Patents Examined by Maurice L Williams
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Patent number: 9914478Abstract: A steerable caddy trailer is provided that has an improved structure including a main frame assembly, spindle assemblies attached to each end of the main frame for attachment of a wheel, a pair of swinging arms forwardly extending from the main frame and pivotally attached to the main frame, and tie rods connecting the swinging arms with the spindle assembly such that pivoting of the swinging arms steers the wheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: MONTAG INVESTMENTS, LLCInventor: Roger A. Montag
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Patent number: 9914495Abstract: An electronic docking vehicle includes a vehicle body including a docking subject mechanism that docks with a first surrounding vehicle and a docking object mechanism with which a docking subject mechanism of second surrounding vehicle docks. A vehicle manipulating mechanism is provided in the vehicle body and includes a driving force generator providing a driving force to driving wheels. A steering manipulator controls a steering angle of the driving wheels. A braking manipulator generates a braking force in the driving wheels. A controller is configured to allow one vehicle to combine with the surrounding vehicle through the docking subject mechanism or the docking object mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jong Wook Han, Seong Youn Kwak, Hee Song Ham, Jeong Seok Ha
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Patent number: 9902313Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle is configured in such a manner that left and right side body covers (35L, 35R) are mounted to left and right seat rails (14L, 14R), respectively, so as to cover the sides of the vehicle body (20) and so as to sandwich a tail light unit (62). A rear center lower cover (50) has a cover center mounting section (51), a cover left mounting section (52L), and a cover right mounting section (52R). The cover center mounting section (51) is mounted to a second cross plate (27) together with a light center mounting section (65) and a center mounting section (46). The cover left mounting section (52L) and the cover right mounting section (52R) are individually mounted to a rear fender (40) so as to cover a part of the rear fender (40) from below.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takahiro Taguma, Kazunori Yoshimura, Takumi Gato
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Patent number: 9889904Abstract: A front end assembly that simplifies assembling of bicycles includes a threaded center bolt, a stem body, a stem tube, a frame head tube, and a fork steering tube with a wedge immovably fixed therein. The wedge includes a stem interface that complementarily fits with the stem tube to rotationally align the fork, and a bolt interface that engages the center bolt. The steering tube is inserted into the head tube from the bottom, and the stem tube is inserted into the head tube from the top. The center bolt threadably engages the bolt interface of the wedge to secure components together. The position of the wedge within the stem tube vertically aligns the stem body with respect to the fork steering tube. Automated alignment and tensioning eliminates much guesswork, and the assembly process is shortened.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Inventor: Terence Gregory Blake
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Patent number: 9878751Abstract: An example robot includes a first actuator and a second actuator connecting a first portion of a first member of the robot to a second member of the robot. Extension of the first actuator accompanied by retraction of the second actuator causes the first member to roll in a first roll direction. Retraction of the first actuator accompanied by extension of the second actuator causes the first member to roll in a second roll direction. A third actuator connects a second portion of the first member to the second member. Extension of the third actuator accompanied by retraction of both the first and second actuators causes the first member to pitch in a first pitch direction. Retraction of the third actuator accompanied by extension of both the first and second actuators causes the first member to pitch in a second pitch direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Everett Thorne, John Aaron Saunders, Marco da Silva, Thomas H. Miller, Alexander Douglas Perkins
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Patent number: 9878737Abstract: A hydraulic fluid supply portion of a hydraulic steering control system may include an accumulator holding a quantity of pressurized steering fluid, and a priority valve. The priority valve may have a priority supply inlet port fluidly connected to the accumulator for receiving pressurized steering fluid from the accumulator, and a priority supply outlet port fluidly connected to a steering flow amplifier circuit. The priority valve may have a normally open position with a minimal pressure drop between the priority supply inlet port and the priority supply outlet port, and a flow restriction position where fluid flow between the ports is restricted. A load signal line from a steering control circuit to the priority valve may bias the priority valve toward the normally open position in response to an operator steering command to provide pressurized steering fluid to the steering flow amplifier circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Carl McIlheran, David A. Mork, Daniel T. Mather, Christopher W. Johnson, Michael D. Hudson
