Patents Examined by Marlon A Arce
  • Patent number: 11040616
    Abstract: A dual fuel tank system for a machine having a frame and an engine enclosure mounted on a rear portion of the frame includes a pair of support plates located at the rear portion of the frame and welded onto a pair of sides of the frame. Further, the dual fuel system also includes a pair of upper and lower support brackets secured onto each side of the engine enclosure. Furthermore, the dual fuel system also includes a pair of fuel tanks disposed on the pair of sides of the engine enclosure. Each fuel tank is releasably secured onto the support plate and an associated pair of the upper and lower support brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Selvaraj, Hugh Rillie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11040571
    Abstract: A spacing bar of a wheelchair frame comprising an elongated structural body having a pair of opposite ends, each of the opposite ends having a C-shaped clamp configured for being clamped to respective lateral frame members of the wheelchair frame, wherein the elongated structural body and the C-shaped clamps are integrally made of a monocoque composite construction, and a tightening assembly for each of the C-shaped clamps, the tightening assemblies being arranged in the spacing bar to loosen and tighten the C-shaped clamps to the respective lateral frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MOTION COMPOSITES INC.
    Inventors: Michael Archambault, Alexandre Bleau, Pierre-Andre Couture, Maxime Lamarre, David Gingras
  • Patent number: 11034401
    Abstract: A trailer cart includes a frame having a front end, a rear end and sides. A wheel assembly is attached to the frame. The wheel assembly includes an axle and a pair of wheels. A tongue is attached to and extends from the front end of the frame. The tongue includes a trailer coupler configured to secure to a trailer ball. A winch assembly is attached to the trailer. The winch assembly includes an upright post and a winch attached to the upright post. The winch assembly is attached to at least one of the tongue and the frame and is disposed near the front end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Ray Comeaux
  • Patent number: 11034398
    Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch is shown and described. The fifth wheel hitch may include a base frame configured to be secured to a load bed of a towing vehicle, a trolley operatively engaged with the base frame, the trolley adapted to move along the base frame between first and second positions, and a cam member attached with the base frame, the cam member having a cam path. The fifth wheel hitch may also include a cam follower coupled with the trolley, the cam follower operatively engaged with the cam path, and a fifth wheel head pivotally coupled with the trolley, where the trolley is moved between the first and second positions in response to pivoting of the fifth wheel head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Curl, Newly Mach, Richard McCoy, Eric Stanifer
  • Patent number: 11034383
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first steered axle and a second steered axle behind the first steered axle. The second steered axle is steerable independently from the first steered axle. The vehicle includes wheels on the second steered axle. An electric steering motor is connected to the at least one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Renato Bernardinetti Slave
  • Patent number: 11034200
    Abstract: A device for detecting the position of a first or second vehicle to be coupled together, having a sensor device which can be arranged on the first or second vehicle and which detects at least one reference point of the other second or first vehicle using sensors. A device for detecting the position of a first or second vehicle to be coupled together, said device allowing an operationally reliable and precise coupling regardless of present environmental influences. The sensor device has at least one transceiver unit, and the at least one reference point can be equipped with a transponder which reflects a radio signal of the transceiver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: JOST-WERKE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Genheimer, Dieter Raab, Swen Saupe, José Manuel Algüera
  • Patent number: 11027774
    Abstract: Provided is an actuator for a steering system, which can be increased in degree of freedom for design change, regardless of a configuration change of a hydraulic power steering side. The actuator for a steering system comprises a transmission mechanism configured to transmit the rotation of a steering shaft to a steered wheel, a piston disposed in the transmission mechanism, and a pair of pressure chambers configured to generate a force acting to move the piston. The actuator for a steering system is disposed between a hydraulic power steering system, which imparts a steering force to the steered wheel along with the movement of the piston, and a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE STEERING SYSTEM JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiro Yoda, Takuya Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11021211
