Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9259951
    Abstract: A method of screen printing positionally synchronizes a plurality of pallet assemblies on a first screen printing machine with a plurality of pallet assemblies on a second screen printing machine. A screen printed garment having a properly aligned first image received from the first screen printing machine is transferred on a portion of one of the pallet assemblies on the first screen printing machine to one of the plurality of pallet assemblies on the second printing machine. The properly aligned first image on the garment is in proper positional alignment with a screen printing head on the second screen printing machine such that a second image complimentary to the first image is printed on the garment in proper position on the garment relative to the first image without user intervention to positionally locate the first image relative to the screen printing head on the second machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: M&R Printing Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard C. Hoffman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9259952
    Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus for printing seamless cans comprising a mandrel wheel, a plurality of mandrels that can rotate and are provided on the mandrel wheel, and ink-jet printing stations for ink-jet printing images on at least the can walls on the outer surfaces of seamless cans fitted onto the mandrels, and a method of printing seamless cans by using the same apparatus. A plurality of ink-jet heads are arranged in each of the ink-jet printing stations to improve reproduceability of printing and productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN GROUP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Yamada, Kenji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9259953
    Abstract: A method for forming a tactile printed image on a receiver medium to convey information to a visually-impaired person from image data having an array image pixels with binary pixel values. The tactile printed image by depositing tactile marking material onto the receiver medium, wherein no tactile marking material is deposited onto portions of the receiver medium corresponding to image pixels having a first state, and tactile marking material is deposited onto portions of the receiver medium corresponding to image pixels having the second state. The receiver medium has a first coefficient of friction, and the portions of the tactile printed image having deposited tactile marking material are raised by at least 20 microns relative to the surface of the receiver medium and have a second coefficient of friction which differs from the first coefficient of friction by at least 0.06.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
    Inventors: Dinesh Tyagi, Louise Granica
  • Patent number: 9259954
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate support of the invention includes an aluminum plate and an anodized aluminum film which has micropores extending from a surface of the anodized film opposite from the aluminum plate in a depth direction of the anodized film; the micropores each have a large-diameter portion extending from the anodized film surface to an average depth (depth A) of 75 to 120 nm and a small-diameter portion which communicates with the bottom of the large-diameter portion; the average diameter of the large-diameter portion at the anodized film surface is at least 10 nm but less than 30 nm; a ratio of the depth A to the average diameter (depth A/average diameter) of the large-diameter portion is more than 4.0 but up to 12.0; and an average diameter of the small-diameter portion at the communication level is more than 0 but less than 10 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Tagawa, Shinya Kurokawa, Atsushi Matsuura, Yuya Miyagawa, Hirokazu Sawada, Atsuo Nishino
  • Patent number: 9259955
    Abstract: A binding system (30H) having separate page images (81), (82), and (84) each of which present a portion of a complete map or image. The page images are printed within binding system (30H) which comprises three or more main pages (80a), (80b), and (80c) bonded to a main spine (21), and one or more secondary pages (86a) mounted on secondary spine (23a). Main spine (21) and secondary spine (23a) are substantially perpendicular to each other and bisect each other. Thereby allowing pages to be turned both vertically and horizontally without significantly altering the binding systems overall dimensions when open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Gary Dean Ragner
  • Patent number: 9259956
    Abstract: An image forming system has an image forming apparatus which has a printing unit which can perform a printing process of data of a storage unit which can store data of a plurality of jobs and which has a conveying unit which can convey a sheet from the print unit to a sheet processing device which can perform sheet processing, including at least a gluing process, for sheets from the printing unit, the system comprising: a controller adapted to permit a predetermined process related to the gluing process when the job to be processed is a job which meets a predetermined condition, and to inhibit the predetermined process related to the gluing process when the job to be processed is not a job which meets the predetermined condition, thereby overcoming obstacles to realization of an image forming system capable of a gluing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidehiko Asai, Kazuhiko Ushiyama
  • Patent number: 9259957
    Abstract: A combination binding and perforation assembly, which includes a base portion, binding rings, perforating rods, guiding plates, a wall portion, a perforation slot, and a lever. The binding rings protrude from the base portion. Each perforating rod is coupled with a respective binding ring via a respective connector. The perforation slot is defined by a gap between the guiding plates and wall portion, which is disposed at an edge of the base portion. The lever is coupled with the binding rings, and can be manually raised and lowered. When the lever is raised, the binding rings open and the perforating rods advance toward the perforation slot to perforate at least one paper sheet inserted in the perforation slot. When the lever is lowered, the binding rings close and the perforating rods retract from the perforation slot. The perforated sheet can then be inserted into the binding rings through the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Shlomo Arbili, Shachar Arbili