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Patent number: 9868488Abstract: An assembly for a motorcycle is disclosed which can adjust rake angle and trail on a motorcycle. The assembly includes an inner housing which engages with an outer housing. The outer housing attaches to the frame of a motorcycle and has a first aperture and at least two additional apertures. The inner housing has a pair of angled apertures formed therethrough, a first aperture aligned with the first aperture formed in the outer housing, and at least two additional apertures each of which is capable of being aligned with one of the at least two additional apertures formed in the outer housing. First and second attachment members join the inner housing to the outer housing at a predetermined angle. The assembly also includes a pair of forks capable of supporting an axle on which a front wheel is mounted. Each of the pair of forks has a first end which passes through one of the pair of angled apertures formed in the inner housing. The pair of angled apertures establishes the rake angle for the motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Inventor: Bradley A. Hackl
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Patent number: 9862444Abstract: A rack for a bicycle or a bicycle with a rack comprises a rack body configured to be supported above a rear wheel of the bicycle. The rack body can be supported by side portions that extend along and straddle the rear wheel and are coupled to the bicycle. The rack can comprise a deck portion that extends in a longitudinal direction of the bicycle above the rear wheel. One or more carrier arms can be coupled to the rack at forward and/or rearward ends. In some configurations, a carrier arm can be provided on each side of the front and rear of the rack. The carrier arms can be rotatable or otherwise adjustable with respect to the rack body.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: 3G BIKES, LLCInventor: Gary Silva
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Patent number: 9849926Abstract: A robotic device may traverse a path in a direction of locomotion. Sensor data indicative of one or more physical features of the environment in the direction of locomotion may be received. The implementation may further involve determining that traversing the path involves traversing the one or more physical features of the environment. Based on the sensor data indicative of the one or more physical features of the environment in the direction of locomotion, a hydraulic pressure to supply to the one or more hydraulic actuators to traverse the one or more physical features of the environment may be predicted. Before traversing the one or more physical features of the environment, the hydraulic drive system may adjust pressure of supplied hydraulic fluid from the first pressure to the predicted hydraulic pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: John Aaron Saunders, Michael Murphy, Steven D. Potter
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Patent number: 9849929Abstract: A rear frame (2) of a saddle-riding vehicle supports a rider seat (22) and a passenger seat (24). A tail lamp (26) is supported by rear end portions (66L, 66R) of the rear frame (2). The rear end portions (66L, 66R) of the rear frame (2) are open rearwardly. The tail lamp (26) is disposed in the open region and closes the region between the rear end portions (66L, 66R) of the rear frame (2).Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Ito
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Patent number: 9849900Abstract: A driving assist unit of a truck for assisting a driving force applied to the truck by a worker includes a unit body connected to the truck, the unit body being turnable with respect to the truck, an operation portion provided on the unit body, the operation portion being configured to input a driving force to the truck through the unit body by being pressed by the worker, a driving wheel provided on the unit body, the driving wheel being rotatable in a longitudinal direction of the unit body, an assist force according to the operation of the operation portion being applied to the driving wheel, a lower engagement mechanism configured to be engaged with the truck by pressing the unit body onto the truck, and an upper engagement mechanism provided above the lower engagement mechanism and configured to be engaged with the truck by fitting of a locking member by the worker.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: KYB CorporationInventor: Shinichi Sekine
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Patent number: 9845110Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy goods vehicle in which the steering system (12) comprises, in addition to a normal steering mode steering device (26) that transfers steering power purely mechanically by means of connecting rods (34) from axle to axle, a crab steering mode steering device (28) that also transfers steering power purely mechanically by means of connecting rods (46) from axle to axle. The individual wheel assemblies (14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24) can be connected by means of coupling devices (56) either to the normal steering mode steering device (26) or to the crab steering mode steering device (28).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: GOLDHOFER AGInventors: Felix Merkel, Benjamin Scholl
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Patent number: 9828054Abstract: A bicycle includes front and rear wheels, a frame supported on the front and rear wheels, and a seat post. The frame includes a seat tube having an upper end with a rear wall and a side wall, and the seat post is positioned at least partially inside the seat tube and is secured to the seat tube at a securing location spaced from the upper end. The rear wall of the upper end of the seat tube is spaced from the seat post by a first gap, and the side wall of the upper end of the seat tube is spaced from the seat post by a second gap that is smaller than the first gap. The seat tube has an effective length from a crank axis to the upper end, and the securing location is preferably spaced from the upper end by a distance that is at least 5% of the effective length.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.Inventors: Christopher P. D'Aluisio, David Tyson Buckenberger
