Patents Examined by Shams Dhanani
  • Patent number: 11975795
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle includes a vehicle body, a plurality of wheels, a lean mechanism, and a lean stopper mechanism. The wheels include a left front wheel and a right front wheel. The lean mechanism causes the left front wheel and the right front wheel to lean about a front-rear direction as a rotation center when the vehicle body leans about the front-rear direction as a rotation center. The lean stopper mechanism prevents a lean angle from exceeding a limit angle. in a plan view, an area bounded by lines connecting contact positions of ground and tires of the plurality of wheels is referred to as a grounding surface inner area, and a gravity center is positioned in the grounding surface inner area in a state where the lean angle reaches the limit angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakajima, Hiroshi Ishii, Taro Iwamoto, Kazuya Nagasaka, Taichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 11970240
    Abstract: A steering linkage assembly includes a support member; a connecting portion rotatably arranged on the support member and connected to an external steering member; a first steering linkage; a first ball head rod provided with one end connected to a ball head at a first end of the first steering linkage and the other end connected to the support member; a second steering linkage; and a steering rotating shaft mounted at a first end of the second steering linkage and rotatably connected to the support member. A rotating centerline of the steering rotating shaft is not parallel to that of the connecting portion. An included angle is formed between a connecting line of ball head centers of the first and second ball head rods and a connecting line of a rotating center of the steering rotating shaft and a ball head center of the third ball head rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG OKAI VEHICLE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Songxian Du, Jiangtao Lu, Wei Tang, Heng Li
  • Patent number: 11970236
    Abstract: A steering mechanism for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a cargo hold chassis (10), communicably coupled with a front wheel (10a) located on a front axle; and a rider and pillion support chassis (20), communicably coupled with a rear wheel (12a) located on a rear axle; wherein, the cargo hold chassis (10) is located operatively forward and operatively lower with respect to the rider support chassis (20); the mechanism comprising: a steering mechanism comprising a steering stem (30), a steering column rod (36), and a steering handle (32), the steering stem (30) mounted in an operative front of the cargo hold chassis (10), the steering handle (32) mounted operatively atop the cargo hold chassis (10); the steering column rod (36) mounted operatively connected to the steering stem (30) at its upper end, the steering stem (30) spaced apart from the steering handle (32) in order to provide for off-center steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: Vijay K Praveen, Alok Das
  • Patent number: 11965311
    Abstract: A work machine operation apparatus that appropriately provides an operational feeling to an operator is provided. A base includes a plurality of first holes each having a first dimension. The base includes a plurality of second holes each having a second dimension different from the first dimension. An interval at which two adjacent first holes are arranged is different from an interval at which two adjacent second holes are arranged. A contact portion is in contact with the base. The contact portion can move relatively to the base and can selectively be engaged with any one of the plurality of first holes and the plurality of second holes. A biasing portion applies to the contact portion, biasing force in a direction in which the contact portion is brought in contact with the base. Upon accepting an input operation, an operational input portion moves the contact portion relatively to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Uchida
  • Patent number: 11952067
    Abstract: An airbag device for saddle-type vehicles including: an inflator; an airbag adapted to be expanded by gas discharged from the inflator; and a retainer accommodating the airbag, in which the inflator and the retainer are disposed as separate members. The retainer is provided on a turning axis of a handle stem in a side view of a vehicle, the inflator 53 provided around a head pipe in a top view of the vehicle, and the retainer and the inflator are coupled to each other with a connection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Aikyo
  • Patent number: 11945535
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle including a vehicle body frame that is configured to lean leftward and rightward respectively when the leaning vehicle is turning left and right, a steerable wheel supported by the vehicle frame body, a steering mechanism steering the steerable wheel, and a posture control actuator device. The posture control actuator device includes a posture control actuator that outputs power to control posture of the vehicle body frame, and an angular rate sensor that detects an amount of change per unit time of a rotation angle of the vehicle body frame around a rotation axis thereof, the rotation angle changing as the vehicle body frame is rotating around the rotation axis. The posture control actuator device is supported by the vehicle body frame, and is attachable to and detachable from the vehicle body frame. The posture control actuator and the angular rate sensor are not displaceable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuo Hara, Hidekazu Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 11939000
