Patents Examined by Michael Stabley
  • Patent number: 8690190
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a vehicle frame extending between a right and left pair of rear wheels. An engine is mounted in a vertical position on a horizontal mounting surface defined in the vehicle frame in a peripheral area of the rear wheels in a central portion of a transverse direction of the vehicle. A fuel tank includes a main tank body mounted under a driver's seat and an auxiliary tank body mounted on the mounting surface on one lateral side of the engine in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A canister is mounted adjacent to the engine on one lateral side of the engine and rearwardly of and adjacent to the auxiliary fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: David Spitz, Masahiro Yamada, Takeshi Komorida, Takashi Shibata
  • Patent number: 8684122
    Abstract: A center motor power-assisted bicycle includes an internal transmission and has a regenerative function. A transmission comprises, in a drive wheel hub, a planetary gear, a one-way clutch for reverse input, a clutch switching device, and, a sun gear and transmits driving force from a sprocket to the drive wheel. A transmission control mechanism selectively rotationally fixes the sun gear to the axle to change speed when driving force is applied. The clutch is disposed between the sun gear and the axle, and selectively rotationally fixes the sun gear to the axle by the operation of the clutch switching device when reverse input is applied. While the bicycle is driven, the clutch switching device moves the clutch to the rotatable state, to transmit driving force. While the bicycle is traveling without being driven, the clutch is locked, so that reverse input is transmitted to the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Maeno, Kiyohiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8678419
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide systems and methods for connecting a power supply of a tow vehicle to a trailer. The system may comprise a connector plate coupled to a hitching member. The connector plate may define a curvilinear slot that receives a first connector. The curvilinear slot may allow the connector plate to rotate with respect to the first connector. A retention spring may be coupled to the first connector. In various embodiments, the hitching member may be a tongue of a fifth wheel trailer or a downward extending member of a gooseneck trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph Karl Glazner
  • Patent number: 8678122
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame of a motorcycle comprises a front frame portion extending rearward from a head pipe; and a rear frame portion extending downward or rearward from a rear end of the front frame portion. The front frame portion includes at least a pair of right and left frame members. A forward portion of the rear frame portion is a lumbar frame having a closed cross-section structure portion in which a pair of right and left steel plates and are joined together. Devices such as a canister, and an ABS unit, are easily mounted in spaces lateral relative to the lumbar frame having a reduced width, while ensuring a sufficient stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 8678113
    Abstract: A dual-path hydrostatic drive arrangement for driving ground wheels at the opposite sides of the front of a self-propelled windrower is controlled for effecting steering and ground speed changes by a control mechanism including a gear train defined by a steering input gear and idler gear and steering output gears carried by a gear support member mounted for pivoting about a fixed axis of rotation of the input gear. The output gear is coupled for transmitting movement to first and second pump displacement control rods and steering is effected by turning a steering wheel which is coupled for rotating the input gear so as to impart rotation to the output gear which rotates so as to cause the control rods to move different amounts or in different directions. Speed changes are effected by a speed control device that is coupled for selectively swinging the speed/direction control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Thomas Daryl Bebernes
  • Patent number: 8672064
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled irrigation vehicles (10) that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled irrigation vehicle (60) using one or more track assemblies (62). Each track assembly (62) includes a carriage (70) with frames (92, 94) that support a plurality of pairs of idler wheels (74, 76), and pairs of bogey wheels (80, 82, 84). A portion of one of the frames (94) is telescopically received within a portion of the other frame (92), so that the frames (92, 94) may move relative to each other in a linear fashion. A tensioning apparatus (212) is connected to the frames (92, 94) so that the frames are adjustable relative to each other. Each carriage (70) also includes a hub support frame (90) that is connected to one of the frames (92) in an offset manner. The hub support frame (90) includes an aperture (132) that rotatably receives a spindle (262) of an adaptor (258).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Loegering Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8672084
    Abstract: A rear wheel steering system includes a rear rack shaft that slides in a vehicle-width direction to steer a pair of rear wheels, a recess formed in the rear rack shaft, and a pin member that is fitted into the recess from the outer side of the rear rack shaft, and is retracted to be disengaged from the recess. The pin member is fitted into the recess to lock sliding of the rear rack shaft in a neutral position, and the pin member placed in a retracted state is disengaged from the recess to cancel slide lock on the rear rack shaft. The rear rack shaft has guide grooves formed on respective sides of the recess in a longitudinal direction of the rear rack shaft so as to be contiguous with the recess, and used to guide the pin member, placed in the advanced state, toward the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8672086
    Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a rotatable steering shaft having an exterior, an input end for connecting a steering member and an output end for connecting to at least one steerable wheel of a vehicle. An electric motor is operatively connected to the steering shaft for rotating the steering shaft. The shaft is magnetized and serves as a torque sensor transducer. At least one magnetic field sensor is adjacent to the exterior of the steering shaft. The steering shaft and the at least one magnetic field sensor form a torque sensor for sensing torque applied to the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member and provide a signal to operate the electric motor to assist steering of the steering shaft by the manually operable steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Marine Canada Acquisition Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Tat-Lung Wong, Eric B. Fetchko, Wan Yan Ho, Xue Mei Liu
  • Patent number: 8668220
    Abstract: A wheelchair system and an accessory system for a wheelchair are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the accessory system may include an accessory frame having one or more interface elements to mount to a wheelchair frame. The accessory system may include a wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the accessory frame by a first fastener. The accessory system may include an engagement system further coupling the accessory frame to the wheel assembly. The engagement system may include a channel guide member defining a channel having a notched region. The channel guide member may be rotatably coupled to one of the accessory frame or wheel assembly by a second fastener. The engagement system may further include a translating member retained within the channel of the channel guide member. The translating member may be fixed to another one of the accessory frame or wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Carl M. Hay