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include an electric assist bicycle adapted for a both personal and public use, and subcomponents of the bicycle. The electric assist bicycle can include a hollow frame with one or more cables routed within the hollow frame. The hollow frame can be configured with an internal battery compartment. The electric assist bicycle can further include a modular electronic locking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: NEUTRON HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Foley, Jacob Bouchard
  • Patent number: 11021026
    Abstract: A motorcycle trailer hitch leveling apparatus for leveling a motorcycle trailer hitch includes a pair of sides each having a lower section, an angled section, an upper section, an inner face, and an outer face. The inner face of the lower section of each side is a first distance apart equaling a second distance between the outer face of the upper section of each side. The first distance and the second distance substantially conform to a width of a trailer tongue. The lower section of each of the pair of sides is configured to selectively engage with the trailer tongue and the upper section of each of the pair of sides is configured to selectively engage with a standard ball coupler. A bridge piece is coupled between the upper section of each of the pair of sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Randy Zeutenhorst
  • Patent number: 11014626
    Abstract: An electric power assist system generates an appropriate level of assist power while an electric assist vehicle is running on a slope and includes an electric motor that generates an assist power to assist human power of a rider of the electric assist vehicle, a controller that controls a magnitude of the assist power to be generated by the electric motor, and an acceleration sensor that outputs an acceleration signal representing an acceleration in a travel direction of the electric assist vehicle. The controller acquires speed information representing a running speed of the electric assist vehicle based on an external signal, detects an inclination angle of a road surface based on the speed information and the acceleration signal, and causes the electric motor to generate an assist power of a magnitude in accordance with the inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Hasumi
  • Patent number: 11015672
    Abstract: A bicycle with a suspension system for a wheel of the bicycle, the suspension system including a smart fluid damper for dampening a movement of the wheel relative to the frame. The smart fluid damper includes a flow control element disposed within a cavity of the damper and configured to apply a field to a smart fluid within a fluid passage extending through the flow control element. The flow control element includes field barriers proximate the fluid passage to locally block and/or divert the field such that the field cannot pass therethrough. The field barriers are arranged to cause the field to criss-cross the fluid passage at multiple axial intervals along the fluid passage, thereby focusing the field within the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohammad Mehdi Naserimojarad, Mehrdad Moallem, Siamak Arzanpour
  • Patent number: 11001329
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electric scooter comprises a deck configured to support a rider, front and rear wheels, a handlebar assembly that includes a handlebar, a left handle, and a right handle, a steering column that includes a steering tube and the handlebar assembly, and an electric motor configured to provide mechanical power to at least one of the front and the rear wheels. One or more of the steering column, steering tube, handlebar assembly, handlebar, left handle, right handle, and deck can be configured to be detachable and comprise one or more rechargeable battery packs. In addition, one or more of the steering column, steering tube, handlebar assembly, handlebar, left handle, right handle, and deck can be configured to receive one or more removable rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Bravo Sports
    Inventors: Jack B. Lovley, II, Joseph C. Klingl, Mark Groenhuyzen, Kenneth Edlauer
  • Patent number: 11000869
    Abstract: Some implementations can include a zero turn radius utility vehicle that is operated in a standing position by an operator using foot controls provided on the utility vehicle. Accordingly, the operator's hands are free to operate handheld equipment (e.g., a line trimmer, edger, blower, etc.) while the operator controls the utility vehicle via the foot controls. Further, the utility vehicle may have a single third wheel (and no mower deck or other deck or protrusion) extending from the front of the vehicle frame so as to minimize any protrusions to the front of the vehicle, which can permit the operator to work on the ground in front of the utility vehicle using handheld equipment without interference from a mower deck, while remaining in a standing position on the utility vehicle and being able to simultaneously control the utility vehicle (via foot controls) and perform work with handheld equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: David Allan Reeves
  • Patent number: 10988206
    Abstract: An assistance system includes a resistance detecting unit obtaining a resistance factor, a database storing starting torque values and operating torque values, a torque calculation unit including a controller, and a torque-control handlebar grip operated to trigger an assigned gain and to tune the same to be provided to the torque calculation unit. When switched to an aided mode, the controller calculates a compensated torque value based on one of the starting/operating torque values and the resistance factor, calculates an output torque value by a product of the compensated torque value, the assist ratio and the assigned gain, and controls a torque motor to drive rotation of a driving wheel based on the output torque value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignees: YANGDING (TIANJIN) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fu-Long Chang