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Patent number: 9821835Abstract: Steering boxes currently available on the market in order to convert the rotation of the steering wheel into the angular rotation of the wheels are not suitable to be partially built into the rim of the wheels of an electric car. In addition, existing boxes do not allow the independent rotation of the wheels or wide turning radii. These limitations are overcome using a system comprising: a body into which at least one motor is built using corresponding supports, which motor(s) actuate(s) the steering rotation axle of each steered wheel in the upper part of the body, and, in the lower part, a transmission gearbox and a stationary circular crown gear with which driving pinions mesh, said pinions rotating about the crown gear, thereby rotating the entire body and the rotation axle of the wheel built into the body together with suitable means.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: MICROELECTRONICA MASER, S.L.Inventors: Francisco Ferrer-Dalmau Nieto, Francisco Javier Vicandi Unanue, Carlos Javier Iriondo Arrizabalaga, Jesus Maria Iriondo Arrizabalaga
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Patent number: 9820901Abstract: A patient assistance and rehabilitation device or more specifically a patient mechanical lift device that can be utilized as patient walker, a seat, a seated transporter, a toilet, a table and a rehabilitation device. The patient assistance and rehabilitation device including a power band or tension motor to help a patient move from a sitting to a standing position and to supplement an exercise or rehabilitation program.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Inventors: Adam Brown, Rex Spendlove
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Patent number: 9815515Abstract: A steering apparatus with forward extended fork legs includes left and right fork legs that extend from a wheel axle all the way up to a handlebar. Top fork portions support a handlebar in a more forward location. A mid-fork portion of each fork leg is positioned in front of the steering column to provide more clearance room for the rider's knees. The top ends of the fork legs are positioned a forward distance in front of the vertical axis defined by the steering column. Each fork leg may be tilted forward with respect to the steering column and may also include a forward bend to direct portions of each fork leg towards the front.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Inventor: Shinji Marui
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Patent number: 9815509Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include a skid plate, and a retention system that is supported by the skid plate. The retention system is also operable to receive a coupling member of a towed vehicle to retain the coupling member within the retention system, where engagement of the coupling member with the retention system selectively positions the retention system in a locked and closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Eric J. Stanifer, Newly Mach
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Patent number: 9809114Abstract: A fuel tank system includes a fuel tank and a support structure. The support structure provides impact protection to the fuel tank. The support structure has mounting members, a bottom plate and a support member. The mounting members mount to the vehicle. The bottom plate is provided proximate a bottom wall of the fuel tank, wherein the bottom plate protects the fuel tank from being crushed or punctured and serves as a skid plate if ground contact is made. The support member extends between a respective mounting member and the bottom plate. The support member is configured to fail during impact, allowing the fuel tank to be moved downwardly and laterally by the energy of the impact to a position in which the fuel tank is substantially out of the path of the impact or protected by the chassis of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventor: Erin Marie Shipp
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Patent number: 9809113Abstract: A fuel tank system which has a revised mounting system and a revised location for the fuel system and fuel tanks to improve crashworthiness of the vehicle by reducing the occurrence of tank failure, fuel spillage, fire and/or explosion during and after a collision or similar event, while still providing a sufficient range for the vehicle. The fuel tanks are protected from damage from the side, bottom and between the tanks. The fuel tank mounting system also allows the energy associated with an event to be managed, such as by allowing the fuel tanks to be pushed or moved downwardly and/or laterally by the energy of the impact of a collision or similar event to a position in which the fuel tank is either out of the path of the impact or protected by the chassis or frame of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Erin Marie Shipp, Peter J. Leiss
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Patent number: 9809264Abstract: A dynamically balanced, tracked robot, which can switch between dynamically balanced (wheeled) operation and tracked operation, can include a body and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the body. At least one strut can also be mounted to the body so that it extends therefrom, and an idler wheel can be fixed to the distal end of the strut. A track can be slipped over the wheel and that idler wheel, so that the track frictionally engages both the wheel and the idler wheel. The robot can have a defined vertical reference vector and a processor. The processor can have non-transitory written instructions that, when accomplished, cause the vertical reference vector to be parallel with a vector defined by the robot axis and the revised post-installation center of gravity, to continue to allow for dynamic balancing of the newly-tracked robot.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Kurt A. Talke, Aaron Bruce Burmeister, Anthony Douglas Jones