Patents Examined by Tashiana Adams
  • Patent number: 8342554
    Abstract: Disclosed is a suspension fork for a two-wheeler with a fork leg comprising a stanchion tube fixed to the frame which immerses in a slide tube in sections, wherein the guiding between the slide tube and the stanchion tube is performed via a bearing arrangement. In accordance with the invention, an additional lubricant volume is provided by means of which a sufficient lubrication of the bearing arrangement is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: B-Labs AG
    Inventors: Andreas Felsl, Stephan Albrecht, Stephan Kotzlowski
  • Patent number: 8342555
    Abstract: One embodiment of a tricycle (20) having a spine frame (22), supported by a rear wheel (34) and a pair of steerable front wheels (36), and supporting a recumbent seat (42) pivotably attached at its rear. A pedal boom (44) extends forwardly of the spine (26) and supports a pedal crank assembly (46). The front wheels each support a lateral arm (28) with the front wheel pivotably attached at the distal end and an angular projection (80) attached at the proximal end. A pivot (78) connects each angular projection to the spine, allowing the lateral arms and attached front wheels to fold to a stowed position alongside the spine. Another pivot (84) connects the boom to the spine, allowing the boom fold back to a stowed position against the spine. In the travel position, a clamp arrests the angular projections, and can arrest the boom and seat. The tricycle is collapsible to several levels of compactness. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Roy Ball, Eric John Ball
  • Patent number: 8341862
    Abstract: A greeting card display system featuring a sleeve, wherein at least the bottom edge is sealed and either the first or second side edge is sealed; a slot disposed in the top edge adapted to accommodate insertion of a greeting card between the front and back surface; an inside crease disposed in the front surface of the sleeve, the inside crease divides the front surface into a first inside surface and a second inside surface, the sleeve can move between an open position wherein first inside surface does not contact the second inside surface and a closed position wherein the first inside surface contacts the second inside surface; and a spine crease disposed in the back surface of the sleeve formed by moving the sleeve from the open position to the closed position, the spine crease divides the back surface into a first outside surface and a second outside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Julie Gunther
  • Patent number: 8336900
    Abstract: A tail wheel transporter with a single-beam chassis in a tricycle carriage and a towing arm extending from the single beam for towing and steering. The single beam is offset on the rear two-wheel axle to pivotably support a lifting arm, or lever, that is side mounted on the chassis. The short foot of the “L” supports one or more adjustable studs for initially engaging the underside of a tail wheel from the side. The lifting arm is manually operated to lift the tail wheel off the ground. In the lifted position, the lifting arm is latched to the towing arm so that constant manual force to maintain lift is not required. The tail wheel is received between the front and rear axles and exerts force below the height of at least some of the axles, so no manual force is required to maintain balance during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel S. Perry
  • Patent number: 8336898
    Abstract: A modular wheelchair assembly is adapted to be reconfigured between a fixed angle of tilt, a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's knees and a dynamically adjustable tilt-in-space configuration with the tilt axis being near the user's center of gravity. The reconfiguration is achieved by modifying a limited number of selectively removable components of the support assembly or the pivot assembly of the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: PDG Product Design Group Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Balcom, Louis Belanger, Torr Brown, Janusz Krawczynski, Phil Mundy, David Harding, David Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 8336897
    Abstract: A standard-sized bicycle includes a main frame, a rear drive wheel and a rowing mechanism. The rowing mechanism is coupled to the steering column about a fulcrum. The fulcrum allows the rowing mechanism to oscillate forward in response to a pushing force and backward in response to a pulling force. The rowing mechanism includes a power lever and a pair of drive levers. The power lever has a handle on one end. The power lever also has a second end. The pair of drive levers extend from the second end of the power lever and provide foot rests for additional force. Each of the pair of drive levers is in mechanical communication with the rear drive wheel such that a forward oscillation of the rowing mechanism will drive the rear drive wheel in a same direction of rotation to propel the bicycle forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Juliana Leslie
  • Patent number: 8336901
