Patents Examined by Tony H. Winner
  • Patent number: 11673442
    Abstract: Vehicle comprising a hull and motorised aquatic propulsion members and motorised land propulsion members, this vehicle being able to move between a navigation position and a land transport position in which it rests on sets of caterpillar tracks. Each set of caterpillar tracks (1) is equipped with an even number of rollers (7) so as to define a set of adjacent roller pairs (71, 72). The rollers (71, 72) of each pair are connected to the chassis (2) by suspension means comprising a set (12) of at least two superposed curved elastic leaves made of a fibre-reinforced thermosetting resin, namely an upper leaf (131) and a lower leaf (132), the set being fixed on the one hand to the axles (9) of the rollers (71, 72) at its respective ends and, on the other hand, to the chassis (2) in its central part, and the upper leaf (13i) and the lower leaf (132) of each of the sets of leaves (12) are joined together and covered with a layer of elastomer (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Iguana Yachts
    Inventors: Antoine Brugidou, Florent Mirieu De Labarre, Steve Huppert, Eric Leparfait
  • Patent number: 11660957
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system is provided and generally includes a hub assembly, a drive assembly and a clutch assembly. The hub assembly having wheel hub upon which a wheel assembly is secured. The drive assembly is configured to selectively transmit a motive force to cause the hub to turn. The drive assembly includes a motor with a rotatable motor output shaft, a transmission assembly connected to the motor and receiving in the rotatable motor output shaft into an input opening therein, and a driveshaft connected to an output from the transmission assembly. The clutch assembly connected to the hub assembly and engagebale to the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: New Heights, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Jay Beiler, William Fisher, Raymond Beiler, Jeremiah Weaver
  • Patent number: 11654995
    Abstract: Various electric balance vehicles are described. In some embodiments, the vehicle has first and second housings with platforms to support a user's feet. The first and second housings can be rotatable relative to each other. The vehicle can have first and second wheel assemblies. A support member can extend within tapered portions of the first and second housings. In some embodiments, one of the first and second housings can rotate relative to the support member and the other of the housings can be rotationally fixed relative to the support member. The vehicle can balance and provide locomotion to the user. The vehicle can be light, compact, and/or have a low center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Razor USA LLC
    Inventors: Ian Desberg, Robert Hadley, Robert Chen
  • Patent number: 11654981
    Abstract: An auxiliary dolly attachable to the rear of a primary trailer includes a first portion attachable to the primary trailer, a second portion comprising one or more axles with wheels, and a pivot point at which the first portion is coupled to and movable relative to the second portion, and further includes one or more cylinders configured to adjust the first and second portions relative to each other and apportion weight between the primary trailer and the auxiliary dolly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: PREMIER COIL SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randall Dean Behrens, Michael Bailey
  • Patent number: 11654988
    Abstract: An autonomous electronic bicycle comprises a frame, a front wheel that can be powered by a first electronic motor, a rear wheel that can be powered by a second electronic motor, and handlebars that can steer the front wheel which can be controlled by a third electronic motor. Similarly, the autonomous electronic bicycle can comprise a set of sensors used for balance. The autonomous electronic bicycle can use the balance sensors to determine a current state of the autonomous electronic bicycle and drive the electronic motors to balance the autonomous electronic bicycle and achieve a target pose of the autonomous electronic bicycle. A neural network can be trained to determine one or more motor outputs of the autonomous electronic bicycle based on the target pose and the current state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: WEEL AUTONOMY INC.