  • Patent number: 9259958
    Abstract: A T-square for measuring and marking a panel comprises a housing; a rule mounted to the housing and arranged to engage a flat surface of a panel; a blade guide for receiving a blade, the blade guide mounted on the rule; and two moveable arms coupled to the housing and arranged to engage an edge of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Aliaksei Chernyshou
  • Patent number: 9259959
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing panels of the type which is at least composed of a substrate and a top layer provided on the substrate, the top layer includes at least two material layers, amongst which a print, the method may involve applying the two material layers, such that the print is performed directly on the substrate and the print forms at least a portion of a printed decor. At least one of the two material layers may include a mixture having at least a thermally curing component and a radiation-curing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FLOORING INDUSTRIES LIMITED, SARL
    Inventors: Benjamin Clement, Christophe Maesen
  • Patent number: 9259960
    Abstract: A paint can assembly that prevents spilling and seeping of paint. The assembly includes a receptacle, a liner bag for holding the paint, a mounting ring, and a removable lid. The mounting ring has several projections along its periphery that are aligned with holes in the liner bag. The holes in liner bag are sized to fit over the projections of the mounting ring that holds the liner in place within the reservoir of the receptacle. After paint is poured into the liner bag, a lid that has slots to fit the projections of the mounting ring is placed over the projections and rotated to lock the lid to the mounting ring and receptacle, and sandwiching the liner to prevent paint from seeping out of the liner bag. The liner bag may have bulges near its top periphery that rest within recessed threading in the mounting ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Johnny Tepsi, Fadi Tepsi
  • Patent number: 9259961
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus for ultrasonic contact imaging. A thin-film transistor (TFT) array is deposited on a substrate. A receiver having a plurality of receiver elements is deposited on the TFT array to receive a received signal. A transmitter adjacent to the receiver generates a transmit signal at an ultrasonic frequency. The transmit signal is reflected from a surface to produce a reflected signal. The received signal is a superposition of the transmit signal and the reflected signal as result of interference. The received signal is representative of differences in acoustic impedances across the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Serena Han Ying Wong, Jeng Ping Lu, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 9259962
    Abstract: An asymmetrical hub bearing assembly for the wheel of a motor vehicle provides a flanged hub rotatable around an axis of rotation (x), a flange transversal to the axis (x), an outer ring with raceways axially spaced from one another, and two rows of balls, of which the axially outer row has a pitch circle with a diameter greater than that of the axially inner row. The flanged hub includes a tubular portion which protrudes in the axially outer direction beyond the flange and provides a thread for a single central threaded fastener adapted to releasably lock a wheel on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Fabio Falsetti, Kenneth C Fegely, Jr., Alfredo Monetti, Marc Schollmeyer
  • Patent number: 9259963
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating an aluminum wheel using a coating composition capable of forming a coating film having a superior cosmetic property as well as an anticorrosive property much enough for preventing corrosion even in the use in an area where the coating film is susceptible to salt damage, and an aluminum wheel obtained by the method. A method for coating an aluminum wheel including applying an anticorrosive coating composition onto the aluminum wheel, and thereafter applying a clear coating composition to form a transparent multilayer coating film, wherein the anticorrosive coating composition contains an acrylic resin (1) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 140,000, a glass transition point of 20 to 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd., Topy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Uemura, Toru Shimizu, Koji Murakami, Tatsuya Oguri, Masafumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 9259964
    Abstract: A wheel bearing having a sensor holder (8) to hold a sensor that detects the rotational movement of a wheel, including: a rotating inner race (1) onto which a wheel of the motor vehicle can be mounted, a stationary outer race (2) attached to a motor vehicle, an encoder (4) associated with the rotating inner race (1), a cover (4) arranged on the stationary outer race (2), whereby the sensor holder (8) is formed by a recess that is provided in the cover (3) and that is arranged opposite from the encoder (4), said recess being closed on the side facing the encoder (4) by a partition (7) that is permeable to the magnetic alternating field between the encoder (4) and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Mock, Florian Koeniger, Kay Schumacher
  • Patent number: 9259965
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a spindle; a wheel hub rotatable relative to the spindle; a seal mounted between the spindle and the wheel hub, the spindle, the wheel hub, and the seal defining a sealed cavity; and at least one bearing mounted between the spindle and the wheel hub within the sealed cavity, the at least one bearing facilitating rotation of the wheel hub relative to the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Crown Parts and Machine Inc.
