Patents Examined by Tony H. Winner
  • Bicycle seatpost
    Patent number: 11807328
    Abstract: For improving damping properties and aerodynamics of a bicycle seatpost, said bicycle seatpost substantially includes three elements. A support element includes a connecting member for connecting to a bicycle saddle, and a holding member for fixing to a seat tube. Said two members are connected to each other by a bending member. At the front side of the bending member, a damping element is adhered, in particular with its entire surface. The damping element is particularly partially surrounded by a shell-shaped form element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Canyon Bicycles GmbH
    Inventor: Lukas Schuchnigg
  • Patient transport apparatus having powered drive system utilizing dual mode user input control
    Patent number: 11806284
    Abstract: Systems for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus are provided and include user input control device that includes a mode switch selectable between a longitudinal transport mode and a multidirectional mode and a driving assist device actuatable between at least one engaged state and a non-engaged state. The mode switch generates signals based on the selected mode and the driving assist device generates engaged or non-engaged signals which are received by a controller. The controller is configured to generate an output signal sent to a lift actuator, swivel actuator, and/or a powered drive system to assist a user in propelling the apparatus in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Patmore, Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Jeffrey S Dunfee, II, Fanqi Meng, Christopher J. Hopper, Thomas A. Puvogel, Gregory S. Taylor, Ryan Ross
  • Air intake and exhaust systems for a snowmobile engine
    Patent number: 11802506
    Abstract: A snowmobile including a frame; at least one ski; an engine with an engine air inlet and an exhaust outlet; a turbocharger including an exhaust turbine, and a compressor. An air intake system includes a first flow path connecting the compressor to the atmosphere; a second flow path connecting the compressor to the engine air inlet; an intake bypass flow path connecting atmosphere to the engine air inlet for bypassing the compressor; and an intake bypass valve for controlling the flow through the intake bypass flow path. An exhaust system includes a third flow path connecting the exhaust outlet to the exhaust turbine; a fourth flow path connecting the exhaust turbine to the atmosphere; an exhaust bypass flow path connecting the exhaust outlet to the atmosphere for at least partially bypassing the exhaust turbine; and an exhaust bypass valve for controlling the flow through the exhaust bypass flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Michel Lefebvre, Jonathan Claveau, Bruno Schuehmacher, Roger Rioux, Sebastien Thibault, Luc Champigny, Frederic Desjardins
  • Trailing link suspension for a bicycle
    Patent number: 11801911
    Abstract: A trailing link suspension for a bicycle includes at least one fork arm. The fork arm including a proximal end and a distal end defining a non-linear portion disposed between generally straight portions such that the distal end is at an angle of approximately 70°˜90° relative to the proximal end. The fork arm is rotatably fixed to a bicycle frame. The suspension includes a shock absorber comprising a first end and a second end, defining a length therebetween. The first end of the shock absorber rotatably fixed to the non-linear portion. The suspension includes a link including a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween. The second end of the shock absorber is rotatably fixed to the link, the first end of the link fixed to the second end of the fork arm and the second end of the link fixed to an axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Stuart Jackson Consulting, LLC
    Inventor: Stuart Jackson
  • Vehicular pressure vessel mounting system
    Patent number: 11794625
    Abstract: A vehicular vessel mounting system is provided. In one aspect, a vehicular vessel mounting system includes a mount arranged to support a pressure vessel in a substantially vertical orientation. The mount includes a vertically oriented spine and a backing connected to the spine. The backing is shaped to match an outer wall of the pressure vessel. One or more retention mechanisms are arranged to retain the pressure vessel to the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Echeneidae Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Lee, Eric Harding
  • Straddle type vehicle
    Patent number: 11794838
    Abstract: The present invention provides a straddle type vehicle, comprising: a storage unit arranged at a rear portion of a vehicle to be capable of storing an article; and a detection unit configured to detect a surrounding situation in a rear side of the vehicle, wherein the storage unit includes an outer case and an inner case which defines a storage space capable of storing the article, and wherein the detection unit is arranged between the outer case and the inner case, at a rear portion of the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hagimoto, Yoshiyuki Kuroba, Kiyoshi Katagiri, Hiroshi Maeda, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka
  • Straddle type vehicle
    Patent number: 11794837
