Patents Examined by Michael Stabley
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Patent number: 9610988Abstract: An track chain may comprise a first chain portion and a second chain portion each having a plurality of track links, and a plurality of joints interconnecting opposing track links of the first chain portion and the second chain portion. Each of the joints may include a bushing received by the opposing track links and the bushing may define a bore. Each of the joints may further include a pin received through the bore of the bushing, and the pin may have an outer diameter with at least one crowned region.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Timothy Thorson, Robert Meyer
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Patent number: 9610814Abstract: A tow strap and set of jumper cables in one. With this device, a driver can jump start a vehicle or tow a vehicle with a single device. The device has a set of jumper cables that are embedded within a pair of tow straps that are sewn together in one form; or where the strap is folded over the cable and sewn, in a second model. In both cases, exits are provided for the clip portions of the jumper cables. Clips can be attached to the strap to hold the clip portions of the jumper cables as well. One design uses alligator clips for the jumper cables. Other designs use DC plugs and threaded nuts. These connectors can be used in pairs or can be mixed as desired.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Inventor: John Smith
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Patent number: 9603761Abstract: A walking assist apparatus includes a pair of wheels, at least one first driving unit that drives the pair of wheels, a main body that rotatably supports the pair of wheels, and a grip that is disposed at one end of the main body to be able to be gripped. The walking assist apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to detect an angular change in an inclination angle of the main body in a pitch direction, and a first control unit configured and programmed to control an operation of the at least one first driving unit based on an output of the sensor unit such that the angular change of the main body is zero.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeki Fukunaga, Arata Suzuki, Kenichi Shirato
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Patent number: 9598134Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cardboard-based unit, structural elements comprising said unit and land-vehicles comprising said units and structural elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: I.G. CARDBOARD TECHNOLOGIES LTD.Inventor: Izhar Gafni
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Patent number: 9597959Abstract: A hydrostatic driveline has a power source, a transmission portion, a hydrostatic pump, a hydrostatic motor, a transfer case, a first axle assembly, an inter-axle drive shaft, and a second axle assembly. The transmission portion is drivingly engaged with the power source. The hydrostatic pump is in driving engagement with the transmission portion. The hydrostatic motor is in fluid communication with the hydrostatic pump. The transfer case is in driving engagement with the hydrostatic motor. The inter-axle drive shaft is in driving engagement with the transfer case and the transmission portion. The transmission portion, the hydrostatic pump, the hydrostatic motor, the transfer case, and the inter-axle shaft form a first power path for the hydrostatic driveline and the transmission portion and the inter-axle shaft form a second power path for the hydrostatic driveline.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Dana Belgium N.V.Inventor: Mark R. J. Versteyhe
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Patent number: 9598124Abstract: A combined fifth wheel lift and slider assembly mountable on a truck frame includes a fifth wheel slidably mounted upon a fifth wheel slider assembly, and vertically elevatable by a frame member; the frame member supporting the fifth wheel slider assembly, the frame member being moveable from a resting position wherein the frame member rests substantially horizontal relative to the truck frame, to an actuating position wherein the frame member is positioned at an angle relative to the truck frame; a hydraulic mechanism for moving the frame member from the resting position to the actuating position wherein the hydraulic mechanism extends upwardly to push the frame member, the fifth wheel assembly, and the fifth wheel in a direction away from the truck cab; and a locking mechanism for securing the frame member in the resting position.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Inventor: Pete Friesen
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Patent number: 9597241Abstract: In one embodiment, a wheelchair drive mechanism adapted to mount to a wheelchair includes a drive lever adapted to be rotated forward and rearward by a user of the wheelchair, a clutch mechanism associated with the drive lever, wherein actuation of the clutch mechanism causes the drive lever to be coupled to a wheel of the wheelchair such that they rotate together, and a clutch actuation device provided on the drive lever that is operable by the wheelchair user to actuate the clutch mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Daniel Zondervan, David Reinkensmeyer, Brendan Smith
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Patent number: 9598103Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle drive apparatus having a hydraulic pump and a first and second hydraulic motor, each disposed on a center section, is disclosed. A main housing having a housing cover contains the hydraulic pump and the first and second hydraulic motors, which in turn drive first and second motor shafts, respectively. The first and second motor shafts are enclosed in first and second motor shaft housings, respectively, and the main housing combined with the housing cover and the first and second motor shaft housings form a sealed sump. The main housing has mounted thereon a pinion shaft, a pinion gear and a steering rack meshed with the pinion gear. A first steering arm is rotatably mounted to the first motor shaft housing and connected to the steering rack and a second steering arm is rotatably mounted to the second motor shaft housing and connected to the steering rack.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited PartnershipInventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Ryan S. Buescher
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Patent number: 9592877Abstract: There is provided a saddle-ridden type fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle includes: a body frame; a steerable wheel; a driving wheel; a motor; a fuel cell; a fuel tank; and a tank valve. The body frame includes: a head pipe; a down frame portion; a pair of upper main frame portions; a pair of lower main frame portions; and up frame portions. A tank placement portion is formed in a region encircled by the upper main frame portions and the lower main frame portions in the middle portion of the body frame in the front and rear direction. The fuel tank is placed on the tank placement portion so that an axis thereof extends in the front and rear direction. A guard frame is installed between the up frame portions to traverse the rear of the tank valve in a right and left direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichiro Takada, Toru Eguchi, Kazuyuki Hirota
