Patents Examined by Minnah L Seoh
  • Patent number: 11745552
    Abstract: A machine includes a frame and an oscillating hitch. A first cylinder couples to a first side of the oscillating hitch and a first side of the frame. A second cylinder couples to a second side of the oscillating hitch and a second side of the frame. A first isolating mechanism couples to the first cylinder and rotates in response to a first rotation of the first cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A first angle sensor senses a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis. A second isolating mechanism couples to the second cylinder and rotates in response to a second rotation of the second cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A second angle sensor senses a second angular displacement of the second isolating mechanism about a second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John James Krone, Daniel Peter Sergison, Edward William Mate, Jeremy T. Peterson, Bradly Glen Duffer, Matthew Stephen Marquette
  • Patent number: 11745553
    Abstract: An adjustable capture plate for a fifth wheel hitch is disclosed. An example capture plate includes a skid plate couplable to a fifth wheel hitch, and a clamping system including, a base coupled to the skid plate, a pressure plate slidably coupled to the base, and a crank arm coupled to the pressure plate via a link, wherein rotation of the crank arm about an anchor pin of the base corresponds to linear travel of the pressure plate along the base, the pressure plate movable between a first position in which the pressure plate engages a pin box of a trailer and a second position in which the pressure plate is positioned away from the pin box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Cliff Standifer
  • Patent number: 11738812
    Abstract: An auto-coupling system for coupling a trailer and a towing vehicle includes a base plate between a vehicle frame and a fifth wheel of the towing vehicle, an extendable arm rotatably coupled to the base plate at a first point and configured to extend in response to relative movement of the towing vehicle and the trailer, a spring fixedly coupled to the base plate at a second point and coupled to the extendable arm, the spring being configured to exert a retractive force onto the extendable arm, and an alignment assembly rotatably coupled to the extendable arm and configured to move against an outer perimeter of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: R.A. PHILLIPS INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel William Forthoffer
  • Patent number: 11738796
    Abstract: A recirculating ball power steering system includes an electric motor. The system also includes a ball screw rotatably driven by the electric motor. The system further includes a ball nut translatable along the ball screw in a linear direction during rotation of the ball screw. The system yet further includes a sliding joint in sliding contact with an outer surface of the ball nut, the sliding joint moveable in a non-parallel direction relative to the linear direction of the ball nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Pattok, Travis L. Palmer, Caleb S. Palmer, Bruce M. Collier
  • Patent number: 11738799
    Abstract: A system includes a steering-system motor, a first electronic control unit (ECU) and a second ECU each electrically connected to the steering-system motor, a communication line directly communicatively connecting the first ECU and the second ECU, and a gateway module communicatively connecting the first ECU to a controller area network (CAN) bus and communicatively connecting the second ECU to the CAN bus. The first ECU is programmed to, upon detecting a fault, transmit a fault code to the second ECU via the communication line and via the gateway module. The second ECU is programmed to, upon detecting a fault, transmit a fault code to the first ECU via the communication line and via the gateway module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohamad Wajih Issam Farhat, Steven R. El Aile
  • Patent number: 11737937
    Abstract: A wheelchair W includes: a column shaft (50) extending from the rear portion of a front fork (51) and turnably supported by a vehicle-body frame (2); a rocking bar (81a) that is rockably attached to the vehicle-body frame (2) and rocks according to a force applied by a rider; and a link mechanism (82) that joins the rocking bar (81a) and the column shaft (50) and turns the column shaft (50) according to rock of the rocking bar (81a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Takado, Yasushi Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11731470
    Abstract: Connecting straps for use for example in sports activities and methods of attaching the connecting straps. In one example, a connection strap system includes a connecting strap and a peg strap configured to be attached to the connecting strap. An example of the connecting strap includes (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape. The peg strap has a peg-loop at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Eric Michael Landis
  • Patent number: 11730647