    Inventors: Justin Allan Corbett, David Carlyle Hansen
  • Patent number: 11654958
    Abstract: An electric power steering system. One example includes a steering control, a steering shaft connected to the steering control, a steering rack, a sensor configured to detect an operating parameter of the steering rack or an electric motor, and an electronic controller. In one example, the electronic controller is configured to receive data indicative of the operating parameter from the sensor, compare the data to a known characteristic curve, the known characteristic curve indicating potential damage to a component of the electric power steering system, and when the data matches the known characteristic curve, output an indication to a user that potential damage has occurred to the component of the electric power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Mayer, Achim Frankovics
  • Patent number: 11648996
    Abstract: A portable trailer stabilizer, comprising: (i) a support surface engagement element configured to selectively engage a support surface; (ii) a trailer engagement element configured to selectively engage a forward end portion of a trailer; (iii) a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected between the support surface engagement element and the trailer engagement element, the hydraulic cylinder configured to extend the trailer engagement element relative to the support surface engagement element; (iv) an on-board, self-contained energy source comprising a hydraulic accumulator operatively coupled to the hydraulic cylinder; (v) an isolation valve fluidically interposing the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; (vi) a positioning element engagement element configured to selectively couple with a trailer stabilizer positioning element of a tractor; and (vii) a valve operator mechanism configured to (a) open the isolation valve when the when the positioning element engagement element is coupled to the tr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Stabilock, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas T. Kimener
  • Patent number: 11648978
    Abstract: A torque transmission joint to suppress occurrence of noise when reversing the direction of rotation of a drive shaft. A first transmission member fixed to an output shaft (the drive shaft) is engaged with a first elastic member such that a first gap in a circumferential direction is interposed, as well as with an intermediate transmission member such that a larger gap in the circumferential direction is interposed. A second transmission member fixed to an end portion of a worm is engaged with a second elastic member such that a second gap in the circumferential direction is interposed, as well as with the intermediate transmission member such that a larger gap in the circumferential direction is interposed. First and second annular convex portions are fitted to, respectively, first and second concave portions to prevent separation of the first and second elastic members with respect to the intermediate transmission member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: NSK, LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Segawa, Ryou Oosawa, Toru Ishii, Ryota Sugihara, Takeshi Yamamoto, Akihide Fujita
  • Patent number: 11648995
    Abstract: A transporter for transporting a load over a surface. The transporter includes a support platform for supporting the load. The support platform is characterized by a fore-aft axis, a lateral axis, and an orientation with respect to the surface, the orientation referred to as an attitude. At least one ground-contacting element is flexibly coupled to the support platform in such a manner that the attitude of the support platform is capable of variation. One or more ground-contacting elements are driven by a motorized drive arrangement. A sensor module generates a signal characterizing the attitude of the support platform. Based on the attitude, a controller commands the motorized drive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Robert R. Ambrogi
  • Patent number: 11643163
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle includes an engine, an engine control device, a battery, a vehicle body frame, and a pair of rear wheels. The vehicle body frame includes a pair of seat support frames supporting a seat. The battery is disposed below the seat and between the pair of seat support frames in a vehicle width direction. The engine control device is disposed between a seat support frame of the pair of seat support frames and a rear wheel of the pair of rear wheels. The seat support frame is located on one side in the vehicle width direction, and the rear wheel is located on the one side. At least a part of the engine control device overlaps the rear wheel located on the one side when viewed from the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 11643156
    Abstract: There is disclosed a track assembly having a frame; an endless track engaged with a track wheel system, the track wheel system having a track driving wheel and at least another wheel. An axle engaging device is rotatably mounted to the frame and is securable to a driven axle of a vehicle. An axis of rotation of the axle engaging device is spaced apart from a ground contacting area of the endless track by a distance taken along an axis perpendicular to the ground contacting area. A mechanism drivingly engages the axle engaging device to the track driving wheel. The mechanism defines a speed ratio defined as a rotational speed of the track driving wheel over a rotational speed of the axle engaging device. The distance is greater than a product of the speed ratio by a radius of the track driving wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Denis Boivin
  • Patent number: 11628697
    Abstract: A system and method of raising and lowering a ball coupler for coupling to a ball hitch is provided. A combination of hydraulic pump and hydraulic piston are employed to raise and lower the ball coupler of a gooseneck trailer. Both custom and off the shelf parts combine to create a user friendly system to couple and uncouple a gooseneck trailer to the truck. The system described herein replaces the need to raise and lower a gooseneck trailer's coupling system by hand crank and gear box and even the need to climb into the back of the truck bed. Varying trailer frame configurations and ball coupler sizes can be employed with the present invention. Also described and shown in this provisional is a non-rotating free end hydraulic piston device and method. Also described and shown is a coupling bushing device and method for securing a conventional coupler to piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: William K Chapin, Ronald L Perdue
