Patents Examined by Tony H. Winner
  • Patent number: 11752857
    Abstract: A wheel-driven vehicle (1), comprising a front vehicle unit (1 A), a rear vehicle unit (1B), a power source (4), a first centre beam (8) and a second centre beam (9), a first driving means (10) and a second driving means (11) provided on each opposite sides of the first centre beam (8), a third driving means (13) and a fourth driving means (14), provided on opposite sides of the second centre beam (9), wherein the respective driving means (10, 11, 13, 14) comprises at least a driving wheel (16), a power-transmitting arrangement for transmission of power from said power source (4) to the driving wheel (16) that is included in each of the driving means (10, 11, 13, 14), wherein the power-transmitting arrangement comprises an engine (19) and a transmitting arrangement (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Komatsu Forest AB
    Inventors: Erik Nilsson, Espen Miland
  • Patent number: 11745821
    Abstract: A straddled vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a steering shaft supported by the vehicle body frame, a handlebar that includes a left grip and a right grip and is connected to the steering shaft, a steering wheel, and a steering assist device that applies assist force in a same direction as that of a steering torque that has been input to the handlebar by a rider to the steering shaft. The steering assist device causes the assist force to decrease as speed of the vehicle increases in a first vehicle speed zone and causes the assist force to increase as the speed of the vehicle increases in a second vehicle speed zone that is higher than the first vehicle speed zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Toyota, Nobuo Hara, Yukihide Fukuhara, Tatsuya Nagata
  • Patent number: 11745825
    Abstract: A direct-drive bicycle include a bicycle body, which extends to include a front fork. A front wheel is pivotally provided at a tube fixedly provided at the terminal end of the front fork. A shaft passes through the tube. A rotary disc is connected to the shaft. A pedal is provided at each end of the shaft through a connecting rod. A transmission assembly include a rotatable spline shaft provided, a friction wheel slidably provided at the spline shaft to press against a friction disc provided at a side of the front wheel, and a rotating wheel fixed to the spline shaft. The rotary disc is located between the spline shaft and the front wheel, and drives the rotating wheel to change the position where the friction wheel presses against the friction disc. Thus, the front wheel can be directly driven and provides continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Junghsen Lieh
  • Patent number: 11745818
    Abstract: The present invention provides a straddle type vehicle, comprising: a taillight disposed in a rear portion of a vehicle and configured to emit light to rearward of the vehicle; a license plate disposed at the rear portion of the vehicle; and a detection unit configured to detect surrounding conditions behind the vehicle, wherein the detection unit is connected to a vehicle body frame via a support stay and is disposed to be lower than the taillight and higher than the license plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hagimoto, Yoshiyuki Kuroba, Kiyoshi Katagiri, Hiroshi Maeda, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka
  • Patent number: 11738813
    Abstract: An endless vehicle track includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface includes a carcass and a series of ground engaging profiles longitudinally spaced along the outer surface. The inner surface includes a wheel path and a series of longitudinally spaced guide-drive lugs. One or more of the series of ground engaging profiles, the series of longitudinally spaced guide-drive lugs, the carcass and the wheel path comprise a urethane material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Loc Performance Products, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Linn, David Michael Burtchin
  • Patent number: 11738793
    Abstract: A movable object includes: a body part forming a main body; a wheel provided on a left side or a right side of the body part; a steering module connecting the body part and the wheel, wherein the steering module controls movement of the wheel in a manner that steers the wheel to the left when the wheel moves upward with respect to the body part, and steers the wheel to the right when the wheel moves downward with respect to the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Geun Sang Yu, Hun Keon Ko, Joo Young Chun, Eun Ho Seo
  • Patent number: 11738817
    Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle has a first tube with a first distal end and a second tube with a second distal end. The first and second tubes are movable relative to one another to establish a distance between the first and second distal ends. A first pressure chamber has a loaded pressure proportional to a load applied along the tube axis. A second pressure chamber has a second pressure not proportional to the load. A flow path connects the first and second pressure chambers. A valve is disposed along the flow path and is configured to move between a closed position closing the flow path and an open position opening the flow path between the first and second pressure chambers. An isolator of the valve is configured to nullify any resultant force produced by the loaded pressure of the first pressure chamber acting on the isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Shipman, Brian Jordan
  • Patent number: 11724771