    Abstract: A backrest assembly of a wheelchair seat has a tubular seating frame. The backrest assembly includes a backrest, two hollow backrest tubes connecting the backrest to the seat, and at least two joints allowing movement of the backrest tubes between at least first and second end positions. Two locking means are provided for locking and/or unlocking the joints. A hollow handle tube has a single handle for effecting the locking means which is arranged between the backrest tubes and mechanically connected to the locking means via cables. The handle further effects movement of the backrest tubes, via the joints, with use of one hand in constant grip of the handle. The handle is actuated by at least partly sliding, rotating, squeezing, pushing and/or pulling. The locking means automatically re-locks after unlocking and reaching the first or second end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical (US) LLC
    Inventor: Michael Knopf
  • Patent number: 11731716
    Abstract: A ground-engaging track system includes a track having a first track chain and a second track chain, and an idler having pockets formed in an outer idler rim to receive inboard rail protrusions on track links in the first track chain and the second track chain. The inboard rail protrusions project from an inboard link side, and a central pad of an upper rail surface in the track link includes an anti-scalloping bump-out formed on the inboard rail protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Jennings Hakes
  • Patent number: 11724756
    Abstract: A track system for a vehicle having at least three axles is disclosed. The track system includes a frame to which sprocket, idler and support wheel assemblies are connectable, an endless track and a pivoting assembly. The pivoting assembly has a casing connectable to a second axle and at least one pivotable member that has first and second portions respectively pivotally connected to the casing and to the frame. The at least one pivotable member is pivotable between first and second positions about a longitudinally extending pivot, in response to which the first portion is displaced laterally relative to the second portion, and pivotable between third and fourth positions about a lateral pivot axis in response to which the first portion is displaced longitudinally relative to the second portion. A pivoting assembly, a pivoting assembly including a resilient assembly, and a vehicle having the track system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeremie Aubin-Marchand, Simon Bouchard, Samuel Lasnier Guillemette, Yan Roger, Stephane Genois Pelletier
  • Patent number: 11724757
    Abstract: A ground-engaging track system includes a track roller frame, an idler, and anti-backbending rollers supported by the track roller frame at locations between track rollers and the idler. The anti-backbending rollers define an idler space receiving the idler partially therein and positioned to oppose backbending of a deflection-sensitive section of a ground-engaging track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gennaro Suanno, Benoit Abello, Michael James Darges
  • Patent number: 11724729
    Abstract: A child trailer has a bottom frame and a side frame, and a folding joint is disposed on the tail support of the trailer. A front end of the bottom frame is rotationally connected with a front end of the side frame. A top support rod is fixed at a rear end of the side frame. Left and right ends of the top support rod are respectively connected with an upper-section tail support rod rotating around an axis thereof. A tail end of the upper-section tail support rod is connected with a folding joint. The other end of the folding joint is connected with a lower-section tail support rod. A rear end of the bottom frame is connected with a tail rack rotating around a shaft parallel to the axis of the top support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU EASYLIFE PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yunpeng Sun
  • Patent number: 11724734
    Abstract: The present application provides a full hydraulic synchronous steering system for a low-speed heavy-load vehicle, where the system includes: a steering control mechanism and a steering actuator; by determining a desired steering curve between a steering wheel angle and a rear wheel angle, when a steering error exceeds an allowable error, a controller controls the opening and closing of an oil replenishment solenoid valve (5) and an oil discharge solenoid valve (4) to adjust a flow rate of the oil flowing into a steering cylinder (7), so as to ensure that the steering error is within an allowable error range, thereby implementing synchronous steering. A method for manipulating the full hydraulic synchronous steering system is further provided. The full hydraulic synchronous steering system and the method can improve synchronous steering capability of the low-speed heavy-load vehicle and change a steering ratio, thereby improving safety and direction feeling of a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HEFEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Guang Xia, Peng Shi, Yang Zhang, Liping Xu, Mingzhuo Zhao, Jun Gao, Meng Yang, Shaojie Wang, Baoqun Sun
  • Patent number: 11724554
    Abstract: A weight distribution system used with a hitch on a vehicle and a trailer, the weight distribution system comprising a moment bar with a forward end attached to the hitch so as to pivot about a generally vertical axis, the moment bar extending rearwardly along a center longitudinal plane of the trailer toward a rearward portion, the moment bar configured to exert a forward moment on the vehicle in response to an upward force on the rearward portion; a bracket attached to a trailer frame element, wherein the bracket is above the first rearward portion and further from the center longitudinal plane of the trailer than the rearward portion; and a tension member combined with a tension mechanism so as to increase and decrease a tensile force between the bracket and the rearward portion, to thereby increase and decrease the upward force on the rearward portion whereby sway of the trailer is reduced by biasing the system back to the centerline when the vehicle and trailer are out of alignment is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventor: David R. Hall