    Abstract: A frame structure for a purpose built vehicle (PBV) includes: two main side members extending while gradually rising toward a front of the PBV and extending in a front/rear direction to be disposed on either side of the PBV; two auxiliary side members respectively extending in a front/rear direction to be disposed on a lower side of the two main side members; a front cross member connecting the two auxiliary side members in a lateral direction of the PBV; and a plurality of vertical members respectively connecting the main side members and the auxiliary side members in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Won Hae Lee, Nam Ho Kim, Byung Joo Chung, Seung Hak Lee, Min Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 11938769
    Abstract: A leaf spring apparatus for a vehicle suspension includes a leaf spring, a carrier disposed on an end portion of the leaf spring and mounted on a wheel of a vehicle, a first connection unit connecting the end portion of the leaf spring and the carrier to each other, a cross member disposed on top of the leaf spring and supporting a body of the vehicle, and a second connection unit connecting the leaf spring and the cross member to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Woo Bin Song
  • Patent number: 11932345
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle includes a vehicle body, a left wheel, a right wheel, left and right bearings, left and right axle, left arm, right arm, and lean mechanism. The left arm supports the left wheel from inside in a vehicle width direction. The right arm supports the right wheel from inside in the vehicle width direction. The lean mechanism causes the left wheel and the right wheel to lean about a front-rear direction as a rotation center when the vehicle body leans about the front-rear direction as a rotation center. The single bearing is inserted into a hub hole of the left wheel. The single bearing is inserted into a hub hole of the right wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakajima, Hiroshi Ishii, Taro Iwamoto, Kazuya Nagasaka, Taichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 11932340
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension pre-load management system is disclosed. At least one suspension component, such as a motorcycle shock absorber, has an expandable chamber that with increased volume of a nearly incompressible fluid increases the suspensions pre-load. In one embodiment the system utilizes a controller, a pressure sensor, a pump, and a number of solenoids in a manifold block to allow a user to set a desired pre-load level. In another embodiment the controller monitors the pressure of the chamber and maintains a desired pre-load setting. In yet another embodiment, the controller identifies a hard braking event such that would cause a brake dive and increases the pre-load to counter act the dive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Robert Bosch LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Kurt Person
  • Patent number: 11926215
    Abstract: An operating element for operating an entertainment system for a motor vehicle, having an interface to a media playback unit and at least one panelling element for a vehicle compartment panelling. The operating element is an element of the panelling element. The operating element is configured for an entertainment system and is able to be stowed easily in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dominik Klaiber
  • Patent number: 11926388
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle includes a vehicle body, a left front wheel, a right front wheel, a lean mechanism, and a lean brake mechanism. The lean mechanism causes the left front wheel and the right front wheel to lean about a front-rear direction as a rotation center when the vehicle body leans about the front-rear direction as a rotation center. The lean brake mechanism brakes a leaning operation of the lean mechanism. The lean brake mechanism includes a brake caliper and a brake disc. The brake caliper is attached to the lean mechanism and has a brake pad. The brake disc is attached to the lower arm of the upper arm and the lower arm that is farther from the brake pad in the front view, has a contact portion that generates braking force by being pressed by the brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Taro Iwamoto, Takeshi Nakajima, Hiroshi Ishii, Kazuya Nagasaka, Taichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 11926201
    Abstract: An emergency egress system for a multi-passenger vehicle such as a school bus (372) includes an emergency exit opening (380) that is normally closed by an emergency exit door (382). Opening the emergency exit door of the bus causes the door to open by rotating about at least one horizontal hinge (384). As the door moves outwardly and then downward a ramp (394) moves outwardly from a retracted position toward an extended position. Opening the emergency exit door also causes the suspension of the bus to be automatically lowered to place the emergency exit opening (16) closer to the ground (166).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Michael A. Lillo
  • Patent number: 11917944
    Abstract: An outdoor power equipment includes a frame, a cutting deck supported by the frame, a first ground-engaging element coupled to a first portion of the frame, a second ground-engaging element coupled to a second portion of the frame, a suspension system having a first end coupled to the frame and a second end opposite the first end, and an operator platform movable with the suspension system with respect to the frame. The operator platform includes a seat coupled to the second end of the suspension system and a footrest pivotably coupled to the second end of the suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Chris T. Forrest, Kevin A. Spatchek, Courtney Wenzel, Brent P. Berglund
  • Patent number: 11919604
