Patents Examined by Marc Scharich
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Patent number: 8662232Abstract: In an electric two-wheeled motor vehicle including: an electric motor for generating power to drive a rear wheel; a battery for supplying electric power to the electric motor; a rider seat on which a rider seats; a housing box disposed below the rider seat; and a side cover covering the housing box below the rider seat, the electric two-wheeled motor vehicle configured to allow charging of the battery, an opening (118) covered with an openable and closeable lid member (120) is provided in the side cover (48), and a power-receiving-side connector (67) to which a power-supplying-side connector leading to an external power source can be inserted and connected is fixed and disposed between an outer surface of the side cover (48) and the housing box to face the opening (118). Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the requirement for a rider seat to be opened in charging of a battery and thereby facilitate the charging work.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Honda Motors Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masanori Nakamura, Ryo Sato, Takasumi Yamanaka, Hideaki Nakagawa, Tatsuya Minagawa, Tetsuro Hosoda
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Patent number: 8662521Abstract: Upper coupler assemblies for mounting coupling devices to trailers, and methods for inspecting upper coupler assemblies. The upper coupler assemblies include a housing having first and second members that define a cavity therebetween. At least the second member has a through-hole adapted to receive a coupling device, such as a kingpin. The cavity contains at least one fluid-tight chamber, more preferably multiple gas-tight and liquid-tight chambers by walls within the cavity. The coupler assembly has at least one fluid inlet for introducing and/or withdrawing a fluid (liquid and/or gas) from one or more of the chambers. The integrity of the upper coupler assembly can be evaluated by introducing or removing a gas from the one or more chambers and detecting the presence of any gas leaks in the one or more chambers.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Inventor: Elvin Lloyd Knollman
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Patent number: 8651506Abstract: A special wheelchair device made for fully supporting the feet of the user. It relates to a support accessory for providing added comfort to a person confined to a wheelchair. It spans the space between the left and right foot rests. It is comprised of a length of a sleeve made of a durable material and configured with at least one open end; an elongated cross-section; an external top surface with features like a tread; an essentially smooth bottom surface featuring a shelf-like recess; and an internal aperture with features wherein one of the end with an internal aperture of the device may slide over and essentially encase either of the foot plates of the wheelchair and wherein the opposite end with the shelf may rest on the other un-encased foot plate which results in a closure of the space between the two foot plates.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Inventor: Sharon S Wright
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Patent number: 8646798Abstract: A drawn agricultural machine comprising a carrier frame for carrying processing members, the carrier frame supportable on the ground, at least during transport, by means of a wheel set comprising at least a wheel, a coupling frame for coupling the agricultural machine 1 to the three-point suspension of a tractor, the coupling frame comprising two lower coupling points and an upper coupling point and the coupling frame being rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the carrier frame. The machine also comprises a drawing element for exerting a force on the coupling frame, wherein the coupling frame, the carrier frame and the drawing element are interconnected in such a manner that a downward force component is exerted on the lower coupling points when the drawing element exerts a force on the coupling frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Lely Patent N.V.Inventors: Alfonsus Jacobus Van Den Engel, Norbert Van Hemert
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Patent number: 8640805Abstract: A bicycle includes an auxiliary power unit for regenerating electric energy even with no braking operations. A power-assisted bicycle includes a controller for detecting a torque value of a pedaling torque applied to a crankshaft for controlling an output of a brushless motor according to the torque value detected. A power transmitting member outputs the pedaling torque applied to the crankshaft to a rear wheel with a clutch unit for permitting an output of a driving force of the brushless motor to the rear wheel, but not an output of power from the rear wheel to the brushless motor. A selector selects whether or not to permit transmission of power from the rear wheel to the brushless motor. The clutch unit includes a lock-up ratchet for selectively permitting an output of power from the rear wheel WR to the brushless motor according to an operation of the selector.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., LtdInventor: Masahiro Kuroki
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Patent number: 8641070Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair includes a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to determine a driving force manually induced into the running wheel; and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on the driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel. The control unit of the drive assistance device includes a user force analysis operational mode which is adapted to determine data concerning physical efficiency and capacity of the user. These include a maximum force of the user as well as the maximum speed which can be reached with purely manual drive.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Ulrich Alber GmbHInventors: Thomas Birmanns, Ralf Ledda, Bernd Engels, Paul-Gerhard Bitzer