  • Patent number: 8662513
    Abstract: A human powered land vehicle sufficiently rigid so as to transport a human rider constructed only from palpably recyclable and shreddably recyclable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: I.G. Cardboard Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Izhar Gafni
  • Patent number: 8662517
    Abstract: A steering bearing assembly includes a cap and a bearing element that define an axial force transmission path therethrough. A compression ring is moveably coupled to the cap and is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing assembly outside of the axial force transmission path. The compression ring includes an inner annular surface adapted to transmit a radial compressive force from the cap to a steerer element. A steering assembly, and method for assembling the steering assembly, also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: King Cycle Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Dale King, Erik Steven Drews, Brian Keith Schultz
  • Patent number: 8662218
    Abstract: A portable, motorized platform apparatus that attaches to any walk-behind golf club caddy generally comprising: (a) a standing platform body between first and second wheels; (b) a third swivel wheel located to the rear/center of the platform; (c) a chain driven drive tire on the left and a disc brake tire on the right of the first and second wheels; (d) a frame assembly including an extended tongue attached to the platform to the center rear axle/frame; (e) a motor and a rechargeable electrical power supply; (f) split ring clamps attachable to the handle of the caddy, to allow for quick connect of the platform's handle bar assembly; (g) the handle bar assembly comprising a twist throttle and a braking lever; and wherein once the handle bar assembly is attached, the rider is able to steer said platform by using the modified handle of the walk-behind golf club caddy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Jerry Dean Horn
  • Patent number: 8657042
    Abstract: A steerable walking machine is described which comprises a leg mechanism that provides a means for locomotion of the machine across a surface and a head rotatably mounted upon the leg mechanism. The rotational position of the head upon the leg mechanism acts to defines a direction of locomotion of the machine across the surface. The steerable walking machine can therefore walk in any direction without requiring the leg mechanism to turn and so can maneuver in more confined spaces than those devices known in the art. A first motor is employed to control the leg mechanism while a second motor controls the rotation of the head upon the leg mechanism. The functionality of the steerable walking machine is therefore achieved through the employment of only two motors thus significantly reducing the manufacturing costs involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: China Industries Limited
    Inventor: Jaimie Hartwig Barrett Mantzel
  • Patent number: 8657320
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for a wheelchair wheel that has a running wheel with a hub and a hand rim includes a running wheel fastening arrangement that is fastened to the running wheel, a hand rim fastening arrangement that is fastened to the hand rim and at least one sensor that detects a movement of the hand rim fastening arrangement relative to the running wheel fastening arrangement. Two restoring elements are provided on the running wheel fastening arrangement and rest against the hand rim arrangement with a prestressing force at least in the zero position. Both restoring elements rest against at least one stop of the running wheel fastening arrangement in the zero position of the sensor arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: AAT Alber Antriebstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Alber
  • Patent number: 8651212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery holder which is configured to be inserted into the tube opening in the seat tube of the frame of an electric bicycle and to be pulled out. The bicycle saddle is connected to the battery holder via a saddle pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fairly Bike Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Droux Vincenz
  • Patent number: 8651505
    Abstract: A bicycle 10 providing increased power transfer and improved aerodynamic characteristics. The bicycle includes a seat assembly 70 that supports the anterior pelvic region so the rider extends forwardly over the bicycle instead of in an upright position. The bicycle also includes a rear mounted drive assembly 80 to increase the power transfer from the rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Marty Williams
  • Patent number: 8641069
    Abstract: On an apparatus for generating and/or storing compressed air, particularly for filling tires of a vehicle, particularly a bicycle, it is provided that the apparatus is accommodated in an element (17), particularly a frame element of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander Haager
  • Patent number: 8636096
    Abstract: Provided is a launchable remote-control attack device that enables an operator to remotely grasp the status of a target place and to remotely control weapons it has been equipped with to perform an attack using explosives or gas when necessary. The remote-control attack device includes a cylindrical body with a camera, drivers which are made up of two tires that are disposed on opposite sides of the body and can be driven individually, and battery units for supplying power and which are disposed in central openings of the tires of the drivers. The attack device further includes a plurality of storage units and a wireless control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Duksan Mecasys Inc.
    Inventors: Soohyun Kim, Kyung-Soo Kim, Jeehyoung Kim, Bong-soo Kang, Wonsuk Jung, Chulyoung Kim, Yunsic Hong, Hyunsoo Park, Kyuje Yoo, Doo-Yeol Koh, Seung-Ho Lee, Min-Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 8631896
    Abstract: A steering wheel for a motor vehicle is provided. The steering wheel includes a steering wheel rim for rotating actuation of the steering wheel, a steering wheel hub for connecting the steering wheel with a steering shaft of a motor vehicle and a superposition drive for the actuation of a superposition steering by means of which said steering a steering angle created by actuation of the steering wheel rim can be superposed by a superposed angle that can be created by the superposition steering so that a respective rotation movement of a steering shaft connected with the steering wheel is composed of a steering angle that can be created by actuation of the steering wheel rim and a superposed angle that can be created by actuation of the superposition steering. An arresting appliance is provided on the steering wheel, separate from the components of the superposition steering for creating the superposed angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dieter Markfort, Philipp Werdin
  • Patent number: 8622414
    Abstract: A device for coupling a vehicle to a vehicle to be towed includes using an air blast typically from the brake system to automatically hitch the 2 vehicles. A three position pneumatic valve is utilized to allow for the hitching and unhitching of the 2 vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Wenceslao Moline da Luz