Patents Examined by Marc A. Scharich
  • Mobile treadmill
    Patent number: 8794648
    Abstract: A mobile treadmill and a method for powering the mobile treadmill are disclosed. The mobile treadmill includes a trailer, a conveyor, a drive system, and a disconnect. Further, the mobile treadmill is powered by its linear movement on the ground. When the mobile treadmill is moved, wheels on the trailer rotate. The drive system is coupled to one of the wheels and transfers the power from the rotation of the wheel to the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Heron Sales & Marketing Co.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Woelfel, Karl R. Heinze
  • Motorcycle brake assist system
    Patent number: 8794369
    Abstract: A standard foot-operated rear brake system on a motorcycle is converted to a hand-operated brake assist system by mounting a pneumatic cylinder in close proximity to the rear brake foot pedal such that, when pressurized, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder extends to depress the rear brake foot pedal. The pneumatic cylinder is controlled by a switch on the handlebar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ride-Able, Inc.
    Inventor: Tyler D. Cruit
  • Shock-absorbing seat stay for bicycle
    Patent number: 8777250
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing seat stay for a bicycle includes a seat tube connecting mount having a first coupling portion with a first through hole, an extension member, a shock-absorbing member and a fastening unit. The extension member has a second coupling portion with two connecting lugs each having a second through hole in alignment with the first through hole. The shock-absorbing member is made of elastic material and clamped between the first and second coupling portions. The shock-absorbing member is a U-shaped member having two arms each having a third through hole. The fastening unit is inserted in the first through hole, the second though holes and the third through holes to connect the first coupling portion, the second coupling portion and the shock-absorbing member together. The seat stay is light weight and has a proper shock-absorbing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Kuo-Pin Yu
  • Vehicle body frame for motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating the same
    Patent number: 8776933
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame of a motorcycle includes a head pipe, a pair of main frame sections extending rearwardly from the head pipe, a pair of pivot plates joined to end portions of the main frame sections, and a crossmember arranged between the pivot plates. In such vehicle body frame, the crossmember is arranged between upper end portions of the pivot plates such that the upper end portions of the pivot plates are sandwiched between the crossmember and rear end portions of main frame sections so that at least a portion of the crossmember overlaps a joint portion between the main frame sections and the pivot plates as viewed in a side view. Such structure of the vehicle body frame ensures the rigidity of connecting portions where the crossmember is connected to pivot plates without making the vehicle body frame heavy and thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Toda, Akira Hosono, Ryo Kobayashi
  • Irrigation system track assembly with adjustable tow
    Patent number: 8757301
    Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes a mounting bracket; a gearbox assembly and rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive wheel hub; a rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive wheel hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; a track belt trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower; and structure for pivotally mounting the mounting bracket to the mobile tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
  • Irrigation system track assembly with adjustable tow
    Patent number: 8757302
    Abstract: A track assembly for a mobile tower of an irrigation system includes a mounting bracket; a gearbox assembly and a rotatable drive wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket; a drive wheel attached to the drive wheel hub; a rotatable tension wheel hub attached to the mounting bracket and spaced from the drive wheel hub; a tension wheel attached to the tension wheel hub; a track belt trained over the drive wheel and the tension wheel and driven by the drive wheel to propel the mobile tower; and structure for pivotally mounting the mounting bracket to the mobile tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Jochen Pfrenger
  • Body frame of straddle-type vehicle
    Patent number: 8746390
    Abstract: A body frame of a straddle-type vehicle is provided with a first cross tube 21 for interconnecting left and right main frames 13 in a right-left direction, and a second cross tube 22 disposed rearwards of the first cross tube 21 and for interconnecting the of left and right main frames 13. A shock absorber mounting portion 23 is mounted so as to interconnect the first cross tube 21 and the second cross tube 22. An extension/contraction axis L1 of a shock absorber 41 and a line L2 passing through an axis of the first cross tube 21 and an axis of the second cross tubes 22 are offset in a side view of a vehicle in a right-left direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Sugiyama, Takashi Sasaki
  • Method and apparatus for an offroad vehicle
    Patent number: 8733491
