Patents Examined by Michael Stabley
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Patent number: 8985254Abstract: A pedal driven apparatus for a hybrid bicycle can be manually propelled, but also includes a motor unit for forward propulsion of the bicycle. The apparatus comprises manually operable pedals fixed for rotation with a pedal spindle for receiving a manually provided driving force, and a motor having a shaft for receiving a motor provided driving force. A first torque transmission path transfers the manually provided driving force to a sprocket of the pedal driven apparatus, and a second torque transmission path transfers the motor provided driving force to the sprocket of the pedal driven apparatus. A first one way drive means is provided in the first torque transmission path and second one way drive means is provided in the second torque transmission path. The manual driving force and motor driving force may be used separately or combined.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Foster Assets CorporationInventor: Yet Chan
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Patent number: 8985613Abstract: A towbar includes a body and a carriage assembly mounted to the body for movement between a retracted position in which wheels on the carriage assembly are elevated above the ground and a support position in which the wheels support the towbar on the ground, wherein the towbar is configured for rapid deployment of the carriage assembly from the retracted position to the support position. Rapid deployment is provided by a hydraulic actuator and an accumulator that can store fluid pressure, such that controllably discharging the accumulator drives the actuator to move the carriage assembly. A method is disclosed using the towbar to move an aircraft such that the accumulator is charged with pressure before the towbar is decoupled from nose gear.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Inventor: Daniel J. McElroy
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Patent number: 8978808Abstract: A motorcycle includes a seat located above the right and left seat frames, a first engagement portion disposed at an underside of the seat, a housing box located below the seat and supported by the right and left seat frames, a key cylinder attached to a lower surface of the housing box and provided with a downwardly-opened key insertion hole, and a seat lock disposed between the lower surface of the housing box and the seat and provided with a second engagement portion to engage with the first engagement portion. The key cylinder comes into contact with the seat lock to cause the seat lock to slide by rotation of a key inserted into the key insertion hole, thus releasing the engagement between the first engagement portion and second engagement portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tooru Tanaka
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Patent number: 8973936Abstract: A rehabilitation device includes a wheeled platform with first and second pedals, the first and second pedals engaging drive mechanisms for first and second rear wheels of the device, respectively. First and second braking mechanisms provide independent braking of the first and second rear wheels of the device. The independent braking mechanisms of the rehabilitation device provide a method of steering the device.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Scott Novins
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Patent number: 8973939Abstract: An adjustable seating frame assembly includes a side frame member, first and second joint members, a footrest hanger, a pivot fastener and a lock fastener. The first joint member is affixed to the side frame member and includes a first pivot aperture and at least one first lock aperture. The second joint member is affixed to the footrest hanger and includes a second pivot aperture and at least one second lock aperture. The pivot fastener is secured through the first and second pivot apertures to pivotally attach the second joint member to the first joint member. The lock fastener is secured through a selected one of the at least one first lock aperture and a selected one of the at least one second lock aperture to secure the second joint member in a selected one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the first joint member.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Freedom Designs, Inc.Inventors: Mauricio Melgarejo, Michael H. Nordquist, Alejandro Melgarejo
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Patent number: 8960364Abstract: Disclosed are a pinion sensor assembly and an electric power steering apparatus having the same. According to the present invention, it is possible to substantially reduce the number of constitutional elements to be assembled when assembling a torque sensor and neighboring elements, to reduce an error in change of torque caused by accumulation of assembling errors of the constitutional elements, thereby preventing a malfunction, and to enhance assemblability.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Mando CorporationInventor: Sung Ho Ji
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Patent number: 8960709Abstract: An insert bar assembly for a hitch-rack carrier comprises a self-locating securement pin. The insert bar assembly can comprise an elongate hitch-attachment bar which in turn comprises a hitch-receiver insert portion located at an insertable end of the bar. The assembly can include a flexible securement pin or a rigid securement pin resiliently joined to the bar at a fixed distance from the engagement end of the pin. The assembly accommodates repetitive, same location positioning of the engagement end of the pin at a pin-tip facing surface on the bar in the pin-secured configuration of the insert bar assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Kevin S. Bogoslofski, John Laverack, Greg G. Weaver
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Patent number: 8960704Abstract: A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, a collar member operably coupled to the kingpin, and a collet member extending about the kingpin and frictionally engaging the housing and the kingpin.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.Inventors: Eric Terpsma, Richard Polanic, Gerald Hungerink, Richard Sibley, Jr.
