Patents Examined by Lesley D. Morris
  • Patent number: 7641014
    Abstract: A method and system of controlling the traction of a vehicle having at least a front axle and a rear axle. One method includes determining a stability status of the vehicle, identifying a driving style of a driver of the vehicle, generating a first drive slip target, generating a second drive slip target, determining an engine torque produced by an engine of the vehicle, determining whether the engine torque is sufficient to support an application of the first and second drive slip targets, and generating at least one torque signal. The at least one torque signal is configured to alter an amount of torque that is applied to the front and rear axles of the vehicle according to the first and second drive slip targets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jiamu Hu
  • Patent number: 7641006
    Abstract: A military vehicle, e.g., tank, that includes a turret, a gun mounted on the turret, a plurality of belts, wherein each of the plurality of belts encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel to provide a positive belt drive system for rotating the belt, at least one suspension system for absorbing load stresses, each suspension system having a suspension cylinder that is operatively and pivotably mounted to a military vehicle frame pivot on a main frame of the military vehicle, at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal direction, and at least one electric drive system that includes electric drive motors for rotation of the at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel and braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Scheetz Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy R. Scheetz
  • Patent number: 7637348
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes: a motor for providing assistant steering power; a following pulley connected with the motor through a belt to receive a driving force; a gear housing surrounding the following pulley; a motor housing rotatably assembled with the gear housing; and a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting a rotation angle of the motor housing so as to adjust a tension of the belt. Therefore, the relative rotation angle of the motor housing respective to the gear housing can be adjusted so that the tension of the belt can be easily controlled and the generation of vibration and noise of the belt can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Joo Namgung
  • Patent number: 7637045
    Abstract: There are provided a surface light source having uniform and high brightness independently whether the light source is small or large while using semiconductor light emitting devices (LEDs), and an electrically illuminated signboard using the surface light source, which is thin and capable of uniform display and which operates with low electricity consumption. LEDs (12) of a dome type are arranged on four corners at a bottom surface of a box body (11) of a tray shape whose bottom surface is quadrilateral, whose upper side is open, on an inner surface of which a light reflection member (11b) is provided, and whose side walls (11c) are inclined outward. The LEDs (12) are arranged so as to mainly irradiate a region between a vertical plane on a diagonal line (N) of the bottom surface and one side wall (11c), and the region irradiated by each of the LEDs (12) of the dome type arranged on the four corners rotates individually and sequentially in a specific direction (same direction) in the box body (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Asagicreate Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Sakai
  • Patent number: 7637331
    Abstract: A vehicle including a steer-by-wire type steering device controlling yaw moment of the vehicle in correspondence with an operation of a steering wheel mechanically separated from each of wheels. The wheels are configured such that a steered angle cannot be changed. The steering device has a power distribution device capable of changing a distribution rate of power applied to each of the wheels, and a braking force control device capable of separately controlling a braking force for each of the wheels. The steering device controls a yaw moment of the vehicle by separately controlling the power applied to each of the wheels and the braking force in each of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Takeuchi, Jiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7637345
    Abstract: A frame of a motorcycle includes a head pipe configured to support a steering shaft, a first frame configured to extend from the head pipe, through above and rearward of an engine, and to rearward of a vehicle body, a second frame that is located under the first frame and configured to extend from the head pipe, through forward and downward of the engine, and to rearward of the vehicle body, a bracket by which a first component is mounted to the second frame, and a coupling member that is mounted to the second frame to couple a second component to the second frame, and the bracket is integral with the coupling member. An engine bracket of a motorcycle is manufactured by forging such that a region subjected to tensile stress is made thicker than a region in the vicinity of the region which is subjected to the tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Kurokawa, Yoshihiro Masuda, Takehiro Nakashima, Akira Takasu, Toshiyuki Miyake
  • Patent number: 7637342
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle with a radiator having heightened support stiffness. An engine bracket extends vertically and has an upper portion mounted to a front end of a body frame and a lower portion suspending a front wall of an engine. The radiator includes an upper radiator arranged along a front surface of and mounted to the engine bracket, and a lower radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadamu Iwanaga, Masami Shinsho
  • Patent number: 7637046
    Abstract: A mounting system is provided for flexible message panel assemblies. An end cap is secured to the panel assembly with an elastic flexible tether which allows the end cap to be fitted over an end of a rib supporting the panel. Stored force in the elastic tether holds the corner of the message panel in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Dicke Tool Company
    Inventors: Grant D. Dicke, Jeffrey A. Williams
  • Patent number: 7637341
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of temporarily limiting travel of the rear suspension system of a motorcycle for the purpose of obtaining better traction when accelerating. The apparatus includes a device having a first base secured to at least one frame member of the motorcycle at a location above a rear suspension member of the motorcycle, and a second base secured to the rear suspension member at a location in proximity to the first base. A post is pivotally mounted to the first base to have first and second positions. In the first position, the post extends toward the second base an engages a retention feature in the second base to prevent movement of the rear suspension member and frame member toward each other. In the second position, the post is disengaged from the retention feature and pivoted away from the second base to permit movement of the rear suspension member and frame member toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Edward Daniel Schnick
  • Patent number: 7635142
    Abstract: A latching mechanism permits a swing-away foot rest assembly on a wheelchair to be selectively latched into a use position extending forwardly from the wheelchair. Mating connectors are provided on the foot rest assembly and the frame of the wheelchair which are movable relative to one another by a transverse rocking pin which rocks about an upright lever axis in two directions to permit the latching mechanism to be released by deflecting a release lever coupled to the rocking pin in either one of two opposing directions. The release lever can be coupled to the rocking pin in a plurality of different orientations in the use position to suit the user. Camming faces on the connectors automatically align and load the mating connectors into an engaged position when the foot rest assembly approaches the use position from any one of multiple different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: KI Mobility LLC
