Patents Examined by Tony H. Winner
  • Motor-driven power steering system for vehicle
    Patent number: 11926372
    Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle is configured such that movement of the worm shaft and a clearance caused by backlash between the worm wheel and the worm shaft may be prevented using the bearing-integrated damper bush which is coupled to the end portion of the worm shaft and is made of steel, and during of rotation of the worm shaft, the lubricant is supplied between the worm shaft and the bearing-integrated damper bush to facilitate lubrication and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Shik Cho
  • Bicycle component with an adjustable seat post device
    Patent number: 11919590
    Abstract: A bicycle component for an at least partially muscle-powered bicycle, including a seat post device adjustable between two positions, with two support members telescopically movable relative to one another in the axial direction namely, a first support member and a second support member. The bicycle component has an anti-twist protection with a clamping element that non-rotatably couples the support members together, and which is displaceably received in a guiding groove, so that rotational movement of the first support member relative to the second support member can be at least partially blocked. The anti-twist protection includes a spline device with a spline unit that can be pressed against the clamping element in the axial direction. By pressing the clamping element and the spline unit together, the clamping element can be moved relative to the guiding groove transverse to the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventor: Jerome Hoffmann
  • Steering assembly for micromobility transit vehicles
    Patent number: 11919600
    Abstract: A micromobility transit vehicle may include a steering assembly. The steering assembly may include a fork, a steer tube, a stiffening brace, and a stem. The steer tube may extend from the fork and be positioned to rotate within a headtube. The stiffening brace may extend from the fork and be positioned about the headtube. The stiffening brace may include a first engagement surface. The stem may be coupled to the steer tube and the stiffening brace to secure the steering assembly to the headtube. The stem may include a second engagement surface complementary to the first engagement surface and engaged with the first engagement surface to rotationally lock the stem and stiffening brace together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Merric-Andrew Jaranowski French, Andrew Michael Reimer
  • Wheelchair fixing device for vehicle
    Patent number: 11919434
    Abstract: Provided is a wheelchair fixing device for a vehicle including: a lashing belt that has, at one end, a part-to-be-engaged that is configured to be able to engage with an engaging part exposed through a floor surface of a vehicle cabin; a hook that is provided at the other end of the lashing belt and configured to be able to engage with a frame of a wheelchair; and a hook cover that is formed by an elastic body into a tubular shape and fitted on an engaging region of the hook that is a region engaging with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Fumiko Nakai
  • Bunk board runner padding and underlayment
    Patent number: 11919433
    Abstract: The method and use of the padding and underlayment device and method disclosed is directed to method and device for supporting the hull of a watercraft using a bunk board with an underlayment pad or cushion attached to the bunk board, the underlayment pad cushion is constructed with an closed cell foam structure that has little to no water absorption and is 2.5 mm to 12 mm thick, the method also includes the option utilizing closed cell foam as bunk board cover over the bunk board padding and underlayment closed cell foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Paul M Engle, Paul J Engle
  • Mobile fitness plaza
    Patent number: 11919436
    Abstract: A mobile fitness plaza configured to be coupled to or integrated into a vehicle to provide mobile fitness stations to one or more users. The mobile fitness plaza includes one or more alcove compartments providing a storage space for exercise equipment and one or more awnings configured to be selectively adjusted between a stowed position and a deployed position to provide shelter and protection for equipment stowed therein and users positioned beneath the one or more awnings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Fit Truk LLC
    Inventor: Joshua E. Guffey
  • Control device for telescopic apparatus
    Patent number: 11912363
    Abstract: A control device is configured to control a telescopic apparatus that is provided on a human-powered vehicle. The control device includes at least one sensor and an electronic controller. The at least one sensor is configured to detect an operating condition of the human-powered vehicle. The operating condition includes at least two of a sitting condition of a rider, a power input to the human-powered vehicle, and a forward speed of the human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to selectively control the telescopic apparatus of the human-powered vehicle in accordance to the operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Hitching hook device
    Patent number: 11912079
