Patents Examined by Ruth Ilan
  • Patent number: 10899378
    Abstract: A steering column apparatus may include a moveable unit assembled with the steering wheel at a front end portion thereof to be driven back and forth; a guide unit mounted to a rear end portion of the moveable unit to guide back and forth movement of the moveable unit; a drive unit provided in the guide unit to drive the moveable unit; and an actuator unit configured to fix the drive unit to the guide unit, and provided with an inflator triggered in cooperation with an operation signal of the airbag, to be operated to generate a propulsive force in a forward direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jung Woo Park
  • Patent number: 10899382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic steering device that hydraulically connects a steering cylinder to a supply system, whereby the supply system is hydraulically operatively connectable to the steering cylinder via a steering valve to form a main flow connection and the supply system is hydraulically operatively connectable to the steering cylinder via a flow regulation valve arrangement to form a branch flow connection that circumvents the main flow connection, whereby the flow regulation valve arrangement is triggerable by an electric control unit and the flow regulation valve arrangement comprises valve groups that are triggerable individually, which are respectively connected in the forward flow and return flow of the branch flow connection and a release-shutoff valve is assigned to the flow regulation valve arrangement. It is provided that the release-shutoff valve is connected between the flow regulation valve arrangement and the steering cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DANFOSS POWER SOLUTIONS PARCHIM GMBH
    Inventors: Erhard Bergmann, Toralf Käckenmeister, Markus de la Motte
  • Patent number: 10899376
    Abstract: An electrically driven trolley combination for an aircraft cabin with an independently usable, manually movable trolley and an electrical operating apparatus. The trolley has a base section, a main section extending from the base section, and wheels with the trolley supported on a cabin floor by the wheels and manually movable over the cabin floor being pushed or pulled. The electrical operating apparatus can be detachably coupled to the trolley and has a frame, a driveable rolling device on the frame and by which the electrical operating apparatus can be supported on a cabin floor and rolled, a coupling apparatus on the frame for detachably coupling the electrical operating apparatus to the trolley and having an engagement section and a movement section, the engagement section being selectively movable between a first position and a second position by the movement section, an electrical drive device, and a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bauer, Norbert Kaufeld, Matthias Reiss, Oliver Kiehne, Simon Stock, Rafael Mortensen Ernits
  • Patent number: 10899183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for magnetoelastic hitch receiver force detection are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a chassis, a trailer hitch receiver configured to receive a trailer hitch arm along an axis, a first pin having a first magnetic field, the first pin disposed above and perpendicular to the axis, a second pin, the first pin and the second pin coupling the trailer hitch receiver to the chassis and a first sensor configured to detect changes in the first magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Rinku Patel, Anton Rogness, Elliott Pearson, Chad Reed, Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 10899411
    Abstract: A straddle vehicle includes: a body frame including a main frame extending rear-downward from a head pipe, a pivot frame extending downward from the main frame, and a lower frame which extends downward from the head pipe and extends rearward, and further, is connected to a lower portion of the pivot frame; a side stand which supports a vehicle body during parking; and a main step on which a foot of a rider is placed. A side stand bracket for supporting the side stand includes a first fixing portion connected only to the lower portion of the pivot frame and a second fixing portion connected only to a main step bracket for supporting the main step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Kojika, Satoru Kamijo
  • Patent number: 10897842
    Abstract: A lift link assembly of a three-point hitch. The lift link assembly includes a pin, a yoke, and a shaft. The yoke includes a main housing and first and second side arms that extend downwardly therefrom. The shaft includes a shank and a head positioned on a lower-end thereof. The shank is positioned in an upper-end through hole of the main housing, and the head includes an attachment point that receives the pin when the lift link assembly is in certain modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Digvijay Bhosale, Benjamin J. Heimbuch
