Patents Examined by Lesley D. Morris
  • Patent number: 7654020
    Abstract: Among other things, disclosed is a device with an adhering mechanism and signage that can be placed on a gun, such as a paint ball gun, that can identify the user or a sponsor or advertiser. A thin flat piece of material may be rolled up and its sides connected into a seam, with signage placed on an outside surface, and the material is placed on a gun, e.g. on a gun barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Benjamin Lynn Frederick
  • Patent number: 7654542
    Abstract: To reduce a load on an electric motor for a power assisted motor-driven power steering apparatus. The present invention includes side projecting portions secured to an input shaft with an upwardly projecting tab as a first stopper secured to a vehicle body at a position corresponding to the side projecting portions. The upwardly projecting tab being provided for restricting a swing range of the side projecting portions. The side projecting portions are secured to an output shaft. A downwardly projecting portion is provided as a second stopper secured to the vehicle body at a position corresponding to the side projecting portions. The downwardly projecting portion being provided for restricting a swing range of the side projecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Yanai, Tomokazu Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7654551
    Abstract: A skid steer attachment system for efficiently increasing the functionality of a skid steer loader. The skid steer attachment system generally includes an attachment assembly to mechanically attach to a skid steer loader, a support frame mechanically attached to the attachment assembly, wherein the support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure and at least one wheel rotatably attached to the support frame opposite the attachment assembly and wherein the wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of the skid steer loader as the attachment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: James H. Page
  • Patent number: 7650956
    Abstract: A vehicle drive control for a wheeled vehicle including a first motor generator, and a second motor generator. A planetary gear set includes a first rotating element connected to the first motor generator, a second rotating element connected to the second motor generator, and a third rotating element connected to a drive wheel. A rotation control mechanism selectively restricts rotation of one of the first and second rotating elements of the planetary gear set to establish a fixed speed ratio mode, and releases the one of the first and second rotating elements to establish a variable speed ratio mode. A control unit is configured to control each operating state of the rotation control mechanism, the first motor generator, and the second motor generator, and configured to establish the variable speed ratio mode when a slip state of the drive wheel is detected in the fixed speed ratio mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hirata, Tsuyoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7651109
    Abstract: There is provided a foldable land vehicle comprising an elongate main frame generally defining a longitudinal axis running from a front end of the vehicle to a rear end of the vehicle, a front part including a front wheel, a rear part including a rear wheel, a first joint means for connecting the front part to the main frame and for folding the front part to a lateral side of the main frame, and a second joint means for connecting the rear part to said main frame and for folding the rear part to below the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Dynacraft BSC LLC
    Inventor: Wai Lop Tong
  • Patent number: 7650960
    Abstract: A speed limit assembly for a vehicle includes a cam member having varying thickness, a frictional member, and a handle. The frictional member maintains sufficient frictional forces to resist movement of the cam member during ordinary operation of the vehicle. The handle may be manipulated by an operator of the vehicle to overcome the friction created by the frictional member and move the cam member into a desired position. A portion of a speed control handle on the vehicle abuts against the cam member to define an end of the range of motion of the speed control handle. A desired permitted range of motion may be set by moving the a portion of the cam member having a corresponding thickness into the path of the portion of the speed control handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: Timothy J. Bock
  • Patent number: 7648151
    Abstract: A support for a bicycle having a front wheel and a rear wheel includes a frame and a trough-shaped support including a pivoting wheel engagement section pivotably mounted to the frame in a first location for movement about a pivot axis between a loading position and a support position. The pivoting wheel engagement section engages a portion of an outer periphery defined by a first one of the bicycle wheels, and faces upwardly to receive the bicycle wheel when the wheel engagement section is in the loading position and faces laterally when the wheel engagement section is in the support position. A second wheel engagement member is mounted to the support frame in a second location spaced from the first location, and is configured to engage a second bicycle wheel when the wheel engagement section is engaged with the first bicycle wheel in the support position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Fabio Pedrini
  • Patent number: 7648154
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a trailer jack mount. The subject invention also pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a trailer jack mount for use with towable trailers. The subject invention is advantageous for use with trailers, such as utility trailers, which are frequently moved between various locations. The subject apparatus can also enable the mounting of a trailer jack to a trailer such that the trailer jack can quickly transition up or down relative to the trailer. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention includes a first piece mountable to a trailer and a second piece to which a trailer jack can be secured. In this embodiment, the subject apparatus also includes means for securely attaching the second piece to the first piece and allowing the second piece to pivot relative to the first piece. Advantageously, the subject invention can either be retrofitted to an existing trailer with jack, or installed at original manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: E. Paul Green
  • Patent number: 7648004
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to control mechanisms and more specifically to a control mechanism which is adaptable to a steering wheel of a vehicle. Most control mechanisms of auto-piloting systems which must be installed on existing vehicles usually require more specific parts and more expensive installations. The control mechanism according to embodiments of the present invention includes components readily installable into the cabin of an existing vehicle and involves elements sandwiching the steering wheel of the vehicle which are operatively mounted to a motoring assembly actuatable by the user of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Novariant Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Larouche, Pascal Laplante
  • Patent number: 7644932
    Abstract: A gap-clearing mechanism for attachment to a wheelchair is disclosed. The gap-clearing mechanism has a lower member for attachment to the wheelchair, and an upper member spaced from and parallel to the lower member and being moveable relative thereto. The upper member has at least one support column securely attached thereto and depending therefrom. The at least one support column is slideably mounted relative to the lower member. There is a wheel assembly at a lower end of the at least one support column. The wheel assembly is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A wheelchair fitted with two such gap-clearing mechanisms is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventor: Kok Hui John Gerard Heng
