Patents Examined by Lesley D. Morris
  • Power steering device
    Patent number: 7730993
    Abstract: In a power steering device, a hydraulic power cylinder is configured to assist a steering force of a steering mechanism linked to steerable road wheels, a pump is configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to respective pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, an electric motor is configured to drive the pump, a torque sensor is configured to detect a steering torque of the steering mechanism, an operating load state detecting circuit is configured to detect an operating load state of the pump based on a viscosity resistance characteristic of a working oil, and an electric motor control circuit is configured to output a drive signal to the motor on the basis of a torque signal from the torque sensor and the operating load state of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaki Watanabe
  • Vehicle for deploying a mobile surveillance module
    Patent number: 7726690
    Abstract: A surveillance module may be deployed from a vehicle. The vehicle to deploy the surveillance module includes a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle. A second portion includes a module configured to accommodate the user and comprising a roof and an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from the first portion. The second portion also includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position. A third portion defines an opening to accommodate the module, wherein the roof of the module couples to a periphery of the opening in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: TerraHawk, LLC
    Inventors: Tom R. James, John R. Spence
  • Anti-jackknifing tractor trailer system
    Patent number: 7703790
    Abstract: An anti-jackknifing system is provided for tractor trailers. The anti-jackknifing system includes pressure vessels mounted to the tractor for extending and retracting pins. The pins are positioned adjacent to the trailer kingpin so as to extend or retract into slots formed in plates mounted to the apron of the trailer. A controller is provided for automatically extending or retracting the pins based upon speed measurements made by a speed sensor such as the tractor's speedometer or separate GPS sensor. The controller connects to the speed sensor and pressure vessels and causes the pins to project into the race plate slots in the event that the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed threshold and causes the pins to retract from the race plate slots in the event the vehicle has reduced its speed below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Don Cunefare, Casimir Pawlowski
  • Sign, especially a number plate for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7698842
    Abstract: A plate, e.g., a license plate for motor vehicles, includes a base body which is made of an electrically conductive material, or has an electrically conductive layer applied either directly or via a further layer. Thus, the electrically conductive base body or its electrically conductive coating forms a first electrode of a flat capacitor. A layer having an electroluminescent pigmentation is applied on the base body or the electrically conductive layer. The electroluminescent coating may be applied by various methods, e.g., spray painting, brushing, special screen-printing methods, etc. To create the electrical field, it may be necessary to apply to the electroluminescent layer an electrically conductive layer for forming the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Fitzke Werberechnik
    Inventors: Michael Fitzke, Michael Mueller
  • Lateral stabilizer for motorcycle
    Patent number: 7694989
    Abstract: An air propulsion device for laterally stabilizing a motorcycle in an upright position when stopped. The device includes a substantially rectangular shaped plate having a top, bottom, first and second opposing sides. A pair of brackets are mounted to the first and second sides of the plate for attaching the device to the motorcycle. An air-flow generator unit is integrally attached to the top of the plate for generating and controlling pneumatic pressure within the air propulsion device, and has a first and second hose attached thereto. A skirting is integrally attached to the bottom of the plate for inflating and deflating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Halpern
  • Fifth wheel assembly
    Patent number: 7694992
    Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly comprises a fifth wheel having a plurality of journal bearings extending generally downward from its underside, and an “I-shaped” transverse beam member for mounting the assembly to a truck frame. The beam member is dimensioned to span across parallel longitudinal truck frame members and it includes mounting flanges extending generally downward from either lateral side where the mounting flanges have a plurality of apertures for receiving suitable fasteners inserted therein for mounting said beam member to the truck frame members. The transverse member also includes a plurality of pivot bearing pairs to receive the journal bearings of the fifth wheel which is coupled thereto by a trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Co.