    Inventor: Murray G. Slagerman
  • Patent number: 7635135
    Abstract: A wheelchair having wheel track adjustability. The wheelchair including a frame, a seat situated within the frame, two drive wheels mounted to the frame at wheel axles and at least one steerable wheel. Each axle connected to a fitting removably coupled to the frame, with the fitting mounted to at least one support plate whose thickness varies around the circumference to position the fitting and axle at an angle. The support plate rotatable to change the angle of the fitting and axle and thereby correct wheel track error. The support plate mountable to a bracket pivotally mounted to the frame, such that pivoting movement of the bracket results in rotation of the support plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Huber, Stefan Schillo, Joachim Eiser, Alexander Müller
  • Patent number: 7634864
    Abstract: A greeting card having a first card panel, a door connected to the first card panel and movable between a closed position where the door substantially covers a section of the first card panel and an open position where the door uncovers the section of the first card panel. A trigger is provided which is movable between a first position wherein the door is prevented from moving, and a second position wherein the door is allowed to move between the closed and open positions. A member which is movable by a user controls operation of the trigger to move the trigger to the second position to allow the door to move to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Segan LLC
    Inventor: Marc Howard Segan
  • Patent number: 7635036
    Abstract: A device for reversing the steering movement of a steering-wheel shaft of a vehicle, it being possible to switch the reversal process only at a standstill of the vehicle in a center position of the steering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: RENK Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Max Witzenberger
  • Patent number: 7635046
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus requires no external connecting member connecting between a power main body and a control main body, and hence can be reduced in size and cost, and the reliability of electrical connection between the power main body and the control main body can be improved. High current parts constituting the power main body and low current parts constituting the control main body are mounted on opposite sides of a circuit board, and are electrically connected with one another via conductor layers of the circuit board and through holes formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Tominaga, Yasushi Yamaguchi, Tadayuki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7635041
    Abstract: A two-wheeled inverted robot includes a body, two wheels coaxially arranged on the body, a drive device for driving each of the wheels, a first state detector for detecting at least one of an inclination angle and an inclination angular speed of the body, a second state detector for detecting at least one of a rotation angle and a rotational angular speed of the wheel, a body constraint recognizing device for detecting whether or not body rotation is constrained, and a controller for determining a command value to the drive device. Based on the detection result by the body constraint recognizing device, the controller determines the command value for changing a ratio of a torque contributing to the body rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Adachi
  • Patent number: 7631448
    Abstract: The first and second portion may comprise a first and second sticker where the first and second sticker includes a dermal adhesive allowing the sticker to be securely fastened to the skin of the patient. Further, the first and second portion may include a symbol identifying the location of the procedure, the type of procedure or a serial number associating the first and second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: RF Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Robinson, Chester Czaplicka, Marc Sakwa
  • Patent number: 7631449
    Abstract: A wristband and clasp for securing the wristband to a person is disclosed. The wristband includes at least one attachment aperture. The clasp includes a folding base having a first triangular section connected to a second triangular section and a hinge connecting the first and second triangular sections. The hinge defines a folding axis that enables the base to be folded so that the first triangular section is positioned adjacent to the second triangular section in an overlapping relationship. A securement aperture is formed in the first triangular section, and a post extends from the second triangular section to couple with the securement aperture when the base is folded along the folding axis. The post extends from the second triangular section through the attachment aperture of the wristband and couples to the securement aperture of the first triangular section so that the clasp is secured to the wristband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: The St. John Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert McDermott, Adam Preisach, Andrew Bishop
  • Patent number: 7631450
    Abstract: Frame assemblies (10) for displaying sheets of advertising on portable structures such as portable toilets are adapted for durability and ease of use and maintenance. In various embodiments a frame assembly according to the invention may comprise a cover (32) for protecting sheets of advertising, a backing (34) for supporting the sheets, and various types of novel frame members (12). In other embodiments frame assemblies according to the invention can comprise sets (72, 74) of mating frame members (12), the frame members held together, when advertising is installed, at least partly by the interaction of flanges or other portions of the mating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Micro Target Media Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance Popowich, Jeremy Miller, Ian Hessel, Richard Porter, Walter Wolanczyk
  • Patent number: 7631901
    Abstract: One embodiment may include a tank assembly having a tank housing, a lever, and a release feature. The lever may be hinged at a first point to the tank housing and may be constructed to be hinged at a second point to a vehicle structure. The release feature holds and releases the tank housing from a first position and to a second position. The release feature may include a clamping mechanism to clamp and unclamp a catch, and a keeper to hold and release another catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes Diehl
  • Patent number: 7628241
    Abstract: A turning control apparatus for a vehicle with improved turning ability and that avoids degradation of acceleration ability is provided. The turning control apparatus comprises: a driving torque controller (31) for adjusting driving torque between a left and right wheels (14L and 14R); a unit(41) for setting a basic-driving-torque-difference value indicating a difference of the driving torque between the left and right wheels (14L and 14R); a unit (42) for obtaining an acceleration/deceleration value indicating a degree of acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle; and a unit (43) for adjusting the basic-driving-torque-difference value, as a target driving torque difference, according to the acceleration/deceleration value and the velocity of the vehicle sensed. The driving torque controller (31) adjusts the driving torque between the left and right wheels (14L and 14R) according to the target driving torque obtained by the basic-driving-torque-difference value adjusting unit (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takami Miura