Patents Examined by Vinh Luong
  • Patent number: 11897575
    Abstract: A brake control device includes a housing, a brake lever, a hydraulic seat and a piston. The housing is formed of a plastic and includes a handlebar mounting portion at an end thereof that is mounted to a bicycle handlebar. The brake lever is pivotably connected to the housing at a pivot of the housing. The hydraulic seat is disposed within the housing and is distal from the handlebar mounting portion. The hydraulic seat is formed of a metal and defines a piston chamber and a hydraulic reservoir therein that are in fluid communication with each other. The piston is movably mounted to the piston chamber in the hydraulic seat, and is operably connected to the brake lever. The plastic of the housing is adhered to the hydraulic seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Chihui Su, Yen-Pang Liu
  • Patent number: 11867251
    Abstract: A pulley decoupler for an accessory drive comprises input and output parts. The output part and the input part are rotatable about a common axis of rotation and are rotatable to a limited extent relative to one another. A centrifugal pendulum device is provided for damping torsional vibrations with a centrifugal pendulum flange that can be rotated about the axis of rotation and has at least one pendulum mass displaceable under centrifugal force relative to the centrifugal pendulum flange. The at least one pendulum mass is acted on by a friction force generated by a first friction device having a first spring and at least one first friction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Philipp Rasch, Jean Sieffert, Daniel Heinrich, Hartmut Mende, Andreas Stuffer
  • Patent number: 11866123
    Abstract: A lever system using a linkage assembly creates linear movement from a rotational movement of a lever. The lever system may be arranged as a grip assembly to activate a braking system of a vehicle. The linkage assembly may include a slide linkage, a bearing linkage, and a pivot linkage such that the lever may cause an end of the bearing linkage and an end of the pivot linkage to move toward the slide linkage, which causes the slide linkage to move in a linear direction. The grip assembly may have a lever that is pivotally connected with a housing of the grip assembly at a predetermined distance and with a contact region to prevent rotational movement in one direction while allowing rotational movement in the opposite direction. Further, the grip assembly may include a bearing linkage that is pivotally connected to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dextera Brakes, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Vorhies, John Doane Nichols, III, Nathaniel Bartholomew Egging, Scott Miller Padiak
  • Patent number: 11858587
    Abstract: A bicycle pedal is provided with a pedal shaft and a pedal body. The pedal shaft has a first end portion configured to attach to a bicycle crank, a second end portion on an opposite side of the first end portion in an axial direction with respect to a rotational center axis of the pedal shaft, and a contact portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The pedal body has a body part rotatably supported by the pedal shaft and a load receiving part at a position corresponding to the contact portion of the pedal shaft. The load receiving part receives a load from the contact portion of the pedal shaft. The load receiving part is at least partly spaced from the contact portion under a no load condition and contacts the contact portion upon a load applied to the pedal body from a rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Inoue, Tatsuya Watanabe, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11840313
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, an electric actuator configured to actuate the derailleur, and a motor configured to drive the transmission body. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control the motor and drive the transmission body upon determining the derailleur has been actuated with the electric actuator to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator so as not to change the transmission ratio until a first condition related to shifting is satisfied in a case where the derailleur is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hayato Shimazu, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11840312
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a crank axle, a first rotational body, a wheel, a second rotational body, a transmission body that transmits a driving force between the first rotational body and the second rotational body, a derailleur configured to operate the transmission body to change a transmission ratio, a motor configured to drive the transmission body and an electric actuator configured to operate the derailleur. A control device has an electronic controller configured to control electric actuator and the motor. The electronic controller is configured to control the electric actuator and drive the transmission body with the motor so that the transmission ratio is changed in a predetermined shifting range in upon determining the derailleur has been actuated to change the transmission ratio and a predetermined condition related to pedaling is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Shahana, Hayato Shimazu, Mitsuhiko Kawasaki, Atsuhiro Emura
  • Patent number: 11834129
    Abstract: A pedal comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a magnet have a portion located within the housing and a portion extending outside of the housing; and (c) a hall effect sensor connected to or located within the housing and configured to measurement movement, rate of movement, or both of the pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: Ravindran Meadows
  • Patent number: 11820348
    Abstract: A user-manipulable signal generating apparatus includes a base plate and an elongate pedal lever having first and second lever ends separated by a lever body. The first lever end is hingedly connected to the base plate. The second lever end is spaced apart from the base plate for pivotal movement with respect thereto. The lever body is configured to move pivotally between a predetermined home position and a maximum pivot position. An elongate resilient biasing beam has first and second beam ends longitudinally separated by a beam body. The first beam end is connected to the base plate. The second beam end is connected to the lever body. A sensor detects pivotal motion of the lever body and generate a signal responsive thereto. The beam body is biased toward an unflexed condition and, when in the flexed condition, urges the lever body in a return direction toward the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Active Safety US Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise J. Ganzel
  • Patent number: 11820171
    Abstract: An axle assembly and method of assembly. The axle assembly may include a drive pinion and a preload nut. The drive pinion may have a recess. The preload nut may have a deformable ring. The deformable ring may engage the drive pinion inside the recess to inhibit rotation of the preload nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Dhanapal Vittala Raya
  • Patent number: 11814130