    Inventors: Steven William Mann, Jeff Marcus Terry, James Matthew Rhodes, Christopher Aaron Bond
  • Bicycle saddle lifter
    Patent number: 7681899
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle lifter is provided which is safe and simple in structure and which can raise the saddle of a bicycle while a bicycle driver is sitting on the saddle. The biasing force of a stroke spring 10 which biases the saddle upwardly is determined such that when the weight of a bicycle driver directly acts on the saddle, the saddle lowers, and when the driver applies force to pedals of the bicycle while sitting on the saddle, and the load on the saddle decreases, the saddle rises. While the driver is not sitting on the saddle, resistance resulting from the biasing force of the stroke spring prevents a ratchet pawl 13b for checking the ascent of the saddle from being disengaged from the corresponding ratchet gear 14 even by switchover operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Fujiwara Wheel Incorporated
    Inventor: Hisao Fujiwara
  • Spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider
    Patent number: 7673893
    Abstract: A spring-based mechanism for saving labor of a bicycle rider is disclosed and in one embodiment includes an axle operatively connected to a chain wheel and a first set of bearings via a gear assembly; a housing for mounting a shaft therein wherein the first set of bearings is provided at one end of the shaft; a second set of bearings provided at the other end of the shaft; a spring in the housing and having one end attached to one end of the shaft and the other end attached to the other end of the housing; and a clutch provided externally of the other end of the housing, the clutch being operatively connected to the second set of bearings and including a lock lever. The mechanism can store elastic force by counterclockwise pedaling and release the stored energy by disengaging a clutch from the mechanism when riding uphill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chienkuo Technology University
    Inventors: Fu-She Jan, Po Chou
  • Retrofit adjustable eccentric front motorcycle axle
    Patent number: 7669870
    Abstract: An adjustable axle assembly for the front fork of a motorcycle. In the preferred embodiment, the axle is received within an eccentric axle carrier which in turn is received within mounting holes in the front fork. The mounting holes utilize a pinch bolts as a clamping method to secure the eccentric axle carrier within the fork. In the preferred embodiment, loosening the pinch bolts allows the eccentric axle carrier to be rotated effectively moving the position of the wheel relative to the fork. Moving the wheel forward and backwards changes the trail characteristic of the motorcycle's geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rekluse Motor Sports, Inc
    Inventor: Alden R. Eaton
  • Kingpin locking system for trailers
    Patent number: 7665755
    Abstract: An improved kingpin locking system includes a kingpin lock body having upper and lower sections, the lower and upper section each having a truncated generally pyramidal shape, with the lower one being inverted, a central kingpin-receiving chamber formed in the kingpin lock body, a kingpin engagement bar movably mounted in the kingpin lock body adjacent the kingpin-receiving chamber which releasably engages the kingpin when positioned within the chamber, and a kingpin engagement bar locking device which releasably locks the kingpin engagement bar in the engagement position thereby releasably securing the kingpin lock body on a kingpin to prevent unauthorized engagement of the kingpin and thereby preventing unauthorized use of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Verne E. Thomsen
  • Saddle riding vehicle
    Patent number: 7665570
    Abstract: A weight balance of a vehicle body is provided in an all terrain vehicle wherein an engine is supported by a vehicle body frame and an electric power steering device having an actuator unit is provided on a steering shaft. An electric motor is provided in the actuator unit, and heavy objects including a battery and a muffler are disposed on an opposite side to the electric motor in a vehicle width direction with respect to a vehicle body centerline extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and on an opposite side to the electric motor in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with respect to the engine. To shorten and reduce weight the steering shaft is supported on a vehicle body frame through a radial bearing and ball bearings. Of the plurality of bearings, at least one of the bearings is made self-aligning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Megumu Okada, Keita Yagi, Kihoko Kaita
  • Cross-country ski assembly and cross-country ski binding
    Patent number: 7661695
    Abstract: An assembly of a ski and a device for binding a boot to the ski, the assembly including a ski having an upper surface adapted to receive the binding device. The assembly includes an anchoring device that includes a slide and a binding device that includes a base, the base bearing a mechanism for locking the boot. The mechanism includes at least one movable member controlled by a manipulable member. The anchoring device includes at least one mechanism for tightening the binding device with respect to the ski, and the tightening mechanism is implemented by moving the manipulable member its open position to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
