Patents Examined by Michael R Stabley
  • Patent number: 10926835
    Abstract: The present invention describes power assisted system (PAS) driving the front wheel of a bicycle, including kits and bicycles containing said PAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: My Bui
  • Patent number: 10926793
    Abstract: Methods for estimation of lost temperature increment after system restart for motor coil temperature estimation in an electric power steering apparatus of a motor vehicle with a power pack including an ECU with a temperature sensor and an electric motor. The methods allow to easily recover the lost heat increment value after restart of the system. Consequently, the estimation of the temperature of the motor coils will start from the correct temperature value. Damage of the motor due to overheat can be prevented. Further a more robust system diagnostics and a more accurate torque signal estimation can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: thyssenkrupp Presta AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventor: István Szalmás
  • Patent number: 10926827
    Abstract: A bicycle fork includes a fork shaft configured to be rotatably borne by headset bearings in a head tube of a bicycle frame so as to rotate about a steering axis. The fork shaft includes a cylindrical fork shaft segment that is disposed eccentrically with respect to the steering axis. The cylindrical fork shaft segment is a right circular cylinder having a hollow interior, a cylindrical inner surface and a central longitudinal axis that lies within a symmetry plane of the bicycle frame and extends parallel to the steering axis. The central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical fork shaft segment is spaced apart from the steering axis in a direction of eccentricity that points in an opposite direction with respect to a forward direction of travel of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SCOTT SPORTS SA
    Inventor: Ricco Süsse
  • Patent number: 10926830
    Abstract: A two-wheel vehicle suspension linkage, including a shock and a shock extension assembly, is provided. The shock may include first and second mounting axes operably connected to two linkage bodies. The shock may be positioned to provide linear resistance between the two linkage bodies having relative motion with respect to one another. The shock extension assembly may include a first extension body and a second extension body. Each of the first extension body and the second extension body may include a first mounting axis and a second mounting axis positioned with respect to one another in a non-parallel mounting orientation. The extension bodies may be pivotally connected to the suspension linkage so that the first mounting axis of the first extension body is collinear with the first mounting axis of the second extension body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: YETI CYCLING, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Zawistowski
  • Patent number: 10926824
    Abstract: The field of the invention relates to bicycle systems, especially to bicycle systems adapted for use with smartphones, to smartphones configured for use with bicycle systems, and to methods and to computer software for use with such bicycle systems or smartphones, and to servers configured to communicate with such bicycle systems or smartphones. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bicycle system including a bicycle, the bicycle system including a processor integral to the bicycle, the bicycle system further including a battery integral to the bicycle, wherein the processor is powerable by the battery, the bicycle system including a smartphone holder configurable to receive a smartphone and to connect the smartphone to the processor, wherein in use the smartphone holder is attachable to, and detachable from, the smartphone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Konnectronix, Inc.
    Inventors: George Hines, Steven Fragassi, Gilberto Cavada, Tom O'Connor, Richard Page, Sharwari Kulkarni, George J Guffy, Will Capellaro, Michael Carrier, David Carlson, Corry Daus, Lee Kunvichet, Stephen Lingle, Andrew Last, Stanislav Dmitriyev, Reginald K. S. Ammons
  • Patent number: 10919587
    Abstract: A suspension system supports a chassis relative to a crawler mechanism including a continuous track. A link is rotatable about an axis extending transversely through a first portion. The first portion includes a projections extending radially inwardly, and peripheral openings defined by spaces between the projections. An axle member secured to the crawler mechanism includes peripheral shafts extending radially outward from the axis and positioned in an associated peripheral opening. Each resilient member is positioned within an associated peripheral opening and engages an associated peripheral shaft, damping movement of the peripheral shaft relative to the link. An auxiliary roller assembly includes a yoke and a plurality of auxiliary rollers coupled to the yoke. The yoke is rotatable relative to the crawler frame about a yoke axis. The auxiliary rollers are aligned along a direction of travel of the track and are configured to engage an inner surface of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Galen C. Thomas, Steven R. Whiteman, Trent A. Luoma
  • Patent number: 10919566
