Patents Examined by Marlon Arce
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 10632830
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor, a high-voltage device, and a power converter. The motor moves the vehicle. The high-voltage device is disposed inside a vehicle cabin of the vehicle. The power converter is disposed outside the vehicle cabin. The power converter is connected to the motor and the high-voltage device to convert electric power output from the high-voltage device and to supply the converted electric power to the motor. The high-voltage device is arranged to be juxtaposed to the power converter along a front-rear direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sugizaki, Tomohiro Fukazu, Noboru Fujiyoshi, Rieko Koyama, Kosuke Oguri
  • Hitch assist system
    Patent number: 10632803
    Abstract: A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer proximate a vehicle. The hitch assist system also includes a controller for detecting a coupler of the trailer; determining a trailer-heading direction-based on a coupler orientation; and determining a path for aligning a hitch assembly on the vehicle with a coupler on the trailer based on the trailer-heading direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Luke Niewiadomski, Chen Zhang, Bruno Sielly Jales Costa, Nikhil Nagraj Rao, Vidya Nariyambut Murali
  • Methods and apparatus for selective stiffness of vehicle suspension
    Patent number: 10625811
    Abstract: A suspension assembly including a core member; and a skin member bonded on said core member. The skin member having a higher strength than the core member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Galasso
  • Swing arm structure for saddle riding vehicle
    Patent number: 10618594
    Abstract: A swing arm structure for a saddle riding vehicle including: a pivot section swingably supported by a vehicle body frame of the saddle riding vehicle; an arm section extending from the pivot section toward a rear side of a vehicle body of the saddle riding vehicle and configured to support an axle of a rear wheel of the saddle riding vehicle at a rear section; and a first reinforcement section formed of a carbon fiber reinforced resin in which carbon fibers are oriented uniformly in a vehicle body forward/rearward direction, wherein the first reinforcement section is installed on a lower surface of the arm section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Mizuno, Shimpei Shikanai
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 10618595
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a forward frame portion with a seat support portion. The vehicle also includes a motion control system and a rear frame portion movably interconnected to the forward frame portion by the motion control system. The motion control system, in response to a forward acceleration of the rear frame portion resulting from a driving force imparted by a wheel supported by the rear frame portion, imparts a force onto the forward frame portion that immediately accelerates the seat support portion in a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Darrell W Voss
  • Pin-drop hitch mount assembly with alignment features for aligning drawbar and drawbar receiver
    Patent number: 10618362
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes features configured to facilitate hitching of a drawbar receiver to a drawbar. The hitch mount assembly includes an alignment member supported for movement relative to the drawbar receiver. The alignment member is configured to abut the drawbar and consequently move the drawbar receiver relative to the drawbar to substantially align the pin opening of the receiver with the pin hole of the drawbar. The hitch mount assembly also includes a view window in the drawbar receiver for viewing movement of the drawbar within the drawbar cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Trailer cart
    Patent number: 10611200
    Abstract: A trailer cart. The 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: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: COMEAUX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Ray Comeaux
  • All-terrain vehicle
    Patent number: 10604200
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle configured to be propelled by an endless loop track and a suspension system therefore comprises first and second lower suspension rails pivotally attached to one another at a central pivot. First, second and third suspension supports are provided, each comprising a resilient element and a suspension strut, the suspension strut having an upper end pivotally connected to the frame and a lower end. The lower end of the suspension strut of the first suspension support is pivotally connected to the first lower suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension strut of the third suspension support is pivotally connected to the second lower suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension strut of the second suspension support is pivotally connected to the first lower suspension rail, the second lower suspension rail or the first and second lower suspension rails proximal the central pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ontario Drive & Gear Limited
    Inventors: Peter Derek Visscher, Keith Louis Heibein
  • Bicycle suspension tube and bicycle suspension fork
    Patent number: 10604208
    Abstract: A bicycle suspension tube comprises a tubular body, a wheel attachment part, and a caliper attachment part. The wheel attachment part is provided on the tubular body. The wheel attachment part includes an attachment hole having a rotational center axis. The caliper attachment part is provided on the tubular body. The caliper attachment part includes a first through hole having a first longitudinal axis non-parallel to the rotational center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Akira Kondou, Takuma Sakai, Hideki Ikemoto
  • Smart fluid damper
    Patent number: 10598248
    Abstract: A smart fluid damper includes a damper body defining a cavity with smart fluid. A piston head is disposed within the cavity and is slidingly displaceable. A flow control element is disposed within the cavity. The flow control element includes a main body having a central core, and an outer housing that surrounds the main body and is spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid passage between the main body and the outer housing. The fluid passage extends axially through the main body to permit fluid flow therethrough. The central core includes an energizable coil operable to apply a field. A plurality of field barriers are provided, each operable to locally block the field generated by the energizable coil such that the field cannot pass directly therethrough. The field barriers are configured to focus the field within the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mohammad Mehdi Naserimojarad, Mehrdad Moallem, Siamak Arzanpour
  • Snow bike having a center of mass substantially aligned with the center of mass of a rider for enhanced stability
    Patent number: 10597117
    Abstract: A snow bike includes a lightweight engine and transmission to power an endless drive belt (track) around a suspension under the rear of the frame. A unique aspect of the snow bike is that the front/rear weight distribution places less load on the ski and more load on the track, thereby providing lighter steering forces and increased track traction. The snow bike is steered by a fork mounted to a tubular/sheet frame that pivots around an axis and is connected to a ski. The drivetrain directly links the transmission to the track drive wheel, thereby powering the endless track. The centerline of the transmission drive shaft falls to the aft of the drive wheel of the track. This, combined with how the forward track suspension is attached, allows the mass of the track assembly to be more centralized, positioning the center of gravity of the bike nearer to the rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Barnabas LeBlanc
