Patents Examined by Tashiana Adams
  • Unitary crown fork assembly and method of fabrication
    Patent number: 8528926
    Abstract: A bicycle is provided having a unitary steering tube-crown member and a unitary crank arm-spindle member. A multistage aluminum 3D forging process is used to form the unitary members. This may allow the fabrication of components with substantially hollow interior areas to reduce weight, reduce part count while maintaining high strength and ductility. The multistage 3D forging process provided also allows the combination of multiple components into a single unitary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cycling Sports Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Dodman, Stephen B. Metz, Morten Kristiansen
  • Dual steering system for zero turning radius mower
    Patent number: 8522901
    Abstract: A dual steering system for zero turning radius lawn mowers is provided which enables those without effective use of their arms to drive and steer such lawn mowers. The system hereof may include respective left and right control pedals which are shiftably mounted to respective pedal supports coupled to the mower for use by the operator's legs, and respective linkages which operatively connect the pedals to left and right control levers operatively connected to the mower's drive wheels for causing the drive wheels to move in forward or rearward drive directions. By operating the control pedals alone or in combination with the control levers, the operator may move the zero turning radius mower forward, rearward, or steer it in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy A. VanLue
  • Vehicle frame for trailer coupler system
    Patent number: 8523217
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for attaching a fifth wheel RV trailer to a truck for towing. A fifth wheel towball interface which provides unobstructed gimbal action into the connection between truck and trailer. A fifth wheel base having a lightweight structure made from a lightweight material and/or engineered design with lightweight in mind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: John I. Andersen
  • Vehicle suspension system having adjustable track width
    Patent number: 8517135
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having front and rear suspension systems adapted to change the track width of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Schapf, David Belzile, Martin Heon, Vincent Tognon, Marc Gagnon
  • Reducer of electric power steering apparatus
    Patent number: 8517141
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reducer of an electric power steering apparatus. The disclosed reducer includes: a worm shaft bearing coupled with an end of the worm shaft's motor shaft coupling portion in such a manner that a ball coupled between an inner wheel and an outer wheel supports rotation of the worm shaft; and a first damper and a second damper which are tightly fitted in one side and the other side of the worm shaft bearing, respectively, while being insertedly-coupled with the worm shaft, so as to support the worm shaft and absorb a rattle noise transferred via the worm shaft, wherein each of the first damper and the second damper is provided with supporting plates at both sides thereof, and between the supporting plates, a damper made of an elastic material is coupled and formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Yeol Kim, Young Sock Jung, Young Moon Park
  • Motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8517128
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes two drive assemblies in the form of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. For operating the motor vehicle at low speeds, preferably in an inner-city area, a fuel cell having comparatively small dimensions provides electric energy that is supplied to the electric motor directly and/or via an electric accumulator. In this way, the motor vehicle can be moved without emissions during the operation of the fuel cell with hydrogen. For operating outside of city areas, the internal combustion engine having an accordingly higher output is available. The fuel cell is arranged in the engine compartment of the motor vehicle together with the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Gleyzes, Johann Perzl, Hans Fickel, Robert Harrison
  • Position-adjustable vehicle
    Patent number: 8517406
    Abstract: A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first frame member such that the first frame member can rotate with respect to the second frame member. The biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second frame members and biases the front wheel in a preferred direction, such as a straight direction. The biasing mechanism may include a resilient gasket and a cavity having at least partially corresponding polygonal cross sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Diekman, Donald K. Jessie, Jr.
