Patents Examined by Lesley D. Morris
  • Patent number: 8286983
    Abstract: A trailer chassis is described which includes a gooseneck structure at the forward end thereof to which a two-point beam hitch assembly may be secured or a front axle tongue hitch assembly may be secured. The trailer may also function as a fifth wheel hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Hellbusch
  • Patent number: 8286987
    Abstract: An animated novelty device for mounting on a ball of a trailer hitch on a vehicle, the device including an electric motor for imparting motion to selected elements of the device. The motor is electrically connected to the vehicle braking system whereby the device is set in motion by energizing the vehicle brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Evoke Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Campbell, Daniel J. Chesnicka, Mark J. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 8282132
    Abstract: A passenger motor vehicle (1) has a passenger compartment (3) and a fuel tank module (4) is in the passenger compartment (3). The module (4) has first and second chambers (19, 20). The first chamber (19) holds a tank bladder and a catch tank (32) is arranged within the tank bladder. The second chamber (20) holds a fuel pump unit (33). The module (4) is sealed off from remaining areas of the passenger compartment (3), and fuel lines to the module (4) and from the module (4) to the internal combustion engine are arranged outside the passenger compartment (3). Thus, a high level of safety for the vehicle occupant is ensured despite the accommodation of the fuel module in the passenger compartment, and substantially complete emptying of the fuel in the fuel module is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Griesbaum
  • Patent number: 8282117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a bicycle trailer hitch for use in securing a bicycle trailer to a bicycle. Unlike prior art trailer hitches the transfer of most of the load between a bicycle and an associated bicycle trailer during use does not pass through the bolt/fastener used to couple the bicycle attachment section to the trailer attachment section thereof. Rather, the majority of the load is transferred through a direct connection between the respective sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Stephan M Rodgers
  • Patent number: 8276300
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a display device, which comprises a display body having two opposite sides adjacent to a periphery thereof and each formed with at least one first positioning element respectively, and at least one detachable decorative member made of an elastic material and formed with a second positioning element in two opposite sides adjacent to two end edges thereof respectively. When the second positioning element is inserted into and engaged with the first positioning element corresponding thereto, the elastic deformation force of the decorative member can generate a clamping force for enabling the second positioning element to firmly clamp the first positioning element, protecting the periphery of the display body from being broken due to external impact or abrasion, using the decorative member as an elastic cushioning for packing the display body into a packing box, and reducing the use of packing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Hannspree, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 8276702
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided having an engine disposed on a vehicle body frame, a storage box disposed downward of a rider seat, a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine, and a canister for adsorbing fuel vapors generated in the fuel tank. The canister does not restrict the shape of the fuel tank, and the storage box and the fuel tank are disposed longitudinally. A storage box and a fuel tank are disposed in a longitudinally parallel arrangement. A rear cross frame forming part of a vehicle body frame and disposed between the storage box and the fuel tank connects rear frames which form part of the vehicle body frame and are disposed on both lateral sides of the storage box and the fuel tank. Further, a canister is disposed downwardly of the rear cross frame between the storage box and the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inaoka
  • Patent number: 8276298
    Abstract: A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element and a second band element with a planar body extending from a first to a second end. The second band element body is greater in length than the first band element body and includes a hole for receiving the first band element body. The band includes a coupling mechanism that detachably connects an outer sidewall of the first band element body to the inner sidewall of the second band element body, e.g., to allow the two band elements to be selectively disconnected and reassembled without tools. The coupling mechanism includes a first coupling component extending along the outer sidewall of the first band element and a second coupling element extending along the inner sidewall of the second band element such that the two band elements are connected along the periphery of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Padgett, Michael G. Jungen, John David Worrall, Maximillian Philip Burton, Carson Lau, Adam D. Leonards
  • Patent number: 8272474
    Abstract: In an electric power steering system, when a motor rotation angular speed ? and a motor rotation angular acceleration ? of a steering assisting motor both exceed corresponding predetermined values ?s and ?s, respectively, an abnormal external force application-determining section determines that an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to a steering mechanism, and sets an abnormal external force application determination flag (FLG) to 1. When the abnormal external force application determination flag (FLG) is 1, a d-axis electric current command value-calculating section activates a motor rotation angular speed-reducing section and performs field-strengthening control based on a motor rotation speed/d-axis electric current command value map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Mori, Yoshiyuki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8275517
    Abstract: The inventive control-assisting system for a motor vehicle comprises a power steering (1) associated with a steering wheel (2) and a power steering actuator (3) whose operation is controlled by a data processing unit (4) for applying power torque to the vehicle steering and is characterized in that said data processing unit (4) is connected to means (5) for controlling the power steering (1) return to at least one predetermined position by computing a return torque according to a disturbance rejection torque corresponding to a resistance torque applied to the steering system and to a reference torque corresponding to a torque required for controlling the steering wheel rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Marc Campo, Sebastien Lefranc