    Abstract: A new type of a hitching hook device includes a hitching ball body and a hitching arm, the hitching arm includes a square steel configured to connect to a vehicle receiver, and the hitching ball body includes at least one hitching ball. The hitching ball body includes a holding jaw, and at least a horizontal clamping groove is defined on the holding jaw. The hitching arm includes at least two square grooves, a fixing plate is disposed between adjacent two square grooves, and a latch is disposed on a top of the hitching arm. The holding jaw of the hitching ball body is clamped to the fixing plate through the horizontal clamping groove, and the latch extends from the top of the hitching arm to a bottom of the hitching arm by passing through the holding jaw. The hitching hook device is tool with many advantages improving work efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Ting Luo
  • Motorcycle
    Patent number: 11912367
    Abstract: In an embodiment, there is provided a motorcycle comprising at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel and a vehicle body, the vehicle body comprising a substantially open elongate duct extending longitudinally through a central portion of the vehicle body between an open inlet aperture arranged at a front portion of the vehicle body and an open outlet aperture arranged at a rear portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: WHITE MOTORCYCLE CONCEPTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert James White
  • Collapsible electric vehicle, vehicle frame for same, and vehicle frame lock
    Patent number: 11904976
    Abstract: A collapsible electric vehicle includes a front vehicle member, a vehicle frame pivotally coupled to the front vehicle member, a seat disposed at the vehicle frame, a power supply, a set of wheels disposed at the front vehicle member and the vehicle frame respectively, and a drive motor eclectically connected to the power supply. The drive motor is connected to at least one of the wheels to drive the wheel to rotate. The collapsible electric vehicle has an expanded state and a collapsed state. In the expanded state, a first supporting frame is expanded and maintained upright to support the seat to be at a suitable position while the front vehicle member is expanded to be positioned apart from the vehicle frame. In the collapsed state, the first supporting frame is collapsed to a main frame, and the front vehicle member is collapsed to the first supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Beijing Onemile Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin Yu
  • Running gear
    Patent number: 11904934
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to running gear for transport devices comprising a guide ring, a wheel carrier configured and arranged to be pivoted within the guide ring about a vertical main axis of rotation and two wheels configured and arranged to be rotated about a common axis of rotation, and an inner ring pivotably mounted in the guide ring via a rotary bearing about the main axis of rotation, and the wheel carrier is pivotably mounted via at least one pivot bearing about a pivot axis perpendicular to the main axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: AGILOX SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Meinhard Schwaiger
  • Electric assist vehicle with integrated speed control
    Patent number: 11904983
    Abstract: An electric assist vehicle is described, which may have a cargo area, a drivetrain including an external crankset and an electric motor, and a speed control system. The speed control system automatically limits the maximum operating speed of the vehicle based, at least in part, on a load mass (e.g., a gross weight) of the vehicle and/or the cargo area of the vehicle. Limiting the speed includes, for example, reducing the power of the electric motor and/or increasing a braking force on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Civilized Cycles Incorporated
    Inventor: Zachary Schieffelin
  • Automatic hand-driven wheeled cart with built-in motor in the wheel with button control on handle
    Patent number: 11897529
    Abstract: A hand-driven wheeled cart or suitcase, including: a body section of the cart or suitcase including a back side, a top side, a bottom side and a front side; a handle coupled to the body section; two wheels coupled to the bottom side of the body section, adjacent the back side of the body section; and a motor housed in one of the two wheels, the motor being actuated by a button on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: Nir Zor, Sapir Zor
  • Steering control system of a multi-unit vehicle
    Patent number: 11891117
    Abstract: A steering control unit and to a method of controlling the steering of a multi-unit vehicle is provided, the vehicle having a plurality of vehicle parts movably connected to one another and a plurality of steerable axle units. A first axle control unit is in conjunction with a first steerable axle unit and at least one second axle control unit is in conjunction with at least one second steerable axle unit. The steering control system has a central control module that is connected to the axle control units via a common data line for exchange of steering angle data. The axle control units have data interfaces for communication via the data line. The data interfaces transfer mutually identical data formats, whereby the steering control system is set up in a modular manner with a variable number of axle control units that can be integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: HÜBNER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Uwe Bittroff
