Patents Examined by Michael R Stabley
  • Patent number: 11498612
    Abstract: An electric power assisted steering apparatus comprises a steering mechanism which operatively connects a steering wheel to the road wheels of a vehicle, an electric motor operatively connected to the steering mechanism, a torque signal generator adapted to produce a torque signal, a column angular position signal generator for producing a column angle signal and a signal processing unit adapted to receive the column torque signal and the column angle signal and to produce therefrom a torque demand signal representative of a torque to be applied to the steering mechanism. A torque demand signal generating circuit adapted to produce the torque demand signal is a function of both the friction compensating torque and the assistance torque signal, at least partially assists the driver in overcoming the effects of static and/or kinetic friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: James Owen Patrick Farrelly
  • Patent number: 11493008
    Abstract: A position of a center of gravity of a vehicle body is easily optimized. An ABS modulator is disposed in a vicinity of a pivot bracket, which is joined to a lower rear portion of a main frame, and to which a swing arm is swingably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Yamada, Shoji Kai
  • Patent number: 11485442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a straddle-type vehicle provided with: a front wheel; a rear wheel; an electrical component box that houses a battery; electrical components such as a relay connected to the battery; and electrical component attachment parts with which the electrical components are attached to the electrical component box, wherein the electrical component box is made of a resin, and at least a bank angle sensor is housed in the electrical component box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shiokawa, Yasuo Narazaki, Hikaru Yokomura, Tsunehiro Kawabata
  • Patent number: 11485213
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a straddle-ridden vehicle frame stiffener comprising a support structure for stiffening the straddle-ridden vehicle frame, the support structure comprising a first side; and a second side, adjacent to the first side; a first mounting element for removably mounting the support structure to the straddle-ridden vehicle frame, the first mounting element being attached to the first side; a second mounting element for removably mounting the support structure to the straddle-ridden vehicle frame, the second mounting element being attached to the second side; and wherein the first side and the second side are rigidly connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Ernest Paul Eich, IV
  • Patent number: 11459023
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and to a device for controlling a steering system and to a steering system having electric steering assistance, wherein a reference variable for the steering assistance is predefined by a steering controller, the steering system is controlled as a function of the reference variable, a compensation value to compensate for a dynamic behavior of an axle steered by the steering system is determined on the basis of a model, the reference variable is determined as a function of the compensation value. The disclosure further relates to a method and to a device for emulating dynamics of the steered axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Milbaier
  • Patent number: 11459055
    Abstract: A stem for a bicycle comprises a body (14), an electrical device such as a power storage means (20), and a connecting means (24, 26). The body (14) has first and second apertures therein. The electrical device is located within the body. The connecting means enables electrical connection through the at least one first aperture, to enable supply of power to the device. The second aperture enables insertion of the device into the body and removal therefrom. A handlebar can be attached to the stem over the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: Rupert Clifford-Brown
  • Patent number: 11458832
    Abstract: A cooling system of an internal combustion engine of a motorcycle, which has a suction side guard (4), enables a high ratio between the open surface of the guard and its overall surface, ensuring an improved penetration of the air through the radiator and thus avoiding oversizing of the suction fan, wherein: said guard (4), having a lower edge (6), an upper edge (7), a front edge (8) and a rear edge (9) with respect to a running direction (F) of the vehicle, has a grate mesh structure extending on a plane whereby a deviation space (12) of motion of the air sucked by the fan is defined behind the guard (4); said grate mesh structure being surrounded by a rib (13) having, at the front edge (8), a lower height than that at the rear edge (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Doveri
  • Patent number: 11459014
    Abstract: The adjustment assembly of a hydraulic steering system of a vehicle is provided. The adjustment assembly can be positioned between the steering column and the hydraulic steering unit of the system, to adjust the mutual angular position between the rotation angle of the steering column (?) and the effective steering angle at the wheels (?). The adjustment assembly includes an adjustment device including an electric motor and an electronic command unit controlling its actuation; an epicycloidal device including a satellite-carrying member operatively connected to the steering column; at least one satellite gear supported and guided in rotation by the satellite-carrying member; a first solar gear operatively connected to the hydraulic steering unit and to the at least one satellite gear; and a second solar gear operatively connected to the adjustment device and to the first solar gear to control the angular position and/or the rotation of the first solar gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SAME DEUTZ-FAHR ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Plebani, Stefano Uberti
  • Patent number: 11453458
    Abstract: A cycle frame may include a first set of plates and a plurality of frame beams attached between the first set of plates using removable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventor: Rodney Russell Miner
  • Patent number: 11447205
    Abstract: A vehicle frame includes a frame body that includes a front wheel connecting member, a rear wheel connecting member, and a backbone member interconnecting the front and rear wheel connecting members and having a plurality of backbone sections interconnected to each other, and a coupling device that includes a plurality of first coupling members, each of which is mounted to a corresponding one of the backbone sections and is operable to switch between a mobile state and a stationary state. Each of the first coupling members is movable along the corresponding one of the backbone sections in the mobile state, and is immobilized relative to the corresponding one of the backbone sections in the stationary state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Yueh-Han Li
  • Patent number: 11447006