    Inventor: Philippe Miette
  • All terrain vehicle
    Patent number: 7661714
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, includes a saddle type seat for the rider to sit on, and a fuel tank arranged below the seat. The fuel tank includes a fuel inlet positioned in front of the seat, in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The all terrain vehicle provides a comfortable ride to a rider by providing the fuel tank in the center of the vehicle, while mounting a fuel tank that is convenient to access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kubota
  • Enclosed axle drive
    Patent number: 7658391
    Abstract: The present application is to power an electric vehicle using this compact method of transmitting rotational energy and movement with three main parts, two of which are identical (33) (34). But this type of simple design could have nanotechnology applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Charles Richard Wurm
  • Extendable wheel barrow handle adapters
    Patent number: 7658390
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a wheel barrow handle that is extendable. By way of this extension, the height of a handle portion of the adapter may be changed so as to change the effective height of the wheel barrow handle. In this way, a user of the wheel barrow can lift the wheel barrow from a more comfortable height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Jeff Martin
  • Mobile robot
    Patent number: 7658245
    Abstract: There is provided a high-speed and stable robot apparatus realizing stable walking by surely grounding legs having wheels even on an irregular ground surface. The mobile robot includes a body having a control device and an inclination angle detecting device which detects an inclination angle and an angular velocity, and the plurality of legs each having a thigh part and a lower limb part. The thigh part is rotatable around an X-axis, which is a front direction with respect to the body, and around a Y-axis which is a side surface direction with respect to the body. The robot comprises wheels rotatable around the Y-axis and movable supporting parts rotatable around the Y-axis and capable of being grounded on a road surface, which are provided on lower portions of the lower limb parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Nakamura, Azusa Amino
  • Adjustable scroll mounted on pedestal
    Patent number: 7654022
    Abstract: A horizontally-aligned, adjustable scroll including scroll assemblies frictionally and/or mechanically engaging a base pedestal. The scroll also includes a fixed display horizontally-aligned between the scroll assemblies. The scroll is adjustable by moving the scroll assemblies forward and backward to improve positioning of the fixed display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Bountiful Blessings LLC
    Inventors: Allen Waldsmith, Shane Waldsmith, Richard McCord, Loretta McCord
  • Apparatus for attaching accessory to bicycle
    Patent number: 7654550
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an accessory to a bicycle includes a plug, a socket and a quick release. The plug is attached to the bicycle or the accessory. The socket is attached to the remaining one of the bicycle and the accessory. The socket is used to receive the plug. The quick release is used to retain the plug in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Radiator coil mounted on a motorcycle
    Patent number: 7654357
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. The motorcycle also includes an engine supported by the frame and a radiator coil obliquely mounted to the frame. The radiator coil is spaced apart from the vertical plane and includes a forward end and a rearward end as viewed from above the motorcycle. The forward end defines a first distance measured normal to the vertical plane and the rearward end defines a second distance measured normal to the vertical plane. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
  • Cycle headset
    Patent number: 7654547
    Abstract: The headset rotationally connects a fork pivoting tube (1) to a steering tube (2) of a cycle frame. It includes a lower roller bearing (3), an upper roller bearing (4), and an element (9, 10) for axially locking the lower and upper roller bearings (3, 4) against a lower or upper end of the steering tube (2). The mechanism for axial locking includes a first element of axial locking that consists of a circular groove (9) that is provided on the outside face of the pivoting tube (1) that works with a second element of axial locking that consists of a rib (10) with an essentially matching shape that is provided on an elastically deformable annular element (11) in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis (A-A) of the pivoting tube (1) and placed above the upper roller bearing (4) so as to exert a thrust against the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Look Cycle International
    Inventor: Julien Bouchez