    Abstract: Method and device for dynamically controlling a range of an electrically-assisted bicycle comprising an energy storage and an electric motor, wherein the method is calculating a route from the current bicycle location to the target location, dividing the calculated route into at least two segments, calculating, for each of the at least two segments, an amount of energy to be provided to the electric motor such that an energy threshold of the energy storage is maintained for the at least two segments under consideration of an environmental value and a currently available charge of the energy storage and calculating an assistance factor therefrom according to which energy is provided to the electric motor during the first segment and wherein the amount of energy to be provided to the electric motor and the assistance factor is recalculated for the second segment if an amount of energy consumed during the first segment exceeds a predetermined deviation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Rüdiger Stahl
  • Patent number: 11724769
    Abstract: Example bicycle suspension components and control devices are described herein. An example shock absorber includes a damper body defining a first chamber and a reservoir defining a second chamber. A flow path is defined between the first chamber and the second chamber. The example shock absorber also includes a flow control member disposed in the flow path and a motor to operate the flow control member to affect fluid flow between the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Santurbane, Geoff Nichols, Christopher Shipman, Jeffrey John Baltes
  • Patent number: 11718365
    Abstract: Vehicle includes a frame, a seat arranged on the frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, an elongate directional slider, a pedal on the directional slider that slides between first and second positions, a main drive chain connected to the first wheel, a main drive sprocket that rotates the main drive chain and thus the first wheel, a flywheel that rotates the main drive sprocket, and an energy generating system that converts sliding of the pedal on the directional slider into rotational force to rotate the flywheel. The energy generating system may include a first electrical coil assembly connected to the pedal, a second electrical coil assembly in connection with the directional slider and that cooperates with the first electrical coil assembly to cause generation of electricity, and an electrical motor that is powered by the generated electricity and is coupled to the flywheel to rotate the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Cyclazoom, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Kipnis
  • Patent number: 11715873
    Abstract: The straddle type vehicle comprises an antenna that can receive a wireless signal of a predetermined frequency band, and a sensing unit for sensing a situation in front of the vehicle. A constituent component of the vehicle is arranged between the antenna and the sensing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Futoshi Koga, Naoto Yamashita, Akihito Kawamura, Hiroshi Maeda, Yoshiyuki Kuroba
  • Patent number: 11708126
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes an electric motor having an output shaft defining a motor axis, a rear wheel drivably coupled to the electric motor to propel the motorcycle, a swingarm rotatably supporting the rear wheel, and a frame. The frame includes a main frame member supporting the electric motor and the swingarm. A case of the electric motor is a stressed member of the frame between the main frame member and the swingarm. The swingarm is coupled to the case of the electric motor to define a swingarm pivot axis that is co-axial with the motor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: LiveWire EV, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Nicholas Reitinger, Eric Konkel, Mark Gales, Jared Peter Thede
  • Patent number: 11702159
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a tensioning device with a tensioning unit in a side carrier of a crawler of a tracked undercarriage in a large machine is disclosed. The tensioning unit is arranged in a side carrier compartment in the side carrier of the crawler, wherein a mounting opening is arranged in the side carrier on the outside thereof in an installation area of the tensioning unit for allowing removal of the tensioning unit, when installed, from the side carrier compartment through the mounting opening transversely to a track running direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: KOMATSU GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Henry Schwarz, Jens Junghans, Matthias Rösch, Sebastian Speldrich
  • Patent number: 11701932
    Abstract: A ball mount for measuring tongue weight of a trailer is disclosed. The ball mount can include a ball portion having a hitch ball configured to couple with a tongue of a trailer. The ball mount can also include a hitch portion for interfacing with a hitch receiver associated with a vehicle. In addition, the ball mount can include a load measurement device associated with the ball portion to determine a magnitude of a downward force on the hitch ball. The load measurement device can include a reservoir having a fluid and a piston disposed therein, and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the reservoir. The hitch ball can be configured to exert a force on the piston, thereby affecting a pressure of the fluid in response to the downward force on the hitch ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Weigh Safe, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin McAllister
  • Patent number: 11697468
    Abstract: A bicycle and method and bicycle assembly for a bicycle including a control device and at least one bicycle component whose operating state is variable during operation. An acoustic device with a sound converter is included for outputting information, controlled by the control device, on the operating state of the bicycle component by means of the acoustic device, and/or for capturing noises by means of the acoustic device and converting these to noise signals and utilizing them for controlling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: DT SWISS INC.