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Patent number: 8960708Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an example towable power generation system. The towable power generation system includes a guide that facilitates mounting the enclosure onto a base. In some embodiments, the guide is attached to the enclosure. When enclosure is mounted on the towable power generation system, the guide on the enclosure engages another portion of the towable power generation system as the enclosure is assembled onto (or removed from) the rest of towable power generation system. The guide facilitates alignment and mounting of the enclosure relative to the towable power generation system.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Joshua Ziebert, Dawn Vertz
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Patent number: 8960702Abstract: An electric bicycle and electric bicycle frame including batteries or a battery pack stored in one or more tubes of the frame. In some cases, a pair of top tubes extend rearward of the bicycle seat tube, and an electronics housing may be disposed between the rearward extending top tube portions. Alternatively or in addition, a removable bottom bracket shell portion and a removable bottom bracket insert may be provided, to allow convenient access to the interior portions of the down tube and/or seat tube of the frame. A battery pack and/or a battery electronics management unit may be conveniently within one or both of the down tube and the seat tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Faraday Bicycles, Inc.Inventors: Adam Patrick Vollmer, Andrew Justin Taylor
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Patent number: 8955864Abstract: A hydraulically-operated implement has a hydraulic system with a hose and a coupler connecting the hose to a mating port on a tractor. A docking station is mounted on the implement receives the coupler on the free end of the hose when disconnected from the tractor. The docking station includes a station body having a coupler receiving portion and a leakage collection portion. The coupler receiving portion has a primary side with at least one circular bore and the leakage collection portion contains a drain opening. A retention device positioned on the inner periphery of each of the circular bores receives the coupler. The drain opening is sealed with a drain plug and the docking station has an inside bulkhead parallel with the primary side of the station body. The bulkhead has a circular hole formed therein aligned with the at least one cylindrical bore in the primary side.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: AGCO CorporationInventors: Nelson J. Palen, Roger L. Meek, Bradley A. Stewart
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Patent number: 8955861Abstract: A bicycle with a driving train has a continuous chain connecting the spindle connected front sprocket to the rear one way engaging other way ratcheting sprocket situated at the rear wheel hub. Two long fulcrum lever pedal bars are pivoted about two-thirds away from its front end to a bicycle frame. A connecting rod is connected pivotally to the rear end of each fulcrum lever pedal bars. The other end of each connecting rods are connected pivotally to their sides spindle arms, which are connected opposite to each other to the spindle. A pedal is fitted at the front end of both fulcrum lever pedal bars. Whereby, when the pedal is at its top position the rider's foot presses the pedal, thus the drive train is in motion. The other pedal is making its way to the top position. Pressing the pedal alternatively keeps the bicycle in continuous motion.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Inventor: Randolph Raviraj Rasiah
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Patent number: 8950774Abstract: A frame locking bar is supported pivotably with respect to a rear body. The frame locking bar is constructed to be able to lock an articulated structure by fixing a front body and the rear body to each other to thereby prevent swing thereof. A fixing mechanism is constructed to be able to position this frame locking bar at a prescribed pivoted position in a cantilevered state. At the positioned prescribed pivoted position, when viewed from above, a foot mount is located outside a side surface of a driver's compartment. Thus, a wheel loader capable of locking an articulated mechanism and allowing easy and highly safe services at a high position is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Nobuo Ushikubo, Nobumasa Takamatsu, Yasuhiro Yamane
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Patent number: 8950767Abstract: Disclosed is a trailer for attachment to a vehicle. The trailer includes a frame having a first side and a second side that define a bottom area bordered by the first and second sides. Connected to the frame is an attachment arm configured to attach the trailer to the vehicle. At least one floor panel, supported by the frame, is included and is configured to selectively transition between a riding position and a running position. When the floor panel is in its riding position, the trailer is configured to carry and transport an animal. When the floor panel is in its running position, the trailer is configured to exercise the animal such that the animal is free to move under its own power in connection with the vehicle as the vehicle moves.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Inventors: Anna Lee Carter, Benjamin Chase Carter