    Abstract: An intercommunicating gangway in that two successive road modules (5, 6) are connected by a detachable coupling with a minimum inter-module distance at least in the in-line configuration such that the opposite facing surfaces (3, 4) are each provided with a communicating door (8, 9) which can only be opened in when the two road modules are arranged in an in-line configuration and the vehicle is stopped. The intercommunicating gangway is suitable for use in the urban passenger transport field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 8336669
    Abstract: Low cost construction of a steering apparatus is provided that is capable of protecting an operator's knees 28 during an automobile collision. A tilted plate 30 is arranged below and behind a bottom end section of a housing 21 which is a component of an electric power assist mechanism 20 connected to a front end section of a steering column 9. In case that the automobile is in a collision, automobile equipment 29 that moves forward under pressure from the driver's knees hits against a bottom surface of the tilted plate. This allows the impact energy to be absorbed by the elasticity or deformation of the tilted plate 30 during impact, and after impact as well, the automobile equipment 29 to move in a direction along the bottom surface of the tilted plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhisa Yamada
  • Patent number: 8333257
    Abstract: Systems and methods for moving objects facilitate quick and inexpensive relocation of the target objects. Operator safety is enhanced by eliminating the need to apply manual force to urge a target object into motion, and by inclusion of features such as automatic braking responsive to motor cut-off. Through use of the present system, a user may move a target object, for example a trailer intended for use behind a vehicle, into and/or out of a storage location in a simplified and more efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Bonnardel
  • Patent number: 8333399
    Abstract: A cylinder mount assembly for a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly comprises a slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, a cylinder mount, a hydraulic cylinder, a first longitudinal support, and a second longitudinal support. The slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly has a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The cylinder mount is disposed adjacent at least two sides of a first frame cross member. The hydraulic cylinder is disposed between the cylinder mount and the slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly, and is attached to the cylinder mount. The first longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and a second frame cross member. The second longitudinal support is disposed between the cylinder mount and the second frame cross member. The cylinder mount is adapted to move laterally along the first frame cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Brown, John D. Fehring, Rudolf Gruber, Paul Dowden, Michael John Eifert
  • Patent number: 8327567
    Abstract: A flexible, scalable multiple frame topology system capable of a wide range of multiple frame geometric topologies. Specifically a series of photographs, a series of photographic letters, or any series of flat, semi-flat, or three-dimensional display objects are displayable in a wide variety of display geometries: a horizontal line of frames, multiple, stacked, horizontal lines of frames, a vertical array of frames, multiple vertical arrays of frames, staggered arrays of frames, diagonal arrays of frames, crossword arrays of frames, and any combinations thereof. Also the disclosed display method is capable of displaying three-dimensional objects on shelves, or glass display cases, shadow boxes, on hooks, interlocking into the display cases—and the geometric display can mix a number of different display frames, for instance, a series of flat framed items with a three dimensional objects at each end of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventors: Nathan Lawrence Swick, Lori Glenn Swick
  • Patent number: 8327966
    Abstract: An article dump truck has a front tractor unit connected to an associated rear trailer unit with a tipping container by an articulated coupling. The articulated coupling is operable to allow the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to pivot about a vertical pivot axis, rams being provided to turn the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit about the pivot to steer the dump truck. The articulated coupling also allows the front tractor unit and rear trailer unit to rotate relative to each other about a longitudinal axis of the dump truck. In addition, the front tractor unit has a front chassis mounted on a pair of wheels by an independent suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Technology Investments Limited
    Inventors: Eanna Pronsias Timoney, Sean Timoney
  • Patent number: 8327972
    Abstract: A vehicle steering system transmission comprising a housing, an input shaft journalled to the housing, an electric motor connected to the housing and coupled to the input shaft, an output shaft journalled to the housing, the input shaft and the output shaft coupled by a first pair of sprockets having a first belt trained therebetween and having a first ratio, the first belt and first pair of sprockets comprising a helical tooth configuration, the input shaft and the output shaft coupled by a second pair of sprockets having a second belt trained therebetween and having a second ratio, and the input shaft and the output shaft coupled by a third pair of sprockets having a third belt trained therebetween and having a third ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Schneider, Alexander Serkh