    Inventors: Lane R. Gobbs, Derek L. Hansen, Kenneth P. Pitman
  • Patent number: 9259966
    Abstract: An adjustable quick release grip contains: a handlebar, a central shaft, a quick releasing shaft, a plurality of steel balls, plural springs, a returning spring, an adjusting seat, and a screw nut. The handlebar includes a spherical knob, a groove, an eccentric hole, a pulling lever, and a connecting stem. The quick releasing shaft includes a hollow body with an outer screwing section, and the hollow body has a slot, an aperture, a stopping rim, an opening, a retaining head, and a shoulder, wherein the retaining head has a plurality of receiving holes. The adjusting seat includes an adjustment cover, a first forcing ring, a second forcing ring, a pore, a notch, and a circular gasket, the notch has inner threads arranged around an inner wall thereof, wherein the adjustment cover has an external screw section surround around a bottom end thereof and screwed with the inner threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Chang Hui Lin
  • Patent number: 9259967
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a carrier housing, a pair of axle tubes, a differential case, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of bearing adjusters. The carrier housing includes a cavity, which is configured to receive the differential case, and a pair of axle tubes that are mounted to the carrier housing. The differential case includes bearing bores into which the outer races of the differential bearings are received. The bearing adjusters are threaded to the carrier housing and support the differential bearings on a side opposite the differential case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Matthew T. Blakeman
  • Patent number: 9259968
    Abstract: A wheel lock configured for use in a movable apparatus is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the movable apparatus can include a leg structure and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure. A wheel lock can extend through the wheel. The lock can have a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel from rotating and a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel. The second position can be axially displaced relative to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GREAT STUFF, INC.
    Inventor: James B. A. Tracey
  • Patent number: 9259969
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire including an inner liner made of a polymer sheet is made of a polymer composition. The polymer composition includes a polymer component of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene triblock copolymer by 5 mass % to 40 mass %, and a rubber component of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, isoprene rubber, and isobutylene-isoprene rubber by 20 mass % to 95 mass %, and sulfur by 0.1 mass parts to 5 mass parts with respect to the polymer component by 100 mass parts. The polymer sheet has a thickness of 1.6 mm to 4.0 mm. A tread is made of a rubber composition including carbon black by 60 mass parts to 200 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of a rubber component including styrene-butadiene rubber by greater than or equal to 50 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Nakazono, Mutsuki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9259970
    Abstract: A belt cushion disposed between an tire-axis-direction end of a belt layer and a carcass comprises an outer layer, an interlayer, and an inner layer which are arranged in this order inwardly in the tire-radial-direction from the tire-axis-direction end of the belt layer. The inner layer and outer layer are made of a rubber composition B having complex modulus E*b and loss tangent tan ?b. The interlayer is made of a rubber composition C having complex modulus E*c being substantially the same as the complex modulus E*b and having loss tangent tan ?c being smaller than the loss tangent tan ?b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9259971
    Abstract: In a pneumatic tire, a belt layer includes an inner-side cross belt and outer-side cross belt having belt angles of not less than 46° and not more than 80° as absolute values with respect to a tire circumferential direction, the belt angles having mutually opposite signs, a circumferential reinforcing layer having a belt angle satisfying a range of ±5° with respect to the tire circumferential direction, and disposed between the inner-side cross belt and outer-side cross belt, and a supplemental belt having a belt angle of not less than 10° and not more than 45° as an absolute value with respect to the tire circumferential direction, and disposed on the outer side in a tire radial direction of the outer-side cross belt. Additionally, the supplemental belt and the outer-side cross belt have belt angles of mutually opposite signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Hamanaka, Koshi Iga, Koichi Kotoku
  • Patent number: 9259972
    Abstract: Wet performance and partial wear resistance of a tire are improved, and a noise generated during running of the tire is reduced. At a tread portion 2, a plurality of land portions 20, 30, and 40 is defined by circumferential main grooves 10 and 11 extending in a zig-zag manner in a tire circumferential direction. In the center land portion 20 and the second land portion 30, a plurality of hexagonal blocks 21B, 22B, 23B, and 30B is provided, each gradually expanding to the both sides in the tire width direction from the both end portions in the tire circumferential direction toward the center. In the center land portion 20, the plurality of hexagonal blocks 21B, 22B, and 23B is arranged so as to be brought close to each other in the tire width direction while sandwiching a circumferential thin groove 24 extending in a zig-zag manner in the tire circumferential direction and to be defined by lug grooves 25, 26, and 27 in the tire circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akiko Shiono