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a motor for an electric power steering system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the motor including a stator on which a plurality of coils are wound and a rotor, which is placed inside the stator and into which a plurality of magnets are inserted, the plurality of coils being divided into two coil groups, the apparatus includes: a first controller configured to control supply of power applied to a first coil group that is one of the two coil groups; a second controller configured to control supply of power applied to a second coil group that is the other one of the two coil groups; and a boost converter configured to compensate for a difference between power output from the first controller and power output from the second controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dae Geun Choi
  • Patent number: 10919600
    Abstract: A motor driving control apparatus for a motor-assisted vehicle such as a motor-assisted bicycle includes: an inverter configured to drive a motor; and a controller configured to control the inverter to start regeneration after lapse of a first time period since a second predetermined time period elapsed or gradually increase a regeneration amount, when a state that an acceleration of a vehicle on which the motor is embodied is negative and equal to or less than a first predetermined value continues for the second predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Hosaka, Hirokazu Shirakawa, Taichi Yanaoka
  • Patent number: 10913484
    Abstract: An electromechanical power steering device may include a servomotor that drives an axially movable component via a ball nut mounted in a bearing such that the ball nut can be rotated about a longitudinal axis in a housing. The ball nut may be engaged with a threaded spindle configured on the axially movable component. The ball nut may include a ball screw on its inner side for balls to roll on, and an external ball return means that connects a start of the ball screw to an end of the ball screw to make endless circulation of the balls possible. A return channel of the ball return means may be formed by way of a deflecting body and a pulley wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: András Illés, Wolfram Raither
  • Patent number: 10899402
    Abstract: A six-legged universal walking robot and main structure thereof. The main structure comprises a head portion and a machine body. A distance measuring camera device is provided within the head portion, and comprises a rotating head and a frontal face distance measuring assembly. The machine body is provided with a turntable, and the rotating head is fixed to the turntable. A driving mechanism and a main control circuit board are mounted within an internal cavity of the machine body, the driving mechanism has a rotating shaft provided with multiple slip rings on an outer peripheral surface thereof. When the robot needs to observe the surrounding environment, the driving mechanism can drive the turntable to rotate in a range of 360 degrees, a rotation range of 360 degrees can also be achieved for the distance measuring camera module without moving the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Tianqi Sun
  • Patent number: 10894553
    Abstract: A transport dolly includes a base and a tongue rotatably mounted to the base. At least one support is mounted to the base. A first cable guide is coupled to the at least one support. A lever is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation. A cable has a first portion attached to the tongue. The cable extends from the tongue to the first cable guide, then to the lever. The lever pulls on the cable when the lever is rotated from the first orientation to the second orientation, so as to decrease a distance between the cable first portion and the first cable guide, thereby rotating the tongue from a lowered orientation to a raised orientation. A spring mechanism exerts a force on the lever to prevent rotation of the lever from the second orientation to the first orientation when the tongue is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rommel B. Ceniza, Eddie Estanqueiro
  • Patent number: 10893991
    Abstract: The present invention is a chair having a footrest that is extended when in use and retracted when not in use, have more space for comfortably positioning feet of a user/patient having more weight and is stable to provide safety. Chair includes a pair of leg frames, a pair of brackets, at least a pair of rollers, a footrest, at least one lever, gliding pins and wheels. Brackets are defined with railings and positioned on leg frames of chair. Rollers are connected to footrest and positioned to roll along the length of railing thereby enabling footrest to extend and retract. Footrest is of a size such that it is completely positioned between legs of chair to provide more feet resting area. Wheels are positioned underneath footrest for easy movement. Gliding pins connect wheels and footrest. Lever limits footrest movements and enables manipulating footrest with an extended handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventors: Carlos Lara, James Giacomaro
  • Patent number: 10889183
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle is provided comprising a chassis, four wheels and a passenger compartment that includes a passenger seating structure. The vehicle additionally comprises a drivetrain operatively connected to at least one of the wheels comprising at least one drive shaft and at least one torque transfer device. Furthermore the vehicle includes a prime mover that is mounted to the chassis entirely forward of a front edge of the seating structure and operatively connected to the drivetrain. The prime mover is structured and operable to provide motive force to at least one of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Dunne, Jr., Jon C. Charland, Jared Trauernicht, Hayden Barr, Eric Anderfaas
  • Patent number: 10888474