  • Patent number: 10899185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis arm for a motor vehicle, having a first end section for connection to a chassis support, a second end section for connection at a wheel end, and a damper connection section exhibiting at least one bearing eye for connecting a damper. The bearing eye is assigned at least one installation aid with a support surface for the damper. The installation aid is formed integrally with the chassis arm, wherein the installation aid in the form of a tab is cut free from the base material of the chassis arm and converted to a body section of the chassis arm, and wherein at least a part of the tab is designed as a support surface for the damper. The invention also relates to a method for producing a chassis arm, in particular a spring control arm for a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Autotech Engineering Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Leslie Leimkühler, Udo Wächter
  • Patent number: 10894453
    Abstract: A coupling device that couples with a cart includes a coupling portion that couples with the cart, a base portion that guides the coupling portion, and a driving motor that drives the coupling portion. The driving motor drives and controls the coupling portion so as to be changeable among a first state in which the coupling portion is housed, a second state in which the coupling portion is capable of coupling with the cart, and a third state in which the coupling portion couples with the cart. With the coupling portion and a side frame of the cart facing each other, the coupling portion changes from the second state to the third state, thereby causing the coupling portion and the side frame to be coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norito Fujihara, Nobutoshi Tsujimoto, Takurou Miyamoto, Hiroki Osawa, Hiroto Isome, Fumihiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 10895278
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for limiting rotation of a steering wheel, and more particularly, an apparatus for limiting rotation of a steering wheel, whereby a rotation angle of the steering wheel can be limited to a predetermined angle. The apparatus for limiting rotation of the steering wheel, installed in a steering system, includes: an end-stopper disposed inside a housing through which a steering shaft on which the steering wheel is installed, passes, and the end-stopper limiting a rotation angle of the steering wheel to a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hosik Kim, Jungsik Park, Jeongrae Kim, Seulki Yeom
  • Patent number: 10894560
    Abstract: A track belt comprises a bearing element having an inner surface, an outer surface and a width. On the inner surface, a guide element extends in the longitudinal direction of the track belt, comprising a first edge protrusion and a second edge protrusion. The width of the guide element is substantially smaller than the width of the bearing element. The track belt comprises a first guide groove having a first flank surface formed by the first edge protrusion, and a second guide groove having a first flank surface formed by the second edge protrusion. The first flank surfaces of the edge protrusions are uniform and continuous substantially over the entire length of the guide element. Preferably, the guide element comprises a traction surface parallel to the inner surface of the bearing element, having engaging members for receiving the engaging parts of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Finncat Oy
    Inventors: Matti Pohjola, Kalle Pohjola, Olli Pohjola
  • Patent number: 10890018
    Abstract: A hood latch system for a motor vehicle includes a vehicle hood latch assembly configured in operable communication with a gearshift member. The vehicle hood latch assembly is prevented from unintended release of a vehicle hood striker, fixed to a hood of the motor vehicle, from a ratchet of the latch assembly when the gearshift member is shifted into a non-parked mode. When the gear shift member is selectively actuated in a park mode, the vehicle hood latch assembly is actuated to release the striker from the ratchet, thereby allowing the hood to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: John Distefano, Csaba Szente
  • Patent number: 10889321
    Abstract: A steering module for a vehicle has a steering input element and a sensor device, which includes at least one sensor, for registering the position of the steering input element, and has a servomechanism which includes a first actuator and acts on the steering input element. The servomechanism is redundantly designed and comprises a second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Paravan Technologie GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Arnold
  • Patent number: 10890913
    Abstract: A robotic platform may include a chassis, left and right wheel assemblies, and a controller. The left and right wheel assemblies may include a caster wheel, a motor, a shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a steering axis. The drive shaft may have one end coupled to the axle and another end wrapped by a respective belt to control rotation of the shaft about the steering axis. The bevel gear may couple the shaft to the axle so rotation of the shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the platform in a substantially horizontal direction. The controller may control the left and right drive motors independently, to provide differential drive. Various other assemblies, robots, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Wiley
  • Patent number: 10889340