  • Patent number: 9259973
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread pattern designed to provide improved heat dissipation properties, wear resistance, and uneven wear resistance. The tire has arranged in a tread (2) two circumferential fine grooves (10) disposed on opposite sides of the equatorial surface (CL) of the tire and extending in the circumferential direction of the tire, and the circumferential fine grooves (10) define a center land section (11). In the center land section (11) are formed oblique fine grooves (12) each having a first small groove (13) extending in the tire's circumferential direction, a second small groove (14) extending obliquely relative to the circumferential direction from one end of the first small groove (13) toward one circumferential fine groove, and a third small groove (15) extending obliquely relative to the circumferential direction from the other end of the first small groove (13) toward the other circumferential fine groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ono, Masaharu Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9259974
    Abstract: A rubber article comprising: a rubber substrate; and an indicator carried by said rubber substrate, said indicator including at least one component including porous ceramic particles that are at least partially saturated with a liquid, where the particles are transparent when at least saturated with the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Bridgestone Research, LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian V. Kanakkanatt, Hiroshi Mouri, Santosh B. Kanakkanatt
  • Patent number: 9259975
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a pneumatic rubber tire which contains an outer, annular, circular groove which contains a flexible tube bonded to the walls of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Carolin Anna Welter, Dinesh Chandra, Robert Leon Benedict
  • Patent number: 9259976
    Abstract: A tire wear state estimation system includes a tire pressure measuring device affixed to a vehicle tire for measuring tire inflation pressure and generating tire inflation pressure data; tire torsional mode measuring means for measuring tire torsional mode frequency and generating tire torsional mode frequency data; and tire identification means for generating tire-specific torsional mode coefficients using tire-specific identification data. A tire wear estimation is made based upon the tire inflation pressure data, the torsional mode frequency data, and the tire identification derived torsional mode coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Kanwar Bharat Singh, Yiu Wah Luk, Anthony William Parsons
  • Patent number: 9259977
    Abstract: Provided are a tire pressure detecting module that simply identifies a position of a tire detecting module to automatically assign the position of the tire detecting module and a tire pressure detecting system including the same. The tire pressure detecting module includes a phase angle sensor detecting a phase angle of a wheel, a pressure detecting sensor detecting a pressure and temperature of a tire, a pressure detecting control unit extracting a phase angle number matching a phase angle of the wheel that is detected by the phase angle sensor among a plurality of phase angle numbers that are given by uniformly dividing the wheel, and a pressure detecting transmission part transmitting tire information including a pressure value or temperature value detected by the pressure detecting sensor at the retransmission interval several times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Taek Kim
  • Patent number: 9259978
    Abstract: The wheel locations for wireless tire pressure monitoring sensors are automatically learned by comparing the timing of sensor message transmissions to directly measured wheel rotation, such as from an anti-lock brake system. In order to synchronize the data to be detected and compared across a distributed electronic system, first timestamps are applied to RF sensor messages upon reception in a receiver. Second timestamps are applied to decoded sensor data in the receiver when transmission of the data and the first timestamps to a control module begins. The control module applies third timestamps upon reception by the control module. The control module calculates sensor message times by subtracting a difference of the first and second timestamps from the third timestamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dilip B. Patel, James M. Weinfurther
  • Patent number: 9259979
    Abstract: A tire condition sensing apparatus includes a tire-based sensor for sensing two relative rotational positions of its associated tire relative to the earth's horizon as the tire rotates and provides first and second signals indicative thereof. A transmitter for transmits tire condition information and a signal processing time delay value in response to the first and second signals. A vehicle-based sensor monitors tire rotation relative to the vehicle's chassis and provides a signal indicative thereof. A controller for monitors the transmitted tire condition information signal, the signal processing time delay value, and the signal from the vehicle-based sensor and associates tire location in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventor: David L. Juzswik
  • Patent number: 9259980
    Abstract: A number of frames in a burst is adjusted such that a first optimal number of first frames from a first manufacturer are included in the burst, the first optimal number of frames chosen to enable the detection of the burst by first receivers that are tuned to receive the first frames from the first manufacturer. The number of frames in the burst is adjusted such that a second optimal number of second frames from a second manufacturer are included in the burst, the second optimal number of frames chosen to enable detection of the burst by second receivers that are tuned to receive the second frames from the second manufacturer. The number of frames in the burst maintains a configuration compliant with government regulations regarding one or more of a burst length and a power emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Deniau, Brian J Farrell