    Abstract: A two-wheeled motorized scooter is disclosed as an off-road vehicle capable of off-road use. The off-road vehicle utilizes a rigid chassis, a motor and transmission offering both low end torque and structural rigidity, and a suspension assembly capable of offering handling and control necessary for typical off-road use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Hassanali Kalani
  • Saddle type vehicle
    Patent number: 8727058
    Abstract: A saddle type vehicle includes a head pipe that steerably supports a steering system including a front wheel, a main frame extending rearwardly downward from the head pipe, left and right lower frames extending substantially in parallel to each other rearward from a lower portion of the main frame, and a storage space provided between the left and right lower frames on the rear side of the main frame. The storage space permits a fuel tank as a vehicle component part to be disposed therein. A front cross frame is connected to a lower end portion of a main frame lower portion and extends in the vehicle width direction. Front end portions of the lower frames are connected to left and right end portions of the front cross frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Nakano
  • Collapsible recumbent tricycle
    Patent number: 8720927
    Abstract: One embodiment of a tricycle having a spine frame, supported by a rear wheel and a pair of steerable front wheels, and supporting a recumbent seat pivotably attached at its rear. A pedal boom extends forwardly of the spine and supports a pedal crank assembly. The front wheels each support a lateral arm with the front wheel pivotably attached at the distal end and an angular projection attached at the proximal end. A pivot connects each angular projection to the spine, allowing the lateral arms and attached front wheels to fold to a stowed position alongside the spine. Another pivot connects the boom to the spine, allowing the boom to fold back to a stowed position against the spine. In the travel position, a clamp arrests the angular projections, and can arrest the boom and seat. The tricycle is collapsible to several levels of compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Alan Roy Ball, Eric John Ball
  • Bicycle with auxiliary power unit
    Patent number: 8708084
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle with an auxiliary power unit that improves positional stability of a torque sensor and inhibits the position of the sensor from being misaligned, wherein the power-assisted bicycle includes an annular hollow member inserted over an outer periphery of a crankshaft and a one-way clutch disposed on the hollow member for transmitting, when a pedaling torque in a direction in which the power-assisted bicycle traveling in a forward direction, is applied to the crankshaft, and wherein a magnetic film is formed in a recess disposed in an outer periphery of the hollow member, and a magnetostrictive torque sensor is positioned and fixed by a support member for rotatably supporting the magnetostrictive torque sensor relative to the annular hollow member at both ends of the recess, such that the magnetostrictive torque sensor faces the magnetic film in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kuroki, Kentaro Ikegami
  • Tow bar having compact swivel unit with pin-less stowing lobes
    Patent number: 8690181
    Abstract: A tow bar including a towing vehicle hitch; a towed vehicle hitch; a towing connector releasably connectable to the towing vehicle hitch; a swivel unit having a first portion fixedly secured to the towing connector, a second portion connected to the first portion to pivot about a transverse horizontal axis, a third portion connected to the second portion to pivot about a fore-to-aft horizontal axis; a pair of opposing tow bar legs connected to the third portion to pivot about a vertical axis; and rear leg connectors to releasably connect the aft ends of the tow bar legs to the towed vehicle hitch; wherein the first portion includes an upwardly-extending lobe enabling the tow bar legs to be pin-lessly stowed in a horizontal orientation at the rear of the towing vehicle; and a swivel device for such a tow bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Leslie Roeber
  • Electric power steering device
    Patent number: 8689927
    Abstract: An electric power steering device includes a metallic housing, a steered shaft, an electric motor, a ball screw device, a rolling bearing, elastic members, and a plain bearing. The plain bearing is provided between the housing and an outer ring of the rolling bearing, and formed from a resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Yamamoto, Yuki Bando
  • Electric power steering system
    Patent number: 8684129
    Abstract: A controller applies slight rotational torque to a drive gear of a reduction mechanism also in a predetermined range in which a motor does not produce any steering operation assist force. That is, the motor is caused to produce slight rotational torque not enough to drive a driven gear, and the rotational torque direction is reversed under a given condition. Accordingly, a backlash between the drive gear and the driven gear is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Terada, Hideki Higashira, Yasuyuki Yoshii, Naoki Maeda, Shirou Nakano
  • Load-carrying vehicle
    Patent number: 8684125