  • Patent number: 8272669
    Abstract: A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration tab aligned with the label shape. The registration tab includes a foldable portion that when folded provides rigidity when the tab is used as a supporting leg to place the label assembly over an object during labeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignees: Continental Datalabel, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Flynn, Patrick J. Flynn, Geoffrey T. Brossard
  • Patent number: 8272156
    Abstract: Retractable banner stands each comprises a base including a housing containing an extendable and retractable banner, the housing having a slot through which the banner is extended and retracted. The base includes sockets for receiving vertical poles for attachment of accessories. Such accessories can include banner support structure for an additional banner to be positioned intermediate two of said retractable banner stands whereby a three banner interconnected display may be provided with each of the banners visually separated. Such a display is highly suitable for a backwall for a tradeshow display area. Further accessories include shelves, literature holders, lighting, and electronic display screens. The base may include a housing with a pair of floor engaging saddles, each saddle with a pair of feet portions extending forwardly and rearwardly from the housing on two ends of the housing, the feet having the sockets for receiving said vertical poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Skyline Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Dixon Gimpel, Scott Parizek
  • Patent number: 8272471
    Abstract: A steering system includes a fluid actuator, a first steering circuit in selective fluid communication with the fluid actuator, and a second steering circuit in selective fluid communication with the fluid actuator and disposed in parallel to the first steering circuit. The second steering circuit includes a load-reaction feature and an isolation valve with the isolation valve being adapted to enable and disable the load-reaction feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Wade Leo Gehlhoff
  • Patent number: 8272648
    Abstract: A detachable golf club carrier has a handle, a carrier body, a golf club bag, at least one wheel and a second hitching device. The golf club carrier and the motorized golf cart can be hitched together without lifting the golf club carrier. A carrier for attaching to a golf car is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: Robert P. Cassoni
  • Patent number: 8272627
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air spring device having a free-standing air spring bellows and an outer guide which is fastened to the air spring bellows by means of an inner clamping ring, wherein the outer diameter of the inner clamping ring is greater than the outer diameter of the air spring bellows in the unpressurized state, and the inner clamping ring generates a radially outwardly pointing encircling bulge in the unpressurized air spring bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Oldenettel, Mark Philipps
  • Patent number: 8267420
    Abstract: A hitch system includes a handle portion including a handle loop, a pin portion extending from the handle portion, a pair of opposite retainers and a trigger. The retainers are movable between a retracted position relative to the pin portion and an extended position relative to the pin portion. The trigger is coupled to the retainers to actuate the retainers between the retracted position and the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: M Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Merten, Jay Z. Muchin
  • Patent number: 8267206
    Abstract: A patient support including a traction device for powered movement of the patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Vogel, Thomas W. Hanson, Craig Crandall, Joseph A. Kummer, Michael M. Frondorf, David P. Lubbers, Ronald P. Kappeler, Bradley T. Wilson, Darrell L. Metz, Doug K. Smith, Jeffrey A. Ruschke, John Vodzak, Terry J. Stratman, Eric W. Oberhaus
  • Patent number: 8267220
    Abstract: An electric power steering control apparatus can reduce a steering vibration such as shimmy vibration generated due to the structure of a vehicle without adding new mechanism elements. The apparatus includes a torque sensor for detecting steering torque generated by a driver, a torque controller for calculating an assist torque current for assisting the steering torque based on the detected steering torque, a vehicle speed detector for detecting the speed of the vehicle, a specific frequency detector for detecting a specific frequency from the detected vehicle speed, a motor angular velocity calculator for calculating a motor angular velocity from a motor angle detected by an angle detector, a phase compensator for converting a vibration frequency of the motor angular velocity, and a vibration suppression current calculator for calculating a vibration suppression current to suppress the steering vibration from respective output signals of the phase compensator and the specific frequency detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Sugiyama, Takanori Matsunaga, Hideyuki Tanaka, Hiroyuki Kozuki
  • Patent number: 8267214
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided that includes a drivetrain. The drivetrain includes a transmission having a transmission output shaft and also includes a gearcase coupled with the transmission output shaft. The gearcase has a gearcase output shaft. The transmission output shaft is rotatable in a first direction and the gearcase output shaft is rotatable in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: David W. Arnold
  • Patent number: 8267205
    Abstract: A riding work vehicle includes right and left wheels, at least one caster wheel, and a working machine. The lawnmower vehicle further includes traveling motor, steering motor, a traveling system clutch, and a steering system clutch. The traveling system clutch is configured to disable transmission of the rotational force from an axle of the caster wheel to the traveling motor in a state where the traveling motor is deactivated. The steering system clutch is configured to disable transmission of the rotational force from a steering shaft for the caster wheel to the steering motor in a state where the steering motor is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Kengo Sasahara
  • Patent number: RE43662
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: David T. Takamoto, Jack R. Auld, John C. Dunne, Jr., Harry Adam Dupre, III, Eric N. Anderfaas, Dean W. Banks, Gregory E. Mott