  • Patent number: 9259981
    Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly and method of operation includes a pressurized air supply assembly for supplying pressurized air to a tire cavity through an elongate outward projecting, valve stem passageway. An elongate centrally disposed shaft within the valve stem reciprocally moves axially in the valve stem internal air passageway between a passageway-opening axial position and a passageway-closing axial position. A pressure regulator is provided to move the elongate shaft axially between the passageway-opening and passageway-closing positions responsive to a detected air pressure level within the tire cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Durr
  • Patent number: 9259982
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tire repair assemblies that can include: a tire sealant tank; an air assembly coupled to the tire sealant tank; a valve configured to control fluid communication between the tank and the air assembly; and a currency operating assembly configured to control the valve. Methods for repairing tires are also provided with the methods including providing tire sealant to a tire from a tire repair assembly upon depositing currency in the tire repair assembly. A stand alone currency operated tire repair assemblies are also provided with the assemblies including: a tire sealant tank; an air compressor operatively coupled to the tank; a valve operatively aligned between the tank and the air compressor; a flow meter operatively aligned between the tank and the air compressor; and computer processing circuitry operatively coupled to the air compressor, the valve, and the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Consumer Products International LLC.
    Inventor: Robert W. Paasch
  • Patent number: 9259983
    Abstract: An improved aircraft towing apparatus, which is attachable to a small vehicle such as a golf or utility vehicle. The apparatus has a swiveling hitch bar pivotally mounted to a vehicle and a tow bar sleeve pivotally mounted to the center of the hitch bar, with the tow bar sleeve positioned underneath of the hitch bar. The device further comprises an extendable tow bar which is positioned within the tow bar sleeve. The tow bar is slidably insertable into the tow bar sleeve. The tow bar, when not in use, may be slid back through the tow bar sleeve such that the majority of the length of the tow bar is secured out of the way underneath the chassis of the utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Hans Hohlrieder
  • Patent number: 9259984
    Abstract: Flying Car, roadable aircraft, amphibian, multimode, multifunctional, composite versatile personal transport vehicle with twin, parallel fuselages, hulls, each with inflatable pontoons and/or wheels below and a cabin. Combined, aircraft, airplane, aeroplane, flying, air, aerial, airborne vehicle with variable, folding wings which is convertible via automatic transformation to a land vehicle and to a sea vessel. Two wings are stored between the fuselages. They extend on a system of rails, pivots and counter-rotating, fuselage-mounted arms which then sink flush into the wings' undersides and lock for flight. Upon wing extension and retraction, controls for road transport and flight controls alternately emerge or are stowed inoperably, as needed. Engine power alternately drives a propeller for flight, wheels for road travel and a separate, submersible, marine propeller for water transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Fleck Future Concepts GmbH
    Inventor: John Brown
  • Patent number: 9259985
    Abstract: A gas spring and damper assembly can include a first gas spring having a first spring rate and a second gas spring connected in series with the first gas spring. The second gas spring can have a second spring rate that is at least two times the first spring rate of the first gas spring. A damper can be operatively connected with at least one of the first and second gas springs. A suspension system including one or more of such gas spring and damper assemblies and a method of assembly are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua R. Leonard
  • Patent number: 9259986
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a vehicle chassis on a wheel of the vehicle includes a frame pivotably connected to the vehicle chassis at a connection location and a wheel attachment component slidingly coupled with the frame. The wheel attachment component is positioned on a first side of the connection location and is configured to pivot in unison with the frame and to move between a plurality of operating positions relative to the frame. A suspension component is positioned on a second side of the connection location opposite the attachment component and is operably interposed between the frame and the attachment component for regulating motion transfer between the frame and the attachment component, the suspension component. An adjustment actuator is rigidly coupled with the frame and is configured to shift the attachment component between any of the plurality of operating positions relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: James Slawson
  • Patent number: 9259987
