Patents Examined by Ruth Ilan
  • Patent number: 10988192
    Abstract: An example robot includes a first actuator and a second actuator connecting a first portion of a first member of the robot to a second member of the robot. Extension of the first actuator accompanied by retraction of the second actuator causes the first member to roll in a first roll direction. Retraction of the first actuator accompanied by extension of the second actuator causes the first member to roll in a second roll direction. A third actuator connects a second portion of the first member to the second member. Extension of the third actuator accompanied by retraction of both the first and second actuators causes the first member to pitch in a first pitch direction. Retraction of the third actuator accompanied by extension of both the first and second actuators causes the first member to pitch in a second pitch direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Everett Thorne, John Aaron Saunders, Marco da Silva, Thomas H. Miller, Alexander Douglas Perkins
  • Patent number: 10988191
    Abstract: A load transporting apparatus may be steered while transporting a load across a base surface, and the load transporting apparatus may be operated hydraulically, electrically, or by use of an encoder. In particular, the load transporting apparatus may include a track configured to a saddle housing (a support movement for a movement assembly), and a foot that may be connected to the track. During load transport, the pad saver may be maintained in a substantially similar position relative to a frame structure supporting the load, even when the transport movement is not in a parallel direction to the orientation of the pad saver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hydraulic Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Carl Flynt Higginbotham, III
  • Patent number: 10988101
    Abstract: A vehicle side airbag device is stored inside a seatback of a vehicle seat and includes an airbag that inflates and deploys between a seated occupant and a side door. The interior of the airbag is partitioned into plural chambers including a high-pressure chamber, and the high-pressure chamber inflates and deploys so as to vertically straddle a door beltline as seen in vehicle lateral view and so as to restrain a shoulder region of the seated occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Seiji Hioda
  • Patent number: 10981535
    Abstract: Provided is a gas generator including a housing including a top plate, a bottom plate, and a peripheral wall, the bottom plate being axially opposite the top plate, and the peripheral wall including a gas discharge port and being located between the top plate and the bottom plate. In the gas generator, an internal space of the housing is separated into a first combustion chamber and a second combustion chamber by a partition wall axially and radially partitioning the internal space of the housing, the first combustion chamber being formed to accommodate a first gas generating agent and being on the top plate side, and the second combustion chamber being formed to accommodate a second gas generating agent and being on the bottom plate side. A first igniter and a second igniter are disposed at the bottom plate, the first igniter being configured to burn the first gas generating agent, and the second igniter being configured to burn the second gas generating agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DAICEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Mikio Yabuta
  • Patent number: 10981592
    Abstract: A power steering assembly has a housing and a ball nut assembly supported on the housing. The ball nut assembly has a ball nut axis. The housing has a first surface between the housing and the ball nut assembly. The ball nut assembly also has a second surface. The second surface rotates on the first surface such that the ball nut assembly rotates relative to the housing on a rotation axis that is transverse to the ball nut axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety and Electronics US LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Urbach, John F. Santori
  • Patent number: 10981601
    Abstract: In an impact-absorbing member which extends in a vehicle length direction of an automobile and whose both end portions in the vehicle length direction have a collision-side end portion and a non-collision-side end portion whose positions become mutually different when seen from the vehicle length direction, an outer member and an inner member of the impact-absorbing member are formed so that a position of a gravity center at the collision-side end portion and a position of a gravity center at the non-collision-side end portion become mutually different according to a positional relationship between the collision-side end portion and the non-collision-side end portion in order to suppress a tensile stress generated at the collision-side end portion and suppress a compressive stress generated at the non-collision-side end portion in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yutaka Mikazuki, Eiji Isogai, Seiya Ishii
