Patents Examined by Tony Winner
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Patent number: 9555850Abstract: In a saddle-type vehicle, an engine is supported by a pivot shaft through insertion of the pivot shaft into a bracket part provided at a rear part of the engine. A center lower cross frame is so provided as to span a space between parts in left and right pivot plates on the lower side relative to the pivot shaft. The pivot shaft and the center lower cross frame are connected by a hanger member.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinichiro Ishida, Masao Akieda, Jun Fujii, Toshiaki Nakao, Katsumasa Mukai, Kenjiro Iwasaki
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Patent number: 9550539Abstract: A support for removably fastening a bicycle on-board device having an oblong shape along a bicycle oblong element is disclosed, wherein the support has at least one first opening configured to receive a shank of a first device for fastening to the oblong element, and a second opening configured to receive a shank of a second device for fastening to the oblong element, the first opening and the second opening being spaced along a longitudinal direction of the oblong element, the first opening being configured to receive the shank of the first fastening device alternatively in at least two first positions spaced apart in said first opening, the two first positions being spaced along a direction transversal to the oblong element.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventor: Massimo Dal Pozzo
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Patent number: 9550516Abstract: A core of a worm wheel has an axial end surface formed with a first annular recess and another axial end surface formed with a second annular recess. A rim portion has a first inner circumferential portion fixed to the first annular recess and a second inner circumferential portion fixed to the second annular recess. An outer circumferential wall surface of the second annular recess extends from a bottom surface of the second annular recess so as to be perpendicular to the bottom surface. A depth of the second annular recess is at least 0.1 mm but not deeper than half of a gate thickness.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: NSK LTD.Inventors: Haruhiko Kiyota, Takeshi Yamamoto, Fumiaki Mitsuhashi
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Patent number: 9550398Abstract: A fifth wheel latching assembly is provided having first and second locking assemblies. The first locking assembly includes first and second jaw members, which are movable between open and locked configurations. In the locked configurations, at least one of the first and second jaw members locks a kingpin in place for towing. The second locking assembly includes a latch element which is movable between open and locked positions. In its closed position, the latch element locks a kingpin in place for towing. The first and second locking assemblies independently lock the kingpin in place. Kingpin insertion causes automatic locking of the first and second locking assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Dethmers Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Jason J. Kraai
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Patent number: 9550416Abstract: A heavy-duty truck chassis has a frame assembly having a first rail spaced from a second rail to define a gap therebetween. A front axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a front portion of the frame assembly. A rear axle is supported by the frame assembly and is positioned proximate a rear portion of the frame assembly. A fuel tank is supported by the frame assembly and positioned in the gap and behind the rear axle.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Shem, LLCInventors: Herman Edward Steyn, Shane Leppan, Francois Pierre Hough, Johann Christiaan Vorster
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Patent number: 9545963Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership LLPInventors: Dean Kamen, Richard Kurt Heinzmann, Robert R Ambrogi
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Patent number: 9538706Abstract: A zero turn mower steering system including left and right motion control levers independently pivotable between forward, neutral and reverse positions to rotate left and right rear drive wheels respectively at forward, neutral and reverse speeds. Left and right position sensors on the left and right motion control levers provide electronic signals to an electronic controller that provides a left front wheel steering angle signal and a right front wheel steering angle signal. Each steering angle signal is based on a distance the electronic controller calculates from each of the left and right rear drive wheels to an instantaneous center point of a turn.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventor: Robert D. Haun
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Patent number: 9540066Abstract: A foot peg assembly for a saddle-type vehicle for supporting a rider's foot while seated or standing on the vehicle comprises a mounting bracket for affixation to a frame portion of the vehicle, and a foot peg supported pivotably on the mounting bracket. The foot peg has a base and a step integral with the base extending outwardly therefrom. The base is attached pivotably to the mounting bracket for pivoting movement of the step relative to the mounting bracket. The base and the mounting bracket have mutually complementary configurations which maintain a close spacing therebetween through the range of pivoting movement of the step to substantially close the mounting bracket from entry of debris when the vehicle travels over unpaved ground surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: CRG Racing, LLCInventor: Spencer J. Bloomer
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Patent number: 9540041Abstract: After a Hall IC sensor is set in a connector in such a manner that the Hall IC sensor and a harness are electrically connected to each other, the connector and the Hall IC sensor are inserted from an opposite side of a connector insertion hole in a radial direction toward one side of the connection insertion hole in the radial direction, and a first magnetism collection ring and a second magnetism collection ring are inserted into a torque sensor container portion from a first opening portion in such a manner that the Hall IC sensor is situated between the first magnetism collection ring and the second magnetism collection ring in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.Inventors: Hiroki Murakami, Shinichi Isobe, Kohtaro Shiino
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Patent number: 9540069Abstract: A vehicle, particularly a bicycle, including a crank drive that is to be actuated by muscular force and that is disconnectably drive-connected to at least one driven wheel, and also including an electrical auxiliary drive for assisting the crank drive. The vehicle can be driven solely by the auxiliary drive when the drive connection between the crank drive and the wheel is disconnected. In addition, a control device for the auxiliary drive is preferably connected to a sensor which detects the crank rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Inventor: Rolf Strothmann
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Patent number: 9533736Abstract: A bicycle drive unit includes a motor, which outputs assist force in correspondence with human-powered drive force applied to a crankshaft, and a housing, in which the motor is arranged. The housing includes a coupler, to which a derailleur can be coupled.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: SHIMANO INC.Inventors: Etsuyoshi Watarai, Satoshi Shahana, Shinichiro Noda