  • Three-axis adjustable back support assembly and method
    Patent number: 8517469
    Abstract: The back of a wheelchair user is independently supported along and about three mutually perpendicular axes. Two elongated adjustment arms are pivotally connected to extension arms which telescope into opposite ends of a hollow connecting tube. The support positions along and about the three axes is achieved by pivoting the arms and the connected relationships of a back shell and cushion to the connecting tube, while the adjustment arms remain pivotally connected to the wheelchair and the extension arms are telescopically retained in the connecting tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Aspen Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hetzel, Joseph S. Bieganek, Rex W. Stevens, Eric H. Vielbig
  • Vehicle
    Patent number: 8517136
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include an operator area including side-by-side seating. The vehicle may further include a prime mover and a transmission operatively coupled to at least one ground engaging member of the vehicle. The prime mover may be a diesel engine and the transmission may include a CVT. The prime mover and the transmission may be assembled together and supported by a frame of the vehicle through a plurality of mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Chris J. Hurd, Richard D. Ripley, Anthony J. Kinsman, Matthew S. Kmecik, Brent A. Erspamer, Ryan D. Carlson
  • Cleat assembly, belt, track, or like surface including an array of traction-enhancing cleats
    Patent number: 8517393
    Abstract: The assembly includes a cleat holder having a base, an outer wall opposite the base, and a cleat-receiving pocket having an opening in the outer wall. A cleat has one end mounted within the cleat holder and an opposite free end tip. The cleat is movable within the pocket between a gripping position in which the free end tip of the cleat projects through the opening of the pocket beyond the outer wall of the cleat holder and a retracted position in which the free end tip of the cleat at least partially retracts into the pocket. A spring is mounted in the pocket for resiliently urging the cleat from the retracted position toward the gripping position. The cleat assembly can include a plurality of separately manufactured, identical cleat holders secured in end-to-end alignment forming an endless belt, chain or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Robert T. Quigg
  • Master device for a closed hydraulic system of handlebar-steered vehicles
    Patent number: 8511700
    Abstract: A master device for a closed hydraulic system of handlebar-steered vehicles includes a basic body and a pressure chamber in which, in the event of actuation of the master device in order to actuate a slave device, hydraulic fluid is placed under pressure. The master device includes a hydraulic line connecting element having a connecting piece for connecting a hydraulic line and a thread section for screwing into the basic body. An air bleed opening bleeds the hydraulic system. The hydraulic line connecting element and the basic body form a valve that closes the connection between the pressure chamber and the air bleed opening when the hydraulic line connecting element is fully screwed in to the basic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Eberlein, Joachim Hujer
  • Coupling device and method
    Patent number: 8505955
    Abstract: A coupling device is provided including a first coupling member or portion and second coupling member or portion where the second coupling member is configured to releasably engage the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a locking sleeve or locking sleeve assembly slideably mounted on a cup body with the sleeve capable of being shifted toward an opening of the cup body to an unlocked position that permits insertion of the first coupling member into the second coupling member. The sleeve has an inner surface that covers and protects a fastening element positioned within bores of the cup body in both the locked and unlocked positions thereof. In one form, the locking sleeve assembly includes a locking device which restricts the sleeve from inadvertently shifting toward the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Remark Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney M. Kramer
  • Wheelchair device
    Patent number: 8505946
    Abstract: A wheelchair comprises a hub-enclosing open ring engaging a hub disposed in a wheel rotatably, bars extending from two ends of the hub-enclosing open ring, an crescent-shaped cap member fixed to the bars above the tube portion, a power handle engaging the crescent-shaped cap member rotatably through an L-shaped end of the power handle, a wheel-holding plate fixed to the power handle with an angle and covered by the crescent-shaped cap member. The wheel-holding plate comprises a holding edge for pressing down on and holding the wheel. The hub-enclosing open ring, the bars, and the cap member are fixed to one another and configured to rotate about the hub, and the holding edge of the wheel-holding pate is configured to be pressed down on and engaged firmly to the wheel such that the wheel rotates about the hub by pushing and pulling the power handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Young Han Joo
  • Snowmobile
    Patent number: 8505664
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a throttle motor that is protected from brake dust. The snowmobile includes a snowmobile body including an engine room therein, an engine disposed inside the engine room, brake equipment disposed inside the engine room, a throttle valve arranged to adjust intake air supplied to the engine, and a throttle motor which is disposed at a more forward position than the brake equipment inside the engine room and arranged to drive the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokinari Nagao, Atsushi Sawabuchi, Takashi Ashida, Kazuhiro Ishizawa, Takayuki Yamada