    Abstract: An articulated steering load-carrying vehicle (1) with a front portion (2), which by a steering joint (10) is connected to a rear portion (3), and in which the front portion (2) includes a first power engine (12) and at least one forward driven wheel pair (5, 5?), and in which, the rear portion (3) includes a load receiving device (6) and at least two driven wheel pairs (7, 7?; 8, 8?). A second wheel pair (8, 8?) of the at least two driven wheel pairs (7, 7?; 8, 8?) on the rear portion a second wheel pair (8, 8?) is steeringly connected to the rear portion. A system for driving of such a load-carrying vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Karl-Erik Niva
  • Method for selectively charging and discharging a steering accumulator
    Patent number: 8678129
    Abstract: A method for selectively charging and discharging a steering accumulator are provided. One vehicle steering system includes a hydraulic pump configured provide a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid for use in steering the vehicle. The steering system also includes an accumulator configured to hold pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump for use in steering the vehicle in case of need. The steering system includes a charging circuit configured to selectively allow the hydraulic fluid to flow from the hydraulic pump to the accumulator based on a fluid pressure applied by a first pilot and a second pilot. The steering system includes a charging bypass circuit configured to allow the hydraulic fluid to flow to a steering control unit and to bypass the charging circuit. The hydraulic pump supplies fluid to the charging circuit and the bypass circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Jerry L. Brinkley, Adam R. Rusciolelli
  • Adjustable hitch device
    Patent number: 8678422
    Abstract: An adjustable hitch device for coupling a towing vehicle to a towed implement or trailer is adapted for changing the coupling angle between the vehicle and the implement and also for changing the elevation angle of the implement. An elongated, rigid link is pivotally coupled at a first end to a hitch mechanism coupled to the vehicle and at a second, opposed end to a forward portion of the implement. An intermediate portion of the link is pivotally coupled to one end of a hydraulic cylinder, while a second, opposed end of the hydraulic cylinder is coupled to a forward portion of the implement. Extension of the cylinder lowers the implement's forward portion and raises its aft portion, while retraction of the cylinder has an opposite effect. In this manner, the height of the implement may be increased for use in operation or may be lowered for transport or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: KSi Conveyors, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry N. Kaeb, Steven R. Walder
  • Variable ratio transmission mechanism
    Patent number: 8672085
    Abstract: A variable ratio transmission mechanism is used in an automobile. The automobile includes first and second steering shafts extending along a first direction. The variable ratio transmission mechanism includes a securing unit connected to the first steering shaft, a connecting unit connected to the second steering shaft, a motor connected to the securing unit and including a revolving shaft that extends rotatably along a second direction different from the first direction, and a transmitting unit including a worm gear that is provided on the connecting unit and a worm that is provided on the revolving shaft and that engages and is angularly-slidable relative to the worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing Center
    Inventors: Chien-Tai Huang, Yan-Sin Liao, Tsung-Hsien Hu
  • Vehicle body frame of motorcycle
    Patent number: 8668218
    Abstract: A head pipe includes a pipe portion and a bracket portion contiguously formed on a rear portion of the pipe portion wherein front end portions of the main frames and a front end portion of the down frame are jointed to the bracket portion. A widthwise center line of the main frames in the vertical direction is directed toward an intermediate portion of the pipe portion in the vertical direction in a side view. An upper surface extension line and a lower surface extension line on the extension in the frontward direction of an upper surface and a lower surface of the main frames pass between an upper end and a lower end of the pipe portion as viewed in a side view. The down frame is inclined to be directed towards the intermediate portion of the pipe portion in the vertical direction as viewed in a side view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Toda, Akira Hosono, Ryo Kobayashi
  • Self-reconfigurable mobile manipulator
    Patent number: 8668034
    Abstract: A manipulator including a mobile plate for carrying an end-effector, connected to a plurality of legs, each of which has a distal end connected to the mobile plate and a proximal end connected to a supporting object by a clamping device, a plurality of distal links, a plurality of intermediate links and a plurality of proximal links, an actuator connected between each pair of longitudinally adjacent intermediate links, the distal links, connecting the intermediate links with the mobile plate by a system of distal revolute joints including a distal lockable joint, and the proximal links, connecting the intermediate links with a system of proximal joints having lockable proximal joints, where the manipulator is able to achieve manipulation, self-reconfiguration and locomotion movements without needing actuators directly acting on each joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: Tecnalia France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Cédric Baradat, Hai Yang, François Pierrot, Sébastien Krut, Agustin Saenz