    Abstract: A compact ground robot includes a vehicle body, a forward pair of track assemblies mounted to the vehicle body, and a rearward pair of track assemblies mounted to the vehicle body. All the track assemblies are foldable underneath the vehicle body for compact transport of the robot. All the track assemblies unfold to a deployed position supporting the vehicle body for deployment of the robot. Each track assembly may include a drive sprocket, a flipper, and a tack about the sprocket and flipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventor: Jamie Gordon Nichol
  • Patent number: 10889322
    Abstract: An oscillation limited driven steering track assembly includes a track mechanism coupled to and driven by a hydraulic motor. The motor is pivotally secured about a steering axis to a stub axle which partially supports a land vehicle. A longitudinally extensible and retractable apparatus extends between the track mechanism and the stub axle. One end of the apparatus is pivotally secured to a post secured to and extending from the track mechanism parallel with the motor shaft axis of rotation. A yoke is provided between the apparatus other end and pivotally secures the apparatus to the stub axle about the steering axis and, also, about a pivot axis perpendicular to the steering axis. Oscillation of the track mechanism about the motor shaft is limited by the apparatus. Simultaneously, the apparatus does not interfere with the track mechanism while the mechanism is rotated about the steering axis for steering the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Terra Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kasandra Coverdale
  • Patent number: 10882579
    Abstract: A bicycle head structure includes a stem and a detachable cover. The stem is disposed between a handlebar and a head tube of a bicycle, and the stem has a top surface. The detachable cover covers the top surface, and an accommodating space is formed between the top surface and the detachable cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: GIANT MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo-Hao Huang, Hua-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 10882397
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a transaxle drive system for ride-on equipment. The transaxle drive system can include a frame supporting at least one power source and at least two subframes, the at least one power source including at least one drive pulley. The system can also include transaxle assemblies driven by at least a portion of at least one belt from the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can include a first transaxle assembly supported by a subframe, the first transaxle assembly coupled to the at least one drive pulley with at least one belt, and a second transaxle assembly supported by another subframe, the second transaxle assembly coupled by at least one belt to the at least one drive pulley. The transaxle assemblies can be independently pivoted with respect to each other, the frame, and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Melone, James F. Marshall, Richard Smith, Mark Lynch, Travis Rasch, Erik Slegelis, Steven J. Weber, Denis Oswald
  • Patent number: 10882586
    Abstract: A transmission structure for a bicycle includes two opposite transmission units. Each of the transmission units includes a linear reciprocating pedaling mechanism, a transmission module which is in transmission connection with the linear reciprocating pedaling mechanism, and a resetting module connected with the transmission module. The transmission modules of the two transmission units are connected with a power output mechanism through a unidirectional transmission mechanism. The transmission module includes a first driven wheel and a first transmission gear configured to be coaxial with the first driven wheel. The resetting module includes a connecting piece and an elastic piece. The connecting piece is connected with the first transmission gear. The elastic piece is connected with the connecting piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Liyuan Luo
  • Patent number: 10882573
    Abstract: A towing device for an automatic guided vehicle that tows a carriage is disclosed. The towing device includes a connecting member, one end of which is connected to the automatic guided vehicle, and a hook member connected to the other end of the connecting member. One end of the connecting member is swivelably connected to the automatic guided vehicle. A swivel shaft axis line of the connecting member and a swivel shaft axis line of a drive unit of the automatic guided vehicle are configured to be coaxial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: AICHIKIKAI TECHNOSYSTEM CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuji Adachi, Takayuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 10882548
    Abstract: A steering column apparatus includes a telescoping column assembly and a stowing assembly. The telescoping column assembly includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket. The upper jacket is adapted to move between extended and retracted positions along a telescope axis and with respect to the lower jacket. The stowing assembly is engaged to the lower jacket, and is adapted to move between stowed and un-stowed states along a stow axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Freudenstein, Melvin L. Tinnin