  • Patent number: 11717462
    Abstract: An electric walking assisting vehicle configured such that in accordance with operating amounts acting on an operation part, driving of driving motors is controlled and includes an inclination detector which detects inclination of a vehicle body in a forward-backward direction, and on flat land where inclination is less than a threshold, with an operation origin of the operation part as a center, the driving motors are controlled to generate torque in a forward direction by operation of pushing the operation part forward and to generate torque in a backward direction by operation of pulling the operation part backward, on an uphill road on which the inclination is the threshold value or more, the operation origin is shifted to an pulling operation side, and on a downhill road on which the inclination is the threshold value or more, the operation origin is shifted to a pushing operation side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gopinath Raja
  • Patent number: 11718364
    Abstract: A pair of elongated housings are positioned generally parallel to each other for connection of a wheel to a vehicle. An elongated member comprising a plurality of rollers is positioned within each of the housings. Spring biasing urges the elongated members downwardly, with the spring biasing absorbing shocks received at the wheel and conveyed to the elongated members, causing movement of the elongated members within the housing. The series of rollers on each of the elongated members traverse the housing to reduce friction between the housing and the elongated member as the elongated members traverse the housing. At least one vehicle wheel is mounted to the elongated members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Henry Sanders
  • Patent number: 11717741
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a snow transport system with a frame comprising a base plate, a pair of opposed side plates, and a plurality of cross members extending between the side plates. A pair of convex lower track slides are mounted on lower portions of, and a pair of convex upper track slides are mounted on upper portions of, the pair of opposed side plates. A drive wheel is mounted at an upper front portion of the frame and connected to be driven by a motor mounted within the frame, an idler wheel is mounted at a lower rear portion of the frame, and a continuous track is wrapped around the wheels and the slides. A push arm assembly is mounted to one side of the frame and extends forwardly from the frame with a push bar portion and user controls at a forward end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ROSHELL INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: James Maidment
  • Patent number: 11718360
    Abstract: A mounting system for a bicycle steering angle sensor is presented herein. The mounting system is capable of being mounted to a steering assembly of a bicycle with an angle sensor coaxially aligned with the steering axis. The steering assembly includes a steering tube, a stem and a headset, such that the headset is structured to provide a rotatable interface between the steering tube and a frame head tube. The mounting system includes a housing defining an interior portion and a bottom mounting portion. The bottom mounting portion of the housing is fixedly mountable to a portion of the steering assembly of the bicycle via a top cap mounting fastener. The angle sensing device is disposed within the housing and at least partially rotatable with the housing to determine an amount of angular rotation applied thereto. An attachment assembly maintains a coupler in a fixed position while the housing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel J. McAllister
  • Patent number: 11713091
    Abstract: A straddle type electric vehicle comprises a main frame, a motor unit including an electric motor, a battery that supplies power to the motor unit, and a control unit that executes drive control of the motor unit. The main frame includes a left and right pair of portions, and at least a portion of the motor unit is disposed at a position overlapping the main frame in a side view of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamori Shirasuna, Makoto Fujikubo, Kazuya Atsumi, Yoshihiro Nomura, Yoshimi Numazaki
  • Patent number: 11712933
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and apparatuses for a retractable tow rope system. The retractable tow rope system includes a tow rope. The tow rope has a first end, a second end, a notch in between the first end and the second end, and an anchoring device. The anchoring device is positioned at the first end of the top rope and configured to couple with an object. The retractable tow rope system includes a reel apparatus. The reel apparatus is coupled to the second end of the tow rope and has a rope hook. The rope hook is configured to latch onto or unlatch from the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Alexander T. Boraggina