Patents Examined by Ruth Ilan
  • Patent number: 10723190
    Abstract: A swing arm type suspension for a rear wheel of an off road vehicle can use two or three tie rods to control toe-in of the knuckle. The rear end of the swing arm is split between an upper clamping arm and a lower clamping arm defining an eye, with the knuckle connected to the upper and lower clamping arms by joint bearings, and with either the transmission shaft or one of the tie rods extending through the eye of the swing arm to the knuckle. The front of the swing arm can be connected to the vehicle frame using a cross-shaft joint. Camber, toe-in and half-track width are controlled to result in a smaller turning radius with better ride characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiayang Hu, Meilin Feng
  • Patent number: 10710548
    Abstract: An assembly includes a seatbelt guide. The seatbelt guide includes a slot. A webbing extends through the slot. A releasable post is supported by the seatbelt guide and extends across the slot. The releasable post releases during a vehicle impact to allow the webbing to move along the slot to reduce chest deflection of an occupant during the vehicle impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dean M. Jaradi, Mohammad Omar Faruque, S. M. Iskander Farooq
  • Patent number: 10710726
    Abstract: This invention relates to any field where crafts (such as avionics) where inhabitants of volumes like passage compartments can be found where the area is subject to extreme conditions such as explosion, fire or other traumatic activity linked with a crash, and more specifically a pressurized dual-compartment canister or anti-trauma apparatus for the storage, mixing, and blast-release of a neutralizing chemical compound within the environment of the volume in a craft placed adjacent to the volume for the blast release of a quickly expanding and quickly retracting product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ALEXANDRU BALAN
    Inventor: Alexandru Balan
  • Patent number: 10696406
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inflatable air pads for aircraft. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes an air pad affixed to a mount within an interior of an aircraft. The air pad includes a front face, a bladder that is inflatable within the air pad, and sides that constrain the front face of the air pad to extend a uniform distance outward from the mount when the bladder is inflated. The apparatus also includes an inflator that is coupled with the air pad and is configured to inflate the bladder from an undeployed volume to a deployed volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mohammed H. Kabir, Alan D. Byar, Jan M. Leon, Todd C. DePauw
  • Patent number: 10676132
    Abstract: A suspension member includes: a front frame including a front cross member extending in a vehicle width direction; a rear frame at least partially made of light metal and including a rear cross member extending in the vehicle width direction, the rear frame being placed on a vehicle rear side of the front frame and joined to the front frame; and a protective member joined to the rear cross member so as to form a closed section together with the rear cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ayaka Kagami, Kazuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10676122
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide a tilt fixing device for a vehicular steering column wherein no tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs between a stationary gear and a movable gear when the driver conducts a tilt locking operation; even if such a tooth-on-tooth phenomenon occurs, a first elastic member installed between the movable gear and a load support member enables tilt locking of the steering column; and, if an external impact is applied, the movable gear slides and meshes with the stationary gear by means of elastic force from the first elastic member such that there occurs a stable tilting operation of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: HyunBi Kwon
  • Patent number: 10667970
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a swing arm assembly (1) for a mid-wheel drive wheelchair (21), comprising: a front swing arm (3) having a front swing arm pivot point (3a), a drive assembly swing arm (5) having a drive assembly swing arm pivot point (5a) and a resilient member first mounting point (5b), a rear swing arm (7) having a rear swing arm pivot point (7a) and a resilient member second mounting point (7b), and a resilient member (9) configured to be connected to the resilient member first mounting point (5a) and to the resilient member second mounting point (7a) to enable force transfer between the drive assembly swing arm (5) and the rear swing arm (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Permobil AB
    Inventors: Herbert Van de Wal, Anton Danielsson
  • Patent number: 10655605
    Abstract: A method for balancing a wind turbine having a vertical axis. The method includes transmitting, via a turbine shaft, mechanical power to an alternator or generator; supporting, via a support structure, a vane shaft and the turbine shaft; and balancing the wind turbine based at least in part on freely moving objects within a hollow chamber of a balancing channel. In some cases, the support structure couples the vane shaft to the turbine shaft. In some cases, the balancing channel is coupled to the vane shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Noel Richard Potter