  • Patent number: 10987985
    Abstract: A load levelling device for adjusting the pitch of a first towing vehicle relative to a ground surface when the first towed vehicle is coupled to a second towed vehicle includes: a towing pillar having a longitudinal axis; a towing tongue adapted for attachment to the first towing vehicle and mounted on the towing pillar for sliding engagement therewith; a clutch housing radially supported on the towing pillar beneath the towing tongue for sliding engagement with the towing pillar, the clutch housing including a blade recess in a lateral portion thereof, the blade recess extending orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the towing pillar; a tensioning blade having a leading end and a trailing end, the leading end adapted for being removably securable in the blade recess of the clutch housing and the trailing end being adapted for attachment to the second towed vehicle; and a user operational force application device for selectively applying a vertical force to the trailing edge of the tensioning blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Lovells Springs Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Simon Crane
  • Patent number: 10988172
    Abstract: A steering member has a rack portion and a screw portion. The steering member is in a steering housing and operatively connected to a tie rod. A pinion is operatively connected between the rack portion and a steering wheel. A ball nut is operatively connected to the screw portion. A power source is operatively connected to the ball nut. The power source drives the ball nut to effect linear movement of the steering member upon rotation of the steering wheel. A damper has a first connection to the tie rod and a second connection to a ground surface. The ground surface is fixed relative to the steering member. The damper is external to the ball nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC
    Inventor: Brian A. Urbach
  • Patent number: 10981446
    Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable bracket that can be used to attach auxiliary fuel tanks and other tanks to the bottom of a trailer or vehicle. The adjustable nature of the bracket allows it to be used on a variety of trailers, with different widths. The adjustable bracket comprises two parts with one sliding inside of the other. Each part has several slots that can be lined to create a bracket that is the ideal length to span the distance between the side panels of a trailer or vehicle. The bracket has holes in the bottom through which the bracket can be attached to a mounting retainer or strap that holds the tank in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Lewin
  • Patent number: 10974592
    Abstract: A child vehicle includes a power mechanism having a motor, at least one wheel selectively operatively coupled to the motor, and a propulsion switch coupled to the power mechanism and having a first position and a second position. The first position is from a user-initiated force. The propulsion switch automatically moves to the second position upon disengagement of the force. In the first position, the child vehicle is in the first operational mode and the wheel is being driven by the motor. In the second position, the child vehicle is in the second operational mode and the wheel is allowed to rotate substantially free from drag or resistance due to the motor. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Donald K. Jessie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10974784
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame assembly having a front end and a rear end extending along a longitudinally-extending centerline, a front ground-engaging member operably coupled to the front end of the frame assembly at a front rotational axis, and a rear ground-engaging member operably coupled to the rear end of the frame assembly at a rear rotational axis. A wheel base is defined between the front and rear rotational axes and a vertically-extending centerline of the vehicle extends vertically at the midpoint of the wheel base and is perpendicular to the longitudinally-extending centerline. The vehicle also includes a fuel tank, an airbox assembly, and a battery all positioned relative to the vertically-extending centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Bagnariol, Matthew R. Fronk, Jason A. Warns, Benjamin M. Comana, Matthias Botta, Richard J. Christoph, Philippe Gasdia, Hans-Rudolf Jenni, Urs Wenger, Martin Pelz, Clark D. Davis, Juho Pekka Wuollett, Kory J. Schuhmacher
  • Patent number: 10960943
    Abstract: An upper coupler for a semi-trailer has a generally planar bottom plate. A kingpin attaches thereto to couple with a fifth wheel of a tractor. A reinforcement member extends across a width of the bottom plate to reduce bending of the bottom plate as it rests on the fifth wheel of the tractor. Along the reinforcement member's length, the reinforcement member has varying second moments of area taken in cross sections perpendicular to the reinforcement member's length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GREAT DANE LLC
    Inventor: John M. Jones