  • Patent number: 7644797
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame, a rear swing arm which is mounted on a vehicle body frame in a rockable manner by way of a pivot shaft, and a rear wheel which is pivotally supported on a rear portion of the rear swing arm and is rotated by a driving force of a drive shaft. The pivot shaft which constitutes a support portion and an axis of the rear wheel axle are arranged at the substantially same height. The drive shaft is arranged at a position upwardly spaced-apart from the drive shaft, that is, above the pivot shaft. The drive shaft includes a shaft-length variable mechanism which can change a length of the shaft. The resulting configuration provides a motorcycle having reduce weight while maintaining support rigidity of the rear swing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Kofuji
  • Patent number: 7644954
    Abstract: A trailer has a fluid storage and supply container supported on the bed of the trailer, and a containment wall surrounding the fluid storage and supply container to provide an open containment region. A drain valve controls the flow of fluid collecting in the containment region. A filter separates the fluid from any water draining from the containment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Western Environmental, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Bachman, Christopher B. Downs
  • Patent number: 7644794
    Abstract: A mode changeover control system for a transmission wherein the starting of a vehicle can be prevented even if the transmission is changed over to the drive mode side while a side stand is in an erected position. In a motorcycle including a mode changeover mechanism for a continuously variable transmission, and a side stand, there is provided a changeover operation section changed over by the driver between operation positions corresponding respectively to a drive mode position and a neutral mode position of the mode changeover mechanism. An electronic control unit operates the mode changeover mechanism based on the changeover operation position of the changeover operation section. The control section is configured so as to continually maintain the mode changeover mechanism in the neutral mode position even if the changeover operation section is operated to a drive mode operation position while the side stand is in a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Usukura, Shinji Goto, Masahiko Nakatsuka, Kazuhiro Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7644788
    Abstract: A trailer that includes a belts that each encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel and have a ground engaging surface and a wheel engaging surface, the wheel engaging surface having lugs thereon for mating with the apertures in the front wheel and the rear wheel such that when the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel rotates, the belt is positively driven and at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, the at least one belt tensioning system includes a track tension cylinder operatively mounted between an axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel and the main frame, wherein the track tension cylinder maintains tension on the belt by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Scheetz Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Scheetz
  • Patent number: 7644939
    Abstract: To reduce space occupied by a handlebar stopper structure of a vehicle and to lower the cost of the handlebar stopper structure. A steering shaft is attached to an input shaft provided at an upper portion of an electric power steering unit with an output shaft provided at a lower portion of the electric power steering unit being coupled to the wheel-side. An upper handlebar stopper for regulating a turning angle of the steering shaft is provided between the steering shaft and a housing that is provided at an upper portion of the electric power steering unit. The upper handlebar stopper is configured by an orthogonally-projecting member projecting in the orthogonal direction relative to and from the steering shaft and axially-projecting parts projecting in the axial direction of the steering shaft from the housing in order to regulate the turning of the orthogonally-projecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Tomita
  • Patent number: 7641216
    Abstract: A folding chair includes handle frames, and front legs and rear legs configured to support the chair in an upright position. The front legs are pivotally attached to respective rear legs. A chair portion, includes a back rest, a seat and a leg rest pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot frames are pivotally attached to respective handle frames, the back rest and the rear legs. Sliders are pivotally attached to respective pivot frames, the back rest, respective arm rests and the seat and are configured to slide along the front legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Dick Cone Industrial Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Cone, II
  • Patent number: 7641215
    Abstract: Gliding board equipment systems and individual components are disclosed herein. A gliding board equipment system of one embodiment includes a gliding board, a boot having an upper cuff and a lower boot, and a binding selectively attaching the boot to the gliding board. The upper cuff of the boot defines opposed slots, and a respective pin passes through each slot to couple the upper cuff to the lower boot and allow the upper cuff to move laterally relative to the lower boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew Wade Ellison
  • Patent number: 7640687
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Ludlow, John B. Linquist, Colin M. O'Donnell, Ryan M. Korpela
  • Patent number: 7641214
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing trailer hitch assembly is provided that includes a receiver tube and an insertion tube. The receiver tube is typically fixedly attached to a motor vehicle and has a set of apertures that affords for a pin to pass therethrough. The tube also has a set of slots adjacent to the apertures, with protrusions between each aperture and its adjacent slot. The insertion tube serves as a trailer hitch and has a set of apertures that align with the set of apertures in the receiver tube. Placement of the insertion tube within the receiver tube affords for a pin to pass through and be held within said apertures. In this manner a trailer may be attached to the trailer hitch and pulled by the motor vehicle. When the trailer is impacted, for example by a rear-end collision, deformation of the pin and/or the protrusions of the receiver tube allow the pin to travel in a forward direction, thereby absorbing energy from the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Kahl
  • Patent number: 7641012
    Abstract: A method of mounting a battery box (10) on a frame rail (12). Fasteners and elements (36, 38; or 54, 56) provide spaced apart, axially tapered outer surfaces (46; 62) proximate a vertical side of the rail with the tapers narrowing toward the side of the rail. The box has tabs (28) having downwardly open throats (30). The box is hung on the rail by positioning the box so as to place each tab over a respective element (38 or 56) on the fastener (36 or 54) with the tab throat aligned with the element, and then lowering the box to cause the elements to enter the tab throats and the throats to come to rest on the elements so that at least some of the weight of the box is borne by the rail through the throats resting on the elements. With the throats resting on the elements, the tapered outer surfaces present axial interference to the tabs beyond the tabs relative to the rail. After the box has been hung, the box is fastened to the rail by additional fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F. Burns