  • Patent number: 11628899
    Abstract: A straddled vehicle, including a cross member connecting right and left seat frames, a seat above the cross member and right and left seat frames, left and right side covers, a rear fender, an intake passage formed below the seat, between the left and right side covers and above the rear fender, an air cleaner located in a front part of the intake passage, left and right inlet ports located in a rear part of the intake passage, first and second fastening portions respectively fastening the right and left side cover to the right and left seat frames or to the rear fender. In a rear view of the vehicle, the cross member is convex upward and does not overlap the right or left inlet port, and the first and second fastening portions are located outside the intake passage, or are located inside the intake passage but does not overlap the right or left inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Akimoto, Shidehiko Miyashiro, Toshiyuki Shirai, Yuya Ozaki, Kaori Kubo
  • Patent number: 11623486
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for utilizing commercial cargo containers. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. The containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, can move autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Aeplog, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Teppig, Jr., James Whang
  • Patent number: 11597635
    Abstract: A hoisting machinery comprises a steering wheel and wheels, wherein the active steering system comprises an active steering device, a hydraulic power steering gear and a hydraulic power steering system, the active steering device is arranged between the steering wheel and a pitman arm of the hoisting machinery, so as to adjust a steering ratio of the steering wheel to the pitman arm according to a driving cycle of the hoisting machinery, and the hydraulic power steering gear is arranged between the steering wheel and the pitman arm, so as to control the hydraulic power steering system to drive steering of the wheels. In the active steering system of the present invention, a hydraulic power steering system is adopted to drive steering of wheels, which can improve capability of overcoming steering resistance and can be applicable to multiple chassis of cranes, thereby enlarging application ranges of the active steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Honggang Ding, Jiankai Chen, Li Li, Pengcheng Lu, Yunwang Ma, Shuyuan Cao
  • Patent number: 11597457
    Abstract: A trailer for towing by a power vehicle is provided and generally includes a frame and a tandem wheel assembly. The frame forms an undercarriage chassis which the tandem wheel assembly is positioned there under. The undercarriage chassis includes a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and an extension assembly moving the front wheel assembly between trailing position and a self-propelled position where the rear wheel assembly and the front wheel assembly are positioned to equally support the undercarriage chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: New Heights, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Jay Beiler, William Fisher, Raymond Beiler, Jeremiah Weaver
  • Patent number: 11591196
    Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an interchangeable hitch mechanism that is coupleable to a pusher device. Other implementations relate to a pusher device having such an interchangeable hitch mechanism that can be removably coupleable to a manual jack pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Dane Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Johnson
  • Patent number: 11571926
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part. An elongated single wheel is rotatably connected to one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. The elongated wheel houses an expansion device including a linkage mechanism adapted to reconfigure a shape of the elongated wheel between a cylindrical shape in top view of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling in a straight direction and a frustoconical shape in top view of the vehicle in a turning condition of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Abke, Skylar Sible, Megan Imwalle
  • Patent number: 11572112
    Abstract: A track system for traction of a vehicle comprising a track to engage the ground and comprising elastomeric material, a ground-engaging outer side and an inner side opposite to the ground-engaging outer side. The track system also comprises a track-engaging arrangement for driving and guiding the track around the track-engaging arrangement, which comprises: a drive wheel for movement of the track; a leading idler wheel and a trailing idler wheel spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the track system, and a plurality of roller wheels between the idler wheels. The track system also comprises a frame supporting the idler and roller wheels. The track system also comprises a plurality of mounts spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the track system to interconnect the frame of the track system to the vehicle frame, and allow movement of the frame of the track system relative to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CAMSO INC.
    Inventors: Alain Lussier, David Gingras
  • Patent number: 11572133
    Abstract: An electric drive motorcycle (100), comprises: a front portion comprising one or more front wheels (103) and a handlebar (104); a rear portion comprising a saddle (101), a shell body (107) arranged below said saddle (101), and a rear wheel (105) arranged below said shell body (105); an intermediate portion (108) extending as a connection between said front portion and said rear portion; an electric drive unit (8) connected to said rear wheel (105); a power supply unit feeding said electric drive unit (8); and a helmet carrying compartment (11) placed in the shell body (107) below the saddle (101), wherein said power supply unit is arranged in a position below said helmet carrying compartment (11), so that said saddle (101), said helmet carrying compartment (11) and said power supply unit are substantially stacked on each other, being said helmet carrying compartment (11) and said power supply unit arranged inside the shell body (107), wherein said supply unit comprises a battery unit (15) or a battery unit (1
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Carmignani, Alessio Sisi, Emiliano Guidi, Paolo Capozzella, Jury Cantini, Walter Mariotti