    Inventor: Frank Böckmann
  • Patent number: 11697467
    Abstract: A rider-posture changing device is for a human-powered vehicle. The rider-posture changing device includes a first member, a second member, a positioning structure and an electric actuator. The second member is configured to be movable relative to the first member. The positioning structure is configured to adjustably position the first member relative to the second member. The electric actuator is configured to actuate the positioning structure. The electric actuator includes a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector is configured to be detachably and reattachably connected to a first power supply. The second electrical connector is configured to be detachably and reattachably connected to a second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toyoto Shirai, Nicholas C Murdick
  • Patent number: 11691682
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle with a chassis comprising an upper frame structure connected to a lower frame structure, the lower frame structure spanning a longitudinal distance along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein over a first portion of the longitudinal distance, the lower frame structure overlaps with the upper frame structure and wherein over a second portion of the longitudinal distance, the lower frame structure does not overlap with the upper frame structure. The tracked vehicle may also comprise an operator cabin, power plant mounted to the upper frame structure and a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle. Each track assembly is mounted to the lower frame structure of the chassis and comprises a drive wheel; an end wheel; and a plurality of support wheels therebetween; and an endless track disposed around the plurality of wheels for engaging a ground on which the tracked vehicle travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Prinoth Ltd.
    Inventors: Benoit Marleau, Alain Chabot, Carl Gagné
  • Patent number: 11685458
    Abstract: A straddled vehicle, including left and right seat frames respectively located leftward and rightward of a vehicle center plane with respect to a rear-to-front direction, a cross member configured to connect the left and right seat frames, a seat located above the left and right seat frames and the cross member, a rear fender, and a position regulator joining the seat with the rear fender to regulate upward movement of the seat. The seat includes a first load transmitting portion and a first horizontal position determining portion. The cross member includes a load receiver configured to receive a load of the seat, and a second horizontal position determining portion configured to restrict movement of the seat in a substantially horizontal direction. The position regulator includes an elastic member supported by the seat, a coupling portion supported by the elastic member, and a fastening portion configured to fasten the coupling portion to the rear fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Fujimori, Shidehiko Miyashiro, Toshiyuki Shirai, Yuya Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11679800
    Abstract: A helical gear transmission for an electromechanical power-assisted steering mechanism includes a shaft which meshes with a helical gear. The shaft is disposed in a housing and at the first end of said shaft in a drive-side bearing assembly is mounted to rotate about a rotation axis, and at the second end of said shaft in a drive-distal bearing assembly is mounted in the housing. The drive-side bearing assembly has a fixed bearing, and the fixed bearing is enclosed by two bearing shells. On each end side of the fixed bearing one spring element is disposed between the fixed bearing and the respective bearing shell. The spring elements asymmetrically pre-load the fixed bearing such that a pivot axis about which the shaft is pivotable in the direction of the helical gear is disposed in the region of the toothing plane of the shaft and the helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventor: Krisztian Rath
  • Patent number: 11679840
    Abstract: A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a vehicle frame, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and at least one front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The front of the vehicle includes a first front suspension and a second front suspension coupled to the ski. The rear suspension includes a bumper assembly preventing bottoming out of the rear suspension. The rear suspension is coupled to the vehicle frame such that the longitudinal spacing between the vehicle frame and rear suspension is adjustably controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Allen M. Mangum, Justin R. York