  • Patent number: 10982721
    Abstract: A first concave-convex portion of a first transmission member is engaged with an intermediate concave-convex portion of an intermediate transmission member with a circumferential gap being therebetween. A second concave-convex portion of a second transmission member is engaged with the intermediate concave-convex portion with a circumferential gap being therebetween. A first elastic member and a second elastic member are engaged with a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of the intermediate transmission member such that separation between the intermediate transmission member and the first elastic member and the second elastic member can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Ryou Oosawa, Toru Segawa, Toru Ishii
  • Patent number: 10976209
    Abstract: A torque sensor is configured to detect torque even when an abnormality has occurred in one magnetic sensor among multiple magnetic sensors. An electric power steering apparatus using the torque sensor is provided. The torque sensor includes a first magnetic sensor between a first magnetic collection mechanism and a second magnetic collection mechanism, a second magnetic sensor between the first and second magnetic collection mechanisms and disposed at a same position as or a symmetric position to a magnetic environment of the first magnetic sensor, and a third magnetic sensor between the first and second magnetic collection mechanisms and disposed at a same position as or a symmetric position to the magnetic environments of the first and second magnetic sensors. The torque sensor detects torque generated on a rotational member based on an output signal of the first, second, or third magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Murakami, Kohtaro Shiino
  • Patent number: 10974784
    Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame assembly having a front end and a rear end extending along a longitudinally-extending centerline, a front ground-engaging member operably coupled to the front end of the frame assembly at a front rotational axis, and a rear ground-engaging member operably coupled to the rear end of the frame assembly at a rear rotational axis. A wheel base is defined between the front and rear rotational axes and a vertically-extending centerline of the vehicle extends vertically at the midpoint of the wheel base and is perpendicular to the longitudinally-extending centerline. The vehicle also includes a fuel tank, an airbox assembly, and a battery all positioned relative to the vertically-extending centerline of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Bagnariol, Matthew R. Fronk, Jason A. Warns, Benjamin M. Comana, Matthias Botta, Richard J. Christoph, Philippe Gasdia, Hans-Rudolf Jenni, Urs Wenger, Martin Pelz, Clark D. Davis, Juho Pekka Wuollett, Kory J. Schuhmacher
  • Patent number: 10967691
    Abstract: A retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising an actuator, a retraction linkage assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, a suspension assembly at least partially connected to the retraction linkage assembly and movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive, wherein when the retraction linkage assembly and the suspension assembly are protracted then the retraction linkage and/or suspension assembly supports and/or holds at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Gibbs Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Alan Timothy Gibbs
  • Patent number: 10960846
    Abstract: An inflator as well as a method of manufacturing an inflator, a module including an inflator and an airbag module. In an inflator, especially for a protective device in a vehicle, comprising plural components a sealant is applied in the area of abutting components, especially a sealant which adheres to both abutting components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ZF AIRBAG GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Bierwirth, Achim Hofmann, Hans-Peter Neumayer, Dieter Spitzenberger, Franz Fuerstenberger, Hannes Nuiding, Dieter Leier, Georg Schoenhuber, Joerg Friedrich
  • Patent number: 10960719
    Abstract: A trailer force measurement system includes a tow hitch, a hitch mount connected to the tow hitch and a spring bar connected to the hitch mount. The trailer force measurement system also includes a trailer having a frame, where the spring bar is connected to the trailer frame via a bracket. A hitch coupler is then connected to the trailer frame and configured to releasably couple the trailer frame to the hitch mount. A force measurement device is then disposed on the bracket and configured to measure force exerted on the bracket by the spring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: PROGRESS MFG. INC.
