chain assembly, and a controller that is in communication with the ultra-sonic probe. The controller is configured to determine the thickness of a load bearing wall of a track component of the track chain assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 12269295
    Abstract: A variable thickness rim structure made of carbon fiber composite includes an outer ply block, that is paved as an outer side of the rim structure; an upper ply block, that is paved as an upper part of an inner side of the rim structure; a lower ply block, that is paved as a lower part of the inner side of the rim structure; a filling ply block, that is paved among the outer ply block, the upper ply block, and the lower ply block, where a first end of the upper ply block and a first end of the lower ply block extend inwards to form an annular connecting flange; a second end of the upper ply block extends upwards and a second end of the lower ply block extends downwards to form a rim ring together with the outer ply block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Jilin University
    Inventors: Dengfeng Wang, Wenchao Xu, Yong Wang, Jingbo Gao
  • Patent number: 12251964
    Abstract: A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. Each of the gas springs may include a gas cylinder having an inner surface, and a piston movable within the gas cylinder. The piston may include a shaft, a piston head coupled to the shaft and having at least one recess therein, and at least one biasing member within the at least one recess. Each gas spring may also include at least one damping member adjacent the at least one biasing member and within the at least one recess to frictionally engage the inner surface of the gas cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: GACW INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Zoltan Kemeny
  • Patent number: 12240268
    Abstract: An aerodynamic bicycle rim comprising: a circumferential outer portion comprising a circumferential outer surface, the circumferential outer portion adapted to seat a bicycle tire; a nose; and a set of sidewalls, each sidewall extending radially from the nose of the aerodynamic bicycle rim to a corresponding transition to the circumferential outer surface to form a rim body having a maximum rim body width that is greater than a maximum width of the bicycle tire. The aerodynamic bicycle rim is operable to seat the bicycle tire so that the aerodynamic bicycle rim and the bicycle tire form an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: HED CYCLING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Arthur Hed, Christopher Andrew Edin
  • Patent number: 12240269
    Abstract: A load wheel for a vehicle is provided having a cylindrical hub with an axis, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, an outer surface, a central core extending coaxially within the hub, and a plurality of passageways extending in an axial direction between the first and second sidewall. A solid, non-pneumatic tire is bonded to the outer surface of the hub, and a set of bearing is mounted in the central core of the hub. The hub is characterized by a “heat factor” equal to the (hub mass×hub specific heat)/surface area exposed. The heat factor for a hub comprising passageways is compared to the heat factor for a solid hub to derive a heat factor ratio, which is used to select the exposed surface area of the hub and maintain the operating temperature of the wheel below the failure temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: SUPERIOR TIRE & RUBBER CORP.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Peterson, Kyle Robert Knotowicz
  • Patent number: 12214682
    Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly includes a wheel including a disk and a rim, the wheel having a power reception device attached to an outer peripheral surface of the rim to receive electric power supplied wirelessly from farther outward in a radial direction of the wheel than the rim, and a tire attached so as to cover an outer peripheral surface of the wheel and including a pair of sidewall portions. A gauge of the sidewall portions is 1.5 mm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isao Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 12214630
    Abstract: The present document relates to a control device for a central tire inflation system, comprising: an inlet for connection with a pressure source, at least a first outlet for connection with a first pneumatic tire, a supply valve, at least a first channel valve, and at least a first pressure-limiting valve, wherein the supply valve and the first channel valve selectively fluidly connect the inlet to the first outlet and are fluidly connected in series between the inlet and the first outlet, and wherein the first pressure-limiting valve is fluidly connected to the first outlet for limiting a pressure at the first outlet. The present document further relates to methods of operating the control device for the central tire inflation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: DANA MOTION SYSTEMS ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alessandro Benevelli, Biagio Borretti, Luca Buscicchio, Piergiorgio Trinchieri
  • Patent number: 12214681
    Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly includes a wheel including a disk and a rim, the wheel having a power reception device attached to an inner peripheral surface of the rim to receive electric power supplied wirelessly from farther outward in a radial direction of the wheel than the rim, and a tire attached so as to cover an outer peripheral surface of the wheel and including a pair of bead portions. Each bead portion in the pair of bead portions includes a bead core and a bead filler, and 0.1?BFW/BDW?0.6, where BFW is a width in a tire width direction at a central position of the bead filler in a tire radial direction, and BDW is a maximum width in the tire width direction of the bead core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isao Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 12208645
    Abstract: An axle, for a mining machine, includes one or more segments, each defining a first wall portion, a second wall portion disposed opposite to the first wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion. The third wall portion extends between the first and the second wall portions to meet the first wall portion at a first corner portion and the second wall portion at a second corner portion. The fourth wall portion extends between the first and the second wall portions to meet the first wall portion at a third corner portion and the second wall portion at a fourth corner portion. The second thickness of the second corner portion and the third thickness of the third corner portion are greater than each of the first thickness of the first corner portion and the fourth thickness of the fourth corner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dinesh Sivakumar, Regini Selvapalace Ehuraj, Steven J. Fujan, Scott M Shaffer
  • Patent number: 12202557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (A) of a drive wheel (DW) for an endless track (E) of a tracked vehicle (V). The drive wheel (DW) comprises a hub member (H) and a drive sprocket member (S1, S2) attached to the hub member (H). Said drive sprocket member (S1, S2) comprises a ring shaped drive sprocket (10) having a set of teeth (12) arranged around the circumference of said drive sprocket (10). Said drive sprocket (10) is configured to engage with said endless track (E). Said drive sprocket member (S1, S2) further comprises a support member (20) for said drive sprocket (10). Said drive sprocket (10) is divided into at least two arc shaped drive sprocket parts (10A, 10B). Each drive sprocket part (10A, 10B), in a non engaged state of a drive sprocket part with respect to said endless track, is configured to be exchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Gustav Söderström
  • Patent number: 12195624
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to improve, in a tire having a composite body of a member composed of a polyester material and a member composed of a rubber material, adhesion between the two members. In order to achieve the object, the present disclosure provides a tire having a composite body, wherein the composite body comprises: a member composed of a polyester material; a member composed of a rubber material; and an adhesive layer composed of a urethane-based adhesive or an epoxy-based adhesive and provided between the member composed of a polyester material and the member composed of a rubber material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Junko Matsushita
  • Patent number: 12187071
    Abstract: A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Inventor: Martin Connolly