    Abstract: A leaning vehicle includes a vehicle body, a left front wheel, a right front wheel, a lean mechanism, and a lean brake mechanism. The lean mechanism causes the left front wheel and the right front wheel to lean about a front-rear direction as a rotation center when the vehicle body leans about the front-rear direction as a rotation center. The lean brake mechanism brakes a leaning operation of the lean mechanism. The lean brake mechanism includes a brake disc and brake pads. The brake disc is attached to an upper arm or a lower arm. The brake pads, which are attached such that their position relative to the brake disc changes in the leaning operation, produce a frictional force against the brake disc in the leaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: KAWASAKI MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakajima, Hiroshi Ishii, Taro Iwamoto, Kazuya Nagasaka, Taichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 11912336
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rear sub-frame assembly, applied to an electric vehicle main body, and rear sub-frame assembly comprises a rear sub-frame main body and positioning supports, rear sub-frame main body is bilateral symmetry structure; vehicle body connecting parts connected with rear sub-frame main body on upper portion of rear sub-frame main body, and battery pack guard plate connecting parts connected with rear sub-frame main body on lower portion of rear sub-frame main body are constructed on rear sub-frame main body, stabilizing rod mounting parts, upper control arm mounting parts and lower control arm mounting parts are further arranged on rear sub-frame main body respectively; the quantity of positioning supports respectively arranged close to left end and right end of rear sub-frame main body is two, and positioning parts matched with external positioning members to position rear sub-frame main body are constructed on two positioning supports respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GREAT WALL MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Ming Chi, Weidong Ding, Yanmeng Song, Yonghui Song, Zhichao Chen, Changjian Cai
  • Patent number: 11912085
    Abstract: The application discloses a Drop Deck Trailer having a pivoting axle system that allows the deck of the trailer to be incrementally lowered to the ground. When coupled to a tow vehicle, the partially lowered deck becomes a ramp to load and unload a vehicle. The unloaded trailer can be backed into a standard garage, uncoupled, and lowered completely to the ground. The UTV or light vehicle can then be front-loaded on the trailer. This capability allows the convenience and cost savings of simultaneously storing a UTV or other light vehicle in the same standard garage space. A unique articulated tongue assembly allows the operator to minimize the footprint of the parked trailer, allowing smaller spaces to be used for storage or simply eliminate a trip hazard. The Drop Deck Trailer is a combination of innovative features that provides convenience and cost savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: David Mahon
  • Patent number: 11912098
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses a rear suspension system of an all-terrain vehicle and an all-terrain vehicle. The rear suspension system includes a left rear suspension assembly and a right rear suspension assembly, which include: an axle support; a main control arm, having a first outer end, a first inner end, and a second inner end; a front upper control arm, having a second outer end and a third inner end; and a rear upper control arm, having a third outer end and a fourth inner end, where a connection line between the first and second inner ends is L1, a center axis of the first outer end is L2, a connection line between the third and fourth inner ends is L3, a connection line between the second and third outer ends is L4, and L1, L2, L3, and L4 are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SEGWAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhen Dong
  • Patent number: 11912084
    Abstract: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a wheel deformation mechanism and a structure of a vehicular shock-absorbing device using the mechanism. [Technical Problem] In the conventional suspension device, there are problems that a vibration damping effect for an in-wheel motor vehicle is too low to alleviate an impact on the wheel and that a mounting space is required on the vehicle body side. There is a problem that since the conventional tire is poor in ability to absorb distortion of a contact patch caused by turning, the contact patch of the wheel is subjected to horizontal friction at the time of direction change. [Solution] An expansion and contraction mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 that connects two rotors and a band-shaped tread by a movable arm is incorporated in a wheel, [Main Use of Invention] The vehicle wheel is expanded and contracted by a rotation speed difference between the two rotors so as to control the posture of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Shigeki Tada
  • Patent number: 11897414
    Abstract: Please substitute the new Abstract submitted herewith for the original Abstract: A hinge system of a hood of a vehicle has a hinge which is arranged between the hood and a mating element of the vehicle. The hinge is designed both for opening the hood and for raising the hood when the latter is in the closed state, and includes a lifting-piston actuator for initiating a raising movement of the hood. The lifting-piston actuator has a piston element which can be connected to the hinge and/or the hood in a form-fitting manner in order to limit freedom of movement of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Boiger, Michael Kelm, Walter Meierhofer, Walter Widl