  • Patent number: 10654513
    Abstract: A steering column assembly comprises a telescopic shroud having an outer shroud portion and an inner shroud portion, a clamp rail fixed to an upper face of the inner shroud portion including a slot, a clamp bolt that extends perpendicular to the shroud, a rocker comprising a body from which extends a lever arm, the body having an opening through which the clamp bolt passes, the rocker converting a rotation of the clamp bolt about its axis in a first direction into an upward motion of the lever arm and into a downward motion when the clamp bolt is rotated in the opposing second direction, a toothed block having two opposed racks of locking teeth that is connected to a carrier element, the carrier element in turn being connected to the lever of the rocker arm such that movement of the lever arm up and down causes movement of the carrier element up and down between an upper position and a lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: TRW Automotive GmbH, TRW Limited
    Inventors: Jan Dite, Niclas Davies, Markus Lingemann
  • Patent number: 10647358
    Abstract: A hollow interconnecting member for connecting vehicular frame members is provided. The hollow interconnecting member is formed of a metal material and defines a centerline. The hollow interconnecting member comprises a first end and a second end. The centerline extends through the first end and the second end. A plurality of walls cooperate to define a continuous passageway that extends between the first end and the second end and defines a first opening and a second opening at the first end and the second end, respectively. The hollow interconnecting member is formed as an as-cast one-piece construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Brian E. Dressel, Rajendra L. Kakarla, Jason T. Hardesty, Andrew George Bakun, Kevin A. Hothem, Brian C. Bray, Hirotomo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10640139
    Abstract: A telescoping steering column is supported by a vehicle structure, and includes a steering shaft, first, second, and third jackets, and first and second adjustment mechanisms. The steering shaft is adapted to rotate about an axis. The first jacket is adapted to rotatably support the steering shaft. The second jacket is adapted to support the first jacket, and the first jacket is constructed to slide axially with respect to the second jacket. The third jacket is adapted to support the second jacket, and the second jacket is constructed to slide axially with respect to the third jacket. The first adjustment mechanism is supported by the first and second jackets for axial movement of the first jacket with respect to the second jacket. The second adjustment mechanism is supported by the second and third jackets for axial movement of the second jacket with respect to the third jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Derocher, Todd M. King, James E. Rouleau
  • Patent number: 10641363
    Abstract: A lawn mower (10) may include a blade housing (20), an engine (30), a mobility assembly (310); and a drive system (300). The engine (30) may be operably coupled to the blade housing (20) and configured to selectively rotate a drive shaft (130). The mobility assembly (310) may include a first set of wheels (40, 42) and be selectively operably coupled to the engine (30) to provide mobility of the lawn mower responsive at least in part to operation of the engine (30). The drive system (300) may include a first transmission (110, 120), a flexible driving member (100), a disengagement assembly (116), and a remote actuator. The a disengagement assembly (116) may include a latching lever (125), where the latching lever (125) is configured to switch the first transmission (110, 120) between a disengaged mode and an engaged mode, and where the latching lever (125) is configured to move between a disengaged position corresponding to the disengaged mode and an engaged position corresponding to the engaged mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: David Baker
  • Patent number: 10631464
    Abstract: An agricultural utility vehicle includes a working power takeoff drivable by means of an internal combustion engine for operating an implement. The utility vehicle further includes an auxiliary power takeoff, which can be driven by an energy storage device and is coupled to the working power takeoff in such a manner that the working power takeoff is additionally driven at least transiently by the auxiliary power takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Valentin Gresch, Martin Kremmer
  • Patent number: 10632958
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided herein. The vehicle includes a seat-base. A seatback is coupled to the seat-base. An airbag assembly is coupled to the seatback and configured to deploy therefrom. A tether is coupled to the airbag assembly and at least one of the seatback and the seat-base. The tether is configured to bias the airbag assembly seating-assembly-downward when the airbag assembly is in a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Brian Robert Spahn, Benjamin Yilma, S. M. Akbar Berry, Kevin Wayne Preuss, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 10633013