  • Patent number: 8328217
    Abstract: Conventional linkages between bicycle handlebar-mounted controls and rear brakes and gears are unable to accommodate unlimited rotation of the handlebars as is required on some so-called “freestyle” bicycles. A prior attempt to solve the problem employs a linkage comprising a bearing having two parts that are relatively rotatable about an axis. However this proposal is unable to handle situations where there are two or more mechanisms to be controlled e.g. a rear brake and a gear. The problem is solved by using multiple bearings (15, 16, 17) that share a common axis (X-X) of rotation but are located at different radial positions with respect to the axis. This avoids interference between the different linkages and makes it possible to locate the linkages around a stem on which the front wheel fork of the bicycle is mounted. A possible suitable location may be within a head tube of the bicycle frame. The invention is not limited to use with bicycles and can be employed in robotic and other machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Graham Corbin
  • Patent number: 8328223
    Abstract: An attachment assembly for a vehicle having a receiver for pulling an object or being pulled. The attachment assembly includes a support member for connection to the receiver and an attachment member connected to the support member to provide both pivotal and rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Bradley R. Leinenger
  • Patent number: 8327965
    Abstract: The instrumented rolling bearing device, particularly for a two-wheeled vehicle, is provided with a rolling bearing (4) comprising an outer ring (7), an inner ring (6) and at least one row of rolling elements (8) arranged between said rings, with a sleeve (2) onto which the inner ring is mounted, and with an assembly (5) for detecting rotational parameters. The assembly comprises a sensor (14), an encoder (13) rotating past the sensor, at least one cable (16) connected to the sensor (14) for the output of signals emitted, and an output terminal (15) having an outlet (20) for the cable. The output terminal (15) is mounted axially on the side opposite the sensor (14) relative to the rolling bearing and forms an axial thrust for the inner ring (6) of said rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Franck Landrieve
  • Patent number: 8328214
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a manpower driven device being able to do particular bi-directional pedaling to provide constant directional output for driving the loading wheel train, wherein its pedaling direction is selected by the rider according to his/her operating statuses of the muscles and joints, or the same directional outputs of different speed ratios is made further through the different driving directional inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8322058
    Abstract: A telescoping greeting card having a plurality of pockets and/or panels that are connected in sequence and configured to slidably telescope between a closed position wherein each of the pockets and/or panels are contained within a main panel and an open position wherein each of the pockets and/or panels are extended in a longitudinal array. The greeting card additionally contains a switch and a sound module with at least one pre-recorded audio file that may be played back upon removal of one of the panels or pockets of the greeting card, which triggers the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: David Mayer, Allison Marsh, Kimberly Bikowski, David Sapp, Tiger Qiao, Catherine Liu, Coco Zhang, Jerry Guo
  • Patent number: 8322062
    Abstract: A marketing sign is constructed of a sheet material. The sheet material includes a free portion, a base portion and a connecting portion that couples the base portion to the free portion. The base portion is configured to engage with a product display structure, which has a price holder. The connecting portion is defined between a first connecting bend line spaced apart from a second connecting bend line by a distance. The distance substantially corresponds with an edge thickness of the price holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Engelby, Christopher H. Kaye, Gary L. Sotebeer
  • Patent number: 8322469
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bidirectional moving micro-robot system. The bidirectional moving micro-robot system has a first body having a plurality of legs foldably/unfoldably connected thereto, a second body having a plurality of legs foldably/unfoldably connected thereto and a connection member having both end portions respectively connected to the first and second bodies. In the bidirectional moving micro-robot system, the length of the connection member exposed between the first and second bodies is extended or contracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Eui Sung Yoon, Sung Wook Yang, Jin Seok Kim, Kyoung Hwan Na, Duk Moon Rho