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Patent number: 9533734Abstract: An electrical assist device is provided for a bicycle. The device includes an electric machine, a drive pinion, an attachment device, a source of electrical energy, and a controller. The attachment device fixes the electric machine to the bicycle near a tire of a wheel of the bicycle. The source of electrical energy powers the electric machine. The controller controls the electric machine. The electric machine includes a rotor, which drives the drive pinion. The drive pinion includes teeth structured to mesh tangentially with complementary teeth fastened to the tire.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignees: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN, MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.Inventors: David Olsommer, Olivier Essinger
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Patent number: 9517784Abstract: A driving assist unit of a truck for assisting a driving force applied to the truck by a worker includes a unit body connected to the truck, the unit body being turnable with respect to the truck, an operation portion provided on the unit body, the operation portion being configured to input a driving force to the truck through the unit body by being pressed by the worker, a driving wheel provided on the unit body, the driving wheel being rotatable in a longitudinal direction of the unit body, an assist force according to the operation of the operation portion being applied to the driving wheel, a lower engagement mechanism configured to be engaged with a connecting rod, the connecting being provided protruding to an outside from the truck and perpendicularly with respect to a ground, the lower engagement mechanism being slidable in an axial direction with respect to the connecting rod, and an upper engagement mechanism provided above the lower engagement mechanism and configured to be engaged with the connecType: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: KYB CorporationInventor: Shinichi Sekine
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Patent number: 9511637Abstract: A removable guiding apparatus, placed on a trailer hitch extension, that will force the tongue of a trailer over the trailer hitch ball. This system is designed such that the positioning components will force the trailer tongue into position over the hitch ball should the tongue and hitch ball be slightly out of alignment during the backing of the vehicle toward the trailer tongue. These positioning components can be easily placed upon and removed from a plate that is permanently attached to the underside of the trailer hitch extension and hitch ball. The ability to remove these positioning components allows for a wide swing of the trailer tongue during towing as well as unobstructed access to the hitch area.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Inventor: Phillip Clark Frey
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Patent number: 9511812Abstract: A steering driving device for a self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle, the device comprising a first driving mechanism for providing a driving force for a steering system of the self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle by utilizing a first driving manner, a second driving mechanism for providing a driving force for the steering system of the self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle by utilizing a second driving manner, an actuating mechanism fixedly connected to a steering shaft, a transforming mechanism for canceling the coupling of the second driving mechanism and the actuating mechanism when the first driving mechanism is coupled to the actuating mechanism. The steering driving device for the self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle is able to conveniently and reliably switch between the two driving manners, and to ensure the small and compact volume of the two-wheeled vehicle, so that the entertainment of the self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle is enhanced, and an operator would have a good driving experience.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Shanghai New Century Robot Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yangbin Chen, Lin Shen, Jiyong Fang
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Patent number: 9511797Abstract: A first valve accommodation hole is provided in a valve housing. A first valve element, a first valve seat member, a first coil spring, and a first pin are directly accommodated and disposed in the first valve accommodation hole. It is thereby possible to reduce the maximum diameter t1 of the first valve accommodation hole, thus reducing the size of a housing main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.Inventors: Sosuke Sunaga, Shogo Ishikawa
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Patent number: 9505330Abstract: An entry aid for a rail vehicle or a motor vehicle have a step, which is movably supported on rolling elements and/or sliding surfaces, and a drive, which is coupled to the step for extending and retracting the step. The rolling elements/sliding surfaces are positioned in exactly three support regions at a distance from one another and arranged in a triangle. Alternatively the rolling elements/sliding surfaces can be arranged on rockers, and bearing points of the rockers can be positioned in exactly three support regions at a distance from one another and arranged in a triangle.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRĂ„NKTER HAFTUNGInventors: Andreas Hirtenlehner, Johann Wilflinger
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Patent number: 9505431Abstract: A rotation detecting device includes first and second members that are rotatable relative to each other around a rotation axis, a magnetic member fixed to the first member and having poles alternately arranged around the rotation axis, a detecting member arranged to face the magnetic member and made of a magnetic material, and a holding member fixed to the second member. The holding member is made of thermoplastic resin and includes first and second holding members that are welded and fixed to each other. The detecting member is disposed between the first and second holding members to prevent relative contact between the detecting member and the second member. The rotation detecting device further includes a magnetic sensor that detects relative rotation between the first and second members by sensing a change of magnetic field in the detecting member due to the relative rotation.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STEERING, LTD.Inventors: Osamu Yoshida, Tatsuyoshi Maruyama, Kiyotaka Shirakubo
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Patent number: 9505461Abstract: The bicycle with adjustable pedaling resistance using magnetorheological-based fluid is a bicycle that includes a pedaling resistance member. The pedaling resistance member is optionally used to increase the resistance of the bicycle pedals when in use. The pedaling resistance member is integrated into the frame of the bicycle, and includes a hollow cylinder that is partially filled with a magnetorheological fluid. A paddle is affixed to a crankshaft that extends between the bicycle pedals, and across the hollow cylinder. A powering member is in wired connection with an electromagnetic coil, which is in fluid connection with the magnetorheological fluid. The powering member is able to apply electricity to the magnetorheological fluid, which in turn increases viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid thereby increasing pedaling resistance to the bicycle pedals via the paddle rotating within the hollow cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Inventor: Rene M. Ortega
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Patent number: 9499191Abstract: The invention relates to a superposition drive for a superimposed steering system of a motor vehicle, with a drive shaft and a drive gear cooperating with the drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is pivotally mounted with respect to the drive gear. A lever element pivotally mounted with respect to the drive gear, which is designed and arranged such that pivoting of the lever element entails pivoting of the drive shaft or vice versa pivoting of the drive shaft entails pivoting of the lever element, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: TAKATA AGInventor: Thomas Marotzke