    Inventors: Jed K. Anderson, Jason R. Harper, Matthew D. Barnes, David F. Lundgreen
  • Patent number: 10960923
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic steering facility for mobile systems, with a steering circuit for a steering facility and a working circuit for a working hydraulic system, whereby the steering circuit and the working hydraulic system are connected to a supply pump via a shared flow dividing valve and the flow dividing valve is connected to a load signal connection of the steering device. It is provided that the steering facility has an adjustable input choke that is connected via an inflow connection of the steering facility to the flow dividing valve, between the load signal connection and downstream of the input choke, a parallel circuit consisting of a choke and an adjustable second load signal choke is arranged, and the load signal connection is further connected via an adjustable first load signal choke to a return flow connection of the steering facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions Parchim GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Bergmann, Manfred Schildmann, Hartmut Vossberg
  • Patent number: 10960953
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a front wheel assembly, a handle assembly, a frame assembly and a rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly is connected to the handle assembly, one end of the frame assembly is connected to the handle assembly, the other end of the frame assembly is connected to the rear wheel assembly, the front wheel assembly is provided with a shock-absorbing device, and/or the rear wheel assembly is provided with a shock-absorbing assembly to reduce the vibration of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: X.L.T. INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Antang Liu
  • Patent number: 10953838
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag system for a vehicle, including a first airbag and a second airbag situated largely above the first airbag in the intended main supporting direction. Both airbags may be triggered chronologically. In the airbag system both airbags may include a separate gas supply and may effectively interact to provide a larger airbag volume without substantial loss of time. When both airbags are activated, the second airbag deploys largely on the surface of the first airbag. Due to the separate gas supply, both airbags may be triggered simultaneously and independently of one another. It is also possible for only the second airbag to be triggered and for the first airbag to remain inactive. Thus, the airbag system covers a wider range of load conditions. The system helps by allowing the vehicle occupants more freedom in choosing their sitting positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Tobias Skrodzki
  • Patent number: 10953909
    Abstract: A steering column for a vehicle may include a lower column; and an upper column with a lower end portion thereof being fitted into the lower column to slidably overlap the lower column, and with an upper end portion of the upper column coupled to a steering wheel, wherein the upper column may include a guide slot, which extends in the same direction as a direction in which colliding force, generated in a collision, is applied, and wherein a tilt bolt is disposed to extend through the guide slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byung Woo Noh
  • Patent number: 10953948
    Abstract: A cable routing system of a bicycle, including a stem having a receiving space and an engaging hole communicating with the receiving space, a frame, a fork, an expander, and at least one cable. A head tube of the frame has a top portion having an upper mounting hole and a bottom portion having a lower mounting hole. The fork sequentially passes through the lower mounting hole, the upper mounting hole, and the engaging hole to be connected to the stem. The expander is disposed in a steering tube of the fork and has at least one cable passage communicating with the receiving space and the engaging hole. The cable extends into the steering tube from outside by passing through the receiving space and the cable passage. An end of the cable is connected to a bicycle controller, and another end thereof is connected to a bicycle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TIEN HSIN INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark Vandermolen, Hung-Mao Gu
  • Patent number: 10953912
    Abstract: Example steering wheel systems and torque feedback actuator assemblies for use in steer-by-wire vehicles are described herein. An example steering wheel system includes a steering wheel and a torque feedback actuator assembly. The torque feedback actuator assembly includes a housing and a helical gear rotatably disposed in the housing. The steering wheel is coupled to and coaxially aligned with the helical gear. The torque feedback actuator assembly also includes a motor with a worm gear engaged with the helical gear to provide torque feedback to the steering wheel by driving the helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Rawlings, Robert Mrozek, Lodewijk Wijffels, Eugene Lau
  • Patent number: 10953712
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle comprises a king ball including a base and a king pin extending vertically from a top surface of the base, the king pin including a ball positioned on a distal end opposite the base, the ball adapted to be pivotally received into a hitch of the trailer. A hitch block includes a draw bar and a housing, the drawbar adapted to be horizontally inserted into a receiver mounted onto the tow vehicle, the housing including a throat adapted to receive the base of the king ball. A locking mechanism is adapted to automatically engage the king pin when the base of the king ball is inserted into the throat of the housing to secure the base of the king ball within the throat of the housing and locking the king ball and the hitch block together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Norman J. Weigert, Ralph D. Schlottke, Nash Escalada, Kenneth Jordan Weber
  • Patent number: 10953954
    Abstract: There is provided a motorcycle. A crankshaft extends in a width direction of the motorcycle. A counter shaft is arranged in parallel with the crankshaft. A clutch mechanism is arranged at one end of the counter shaft and is configured to transmit and disconnect rotation of the crankshaft to and from the counter shaft. A clutch actuator is configured to perform a disconnection/connection operation of the clutch mechanism. A shift mechanism is arranged below the counter shaft and is configured to shift and transmit the rotation of the crankshaft to a driving wheel. A shift actuator is configured to perform a shift operation of the shift mechanism. The shift actuator is arranged opposite to the shift mechanism in a front and rear direction of the motorcycle with the clutch actuator being interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Takahashi