    Abstract: There is provided with a straddle type vehicle. A direction indicator is formed to project outward in a vehicle width direction and shows a traveling direction of the vehicle. A sensing device detects an obstacle around the vehicle using an ultrasonic wave. The sensing device is arranged in a distal end portion of the direction indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Katagiri, Yoshiyuki Kuroba, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Hiroshi Maeda
  • Multi-point underbed hitch mounting system
    Patent number: 11794538
    Abstract: An under bed hitch mounting apparatus is shown and described. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may comprise a first bracket attachable to a frame of a vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle and a second bracket attachable to the frame of the vehicle below a load bed of the vehicle, the second bracket transversely spaced from the first bracket. The under bed hitch mounting apparatus may also include a first receiving member attached with the first bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage an accessory member, where at least a portion of the first receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle, and a second receiving member attached with the second bracket, the first receiving member configured to engage the accessory member, where at least a portion of the second receiving member extends above the load bed of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Garner, Matt Dunlavey, Erik Fritz, Brian Ward
  • Safety and control system for use when pulling trailers
    Patent number: 11794706
    Abstract: A towing device operably provided on a trailer for powering and controlling the trailer. The towing device has an actuator operably connected with the trailer during a towing operation. The towing device also has at least one switch provided in the actuator and operable to variably control at least one motor/generator provided on the trailer. The at least one switch is also operable to send a first signal to the at least one motor/generator via a first force exerted on the actuator by a vehicle, and wherein a first torque is applied to at least one wheel on the trailer via the at least one motor/generator being operably engaged with the at least one wheel. In addition, the towing device may include a controller operably connected to the at least one switch and to the at least one motor/generator, to control the torque applied by the at least one motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel H. Crouse, Steven A. Musick
  • Trailer coupler assembly
    Patent number: 11787247
    Abstract: A trailer coupler assembly facilitates the automatic coupling and decoupling of a trailer. A trailer coupler assembly can include a main body with a frontward-facing opening for receiving a rearwardly oriented trailer ball. A locking assembly can be integrated with the main body and can allow the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to insert into the frontward-facing opening to automatically secure a trailer to a vehicle. A release assembly can interface with the locking assembly to enable the rearwardly oriented trailer ball to be decoupled from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Mod.al Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Erick Vega, Kreg Peeler, Angela Brimhall, Jeremy Carter
  • Motor stall and trailer lift
    Patent number: 11787486
    Abstract: A method detects and prevents stall of a drive motor of an autonomous electric tractor. A stall detector receives, at intervals, a motor current value from a drive circuit of the autonomous electric tractor, determines when the motor current value reaches or exceeds a first current threshold and applies brakes, inhibits a throttle controlling the drive motor, and sets a motor stall flag. A method determines a height above the ground of a landing gear of a trailer coupled with a tractor. A lift detector controls a hydraulic pump to pump a hydraulic fluid into a chamber of a piston coupled to a fifth wheel of the tractor to raise the fifth wheel. The lift detector senses, at intervals as the fifth wheel rises, a pressure value of the hydraulic fluid in the chamber and processes the pressure value to determine when the landing gear is lifted off the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Outrider Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tessa Ronan, Vittorio Ziparo, Lawrence Klein, Ky Woodard
  • Theft-proof trailer hitch tongue
    Patent number: 11787245
    Abstract: An article of manufacture for providing a theft-proof trailer hitch tongue is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Munro
  • System and method for trailer propulsion
    Patent number: 11787487
    Abstract: The vehicle system can include: a set of vehicle couplings (e.g., a tractor interface, a trailer interface, etc.); a chassis, a battery pack, an electric powertrain, a sensor suite, and a controller. The modular vehicle system can optionally include landing gear, a suspension, and any other suitable set of components. The vehicle system functions to structurally support and/or tow a trailer—such as a Class 8 semi-trailer—and/or to augment/supplement a tractor propulsive capability (e.g., via a diesel/combustion engine) with a supplementary electric drive axle(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Anamnesis Corporation