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Patent number: 8641076Abstract: A clevis pin combination comprises a clevis made of aluminum alloy; and a pin made of steel. This combination of parts and materials results in lighter weight and improved performance of maximum load carrying capacity over similar combinations of all aluminum or all steel. The clevis further comprises a first clevis leg having a first clevis aperture in a first clevis end and a second clevis leg having a second clevis aperture in a second clevis end. The second clevis end is spaced apart from the first clevis end forming an open end. A curved portion connecting the first clevis leg and the second clevis leg forms a closed end. The first clevis aperture and the second clevis aperture are axially aligned and the steel pin is sized to fit through the first clevis aperture and second clevis aperture allowing pivoting movement between the clevis and the pin. The clevis may be substantially U-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Inventors: Vernon W. Sparkes, William J. D. Shaw
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Patent number: 8640810Abstract: A battery is disposed close to a through-hole of a swing shaft that pivotally supports a swing arm on a vehicle body frame so as to be freely swingable at a position closer to the front of the vehicle body in the swing arm. An electric motor is disposed close to an axle of a rear wheel at a position closer to the rear of the vehicle body in the swing arm. The control board is disposed at a position outside of the battery in the vehicle width direction, and the heating element board is disposed at a position rearward of the vehicle body with respect to the control board and forward of the vehicle body with respect to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Tsukamoto, Takashi Tominaga, Kazumi Shibata, Hisao Nishiura, Seiji Kato, Susumu Akutsu
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Patent number: 8628103Abstract: A handlebar support structure for sandwiching a steering handlebar (12) between a lower holder (25) and an upper holder (28) includes an instrument mounting area (30) for supporting an instrument panel unit (14) fitted removably thereto and a shield mounting area (32) for supporting a windshield (16) fitted removably thereto. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) are formed integrally with each other. The instrument mounting area (30) and the shield mounting area (32) altogether represent a forwardly pursed shape along a direction conforming to a forwardly tilted direction (D).Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Kawai, Mitsuru Kobayashi
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Patent number: 8607902Abstract: A width variable structure using mecanum wheels is provided, which includes a plurality of mecanum wheels, a plurality of links connecting the mecanum wheels, and motors mounted on the mecanum wheels to transfer driving forces to the links, respectively. Since the width of the structure in the horizontal and vertical directions can be adjusted using the driving forces of the mecanum wheels, components such as actuators are omitted in the overall assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Cheol Han Kim, Hee Tae Yang, Seong Ki Ha, Hee Chan Kim, Dae Yub You, Wan Lee, Sang Hyun Han
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Patent number: 8607903Abstract: A tracked vehicle (e.g., a tracked carrier vehicle) comprising a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle. Each of the track assemblies supports a portion of a weight of the tracked vehicle when the tracked vehicle is in use. Each track assembly comprises: a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; a number of support wheels arranged in an in-line configuration between the first wheel and the second wheel; and an endless track disposed around the first wheel, the second wheel, and the support wheels. The support wheels may comprise at least five (5) support wheels mounted such that, when the tracked vehicle is in use, the portion of the weight of the tracked vehicle supported by the track assembly is never applied to only one of the support wheels.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Rolic Invest SarlInventors: Marc-André Godin, François Paquet
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Patent number: 8602436Abstract: Foldable bicycle including a first frame part (1) that supports the front wheel (4) and a second frame part (2) that supports the rear wheel (5), joined together by a joint (3) with a single geometrical rotation axis (X1) tilted with respect to the direction perpendicular to the bicycle's longitudinal plane. The joint (3) is an annular joint in the form of a ring that delimits an inner free space (6) that is wide enough to receive the hand of an adult, so that it forms a handle which is pulled upwards to produce the movement from the bicycle's unfolded position to the bicycle's folded position thanks to the actual weight of the bicycle and the relative rotation of the two frame parts (1, 2) around the geometrical rotation axis (X1).Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Inventor: Joaquín Montero Basqueseaux
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Patent number: 8602435Abstract: A bicycle frame hinge is provided having a lower and upper portion. The lower and upper portions being movable with respect to each other in both translation and rotation when in a storage condition, and are locked with respect to each other to prevent both translation and rotation when in a riding condition. The lower and upper portions are configured to form an internal cable passage way when the bicycle frame is in the riding condition, and when the bicycle frame is in the storage condition. The lower portion comprises two interlocking features, and the upper portion comprises two interlocking features configured to engage with the interlocking features of the lower portion when the bicycle frame is in the riding condition. A clamping mechanism is disposed between the two interlocking features of the lower and upper portions, the clamping mechanism configured to clamp the upper and lower portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Cycling Sports Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Philip Dodman, Torgny Fjeldskaar