    Abstract: An electric or hybrid electric vehicle comprises a vehicle chassis extending along a longitudinal axis and a rotatable vehicle drive axle disposed along a transverse axis and having opposed ends that are configured for attachment to a pair of opposed drive wheels. The electric vehicle also comprises a selectively movable electric propulsion motor comprising a rotatable motor shaft rotatable about a motor axis, the electric propulsion motor configured to be mounted within the vehicle chassis and operatively coupled to the rotatable vehicle drive axle and opposed drive wheels, the motor axis configured to be oriented in a substantially vertical direction, a selectively movable differential disposed on the drive axle and configured to operatively couple motive power of the electric propulsion motor that is transmitted to the rotatable motor shaft to the drive axle, and a motor actuator operatively coupled to the electric propulsion motor and the vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Gaither, Robert C. MacArthur, Justin J. Chow
  • Patent number: 11440611
    Abstract: An operating switch device for a human-powered vehicle comprises an assist operating switch and a coupling structure. The assist operating switch is configured to receive a user operation input to operate an assist driving unit configured to assist a human power. The coupling structure is configured to detachably couple the assist operating switch to a base member of an operating device configured to be mounted to a handlebar. The base member includes a base body including a grip portion provided between a coupling end configured to be coupled to the handlebar and a free end opposite to the coupling end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Taihei Nishihara
  • Patent number: 11440581
    Abstract: In an electric power steering device, a control unit includes: a power module including a plurality of switching elements configured to supply current to motor windings of a motor; a control board configured to output a control signal to each of the plurality of switching elements; a housing forming an outer case of the control unit; a power supply connector; and a signal connector. The control board is provided in parallel to the axial direction of the output shaft of the motor, and a projection is formed at a bottom portion on the non-output side of the housing so as to protrude to the non-output side. A non-output side end portion of the control board is inserted into the projection, and the power supply connector and the signal connector are provided in a region other than the projection of an outer wall surface of the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Ichikawa, Akihiko Mori
  • Patent number: 11433962
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a variable damper seat post, which comprises: a damper base provided at an upper end portion of a post; a seat connecting body disposed on the damper base of the post and coupled to a seat on which buttocks of a passenger are seated; a fixing unit for fixing the seat connecting body to the damper base; and a damper, interposed between the damper base and the seat connecting body, for varying positions of the seat depending on the movement of the buttocks on the seat, wherein the damper is composed of an elastic member that is pressed when a pressing force is applied and returns back to its original shape when the pressing force is released, and is interposed between the damper base and the seat connecting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Sang Ill Lee
  • Patent number: 11433971
    Abstract: A high performance synchronous transmission to be used aboard a motorcycle for transmitting the motion generated by an engine to a driving wheel, between a crankshaft and a hub shaft parallel therebetween and perpendicular to the median plane of the motorcycle, comprising on the crankshaft a centrifugal clutch, for the automatic engagement of the first speed above a predetermined rotation regime, and a driving pulley apt to transmit the motion through a subsequent kinematic chain, is provided with a coupling between crankshaft and driving pulley which connects them directly, by determining with its own engagement the exclusion of said centrifugal clutch, said coupling being controlled in disengagement when a control lever is in active position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Walter Mariotti, Luca Nuti
  • Patent number: 11427046
    Abstract: A quick hitch attachment device for coupling the attachment element of a truck bed type system to a quick hitch. The attachment device includes a mounting member tube, a ball hitch assembly and two or more coupling members adapted to mount a mounting member to the quick hitch. The ball hitch assembly includes a stem configured to be slidably received in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: HIGH BALL HITCH, LLC
    Inventor: Richard G. Steele, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11413954
    Abstract: A saddle riding type electric vehicle includes a power unit which has a motor configured to drive a vehicle, a battery serving as a power source of the motor, and a control unit configured to control the motor; a vehicle body frame which supports the power unit, and has a head pipe configured to support a front wheel in a steerable manner, and a down frame extending downward from the head pipe; a first radiator and a second radiator disposed on both sides in a vehicle width direction across the down frame; and a pump which circulates cooling water between the first radiator, the second radiator and the power unit. The pump is disposed below one radiator of the first radiator and the second radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsushima, Takahiro Katsuta
  • Patent number: 11414119
    Abstract: The electric stroller comprises a frame, a child seat, an operator seat, a plurality of wheels, a port motor, a starboard motor, a control circuit, and a battery. The electric stroller may be a self-propelled conveyance. The child seat may be supported by the frame and may be adapted to transport a child. The operator seat may be coupled to the frame behind the child seat and may be adapted to transport an operator. A port driven wheel may be propelled by the port motor and a starboard driven wheel may be propelled by the starboard motor with the speed and direction of the port motor and the starboard motor controlled independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Ishmael Morgan
  • Patent number: 11414153
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle includes a driver seat on which a driver rides, a cylinder head of an engine arranged in a region in front of and below the driver seat, an exhaust pipe that is connected to an exhaust port formed on a front surface of the cylinder head and exhausts exhaust of the engine, and a control unit that is arranged in an engine front space formed in front of the cylinder head, above the exhaust pipe, and below an upper end surface of the engine and controls the straddle-type vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Kohei Akita
  • Patent number: 11407473
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member, an operating member, and an assist operating interface. The base member includes a coupling end, a free end, and a grip portion. The coupling end is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The free end is opposite to the coupling end. The grip portion is provided between the coupling end and the free end. The operating member is pivotally coupled to the base member about a pivot axis. The assist operating interface is configured to receive a first user input indicating that an assist driving unit generates a temporary assist driving force for a limited period corresponding to an operation of the first user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Toshio Tetsuka, Takafumi Nishino, Takehiko Nakajima