  • Wheelchair pin platform guard
    Patent number: 10596049
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a device to be used with a wheelchair having a leg rest support called pin platform is disclosed. The pin platform includes a plate for supporting a detachable leg rest. The device includes a protection cover member having a longitudinal slit adapted to receive the plate of the leg rest support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Laura Smith
  • Ball assembly for measuring tongue weight of a trailer
    Patent number: 10596869
    Abstract: A ball assembly for attachment to a ball mount is described. The ball assembly can include a ball post that is securable to a ball mount. A hitch ball is slidably coupled to the ball post at a ball end of the ball post. A load gauge is disposed at the gauge end of the ball post. A load transfer element is operably associated with both the hitch ball and the load gauge so as to cause a load measurement to display on the load gauge based upon a load applied to the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin McAllister
  • Pivotal tow bar assembly
    Patent number: 10589582
    Abstract: A tow bar assembly for use in connecting a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle. The tow bar assembly includes a drawbar and a housing assembly capable of being configured with a supplemental braking system. A connector secures the housing to a tow hitch member, such that two separate, non-planar perpendicular axes of pivotal rotation are created. The tow hitch assembly includes at least one arm with an inner and outer portion, wherein the inner portion rotates about a central axis relative to the inner portion within the outer portion. A fourth pivotal axis is created by a connection of mounting brackets to the tow hitch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Tod Westervelt
  • Pin-drop hitch mount assembly with biased pin retainer mechanism
    Patent number: 10589580
    Abstract: A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver configured to receive a drawbar and a pin receiver that is supported by the drawbar receiver. Furthermore, the assembly includes a pin that is received within the pin receiver and a latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to an extended position. Moreover, the assembly includes a biasing member configured to bias the latch toward the first position to retain the pin in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Faust, Stephen K. Parsons, Roger D. Stephenson
  • Use of a stepped shrink-fit ring to assemble a steering assist motor in a steering case
    Patent number: 10589776
    Abstract: An assembly method in which an assembly ring is force-fitted between a first part and a second part such as to create: a tightening contact between the first part and the inner face of the ring, by means of plastic deformation of the ring, said tightening contact occupying a first interference zone; and a tightening contact between the second part and the outer face of the ring, said tightening contact occupying a second interference zone. The assembly ring comprises a first ring segment (T1) and a second ring segment (T2) which are stepped axially in relation to one another and which have different radial dimensions from one another, such as to confine the first interference zone to the first ring segment (T1) and the second interference zone to the second ring segment (T2), in order to prevent the first interference zone and the second interference zone from overlapping axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventors: Patrice Brochot, Julien Stephanus
  • Two-wheeled vehicle
    Patent number: 10589621
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members and a frame supported by the ground-engaging members. The frame includes a front frame member and a rear frame member coupled to the front frame member. The vehicle also includes a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and an air intake assembly operably coupled to the powertrain assembly and the front frame member. The air intake assembly includes at least one air inlet member extending into a portion of the front frame member. The air inlet member extends from an inlet opening to an outlet opening, and a portion of the air inlet member intermediate the inlet and outlet openings has a diameter less than a diameter of the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: G. Jay McKoskey, Jeffrey D. Oltmans, Pravin Rathore, Ronald A. Vorndran
  • Stair traversing device
    Patent number: 10583056
    Abstract: A stair traversing device comprising a payload body for transporting a payload, a step frame, and a mechanism between the step frame and the payload body to move the step frame relative to the payload body along a cyclical path. The mechanism drives a movement of one of the payload body and the step frame along a first segment of the cyclical path from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, and drives a movement of the other one of the payload body and the step frame along a second segment of the cyclical path back into the retracted configuration. The payload body and the step frame are configured to remain fixedly in position on a stair when the other one of the payload body and the step frame is moved. The mechanism is configured to maintain the relative orientation between the payload body and the stair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: QUANTUM ROBOTIC SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Francesco Naccarato
  • Saddle-riding vehicle
    Patent number: 10577043
    Abstract: A saddle-riding vehicle include a body frame, an engine which is supported on the body frame, an exhaust pipe which extends rearward from a front portion of the engine 41, a fuel tank which is disposed on a side of the engine 41, a skid guard which covers the engine and the exhaust pipe from fronts thereof, and a side guard which covers a side portion of the fuel tank. The skid guard and the side guard are disposed to have an overlap portion where the skid guard and the side guard overlap partially. Therefore, the saddle-riding vehicle prevents mud or stone from entering an inside of a guard member, and prevents a fuel tank from being exposed through a gap to eliminate a deterioration of an external design of the saddle-riding vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Nakahira, Takashi Sasaki, Daiki Goto, Satoshi Matsushima
  • Training aid for bicycle
    Patent number: 10577039
    Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for a bicycle is disclosed. The stabilizing apparatus includes a vertical member configured for coupling to a distal end of a rear hub of the bicycle, a horizontal member hingably attached at a proximal end to the vertical member, a wheel attached to a distal end of the horizontal member, the wheel configured for laterally supporting the bicycle, a preloaded strut hingably attached at a top end to the vertical member, and hingably attached at a bottom end to the horizontal member, and an adjustable device located on the preloaded strut, the adjustable device configured for adjusting a rest compression state of the preloaded strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Khalil Khouri