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Patent number: 8590915Abstract: A system for providing support to an articulating trailer hitch used to interconnect a trailer and a towing vehicle. The system includes an adjustable, removable and repositionable link which interconnects the trailer frame and one or more spring bars providing load-distributing forces to the trailer and towing vehicle. The spring bars include an adjustable, rigid link which maintains the vertical position of the hitch assembly when disconnected from the towing vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Inventor: Colin Connell
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Patent number: 8590918Abstract: A rotary tow coupling. The rotary tow coupling changes the angular orientation of a trailer relative to a tow vehicle without moving the tow vehicle. The rotary tow coupling is fixedly secured to the tow vehicle. The rotary tow coupling includes a hitch connectable to a trailer coupling. The hitch is moveable from a home position along a circuit around a reference point defined by the rotary tow coupling. The hitch is moved a selected direction along the circuit, the trailer moves left and right and forward and backward. One complete circuit of the hitch incrementally changes the angular orientation of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle. Using multiple trips around the circuit, the rotary tow coupling is capable of adjusting the angular orientation of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle between 90° and 270° without moving the tow vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Roto-Hitch, LLCInventor: Bradley J. Mayes
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Patent number: 8590647Abstract: A wheelchair tow device which includes a frame sub-assembly, at least one front ground engaging wheel, at least one rear ground engaging wheel, a motive source capable of rotating at least one of the at least one front ground engaging wheel and the at least one rear ground engaging wheel, an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device is in electrical communication with the motive source, and a handle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Inventor: Randall J. Bezile
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Patent number: 8590656Abstract: Disclosed is a battery holding structure of a two-wheeled vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame and a saddle. A storage box is arranged under the saddle. A power unit is arranged under the storage box. The frame is provided with a battery mounting seat. The storage box has a front end forming a shielding section. The shielding section forms a maintenance opening corresponding to the battery mounting seat. The battery mounting seat receives therein a battery to have the battery located within the range of the maintenance opening. To maintain the battery, it only needs to lift the saddle and remove the maintenance cover that covers the maintenance opening to allow the maintenance of the battery to be carried out. This simplifies the maintenance operation of the battery and also simplifies the maintenance of a nozzle of an air intake system provided for an internal combustion engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Feng-Chih Tsai, Chien-Hung Chen
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Patent number: 8585069Abstract: A telescopic suspension fork leg, such as may be used in a motorcycle. The fork leg has an inner tube and an outer tube and a damping arrangement and a spring arrangement, which is arranged within a first chamber which is formed in the outer tube and is supported against a second chamber formed by the damping arrangement and arranged beneath the first chamber, which is constructed to receive a damping fluid. The damping arrangement has a piston, on a piston rod, with upper and lower piston surfaces. The piston is displaceable within a damping tube arranged largely concentrically to the inner tube, and the damping tube is surrounded by an annulus chamber arranged largely concentrically to the damping tube, and a sealing arrangement, displaceable along the piston rod, is provided between the first and second chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: WP Performance Systems GmbHInventor: Johannes Wimmer
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Patent number: 8579315Abstract: A modular wheelchair assembly is adapted to be reconfigured between a fixed angle of tilt, a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's knees and a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's center of gravity. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying a limited number of selectively removable components of the support assembly or the pivot assembly of the wheelchair.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: PDG Product Design Group Inc.Inventors: Nancy Balcom, Louis Belanger, Torr Brown, Janusz Krawczynski, Phil Mundy, David Harding, David Cheng
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Patent number: 8579071Abstract: A power steering system having a housing having first and second housing sections, a steering shaft rotatably housed in the housing, a sensor coil, a coil bobbin having a coil holding part and a flange part and housed in the first housing section, a first held section provided at the flange part, a sensor board housed in the housing, a second held section provided at the sensor board, first and second riveting portions provided at the first housing section, and an electric motor. The first riveting portion fixes the coil bobbin to the first housing section by melting and deforming the first riveting portion with the first held section touching the first riveting portion. The second riveting portion fixes the sensor board to the first housing section by melting and deforming the second riveting portion with the second held section touching the second riveting portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Steering, Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Tatsuyoshi Maruyama, Kiyotaka Shirakubo, Naoki Takayanagi