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Patent number: 9592169Abstract: A wheelchair (100) includes a chassis (101) defining a seat (102), a backrest (103), one or more armrests (104,105), and an undercarriage (106). One or more front caster wheels (118,119) are coupled to, and selectively detachable from, the undercarriage. One or more rear wheel assemblies (120,121) each include a rear wheel (125), an axle (127), and a mounting post (129) extending distally from the axle at a substantially orthogonal angle relative to the axle. One or more quick release devices (130,131) couple each mounting post of each rear wheel assembly to the undercarriage such that the each the one or more rear wheel assemblies is selectively detachable from the undercarriage.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Medline Industries, IncInventors: Zach Eddy, Nicodemus Winata, Maggie Andersen
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Patent number: 9586637Abstract: A cart assembly includes a cart that has an upright section and a tongue section. The upright section may have an object removably secured thereto and the tongue section may be coupled to a vehicle thereby facilitating the cart to be towed. A basket is removably attached to the cart. The basket is positioned on the upright section such that the basket may contain an object.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Larry Byron Kentner
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Patent number: 9580137Abstract: The present invention relates to a rider's simultaneous use of his forearms/hands and legs to provide dual power into a propulsion system for riding a cycle vehicle, including a bicycle and a tricycle, or other vehicles. The invention permits the rider to have complete control turning the cycle vehicle, at will, right or left, while at the same time pumping a set of forearm/hand bars in an up power stroke and a down power stroke. In addition, even though the pumping action is lineally moving a telescoping rod and a push/pull cable back and forth, it is also simultaneously rotating a flywheel, upper and lower sprockets, and the crank axle to drive the bicycle wheel forward over the riding surface. Thus, the rider can provide maximum power into rotating the rear tire by simultaneously using both his arms and legs, while contemporaneously controlling his direction of travel.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Inventor: Thomas S. Felker
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Patent number: 9580129Abstract: A generator assembly comprises an internal combustion engine connected to a generator by a transmission. The transmission comprises multiple outputs such that another mechanically powered device can be driven by the engine. The transmission includes a shift mechanism for selecting which output receives power from the engine. The assembly may also be a vehicle and one of the devices can be a drivetrain for powering a drive wheel of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Burromax LLCInventor: Kenneth Francis
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Patent number: 9580141Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising a pivot interface between a battery and a frame. The pivot interface includes a pivot mount defining a recess on one of the frame and the battery, and an eccentric boss on the other of the frame and the battery. The boss has a first boss width that is insertable into the recess when the battery is in a first position, and the boss further has a second boss width larger than the first boss width and creating an interference fit with the recess when the battery is in a second position. At least one of the pivot mount and the boss is resilient in order to accommodate the interference fit. Preferably, the pivot mount is on the frame and the boss is on the battery, and also the pivot mount preferably comprises a resilient material.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Vincent Patureau, Marco Sonderegger, Marc Pallure, Brandon Dale Sloan, Joseph Edward Buckley, Daniel Lentz, Jamie Stafford
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Patent number: 9580101Abstract: An electric power steering system includes an electric motor and a worm speed reducer. The worm speed reducer includes a worm shaft, a worm wheel, and a ring member. The worm wheel includes an annular tooth portion and an annular support formed of a material that is softer than a material of a shaft. The ring member includes an outer periphery press-fitted with the annular support so as to form plastically deformed portions in part of the annular support, and an inner periphery with which the shaft is press-fitted. The ring member is formed of a material with a hardness equivalent to a hardness of the material of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventor: Naofumi Kawamura
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Patent number: 9573429Abstract: 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: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Thule Sweden ABInventors: Keith L. Prescott, Kevin S. Bogoslofski, John Laverack, Greg G. Weaver
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Patent number: 9573645Abstract: A motorcycle of the present invention comprises a vehicle body; and a protruding section which is mounted to the vehicle body such that the protruding section protrudes from the vehicle body to at least one of right and left, and the protruding section has a structure which causes air to flow from front to back along an upper surface of the protruding section to generate a force for pushing the vehicle body downward.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Tomo Yamamoto, Daisuke Saeki, Toshiyuki Kimura, Seiichi Sonoda, Akira Yoshida, Manabu Morikawa
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Patent number: 9566837Abstract: A hitch adapter preferably includes a hitch bracket and a lock pin. The hitch bracket includes a base plate and two side plates. The two side plates extend upward from opposing edges of the base plate. A hitch ball slot is formed in one end of the base plate to receive a neck area of a hitch ball. A pin hole is formed through one end of the two side plates receive the lock pin. A plurality of holes are formed through an opposing end of the hitch bracket for securement to a handle of wheeled device. The hitch adapter may be used as previously described, or used with other components, to create a tongue hitch adapter, a handle hook adapter, a raised hitch adapter or a garbage hook adapter.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Inventor: Kurt D. Marling
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Patent number: 9561832Abstract: A foldable scooter is disclosed with two rotational connections to the steering column, and a fixing structure that maintains the frame elements fixed relative to each other and stable when riding. Once the fixing structure is disengaged, the frame elements are free to rotate relative to each other such that the scooter can be folded into a more compact dimension.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Inventors: Jing He, Hongping He
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Patent number: 9555846Abstract: A robot assembly including, a back member, a pelvis base with a first side and a second side; wherein the pelvis base is rotatably connected to the back member between the first and second sides of the pelvis base, and rotatable around a back x-axis, a first hip member rotatably connected to the first side of the pelvis base and rotatable about a first hip x-axis, a first intermediate extension rotatably connected to the first hip member and rotatable about a first hip z-axis, and a first leg member rotatably connected to the first intermediate extension and rotatable about a first hip y-axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: John Aaron Saunders, Christopher Everett Thorne