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and controlling a chassis pneumatic ride-height control system. Repeatedly measuring a current height of the chassis; detecting when the current height of the chassis exceeds at least one predefined height threshold. A time interval threshold is associated with the height threshold; repeatedly measuring a time interval in which the current height of the chassis exceeds the predefined height threshold; detecting when the measured lime interval exceeds the predefined time interval threshold associated with the predefined height threshold; repeatedly checking whether both the height threshold and the associated time interval threshold are exceeded, and if so, preventing the current height of the chassis from rising further and/or increasing stability of the chassis; deactivating the measures when the repeated check shows that the current height of the chassis is below the at least one height threshold and the associated time interval threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Marc Nettelmann, Werner Schünemann, Oliver König, Hermann Hoinkhaus, Ralph Tepe
  • Patent number: 9259988
    Abstract: An adjustable wheel suspension for the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein each wheel is guided by means of wheel guide elements and each wheel is operatively connected to an adjustable torsion bar, the torsion bars associated with the respective wheels being partially aligned with each other and each torsion bar being associated with an adjusting device that can be regulated and/or controlled by a controller for adjustment and each torsion bar being mounted on an auxiliary frame via its adjusting device and the controller. The adjusting devices and the adjusting mechanism are mounted in a common housing, which can be mounted on the auxiliary frame as an integral structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schindler, Heinrich Beringer, Ruben Goldberg, Joachim Schmitt, Christian Isakiewitsch
  • Patent number: 9259989
    Abstract: An air conditioning system including a blower, an evaporator, an airflow chamber, and a thermal expansion valve assembly. The airflow chamber extends between the blower and the evaporator to direct airflow generated by the blower to the evaporator. The thermal expansion valve assembly includes a valve and a sensor bulb. The valve is on an input side of the evaporator. The sensor bulb is arranged on an output side of the evaporator external to the airflow chamber, and in an airflow path of ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9259990
    Abstract: A vehicle heating system comprising: a coolant circuit that circulates coolant between an engine and a heater core; heating device that heats coolant, which is interposed in the coolant circuit; a pump for coolant circulation, which is interposed in the coolant circuit; and a switching valve that switches the coolant flowing through the coolant circuit between a heater-core-side circuit that circuits the coolant among the heater core, the pump and the heating device and an engine-side circuit that circulates the coolant into the engine, wherein the switching valve has a thermo valve that switches channels so that the coolant coming from the engine-side circuit enters either one of the heater-core-side circuit and the engine-side circuit according to temperature of the coolant, and a bypass that delivers the coolant, which comes from the heater-core-side circuit, to the heater-core-side circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigeharu Ishii, Hisafumi Doi, Makoto Katsuki, Shinsaku Tomita
  • Patent number: 9259991
    Abstract: In the heating device, PTC heating elements arranged between current rails lying opposite each other are used, which are fed with supply current from a control electronics unit via the current rails. Metallic heating rib structures are respectively coupled to one of the current rails via an electrically insulating but thermally conducting coupling layer. The air to be heated flows through the heating rib structures which have an undulating shape. The metallic heating rib structures are electrically connected to vehicle ground and thus form a shield that eliminates emissions of electromagnetic interfering radiation without impeding the flow of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO KLIMASYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Freund, Hans-Joachim Lilge, Johannes Molitor, Markus Hermann, Marian Mazurek, Martin Aidam
  • Patent number: 9259992
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner control system has an air conditioning device has a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a compressor running rate control device, a deceleration fuel cutoff executing device, and a fuel supply recovery executing device that cancels cutoff of fuel supply and recovers fuel supply at a higher vehicle speed during vehicle deceleration fuel cutoff period with air-conditioner ON than during vehicle deceleration fuel cutoff period with air-conditioner OFF. The compressor running rate control device increases the compressor running rate for a predetermined period just before a fuel supply recovery time with air-condition ON during the deceleration fuel cutoff period more than during non-execution of the deceleration fuel cutoff, and subsequently decreases the compressor running rate at or just before the fuel supply recovery time with air-condition ON equal to or less than during non-practice of the deceleration fuel cutoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yugo Motegi, Tadashi Iwamoto, Takashi Watanabe, Tetsuya Fuke, Tetsuya Furumaya
  • Patent number: 9259993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8) inside of which flows a coolant, and including a compressor (9), an outer heat exchanger (15), a restitution heat exchanger (12, 32) and a first expansion member (17) provided downstream from the restitution heat exchanger (12, 32) in the flow direction (11) of the coolant in the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8). The heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8) includes means (20) for bypassing the inner heat exchanger (12) and the first expansion member (17). The present invention also relates to a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning equipment (1) including such a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning loop (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