    Inventor: Ian C. Rust
  • Turning angle detecting device and electric power steering device
    Patent number: 11780489
    Abstract: A turning angle detecting device includes: a first storage unit configured to store a turning angle neutral point correction value being a difference between a median of the turning angles at respective limits in right and left steering and the turning angle in a straight traveling state; a second storage unit configured to store an initial position of a movable portion of an actuator of a wheel turning mechanism in the straight traveling state; a first turning angle calculating unit configured to calculate a first turning angle with respect to the median of the turning angles at the respective limits based on a detection value of a position of the movable portion; and a second turning angle calculating unit configured to calculate a second turning angle based on the detection value, the turning angle neutral point correction value, the initial position and the first turning angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Shoya Maruyama, Tetsuya Kitazume
  • Utility cart and transport system
    Patent number: 11780484
    Abstract: In some implementations, a utility cart includes (a) a cargo hold having a cargo bed; (b) an assembly having a wheel arm having a first catch, a handle arm having a second catch, and a wheel; the wheel arm and handle arm coupled together at an angle and adjacent a pivot point; the wheel rotatably coupled to a distal end of the wheel arm; (c) a locking mechanism and a spring member, the locking mechanism having a first locking pin and a second locking pin; and (d) a plurality of bearing wheels disposed below a bottom surface of the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Compass Carts LLC
    Inventors: Todd Hanson, Steve Shae, Matt Mundahl
  • Electrical connection for trailer hitch
    Patent number: 11780280
    Abstract: A passageway is formed through a trailer hitch bar allowing an electrical conductor to be threaded through the hitch bar. At a proximal end of the hitch bar the wires are attached to the first half of an electrical conductor. Within a receptacle, a second half of the connector is located to interconnect with the connections on the first half. Conductors are connected to the connector halves and are coupled to electrical contacts on a draw bar on a towing vehicle which connect to an electrical coupling on the vehicle. The wires within the electrical conductor are now connected to the electrical connections already existing in the vehicle allowing the towed vehicle to respond to activations of brakes, turn signals, hazard warnings, headlights, and also engaging the transmission in reverse to activate a solenoid to release trailer brakes to allow a trailer to be moved in reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Cardenas
  • Unattended trailer hitch lock
    Patent number: 11766905
    Abstract: A trailer hitch lock provides a finned, external shell around a centrally-disposed lock assembly. The material of the shell, its distribution of fins, and the fin dimensions all cooperate to defeat a destructive attack on the lock by a portable angle grinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventors: Dylan Cato, Austin Lazo
  • Wheelchair accessory device for increased mobility
    Patent number: 11766370
    Abstract: This document describes accessory devices for wheelchairs. For example, this document describes wheelchair accessory devices that include a wheel and foot pedals so that a wheelchair user can use his/her legs to propel the wheelchair by pedaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Tom Stenson
  • Steering gear mechanism and steering system for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 11760408
    Abstract: A steering gear mechanism is disclosed for a steering system of a motor vehicle including at least a housing, a gear wheel, a pinion intermeshing with the gear wheel and a pinion shaft comprising the pinion. The pinion shaft is mounted on one side of the pinion in a fixed bearing, which includes a pivot bearing, in which the pinion shaft is received. The pivot bearing itself is received in a fixed bearing sleeve. The fixed bearing comprises a pivot ring, which has an outer ring and an inner ring, which are connected to each other by way of one or more torsion webs in such a manner that pivoting about a pivot axis defined by the one or more torsion webs is enabled, the inner ring being received in the fixed bearing sleeve and the outer ring being mounted within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmermann, Jens-Uwe Hafermalz, Dennis Fuechsel
  • Robots and systems for automated storage and retrieval
    Patent number: 11759943
    Abstract: Automated storage and retrieval systems which include robots that move along ceilings and/or walls to retrieve and/or transport goods. The robots use magnetic adhesion to hold to the surfaces. The robots adjust the magnetic adhesion force in response to changes in weight or other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ferromotion Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Vira Tarbaieva, Andriy Volodymyrovych Shvydky, Mykhailo Anatolievich Smetaniuk, Victor Anatolievich Smetaniuk