  • Steering drive for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8505674
    Abstract: A steering drive for a motor vehicle comprising a steering wheel, a steering column, on which the steering wheel is disposed, a connecting rod, which interacts with the steering column to deflect the wheels of the motor vehicle, an electric motor, which is provided for boosting the steering thrust, as well as a belt drive, the electric motor interacting with the connecting rod via the belt drive. Said electric motor comprises a stator having twelve stator teeth as well as a rotor having ten rotor poles, the rotor poles being spaced apart from each other by an air gap and embodied as sinus poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Neubauer, Michael Pesch
  • Boat transportation carriage
    Patent number: 8505948
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an arm structure adapted for a boat transportation carriage. The boat transportation carriage may include a first frame portion and a second frame portion, with a third frame portion adapted to interconnect said two frame portions. Said arm structure may include a vertical arm portion and a horizontal arm portion, with the lower portion of the vertical arm portion being adapted indirectly to to rest against a chassis of the boat transportation carriage and its frame portion for supporting vertical loads. Between the lower portion of the horizontal arm portion and the upper portion of said chassis or frame portion and in adherement to the vertical arm portion there rests a support plate having a supporting surface for supporting cooperation with the horizontal arm portion and this supporting surface is disposed within a chosen intermediate area of said horizontal arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sublift AB
    Inventor: Ingmar Granlind
  • Tractor and trailer combination
    Patent number: 8505950
    Abstract: A tractor and trailer combination including a tractor having a tractor frame, a supply unit, a trailer coupling, a skid plate, and a first connector coupled to the tractor frame and coupled to the supply unit to receive at least one of high voltage electrical power and coolant from the supply unit. The combination also includes a trailer having a trailer frame, a tractor coupling rotatably connecting the trailer to the tractor, and a second connector coupled to the trailer and configured to provide the at least one of high voltage electrical power and coolant to the trailer. The combination further includes a conduit having a first end coupled to the first connector, a second end coupled to the second connector. The conduit flexes and is supported between the first and second ends by the skid plate throughout rotation of the trailer relative to the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Michal Kolda, Petr Prochazka, Antonin Ryska, Marketa Kopecka, Arnost Hurych, Michal Hegar, Vaclav Rajtmajer, Jakub Pardubicky, Vladimir Kmoch
  • Attachable scooter
    Patent number: 8500139
    Abstract: A scooter 1 is disclosed that may be linked to a child buggy or perambulator 100. A linking mechanism 200 is also disclosed for releasably linking the scooter 1 to the child buggy 100 thereby allowing the scooter 1 to be used as a scooter 1 or instead, to be linked to a buggy 100 and used in a linked configuration. The combination of a child buggy 100 and scooter 1 using the linking mechanism 200 is described along with a method of use of the mechanism 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Phil and Teds Most Excellent Buggy Company Limited
    Inventors: James Richard Andrews, Andrew Douglas Mawson, Campbell Douglas Gower
  • Snowmobile
    Patent number: 8490731
    Abstract: A vehicle is shown such as a snowmobile, where a frame includes a tunnel and a front frame portion comprised of cast halves. A suspension system is comprised of upper and lower control arms connected to the front frame portion. Some of the frame components are adhesively fixed together. A powertrain is supported by the frame, and is comprised of an engine and a clutch. The clutch includes a clutch guard supporting an oil container. The engine has an exhaust system which extends through the front frame portion. The snowmobile also has a rear snow deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A Eaton, Eric J Borud, Richard D Kerner, Jake Anderson
  • Riding-type ground working vehicle
    Patent number: 8490722
    Abstract: A riding-type ground working vehicle includes left and right wheels, a command value calculating section, a yaw rate detecting section that detects a yaw rate of the vehicle, a target yaw rate calculating section, a correction coefficient acquiring section, and a control section. The left and right wheels are independently driven to travel by two respective traction motors. The command value calculating section calculates target rotational speed command values for the two traction motors based on an acceleration instruction and a turn instruction input by a driver. The target yaw rate calculating section calculates a target yaw rate based on the acceleration instruction and the turn instruction. The correction coefficient acquiring section acquires two correction coefficients respectively relating to the two traction motors based on a deviation between the target yaw rate and a yaw rate detection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Koga, Hiroaki Hashima