    Inventors: Bernard Aoun, Régis Beauvis, Muriel Porto, Maurizio Alessio
  • Patent number: 9259994
    Abstract: An elongate glazing component such as a water-tray mounting profile is attached to an automotive glazing adjacent an edge thereof to extend along at least part of the edge. At least one small, generally flat reinforcing member is bonded by adhesive to the inner face of the glazing adjacent the glazing component, each reinforcing member having a contact area for bonding to the inner face of the glazing, and a flange which extends over part of the elongate glazing component and is in contact with it. The flange may be generally parallel to the inner face of the glazing. Preferably the adhesive is cured by ultraviolet light and shrinks on curing. This property may be used to compress an attachment limb of the water-tray mounting profile, thereby holding it more securely. The arrangement may be used to attach a water-tray to a vehicle windscreen without support from the vehicle bodywork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: Wolfgang Erner
  • Patent number: 9259995
    Abstract: An energy absorber for improving passenger safety in a vehicle during an impact to the vehicle, the energy absorber comprising a hollow body having a base defining a proximal end of the body, the base being configured to affix the body to a portion of the vehicle, the body further including a sidewall extending from the base and terminating in a distal end of the body, the sidewall having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface including a portion defining an interior step transition, the exterior surface including a portion defining an exterior step transition, the interior and exterior step transitions being provided at locations axially offset from each other along the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Steinbrecher, Michael G. Morrison, Michael Zielinski
  • Patent number: 9259996
    Abstract: A side door extension support assembly for a vehicle includes a side door movably mounted on a vehicle body of the vehicle and an extension member mounted to the vehicle body. The side door is longitudinally moveable between a closed position and an open position. The extension member is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for supporting the side door. Movement of the extension member corresponds to movement of the side door such that the extension member moves to the extended position when the side door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and the extension member moves to the retracted position when the side door is moved from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erik R. Anderson, Steven R. Thiele
  • Patent number: 9259997
    Abstract: Disclosed is a center reinforcement structure of a panoramic sunroof that is coupled in a vehicle width direction between a front glass and a rear glass disposed at a ceiling of a vehicle. The center reinforcement structure may include a frame which is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and has one end that is tightly attached and fixedly coupled to a lower portion of the rear glass, and a first center reinforcement which is coupled to a lower portion of the frame, and has a first closed cross-sectional portion that is formed at one side of the first center reinforcement by sequentially bending a first plate to provide a first closed space, and a first joint portion that is formed at the other side of the first center reinforcement by overlapping both ends of the first plate substantially in parallel so that both ends of the first plate are in surface contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Sang-Sub Um, Do-Won Sung, Sun-Gyu Hwang
  • Patent number: 9259998
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes first and second side rails, a first cross member and a second cross member. A multi-piece well configured to house hybrid electronic hardware includes a well floor having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second. The first end is secured to the first cross member to define a well first end wall. The second end is secured to the second cross member to define a well second end wall. A first frame side support is secured to the first side to define a well first side wall. A second frame side support is secured to the second side to define a well second side wall. The first frame side support is laterally spaced inwardly from and connected to the first side rail and the second frame side support is laterally spaced inwardly from and connected to the second side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony John Leanza, Manabu Ishizono
  • Patent number: 9259999
    Abstract: A motor integration assembly includes a supporting structure for connecting a transmission of a vehicle to a drivetrain of the vehicle, wherein the support structure includes a housing to receive a portion of the drivetrain of the vehicle. The motor integration assembly also includes a torque transfer unit for transferring torque from an electric machine to the portion of the drivetrain of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: XL Hybrids
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Leach, Neal Ennis Brenner, Joseph Paul Hafer, Joseph D. McCabe
  • Patent number: 9260000
    Abstract: A drive system includes first and second power sources, a planetary gearset including an output, and first and second inputs driveably connected, respectively, to the first and second power sources, a pinion supported for rotation, and a synchronizer for alternately releasing a drive connection between the pinion and output and substantially synchronizing a speed of the pinion and a speed of the output before driveably connecting the pinion and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Robarge, Craig M. Renneker, Brian R. Light, Norman J. Bird, Matthew S. Eiszler