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a steer-by-wire steering device may include an actuating unit that comprises a steering spindle mounted rotatably about a longitudinal axis in a casing unit. The casing unit may have a first casing tube in which a second casing tube is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the longitudinal axis and is mounted so as to be movable axially in a telescopic fashion. An actuating drive is connected to the first casing tube and the second casing tube and can move the second casing tube relative to the first casing tube. The actuating drive may comprise a spindle drive with a threaded spindle that is parallel to the longitudinal axis, rotatably drivable by a servomotor, supported on and extending within the first casing tube, and screwed into a spindle nut attached in a rotationally fixed manner to the second casing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Daniel Kreutz, Sebastian Forte
  • Patent number: 10625778
    Abstract: Steerable knuckle apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An apparatus includes a steerable knuckle for a vehicle. The knuckle has a first portion to be movably coupled to a yoke of the vehicle and a second portion removably coupled to the first portion. The second portion receives a wheel hub of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a first aperture disposed on the first portion to receive a first joint for movably coupling the knuckle to the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, John Wesley Stanley, Charles Krysztof, James Adam Drozdowski
  • Patent number: 10625556
    Abstract: An active suspension system comprises at least one biasing device configured to support a body from a structure, and at least one motor. A magnetorheological (MR) fluid clutch apparatus(es) is coupled to the at least one motor to receive torque from the motor, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of torque. A mechanism is between the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus and the body to convert the torque received from the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus into a force on the body. Sensor(s) provide information indicative of a state of the body or structure. A controller receives the information indicative of the state of the body or structure and for outputting a signal to control the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting a desired force on the body to control movement of the body according to a desired movement behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: EXONETIK INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Sebastien Plante, Marc Denninger, Guifre Julio, Patrick Chouinard, Pascal LaRose, Caroline Fraser
  • Patent number: 10625767
    Abstract: A steering device includes: an inner tube; an outer tube that fixes the inner tube by fastening the inner tube from an outer side, and has a first slit extending in an axial direction; a pair of clamp brackets that is disposed so that the clamp brackets face each other with the first slit therebetween; and a reinforcing member that is connected to one of the clamp brackets and also connected to a connection region that is a region of an outer circumferential surface of the outer tube and located farther on one side in the axial direction than an end of the first slit on the one side in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, HIRUTA-KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Suzuki, Daiki Goto, Susumu Imagaki, Takahiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 10618370
    Abstract: Disclosed is an active roll stabilizer. The active roll stabilizer includes a pair of stabilizer bars installed between wheels and an actuator connected between the pair of stabilizer bars and configured to deliver a rotational force to the pair of stabilizer bars, wherein the actuator includes a motor configured to generate the rotational force; a housing located between the pair of stabilizer bars and inside which the motor is disposed; and an engagement part installed between the housing and at least one of the pair of stabilizer bars and configured to screw-couple and fix one end portion of the at least one of the pair of stabilizer bars to one inner side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Man Seo, Jun Ho Seong
  • Patent number: 10618488
    Abstract: A delivery device for an automobile trauma-reducing safety system includes a base component on which a membrane is supported deflated in an initial state prior to an automobile collision and is inflated in an activated state in response to a triggering event. A spray valve is movably coupled to the base component and is concentrically-aligned with the membrane. The spray valve includes exhaust nozzles, is in a retracted position in the initial state, and is movable towards an extended position in the activated state. A containing area stores a chemical liquid in the initial state and is formed between the spray valve and the deflated membrane. The chemical liquid is forced by the inflated membrane in the activated state to move the spray valve from the retracted position towards the extended position, the chemical liquid being expelled through the exhaust nozzles for reducing trauma to an automobile occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Alexandru Balan