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelchair power apparatus for electronic driving conversion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheelchair power apparatus for electronic driving conversion, which can provide severely disabled people, for instance, patients with spinal cord injury, the weak or the old, who use wheelchairs, with convenience in movement, and convert a manual four-wheel wheelchair into an electronic three-wheel wheelchair just by detachably mounting the electronic module having electronic wheels to the existing manual four-wheel wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ROBO3 CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joon-Hyung Kim, Seong Hyun Paek
  • Patent number: 10882585
    Abstract: A dual powered propulsion system for use with a human powered vehicle is provided. The system includes a connecting rod with a front end operatively coupled to yoke-connected forearm bars. The system also includes a splitter coupled to a rear end of the connecting rod, wherein the splitter is coupled to a first rack and a second rack that operate with a first and second pinion gear to turn a crank axle. This system supplies rotational power to the crank axle in a single rotational direction as the connecting rod is oscillated up and down and back and forth. Even though a solid connecting rod is used to transfer power from the oscillating forearm bars to the crank axle, the vehicle is steerable to the right or left as a result of the use of a carriage, on rollers, and a turning track operatively connected to the forearm bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas S. Felker
  • Patent number: 10882586
    Abstract: A transmission structure for a bicycle includes two opposite transmission units. Each of the transmission units includes a linear reciprocating pedaling mechanism, a transmission module which is in transmission connection with the linear reciprocating pedaling mechanism, and a resetting module connected with the transmission module. The transmission modules of the two transmission units are connected with a power output mechanism through a unidirectional transmission mechanism. The transmission module includes a first driven wheel and a first transmission gear configured to be coaxial with the first driven wheel. The resetting module includes a connecting piece and an elastic piece. The connecting piece is connected with the first transmission gear. The elastic piece is connected with the connecting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Liyuan Luo
  • Patent number: 10875370
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle with only two parallel independent drive wheels, capable of moving on a solid or semi-solid ground, as well as on water if provided with blades on the wheels. The vehicle is stable in that it has a unit for lowering the center of gravity, which are housed in the wheels, which are in turn internally hollow for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: DEF-TECH SAS. DI ETTORE DE FRANCESCO & C.
    Inventors: Eduardo De Francesco, Ettore De Francesco, Ruggero De Francesco
  • Patent number: 10864960
    Abstract: A portable Double Folding bicycle comprising a front wheel, a frame assembly and a rear wheel, the frame assembly comprises a handlebar, a front frame, a crossbar assembly, a rear frame and a saddle, the handlebar is detachably connected to the upper end of the front frame; and the crossbar assembly comprises a front crossbar, a middle crossbar and a rear crossbar, the rear end of the front crossbar is connected to the front end of the middle crossbar through a first folder, the rear end of the middle crossbar is connected to the front end of the rear crossbar through a second folder, and the saddle is detachably connected to the rear crossbar, with the inclination angle of the first folder being 58°-62°, and the inclination angle of the second folder being 89°-94°. The present invention facilitates the bicycle dragging and improves the overall usability of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Inventor: Foling Zhang
  • Patent number: 10864961
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering assembly for a vehicle, comprising two rotatable rods, oriented vertically and having a wheel attachment on one end wherein wheels can be rotatably secured. The rods are connected to a first cross bar in such a way that enables the steering assembly to be attached to the vehicle frame and allows the rods to rotate. The rods are also rotatably attached to a second cross bar on the opposite end of the rod in such a way as to allow the rods to rotate. The rods are also attached to a steering mechanism in a manner that enables them to be manually rotated in unison and which in turn pivots the wheels and steers the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sun MicroMobility, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Cotter
  • Patent number: 10859065
    Abstract: A supplemental propulsion system for a vehicle may include a Flettner rotor. The Flettner rotor includes a rotatable cylinder mounted on a vehicle, e.g., either horizontally or vertically. An airflow deflector is located on the vehicle behind (i.e., downwind of) the Flettner rotor, and the airflow deflector is configured to redirect a vehicle headwind to generate an airflow past the cylinder in a direction transverse to the headwind. An electronic controller may be configured to control a motor to rotate the cylinder. In some examples, the rotational speed of the cylinder is maintained at a selected multiple of a speed of the airflow past the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Li Li