    Abstract: An operating device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a base member and an electric communication port. The base member extends in a longitudinal direction. The base member includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The second end portion is opposite to the first end portion in the longitudinal direction. The electric communication port is configured to be electrically connected to a connector of an electric cable. The electric communication port is closer to the second end portion than the first end portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hidaka, Yasuyuki Komada
  • Patent number: 11814132
    Abstract: A bicycle operating device includes a main body, a speed shafting unit, a brake lever, a fluid pressure generating assembly, a first operation assembly and a second operation assembly. The speed shafting unit is disposed on the main body and includes a reel and a shaft. The reel is disposed on the shaft. The brake lever is rotatably connected to the main body. The fluid pressure generating assembly is disposed on the main body and includes a cylinder, a piston assembly and a reservoir. The reservoir is located above the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: AD-II ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Kai-Hung Hu, Chung-Ren Chang
  • Patent number: 11814134
    Abstract: A pivoting crank arm apparatus that increases the user's torque. The pivoting of the crank arms further allows the user to quickly move the pedals out of the dead zones at the top dead center and bottom dead center of the crank cycle. This prevents the user from stalling in these dead zones while climbing hills and other high torque or slow pedal speed situations. The pivoting crank arm apparatus is comprised of a set of crank arms attached by a spindle. Each crank arm is further comprised of a pivot arm with a pedal. The pivot arm being pivotally attached to the crank arm and configured to allow for the pivoting action of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Inventor: John Daniel Corder
  • Patent number: 11813998
    Abstract: A foldable pedal apparatus for a vehicle, includes a pedal module popped up to be manipulated by a driver in a manual driving mode in which a driver drives manually, wherein the pedal module may be hidden so as not to be manipulated by the driver in a self-driving mode, and the foldable function of pedals may be implemented by moving the pedal module forwards and backwards by the rotation of the rotation module by operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Eun Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 11806573
    Abstract: A solid, multi-plastic handlebar is provided. The handlebar includes an inner substrate component made of a load-bearing, structural plastic material. In one embodiment, the substrate component includes a first set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members. The handlebar also includes an outer component overlying the substrate component and made of a plastic material less rigid than the plastic material of the substrate component. The outer component is configured to be gripped by a human hand. The outer component includes a second set of circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending locking members which interlock with the first set of locking members to mechanically lock the substrate component and the outer component together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: JVIS-USA, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Alexis Antonio Silva Perez
  • Patent number: 11794851
    Abstract: A spacer is provided for adjusting the tread of a bicycle pedal. The sole can fit to its tread force receiving surface without causing damage to a user's foot or shoe. The non-slipping effect is high. A spacer is detachable from the main body of a bicycle pedal and includes an elastic material for adjusting a height from a deck surface and, when tread force is applied to the elastic material, is pushed down in the direction of thickness according to the tread force, and the tip of a stud pin attached to the main body of the pedal is exposed more from the spacer. The detachable spacer can cover and protect a large portion of the exposed part of the stud pin when no foot is placed on the pedal, and when a foot is placed on the pedal, a stud pin protrudes to provide the non-slipping effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Shinji Marui
  • Patent number: 11794850
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a pedal for use on a device such as a bicycle or stationary bicycle are provided. A pedal may include a pedal body member having an internal cavity. The pedal may include an axle having a shaft adapted to extend into the internal cavity. A sliding bearing block may be secured to a distal end of the axle shaft. The pedal body member may be adapted for transverse or side-to-side rotatable movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the axle shaft. The pedal body member may be self-centering and include one or more springs to apply force to move the pedal body member toward a home or resting position relative to the axle shaft. The pedal may be adapted so that the user's foot can be placed on either a top surface or a bottom surface of the pedal body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Kenneth Belknap
  • Patent number: 11794849
    Abstract: A pedal for bicycles includes a pedal pin that extends along a reference axis and has a first axial end structured to be coupled to a pedal crank of a bicycle and a second axial end opposite to the first end and a pedal body that comprises a hub coupled in a freely rotatable manner to the pedal pin so as to be able to rotate around the reference axis. On the pedal pin there are at least two inner chambers having a circular section and extending along the reference axis coaxial thereto, a sensor circuit coupled to the pedal pin, an electronic circuit configured to determine the mechanical deformation of the pedal pin, and an electric storage device arranged in an inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FAVERO ELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gino Favero
  • Patent number: 11794848
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Charles Dunlap, Brian Jordan, Braden Snead
  • Patent number: 11791689
    Abstract: A mechanical energy accumulator system has a housing with a first pair of flywheels, a second pair of flywheels and a third pair of flywheels. Each of the flywheels is formed of a ceramic material. A stator is positioned in an interior area of each of the flywheels. A pipe shaft is positioned interior of the stator. The pipe shaft has a plurality of magnets therein. A circular pipe is embedded within each of the flywheels. The circular pipe has a fluid contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Mario H. Gottfried
  • Patent number: 11772746
    Abstract: A bicycle including a frame with a fork, the fork having dropouts between which a wheel axle is mounted. The wheel axle includes a sensor and/or an electric component arranged to be connected to a control element. A detachable electric connection is provided between the sensor and/or electric component and the control element. The detachable electric connection is positioned between the wheel axle and the thru-axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANCING TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Roƫll Marie Van Druten, Johannes Gijsbertus Antonius Van Den Brand