  • Crank assembly for a bicycle
    Patent number: 11878766
    Abstract: A crank assembly for a bicycle includes a crank axle, crank arms mounted to the crank axle to rotate the crank axle, a carrier shaft slidably mounted on the crank axle and configured to slide relative to the crank axle, and a sprocket mounted on the carrier shaft. A position sensor determines a relative position of a diametric axis of the sprocket relative to a central longitudinal axis of the crank arm at an end of a power stroke. Further, an actuator is operatively coupled to the carrier shaft to slide the carrier shaft, and a controller is configured to actuate the actuator to slide the carrier shaft relative to the crank axle based on input from the position sensor to change a start time of the power stroke of the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Lance A Heitz
  • Knuckle assembly for use with a wheel suspension system, a wheel suspension system and vehicle including the same
    Patent number: 11878763
    Abstract: A knuckle assembly for use with a wheel suspension system of a vehicle having a vehicle longitudinal axis, a frame extending therealong, the suspension system comprising upper and lower suspension arms, each having a frame engaging end at which the arm is configured to be pivotally connected to the frame about a proximal suspension axis, and a knuckle engaging end at which the arm is configured to be pivotally connected to the knuckle assembly about a distal suspension axis parallel to the proximal suspension axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MIA DYNAMICS LTD
    Inventor: Yizhaq Calderon
  • Integrated auto-steer system for vehicle
    Patent number: 11878745
    Abstract: A steering wheel actuator is attached to a steering wheel column. The steering wheel actuator includes a gear assembly for turning a steering wheel on the steering wheel column, a motor for rotating the gear assembly, and an enclosure. A control system in the enclosure controls the motor to automatically steer the vehicle. The control system may receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from a GNSS antenna and GNSS receiver located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the GNSS signals. The control system also may receive inertial measurement unit (IMU) signals from an IMU located in the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the IMU signals. The control system also may receive user input signals from a user interface located on the enclosure and automatically steer the vehicle based on the user input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: AGJUNCTION LLC
    Inventors: Jim Tan, Alan Robert Joughin, Jean-Marie Eichner, Glen Sapilewski, Andreas F. Ramm, Husam Kai
  • Control device for mobile body
    Patent number: 11873053
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a control device capable of smoothly performing a turning operation due to an external force for a mobile body having a movement operation part and a seat part of occupant. A control device which performs a movement control of movement operation parts a mobile body estimates a movement rotational force in the yaw direction according to a movement of the mobile body and a rotational driving force in the yaw direction according to a driving forces of an actuator, and estimates an external force rotational force, which is a rotational force in the yaw direction due to an external force applied to the mobile body, based on these estimation values. A turning operation of the mobile body is performed according to an estimation value of the external force rotational force and a maneuver operation of the mobile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Ozaki, Shinya Shirokura
  • System and method for securing an asset
    Patent number: 11865883
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to lock or unlock a gladhand coupler on a towed asset to prevent connection of a tractor air line to the gladhand is provided. The system prevents the tractor from properly operating the towed asset brakes and therefore prevents the unauthorized movement of the towed asset. The system has a locking mechanism that blocks the surface on the gladhand used for coupling with another gladhand coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Phillips Connect Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gil Winograd, Jim Epler, Adam Bean, Thomas Peterson, Zhimin Guo
  • Trailer anti-theft device
    Patent number: 11865880
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a trailer anti-theft device, including an interposer having a solid square metal bar having a coupler interface, a tongue interface, and an interposer stop, the interposer may be adapted to couple to a trailer. Embodiments may also include a tongue adapter adapted to couple to a tongue of the trailer. Embodiments may also include a hitch pin having a hitch pin shaft that passes through an interposer aperture and an adapter aperture, the hitch pin prevents the interposer from sliding out of the tongue adapter. In some embodiments, the interposer may be detachably coupled to the tongue adapter and may be retained by the hitch pin in preparation to adapt to hitching the trailer to a tow vehicle for towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Danny R. Hartley