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Patent number: 8950543Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric power steering apparatus. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric power steering apparatus configured to be capable of being assembled in a state in which the tension of a belt is correctly tuned without using a separate process of measuring the tension of the belt, to substantially reduce the number of steps at the time of assembling a motor housing and a rack housing and hence the manufacturing costs, and to reduce vibration and noise to provide a pleasant steering feeling to a driver.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Mando CorporationInventors: Nam Hwan Heo, Dong Sik Kim
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Patent number: 8944208Abstract: A flat surface portion is formed on a nut so as to extend to a region where an output pulley attachment portion is formed in an axial direction, and extend substantially in parallel with a tangential direction of a rotational axis of the nut. A ball circulation groove one end side opening, and a ball circulation groove opposite end side opening are formed on the nut. The ball circulation groove one end side opening is in communication with one end of a ball circulation groove and is formed so as to be opened to the flat surface portion in the region where the output pulley attachment portion is formed. The ball circulation groove opposite end side opening is in communication with an opposite end of the ball circulation groove and is formed so as to be opened to the flat surface portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Steering, Ltd.Inventors: Keisuke Kitamura, Satoru Muto, Shogo Ishikawa
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Patent number: 8939459Abstract: A suspension fork for a bicycle has a tube system with an inner tube and an outer tube that are movable relative to one another. A damper system with a field-sensitive damping fluid is provided within the tube system. The damper device has a damper chamber that is partitioned to form a first chamber and a second chamber by a movable piston attached to a piston rod. A first throttle valve with a first field generating device and a second throttle valve with a second field generating device enable influencing the first and second throttle valves. First and second switching valves are provided. The first and second throttle valves and the first and second switching valves are interconnected such that in the compression stage there is flow only through the first throttle valve while in the rebound stage the first and second throttle valves are connected in series.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: DT Swiss, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Battlogg, Martin Walthert, Michael Kieber, Juergen Poesel
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Patent number: 8925949Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a front triangle and a rear triangle. The front triangle comprises, in turn, the following tubular elements: a seat tube; a top tube; a down tube; and a steering tube. Whereas the rear triangle comprises, in turn, the following tubular elements:—two inclined seat stays and two horizontal chain stays. The frame is characterized in that the elements comprised in the front triangle are manufactured as one single piece, and in that the two chain stays are joined to said front triangle by means of a bushing, which is inserted into a seat, which is obtained in correspondence to a bottom bracket axle.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Diamant S.R.L.Inventor: Philippe Zecchetto
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Patent number: 8925658Abstract: The present invention discloses a drill rig relocation system. Lift frames are provided at opposite ends of a base box of a drill rig substructure. A lift cylinder and bearing mat assembly are rotatably connected beneath the lift frame. The bearing mat assemblies may be rotated to the desired direction for moving the drill rig. The lift cylinders are then expanded, placing the bearing mat assemblies onto the ground and lifting the base boxes and drill rig off the ground. The drill rig is supported on linear sleeve bearings slideably mounted in the bearing mat assemblies. Translation cylinders on the bearing mats expanded to move the rig by translating the linear sleeve bearings along the shafts. After the lift cylinder expands to place the bearing mat on the ground, the translation cylinders are retracted, providing the linear bearing with the full length of the shaft for the next movement.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.Inventors: F. Allan Bryant, Keith J. Orgeron, Mark W. Trevithick
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Patent number: 8925668Abstract: A power assisting device for a bicycle generally including an electric generator, an electric motor and a rheostat. The rheostat includes a mount having a first insert and a second insert. Both inserts include upper and lower apertures. Each upper aperture includes a contact, where in a first position the contacts are in contact with one another, and in a second position the contacts are not. The first insert is attached to the brake lever. Applying the front brakes with the braking lever causes the first insert to move from the first position to the second position. The generator is electrically connected to the upper aperture of the first insert, and the motor is electrically connected to the upper aperture of the second insert. When the braking system is not applied, the inserts are in the first position and the contacts are in contact causing an electrical connection between the rheostat, the generator and the motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventor: Marvin Mofield